Sample records for estado pelos atos

  1. Fabrication of ATO/Graphene Multi-layered Transparent Conducting Thin Films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Na; Chen, Fei; Shen, Qiang; Wang, Chuanbin; Zhang, Lianmeng

    2013-03-01

    A novel transparent conducting oxide based on the ATO/graphene multi-layered thin films has been developed to satisfy the application of transparent conductive electrode in solar cells. The ATO thin films are prepared by pulsed laser deposition method with high quality, namely the sheet resistance of 49.5 Ω/sq and average transmittance of 81.9 %. The prepared graphene sheet is well reduced and shows atomically thin, spotty distributed appearance on the top of the ATO thin films. The XRD and optical micrographs are used to confirm the successfully preparation of the ATO/graphene multi-layered thin films. The Hall measurements and UV-Vis spectrophotometer are conducted to evaluate the sheet resistance and optical transmittance of the innovative structure. It is found that graphene can improve the electrical properties of the ATO thin films with little influence on the optical transmittance.

  2. United States Coast Guard AtoN battery scientific assessment

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1997-12-01

    The USCG maintains about 12,000 fixed lighted aids to navigation (AtoNs). Historically, many of these lights were powered by primary batteries containing small amounts of mercury. These batteries were sometimes disposed of at the AtoN sites. The asse...

  3. Preparation and Characterization of Ato Nanoparticles by Coprecipitation with Modified Drying Method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Shimin; Liang, Dongdong; Liu, Jindong; Jiang, Weiwei; Liu, Chaoqian; Ding, Wanyu; Wang, Hualin; Wang, Nan

    Antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation by packing drying and traditional direct drying (for comparison) methods. The as-prepared ATO nanoparticles were characterized by TG, XRD, EDS, TEM, HRTEM, BET, bulk density and electrical resistivity measurements. Results indicated that the ATO nanoparticles obtained by coprecipitation with direct drying method featured hard-agglomerated morphology, high bulk density, low surface area and low electrical resistivity, probably due to the direct liquid evaporation during drying, the fast shrinkage of the precipitate, the poor removal efficiency of liquid molecules and the hard agglomerate formation after calcination. Very differently, the ATO product obtained by the packing and drying method featured free-agglomerated morphology, low bulk density, high surface area and high electrical resistivity ascribed probably to the formed vapor cyclone environment and liquid evaporation-resistance, avoiding fast liquid removal and improving the removal efficiency of liquid molecules. The intrinsic formation mechanism of ATO nanoparticles from different drying methods was illustrated based on the dehydration process of ATO precipitates. Additionally, the packing and drying time played key roles in determining the bulk density, morphology and electrical conductivity of ATO nanoparticles.

  4. The Advanced Technology Operations System: ATOS

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kaufeler, J.-F.; Laue, H. A.; Poulter, K.; Smith, H.

    1993-01-01

    Mission control systems supporting new space missions face ever-increasing requirements in terms of functionality, performance, reliability and efficiency. Modern data processing technology is providing the means to meet these requirements in new systems under development. During the past few years the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) of the European Space Agency (ESA) has carried out a number of projects to demonstrate the feasibility of using advanced software technology, in particular, knowledge based systems, to support mission operations. A number of advances must be achieved before these techniques can be moved towards operational use in future missions, namely, integration of the applications into a single system framework and generalization of the applications so that they are mission independent. In order to achieve this goal, ESA initiated the Advanced Technology Operations System (ATOS) program, which will develop the infrastructure to support advanced software technology in mission operations, and provide applications modules to initially support: Mission Preparation, Mission Planning, Computer Assisted Operations, and Advanced Training. The first phase of the ATOS program is tasked with the goal of designing and prototyping the necessary system infrastructure to support the rest of the program. The major components of the ATOS architecture is presented. This architecture relies on the concept of a Mission Information Base (MIB) as the repository for all information and knowledge which will be used by the advanced application modules in future mission control systems. The MIB is being designed to exploit the latest in database and knowledge representation technology in an open and distributed system. In conclusion the technological and implementation challenges expected to be encountered, as well as the future plans and time scale of the project, are presented.

  5. Electrochemical and microstructural characterization of magnetron-sputtered ATO thin films as Li–ion storage materials

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ouyang, Pan; Zhang, Hong; Chen, Wenhao

    2015-01-15

    Highlights: • Nano-structured ATO thin films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering at 25 °C, 100 °C and 200 °C, respectively. • ATO thin films show a high reversible capacity and high rate performance. • Electrochemical reaction mechanism of the ATO thin film was revealed by transmission electron microscopy. - Abstract: Sb-doped SnO{sub 2} (ATO) nanostructured thin films were prepared by using radio frequency magnetron sputtering at the substrate temperatures of 25 °C, 100 °C and 200 °C, respectively. All the ATO thin films have the similar redox characteristics in the cyclic voltammetry measurements. The ATO thin film sputtered at 200more » °C shows the lowest charge transfer resistance and best electrochemical performance, and has a high reversible capacity of 679 mA h g{sup −1} at 100 mA g{sup −1} after 200 charge–discharge cycles and high rate performance of 483 mA h g{sup −1} at 800 mA g{sup −1}. The electrochemical mechanisms were investigated by analyzing the phase evolution of the ATO electrodes that had been electrochemically induced at various stages. The results reveal that the ATO underwent reversible lithiation/delithiation processes during the electrochemical cycles, i.e., the SnO{sub 2} reacted with Li{sup +} to produce metallic Sn and followed by the formation of the Li{sub x}Sn alloys during discharge process, and then Li{sub x}Sn alloys de-alloyed, Sn reacted with Li{sub 2}O, and even partially formed SnO{sub 2} during charge process.« less

  6. Rationalization of the solvation effects on the AtO+ ground-state change.

    PubMed

    Ayed, Tahra; Réal, Florent; Montavon, Gilles; Galland, Nicolas

    2013-09-12

    (211)At radionuclide is of considerable interest as a radiotherapeutic agent for targeted alpha therapy in nuclear medicine, but major obstacles remain because the basic chemistry of astatine (At) is not well understood. The AtO(+) cationic form might be currently used for (211)At-labeling protocols in aqueous solution and has proved to readily react with inorganic/organic ligands. But AtO(+) reactivity must be hindered at first glance by spin restriction quantum rules: the ground state of the free cation has a dominant triplet character. Investigating AtO(+) clustered with an increasing number of water molecules and using various flavors of relativistic quantum methods, we found that AtO(+) adopts in solution a Kramers restricted closed-shell configuration resembling a scalar-relativistic singlet. The ground-state change was traced back to strong interactions, namely, attractive electrostatic interactions and charge transfer, with water molecules of the first solvation shell that lift up the degeneracy of the frontier π* molecular orbitals (MOs). This peculiarity brings an alternative explanation to the highly variable reproducibility reported for some astatine reactions: depending on the production protocols (with distillation in gas-phase or "wet chemistry" extraction), (211)At may or may not readily react.

  7. Novel Combined Ato-C Treatment Synergistically Suppresses Proliferation of Bcr-Abl-Positive Leukemic Cells In Vitro and In Vivo.

    PubMed

    Wahiduzzaman, Md; Ota, Akinobu; Karnan, Sivasundaram; Hanamura, Ichiro; Mizuno, Shohei; Kanasugi, Jo; Rahman, Md Lutfur; Hyodo, Toshinori; Konishi, Hiroyuki; Tsuzuki, Shinobu; Takami, Akiyoshi; Hosokawa, Yoshitaka

    2018-06-23

    Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) accounts for 15-20% of all leukemias affecting adults. Despite recent advances in the development of specific Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), some CML patients suffer from relapse due to TKI resistance. Here, we assessed the efficacy of a novel combinatorial arsenic trioxide (ATO) and cisplatin (CDDP) treatment (Ato-C) in human Bcr-Abl-positive leukemic cells. Combination index analyses revealed that a synergistic interaction of ATO and CDDP elicits a wide range of effects in K562, KU-812, MEG-A2, and KCL-22 cells. Notably, Ato-C synergistically enhanced apoptosis and decreased the survival of both acquired TKI-resistant CML cells and the cells expressing mutant Bcr-Abl T315I . In addition, Ato-C dramatically decreased the phosphorylation level of forkhead transcription factor FOXO1/3a and STAT5 as well as c-Myc protein level. Interestingly, results of gene set enrichment analysis showed that Ato-C significantly downregulates the expression of MYC- and/or E2F1-targets genes. Furthermore, Ato-C significantly suppressed the proliferation of MEG-A2-derived tumor when compared with that following monotherapy in vivo. Collectively, these results suggest that combined Ato-C treatment could be a promising alternative to the current therapeutic regime in CML. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  8. Realgar nanoparticles versus ATO arsenic compounds induce in vitro and in vivo activity against multiple myeloma.

    PubMed

    Cholujova, Danka; Bujnakova, Zdenka; Dutkova, Erika; Hideshima, Teru; Groen, Richard W; Mitsiades, Constantine S; Richardson, Paul G; Dorfman, David M; Balaz, Peter; Anderson, Kenneth C; Jakubikova, Jana

    2017-12-01

    Multiple myeloma (MM), a B cell malignancy characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, remains incurable despite the use of novel and conventional therapies. In this study, we demonstrated MM cell cytotoxicity triggered by realgar (REA; As 4 S 4 ) nanoparticles (NREA) versus Arsenic trioxide (ATO) against MM cell lines and patient cells. Both NREA and ATO showed in vivo anti-MM activity, resulting in significantly decreased tumour burden. The anti-MM activity of NREA and ATO is associated with apoptosis, evidenced by DNA fragmentation, depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential, cleavage of caspases and anti-apoptotic proteins. NREA induced G 2 /M cell cycle arrest and modulation of cyclin B1, p53 (TP53), p21 (CDKN1A), Puma (BBC3) and Wee-1 (WEE1). Moreover, NREA induced modulation of key regulatory molecules in MM pathogenesis including JNK activation, c-Myc (MYC), BRD4, and histones. Importantly, NREA, but not ATO, significantly depleted the proportion and clonogenicity of the MM stem-like side population, even in the context of the bone marrow stromal cells. Finally, our study showed that both NREA and ATO triggered synergistic anti-MM activity when combined with lenalidomide or melphalan. Taken together, the anti-MM activity of NREA was more potent compared to ATO, providing the preclinical framework for clinical trials to improve patient outcome in MM. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Effective reduction of p-nitrophenol by silver nanoparticle loaded on magnetic Fe3O4/ATO nano-composite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karki, Hem Prakash; Ojha, Devi Prashad; Joshi, Mahesh Kumar; Kim, Han Joo

    2018-03-01

    A silver loaded hematite (Fe3O4) and antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) magnetic nano-composite (Ag-Fe3O4/ATO) was successfully synthesized by in situ one pot green and facile hydrothermal process. The formation of nano-composite, its structure, morphology, and stability were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron diffraction spectroscopy (EDS), elemental mapping by high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). UV-vis spectroscopy was used to monitor the catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol (PNP) into p-aminophenol (PAP) in presence of Ag-Fe3O4/ATO nano-composite with excess of sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The pseudo-first order kinetic equation could describe the reduction of p-nitrophenol with excess of NaBH4. For the first time, ATO surface was used for hydrothermal growth of silver and iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. The in situ growth of these nanoparticles provided an effective bonding of components of the nano-composite over the surface of ATO nanoparticles. This nano-composite exhibited easy synthesis, high stability, cost effective and rapid separation using external magnet. The excellent catalytic and anti-bacterial activity of as-synthesized silver nano-composite makes it potential nano-catalyst for waste water treatment as well as biomedical application.

  10. ATO/ATRA/anthracycline-chemotherapy sequential consolidation achieves long-term efficacy in primary acute promyelocytic leukemia.

    PubMed

    Long, Zi-Jie; Hu, Yuan; Li, Xu-Dong; He, Yi; Xiao, Ruo-Zhi; Fang, Zhi-Gang; Wang, Dong-Ning; Liu, Jia-Jun; Yan, Jin-Song; Huang, Ren-Wei; Lin, Dong-Jun; Liu, Quentin

    2014-01-01

    The combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (As2O3, ATO) has been effective in obtaining high clinical complete remission (CR) rates in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), but the long-term efficacy and safety among newly diagnosed APL patients are unclear. In this retrospective study, total 45 newly diagnosed APL patients received ATRA/chemotherapy combination regimen to induce remission. Among them, 43 patients (95.6%) achieved complete remission (CR) after induction therapy, followed by ATO/ATRA/anthracycline-based chemotherapy sequential consolidation treatment with a median follow-up of 55 months. In these patients, the estimated overall survival (OS) and the relapse-free survival (RFS) were 94.4% ± 3.9% and 94.6 ± 3.7%, respectively. The toxicity profile was mild and reversible. No secondary carcinoma was observed. These results demonstrated the high efficacy and minimal toxicity of ATO/ATRA/anthracycline-based chemotherapy sequential consolidation treatment for newly diagnosed APL in long-term follow-up, suggesting a potential frontline therapy for APL.

  11. Antimony Trioxide (ATO) - Summary of External Peer Review and Public Comments and Disposition

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This document summarizes the public and external peer review comments that the EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) received for the draft work plan risk assessment for Antimony Trioxide (ATO).

  12. 40 CFR 721.6660 - Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime-blocked (generic name). 721.6660 Section 721.6660... Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime-blocked..., acetone oxime-blocked (PMN P-88-1658) is subject to reporting under this section for the significant new...

  13. 40 CFR 721.6660 - Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime-blocked (generic name). 721.6660 Section 721.6660... Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime-blocked..., acetone oxime-blocked (PMN P-88-1658) is subject to reporting under this section for the significant new...

  14. 40 CFR 721.6660 - Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime-blocked (generic name). 721.6660 Section 721.6660... Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime-blocked..., acetone oxime-blocked (PMN P-88-1658) is subject to reporting under this section for the significant new...

  15. Ecotoxicity of the insensitive munitions compound 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) and its reduced metabolite 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO)

    PubMed Central

    Madeira, Camila L.; Field, Jim A.; Simonich, Michael T.; Tanguay, Robert L.; Chorover, Jon; Sierra-Alvarez, Reyes

    2018-01-01

    The insensitive munitions compound 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) was recently approved by the U.S. Army to replace cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) in conventional explosives. As its use becomes widespread, concern about the potential toxicity of NTO increases. NTO can undergo microbial reduction to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO), which is recalcitrant in waterlogged soils. In this study, the acute toxicity of NTO and ATO towards various organisms, including microorganisms (i.e., methanogenic archaea, aerobic heterotrophs, and Aliivibrio fischeri (Microtox assay)), the microcrustacean Daphnia magna (ATO only), and zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio), was assessed. NTO was notably more inhibitory to methanogens than ATO (IC50=1.2 mM, >62.8 mM, respectively). NTO and ATO did not cause noteworthy inhibition on aerobic heterotrophs even at the highest concentrations tested (32.0 mM). High concentrations of both NTO and ATO were required to inhibit A. fischeri (IC20 = 19.2, 22.4 mM, respectively). D. magna was sensitive to ATO (LC50= 0.27 mM). Exposure of zebrafish embryos to NTO or ATO (750 µM) did not cause lethal or developmental effects (22 endpoints tested). However, both compounds led to swimming behavior abnormalities at low concentrations (7.5 µM). The results indicate that the reductive biotransformation of NTO could enhance or lower its toxicity according to the target organism. PMID:28992572

  16. Ecotoxicity of the insensitive munitions compound 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) and its reduced metabolite 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO).

    PubMed

    Madeira, Camila L; Field, Jim A; Simonich, Michael T; Tanguay, Robert L; Chorover, Jon; Sierra-Alvarez, Reyes

    2018-02-05

    The insensitive munitions compound 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) was recently approved by the U.S. Army to replace cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) in conventional explosives. As its use becomes widespread, concern about the potential toxicity of NTO increases. NTO can undergo microbial reduction to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO), which is recalcitrant in waterlogged soils. In this study, the acute toxicity of NTO and ATO towards various organisms, including microorganisms (i.e., methanogenic archaea, aerobic heterotrophs, and Aliivibrio fischeri (Microtox assay)), the microcrustacean Daphnia magna (ATO only), and zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio), was assessed. NTO was notably more inhibitory to methanogens than ATO (IC 50 =1.2mM,>62.8mM, respectively). NTO and ATO did not cause noteworthy inhibition on aerobic heterotrophs even at the highest concentrations tested (32.0mM). High concentrations of both NTO and ATO were required to inhibit A. fischeri (IC 20 =19.2, 22.4mM, respectively). D. magna was sensitive to ATO (LC 50 =0.27mM). Exposure of zebrafish embryos to NTO or ATO (750μM) did not cause lethal or developmental effects (22 endpoints tested). However, both compounds led to swimming behavior abnormalities at low concentrations (7.5μM). The results indicate that the reductive biotransformation of NTO could enhance or lower its toxicity according to the target organism. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. PML-RARα kinetics and impact of FLT3-ITD mutations in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukaemia treated with ATRA and ATO or ATRA and chemotherapy.

    PubMed

    Cicconi, L; Divona, M; Ciardi, C; Ottone, T; Ferrantini, A; Lavorgna, S; Alfonso, V; Paoloni, F; Piciocchi, A; Avvisati, G; Ferrara, F; Di Bona, E; Albano, F; Breccia, M; Cerqui, E; Sborgia, M; Kropp, M G; Santoro, A; Levis, A; Sica, S; Amadori, S; Voso, M T; Mandelli, F; Lo-Coco, F

    2016-10-01

    The APL0406 study showed that arsenic trioxide (ATO) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) are not inferior to standard ATRA and chemotherapy (CHT) in newly diagnosed, low-intermediaterisk acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). We analysed the kinetics of promyelocytic leukaemia-retinoic acid receptor-α (PML-RARα) transcripts by real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) in bone marrow samples from 184 patients and assessed the prognostic impact of fms-related tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) in 159 patients enrolled in this trial in Italy. After induction therapy, the reduction of PML-RARα transcripts was significantly greater in patients receiving ATRA-CHT as compared with those treated with ATRA-ATO (3.4 vs 2.9 logs; P=0.0182). Conversely, at the end of consolidation, a greater log reduction of PML-RARα transcripts was detected in the ATRA-ATO as compared with the ATRA-CHT group (6.3 vs 5.3 logs; P=0.0024). FLT3-ITD mutations had no significant impact on either event-free survival (EFS) or cumulative incidence of relapse in patients receiving ATRA-ATO, whereas a trend for inferior EFS was observed in FLT3-ITD-positive patients receiving ATRA-CHT. Our study shows at the molecular level that ATRA-ATO exerts at least equal and probably superior antileukaemic efficacy compared with ATRA-CHT in low-intermediaterisk APL. The data also suggest that ATRA-ATO may abrogate the negative prognostic impact of FLT3-ITD.

  18. Synthesis of antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles by the nitrate-citrate combustion method

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhang Jianrong; Gao Lian

    2004-12-02

    Antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles having rutile structure have been synthesized by the combustion method using citric acid (CA) as fuel and nitrate as an oxidant, the metal sources were granulated tin and Sb{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The influence of citric acid (fuel) to metal ratio on the average crystallite size, specific surface area and morphology of the nanoparticles has been investigated. X-ray diffraction showed the tin ions were reduced to elemental tin during combustion reaction. The average ATO crystallite size increased with the increase of citric acid (fuel). Powder morphology and the comparison of crystallite size and grain size showsmore » that the degree of agglomeration of the powder decreased with an increase of the ratio. The highest specific surface area was 37.5 m{sup 2}/g when the citric acid to tin ratio was about 6.« less

  19. Identifying arsenic trioxide (ATO) functions in leukemia cells by using time series gene expression profiles.

    PubMed

    Yang, Hong; Lin, Shan; Cui, Jingru

    2014-02-10

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is presently the most active single agent in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). In order to explore the molecular mechanism of ATO in leukemia cells with time series, we adopted bioinformatics strategy to analyze expression changing patterns and changes in transcription regulation modules of time series genes filtered from Gene Expression Omnibus database (GSE24946). We totally screened out 1847 time series genes for subsequent analysis. The KEGG (Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) pathways enrichment analysis of these genes showed that oxidative phosphorylation and ribosome were the top 2 significantly enriched pathways. STEM software was employed to compare changing patterns of gene expression with assigned 50 expression patterns. We screened out 7 significantly enriched patterns and 4 tendency charts of time series genes. The result of Gene Ontology showed that functions of times series genes mainly distributed in profiles 41, 40, 39 and 38. Seven genes with positive regulation of cell adhesion function were enriched in profile 40, and presented the same first increased model then decreased model as profile 40. The transcription module analysis showed that they mainly involved in oxidative phosphorylation pathway and ribosome pathway. Overall, our data summarized the gene expression changes in ATO treated K562-r cell lines with time and suggested that time series genes mainly regulated cell adhesive. Furthermore, our result may provide theoretical basis of molecular biology in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. A Foundation to Prioritize Coast Guard AtoN Battery Disposal Sites for Characterization and Treatment

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1994-07-12

    The logical basis for prioritizing Coast Guard AtoN battery disposal sites for character : ization and treatment rests with values. The question is, "What does the Coast Guard : wish to achieve by cleaning up these sites?" Four separate meetings with...

  1. 78 FR 67141 - Antimony Trioxide (ATO) TSCA Chemical Risk Assessment; Notice of Public Meetings and Opportunity...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-11-08

    ... Chemical Risk Assessment; Notice of Public Meetings and Opportunity To Comment AGENCY: Environmental... Barone, Jr., Risk Assessment Division (7403M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental.... List of Subjects Environmental protection, ATO, Chemicals, Flame retardant synergist. Peer review, Risk...

  2. [A comprehensive approach to designing of magnetotherapy techniques based on the Atos device].

    PubMed

    Raĭgorodskiĭ, Iu M; Semiachkin, G P; Tatarenko, D A

    1995-01-01

    The paper determines how to apply a comprehensive approach to designing magnetic therapeutical techniques based on concomitant exposures to two or more physical factors. It shows the advantages of the running pattern of a magnetic field and photostimuli in terms of optimization of physiotherapeutical exposures. An Atos apparatus with an Amblio-1 attachment is used as an example to demonstrate how to apply the comprehensive approach for ophthalmology.

  3. AToMS: A Ubiquitous Teleconsultation System for Supporting AMI Patients with Prehospital Thrombolysis.

    PubMed

    Correa, Bruno S P M; Gonçalves, Bernardo; Teixeira, Iuri M; Gomes, Antônio T A; Ziviani, Artur

    2011-01-01

    The latest population-based studies in the medical literature worldwide indicate that acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients still experience prolonged delay to be rescued, which often results in morbidity and mortality. This paper reports from a technological standpoint a teleconsultation and monitoring system named AToMS. This system addresses the problem of prehospital delivery of thrombolysis to AMI patients by enabling the remote interaction of the paramedics and a cardiologist available at a Coronary Care Unit (CCU). Such interaction allows the diagnosis of the patient eligibility to the immediate application of thrombolysis, which is meant to reduce the delay between the onset of symptoms and the eventual application of proper treatment. Such delay reduction is meant to increase the AMI patient's chances of survival and decrease the risks of postinfarction sequels. The teleconsultation is held with the support of wireless and mobile technologies, which also allows the cardiologist to monitor the patient while he/she is being taken to the nearest CCU. All exchanged messages among paramedics and cardiologists are recorded to render an auditable system. AToMS has been deployed in a first stage in the city of Rio de Janeiro, where the medical team involved in the project has conducted commissioned tests.

  4. ATOS-1: Designing the infrastructure for an advanced spacecraft operations system

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Poulter, K. J.; Smith, H. N.

    1993-01-01

    The space industry has identified the need to use artificial intelligence and knowledge based system techniques as integrated, central, symbolic processing components of future mission design, support and operations systems. Various practical and commercial constraints require that off-the-shelf applications, and their knowledge bases, are reused where appropriate and that different mission contractors, potentially using different KBS technologies, can provide application and knowledge sub-modules of an overall integrated system. In order to achieve this integration, which we call knowledge sharing and distributed reasoning, there needs to be agreement on knowledge representations, knowledge interchange-formats, knowledge level communications protocols, and ontology. Research indicates that the latter is most important, providing the applications with a common conceptualization of the domain, in our case spacecraft operations, mission design, and planning. Agreement on ontology permits applications that employ different knowledge representations to interwork through mediators which we refer to as knowledge agents. This creates the illusion of a shared model without the constraints, both technical and commercial, that occur in centralized or uniform architectures. This paper explains how these matters are being addressed within the ATOS program at ESOC, using techniques which draw upon ideas and standards emerging from the DARPA Knowledge Sharing Effort. In particular, we explain how the project is developing an electronic Ontology of Spacecraft Operations and how this can be used as an enabling component within space support systems that employ advanced software engineering. We indicate our hope and expectation that the core ontology developed in ATOS, will permit the full development of standards for such systems throughout the space industry.

  5. Final technical report for DE-SC00012633 AToM (Advanced Tokamak Modeling)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Holland, Christopher; Orlov, Dmitri; Izzo, Valerie

    This final report for the AToM project documents contributions from University of California, San Diego researchers over the period of 9/1/2014 – 8/31/2017. The primary focus of these efforts was on performing validation studies of core tokamak transport models using the OMFIT framework, including development of OMFIT workflow scripts. Additional work was performed to develop tools for use of the nonlinear magnetohydrodynamics code NIMROD in OMFIT, and its use in the study of runaway electron dynamics in tokamak disruptions.

  6. pelo Is Required for High Efficiency Viral Replication

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Xiurong; He, Wan-Ting; Tian, Shuye; Meng, Dan; Li, Yuanyue; Chen, Wanze; Li, Lisheng; Tian, Lili; Zhong, Chuan-Qi; Han, Felicia; Chen, Jianming; Han, Jiahuai

    2014-01-01

    Viruses hijack host factors for their high speed protein synthesis, but information about these factors is largely unknown. In searching for genes that are involved in viral replication, we carried out a forward genetic screen for Drosophila mutants that are more resistant or sensitive to Drosophila C virus (DCV) infection-caused death, and found a virus-resistant line in which the expression of pelo gene was deficient. Our mechanistic studies excluded the viral resistance of pelo deficient flies resulting from the known Drosophila anti-viral pathways, and revealed that pelo deficiency limits the high level synthesis of the DCV capsid proteins but has no or very little effect on the expression of some other viral proteins, bulk cellular proteins, and transfected exogenous genes. The restriction of replication of other types of viruses in pelo deficient flies was also observed, suggesting pelo is required for high level production of capsids of all kinds of viruses. We show that both pelo deficiency and high level DCV protein synthesis increase aberrant 80S ribosomes, and propose that the preferential requirement of pelo for high level synthesis of viral capsids is at least partly due to the role of pelo in dissociation of stalled 80S ribosomes and clearance of aberrant viral RNA and proteins. Our data demonstrated that pelo is a host factor that is required for high efficiency translation of viral capsids and targeting pelo could be a strategy for general inhibition of viral infection. PMID:24722736

  7. Restored Roots: "Muntu" as a Healing Agent in "Pelo bueno, Pelo malo" by Carmen Montañez

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Edison, Thomas Wayne

    2017-01-01

    Carmen Montañez's novel "Pelo bueno, pelo malo" acknowledges the struggle that some Caribbean individuals face in accepting their blackness. The novel integrates the union of ancestors with the living, thus reflecting the Bantu concept known as "Muntu". This Puerto Rican novel presents a deep social problem of internalized…

  8. Influence of poloxamers on the dissolution performance and stability of controlled-release formulations containing Precirol ATO 5.

    PubMed

    Jannin, V; Pochard, E; Chambin, O

    2006-02-17

    Lipid excipients are usually used for the development of sustained-release formulations. When used in relatively high quantities, Precirol ATO 5 imparts sustained-release properties to solid oral dosage forms, by forming a lipid matrix. To control or adjust the drug release kinetics from such lipid matrix however, one must often resort to complementary ingredients or techniques. This study investigates the influence of poloxamers (Lutrol) included in lipid matrices composed of glyceryl palmitostearate (Precirol ATO 5) on their dissolution performance and their stability. The addition of these hydrophilic polymers in the lipid matrix increased the amount of theophylline released thanks to the swelling of the hydrophilic polymer and the creation of a porous network into the inert lipid matrix. The grade and the quantity of Lutrol could modulate the extent of drug release. Theophylline was released mainly by the matrix erosion but also by diffusion through the pores as suggested by the Peppas' model. Moreover, the addition of Lutrol enhanced the stability during storage. The theophylline release was quite steady after 6 months in different conditions (temperature and humidity). Thus, the mixture of glyceryl palmitostearate and poloxamers is an approach with many advantages for the development of controlled-release formulations by capsule molding.

  9. 40 CFR 721.6660 - Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl... Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime-blocked... substance identified generically as a polymer of alkane-polyol and polyalkylpolyisocyanatocarbomonocy- cle...

  10. 40 CFR 721.6660 - Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl... Polymer of alkanepolyol and poly-alkyl-poly-iso-cyan-ato-car-bo-mo-no-cycle, acetone oxime-blocked... substance identified generically as a polymer of alkane-polyol and polyalkylpolyisocyanatocarbomonocy- cle...

  11. Crystal structure of bis-[μ-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)methane-thiol-ato-κ(2) S:S]bis-[chlorido-(η(6)-1-isopropyl-4-methyl-benzene)-ruthenium(II)] chloro-form disolvate.

    PubMed

    Stíbal, David; Süss-Fink, Georg; Therrien, Bruno

    2015-10-01

    The mol-ecular structure of the title complex, [Ru2(C8H9OS)2Cl2(C10H14)2]·2CHCl3 or (p-MeC6H4Pr (i) )2Ru2(SCH2-p-C6H5-OCH3)2Cl2·2CHCl3, shows inversion symmetry. The two symmetry-related Ru(II) atoms are bridged by two 4-meth-oxy-α-toluene-thiol-ato [(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)methane-thiol-ato] units. One chlorido ligand and the p-cymene ligand complete the typical piano-stool coordination environment of the Ru(II) atom. In the crystal, the CH moiety of the chloro-form mol-ecule inter-acts with the chlorido ligand of the dinuclear complex, while one Cl atom of the solvent inter-acts more weakly with the methyl group of the bridging 4-meth-oxy-α-toluene-thiol-ato unit. This assembly leads to the formation of supra-molecular chains extending parallel to [021].

  12. Adsorption and oxidation of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one (NTO) and its transformation product (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole-5-one, ATO) at ferrihydrite and birnessite surfaces.

    PubMed

    Khatiwada, Raju; Abrell, Leif; Li, Guangbin; Root, Robert A; Sierra-Alvarez, Reyes; Field, James A; Chorover, Jon

    2018-05-05

    The emerging insensitive munitions compound (IMC) 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one (NTO) is currently being used to replace conventional explosives such as 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), but the environmental fate of this increasingly widespread IMC remains poorly understood. Upon release from unexploded solid phase ordinances, NTO exhibits high aqueous solubility and, hence, potential mobilization to groundwater. Adsorption and abiotic transformation at metal oxide surfaces are possible mechanisms for natural attenuation. Here, the reactions at ferrihydrite and birnessite surfaces of NTO and its biotransformation product, 3-amino-1, 2, 4-triazol-5-one (ATO), were studied in stirred batch reactor systems at controlled pH (7.0). The study was carried out at metal oxide solid to solution ratios (SSR) of 0.15, 1.5 and 15 g kg -1 . The samples were collected at various time intervals up to 3 h after reaction initiation, and analyzed using HPLC with photodiode array and mass spectrometric detection. We found no detectable adsorption or transformation of NTO upon reaction with birnessite, whereas ATO was highly susceptible to oxidation by the same mineral, showing nearly complete transformation within 5 min at 15 g kg -1 SSR to urea, CO 2(g) and N 2(g) . The mean surface-area-normalized pseudo-first order rate constant (k) for ATO oxidation by birnessite across all SSRs was 0.05 ± 0.022 h -1  m -2 , and oxidation kinetics were independent of dissolved O 2 concentration. Both NTO and ATO were resistant to oxidation by ferrihydrite. However, NTO showed partial removal from solution upon reaction with ferrihydrite at 0.15 and 1.5 g kg -1 SSR and complete loss at 15 g kg -1 SSR due to strong adsorption. Conversely, ATO adsorption to ferrihydrite was much weaker than that measured for NTO. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  13. Crystal structure of dipotassium N-carbodi­thio­ato-l-prolinate trihydrate

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    The mol­ecular and crystal structure of the l-proline-derived di­thio­carbamate–carboxyl­ate compound poly[tri-μ-aqua-(μ-2-carboxyl­atopyrrolidine-1-carbodi­thio­ato)dipotassium], [K2(C6H7NO2S2)(H2O)3]n or K2(SSC–NC4H7–COO)·3H2O, has been determined. The di­thio­carbamate moiety displays a unique coordination mode, comprising a ‘side-on’ π-coordinated K+ cation besides a commonly σ-chelated K+ cation. By bridging coordination of the CSS group, COO group and water mol­ecules, the K+ cations are linked into a two-dimensional coordination polymer extending parallel to the ab plane. These layers are again inter­connected by O—H⋯S hydrogen bonds. PMID:28932478

  14. Síntesis del estado del conocimiento del ciclo de carbono en ecosistemas boscosos de los Estados Unidos

    Treesearch

    Michael G. Ryan; Mark E. Harmon; Richard A. Birdsey; Christian P. Giardina; Linda S. Heath; Richard A. Houghton; Robert B. Jackson; Duncan C. McKinley; James F. Morrison; Brian C. Murray; Diane E. Pataki; Kenneth E. Skog

    2010-01-01

    Los bosques juegan un papel central en el ciclo de carbono de los Estados Unidos y global. El secuestro de carbono de los bosques de los Estados Unidos, a través de su crecimiento y la cosecha de productos madereros, compensa en la actualidad entre un 12 y un 19% de las emisiones de carbono asociadas al uso de combustible fósil de dicho país. El ciclo natural de un...

  15. Suppression of the pelo protein by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus in Aedes aegypti

    PubMed Central

    Asad, Sultan; Hussain, Mazhar; Hugo, Leon; Zhang, Guangmei; Watterson, Daniel

    2018-01-01

    The endosymbiont Wolbachia is known to block replication of several important arboviruses, including dengue virus (DENV), in the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. So far, the exact mechanism of this viral inhibition is not fully understood. A recent study in Drosophila melanogaster has demonstrated an interaction between the pelo gene and Drosophila C virus. In this study, we explored the possible involvement of the pelo protein, that is involved in protein translation, in Wolbachia-mediated antiviral response and mosquito-DENV interaction. We found that pelo is upregulated during DENV replication and its silencing leads to reduced DENV virion production suggesting that it facilities DENV replication. However, in the presence of Wolbachia, specifically in female mosquitoes, the pelo protein is downregulated and its subcellular localization is altered, which could contribute to reduction in DENV replication in Ae. aegypti. In addition, we show that the microRNA aae-miR-2940-5p, whose abundance is highly enriched in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, might mediate regulation of pelo. Our data reveals identification of pelo as a host factor that is positively involved in DENV replication, and its suppression in the presence of Wolbachia may contribute to virus blocking exhibited by the endosymbiont. PMID:29641562

  16. Neural bases of prospective memory: a meta-analysis and the "Attention to Delayed Intention" (AtoDI) model.

    PubMed

    Cona, Giorgia; Scarpazza, Cristina; Sartori, Giuseppe; Moscovitch, Morris; Bisiacchi, Patrizia Silvia

    2015-05-01

    Remembering to realize delayed intentions is a multi-phase process, labelled as prospective memory (PM), and involves a plurality of neural networks. The present study utilized the activation likelihood estimation method of meta-analysis to provide a complete overview of the brain regions that are consistently activated in each PM phase. We formulated the 'Attention to Delayed Intention' (AtoDI) model to explain the neural dissociation found between intention maintenance and retrieval phases. The dorsal frontoparietal network is involved mainly in the maintenance phase and seems to mediate the strategic monitoring processes, such as the allocation of top-down attention both towards external stimuli, to monitor for the occurrence of the PM cues, and to internal memory contents, to maintain the intention active in memory. The ventral frontoparietal network is recruited in the retrieval phase and might subserve the bottom-up attention captured externally by the PM cues and, internally, by the intention stored in memory. Together with other brain regions (i.e., insula and posterior cingulate cortex), the ventral frontoparietal network would support the spontaneous retrieval processes. The functional contribution of the anterior prefrontal cortex is discussed extensively for each PM phase. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Actividad funcional cerebral en estado de reposo: REDES EN CONEXIÓN

    PubMed Central

    Proal, Erika; Alvarez-Segura, Mar; de la Iglesia-Vayá, Maria; Martí-Bonmatí, Luis; Castellanos, F. Xavier

    2015-01-01

    Resumen El análisis de la conectividad funcional mediante resonancia magnética funcional (RMf) puede llevarse a cabo durante la realización de una tarea, la percepción de un estímulo o en estado de reposo. Estos análisis han demostrado su fiabilidad y reproducibilidad con diferentes enfoques (matemáticos, estadísticos, físicos) para seleccionar los vóxeles activados. El estudio de la señal de baja frecuencia en la actividad cerebral a través del contraste BOLD en estado de reposo ha revelado patrones de actividad cortical sincronizados, permitiendo describir la arquitectura funcional intrínseca del cerebro humano. La comunidad científica internacional dispone de recursos compartidos que contribuirán mediante este análisis de RMf en estado de reposo a la obtención de diagnósticos y tratamientos más precisos y avanzados en el campo de las neurociencias. PMID:21365601

  18. Trombose induzida pelo calor endovenoso: relato de dois casos tratados com rivaroxabana e revisão da literatura

    PubMed Central

    de Araujo, Walter Junior Boim; Timi, Jorge Rufino Ribas; Erzinger, Fabiano Luiz; Caron, Filipe Carlos

    2016-01-01

    Resumo Define-se trombose induzida pelo calor endovenoso como a propagação do trombo a partir de uma veia superficial em direção a uma veia mais profunda. Em geral, é considerada clinicamente insignificante quando não há propagação do trombo para o sistema venoso profundo. Essa condição pode ser tratada com terapia anticoagulante, embora a observação pareça ser suficiente, principalmente para graus menores. Neste estudo, relatamos dois casos de trombose induzida pelo calor endovenoso que teriam indicação de heparina de baixo peso molecular até a resolução do quadro. Porém, optou-se pelo uso da rivaroxabana (15 mg de 12 em 12h), com resolução completa do trombo em 4 semanas (caso 1) e em 7 dias (caso 2). A rivaroxabana pode ser uma alternativa promissora no tratamento da trombose induzida pelo calor endovenoso avançada, pela simplicidade da posologia, sem comprometimento da eficácia ou da segurança. São necessários estudos prospectivos, randomizados e controlados que possibilitem melhor entendimento da condição e o desenvolvimento de recomendações mais definitivas sobre opções de prevenção e tratamento.

  19. H3+: superficies de energía potencial, estados y transiciones rovibracionales

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aguado, M. Paniagua Y. A.

    Hemos calculado varias superficies globales de energía potencial para el estado fundamental y excitados del sistema H3+ en más de ocho mil geometrías diferentes usando una base (9s 3p 1d)/[4s 3p 1d] en cada átomo de Hidrógeno y mediante un método de cálculo de interacción de configuraciones completa (FCI). Hemos ajustado las superficies a formas analíticas del tipo Aguado y Paniagua con un error promedio menor de 50 cm-1 y menor en el pozo de potencial del estado fundamental. Finalmente hemos calculado y analizado los niveles vibracionales para los dos estados electrónicos más bajos, siendo la desviación respecto de los mejores valores publicados, tanto experimentales como teóricos, de unos pocos números de onda.

  20. La guerra de los Estados Unidos contra la inmigración. Efectos paradójicos1

    PubMed Central

    Massey, Douglas S.; Pren, Karen A.

    2016-01-01

    Resumen A finales de la década de los cincuenta, Estados Unidos permitía la entrada de aproximadamente medio millón de inmigrantes mexicanos al año, de los cuales 450.000 entraban con visados de trabajo temporal y 50.000 llegaban con visados de residentes permanentes. A mediados de los años sesenta, los cambios en la política migratoria de Estados Unidos realizados en nombre de los derechos civiles redujeron drásticamente las oportunidades de entrada legal a Estados Unidos. Se eliminaron los visados de trabajo temporal y se limitaron los visados de residentes a 20.000 por año. Con las oportunidades de entrada legal restringidas, los flujos migratorios ya establecidos simplemente continuaron, fuera de los límites legales, dando comienzo a una inesperada reacción en cadena de eventos que culminaron en una guerra total contra los inmigrantes y el rápido crecimiento -sin precedentes- de población residente no autorizada en Estados Unidos. El presente artículo demuestra que el aumento de inmigración indocumentada en los Estados Unidos y el crecimiento de la población sin papeles son un producto de políticas migratorias y fronterizas mal concebidas. PMID:27076695

  1. Mapping the geographic distribution of canopy species communities in lowland Amazon rainforest with CAO-AToMS (Invited)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Feret, J.; Asner, G. P.

    2013-12-01

    Mapping regional canopy diversity will greatly advance our understanding as well as the conservation of tropical rainforests. Changes in species composition across space and time are particularly important to understand the influence of climate, human activity and environmental factors on these ecosystems, but to date such monitoring is extremely challenging and is facing a scale gap between small-scale, highly detailed field studies and large-scale, low-resolution satellite observations. Advances were recently made in the field of spectroscopic imagery for the estimation of canopy alpha-diversity, and an original approach based on the segmentation of the spectral space proved its ability to estimate Shannon diversity index with unprecedented accuracy. We adapted this method in order to estimate spectral dissimilarity across landscape as a proxy for changes in species composition. We applied this approach and mapped species composition over four sites located in lowland rainforest of Peruvian Amazon. This study was based on spectroscopic imagery acquired using the Carnegie Airborne Observatory (CAO) Airborne Taxonomic Mapping System (AToMS), operating a unique sensor combining the fine spectral and spatial resolution required for such task. We obtained accurate estimation of Bray-Curtis distance between pairs of plots, which is the most commonly used metric to estimate dissimilarity in species composition (n=497 pairs, r=0.63). The maps of species composition were then compared to topo-hydrographic properties. Our results indicated a strong shift in species composition and community diversity between floodplain and terra firme terrain conditions as well as a significantly higher diversity of species communities within Amazonian floodplains. These results pave the way for global mapping of tropical canopy diversity at fine geographic resolution.

  2. Optimization of combination therapy of arsenic trioxide and fractionated radiotherapy for malignant glioma

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ning Shoucheng; Knox, Susan J.

    2006-06-01

    Purpose: The primary objective was to optimize the combined treatment regimen using arsenic trioxide (ATO) and fractionated radiotherapy for the treatment of malignant glioma. Methods and Materials: Nude mice with human glioma xenograft tumors were treated with fractionated local tumor radiation of 250 cGy/fraction/day and 5 mg/kg ATO for 5-10 days. Results: Time course experiments demonstrated that maximal tumor growth delay occurred when ATO was administered between 0 and 4 h after radiation. The combination treatment of ATO and radiation synergistically inhibited tumor growth and produced a tumor growth delay time of 13.2 days, compared with 1.4 days and 6.5more » days for ATO and radiation alone (p < 0.01), respectively. The use of concurrent therapy of radiation and ATO initially, followed by ATO as maintenance therapy, was superior to the use of preloading with ATO before combined therapy and produced a tumor growth delay time of 22.7 days as compared with 11.7 days for the ATO preloading regimen (p < 0.01). The maintenance dose of ATO after concurrent therapy was effective and important for continued inhibition of tumor growth. Conclusions: The combined use of fractionated radiation and ATO is effective for the treatment of glioma xenograft tumors. ATO was most effective when administered 0-4 h after radiation without pretreatment with ATO. These results have important implications for the optimization of treatment regimen using ATO and fractionated radiotherapy for the treatment of brain tumors.« less

  3. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) influences the gene expression of metallothioneins in human glioblastoma cells.

    PubMed

    Falnoga, Ingrid; Zelenik Pevec, Andreja; Šlejkovec, Zdenka; Žnidarič, Magda Tušek; Zajc, Irena; Mlakar, Simona Jurković; Marc, Janja

    2012-12-01

    Arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3); ATO, TRISENOX®) is used to treat patients with refractory or relapsed acute promyelocytic leukaemia while its application for treatment of solid cancers like glioblastoma is still under evaluation. In the present study, we investigated the interaction of arsenic trioxide with metallothionein (MT) isoforms as a possible (protective response) resistance of glioblastoma cells to arsenic-induced cytotoxicity. Special attention was focused on MT3, the isoform expressed mainly in the brain. MT3 has low metal inducibility, fast metal binding/releasing properties and outstanding neuronal inhibitory activity. The human astrocytoma (glioblastoma) cell line U87 MG was treated with 0.6, 2 and 6-7 μM arsenic (equivalent to 0.3, 1 and 3-3.5 μM As(2)O(3)) for 12, 24 or 48 h and gene expression for different MT isoforms, namely MT2A, MT1A, MT1F, MT1X, MT1E and MT3, was measured by real time qPCR using SYBR Green I and Taqman® gene expression assays. TfR, 18S rRNA, GAPDH and AB were tested as reference genes, and the last two evaluated to be appropriate in conditions of low (GAPDH) and high (AB) arsenic exposure. The gene expression of MT3 gene was additionally tested and confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis with PvuII. In the given conditions the mRNAs of six MT isoforms were identified in human glioblastoma cell line U87 MG. Depending on arsenic exposure conditions, an increase or decrease of MT gene expression was observed for each isoform, with the highest increase for isoforms MT1X, MT1F and MT2A mRNA (up to 13-fold) and more persistent decreases for MT1A, MT1E and MT3 mRNA. Despite the common assumption of the noninducibility of MT3, the evident MT3 mRNA increase was observed during high As exposure (up to 4-fold). In conclusion, our results clearly demonstrate the influence of As on MT isoform gene expression. The MT1X, MT1F and MT2A increase could represent brain tumour acquired resistance to As cytotoxicity while the MT3 increase is

  4. Paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic investigations on Isla de los Estados, Argentina

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Björck, S.; Fernandez, M.; Hjort, C.; Ljung, K.; Martinez, O.; Möller, P.; Ponce, F.; Rabassa, J.; Roig, F.; Unkel, I.; Wohlfarth, B.

    2007-05-01

    The expedition in November-December 2005 to Isla de los Estados (Staten Island) off the southeastern tip of South America was a cooperative venture between Lund University (LU) and Stockholm University (SU) in Sweden and the CADIC-CONICET Institute in Ushuaia, Argentina. The aim of the expedition was threefold: (1) to extend the Swedish paleoclimatic "ATLANTIS"-project (Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Azores, Grenada, Tristan da Cunha; PI S Björck) to the southern part of the South American continent, (2) to connect earlier glacial and climate history reconstructions from the Antarctic Peninsula to equivalents north of the Drake Passage in southernmost South America, and (3) to complement paleo-information available from the Tierra del Fuego mainland with information from Isla de los Estados. Focus was on two areas in the northern and north-western part of the island, Bahía Colnett and Bahia Crossley. Detailed geomorphologic and stratigraphic mapping of glacial deposits were combined with sampling sediments for OSL dating. To reconstruct the paleoclimatic development of Isla de los Estados since the last ice retreat, four main peat bog/lake sites were cored and sampled. In addition, living trees of Nothofagus and old logs preserved in the peat were sampled for dendrochronological and dendroclimatological studies. Preliminary results show that the deglaciation of the study area occurred before 16500 cal yr BP. Detailed multi- proxy analyses of the four sequences are under way and first results will be presented.

  5. Dithiothreitol abrogates the effect of arsenic trioxide on normal rat liver mitochondria and human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Paul, Manash K.; Kumar, Rajinder; Mukhopadhyay, Anup K.

    2008-01-15

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a known environmental toxicant and a potent chemotherapeutic agent. Significant correlation has been reported between consumption of arsenic-contaminated water and occurrence of liver cancer; moreover, ATO-treated leukemia patients also suffers from liver toxicity. Hence, modulation of ATO action may help to prevent populations suffering from arsenic toxicity as well as help reduce the drug-related side effects. Dithiothreitol (DTT) is a well-known dithiol agent reported to modulate the action of ATO. Controversial reports exist regarding the effect of DTT on ATO-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells. To the best of our knowledge, no report illustrates the modulatory effectmore » of DTT on ATO-induced liver toxicity, the prime target for arsenic. Mitochondria serve as the doorway to apoptosis and have been implicated in ATO-induced cell death. Hence, we attempted to study the modulatory effect of DTT on ATO-induced dysfunction of mammalian liver mitochondria and human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Hep3B). We, for the first time, report that ATO produces complex I-mediated electron transfer inhibition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, respiration inhibition, and ATO-induced ROS-mediated mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) opening. DTT at low concentration (100 {mu}M and less) prevents the effect of ATO-induced complex I-malfunctions. DTT protects mitochondria from ATO-mediated opening of MPT and membrane potential depolarization. DTT also prevented ATO-induced Hep3B cell death. Thus, at low concentrations DTT abrogates the effect of ATO on rat liver mitochondria and Hep3B cell line. Therefore, the present result suggests, that use of low concentration of dithiols as food supplement may prevent arsenic toxicity in affected population.« less

  6. Faculty Activity Analysis in the Universidad Tecnica Del Estado Campuses.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Karadima, Oscar

    An analysis of academic activities of college faculty at the eight campuses of Chile's Universidad Tecnica del Estado was conducted. Activities were grouped into seven categories: direct teaching, indirect teaching, research, community services, faculty development, academic administration, and other activities. Following the narrative…

  7. Seroprevalence of human Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the North of Estado de Mexico.

    PubMed

    González-Guzmán, Saúl; Pichardo-Ávila, Sergio; Mimbrera-Rodríguez, Eulalia; Crescencio-Trujillo, José Antonio; Gasca-Leyva, María de Lourdes; Martínez-Hernández, Fernando; Rivas, Nancy; Alejandre-Aguilar, Ricardo

    2017-01-01

    Chagas disease is a neglected public health problem in Mexico; however, detailed studies to determine the seroprevalence in some states have not been performed. A total 1,504 human serum from thirteen communities in Estado de Mexico, were analyzed with three diagnostics techniques. The overall seroprevalence was 9.1%, with high prevalence among people aged 51-60 years, while people aged 0-29 years were seronegative against T. cruzi. Our data demonstrated the seroprevalence of T. cruzi in the North of the Estado de Mexico, an area considered as non-endemic; however, epidemiological conditions necessary for natural transmission were found.

  8. Heat shock protein inhibitors, 17-DMAG and KNK437, enhance arsenic trioxide-induced mitotic apoptosis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wu Yichen; Yen Wenyen; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan

    2009-04-15

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic agent in leukemia because of its ability to induce apoptosis. However, there is no sufficient evidence to support its therapeutic use for other types of cancers. In this study, we investigated if, and how, 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin (17-DMAG), an antagonist of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), and KNK437, a HSP synthesis inhibitor, potentiated the cytotoxic effect of ATO. Our results showed that cotreatment with ATO and either 17-DMAG or KNK437 significantly increased ATO-induced cell death and apoptosis. siRNA-mediated attenuation of the expression of the inducible isoform of HSP70 (HSP70i) or HSP90{alpha}/{beta} alsomore » enhanced ATO-induced apoptosis. In addition, cotreatment with ATO and 17-DMAG or KNK437 significantly increased ATO-induced mitotic arrest and ATO-induced BUBR1 phosphorylation and PDS1 accumulation. Cotreatment also significantly increased the percentage of mitotic cells with abnormal mitotic spindles and promoted metaphase arrest as compared to ATO treatment alone. These results indicated that 17-DMAG or KNK437 may enhance ATO cytotoxicity by potentiating mitotic arrest and mitotic apoptosis possibly through increased activation of the spindle checkpoint.« less

  9. Enhanced suppression of tumor growth by concomitant treatment of human lung cancer cells with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid and arsenic trioxide

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chien, Chia-Wen; Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan; Yao, Ju-Hsien

    2011-11-15

    The efficacy of arsenic trioxide (ATO) against acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and relapsed APL has been well documented. ATO may cause DNA damage by generating reactive oxygen intermediates. Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, modulates gene and protein expression via histone-dependent or -independent pathways that may result in chromatin decondensation, cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis. We investigated whether ATO and SAHA act synergistically to enhance the death of cancer cells. Our current findings showed that combined treatment with ATO and SAHA resulted in enhanced suppression of non-small-cell lung carcinoma in vitro in H1299 cells and in vivomore » in a xenograft mouse model. Flow cytometric analysis of annexin V+ cells showed that apoptotic cell death was significantly enhanced after combined treatment with ATO and SAHA. At the doses used, ATO did not interfere with cell cycle progression, but SAHA induced p21 expression and led to G1 arrest. A Comet assay demonstrated that ATO, but not SAHA, induced DNA strand breaks in H1299 cells; however, co-treatment with SAHA significantly increased ATO-induced DNA damage. Moreover, SAHA enhanced acetylation of histone H3 and sensitized genomic DNA to DNase I digestion. Our results suggest that SAHA may cause chromatin relaxation and increase cellular susceptibility to ATO-induced DNA damage. Combined administration of SAHA and ATO may be an effective approach to the treatment of lung cancer. -- Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer ATO and SAHA are therapeutic agents with different action modes. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Combination of ATO and SAHA synergistically inhibits tumor cell growth. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer SAHA loosens chromatin structure resulting in increased sensitivity to DNase I. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer ATO-induced DNA damage and apoptosis are enhanced by co-treatment with SAHA.« less

  10. Therapeutic Potential of Delivering Arsenic Trioxide into HPV-Infected Cervical Cancer Cells Using Liposomal Nanotechnology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Xiaoyan; Li, Dong; Ghali, Lucy; Xia, Ruidong; Munoz, Leonardo P.; Garelick, Hemda; Bell, Celia; Wen, Xuesong

    2016-02-01

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been used successfully to treat acute promyelocytic leukaemia, and since this discovery, it has also been researched as a possible treatment for other haematological and solid cancers. Even though many positive results have been found in the laboratory, wider clinical use of ATO has been compromised by its toxicity at higher concentrations. The aim of this study was to explore an improved method for delivering ATO using liposomal nanotechnology to evaluate whether this could reduce drug toxicity and improve the efficacy of ATO in treating human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers. HeLa, C33a, and human keratinocytes were exposed to 5 μm of ATO in both free and liposomal forms for 48 h. The stability of the prepared samples was tested using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) to measure the intracellular arsenic concentrations after treatment. Fluorescent double-immunocytochemical staining was carried out to evaluate the protein expression levels of HPV-E6 oncogene and caspase-3. Cell apoptosis was analysed by flow cytometry. Results showed that liposomal ATO was more effective than free ATO in reducing protein levels of HPV-E6 and inducing cell apoptosis in HeLa cells. Moreover, lower toxicity was observed when liposomal-delivered ATO was used. This could be explained by lower intracellular concentrations of arsenic. The slowly accumulated intracellular ATO through liposomal delivery might act as a reservoir which releases ATO gradually to maintain its anti-HPV effects. To conclude, liposome-delivered ATO could protect cells from the direct toxic effects induced by higher concentrations of intracellular ATO. Different pathways may be involved in this process, depending on local architecture of the tissues and HPV status.

  11. Arsenic trioxide induced rhabdomyolysis, a rare but severe side effect, in an APL patient: a case report.

    PubMed

    He, Haiyan; An, Ran; Hou, Jian; Fu, Weijun

    2017-06-01

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO), a component of the traditional Chinese medicine arsenic sublimate, promotes apoptosis and induces leukemic cell differentiation. Combined with all-trans-retinotic acid (ATRA), ATO has become the first-line induction therapy in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The most common side effects of ATO include hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal symptoms, water-sodium retention, and nervous system damage. In this report, we present a rare side effect, rhabdomyolysis, in a 68-year-old female APL patient who was treated with ATO. After taking 10 mg ATO daily for 6 days, she presented shortness of breath, myodynia, elevated creatine kinase, and acute renal insufficiency. This report describes the first case of ATO-induced rhabdomyolysis.

  12. TG-interacting factor transcriptionally induced by AKT/FOXO3A is a negative regulator that antagonizes arsenic trioxide-induced cancer cell apoptosis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liu, Zi-Miao; Tseng, Hong-Yu; Cheng, Ya-Ling

    2015-05-15

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a multi-target drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration as the first-line chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. In addition, several clinical trials are being conducted with arsenic-based drugs for the treatment of other hematological malignancies and solid tumors. However, ATO's modest clinical efficacy on some cancers, and potential toxic effects on humans have been reported. Determining how best to reduce these adverse effects while increasing its therapeutic efficacy is obviously a critical issue. Previously, we demonstrated that the JNK-induced complex formation of phosphorylated c-Jun and TG-interacting factor (TGIF) antagonizes ERK-induced cyclin-dependentmore » kinase inhibitor CDKN1A (p21{sup WAF1/CIP1}) expression and resultant apoptosis in response to ATO in A431 cells. Surprisingly, at low-concentrations (0.1–0.2 μM), ATO increased cellular proliferation, migration and invasion, involving TGIF expression, however, at high-concentrations (5–20 μM), ATO induced cell apoptosis. Using a promoter analysis, TGIF was transcriptionally regulated by ATO at the FOXO3A binding site (− 1486 to − 1479 bp) via the c-Src/EGFR/AKT pathway. Stable overexpression of TGIF promoted advancing the cell cycle into the S phase, and attenuated 20 μM ATO-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, blockage of the AKT pathway enhanced ATO-induced CDKN1A expression and resultant apoptosis in cancer cells, but overexpression of AKT1 inhibited CDKN1A expression. Therefore, we suggest that TGIF is transcriptionally regulated by the c-Src/EGFR/AKT pathway, which plays a role as a negative regulator in antagonizing ATO-induced CDKN1A expression and resultant apoptosis. Suppression of these antagonistic effects might be a promising therapeutic strategy toward improving clinical efficacy of ATO. - Highlights: • ATO-induced biphasic survival responses of cancer cells depend on low- or high-concentrations. • TGIF

  13. Induction treatments for acute promyelocytic leukemia: a network meta-analysis

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Qiaoxia; Lou, Jin; Cai, Yun; Chen, Weihong; Du, Xin

    2016-01-01

    Background 9 treatments for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have been compared in many randomized controlled trials (RCT). The conclusions have been inconsistent and the purpose of this study is to conduct a network meta-analysis. Results Rankings of event-free survival are ATRA+RIF (81.2%), ATRA+ATO (69.6%), ATO (50.6%). Rankings of complete remission are ATRA+RIF (79.3%), ATRA+ATO (64.8%), RIF (60.3%), ATO (55.9%). Rankings of avoiding differentiation syndromes are CT (84.3%), ATO (80.3%), RIF (71.6%), ATRA+RIF (49%), ATRA+ATO (40.8%). Methods A total of 1,666 patients from 12 RCTs were enrolled. The frequentist method was used. Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. We produced a network plot, a contribution plot, and a forest plot predictive intervals. The inconsistency factor, the surface under the cumulative ranking curve and the publication bias were evaluated. Conclusions ATRA+ATO is eligible to be the first-line treatment for APL. ATRA+RIF is a prospective alternative to the first-line treatment. RIF or ATO should be reconsidered as another option for de novo APL. PMID:27713127

  14. Comparison of clinical outcomes of patients with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia induced with arsenic trioxide and consolidated with either an autologous stem cell transplant or an arsenic trioxide-based regimen.

    PubMed

    Thirugnanam, Rajasekar; George, Biju; Chendamarai, Ezhil; Lakshmi, Kavitha M; Balasubramanian, Poonkuzhali; Viswabandya, Auro; Srivastava, Alok; Chandy, Mammen; Mathews, Vikram

    2009-11-01

    In patients with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), the best consolidation regimen following induction of remission with arsenic trioxide (ATO) remains to be defined. Since January 2000, 37 patients with relapsed APL were treated at our center. The median age was 34 years (range, 6-57 years), and there were 20 males (54.1%). The median duration of first remission was 20.3 months (range, 2.9-81.2 months). Relapse was treated with single-agent ATO in 22 patients (59.5%), ATO+ATRA in 5 patients (13.5%), and ATO+ATRA + anthracycline in 10 patients (27%). Thirty-three patients (89%) achieved molecular remission after induction and a consolidation course. Fourteen patients opted to undergo autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT), and the remaining 19 patients received monthly cycles of ATO as a single agent (n=13) or ATO+ATRA (n=6) for 6 months. At a median follow-up of 32 months, the 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimate of event-free survival (EFS) was 83.33% +/- 15.21% in those who underwent autologous SCT versus 34.45% +/- 11.24% in those who did not (P=.001; log-rank test). Following remission induction with ATO-based regimens in patients with relapsed APL, consolidation with autologous SCT is associated with a significantly superior clinical outcome compared with ATO- and ATO+ATRA-based maintenance regimens.

  15. Sumoylation of the Tumor Suppressor Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein Regulates Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Collagen Synthesis in Osteoblasts.

    PubMed

    Xu, Wen-Xiao; Liu, Sheng-Zhi; Wu, Di; Qiao, Guo-Fen; Yan, Jinglong

    2015-01-01

    Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein is a tumor suppressor that fuses with retinoic acid receptor-α (PML-RARα) to contribute to the initiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Arsenic trioxide (ATO) upregulates expression of TGF-β1, promoting collagen synthesis in osteoblasts, and ATO binds directly to PML to induce oligomerization, sumoylation, and ubiquitination. However, how ATO upregulates TGF-β1 expression is uncertain. Thus, we suggested that PML sumoylation is responsible for regulation of TGF-β1 protein expression. Kunming mice were treated with ATO, and osteoblasts were counted under scanning electron microscopy. Masson's staining was used to quantify collagen content. hFOB1.19 cells were transfected with siRNA against UBC9 or RNF4, and then treated with ATO or FBS. TGF-β1, PML expression, and sumoylation were quantified with Western blot, and collagen quantified via immunocytochemistry. ATO enhanced osteoblast accumulation, collagen synthesis, and PML-NB formation in vivo. Knocking down UBC9 in hFOB1.19 cells inhibited ATO- and FBS-induced PML sumoylation, TGF-β1 expression, and collagen synthesis. Conversely, knocking down RNF4 enhanced ATO- and FBS-induced PML sumoylation, TGF-β1 expression, and collagen synthesis. These data suggest that PML sumoylation is required for ATO-induced collagen synthesis in osteoblasts. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  16. Effects of the combination of wheel running and atomoxetine on cue- and cocaine-primed reinstatement in rats selected for high or low impulsivity.

    PubMed

    Zlebnik, Natalie E; Carroll, Marilyn E

    2015-03-01

    Aerobic exercise and the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication, atomoxetine (ATO), are two monotherapies that have been shown to suppress reinstatement of cocaine-seeking in an animal model of relapse. The present study investigated the effects of combining wheel running and ATO versus each treatment alone on cocaine-seeking precipitated by cocaine and cocaine-paired cues in rats with differing susceptibility to drug abuse (i.e., high vs. low impulsive). Rats were screened for high (HiI) or low impulsivity (LoI) based on their performance on a delay-discounting task and then trained to self-administer cocaine (0.4 mg/kg/inf) for 10 days. Following 14 days of extinction, both groups were tested for reinstatement of cocaine-seeking precipitated by cocaine or cocaine-paired cues in the presence of concurrent running wheel access (W), pretreatment with ATO, or both (W+ATO). HiI rats acquired cocaine self-administration more quickly than LoI rats. While both individual treatments and W+ATO significantly attenuated cue-induced cocaine seeking in HiI and LoI rats, only W+ATO was effective in reducing cocaine-induced reinstatement compared with vehicle treatment. There were dose-dependent and phenotype-specific effects of ATO with HiI rats responsive to the low but not high ATO dose. Floor effects of ATO and W on cue-induced reinstatement prevented the assessment of combined treatment effects. These findings demonstrated greater attenuation of cue- versus cocaine-induced reinstatement by ATO and W alone and recapitulate impulsivity phenotype differences in both acquisition of cocaine self-administration and receptivity to treatment.

  17. Inhibition of early T cell cytokine production by arsenic trioxide occurs independently of Nrf2.

    PubMed

    VanDenBerg, Kelly R; Freeborn, Robert A; Liu, Sheng; Kennedy, Rebekah C; Zagorski, Joseph W; Rockwell, Cheryl E

    2017-01-01

    Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a stress-activated transcription factor that induces a variety of cytoprotective genes. Nrf2 also mediates immunosuppressive effects in multiple inflammatory models. Upon activation, Nrf2 dissociates from its repressor protein, Keap1, and translocates to the nucleus where it induces Nrf2 target genes. The Nrf2-Keap1 interaction is disrupted by the environmental toxicant and chemotherapeutic agent arsenic trioxide (ATO). The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of ATO on early events of T cell activation and the role of Nrf2 in those effects. The Nrf2 target genes Hmox-1, Nqo-1, and Gclc were all upregulated by ATO (1-2 μM) in splenocytes derived from wild-type, but not Nrf2-null, mice, suggesting that Nrf2 is activated by ATO in splenocytes. ATO also inhibited IFNγ, IL-2, and GM-CSF mRNA and protein production in wild-type splenocytes activated with the T cell activator, anti-CD3/anti-CD28. However, ATO also decreased production of these cytokines in activated splenocytes from Nrf2-null mice, suggesting the inhibition is independent of Nrf2. Interestingly, ATO inhibited TNFα protein secretion, but not mRNA expression, in activated splenocytes suggesting the inhibition is due to post-transcriptional modification. In addition, c-Fos DNA binding was significantly diminished by ATO in wild-type and Nrf2-null splenocytes activated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28, consistent with the observed inhibition of cytokine production by ATO. Collectively, this study suggests that although ATO activates Nrf2 in splenocytes, inhibition of early T cell cytokine production by ATO occurs independently of Nrf2 and may instead be due to impaired AP-1 DNA binding.

  18. Analysis of transient hypermorphic activity of E(spl)D during R8 specification

    PubMed Central

    Majot, Adam T.

    2017-01-01

    Drosophila atonal (ato) is required for the specification of founding R8 photoreceptors during retinal development. ato is regulated via dual eye-specific enhancers; ato-3’ is subject to initial induction whereas 5’-ato facilitates Notch-mediated autoregulation. Notch is further utilized to induce bHLH repressors of the E(spl) locus to restrict Ato from its initial broad expression to individual cells. Although Notch operates in two, distinct phases, it has remained unclear how the two phases maintain independence from one another. The difference in these two phases has attributed to the hypothesized delayed expression of E(spl). However, immunofluorescence data indicate that E(spl) are expressed during early Ato patterning, suggesting a more sophisticated underlying mechanism. To probe this mechanism, we provide evidence that although E(spl) exert no influence on ato-3’, E(spl) repress 5’-ato and deletion of the E(spl) locus elicits precocious 5’-ato activity. Thus, E(spl) imposes a delay to the timing in which Ato initiates autoregulation. We next sought to understand this finding in the context of E(spl)D, which encodes a dysregulated variant of E(spl)M8 that perturbs R8 patterning, though, as previously reported, only in conjunction with the mutant receptor Nspl. We established a genetic interaction between E(spl)D and roughened eye (roe), a known modulator of Notch signaling in retinogenesis. This link further suggests a dosage-dependence between E(spl) and the proneural activators Ato and Sens, as indicated via interaction assays in which E(spl)D renders aberrant R8 patterning in conjunction with reduced proneural dosage. In total, the biphasicity of Notch signaling relies, to some degree, on the post-translational regulation of individual E(spl) members and, importantly, that post-translational regulation is likely necessary to modulate the level of E(spl) activity throughout the progression of Ato expression. PMID:29036187

  19. Electrochemically hydrogenated TiO2 nanotubes with improved photoelectrochemical water splitting performance

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    One-dimensional anodic titanium oxide (ATO) nanotube arrays hold great potential as photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this work, we report a facile and eco-friendly electrochemical hydrogenation method to modify the electronic and PEC properties of ATO nanotube films. The hydrogenated ATO (ATO-H) electrodes present a significantly improved photocurrent of 0.65 mA/cm2 in comparison with that of pristine ATO nanotubes (0.29 mA/cm2) recorded under air mass 1.5 global illumination. The incident photon-to-current efficiency measurement suggests that the enhanced photocurrent of ATO-H nanotubes is mainly ascribed to the improved photoactivity in the UV region. We propose that the electrochemical hydrogenation induced surface oxygen vacancies contribute to the substantially enhanced electrical conductivity and photoactivity. PMID:24047205

  20. Arsenic trioxide plus PX-478 achieves effective treatment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

    PubMed

    Lang, Mingxiao; Wang, Xiuchao; Wang, Hongwei; Dong, Jie; Lan, Chungen; Hao, Jihui; Huang, Chongbiao; Li, Xin; Yu, Ming; Yang, Yanhui; Yang, Shengyu; Ren, He

    2016-08-10

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been selected as a promising treatment not only in leukemia but also in solid tumors. Previous studies showed that the cytotoxicity of ATO mainly depends on the induction of reactive oxygen species. However, ATO has only achieved a modest effect in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, suggesting that the existing radical scavenging proteins, such as hypoxia inducible factor-1, attenuate the effect. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of combination treatment of ATO plus PX-478 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1 inhibitor) and its underlying mechanism. Here, we showed that PX-478 robustly strengthened the anti-growth and pro-apoptosis effect of ATO on Panc-1 and BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Meanwhile, in vivo mouse xenograft models also showed the synergistic effect of ATO plus PX-478 compared with any single agent. Further studies showed that the anti-tumor effect of ATO plus PX-478 was derived from the reactive oxygen species-induced apoptosis. We next confirmed that Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 cleared reactive oxygen species by its downstream target, forkhead box O transcription factors, and this effect may justify the strategy of ATO plus PX-478 in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

  1. Development of performance measures based on visibility for effective placement of aids to navigation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fang, Tae Hyun; Kim, Yeon-Gyu; Gong, In-Young; Park, Sekil; Kim, Ah-Young

    2015-09-01

    In order to develop the challenging process of placing Aids to Navigation (AtoN), we propose performance measures which quantifies the effect of such placement. The best placement of AtoNs is that from which the navigator can best recognize the information provided by an AtoN. The visibility of AtoNs depends mostly on light sources, the weather condition and the position of the navigator. Visual recognition is enabled by achieving adequate contrast between the AtoN light source and background light. Therefore, the performance measures can be formulated through the amount of differences between these two lights. For simplification, this approach is based on the values of the human factor suggested by International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). Performance measures for AtoN placement can be evaluated through AtoN Simulator, which has been being developed by KIOST/KRISO in Korea and has been launched by Korea National Research Program. Simulations for evaluation are carried out at waterway in Busan port in Korea.

  2. Leukemia-associated gene MLAA-34 reduces arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Pengyu; Zhao, Xuan; Zhang, Wenjuan; He, Aili; Lei, Bo; Zhang, Wanggang; Chen, Yinxia

    2017-01-01

    Our laboratory previously used the SEREX method in U937 cells and identified a novel leukemia-associated gene MLAA-34, a novel splice variant of CAB39L associated with acute monocytic leukemia, that exhibited anti-apoptotic activities in U937 cells. Whether MLAA-34 has an anti-apoptotic role in other tumor cells has not yet been reported. We explored whether MLAA-34 exhibited anti-apoptotic effects in HeLa cervical cancer cells and the possible mechanism of action. We generated a HeLa cell line stably expressing MLAA-34 and found that MLAA-34 overexpression had no effect on the growth, apoptosis and cell cycle of HeLa cells. However, upon treatment with arsenic trioxide (ATO) to induce apoptosis, the cell viability and colony formation ability of ATO-treated MLAA-34 stable HeLa cells were significantly higher than that of ATO-treated controls, and the apoptosis rate and proportion of G2/M cells also decreased. We found that ATO treatment of HeLa cells resulted in significant decreases in the expression of β-catenin mRNA and protein and the downstream target factors c-Myc, cyclin B1, and cyclin D1 in the Wnt signaling pathway. Notably, ATO-treated MLAA-34 stable HeLa cells showed a significant reduction in the ATO-mediated downregulation of these factors. In addition, MLAA-34 overexpression significantly increased the expression of nuclear β-catenin protein in ATO-treated cells compared with HeLa cells treated only with ATO. Thus, here we have found that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in ATO-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. MLAA-34 reduces ATO-induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest, and the anti-apoptotic effect may be achieved by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HeLa cells.

  3. Leukemia-associated gene MLAA-34 reduces arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Xuan; Zhang, Wenjuan; He, Aili; Lei, Bo; Zhang, Wanggang; Chen, Yinxia

    2017-01-01

    Our laboratory previously used the SEREX method in U937 cells and identified a novel leukemia-associated gene MLAA-34, a novel splice variant of CAB39L associated with acute monocytic leukemia, that exhibited anti-apoptotic activities in U937 cells. Whether MLAA-34 has an anti-apoptotic role in other tumor cells has not yet been reported. We explored whether MLAA-34 exhibited anti-apoptotic effects in HeLa cervical cancer cells and the possible mechanism of action. We generated a HeLa cell line stably expressing MLAA-34 and found that MLAA-34 overexpression had no effect on the growth, apoptosis and cell cycle of HeLa cells. However, upon treatment with arsenic trioxide (ATO) to induce apoptosis, the cell viability and colony formation ability of ATO-treated MLAA-34 stable HeLa cells were significantly higher than that of ATO-treated controls, and the apoptosis rate and proportion of G2/M cells also decreased. We found that ATO treatment of HeLa cells resulted in significant decreases in the expression of β-catenin mRNA and protein and the downstream target factors c-Myc, cyclin B1, and cyclin D1 in the Wnt signaling pathway. Notably, ATO-treated MLAA-34 stable HeLa cells showed a significant reduction in the ATO-mediated downregulation of these factors. In addition, MLAA-34 overexpression significantly increased the expression of nuclear β-catenin protein in ATO-treated cells compared with HeLa cells treated only with ATO. Thus, here we have found that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in ATO-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. MLAA-34 reduces ATO-induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest, and the anti-apoptotic effect may be achieved by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HeLa cells. PMID:29059232

  4. Identificação de radiofontes puntiformes presentes na região observada pelo telescópio BEAST

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oliveira, M. S.; Wuensche, C. A.; Leonardi, R.; Tello, C.

    2003-08-01

    Radiofontes extragalácticas são um dos principais contaminantes nas medidas da Radiação Cósmica de Fundo (RCF) em freqüências abaixo de 200 GHz. O estudo de seu comportamento espectral permite determinar a contribuição destas fontes às anisotropias intrísincas da RCF. Um dos experimentos recentes concebidos para estudar a RCF é o BEAST (Background Emission Anisotropy Scanning Telescope), cujos primeiros resultados foram publicados em fevereiro de 2003. Nos últimos meses, geramos mapas do céu nas freqüências de 30 GHz e 41 GHz, para um total de 648 horas de observação entre julho e outubro de 2002. Identificamos 4 fontes puntiformes extragalácticas na região do céu situada entre 0h < RA < 24 h e +32° < DEC < +42°, com relação S/R > 4,3 e situadas a pelo menos 25° acima do Plano Galáctico. Suas contrapartidas em 5 GHz, segundo o catálogo GB6, são: J1613+3412, J1635+3808, J0927+3902 e J1642+3948. Estas fontes também foram identificadas pelo satélite WMAP sendo que três coincidem com as observadas pelo BEAST dentro da incerteza do feixe do telescópio e a quarta encontra-se bastante próxima (J1613+3412), embora não seja coincidente. As estimativas preliminares de fluxos obtidas para esses objetos são, respectivamente, 0,51; 0,97; 1,08 e 1,6 Jy em 41 GHz. Usando estes resultados e medidas de fluxos em outras frequências existentes na literatura, apresentamos uma estimativa dos índices espectrais destes objetos no intervalo de frequências entre 4,85 GHz e 41 GHz.

  5. Hierarchical ZnO Nanowires-loaded Sb-doped SnO2-ZnO Micrograting Pattern via Direct Imprinting-assisted Hydrothermal Growth and Its Selective Detection of Acetone Molecules.

    PubMed

    Choi, Hak-Jong; Choi, Seon-Jin; Choo, Soyoung; Kim, Il-Doo; Lee, Heon

    2016-01-08

    We propose a novel synthetic route by combining imprinting transfer of a Sb-doped SnO2 (ATO)-ZnO composite micrograting pattern (MP), i.e., microstrip lines, on a sensor substrate and subsequent hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanowires (NWs) for producing a hierarchical ZnO NW-loaded ATO-ZnO MP as an improved chemo-resistive sensing layer. Here, ATO-ZnO MP structure with 3-μm line width, 9-μm pitch, and 6-μm height was fabricated by direct transfer of mixed ATO and ZnO nanoparticle (NP)-dispersed resists, which are pre-patterned on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold. ZnO NWs with an average diameter of less than 50 nm and a height of 250 nm were quasi-vertically grown on the ATO-ZnO MP, leading to markedly enhanced surface area and heterojunction composites between each ATO NP, ZnO NP, and ZnO NW. A ZnO NW-loaded MP sensor with a relative ratio of 1:9 between ATO and ZnO (1:9 ATO-ZnO), exhibited highly sensitive and selective acetone sensing performance with 2.84-fold higher response (R air/R gas = 12.8) compared to that (R air/R gas = 4.5) of pristine 1:9 ATO-ZnO MP sensor at 5 ppm. Our results demonstrate the processing advantages of direct imprinting-assisted hydrothermal growth for large-scale homogeneous coating of hierarchical oxide layers, particularly for applications in highly sensitive and selective chemical sensors.

  6. Hierarchical ZnO Nanowires-loaded Sb-doped SnO2-ZnO Micrograting Pattern via Direct Imprinting-assisted Hydrothermal Growth and Its Selective Detection of Acetone Molecules

    PubMed Central

    Choi, Hak-Jong; Choi, Seon-Jin; Choo, Soyoung; Kim, Il-Doo; Lee, Heon

    2016-01-01

    We propose a novel synthetic route by combining imprinting transfer of a Sb-doped SnO2 (ATO)-ZnO composite micrograting pattern (MP), i.e., microstrip lines, on a sensor substrate and subsequent hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanowires (NWs) for producing a hierarchical ZnO NW-loaded ATO-ZnO MP as an improved chemo-resistive sensing layer. Here, ATO-ZnO MP structure with 3-μm line width, 9-μm pitch, and 6-μm height was fabricated by direct transfer of mixed ATO and ZnO nanoparticle (NP)-dispersed resists, which are pre-patterned on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold. ZnO NWs with an average diameter of less than 50 nm and a height of 250 nm were quasi-vertically grown on the ATO-ZnO MP, leading to markedly enhanced surface area and heterojunction composites between each ATO NP, ZnO NP, and ZnO NW. A ZnO NW-loaded MP sensor with a relative ratio of 1:9 between ATO and ZnO (1:9 ATO-ZnO), exhibited highly sensitive and selective acetone sensing performance with 2.84-fold higher response (Rair/Rgas = 12.8) compared to that (Rair/Rgas = 4.5) of pristine 1:9 ATO-ZnO MP sensor at 5 ppm. Our results demonstrate the processing advantages of direct imprinting-assisted hydrothermal growth for large-scale homogeneous coating of hierarchical oxide layers, particularly for applications in highly sensitive and selective chemical sensors. PMID:26743814

  7. Hierarchical ZnO Nanowires-loaded Sb-doped SnO2-ZnO Micrograting Pattern via Direct Imprinting-assisted Hydrothermal Growth and Its Selective Detection of Acetone Molecules

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Choi, Hak-Jong; Choi, Seon-Jin; Choo, Soyoung; Kim, Il-Doo; Lee, Heon

    2016-01-01

    We propose a novel synthetic route by combining imprinting transfer of a Sb-doped SnO2 (ATO)-ZnO composite micrograting pattern (MP), i.e., microstrip lines, on a sensor substrate and subsequent hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanowires (NWs) for producing a hierarchical ZnO NW-loaded ATO-ZnO MP as an improved chemo-resistive sensing layer. Here, ATO-ZnO MP structure with 3-μm line width, 9-μm pitch, and 6-μm height was fabricated by direct transfer of mixed ATO and ZnO nanoparticle (NP)-dispersed resists, which are pre-patterned on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold. ZnO NWs with an average diameter of less than 50 nm and a height of 250 nm were quasi-vertically grown on the ATO-ZnO MP, leading to markedly enhanced surface area and heterojunction composites between each ATO NP, ZnO NP, and ZnO NW. A ZnO NW-loaded MP sensor with a relative ratio of 1:9 between ATO and ZnO (1:9 ATO-ZnO), exhibited highly sensitive and selective acetone sensing performance with 2.84-fold higher response (Rair/Rgas = 12.8) compared to that (Rair/Rgas = 4.5) of pristine 1:9 ATO-ZnO MP sensor at 5 ppm. Our results demonstrate the processing advantages of direct imprinting-assisted hydrothermal growth for large-scale homogeneous coating of hierarchical oxide layers, particularly for applications in highly sensitive and selective chemical sensors.

  8. Lithium intercalation in sputter deposited antimony-doped tin oxide thin films: Evidence from electrochemical and optical measurements

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Montero, J., E-mail: jose.montero@angstrom.uu.se; Granqvist, C. G.; Niklasson, G. A.

    2014-04-21

    Transparent conducting oxides are used as transparent electrical contacts in a variety of applications, including in electrochromic smart windows. In the present work, we performed a study of transparent conducting antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) thin films by chronopotentiometry in a Li{sup +}-containing electrolyte. The open circuit potential vs. Li was used to investigate ATO band lineups, such as those of the Fermi level and the ionization potential, as well as the dependence of these lineups on the preparation conditions for ATO. Evidence was found for Li{sup +} intercalation when a current pulse was set in a way so as tomore » drive ions from the electrolyte into the ATO lattice. Galvanostatic intermittent titration was then applied to determine the lithium diffusion coefficient within the ATO lattice. The electrochemical density of states of the conducting oxide was studied by means of the transient voltage recorded during the chronopotentiometry experiments. These measurements were possible because, as Li{sup +} intercalation took place, charge compensating electrons filled the lowest part of the conduction band in ATO. Furthermore, the charge insertion modified the optical properties of ATO according to the Drude model.« less

  9. Drosophila atonal fully rescues the phenotype of Math1 null mice: new functions evolve in new cellular contexts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wang, Vincent Y.; Hassan, Bassem A.; Bellen, Hugo J.; Zoghbi, Huda Y.

    2002-01-01

    Many genes share sequence similarity between species, but their properties often change significantly during evolution. For example, the Drosophila genes engrailed and orthodenticle and the onychophoran gene Ultrabithorax only partially substitute for their mouse or Drosophila homologs. We have been analyzing the relationship between atonal (ato) in the fruit fly and its mouse homolog, Math1. In flies, ato acts as a proneural gene that governs the development of chordotonal organs (CHOs), which serve as stretch receptors in the body wall and joints and as auditory organs in the antennae. In the fly CNS, ato is important not for specification but for axonal arborization. Math1, in contrast, is required for the specification of cells in both the CNS and the PNS. Furthermore, Math1 serves a role in the development of secretory lineage cells in the gut, a function that does not parallel any known to be served by ato. We wondered whether ato and Math1 might be more functionally homologous than they appear, so we expressed Math1 in ato mutant flies and ato in Math1 null mice. To our surprise, the two proteins are functionally interchangeable.

  10. atonal regulates neurite arborization but does not act as a proneural gene in the Drosophila brain

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hassan, B. A.; Bermingham, N. A.; He, Y.; Sun, Y.; Jan, Y. N.; Zoghbi, H. Y.; Bellen, H. J.

    2000-01-01

    Drosophila atonal (ato) is the proneural gene of the chordotonal organs (CHOs) in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the larval and adult photoreceptor organs. Here, we show that ato is expressed at multiple stages during the development of a lineage of central brain neurons that innervate the optic lobes and are required for eclosion. A novel fate mapping approach shows that ato is expressed in the embryonic precursors of these neurons and that its expression is reactivated in third instar larvae (L3). In contrast to its function in the PNS, ato does not act as a proneural gene in the embryonic brain. Instead, ato performs a novel function, regulating arborization during larval and pupal development by interacting with Notch.

  11. Ethacrynic acid and a derivative enhance apoptosis in arsenic trioxide-treated myeloid leukemia and lymphoma cells: the role of glutathione S-transferase P1-1

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Rui; Liu, Changda; Xia, Lijuan; Zhao, Guisen; Gabrilove, Janice; Waxman, Samuel; Jing, Yongkui

    2012-01-01

    Purpose Arsenic trioxide (ATO) as a single agent is used for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with minimal toxicity but therapeutic effect of ATO in other types of malignancies has not been achieved. We tested whether a combination with ethacrynic acid (EA), a glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GSTP1-1) inhibitor and a reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducer will extend the therapeutic effect of ATO beyond APL. Experimental Design The combined apoptotic effects of ATO plus EA were tested in non-APL leukemia and lymphoma cell lines. The role of ROS, GSTP1-1, glutathione, and Mcl-1 in apoptosis was determined. The selective response to this combination of cells with and without GSTP1-1 expression was compared. Results ATO/EA combination synergistically induced apoptosis in myeloid leukemia and lymphoma cells. This treatment produced high ROS levels, activated c-jun-NH2-terminal kinase and reduced Mcl-1 protein. This led to the decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, release of cytochrome c and, subsequently, to activation of caspase 3 and 9. Induction of apoptosis in leukemia and lymphoma cells expressing GSTP1-1 required that high EA concentrations be combined with ATO. Silencing of GSTP1 in leukemia cells sensitized them to ATO/EA-induced apoptosis. In a sub-group of B-cell lymphoma which do not express GSTP1-1, lower concentrations of EA and its more potent derivative, ethacrynic acid butyl-ester, decreased intracellular glutathione levels and synergistically induced apoptosis when combined with ATO. Conclusion B-cell lymphoma cells lacking GSTP1-1 are more sensitive than myeloid leukemia cells to ATO/EA-induced apoptosis. PMID:23082001

  12. [Synergistic lethal effect of combined treatment of arsenic trioxide and aclacinomycin on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line KG-1a].

    PubMed

    Ye, Y B; Xu, X J; Chen, Y H; Zhang, M W; Qiu, D F; Guo, Z W; He, H Q

    2017-04-23

    Objective: To investigate the synergistic lethal effect and mechanism of arsenic trioxide (ATO) and aclacinomycin (ACM) on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line KG-1a. Methods: Colony-forming assay was used to detect the proliferation of KG-1a cells treated with different concentration of ATO and ACM. Compusyn software was used to analyze the synergistic effect of ATO and ACM. Flow cytometry and Wright's staining were used to analyze the apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells induced by combined treatment of ATO and ACM. Western blot was used to determine the expression of proteins associated with apoptosis. Results: The cytotoxicity of arsenic trioxide or aclacinomycin alone was in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells treated with both 0.4 μmol/L ATO and 10 nmol/L ACM was (34.5±3.1)%, significantly higher than (7.6±1.1)% of 0.4 μmol/L ATO treatment or (18.7±2.3) % of 10 nmol/L ACM treatment alone ( P <0.05). The apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells treated with both 1.5 μmol/L ATO and 37.5 nmol/L ACM was (52.5±4.7)%, significantly higher than (19.1±3.2)% of 1.5 μmol/L ATO treatment or (27.7±2.2)% of 37.5 nmol/L ACM treatment alone ( P <0.05). The apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells treated with both 3.0 μmol/L ATO and 75 nmol/L ACM was (61.3±4.5)%, significantly higher than (29.5±2.5)% of 3.0 μmol/L ATO treatment or (28.6±3.4) % of 75 nmol/L ACM treatment alone ( P <0.05). In addition, the result of Wright's staining showed that combined treatment of ATO and ACM induced a more apparent phenotype of apoptosis when compared with single agent treatment. Compusyn software analysis showed that the combination index (CI) value of combined treatment group was less than 1, which indicated the synergistic effect of these two agents. Conclusions: Combined treatment of ATO and ACM shows a synergistic lethal effect on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line KG-1a via activating the apoptotic pathway, which inhibits cell

  13. Arsenic trioxide promoting ETosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia through mTOR-regulated autophagy.

    PubMed

    Li, Tao; Ma, Ruishuang; Zhang, Yan; Mo, Hongdan; Yang, Xiaoyan; Hu, Shaoshan; Wang, Lixiu; Novakovic, Valerie A; Chen, He; Kou, Junjie; Bi, Yayan; Yu, Bo; Fang, Shaohong; Wang, Jinghua; Zhou, Jin; Shi, Jialan

    2018-01-23

    Despite the high efficacy and safety of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and eradicating APL leukemia-initiating cells (LICs), the mechanism underlying its selective cytotoxicity remains elusive. We have recently demonstrated that APL cells undergo a novel cell death program, termed ETosis, through autophagy. However, the role of ETosis in ATO-induced APL LIC eradication remains unclear. For this study, we evaluated the effects of ATO on ETosis and the contributions of drug-induced ETosis to APL LIC eradication. In NB4 cells, ATO primarily increased ETosis at moderate concentrations (0.5-0.75 μM) and stimulated apoptosis at higher doses (1.0-2.0 μM). Furthermore, ATO induced ETosis through mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent autophagy, which was partially regulated by reactive oxygen species. Additionally, rapamycin-enhanced ATO-induced ETosis in NB4 cells and APL cells from newly diagnosed and relapsed patients. In contrast, rapamycin had no effect on apoptosis in these cells. We also noted that PML/RARA oncoprotein was effectively cleared with this combination. Intriguingly, activation of autophagy with rapamycin-enhanced APL LIC eradication clearance by ATO in vitro and in a xenograft APL model, while inhibition of autophagy spared clonogenic cells. Our current results show that ATO exerts antileukemic effects at least partially through ETosis and targets LICs primarily through ETosis. Addition of drugs that target the ETotic pathway could be a promising therapeutic strategy to further eradicate LICs and reduce relapse.

  14. Chronic arsenic trioxide exposure leads to enhanced aggressiveness via Met oncogene addiction in cancer cells

    PubMed Central

    Kryeziu, Kushtrim; Pirker, Christine; Englinger, Bernhard; van Schoonhoven, Sushilla; Spitzwieser, Melanie; Mohr, Thomas; Körner, Wilfried; Weinmüllner, Regina; Tav, Koray; Grillari, Johannes; Cichna-Markl, Margit; Berger, Walter; Heffeter, Petra

    2016-01-01

    As an environmental poison, arsenic is responsible for many cancer deaths. Paradoxically, arsenic trioxide (ATO) presents also a powerful therapy used to treat refractory acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and is intensively investigated for treatment of other cancer types. Noteworthy, cancer therapy is frequently hampered by drug resistance, which is also often associated with enhancement of tumor aggressiveness. In this study, we analyzed ATO-selected cancer cells (A2780ATO) for the mechanisms underlying their enhanced tumorigenicity and aggressiveness. These cells were characterized by enhanced proliferation and spheroid growth as well as increased tumorigenicity of xenografts in SCID mice. Noteworthy, subsequent studies revealed that overexpression of Met receptor was the underlying oncogenic driver of these effects, as A2780ATO cells were characterized by collateral sensitivity against Met inhibitors. This finding was also confirmed by array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) and whole genome gene expression arrays, which revealed that Met overexpression by chronic ATO exposure was based on the transcriptional regulation via activation of AP-1. Finally, it was shown that treatment with the Met inhibitor crizotinib was also effective against A2780ATO cell xenografts in vivo, indicating that targeting of Met presents a promising strategy for the treatment of Met-overexpressing tumors after either arsenic exposure or failure to ATO treatment. PMID:27036042

  15. Activating transcription factor 4 underlies the pathogenesis of arsenic trioxide-mediated impairment of macrophage innate immune functions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Srivastava, Ritesh K.; Li, Changzhao

    Chronic arsenic exposure to humans is considered immunosuppressive with augmented susceptibility to several infectious diseases. The exact molecular mechanisms, however, remain unknown. Earlier, we showed the involvement of unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling in arsenic-mediated impairment of macrophage functions. Here, we show that activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), a UPR transcription factor, regulates arsenic trioxide (ATO)-mediated dysregulation of macrophage functions. In ATO-treated ATF4{sup +/+} wild-type mice, a significant down-regulation of CD11b expression was associated with the reduced phagocytic functions of peritoneal and lung macrophages. This severe immuno-toxicity phenotype was not observed in ATO-treated ATF4{sup +/−} heterozygous mice. To confirm thesemore » observations, we demonstrated in Raw 264.7 cells that ATF4 knock-down rescues ATO-mediated impairment of macrophage functions including cytokine production, bacterial engulfment and clearance of engulfed bacteria. Sustained activation of ATF4 by ATO in macrophages induces apoptosis, while diminution of ATF4 expression protects against ATO-induced apoptotic cell death. Raw 264.7 cells treated with ATO also manifest dysregulated Ca{sup ++} homeostasis. ATO induces Ca{sup ++}-dependent calpain-1 and caspase-12 expression which together regulated macrophage apoptosis. Additionally, apoptosis was also induced by mitochondria-regulated pathway. Restoring ATO-impaired Ca{sup ++} homeostasis in ER/mitochondria by treatments with the inhibitors of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) and voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) attenuate innate immune functions of macrophages. These studies identify a novel role for ATF4 in underlying pathogenesis of macrophage dysregulation and immuno-toxicity of arsenic. - Highlights: • ATF4 regulates arsenic-mediated impairment in macrophage functions. • Arsenic-mediated alterations in pulmonary macrophage are diminished in ATF4{sup +/

  16. A Dual-Responsive Nanocomposite toward Climate-Adaptable Solar Modulation for Energy-Saving Smart Windows.

    PubMed

    Lee, Heng Yeong; Cai, Yufeng; Bi, Shuguang; Liang, Yen Nan; Song, Yujie; Hu, Xiao Matthew

    2017-02-22

    In this work, a novel fully autonomous photothermotropic material made by hybridization of the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel and antimony-tin oxide (ATO) is presented. In this photothermotropic system, the near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing ATO acts as nanoheater to induce the optical switching of the hydrogel. Such a new passive smart window is characterized by excellent NIR shielding, a photothermally activated switching mechanism, enhanced response speed, and solar modulation ability. Systems with 0, 5, 10, and 15 atom % Sb-doped ATO in PNIPAM were investigated, and it was found that a PNIPAM/ATO nanocomposite is able to be photothermally activated. The 10 atom % Sb-doped PNIPAM/ATO exhibits the best response speed and solar modulation ability. Different film thicknesses and ATO contents will affect the response rate and solar modulation ability. Structural stability tests at 15 cycles under continuous exposure to solar irradiation at 1 sun intensity demonstrated the performance stability of such a photothermotropic system. We conclude that such a novel photothermotropic hybrid can be used as a new generation of autonomous passive smart windows for climate-adaptable solar modulation.

  17. Unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling regulates arsenic trioxide-mediated macrophage innate immune function disruption

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Srivastava, Ritesh K.; Li, Changzhao; Chaudhary, Sandeep C.

    Arsenic exposure is known to disrupt innate immune functions in humans and in experimental animals. In this study, we provide a mechanism by which arsenic trioxide (ATO) disrupts macrophage functions. ATO treatment of murine macrophage cells diminished internalization of FITC-labeled latex beads, impaired clearance of phagocytosed fluorescent bacteria and reduced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These impairments in macrophage functions are associated with ATO-induced unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway characterized by the enhancement in proteins such as GRP78, p-PERK, p-eIF2α, ATF4 and CHOP. The expression of these proteins is altered both at transcriptional and translational levels. Pretreatment with chemical chaperon,more » 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA) attenuated the ATO-induced activation in UPR signaling and afforded protection against ATO-induced disruption of macrophage functions. This treatment also reduced ATO-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Interestingly, treatment with antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prior to ATO exposure, not only reduced ROS production and UPR signaling but also improved macrophage functions. These data demonstrate that UPR signaling and ROS generation are interdependent and are involved in the arsenic-induced pathobiology of macrophage. These data also provide a novel strategy to block the ATO-dependent impairment in innate immune responses. - Highlights: • Inorganic arsenic to humans and experimental animals disrupt innate immune responses. • The mechanism underlying arsenic impaired macrophage functions involves UPR signaling. • Chemical chaperon attenuates arsenic-mediated macrophage function impairment. • Antioxidant, NAC blocks impairment in arsenic-treated macrophage functions.« less

  18. Nanoporous anodic titanium dioxide layers as potential drug delivery systems: Drug release kinetics and mechanism.

    PubMed

    Jarosz, Magdalena; Pawlik, Anna; Szuwarzyński, Michał; Jaskuła, Marian; Sulka, Grzegorz D

    2016-07-01

    Nanoporous anodic titanium dioxide (ATO) layers on Ti foil were prepared via a three step anodization process in an electrolyte based on an ethylene glycol solution with fluoride ions. Some of the ATO samples were heat-treated in order to achieve two different crystallographic structures - anatase (400°C) and a mixture of anatase and rutile (600°C). The structural and morphological characterizations of ATO layers were performed using a field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM). The hydrophilicity of ATO layers was determined with contact angle measurements using distilled water. Ibuprofen and gentamicin were loaded effectively inside the ATO nanopores. Afterwards, an in vitro drug release was conducted for 24h under a static and dynamic flow conditions in a phosphate buffer solution at 37°C. The drug concentrations were determined using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The absorbance of ibuprofen was measured directly at 222nm, whether gentamicin was determined as a complex with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) at 394nm. Both compounds exhibited long term release profiles, despite the ATO structure. A new release model, based on the desorption of the drug from the ATO top surface followed by the desorption and diffusion of the drug from the nanopores, was derived. The proposed release model was fitted to the experimental drug release profiles, and kinetic parameters were calculated. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Phloretin ameliorates arsenic trioxide induced mitochondrial dysfunction in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts mediated via alterations in membrane permeability and ETC complexes.

    PubMed

    Vineetha, Vadavanath Prabhakaran; Soumya, Rema Sreenivasan; Raghu, Kozhiparambil Gopalan

    2015-05-05

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO), though a very effective drug for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, leads to cardiotoxicity. As mitochondria are the center of attention of cardiac cell׳s general metabolic status, it is primarily important to see the interaction of ATO with mitochondria. Studies related exclusively to the alterations in mitochondria and its associated functions caused by ATO are very limited. The present investigation aims to explore the effect of ATO on various components of electron transport chain, oxygen consumption, ATP production, mitochondrial superoxide generation, transmembrane potential, permeability pore opening, calcium homeostasis and apoptosis. Attempts were also made to see the efficacy of phloretin, a potent antioxidant flavonoid found majorly in apple peel on cardiotoxicity. The H9c2 cells exposed to ATO (5µM) exhibited increased oxidative stress with reduced innate antioxidant status, mitochondrial dysfunctions and apoptosis. It increased the intracellular calcium content, caused alterations in the activity of transcription factor Nrf2, xanthine oxidase, aconitase and caspase 3 compared to the control group. Phloretin at 2.5 and 5µM concentrations were able to protect the cells from ATO toxicity via protecting mitochondria through its antioxidant potential. The present investigation based on mitochondria reveals the probability of cardioprotective potential of phloretin for the cancer patients on ATO chemotherapy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Arsenic trioxide at conventional dosage does not aggravate hemorrhage in the first-line treatment of adult acute promyelocytic leukemia.

    PubMed

    Cui, Wen; Wang, Jin; Nie, Rui-Min; Zhao, Ling-Ling; Gao, Meng-Qing; Zhu, Hong-Ming; Chen, Li; Hu, Jiong; Li, Jun-Min; Shen, Zhi-Xiang; Wang, Zhen-Yi; Chen, Sai-Juan; Chen, Zhu; Wang, Kan-Kan; Xi, Xiao-Dong; Mi, Jian-Qing

    2018-04-01

    The arsenic trioxide (ATO) plus all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) therapy has demonstrated a tremendous success in the first-line treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Actually, early death (ED) is currently thought as a major challenge in APL. ATO has been reported to inhibit platelet function in vitro, and whether it increases the ED rate by exacerbating the hemorrhagic symptoms remains to be investigated. Effects of ATO on platelet aggregation and adhesion were evaluated in vitro and in thirty-two complete remission (CR) and four newly diagnosed APL patients. Furthermore, concentrations of plasma total arsenic were monitored in APL patients via ICP-MS. The inhibition of platelet function, either aggregation or adhesion, did occur in vitro when the concentration of ATO reached 2 μmol/L. However, in CR APL patients receiving ATO with normal platelet count, the platelets responded normally when being activated and so did those in the newly diagnosed patients with thrombocytopenia. Our data further showed that the conventional dosage of ATO reached a plasma concentration substantially below the required concentration to inhibit platelets. In the first-line treatment of APL, the use of ATO is safe and effective and does not compromise the hemostatic potential that may eventually increase ED rate. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  1. Induction of the mesenchymal to epithelial transition by demethylation-activated microRNA-125b is involved in the anti-migration/invasion effects of arsenic trioxide on human chondrosarcoma.

    PubMed

    Bao, Xing; Ren, Tingting; Huang, Yi; Wang, Shidong; Zhang, Fan; Liu, Kuisheng; Zheng, Bingxin; Guo, Wei

    2016-08-30

    In addition to treating acute promyelocytic leukemia, arsenic trioxide (ATO) suppresses other solid tumors, including chondrosarcoma. However, the effects of ATO on metastasis in chondrosarcoma cells, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The effects of ATO on the migratory and invasive capacities of chondrosarcoma cells were investigated by Wound healing, Transwell and EMT assays. The expression of miR-125b in human chondrosarcoma tissues and cell lines was detected by real-time PCR analysis. Bisulfite sequencing analysis (BSP) was used to detect the effects of ATO on the expression of miR-125b. The gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments were performed on chondrosarcoma cell lines to investigate the effects of miR-125b on chondrosarcoma invasion, and to determine whether signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(Stat3) mediates these effects. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to identify whether Stat3 is a direct target of miR-125b. MiR-125b was significantly downregulated in human metastatic chondrosarcoma tissues and cell lines but not in non-metastatic chondrosarcoma tissues. ATO up-regulates the expression of miR-125b by the demethylation of DNA. ATO induces MET and attenuates the invasive capacities of chondrosarcoma cells through miR-125b. Stat3 was verified as a direct target of miR-125b, which is involved in ATO regulating EMT-associated traits. These findings, for the first time, provides evidence that the miR-125b-mediated inhibition of Stat3 is involved in the ATO-induced attenuation of metastasis in chondrosarcoma cells.

  2. Bayesian network meta-analysis comparing five contemporary treatment strategies for newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukaemia

    PubMed Central

    Ren, Yong; Duan, Chongyang; Chen, Shangwu; Xu, Anlong

    2016-01-01

    Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a curable subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. The optimum regimen for newly diagnosed APL remains inconclusive. In this Bayesian network meta-analysis, we compared the effectiveness of five regimens-arsenic trioxide (ATO) + all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), realgar-indigo naturalis formula (RIF) which contains arsenic tetrasulfide + ATRA, ATRA + anthracycline-based chemotherapy (CT), ATO alone and ATRA alone, based on fourteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which included 1407 newly diagnosed APL patients. According to the results, the ranking efficacy of the treatment, including early death and complete remission in the induction stage, was the following: 1. ATO/RIF + ATRA; 2. ATRA + CT; 3. ATO, and 4. ATRA. For long-term benefit, ATO/RIF + ATRA significantly improved overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio = 0.35, 95%CI 0.15–0.82, p = 0.02) and event-free survival (EFS) (hazard ratio = 0.32, 95%CI 0.16–0.61, p = 0.001) over ATRA + CT regimen for the low-to-intermediate-risk patients. Thus, ATO + ATRA and RIF + ATRA might be considered the optimum treatments for the newly diagnosed APL and should be recommended as the standard care for frontline therapy. PMID:27322078

  3. Bayesian network meta-analysis comparing five contemporary treatment strategies for newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

    PubMed

    Wu, Fenfang; Wu, Di; Ren, Yong; Duan, Chongyang; Chen, Shangwu; Xu, Anlong

    2016-07-26

    Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a curable subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. The optimum regimen for newly diagnosed APL remains inconclusive. In this Bayesian network meta-analysis, we compared the effectiveness of five regimens-arsenic trioxide (ATO) + all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), realgar-indigo naturalis formula (RIF) which contains arsenic tetrasulfide + ATRA, ATRA + anthracycline-based chemotherapy (CT), ATO alone and ATRA alone, based on fourteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which included 1407 newly diagnosed APL patients. According to the results, the ranking efficacy of the treatment, including early death and complete remission in the induction stage, was the following: 1. ATO/RIF + ATRA; 2. ATRA + CT; 3. ATO, and 4. ATRA. For long-term benefit, ATO/RIF + ATRA significantly improved overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio = 0.35, 95%CI 0.15-0.82, p = 0.02) and event-free survival (EFS) (hazard ratio = 0.32, 95%CI 0.16-0.61, p = 0.001) over ATRA + CT regimen for the low-to-intermediate-risk patients. Thus, ATO + ATRA and RIF + ATRA might be considered the optimum treatments for the newly diagnosed APL and should be recommended as the standard care for frontline therapy.

  4. BIM-Mediated AKT Phosphorylation Is a Key Modulator of Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Apoptosis in Cisplatin-Sensitive and -Resistant Ovarian Cancer Cells

    PubMed Central

    Yuan, Zhu; Wang, Fang; Zhao, Zhiwei; Zhao, Xinyu; Qiu, Ji; Nie, Chunlai; Wei, Yuquan

    2011-01-01

    Background Chemo-resistance to cisplatin-centered cancer therapy is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of human ovarian cancer. Previous reports indicated that arsenic trioxide (ATO) induces cell apoptosis in both drug-sensitive and -resistant ovarian cancer cells. Principal Findings In this study, we determined the molecular mechanism of ATO-induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. Our data demonstrated that ATO induced cell apoptosis by decreasing levels of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) and activating caspase-3 and caspase-9. Importantly, BIM played a critical role in ATO-induced apoptosis. The inhibition of BIM expression prevented AKT dephosphorylation and inhibited caspase-3 activation during cell apoptosis. However, surprisingly, gene silencing of AKT or FOXO3A had little effect on BIM expression and phosphorylation. Moreover, the activation of caspase-3 by ATO treatment improved AKT dephosphorylation, not only by cleaving the regulatory A subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), but also by increasing its activation. Furthermore, our data indicated that the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) pathway is involved in the regulation of BIM expression. Conclusions We demonstrated the roles of BIM in ATO-induced apoptosis and the molecular mechanisms of BIM expression regulated by ATO during ovarian cancer cell apoptosis. Our findings suggest that BIM plays an important role in regulating p-AKT by activating caspase-3 and that BIM mediates the level of AKT phosphorylation to determine the threshold for overcoming cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells. PMID:21655183

  5. Endoscopic versus transcranial procurement of allograft tympano-ossicular systems: a prospective double-blind randomized controlled audit.

    PubMed

    Caremans, Jeroen; Hamans, Evert; Muylle, Ludo; Van de Heyning, Paul; Van Rompaey, Vincent

    2016-06-01

    Allograft tympano-ossicular systems (ATOS) have proven their use over many decades in tympanoplasty and reconstruction after resection of cholesteatoma. The transcranial bone plug technique has been used in the past 50 years to procure en bloc ATOS (tympanic membrane with malleus, incus and stapes attached). Recently, our group reported the feasibility of the endoscopic procurement technique. The aim of this study was to assess whether clinical outcome is equivalent in ATOS acquired by using the endoscopic procurement technique compared to ATOS acquired by using the transcranial technique. A double-blind randomized controlled audit was performed in a tertiary referral center in patients that underwent allograft tympanoplasty because of chronic otitis media with and without cholesteatoma. Allograft epithelialisation was evaluated at the short-term postoperative visit by microscopic examination. Failures were reported if reperforation was observed. Fifty patients underwent allograft tympanoplasty: 34 received endoscopically procured ATOS and 16 received transcranially procured ATOS. One failed case was observed, in the endoscopic procurement group. We did not observe a statistically significant difference between the two groups in failure rate. This study demonstrates equivalence of the clinical outcome of allograft tympanoplasty using either endoscopic or transcranial procured ATOS and therefore indicates that the endoscopic technique can be considered the new standard procurement technique. Especially because the endoscopic procurement technique has several advantages compared to the former transcranial procurement technique: it avoids risk of prion transmission and it is faster while lacking any noticeable incision.

  6. Dose-adjusted arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukaemia in chronic renal failure.

    PubMed

    Firkin, Frank; Roncolato, Fernando; Ho, Wai Khoon

    2015-10-01

    To determine the potential for arsenic trioxide (ATO) to be safely and effectively incorporated into induction therapy of newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) in patients with severe chronic renal failure (CRF) by reduction of the ATO dosage to compensate for reduced renal elimination of arsenic in CRF. Two of the four CRF patients with APL in the study were dialysis-dependent, and two had eGFRs of 18 and 19 mL/min/1.73 m(2) . ATO dosage schedules were adjusted to obtain comparable whole-blood arsenic levels to those in APL patients with normal renal function who achieved molecular remission (MR) while receiving 10 mg ATO daily for 28 d. Average ATO administered per day in CRF patients ranged from 36 to 50% of the ATO administered to APL patients with normal renal function. No clinically significant cardiac, hepatic or other toxicities were detected. RT-PCR-negative MR was achieved after one treatment course in two patients and after two courses in the others. Relapse-free survival is 155, 60, 43 and 5 months. The observations in this pilot study have demonstrated whole-blood arsenic levels can provide a guide to adjustments of ATO dosage schedules that permit safe and effective therapeutic outcomes in APL patients with severely compromised renal function. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  7. Redistribution of cell cycle by arsenic trioxide is associated with demethylation and expression changes of cell cycle related genes in acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line (NB4).

    PubMed

    Hassani, Saeed; Khaleghian, Ali; Ahmadian, Shahin; Alizadeh, Shaban; Alimoghaddam, Kamran; Ghavamzadeh, Ardeshir; Ghaffari, Seyed H

    2018-01-01

    PML-RARα perturbs the normal epigenetic setting, which is essential to oncogenic transformation in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Transcription induction and recruitment of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) by PML-RARα and subsequent hypermethylation are components of this perturbation. Arsenic trioxide (ATO), an important drug in APL therapy, concurrent with degradation of PML-RARα induces cell cycle change and apoptosis. How ATO causes cell cycle alteration has remained largely unexplained. Here, we investigated DNA methylation patterns of cell cycle regulatory genes promoters, the effects of ATO on the methylated genes and cell cycle distribution in an APL cell line, NB4. Analysis of promoter methylation status of 22 cell cycle related genes in NB4 revealed that CCND1, CCNE1, CCNF, CDKN1A, GADD45α, and RBL1 genes were methylated 60.7, 84.6, 58.6, 8.7, 33.4, and 73.7%, respectively, that after treatment with 2 μM ATO for 48 h, turn into 0.6, 13.8, 0.1, 6.6, 10.7, and 54.5% methylated. ATO significantly reduced the expression of DNMT1, 3A, and 3B. ATO induced the expression of CCND1, CCNE1, and GADD45α genes, suppressed the expression of CCNF and CDKN1A genes, which were consistent with decreased number of cells in G1 and S phases and increased number of cells in G2/M phase. In conclusion, demethylation and alteration in the expression level of the cell cycle related genes may be possible mechanisms in ATO-induced cell cycle arrest in APL cells. It may suggest that ATO by demethylation of CCND1 and CCNE1 and their transcriptional activation accelerates G1 and S transition into the G2/M cell cycle arrest.

  8. "Boldness be my friend" (Shakespeare; Cymbeline).

    PubMed

    Altman, Jessica K; Tallman, Martin S

    2011-12-15

    Au et al report in this issue of Blood that oral arsenic trioxide (ATO) may be safely used in maintenance therapy in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). This is a major improvement in convenience given that intravenous (IV)ATO requires daily administration for weeks at a time. In addition, the oral formulation may be less toxic. The time seems right to carefully explore the introduction of oral ATO earlier in treatment of the disease.

  9. Sex differences in the reduction of impulsive choice (delay discounting) for cocaine in rats with atomoxetine and progesterone

    PubMed Central

    Smethells, John R.; Swalve, Natashia L.; Eberly, Lynn E.; Carroll, Marilyn E.

    2016-01-01

    Rationale Impulsive choice, or an inability to delay immediate gratification, has been strongly linked to the development and persistence of drug abuse. Indeed, delaying drug use itself may underlie drug addiction and relapse. Thus, employing treatments that are efficacious in reducing impulsive choice (atomoxetine; ATO) or drug-seeking behavior (progesterone; PRO) may be an effective means of treating drug addiction. Objective The current study assessed sex differences in the effects of PRO, ATO and their combination in a delay discounting paradigm for cocaine and for sucrose pellets. Method Male and female rats chose between a small-immediate or a large-delayed (0, 7.5, 15, 30, 60 sec) outcome in an impulsive choice procedure for sucrose pellets (1 vs 3 pellets) or for iv cocaine infusions (0.3 vs 0.9 mg/kg). Following baseline assessment of impulsive choice, rats received daily treatment of vehicle (VEH), PRO (0.5 mg/kg), ATO (1.5 mg/kg) or a combination (PRO + ATO) until a second assessment of impulsive choice was determined. Results Compared to the VEH group, females were less impulsive for cocaine following PRO or the PRO + ATO combined treatment, whereas males were less impulsive for cocaine following ATO. No treatment effects were observed on impulsive choice for sucrose pellets. Conclusions The present results indicate that impulsive choice for cocaine is reduced by PRO in females and by ATO in males. These findings suggest both treatments may be an effective intervention in treating cocaine abuse, but that their effectiveness differs by sex. PMID:27325394

  10. Petrogenesis of fertile mantle peridotites from the Monte del Estado massif (southwest Puerto Rico): a preserved section of Proto-Caribbean oceanic lithospheric mantle?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marchesi, Claudio; Jolly, Wayne T.; Lewis, John F.; Garrido, Carlos J.; Proenza, Joaquín. A.; Lidiak, Edward G.

    2010-05-01

    The Monte del Estado massif is the largest and northernmost serpentinized peridotite belt in southwest Puerto Rico. It is mainly composed of spinel lherzolite and minor harzburgite with variable clinopyroxene modal abundances. Mineral and whole rock major and trace element compositions of peridotites coincide with those of fertile abyssal peridotites from mid ocean ridges. Peridotites lost 2-14 wt% of relative MgO and variable amounts of CaO by serpentinization and seafloor weathering. HREE contents in whole rock indicate that the Monte del Estado peridotites are residues after low to moderate degrees (2-15%) of fractional partial melting in the spinel stability field. However, very low LREE/HREE and MREE/HREE in clinopyroxene cannot be explained by melting models of a spinel lherzolite source and support that the Monte del Estado peridotites experienced initial low fractional melting degrees (~ 4%) in the garnet stability field. The relative enrichment of LREE in whole rock is not due to secondary processes but probably reflects the capture of percolating melt fractions along grain boundaries or as microinclusions in minerals, or the presence of exotic micro-phases in the mineral assemblage. We propose that the Monte del Estado peridotite belt represents a section of ancient Proto-Caribbean (Atlantic) lithospheric mantle originated by seafloor spreading between North and South America in the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. This portion of oceanic lithospheric mantle was subsequently trapped in the forearc region of the Greater Antilles paleo-island arc generated by the northward subduction of the Caribbean plate beneath the Proto-Caribbean ocean. Finally, the Monte del Estado peridotites belt was emplaced in the Early Cretaceous probably as result of the change in subduction polarity of the Greater Antilles paleo-island arc without having been significantly modified by subduction processes.

  11. Photocatalytic effect of anodic titanium oxide nanotubes on various cell culture media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Chun-Kang; Hu, Kan-Hung; Wang, Shing-Hoa; Hsu, Todd; Tsai, Huei-Ting; Chen, Chien-Chon; Liu, Shiu-Mei; Lin, Tai-Yuan; Chen, Chin-Hsing

    2011-02-01

    The use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer cells has been proposed following studies of cultured cancer cells. In this work, an ordered channel array of anodic titanium oxide (ATO) was fabricated by anodizing titanium foil. The ATO layer of nanotubes with diameters of 100 nm was made in NH4F electrolyte by anodization. The photocatalytic effect of ATO was examined on various culture media by ultraviolet A (UV-A) (366 nm) irradiation. After UV-A irradiation of the ATO layer, redox potential of Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.5) and dilute acrylamide solution increased instantaneously. The redox potential of the serum-containing RPMI1640 medium also increased dramatically, while that of serum-containing MEM and DMEM media increased slightly. The UVA-induced high redox potential was correlated with the greater ability to break down plasmid DNA strands. These phenomena suggest that a culture medium, such as RPMI1640, with a greater ability to produce free radical may be associated with a stronger photocatalytic effect of ATO on cultured cancer cells reported previously.

  12. Argentine gas system underway for Gas del Estado

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bosch, H.

    Gas del Estado's giant 1074-mile Centro-Oeste pipeline project - designed to ultimately transport over 350 million CF/day of natural gas from the Neuquen basin to the Campo Duran-Buenos Aires pipeline system - is now underway. The COGASCO consortium of Dutch and Argentine companies awarded the construction project will also operate and maintain the system for 15 years after its completion. In addition to the 30-in. pipelines, the agreement calls for a major compressor station at the gas field, three intermediate compressor stations, a gas-treatment plant, liquids-recovery facilities, and the metering, control, communications, and maintenance equipment for the system. Fabricated inmore » Holland, the internally and externally coated pipe will be double-jointed to 80-ft lengths after shipment to Argentina; welders will use conventional manual-arc techniques to weld the pipeline in the field.« less

  13. Chrysin and silibinin sensitize human glioblastoma cells for arsenic trioxide.

    PubMed

    Gülden, Michael; Appel, Daniel; Syska, Malin; Uecker, Stephanie; Wages, Franziska; Seibert, Hasso

    2017-07-01

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is highly efficient in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia. Other malignancies, however, are often less sensitive. Searching for compounds sensitizing arsenic resistant tumours for ATO the plant polyphenols, chrysin and silibinin, and the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter inhibitor MK-571, respectively, were investigated in human glioblastoma A-172 cells. The sensitivity of A-172 cells to ATO was characterized by a median cytotoxic concentration of 6 μM ATO. Subcytotoxic concentrations of chrysin, silibinin and MK-571, respectively, remarkably increased the sensitivity of the cells to ATO by factors of 4-6. Isobolographic analysis revealed synergistic interaction of the polyphenols and MK-571, respectively, with ATO. Sensitization by chrysin was associated with depletion of cellular glutathione and increased accumulation of arsenic. In contrast, silibinin and also MK-571 increased the accumulation of arsenic more strongly but without affecting the glutathione level. The increase of arsenic accumulation could be attributed to a decreased rate of arsenic export and, additionally, in the case of silibinin and MK-571, to an increasing amount of irreversibly accumulated arsenic. Direct interaction with ABC transporters stimulating export of glutathione and inhibiting export of arsenic, respectively, are discussed as likely mechanisms of the sensitizing activity of chrysin and silibinin. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Downregulation of Long Non-Coding RNA Kcnq1ot1: An Important Mechanism of Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Long QT Syndrome.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Yanan; Du, Weijie; Chu, Qun; Qin, Ying; Tuguzbaeva, Gulnara; Wang, Hui; Li, Anqi; Li, Guiyang; Li, Yanyao; Chai, Lu; Yue, Er; Sun, Xi; Wang, Zhiguo; Pavlov, Valentin; Yang, Baofeng; Bai, Yunlong

    2018-01-01

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a known anti-acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) reagent, whose clinical applications are limited by its serious cardiac toxicity and fatal adverse effects, such as sudden cardiac death resulting from long QT syndrome (LQTS). The mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmia due to ATO exposure still need to be elucidated. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as major regulators of various pathophysiological processes. This study aimed to explore the involvement of lncRNAs in ATO-induced LQTS in vivo and in vitro. For in vivo experiments, mice were administered ATO through the tail vein. For in vitro experiments, ATO was added to the culture medium of primary cultured neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes. To evaluate the effect of lncRNA Kcnq1ot1, siRNA and lentivirus-shRNA were synthesized to knockdown lncRNA Kcnq1ot1. After ATO treatment, the Kcnq1ot1 and Kcnq1 expression levels were down regulated. lncRNA Kcnq1ot1 knockdown prolonged the action potential duration (APD) in vitro and exerted LQTS in vivo. Correspondingly, Kcnq1 expression was decreased after silencing lncRNA Kcnq1ot1. However, the knockdown of Kcnq1 exerted no effect on lncRNA Kcnq1ot1 expression. To our knowledge, this report is the first to demonstrate that lncRNA Kcnq1ot1 downregulation is responsible for QT interval prolongation induced by ATO at least partially by repressing Kcnq1 expression. lncRNA Kcnq1ot1 has important pathophysiological functions in the heart and could become a novel antiarrhythmic target. © 2018 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

  15. Comparison of Newly Diagnosed and Relapsed Patients with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Treated with Arsenic Trioxide: Insight into Mechanisms of Resistance

    PubMed Central

    Chendamarai, Ezhilarasi; Ganesan, Saravanan; Alex, Ansu Abu; Kamath, Vandana; Nair, Sukesh C.; Nellickal, Arun Jose; Janet, Nancy Beryl; Srivastava, Vivi; Lakshmi, Kavitha M.; Viswabandya, Auro; Abraham, Aby; Aiyaz, Mohammed; Mullapudi, Nandita; Mugasimangalam, Raja; Padua, Rose Ann; Chomienne, Christine; Chandy, Mammen; Srivastava, Alok; George, Biju; Balasubramanian, Poonkuzhali; Mathews, Vikram

    2015-01-01

    There is limited data on the clinical, cellular and molecular changes in relapsed acute promyeloytic leukemia (RAPL) in comparison with newly diagnosed cases (NAPL). We undertook a prospective study to compare NAPL and RAPL patients treated with arsenic trioxide (ATO) based regimens. 98 NAPL and 28 RAPL were enrolled in this study. RAPL patients had a significantly lower WBC count and higher platelet count at diagnosis. IC bleeds was significantly lower in RAPL cases (P=0.022). The ability of malignant promyelocytes to concentrate ATO intracellularly and their in-vitro IC50 to ATO was not significantly different between the two groups. Targeted NGS revealed PML B2 domain mutations in 4 (15.38%) of the RAPL subset and none were associated with secondary resistance to ATO. A microarray GEP revealed 1744 genes were 2 fold and above differentially expressed between the two groups. The most prominent differentially regulated pathways were cell adhesion (n=92), cell survival (n=50), immune regulation (n=74) and stem cell regulation (n=51). Consistent with the GEP data, immunophenotyping revealed significantly increased CD34 expression (P=0.001) in RAPL cases and there was in-vitro evidence of significant microenvironment mediated innate resistance (EM-DR) to ATO. Resistance and relapse following treatment with ATO is probably multi-factorial, mutations in PML B2 domain while seen only in RAPL may not be the major clinically relevant cause of subsequent relapses. In RAPL additional factors such as expansion of the leukemia initiating compartment along with EM-DR may contribute significantly to relapse following treatment with ATO based regimens. PMID:25822503

  16. Improved Outcomes With Retinoic Acid and Arsenic Trioxide Compared With Retinoic Acid and Chemotherapy in Non-High-Risk Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Final Results of the Randomized Italian-German APL0406 Trial.

    PubMed

    Platzbecker, Uwe; Avvisati, Giuseppe; Cicconi, Laura; Thiede, Christian; Paoloni, Francesca; Vignetti, Marco; Ferrara, Felicetto; Divona, Mariadomenica; Albano, Francesco; Efficace, Fabio; Fazi, Paola; Sborgia, Marco; Di Bona, Eros; Breccia, Massimo; Borlenghi, Erika; Cairoli, Roberto; Rambaldi, Alessandro; Melillo, Lorella; La Nasa, Giorgio; Fiedler, Walter; Brossart, Peter; Hertenstein, Bernd; Salih, Helmut R; Wattad, Mohammed; Lübbert, Michael; Brandts, Christian H; Hänel, Mathias; Röllig, Christoph; Schmitz, Norbert; Link, Hartmut; Frairia, Chiara; Pogliani, Enrico Maria; Fozza, Claudio; D'Arco, Alfonso Maria; Di Renzo, Nicola; Cortelezzi, Agostino; Fabbiano, Francesco; Döhner, Konstanze; Ganser, Arnold; Döhner, Hartmut; Amadori, Sergio; Mandelli, Franco; Ehninger, Gerhard; Schlenk, Richard F; Lo-Coco, Francesco

    2017-02-20

    Purpose The initial results of the APL0406 trial showed that the combination of all- trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) is at least not inferior to standard ATRA and chemotherapy (CHT) in first-line therapy of low- or intermediate-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). We herein report the final analysis on the complete series of patients enrolled onto this trial. Patients and Methods The APL0406 study was a prospective, randomized, multicenter, open-label, phase III noninferiority trial. Eligible patients were adults between 18 and 71 years of age with newly diagnosed, low- or intermediate-risk APL (WBC at diagnosis ≤ 10 × 10 9 /L). Overall, 276 patients were randomly assigned to receive ATRA-ATO or ATRA-CHT between October 2007 and January 2013. Results Of 263 patients evaluable for response to induction, 127 (100%) of 127 patients and 132 (97%) of 136 patients achieved complete remission (CR) in the ATRA-ATO and ATRA-CHT arms, respectively ( P = .12). After a median follow-up of 40.6 months, the event-free survival, cumulative incidence of relapse, and overall survival at 50 months for patients in the ATRA-ATO versus ATRA-CHT arms were 97.3% v 80%, 1.9% v 13.9%, and 99.2% v 92.6%, respectively ( P < .001, P = .0013, and P = .0073, respectively). Postinduction events included two relapses and one death in CR in the ATRA-ATO arm and two instances of molecular resistance after third consolidation, 15 relapses, and five deaths in CR in the ATRA-CHT arm. Two patients in the ATRA-CHT arm developed a therapy-related myeloid neoplasm. Conclusion These results show that the advantages of ATRA-ATO over ATRA-CHT increase over time and that there is significantly greater and more sustained antileukemic efficacy of ATO-ATRA compared with ATRA-CHT in low- and intermediate-risk APL.

  17. PCGF2 negatively regulates arsenic trioxide-induced PML-RARA protein degradation via UBE2I inhibition in NB4 cells.

    PubMed

    Jo, Sungsin; Lee, Young Lim; Kim, Sojin; Lee, Hongki; Chung, Heekyoung

    2016-07-01

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a therapeutic agent for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) which induces PML-RARA protein degradation via enhanced UBE2I-mediated sumoylation. PCGF2, a Polycomb group protein, has been suggested as an anti-SUMO E3 protein by inhibiting the sumoylation of UBE2I substrates, HSF2 and RANGAP1, via direct interaction. Thus, we hypothesized that PCGF2 might play a role in ATO-induced PML-RARA degradation by interacting with UBE2I. PCGF2 protein was down-regulated upon ATO treatment in human APL cell line, NB4. Knockdown of PCGF2 in NB4 cells, in the absence of ATO treatment, was sufficient to induce sumoylation-, ubiquitylation- and PML nuclear body-mediated degradation of PML-RARA protein. Moreover, overexpression of PCGF2 protected ATO-mediated degradation of ectopic and endogenous PML-RARA in 293T and NB4 cells, respectively. In 293T cells, UBE2I-mediated PML-RARA degradation was reduced upon PCGF2 co-expression. In addition, UBE2I-mediated sumoylation of PML-RARA was reduced upon PCGF2 co-expression and PCGF2-UBE2I interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. Likewise, endogenous PCGF2-UBE2I interaction was detected by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays in NB4 cells. Intriguingly, upon ATO-treatment, such interaction was disrupted and UBE2I was co-immunoprecipitated or co-localized with its SUMO substrate, PML-RARA. Taken together, our results suggested a novel role of PCGF2 in ATO-mediated degradation of PML-RARA that PCGF2 might act as a negative regulator of UBE2I via direct interaction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. The growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effect of deferoxamine combined with arsenic trioxide on HL-60 xenografts in nude mice.

    PubMed

    Yu, Runhong; Wang, Dao; Ren, Xiuhua; Zeng, Li; Liu, Yufeng

    2014-09-01

    The aim of this study is to investigate the growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effect of deferoxamine (DFO) combined with arsenic trioxide (ATO) on the human HL-60 xenografts in nude mice and its mechanism. The highly tumorigenic leukemia cell line HL-60 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into nude mice to establish a human leukemia xenograft model. The HL-60 xenograft nude mice models were randomly divided into four groups: control (Normal saline, NS), 50mg/kg DFO, 3mg/kg ATO, the combined treatment (50mg/kg DFO+1.5mg/kg ATO) once HL-60 cells were inoculated. Tumor sizes, growth curves, inhibitory rates, cell apoptosis, and the expression of apoptosis related markers were measured to evaluate the tumor growth. Xenografted tumors were observed in all nude mice since the 5th day of inoculation. The inhibitory rates of tumor weight were 2.67%, 10.69%, and 25.57% in DFO, ATO and combination therapy groups, respectively. The combination of DFO with ATO induces significantly more tumor cell apoptosis than either agent alone (p<0.05). The expression of NF-κBp65 and survivin proteins decreased significantly while the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax increased in the combination therapy group (p<0.05). Double immunofluorescence for Caspase-3 and NFκBp65 demonstrated an inverse relationship between Caspase-3-positive areas and NFκBp65-positive areas, as well as the co-localization of Bax and survivin in xenografted tumor cells. Combination of DFO and ATO has synergistic effects on tumor growth inhibition and apoptosis-inducing in vivo with no significant side effects. The DFO and ATO can up-regulate the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax, and down-regulate the expression of NF-κBp65 and survivin, especially for their combination. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Sequential anaerobic-aerobic biodegradation of emerging insensitive munitions compound 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO).

    PubMed

    Madeira, Camila L; Speet, Samuel A; Nieto, Cristina A; Abrell, Leif; Chorover, Jon; Sierra-Alvarez, Reyes; Field, Jim A

    2017-01-01

    Insensitive munitions, such as 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), are being considered by the U.S. Army as replacements for conventional explosives. Environmental emissions of NTO are expected to increase as its use becomes widespread; but only a few studies have considered the remediation of NTO-contaminated sites. In this study, sequential anaerobic-aerobic biodegradation of NTO was investigated in bioreactors using soil as inoculum. Batch bioassays confirmed microbial reduction of NTO under anaerobic conditions to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO) using pyruvate as electron-donating cosubstrate. However, ATO biodegradation was only observed after the redox condition was switched to aerobic. This study also demonstrated that the high-rate removal of NTO in contaminated water can be attained in a continuous-flow aerated bioreactor. The reactor was first fed ATO as sole energy and nitrogen source prior to NTO addition. After few days, ATO was removed in a sustained fashion by 100%. When NTO was introduced together with electron-donor (pyruvate), NTO degradation increased progressively, reaching a removal efficiency of 93.5%. Mineralization of NTO was evidenced by the partial release of inorganic nitrogen species in the effluent, and lack of ATO accumulation. A plausible hypothesis for these findings is that NTO reduction occurred in anaerobic zones of the biofilm whereas ATO was mineralized in the bulk aerobic zones of the reactor. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Sequential anaerobic-aerobic biodegradation of emerging insensitive munitions compound 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO)

    PubMed Central

    Madeira, Camila L.; Speet, Samuel A.; Nieto, Cristina A.; Abrell, Leif; Chorover, Jon; Sierra-Alvarez, Reyes; Field, Jim A.

    2017-01-01

    Insensitive munitions, such as 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), are being considered by the U.S. Army as replacements for conventional explosives. Environmental emissions of NTO are expected to increase as its use becomes widespread; but only a few studies have considered the remediation of NTO-contaminated sites. In this study, sequential anaerobic-aerobic biodegradation of NTO was investigated in bioreactors using soil as inoculum. Batch bioassays confirmed microbial reduction of NTO under anaerobic conditions to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO) using pyruvate as electron-donating cosubstrate. However, ATO biodegradation was only observed after the redox condition was switched to aerobic. This study also demonstrated that the high-rate removal of NTO in contaminated water can be attained in a continuous-flow aerated bioreactor. The reactor was first fed ATO as sole energy and nitrogen source prior to NTO addition. After few days, ATO was removed in a sustained fashion by 100%. When NTO was introduced together with electron-donor (pyruvate), NTO degradation increased progressively, reaching a removal efficiency of 93.5%. Mineralization of NTO was evidenced by the partial release of inorganic nitrogen species in the effluent and lack of ATO accumulation. A plausible hypothesis for these findings is that NTO reduction occurred in anaerobic zones of the biofilm whereas ATO was mineralized in the bulk aerobic zones of the reactor. PMID:27750172

  1. A Multi-Operator Simulation for Investigation of Distributed Air Traffic Management Concepts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Peters, Mark E.; Ballin, Mark G.; Sakosky, John S.

    2002-01-01

    This paper discusses the current development of an air traffic operations simulation that supports feasibility research for advanced air traffic management concepts. The Air Traffic Operations Simulation (ATOS) supports the research of future concepts that provide a much greater role for the flight crew in traffic management decision-making. ATOS provides representations of the future communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) infrastructure, a future flight deck systems architecture, and advanced crew interfaces. ATOS also provides a platform for the development of advanced flight guidance and decision support systems that may be required for autonomous operations.

  2. Blood Pressure and Cholesterol-lowering Efficacy of a Fixed-dose Combination With Irbesartan and Atorvastatin in Patients With Hypertension and Hypercholesterolemia: A Randomized, Double-blind, Factorial, Multicenter Phase III Study.

    PubMed

    Kim, Sang-Hyun; Jo, Sang-Ho; Lee, Sang-Cheol; Lee, Sung-Yoon; Yoon, Myung-Ho; Lee, Hyang-Lim; Lee, Nae-Hee; Ha, Jong-Won; Lee, Nam-Ho; Kim, Dong-Woon; Han, Gyu-Rok; Hyon, Min-Su; Cho, Deok-Gyu; Park, Chang-Gyu; Kim, Young-Dae; Ryu, Gyu-Hyung; Kim, Cheol-Ho; Kim, Kee-Sik; Chung, Myung-Ho; Chae, Sung-Chul; Seung, Ki-Bae; Oh, Byung-Hee

    2016-10-01

    A fixed-dose combination of a stain and an antihypertensive drug may be useful for the treatment of patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. It may also improve patient drug compliance to help control risk factors of cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to evaluate the blood pressure-lowering and cholesterol-lowering effect of a fixed-dose combination of irbesartan-atorvastatin compared with monotherapy by either agent over an 8-week treatment period. Patients with comorbid hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were screened for this randomized, double-blind, Phase III study. Eligible study patients were randomly assigned to test groups receiving a combination of irbesartan 300 mg and atorvastatin 40 mg or 80 mg (IRB300 + ATO40 and IRB300 + ATO80). Comparator groups comprised monotherapy groups with irbesartan 300 mg (IRB300) or atorvastatin 40 mg (ATO40) or atorvastatin 80 mg (ATO80), or placebo. Patients who were eligible at screening were subjected to a 4- to 6-week washout period before commencing 8 weeks of therapy per their assigned group. The primary efficacy end points were percent change in LDL-C and sitting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels from baseline to end of therapy. Tolerability profiles of combination therapy were compared with other groups. A total of 733 patients with comorbid hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were screened for this study; 230 eligible patients were randomized to treatment. The mean age of patients was 58.9 (8.5) years, and their mean body mass index was 25.8 (3.2) kg/m 2 . More than two thirds (70.9%) of the study patients were male. Mean LDL-C and sitting DBP levels at baseline were 149.54 (29.19) mg/dL and 92.32 (6.03) mm Hg, respectively. Percent reductions in LDL-C after 8 weeks were 46.74% (2.06%) in the IRB300 + ATO40 group and 48.98% (2.12%) in the IRB300 + ATO80 group; these values were 47.13% (3.21%) and 48.30% (2.98%) in the ATO40 and ATO80 comparator groups. Similarly, a reduction in sitting

  3. Scaling of Advanced Theory-of-Mind Tasks.

    PubMed

    Osterhaus, Christopher; Koerber, Susanne; Sodian, Beate

    2016-11-01

    Advanced theory-of-mind (AToM) development was investigated in three separate studies involving 82, 466, and 402 elementary school children (8-, 9-, and 10-year-olds). Rasch and factor analyses assessed whether common conceptual development underlies higher-order false-belief understanding, social understanding, emotion recognition, and perspective-taking abilities. The results refuted a unidimensional scale and revealed three distinct AToM factors: social reasoning, reasoning about ambiguity, and recognizing transgressions of social norms. Developmental progressions emerged for the two reasoning factors but not for recognizing transgressions of social norms. Both social factors were significantly related to inhibition, whereas language development only predicted performance on social reasoning. These findings suggest that AToM comprises multiple abilities, which are subject to distinct cognitive influences. Importantly, only two AToM factors involve conceptual development. © 2016 The Authors. Child Development © 2016 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.

  4. Polyphenol-rich apple (Malus domestica L.) peel extract attenuates arsenic trioxide induced cardiotoxicity in H9c2 cells via its antioxidant activity.

    PubMed

    Vineetha, Vadavanath Prabhakaran; Girija, Seetharaman; Soumya, Rema Sreenivasan; Raghu, Kozhiparambil Gopalan

    2014-03-01

    Evidences suggest that apple peel has a wide range of polyphenols having antioxidant activity and its consumption has been linked with improved health benefits. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a very effective drug for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) but it leads to cardiotoxicity mediated through alterations in various cardiac ion channels and by increasing the intracellular calcium level and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of methanolic extract of apple peel (APME) and aqueous extract of apple peel (APAE) on ATO (5 μM) induced toxicity in the H9c2 cardiac myoblast cell line. We estimated the cellular status of innate antioxidant enzymes, level of ROS, mitochondrial superoxide, glutathione and intracellular calcium with ATO and apple peel extracts. Prior to the cell line based study, we had evaluated the antioxidant potential of apple peel extract by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total reducing power (TRP), superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, in addition to quantifying total phenolic and flavonoid content. Both the extracts showed considerable antioxidant activity in cell-free chemical assays. In addition, both APME and APAE prevented the alteration in antioxidant status induced by ATO in H9c2 cells. Significant differential alterations had been observed in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase, xanthine oxidase, calcium overload and caspase 3 activity with ATO. The overall result revealed the protective property of polyphenol-rich apple peel extract against ATO induced cardiac toxicity via its antioxidant activity.

  5. Effects of Arsenic Trioxide on INF-gamma Gene Expression in MRL/lpr Mice and Human Lupus.

    PubMed

    Hu, Hongye; Chen, Enjiu; Li, Yongji; Zhu, Xiaochun; Zhang, Ting; Zhu, Xiaofang

    2017-11-20

    Arsenic trioxide (As2O3; ATO), a traditional Chinese medicine, is used to treat patients with acute promye-locytic leukemia, while its application for treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still under evaluation. The high expression of INF-gamma (INF-γ) is a primary pathogenic factor in SLE. It is found that ATO can reduce INF-γ expression levels in lupus-prone mice, whereas it is not clear whether ATO has the same effect on SLE patients. Therefore, this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of the effects of ATO on the expression of INF-γ in splenocytes of MRL/lpr mice and PBMCs of human lupus. The mRNA and protein expression levels of INF-γ were assessed by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The histone acetylation status of the INF-γ promoter and the binding of RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) to the INF-γ promoter were detected using a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) technique. The mRNA and protein expression levels of INF-γ decreased in both splenocytes of MRL/lpr mice and PBMCs of SLE patients with ATO treatment, which were accompanied by reduced histone H4 and H3 acetylation in INF-γ promoter and decreased combination of RNA Pol II to the INF-γ promoter. Therefore, ATO may reduce the expression level of the INF-γ by altering the levels of INF-γ promoter acetylation and the combination of RNA Pol II to the INF-γ promoter in splenocytes of MRL/lpr mice and PBMCs of SLE patients.

  6. Reduced medical costs and hospital days when using oral arsenic plus ATRA as the first-line treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Hao; Liang, Gong-Wen; Huang, Xiao-Jun; Jiang, Qian; Han, Sheng; Shi, Lu-Wen; Zhu, Hong-Hu

    2015-12-01

    We have demonstrated that oral arsenic (Realgar-Indigo naturalis formula, RIF) plus all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is not inferior to intravenous arsenic trioxide (ATO) plus ATRA as the first-line treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). To compare the cost-effectiveness of oral and intravenous arsenic, we analyzed the results of 30 patients in each group involved in a randomized controlled trial at our center. The median total medical costs were $13,183.49 in the RIF group compared with $24136.98 in the ATO group (p<0.0001). This difference primarily resulted from the different costs of induction therapy (p=0.016) and maintenance treatment (p<0.0001). The length of hospitalization for the RIF group was significantly lower than that for the ATO group (24 vs. 31 days, p<0.0001) during induction therapy. During maintenance treatment, the estimated medical costs were $2047.14 for each patient in the RIF group treated at home compared with $11273.81 for each patient in the ATO group treated in an outpatient setting (p<0.0001). We conclude that oral RIF plus ATRA significantly reduced the medical costs and length of hospital stay during induction and remission therapy compared with ATO plus ATRA in APL patients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Fabrication of free standing anodic titanium oxide membranes with clean surface using recycling process.

    PubMed

    Meng, Xianhui; Lee, Tae-Young; Chen, Huiyu; Shin, Dong-Wook; Kwon, Kee-Won; Kwon, Sang Jik; Yoo, Ji-Beom

    2010-07-01

    Large area of self-organized, free standing anodic titanium oxide (ATO) nanotube membranes with clean surfaces were facilely prepared to desired lengths via electrochemical anodization of highly pure Ti sheets in an ethylene glycol electrolyte, with a small amount of NH4F and H2O at 50 V, followed by self-detachment of the ATO membrane from the Ti substrate using recycling processes. In the first anodization step, the nanowire oxide layer existed over the well-arranged ATO nanotube. After sufficiently rinsing with water, the whole ATO layer was removed from the Ti sheet by high pressure N2 gas, and a well-patterned dimple layer with a thickness of about 30 nm existed on the Ti substrate. By using these naturally formed nano-scale pits as templates, in the second and third anodization process, highly ordered, vertically aligned, and free standing ATO membranes with the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO)-like clean surface were obtained. The inter-pore distance and diameter was 154 +/- 2 nm and 91+/- 2 nm, the tube arrays lengths for 25 and 46 hours were 44 and 70 microm, respectively. The present study demonstrates a simple approach to producing high quality, length controllable, large area TiO2 membrane.

  8. Generation of mature T cells from human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in artificial thymic organoids.

    PubMed

    Seet, Christopher S; He, Chongbin; Bethune, Michael T; Li, Suwen; Chick, Brent; Gschweng, Eric H; Zhu, Yuhua; Kim, Kenneth; Kohn, Donald B; Baltimore, David; Crooks, Gay M; Montel-Hagen, Amélie

    2017-05-01

    Studies of human T cell development require robust model systems that recapitulate the full span of thymopoiesis, from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) through to mature T cells. Existing in vitro models induce T cell commitment from human HSPCs; however, differentiation into mature CD3 + TCR-αβ + single-positive CD8 + or CD4 + cells is limited. We describe here a serum-free, artificial thymic organoid (ATO) system that supports efficient and reproducible in vitro differentiation and positive selection of conventional human T cells from all sources of HSPCs. ATO-derived T cells exhibited mature naive phenotypes, a diverse T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire and TCR-dependent function. ATOs initiated with TCR-engineered HSPCs produced T cells with antigen-specific cytotoxicity and near-complete lack of endogenous TCR Vβ expression, consistent with allelic exclusion of Vβ-encoding loci. ATOs provide a robust tool for studying human T cell differentiation and for the future development of stem-cell-based engineered T cell therapies.

  9. Oxytocin receptor antagonist atosiban impairs consolidation, but not reconsolidation of contextual fear memory in rats.

    PubMed

    Abdullahi, Payman Rasise; Eskandarian, Sharaf; Ghanbari, Ali; Rashidy-Pour, Ali

    2018-05-23

    There is increasing evidence that oxytocin is involved in learning and memory process. This study investigated the effects of blockade of oxytocin receptors using the selective oxytocin receptor antagonist atosiban (ATO) on contextual fear memory consolidation and reconsolidation in male rats. Post-training injections of different doses of ATO (1, 10, 100 or 1000 µg/kg) impaired the 48 h retention performance in a dose-dependent manner. The same doses of ATO following memory reactivation did not impair subsequent expression of contextual fear memories which formed under low or high shock intensities and tested 24 h or one week following memory reactivation. Also, no effect was found when ATO was administrated in the absence of memory reactivation. Our finding is the first report that indicates endogenous oxytocin released during training play an important role in the consolidation, but not reconsolidation of contextual fear memory in rats. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  10. Generation of mature T cells from human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in artificial thymic organoids

    PubMed Central

    Seet, Christopher S.; He, Chongbin; Bethune, Michael T.; Li, Suwen; Chick, Brent; Gschweng, Eric H.; Zhu, Yuhua; Kim, Kenneth; Kohn, Donald B.; Baltimore, David; Crooks, Gay M.; Montel-Hagen, Amélie

    2017-01-01

    Studies of human T cell development require robust model systems that recapitulate the full span of thymopoiesis, from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) through to mature T cells. Existing in vitro models induce T cell commitment from human HSPCs; however, differentiation into mature CD3+TCRab+ single positive (SP) CD8+ or CD4+ cells is limited. We describe here a serum-free, artificial thymic organoid (ATO) system that supports highly efficient and reproducible in vitro differentiation and positive selection of conventional human T cells from all sources of HSPCs. ATO-derived T cells exhibited mature naïve phenotypes, a diverse TCR repertoire, and TCR-dependent function. ATOs initiated with TCR-engineered HSPCs produced T cells with antigen specific cytotoxicity and near complete lack of endogenous TCR Vβ expression, consistent with allelic exclusion of Vβ loci. ATOs provide a robust tool for studying human T cell development and stem cell based approaches to engineered T cell therapies. PMID:28369043

  11. Convertible MRI contrast: Sensing the delivery and release of anti-glioma nano-drugs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Liang; Zhang, Zhongwei; Mason, Ralph P.; Sarkaria, Jann N.; Zhao, Dawen

    2015-05-01

    There is considerable interest in developing nanohybrids of imaging contrast agents and drugs for image-guided drug delivery. We have developed a strategy of utilizing manganese (Mn) to enhance the nano-encapsulation of arsenic trioxide (ATO). Formation of arsenite (As3+)-Mn precipitates in liposomes generates magnetic susceptibility effects, reflected as dark contrast on T2-weighted MRI. Intriguingly, following cell uptake, the As-Mn complex decomposes in response to low pH in endosome-lysosome releasing ionic As3+, the active form of ATO, and Mn2+, the T1 contrast agent that gives a bright signal. Glioblastoma (GBM) is well known for its high resistance to chemotherapy, e.g., temozolomide (TMZ). Building upon the previously established phosphatidylserine (PS)-targeted nanoplatform that has excellent GBM-targeting specificity, we now demonstrate the effectiveness of the targeted nanoformulated ATO for treating TMZ-resistant GBM cells and the ability of the convertible Mn contrast as a surrogate revealing the delivery and release of ATO.

  12. 76 FR 9400 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of Renewed Approval of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-02-17

    ... intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection... accordance with FAA Order JO 1030.4, ATO SysOps Services SMS Oversight, the FAA ATO System Operations Management, Safety Assurance Group (SAG) is conducting an assessment of the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM...

  13. Report of Trip to Debre Marcos

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1961-02-01

    Interdepartmental Committee on Nutrition for National Defenset team in 1958 was made in the company of Ato Abraham Besrat who was returning to Ethiopia...shortcomings of the present arrangement. 20060403217 * -2- 2. Clinic Service The clinic held each morning by Ato Tadesse Tesfaye and the nurses is well

  14. Strategic Planning for Institutions of Higher Education: A Content Analysis for the Universidad Tecnica del Estado Planning System.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Karadima, Oscar

    Ten-year development plans of each of the eight campuses of the Universidad de Santiago de Chile, formerly called Universidad Tecnica del Estado, are evaluated, using content analysis. In addition to narrative descriptions, diagrams illustrate the features of each plan, which covers the period 1983-1993. Topics covered by the plans were grouped…

  15. [Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and arsenic trioxide regulate the productions and activities of matrix metalloproteinases in human skin fibroblasts and human leukemia cell line THP-1].

    PubMed

    Liang, Ya-hui; Li, Ping; Zhao, Jing-xia; Liu, Xin; Huang, Qi-fu

    2010-11-01

    In order to reveal the treatment mechanism of Chinese medicine with the effect of activating blood and resolving putridity, we selected acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), the main monomeric components of frankincense and arsenolite which are two most commonly used Chinese medicine with effect of activating blood and resolving putridity. We combined AKBA and ATO as a compound, and explored its regulatory role in productions and activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human skin fibroblasts (HSFbs) and human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 in inflammatory state. In order to simulate the inflammatory micro-environment of chronic wounds, we established 3 cell models: HSFb model activated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), THP-1 cell model activated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and HSFb-THP-1 cell coculture system. AKBA and ATO were cocultured with these cell models. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), gelatin zymography assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to test the secretions, activities and mRNA expressions of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9. In the study of the regulatory mechanism of AKBA and ATO on MMPs, AKBA and ATO were cocultured with the cell models. ELISA was used to test the secretions of TNF-α and interleukin-1beta (IL-β) and Western blot was used to test the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated proteinkinase (p38MAPK). Compound of AKBA and ATO inhibited MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions, secretions and activities respectively in HSFbs and THP-1 cells in inflammatory state (P<0.05, P<0.01). Also compound of AKBA and ATO inhibited secretions of TNF-α and IL-1β in THP-1 cells and cell coculture system (P<0.01). It also decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in HSFbs and THP-1 cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). The combined use of AKBA and ATO which

  16. 75 FR 54942 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a New Approval of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-09

    ... intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection. In accordance with FAA Order JO 1030.4, ATO SysOps Services SMS Oversight, the FAA ATO System Operations Management, Safety Assurance Group (SAG) is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the Notice to Airmen...

  17. The Achievement of Therapeutic Objectives Scale: Interrater Reliability and Sensitivity to Change in Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and Cognitive Therapy

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Valen, Jakob; Ryum, Truls; Svartberg, Martin; Stiles, Tore C.; McCullough, Leigh

    2011-01-01

    This study examined interrater reliability and sensitivity to change of the Achievement of Therapeutic Objectives Scale (ATOS; McCullough, Larsen, et al., 2003) in short-term dynamic psychotherapy (STDP) and cognitive therapy (CT). The ATOS is a process scale originally developed to assess patients' achievements of treatment objectives in STDP,…

  18. [Proposal for early detection of ethanol consumption in students of the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos].

    PubMed

    García-Jiménez, Sara; Erazo-Mijares, Miguel; Toledano-Jaimes, Cairo D; Monroy-Noyola, Antonio; Bilbao-Marcos, Fernando; Sánchez-Alemán, Miguel A; Déciga-Campos, Myrna

    2016-01-01

    The present study determined through analytic techniques the quantification of some biomarkers that have been useful to detect early ethanol consumption in a college population. A group of 117 students of recent entry to the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos was analyzed. The enzyme determination of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyltransferase as metabolic markers of ethanol, as well as the carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) detected by high chromatographic liquid (up to 1.8% of CDT), allowed us to identify that 6% of the college population presented a potential risk of alcohol consumption. The use of the biochemical-analytical method overall with the psychological drug and a risk factor instrument established by the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos permit us to identify students whose substance abuse consumption puts their terminal efficiency at risk as well as their academic level. The timely detection on admission to college can monitor and support a student consumer's substance abuse.

  19. FLOATING COMMUNITIES OF ALGAE IN AN ARTIFICIAL POND IN THE PARQUE DO ESTADO, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL(1).

    PubMed

    de Mattos Bicudo, C E; Teixeira Bicudo, R M

    1967-12-01

    A fresluvater floating algal community was repeatedly observed in an artificial pond in the Parque do Estado São Paulo, Brazil. The ontogeny and composition of the community are discussed and are related to oxygen liberation during photosynthesis of the periphyton, or of the pond-bottom algne, which carries up portions of the algae growing there.

  20. Release and diffusional modeling of metronidazole lipid matrices.

    PubMed

    Ozyazici, Mine; Gökçe, Evren H; Ertan, Gökhan

    2006-07-01

    In this study, the first aim was to investigate the swelling and relaxation properties of lipid matrix on diffusional exponent (n). The second aim was to determine the desired release profile of metronidazole lipid matrix tablets. We prepared metronidazole lipid matrix granules using Carnauba wax, Beeswax, Stearic acid, Cutina HR, Precirol ATO 5, and Compritol ATO 888 by hot fusion method and pressed the tablets of these granules. In vitro release test was performed using a standard USP dissolution apparatus I (basket method) with a stirring rate of 100 rpm at 37 degrees C in 900 ml of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid, adjusted to pH 1.2, as medium for the formulations' screening. Hardness, diameter-height ratio, friability, and swelling ratio were determined. Target release profile of metronidazole was also drawn. Stearic acid showed the highest and Carnauba wax showed the lowest release rates in all formulations used. Swelling ratios were calculated after the dissolution of tablets as 9.24%, 6.03%, 1.74%, and 1.07% for Cutina HR, Beeswax, Precirol ATO 5, and Compritol ATO 888, respectively. There was erosion in Stearic acid, but neither erosion nor swelling in Carnauba wax, was detected. According to the power law analysis, the diffusion mechanism was expressed as pure Fickian for Stearic acid and Carnauba wax and the coupling of Fickian and relaxation contributions for other Cutina HR, Beeswax, Compritol ATO 888, and Precirol ATO 5 tablets. It was found that Beeswax (kd=2.13) has a very close drug release rate with the target profile (kt=1.95). Our results suggested that swelling and relaxation properties of lipid matrices should be examined together for a correct evaluation on drug diffusion mechanism of insoluble matrices.

  1. Oral tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide formula versus intravenous arsenic trioxide as first-line treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Hong-Hu; Wu, De-Pei; Jin, Jie; Li, Jian-Yong; Ma, Jun; Wang, Jian-Xiang; Jiang, Hao; Chen, Sai-Juan; Huang, Xiao-Jun

    2013-11-20

    This randomized, multicenter, phase III noninferiority trial was designed to test the efficacy and safety of an oral tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide (As4S4) -containing formula named the Realgar-Indigo naturalis formula (RIF) compared with intravenous arsenic trioxide (ATO) as both induction and maintenance therapies for newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). In all, 242 patients with APL were randomly assigned (1:1) to oral RIF (60 mg/kg) or ATO (0.16 mg/kg) combined with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA; 25 mg/m(2)) during induction therapy. After achieving complete remission (CR), all patients received three courses of consolidation chemotherapy and maintenance treatment with sequential ATRA followed by either RIF or ATO for 2 years. The primary end point was the rate of disease-free survival (DFS) at 2 years, which was assessed for noninferiority with a 10% noninferiority margin. The median follow-up time was 39 months. DFS at 2 years was 98.1% (106 of 108) in the RIF group and 95.5% (107 of 112) in the ATO group. The DFS difference was 2.6% (95% CI, -3.0% to 8.0%). The lower limit of the 95% CI of DFS difference was greater than the -10% noninferiority margin, confirming noninferiority (P < .001). No significant differences were noted between the RIF and ATO groups with regard to the CR rate (99.1% v 97.2%; P = .62) or the overall survival at 3 years (99.1% v 96.6%; P = .18). The rates of adverse events were similar in the two groups. Oral RIF plus ATRA is not inferior to intravenous ATO plus ATRA as first-line treatment of APL and may be considered as a routine treatment option for appropriate patients.

  2. Sex differences in reinstatement of cocaine-seeking with combination treatments of progesterone and atomoxetine.

    PubMed

    Swalve, Natashia; Smethells, John R; Zlebnik, Natalie E; Carroll, Marilyn E

    2016-06-01

    Two repurposed medications have been proposed to treat cocaine abuse. Progesterone, a gonadal hormone, and atomoxetine, a medication commonly used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, have both been separately shown to reduce cocaine self-administration and reinstatement (i.e., relapse). The goal of the present study was to examine sex differences in the individual effects of PRO and ATO as well as the combination PRO+ATO treatment on cocaine (COC), caffeine (CAF), and/or cue-primed reinstatement of cocaine-seeking. Adult male and female Wistar rats lever-pressed under a FR 1 schedule for cocaine infusions (0.4mg/kg/inf). After 14 sessions of stable responding in daily 2-h sessions, rats underwent a 21-day extinction period when no drug or drug-related stimuli were present. Rats were then separated into four groups that received PRO (0.5mg/kg) alone (PRO+SAL), ATO (1.5mg/kg) alone (VEH+ATO), control (VEH+SAL) or combination (PRO+ATO) treatments prior to the reinstatement condition. Reinstatement of cocaine-seeking to cues and/or drug injections of cocaine or caffeine was tested after extinction. During maintenance, females self-administered more cocaine than males, but no sex differences were seen during extinction. Females showed greater cocaine-seeking than males after a CAF priming injection. Individual treatment with ATO did not decrease reinstatement under any priming condition; however, the combination treatment decreased cocaine-seeking under the COC+CUES priming condition in males, and both PRO alone and the combination treatment decreased cocaine-seeking in the CAF+CUES condition in females. Overall, PRO alone was only effective in reducing reinstatement in females, while the combination treatment was consistently effective in reducing reinstatement in both sexes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Applications of Tunable TiO2 Nanotubes as Nanotemplate and Photovoltaic Device

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li, Dongdong; Chang, Pai-Chun; Chien, Chung-Jen

    2010-10-26

    Highly ordered anodic titanium oxide (ATO) TiO{sub 2} nanotube film has been synthesized via a typical two-step anodization method. Following a reductive doping approach, metallic materials (copper and nickel) can be efficiently electrodeposited into the nanotubes. This versatile process yields reproducible tubular structures in ATO membranes, because of the conductive nature of crystallized TiO{sub 2}, yielding promising potential for nanotemplate applications. In this paper, we present a dye-sensitized solar cell constructed by employing such ATO films. It is observed that the reductive doping treatment can also enhance the solar cell’s short current density and fill factor, resulting in an improvedmore » energy conversion efficiency.« less

  4. Knockdown of TWIST1 enhances arsenic trioxide- and ionizing radiation-induced cell death in lung cancer cells by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Seo, Sung-Keum; Kim, Jae-Hee; Choi, Ha-Na

    Highlights: • Knockdown of TWIST1 enhanced ATO- and IR-induced cell death in NSCLCs. • Intracellular ROS levels were increased in cells treated with TWIST1 siRNA. • TWIST1 siRNA induced MMP loss and mitochondrial fragmentation. • TWIST1 siRNA upregulated the fission-related proteins FIS1 and DRP1. - Abstract: TWIST1 is implicated in the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition, metastasis, stemness, and drug resistance in cancer cells, and therefore is a potential target for cancer therapy. In the present study, we found that knockdown of TWIST1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) enhanced arsenic trioxide (ATO)- and ionizing radiation (IR)-induced cell death in non-small-cellmore » lung cancer cells. Interestingly, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels were increased in cells treated with TWIST1 siRNA and further increased by co-treatment with ATO or IR. Pretreatment of lung cancer cells with the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine markedly suppressed the cell death induced by combined treatment with TWIST1 siRNA and ATO or IR. Moreover, treatment of cells with TWIST1 siRNA induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and significantly increased mitochondrial fragmentation (fission) and upregulated the fission-related proteins FIS1 and DRP1. Collectively, our results demonstrate that siRNA-mediated TWIST1 knockdown induces mitochondrial dysfunction and enhances IR- and ATO-induced cell death in lung cancer cells.« less

  5. Nuevos escenarios de la migración México-Estados Unidos. Las consecuencias de la guerra antiinmigrante

    PubMed Central

    MASSEY, Douglas S.; PREN, Karen A.; DURAND, Jorge

    2010-01-01

    La historia de la migración México-Estados Unidos se caracteriza por una serie de periodos durante los cuales los patrones migratorios se transforman y evolucionan como respuesta a los cambios en la política migratoria de Estados Unidos. En la década de 1990 se dio uno de estos cambios, lo que provocó el paso de la ‘era de la contradicción’ a la ‘era de la marginalización’. Actualmente, un gran número de migrantes indocumentados permanecen al margen de la ley, precisamente en un periodo en el que las penas se han incrementado y la persecución ha alcanzado niveles récord. De manera cada vez más notoria, los migrantes indocumentados, por la represión interna y fronteriza, quedan obligados a romper los lazos que los vinculaban con sus lugares de destino, pero al mismo tiempo se sienten cada vez más extraños en una tierra donde la aplicación de políticas antiinmigrantes es cosa de todos los días, lo que los sitúa en una posición de marginalización y gran vulnerabilidad. PMID:21209790

  6. Developing Flexible Dual Master's Degree Programs at UPAEP (Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla) and OSU (Oklahoma State University)

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fabregas-Janeiro, Maria G.; de la Parra, Pablo Nuno

    2012-01-01

    In 2006, UPAEP (Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla) and OSU (Oklahoma State University) signed a MOU (memorandum of understanding) to develop more than 20 dual master's degree programs. This special partnership has allowed students from Mexico and the United States to study two master degree programs, in two languages, in two…

  7. Radioactive source materials in Los Estados Unidos de Venezuela

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Wyant, Donald G.; Sharp, William N.; Rodriguez, Carlos Ponte

    1953-01-01

    This report summarizes the data available on radioactive source materials in Los Estados Unidos de Venezuela accumulated by geologists of the Direccions Tecnica de Geolgia and antecedent agencies prior to June 1951, and the writers from June to November 1951. The investigation comprised preliminary study, field examination, office studies, and the preparation of this report, in which the areas and localities examined are described in detail, the uranium potentialities of Venezuela are summarized, and recommendations are made. Preliminary study was made to select areas and rock types that were known or reported to be radioactive or that geologic experience suggests would be favorable host for uranium deposits, In the office, a study of gamma-ray well logs was started as one means of amassing general radiometric data and of rapidly scanning many of ye rocks in northern Venezuela; gamma-ray logs from about 140 representative wells were examined and their peaks of gamma intensity evaluated; in addition samples were analyzed radiometrically, and petrographically. Radiometic reconnaissance was made in the field during about 3 months of 1951, or about 12 areas, including over 100 localities in the State of Miranda, Carabobo, Yaracuy, Falcon, Lara, Trujillo, Zulia, Merida, Tachira, Bolivar, and Territory Delta Amacuro. During the course of the investigation, both in the filed and office, information was given about geology of uranium deposits, and in techniques used in prospecting and analysis. All studies and this report are designed to supplement and to strengthen the Direccion Tecnica de Geologias's program of investigation of radioactive source in Venezuela now in progress. The uranium potentialities of Los Estados de Venezuela are excellent for large, low-grade deposits of uraniferous phospahtic shales containing from 0.002 to 0.027 percent uranium; fair, for small or moderate-sized, low-grade placer deposits of thorium, rare-earth, and uranium minerals; poor, for

  8. Evidence that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and caspase-4 activation occur in human neutrophils

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Binet, Francois; Chiasson, Sonia; Girard, Denis, E-mail: denis.girard@iaf.inrs.ca

    2010-01-01

    Apoptosis can result from activation of three major pathways: the extrinsic, the intrinsic, and the most recently identified endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated pathway. While the two former pathways are known to be operational in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), the existence of the ER stress-mediated pathway, generally involving caspase-4, has never been reported in these cells. Recently, we have documented that arsenic trioxide (ATO) induced apoptosis in human PMNs by a mechanism that needs to be further investigated. In this study, using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, we present evidence of ER alterations in PMNs activated by the ER stress inducer arsenicmore » trioxide (ATO). Several key players of the unfolded protein response, including GRP78, GADD153, ATF6, XBP1 and eIF2{alpha} are expressed and activated in PMNs treated with ATO or other ER stress inducers. Although caspase-4 is expressed and activated in neutrophils, treatment with a caspase-4 inhibitor did not attenuate the pro-apoptotic effect of ATO at a concentration that reverses caspase-4 processing and activation. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the ER stress-mediated apoptotic pathway operates in human neutrophils.« less

  9. Temporal bone bank: complying with European Union directives on human tissue and cells.

    PubMed

    Van Rompaey, Vincent; Vandamme, Wouter; Muylle, Ludo; Van de Heyning, Paul H

    2012-06-01

    Availability of allograft tympano-ossicular systems (ATOS) provides unique reconstructive capabilities, allowing more radical removal of middle ear pathology. To provide ATOS, the University of Antwerp Temporal Bone Bank (UATB) was established in 1988. ATOS use was stopped in many countries because of safety issues concerning human tissue transplantation. Our objective was to maintain an ATOS tissue bank complying with European Union (EU) directives on human tissues and cells. The guidelines of the Belgian Superior Health Council, including EU directive requirements, were rigorously applied to UATB infrastructure, workflow protocols and activity. Workflow protocols were updated and an internal audit was performed to check and improve consistency with established quality systems and changing legislations. The Belgian Federal Agency of Medicines and Health Products performed an inspection to examine compliance with national legislatives and EU directives on human tissues and cells. A sample of important procedures was meticulously examined in its workflow setting next to assessment of the infrastructure and personnel. Results are reported on infrastructure, personnel, administrative workflow, procurement, preparation, processing, distribution, internal audit and inspection by the competent authority. Donors procured: 2006, 93 (45.1%); 2007, 64 (20.6%); 2008, 56 (13.1%); 2009, 79 (6.9%). The UATB was approved by the Minister of Health without critical or important shortcomings. The Ministry accords registration each time for 2 years. An ATOS tissue bank complying with EU regulations on human allografts is feasible and critical to assure that the patient receives tissue, which is safe, individually checked and prepared in a suitable environment.

  10. Facilitated extracellular electron transfer of Shewanella loihica PV-4 by antimony-doped tin oxide nanoparticles as active microelectrodes.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xiaojian; Liu, Huan; Wang, Jinrong; Ren, Guangyuan; Xie, Beizhen; Liu, Hong; Zhu, Ying; Jiang, Lei

    2015-11-28

    Dissimilatory metal reducing bacteria are capable of extracellular electron transfer (EET) to insoluble metal oxides as external electron acceptors for their anaerobic respiration, which is recognized as an important energy-conversion process in natural and engineered environments, such as in mineral cycling, bioremediation, and microbial fuel/electrolysis cells. However, the low EET efficiency remains one of the major bottlenecks for its practical application. We report firstly that the microbial current generated by Shewanella loihica PV-4 (S. loihica PV-4) could be greatly improved that is up to ca. 115 fold, by adding antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles in the electrochemical reactor. The results demonstrate that the biocompatible, electrically conductive ATO nanoparticles acted as active microelectrodes could facilitate the formation of a cells/ATO composite biofilm and the reduction of the outer membrane c-type cytochromes (OM c-Cyts) that are beneficial for the electron transfer from cells to electrode. Meanwhile, a synergistic effect between the participation of OM c-Cyts and the accelerated EET mediated by cell-secreted flavins may play an important role for the enhanced current generation in the presence of ATO nanoparticles. Moreover, it is worth noting that the TCA cycle in S. loihica PV-4 cells is activated by adding ATO nanoparticles, even if the potential is poised at +0.2 V, thereby also improving the EET process. The results presented here may provide a simple and effective strategy to boost the EET of S. loihica PV-4 cells, which is conducive to providing potential applications in bioelectrochemical systems.

  11. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lee, Te-Chang; Institute of Pharmacology, Yang Min University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cheng, I-Cheng

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO) treatment is a useful therapy against human acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), however, it concomitantly brings potential adverse consequences including serious side effect, human carcinogenicity and possible development of resistance. This investigation revealed that those problems might be relaxed by simultaneous application with (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of the major components from green tea. EGCG significantly lowered down the ATO concentration required for an effective control of APL cells, HL-60. The simultaneous treatment of ATO with EGCG induced a mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in HL-60 cells significantly, which accounted for more than 70% of the cell death in the treatment. Themore » mechanism of apoptosis induction was elucidated. EGCG in HL-60 cells acted as a pro-oxidant enhancing intracellular hydrogen peroxide significantly. ATO, on the other hand, induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) to catalyze heme degradation, thereby provided ferrous iron for EGCG-induced hydrogen peroxide to precede Fenton reaction, which in turn generated deleterious reactive oxygen species to damage cell. In addition, EGCG inhibited expression of ferritin, which supposedly to sequester harmful ferrous iron, thereby augmented the occurrence of Fenton reaction. This investigation also provided evidence that ATO, since mainly acted to induce HO-1 in simultaneous treatment with EGCG, could be replaced by other HO-1 inducer with much less human toxicity. Furthermore, several of our preliminary investigations revealed that the enhanced cytotoxicity induced by combining heme degradation and Fenton reaction is selectively toxic to malignant but not non-malignant cells.« less

  12. The impact of oral arsenic and all-trans-retinoic acid on coagulopathy in acute promyelocytic leukemia.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Hong-Hu; Guo, Zhi-Ping; Jia, Jin-Song; Jiang, Qian; Jiang, Hao; Huang, Xiao-Jun

    2018-02-01

    The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of oral arsenic (the realgar-indigo naturalis formula, RIF) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on coagulopathy in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) compared with intravenous arsenic trioxide (ATO) and ATRA during induction. Mitoxantrone was added to all the patients at a dose of 1.4mg/m 2 per day for 5-7 days. D-dimer levels, prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (Fbg) levels and the platelet count were comparably analyzed among 83 newly diagnosed APL patients treated with RIF (n=45) or with ATO (n=38). Since induction therapy with RIF and ATRA, the median levels of Fbg, PT and platelets were recovered to the normal range within 4days, 10days and 28days, respectively. The last day of platelet and plasma transfusion was day 12 (range: 0-24 days) and day 3 (range: 0-27 days), respectively. Among the 42 patients with a disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score=4, the consumption of transfused platelets was less in the RIF group than that in the ATO group (P=0.037). In the 17 patients with a DIC score <4, prompt recovery of Fbg levels (P=0.028) was observed in the RIF group compared with that in the ATO group (P=0.401). RIF and ATO showed similar effects on the recovery of coagulopathy in APL patients. RIF had a potential beneficial effect in accelerating the recovery of thrombocytopenia and hypofibrinogenemia for subclinical DIC patients. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  13. Low-voltage Organic Thin Film Transistors (OTFTs) with Solution-processed High-k Dielectric cum Interface Engineering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Su, Yaorong

    Although impressive progress has been made in improving the performance of organic thin film transistors (OTFTs), the high operation voltage resulting from the low gate areal capacitance of traditional SiO 2 remains a severe limitation that hinders OTFTs' development in practical applications. In this regard, developing new materials with high- k characteristics at low cost is of great scientific and technological importance in the area of both academia and industry. In this thesis, we first describe a simple solution-based method to fabricate a high-k bilayer Al2Oy/TiOx (ATO) dielectric system at low temperature. Then the dielectric properties of the ATO are characterized and discussed in detail. Furthermore, by employing the high-k ATO as gate dielectric, low-voltage copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) based OTFTs are successfully developed. Interestingly, the obtained low-voltage CuPc TFT exhibits outstanding electrical performance, which is even higher than the device fabricated on traditional low-k SiO2. The above results seem to be contradictory to the reported results due to the fact that high-k usually shows adverse effect on the device performance. This abnormal phenomenon is then studied in detail. Characterization on the initial growth shows that the CuPc molecules assemble in a "rod-like" nano crystal with interconnected network on ATO, which probably promotes the charge carrier transport, whereas, they form isolated small islands with amorphous structure on SiO2. In addition, a better metal/organic contact is observed on ATO, which benefits the charge carrier injection. Our studies suggest that the low-temperature, solution-processed high-k ATO is a promising candidate for fabrication of high-performance, low-voltage OTFTs. Furthermore, it is well known that the properties of the dielectric/semiconductor and electrode/semiconductor interfaces are crucial in controlling the electrical properties of OTFTs. Hence, investigation the effects of interfaces

  14. Study of hydrogen in phthalocyanine semiconductors using muSR technique =

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Duarte, Joao Pedro Piroto Pereira

    Este trabalho apresenta um estudo experimental dos semicondutores organicos Ftalocianina (H2Pc), Ftalocianina de Zinco (ZnPc) e Ftalocianina de Cobre (CuPc) por tecnicas de µSR, tendo-se obtido informacao detalhada sobre a estrutura electronica dos estados de carga formados pelo muao positivo nos tres compostos, e sobre as interaccoes dinamicas a que esses estados se encontram sujeitos. Os resultados do estudo indicam que nas ftalocianias com caracter nao magneticas H2Pc e ZnPc se da a formacao de tres radicais muonicos paramagneticos distintos. A estrutura hiperfina destes radicais, referidos como estados I, II e III, foi caracterizada atraves da medida dos parametros de acoplamento hipefino em conjunto com a parameterizacao da sua dependencia com a temperatura. Uma quarta componente paramagnetica do sinal µSR foi tambem identificada, mas sobre a qual nao foi possivel retirar conclusoes definitivas quanto a sua origem. Verificou-se que os parametros de acoplamento hiperfino isotropicos dos tres estados identificados se encontram numa regiao de valores entre os 100 e os 150MHz para os estados I e II, enquanto que para o estado III esta quantidade toma valores em torno de 10 MHz. A estrutura electronica de todos os estados possui simetria axial, caracterizada por parametros dipolares de cerca de 15MHz para os estados I e II, e 20MHz para o estado III. A origem dos estados I e II foi determinada como sendo devida a adicao de muonio a uma das ligacoes duplas existentes nos aneis benzenicos da periferia das moleculas de ftalocianina recorrendo a calculos de estrutura electronica, tendo-se verificado a existencia de um acoplamento entre a interaccao hiperfina desses estados e modos vibracionais desses aneis. A problematica da localizacao do estado III tambem foi abordada, tomando-se como hipotese mais provavel uma posicao intersticial entre duas moleculas de ftalocianina. O estudo das interaccoes dinamicas de spin destes tres estados revelou que o estado III esta

  15. Command and Control for Joint Air Operations

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-01-12

    systems, to include collaborative air planning tools such as the theater battle management core system ( TBMCS ). Operational level air planning occurs in...sight communications and data exchange equipment in order to respond to joint force requirements. For example, the TBMCS is often used. The use of ATO...generation and dissemination software portions of TBMCS has been standardized. This ATO feature allows the JAOC to be interoperable with other

  16. A drug from poison: how the therapeutic effect of arsenic trioxide on acute promyelocytic leukemia was discovered.

    PubMed

    Rao, Yi; Li, Runhong; Zhang, Daqing

    2013-06-01

    It is surprising that, while arsenic trioxide (ATO) is now considered as "the single most active agent in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)", the most important discoverer remains obscure and his original papers have not been cited by a single English paper. The discovery was made during the Cultural Revolution when most Chinese scientists and doctors struggled to survive. Beginning with recipes from a countryside practitioner that were vague in applicable diseases, Zhang TingDong and colleagues proposed in the 1970s that a single chemical in the recipe is most effective and that its target is APL. More than 20 years of work by Zhang and colleagues eliminated the confusions about whether and how ATO can be used effectively. Other researchers, first in China and then in the West, followed his lead. Retrospective analysis of data from his own group proved that APL was indeed the most sensitive target. Removal of a trace amount of mercury chloride from the recipe by another group in his hospital proved that only ATO was required. Publication of Western replication in 1998 made the therapy widely accepted, though neither Western, nor Chinese authors of English papers on ATO cited Zhang's papers in the 1970s. This article focuses on the early papers of Zhang, but also suggests it worth further work to validate Chinese reports of ATO treatment of other cancers, and infers that some findings published in Chinese journals are of considerable value to patients and that doctors from other countries can benefit from the clinical experience of Chinese doctors with the largest population of patients.

  17. Co-delivery of ibuprofen and gentamicin from nanoporous anodic titanium dioxide layers.

    PubMed

    Pawlik, Anna; Jarosz, Magdalena; Syrek, Karolina; Sulka, Grzegorz D

    2017-04-01

    Although single-drug therapy may prove insufficient in treating bacterial infections or inflammation after orthopaedic surgeries, complex therapy (using both an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory drug) is thought to address the problem. Among drug delivery systems (DDSs) with prolonged drug release profiles, nanoporous anodic titanium dioxide (ATO) layers on Ti foil are very promising. In the discussed research, ATO samples were synthesized via a three-step anodization process in an ethylene glycol-based electrolyte with fluoride ions. The third step lasted 2, 5 and 10min in order to obtain different thicknesses of nanoporous layers. Annealing the as-prepared amorphous layers at the temperature of 400°C led to obtaining the anatase phase. In this study, water-insoluble ibuprofen and water-soluble gentamicin were used as model drugs. Three different drug loading procedures were applied. The desorption-desorption-diffusion (DDD) model of the drug release was fitted to the experimental data. The effects of crystalline structure, depth of TiO 2 nanopores and loading procedure on the drug release profiles were examined. The duration of the drug release process can be easily altered by changing the drug loading sequence. Water-soluble gentamicin is released for a long period of time if gentamicin is loaded in ATO as the first drug. Additionally, deeper nanopores and anatase phase suppress the initial burst release of drugs. These results confirm that factors such as morphological and crystalline structure of ATO layers, and the procedure of drug loading inside nanopores, allow to alter the drug release performance of nanoporous ATO layers. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Limits of carrier mobility in Sb-doped SnO{sub 2} conducting films deposited by reactive sputtering

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bissig, B., E-mail: Benjamin.bissig@empa.ch; Jäger, T.; Tiwari, A. N.

    2015-06-01

    Electron transport in Sb-doped SnO{sub 2} (ATO) films is studied to unveil the limited carrier mobility observed in sputtered films as compared to other deposition methods. Transparent and conductive ATO layers are deposited from metallic tin targets alloyed with antimony in oxygen atmosphere optimized for reactive sputtering. The carrier mobility decreases from 24 cm{sup 2} V{sup −1} s{sup −1} to 6 cm{sup 2} V{sup −1} s{sup −1} when increasing the doping level from 0 to 7 at. %, and the lowest resistivity of 1.8 × 10{sup −3} Ω cm corresponding to the mobility of 12 cm{sup 2} V{sup −1} s{sup −1}more » which is obtained for the 3 at. % Sb-doped ATO. Temperature-dependent Hall effect measurements and near-infrared reflectance measurements reveal that the carrier mobility in sputtered ATO is limited by ingrain scattering. In contrast, the mobility of unintentionally doped SnO{sub 2} films is determined mostly by the grain boundary scattering. Both limitations should arise from the sputtering process itself, which suffers from the high-energy-ion bombardment and yields polycrystalline films with small grain size.« less

  19. Structural, electrical, and optical properties of antimony-doped tin oxide films prepared at room temperature by radio frequency magnetron sputtering for transparent electrodes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lee, Sung Uk; Hong, Byungyou; Choi, Won Seok

    2009-07-15

    Antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) films were prepared on 7059 Corning glass substrate by the radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering method using SnO{sub 2} target mixed with Sb of 6 wt % at room temperature. The working pressure was varied from 0.67 to 2 Pa in steps of 0.67 Pa, and the rf power was varied from 100 to 175 W in steps of 25 W at room temperature. The thickness of the deposited ATO films was about 150 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed the ATO films to be crystallized with a strong (101) preferred orientation as the rf powermore » is increased. The spectra revealed that the deposited films were polycrystalline, retaining the tetragonal structure. The grain size was estimated from the XRD spectra using the Scherrer equation and found to decrease with a decrease in the working pressure and an increase in the rf power, while the surface roughness was observed to be smoothened. The ATO film that was deposited at a working pressure of 0.67 Pa with rf power of 175 W showed the lowest resistivity of 8.6x10{sup -3} {Omega} cm, and the optical transmittance was 86.5% in the visible wavelength range from 400 to 800 nm.« less

  20. La inserción en el mercado laboral de los inmigrantes latinos en España y en los Estados Unidos: Diferencias por país de origen y estatus legal

    PubMed Central

    Connor, Phillip; Massey, Douglas

    2013-01-01

    Resumen Este artículo compara los resultados económicos entre los inmigrantes latinoamericanos en España y Estados Unidos. Detectamos un efecto de selección por el que la mayoría de los inmigrantes latinoamericanos en España proceden de Sudamérica de un entorno de clases medias, mientras la mayoría de los inmigrantes que van a los Estados Unidos son centroamericanos de clase baja. Este efecto de selección explica las diferencias transnacionales en la probabilidad de empleo, logro ocupacional y salarios obtenidos. A pesar de las diferencias en los orígenes y las características de los latinoamericanos en ambos países, los factores demográficos, humanos y de capital social parecen operar de forma similar en ambos países; y cuando los modelos se estiman separadamente por estatus legal, descubrimos que los efectos se acentúan más entre los inmigrantes irregulares cuando se los compara con los regulares, especialmente en Estados Unidos. PMID:24532857

  1. A Tasking Construct for Non-Traditional Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-04-01

    carrying six GBU-38 JDAM 500 lbs GPS guided munitions, six GBU-12 500 lbs laser guided munitions, and a Litening AT Advanced Targeting pod with video...combination thereof. The strike planners categorize common munitions configurations and list them on the ATO as Standard Conventional Loadouts ( SCL ...The SCL requested for each strike mission is listed on the ATO and sent to the unit to coordinate munitions availability in theater. In the same

  2. Inorganic phosphate-triggered release of anti-cancer arsenic trioxide from a self-delivery system: an in vitro and in vivo study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Fei-Yan; Yi, Jing-Wei; Gu, Zhe-Jia; Tang, Bin-Bing; Li, Jian-Qi; Li, Li; Kulkarni, Padmakar; Liu, Li; Mason, Ralph P.; Tang, Qun

    2016-03-01

    On-demand drug delivery is becoming feasible via the design of either exogenous or endogenous stimulus-responsive drug delivery systems. Herein we report the development of gadolinium arsenite nanoparticles as a self-delivery platform to store, deliver and release arsenic trioxide (ATO, Trisenox), a clinical anti-cancer drug. Specifically, unloading of the small molecule drug is triggered by an endogenous stimulus: inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the blood, fluid, and soft or hard tissue. Kinetics in vitro demonstrated that ATO is released with high ON/OFF specificity and no leakage was observed in the silent state. The nanoparticles induced tumor cell apoptosis, and reduced cancer cell migration and invasion. Plasma pharmacokinetics verified extended retention time, but no obvious disturbance of phosphate balance. Therapeutic efficacy on a liver cancer xenograft mouse model was dramatically potentiated with reduced toxicity compared to the free drug. These results suggest a new drug delivery strategy which might be applied for ATO therapy on solid tumors.On-demand drug delivery is becoming feasible via the design of either exogenous or endogenous stimulus-responsive drug delivery systems. Herein we report the development of gadolinium arsenite nanoparticles as a self-delivery platform to store, deliver and release arsenic trioxide (ATO, Trisenox), a clinical anti-cancer drug. Specifically, unloading of the small molecule drug is triggered by an endogenous stimulus: inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the blood, fluid, and soft or hard tissue. Kinetics in vitro demonstrated that ATO is released with high ON/OFF specificity and no leakage was observed in the silent state. The nanoparticles induced tumor cell apoptosis, and reduced cancer cell migration and invasion. Plasma pharmacokinetics verified extended retention time, but no obvious disturbance of phosphate balance. Therapeutic efficacy on a liver cancer xenograft mouse model was dramatically potentiated with reduced

  3. The Prince, the Captain and "The State": An Examination of the Mesquita Family Ownership of "O Estado de Sao Paulo" to 1969.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Etsinger, Jean

    Julio Mesquita joined the staff of "O Estado de Sao Paulo" in 1885 and became a director in 1891, when he also began his first term as a deputy of the Sao Paulo state assembly. Until his death in 1927, Mesquita guided the newspaper's growth in all respects--editorial, political, technological, and economic. Julio de Mesquita Filho…

  4. Maternal attitudes, depression, and anxiety in pregnant and postpartum multiparous women.

    PubMed

    Sockol, Laura E; Battle, Cynthia L

    2015-08-01

    The Attitudes Toward Motherhood (AToM) Scale was developed to assess women's beliefs about motherhood, a specific risk factor for emotional distress in perinatal populations. As the measure was initially developed and validated for use among first-time mothers, this study assessed the reliability and validity of the AToM Scale in a sample of multiparous women. Maternal attitudes were significantly associated with symptoms of depression, even after controlling for demographic, cognitive, and interpersonal risk factors. Maternal attitudes were also associated with symptoms of anxiety after controlling for demographic risk factors, but this association was not significant after accounting for cognitive and interpersonal risk factors. Compared to primiparous women from the initial validation study of the AToM Scale, multiparous women reported lower levels of social support and marital satisfaction. The relationships between cognitive and interpersonal risk factors and symptoms of depression and anxiety were comparable between multiparous and primiparous women.

  5. Accuracy and precision of 3 intraoral scanners and accuracy of conventional impressions: A novel in vivo analysis method.

    PubMed

    Nedelcu, R; Olsson, P; Nyström, I; Rydén, J; Thor, A

    2018-02-01

    To evaluate a novel methodology using industrial scanners as a reference, and assess in vivo accuracy of 3 intraoral scanners (IOS) and conventional impressions. Further, to evaluate IOS precision in vivo. Four reference-bodies were bonded to the buccal surfaces of upper premolars and incisors in five subjects. After three reference-scans, ATOS Core 80 (ATOS), subjects were scanned three times with three IOS systems: 3M True Definition (3M), CEREC Omnicam (OMNI) and Trios 3 (TRIOS). One conventional impression (IMPR) was taken, 3M Impregum Penta Soft, and poured models were digitized with laboratory scanner 3shape D1000 (D1000). Best-fit alignment of reference-bodies and 3D Compare Analysis was performed. Precision of ATOS and D1000 was assessed for quantitative evaluation and comparison. Accuracy of IOS and IMPR were analyzed using ATOS as reference. Precision of IOS was evaluated through intra-system comparison. Precision of ATOS reference scanner (mean 0.6 μm) and D1000 (mean 0.5 μm) was high. Pairwise multiple comparisons of reference-bodies located in different tooth positions displayed a statistically significant difference of accuracy between two scanner-groups: 3M and TRIOS, over OMNI (p value range 0.0001 to 0.0006). IMPR did not show any statistically significant difference to IOS. However, deviations of IOS and IMPR were within a similar magnitude. No statistical difference was found for IOS precision. The methodology can be used for assessing accuracy of IOS and IMPR in vivo in up to five units bilaterally from midline. 3M and TRIOS had a higher accuracy than OMNI. IMPR overlapped both groups. Intraoral scanners can be used as a replacement for conventional impressions when restoring up to ten units without extended edentulous spans. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  6. The medicinal use of realgar (As₄S₄) and its recent development as an anticancer agent.

    PubMed

    Wu, Jinzhu; Shao, Yanbin; Liu, Jialiang; Chen, Gang; Ho, Paul C

    2011-06-01

    Arsenicals have been known as poisons and paradoxically as therapeutic agents. In the early 1970s, Chinese physicians from Harbin revived the medicinal use of arsenicals as anticancer agents. Notable success was observed in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with arsenic trioxide (ATO). The FDA approved ATO injection in the year 2000 for the treatment of APL. In contrast, the clinical use of the other arsenical, realgar (As₄S₄), is currently much less established, though it has also long been used in medical history. According to ancient medical records and recent findings in clinical trials, realgar was found as effective as ATO, but with relatively good oral safety profiles even on chronic administration. These give realgar an advantage over ATO in maintenance treatment. Though there is increasing understanding on the mechanisms of action and metabolic profiles of ATO, similar aspects of realgar are unclear to date. We outline the use of realgar in traditional medicines, especially in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) from ancient times to present. The clinical and experimental observations on realgar as a therapeutic agent are described with an emphasis on those findings that may imply the rationale and future directions of realgar as a potential anticancer drug candidate. There is an increasing understanding in the mechanisms of action of realgar as an antileukemic agent. However, there is still sparse information on its metabolism and toxicity profiles. Realgar is poorly soluble in water. Recently, several types of realgar nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed. Some of these realgar NPs also possess the unique optical properties of quantum dots. The activities and bioavailability of realgar NPs are much influenced by their sizes, making realgar an interesting biomedical and pharmaceutical research candidate. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Time-series analysis in imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia K562-cells under different drug treatments.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Yan-Hong; Zhang, Xue-Fang; Zhao, Yan-Qiu; Bai, Fan; Qin, Fan; Sun, Jing; Dong, Ying

    2017-08-01

    Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by the accumulation of active BCR-ABL protein. Imatinib is the first-line treatment of CML; however, many patients are resistant to this drug. In this study, we aimed to compare the differences in expression patterns and functions of time-series genes in imatinib-resistant CML cells under different drug treatments. GSE24946 was downloaded from the GEO database, which included 17 samples of K562-r cells with (n=12) or without drug administration (n=5). Three drug treatment groups were considered for this study: arsenic trioxide (ATO), AMN107, and ATO+AMN107. Each group had one sample at each time point (3, 12, 24, and 48 h). Time-series genes with a ratio of standard deviation/average (coefficient of variation) >0.15 were screened, and their expression patterns were revealed based on Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM). Then, the functional enrichment analysis of time-series genes in each group was performed using DAVID, and the genes enriched in the top ten functional categories were extracted to detect their expression patterns. Different time-series genes were identified in the three groups, and most of them were enriched in the ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. Time-series genes in the three treatment groups had different expression patterns and functions. Time-series genes in the ATO group (e.g. CCNA2 and DAB2) were significantly associated with cell adhesion, those in the AMN107 group were related to cellular carbohydrate metabolic process, while those in the ATO+AMN107 group (e.g. AP2M1) were significantly related to cell proliferation and antigen processing. In imatinib-resistant CML cells, ATO could influence genes related to cell adhesion, AMN107 might affect genes involved in cellular carbohydrate metabolism, and the combination therapy might regulate genes involved in cell proliferation.

  8. Cytogenetic and oxidative status of human lymphocytes after exposure to clinically relevant concentrations of antimalarial drugs atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride in vitro.

    PubMed

    Dinter, Domagoj; Gajski, Goran; Domijan, Ana-Marija; Garaj-Vrhovac, Vera

    2015-12-01

    Atovaquone (ATO) and proguanil hydrochloride (PROG) is the fixed combination for the prevention and treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. As safe and effective antimalarial drugs are needed in both the treatment and the prophylaxis of malaria, this study was performed to investigate their possible cyto/genotoxic potential towards human lymphocytes and the possible mechanism responsible for it. Two different concentrations of ATO and PROG were used with and without S9 metabolic activation. The concentrations used were those found in human plasma when a fixed-dose combination of ATO and PROG was used: 2950/130 ng/mL after prophylactic treatment and 11 800/520 ng/mL after treatment of malaria, respectively. Possible cellular and DNA-damaging effects were evaluated by cell viability and alkaline comet assays, while oxidative stress potential was evaluated by formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg)-modified comet assay, in addition to measuring malondialdehyde and glutathione levels. According to our results, the ATO/PROG combination displayed only weak cyto/genotoxic potential towards human lymphocytes with no impact on oxidative stress parameters, suggesting that oxidative stress is not implicated in their mechanism of action towards human lymphocytes. Given that the key portion of the damaging effects was induced after S9 metabolic activation, it is to presume that the principal metabolite of PROG, cycloguanil, had the greatest impact. The obtained results indicate that the ATO/PROG combination is relatively safe for the consumption from the aspect of cyto/genotoxicity, especially if used for prophylactic treatment. Nevertheless, further cytogenetic research and regular patient monitoring are needed to minimize the risk of adverse events especially among frequent travellers. © 2015 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.

  9. Blockage of JNK pathway enhances arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis in human keratinocytes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Huang, H.-S., E-mail: huanghs@mail.ncku.edu.t; Liu, Z.-M.; Hong, D.-Y.

    2010-04-15

    Arsenic is well known as a carcinogen predisposing humans to some severe diseases and also as an effective medicine for treating acute promyelocytic leukemia, syphilis, and psoriasis. Multiple active mechanisms, including cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, have been proposed in therapy; however, the opposing effects of arsenic remain controversial. Our previous study found that arsenic trioxide (ATO)-induced activation of p21{sup WAF1/CIP1} (p21) led to A431 cell death through the antagonistic effects of the signaling of ERK1/2 and JNK1. In the current study, the inhibitory effects of JNK1 on ATO-induced p21 expression were explored. Over-expression of JNK1 in A431 cells couldmore » inhibit p21 expression, which was associated with HDAC1 and TGIF. Using the GST pull-down assay and fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis, N-terminal domain (amino acids 1-108) of TGIF, critical to its binding with c-Jun, was found. Using reporter assays, requirement of the C-terminal domain (amino acids 138-272) of TGIF to suppress ATO-induced p21 expression was observed. Thus, the domains of TGIF that carried out its inhibitory effects on p21 were identified. Finally, treatment with JNK inhibitor SP600125 could enhance ATO-induced apoptosis of HaCaT keratinocytes by using flow cytometry.« less

  10. Susceptibility mapping in the Río El Estado watershed, Pico de Orizaba volcano, Mexico

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Legorreta Paulin, G.; Bursik, M. I.; Lugo Hubp, J.; Paredes Mejía, L.; Aceves Quesada, F.

    2013-12-01

    In volcanic terrains, dormant stratovolcanoes are very common and can trigger landslides and debris flows continually along stream systems, thereby affecting human settlements and economic activities. It is important to assess their potential impact and damage through the use of landslide inventory maps and landslide models. This poster provides an overview of the on-going research project (Grant SEP-CONACYT no 167495) from the Institute of Geography at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) that seeks to conduct a multi-temporal landslide inventory and produce a landslide susceptibility map by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The Río El Estado watershed on the southwestern flank of Pico de Orizaba volcano, the highest mountain in Mexico, is selected as a study area. The catchment covers 5.2 km2 with elevations ranging from 2676.79 to 4248.2 m a.s.l. and hillslopes between 5° and 56°. The stream system of Río El Estado catchment erodes Tertiary and Quaternary lavas, pyroclastic flows, and fall deposits. The geologic and geomorphologic factors in combination with high seasonal precipitation, high degree of weathering, and steep slopes predispose the study area to landslides. The method encompasses two main levels of analysis to assess landslide susceptibility. The first level builds a historic landslide inventory. In the study area, an inventory of more than 100 landslides was mapped from interpretation of multi-temporal aerial orthophotographs and local field surveys to assess and describe landslide distribution. All landslides were digitized into a GIS, and the spatial geo-database of landslides was constructed from standardized GIS datasets. The second level calculates the susceptibility for the watershed. Multiple Logistic Regression (MLR) was used to examine the relationship between landsliding and several independent variables (elevation, slope, terrain curvature, flow direction, saturation, contributing area, land use, and geology

  11. Antimony-Doped Tin Oxide Thin Films Grown by Home Made Spray Pyrolysis Technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yusuf, Gbadebo; Babatola, Babatunde Keji; Ishola, Abdulahi Dimeji; Awodugba, Ayodeji O.; Solar cell Collaboration

    2016-03-01

    Transparent conducting antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) films have been deposited on glass substrates by home made spray pyrolysis technique. The structural, electrical and optical properties of the ATO films have been investigated as a function of Sb-doping level and annealing temperature. The optimum target composition for high conductivity and low resistivity was found to be 20 wt. % SnSb2 + 90 wt. ATO. Under optimized deposition conditions of 450oC annealing temperature, electrical resistivity of 5.2×10-4 Ω -cm, sheet resistance of 16.4 Ω/sq, average optical transmittance of 86% in the visible range, and average optical band-gap of 3.34eV were obtained. The film deposited at lower annealing temperature shows a relatively rough, loosely bound slightly porous surface morphology while the film deposited at higher annealing temperature shows uniformly distributed grains of greater size. Keywords: Annealing, Doping, Homemade spray pyrolysis, Tin oxide, Resistivity

  12. Improving diabetes care among patients overdue for recommended testing: a randomized controlled trial of automated telephone outreach.

    PubMed

    Simon, Steven R; Trinacty, Connie Mah; Soumerai, Stephen B; Piette, John D; Meigs, James B; Shi, Ping; Ensroth, Arthur; Ross-Degnan, Dennis

    2010-07-01

    The study's objective was to assess the effects of automated telephone outreach with speech recognition (ATO-SR) on diabetes-related testing. We identified 1,200 health plan members who were overdue for diabetes-related testing and randomly allocated 600 to ATO-SR and 600 to usual care (no intervention). The intervention included three interactive calls encouraging recommended testing. The primary outcome was retinopathy testing, since this was the health plan's principal goal. Tests for glycemia, hyperlipidemia, and nephropathy were secondary outcomes. In total, 232 participants (39%) verbally responded to the calls. There was no difference between the intervention and the usual care groups in the primary outcome (adjusted hazard ratio 0.93 [95% CI 0.71-1.22]) and no effect of the intervention on any of the secondary outcomes. Fewer than 40% of the patients randomized to ATO-SR interacted verbally with the system. The intervention had no effect on the study's outcomes.

  13. Evaluation of the lubricating effect of magnesium stearate and glyceryl behenate solid lipid nanoparticles in a direct compression process.

    PubMed

    Martínez-Acevedo, Lizbeth; Zambrano-Zaragoza, María de la Luz; Vidal-Romero, Gustavo; Mendoza-Elvira, Susana; Quintanar-Guerrero, David

    2018-05-02

    The aim of this study was to develop solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and introduce them into a direct compression process to evaluate their lubricant properties. The study consisted of preparing glyceryl behenate SLN (Compritol® 888 ATO) by hot dispersion, and magnesium stearate SLN by a novel nanoprecipitation/ion exchange method. The ejection force was measured for nanosystems and raw materials in a formulation typically used for direct compression. The smallest particle sizes obtained were 456 nm for Compritol® 888 ATO and 330 nm for magnesium stearate. Results show that the NPs used as lubricants in a direct compression model formulation provided efficient lubrication by maintaining the lubricating properties of the system, thereby decreasing the amount of lubricant used compared to the raw material. The lubricating effect showed an increase of 15-30% for magnesium stearate and Compritol® 888 ATO, compared to the raw material at concentrations above 2%. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Pathological personality development after the Chornobyl disaster and the anti terrorist operation.

    PubMed

    Loganovsky, K M; Gresko, M V

    2016-12-01

    Objective of the study was to determine pathological changes of the personality of the clean up workers (liquida tors) of the Chornobyl accident and the participants in the anti terrorist operation (ATO) in Eastern Ukraine and radiation threat perception assessment.Design, object and methods. The cross sectional and retrospective assessments of the clean up workers of the Chornobyl accident (n = 185), evacuees from the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (n = 112) from the randomized sample of individuals who are registered in the Clinical and epidemiological registry (CER) of the State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine» [NRCRM] and partici pants of the ATO in Eastern Ukraine (n = 62) who underwent treatment and rehabilitation in the Department of Radiation Psychoneurology of the NRCRM Clinic have been done. The neuropsychiatric clinical and psychometric methods as General Health Questionnaire, GHQ 28; Eysenck Personality Inventory, EPI; method of personality diag nostic by H. Schmischek - K. Leongard, and modified social psychological questionnaire (Joint Study Project 1993) - «dangers questionnaire» were used. Extraversion, hyperthymia and demonstrativity in the clean up workers of the Chornobyl accident and evac uees decreased, while emotiveness, pedantry, anxiety, cyclothymia, excitability and dysthymia increased. Extraversion and hyperthymia decreased in the ATO participants while jams, pedantry, cyclothymia, excitability and dysthymia increased. According to the social psychological assessment («dangers questionnaire») there were found that at present the «national conflict» factor takes among the clean up workers the 22th rank place, evacuees - the 18th, while the participants ATO - the 11th, however the risk perception of disease associated with the presence in the environment of radioactive substances in the ATO participants takes the 6th place, the liquidators - the 8th, the evac

  15. Servicio de Mapas en Internet para la Salud Ambiental en la Region Fronteriza Entre los Estados Unidos y Mexico

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Buckler, Denny; Stefanov, Jim

    2004-01-01

    La region fronteriza de los Estados Unidos y Mexico abarca una gran diversidad de ambientes fisicos y habitaciones, entre los cuales estan los humedales, desiertos, pastos, montanas, y bosques. Estos a su vez son unicos en cuanto a su diversidad de recursos acuaticos minerales, y biologicos. La region se interconecta economica, politica, y socialmente debido a su herencia binacional. En 1995, cerca de 11 millones de habitantes vivian en la zona adyacente a la frontera. Un estudio sugiere que esa poblacion podria doblarse antes del ano 2020.

  16. [Men of the sugarcane fields and their hospitals: the architecture of health under the Estado Novo].

    PubMed

    Monteiro, Marcia Rocha

    2011-12-01

    The article explores the emergence of an architectural heritage in the realm of healthcare assistance for workers in the sugarcane agroindustry in Brazil following enactment of the law known as the Estatuto da Lavoura Canavieira (1941), under the auspices of the Instituto do Açúcar e do Álcool and as part of Estado Novo policies (1937-1945). The institute proposed solutions based on surveys conducted at sugarcane mills in cane-producing states and on the medical and hospital system adopted by the institute's enlightened bureaucracy in the 1940s, which took the U.S. system as its model. Special focus is given to the central hospitals in Pernambuco and especially in Alagoas, which opposed institute guidelines.

  17. Effects of atorvastatin and losartan on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary artery remodeling in rats.

    PubMed

    Xie, Liangdi; Lin, Peisen; Xie, Hong; Xu, Changsheng

    2010-01-01

    Structural remodeling of pulmonary artery plays an important role in maintaining sustained pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The anti-remodeling effects of statins have been reported in systemic hypertension. In this study, we studied the effects of atovastatin (Ato) or losartan (Los) in monocrotaline (MCL)-induced pulmonary artery remodeling using a rat model. Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 10): normal control (Ctr), PAH, PAH treated with Los, and PAH treated with Ato. We found that in the Los- or Ato-treated group, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure, right heart hypertrophy index, ratio of wall/lumen thickness (WT%), as well as the wall/lumen area (WA%) were significantly reduced compared to the PAH group. Also in pulmonary arteries dissected from rats in the Ato- or Los-treated group, in both mRNA and protein levels, the expression of α1C subunit of voltage-gated calcium channel (Ca(v)α1c) was downregulated, while sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA-2a) and inositol 1,4,5 triphosphate receptor 1 (IP3R-1) upregulated. However, the mRNA level of RyR-3 subunit of calcium regulating channel was increased, whereas its protein level was reduced in the treated groups. Our results suggest that atorvastatin or losartan may regress the remodeling of the pulmonary artery in pulmonary hypertensive rats, with differential expression of calcium regulating channels.

  18. Simultaneous treatment to attain blood pressure and lipid goals and reduced CV risk burden using amlodipine/atorvastatin single-pill therapy in treated hypertensive participants in a randomized controlled trial

    PubMed Central

    Grimm, Richard; Malik, Mobin; Yunis, Carla; Sutradhar, Santosh; Kursun, Attila

    2010-01-01

    TOGETHER investigated whether targeting multiple cardiovascular (CV) risk factors using single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin (AML/ATO) and therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) results in greater blood pressure (BP)/lipid control and additional reduction in estimated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared with blood pressure intervention only using amlodipine (AML) + TLC. TOGETHER was a 6-week, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy trial using hypertensive participants with additional CV risk factors without CVD/diabetes. Participants were randomized to either AML/ATO (5 to 10/20 mg) + TLC or AML (5 to 10 mg) + TLC. The primary end point was the difference in proportion of participants attaining both BP (<140/90 mm Hg) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (<100 mg/dL) goals at week 6. At week 6, 67.8% of participants receiving AML/ATO + TLC attained the combined BP/LDL-C goal versus 9.6% with AML + TLC (RD [A–B]: 58.2; 95% CI [48.1 to 68.4] P < 0.001; OR: 19.0; 95% CI 9.1 to 39.6; P < 0.001). Significant reductions from baseline in LDL-C, total cholesterol and triglycerides and estimated 10-year Framingham risk were also observed. Treatment with AML/ATO was well tolerated. In conclusion, a multifactorial CV management approach is more effective in achieving combined BP/LDL-C targets as well as CV risk reduction compared with BP intervention only in this patient population. PMID:20479948

  19. Carbon nanofibers with highly dispersed tin and tin antimonide nanoparticles: Preparation via electrospinning and application as the anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Zhi; Zhang, Jiwei; Shu, Jie; Chen, Jianping; Gong, Chunhong; Guo, Jianhui; Yu, Laigui; Zhang, Jingwei

    2018-03-01

    One-dimensional carbon nanofibers with highly dispersed tin (Sn) and tin antimonide (SnSb) nanoparticles are prepared by electrospinning in the presence of antimony-doped tin oxide (denoted as ATO) wet gel as the precursor. The effect of ATO dosage on the microstructure and electrochemical properties of the as-fabricated Sn-SnSb/C composite nanofibers is investigated. Results indicate that ATO wet gel as the precursor can effectively improve the dispersion of Sn nanoparticles in carbon fiber and prevent them from segregation during the electrospinning and subsequent calcination processes. The as-prepared Sn-SnSb/C nanofibers as the anode materials for lithium-ion batteries exhibit high reversible capacity and stable cycle performance. Particularly, the electrode made from Sn-SnSb/C composite nanofibers obtained with 0.9 g of ATO gel has a high specific capacity of 779 mAh·g-1 and 378 mAh·g-1 at the current density of 50 mA·g-1 and 5 A·g-1, respectively, and it exhibits a capacity retention of 97% after 1200 cycles under the current density of 1 A·g-1. This is because the carbon nanofibers can form a continuous conductive network to buffer the volume change of the electrodes while Sn and Sn-SnSb nanoparticles uniformly distributed in the carbon nanofibers are free of segregation, thereby contributing to electrochemical performances of the electrodes.

  20. The kinetics of white blood cell and the predictive factors of leukocytosis under oral or intravenous arsenic as the first-line treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia.

    PubMed

    Wang, Fang; Jia, Jin-Song; Wang, Jing; Zhao, Ting; Jiang, Qian; Jiang, Hao; Zhu, Hong-Hu

    2017-10-01

    We aimed to compare the kinetics of white blood cell (WBC) and explore predictive factors of leukocytosis in non-high-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), with oral arsenic plus all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or intravenous arsenic trioxide (ATO) plus ATRA as a first-line treatment. The absolute count, doubling time and peak time of WBC were analyzed in 64 newly diagnosed non-high-risk APL patients who were treated with different induction regimens containing either oral Realgar-indigo naturalis formula (RIF) (n=35) or ATO (n=29). The end points were the dynamic changes of the WBC counts during induction. The time points started at day 1 and were selected over 3-day intervals for 28days. Among the 64 included patients, the median initial and peak WBC counts were 1.78×10 9 /L (range 0.31-9.89) and 12.16×10 9 /L (range 1.56-80.01), respectively. The incidence of differentiation syndrome was 9.38%. The dynamic changes in leukocytosis showed a single peak wave in all the patients, and the median time to peak was 10 (range 2-26) days. A higher WBC count was observed in the RIF group than in the ATO group after 10days of treatment (9.22×10 9 /L vs. 4.10×10 9 /L, p=0.015). Patients with the peak WBC count >10×10 9 /L had a shorter WBC doubling time compared to patients with a lower peak WBC (RIF group 4days vs. 7days, p=0.001; ATO group 4.5days vs. 23days, p=0.002). Univariate and multivariable analyses showed that the doubling time of WBC is an independent factor for the peak WBC count. Different kinetics of WBC proliferation were observed during induction with oral arsenic plus ATRA and ATO plus ATRA. The doubling time of WBC is an important independent factor for predicting the peak WBC count. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. VS-5584 as a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor enhances apoptotic effects of subtoxic dose arsenic trioxide via inhibition of NF-κB activity in B cell precursor-acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

    PubMed

    Toosi, Bahareh; Zaker, Farhad; Alikarami, Fatemeh; Kazemi, Ahmad; Teremmahi Ardestanii, Majid

    2018-06-01

    Activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR pathway as a survival signaling cascade is a prominent feature of cancers such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In patients with B-cell precursor-ALL (BCP-ALL), the high activity of the pathway correlates with the weak response to anti-leukemic drugs and relapse as a result of downstream prosurvival pathway activation, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Recent targeted therapy (PI3K/mTOR inhibitors) in combination with a multifunctional conventional chemotherapeutic drug may be useful for treatment of BCP-ALL patients. In the current study, the potential of a subtoxic dose (0.2 μM) of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in combination with VS-5584 (a highly potent PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor) was tested for blocking of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, inhibition of NF-κB activation and induction of apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. The data indicate that VS-5584 as a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in NALM-6 cells by means of NF-κB transcriptional activity suppression. This apoptotic process markedly increased 72 h after administration of the subtoxic dose of ATO. We also showed that concomitant treatment of VS-5584 and the subtoxic dose of ATO significantly inhibited phosphorylation of NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IκBα) and S6 ribosomal protein (S6) as the downstream proteins of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Combining VS-5584 and a subtoxic dose of ATO also resulted in down expression of the NF-κB target genes involved in cell proliferation and survival. These results indicate that incorporation of VS-5584/ATO combination into BCP-ALL therapeutic protocols can improve treatment and the survival of patients. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  2. Intelligent Engine Systems Work Element 1.2: Malfunction and Operator Error Reduction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wiseman, Matthew

    2005-01-01

    Jet engines, although highly reliable and safe, do experience malfunctions that cause flight delays, passenger stress, and in some cases, in conjunction with inappropriate crew response, contribute to airplane accidents. On rare occasions, the anomalous engine behavior is not recognized until it is too late for the pilots to do anything to prevent or mitigate the resulting engine malfunction causing in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs), aborted takeoffs (ATOs), or loss of thrust control (LOTC). In some cases, the crew response to a myriad of external stimuli and existing training procedures is the source of the problem mentioned above. The problem is the reduction of jet engine malfunctions (IFSDs, ATOs, and LOTC) and inappropriate crew response (PSM+ICR) through the use of evolving and advanced technologies. The solution is to develop the overall system health maintenance architecture, detection and accommodation technologies, processes, and enhanced crew interfaces that would enable a significant reduction in IFSDs, ATOs, and LOTC. This program defines requirements and proposes a preliminary design concept of an architecture that enables the realization of the solution.

  3. Effect of different doses of oxytocin on cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias induced by ischemia.

    PubMed

    Houshmand, Fariba; Faghihi, Mahdieh; Imani, Alireza; Kheiri, Soleiman

    2017-01-01

    The onset of acute myocardial ischemia (MI) is accompanied by a rapid increase in electrical instability and often fatal ventricular arrhythmias. This study investigated that whether oxytocin (OT) can modulate ischemia-induced arrhythmias and considered relationships between the severity of arrhythmia and the electrocardiogram parameters during ischemia. OT (0.0001-1 μg) was administrated intraperitoneally 30 min before ischemia. To examine receptor involved, a selective OT-receptor antagonist, atosiban (ATO), was infused 10 min before OT. OT caused a significant and biphasic dose-dependent reduction in ectopic heart activity and arrhythmia score. OT doses that reduced ventricular arrhythmia elicited significant increase in QT interval. OT attenuated the electrophysiological changes associated with MI and there was significant direct relationship between QRS duration and arrhythmia score. ATO treatment reduced beneficial effects of OT on arrhythmogenesis. Nevertheless, ATO failed to alter OT effects on premature ventricular contractions. We assume that the ability of OT to modulate the electrical activity of the heart may play an important role in the antiarrhythmic actions of OT.

  4. Effect of different doses of oxytocin on cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias induced by ischemia

    PubMed Central

    Houshmand, Fariba; Faghihi, Mahdieh; Imani, Alireza; Kheiri, Soleiman

    2017-01-01

    The onset of acute myocardial ischemia (MI) is accompanied by a rapid increase in electrical instability and often fatal ventricular arrhythmias. This study investigated that whether oxytocin (OT) can modulate ischemia-induced arrhythmias and considered relationships between the severity of arrhythmia and the electrocardiogram parameters during ischemia. OT (0.0001–1 μg) was administrated intraperitoneally 30 min before ischemia. To examine receptor involved, a selective OT-receptor antagonist, atosiban (ATO), was infused 10 min before OT. OT caused a significant and biphasic dose-dependent reduction in ectopic heart activity and arrhythmia score. OT doses that reduced ventricular arrhythmia elicited significant increase in QT interval. OT attenuated the electrophysiological changes associated with MI and there was significant direct relationship between QRS duration and arrhythmia score. ATO treatment reduced beneficial effects of OT on arrhythmogenesis. Nevertheless, ATO failed to alter OT effects on premature ventricular contractions. We assume that the ability of OT to modulate the electrical activity of the heart may play an important role in the antiarrhythmic actions of OT. PMID:29184844

  5. Abort performance for a winged-body single-stage to orbit vehicle. M.S. Thesis - George Washington Univ.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lyon, Jeffery A.

    1995-01-01

    Optimal control theory is employed to determine the performance of abort to orbit (ATO) and return to launch site (RTLS) maneuvers for a single-stage to orbit vehicle. The vehicle configuration examined is a seven engine, winged-body vehicle, that lifts-off vertically and lands horizontally. The abort maneuvers occur as the vehicle ascends to orbit and are initiated when the vehicle suffers an engine failure. The optimal control problems are numerically solved in discretized form via a nonlinear programming (NLP) algorithm. A description highlighting the attributes of this NLP method is provided. ATO maneuver results show that the vehicle is capable of ascending to orbit with a single engine failure at lift-off. Two engine out ATO maneuvers are not possible from the launch pad, but are possible after launch when the thrust to weight ratio becomes sufficiently large. Results show that single engine out RTLS maneuvers can be made for up to 180 seconds after lift-off and that there are scenarios for which RTLS maneuvers should be performed instead of ATP maneuvers.

  6. Arsenite-loaded nanoparticles inhibit PARP-1 to overcome multidrug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Hanyu; Zhang, Zongjun; Chi, Xiaoqin; Zhao, Zhenghuan; Huang, Dengtong; Jin, Jianbin; Gao, Jinhao

    2016-08-01

    Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the highest incidences in cancers; however, traditional chemotherapy often suffers from low efficiency caused by drug resistance. Herein, we report an arsenite-loaded dual-drug (doxorubicin and arsenic trioxide, i.e., DOX and ATO) nanomedicine system (FeAsOx@SiO2-DOX, Combo NP) with significant drug synergy and pH-triggered drug release for effective treatment of DOX resistant HCC cells (HuH-7/ADM). This nano-formulation Combo NP exhibits the synergistic effect of DNA damage by DOX along with DNA repair interference by ATO, which results in unprecedented killing efficiency on DOX resistant cancer cells. More importantly, we explored the possible mechanism is that the activity of PARP-1 is inhibited by ATO during the treatment of Combo NP, which finally induces apoptosis of HuH-7/ADM cells by poly (ADP-ribosyl) ation suppression and DNA lesions accumulation. This study provides a smart drug delivery strategy to develop a novel synergistic combination therapy for effectively overcome drug- resistant cancer cells.

  7. Preparación de los adultos mayores en los Estados Unidos para hacer frente a los desastres naturales: encuesta a escala nacional*

    PubMed Central

    Al-rousan, Tala M.; Rubenstein, Linda M.; Wallace, Robert B.

    2015-01-01

    Objetivos. Nos propusimos determinar el grado de preparación frente a los desastres naturales de los adultos mayores en los Estados Unidos y evaluar los factores que pueden afectar negativamente la salud y la seguridad durante este tipo de incidentes. Métodos. Obtuvimos una muestra de adultos de 50 años en adelante (n = 1 304) de la encuesta del 2010 del Estudio de la Salud y la Jubilación (HRS por su sigla en inglés). La encuesta recogió datos sobre las características demográficas generales, el estado de discapacidad o las limitaciones funcionales, y también sobre factores y comportamientos relacionados con la preparación frente a los desastres. Calculamos una puntuación global de preparación mediante indicadores individuales a fin de evaluar el grado de preparación general. Resultados. La media de la edad de los participantes (n = 1 304) fue de 70 años (desviación estándar [DE] = 9,3). Solo 34,3% informaron que habían participado en un programa formativo o que habían leído materiales sobre la preparación para los desastres. Casi 15% indicaron que usaban dispositivos médicos eléctricos que podían correr riesgo de no funcionar si se interrumpiera el suministro eléctrico. La puntuación de preparación indicó que la edad más avanzada, la discapacidad física y el menor nivel de escolaridad y de ingresos se asociaban independiente y significativamente a un grado de preparación general inferior. Conclusiones. A pesar de la mayor vulnerabilidad ante los desastres y del número cada vez mayor de adultos mayores en los Estados Unidos, muchos de los problemas sustanciales que encontramos son remediables y requieren atención en los sectores de la sociedad dedicados a la atención clínica, a la salud pública y al manejo de situaciones de emergencia.

  8. The synergistic antitumor activity of arsenic trioxide and vitamin K2 in HL-60 cells involves increased ROS generation and regulation of the ROS-dependent MAPK signaling pathway.

    PubMed

    Qu, Hui; Tong, Danan; Zhang, Yanqing; Kang, Kai; Zhang, Yuling; Chen, Lan; Ren, Lihong

    2013-10-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic anticancer effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) and vitamin K2 (VK2) in HL-60 cells, and elucidate the potential mechanisms. HL-60 cells were exposed to ATO and VK2, either alone or in combination. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed. The combination index (CI) method was used to evaluate whether the action of the drug combination was synergistic, additive or antagonistic. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway were also studied, to provide insight into potential mechanisms. The results showed that combining ATO with VK2 significantly inhibited HL-60 cell growth more than either agent alone, indicating a synergistic effect with CI < 1. Annexin V staining demonstrated that the inhibition of cell growth by the drug combination was mediated through an increase in apoptosis; this was supported by examination of caspase-3 and caspase-9 with Western blot assays. Furthermore, induction of ROS, and phosphorylation and activation of the JNK and p38 (but not ERK1/2) pathways, was observed in cells administered the drug combination. Prior treatment with the antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, partly blocked the apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 induced by the drug combination; apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 were also reversed by inhibitors of JNK or p38. These results suggest that ATO and VK2 act synergistically to increase HL-60 cell apoptosis, through ROS generation and regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway.

  9. Determination of statin drugs in hospital effluent with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and quantification by liquid chromatography.

    PubMed

    Martins, Ayrton F; Frank, Carla da S; Altissimo, Joseline; de Oliveira, Júlia A; da Silva, Daiane S; Reichert, Jaqueline F; Souza, Darliana M

    2017-08-24

    Statins are classified as being amongst the most prescribed agents for treating hypercholesterolaemia and preventing vascular diseases. In this study, a rapid and effective liquid chromatography method, assisted by diode array detection, was designed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of atorvastatin (ATO) and simvastatin (SIM) in hospital effluent samples. The solid phase extraction (SPE) of the analytes was optimized regarding sorbent material and pH, and the dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), in terms of pH, ionic strength, type and volume of extractor/dispersor solvents. The performance of both extraction procedures was evaluated in terms of linearity, quantification limits, accuracy (recovery %), precision and matrix effects for each analyte. The methods proved to be linear in the concentration range considered; the quantification limits were 0.45 µg L -1 for ATO and 0.75 µg L -1 for SIM; the matrix effect was almost absent in both methods and the average recoveries remained between 81.5-90.0%; and the RSD values were <20%. The validated methods were applied to the quantification of the statins in real samples of hospital effluent; the concentrations ranged from 18.8 µg L -1 to 35.3 µg L -1 for ATO, and from 30.3 µg L -1 to 38.5 µg L -1 for SIM. Since the calculated risk quotient was ≤192, the occurrence of ATO and SIM in hospital effluent poses a potential serious risk to human health and the aquatic ecosystem.

  10. Arsenic trioxide phosphorylates c-Fos to transactivate p21{sup WAF1/CIP1} expression

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liu Zimiao; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Huang, H.-S.

    2008-12-01

    An infamous poison, arsenic also has been used as a drug for nearly 2400 years; in recently years, arsenic has been effective in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Increasing evidence suggests that opposite effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on tumors depend on its concentrations. For this reason, the mechanisms of action of the drug should be elucidated, and it should be used therapeutically only with extreme caution. Previously, we demonstrated the opposing effects of ERK1/2 and JNK on p21{sup WAF1/CIP1} (p21) expression in response to ATO in A431 cells. In addition, JNK phosphorylates c-Jun (Ser{sup 63/73}) to recruit TGIF/HDAC1more » to suppress p21 gene expression. Presently, we demonstrated that a high concentration of ATO sustains ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and increases c-Fos biosynthesis and stability, which enhances p21 gene expression. Using site-directed mutagenesis, a DNA affinity precipitation assay, and functional assays, we demonstrated that phosphorylation of the C-terminus of c-Fos (Thr{sup 232}, Thr{sup 325}, Thr{sup 331}, and Ser{sup 374}) plays an important role in its binding to the p21 promoter, and in conjunction with N-terminus phosphorylation of c-Fos (Ser{sup 70}) to transactivate p21 promoter expression. In conclusion, a high concentration of ATO can sustain ERK1/2 activation to enhance c-Fos expression, then dimerize with dephosphorylated c-Jun (Ser{sup 63/73}) and recruit p300/CBP to the Sp1 sites (- 84/- 64) to activate p21 gene expression in A431 cells.« less

  11. Development of a hybrid paclitaxel-loaded arsenite nanoparticle (HPAN) delivery system for synergistic combined therapy of paclitaxel-resistant cancer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Fei-yan; Zhang, Yu; Chen, Xiang-yu; Li, Jia-qian; Xiao, Xiao-ping; Yu, Lu-lu; Tang, Qun

    2017-04-01

    Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major reason for failure of chemotherapy in a variety of human tumors. For instance, paclitaxel (PTX) has been widely used as a first-line anticancer drug, but resistance to PTX is becoming increasingly serious. Herein, we propose a strategy of combined therapy to overcome MDR of PTX by introducing a hybrid paclitaxel-loaded gadolinium arsenite nanoparticle (HPAN), where PTX was conjugated with rod-shaped gadolinium arsenite (GdAsOx) nanoparticle (NP). Triggered by endogenous inorganic phosphate (Pi), the hybrid nanoparticles readily collapse, thereby releasing PTX and arsenic trioxide (ATO). An MTT assay indicated IC50 values for HPAN one order of magnitude lower than for a simple equivalent mixture of PTX and ATO against PTX-resistant human colon cancer cells (HCT 166), indicating remarkable synergistic effect. Species type-dependent cellular uptake, induced apoptosis, and cell cycle modulation were also evaluated. Cellular uptake tests indicate that the HPAN presents higher PTX intracellular loading for the PTX-resistant cells and longer intracellular retention time, displaying resistance to drug efflux from the cancer cell than pristine PTX or the equivalent mixture of PTX and ATO. Cell cycle and apoptosis tests consistently proved that addition of HPAN resulted in higher G2/M and apoptosis in PTX-resistant cells. In vivo anticancer experiments evidenced that HPAN had better therapeutic effect on the resistant tumor in the murine xenograft model than pristine PTX or a mixture of PTX and ATO. Our results suggest that HPAN might enhance the therapeutic index and overcome PTX resistance and also demonstrate that the combined therapy is not only related to the species of combined agents but also their physiochemical states.

  12. Inferior parietal and right frontal contributions to trial-by-trial adaptations of attention to memory.

    PubMed

    Kizilirmak, Jasmin M; Rösler, Frank; Bien, Siegfried; Khader, Patrick H

    2015-07-21

    The attention to memory theory (AtoM) proposes that the same brain regions might be involved in selective processing of perceived stimuli (selective attention) and memory representations (selective retrieval). Although this idea is compelling, given consistently found neural overlap between perceiving and remembering stimuli, recent comparisons brought evidence for overlap as well as considerable differences. Here, we present a paradigm that enables the investigation of the AtoM hypothesis from a novel perspective to gain further insight into the neural resources involved in AtoM. Selective attention in perception is often investigated as a control process that shows lingering effects on immediately following trials. Here, we employed a paradigm capable of modulating selective retrieval in a similarly dynamic manner as in such selective-attention paradigms by inducing trial-to-trial shifts between relevant and irrelevant memory representations as well as changes of the width of the internal focus on memory. We found evidence for an involvement of bilateral inferior parietal lobe and right inferior frontal gyrus in reorienting the attentional focus on previously accessed memory representations. Moreover, we could dissociate the right inferior from the parietal activation in separate contrasts, suggesting that the right inferior frontal gyrus plays a role in facilitating attentional reorienting to memory representations when competing representations have been activated in the preceding trial, potentially by resolving this competition. Our results support the AtoM theory, i.e. that ventral frontal and parietal regions are involved in automatic attentional reorienting in memory, and highlight the importance of further investigations of the overlap and differences between regions involved in internal (memory) and external (perceptual) attentional selection. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Top-down and bottom-up attention-to-memory: mapping functional connectivity in two distinct networks that underlie cued and uncued recognition memory.

    PubMed

    Burianová, Hana; Ciaramelli, Elisa; Grady, Cheryl L; Moscovitch, Morris

    2012-11-15

    The objective of this study was to examine the functional connectivity of brain regions active during cued and uncued recognition memory to test the idea that distinct networks would underlie these memory processes, as predicted by the attention-to-memory (AtoM) hypothesis. The AtoM hypothesis suggests that dorsal parietal cortex (DPC) allocates effortful top-down attention to memory retrieval during cued retrieval, whereas ventral parietal cortex (VPC) mediates spontaneous bottom-up capture of attention by memory during uncued retrieval. To identify networks associated with these two processes, we conducted a functional connectivity analysis of a left DPC and a left VPC region, both identified by a previous analysis of task-related regional activations. We hypothesized that the two parietal regions would be functionally connected with distinct neural networks, reflecting their engagement in the differential mnemonic processes. We found two spatially dissociated networks that overlapped only in the precuneus. During cued trials, DPC was functionally connected with dorsal attention areas, including the superior parietal lobules, right precuneus, and premotor cortex, as well as relevant memory areas, such as the left hippocampus and the middle frontal gyri. During uncued trials, VPC was functionally connected with ventral attention areas, including the supramarginal gyrus, cuneus, and right fusiform gyrus, as well as the parahippocampal gyrus. In addition, activity in the DPC network was associated with faster response times for cued retrieval. This is the first study to show a dissociation of the functional connectivity of posterior parietal regions during episodic memory retrieval, characterized by a top-down AtoM network involving DPC and a bottom-up AtoM network involving VPC. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Facile synthesis of antimony-doped tin oxide nanoparticles by a polymer-pyrolysis method

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li, Yuan-Qing, E-mail: yqli@mail.ipc.ac.cn; Wang, Jian-Lei; Fu, Shao-Yun, E-mail: syfu@mail.ipc.ac.cn

    2010-06-15

    In this article, antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles was synthesized by a facile polymer-pyrolysis method. The pyrolysis behaviors of the polymer precursors prepared via in situ polymerization of metal salts and acrylic acid were analyzed by simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). The structural and morphological characteristics of the products were studied by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results reveal that the ATO nanoparticles calcined at 600 {sup o}C show good crystallinity with the cassiterite structure and cubic-spherical like morphology. The average particle size of ATO decreases from 200 to 15 nm as themore » Sb doping content increases from 5 mol% to 15 mol%. Electrical resistivity measurement shows that the resistivity for the 10-13 mol% Sb-doped SnO{sub 2} nanoparticles is reduced by more than three orders compared with the pure SnO{sub 2} nanoparticles. In addition, due to its versatility this polymer-pyrolysis method can be extended to facile synthesis of other doped n-type semiconductor, such as In, Ga, Al doped ZnO, Sn doped In{sub 2}O{sub 3}.« less

  15. The relationship between maternal attitudes and symptoms of depression and anxiety among pregnant and postpartum first-time mothers.

    PubMed

    Sockol, Laura E; Epperson, C Neill; Barber, Jacques P

    2014-06-01

    Two studies examined the relationship between maternal attitudes and symptoms of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and the early postpartum period. In the first study, a measure of maternal attitudes, the Attitudes Toward Motherhood Scale (AToM), was developed and validated in a sample of first-time mothers. The AToM was found to have good internal reliability and convergent validity with cognitive biases and an existing measure of maternal attitudes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses determined that the measure comprises three correlated factors: beliefs about others' judgments, beliefs about maternal responsibility, and maternal role idealization. In the second study, we used the AToM to assess the relationship between maternal attitudes and other psychological variables. The factor structure of the measure was confirmed. Maternal attitudes predicted symptoms of depression and anxiety, and these attitudes had incremental predictive validity over general cognitive biases and interpersonal risk factors. Overall, the results of these studies suggest that maternal attitudes are related to psychological distress among first-time mothers during the transition to parenthood and may provide a useful means of identifying women who may benefit from intervention during the perinatal period.

  16. Behaviour of pharmaceuticals in spiked lake sediments - effects and interactions with benthic invertebrates.

    PubMed

    Gilroy, Ève A M; Balakrishnan, Vimal K; Solomon, Keith R; Sverko, Ed; Sibley, Paul K

    2012-02-01

    The behaviour and effects of atorvastatin (ATO), carbamazepine (CBZ), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) were investigated in spiked lake sediments, at concentrations up to 56.5 mg kg(-1)dry weight (dw), with the benthic invertebrates Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca. Desorption constants were calculated in the presence and absence of animals, using linear isotherms, yielding K(d) values of 28.2, 189.0 and 125.1 L kg(-1) (ATO), 73.7, 201.7 and 263.2 L kg(-1) (CBZ), and 114.9, 114.2 and 519.2 L kg(-1) (EE2) for C. dilutus, H. azteca, and without animals, respectively. For ATO and CBZ, K(d) values were smaller in the presence of C. dilutus, indicating greater desorption to the overlying water from bioturbation, which is consistent with the predominantly benthic occurrence of C. dilutus compared to H. azteca. In contrast, due to its greater hydrophobicity, bioturbation did not significantly affect desorption of EE2. No significant toxicity was observed, indicating decreased bioavailability of the chemicals sorbed to sediments compared with water-only toxicity assays. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. MCMAC-cVT: a novel on-line associative memory based CVT transmission control system.

    PubMed

    Ang, K K; Quek, C; Wahab, A

    2002-03-01

    This paper describes a novel application of an associative memory called the Modified Cerebellar Articulation Controller (MCMAC) (Int. J. Artif. Intell. Engng, 10 (1996) 135) in a continuous variable transmission (CVT) control system. It allows the on-line tuning of the associative memory and produces an effective gain-schedule for the automatic selection of the CVT gear ratio. Various control algorithms are investigated to control the CVT gear ratio to maintain the engine speed within a narrow range of efficient operating speed independently of the vehicle velocity. Extensive simulation results are presented to evaluate the control performance of a direct digital PID control algorithm with auto-tuning (Trans. ASME, 64 (1942)) and anti-windup mechanism. In particular, these results are contrasted against the control performance produced using the MCMAC (Int. J. Artif. Intell. Engng, 10 (1996) 135) with momentum, neighborhood learning and Averaged Trapezoidal Output (MCMAC-ATO) as the neural control algorithm for controlling the CVT. Simulation results are presented that show the reduced control fluctuations and improved learning capability of the MCMAC-ATO without incurring greater memory requirement. In particular, MCMAC-ATO is able to learn and control the CVT simultaneously while still maintaining acceptable control performance.

  18. El Alcalde José Carlos Aponte Dalmau del Municipio de Carolina es nombrado a formar parte del Comité Asesor de Gobiernos Locales de la EPA a nivel de todos los Estados Unidos

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Comunicado de prensa de la EPA: El Alcalde José Carlos Aponte Dalmau del Municipio de Carolina es nombrado a formar parte del Comité Asesor de Gobiernos Locales de la EPA a nivel de todos los Estados Unidos

  19. Atorvastatin prolongs the lifespan of radiation‑induced reactive oxygen species in PC-3 prostate cancer cells to enhance the cell killing effect.

    PubMed

    Yu, Hao; Sun, Shao-Qian; Gu, Xiao-Bin; Wang, Wen; Gao, Xian-Shu

    2017-04-01

    Studies have reported that atorvastatin (ATO) may increase the radiosensitivity of malignant cells. However, the influence of ATO on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels before and after irradiation has not been fully illustrated. In the present study, radiosensitivity was evaluated by a clonogenic assay and a cell survival curve and cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. ROS were detected by a laser scanning confocal microscope and flow cytometry with a DCFH-DA probe. NADPH oxidases (NOXs) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) proteins were detected by immunoblotting, and total SOD activity was measured using an SOD kit. We also conducted transient transfection of NOX2 and NOX4 genes to increase intracellular ROS generation and applied SOD mimetic tempol to enhance ROS elimination ability. Our results demonstrated that, with ATO-alone treatment, the survival fractions of irradiated PC-3 cells were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the apoptosis rate of the irradiated cells increased significantly (P<0.05). The ROS levels of the study group decreased obviously before irradiation (P<0.01), however, the radiation-induced ROS of the study group was at a high level even when irradiation had been terminated for 2 h (P<0.01). Moreover, NOX2 and NOX4 levels and total SOD activity decreased (P<0.01), while the levels of SOD1 were stably maintained (P>0.05). On the other hand, the decreased survival fractions and high radiation-induced ROS levels were abrogated by increasing the level of NOXs by gene transfection or by enhancing the ability of SOD utilizing the addition of tempol. In conclusion, ATO enhanced the cell killing effect of irradiation by reducing endogenous ROS levels and prolonging the lifespan of radiation‑induced ROS via a decrease in the level of NOXs and SOD activity.

  20. Arsenic trioxide suppresses liver X receptor β and enhances cholesteryl ester transfer protein expression without affecting the liver X receptor α in HepG2 cells.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Tain-Junn; Lin, Shu-Wen; Chen, Chih-Wei; Guo, How-Ran; Wang, Ying-Jang

    2016-10-25

    Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with cerebrovascular disease and the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Our previous study demonstrated that arsenic trioxide (ATO) exposure was associated with atherosclerotic lesion formation through alterations in lipid metabolism in the reverse cholesterol transport process. In mouse livers, the expression of the liver X receptor β (LXR-β) and the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) was suppressed without any changes to the lipid profile. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether ATO contributes to atherosclerotic lesions by suppressing LXR-β and CETP levels in hepatocytes. HepG2 cells, human hepatocytes, were exposed to different ATO concentrations in vitro. Cell viability was determined by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. The liver X receptor α (LXR-α), LXR-β, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and CETP protein levels were measured by Western blotting, and their mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR. Cholesterol efflux was analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed ATO inhibited LXR-β mRNA and protein levels with a subsequent decrease in SREBP-1c protein levels and reduced cholesterol efflux from HepG2 cells into the extracellular space without influencing LXR-α mRNA and protein levels. CETP protein levels of HepG2 cells were significantly elevated under arsenic exposure. Transfection of LXR-β shRNA did not change CETP protein levels, implying that there is no cross-talk between LXR-β and CETP. In conclusion, arsenic not only inhibits LXR-β and SREBP-1c mRNA and protein levels but also independently increases CETP protein levels in HepG2 cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Regularization of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter CRISM along-track oversampled hyperspectral imaging observations of Mars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kreisch, C. D.; O'Sullivan, J. A.; Arvidson, R. E.; Politte, D. V.; He, L.; Stein, N. T.; Finkel, J.; Guinness, E. A.; Wolff, M. J.; Lapôtre, M. G. A.

    2017-01-01

    Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) hyperspectral image data have been acquired in an along-track oversampled (ATO) mode with the intent of processing the data to better than the nominal ∼18 m/pixel ground resolution. We have implemented an iterative maximum log-likelihood method (MLM) that utilizes the instrument spectral and spatial transfer functions and includes a penalty function to regularize the data. Products are produced both in sensor space and as projected hyperspectral image cubes at 12 m/pixel. Preprocessing steps include retrieval of surface single scattering albedos (SSA) using the Hapke Function and DISORT-based radiative modeling of atmospheric gases and aerosols. Resultant SSA cubes are despiked to remove extrema and tested to ensure that the remaining data are Poisson-distributed, an underlying assumption for the MLM algorithm implementation. Two examples of processed ATO data sets are presented. ATO0002EC79 covers the route taken by the Curiosity rover during its initial ascent of Mount Sharp in Gale Crater. SSA data are used to model mineral abundances and grain sizes predicted to be present in the Namib barchan sand dune sampled and analyzed by Curiosity. CRISM based results compare favorably to in situ results derived from Curiosity's measurement campaign. ATO0002DDF9 covers Marathon Valley on the Cape Tribulation rim segment of Endeavour Crater. SSA spectra indicate the presence of a minor component of Fe3+ and Mg2+ smectites on the valley floor and walls. Localization to 12 m/pixel provided the detailed spatial information needed for the Opportunity rover to traverse to and characterize those outcrops that have the deepest absorptions. The combination of orbital and rover-based data show that the smectite-bearing outcrops in Marathon Valley are impact breccias that are basaltic in composition and that have been isochemically altered in a low water to rock environment.

  2. Intimate partner violence and maternal educational practice.

    PubMed

    Silva, Josianne Maria Mattos da; Lima, Marília de Carvalho; Ludermir, Ana Bernarda

    2017-04-10

    631 pares mãe/criança, cadastradas na Estratégia de Saúde da Família do Distrito Sanitário II da cidade do Recife, Pernambuco. Integra o estudo de coorte prospectivo delineado para investigar as consequências da exposição à violência pelo parceiro íntimo para a criança que nasceu da gestação que ocorreu entre 2005 e 2006. A prática educativa materna foi avaliada pela escala de conflitos Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale e a violência pelo parceiro íntimo por um questionário adaptado do Estudo Multipaíses sobre a Saúde da Mulher e Violência Doméstica da Organização Mundial da Saúde. A violência pelo parceiro íntimo referiu-se aos últimos 12 meses e foi definida por atos concretos de violência psicológica, física e sexual infligidos à mulher pelo parceiro. Foram estimadas as razões de prevalência brutas e ajustadas para a associação estudada, utilizando-se a regressão log-binominal. A prevalência da violência pelo parceiro íntimo foi de 24,4%, e da prática educativa materna violenta de 93,8%. O uso de disciplina não violenta foi referido por 97,6% das mulheres, coexistindo com estratégias violentas de disciplinamento. As crianças cujas mães relataram violência pelo parceiro íntimo apresentaram maior chance de sofrer agressão psicológica (RP = 2,2; IC95% 1,0-4,7). A violência sofrida pela mãe interfere na educação parental. Os achados demonstram alta prevalência de prática educativa materna que perpassa pela violência, o que aponta para a necessidade de intervenções que minimizem os prejuízos da violência na mulher e na criança.

  3. Influence of acute promyelocytic leukemia therapeutic drugs on nuclear pore complex density and integrity.

    PubMed

    Lång, Anna; Øye, Alexander; Eriksson, Jens; Rowe, Alexander D; Lång, Emma; Bøe, Stig Ove

    2018-05-15

    During cell division, a large number of nuclear proteins are released into the cytoplasm due to nuclear envelope breakdown. Timely nuclear import of these proteins following exit from mitosis is critical for establishment of the G1 nuclear environment. Dysregulation of post-mitotic nuclear import may affect the fate of newly divided stem or progenitor cells and may lead to cancer. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a malignant disorder that involves a defect in blood cell differentiation at the promyelocytic stage. Recent studies suggest that pharmacological concentrations of the APL therapeutic drugs, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), affect post-mitotic nuclear import of the APL-associated oncoprotein PML/RARA. In the present study, we have investigated the possibility that ATRA and ATO affect post-mitotic nuclear import through interference with components of the nuclear import machinery. We observe reduced density and impaired integrity of nuclear pore complexes after ATRA and/or ATO exposure. Using a post-mitotic nuclear import assay, we demonstrate distinct import kinetics among different nuclear import pathways while nuclear import rates were similar in the presence or absence of APL therapeutic drugs. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Efficacy, safety and tolerance of imidocarb dipropionate versus atovaquone or buparvaquone plus azithromycin used to treat sick dogs naturally infected with the Babesia microti-like piroplasm.

    PubMed

    Checa, Rocío; Montoya, Ana; Ortega, Nieves; González-Fraga, José Luis; Bartolomé, Adrián; Gálvez, Rosa; Marino, Valentina; Miró, Guadalupe

    2017-03-13

    Piroplasmosis caused by the Babesia microti-like piroplasm (Bml) is increasingly being detected in dogs in Europe. Sick dogs show acute disease with severe anaemia associated with thrombocytopenia with a poor response to current available drugs. This study assesses the safety and tolerance of three treatments and compares their efficacy over a full year of follow up in dogs naturally infected with Bml. Fifty-nine dogs naturally infected with Bml were randomly assigned to a treatment group: imidocarb dipropionate (5 mg/kg SC, 2 doses 14 d apart) (IMI); atovaquone (13.3 mg/kg PO q 8 h, 10 d)/azithromycin (10 mg/kg PO q 24 h, 10 d) (ATO); or buparvaquone (5 mg/kg IM, 2 d apart)/azithromycin (same dosage) (BUP). Before and after treatment (days 15, 45, 90 and 360), all dogs underwent a physical exam, blood tests and parasite detection (blood cytology and PCR). Clinical efficacy was assessed by grading 24 clinical and 8 clinicopathological signs from low to high severity. Before treatment, most dogs had severe regenerative anaemia (88.13%) and thrombocytopenia (71.4%). On treatment Day 45, clinical signs were mostly reduced in all dogs, and by Day 90, practically all dogs under the ATO or BUP regimen were clinically healthy (76.4 and 88%, respectively). Highest percentage reductions in laboratory abnormalities (82.04%) were detected in animals treated with ATO. Over the year, clinical relapse of Bml was observed in 8 dogs (8/17) treated with IMI. However, on Day 360, these animals had recovered clinically, though clinicopathological abnormalities were still present in some of them. Parasitaemia was PCR-confirmed on Days 90 and 360 in 47.05 and 50% of dogs treated with ATO, 68 and 60.08% with BUP, and 94.1 and 73.3% with IMI, respectively. Even after 360 days, 13.3% of the dogs treated with IMI returned a positive blood cytology result. IMI showed the worse clinical and parasitological, efficacy such that its use to treat Bml infection in dogs is not recommended

  5. Estrategia de Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP) para explorar las concepciones alternativas relacionadas al tema estados de agregacion de la materia en estudiantes de nivel elemental =

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rosado Olivieri, Wilda Y.

    Gran parte de la investigacion acerca de la ensenanza de las ciencias se dedica a estudiar la forma o manera en que los estudiantes visualizan los conceptos cientificos. Para Driver (1983) esas ideas o concepciones se conocen como concepciones alternativas; las cuales pueden ocasionar dificultad para comprender los conceptos de las diferentes areas del conocimiento. El proposito de este estudio fue: (a) indagar como las distintas etapas del ABP permiten explorar las concepciones alternativas que poseen los estudiantes de nivel elemental acerca de los estados de agregacion de la materia y, (b) explorar en que medida el ABP permite identificar e incorporar las concepciones alternativas que poseen los estudiantes de nivel elemental con relacion al concepto de estados de agregacion de la materia para facilitar su aprendizaje. Con el fin de explorar las concepciones alternativas en el tema de los estados agregados de la materia se implanto la estrategia de Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP) con estudiantes de quinto grado de nivel elemental. Se utilizo la metodologia mixta con varias estrategias de recopilacion de datos, como una pre y pos prueba para elucidar el conocimiento previo y al mismo tiempo las concepciones alternativas sobre el tema bajo estudio y luego verificar el aprendizaje en los estudiantes. Asimismo, el uso de mapas conceptuales para determinar la profundidad del tema estudiado y el entrelazamiento de los conceptos Una tercera estrategia fue el grupo focal para tomar en cuenta la impresion de los estudiantes acerca del proyecto ABP. El aspecto colaborativo y cooperativo fue un factor fundamental, ya que el aprendizaje ocurrio en ese contexto educativo. Para los hallazgos de esta investigacion fue tan importante el conocimiento previo como los procesos que se generaban para que la adquisicion del mismo fuera de forma significativa y funcional (Escribano & Del Valle, 2010). La estrategia de ABP constituyo en este estudio una forma para indagar las

  6. [Comparison of Curative Effect between Fu Fang Huang Dai Pian and Arsenic Trioxide in Treatment of 45 Patients with Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia].

    PubMed

    Wang, Jian; Huang, Jun-Bin; Liu, Zu-Lin; Zhang, Bi-Hong; Xu, Hong-Gui; Xue, Hong-Man; Chen, Chun

    2017-12-01

    To investigate the clinical efficacy of Fu Fan Huang Dai Pian(RIF) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) regimens for treatment of children with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and to explore the risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients. The clinical data of 45 newly diagnosed APL children admitted in our hospital from January 2004 to May 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Among 45 APL children, 25 children were treated by chemotherapetic regimen including RIF (RIF group), another 20 children were treated by chemotherapeutic regimen including ATO (ATO group). The follow-up was performed in all APL children. The prognosis and incidence of side reactions from drugs in 2 groups were compared, and the high risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients were analyzed. The median follow-up time was 49.8% months. In RIF group, no early death occured in 25 APL children; 5 cases did not achieve complete remission (CR) after induction therapy, CR rate was 88%. Out of 25 cases 2 caes relapsed, 3 cases died, 20 cases maintained contined CR (CCR), 2 cases failed to be followed-up. In ATO group, 2 cases suffered from early death, 5 cases did not achieve CR after induction therapy, CR rate was 90%, 2 caese relapsed and died, 15 cases maintained CCR, the follow-up failed in 1 caes. The 5 year- OS and EFS rate in all the patients were predicted as (82.2±6.2)% and (76.4±6.6)% respectively. The OS and EFS rate in RIF group were (86.1±7.4)% and (78.4±8.6)% respectively, which were significantly different from OS and EFS rate (76.4%±10.6%) and (74.0%±10.1%) respectively in ATO group (all P>0.05). As for the side reaction from drug, except for the cardiac damage (P<0.05), incidence of other side reactions was not significantly different between 2 groups (P>0.05). In addition, the 5 year-OS and EFS rates in APL children with CNSL were significantly lower than those in APL children without CNSL (all P<0.05), the 5 year OS and EFS rate in APL children did not reache M1 and with

  7. Arsenic and 17-β-estradiol bind to each other and neutralize each other’s signaling effects

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kumar, Sukhdeep; Mukherjee, Tapan K.; Guptasarma, Purnananda, E-mail: guptasarma@iisermohali.ac.in

    We report that arsenic trioxide (ATO) and 17-beta-estradiol (E2) abolish each other’s independent cell signaling effects in respect of cell survival and proliferation/migration of breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. The possibility that this is due to binding of ATO to E2 was confirmed through difference absorption spectroscopy, chromatography-coupled voltammometry and 1-D {sup 1}H and {sup 13}C NMR spectroscopy. Binding leads to attenuation of E2’s hydroxyl {sup 1}H peaks at its C17 and C3 carbon positions. The results suggest that ATO and E2 can titrate each other’s levels, potentially explaining why sustained arsenic exposure tends to be associated with delays in agemore » of menarche, advanced age of menopause, poorer sperm quality, higher overall morbidity in men, and lower incidences of breast cancer in women in some arsenic-contaminated areas. - Highlights: • Difference absorption spectroscopy suggests that arsenic binds to estradiol. • Interaction with arsenic alters {sup 1}H and {sup 13}C NMR spectra of estradiol at positions C3 and C17. • Estradiol traps arsenic on C{sub 18} reverse-phase columns. • Estradiol and arsenic neutralize each other’s ability to stimulate scratch wound healing. • Arsenic appears to form pnictogen bonds with hydroxyls on estradiol.« less

  8. Role of NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) on chemotherapy resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the effect of pharmacological inhibition of Nrf2.

    PubMed

    Karathedath, Sreeja; Rajamani, Bharathi M; Musheer Aalam, Syed Mohammed; Abraham, Ajay; Varatharajan, Savitha; Krishnamurthy, Partha; Mathews, Vikram; Velayudhan, Shaji Ramachandran; Balasubramanian, Poonkuzhali

    2017-01-01

    Cytarabine (Ara-C) and Daunorubicin (Dnr) forms the backbone of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy. Drug resistance and toxic side effects pose a major threat to treatment success and hence alternate less toxic therapies are warranted. NF-E2 related factor-2 (Nrf2), a master regulator of antioxidant response is implicated in chemoresistance in solid tumors. However, little is known about the role of Nrf2 in AML chemoresistance and the effect of pharmacological inhibitor brusatol in modulating this resistance. Primary AML samples with high ex-vivo IC50 to Ara-C, ATO, Dnr had significantly high NRF2 RNA expression. Gene-specific knockdown of NRF2 improved sensitivity to these drugs in resistant AML cell lines by decreasing the expression of downstream antioxidant targets of Nrf2 by compromising the cell's ability to scavenge the ROS. Treatment with brusatol, a pharmacological inhibitor of Nrf2, improved sensitivity to Ara-C, ATO, and Dnr and reduced colony formation capacity. AML cell lines stably overexpressing NRF2 showed increased resistance to ATO, Dnr and Ara-C and increased expression of downstream targets. This study demonstrates that Nrf2 could be an ideal druggable target in AML, more so to the drugs that function through ROS, suggesting the possibility of using Nrf2 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to modulate drug resistance in AML.

  9. Quantification of amlodipine and atorvastatin in human plasma by UPLC-MS/MS method and its application to a bioequivalence study.

    PubMed

    Rezk, Mamdouh R; Badr, Kamal A

    2018-07-01

    A robust, rapid and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method has been developed, optimized and validated for the determination of amlodipine (AML) and atorvastatin (ATO) in human plasma using eplerenone as an internal standard (IS). Multiple-reaction monitoring in positive electrospray ionization mode was utilized in Xevo TQD LC-MS/MS. Double extraction was used in sample preparation using diethyl ether and ethyl acetate. The prepared samples were analyzed using an Acquity UPLC BEH C 18 (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column. Ammonium formate and acetonitrile, pumped isocraticaly at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min, were used as a mobile phase. Method validation was done as per the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Linearity was achieved in the range of 0.1-10 ng/mL for AML and 0.05-50 ng/mL for ATO. Intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision were calculated and found to be within the acceptable range. A short run time, of <1.5 min, permits analysis of a large number of plasma samples per batch. The developed and validated method was applied to estimate AML and ATO in a bioequivalence study in healthy human volunteers. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  10. Next generation air transportation system : issues associated with midterm implementation of capabilities and full system transformation.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-03-01

    To prepare for forecasted air traffic : growth, the Federal Aviation : Administration (FAA), including its : Joint Planning and Development : Office (JPDO) and Air Traffic : Organization (ATO), is planning for : and implementing the Next : Generation...

  11. Allele frequencies of the 15 AmpF/Str Identifiler loci in the population of Metztitlán (Estado de Hidalgo), México.

    PubMed

    Gorostiza, A; González-Martín, A; Ramírez, C López; Sánchez, C; Barrot, C; Ortega, M; Huguet, E; Corbella, J; Gené, M

    2007-03-02

    The 15 AmpF/STR Identifiler loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) were analyzed in the sample of 180 unrelated autochthonous healthy adults born in Meztitlán City from the valley of Metztitlán (Estado de Hidalgo, México). The agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was confirmed for all loci. From the forensic point of view, the heterozygosity value, power of discrimination and the a priori chance of exclusion were calculated.

  12. Sulforaphane synergistically enhances the cytotoxicity of arsenic trioxide in multiple myeloma cells via stress-mediated pathways

    PubMed Central

    DOUDICAN, NICOLE A.; WEN, SHIH YA; MAZUMDER, AMITABHA; ORLOW, SETH J.

    2012-01-01

    Persistent paraprotein production in plasma cells necessitates a highly developed rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is unusually susceptible to perturbations in protein synthesis. This biology is believed to account for the exquisite sensitivity of multiple myeloma (MM) to the proteasomal inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ). Despite remarkable response rates to BTZ in MM, BTZ carries the potential for serious side-effects and development of resistance. We, therefore, sought to identify therapeutic combinations that effectively disrupt proteostasis in order to provide new potential treatments for MM. We found that sulforaphane, a dietary isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables, inhibits TNFα-induced Iκβ proteasomal degradation in a manner similar to BTZ. Like BTZ, sulforaphane synergistically enhances the cytotoxicity of arsenic trioxide (ATO), an agent with clinical activity in MM. ATO and sulforaphane co-treatment augmented apoptotic induction as demonstrated by cleavage of caspase-3, -4 and PARP. The enhanced apoptotic response was dependent upon production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as demonstrated by glutathione depletion and partial inhibition of the apoptotic cascade after pretreatment with the radical scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Combination treatment resulted in enhanced ER stress signaling and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), indicative of perturbation of proteostasis. Specifically, combination treatment caused elevated expression of the molecular chaperone HSP90 (heat shock protein 90) along with increased PERK (protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase) and eIF2α phosphorylation and XBP1 (X-box binding protein 1) splicing, key indicators of UPR activation. Moreover, increased splicing of XBP1 was apparent upon combination treatment compared to treatment with either agent alone. Sulforaphane in combination with ATO effectively disrupts protein homeostasis through ROS generation and induction of ER stress to

  13. Effect of formulation and process variables on lipid based sustained release tablets via continuous twin screw granulation: A comparative study.

    PubMed

    Kallakunta, Venkata Raman; Tiwari, Roshan; Sarabu, Sandeep; Bandari, Suresh; Repka, Michael A

    2018-05-14

    The current study's aim is to prepare lipid based sustained release tablets via a twin-screw granulation technique and compare those dosage forms with conventional techniques, namely wet granulation and direct compression. The granules were successfully manufactured in a single-step, continuous twin-screw granulation process with a low proportion of binder (Klucel™ EF, HPC SSL) using Compritol® 888 ATO, Precirol® ATO 5 and Geleol™ as sustained release agents. The granules prepared showed good flow characteristics and compaction properties. DSC and XRD studies were conducted to characterize the granules prepared via a twin-screw granulation method and the results demonstrated the crystalline nature of lipids within the granules. FTIR data indicated that there were no interactions with the formulation components investigated. The formulations developed by all three methods were compressed into tablets with a mechanical strength of 14-16 KP. The tablets formulated were characterized for physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release studies, water uptake and erosion studies. These results showed that the drug was not completely released after 24 h for tablets developed by the wet granulation process using all three lipids. The tablets prepared by the direct compression method demonstrated a burst release within 8 to 10 h from Precirol ATO 5® and Geleol™ formulations compared to Compritol® 888 ATO. However, tablets prepared using twin-screw granulation exhibited sustained release of the drug over 24 h and the water uptake and erosion results were in accordance with dissolution data. Stability data for 45 days at accelerated conditions (40 °C/75% RH) showed similar release profiles with ƒ2 values above 50 for all of the twin screw granulation formulations, indicating the suitability of the process for formulating sustained release tablets. These findings of a single-step, continuous twin-screw granulation process are novel and demonstrate new

  14. Depth profiling and imaging capabilities of an ultrashort pulse laser ablation time of flight mass spectrometer

    PubMed Central

    Cui, Yang; Moore, Jerry F.; Milasinovic, Slobodan; Liu, Yaoming; Gordon, Robert J.; Hanley, Luke

    2012-01-01

    An ultrafast laser ablation time-of-flight mass spectrometer (AToF-MS) and associated data acquisition software that permits imaging at micron-scale resolution and sub-micron-scale depth profiling are described. The ion funnel-based source of this instrument can be operated at pressures ranging from 10−8 to ∼0.3 mbar. Mass spectra may be collected and stored at a rate of 1 kHz by the data acquisition system, allowing the instrument to be coupled with standard commercial Ti:sapphire lasers. The capabilities of the AToF-MS instrument are demonstrated on metal foils and semiconductor wafers using a Ti:sapphire laser emitting 800 nm, ∼75 fs pulses at 1 kHz. Results show that elemental quantification and depth profiling are feasible with this instrument. PMID:23020378

  15. Engineering a synthetic pathway in cyanobacteria for isopropanol production directly from carbon dioxide and light.

    PubMed

    Kusakabe, Tamami; Tatsuke, Tsuneyuki; Tsuruno, Keigo; Hirokawa, Yasutaka; Atsumi, Shota; Liao, James C; Hanai, Taizo

    2013-11-01

    Production of alternate fuels or chemicals directly from solar energy and carbon dioxide using engineered cyanobacteria is an attractive method to reduce petroleum dependency and minimize carbon emissions. Here, we constructed a synthetic pathway composed of acetyl-CoA acetyl transferase (encoded by thl), acetoacetyl-CoA transferase (encoded by atoAD), acetoacetate decarboxylase (encoded by adc) and secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (encoded by adh) in Synechococcus elongatus strain PCC 7942 to produce isopropanol. The enzyme-coding genes, heterogeneously originating from Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 (thl and adc), Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 (atoAD) and Clostridium beijerinckii (adh), were integrated into the S. elongatus genome. Under the optimized production conditions, the engineered cyanobacteria produced 26.5 mg/L of isopropanol after 9 days. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc.

  16. Estudio de la fotoabsorción y fotoionización de la molécula de alta relevancia atmosférica no a través de los estados Rydberg con la metodología MQDO

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bustos, E.; Velasco, A. M.; Martín, I.; Lavín, C.

    Los procesos de fotoionización son de una importancia fundamental [1] y encuentran aplicación en un gran número de contextos científicos: Astrofísica [2], química de las radiaciones, biología. Los investigadores de dichos campos, necesitan de valores de fiables de secciones eficaces para la fotoionización parcial, la Fotoabsorción, así como para los procesos de fotofragmentación en amplios intervalos espectrales, particularmente en estudios de modelización [3-5]. En este trabajo se ha centrado la atención sobre el oxido nítrico, que se ha considerado apropiado y relevante por varios motivos: por el trascendental papel que representa en la física y química de la alta atmosfera [6], aparte de por estar íntimamente relacionado con los problemas de contaminación. Los procesos de recombinación disociativa [7] del NO, donde los estados Rydberg se encuentran directamente implicados, son relevantes, por ejemplo, en las regiones E y F de la ionosfera [7]. En este trabajo se estudia la fotoionización del NO desde el estado fundamental con la versión molecular del método del orbital de defecto cuántico (MQDO). Para ello se calcula el diferencial de las fuerzas de oscilador parciales que constituyen los canales de fotoionización del NO desde el estado fundamental. La continuidad del diferencial de fuerza de oscilador calculada a través del umbral de fotoionización, esto es, en las regiones del espectro discreta y del continua, se adopta como criterio de calidad la escasez de datos comparativos [8].

  17. Next generation air transportation system : status of transformation and issues associated with midterm implementation of capabilities.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-03-01

    "To prepare for forecasted air traffic growth, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including its Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) and Air Traffic Organization (ATO), is planning for and implementing the Next Generation Air Transpor...

  18. Train Control and Operations

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1971-06-01

    ATO (automatic train operation) and ATC (automatic train control) systems are evaluated relative to available technology and cost-benefit. The technological evaluation shows that suitable mathematical models of the dynamics of long trains are require...

  19. [Molecular remission induced by gemtuzumab ozogamicin in an elderly patient with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia].

    PubMed

    Yago, Kazuhiro; Aono, Maki; Shimada, Hideto

    2010-04-01

    A 79-year-old female with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) presented with second hematological relapse. She had been treated previously with modified AIDA protocol as the front-line therapy and had achieved complete remission. During ATRA maintenance therapy, the first hematological relapse occurred and she was treated with arsenic trioxide (ATO), achieving the second complete remission. After four courses of consolidation therapy of ATO, the second hematological relapse occurred. At this time, except for a transient effect of tamibarotene, neither arsenic trioxide nor combination chemotherapy was effective. The patient was then treated with two courses of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) and achieved the third complete remission. At present, she is maintaining molecular remission more than one year after GO treatment. GO is considered to be a promising agent for elderly patients with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia resistant to arsenic trioxide.

  20. Impact of bimetal electrodes on dielectric properties of TiO2 and Al-doped TiO2 films.

    PubMed

    Kim, Seong Keun; Han, Sora; Jeon, Woojin; Yoon, Jung Ho; Han, Jeong Hwan; Lee, Woongkyu; Hwang, Cheol Seong

    2012-09-26

    Rutile structured Al-doped TiO(2) (ATO) and TiO(2) films were grown on bimetal electrodes (thin Ru/thick TiN, Pt, and Ir) for high-performance capacitors. The work function of the top Ru layer decreased on TiN and increased on Pt and Ir when it was thinner than ~2 nm, suggesting that the lower metal within the electrodes influences the work function of the very thin Ru layer. The use of the lower electrode with a high work function for bottom electrode eventually improves the leakage current properties of the capacitor at a very thin Ru top layer (≤2 nm) because of the increased Schottky barrier height at the interface between the dielectric and the bottom electrode. The thin Ru layer was necessary to achieve the rutile structured ATO and TiO(2) dielectric films.

  1. Five-Segment Booster (FSB) Abort to Orbit (ATO) Studies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tobias, Mark; Sauvageau, Donald R.; Hines, Mark; Geiser, Norman L.; Cash, Steve (Technical Monitor)

    2002-01-01

    The Five Segment Booster (FSB) concept has been evolving for a number of years as a means to enhance the overall safety and reliability of the Space Shuttle system by minimizing the need to fly the more challenging Return to Launch Site (RTLS) and Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) abort profiles. The initial evaluation of the FSB concept was conducted in 1996 to determine the feasibility of the FSB in achieving transatlantic abort leading TAL from the pad, thus eliminating the return to launch site (RTLS) abort mode. The initial study was conducted by ATK Thiokol and did show the potential for the FSB to eliminate the RTLS abort mode. Later Rockwell (now Boeing) conducted a similar study utilizing FSB performance characteristics and verified that the FSB could indeed achieve TAL from the pad, thereby eliminating the necessity for the RTLS abort. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the details of the enhancements achieved through the internally funded study conducted by Boeing and ATK Thiokol. To better understand the enhancements that were addressed as part of this follow-on study, some background on what was achieved in the Phase A study is appropriate.

  2. Statement Testimony of The Honorable Zachary J. Lemnios Director, Defense Research and Engineering Before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-03-23

    nationwide virtual science libary adapted for Afghanistan’s needs. Prepare for an Uncertain Future In preparing for an uncertain future, a...to assess the military implications of the ubiquitous availability of high performance analog, digital , electro-optical, radio frequency and signal

  3. Desarrollo de fotonovelas para concienciar sobre trastornos de la conducta alimentaria en latinos en los Estados Unidos

    PubMed Central

    Reyes-Rodríguez, Mae Lynn; García, Marissa; Silva, Yormeri; Sala, Margarita; Quaranta, Michela; Bulik, Cynthia M.

    2016-01-01

    Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar fotonovelas, un tipo de novela gráfica popular en la población latina, para crear conciencia y educar sobre los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA). Cuatro caricaturas ilustradas y guiones adaptados para adultos y adolescentes de ambos sexos fueron presentados en discusiones focales y en una entrevista de profundidad. Diecisiete latinos adultos (14 mujeres; 3 hombres) y 10 adolescentes (9 féminas; 1 varón) participaron en el estudio. Los participantes encontraron las fotonovelas interesantes y que captaban más la atención que los folletos tradicionales. El uso del espanglish y la clarificación de las diferencias entre los TCA fueron sugeridos por las adolescentes femeninas. Los adultos varones sugirieron cambiar el título, que se enfocara en las consecuencias en la salud de los TCA para que llame la atención en los hombres a leer la historia. Basado en la aceptación encontrada en este estudio, la fotonovela pudiera ser una avenida prometedora para crear conciencia y educar a la comunidad latina sobre los TCA en los Estados Unidos. PMID:27313838

  4. Coordinated CRISM and Opportunity Observations to Characterize the Mineralogy and Geologic History of Meridiani Planum Outcrops

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arvidson, R. E.

    2011-12-01

    The Opportunity Mars Exploration Rover has traversed over 30 km across Meridiani Planum since January 2004, acquiring numerous remote sensing and in-situ measurements of rocks and soils at dozens of locations. Over the past year Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter CRISM (0.362 to 3.92 micrometer imaging spectrometer) observations have been used to directly support planning of Opportunity traverses and locations for detailed remote sensing and in-situ measurements. As part of these coordinated observations CRISM's gimbaled optics have been used to spatially oversample acquisition of image data in the along-track direction (ATO or along track oversampled observations). This new acquisition mode allows sharpening the spatial detail from the normal ~18 m/pixel observations to values as small as ~6 m/pixel, with due formal consideration of the decrease in S/N with decreasing pixel sizes for retrieval of the 544 band spectra for each pixel. CRISM ATO observations show that mono-hydrated sulfates, most likely kieserite, outcrop on the walls of Victoria crater and the southeastern rim of Santa Maria crater. Unfortunately, the Victoria identifications are on the opposite side of the crater relative to where Opportunity made measurements of Victoria wall rocks. On the other hand, Opportunity was directed to Santa Maria's southeastern rim based on CRISM spectral reflectance data, spending the last solar conjunction period acquiring long-duration in-situ measurements of outcrop that likely carries the mono-hydrated sulfate signature. Additional ATO data collected over the relatively fresh, 2.3 km wide Ada crater located in southeastern Meridiani Planum show a similar mono-hydrated sulfate signature, implying that these deposits are widespread. Further, ATO observations allow detailed mapping of extensive hydrated sulfates in Botany Bay immediately to the south of Cape York, a rim segment of the largely buried, Noachian age Endeavour crater. Opportunity will cross these hydrated

  5. Marine Bioacoustics: Soundtracks the Future

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-09-30

    on opportunities to investigate passive acoustic methods for studying humpback whale ecology. During summer courses, we provide students 1.) with a...to demosnstrate methods to the students. In the laboratory, students were taught how to loaclize and track vocalizing humpback whales with data

  6. Command and Control Rapid Prototyping Continuum (C2RPC): The Framework for Achieving a New C2 Strategy

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-06-01

    Sync Matrix Assessing J/ADOCS (Fires) TBMCS (ATO) Executing Monitoring (SA) C2 Strategy Objectives • Provide Expanded Mission Management...Computers, and Intelligence T&E Test and Evaluation PMW150 Program Warfare Office Command and Control TBMCS Theater Battle Management Core System POR

  7. Fabricating continuous electroconductive polyacrylonitrile fibers with thermosensitive property via wet-spinning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Wanwan; Jin, Yang; Wang, Yangyi; Ge, Mingqiao; Gao, Qiang

    2017-12-01

    In this work, conductive polyacrylonitrile (PAN) composite fiber with thermosensitive property was successfully prepared via wet-spinning. Thermochromic pigment (TCP) microsphere capsules were applied to manufacture color-changing fibers. Meanwhile, light-colored conductive whiskers (ATO@TiO2) were employed to endow polyacrylonitrile fibers with conductivity without prejudicing their thermosensitive property. Interestingly, unlike other conductive fibers in dark color, this kind of conductive composite fiber can be dyed by thermosensitive pigment. The obtained composite fiber containing 20 vol% ATO@TiO2 whiskers shows a resistivity of 105 Ω · cm and could generate heat by Joule heating when being applied under a certain voltage. The composite fiber shows a red color at room temperature, while the color of the composite fiber fades gradually and finally becomes white as temperature rise. This simple and cost-effective approach is expected to inspire more research into the applications of multifunctional conductive fibers.

  8. Immunotoxicity and biodistribution analysis of arsenic trioxide in C57Bl/6 mice following a 2-week inhalation exposure

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Burchiel, Scott W., E-mail: Sburchiel@salud.unm.ed; Mitchell, Leah A.; Lauer, Fredine T.

    2009-12-15

    In these studies the immunotoxicity of arsenic trioxide (ATO, As{sub 2}O{sub 3}) was evaluated in mice following 14 days of inhalation exposures (nose only, 3 h per day) at concentrations of 50 mug/m{sup 3} and 1 mg/m{sup 3}. A biodistribution analysis performed immediately after inhalation exposures revealed highest levels of arsenic in the kidneys, bladder, liver, and lung. Spleen cell levels were comparable to those found in the blood, with the highest concentration of arsenic detected in the spleen being 150 mug/g tissue following the 1 mg/m{sup 3} exposures. No spleen cell cytotoxicity was observed at either of the twomore » exposure levels. There were no changes in spleen cell surface marker expression for B cells, T cells, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells. There were also no changes detected in the B cell (LPS-stimulated) and T cell (Con A-stimulated) proliferative responses of spleen cells, and no changes were found in the NK-mediated lysis of Yac-1 target cells. The primary T-dependent antibody response was, however, found to be highly susceptible to ATO suppression. Both the 50 mug/m{sup 3} and 1 mg/m{sup 3} exposures produced greater than 70% suppression of the humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells. Thus, the primary finding of this study is that the T-dependent humoral immune response is extremely sensitive to suppression by ATO and assessment of humoral immune responses should be considered in evaluating the health effects of arsenic containing agents.« less

  9. Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Increment 3 (WIN-T Inc 3)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-12-01

    than 1 seconds. Force Protection Armor required to protect personnel operating WIN-T vehicles employed at BCT, Fires, AVN , BfSB, and select force...21, 2016 18:26:36 UNCLASSIFIED 12 Acronyms and Abbreviations AOR - Area of Responsibility ATH - At-the-Halt ATO - Approval to Operate AVN

  10. Scaling of Advanced Theory-of-Mind Tasks

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Osterhaus, Christopher; Koerber, Susanne; Sodian, Beate

    2016-01-01

    Advanced theory-of-mind (AToM) development was investigated in three separate studies involving 82, 466, and 402 elementary school children (8-, 9-, and 10-year-olds). Rasch and factor analyses assessed whether common conceptual development underlies higher-order false-belief understanding, social understanding, emotion recognition, and…

  11. Microadaptive Flow Control Applied to a Spinning Projectile

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-09-01

    Finite Element Code for Solid and Structural Mechanics; UCRL -MA-107254, Rev. 1; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: Oak Ridge, TN, November 1993...COPIES ORGANIZATION 29 3 DARPA TTO S WALKER (2 CPS) A MORRISH 3701 FAIRFAX DR ARLINGTON VA 22203 1 DARPA ATO D HONEY 3701

  12. OPPT workplan risk assessment for antimony trioxide (CASRN 1309-64-4)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This assessment will focus on the ecological hazards that may be associated with ATO use in flame retardants. Because ATO’s use in PET plastics was previously evaluated and determined to present minimal concerns for human health and the environment (EU, 2008), this use scenario w...

  13. Fabrication of complete titania nanoporous structures via electrochemical anodization of Ti

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    We present a novel method to fabricate complete and highly oriented anodic titanium oxide (ATO) nano-porous structures with uniform and parallel nanochannels. ATO nano-porous structures are fabricated by anodizing a Ti-foil in two different organic viscous electrolytes at room temperature using a two-step anodizing method. TiO2 nanotubes covered with a few nanometer thin nano-porous layer is produced when the first and the second anodization are carried out in the same electrolyte. However, a complete titania nano-porous (TNP) structures are obtained when the second anodization is conducted in a viscous electrolyte when compared to the first one. TNP structure was attributed to the suppression of F-rich layer dissolution between the cell boundaries in the viscous electrolyte. The structural morphologies were examined by field emission scanning electron microscope. The average pore diameter is approximately 70 nm, while the average inter-pore distance is approximately 130 nm. These TNP structures are useful to fabricate other nanostructure materials and nanodevices. PMID:21711844

  14. [PML-RARα and p21 are key factors for maintaining acute promyelocytic leukemia stem cells survival].

    PubMed

    Ding, Fei; Li, Jun-Min

    2011-10-01

    Tumor stem/progenitor cells are the cells with the characteristics of self-renewal, differentiating to all the other cell populations within tumor, which are also regarded as the source of tumor relapse, drug-resistance and metastasis. As a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) represents the target of therapy due to the good response of the oncogenic protein PML-RARα to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). This review summarizes the latest research results of APL as follows: (1) there probably are two APL stem/progenitor cell populations within APL, and self-renewal and survival of APL stem/progenitor cells highly depend on PML-RARα expression, cell cycle inhibitor p21, self-renewal associated molecules and chemokines; and (2) ATRA and ATO eradicate APL stem/progenitor cells mainly by PML-RARα degradation, FOXO3A activation and the inhibition of self-renewal-associated signaling pathway of sonic hedgehog. These findings are helpful to improve other tumor therapy.

  15. Implementation of Integrated System Fault Management Capability

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Figueroa, Fernando; Schmalzel, John; Morris, Jon; Smith, Harvey; Turowski, Mark

    2008-01-01

    Fault Management to support rocket engine test mission with highly reliable and accurate measurements; while improving availability and lifecycle costs. CORE ELEMENTS: Architecture, taxonomy, and ontology (ATO) for DIaK management. Intelligent Sensor Processes; Intelligent Element Processes; Intelligent Controllers; Intelligent Subsystem Processes; Intelligent System Processes; Intelligent Component Processes.

  16. Scientific Thinking in Elementary School: Children's Social Cognition and Their Epistemological Understanding Promote Experimentation Skills

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Osterhaus, Christopher; Koerber, Susanne; Sodian, Beate

    2017-01-01

    Do social cognition and epistemological understanding promote elementary school children's experimentation skills? To investigate this question, 402 children (ages 8, 9, and 10) in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades were assessed for their experimentation skills, social cognition (advanced theory of mind [AToM]), epistemological understanding (understanding…

  17. Understanding the Complexity of Reconciliation, Reintegration and Amnesty for the Enemy in Counterinsurgency Warfare

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-06-14

    whereas the military focuses more on projects with immediate short term returns .53 A comprehensive reconciliation plan led by the host nation is a...to allow leaders to develop creative plans adapted to their circumstances. It is useful to take principles as themes in order to determine if these...

  18. Scientific thinking in elementary school: Children's social cognition and their epistemological understanding promote experimentation skills.

    PubMed

    Osterhaus, Christopher; Koerber, Susanne; Sodian, Beate

    2017-03-01

    Do social cognition and epistemological understanding promote elementary school children's experimentation skills? To investigate this question, 402 children (ages 8, 9, and 10) in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades were assessed for their experimentation skills, social cognition (advanced theory of mind [AToM]), epistemological understanding (understanding the nature of science), and general information-processing skills (inhibition, intelligence, and language abilities) in a whole-class testing procedure. A multiple indicators multiple causes model revealed a significant influence of social cognition (AToM) on epistemological understanding, and a McNemar test suggested that children's development of AToM is an important precursor for the emergence of an advanced, mature epistemological understanding. Children's epistemological understanding, in turn, predicted their experimentation skills. Importantly, this relation was independent of the common influences of general information processing. Significant relations between experimentation skills and inhibition, and between epistemological understanding, intelligence, and language abilities emerged, suggesting that general information processing contributes to the conceptual development that is involved in scientific thinking. The model of scientific thinking that was tested in this study (social cognition and epistemological understanding promote experimentation skills) fitted the data significantly better than 2 alternative models, which assumed nonspecific, equally strong relations between all constructs under investigation. Our results support the conclusion that social cognition plays a foundational role in the emergence of children's epistemological understanding, which in turn is closely related to the development of experimentation skills. Our findings have significant implications for the teaching of scientific thinking in elementary school and they stress the importance of children's epistemological understanding in

  19. Noradrenergic stimulation modulates activation of extinction-related brain regions and enhances contextual extinction learning without affecting renewal

    PubMed Central

    Lissek, Silke; Glaubitz, Benjamin; Güntürkün, Onur; Tegenthoff, Martin

    2015-01-01

    Renewal in extinction learning describes the recovery of an extinguished response if the extinction context differs from the context present during acquisition and recall. Attention may have a role in contextual modulation of behavior and contribute to the renewal effect, while noradrenaline (NA) is involved in attentional processing. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study we investigated the role of the noradrenergic system for behavioral and brain activation correlates of contextual extinction and renewal, with a particular focus upon hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (PFC), which have crucial roles in processing of renewal. Healthy human volunteers received a single dose of the NA reuptake inhibitor atomoxetine prior to extinction learning. During extinction of previously acquired cue-outcome associations, cues were presented in a novel context (ABA) or in the acquisition context (AAA). In recall, all cues were again presented in the acquisition context. Atomoxetine participants (ATO) showed significantly faster extinction compared to placebo (PLAC). However, atomoxetine did not affect renewal. Hippocampal activation was higher in ATO during extinction and recall, as was ventromedial PFC activation, except for ABA recall. Moreover, ATO showed stronger recruitment of insula, anterior cingulate, and dorsolateral/orbitofrontal PFC. Across groups, cingulate, hippocampus and vmPFC activity during ABA extinction correlated with recall performance, suggesting high relevance of these regions for processing the renewal effect. In summary, the noradrenergic system appears to be involved in the modification of established associations during extinction learning and thus has a role in behavioral flexibility. The assignment of an association to a context and the subsequent decision on an adequate response, however, presumably operate largely independently of noradrenergic mechanisms. PMID:25745389

  20. Electrochemical Catalyst-Support Effects and Their Stabilizing Role for IrOx Nanoparticle Catalysts during the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

    PubMed

    Oh, Hyung-Suk; Nong, Hong Nhan; Reier, Tobias; Bergmann, Arno; Gliech, Manuel; Ferreira de Araújo, Jorge; Willinger, Elena; Schlögl, Robert; Teschner, Detre; Strasser, Peter

    2016-09-28

    Redox-active support materials can help reduce the noble-metal loading of a solid chemical catalyst while offering electronic catalyst-support interactions beneficial for catalyst durability. This is well known in heterogeneous gas-phase catalysis but much less discussed for electrocatalysis at electrified liquid-solid interfaces. Here, we demonstrate experimental evidence for electronic catalyst-support interactions in electrochemical environments and study their role and contribution to the corrosion stability of catalyst/support couples. Electrochemically oxidized Ir oxide nanoparticles, supported on high surface area carbons and oxides, were selected as model catalyst/support systems for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). First, the electronic, chemical, and structural state of the catalyst/support couple was compared using XANES, EXAFS, TEM, and depth-resolved XPS. While carbon-supported oxidized Ir particle showed exclusively the redox state (+4), the Ir/IrOx/ATO system exhibited evidence of metal/metal-oxide support interactions (MMOSI) that stabilized the metal particles on antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) in sustained lower Ir oxidation states (Ir(3.2+)). At the same time, the growth of higher valent Ir oxide layers that compromise catalyst stability was suppressed. Then the electrochemical stability and the charge-transfer kinetics of the electrocatalysts were evaluated under constant current and constant potential conditions, where the analysis of the metal dissolution confirmed that the ATO support mitigates Ir(z+) dissolution thanks to a stronger MMOSI effect. Our findings raise the possibility that MMOSI effects in electrochemistry-largely neglected in the past-may be more important for a detailed understanding of the durability of oxide-supported nanoparticle OER catalysts than previously thought.

  1. Comparison of optical and power Doppler ultrasound imaging for non-invasive evaluation of arsenic trioxide as a vascular disrupting agent in tumors.

    PubMed

    Alhasan, Mustafa K; Liu, Li; Lewis, Matthew A; Magnusson, Jennifer; Mason, Ralph P

    2012-01-01

    Small animal imaging provides diverse methods for evaluating tumor growth and acute response to therapy. This study compared the utility of non-invasive optical and ultrasound imaging to monitor growth of three diverse human tumor xenografts (brain U87-luc-mCherry, mammary MCF7-luc-mCherry, and prostate PC3-luc) growing in nude mice. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI), fluorescence imaging (FLI), and Power Doppler ultrasound (PD US) were then applied to examine acute vascular disruption following administration of arsenic trioxide (ATO).During initial tumor growth, strong correlations were found between manual caliper measured tumor volume and FLI intensity, BLI intensity following luciferin injection, and traditional B-mode US. Administration of ATO to established U87 tumors caused significant vascular shutdown within 2 hrs at all doses in the range 5 to 10 mg/kg in a dose dependant manner, as revealed by depressed bioluminescent light emission. At lower doses substantial recovery was seen within 4 hrs. At 8 mg/kg there was >85% reduction in tumor vascular perfusion, which remained depressed after 6 hrs, but showed some recovery after 24 hrs. Similar response was observed in MCF7 and PC3 tumors. Dynamic BLI and PD US each showed similar duration and percent reductions in tumor blood flow, but FLI showed no significant changes during the first 24 hrs.The results provide further evidence for comparable utility of optical and ultrasound imaging for monitoring tumor growth, More specifically, they confirm the utility of BLI and ultrasound imaging as facile assays of the vascular disruption in solid tumors based on ATO as a model agent.

  2. Global Vulnerability Assessment in Santa María Tixmadeje, Estado de México, México

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Monroy Salazar, S.; Novelo-Casanova, D. A.

    2010-12-01

    Santa María Tixmadejé (SMT), Estado de México, Mexico is a town located very close to the Acambay-Tixmadejé fault. This fault is located in the middle of the Trans Volcanic Belt in the center of the Mexican territory and generated a large seismic event in 1912 with magnitude 6.9 which combined with the local vulnerability, caused a disaster. In this work we measure the different vulnerabilities of the SMT community: structural, economical, social and educational. In addition, we determinate the total vulnerability, by summing all estimated vulnerabilities, for the critical facilities identified in this town. Vulnerability was determined using the methodology proposed by National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and by Disaster Prevention National Center (CENAPRED). Besides, we considered a minimum sample statistically significant of the total houses with a random sampling for our survey. Our results indicate that 50% of the critical facilities have high and very high and the other 50% between low and moderate level of total vulnerability. The results for independent vulnerabilities are as follows: (1) Near to 75% of the community has high and very high level of social vulnerability and the range for the another 25% is between low and moderate; (2) About 43% of the community has high and very high economical vulnerability and 57% low and moderate; (3) Approximately 38% of the population has high and very high educational vulnerability. The 62% present low and moderate vulnerability; and (4) About 42% of the community has very high structural vulnerability and 58% between low and moderate.

  3. Tanker Fuel Consolidation: Impact of Fuel Efficiency on ATO Resiliency

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-06-01

    states, “Unnecessary risk comes without a commensurate return in terms of real benefits or available opportunities…The most logical choices for... bingo fuel‟ and is not made available to receiver aircraft. Almost all tankers in the problem set had „extra‟ fuel remaining above bingo fuel after...transfer fuel above its bingo fuel, ensuring its ability to return to its departure airfield. The receiving tanker will only accept fuel up to a level of

  4. Achieving Space Shuttle ATO Using the Five-Segment Booster (FSB)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sauvageau, Donald R.; McCool, Alex (Technical Monitor)

    2001-01-01

    As part of the continuing effort to identify approaches to improve the safety and reliability of the Space Shuttle system, a Five-Segment Booster (FSB) design was conceptualized as a replacement for the current Space Shuttle boosters. The FSB offers a simple, unique approach to improve astronaut safety and increase performance margin. To determine the feasibility of the FSB, a Phase A study effort was sponsored by NASA and directed by the Marshall Space Flight Center. This study was initiated in March of 1999 and completed in December of 2000. The basic objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of the FSB design concept and also estimate the cost and scope of a full-scale development program for the FSB. In order to ensure an effective and thorough evaluation of the FSB concept, four team members were put on contract to support various areas of importance in assessing the overall feasibility of the design approach.

  5. A Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of an Automatic Occlusion Device for Tracheoesophageal Speech: The Provox FreeHands HME

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hamade, Rachel; Hewlett, Nigel; Scanlon, Emer

    2006-01-01

    This study aimed to evaluate a new automatic tracheostoma valve: the Provox FreeHands HME (manufactured by Atos Medical AB, Sweden). Data from four laryngectomee participants using automatic and also manual occlusion were subjected to acoustic and perceptual analysis. The main results were a significant decrease, from the manual to automatic…

  6. The Air Land Sea Bulletin. Issue No. 2009-3, September 2009

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-09-01

    mote control system at Balad Air Base, Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. (Photo by SSgt Cohen A. Young, USAF) Recently there has been a...to a UAS launch and recovery site on Forward Operating Base Hunter, Iraq recently. (Photo by 1 LT Joanne Cotton , USA) The Department of Homeland

  7. Overlapping Parietal Activity in Memory and Perception: Evidence for the Attention to Memory Model

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cabeza, Roberto; Mazuz, Yonatan S.; Stokes, Jared; Kragel, James E.; Woldorff, Marty G.; Ciaramelli, Elisa; Olson, Ingrid R.; Moscovitch, Morris

    2011-01-01

    The specific role of different parietal regions to episodic retrieval is a topic of intense debate. According to the Attention to Memory (AtoM) model, dorsal parietal cortex (DPC) mediates top-down attention processes guided by retrieval goals, whereas ventral parietal cortex (VPC) mediates bottom-up attention processes captured by the retrieval…

  8. Estimating small-scale roughness of a rock joint using TLS data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bitenc, Maja; Kieffer, D. Scott; Khoshelham, Kourosh

    2016-04-01

    Roughness of a rock joint is an important parameter influencing rock mass stability. Besides the surface amplitude, also the roughness direction- and scale-dependency should be observed (i.e. 3D roughness). Up to now most of roughness measurements and parameters rely on point or profile data obtained on small samples, mostly in a laboratory. State-of-the-art remote sensing technologies supply 3D measurements of an in-situ rock surface and therefore enable a 3D roughness parameterization. Detailed morphology of a remote large-scale vertical structure can be best observed by Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS). In a short time and from distances of a few hundred meters, TLS provides relatively dense and precise point cloud. Sturzenegger and Stead [2009] showed that the TLS technology and careful fieldwork allow the extraction of first-order roughness profiles, i.e. the surface irregularities with a wavelength greater than about 10 cm. Our goal is to find the lower limit; this is, to define the smallest discernible detail, and appropriate measuring and processing steps to extract this detail from the TLS data. The smallest observable roughness amplitude depends on the TLS data precision, which is limited mostly by an inherent range error (noise). An influence of the TLS noise on the rock joint roughness was analyzed using highly precise reference data acquired by Advanced TOpometric Sensor (ATOS) on a 20x30 cm rock joint sample. ATOS data were interpolated into 1 mm grid, to which five levels (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 mm) of normally distributed noise were added. The 3D surfaces entered direction-dependent roughness parameter computation after Grasselli [2001]. Average roughness of noisy surfaces logarithmically increase with the noise level and is already doubled for 1 mm noise. Performing Monte Carlo simulation roughness parameter noise sensitivity was investigated. Distribution of roughness differences (roughness of noisy surfaces minus roughness of reference ATOS surface

  9. Preparation and Evaluation of Montelukast Sodium Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Priyanka, K; Sathali, A Abdul Hasan

    2012-01-01

    Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are an alternative carrier system used to load the drug for targeting, to improve the bioavailability by increasing its solubility, and protecting the drug from presystemic metabolism. The avoidance of presystemic metabolism is due to the nano-metric size range, so that the liver cannot uptake the drug from the delivery system and is not metabolized by the liver. Montelukast sodium is an anti-asthmatic drug, because of its poor oral bioavailability, presystemic metabolism, and decreased half-life; it was chosen to formulate as the solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) system by hot homogenization followed by an ultrasonication method, to overcome the above. Compritol ATO 888, stearic acid, and glyceryl monostearate were used as a lipid matrix and polyvinyl alcohol as a surfactant. The prepared formulations have been evaluated for entrapment efficiency, drug content, in vitro drug release, particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared studies (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and stability. Particle size analysis revealed that the SLN prepared from the higher melting point lipid showed a larger particle size and with increased carbon chain length of the fatty acids. Entrapment efficiency (EE) was ranging from 42% to 92%. In vitro release studies showed maximum cumulative drug release was obtained for F 1 (59.1%) containing stearic acid, and the lowest was observed for F 18 (28.1%) containing compritol ATO 888 after 12 h and all the formulations followed first-order release kinetics. FT-IR and DSC studies revealed no interaction between drug and lipids. Studies showed that increase in lipid concentration, increased particle size, EE, and maintained the sustained release of drug. Among all, compritol ATO 888 was chosen as the best lipid for formulating SLN because it had high EE and sustained the drug release. PMID:23112531

  10. Managing the Net-Enabled Weapons Kill Chain Testing in a Live-Virtual-Constructive Environment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-01-01

    Data Link UHFSATCOM • In Inventory 385 Block IV ‐109E High Priority Pop-Up Target • TACTOM is already launched to a preplanned ATO target • Intel...of FS Results of Maneuver CDR’s Intent ROE OPLANS OPORDS M ovement & Operatio nal Co nstraintsTask/Missio n Constraints Environment FS Systems

  11. Australia Ama Ata Aidoo's Diagnose and Representation of the Dilemma of the African American Diaspora in Her Play "Dilemma of a Ghost"

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Al-Khafaji, Ammar Shamil Kadhim

    2018-01-01

    The research investigates in details about the influence of cultural differences in Postcolonial Ghana as presented in Ama Ata Aidoo's "Dilemma of a Ghost". The play centers on the cross cultural marriage of young couple; Ato Yawson, a Ghanaian who recently completed his studies in the United States and returns home, and Eulali, his…

  12. Flight design system level C requirements. Solid rocket booster and external tank impact prediction processors. [space transportation system

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Seale, R. H.

    1979-01-01

    The prediction of the SRB and ET impact areas requires six separate processors. The SRB impact prediction processor computes the impact areas and related trajectory data for each SRB element. Output from this processor is stored on a secure file accessible by the SRB impact plot processor which generates the required plots. Similarly the ET RTLS impact prediction processor and the ET RTLS impact plot processor generates the ET impact footprints for return-to-launch-site (RTLS) profiles. The ET nominal/AOA/ATO impact prediction processor and the ET nominal/AOA/ATO impact plot processor generate the ET impact footprints for non-RTLS profiles. The SRB and ET impact processors compute the size and shape of the impact footprints by tabular lookup in a stored footprint dispersion data base. The location of each footprint is determined by simulating a reference trajectory and computing the reference impact point location. To insure consistency among all flight design system (FDS) users, much input required by these processors will be obtained from the FDS master data base.

  13. Therapeutic drug monitoring of seven psychotropic drugs and four metabolites in human plasma by HPLC-MS.

    PubMed

    Choong, Eva; Rudaz, Serge; Kottelat, Astrid; Guillarme, Davy; Veuthey, Jean-Luc; Eap, Chin B

    2009-12-05

    A simple and sensitive LC-MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of aripiprazole (ARI), atomoxetine (ATO), duloxetine (DUL), clozapine (CLO), olanzapine (OLA), sertindole (STN), venlafaxine (VEN) and their active metabolites dehydroaripiprazole (DARI), norclozapine (NCLO), dehydrosertindole (DSTN) and O-desmethylvenlafaxine (OVEN) in human plasma. The above mentioned compounds and the internal standard (remoxipride) were extracted from 0.5 mL plasma by solid-phase extraction (mix mode support). The analytical separation was carried out on a reverse phase liquid chromatography at basic pH (pH 8.1) in gradient mode. All analytes were monitored by MS detection in the single ion monitoring mode and the method was validated covering the corresponding therapeutic range: 2-200 ng/mL for DUL, OLA, and STN, 4-200 ng/mL for DSTN, 5-1000 ng/mL for ARI, DARI and finally 2-1000 ng/mL for ATO, CLO, NCLO, VEN, OVEN. For all investigated compounds, good performance in terms of recoveries, selectivity, stability, repeatability, intermediate precision, trueness and accuracy, was obtained. Real patient plasma samples were then successfully analysed.

  14. Geospatial tools for the identification of a malaria corridor in Estado Sucre, a Venezuelan north-eastern state.

    PubMed

    Delgado-Petrocelli, Laura; Camardiel, Alberto; Aguilar, Víctor Hugo; Martinez, Néstor; Córdova, Karenia; Ramos, Santiago

    2011-05-01

    Landscape ecology research relies on frameworks based on geographical information systems (GIS), geostatistics and spatial-feature relationships. With regard to health, the approach consists of systems analysis using a set of powerful tools aimed at the reduction of community vulnerability through improved public policies. The north-oriental malaria focus, one of five such foci in Venezuela, situated in the north-eastern part of the Estado Sucre state, unites several social and environmental features and functions as an epidemiological corridor, i.e. an endemic zone characterised by permanent interaction between the mosquito vector and the human host allowing a continuous persistence of the malaria lifecycle. A GIS was developed based on official cartography with thematic overlays depicting malaria distribution, socio-economic conditions, basic environmental information and specific features associated with the natural wetlands present in the area. Generally, malaria foci are continuously active but when the malaria situation was modelled in the north-oriental focus, a differential, spatio-temporal distribution pattern situation was found, i.e. a situation oscillating between very active and dormant transmission. This pattern was displayed by spatial and statistical analysis based on the model generated in this study and the results were confirmed by municipal and county malaria records. Control of malaria, keeping the incidence at a permanently low level within the regional population, should be possible if these results are taken into account when designing and implementing epidemiological surveillance policies.

  15. Going Beyond the Norm: The Case for Incorporating Evaluative Mediation into Department of Defense Employment Discrimination Complaints

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-03-01

    Incorporating Evaluative Mediation into Department of Defense Employment Discrimination Complaints By Thomas A...to resolve the dispute and does not evaluate the actual merits of a complaint. This can be problematic when an employee has filed a workplace...complaint based on illegal discrimination with the Equal Opportunity Office. Evaluative mediation involves having a mediator with expertise in labor and

  16. Sustaining Software-Intensive Systems

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-05-01

    2.2 Multi- Service Operational Test and Evaluation .......................................4 2.3 Stable Software Baseline...or equivalent document • completed Multi- Service Operational Test and Evaluation (MOT&E) for the potential production software package (or OT&E if...not multi- service ) • stable software production baseline • complete and current software documentation • Authority to Operate (ATO) for an

  17. Bis(μ-ferrocene­carboxyl­ato)bis­[aqua­­bis(ferrocene­carboxyl­ato)methano­l­erbium(III)] methanol disolvate

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Jianmin; Li, Yuanyuan; Li, Dacheng

    2012-01-01

    In the centrosymmetric title coordination compound, [Er2{Fe(C5H5)(C6H4O2)}6(CH3OH)2(H2O)2]·2CH3OH, the two ErIII ions are bridged by two ferrocene­carboxyl­ate anions as asymmetrically bridging ligands, leading to dimeric cores. The ErIII ion has a distorted dodeca­hedral coordination with six coordinating O atoms derived from the ferrocene­carboxyl­ate ligands and two coordinated O atoms from one water mol­ecule and one methanol mol­ecule. The asymmetric unit comprises a half of the complex mol­ecule and a methanol solvent mol­ecule. Intra­molecular O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O inter­actions occur. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯O as well as C—H⋯π inter­actions. PMID:22259358

  18. Analysis of the El Niño/La Niña-Southern Oscillation variability and malaria in the Estado Sucre, Venezuela.

    PubMed

    Delgado-Petrocelli, Laura; Córdova, Karenia; Camardiel, Alberto; Aguilar, Víctor H; Hernández, Denise; Ramos, Santiago

    2012-09-01

    The last decade has seen an unprecedented, worldwide acceleration of environmental and climate changes. These processes impact the dynamics of natural systems, which include components associated with human communities such as vector-borne diseases. The dynamics of environmental and climate variables, altered by global change as reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, affect the distribution of many tropical diseases. Complex systems, e.g. the El Niño/La Niña-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), in which environmental variables operate synergistically, can provoke the reemergence and emergence of vector-borne diseases at new sites. This research investigated the influence of ENSO events on malaria incidence by determining the relationship between climate variations, expressed as warm, cold and neutral phases, and their relation to the number of malaria cases in some north-eastern municipalities of Venezuela (Estado Sucre) during the period 1990-2000. Significant differences in malaria incidence were found, particularly in the La Niña ENSO phases (cold) of moderate intensity. These findings should be taken into account for surveillance and control in the future as they shed light on important indicators that can lead to reduced vulnerability to malaria.

  19. Electrical properties of transparent conductive ATO coatings obtained by spray pyrolysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zinchenko, T. O.; Kondrashin, V. I.; Pecherskaya, E. A.; Kozlyakov, A. S.; Nikolaev, K. O.; Shepeleva, J. V.

    2017-08-01

    Transparent conductive coatings based on thin films of metal oxides have been widely spread in various optoelectronic devices and appliances. It is necessary to determine the influence of preparation conditions on coatings properties for their use in the solution of certain tasks. Thin films of tin dioxide were obtained by the method of spray pyrolysis on glass substrates. Surface resistance and resistivity, concentration and mobility of charge carriers, the conductivity were measured, and the dependences showing the effect of preparation conditions on electrical properties of optically transparent coatings.

  20. Demonstration of a Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox (FRGT) for Characterization and Monitoring of DNAPL Biodegradation in Fractured Rock Aquifers

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-09-29

    initial amendment emplacement rather than longterm monitoring of bioremediation . A number of specific developments of cross- borehole ERT imaging...These substrates are commonly used for enhanced bioremediation and are readily available. For time-lapse ERT imaging, it is important that there is a...to remediation professionals and regulators. This includes the following LinkedIn groups: Bioremediation ; Contaminant Transport in Fractured Bedrock

  1. Dietary Refinements in a Sensitive Fish Liver Tumor Model

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-12-20

    produce hepatocellular carcinoma in medaka. The brief initiation followed by somatic and liver growth, considered as promotional factors, enables a...to enumerate tinctorially altered foci, adenoma, cholangioma, hepatocellular carcinoma , cholangio-cellular carcinoma and mixed cell (both hepatocytes...elements. Elements of a solid hepatocellular carcinoma are shown in figures 16 and 17. In the low magnification view (Figures 16), the solid features

  2. ORGANIZING, TRAINING, AND RETAINING INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONALS FOR CYBER OPERATIONS

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-02-13

    in Education,” Preventing School Failure 57(3), (2013): 162-170. Wall , Andru, “Demystifying the Title 10-Title 50 Debate,” Harvard Law School...AIR WAR COLLEGE AIR UNIVERSITY ORGANIZING, TRAINING, AND RETAINING INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONALS FOR CYBER OPERATIONS by Melissa A...to adequately organize, train and retain cyber expertise. This is especially true within Air Force intelligence, a critical component of the

  3. On Ensino de Astronomia: Desafios para Implantação

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Faria, R. Z.; Voelzke, M. R.

    2008-09-01

    Em 2002 o ensino de Astronomia foi proposto como um dos temas estruturadores pelos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais e sugerido como facilitador para que o aluno compreendesse a Física como construção humana e parte do seu mundo vivencial, mas raramente seus conceitos foram ensinados. A presente pesquisa discute dois aspectos relacionados à abordagem de Astronomia. O primeiro aspecto é se ela está sendo abordada pelos professores do Ensino Médio e o segundo, aborda a maneira como ela está sendo ensinada. Optou-se pela aplicação de um questionário a partir do 2° semestre de 2006 e durante o ano de 2007 com professores que ministram a disciplina de Física, os quais trabalham em escolas estaduais em Rio Grande da Serra, Ribeirão Pires e Mauá no estado São Paulo. Dos 66,2% dos professores que responderam ao questionário nos municípios de Rio Grande da Serra, Ribeirão Pires e Mauá, 57,4% não aplicaram nenhum tópico de astronomia, 70,2% não utilizaram laboratório, 89,4% não utilizaram qualquer tipo de programa computacional, 83,0% nunca fizeram visitas com alunos a museus e planetários e 38,3% não indicaram qualquer tipo de livro ou revista referente à astronomia aos seus alunos. Mesmo considerando a Astronomia um conteúdo potencialmente significativo, esta não fez parte dos planejamentos escolares. Portanto são necessárias propostas que visem estratégias para a educação continuada dos professores como, por exemplo, cursos específicos sobre o ensino em Astronomia.

  4. An overview of a GIS method for mapping landslides and assessing landslide hazards at Río El Estado watershed, on the SW flank of Pico de Orizaba Volcano, Mexico

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Legorreta Paulin, G.; Bursik, M. I.; Contreras, T.; Polenz, M.; Ramírez Herrera, M.; Paredes Mejía, L.; Arana Salinas, L.

    2012-12-01

    This poster provides an overview of the on-going research project (Grant SEP-CONACYT no 167495) from the Institute of Geography at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) that seeks to conduct a multi-temporal landslide inventory, produce a landslide susceptibility map, and estimate sediment production by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The Río El Estado watershed on the southwestern flank of Pico de Orizaba volcano, the highest mountain in Mexico, is selected as a study area. The catchment covers 5.2 km2 with elevations ranging from 2676.79 to 4248.2 m a.s.l. and hillslopes between 0° and 56°. The stream system of Río El Estado catchment erodes Tertiary and Quaternary lavas, pyroclastic flows, and fall deposits. The geologic and geomorphologic factors in combination with high seasonal precipitation, high degree of weathering, and steep slopes predispose the study area to landslides. The methodology encompasses three main stages of analysis to assess landslide hazards: Stage 1 builds a historic landslide inventory. In the study area, an inventory of more than 170 landslides is created from multi-temporal aerial-photo-interpretation and local field surveys to assess landslide distribution. All landslides were digitized into a geographic information system (GIS), and a spatial geo-database of landslides was constructed from standardized GIS datasets. Stage 2 Calculates the susceptibility for the watershed. During this stage, Multiple Logistic Regression and SINMAP) will be evaluated to select the one that provides scientific accuracy, technical accessibility, and applicability. Stage 3 Estimate the potential total material delivered to the main stream drainage channel by all landslides in the catchment. Detailed geometric measurements of individual landslides visited during the field work will be carried out to obtain the landslide area and volume. These measurements revealed an empirical relationship between area and volume that took the

  5. The effect of a lipid composition and a surfactant on the characteristics of the solid lipid microspheres and nanospheres (SLM and SLN).

    PubMed

    Sznitowska, Malgorzata; Wolska, Eliza; Baranska, Helena; Cal, Krzysztof; Pietkiewicz, Justyna

    2017-01-01

    Solid lipid microparticles (SLM) were produced by a two-step process that, firstly, involved the emulsification of the molten lipid phase in a heated aqueous phase and, secondly, the system cooling. Compritol 888 ATO and Precirol ATO 5, including their mixtures with Miglyol 812 or Witepsol H15 were used as lipid components (10-30% w/w). The average size of the SLM prepared with Compritol and Tween 80 as an emulsifier was 3-7μm and the influence of lipid concentration and thermal sterilization was not large. Dispersions of SLM with Precirol (10-20% w/w) gellified upon storage. SLM stabilized with another surfactant, Tego Care 450, were larger in size and measured 40μm on average. The use of the sonication step (5-15min) in hot formulations containing 5% w/w of Compritol resulted in the formation of the solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) with average size 200-300nm. The smallest SLN size (below 100nm on average) was obtained in SLN that contained Tego Care and an antimicrobial agent Euxyl PE 9010; such combination evoked synergism between the surfactant and Euxyl components. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Lithium Chloride Promotes Apoptosis in Human Leukemia NB4 Cells by Inhibiting Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Beta.

    PubMed

    Li, Liu; Song, Hao; Zhong, Liang; Yang, Rong; Yang, Xiao-Qun; Jiang, Kai-Ling; Liu, Bei-Zhong

    2015-01-01

    Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). With the application of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), APL becomes one of best prognosis of leukemia. However, ATRA and ATO are not effective against all APLs. Therefore, a new strategy for APL treatment is necessary. Here, we investigated whether lithium chloride (LiCl), a drug used for the treatment of mental illness, could promote apoptosis in human leukemia NB4 cells. We observed that treatment with LiCl significantly accelerated apoptosis in NB4 cells and led to cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Moreover, LiCl significantly increased the level of Ser9-phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β(p-GSK-3β), and decreased the level of Akt1 protein in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, LiCl inhibition of c-Myc also enhanced cell death with a concomitant increase in β-catnin. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that LiCl promoted apoptosis in NB4 cells through the Akt signaling pathway and that G2/M phase arrest was induced by increase of p-GSK-3β(S9).

  7. Divergent branches of mitochondrial signaling regulate specific genes and the viability of specialized cell types of differentiated yeast colonies.

    PubMed

    Podholová, Kristýna; Plocek, Vítězslav; Rešetárová, Stanislava; Kučerová, Helena; Hlaváček, Otakar; Váchová, Libuše; Palková, Zdena

    2016-03-29

    Mitochondrial retrograde signaling mediates communication from altered mitochondria to the nucleus and is involved in many normal and pathophysiological changes, including cell metabolic reprogramming linked to cancer development and progression in mammals. The major mitochondrial retrograde pathway described in yeast includes three activators, Rtg1p, Rtg2p and Rtg3p, and repressors, Mks1p and Bmh1p/Bmh2p. Using differentiated yeast colonies, we show that Mks1p-Rtg pathway regulation is complex and includes three branches that divergently regulate the properties and fate of three specifically localized cell subpopulations via signals from differently altered mitochondria. The newly identified RTG pathway-regulated genes ATO1/ATO2 are expressed in colonial upper (U) cells, the cells with active TORC1 that metabolically resemble tumor cells, while CIT2 is a typical target induced in one subpopulation of starving lower (L) cells. The viability of the second L cell subpopulation is strictly dependent on RTG signaling. Additional co-activators of Rtg1p-Rtg3p specific to particular gene targets of each branch are required to regulate cell differentiation.

  8. Biotransformation and Degradation of the Insensitive Munitions Compound, 3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one, by Soil Bacterial Communities.

    PubMed

    Krzmarzick, Mark J; Khatiwada, Raju; Olivares, Christopher I; Abrell, Leif; Sierra-Alvarez, Reyes; Chorover, Jon; Field, James A

    2015-05-05

    Insensitive munitions (IM) are a new class of explosives that are increasingly being adopted by the military. The ability of soil microbial communities to degrade IMs is relatively unknown. In this study, microbial communities from a wide range of soils were tested in microcosms for their ability to degrade the IM, 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO). All seven soil inocula tested were able to readily reduce NTO to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO) via 3-hydroxyamino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (HTO), under anaerobic conditions with H2 as an electron donor. Numerous other electron donors were shown to be suitable for NTO-reducing bacteria. The addition of a small amount of yeast extract (10 mg/L) was critical to diminish lag times and increased the biotransformation rate of NTO in nearly all cases indicating yeast extract provided important nutrients for NTO-reducing bacteria. The main biotransformation product, ATO, was degradable only in aerobic conditions, as evidenced by a rise in the inorganic nitrogen species nitrite and nitrate, indicative of nitrogen-mineralization. NTO was nonbiodegradable in aerobic microcosms with all soil inocula.

  9. The effects of work on the health of nurses who work in clinical surgery departments at university hospitals.

    PubMed

    Silva, Rosângela Marion da; Zeitoune, Regina Célia Gollner; Beck, Carmem Lúcia Colomé; Martino, Milva Maria Figueiredo de; Prestes, Francine Cassol

    2016-08-08

    to analyze the effects of work on the health of nurses who work in clinical surgery departments at university hospitals in relation to physical, social and psychological suffering and pain. a quantitative transversal study was carried out between 2012 and 2013 in four institutions in a state located in the south of Brazil. We studied 65 nurses who responded to questions on their habits. We also obtained sociodemographical information on them as well as conducting an evaluation on work relational damage using an evaluation scale. Associations were checked through the use of the Chi-Sqaure and Fisher's exact test. Correlations were checked using the Spearmann test. we found that physical ailments persisted and that there were connections between social and psychological pain/suffering and variable physical activities as well as connections with accidents in the work place and the option to work shifts. We noted correlations between social and psychological pain/suffering. nurses had their health compromised due to their work in clinical surgery departments. analisar os efeitos do trabalho na saúde de enfermeiros que atuam em clínicas cirúrgicas de hospitais universitários, relacionando-os aos danos físicos, sociais e psicológicos. estudo quantitativo, transversal, realizado entre 2012 e 2013 em quatro instituições de um Estado da região sul do Brasil. A amostra foi composta por 65 enfermeiros que responderam questões sobre os hábitos de vida e dados sociodemográficos e a Escala de Avaliação de Danos Relacionados ao Trabalho. Associações foram verificadas pelo teste Qui-Quadrado e Exato de Fisher e as correlações pelo teste de Spearmann. prevaleceu o adoecimento físico, encontrando associação entre os fatores Danos Sociais e Psicológicos e as variáveis prática de atividade física, acidente de trabalho e opção pelo turno de trabalho. Evidenciou-se correlação entre Danos Sociais e Psicológicos. o trabalho realizado por enfermeiros que atuam

  10. A Scalable and Dynamic Testbed for Conducting Penetration-Test Training in a Laboratory Environment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-03-01

    entry point through which to execute a payload to accomplish a higher-level goal: executing arbitrary code, escalating privileges , pivoting...Mobile Ad Hoc Network Emulator (EMANE)26 can emulate the entire network stack (physical to application -layer protocols). 2. Methodology To build a...to host Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android , and other operating systems without much effort. 4 E. A simple and automatic “restore” function: Many

  11. High-Performance Clock Synchronization Algorithms for Distributed Wireless Airborne Computer Networks with Applications to Localization and Tracking of Targets

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-06-01

    GMKPF represents a better and more flexible alternative to the Gaussian Maximum Likelihood (GML), and Exponential Maximum Likelihood ( EML ...accurate results relative to GML and EML when the network delays are modeled in terms of a single non-Gaussian/non-exponential distribution or as a...to the Gaussian Maximum Likelihood (GML), and Exponential Maximum Likelihood ( EML ) estimators for clock offset estimation in non-Gaussian or non

  12. U.S. Joint Special Operations Forces: Two Few, Overworked, Young, Homogenous & Macho to Fulfill the Unconventional Demands of the Long War?

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-05-28

    OVERWORKED , YOUNG, HOMOGENOUS, & MACHO TO FULFILL THE UNCONVENTIONAL DEMANDS OF THE LONG WAR? SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR...U.S. Joint Special Operations Forces: Two Few, Overworked , Young, Homogenous & Macho to Fulfill the Unconventional Demands of the Long War? 5a...to be the targets of nearly daily mortar, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and occasional suicide vehicle-borne IED (SVBIED) attacks. It

  13. Modeling the Fate of Groundwater Contaminants Resulting from Leakage of Butanol-blended Fuel

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-03-01

    aviation turbine and automotive engines is an organic liquid comprised of numerous hydrocarbons that may include paraffins, naphthenes , and aromatics...process, known as either hydroprocessing or hydrotreating, consists of two stages. In the first stage, oxygen is removed from oil. In the second...66. Namocatcat, J.A., J. Fang, M.J. Barcelona, A.T.O. Quibuyen, and T.A. Abrajano. Trimethylbenzoic acids as metabolite signatures in the

  14. PubMed

    Silva, Cristiane Gonçalves da; Santos, Alessandro Oliveira; Licciardi, Daniele Carli; Paiva, Vera; Parker, Richard

    2008-01-01

    Esse artigo descreve como jovens religiosos e autoridades religiosas de sua comunidade compreendem a sexualidade, considerando suas experiências pessoais e como membros de comunidades religiosas. A análise pretende contribuir para que políticas públicas dedicadas à promoção da saúde sexual da juventude considerem a religiosidade, no contexto de um estado laico e da promoção do direito à prevenção. Foram realizadas 26 entrevistas abertas e semidirigidas em diferentes comunidades da região metropolitana da cidade de São Paulo (comunidades católicas, da umbanda, do candomblé e de diferentes denominações evangélicas) sobre iniciação sexual, casamento, gravidez, contracepção e prevenção das DST/Aids, homossexualidade, aborto e direitos humanos. Observou-se como jovens e autoridades religiosas convivem com a tensão entre tradição e modernidade e os distintos discursos sobre a sexualidade. Como sujeitos religiosos (do discurso religioso) e sujeitos sexuais (de discursos sobre sexualidade), devem ser incorporados pelos programas como sujeitos de direito nos termos de sua religiosidade.

  15. Religiosidade, juventude e sexualidade: entre a autonomia e a rigidez1

    PubMed Central

    Silva, Cristiane Gonçalves da; Santos, Alessandro Oliveira; Licciardi, Daniele Carli; Paiva, Vera; Parker, Richard

    2009-01-01

    Esse artigo descreve como jovens religiosos e autoridades religiosas de sua comunidade compreendem a sexualidade, considerando suas experiências pessoais e como membros de comunidades religiosas. A análise pretende contribuir para que políticas públicas dedicadas à promoção da saúde sexual da juventude considerem a religiosidade, no contexto de um estado laico e da promoção do direito à prevenção. Foram realizadas 26 entrevistas abertas e semidirigidas em diferentes comunidades da região metropolitana da cidade de São Paulo (comunidades católicas, da umbanda, do candomblé e de diferentes denominações evangélicas) sobre iniciação sexual, casamento, gravidez, contracepção e prevenção das DST/Aids, homossexualidade, aborto e direitos humanos. Observou-se como jovens e autoridades religiosas convivem com a tensão entre tradição e modernidade e os distintos discursos sobre a sexualidade. Como sujeitos religiosos (do discurso religioso) e sujeitos sexuais (de discursos sobre sexualidade), devem ser incorporados pelos programas como sujeitos de direito nos termos de sua religiosidade. PMID:21886456

  16. Revista de Saúde Pública in scientific publications on Violence and Health (1967-2015).

    PubMed

    Schraiber, Lilia Blima; Barros, Claudia; d'Oliveira, Ana Flávia Pires Lucas; Peres, Maria Fernanda Tourinho

    2016-11-10

    This article retrieved the publications from the Revista de Saúde Pública journal (from 1967 to 2015) on violence and health, on the SciELO and PubMed bases, by searching for the terms "violence", "suicide", "aggression", "bullying", and "external causes", registered in any part of the text. We found 130 articles (the first one published in 1974). We observed: increase of publications over time, with decrease in the last five years; similar production volume in lethal and non-lethal violence; later publication of the latter; few studies in qualitative research; mostly descriptive production; and visualization of the problem more by the acts than by contexts or motivations and aggressors. Social markers were little approached, appearing, from largest to smallest frequency, social class, gender, race/ethnicity, and generation. Human rights were little used and only recently used as analytical framework, connected more to gender than to social class. Although Revista de Saúde Pública has registered the theme in its publications, consolidating it as scientific production line, there is still great explanatory theoretical rarefaction and little intersectionality between violence, social inequalities, and human rights. RESUMO A produção da Revista de Saúde Pública (de 1967 até 2015) sobre violência e saúde foi recuperada nas bases SciELO e PubMed utilizando-se os termos "violência", "suicídio", "agressões", "bullying" e "causas externas", registrados em qualquer parte do texto. Foram encontrados 130 artigos (o primeiro deles publicado em 1974). Constatou-se: aumento das publicações no tempo, com decréscimo nos últimos cinco anos; volume similar de produção em violência letal e não letal; publicação mais tardia desta última; poucos estudos em pesquisa qualitativa; produção majoritariamente descritiva; e visibilização do problema, mais pelos atos que pelos contextos ou motivações e agressores. Os marcadores sociais foram pouco tematizados

  17. The INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Controversy: A Confluence of Foreign and Domestic Interests.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-09-01

    AD-R175 303 THE INF (INTERMEDIRTE-RANSE NUCLEAR FORCES) 1/2 CONTROVERSY: A CONFLUENCE OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC INTERESTS(U) NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL...on reverse if necessary and identify by block number) F:ELD I GROUP SUB-GROUP INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, NATO, European Nuclear Capability...the United Kingdom, and several non- nuclear members of 14ATO are examined and analyzed. The analysis is concerned with alliance and transnational

  18. Developing cDNA Libraries of Receptors Involved in the Recruitment of the Biofouling Tubeworm Hydroides elegans

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-06-12

    Transcriptome, Hydroides elegans, Next Generation Sequencing, Illumina HiSeq, PacBio SMRT, Biofilm , Metamorphosis 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: a...to a bacterial cue from a bacterial biofilm . Recently, this cue has been identified to be a phage-tail like bacteriocin produced by the bacterium...submitted to the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah and the subsequent isolation of mRNA was used for Illumina HiSeq 101 paired end

  19. Medical Effects of Atomic Bombs. The Report of the Joint Commission for the Investigation of the Effects of the Atomic Bomb in Japan; Volume 1. Section 1. Introduction. Section 2. Physics. Section 3H. Hiroshima City. Section 3N. Nagasaki City

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1951-04-19

    cases. The patients complained of nausea and vomit- ing on the day of the bombing and this was followed by progressive fever , anorexia, severe diarrhea... Fever and diarrhea occurred frequently and at about this same time. In the more severely affected patients, all of these symptoms appeared after a...to those seen in aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis, ]ji the most severely affected patients, fever increased steadily and those who died usually

  20. Application of the Satellite Triaxial Accelerometer Experiment to Atmospheric Density and Wind Studies.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-03-04

    AL. 84 MAR 82 UNCLASSIFIED RFGL-ERP-774 F/G 22/3, N ’IN ~11 IP LA M °3 MICROCOP MWoWNo TEST CHART MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART M ATO MF OF SO MBS...V 0 . To refine the solution a new V = x Vy& VOZ ) is used to calculate a new p. This new p is then used to calculate new velocities. The process is

  1. Using Ferromagnetic Material to Extend and Shield the Magnetic Field of a Coil

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-06-14

    ARL-MR-0954 ● Jun 2017 US Army Research Laboratory Using Ferromagnetic Material to Extend and Shield the Magnetic Field of a...to Extend and Shield the Magnetic Field of a Coil by W Casey Uhlig Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, ARL...Using Ferromagnetic Material to Extend and Shield the Magnetic Field of a Coil 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER

  2. Limit-Cycle Dynamics with Reduced Sensitivity to Perturbations (Postprint)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-01-01

    8] R. Adler, Proceedings of the IEEE 61, 1380 (1973), ISSN 0018-9219. [9] A. E. Siegman , Lasers (University Science Books, Salsu- ato, CA, 1986...optically injected semiconductor laser as a paradigmatic example, we demonstrate that at specific operating points, the period-one oscillation frequency is...slave lasers as well as fluctuations in the bias current applied to the slave laser . Tuning of the oscillation frequency then depends only on the

  3. Envisioning: Mental Rotation-based Semi-reactive Robot Control

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-01-01

    particular, the role of mental rotations acting on transient spatial representations de- rived from optic flow serves as our primary approach . Bio...mental mapping approach in which a model is mentally rotated to match one of several potential target configurations. The second approach is a...to mental mapping and rotation [Lourenco and Huttenlocher 07]. While this second approach is less likely to be subject to the time delays that are

  4. Evidence for the Spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemic into Low Prevalence Areas of the United States

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-01-01

    inmune Defllenq Syndrpmes,. Vol. 2. NVo, 6, 1989 524 L. 1. GARDNER, JR. ET AL. prevalence territory. For uniformity, we assigned limits around rate...Conference on AIDS, Washington, D.C., June black males in the intravenous drug abuser popula- 1987. 4. Centers for Disease Control. Coolfont report. A...18. Centers for Disease Control. Acquired immunodeficiency ato and Sally Fuller assured the quality of laboratory test- syndrome in the San -Francisco

  5. E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft (E-2D AHE)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-12-01

    integrating a full glass cockpit and full Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management capability. The glass cockpit will also provide the...hours at a station distance of 200nm Flat Turn Service Ceiling =>25,000 feet above MSL at mission profile =>25,000 feet above MSL at...confidential- ity, non- repudiation, and issuance of an ATO by the DAA (5) Operationally effective information exchanges; and MC- performance and IA

  6. Development of a Two-Dimensional/Axisymmetric Implicit Navier-Stokes Solver Using Flux-Difference Splitting Concepts and Fully General Geometry

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-09-01

    Q+ + Q-)(A~tO~+ A~xei~+ A,fyfi~) + (R+ + R - ) (A~/tO ~ + A~/xein + AT/yfin ) - [A~x ev~ + A~ yfv ~ + a’lx ev~ q- A~y fv~] -t- O(A 2) 24 AEDC...8217 ~ - BAr Q+ + Q - A~t~ ~ + A/~xei~ (23) + A/~yfi~)+ ( R + + R-)(A~lt¢.~ + A~/xei.~ + A~yf.~)] + ~Ar(A~xev~ + A~ yfv ~ + A%ev, 1 + A~ yfv ~ + 0(A2

  7. Switching Systems: Controllability and Control Design

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-04-25

    controllable linear time invariant (LTI) systems ẋ = Ax+Bu are stabilizable and the stabilization can be always done by a...to control the system is bounded. As an application controllability conditions for a class of bimodal linear time invariant (LTI) systems are also...There exist a universal ( finite ) switching sequence σ such that the time varying system ẋ = A(σ)x+ B(σ)u is globally controllable . Proof: The

  8. Description of the population structure and genetic diversity of tuberculosis in Estado de México, a low prevalence setting from Mexico.

    PubMed

    Zenteno-Cuevas, Roberto; Mendoza-Damián, Fabiola; Muñoz, Irving Cansino; Enciso-Moreno, Leonor; Pérez-Navarro, Lucia Monserrat; Ramírez-Hernández, Ma Dolores; Vázquez-Medina, Karen; Widrobo-García, Lorena; Lauzardo, Michael; Enciso-Moreno, José Antonio

    2015-02-01

    In order to identify the genetic characteristics of the strains of mycobacteria circulating in the Estado de México, one of the states with the lowest prevalence of tuberculosis in Mexico, spoligotyping and 12-loci MIRU-VNTR typing were used to genotype tuberculosis clinical isolates. The average age of the 183 patients analyzed was 50 (± 17) years, drug resistance was noted in 57 (31%) and multidrug resistance in 22 (12%) individuals. The results from the isolates recovered showed that 80% were located in four major Euro-American lineages: Haarlem (17%), LAM (15%), T (20%) and X (29%). Other lineages found in lower proportions were: EAI, S, Beijing, West African, Turkey, Vole and Bovis. Eighteen isolates were orphans. Only 57 isolates were grouped in nine clusters and the SIT119 (X1) showed the highest number of members (23). The LAM lineage showed an increased risk for development of drug resistance (RR=4, IC: 95%: 1.05-14.2, p = 0.03). Despite the important prevalence of four major lineages found and the diversity of strains circulating in the population, we found the presence of one of the largest populations of isolates clustered to the X lineage in a setting from a Latin American country. © 2014 APMIS. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Evaluation in health: participatory methodology and involvement of municipal managers.

    PubMed

    Almeida, Cristiane Andrea Locatelli de; Tanaka, Oswaldo Yoshimi

    2016-08-04

    , its involvement with the evaluations at the federal level can also be stimulated. Analisar alcances e limites do uso de metodologia participativa de avaliação junto a gestores e gerentes municipais de saúde. Pesquisa qualitativa com gestores e gerentes de saúde da Comissão Intergestores Regional de uma região de saúde do estado de São Paulo. Representantes de sete municípios membros participaram de sete oficinas facilitadas pelos pesquisadores, com o objetivo de avaliar um problema específico da linha de cuidados sob a perspectiva da integralidade. A análise do material empírico coletado baseou-se na metodologia hermenêutica-dialética e visou a avaliação da metodologia participativa aplicada, segundo sua capacidade de promover um processo de avaliação passível de ser utilizado como suporte à gestão municipal. Com a abordagem participativa de avaliação, foi possível promover debates em profundidade com o grupo, principalmente relacionados à construção da integralidade da atenção e à inclusão da perspectiva do usuário na tomada de decisão, de forma vinculada à busca de solução para problemas concretos dos gestores. Mediante a exploração conjunta, foi aberta a possibilidade de utilização de dados advindos dos sistemas eletrônicos de informação, bem como de informações advindas diretamente dos usuários dos serviços, para enriquecer debates e negociações entre parceiros. Os participantes se mostraram descrentes do potencial de replicação deste tipo de avaliação sem o acompanhamento direto da academia, dada a dificuldade de organização do processo no cotidiano, já tomado por questões emergenciais e políticas. Avaliações de programas e serviços realizadas no âmbito da Comissão Intergestores Regional, partindo do interesse local e facilitando o envolvimento de seus membros pelo uso de metodologias participativas, podem contribuir para a construção da integralidade do cuidado. Na medida em que o ato de avaliar

  10. Lipid nanocarriers (GeluPearl) containing amphiphilic lipid Gelucire 50/13 as a novel stabilizer: fabrication, characterization and evaluation for oral drug delivery.

    PubMed

    Date, Abhijit A; Vador, Nimish; Jagtap, Aarti; Nagarsenker, Mangal S

    2011-07-08

    To evaluate the ability of Gelucire 50/13 (an amphiphilic lipid excipient) to act as a stabilizer for lipid nanocarriers such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) and to establish the ability of Gelucire 50/13 based lipid nanocarriers to improve oral delivery of hydrophobic drugs using repaglinide (RPG) as a model drug. The ability of Gelucire 50/13 to nanosize various solid lipids was evaluated. The ability of Gelucire 50/13 to yield NLC was evaluated by using Precirol ATO 5 as a model solid lipid and various liquid lipids (oils). Gelucire 50/13 based NLC (GeluPearl) were evaluated for their ability to improve the efficacy of RPG on oral administration in comparison to RPG tablets. The short term stability of RPG-GeluPearl was evaluated at 25 °C/60% RH. Gelucire 50/13 could successfully yield SLN and NLC of various solid lipids, demonstrating its potential to act as a novel stabilizer. DSC studies indicated that Gelucire 50/13 interacts with Precirol ATO 5 and this interaction suppresses polymorphic transitions of both the components. RPG-GeluPearl exhibited significantly higher anti-diabetic activity compared to marketed RPG tablets. RPG-GeluPearl demonstrated good colloidal and chemical stability at the end of 1 month.

  11. Effective Delivery of Arsenic Trioxide to HPV-Positive Cervical Cancer Cells Using Optimised Liposomes: A Size and Charge Study.

    PubMed

    Akhtar, Anam; Wang, Scarlet Xiaoyan; Ghali, Lucy; Bell, Celia; Wen, Xuesong

    2018-04-04

    Despite the success of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in treating haematological malignancies, its potential to treat solid tumours has not been fully exploited, owing to its dose-limiting toxicity and poor pharmacokinetics. In order to overcome this hurdle, liposomal encapsulation of the drug with different surface charges (neutral, negative, and positive) and sizes (100, 200 and 400 nm) were synthesised and tested on human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive HeLa and HPV-negative HT-3 cervical cancer cell lines. Two epithelial cell lines-human keratinocytes (HK) and human colon cells (CRL-1790)-were used as controls. The synthesised liposomes were tested for their physico-chemical characteristics, drug loading efficiency, and toxicity on the studied cell lines. Neutral liposomes of 100 nm in size were the chosen formulation for delivering ATO into the studied cells, as they showed the least intrinsic cytotoxicity and the highest loading efficiency. The findings demonstrated that the optimised formulation of liposomes was an effective drug delivery method for HPV-infected cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, the toxicity vs. uptake ratio was highest for HeLa cells, while a reduced or minimal toxic effect was observed for non-HPV-infected cervical cancer cells and control cells. These findings may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for effectively managing cervical cancers.

  12. Integration of Network Biology and Imaging to Study Cancer Phenotypes and Responses.

    PubMed

    Tian, Ye; Wang, Sean S; Zhang, Zhen; Rodriguez, Olga C; Petricoin, Emanuel; Shih, Ie-Ming; Chan, Daniel; Avantaggiati, Maria; Yu, Guoqiang; Ye, Shaozhen; Clarke, Robert; Wang, Chao; Zhang, Bai; Wang, Yue; Albanese, Chris

    2014-01-01

    Ever growing "omics" data and continuously accumulated biological knowledge provide an unprecedented opportunity to identify molecular biomarkers and their interactions that are responsible for cancer phenotypes that can be accurately defined by clinical measurements such as in vivo imaging. Since signaling or regulatory networks are dynamic and context-specific, systematic efforts to characterize such structural alterations must effectively distinguish significant network rewiring from random background fluctuations. Here we introduced a novel integration of network biology and imaging to study cancer phenotypes and responses to treatments at the molecular systems level. Specifically, Differential Dependence Network (DDN) analysis was used to detect statistically significant topological rewiring in molecular networks between two phenotypic conditions, and in vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to more accurately define phenotypic sample groups for such differential analysis. We applied DDN to analyze two distinct phenotypic groups of breast cancer and study how genomic instability affects the molecular network topologies in high-grade ovarian cancer. Further, FDA-approved arsenic trioxide (ATO) and the ND2-SmoA1 mouse model of Medulloblastoma (MB) were used to extend our analyses of combined MRI and Reverse Phase Protein Microarray (RPMA) data to assess tumor responses to ATO and to uncover the complexity of therapeutic molecular biology.

  13. A novel sensor made of Antimony Doped Tin Oxide-silica composite sol on a glassy carbon electrode modified by single-walled carbon nanotubes for detection of norepinephrine.

    PubMed

    Wang, Zhao; Wang, Kai; Zhao, Lu; Chai, Shigan; Zhang, Jinzhi; Zhang, Xiuhua; Zou, Qichao

    2017-11-01

    In this study, we designed a novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), Antimony Doped Tin Oxide (ATO)-silica composite sol, which was made using a sol-gel method. Then a sensitive and selective imprinted electrochemical sensor was constructed with the ATO-silica composite sol on a glassy carbon electrode modified by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The introduction of SWNTs increased the sensitivity of the MIP sensor. The surface morphology of the MIP and MIP/SWNTs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the optimal conditions for detection were determined. The oxidative peak current increased linearly with the concentration of norepinephrine in the range of 9.99×10 -8 M to 1.50×10 -5 M, as detected by cyclic voltammetry (CV), the detection limit was 3.33×10 -8 M (S/N=3). In addition, the proposed electrochemical sensors were successfully applied to detect the norepinephrine concentration in human blood serum samples. The recoveries of the sensors varied from 99.67% to 104.17%, indicating that the sensor has potential for the determination of norepinephrine in clinical tests. Moreover, the imprinted electrochemical sensor was used to selectively detect norepinephrine. The analytical application was conducted successfully and yielded accurate and precise results. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  14. Piezoresponse force microscopy of ferroelectric relaxors =

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kiselev, Dmitry

    esta provisoriamente (wrong Word) atribuida a natureza relaxor de PZN-PT, onde pequenos grupos polares podem formar-se em coindicoes de zero-field-cooling (ZFC). Estes nanodominios sao considerados como os nucleos do estado de polarizacao oposta e podem ser responsaveis pelo menor campo coercitivo para este corte de cristal em particular. No entanto, a histerese local piezoeletrica realizada pelo PFM a escala nanometrica indica uma mudanca de comportamento de PZN-PT semelhante para ambas as orientacoes cristalograficas investigadas. A evolucao das estruturas de dominio com polimento abaixo da superficie do cristal foi investigada. O dominio de ramificacoes e os efeitos de polarizacao de triagem apos o polimento e as medicoes de temperatura tem sido estudados pela PFM e pela analise SEM. Alem disso, verificou-se que a intensidade do sinal piezoelectrico a partir das estruturas de nanodominio diminui com o aumento da temperatura, acabando por desaparecer aos 430 K (orientacao ) e 470 K (orientacao ). Esta diferenca de temperatura nas transicoes de fase local em cristais de diferentes orientacoes e explicada pelo forte efeito de superficie na transicao da fase ferroeletrica em relaxors. A comutacao da polarizacao em relaxor ergodico e nas fases ferroelectricas do sistema PMN-PT foram realizadas pela combinacao de tres metodos, Microscopia de Forca Piezoelectrica, medicao de um unico ponto de relaxamento eletromecânico e por ultimo mapeamento de espectroscopia de tensao. A dependencia do comportamento do relaxamento na amplitude e tempo da tensao de pulso foi encontrada para seguir um comportamento logaritmico universal com uma inclinacao quase constante. Este comportamento e indicativo da progressiva populacao dos estados de relaxamento lento, ao contrario de uma relaxacao linear na presenca de uma ampla distribuicao do tempo de relaxamento. O papel do comportamento de relaxamento, da nao-linearidade ferroelectrica e da heterogeneidade espacial do campo na ponta da sonda

  15. The Department of the Navy Systems Engineering Career Competency Model

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-04-30

    competencies (Delgado, 2014). The SECCM has enhanced the current ENG model through the addition of extensive sets of KSAs mapped to each of the...SECCM then added KSA details from several other existing systems engineering competency models , many provided to the original NDIA SE WG, from a...to generate as complete a scope of SE KSA as possible. The ENG (formerly SPRDE) Career Field Competency Model was used as a basis for the set of

  16. An Overview of Advanced Concepts for Space Access (Preprint)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-06-19

    One such technology is the pulsed detonation engine ( PDE ). PDEs are conceptually simple devices. Fuel and air are mixed in the closed end of a...to form air detonations that propel the vehicle. Two types of lightcraft engines have been examined using either simple laser-thermal or more complex... detonation waves to propel the vehicle has the advantage of not having to store fuel on-board the vehicle. However as the vehicle ascends, the air

  17. Impacts of Ocean Waves on the Atmospheric Surface Layer: Simulations and Observations

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-06-06

    energy and pressure described in § 4 are solved using a mixed finite - difference pseudospectral scheme with a third-order Runge-Kutta time stepping with a...to that in our DNS code (Sullivan and McWilliams 2002; Sullivan et al. 2000). For our mixed finite - difference pseudospec- tral differencing scheme a...Poisson equation. The spatial discretization is pseu- dospectral along lines of constant or and second- order finite difference in the vertical

  18. Aircraft Accident Report; Uncontrolled Impact with Terrain, Fine Airlines Flight 101, Douglas DC-8-61, N27UA, Miami, Florida, August 7, 1997

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1998-06-16

    Transcolombiana de Carga ATI Air Transport International ATOS Air Transportation Oversight System ATP airline transport pilot CAM cockpit area microphone...495,000 fine against Aero Transcolombiana de Carga (ATC) for operating a DC-8-51 "over the weight limits set forth in its FAA-approved flight manual...PB98-910402 NTSB/AAR-98/02 DCA97MA059 NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD WASHINGTON, D.C. 20594 AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT c>C== UNCONTROLLED IMPACT

  19. Airspace Command and Control in the Contemporary Operating Environment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-05-07

    entities including the TACPs, the Theater Battle Management Core System ( TBMCS ), and MIRC chat. The role of the TACPs was discussed in a previous...section under the elements of TAGS. Planners at the CAOC use TBMCS to build, distribute, and execute the ATO and ACO. TBMCS interfaces with AFATDS and... TBMCS , a validity check is conducted on all airspace users to determine potential conflicts. The deconfliction analysis uses take-off times, routes

  20. The Development of Military Night Aviation to 1919

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-01-01

    aerodrome. At the center of the airfield was positioned a large square glass window, flush with the ground, and sufficiently thick to withstand the...impact of an aircraft landing. At night an electric lamp located beneath the glass continuously radiated white light into the darkened sky, acting as a...to the east would be illuminated. If the wind was blowing in a direction between cardinal points, the two outer lamps closest to the actual wind

  1. Dispersion of Vapor from LNG Spills -- Simulation in a Meteorological Wind Tunnel of Spills at China Lake Naval Weapons Center, California.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1979-03-01

    and Diffusion Laboratory Department of Civil Engineering, , / """..,--. Colorado State University DOT-CG-75279-A) )V Fnrt Cnl lin. Colorado 80523 ype...Film Aspirating Probe ......... .. 20 3.5.2 Errors in Concentration Measurement . . 21 4.0 TEST PROGRAM RESULTS ..... ............... .. 23 4.1...Coriolis Force Viscous Diffusivity Prandtl number Pr = v/(k/P C ViThrma Diffusivity0 0 p Thermal Diffusivity Eckert number Ec = /Cpo (AT)o 5 For exact

  2. Using Voice Recognition Equipment to Run the Warfare Environmental Simulator (WES),

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-03-01

    simulations and models are often used. War games are a type of simulation frequently used by the military to evaluate C3 effectiveness. Through the use of a...to 162 words or short phrases (Appendix B). B. EQUIPMENT USED 1. Hardware Description [13] For the experiment a Threshold Model T600 discrete... Model T600 terminal used in this experiment con- sists of an analog speech preprocessor, microcomputer, CRT/keyboard unit, magnetic tape cartridge unit

  3. Mental Health Advisory Team 9 (MHAT 9) Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) 2013 Afghanistan

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-10-10

    0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing...2010, and 2009 OEF samples. If a year is not mentioned, there was no significant difference from 2013. 1.2.1 Well-Being Indices 1. Morale...behavioral health staff to Soldiers is 1:567, suggesting a surplus of behavioral health resources in the ATO. Patient encounter data demonstrated that

  4. Mission Assignment Model and Simulation Tool for Different Types of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-09-01

    TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AAA Anti Aircraft Artillery ATO Air Tasking Order BDA Battle Damage Assessment DES Discrete Event Simulation...clock is advanced in small, fixed time steps. Since the value of simulated time is important in DES , an internal variable, called as simulation clock...VEHICLES Yücel Alver Captain, Turkish Air Force B.S., Turkish Air Force Academy, 2000 Murat Özdoğan 1st Lieutenant, Turkish Air Force B.S., Turkish

  5. Improving Analysis: Dealing with Information Processing Errors

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-11-01

    obviating this issue, psychological test data provides information that is normed and scored in a common standardized metric (e.g., a z score. A z score is a...to take these into account when interpreting psychological test information. Clinicians are not alone in their relative inability to outperform...1980); M. Snyder and B. Campbell, " Testing hypotheses about other people: The role of the hypothesis," Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, No. 6

  6. Straight or Curly? Hair and Race in Carmen Montañez's "Pelo bueno, pelo malo"

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ortiz-Loyola, Brenda

    2017-01-01

    Historically, black women's hair has been a site where power and social relations are defined. In Puerto Rico, cultural production has been critical in perpetuating as well as in contesting the prevailing white European ideal of beauty and its impact on women's hairstyling practices. Nevertheless, the link between aesthetic preferences and the…

  7. Sustained-release liquisolid compact tablets containing artemether-lumefantrine as alternate-day regimen for malaria treatment to improve patient compliance.

    PubMed

    Nnamani, Petra Obioma; Ugwu, Agatha Adaora; Ibezim, Emmanuel Chinedu; Kenechukwu, Franklin Chimaobi; Akpa, Paul Achile; Ogbonna, John-Dike Nwabueze; Obitte, Nicholas Chinedu; Odo, Amelia Ngozi; Windbergs, Maike; Lehr, Claus-Michael; Attama, Anthony Amaechi

    The present study aimed to develop low-dose liquisolid tablets of two antimalarial drugs artemether-lumefantrine (AL) from a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) of lumefantrine (LUM) and estimate the potential of AL as an oral delivery system in malariogenic Wistar mice. LUM-NLCs were prepared by hot homogenization using Precirol ® ATO 5/Transcutol ® HP and tallow fat/Transcutol ® HP optimized systems containing 3:1 ratios of the lipids, respectively, as the matrices. LUM-NLC characteristics, including morphology, particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, yield, pH-dependent stability, and interaction studies, were investigated. Optimized LUM-NLCs were mixed with artemether powder and other dry ingredients and the resultant powder evaluated for micromeritics. Subsequent AL liquisolid tablets were tested for in vitro drug release and in vivo antiplasmodial activity in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei (NK 65). Results showed that optimized LUM-NLC were stable, spherical, polydispersed but nanometric. Percentage yield and encapsulation efficiency were ~92% and 93% for Precirol ® ATO 5/Transcutol ® HP batch, then 81% and 95% for tallow fat/Transcutol ® HP batch while LUM was amorphous in NLC matrix. In vitro AL release from liquisolid compacts revealed initial burst release and subsequent sustained release. Liquisolid tablet compacts formulated with Precirol ® ATO 5/Transcutol ® HP-AL4 achieved higher LUM release in simulated intestinal fluid (84.32%) than tallow fat/Transcutol ® HP-BL3 (77.9%). Non-Fickian (anomalous) diffusion and super case II transport were the predominant mechanisms of drug release. Equal parasitemia reduction was observed for both batches of tablet compacts (~92%), superior to the reduction obtained with commercial antimalarial formulations: Coartem ® tablets (86%) and chloroquine phosphate tablets (66%). No significant difference ( P <0.05) in parasite reduction between double (4/24 mg/kg) and single (2/12 mg

  8. Sustained-release liquisolid compact tablets containing artemether–lumefantrine as alternate-day regimen for malaria treatment to improve patient compliance

    PubMed Central

    Nnamani, Petra Obioma; Ugwu, Agatha Adaora; Ibezim, Emmanuel Chinedu; Kenechukwu, Franklin Chimaobi; Akpa, Paul Achile; Ogbonna, John-Dike Nwabueze; Obitte, Nicholas Chinedu; Odo, Amelia Ngozi; Windbergs, Maike; Lehr, Claus-Michael; Attama, Anthony Amaechi

    2016-01-01

    The present study aimed to develop low-dose liquisolid tablets of two antimalarial drugs artemether–lumefantrine (AL) from a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) of lumefantrine (LUM) and estimate the potential of AL as an oral delivery system in malariogenic Wistar mice. LUM-NLCs were prepared by hot homogenization using Precirol® ATO 5/Transcutol® HP and tallow fat/Transcutol® HP optimized systems containing 3:1 ratios of the lipids, respectively, as the matrices. LUM-NLC characteristics, including morphology, particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, yield, pH-dependent stability, and interaction studies, were investigated. Optimized LUM-NLCs were mixed with artemether powder and other dry ingredients and the resultant powder evaluated for micromeritics. Subsequent AL liquisolid tablets were tested for in vitro drug release and in vivo antiplasmodial activity in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei (NK 65). Results showed that optimized LUM-NLC were stable, spherical, polydispersed but nanometric. Percentage yield and encapsulation efficiency were ~92% and 93% for Precirol® ATO 5/Transcutol® HP batch, then 81% and 95% for tallow fat/Transcutol® HP batch while LUM was amorphous in NLC matrix. In vitro AL release from liquisolid compacts revealed initial burst release and subsequent sustained release. Liquisolid tablet compacts formulated with Precirol® ATO 5/Transcutol® HP-AL4 achieved higher LUM release in simulated intestinal fluid (84.32%) than tallow fat/Transcutol® HP-BL3 (77.9%). Non-Fickian (anomalous) diffusion and super case II transport were the predominant mechanisms of drug release. Equal parasitemia reduction was observed for both batches of tablet compacts (~92%), superior to the reduction obtained with commercial antimalarial formulations: Coartem® tablets (86%) and chloroquine phosphate tablets (66%). No significant difference (P<0.05) in parasite reduction between double (4/24 mg/kg) and single (2/12 mg

  9. A new ETV6-NTRK3 cell line model reveals MALAT1 as a novel therapeutic target - a short report.

    PubMed

    Chen, Suning; Nagel, Stefan; Schneider, Bjoern; Dai, Haiping; Geffers, Robert; Kaufmann, Maren; Meyer, Corinna; Pommerenke, Claudia; Thress, Kenneth S; Li, Jiao; Quentmeier, Hilmar; Drexler, Hans G; MacLeod, Roderick A F

    2018-02-01

    Previously, the chromosomal translocation t(12;15)(p13;q25) has been found to recurrently occur in both solid tumors and leukemias. This translocation leads to ETV6-NTRK3 (EN) gene fusions resulting in ectopic expression of the NTRK3 neurotropic tyrosine receptor kinase moiety as well as oligomerization through the donated ETV6-sterile alpha motif domain. As yet, no in vitro cell line model carrying this anomaly is available. Here we genetically characterized the acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell line AP-1060 and, by doing so, revealed the presence of a t(12;15)(p13;q25). Subsequently, we evaluated its suitability as a model for this important clinical entity. Spectral karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and genomic and transcriptomic microarray-based profiling were used to screen for the presence of EN fusions. qRT-PCR was used for quantitative expression analyses. Responses to AZ-23 (NTRK) and wortmannin (PI3K) inhibitors, as well as to arsenic trioxide (ATO), were assessed using colorimetric assays. An AZ-23 microarray screen was used to define the EN targetome, which was parsed bioinformatically. MAPK1 and MALAT1 activation were assayed using Western blotting and RNA-FISH, respectively, whereas an AML patient cohort was used to assess the clinical occurrence of MALAT1 activation. An EN fusion was detected in AP1060 cells which, accordingly, turned out to be hypersensitive to AZ-23. We also found that AZ-23 can potentiate the effect of ATO and inhibit the phosphorylation of its canonical target MAPK1. The AZ-23 microarray screen highlighted a novel EN target, MALAT1, which also proved sensitive to wortmannin. Finally, we found that MALAT1 was massively up-regulated in a subset of AML patients. From our data we conclude that AP-1060 may serve as a first publicly available preclinical model for EN. In addition, we conclude that these EN-positive cells are sensitive to the NTRK inhibitor AZ-23 and that this inhibitor may potentiate the

  10. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is involved in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell response to fludarabine and arsenic trioxide.

    PubMed

    Amigo-Jiménez, Irene; Bailón, Elvira; Ugarte-Berzal, Estefanía; Aguilera-Montilla, Noemí; García-Marco, José A; García-Pardo, Angeles

    2014-01-01

    Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) contributes to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) pathology by regulating cell migration and preventing spontaneous apoptosis. It is not known if MMP-9 is involved in CLL cell response to chemotherapy and we address this in the present study, using arsenic trioxide (ATO) and fludarabine as examples of cytotoxic drugs. We used primary cells from the peripheral blood of CLL patients and MEC-1 cells stably transfected with an empty vector or a vector containing MMP-9. The effect of ATO and fludarabine was determined by flow cytometry and by the MTT assay. Expression of mRNA was measured by RT-PCR and qPCR. Secreted and cell-bound MMP-9 was analyzed by gelatin zymography and flow cytometry, respectively. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. Statistical analyses were performed using the two-tailed Student's t-test. In response to ATO or fludarabine, CLL cells transcriptionally upregulated MMP-9, preceding the onset of apoptosis. Upregulated MMP-9 primarily localized to the membrane of early apoptotic cells and blocking apoptosis with Z-VAD prevented MMP-9 upregulation, thus linking MMP-9 to the apoptotic process. Culturing CLL cells on MMP-9 or stromal cells induced drug resistance, which was overcome by anti-MMP-9 antibodies. Accordingly, MMP-9-MEC-1 transfectants showed higher viability upon drug treatment than Mock-MEC-1 cells, and this effect was blocked by silencing MMP-9 with specific siRNAs. Following drug exposure, expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (Mcl-1, Bcl-xL, Bcl-2) and the Mcl-1/Bim, Mcl-1/Noxa, Bcl-2/Bax ratios were higher in MMP-9-cells than in Mock-cells. Similar results were obtained upon culturing primary CLL cells on MMP-9. Our study describes for the first time that MMP-9 induces drug resistance by modulating proteins of the Bcl-2 family and upregulating the corresponding anti-apoptotic/pro-apoptotic ratios. This is a novel role for MMP-9 contributing to CLL progression

  11. Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Is Involved in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cell Response to Fludarabine and Arsenic Trioxide

    PubMed Central

    Amigo-Jiménez, Irene; Bailón, Elvira; Ugarte-Berzal, Estefanía; Aguilera-Montilla, Noemí; García-Marco, José A.; García-Pardo, Angeles

    2014-01-01

    Background Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) contributes to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) pathology by regulating cell migration and preventing spontaneous apoptosis. It is not known if MMP-9 is involved in CLL cell response to chemotherapy and we address this in the present study, using arsenic trioxide (ATO) and fludarabine as examples of cytotoxic drugs. Methods We used primary cells from the peripheral blood of CLL patients and MEC-1 cells stably transfected with an empty vector or a vector containing MMP-9. The effect of ATO and fludarabine was determined by flow cytometry and by the MTT assay. Expression of mRNA was measured by RT-PCR and qPCR. Secreted and cell-bound MMP-9 was analyzed by gelatin zymography and flow cytometry, respectively. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. Statistical analyses were performed using the two-tailed Student's t-test. Results In response to ATO or fludarabine, CLL cells transcriptionally upregulated MMP-9, preceding the onset of apoptosis. Upregulated MMP-9 primarily localized to the membrane of early apoptotic cells and blocking apoptosis with Z-VAD prevented MMP-9 upregulation, thus linking MMP-9 to the apoptotic process. Culturing CLL cells on MMP-9 or stromal cells induced drug resistance, which was overcome by anti-MMP-9 antibodies. Accordingly, MMP-9-MEC-1 transfectants showed higher viability upon drug treatment than Mock-MEC-1 cells, and this effect was blocked by silencing MMP-9 with specific siRNAs. Following drug exposure, expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (Mcl-1, Bcl-xL, Bcl-2) and the Mcl-1/Bim, Mcl-1/Noxa, Bcl-2/Bax ratios were higher in MMP-9-cells than in Mock-cells. Similar results were obtained upon culturing primary CLL cells on MMP-9. Conclusions Our study describes for the first time that MMP-9 induces drug resistance by modulating proteins of the Bcl-2 family and upregulating the corresponding anti-apoptotic/pro-apoptotic ratios. This is a novel role for

  12. Evaluation of a Cooling Headpiece during Work in a Hot Environment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-10-01

    Press, 1960. 3. Brown, GA, and Willims, GM: The effects of head cooling on deep body temperature and thermal comfort in man. Aviat. Space & Environ...1971. 18. Williams, BA, and Shitzer, A,. A modular liquid-cooled helmet for thermal comfort . Aerospace Med. 45(g):1030-1036, 1974. 11J i. E Appendix A...to physiological benefits, soldier comfort and performance mey I also be enhanced by the CHP. Scalp temperature may be a factor in whole body thermal

  13. Restrictions of Non Associated Plastic Flow Laws Imposed by Thermodynamics and Uniqueness

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-05-20

    which have been discussed by Kestin and Rice (1970). Valanis (1971c) and Nemat-Nasser (1975b). lie in the concepts of entropy and temperature. As a...to the concept of entropy. As an example. consider the case of a rigid heat conductor in thermal equilibrium. If heat is added to the conductor, the...entropy for such systems mathematically. Using the concept of partial integrability of Pfaffian forms, Valanis finds the temperature 0 = 0(j.eL) > 0 as

  14. Thunderbolts and Eggshells: Composite Air Operations During Desert Storm and Implications for USAF Doctrine and Force Structure

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-09-01

    50 years ago as an imperative f’or a simple fighter- boamber escort team has .ince produced a highly sophisticated web of relationships between multip...encyclopedia of mission.specific u,)ject.ives that. are neither defined nor conceived at the operational level. .’lhe ATO cannot possibly cut this deep , nor...but they were nervous). [Meanwhile] F-15s are at their orbit point 150 miles deep in Iraq-waiting! We should do better than that. Responsiveness What

  15. Dinoflagellate Toxins Responsible for Ciguatera Food Poisoning

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-12-20

    variety of short term symptoms for which people commonly present themselves to a doctor for treatment (e.g. diarrhea, headache, etc). In addition...extracted for the purpose of purifying GT-4 (MTX). Four g were expended in attempts to improve our purification procedure. We were succesful in collecting a...to see if in fact it would react. We have repeated these experiments several times without results. I think that the conclusions right now are that, at

  16. Probabilistic Analysis of Algorithms for NP-Complete Problems

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-09-29

    LASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE DTIC FILE COPY i PO ATO PAGEm ’ Forn Approvedii IONO PAGE I iMB NO. 07040188 .... "....... b . RESTRICTIVE MARKINGSECTE D...0790 3. DISTRIBUTION IAVAILABILITY OF REPORTAD-A217 880 -- ApprvdnrPU1l Qroo; B distr’ibutil unli mit od. .... .S. MONITORING...efficiently solves P in bouncded probability under D. I1 b ) A finds a solution to an instance of P chosen randomly according to D in time bounded by a

  17. NATO Bureaucratic & Infrastructure Transformation for the 21st Century

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1998-04-22

    humamtanan, and out-of- area mlsslons not related to Arncles 4 and 5 ’ K-4-1-0 Office of InformatIon and Press \\ATO Handbook Bmss& October 1995 p 20...importantI>, soclall> and culturall > related interests We have strong polmcal and economic ties to the region \\\\ hlch certainly Just& contmuatlon of the NATO...regional air defense complement U S unilateral operations m the area Fmallq. close ties have developed at the military le\\ el. faclhtatmg ewzellent

  18. Security of Quantum Repeater Network Operation

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-10-03

    readily in quantum networks than in classical networks. Our presentation at the SENT workshop attracted the attention of computer and network researchers...AFRL-AFOSR-JP-TR-2016-0079 Security of Quantum Repeater Network Operation Rodney Van Meter KEIO UNIVERSITY Final Report 10/03/2016 DISTRIBUTION A...To)  29 May 2014 to 28 May 2016 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Security of Quantum Repeater Network Operation 5a.  CONTRACT NUMBER 5b.  GRANT NUMBER FA2386

  19. First Commuter Air Carrier Safety Symposium, January 16 - 17, 1980.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-01-01

    Pefor**rg Crgorr. - o+On Repor No 7. A.,to,’,; * -. / t 9. Performing Org,’zaton NoNme oan Address 10 Wor Ln.* No TRAiS: U. S. Department of...session requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the medical- and performance -related implications of pilot aging. Basically, this study...said that numbers can be made to say anything. Let me give you an example. Last year, commuter airlines performed 28 percent of all scheduled air

  20. Evaluation of Military Field-Water Quality. Volume 7. Performance Evaluation of the 600-GPH Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU): reverse Osmosis (RO) Components

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-02-01

    Data-for ASsessingHealthRISKS In Potential Theaters ~ of Operation forU,5. Mil-itary._orces. Jf-jr cLAss t:cAToN 9; r-.$ ’AGg UNCLASSIFIED Volume 7...Bypass, Potable-Water Disinfection,_ and Water-Quality Analysis Techniques; and Vol. 9, Data for Assessing Health Risks in Potential Theaters of Operation ...cleaning the RO elements, with objectives of improving solute rejection and reducing operating pressure. The most common method is to flush citric acid

  1. AFRRI Reports October - December 1990

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-01-01

    in the reaction between cytosine radicals and adria- mycin, it is possible that the yield of-DMPO--O,- and of its decomposition product, DMPO-OH, are...mixture due to the decomposition Time (min) of DMPO-O- by 0,7 ’. Fig. 2. Adriamycin radical yield as a function of time. y.lrradiated The electron...radical by decomposition of superoxide spin trapped toionization of thyminc. The thymnine cation and union radicals. adducts, Ato. Pharmn. 21: 262-265

  2. Wafer-Scale Integration of Systolic Arrays,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-10-01

    hus wtha rbaiith hig robabili, e aubrbe orutysta mostck b(e)adstotoefwsi the cenofther cnnel thati are connted to (g.The kery ato the alevel of t...problems considered heretofore in this paper also have an interpretation in a purely graph theoretic model. Suppose we are given a two-dimensional...graphs," Magyar 7Td. Akad. Math . Kut. Int. Kozl, Vol. 5, 1960, pp. 17-61. [6] D. Fussell and P. Varman, "Fault-tolerant wafer-scale architectures for

  3. Planar Embedding of Planar Graphs,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-02-01

    Stanford University and supported by a Chaim Wcismann postdoctoral fellowship and DARPA contract MDAOO3-C-0102. Current address: Institute of ...rectilinear embeddings (both with and without cross - overs), using the bounding box area cost. He proved that a tree of vertices with maximum degree 4 can...be laid out without crossovers in an area that is linear in the number of edges (or vertices). He also showed how Ato get a such an embedding for any

  4. The Cause of Hypoglycemia in Dogs Exposed to Heat

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1959-06-01

    the In 2 previously unused dogs we decided respiratory alkalosis . In a series of 11 ex- to produce a combined metabolic and respira- I periments the...Just above control metabolic alkalosis with a respiratory alkalosis . values at the end of 4 1hours. Evidently acid The animal could not satisfactorily...While a combined respiratory and wi~abolic alkalosis is a serfius strain on the regu-tory 1.T tae Insulin a do uuisllke ato NOl mechanism, some animals

  5. Vertical Impact Tests of a Modified F/FB-111 Crew Seat to Evaluate Headrest Position and Restraint Configuration Effects

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-08-01

    Deceleration Tower (VDT), shown in Figure 9, was used for this impact test series. This facility consists of a 60 ft vertical steel tower, which supports a...to void prior to entering the test area. A disposable dental bite block (made of Optosil placed over a stainless steel frame) was molded for the...shoulder strap - lap belt configuration (Sections 4D, 5C). 6. Subtolerance human impact tests can be an effective tool in the investi- gation of impact

  6. Gain-Controlled Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier Using Mode-Selective Photonic Lantern

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-01-01

    schematic diagram of the MSPL integrated with the FM-EDFA is shown in Fig. 3. Two laser diodes (LDs) at λp = 976 nm are connected to the MSPL through a...to co-directionally core pump the FM-EDFA. A tunable semiconductor laser (Santec TSL-210) was used to provide the signal. An optical isolator was...placed in the signal path to avoid spurious optical reflections that could destabilize the laser . In a similar configuration, the delivered signal was

  7. [Efficacy of dynamic magnetotherapy with modulation frequency 10Hz in the complex of spa rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy].

    PubMed

    Gurova, N Iu; Babina, L M

    2007-01-01

    Two groups of children with cerebral paralysis received combined therapy. Treatment of one of the groups included a course of magnetotherapy (AMO-ATOS unit, 10 Hz) according to the suboccipital-lumbar method, the other group was control (no magnetotherapy). The study of cliniconeurophysiological indices showed significantly higher efficacy of the therapeutic complex with a course of magnetotherapy. The highest beneficial effect was observed on bioelectrogenesis of the brain, rheoencephalographic parameters and clinical manifestation of muscular spasticity.

  8. Expedient Gap Definition Using 3D LADAR

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-09-01

    Research and Development Center (ERDC), ASI has developed an algorithm to reduce the 3D point cloud acquired with the LADAR system into sets of 2D...ATO IV.GC.2004.02. The GAP Program is conducted by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in conjunction with the U.S. Army...Introduction 1 1 Introduction Background The Battlespace Gap Definition and Defeat ( GAP ) Program is conducted by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and

  9. On Ensino de Astronomia nas Cidades de Ribeirão Pires e Rio Grande da Serra

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Faria, R. Z.; Voelzke, M. R.

    2007-08-01

    Apesar da astronomia ser um dos temas indicados pelos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais, observa-se que poucas mudanças ocorreram desde a implementação do mesmo em sala de aula. A presente pesquisa diz respeito sobre como os tópicos de astronomia estão sendo abordados pelos professores no ensino médio. Optou-se por aplicar um questionário com os professores que ministram a disciplina de física. Os mesmos trabalham em escolas estaduais situadas nas cidades de Ribeirão Pires e Rio Grande da Serra, ambas subordinadas a Diretoria de Ensino de Mauá, no Estado de São Paulo. O questionário foi aplicado durante o 2° semestre de 2006. Até o momento os resultados são preliminares. Dos 82,0% dos professores que responderam ao questionário no município de Rio Grande da Serra, 66,7% não aplicaram nenhum tópico de astronomia, 77,8% não utilizaram qualquer tipo de programa computacional, 66,7% não utilizaram laboratório, que 77,8% nunca levaram os alunos a museus e ou planetários e que 66,7% não indicaram qualquer tipo de revista ou livro sobre astronomia aos seus alunos. No município de Ribeirão Pires, 53,3% dos professores responderam ao questionário, destes 75,0% não aplicaram nenhum tópico de astronomia, 93,8% não utilizaram qualquer tipo de programa computacional, 75,0% não utilizaram laboratório, 81,3% nunca levaram os alunos a museus e ou planetário e 56,3% não indicaram qualquer tipo de revista ou livro sobre astronomia ao seus alunos. Apesar da maioria dos professores reconhecerem que o conteúdo de astronomia influi na formação do jovem, os mesmos não incluem o tema em seus planejamentos escolares.

  10. Mitochondrial DNA Analysis of Mazahua and Otomi Indigenous Populations from Estado de México Suggests a Distant Common Ancestry.

    PubMed

    González-Oliver, Angélica; Garfias-Morales, Ernesto; Smith, David Glenn; Quinto-Sánchez, Mirsha

    2017-07-01

    The indigenous Mazahua and Otomi have inhabited the same localities in Estado de México since pre-Columbian times. Their languages, Mazahua and Otomi, belong to the Oto-Manguean linguistic family, and although they share cultural traditions and a regional history that suggest close genetic relationships and common ancestry, the historical records concerning their origin are confusing. To understand the biological relationships between Mazahua and Otomi, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic variation. We identified the mtDNA haplogroups by restriction fragment length polymorphism typing and sequenced hypervariable region 1 of the mtDNA control region in 141 Mazahua and 100 Otomi. These results showed that Otomi exhibit a higher frequency of haplogroup A than B, whereas Mazahua exhibit the opposite pattern. In the Otomi EM population the most frequent subhaplogroups are, in order of frequency, A2, B2, and C1, whereas in the Mazahua 1 population they are B2, D1, and A2. The most frequent haplotypes (Ht) of haplogroups A and B are Ht2 (A) and Ht58 (B2g1) in Mazahua 1 and Ht8 (A2), Ht22 (A2ao1), and Ht53 (B2c2b) in Otomi EM. The genetic differences between the Mazahua 1 and Otomi EM suggest a distant shared ancestry and a moderate degree of maternal admixture that has not obscured the difference of their mtDNA patterns. These unexpected results suggest the Mazahua and Otomi probably descend from the same group but separated very early and admixed with other Mesoamerican populations before their arrival in Central Mexico. The historical evidence of conflicting relations between the Mazahua and Otomi and the almost nonexistence of marriage between them could be responsible for maintaining only a moderate degree of maternal admixture.

  11. Sensor and information fusion for improved hostile fire situational awareness

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Scanlon, Michael V.; Ludwig, William D.

    2010-04-01

    A research-oriented Army Technology Objective (ATO) named Sensor and Information Fusion for Improved Hostile Fire Situational Awareness uniquely focuses on the underpinning technologies to detect and defeat any hostile threat; before, during, and after its occurrence. This is a joint effort led by the Army Research Laboratory, with the Armaments and the Communications and Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Centers (CERDEC and ARDEC) partners. It addresses distributed sensor fusion and collaborative situational awareness enhancements, focusing on the underpinning technologies to detect/identify potential hostile shooters prior to firing a shot and to detect/classify/locate the firing point of hostile small arms, mortars, rockets, RPGs, and missiles after the first shot. A field experiment conducted addressed not only diverse modality sensor performance and sensor fusion benefits, but gathered useful data to develop and demonstrate the ad hoc networking and dissemination of relevant data and actionable intelligence. Represented at this field experiment were various sensor platforms such as UGS, soldier-worn, manned ground vehicles, UGVs, UAVs, and helicopters. This ATO continues to evaluate applicable technologies to include retro-reflection, UV, IR, visible, glint, LADAR, radar, acoustic, seismic, E-field, narrow-band emission and image processing techniques to detect the threats with very high confidence. Networked fusion of multi-modal data will reduce false alarms and improve actionable intelligence by distributing grid coordinates, detection report features, and imagery of threats.

  12. Long-Term Stability of Oxide Nanowire Sensors via Heavily Doped Oxide Contact.

    PubMed

    Zeng, Hao; Takahashi, Tsunaki; Kanai, Masaki; Zhang, Guozhu; He, Yong; Nagashima, Kazuki; Yanagida, Takeshi

    2017-12-22

    Long-term stability of a chemical sensor is an essential quality for long-term collection of data related to exhaled breath, environmental air, and other sources in the Internet of things (IoT) era. Although an oxide nanowire sensor has shown great potential as a chemical sensor, the long-term stability of sensitivity has not been realized yet due to electrical degradation under harsh sensing conditions. Here, we report a rational concept to accomplish long-term electrical stability of metal oxide nanowire sensors via introduction of a heavily doped metal oxide contact layer. Antimony-doped SnO 2 (ATO) contacts on SnO 2 nanowires show much more stable and lower electrical contact resistance than conventional Ti contacts for high temperature (200 °C) conditions, which are required to operate chemical sensors. The stable and low contact resistance of ATO was confirmed for at least 1960 h under 200 °C in open air. This heavily doped oxide contact enables us to realize the long-term stability of SnO 2 nanowire sensors while maintaining the sensitivity for both NO 2 gas and light (photo) detections. The applicability of our method is confirmed for sensors on a flexible polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrate. Since the proposed fundamental concept can be applied to various oxide nanostructures, it will give a foundation for designing long-term stable oxide nanomaterial-based IoT sensors.

  13. Learning how to rate video-recorded therapy sessions: a practical guide for trainees and advanced clinicians.

    PubMed

    McCullough, Leigh; Bhatia, Maneet; Ulvenes, Pal; Berggraf, Lene; Osborn, Kristin

    2011-06-01

    Watching and rating psychotherapy sessions is an important yet often overlooked component of psychotherapy training. This article provides a simple and straightforward guide for using one Website (www.ATOStrainer.com) that provides an automated training protocol for rating of psychotherapy sessions. By the end of the article, readers will be able to have the knowledge to go to the Website and begin using this training method as soon as they have a recorded session to view. This article presents, (a) an overview of the Achievement of Therapeutic Objectives Scale (ATOS; McCullough et al., 2003a), a research tool used to rate psychotherapy sessions; (b) a description of APA training tapes, available for purchase from APA Books, that have been rated and scored by ATOS trained clinicians and posted on the Website; (c) step-by-step procedures on how ratings can be done; (d) an introduction to www.ATOStrainer.com where ratings can be entered and compared with expert ratings; and (e) first-hand personal experiences of the authors using this training method and the benefits it affords both trainees and experienced therapists. This psychotherapy training Website has the potential to be a key resource tool for graduate students, researchers, and clinicians. Our long-range goal is to promote the growth of our understanding of psychotherapy and to improve the quality of psychotherapy provided for patients.

  14. Lipid nanocarriers (GeluPearl) containing amphiphilic lipid Gelucire 50/13 as a novel stabilizer: fabrication, characterization and evaluation for oral drug delivery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Date, Abhijit A.; Vador, Nimish; Jagtap, Aarti; Nagarsenker, Mangal S.

    2011-07-01

    Purpose. To evaluate the ability of Gelucire 50/13 (an amphiphilic lipid excipient) to act as a stabilizer for lipid nanocarriers such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) and to establish the ability of Gelucire 50/13 based lipid nanocarriers to improve oral delivery of hydrophobic drugs using repaglinide (RPG) as a model drug. Methods. The ability of Gelucire 50/13 to nanosize various solid lipids was evaluated. The ability of Gelucire 50/13 to yield NLC was evaluated by using Precirol ATO 5 as a model solid lipid and various liquid lipids (oils). Gelucire 50/13 based NLC (GeluPearl) were evaluated for their ability to improve the efficacy of RPG on oral administration in comparison to RPG tablets. The short term stability of RPG-GeluPearl was evaluated at 25 °C/60% RH. Results. Gelucire 50/13 could successfully yield SLN and NLC of various solid lipids, demonstrating its potential to act as a novel stabilizer. DSC studies indicated that Gelucire 50/13 interacts with Precirol ATO 5 and this interaction suppresses polymorphic transitions of both the components. RPG-GeluPearl exhibited significantly higher anti-diabetic activity compared to marketed RPG tablets. RPG-GeluPearl demonstrated good colloidal and chemical stability at the end of 1 month. Indian patent application number 2167/MUM/2008.

  15. [FEATURES OF PTSD IN THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE ANTI-TERRORIST OPERATION--UKRAINIAN SYNDROME].

    PubMed

    Matyash, M N; Khudenko, L I

    2014-12-01

    The article gives information about the results of research of characteristics of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the participants of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO), and refugees. Drawn attention to the fact that the demonstration took place in the study of PTSD patients, in the form of the following options: invasion (penetration); avoiding (displacement); hyperactivation. In the study took part 71 serviceman (69 men and 2 women) aged from 22 to 35 years (average age 26,2 years) that have closed traumatic brain injury , in the form of a brain concussions, contusions and suffered on PTSD (main group), studies conducted in 3-6 months after received closed traumatic brain injury. In the group of comparison included 37 patients (34 women and 3 men) aged 27-42 years (average age 32,2 years) that have had PTSD. In a group that included military personnel, in which in addition to PTSD, the clinical picture had existing consequences of craniocerebral injury observed in asthenic symptom complex--27 patients (38.1%); the anxious-phobic--in 19 patients (26.7%); hysterical--in 8 patients (11.3%); a depressive--in 17 patients (23.9%). In a group of patients and refugees from the ATO was: asthenic symptom complex--in 12 patients (32.4%), the anxious-phobic--in 11 patients (29.7%), hysterical--in 6 patients (16.2%), a depressive--in 8 patients (21.7%).

  16. Discrete-Event-Dynamic-System-Based Approaches for Control in Integrated VoicelData Multihop Radio Networks.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-12-07

    Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget. Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188), Washington, DC 20603. 1...adjustment made to Oi never violates this constraint. Observe that the mean waiting 2; de Wi is a function of the probability that stream i is assigned a...to transmission set i. Let F k -(-) be the kth Fibonacci number, where -1 = (/•(5) - 1)/2 • 0.618034. Then, let N’, i = 1,..-, M be integers such that

  17. Solar Wind Earth Exchange Project (SWEEP)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-10-28

    AFRL-AFOSR-UK-TR-2016-0035 Solar Wind Earth Exchange Project 140200 Steven Sembay UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER Final Report 10/28/2016 DISTRIBUTION A...To) 01 Sep 2014 to 31 Aug 2016 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Solar Wind Earth Exchange Project (SWEEP) 5a.  CONTRACT NUMBER 5b.  GRANT NUMBER FA9550-14-1...SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT The grant received from AFRL/AOFSR/EOARD funded the Solar Wind Earth Exchange Project (SWEEP) at Leicester University. The goal

  18. Ground Vehicle Power and Mobility Overview

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-05-30

    Program Li-Ion Phosphate (LFP) Cathode Materials Large Format Li-Ion Prismatic Cells and Modules with Integrated Liquid Cooling Integrated Prototype...using porous graphitic material3 4 5 8 5 6 60 W-hr/kg 80-120 W/kg Low Cycle Life LFP cathode Safer Less energetic materials ~ ~ Power Cell 85-120...Thermal Runaway Study Zebra Battery NaNiCl2 (FY08 ATO) Advanced Lead Acid LiFePO4 Cathode Prismatic Lithium-ion batteries and Integrated Liquid Cooling

  19. Japanese Nationalism

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-06-01

    United States. The chief function of this principle is to cut--it separates all things. It classifies everything into black and white, good and bad . The...content included articles on masturbation , petting, and 99 intercourse. One of Japan’s all time best selling books in recent years, Totto-chan, is a...to the th: every Japanese will be judged by whether he celebrates this or not. That is how people will be determined to be good Japanese or bad 112

  20. Application of Cortical Processing Theory to Acoustical Analysis

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-07-27

    attenuations of 80 dB. All stimuli were presented binaurally at 60 dB SPL. 4.2 Human performance (see also Appendix B.) Listeners The listeners in all...fepeat - beat vee - bee jt-gtwad_ - rod got - dot Table A.2. A sample of the outcome of one DRT session, one stimulus condition, and one subject. A...to the speech materials binaurally under Sennheiser HD580 headphones. On the first visit, each subject was given a pure tone hearing test to document

  1. Security of Quantum Repeater Network Operation

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-10-03

    AFRL-AFOSR-JP-TR-2016-0079 Security of Quantum Repeater Network Operation Rodney Van Meter KEIO UNIVERSITY Final Report 10/03/2016 DISTRIBUTION A...To)  29 May 2014 to 28 May 2016 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Security of Quantum Repeater Network Operation 5a.  CONTRACT NUMBER 5b.  GRANT NUMBER FA2386...ABSTRACT Much of the work on quantum networks , both entangled and unentangled, has been about the uses of quantum networks to enhance end- host security

  2. Fitment of ’TAMAM’ Standby Attitude Indicators to Macchi Aircraft.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-08-01

    A.Dr-A .. 7 AIRCRAFT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT EDINBURGH (AUS--ETC FIG 1/4 FITMENT OF ITAMAM’ STANDBY ATTITUDE INDICATORS TO MACCHI AIRCRA--ETC(U...REPIST( [IC’.4. T SERVICE . . .. , -- 7 i:.)U.,L ATO SHLL ThIS REPORT FITMENT OF ’TAMAM’ STANDBY= ATTITUDE INDICATORS L .-iTO MACCHI AIRCRAFT j APPROVED...TI-683 Isolation: UNCLAS Other c. Summary in Numbers: Isolation: UNCLAS 3 TITLE ] FITMENT OF ’TAMAN’ STANDBY ATTITUDE INDICATORS TO MACCHI AIRCRAFT

  3. PANDA2: Program for Minimum Weight Design of Stiffened, Composite, Locally Buckled Panels

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-09-01

    a flat panel or a panel that spans less than about 45 degrees of circumference. However, in PANDA2 complete cylindrical shells can be treated by the...compression and that corresponding to maximum in-plane shear. It is usually best to treat complete cylindrical shells in this way rather than try to set up a...to treat panels, not complete cylindrical shells. Therefore, it is best applied to panels. In PANDA2 the curved edges of a cylindrical panel lie in

  4. Applications of Neural Networks to Adaptive Control

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-12-01

    DTIC ;-E py 00 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL Monterey, California I.$ RDTIC IELECTE fl THESIS BEG7V°U APPLICATIONS OF NEURAL NETWORKS TO ADAPTIVE CONTROL...MONITORING ORGANIZATION Naval Postgraduate School (10 applicable) Naval Postgraduate School 6< ADDRESS (C~tV Start, and ZIPCode) 7b ADDRESS(City. Stott...eshausted SICURIIY CLAS$SItATO’. -r’, T..i5 PAGE~ All oth~er edit,ons art obsolete U11C1ASS 11- I’ Approved for Public release; distribution unlimited

  5. Experimentation and Evaluation of Advanced Integrated System Concepts.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-09-26

    ART). (b) Selects one of four trunk circuits from each trunk (m) Dual Modem and Loop Interface (DMLI) card. circuit card. (n) Dictation and paging...Arbitrator L Bus - Modems ET _Modems Modems Figure 4-1 Certain Telenet Processor models (see Section 4.3 for details) can be equipped with redundancy to...JMemory Bank B Memory Bank A ArbittrAto Arbitrator A t a i Interface U a Modems $ Figure 4-2 In a system with common logic redundancy all centrally

  6. The Multi-Intelligence Tools Suite - Supporting Research and Development in Information and Knowledge Exploitation

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-06-01

    to build a membership fact. The atom definition also defines the precise order of the pieces. Each argument has a label (D) and a type ( E ). The...list of ato argument). Figure 2 shows the inference rule editor. B. Name E . Rule Premises F. Rule Conclusions Figure 2. Inference rule editor One...created using this specific rule. one premise in the rule premises list ( E ), which represents a list of fact conditions that need to be found in the fact

  7. Upgrading Basements for Combined Nuclear Weapons Effects: Predesigned Expedient Options II.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-07-01

    0 I, ~ N 0L 4..o I4 0W! a1. &40 a m-bV,- i-bazI2 D :4-1 4.] ai-a z -a *QT’ 5 -. a o a Da - , L, Icix C. w+ .- :£ a Qw3- Eck !4 za wD 4𔄁. ato 404Qa a U...Emergency Management Agency Washington, D.C. 20472 (60) 1725 1 Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20472 Defense TEchnical Information Center Cameron Station Mr

  8. Antecedents and Consequences of Choice.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-04-01

    ADAO97 738 VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND STATE UNIV BLACKSBURG F/A 5/10I -A077 ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF CHOICE.(U) A PR 81 L C PERIMUTER...1. REOR W ..... T ATO PAGE EAD iNSTRUCTiONS 4. TITL. , O PC OF REPORT A PERIOD COVERED( Antecedents and Consequences of Choic Final rN t 7. NTR,_C...sense of control has motivational consequences which may enhance performance on a variety of tasks .lost researchers in this field recognize that the

  9. Econometric Model for Optimizing Troop Dining Facility Operations (The Army Master Menu Study).

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-11-01

    Vegetables and fruit -- 4 or more servings daily including a serving of citrus fruit (or juice ) or other fruit / vegetable rich in Vitamin C and a...to provide variety and contrast in texture, flavor and color. II. BREAKFAST A. At least one fruit , fruit juice or vegetable juice will be offered...Each nutritional goal is to be met or exceeded except the calorie goal which is to be met due to an emphasis on weight control. In addition AR 30

  10. A Global Overview of Narcotics-Funded Terrorist and Other Extremist Groups

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2002-05-01

    del Estado —SIDE), told O Estado de São Paulo’s Buenos Aires correspondent that the event had two elements of great significance to continental...embaixada dos EUA” (Paraguay Extradites Terrorist to Canada: The Houdini Arab is Suspected of a Plot Against the U.S. Embassy), O Estado de S. Paulo...Triborder Region of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.64 In early January 1998, the Brazilian newspaper Estado de São Paulo cited Argentine reporter

  11. Processing of Mixed Oxide Superconductors

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-01-01

    doping with cobalt to eliminate twins we were able to show that the effect of twins on Jc is generall- very small (later work by * others has shown a...to show that the forces available by Meissner effects are far too small to be useful and it is necessary to work in higher fields, using the forces...I when working out the effective volume fraction at high 0 densities that even if the grains are touching there is an This is the same as the

  12. Interoperable Risk Management in a Joint Interagency Multinational Environment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-08-01

    est ensuite examinée par rapport à l’approche rendue obligatoire par le Conseil du Trésor. Un examen effectué par le Chef – Service d’examen (2004...relativement à la compréhension du MDN/des FC en matière de gestion des risques. De plus, un examen effectué par le Chef – Service d’examen (2004) a...to support further improvement. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s framework for risk management is also reflected in a companion

  13. Operational Test Director Guide. Change 4.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-09-20

    usable by the people invol - ved; the testers, the data collectors, and the evaluators. Sample formats are available to the OTD in (Change 1) 10-4 4 a...to & educe the e6jeetA o the timiting 6aetoxA. FoL exampte, "Avai- * abte ta/getA do not tepiteaent iteaLL~tic thkeatA. Howevek, 3-3 CLASSIFICATION...related test equipment and special tools. (e) (*) Completed NAVSUP Form 1250, with part number and APL number (or nomenclature of parent equipment), for

  14. Tau Processing by Mural Cells in Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Disease

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-10-01

    Cerebrovessels were treated with recombinant human tau (5ng/ml) for 1 hour at 37oC and total tau uptake was assessed in the lysates via ELISA . We observed a...to 5ng/ml recombinant human tau (rhtau-441) for 1 hour at 37oC. Lysates were analyzed for total tau content by ELISA and normalized to total protein...and 6 months post-last injury). Brain vessels were analyzed for PDGFRβ and α-SMC-actin content by ELISA and normalized to total protein using the

  15. Summary of NASA Advanced Telescope and Observatory Capability Roadmap

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stahl, H. Phil; Feinberg, Lee

    2006-01-01

    The NASA Advanced Telescope and Observatory (ATO) Capability Roadmap addresses technologies necessary for NASA to enable future space telescopes and observatories operating in all electromagnetic bands, from x-rays to millimeter waves, and including gravity-waves. It lists capability priorities derived from current and developing Space Missions Directorate (SMD) strategic roadmaps. Technology topics include optics; wavefront sensing and control and interferometry; distributed and advanced spacecraft systems; cryogenic and thermal control systems; large precision structure for observatories; and the infrastructure essential to future space telescopes and observatories.

  16. [Magnetotherapy designed to affect cervical sympathetic ganglia for the treatment of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma].

    PubMed

    Veselova, E V; Kamenskikh, T G; Raĭgorodkiĭ, Iu M; Kolbenev, I O; Myshkina, E S

    2010-01-01

    The traveling magnetic field was used to treat primary open-angle glaucoma. The field was applied to the projection of cervical sympathetic ganglia of the patients. Hemodynamic parameters of posterior short ciliary arteries and central retinal artery were analysed along with visual evoked potentials, visual field limits, and visual acuity. It was shown that magnetotherapy with the use of an AMO-ATOS apparatus produces better clinical results in patients with stage I and II primary open-angle glaucoma compared with medicamentous therapy (intake of trental tablets).

  17. Summary of NASA Advanced Telescope and Observatory Capability Roadmap

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stahl, H. Philip; Feinberg, Lee

    2007-01-01

    The NASA Advanced Telescope and Observatory (ATO) Capability Roadmap addresses technologies necessary for NASA to enable future space telescopes and observatories operating in all electromagnetic bands, from x-rays to millimeter waves, and including gravity-waves. It lists capability priorities derived from current and developing Space Missions Directorate (SMD) strategic roadmaps. Technology topics include optics; wavefront sensing and control and interferometry; distributed and advanced spacecraft systems; cryogenic and thermal control systems; large precision structure for observatories; and the infrastructure essential to future space telescopes and observatories.

  18. Psychophysiological characteristics in the ChNPP accident clean-up workers, exclusion zone evacuees and anti-terrorist operation servicemen.

    PubMed

    Loganovsky, K M; Gresko, M V

    2017-12-01

    Evaluation of interdependencies between psychometric parameters and spontaneous cerebral electric activity in the ChNPP accident clean up workers, evacuees from exclusion zone, and anti terrorist operation service men. Psychometric and neurophysiological parameters were reviewed in the study subjects retro spectively and in comparison. Study population included the ChNPP accident clean up workers (ACUW), evacuees from the 30 kilometer exclusion zone, specifically in a sample from a cohort of the NRCRM Clinical Epidemiological Register (n=316), and anti terrorist operation servicemen (n=81) undergoing rehabilitation in the NRCRM Radiation psychoneurology department. A control group of persons (n=84) was also involved in the study. Diagnostic method ology for the characteristic personality features, namely the personality test of character accentuation by G. Shmishek and K. Leonhard, and Eysenck Personality Inventory (by H. J. Eysenck) were applied. Computer EEGs were registered and analyzed on the 16 channel electroencephalograph DX 4000 (Kharkiv, Ukraine). In the aftermath of the emergency period, a personality deformation occurs in the clean up workers and survivors of the ChNPP accident, which is characterized by aggravation of such personality traits as jam (fixedness), emotiveness, pedantry, anxiety, cyclothymia, excitability and disthymia, with diminished hyperthymia and ostenta tion (demonstrability). Increased incidence of fixedness, pedantry, cyclothymia, affectability and disthymia with decreased hyperthymia were revealed in the group of ATO participants. Cerebral bioelectrical activity in the ChNPP ACUW was characterized by an increased delta activity power with decreased beta and theta activity power and dom inant frequency in comparison with all groups of survivors and control group. The ATO group was different from groups of survivors and control group with a lower power of delta, theta and beta activity, and a higher dominant frequency. Introversion

  19. Assessing landslide susceptibility, hazards and sediment yield in the Río El Estado watershed, Pico de Orizaba volcano, Mexico

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Legorreta Paulin, G.; Bursik, M. I.; Lugo Hubp, J.; Aceves Quesada, J. F.

    2014-12-01

    This work provides an overview of the on-going research project (Grant SEP-CONACYT # 167495) from the Institute of Geography at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) that seeks to conduct a multi-temporal landslide inventory, analyze the distribution of landslides, and characterize landforms that are prone to slope instability by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The study area is the Río El Estado watershed that covers 5.2 km2 and lies on the southwestern flank of Pico de Orizaba volcano.The watershed was studied by using aerial photographs, fieldwork, and adaptation of the Landslide Hazard Zonation Protocol of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, USA. 107 gravitational slope failures of six types were recognized: shallow landslides, debris-avalanches, deep-seated landslides, debris flows, earthflows, and rock falls. This analysis divided the watershed into 12 mass-wasting landforms on which gravitational processes occur: inner gorges, headwalls, active scarps of deep-seated landslides, meanders, plains, rockfalls, non-rule-identified inner gorges, non-rule-identified headwalls, non-rule-identified converging hillslopes and three types of hillslopes classified by their gradient: low, moderate, and high. For each landform the landslide area rate and the landslide frequency rate were calculated as well as the overall hazard rating. The slope-stability hazard rating has a range that goes from low to very high. The overall hazard rating for this watershed was very high. The shallow slide type landslide was selected and area and volume of individual landslides were retrieved from the watershed landslide inventory geo-database, to establish an empirical relationship between area and volume that takes the form of a power law. The relationship was used to estimate the total volume of landslides in the study area. The findings are important to understand the long-term evolution of the southwestern flank stream system of Pico de

  20. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Orfali, Nina; Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.; McKenna, Sharon L.

    Retinoids are a family of signaling molecules derived from vitamin A with well established roles in cellular differentiation. Physiologically active retinoids mediate transcriptional effects on cells through interactions with retinoic acid (RARs) and retinoid-X (RXR) receptors. Chromosomal translocations involving the RARα gene, which lead to impaired retinoid signaling, are implicated in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), alone and in combination with arsenic trioxide (ATO), restores differentiation in APL cells and promotes degradation of the abnormal oncogenic fusion protein through several proteolytic mechanisms. RARα fusion-protein elimination is emerging as critical to obtaining sustained remission and long-term cure in APL.more » Autophagy is a degradative cellular pathway involved in protein turnover. Both ATRA and ATO also induce autophagy in APL cells. Enhancing autophagy may therefore be of therapeutic benefit in resistant APL and could broaden the application of differentiation therapy to other cancers. Here we discuss retinoid signaling in hematopoiesis, leukemogenesis, and APL treatment. We highlight autophagy as a potential important regulator in anti-leukemic strategies. - Highlights: • Normal and aberrant retinoid signaling in hematopoiesis and leukemia is reviewed. • We suggest a novel role for RARα in the development of X-RARα gene fusions in APL. • ATRA therapy in APL activates transcription and promotes onco-protein degradation. • Autophagy may be involved in both onco-protein degradation and differentiation. • Pharmacologic autophagy induction may potentiate ATRA's therapeutic effects.« less

  1. Application of quality by design approach for intranasal delivery of rivastigmine loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: Effect on formulation and characterization parameters.

    PubMed

    Shah, Brijesh; Khunt, Dignesh; Bhatt, Himanshu; Misra, Manju; Padh, Harish

    2015-10-12

    In the present investigation, Quality by Design (QbD) approach was applied on the development and optimization of solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulation of hydrophilic drug rivastigmine (RHT). RHT SLN were formulated by homogenization and ultrasonication method using Compritol 888 ATO, tween-80 and poloxamer-188 as lipid, surfactant and stabilizer respectively. The effect of independent variables (X1 - drug: lipid ratio, X2 - surfactant concentration and X3 - homogenization time) on quality attributes of SLN i.e. dependent variables (Y1 - size, Y2 - PDI and Y3 - %entrapment efficiency (%EE)) were investigated using 3(3) factorial design. Multiple linear regression analysis and ANOVA were employed to indentify and estimate the main effect, 2FI, quadratic and cubic effect. Optimized RHT SLN formula was derived from an overlay plot on which further effect of probe sonication was evaluated. Final RHT SLN showed narrow size distribution (PDI- 0.132±0.016) with particle size of 82.5±4.07 nm and %EE of 66.84±2.49. DSC and XRD study showed incorporation of RHT into imperfect crystal lattice of Compritol 888 ATO. In comparison to RHT solution, RHT SLN showed higher in-vitro and ex-vivo diffusion. The diffusion followed Higuchi model indicating drug diffusion from the lipid matrix due to erosion. Histopathology study showed intact nasal mucosa with RHT SLN indicating safety of RHT SLN for intranasal administration. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Traditional Aids to Navigation: The Next 25 Years

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Turner, Neil Macdonald

    The authors of this paper are the three General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was presented on their behalf at the RIN-96 conference by Captain Turner. The paper gives a brief overview of the policy of the GLAs (i.e. the Corporation of Trinity House, the Northern Lighthouse Board and the Commissioners of Irish Lights) regarding the provision of an aids to navigation service with emphasis on the future prospects of traditional aids to navigation over the next 25 years. The three GLAs have recently carried out a consultation exercise on marine aids to navigation into the 21st century. The results of this consultation exercise are discussed. It should be noted that, for clarity, the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) refer to the systems that they provide as (AtoN), to differentiate their provision from the equipment carried on board ships for navigational purposes which are referred to by the GLAs as . This paper therefore in the main deals with AtoN.The coastlines within the GLAs' areas of responsibility rank with the most heavily trafficked and dangerous in the world. The coastlines vary from isolated rocks and the steep, Atlantic coastline, to the low-lying relatively featureless coastline of south-east England, off which are shifting sandbanks and channels. The tidal range in GLA waters is significant and tidal streams can reach 10 knots or more in a number of places.

  3. Overlapping parietal activity in memory and perception: evidence for the attention to memory model.

    PubMed

    Cabeza, Roberto; Mazuz, Yonatan S; Stokes, Jared; Kragel, James E; Woldorff, Marty G; Ciaramelli, Elisa; Olson, Ingrid R; Moscovitch, Morris

    2011-11-01

    The specific role of different parietal regions to episodic retrieval is a topic of intense debate. According to the Attention to Memory (AtoM) model, dorsal parietal cortex (DPC) mediates top-down attention processes guided by retrieval goals, whereas ventral parietal cortex (VPC) mediates bottom-up attention processes captured by the retrieval output or the retrieval cue. This model also hypothesizes that the attentional functions of DPC and VPC are similar for memory and perception. To investigate this last hypothesis, we scanned participants with event-related fMRI whereas they performed memory and perception tasks, each comprising an orienting phase (top-down attention) and a detection phase (bottom-up attention). The study yielded two main findings. First, consistent with the AtoM model, orienting-related activity for memory and perception overlapped in DPC, whereas detection-related activity for memory and perception overlapped in VPC. The DPC overlap was greater in the left intraparietal sulcus, and the VPC overlap in the left TPJ. Around overlapping areas, there were differences in the spatial distribution of memory and perception activations, which were consistent with trends reported in the literature. Second, both DPC and VPC showed stronger connectivity with medial-temporal lobe during the memory task and with visual cortex during the perception task. These findings suggest that, during memory tasks, some parietal regions mediate similar attentional control processes to those involved in perception tasks (orienting in DPC vs. detection in VPC), although on different types of information (mnemonic vs. sensory).

  4. Tão perto de casa, tão longe de nós: etnografia das novas margens no centro da urbe

    PubMed Central

    Fernandes, Por Luís

    2011-01-01

    Philippe Bourgois é, desde 2007, “Richard Perry University professor” no Departamento de Antropologia e de Medicina Familiar e de Práticas Comunitárias na Universidade da Pensilvânia. Esteve durante largos anos ligado ao Departamento de Antropologia, História e Medicina Social da Universidade da Califórnia, São Francisco. A publicação, em 1995, de In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio1 projectaria o seu nome muito para além dos Estados Unidos: uma etnografia no coração porto-riquenho do Harlem, em torno dos actores e dos ambientes da venda de crack. Seguir-se-ia um longo trabalho de terreno em acampamentos de dependentes de heroína em São Francisco, orientando o seu trabalho para as formas mais radicais da pobreza e da marginalidade nos EUA. É deste trabalho de terreno que sai o seu último livro, Righteous Dopefiend2. Em Junho de 2007 esteve em Lisboa para participar na 3.a edição do “Ethnografeast”. Foi então que aproveitámos a oportunidade para ouvir um percurso invulgar contado pelo próprio: uma longa conversa no Hotel Zurique, cujo nome só vem ao caso por evocar o país onde passou uma parte da infância. PMID:22013286

  5. Minot AFB, North Dakota. Revised Uniform Summary of Surface Weather Observations (RUSSWO). Parts A-F.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-04-01

    DEC I I. T! 8.61 57.9 6 1.5 21.1 1.3 19.8 37.9 71 TO~S8.3 2c.7t 2.1 26.8 .~5G* 18.A 1.? 8.% . 25. 8 43 USAFETAC 0 10 SIOL Al, P,.f usl 0-O .S n...N ih T m.p w.ato r. R[ .I. T0 F 32 F 6 F 73 IF 8 R P *93 F 1 ,To - Dry Bulb 4 W., SoIl 51 . -- - - -- - -- - - - - - ~ --- ----D..- - -~ GLOBAL

  6. The Army Meter Data Management System (MDMS): A Case Study for Army MDMS Pilot

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-05-11

    Academy (West Point, NY) • Meets DoD cyber-security requirements – Received Authority to Operate from Army NETCOM effective 23 April 2010 – Received...to Operate on DoD network – Received ATO from Army NETCOM effective 23 April 2010 – Received CoN from Army NETCOM on 26 July 2010 • Over 195 meters...SCH~ From I Aug 2010001D To 8 Aug 2010 00 00 En•l’iY f*ttk COnWtnptlon J96S9U81’ WII FillCilftl .. Totol , ......... ~ Metert - Met el\\ r;’l

  7. Word Criticality Analysis. MOS: 91B. Skill Levels 1 & 2.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-09-01

    I 7 AD-A116 535 ARMY TRAINING DEVELOPMENTS INST FORT MONROE VA F/G 5/9 I WORD CRITICALITY ANALYSIS. MOSS 9111. SKILL LEVELS I a 2.(U) I SEP 81 A A...FORT MONROE, VIRGINIA 23651 ELC -~. JUL a Word Criticality Analysis NOS: 913 Skill Levels 1 & 2 PREPARED BY: OPERATIONS DIV, DPFO Cory if CSPIUS ATO...flI. upO"? NUMbER- 0VACCESSION INO a. RCISPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER 14. TITLE tand 8.begel) S. TYPE OP REPORT & PERIOD COVERED Word Criticality Analysis Vl

  8. Lessons Learned from Participatory Design in Dementia Care: Placing Care Partners at the Centre.

    PubMed

    Hendriks, Niels; Slegers, Karin; Wilkinson, Andrea

    2017-01-01

    In this paper we analyze the participatory design (PD) process of a health information technology (HIT) project. This project, AToM was situated in dementia care and involved partners from academia, industry and care. The analysis specifically focuses on the role of the care partners in the PD process. We will show that the conditions to enable 'good participatory design' were not fully met and we present a set of actions to prevent this in future HIT projects. Central to our recommended approach is placing the care partners at the centre of the PD project.

  9. Image Theory: Policies, Goals, Strategies and Tactics in Decision Making.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-03-01

    Harvard Busin *; s Review. July/August, 49-61. Mintzberg, H., Rausingham, D. & Theoret, A. (1976). The structure of unstructured decision processes...coveEuDEo lmagle Theory: Policies, Goals, Strategies Technical Report 6. EFRIGDG REPORT NUME-f 7 A~NOR~eJTR 86-3 𔄁ATO, I CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER( s ) Lee Roy...Identity by block niumber) De’Cis ,ion Makinlg Doubt P0 li ci es Uncerta inty L I Li CTIs SbDject ive Probability Tact ic~ s C o 00 AOSTHACT (Conan.uo an

  10. Integrated guidance, navigation and control verification plan primary flight system. [space shuttle avionics integration

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1978-01-01

    The verification process and requirements for the ascent guidance interfaces and the ascent integrated guidance, navigation and control system for the space shuttle orbiter are defined as well as portions of supporting systems which directly interface with the system. The ascent phase of verification covers the normal and ATO ascent through the final OMS-2 circularization burn (all of OPS-1), the AOA ascent through the OMS-1 burn, and the RTLS ascent through ET separation (all of MM 601). In addition, OPS translation verification is defined. Verification trees and roadmaps are given.

  11. Evolution of Brazilian Civil-Military Relations: From Pacted Transition to Lula’s Foreign Policy Tool

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-03-01

    END TO ESTADO NOVO ............................9 C. AUTHORITARIAN BRAZIL: TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF MILITARY DICTATORSHIP...Escola Superior de Guerra (Superior War College) EMFA Estado -Maior das Forcas Armadas (Joint Chiefs of Staff) FHC Fernando Henrique Cardoso MOD...Brazilian civilian-military relations literature covering the period just after the Estado Novo up to the transition to democracy. This will highlight

  12. (5-n-Butyl-10,20-diiso­butyl­porphyrin­ato)nickel(II)

    PubMed Central

    Senge, Mathias O.; Dahms, Katja

    2014-01-01

    The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Ni(C32H36N4)], contains two independent mol­ecules exhibiting an overall ruffled conformation of the porphyrin macrocycle and differing mainly in the positions of the methyl groups. The average Ni—N bond lengths are 1.912 (2) and 1.910 (2) Å in the two mol­ecules. The mol­ecules form a closely spaced lattice structure in which neighbouring porphyrins are oriented in a nearly perpendicular fashion to each other. The compound was prepared via nucleophilic substitution of (5,15-diiso­butyl­porphyrinato)nickel(II) with n-butyl­lithium. PMID:25161518

  13. Crystal structure of fac-aquatricarbonyl[(S)-valin-ato-κ(2) N,O]-rhenium(I).

    PubMed

    Piletska, Kseniia O; Domasevitch, Kostiantyn V; Shtemenko, Alexander V

    2016-04-01

    In the mol-ecule of the title compound, [Re(C5H10NO2)(CO)3(H2O)], the Re(I) atom adopts a distorted octa-hedral coordination sphere defined by one aqua and three carbonyl ligands as well as one amino N and one carboxyl-ate O atom of the chelating valinate anion. The carbonyl ligands are arranged in a fac-configuration around the Re(I) ion. In the crystal, an intricate hydrogen-bonding system under participation of two O-H, two N-H and one C-H donor groups and the carboxyl-ate and carbonyl O atoms as acceptor groups contribute to the formation of a three-dimensional supra-molecular network.

  14. Care necessities: the view of the patient and nursing team.

    PubMed

    Martins, Priscila Fernandes; Perroca, Marcia Galan

    2017-01-01

    To compare care necessities as perceived by the patient and nursing team and to investigate the sociodemographic factors associated with these perceptions. A comparative study was conducted in units and hospitalized patients of a hospital institution in the state of São Paulo. The participants comprised 100 health professionals (50 nurses and 50 nursing technicians and auxiliaries) and 50 patients. A questionnaire was constructed and validated regarding care needs and was completed by the participants. Considering cut-off value kappa ≥ 0.61, or that is, good and very good intervals, the greatest agreement between the perception of the patients and the nursing team was in the areas of: Care and Communication, both with 92.6% agreement; followed by Basic Care with 74.1%. The lowest value was found in the field of Care Planning and Organization, 64.3%. In a general manner, there was an agreement between the care needs from the view of the patients themselves and the nursing team. Comparar como as necessidades de cuidados são percebidas pelo paciente e equipe de enfermagem e investigar os fatores sociodemográficos associados a estas percepções. Estudo comparativo realizado em unidades e internação de uma instituição hospitalar do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Os participantes foram 100 profissionais (50 enfermeiros e 50 técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem) e 50 pacientes. Construiu-se e validou-se um questionário sobre necessidades de cuidados preenchido pelos participantes. Considerando-se valor de corte kappa ≥ 0,61, ou seja, intervalos bom e muito bom, houve maior alinhamento entre a percepção dos pacientes e equipe de enfermagem nos domínios O Ambiente do Cuidado e Comunicação, ambos com 92,6% de concordância; seguido de Cuidados Básicos, com 74,1%. O menor valor foi encontrado no domínio Planejamento e Organização do Cuidado, 64,3%. De maneira geral, observou-se alinhamento no atendimento das necessidades de cuidados no olhar do pr

  15. Validation of the self-assessment of communication skills and professionalism for nurses.

    PubMed

    Pereira, Thaís Josgrilberg; Puggina, Ana Claudia

    2017-01-01

    cultura brasileira. A habilidade interpessoal modificou-se com sexo e estado civil. A troca de informações foi influenciada pelo sexo e setor de atuação. A autoavaliação do profissionalismo modificou-se com estado civil.

  16. Usos de Mets Para La Planificación, Monitoreo e Interpretación en Pastizales Áridos

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Los modelos de estado y transición (METs) representan los posibles cambios en el estado ecológico de una clase específica de tierra (un sitio ecológico). Los METs permiten tener una comprensión general de los cambios en el estado ecológico y cómo gestionarlos. Pero los METs también se pueden usar di...

  17. Early mortality in acute promyelocytic leukemia: Potential predictors

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Can; Huang, Xilian; Wang, Kaile; Chen, Kuang; Gao, Danquan; Qian, Shenxian

    2018-01-01

    Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a rare leukemia characterized by the balanced reciprocal translocation between the promyelocytic leukemia gene on chromosome 15 and the retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) gene on chromosome 17, and accounts for 10–15% of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia each year. The combined use of all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide (ATO) as primary therapy has markedly improved the survival rate of patients with APL. Mortality in the first 30 days following therapy remains a major contribution to treatment failure. In the present study, published data was reviewed with a focus on the factors associated with early mortality. When treated with ATO as a primary treatment, the fms-like tyrosine kinase-internal tandem deletion has no impact on early mortality. Low lymphoid enhancer binding factor-1 expression may be a reliable marker for early mortality and the target of therapy if it could be proven by further studies. Cluster of differentiation (CD)56+ and CD34+/CD2+ may be candidates to select high-risk patients. The risk of early mortality in APL still cannot be predicted via the cell surface makers, despite multiple studies on their prognostic significance. Typically, a complex translocation did not alter the survival rate in patients with APL; however, if an abnormal karyotype [e.g., Ide(17), ZBTB16/RARα and STAT5B/RARα] appeared singularly or as part of a complex mutation, there is a high possibility of early mortality if clinicians are unable to identify or monitor it. PMID:29541170

  18. Optimization of the emulsification and solvent displacement method for the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Noriega-Peláez, Eddy Kei; Mendoza-Muñoz, Néstor; Ganem-Quintanar, Adriana; Quintanar-Guerrero, David

    2011-02-01

    The essential aim of this article is to prepare solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) by emulsification and solvent displacement method and to determine the best process conditions to obtain submicron particles. The emulsification and solvent displacement method is a modification of the well-known emulsification-diffusion method, but without dilution of the system. The extraction of the partially water-miscible solvent from the emulsion globules is carried out under reduced pressure, which causes the diffusion of the solvent toward the external phase, with subsequent lipid aggregation in particles whose size will depend on the process conditions. The critical variables affecting the process, such as stirring rate, the proportion of phases in the emulsion, and the amount of stabilizer and lipid, were evaluated and optimized. By this method, it was possible to obtain a high yield of solids in the dispersion for the lipids evaluated (Compritol(®) ATO 888, Geleol(®), Gelucire(®) 44/14, and stearic acid). SLNs of up to ∼20 mg/mL were obtained for all lipids evaluated. A marked reduction in size, between 500 and 2500 rpm, was seen, and a transition from micro- to nanometric size was observed. The smaller particle sizes obtained were 113 nm for Compritol(®) ATO 888, 70 nm for Gelucire(®) 44/14, 210 nm for Geleol(®), and 527 nm for stearic acid, using a rotor-stator homogenizer (Ultra-Turrax(®)) at 16,000 rpm. The best phase ratio (organic/aqueous) was 1 : 2. The process proposed in this study is a new alternative to prepare SLNs with technological potential.

  19. Cloning and expression of clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 acetoacetyl-coenzyme A:acetate/butyrate:coenzyme A-transferase in Escherichia coli

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cary, J.W.; Petersen, D.J.; Bennett, G.N.

    1990-06-01

    Coenzyme A (CoA)-transferase (acetoacetyl-CoA:acetate/butyrate:CoA-transferase (butyrate-acetoacetate CoA-transferase) (EC 2.8.3.9)) of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 is an important enzyme in the metabolic shift between the acid-producing and solvent-forming states of this organism. The genes encoding the two subunits of this enzyme have been cloned and subsequent subcloning experiments established the position of the structural genes for CoA-transferase. Complementation of Escherichia coli ato mutants with the recombinant plasmid pCoAT4 (pUC19 carrying a 1.8-kilobase insert of C. acetobutylicum DNA encoding CoA-transferase activity) enabled the transformants to grow on butyrate as a sole carbon source. Despite the ability of CoA-transferase to complement the ato defectmore » in E. coli mutants, Southern blot and Western blot (immunoblot) analyses showed showed that neither the C. acetobutylicum genes encoding CoA-transferase nor the enzyme itself shared any apparent homology with its E. coli counterpart. Polypeptides of M{sub r} of the purified CoA-transferase subunits were observed by Western blot and maxicell analysis of whole-cell extracts of E.coli harboring pCoAT4. The proximity and orientation of the genes suggest that the genes encoding the two subunits of CoA-transferase may form an operon similar to that found in E. coli. In the plasmid, however, transcription appears to be primarily from the lac promoter of the vector.« less

  20. Nrf2 activation ameliorates cytotoxic effects of arsenic trioxide in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells through increased glutathione levels and arsenic efflux from cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nishimoto, Shoichi; Suzuki, Toshihiro; Koike, Shin

    Carnosic acid (CA), a phenolic diterpene isolated from Rosmarinus officinalis, has been shown to activate nuclear transcription factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which plays a central role in cytoprotective responses to oxidative and electrophilic stress. Recently, the Nrf2-Kelch ECH associating protein 1 (Keap1) pathway has been associated with cancer drug resistance attributable to modulation of the expression and activation of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes. However, the exact mechanisms by which Nrf2 activation results in chemoresistance are insufficiently understood to date. This study investigated the mechanisms by which the cytotoxic effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO), an anticancer drug, were decreased inmore » acute promyelocytic leukemia cells treated with CA, a typical activator of Nrf2 used to stimulate the Nrf2/Keap1 system. Our findings suggest that arsenic is non-enzymatically incorporated into NB4 cells and forms complexes that are dependent on intracellular glutathione (GSH) concentrations. In addition, the arsenic complexes are recognized as substrates by multidrug resistance proteins and subsequently excreted from the cells. Therefore, Nrf2-associated activation of the GSH biosynthetic pathway, followed by increased levels of intracellular GSH, are key mechanisms underlying accelerated arsenic efflux and attenuation of the cytotoxic effects of ATO. - Highlights: • Nrf2 activation attenuates the effect of arsenic trioxide to acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. • The sensitivity of arsenic trioxide to NB4 cells was dependent on efflux rate of arsenic. • Activation of the GSH biosynthesis is essential in Nrf2-regulated responses for arsenic efflux.« less

  1. Incidences of the Restriction of the Bureaucratic Expense in the Venezuelan Public Sector (A Concrete Case the Venezuelan Air Force).

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-12-01

    Venezolana de Administracion Publica, Vol. 3, 1984. 5. Carias, Brewer, La Reforma Institucional en Venezuela, El Nacional, 26 de enero 1976. 6. Easton...the form of an "iEnt-erprisel [{f~dte" In view of the magnitude of the investmonts of the government plan in accordance with the VI - in de la Na...ori all ose tD ia (?id ato s seeking a jo-b or positLion Lha t r- i~ *rrnc’, is a La ab( Lain bet te-r work qua3i Lv, and DL:rAnee F )T u s emp a oes

  2. NASA capabilities roadmap: advanced telescopes and observatories

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Feinberg, Lee D.

    2005-01-01

    The NASA Advanced Telescopes and Observatories (ATO) Capability Roadmap addresses technologies necessary for NASA to enable future space telescopes and observatories collecting all electromagnetic bands, ranging from x-rays to millimeter waves, and including gravity-waves. It has derived capability priorities from current and developing Space Missions Directorate (SMD) strategic roadmaps and, where appropriate, has ensured their consistency with other NASA Strategic and Capability Roadmaps. Technology topics include optics; wavefront sensing and control and interferometry; distributed and advanced spacecraft systems; cryogenic and thermal control systems; large precision structure for observatories; and the infrastructure essential to future space telescopes and observatories.

  3. Advanced Life Analysis Methods. Volume 3. Experimental Evaluation of Crack Growth Analysis Methods for Attachment Lugs

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-09-17

    hole at an angle to the radial direction. No 6t.ress intensity factors were developed for a non -radial crack. To circumvent non -radial growth, for which...Structural Lugs 10 6.00 TETM TESX, MARI LOCKHEED L𔃼.0 GRUP IIhA AND 2Rii * 2~~~~.0 .RUPINI .01 .05 1 .2 .5. 9 99PROABLTY F*ý,r 1-40 4oprsno R ato nTs rga... controlled and systematically varied. In the fifth column of the table it is shown whether or not the pin is lubricated during testing. Loading directions

  4. Smectites on Cape York, Matijevic Hill, Mars, Observed and Characterized by Crism and Opportunity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Arvidson, R.; Bennett, K.; Catalano, J.; Fraeman, A.; Gellert, R.; Guinness, E.; Morris, R.; Murchie, S.; Smith, M.; Squyres, S.; hide

    2013-01-01

    Opportunity has conducted an extensive "walk-about" and set of in-situ measurements on strata exposed on the inboard side of Cape York, a segment of the dissected rim of the Noachian-age approx.22 km wide Endeavour crater [1] (Fig. 1). The specific region for the observations (Matijevic Hill) was chosen based on along track oversampled (ATO) CRISM hyperspectral observations (processed to 5 m/pixel) that showed the presence of exposures of Fe/Mg smectite phyllosilicates. We describe the first ground-based observations of phyllosilicates on Mars and discuss implications based on the combined CRISM and Opportunity measurements.

  5. [Using dynamic magnetotherapy and transdermal electroneurostimulation in the combined treatment of patients with mandibular fractures and concomitant periodontal inflammatory diseases].

    PubMed

    Lepilin, A V; Erokina, N L; Rogatina, T V; Khlusov, I Iu

    2009-01-01

    The objective of this study was to compare results of dynamic magnetotherapy (DMT), transdermal electroneurostimulation (TDENS), and traditional ultrahigh frequency (UHF) therapy in 473 patients with mandibular fractures and concomitant inflammatory diseases of paradontium. The parameters measured in the study included hygienic and paradontal indices, microcirculation patterns (using laser Doppler flowmetry), and the degree of mandibular fragment consolidation. It was shown that combined treatment with DMT and TDENS using an AMO-ATOS-E apparatus permits to eliminate clinical symptoms of paradontal inflammatory diseases twice as fast as traditional ultrahigh frequency therapy and ensures a two-fold reduction in the frequency of complications.

  6. Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy of Laser-Produced Aluminum Plasmas

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-01-22

    loans from S. Amimoto, R. Heidner, K. Herr, B. Koffend, and M. Lundquist, and stimulating discussions with R. Gross, H . Helvajian , E. Weitz, and A...SECURITY CLA5SIFIgATION Of Tl4Ij PA(3C All othet editions ato i qt.U -7% % 6il~’,. ,ii"I ’ H PREFACE The authors gratefully acknowledge essential equipment...from the Targej: Laser Intensity 5.3 . 107 W/cm at 1-us Delay Time 36 4., ,.T, II -’-:9000 . . .1 " ’ ’, 5.0 -8000 - 4.0,m. LU H CD) • < 7000- 3.0x 0

  7. The Brazilian Malaria Vector Anopheles (Kerteszia) Cruzii: Life Stages and Biology (Diptera: Culicidae)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-11-01

    Mosquitos no litoral paranaense. I - Idade fisioldgica de no Parque National da Serra dos Orgaos, Anopheles cruzii (Diptera, Culicidae). Arq. Estado do...no Parque National da Peryassii, A.G. 1908. OS culicideos do Brazil. Serra dos Grgaos, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Inst. de Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro...Kerteszia no litoral Guimar%es, A.E. and V.N.M. Victoria. 1986. do estado de Santa Catarina. Rev. Bras. Mosquitos no Parque National da Serra dos

  8. Intimate partner violence and incidence of common mental disorder.

    PubMed

    Mendonça, Marcela Franklin Salvador de; Ludermir, Ana Bernarda

    2017-04-10

    Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20). A violência por parceiro íntimo foi definida por atos concretos de violência psicológica, física ou sexual infligidos à mulher pelo parceiro. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para estimar os riscos relativos (RR) brutos e ajustados da associação entre transtorno mental comum e violência por parceiro íntimo. A incidência dos transtornos mentais comuns foi de 44,6% entre as mulheres que relataram violência nos últimos 12 meses e de 43,4% nas que relataram violência nos últimos sete anos. Os transtornos mentais mantiveram-se associados à violência psicológica (RR = 3,0; IC95% 1,9-4,7 e RR = 1,8; IC95% 1,0-3,7 nos últimos 12 meses, e sete anos, respectivamente), mesmo na ausência de violência física ou sexual. Quando a violência psicológica esteve combinada com violência física ou sexual, o risco dos transtornos mentais comuns foi ainda mais elevado, tanto nos últimos 12 meses (RR = 3,1; IC95% 2,1-4,7) quanto nos últimos sete anos (RR = 2,5; IC95% 1,7-3,8). A violência por parceiro íntimo está associada à incidência de transtornos mentais comuns nas mulheres. É fundamental o tratamento das consequências da VPI e o apoio às mulheres na busca de proteção para si pelos serviços públicos.

  9. Worldwide Report, Nuclear Development and Proliferation

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-12-19

    Growth 29 Atucha Employees Issue Demands 20 BRAZIL Uranium Enrichment Program To Begin Feb 1985 (0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 6 Nov 84) 31 Nuclear...Program in ’Decisive Period’ (Jose Roberto Arruda; 0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 18 Nov 84) 33 Future Enrichment Plant Construction in Ceara Announced (0...ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 20 Oct 84) 35 - b PERU Editorial Questions Status of Several IPEN Programs (FOLHA DE SAO PAULO, 14 Oct 84) 36 Briefs

  10. Latin America Report No. 2723

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-08-12

    Construction in Northeast 0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 23 Jul 83) Use of Petroleum Derivatives Drops 6.1 Percent in 6 Months (0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 21...Jul 83) Daily Oil Production To Hit 397,000 Barrels by December (0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 23 Jul 83) COUNTRY SECTION INTER-AMERICAN AFFAIRS Cuban...Canada May Accept Those Granted Amnesty (LA PRENSA GRAFICA, 23 Jun 83) 37 GUATEMALA Insurgent Violence Confirmed by Human Rights Adviser (DIARIO DE

  11. Latin America Report

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-04-09

    20 Feb 87) Argentina Exports Electric Power Equipment to Peru (AMBITO FINANCIERO , 16 Feb 87) BRAZIL Sarney To Implement Austerity Program for...Public Spending (Helival Rios; 0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 1 Mar 87) 9 Sarney Sets Goal of $120 Minimum Wage by End of Term (Helival Rios; 0 ESTADO ...DE SAO PAULO, 3 Mar 87) H Pires Defends 6-Year Mandate for Sarney (Jose Neumanne Pinto; 0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 31 Jan 87) 12 Constitutional

  12. 75 FR 76036 - Bostik, Inc. Formerly Known as ATO Findley Marshall, MI; Amended Certification Regarding...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-12-07

    ... firm. The workers are engaged in the production of adhesives and sealants. New information shows that... were adversely affected by a shift in the production of adhesives and sealants to the United Kingdom...

  13. 78 FR 70584 - ATOS IT Solutions & Services, Inc., Billing and Collections Department, Including Workers Whose...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-11-26

    ... & Services, Inc., Billing and Collections Department, Including Workers Whose Unemployment Insurance (UI...., Billing and Collections Department had their wages reported through a separate unemployment insurance (UI... this certification to include workers of the subject firm whose unemployment insurance (UI) wages are...

  14. Safe Operations of Unmanned Systems for Reconnaissance in Complex Environments Army Technology Objective (SOURCE ATO)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-04-25

    must adapt its planning to vehicle size, shape, wheelbase, wheel and axle configuration, the specific obstacle-crossing capabilities of the vehicle...scalability of the ANS is a consequence of making each sensing modality capable of performing reasonable perception tasks while allowing a wider...autonomous system design achieves flexibility by exploiting redundant sensing modalities where possible, and by a decision-making process that

  15. Espectroscopia multi-objeto e imageamento de Abell 586 com GMOS - o estado dinâmico de um aglomerado de galáxias com arcos gravitacionais

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cypriano, E. S.; Sodré, L., Jr.; Kneib, J.-P.; Campusano, L.

    2003-08-01

    Nesse trabalho é apresentado um estudo do conteúdo de massa do aglomerado de galáxias A586 (z = 0.171) bem como sua distribuição espacial. Isso foi feito a partir de dados de espectroscopia multi-objeto e imageamento obtidos com o instrumento GMOS acoplado ao telescópio Gemini-Norte. A massa desse aglomerado foi estudada a partir da posição dos seus arcos gravitacionais (lentes fortes), da medida estatística da distorção na forma das galáxias de fundo (lentes fracas) e através da dispersão de velocidades de uma amostra de cerca de 30 galáxias pertencentes ao aglomerado (teorema do virial). Os dois primeiros métodos não dependem do estado dinâmico do aglomerado, enquanto que o terceiro sim. Desse modo, comparando seus resultados pode-se estimar o grau de relaxamento desse sistema. Dados de raios X presentes na literatura também serão incluídos nessa análise. Nossos resultados preliminares a partir das técnicas de lentes fracas, mostram que, supondo que a distribuição de massa desse aglomerado seja a de uma esfera isotérmica, espera-se que ele apresente uma dispersão de velocidades de 1330+/-78 km s-1, em contradicao com medidas similares feitas por Dahle et al. 2002 que encontram valores tão altos quanto 1680 km s-1. Já o estudo dinâmico resultou numa dispersão de velocidades de ~950 km s-1.

  16. Lipid encapsulation of arsenic trioxide attenuates cytotoxicity and allows for controlled anticancer drug release.

    PubMed

    Chen, Haimei; MacDonald, Robert C; Li, Shuyou; Krett, Nancy L; Rosen, Steven T; O'Halloran, Thomas V

    2006-10-18

    Arsenic trioxide (ATO, As2O3) is emerging as a front line agent for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with giving a complete remission rate of 83-95%. ATO also shows significant activity in relapsed/refactory multiple myeloma; however, efforts to expand clinical utility to other cancers have been limited by its toxicity profile at higher doses. New bioavailable, liposome encapsulated As(III) materials exhibit a significantly attenuated cytotoxicity that undergoes pH-triggered release of an active drug. The arsenic drugs are loaded into 100-nm-scale liposomes at high concentration (>270 mM) and excellent retention (shelf life > 6 months at 4 degrees C), as determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) diffraction. In the loading mechanism, arsenous acid crosses the bilayer membrane in exchange for acetic acid and an insoluble transitional metal (e.g., Ni2+, Co2+) arsenite salt is formed. The resultant liposomal arsenic nanoparticles appear to be stable in physiological situations but release the drug cargo in a lower pH environment, as encountered in intracellular endosomes. These drugs exhibit attenuated cytotoxicities against human lymphoma tumor cells compared with that of free As2O3. Controlled release of arsenic drugs, and hence control of toxicity, is feasible with this system. The results demonstrate that cytotoxicity can be controlled via transitions of the inorganic drug between solid and solution phases and suggest a mechanism for further improvement of the risk/benefit ratio of As2O3 in treatment of a variety of cancers.

  17. A proposed contents astronomy for basic education

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Albrecht, E.; Voelzke, M. R.

    2014-08-01

    A Astronomia é um tema que sempre exerceu fascínio sobre as pessoas de um modo geral. Conhecer e estudar o que há nos “céus”, além de nossos olhos, continua sendo instigador e de grande interesse. Baseado nestas justificativas desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa de Doutorado, na qual, o objetivo principal foi investigar sobre a presença dos conteúdos de Astronomia nas Propostas Curriculares da região Sul do Brasil, a saber, os estados de Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul e Santa Catarina e, posterior comparação com os Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais (PCN) que trazem propostas de conteúdos para toda a Educação Básica brasileira. Tal investigação pautou-se na abordagem de caráter qualitativo e utilizouse para tal da Análise de Conteúdos (Bardin, 2011), que possibilitou a construção de quatro categorias, nas quais os conteúdos astronômicos foram agrupados: Terra, Sistema Solar, Via Láctea e Universo. Após a leitura, coleta de dados, construção de categorias, observou-se a dicotomia na apresentação destes conteúdos. As propostas curriculares analisadas foram as de Geografia, Ciências e Física dos estados do Paraná (2008), Rio Grande do Sul (2009) e de Santa Catarina (1998), responsáveis pelo trabalho com Astronomia nestes estados. No Ensino Fundamental, a proposta curricular do estado do Paraná apresenta conteúdos ligados à Astronomia desde o sexto ano até o nono ano, como conteúdo do primeiro bimestre, o que também é apresentado na proposta curricular do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, porém, este, não divide os conteúdos por bimestre e nem por ano, mas por ciclos, sexto e sétimo anos como primeiro ciclo e oitavo e nono anos como segundo ciclo, deixando livre para o professor estruturar sua sequência de conteúdos. A proposta curricular de Santa Catarina não apresenta estes conteúdos de maneira explícita, não divide dos conteúdos nem por ano, nem por série, traz uma sequência de conteúdos para serem trabalhados ao longo dos

  18. Strategies for coping with family members of patients with mental disorders.

    PubMed

    Pompeo, Daniele Alcalá; Carvalho, Arélica de; Olive, Aline Morgado; Souza, Maria da Graça Girade; Galera, Sueli Aparecida Frari

    2016-09-09

    to identify the coping strategies of family members of patients with mental disorders and relate them to family member sociodemographic variables and to the patient's clinical variables. this was a descriptive study conducted at a psychiatric hospital in the interior of the state of São Paulo, with 40 family members of hospitalized patients over the age of 18, and who followed the patient before and during hospitalization. We used tools to characterize the subjects and the Folkman and Lazarus Inventory of Coping Strategies. the coping strategies most often used by family members were social support and problem solving. Mothers and fathers used more functional strategies (self-control p=0.037, positive reappraisal p=0.037, and social support p=0,021). We found no significant differences between the strategies and other variables examined. despite the suffering resulting from the illness of a dear one, family members make more use of functional strategies, allowing them to cope with adversities in a more well-adjusted way. identificar as estratégias de enfrentamento de familiares de pacientes com transtornos mentais e relacioná-las com as variáveis sociodemográficas do familiar e clínicas do paciente. estudo descritivo, desenvolvido em hospital psiquiátrico do interior do estado de São Paulo, com 40 familiares de pacientes internados, maiores de 18 anos e que acompanhavam o paciente antes e durante a internação. Foram utilizados instrumentos para caracterização dos sujeitos e o Inventário de Estratégias de Enfrentamento de Folkman e Lazarus. as estratégias de enfrentamento mais utilizadas pelos familiares foram suporte social e resolução de problemas. Pais e mães utilizaram mais estratégias funcionais (autocontrole p=0,037; reavaliação positiva p=0,037; suporte social p=0,021). Não foram evidenciadas diferenças significativas entre as estratégias e as demais variáveis estudadas. apesar do sofrimento causado pelo impacto do adoecimento do seu

  19. Ada Compiler Validation Summary Report: Certificate Number: 910626S1. 11175 U.S. Navy Ada/M, Version 4.0 (/Optimize), VAX 8550 (Host) to AN/AYK-14 (Bare Board) (Target).

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-07-30

    cs A, 7 ,M ;instr’(clsr,A,M); I cm A,Y,M instr𔃻 cm ,A,M,Y); cmi A,M4 instr’(cmi,A,M); cmk A,Y,M instr’(cmk,A,M,Y); cm : A,M1 i;nstr’(cmr,A,M); cnt A...to AN ,AYK-14 (Bare Board)(Target), 910626S 1,11175 6 AU7HORISi National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, MD UA 7 PER FORM ;NG...Validation Summary Report ( VSR ) gives an account of the testing of this Ada implementation. For any technical terms used in this -ort, the reader is

  20. USSR Report, International Affairs

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-02-18

    ENVIO, 1983, No 24, p 11. 14. " Estado y Clases Sociales en Managua," Managua, 1982, p 78. 15. Ibid., p 78. 16. Ibid., p 79. 17. AREITO, New York, 1983...1984, p 115. 26. AREITO, 1983, Vol IX, No 34, p 14. 27. D. Ortega, Saavedra, Nicaragua. "La Primera Deraocracia," Managua, 1983» p 5. 28. " Estado y...Clases Sociales en Nicaragua," p 15. 29. Ibid., pp 82-83. 30. PENSAMIENTO PR0PRI0, 1984, No 15, p 20. 31. " Estado y Clases Sociales en Nicaragua

  1. An experimental study of the flow boiling of refrigerant-based nanofluids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kolekar, Rahul Dadasaheb

    The use of nanofluids for various heat transfer applications has been a topic of intense research over the last decade. A number of studies to evaluate the thermophysical properties and single-phase heat transfer behavior of nanofluids have been reported. The current study is focused on the use of nanofluids in flow boiling applications, with CO2 and R134a used as the base refrigerants. CuO nanoparticles 40nm in size, and TiO2 nanoparticles 200nm in size are used to create partially stable CO2-based nanofluids. Stable nanofluids are created in R134a by mixing it with dispersions of surface-treated nanoparticles in polyolester (POE) oil (RL22H and RL68H). The particles (Al 2O3, ZnO, CuO, and ATO) at particle mass fractions from 0.08% to 1.34%, with particle sizes of 20nm and 40nm are coated with polar and non-polar surface treatments. The thermal properties of R134a-based nanofluids are measured. Thermal conductivity shows limited improvements; the largest increase of 13% is observed with CuO nanoparticles. Significant increases in viscosity, as high as 2147%, are observed due to CuO nanoparticles. Only the ATO nanofluid exhibited a decrease in the measured viscosity. Heat transfer coefficients during flow boiling of nanofluids are measured over a range of mass flux from 100 to 1000 kg/m2s, with a heat flux from 5 to 25kW/m2, and vapor quality up to 1. The test section is a smooth copper tube, 6.23mm in diameter and 1.8m in length. Average decreases of 5% and 28% are observed in heat transfer coefficients during flow boiling of CuO/CO2 and TiO2/CO2 nanofluids, respectively. For the R134a-based nanofluids, average decreases in heat transfer during flow boiling at the highest particle mass fraction are 15% and 22% for Al2O3 and ZnO nanoparticles, respectively. CuO nanoparticles exhibit an average decrease of 7% for particle mass fraction of 0.08%. An average increase of 10% is observed with ATO nanoparticles at a 0.22% mass fraction. Heat transfer performance

  2. The United States, Latin America, and the Potential for a Naval and Defense Industrial Partnership: The Case of Brazil

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-03-01

    at the XV Encontro da Associacao Nacional de Posgraduacao e Pesquisa em Ciencias Sociais (ANPOCS); Grupo de Trabalho Forcas Armadas, Estado e...XV Encontro da Associacao Nacional de Posgraduacao e Pesquisa em Ciencias Sociais (ANPOCS); Grupo de Trabalho Forcas Armadas, Estado e Sociedade

  3. Projeto do sistema anti-ressonante da fiação dos transdutores para o detector Mario Schenberg

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vieira, S. J.., Jr.; Melo, J. L.

    2003-08-01

    O detector de ondas gravitacionais Mario Schenberg está sendo projetado e construído pelo grupo Gráviton. Sua construção está ocorrendo no Laboratório de Estado Sólido e Baixas Temperaturas (LESBT) da Universidade de São Paulo, na cidade de São Paulo. Esse detector possui uma massa ressonante esférica de cobre-alumínio, com 65 cm de diâmetro, pesando aproximadamente 1150 Kg, suspensa por um sistema de isolamento vibracional, que se encontra em fase de testes preliminares. A real eficácia desse sistema, entretanto, só poderá ser comprovada quando o detector estiver aparelhado com, pelo menos, um transdutor eletromecânico de altíssima sensibilidade acoplado à massa ressonante. Neste momento, não só este sistema de isolamento vibracional será posto em teste, como o do projeto da fiação que transporta os sinais de microondas até os transdutores e destes para a pré-amplificação. Apesar dessa fiação ter sido projetada para não apresentar nenhum contato com a superfície esférica da antena, de maneira a não haver nenhuma transmissão de ruído vibracional do laboratório para esta, deve-se minimizar o ruído microfônico produzido nessa fiação por oscilações mecânicas, uma vez que ela não utiliza nenhum sistema de isolamento vibracional. Com o intuito de resolver este problema, projetamos uma estrutura, formada por pequenos cilindros conectados por barras, a qual não terá nenhuma ressonância mecânica na faixa de freqüências de interesse para detecção (3000 - 3400 Hz). Desta forma, as vibrações nessa faixa não serão amplificadas. O projeto foi feito usando iterativamente, de maneira a otimizar os resultados obtidos, o programa de elementos finitos Msc/Nastran. Através de simulações feitas neste programa, determinamos os parâmetros geométricos ideais a serem utilizados, os quais proporcionam a maior região espectral de interesse livre de ressonâncias.

  4. Integration of Weather Data into Airspace and Traffic Operations Simulation (ATOS) for Trajectory- Based Operations Research

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Peters, Mark; Boisvert, Ben; Escala, Diego

    2009-01-01

    Explicit integration of aviation weather forecasts with the National Airspace System (NAS) structure is needed to improve the development and execution of operationally effective weather impact mitigation plans and has become increasingly important due to NAS congestion and associated increases in delay. This article considers several contemporary weather-air traffic management (ATM) integration applications: the use of probabilistic forecasts of visibility at San Francisco, the Route Availability Planning Tool to facilitate departures from the New York airports during thunderstorms, the estimation of en route capacity in convective weather, and the application of mixed-integer optimization techniques to air traffic management when the en route and terminal capacities are varying with time because of convective weather impacts. Our operational experience at San Francisco and New York coupled with very promising initial results of traffic flow optimizations suggests that weather-ATM integrated systems warrant significant research and development investment. However, they will need to be refined through rapid prototyping at facilities with supportive operational users We have discussed key elements of an emerging aviation weather research area: the explicit integration of aviation weather forecasts with NAS structure to improve the effectiveness and timeliness of weather impact mitigation plans. Our insights are based on operational experiences with Lincoln Laboratory-developed integrated weather sensing and processing systems, and derivative early prototypes of explicit ATM decision support tools such as the RAPT in New York City. The technical components of this effort involve improving meteorological forecast skill, tailoring the forecast outputs to the problem of estimating airspace impacts, developing models to quantify airspace impacts, and prototyping automated tools that assist in the development of objective broad-area ATM strategies, given probabilistic weather forecasts. Lincoln Laboratory studies and prototype demonstrations in this area are helping to define the weather-assimilated decision-making system that is envisioned as a key capability for the multi-agency Next Generation Air Transportation System [1]. The Laboratory's work in this area has involved continuing, operations-based evolution of both weather forecasts and models for weather impacts on the NAS. Our experience has been that the development of usable ATM technologies that address weather impacts must proceed via rapid prototyping at facilities whose users are highly motivated to participate in system evolution.

  5. Anodized porous titanium coated with Ni-CeO2 deposits for enhancing surface toughness and wear resistance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Xiaowei; Ouyang, Chun

    2017-05-01

    In order to make large improvements of surface toughness and wear resistance for pure titanium (Ti) substrate, anodic titanium oxide (ATO) surface with nanoporous structure was coated with the Ni-CeO2 nanocomposite coatings. Regarding TiO2 barrier layer on Ti surface to inhibit its electrochemical activity, pre-treatments were successively processed with anodizing, sensitizing, activating, and then followed by electroless Ni-P film to be acted as an activated layer for electroplating Ni-CeO2 deposits. The existing Pd atoms around ATO nanopores were expected as the heterogeneous nucleation sites for supporting the growing locations of electroless Ni-P film. The innovative of interface design using porous structure was introduced for bonding pinholes to achieve a metallurgical adhesion interface between Ti substrate and surface coatings. Besides the objectives of this work were to elucidate how effects by the adding CeO2 nanoparticles on modifying microstructures and wear mechanisms of Ni-CeO2 nanocomposite coatings. Many efforts of XRD, FE-SEM, TEM and Nanoindentation tests were devoted to comparing different wear behaviors of Ni-CeO2 coatings relative to pure nickel. Results indicated that uniform-distributed Ti nanopores with an average diameter size of ∼200 nm was achieved using the Phosphate-type anodizing solution at DC 150 V. A worn surface without fatigue cracks was observed for TAO surface coated with Ni-CeO2 deposits, showing the existing Ce-rich worn products to be acted as a solid lubricant phase for making a self-healing effect on de-lamination failures. More important, this finding will be the guidelines for Ce-rich precipitations to be expected as the strengthening phase in anodized porous of Ti, Al and Mg alloys for intensifying their surface properties.

  6. The examination and identification of bite marks in foods using 3D scanning and 3D comparison methods.

    PubMed

    Naether, Silvio; Buck, Ursula; Campana, Lorenzo; Breitbeck, Robert; Thali, Michael

    2012-01-01

    Bite mark analysis offers the opportunity to identify the biter based on the individual characteristics of the dentitions. Normally, the main focus is on analysing bite mark injuries on human bodies, but also, bite marks in food may play an important role in the forensic investigation of a crime. This study presents a comparison of simulated bite marks in different kinds of food with the dentitions of the presumed biter. Bite marks were produced by six adults in slices of buttered bread, apples, different kinds of Swiss chocolate and Swiss cheese. The time-lapse influence of the bite mark in food, under room temperature conditions, was also examined. For the documentation of the bite marks and the dentitions of the biters, 3D optical surface scanning technology was used. The comparison was performed using two different software packages: the ATOS modelling and analysing software and the 3D studio max animation software. The ATOS software enables an automatic computation of the deviation between the two meshes. In the present study, the bite marks and the dentitions were compared, as well as the meshes of each bite mark which were recorded in the different stages of time lapse. In the 3D studio max software, the act of biting was animated to compare the dentitions with the bite mark. The examined food recorded the individual characteristics of the dentitions very well. In all cases, the biter could be identified, and the dentitions of the other presumed biters could be excluded. The influence of the time lapse on the food depends on the kind of food and is shown on the diagrams. However, the identification of the biter could still be performed after a period of time, based on the recorded individual characteristics of the dentitions.

  7. A phase transition caught in mid-course: independent and concomitant analyses of the monoclinic and triclinic structures of (nBu4N)[Co(orotate)2(bipy)]·3H2O

    PubMed Central

    Castro, Miguel; Falvello, Larry R.; Forcén-Vázquez, Elena; Al-Kenany, Nuha A.; Martínez, Gema

    2017-01-01

    The preparation and characterization of the nBu4N+ salts of two bis-orotate(2−) complexes of cobalt, namely bis­(tetra-n-butyl­ammonium) di­aqua­bis­(2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetra­hydro­pyrimidin-1-ide-6-carboxyl­ato-κ2 N 1,O 6)cobalt(II) 1.8-hydrate, (C16H36N)2[Co(C5H2N2O4)2(H2O)2]·1.8H2O, (1), and tetra-n-butyl­ammonium (2,2′-bi­pyridine-κ2 N,N′)bis­(2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetra­hydro­pyrimidin-1-ide-6-carbox­yl­ato-κ2 N 1,O 6)cobalt(III) trihydrate, (C16H36N)[Co(C5H2N2O4)2(C10H8N2)]·3H2O, (2), are reported. The CoIII complex, (2), which is monoclinic at room tem­perature, presents a conservative single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase transition below 200 K, producing a triclinic twin. The transition, which involves a conformational change in one of the nBu groups of the cation, is reversible and can be cycled. Both end phases have been characterized structurally and the system was also characterized structurally in a two-phase inter­mediate state, using single-crystal diffraction techniques, with both the monoclinic and triclinic phases present. Thermal analysis allows a rough estimate of the small energy content, viz. 0.25 kJ mol−1, for both the monoclinic-to-triclinic transformation and the reverse transition, in agreement with the nature of the structural changes involving only the nBu4N+ cation. PMID:28872072

  8. γ-Glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) as a target for overcoming chemo- and radio-resistance of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

    PubMed

    Lin, Li-Ching; Chen, Chi-Fen; Ho, Chun-Te; Liu, Jun-Jen; Liu, Tsan-Zon; Chern, Chi-Liang

    2018-04-01

    This study uncovered that the genetically endowed intracellular glutathione contents (iGSH) regulated by the catalytic subunit of γ‑glutamylcysteine synthetase heavy chain (γ‑GCSh) as a prime target for overcoming both the inherited and stimuli-activated chemo- and radio-resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) were determined by the probe-based flow cytometry. The TUNEL assay was used as an index of radio-sensitivity and the MTT assay was used as an index of chemo-sensitivity against various anti-cancer agents. iGSH and γ‑GCSh activity were measured by HPLC methods. γ‑GCSh-overexpressing GCS30 cell line was established by tetracycline-controlled Tet-OFF gene expression system in SK-Hep-1 cells. The relative radio-sensitivities of a panel of five HCC cells were found to be correlated negatively with both the contents of iGSH and their corresponding γ‑GCSh activities with an order of abundance being Hep G2 > Hep 3B > J5 > Mahlavu > SK-Hep-1, respectively. Similarly, the cytotoxicity response patterns of these HCC cells against arsenic trioxide (ATO), a ROS-producing anti-cancer drug, were exactly identical to the order of ranking instigated by the radiotherapy (RT) treatment. Next, γ‑GCSh-overexpressing GCS30 cells were found to possess excellent ability to profoundly mitigate both the drop of Δψm and apoptotic TUNEL-positive cell population engendered by ATO, cisplatin, doxorubicin, and RT treatments. Our data unequivocally demonstrate that γ‑GCSh may represent a prime target for overcoming anti-cancer drugs and RT resistance for HCC cells. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Mitigating potential of Melissa officinale against As3+-induced cytotoxicity and transcriptional alterations of Hsp70 and Hsp27 in fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch).

    PubMed

    Dwivedi, Shraddha; Kumar, Manoj; Trivedi, Sunil P

    2017-07-01

    The mitigating potential of Melissa officinale (MO) (Lamiaceae) against arsenite (As 3+ )-induced oxidative stress, cytogenotoxicity, and expression of stress genes in fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch), teleost, was explored. After confirming the composition of MO extract, caffeic acid (0.96%), hesperidin (1.73%), naringenin (7.70%), lutenolin (3.29%), kaempferol (11.46%) and hesperetin (6.24%), by HPLC-PDA analysis, the experiment was set up in six groups (G1-G6), each containing 10 specimens. Blood, muscle, gills and liver tissues of control and treated fishes were excised at an interval of 24 till 96 h. Ameliorative potential of MO was confirmed by satisfactory restoration of altered activities of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidise, glutathione reductase, reduced glutathione and ascorbate peroxidase in G4, G5 and G6, co-exposed with 96 h-LC 50 /10 As 3+ with MO. A significant (p < 0.05) recovery in the frequencies of cytogenotoxic markers, micronuclei, disintegrated nucleus and echinocytes, which were expressed significantly (p < 0.05) in G3 exposed to sub-lethal concentration of ATO alone, was recorded in fish groups (G4, G5 and G6) together treated with 96 h-LC 50 /10 of ATO and 2, 4 and 8 ppm of MO, respectively. Moreover, the expression of Hsp70 gene was downregulated (2.29-fold); whereas, Hsp27 gene was upregulated (1.16-fold) in G6, the group co-exposed with 96 h-LC 50 /10 As 3+ with 8 ppm of MO in comparison with G3 (3.11-fold for Hsp70; 0.51-fold for Hsp27) after 96 h of exposure period. Thus, it can be inferred that the MO at its tested concentration can be effectively used to mitigate As 3+ generated toxicities in C. punctatus.

  10. Smectite deposits in Marathon Valley, Endeavour Crater, Mars, identified using CRISM hyperspectral reflectance data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fox, V. K.; Arvidson, R. E.; Guinness, E. A.; McLennan, S. M.; Catalano, J. G.; Murchie, S. L.; Powell, K. E.

    2016-05-01

    The ~100 m wide Marathon Valley crosscuts the Cape Tribulation rim segment of the 22 km diameter, Noachian-age Endeavour impact crater on Mars. Single-scattering albedo spectra retrieved from three Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) Full-Resolution Targeted (FRT, regularized to 18 m/pixel) and two Along Track Oversampled (ATO, regularized to 12 m/pixel) observations indicate the presence of Fe3+-Mg2+ smectite exposures located in Marathon Valley with combination vibration metal-OH absorption strength comparable to smectite spectral signatures in Mawrth Vallis. The Opportunity rover was directed to the exposures and documented the presence of Shoemaker formation impact breccias that have been isochemically altered, likely by fracture-controlled aqueous fluids.

  11. Front line manager's quick reference guide for organizational impact analysis.

    PubMed

    McCauley, Darendia

    2013-09-01

    In reference to the original research questions, there is organizational documented support for the QRG. FLMs perceived the QRG to have both effectiveness and utility. Both less experienced FLMs and more experienced FLMs found the QRG to be helpful, as indicated by intended use, with more experienced FLMs indicating a higher intended use. The ATO Office Safety Programs Fatigue Risk Management Group has requested an expansion of the QRG, including fatigue-related issues. Overall, the QRG has proven to be a useful and convenient document for all FLMs. As it becomes a recognizable and essential resource in both the training and management tool box, the use of the QRG will likely grow.

  12. Bis[4-(4-pyridyl)pyridinium] (4-carboxy­pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl­ato-κ3 O 2,N,O 6)(pyridine-2,4,6-tricarboxyl­ato-κ3 O 2,N,O 6)ferrate(III) trihydrate

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Li; Dong, You-Ren; Xie, Hong-Zhen

    2009-01-01

    In the title salt, (C10H9N2)2[Fe(C8H2NO6)(C8H3NO6)]·3H2O, the FeIII atom is O,N,O′-chelated by dianionic and trianionic ligands in a slightly distorted octa­hedral coordination geometry. The cations and ferrate anions are linked into a layered structure; the layers are connected through the uncoordinated water mol­ecules into a hydrogen-bonded three-dimensional supra­molecular structure. One of the uncoordinated water molecules is disordered around an inversion centre and was refined with half-occupancy for each position. PMID:21582387

  13. Fifty-year flood-inundation maps for El Progreso, Honduras

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Kresch, David L.; Mastin, Mark C.; Olsen, T.D.

    2002-01-01

    After the devastating floods caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, maps of the areas and depths of the 50-year-flood inundation at 15 municipalities in Honduras were prepared as a tool for agencies involved in reconstruction and planning. This report, which is one in a series of 15, presents maps of areas in the municipality of El Progreso that would be inundated by a 50-year flood of Rio Pelo. Geographic Information System (GIS) coverages of the flood inundation are available on a computer in the municipality of El Progreso as part of the Municipal GIS project and on the Internet at the Flood Hazard Mapping Web page (http://mitchnts1.cr.usgs.gov/projects/floodhazard.html). These coverages allow users to view the flood inundation in much more detail than is possible using the maps in this report. Water-surface elevations for a 50-year-flood on Rio Pelo at El Progreso were estimated using HEC-RAS, a one-dimensional, steady-flow, step-backwater computer program. The channel and floodplain cross sections used in HEC-RAS were developed from an airborne light-detection-and-ranging (LIDAR) topographic survey of the area. There are no nearby long-term stream-gaging stations on Rio Pelo; therefore, the 50-year-flood discharge for Rio Pelo, 235 cubic meters per second, was estimated using a regression equation that relates the 50-year-flood discharge to drainage area and mean annual precipitation. The drainage area and mean annual precipitation estimated for Rio Pelo at El Progreso are 47.4 square kilometers and 1,920 millimeters, respectively.

  14. Reacciones de intercambio de carga

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Errea, L. F.

    Se discute la validez de diversas metodologías y su aplicación al estudio de procesos de intercambio de carga electrónico entre iones y blancos atómicos y moleculares. Para energías de impacto entre 0.05 y 5 eV / amu se emplea el método cuántico de la Coordenada de Reacción Común (CRC). A mayores energías, se utiliza el método semiclásico iconal con un desarrollo de la función de onda dinámica en estados moleculares adiabáticos, modificados con un factor de traslación común (FTC). Estos estados pueden obtenerse con cálculos ab initio o empleando potenciales modelo. Cuando la ionización compite con la transferencia de carga, la inclusión de pseudoestados en estos desarrollos permite calcular simultáneamente las secciones eficaces de ambos procesos. Otra técnica utilizada es el método estadístico CTMC. En el tratamiento de colisiones ión-molécula (diatómica) contrastamos la aplicabilidad de distintos métodos, desde la llamada aproximación Franck-Condon hasta un desarrollo en estados vibrónicos, pasando por la aproximación súbita vibro-rotacional, obteniéndose secciones eficaces de captura electrónica total y a estados individuales, así como secciones de excitación vibracional a estados ligados y del continuo (disociación). En todos los casos es necesario calcular superficies de energía y los correspondientes acoplamientos dinámicos entre los estados. La aplicación de estos métodos permite determinar el grado de contaminación de los haces por estados metaestables en un experimento dado, el cambio en los resultados con diferentes isótopos, la importancia de procesos de doble captura, seguida de explosión culombiana, todo ello con precisión comparable a la de medidas experimentales, para sistemas de interés en distintos tipos de plasmas.

  15. Natural Hazards and Vulnerability in Valle de Chalco Solidaridad Estado de Mexico, Mexico. Case studies: El Triunfo, Avandaro and San Isidro

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ponce-Pacheco, A. B.; Novelo-Casanova, D. A.; Espinosa-Campos, O.; Rodriguez, F.; Huerta-Parra, M.; Reyes-Pimentel, T.; Benitez-Olivares, I.

    2010-12-01

    On February 5, 2010, occurred a fracture on a wall of the artificial water channel called “La Compañía (CC)” in the section of the municipality of Valle de Chalco Solidaridad (VCS), Estado de Mexico, Mexico. The dimensions of this fracture were 70m length, 20m wide and 5m height, and cause severe wastewater flooding that affected surrounding communities. This area was also impacted by a similar event in 2000 and 2005. In this study, we assess the social, economic, structural, and physical vulnerability to floods, earthquakes, subsidence, and landslides hazards in the communities of El Triunfo, San Isidro and Avandaro of VCS. This area is located in soil of the old Chalco Lake, and in recent decades has experienced a large population growth. Due to urban development and the overexploitation of aquifers, the zone is also exposed to subsidence up to 40 cm per year. For these reasons, CC is at present, well above ground level. In this research, we applied the methodology developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to assess vulnerability. As a first step, we established the level of exposure of the communities to the four main hazards. We also analyzed the economic and social vulnerability of the area using data collected from a field survey. From the total family houses in the studied communities, we estimated a minimum sample statistically significant and the households from this sample were selected randomly. We defined five levels of vulnerability: very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. Our results indicate that San Isidro is the community with the highest level of structural vulnerability, as for the physical vulnerability it was found that the homes most affected by flooding are those located close to CC but we did not found a direct relationship between the physical vulnerability and structural vulnerability. The main hazard to which the zone of study is exposed is flooding because its period of recurrence is about five

  16. User’s Guide for an Optical Contrast Seeker Monte Carlo Terminal Homing Simulation

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1975-05-14

    AG sin X ) Eq. 2.16 33 Acceleration Normal to Plane .. X (Boresignt) G. Plane containing mass unbalance centrotd ~YG FIGURE 3.28. Inner Gimbal View...ill# .L01 0.090 jNi FORM -1.000 1. CJ2 .315 C.0 3 0.000 UNICORN -1.0100 1. U000 2,4kp1 .12J C.GG0 JN.’FORM -1.000100 14L2 -. 4.8 0.00a .JKIFORM -1.000...fu 1. rj m N. I At1 -- c2 0 0* 4- 0 W uI-WL UL w I~ f :.VPI *4 *.* .. 4 C, : IV 1A ag oo ,- * I4 1, %An Q. cc Go coc oC cVCa: .ato to o 1 o I a

  17. [Dynamic magnetotherapy use in comprehensive treatment phlegmons of maxillofacial region and mandible fractures].

    PubMed

    Lepilin, A V; Raĭgorodckiĭ, Iu M; Nozdrachev, V G; Erokina, N L

    2007-01-01

    145 patients (60 with phlegmons of submandibular and submental regions, 85--with fractures of mandible) were observed and treated with the use of moving pulse magnetic field (MPMF) produced by special apparatus (AMO-ATOS-E, , Saratov-city), 60 patients with the same pathology were treated by traditional physical methods and served as control. Use of MPMF led to quicker patient recovery: quicker reduction (if compared with traditional physical methods of treatment) of oedema and soft tissue inflammatory infiltration, quicker relief from inflammatory reaction (according to data of cytokinin profile), improvement of tissue blood supply in the region of fractures in patients with mandible fractures. As the result--we had shortening treatment terms of such patients and complication number reduction.

  18. Poly[[nona­aqua­bis­(μ-5-hy­droxy­benzene-1,3-di­carboxyl­ato)(5-hy­droxy­benzene-1,3-di­carboxyl­ato)dicerium(III)] hexa­hydrate

    PubMed Central

    Fan, Xiao; Daiguebonne, Carole; Guillou, Olivier; Camara, Magatte

    2014-01-01

    In the title coordination polymer, {[Ce2(C8H4O5)3(H2O)9]·6H2O}n, the asymmetric unit is formed by two CeIII atoms, three 5-hy­droxy­benzene-1,3-di­carboxyl­ate ligands, nine coordinating water mol­ecules and six water mol­ecules of crystallization. The two CeIII atoms are bridged by 5-hy­droxy­benzene-1,3-di­carboxyl­ate ligands acting in a bis-bidentate coordination mode, generating infinite chains along [101]. Both independent metal atoms are nine-coordinated, one by four O atoms from the carboxyl­ate groups of two bridging 5-hy­droxy­benzene-1,3-di­carboxyl­ate ligands and five O atoms from water mol­ecules, generating a tricapped trigonal–prismatic geometry. The coordination around the second CeIII atom is similar, except that one of the water mol­ecules is replaced by an O atom from an additional 5-hy­droxy­benzene-1,3-di­carboxyl­ate ligand acting in a monodentate coordination mode and forming a capped square-anti­prismatic geometry. PMID:24860313

  19. Simulações Numéricas de Rotação Nuclear Cometária

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Voelzke, M. R.; Winter, O. C.

    1999-08-01

    Este trabalho apresenta os resultados iniciais de simulações numéricas da evolução rotacional, de um núcleo cometário não esférico, ao longo de uma passagem periélica, levando-se em conta os torques devido a existência dos jatos de poeira e de gás. Inicialmente os autores apresentam um modelo simples (primeira aproximação), com somente um único jato na extremidade do semi-eixo maior, para compreender a variação positiva ou negativa que estas forças não gravitacionais exercem sobre o período de rotação cometário. Posteriormente incrementa-se o número de jatos, os quais são distribuídos ao longo da superfície cometária, para observar-se a contribuição dos efeitos provenientes dos torques originários da liberação da poeira e gás cometários, que provavelmente violará a suposição da livre precessão. Os estados rotacionais, sob torques induzidos devido à sublimação, dependem fortemente da localização das áreas ativas do núcleo. Os cometas P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1, P/Tempel 2, P/Forbes e C/Meunier-Dupouy serão observados fotometricamente, pelos autores, no Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica (LNA) ao longo de algumas noites consecutivas em abril, junho e julho de 1999. Estas observações serão comparadas com as simulações numéricas de rotação cometária.

  20. Translations on Telecommunications Policy, Research and Development, Number 22.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-11-29

    Malabo station, some- times with the Mogadiscio station, and even with those of Bamako, Santiago de Cuba, Quito (Ecuador), La Paz (Bolivia), the...BRAZIL Telecommunications Sector Facing Financing Problems (0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 23 Oct 77) 17 Service Might Deteriorate Ericsson Company...Optimistic Two New Computer Firms To Be Nationally Controlled (0 ESTADO DE fAO PAULO, 18 Oct 77) .................... 22 NEAR EAST & NORTH AFRICA INTER

  1. Naval Ships Acquisition Strategy for the Venezuelan Navy.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-06-01

    Contract LAdministration Manual (SAC), Washington, D.C., 198 16. Congreso de Venezuela, Constitucion de la Republica de Venezuela X- Disposiciones ...Directiva D-MA-CGM-0030-A, Estado Mayor General de la Armada, Caracas, Venezuela, June 29, 1981. 23. Congress of the United States of America, Public...Fundamentos Estrategicos para la Escuadra Venezolana en eI Futuro, Armada- de -Venezuela, Escuela Superior de Guerra Naval, XI Curso de Comando y Estado

  2. The Role of Religion in the Mexican Drug War

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-10-28

    action based on their shared belief. The second condition is that this community of believers must see their belief as a liberating force that can... Estados Unidos Mexicanos, last modified 2011, http://en.presidencia.gob.mx/presidency/president/ 17 Mexico has decided since its independence...latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2011/07/20/patterned-after- knights-templar-drug-cartel-issues-code-conduct/ Presidencia de La Republica, Estados Unidos

  3. Mitigating Corruption in Government Security Forces: The Role of Institutions, Incentives, and Personnel Management in Mexico

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-01-01

    economy to freer trade, and helped liberate controls over business, the press, and civil society. The deterioration of the political system also led to a...munici- pal population to identify and allocate funds to eligible municipalities ( Estados Unidos Mexicanos, 2008). The two munici- palities with the...Mexico City, Mexico, “Merida Initiative at a Glance: Combating Violence in Juárez, September 2010. Bibliography 61 Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Diario

  4. Perceptions of Regime Legitimacy in Mozambique: Legitimacy in Transition?

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-09-01

    West Africa Since Independence (Lagos: Lagos University Press, 1988) 170 . 52 James S. Wunsch and Dan Ottemoeller in Dele Olowu and James S. Wunsch...Ultramarina (RAU), aprovada pelo Decreto –Lei n. ˚23229, de 15 de Novembro de 1933. “Em cada uma das regedorias, a autoridade sobre as populações...2001. Artigo 94 da Reforma Adminsitrativa Ultramarina (RAU), aprovada pelo Decreto –Lei n. ˚23229, de 15 de Novembro de 1933. Ayittey, George B

  5. NASA Stennis Space Center Integrated System Health Management Test Bed and Development Capabilities

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Figueroa, Fernando; Holland, Randy; Coote, David

    2006-01-01

    Integrated System Health Management (ISHM) is a capability that focuses on determining the condition (health) of every element in a complex System (detect anomalies, diagnose causes, prognosis of future anomalies), and provide data, information, and knowledge (DIaK)-not just data-to control systems for safe and effective operation. This capability is currently done by large teams of people, primarily from ground, but needs to be embedded on-board systems to a higher degree to enable NASA's new Exploration Mission (long term travel and stay in space), while increasing safety and decreasing life cycle costs of spacecraft (vehicles; platforms; bases or outposts; and ground test, launch, and processing operations). The topics related to this capability include: 1) ISHM Related News Articles; 2) ISHM Vision For Exploration; 3) Layers Representing How ISHM is Currently Performed; 4) ISHM Testbeds & Prototypes at NASA SSC; 5) ISHM Functional Capability Level (FCL); 6) ISHM Functional Capability Level (FCL) and Technology Readiness Level (TRL); 7) Core Elements: Capabilities Needed; 8) Core Elements; 9) Open Systems Architecture for Condition-Based Maintenance (OSA-CBM); 10) Core Elements: Architecture, taxonomy, and ontology (ATO) for DIaK management; 11) Core Elements: ATO for DIaK Management; 12) ISHM Architecture Physical Implementation; 13) Core Elements: Standards; 14) Systematic Implementation; 15) Sketch of Work Phasing; 16) Interrelationship Between Traditional Avionics Systems, Time Critical ISHM and Advanced ISHM; 17) Testbeds and On-Board ISHM; 18) Testbed Requirements: RETS AND ISS; 19) Sustainable Development and Validation Process; 20) Development of on-board ISHM; 21) Taxonomy/Ontology of Object Oriented Implementation; 22) ISHM Capability on the E1 Test Stand Hydraulic System; 23) Define Relationships to Embed Intelligence; 24) Intelligent Elements Physical and Virtual; 25) ISHM Testbeds and Prototypes at SSC Current Implementations; 26) Trailer

  6. The Effect of Millisecond Pulsed Electric Fields (msPEF) on Intracellular Drug Transport with Negatively Charged Large Nanocarriers Made of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN): In Vitro Study.

    PubMed

    Kulbacka, Julita; Pucek, Agata; Wilk, Kazimiera Anna; Dubińska-Magiera, Magda; Rossowska, Joanna; Kulbacki, Marek; Kotulska, Małgorzata

    2016-10-01

    Drug delivery technology is still a dynamically developing field of medicine. The main direction in nanotechnology research (nanocarriers, nanovehicles, etc.) is efficient drug delivery to target cells with simultaneous drug reduction concentration. However, nanotechnology trends in reducing the carrier sizes to several nanometers limit the volume of the loaded substance and may pose a danger of uncontrolled access into the cells. On the other hand, nanoparticles larger than 200 nm in diameter have difficulties to undergo rapid diffusional transport through cell membranes. The main advantage of large nanoparticles is higher drug encapsulation efficiency and the ability to deliver a wider array of drugs. Our present study contributes a new approach with large Tween 80 solid lipid nanoparticles SLN (i.e., hydrodynamic GM-SLN-glycerol monostearate, GM, as the lipid and ATO5-SLNs-glyceryl palmitostearate, ATO5, as the lipid) with diameters DH of 379.4 nm and 547 nm, respectively. They are used as drug carriers alone and in combination with electroporation (EP) induced by millisecond pulsed electric fields. We evaluate if EP can support the transport of large nanocarriers into cells. The study was performed with two cell lines: human colon adenocarcinoma LoVo and hamster ovarian fibroblastoid CHO-K1 with coumarin 6 (C6) as a fluorescent marker for encapsulation. The biological safety of the potential treatment procedure was evaluated with cell viability after their exposure to nanoparticles and EP. The EP efficacy was evaluated by FACS method. The impact on intracellular structure organization of cytoskeleton was visualized by CLSM method with alpha-actin and beta-tubulin. The obtained results indicate low cytotoxicity of both carrier types, free and loaded with C6. The evaluation of cytoskeleton proteins indicated no intracellular structure damage. The intracellular uptake and accumulation show that SLNs do not support transport of C6 coumarin. Only application of

  7. Protein Nanoscaffolds for Delivering Toxic Inorganic Cargo to Cancer Cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cioloboc, Daniela

    Targeted delivery of anticancer drugs or prodrugs to tumors can minimize systemic toxicity and side effects. This study develops platforms for targeted delivery of two potentially less systemically toxic prodrugs by exploiting the native and/or bioinorganic properties of two ferritins, both of which function naturally as iron storage proteins. Two delivery approaches were investigated. The first system was designed to serve as either an enhancement or alternative to traditional photodynamic therapy by generating hydroxyl radical in addition to singlet oxygen as the toxic reactive oxygen species. This system used Escherichia coli bacterioferritin (Bfr) loaded with 2,500 irons and multiple zinc-porphyrin (ZnP) photosensitizers. Ferrous iron was released by photoreduction of ferric iron stored within the Bfr protein shell. Hydroxyl radicals were generated via the Fenton reaction between hydrogen peroxide and the released ferrous iron. The outer surface of the Bfr protein shell was coated with peptides that specifically bind to a receptor known to be overexpressed in many tumor cells and tumor vasculature. The iron-loaded peptide-ZnP-Bfr was endocytosed by melanoma cells, where it showed photo-triggered release of iron and light-dependent cytotoxicity. The second system, built around human heavy chain ferritin (HFn), was loaded with arsenate as a less toxic "prodrug" and designed to release arsenic in its toxic, therapeutically effective reduced form, arsenic trioxide (ATO). The Hfn shell was coated with peptides targeting receptors that are hyperexpressed in triple negative breast cancers. The arsenate/iron-loaded-Hfn was endocytosed by a breast cancer cell line and showed cytotoxicity equivalent to that of free ATO on an arsenic basis, whereas the "empty" or iron-only loaded Hfn showed no cytotoxicity. Although HFn has previously been used to deliver organic drugs and imaging agents, these new results demonstrate that both Bfr and HFn can be manipulated to function

  8. Monitoring based maintenance utilizing actual stress sensory technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sumitro, Sunaryo; Kurokawa, Shoji; Shimano, Keiji; Wang, Ming L.

    2005-06-01

    In recent years, many infrastructures have been deteriorating. In order to maintain sustainability of those infrastructures which have significant influence on social lifelines, economical and rational maintenance management should be carried out to evaluate the life cycle cost (LCC). The development of structural health monitoring systems, such as deriving evaluation techniques for the field structural condition of existing structures and identification techniques for the significant engineering properties of new structures, can be considered as the first step in resolving the above problem. New innovative evaluation methods need to be devised to identify the deterioration of infrastructures, e.g. steel tendons, cables in cable-stayed bridges and strands embedded in pre- or post-tensioned concrete structures. One of the possible solutions that show 'AtoE' characteristics, i.e., (a)ccuracy, (b)enefit, (c)ompendiousness, (d)urability and (e)ase of operation, elasto-magnetic (EM) actual stress sensory technology utilizing the sensitivity of incremental magnetic permeability to stress change, has been developed. Numerous verification tests on various steel materials have been conducted. By comparing with load cell, strain gage and other sensory technology measurement results, the actual stresses of steel tendons in a pre-stressed concrete structure at the following stages have been thoroughly investigated: (i) pre-stress change due to set-loss (anchorage slippage) at the tendon fixation stage; (ii) pre-stress change due to the tendon relaxation stage; (iii) concrete creep and shrinkage at the long term pre-stressing stage; (iv) pre-stress change in the cyclic fatigue loading stage; and (v) pre-stress change due to the re-pre-stress setting stage. As the result of this testing, it is confirmed that EM sensory technology enables one to measure actual stress in steel wire, strands and steel bars precisely without destroying the polyethylene covering sheath and enables

  9. Brazilian guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cystic fibrosis.

    PubMed

    Athanazio, Rodrigo Abensur; Silva Filho, Luiz Vicente Ribeiro Ferreira da; Vergara, Alberto Andrade; Ribeiro, Antônio Fernando; Riedi, Carlos Antônio; Procianoy, Elenara da Fonseca Andrade; Adde, Fabíola Villac; Reis, Francisco José Caldeira; Ribeiro, José Dirceu; Torres, Lídia Alice; Fuccio, Marcelo Bicalho de; Epifanio, Matias; Firmida, Mônica de Cássia; Damaceno, Neiva; Ludwig-Neto, Norberto; Maróstica, Paulo José Cauduro; Rached, Samia Zahi; Melo, Suzana Fonseca de Oliveira

    2017-01-01

    cenário dessa doença, com aumento expressivo da sobrevida e qualidade de vida. Atualmente, o Brasil dispõe de um programa de ampla cobertura para a triagem neonatal de FC e centros de referência distribuídos na maior parte desses estados para seguimento dos indivíduos. Antigamente confinada à faixa etária pediátrica, tem-se observado um aumento de pacientes adultos com FC tanto pelo maior número de diagnósticos de formas atípicas, de expressão fenotípica mais leve, assim como pelo aumento da expectativa de vida com os novos tratamentos. Entretanto, ainda se observa uma grande heterogeneidade no acesso aos métodos diagnósticos e terapêuticos para FC entre as diferentes regiões brasileiras. O objetivo dessas diretrizes foi reunir as principais evidências científicas que norteiam o manejo desses pacientes. Um grupo de 18 especialistas em FC elaborou 82 perguntas clínicas relevantes que foram divididas em cinco categorias: características de um centro de referência; diagnóstico; tratamento da doença respiratória; tratamento gastrointestinal e nutricional; e outros aspectos. Diversos profissionais brasileiros atuantes na área da FC foram convidados a responder as perguntas formuladas pelos coordenadores. A literatura disponível foi pesquisada na base de dados PubMed com palavras-chave, buscando-se as melhores respostas às perguntas dos autores.

  10. [Not Available].

    PubMed

    Sellés, Sergio; Fernández-Sáez, José; López-Lluch, Guillermo; Cejuela, Roberto

    2016-02-16

    El proceso de formación de futuros deportistas debe ser un trabajo estructurado y planificado para poder alcanzar el máximo nivel deportivo. Es fundamental en este periodo tener presentes los ritmos de desarrollo y maduración de los jóvenes deportistas para así adecuar las cargas de entrenamientos a sus estados evolutivos. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar y analizar la edad morfológica en nadadores y triatletas adolescentes, estableciendo diferencias entre su edad cronológica, grupos y género. A través del método antropométrico se determinó el estado de maduración biológica en un grupo de 37 deportistas jóvenes tecnificados. Los resultados muestran que la mayoría de la muestra (70,8%) se encuentra en un estado avanzado de desarrollo con respecto a su edad cronológica, siendo más notorio en el caso de los nadadores este estado de madurez avanzado. Tener una edad morfológica más avanzada respecto a su edad cronológica podría favorecer a los deportistas adolescentes a la hora de conseguir mejores marcas y resultados en las competiciones y de esta manera acceder con más facilidad a los programas de tecnificación. El índice de desarrollo corporal modificado (IDCm) se presenta como un método validado, fiable y no invasivo para tener presente el grado de desarrollo y maduración en la selección de talentos deportivos y adecuar las cargas de entrenamiento al estado evolutivo de los deportistas.

  11. Environmental Impact Statement for BOMARC Missile Site, McGuire AFB, New Jersey. Volume 2. Public Hearings, Comments, and Consultation Letters. Appendices 2-1 through 2-6

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-05-22

    mwwOr kh" I amb m . i COh NO oO*Mm WII Mdhssosm t eu Sm MONLd ispom. "INOW N awo o d td ,1 0 e sk owasomm do ya Cmis Me ThmtU .111Nw dosd ckwfy W4...9We sb bbD Pf - ue my. ai misyss m k -dm ad IRS vr b 1s man cmm ato blb, Wman sinrn as m Air Fam. IOW Vow W k" atss adh do asmm wEwie miad go mo a my...rteutes end energy(lea"se) hus " td thse draft g5 su ta l lePuot ttesnt fur thu SUMibsile ine. saftre Alt r#_u le. Ste Jersey. end ma he. 0440e atuu Ce% bo I

  12. Assaying Mitochondrial Respiration as an Indicator of Cellular Metabolism and Fitness.

    PubMed

    Smolina, Natalia; Bruton, Joseph; Kostareva, Anna; Sejersen, Thomas

    2017-01-01

    Mitochondrial respiration is the most important generator of cellular energy under most circumstances. It is a process of energy conversion of substrates into ATP. The Seahorse equipment allows measuring oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in living cells and estimates key parameters of mitochondrial respiration in real-time mode. Through use of mitochondrial inhibitors, four key mitochondrial respiration parameters can be measured: basal, ATP production-linked, maximal, and proton leak-linked OCR. This approach requires application of mitochondrial inhibitors-oligomycin to block ATP synthase, FCCP-to make the inner mitochondrial membrane permeable for protons and allow maximum electron flux through the electron transport chain, and rotenone and antimycin A-to inhibit complexes I and III, respectively. This chapter describes the protocol of OCR assessment in the culture of primary myotubes obtained upon satellite cell fusion.

  13. [Transcranial magneto- and electrostimulation in patients with obesity and erectile dysfunction].

    PubMed

    Ponomarenko, G N; Bin'iash, T G; Raĭgorodskiĭ, Iu M; Guliaev, A S; Shul'diakov, V A; Kiriliuk, A M; Vartanova, L Iu

    2009-01-01

    The objective of the present study was to evaluate therapeutic efficiency of transcranial magnetotherapy (TcMT) and electric stimulation (ES) included in the combined treatment of 143 patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and abdominal obesity. The majority of the patients had waist circumference over 102 cm. An AMO-ATOS complex was used to stimulate the hypothalamic region and other brain structures. Transdermal myostimulation of the abdominal and femoral regions was achieved with a Miovolna device. It was shown that both TcM and ES improved lipid metabolism and erectile function; moreover, they exerted hypotensive and sedative action. Specifically, the testosterone level in the patients increased by a mean of 27% compared with the pre-treatment values while the number of patients complaining of erectile dysfunction decreased by 31%.

  14. Translations on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs No. 304

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-06-09

    Madre de Dios . In 196^ (the year that further plantings were prohibited), coca production totaled 8,977,337.785 kilograms, according to the 1965 report...CONTENTS (Continued) Page LATIN AMERICA BRAZIL Major Trafficker Kills Policeman, Is Also Killed (0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, ,6 May 77) 55 Eight Homicides...Solved Through Arrest of Traffickers (0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 3 May 77) 56 Women Arrested With Cocaine at Galeao Identified as Chilean (0 GLOBO

  15. Mexico’s National Security Challenges and the Military Endeavor

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-03-01

    liberalizing the economy) and on global economic integration. 11 So for a long time, political and economic considerations were the main priorities of...Constitucion Politica de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, art 89 fracc. X Camara de Diputados del H. Congreso de la Union (Mexico: D.F. Gobierno de la...Convert Action Quarterly, No. 59 (Winter 1996-1997): 43. 8 Contitucion Politica de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, art. 89 fracc. VI, 86. 9 Hernandez

  16. Civil-Military Relations in Latin America: The Hedgehog and the Fox Revisited

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-01-01

    and the Fox Revisited Thomas C. Bruneau Naval Postgraduate School, Estados Unidos Resumen El siguiente artículo propone un nuevo enfoque hacia el...puede lograr solamente por medio de la creación de instituciones que incorporan y personifican conocimientos y mecanismos de control tanto del poder...ejecutivo como legislativo del estado democrático. Abstract This article argues for a new focus in the study of civil-military relations. It seeks to

  17. The Mexican Military Approaches the 21st Century: Coping with a New World Order

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-02-21

    known today by the initials PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional ), began the process of institutionalizing civilian political power.1 The...Herrera Lasso M. and Gonzalez, Balance y Perspectivas, pp. 397-399. 8. Roberto Vizcaino, "La Seguridad del Pafs, Fin Primordial del Estado ," Proceso...pp. 120-121. 10. Raud Benitez Manaut, "Las Fuerzas Armadas Mexicaras y su Relaci6n con el Estado , el Sistema Politico y la Sociedad," paper presented

  18. 3-(4-Carb­oxy-5-carboxyl­ato-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridin-1-ium monohydrate

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Guang-Jun; Zhao, Guang-Wang; Li, Li; Gao, Hong-Tao

    2011-01-01

    In the zwitterionic mol­ecule of the title compound, C10H7N3O4·H2O, one carboxyl group is deprotonated and the pyridine N atom is protonated. The pyridinium and imidazole rings form a dihedral angle of 5.23 (1)°. An intramolecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯O, O—H⋯N and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the zwitterions and water mol­ecules into sheets parallel to (102). PMID:21523144

  19. ato-Gal4 fly lines for gene function analysis: Eya is required in late progenitors for eye morphogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Linlin; Zhou, Qingxiang; Pignoni, Francesca

    2015-01-01

    The Gal4/UAS system is one of the most powerful tools for the study of cellular and developmental processes in Drosophila. Gal4 drivers can be used to induce targeted expression of dominant-negative and dominant-active proteins, histological markers, activity sensors, gene-specific dsRNAs, modulators of cell survival or proliferation, and other reagents. We describe here novel atonal-Gal4 lines that contain regions of the regulatory DNA of atonal, the proneural gene for photoreceptors, stretch receptors, auditory organ and some olfactory sensilla. During neurogenesis, the atonal gene is expressed at a critical juncture, a time of transition from progenitor cell to developing neuron. Thus, these lines are particularly well suited for the study of the transcription factors and signaling molecules orchestrating this critical transition. To demonstrate their usefulness, we focus on two visual organs, the eye and the Bolwig. We demonstrate the induction of predicted eye phenotypes when expressing the dominant-negative EGF receptor, EGFRDN, or a dsRNA against Notch, NotchRNAi, in the developing eye disc. In another example, we show the deletion of the Bolwig’s organ using the proapoptotic factor Hid. Lastly, we investigate the function of the eye specification factor Eyes absent or Eya in late retinal progenitors, shortly before they begin morphogenesis. We show that Eya is still required in these late progenitors to promote eye formation, and show failure to induce the target gene atonal and consequent lack of neuron formation. PMID:25980363

  20. ato-Gal4 fly lines for gene function analysis: Eya is required in late progenitors for eye morphogenesis.

    PubMed

    Yu, Linlin; Zhou, Qingxiang; Pignoni, Francesca

    2015-06-01

    The Gal4/UAS system is one of the most powerful tools for the study of cellular and developmental processes in Drosophila. Gal4 drivers can be used to induce targeted expression of dominant-negative and dominant-active proteins, histological markers, activity sensors, gene-specific dsRNAs, modulators of cell survival or proliferation, and other reagents. Here, we describe novel atonal-Gal4 lines that contain regions of the regulatory DNA of atonal, the proneural gene for photoreceptors, stretch receptors, auditory organ, and some olfactory sensilla. During neurogenesis, the atonal gene is expressed at a critical juncture, a time of transition from progenitor cell to developing neuron. Thus, these lines are particularly well suited for the study of the transcription factors and signaling molecules orchestrating this critical transition. To demonstrate their usefulness, we focus on two visual organs, the eye and the Bolwig. We demonstrate the induction of predicted eye phenotypes when expressing the dominant-negative EGF receptor or a dsRNA against Notch in the developing eye disc. In another example, we show the deletion of the Bolwig's organ using the proapoptotic factor Hid. Finally, we investigate the function of the eye specification factor Eyes absent or Eya in late retinal progenitors, shortly before they begin morphogenesis. We show that Eya is still required in these late progenitors to promote eye formation, and show failure to induce the target gene atonal and consequent lack of neuron formation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  1. The Mexican Expeditionary Air Force in World War II: The Organization, Training, and Operations of the 201st Squadron

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-03-01

    artículos de reemplazo y mantenimiento para la unidad, se proporcionarán por medio de los conductos de abastecimiento normales de los Estados Unidos. El... mantenimiento abarca artículos de ministración standard, incluyendo subsistencias y servicios proporcionados normalmente a la unidades de las Fuerzas...Aéreas de los Estados Unidos. Todos los artículos de ministración inicial, los de reemplazo y mantenimiento , se cargarán de acuerdo con los

  2. Latin America Report

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-07-19

    SECTOR PUBLICO (1) Total % — Reducir los gastos militares (2) — Reducir los proyectos de inversion (3) — Aumentar los impuestos a las empresas (4...New Republic: From Poet to President (Lorem Falcao; MANCHETE, 4 May 85) 33 Poll Shows Quadros Leading Mayoral Candidate in Sao Paulo (FOLHA DE ...0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 13 Jun 85) iy Sayad Proposes Three Measures To Reduce Interest Rates (0 ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, 13 Jun 85) 61 Foreign

  3. The National Security of Mexico for 2010

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2002-01-01

    Constituci6n politica de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos) 40 Alvaro Vallarta, "Lealtad militar", (Military loyalty), Reforma (M6xico, D.F.), 11 February 2002...Dolia Estevez, "Busca Incorporar a Mexico en Comando Norteamericano," El Financiero , 12 April 2002. 52 Maria de la Luz Gonzalez, "Proponen redefinir...Politica de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos", 5 February 2002; available from < http://www.presidencia.gob.mx >; Internet, accessed 6 February 2002. 62

  4. State, Labor, Capital: Institutionalizing Democratic Class Compromise in the Southern Cone.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-08-01

    recent experiences) to which current unionists can hark back to. 89J. Samuel Valenzuela, "Movimientos Obreros y Sistemas Politicos: Un Analisis...O’Donnell, "Apuntes para una teoria de Estado," Documento CEDES/ G.E. CLASCO, N. 9 (1977); O’Donnell and 0. Oszlak, "Estado y Politicas Estatales en...Reflexiones a partir de algunas experiencias Latinoamericanas," Estudios CEDES, V. 3, N. 2 (1980); Oszlak, "Notas Criticas para una Teoria de la Burocracia

  5. Reporting on health-related research in two prestigious Brazilian newspapers.

    PubMed

    Teixeira, Ricardo Afonso; Carlini, Marcela; Jatobá e Sousa, Arthur de Carvalho; Fernandes, Paula Teixeira; Camargo, Vera Regina Toledo; Vogt, Carlos; Li, Li Min

    2012-01-01

    The dissemination of health-related news through newspapers can influence the behavior of patients and of health care providers. We conducted a study to analyze the characteristics of health-related research published by two leading Brazilian newspapers. We retrospectively evaluated health-related news published in the electronic versions of the newspapers Folha de São Paulo and O Estado de São Paulo over a period of three months (July through September, 2009). Only articles mentioning medical research were included. The articles were categorized according to topic, source, study location and the nature of the headline. We also analyzed the presence of background information on the topic, citations of medical periodicals, national contextualization and references to products or companies. Scientific research articles corresponded to 57% and 20% of health-related articles published by Folha de São Paulo and O Estado de São Paulo, respectively. Folha de São Paulo published significantly more articles about national studies, and most articles were written by its own staff. In contrast, most articles in O Estado de São Paulo came from news agencies. Folha de São Paulo also better contextualized its reports for Brazilian society. O Estado de São Paulo tended to cite the name of the periodical in which the study was published more frequently, but their articles lacked national contextualization. The results showed a significant difference in the way in which the studied newspapers report on health-related research. Folha de São Paulo tends to write its own articles and more frequently publishes the results of national research, whereas O Estado de São Paulo publishes articles that originate in news agencies, most of which have little national contextualization.

  6. Reporting on health-related research in two prestigious Brazilian newspapers

    PubMed Central

    Teixeira, Ricardo Afonso; Carlini, Marcela; de Carvalho Jatobá e Sousa, Arthur; Fernandes, Paula Teixeira; Camargo, Vera Regina Toledo; Vogt, Carlos; Li, Li Min

    2012-01-01

    OBJECTIVES: The dissemination of health-related news through newspapers can influence the behavior of patients and of health care providers. We conducted a study to analyze the characteristics of health-related research published by two leading Brazilian newspapers. METHOD: We retrospectively evaluated health-related news published in the electronic versions of the newspapers Folha de São Paulo and O Estado de São Paulo over a period of three months (July through September, 2009). Only articles mentioning medical research were included. The articles were categorized according to topic, source, study location and the nature of the headline. We also analyzed the presence of background information on the topic, citations of medical periodicals, national contextualization and references to products or companies. RESULTS: Scientific research articles corresponded to 57% and 20% of health-related articles published by Folha de São Paulo and O Estado de São Paulo, respectively. Folha de São Paulo published significantly more articles about national studies, and most articles were written by its own staff. In contrast, most articles in O Estado de São Paulo came from news agencies. Folha de São Paulo also better contextualized its reports for Brazilian society. O Estado de São Paulo tended to cite the name of the periodical in which the study was published more frequently, but their articles lacked national contextualization. CONCLUSION: The results showed a significant difference in the way in which the studied newspapers report on health-related research. Folha de São Paulo tends to write its own articles and more frequently publishes the results of national research, whereas O Estado de São Paulo publishes articles that originate in news agencies, most of which have little national contextualization. PMID:22473408

  7. Massage and Reiki used to reduce stress and anxiety: Randomized Clinical Trial.

    PubMed

    Kurebayashi, Leonice Fumiko Sato; Turrini, Ruth Natalia Teresa; Souza, Talita Pavarini Borges de; Takiguchi, Raymond Sehiji; Kuba, Gisele; Nagumo, Marisa Toshi

    2016-11-28

    to evaluate the effectiveness of massage and reiki in the reduction of stress and anxiety in clients at the Institute for Integrated and Oriental Therapy in Sao Paulo (Brazil). clinical tests randomly done in parallel with an initial sample of 122 people divided into three groups: Massage + Rest (G1), Massage + Reiki (G2) and a Control group without intervention (G3). The Stress Systems list and the Trace State Anxiety Inventory were used to evaluate the groups at the start and after 8 sessions (1 month), during 2015. there were statistical differences (p = 0.000) according to the ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) for the stress amongst the groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.014) with a 33% reductions and a Cohen of 0.78. In relation to anxiety-state, there was a reduction in the intervention groups compared with the control group (p < 0.01) with a 21% reduction in group 2 (Cohen of 1.18) and a 16% reduction for group 1 (Cohen of 1.14). Massage + Reiki produced better results amongst the groups and the conclusion is for further studies to be done with the use of a placebo group to evaluate the impact of the technique separate from other techniques. RBR-42c8wp. avaliar a efetividade da Massagem e Reiki na redução de estresse e ansiedade em clientes do Instituto de Terapia Integrada e Oriental, em São Paulo (Brasil). ensaio clínico controlado randomizado paralelo com amostra inicial de 122 pessoas divididas em 3 grupos Massagem+Repouso (G1), Massagem+Reiki (G2) e Controle sem intervenção (G3). Foram avaliados pela Lista de Sintomas de Stress e pelo Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado, no início e após 8 sessões (1 mês), durante o ano de 2015. houve diferença estatística (p = 0,000) segundo ANOVA para o estresse entre os grupos 2 e 3 (33% de redução e Cohen de 0,98) e entre os grupos 1 e 3 (p = 0,014), 24% de redução e Cohen de 0,78. Para a ansiedade-estado, houve redução nos grupos de intervenção comparados ao grupo Controle (p < 0,01), com 21% de redução para

  8. Honduran-U.S. Relations

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-08-04

    Miami Herald, July 16, 2009; “Informe Preliminar: Violaciones a Derechos Humanos en el Marco del Golpe de Estado en Honduras,” Comité de Familiares de...Detenidos Desaparecidos en Honduras (CONFADEH), July 15, 2009; “Reporte de Violaciones a Derechos Humanos Después del Golpe de Estado Político-Militar...del 28 de Junio de 2009,” Centro de Investigacion y Promocion de los Derechos Humanos (CIPRODEH), July 17, 2009. 31 For more on the U.S. response

  9. Electron-Phonon Systems on a Universal Quantum Computer

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Macridin, Alexandru; Spentzouris, Panagiotis; Amundson, James

    We present an algorithm that extends existing quantum algorithms forsimulating fermion systems in quantum chemistry and condensed matter physics toinclude phonons. The phonon degrees of freedom are represented with exponentialaccuracy on a truncated Hilbert space with a size that increases linearly withthe cutoff of the maximum phonon number. The additional number of qubitsrequired by the presence of phonons scales linearly with the size of thesystem. The additional circuit depth is constant for systems with finite-rangeelectron-phonon and phonon-phonon interactions and linear for long-rangeelectron-phonon interactions. Our algorithm for a Holstein polaron problem wasimplemented on an Atos Quantum Learning Machine (QLM) quantum simulatoremployingmore » the Quantum Phase Estimation method. The energy and the phonon numberdistribution of the polaron state agree with exact diagonalization results forweak, intermediate and strong electron-phonon coupling regimes.« less

  10. All Prime Contract Awards by State or Country, Place, and Contractor. Part 20 (Fredericksburg Virginia-Springfield Virginia)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-01-01

    a * Vs 4 NN- 4IN 00 c -10 Ina 0004C r) 0 r-s ON I CC#0) ot in --4 (no ifl0.-4 0-400 0Vs 00-I 0000 -400 EEq -E tun 04 1 0C) 1 44 4 VI 0004 Vs4<WIL ax...am4- N zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Wc 1 4-4 & Zaw *hf Mel of- 4o So atO it NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNSi 11 1a ~ S 44 0O HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNC...4. 4.-I 0 3C11 1 M (V) N1 00 -000c 1-00 0) 0) 0 0 0 000) 0 ə 1(IM C) N 00.i 0000.i CMM..i 00 00 02 >-M 0) >-00000.i 0) H I tUN NOIL 4C 0 4C w 4C 4 00

  11. Construction of hydrodynamic bead models from high-resolution X-ray crystallographic or nuclear magnetic resonance data.

    PubMed Central

    Byron, O

    1997-01-01

    Computer software such as HYDRO, based upon a comprehensive body of theoretical work, permits the hydrodynamic modeling of macromolecules in solution, which are represented to the computer interface as an assembly of spheres. The uniqueness of any satisfactory resultant model is optimized by incorporating into the modeling procedure the maximal possible number of criteria to which the bead model must conform. An algorithm (AtoB, for atoms to beads) that permits the direct construction of bead models from high resolution x-ray crystallographic or nuclear magnetic resonance data has now been formulated and tested. Models so generated then act as informed starting estimates for the subsequent iterative modeling procedure, thereby hastening the convergence to reasonable representations of solution conformation. Successful application of this algorithm to several proteins shows that predictions of hydrodynamic parameters, including those concerning solvation, can be confirmed. PMID:8994627

  12. [Transcranial magnetotherapy for the correction of initial manifestations of diabetic retinopathy in children].

    PubMed

    Nikolaeva, N V; Bolotova, N V; Kamenskikh, T G; Raĭgorodskiĭ, Iu M; Kolbenev, I O; Luk'ianov, V F

    2009-01-01

    This study included 45 children at the age from 5 to 17 years with type I diabetes mellitus complicated by diabetic retinopathy. All the patients showed retinal thickening at the macula and reduced amplitude of local electroretinogram suggesting compromised capillary circulation. The capillary blood flow was corrected by transcranial magnetotherapy with the use of an AMO-ATOS Ogolovie unit. The results of the treatment were evaluated from characteristics of laser Doppler flometry. A course of transcranial magnetotherapy comprising 10 daily seances resulted in a significant increase of microcirculation index, respiratory rhythm, and myogenic tone (by 1.64, 1.35, and 1.16 times respectively). In addition, morphometric and electrophysiological properties of the retina underwent positive changes. Transcranial exposure to the traveling magnetic field is recommended for the correction of intraocular microcirculation and prevention of diabetic macular oedema.

  13. Generacion de Nuevas Capacidades en el Ejercito de Guatemala para el Combate al Trafico de Drogas y Delitos Conexos (Generating New Capacities within the Guatemalan Army in Order to Combat Drug Trafficking and Related Crimes)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-06-13

    la pérdida de control territorial por parte del Estado en el tema de seguridad y la poca credibilidad que la sociedad tiene en sus fuerzas...de seguridad civil y segundo: como efecto no buscado de la presión ejercida por el gobierno de Colombia y el de México en alianza con los Estados...naturales y líneas rectas que unen detalles topográficos fijados y descritos en el mismo Laudo. Para la defensa de la seguridad nacional, el Ejército

  14. Overweight effect on spirometric parameters in adolescents undergoing exercise.

    PubMed

    Costa, Rayana de Oliveira; Silva, Juliana Pereira; Lacerda, Eliana Mattos; Dias, Rodrigo; Pezolato, Vitor Alexandre; Silva, Carlos Alberto da; Krinski, Kleverton; Correia, Marco Aurélio de Valois; Cieslak, Fabrício

    2016-01-01

    To evaluate effects of overweight on spirometric parameters in adolescents who underwent bronchial provocation test for exercise. We included 71 male adolescents. The diagnosis of asthma was done based on participants' clinical history and on the International Study Questionnaire Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, and the diagnosis of obesity was based on body mass index above 95th percentile. The bronchospasm induced by exercise was assessed using the run-walk test on a treadmill for eight minutes. The decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second > or equal to 10% before exercise was considered positive, and to calculate the intensity in exercise-induced bronchospasm we measured the maximum percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second and above the curve area. Data analysis was carried out using the Mann-Whitney U test and Friedman test (ANOVA), followed by Wilcoxon test (p<0.05). In addition, we used Fisher's exact test to analyze the exercise-induced bronchospasm frequency. Significant differences were observed among obese adolescents in exercise-induced bronchospasm frequency (p=0,013) and in relation to time required for recovery after exercise (p=0,007). Overweight can influence the increase in the exercise-induced bronchospasm frequency in non-asthmatic adolescents compared with eutrophic adolescents. Avaliar o efeito do excesso de peso sobre parâmetros espirométricos em adolescentes submetidos ao teste de broncoprovocação por exercício. Participaram do estudo 71 adolescentes do sexo masculino. O diagnóstico de asma foi obtido por meio de histórico clínico e do questionário International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, e o de obesidade, pelo índice de massa corporal acima do percentil 95. Para avaliar o broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício, utilizou-se o teste correr/caminhar em esteira ergométrica, com duração de 8 minutos, considerando positivo se diminuição do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo >10

  15. A Novel Route Controlling Begomovirus Resistance by the Messenger RNA Surveillance Factor Pelota

    PubMed Central

    Lapidot, Moshe; Karniel, Uri; Gelbart, Dana; Fogel, Doron; Evenor, Dalia; Kutsher, Yaarit; Makhbash, Zion; Nahon, Sahadia; Shlomo, Haviva; Chen, Lea; Reuveni, Moshe; Levin, Ilan

    2015-01-01

    Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a devastating disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) that can be effectively controlled by the deployment of resistant cultivars. The TYLCV-resistant line TY172 carries a major recessive locus for TYLCV resistance, designated ty-5, on chromosome 4. In this study, the association between 27 polymorphic DNA markers, spanning the ty-5 locus, and the resistance characteristics of individual plants inoculated with TYLCV in 51 segregating recombinant populations were analyzed. These analyses localized ty-5 into a 425 bp region containing two transversions: one in the first exon of a gene encoding the tomato homolog of the messenger RNA surveillance factor Pelota (Pelo), and a second in its proximal promoter. Analyses of susceptible and resistant lines revealed that the relative transcript level of the gene remained unchanged, regardless of whether the plants were infected with TYLCV or not. This suggests that the polymorphism discovered in the coding region of the gene controls the resistance. Silencing of Pelo in a susceptible line rendered the transgenic plants highly resistant, while in the resistant line TY172 had no effect on symptom development. In addition, over-expression of the susceptible allele of the gene in the resistant TY172 line rendered it susceptible, while over-expression of the resistant allele in susceptible plants had no effect. These results confirm that Pelo is the gene controlling resistance at the ty-5 locus. Pelo, implicated in the ribosome recycling-phase of protein synthesis, offers an alternative route to promote resistance to TYLCV and other viruses. PMID:26448569

  16. PubMed

    Rodríguez-Villalba, Luisa Fernanda; Ramírez-Vélez, Robinson; Correa-Bautista, Jorge Enrique

    2016-09-20

    Objetivo: el propósito del estudio fue relacionar la etapa en el cambio en el comportamiento frente a la actividad física y el estado nutricional en escolares de Bogotá, Colombia, pertenecientes al estudio FUPRECOL.Método: se trata de un estudio transversal, realizado en 8.000 niños y adolescentes de entre 9 y 17 años, pertenecientes a 24 instituciones educativas. Se aplicó de manera autodiligenciada el cuestionario de cambio de comportamiento en función de la intención de realizar actividad física (CCC-FUPRECOL) y se midió el peso y la estatura para determinar el estado nutricional con el índice de masa corporal (IMC).Resultados: el porcentaje de respuesta fue del 82,5% y se consideraron válidos 6.606 registros, siendo el 58,3% (n = 3.850) niñas, con un promedio de edad de 12,7 ± 2,3 años. En la población general, el 5,3% de los escolares se encontraba en etapa de precontemplación, el 31,8% en contemplación, el 26,7% en acción y el 36,2% en etapa de mantenimiento. Al comparar la etapa de cambio con el estado nutricional por IMC, los escolares clasificados como obesos mostraron mayor frecuencia de respuesta en la etapa de precontemplación, mientras que los escolares con peso saludable acusaron mayores porcentajes en la etapa de mantenimiento.Conclusión: en escolares de Bogotá, Colombia, se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa entre la intención de realizar actividad con el estado nutricional medido con el IMC. Fomentar la promoción de la actividad física y monitorizar el estado nutricional deberá ser una prioridad en las agendas y políticas públicas dentro del ámbito escolar.

  17. [Not Available].

    PubMed

    López-Fuenzalida, Antonio; Valdés-Badilla, Pablo; Herrera-Valenzuela, Tomás; Rodríguez Canales, Carolina; Reyes Ponc, Álvaro; Arriaza Ardiles, Enrique; Durán Agüero, Samuel

    2016-06-30

    Introducción: la categorización del estado nutricional a través del índice de masa corporal (IMC) es uno de los recursos de valoración clínica más utilizados en el síndrome metabólico (SM). Sin embargo, es desconocida su capacidad para identificar las diferencias en la composición corporal.Objetivo: determinar si las variaciones en el estado nutricional se reflejan en la composición corporal en mujeres con SM e identificar la concordancia de clasificación del riesgo cardiometabólico entre el estado nutricional e índices antropométricos.Material y métodos: la muestra incluyó 136 mujeres (edad 42 ± 3,5 años) con SM. Se evaluó el estado nutricional, masa muscular, masa adiposa, perímetro de cintura (PC), índice cintura-cadera (ICC) e índice cintura-estatura (ICE). Se compararon los valores de composición corporale índices antropométricos; adicionalmente se determinó la concordancia clasificatoria del riesgo cardiometabólico entre los índices y el IMC.Resultados: solo la edad (p = 0,358), estatura (p = 0,209) y porcentaje de adiposidad (p = 0,234) no mostraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos. La mejor concordancia clasificatoria del riesgo cardiometabólico se observó en el PC > 88 cm (94,9%) e ICE ≥ 0,5 (94,1%) al categorizar el IMC en normopeso vs. exceso de peso; mientras que el PC > 88 cm obtuvo mejor concordancia separando al grupo en normopeso-sobrepesovs. obesidad (85,3%), aunque la sensibilidad y especificidad fueron más homogéneas con el ICC ≥ 0,85.Conclusión: el IMC no logra identificar las variaciones de la adiposidad corporal en mujeres con SM agrupadas según su estado nutricional. El IMC presenta mejor sensibilidad que especificidad respecto a los índices considerados para determinar riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres con SM.

  18. Medicina integrativa en América: De qué forma se está practicando la medicina integrativa en los centros clínicos en los Estados Unidos

    PubMed Central

    Horrigan, Bonnie; Lewis, Sheldon; Abrams, Donald I.; Pechura, Constance

    2012-01-01

    RESUMEN EJECUTIVO El impulso para desarrollar e implementar estrategias de medicina integrativa está enraizado en el deseo de mejorar la atención al paciente. The Bravewell Collaborative, una organización sin ánimo de lucro dedicada a la mejora de la atención sanitaria, define la medicina integrativa como “un enfoque de la medicina que coloca al paciente en el centro y se dirige al conjunto completo de influencias físicas, emocionales, mentales, sociales, espirituales y ambientales que afectan a la salud de la persona. Con una estrategia personalizada que considera las condiciones, necesidades y circunstancias únicas del paciente, utiliza las intervenciones más apropiadas de una variedad de disciplinas científicas para curar la afección y la enfermedad y ayudar a las personas a recobrar y mantener una salud óptima”. En las pasadas dos décadas, se ha documentado un número creciente de centros clínicos que proporcionan medicina integrativa, el número de facultades y escuelas médicas que enseñan estrategias integrativas, el número de investigadores que estudian intervenciones integrativas, y el número de pacientes que solicitan cuidados integrativos. Pero se desconocía si la medicina integrativa se estaba ofreciendo de manera igual, similar, o dispar. Además, mientras que los estudios anteriores se centraban en la prevalencia y el uso de la medicina complementaria o alternativa (MCA) por parte de los pacientes1,2 o de los médicos en hospitales3, enumerando la utilización de terapias MCA individuales, se había recogido muy poca información con respecto a la práctica real de la medicina integrativa que, por definición, trata a la persona en su conjunto. En 2011, The Bravewell Collaborative encargó una encuesta para determinar la forma en que la medicina integrativa se estaba practicando en los Estados Unidos: (1) describiendo las poblaciones de pacientes y las afecciones sanitarias tratadas más habitualmente; (2) definiendo las pr

  19. Finish line distinctness and accuracy in 7 intraoral scanners versus conventional impression: an in vitro descriptive comparison.

    PubMed

    Nedelcu, Robert; Olsson, Pontus; Nyström, Ingela; Thor, Andreas

    2018-02-23

    Several studies have evaluated accuracy of intraoral scanners (IOS), but data is lacking regarding variations between IOS systems in the depiction of the critical finish line and the finish line accuracy. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of finish line distinctness (FLD), and finish line accuracy (FLA), in 7 intraoral scanners (IOS) and one conventional impression (IMPR). Furthermore, to assess parameters of resolution, tessellation, topography, and color. A dental model with a crown preparation including supra and subgingival finish line was reference-scanned with an industrial scanner (ATOS), and scanned with seven IOS: 3M, CS3500 and CS3600, DWIO, Omnicam, Planscan and Trios. An IMPR was taken and poured, and the model was scanned with a laboratory scanner. The ATOS scan was cropped at finish line and best-fit aligned for 3D Compare Analysis (Geomagic). Accuracy was visualized, and descriptive analysis was performed. All IOS, except Planscan, had comparable overall accuracy, however, FLD and FLA varied substantially. Trios presented the highest FLD, and with CS3600, the highest FLA. 3M, and DWIO had low overall FLD and low FLA in subgingival areas, whilst Planscan had overall low FLD and FLA, as well as lower general accuracy. IMPR presented high FLD, except in subgingival areas, and high FLA. Trios had the highest resolution by factor 1.6 to 3.1 among IOS, followed by IMPR, DWIO, Omnicam, CS3500, 3M, CS3600 and Planscan. Tessellation was found to be non-uniform except in 3M and DWIO. Topographic variation was found for 3M and Trios, with deviations below +/- 25 μm for Trios. Inclusion of color enhanced the identification of the finish line in Trios, Omnicam and CS3600, but not in Planscan. There were sizeable variations between IOS with both higher and lower FLD and FLA than IMPR. High FLD was more related to high localized finish line resolution and non-uniform tessellation, than to high overall resolution. Topography variations were low

  20. Onset of thermal convection in a rectangular parallelepiped cavity of small aspect ratios

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Funakoshi, Mitsuaki

    2018-04-01

    Onset of thermal convection of a fluid in a rectangular parallelepiped cavity of small aspect ratios is examined both numerically and analytically under the assumption that all walls are rigid and of perfect thermal conductance exposed to a vertically linear temperature field. Critical Rayleigh number R c and the steady velocity and temperature fields of most unstable modes are computed by a Galerkin spectral method of high accuracy for aspect ratios A x and A y either or both of which are small. We find that if A x is decreased to 0 with A y being kept constant, R c increases proportionally to {A}x-4, the convection rolls of most unstable mode whose axes are parallel to the shorter side walls become narrower, and their number increases proportionally to {A}x-\\tfrac{1{2}}. Moreover, as A x is decreased, we observe the changes of the symmetry of most unstable mode that occur more frequently for smaller A x . However, if {A}x={A}y=A is decreased to 0, although we again observe the increase in R c proportional to {A}-4, we obtain only one narrow convection roll as the velocity field of most unstable mode for all A. The expressions of R c and velocity fields in the limit of {A}x\\to 0 or A\\to 0 are obtained by an asymptotic analysis in which the dependences of R c and the magnitude and length scale of velocity fields of most unstable modes on A x and A y in the numerical computations are used. For example, R c is approximated by {π }4{A}x-4 and 25{π }4{A}-4 in the limits of {A}x\\to 0 and A\\to 0, respectively. Moreover, analytical expressions of some components of velocity fields in these limits are derived. Finally, we find that for small A x or A the agreement between the numerical and analytical results on R c and velocity field is quite good except for the velocity field in thin wall layers near the top and bottom walls.

  1. Electrical and optical performance of transparent conducting oxide films deposited by electrostatic spray assisted vapour deposition.

    PubMed

    Hou, Xianghui; Choy, Kwang-Leong; Liu, Jun-Peng

    2011-09-01

    Transparent conducting oxide (TCO) films have the remarkable combination of high electrical conductivity and optical transparency. There is always a strong motivation to produce TCO films with good performance at low cost. Electrostatic Spray Assisted Vapor Deposition (ESAVD), as a variant of chemical vapour deposition (CVD), is a non-vacuum and low-cost deposition method. Several types of TCO films have been deposited using ESAVD process, including indium tin oxide (ITO), antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO), and fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO). This paper reports the electrical and optical properties of TCO films produced by ESAVD methods, as well as the effects of post treatment by plasma hydrogenation on these TCO films. The possible mechanisms involved during plasma hydrogenation of TCO films are also discussed. Reduction and etching effect during plasma hydrogenation are the most important factors which determine the optical and electrical performance of TCO films.

  2. PUB1/359: The Use of the Internet for CME Purposes in Turkey

    PubMed Central

    Yaman, H; Kut, A

    1999-01-01

    While continuing medical education (CME) is receiving increasing attention from medical educators and health administrators world-wide, many efforts need to be made to improve its performance and overall effectiveness. CME has depended primarily on periodic courses and conferences. High costs and distant location make CME journals an alternative to these events. The Turkish Medical Association is publishing a journal for CME purposes called STED. By this way, every month, 9000 exemplars of each edition are distributed mainly to primary care physicians in the whole of Turkey. To make the journal also accessible to non-subscribers and professionals, who live outside Turkey, English abstracts of articles published in STED are going to be prepared and published soon by Internet services (www.ato.org.tr). By increasing the use of computer-assisted teaching and modern telecommunications, in the near future, the costs of CME can be reduced and its effectiveness improved.

  3. OPPT workplan risk assessment for antimony trioxide (CASRN ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This assessment will focus on the ecological hazards that may be associated with ATO use in flame retardants. Because ATO’s use in PET plastics was previously evaluated and determined to present minimal concerns for human health and the environment (EU, 2008), this use scenario will not be evaluated here. Human health risks have been evaluated previously and will be summarized in this assessment. EPA anticipates issuing draft risk assessments for public review and comment as they are completed. At the conclusion of the review process, if an assessment of specific uses indicates significant risk, EPA will evaluate and pursue appropriate risk reduction actions, as warranted. If an assessment indicates no significant risk, EPA will conclude its current work on assessment of those specified targeted uses of that chemical. Over time, additional chemicals will be added to the work plan as more data are developed and more chemicals screened.

  4. Comparative Geometrical Investigations of Hand-Held Scanning Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kersten, T. P.; Przybilla, H.-J.; Lindstaedt, M.; Tschirschwitz, F.; Misgaiski-Hass, M.

    2016-06-01

    An increasing number of hand-held scanning systems by different manufacturers are becoming available on the market. However, their geometrical performance is little-known to many users. Therefore the Laboratory for Photogrammetry & Laser Scanning of the HafenCity University Hamburg has carried out geometrical accuracy tests with the following systems in co-operation with the Bochum University of Applied Sciences (Laboratory for Photogrammetry) as well as the Humboldt University in Berlin (Institute for Computer Science): DOTProduct DPI-7, Artec Spider, Mantis Vision F5 SR, Kinect v1 + v2, Structure Sensor and Google's Project Tango. In the framework of these comparative investigations geometrically stable reference bodies were used. The appropriate reference data were acquired by measurement with two structured light projection systems (AICON smartSCAN and GOM ATOS I 2M). The comprehensive test results of the different test scenarios are presented and critically discussed in this contribution.

  5. [Not Available].

    PubMed

    Curilem Gatica, Cristian; Almagià Flores, Atilio; Rodríguez Rodríguez, Fernando; Yuing Farias, Tuillang; Berral de la Rosa, Francisco; Martínez Salazar, Cristian; Jorquera Aguilera, Carlos; Bahamondes Ávila, Carlos; Soís Urra, Patricio; Cristi Montero, Carlos; Bruneau Chávez, José; Pinto Aguilante, Juan; Niedmann Brunet, Luis

    2016-06-30

    El índice de masa corporal (IMC) otorga uno de los índices más usados para determinar el estado nutricional de la población a nivel mundial, donde a pesar de existir recomendaciones claras y definidas para su interpretación como el sexo, edad, raza, entre otros, normalmente se estandariza su clasificación, independiente de las variables, aumentando el error en el resultado y en la clasificación del estado nutricional.El uso de la composición corporal a través de la antropometría entrega mayor información que el IMC, siendo la masa grasa y la masa muscular los principales resultados útiles.Este artículo presenta una revisión de las ecuaciones existentes y propone aquellas más simples y con menor error de estimación para ser usadas como una herramienta que reemplace o complemente al IMC, favoreciendo una mejor comprensión e interpretación del estado nutricional y nivelde actividad física en niños y adolescentes.

  6. NOAA Weather Radio

    Science.gov Websites

    . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- La DESCRIPCIÓN DE COLUMNAS EN TABLAS DE ESTADOS Al hacer un clic en un estado o territorio de la la radio. (Todas áreas de ahora en adelante serán llamados condados.) Entonces la radio les mensaje de la emisión, los oyentes oirán un corto estallido estático digital que señala el fin del

  7. Arrecifes de coral en los Estados Unidos

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Los factores de estrés locales y mundiales han afectado considerablemente a los arrecifes de coral del Caribe. Se ha informado una disminución masiva de los corales en toda la región de la cuenca del Caribe,

  8. Sobre el estado evolutivo de β Pictoris

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brunini, A.; Benvenuto, O. G.

    Desde el descubrimiento de fuertes excesos infrarrojos en β Pictoris, esta estrella ha sido muy estudiada y es considerada candidata a poseer un sistema planetario propio. β Pic está rodeada de un disco asimétrico de polvo que se observa de canto y que esta vacío a distancias <= 40 AU. Esto se considera una fuerte evidencia en favor de la presencia de (al menos) un planeta gigante. Recientemente se han observado líneas de material circunestelar que se han interpretado como consecuencia de la caída de objetos cometarios sobre esta estrella. Recientemente se ha utilizado la existencia del disco de polvo para atribuir una edad corta (pre - secuencia principal) a βPic. Sin embargo, la evaporación de estos cometas provee suficiente polvo como para explicar la presencia del disco observado sin necesidad de edades cortas. En este trabajo mostramos que la comparación entre la tasa de impactos cometarios estimada en el Sistema Solar para diferentes etapas de su evolución y los datos observados en β Pic indica edades avanzadas para β Pic. Esta estimación debe tomarse con cautela ya que depende de la estructura de los sistemas planetarios. Además mostramos que, desde el punto de vista de la evolución estelar y con las incertezas presentes en la luminosidad y la temperatura efectiva, existe un continuo de edades posible para β Pic. Sin embargo, empleando los datos provenientes de los flujos cometarios encontramos que una edad prolongada es consistente con ambos tratamientos.

  9. Fragilidad y su asociación con mortalidad, hospitalizaciones y dependencia funcional en mexicanos de 60 años o más

    PubMed Central

    de León González, Enrique Díaz; Pérez, Héctor Eloy Tamez; Hermosillo, Hugo Gutiérrez; Rodríguez, Javier Armando Cedillo; Torres, Gabriela

    2016-01-01

    Fundamento y objetivo Determinar la asociación entre fragilidad y mortalidad, dependencia funcional, caídas y hospitalizaciones en el Estudio Nacional de Salud y Envejecimiento en México (ENASEM). Sujetos y métodos Estudio prospectivo poblacional en México en el que se seleccionaron sujetos de 60 años o más, que fueron evaluados en las variables de fragilidad durante la primera vuelta del estudio en el año 2001 y que incluyó: dificultad para levantarse de una silla después de haber estado sentado(a) durante largo tiempo, pérdida de peso de 5 kilogramos o más en los últimos dos años y falta de energía. Los sujetos fueron catalogados como robustos, prefrágiles y frágiles cuando tenían cero, una o dos de las características anteriores, respectivamente. La mortalidad, hospitalizaciones, caídas y dependencia funcional fueron evaluadas en la segunda vuelta del estudio en el año 2003. Se calculó el riesgo relativo para cada una de las complicaciones, así como análisis multivariado con regresión de Cox para el caso de mortalidad y regresión logística para el resto. Resultados Los estados de prefragilidad y fragilidad se asociaron independientemente con mortalidad, con índices de riesgo ajustados de 1,61 (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 1,01-2,55) y 1,94 (IC 95% 1,20-3,13), respectivamente. Sólo el estado de fragilidad se asoció independientemente con hospitalización y dependencia funcional, con una razón de momios ajustada de 1,53 (IC 95% 1,13-2,07) y 3,07 (IC 95% 1,76-5,34), respectivamente. No hubo asociación entre los estados de prefragilidad y fragilidad con caídas. Conclusión El estado de fragilidad se asocia independientemente con mortalidad, hospitalizaciones y disfuncionalidad en actividades básicas de la vida diaria en los siguientes dos años en población mexicana. PMID:21612803

  10. [Optimizing the managment of patients with diabetes mellitus: selected clinical trials from the 2004 Congress of the American Diabetes Association].

    PubMed

    Scheen, A J; Radermecker, R P; Philips, J C

    2004-06-01

    The 64th scientific congress of the American Diabetes Association had a special session devoted to the presentation of the results from three clinical trials: 1) the first multicentre international trial of pancreatic islet transplantation according to the so-called Edmonton protocol with the primary endpoint of restoring insulin independence in type 1 diabetic patients; 2) three pivotal studies of 30 weeks testing both the efficacy and safety of exenatide (exendin-4), a new insulin secretagogue that is a long-acting analogue of glucagon-like peptide-1, in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with either metformin, or a sulfonylurea, or a metformin-sulfonylurea combination; and 3) the "Collaborative AtoRvastatin Diabetes Study" (CARDS), a placebo-controlled primary prevention trial of cardiovascular complications using atorvastatin 10 mg in 2 838 at risk patients with type 2 diabetes. The main results and conclusions of these trials are briefly presented as they open new perspectives in the management of patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

  11. [Hypoplastic acute promyelocytic leukemia with continuous hypocellular bone marrow after remission].

    PubMed

    Nakamura, Toshiki; Makiyama, Junya; Matsuura, Ayumi; Kurohama, Hirokazu; Kitanosono, Hideaki; Ito, Masahiro; Yoshida, Shinichiro; Miyazaki, Yasushi

    2018-01-01

    An 87-year old female presented with unsteady gait and occasional subcutaneous hematomas. Blood examination findings revealed pancytopenia and mild coagulopathy. Both the histopathological evaluation of bone marrow smears and bone marrow biopsy revealed a hypocellular bone marrow. However, APL cells were observed and PML-RARA fusion gene was detected. On the basis of these findings, the patient was diagnosed with hypoplastic acute promyelocytic leukemia. She received ATRA treatment and achieved complete remission (CR) 29 days from the commencement of therapy. After the first CR, she received two courses of ATO as a consolidation therapy. Following the latter treatments, she maintained CR, but a hypoplastic bone marrow was still observed. Hypoplastic AML is defined as AML with a low bone marrow cellularity. It is clinically important to distinguish it from aplastic anemia and hypoplastic MDS. It has been suggested that both cytogenetic and morphological diagnosis are imperative to the differential diagnosis of hypocellular bone marrow.

  12. Hydrodynamic Modeling and Its Application in AUC.

    PubMed

    Rocco, Mattia; Byron, Olwyn

    2015-01-01

    The hydrodynamic parameters measured in an AUC experiment, s(20,w) and D(t)(20,w)(0), can be used to gain information on the solution structure of (bio)macromolecules and their assemblies. This entails comparing the measured parameters with those that can be computed from usually "dry" structures by "hydrodynamic modeling." In this chapter, we will first briefly put hydrodynamic modeling in perspective and present the basic physics behind it as implemented in the most commonly used methods. The important "hydration" issue is also touched upon, and the distinction between rigid bodies versus those for which flexibility must be considered in the modeling process is then made. The available hydrodynamic modeling/computation programs, HYDROPRO, BEST, SoMo, AtoB, and Zeno, the latter four all implemented within the US-SOMO suite, are described and their performance evaluated. Finally, some literature examples are presented to illustrate the potential applications of hydrodynamics in the expanding field of multiresolution modeling. © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Solid lipid microparticles containing loratadine prepared using a Micromixer.

    PubMed

    Milak, Spomenka; Medlicott, Natalie; Tucker, Ian G

    2006-12-01

    Solid lipid microparticles were investigated as a taste-masking approach for a lipophilic weak base in a suspension. The idea was that the drug concentration in the aqueous phase of a suspension might be reduced by its partitioning into the solid lipid particles. Loratadine, as a model drug, was used to prepare Precirol ATO 5 microparticles by a Micromixer. The effects of three process variables: drug loading, PVA concentration and water/lipid ratio on the microparticle size, encapsulation efficiency, surface appearance, in-vitro release and drug partitioning in a suspension were studied. Loratadine release was slow in simulated saliva and very fast at the pH of stomach. In suspension of loratadine lipid microparticles, drug was released into the aqueous phase to the same concentration as in a drug suspension. Therefore, the usefulness of these microparticles for taste-masking in liquids is limited. However, they might be useful for taste-masking in solid dosage forms.

  14. A novel visual pipework inspection system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Summan, Rahul; Jackson, William; Dobie, Gordon; MacLeod, Charles; Mineo, Carmelo; West, Graeme; Offin, Douglas; Bolton, Gary; Marshall, Stephen; Lille, Alexandre

    2018-04-01

    The interior visual inspection of pipelines in the nuclear industry is a safety critical activity conducted during outages to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of plant. Typically, the video output by a manually deployed probe is viewed by an operator looking to identify and localize surface defects such as corrosion, erosion and pitting. However, it is very challenging to estimate the nature and extent of defects by viewing a large structure through a relatively small field of view. This work describes a new visual inspection system employing photogrammetry using a fisheye camera and a structured light system to map the internal geometry of pipelines by generating a photorealistic, geometrically accurate surface model. The error of the system output was evaluated through comparison to a ground truth laser scan (ATOS GOM Triple Scan) of a nuclear grade split pipe sample (stainless steel 304L, 80mm internal diameter) containing defects representative of the application - the error was found to be submillimeter across the sample.

  15. Lipids-based nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for improved oral bioavailability of sirolimus.

    PubMed

    Yu, Qin; Hu, Xiongwei; Ma, Yuhua; Xie, Yunchang; Lu, Yi; Qi, Jianping; Xiang, Li; Li, Fengqian; Wu, Wei

    2016-05-01

    The main purpose of this study was to improve the oral bioavailability of sirolimus (SRL), a poorly water-soluble immunosuppressant, by encapsulating into lipids-based nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). SRL-loaded NLCs (SRL-NLCs) were prepared by a high-pressure homogenization method with glycerol distearates (PRECIROL ATO-5) as the solid lipid, oleic acid as the liquid lipids, and Tween 80 as the emulsifier. The SRL-NLCs prepared under optimum conditions was spherical in shape with a mean particle size of about 108.3 nm and an entrapment efficiency of 99.81%. In vitro release of SRL-NLCs was very slow, about 2.15% at 12 h, while in vitro lipolysis test showed fast digestion of the NLCs within 1 h. Relative oral bioavailability of SRL-NLCs in Beagle dogs was 1.81-folds that of the commercial nanocrystalline sirolimus tablets Rapamune®. In conclusion, the NLCs show potential to improve the oral bioavailability of SRL.

  16. Land Management Alternatives in the Lake Erie Drainage Basin.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1979-03-01

    NIB I’ ZhI N a I42 U. ... . " w °A 1 B 1 -A - a4 I B Ck hJ O I / I I ki w I o 0D o • o 0* B B ** .- - Cm Il sD + I rI I tv : LO S A z z 0 0n I o1 I N...4’A SO .Ato C~ Stall - Na.. CaCAO t-.a QC’s Ceaaa a.aa.a Dn..a * 0- - o a.av..aa.-aC, c - a a - 0 a~ S - 0 Uct.toajaO - to. - N C at a -a Ca :a...46 N. 9 . 34.8 0 1 O W"ൈ ftN de a .4 nS Sa o 0 -SIWO * 0 LiS . -’ AL 4Wf w . IS v z -wa u t fm 1- 0, M Is -. 1 , U h.S 84 C: I It C a.. W. o IL 40

  17. TENDINOPATHY AND OBESITY.

    PubMed

    Castro, Adham do Amaral E; Skare, Thelma Larocca; Nassif, Paulo Afonso Nunes; Sakuma, Alexandre Kaue; Barros, Wagner Haese

    ça. O estresse mecânico sobre os tendões parece ser um dos mais importantes na promoção do processo inflamatório inicial. Todavia não é o único. Existem fatores ambientais, genéticos e metabólicos atuando de maneira ativa. Portanto, as tendinopatias em indivíduos obesos podem se dever à sobrecarga mecânica pelo excesso de peso, mas, também, pelo aumento na produção de mediadores pró-inflamatórios relacionados ao tecido adiposo, como as adipocinas. O estado pró-inflamatório existente no indivíduo obeso é conhecido como adiposopatia ou síndrome da "gordura doente". A perda de peso está associada com decréscimo das adipocinas e diminuição da sintomatologia musculoesquelética. A associação da obesidade com tendinopatias tem sido fundamentada em estudos recentes como os desta revisão de literatura.

  18. Physical, Structural and Operational Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Valle de Chalco Solidaridad, Estado de Mexico, Mexico. Case of study: Avándaro, San Isidro and El Triunfo

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Garcia Payne, D. G.; Novelo-Casanova, D. A.; Ponce-Pacheco, A. B.; Espinosa-Campos, O.; Huerta-Parra, M.; Reyes-Pimentel, T.; Rodriguez, F.; Benitez-Olivares, I.

    2010-12-01

    Valle de Chalco Solidaridad is located in Mexico City Metropolitan Area in Estado de Mexico, Mexico. In this town there is a sewage canal called “La Compañía”. A wall of this canal collapsed on February 5, 2010 due to heavy rains creating the flooding of four surrounding communities. It is important to point out that this area is frequently exposed to floods. In this work, we consider a critical facility as an essential structure for performance, health care and welfare within a community or/and as a place that can be used as shelter in case of emergency or disaster. Global vulnerability (the sum of the three measured vulnerabilities) of the 25 critical facilities identified in the locations of Avándaro, San Isidro and El Triunfo was assessed using the Community Vulnerability Assessment Tool developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For each critical facility we determined its operational, structural and physical vulnerabilities. For our analysis, we considered the four main natural hazards to which Valle de Chalco is exposed: earthquakes, floods, landslides and sinking. We considered five levels of vulnerability using a scale from 1 to 5, where values range from very low to very high vulnerability, respectively. A critical facilities database was generated by collecting general information for three categories: schools, government and church. Each facility was evaluated considering its location in relation to identified high-risk areas. Our results indicate that in average, the global vulnerability of all facilities is low, however, there are particular cases in which this global vulnerability is high. The average operational vulnerability of the three communities is moderate. The global structural vulnerability (sum of the structural vulnerability for the four analyzed hazards) is moderate. In particular, the structural vulnerability to earthquakes is low, to landslides is very low, to flooding is moderate and to sinking is

  19. Identificabilidade e estabilidade dos parâmetros no método Grade of Membership (GoM): considerações metodológicas e práticas

    PubMed Central

    Guedes, Gilvan Ramalho; Caetano, André Junqueira; Machado, Carla Jorge; Brondízio, Eduardo Sonewend

    2011-01-01

    O método Grade of Membership (GoM) tem sido cada vez mais utilizado por demógrafos brasileiros e tem a vantagem de possuir um parâmetro que mensura a heterogeneidade individual, com base nas correlações não-observáveis entre as categorias de resposta das variáveis de interesse, gerando um medida do grau de pertencimento de cada indivíduo a perfis extremos. Alguns autores, contudo, chamam atenção para questões importantes na calibragem dos modelos finais que utilizam o programa GoM versão 3.4, como o problema de identificabilidade – soluções múltiplas para parâmetros estimados. Neste artigo, é sugerido um procedimento capaz de identificar um modelo final com solução única que descreva os tipos puros mais fidedignos à base de dados, em uma tentativa de otimização. Para ilustrar esse processo, utilizou-se uma base de dados correspondente a um levantamento econômico e sociodemográfico de uma população de pequenos agricultores residentes ao longo da Rodovia Transamazônica, no Estado do Pará. Também identificou-se a existência de instabilidade nos parâmetros estimados pelo programa GoM 3.4, sendo proposto um método de estabilização de seus valores. Com esses procedimentos combinados, os usuários do programa GoM 3.4 poderão descrever sua base de dados de forma mais adequada e responder às críticas sobre questões de identificabilidade e estabilidade dos modelos resultantes. Essas soluções empíricas são relevantes por afetarem cálculos de prevalência e de incidência de eventos de interesse, além de trazerem consequências importantes sobre o ponto e o momento corretos para intervenções de políticas públicas ou de planejamento prospectivo em análises de projeção. PMID:21709732

  20. Late Noachian/Early Hesperian Ridge Network in Nili Fossae: Evidence for Water-Saturated Near-Surface Crust

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mustard, J. F.; Pascuzzo, A.

    2017-12-01

    The region north of the contact between Syrtis Major and the Isidis Basin is populated by thousands of ridges 100s of meters in length, up to a few 10s of meters high and 15-50 meters wide. The resistant ridges are being exhumed from weak early Noachian smectite-bearing host rocks. Hypotheses for the formation include igneous intrusion or fill, impact-induced breccia dikes and chemical alteration of pre-existing fracture planes or mineralized fracture planes through groundwater circulation (our preferred mode of formation). Mineralogic interpretations of visible-near infrared reflectance spectra from the CRISM instrument on MRO may be critical in interpreting the formation process. While most of the ridges are at the limit of CRISM's spatial resolution of 18 m/pixel, CRISM has a special observing mode which can increase the resolution in the along track observing (ATO) direction by a factor of 2-3 (e.g. 6 m). Using a combination of full resolution and one ATO observation, we have analyzed well-exposed ridges in the Nili Fossae region. Ridges are commonly exposed from beneath a distinctive mafic capping rock rich in olivine and variably altered to magnesite. Many of the ridges exhibit weaker smectite absorptions near 1.9 and 2.3 µm compared to the host rock but no additional spectral features are observed. One cause for weaker absorptions is grain size (i.e. solid rock shows weaker absorptions than its powdered equivalent). Alternatively the presence of a spectrally neutral cementing compound or mineral like quartz could lead to weaker features. Timing of ridge formation is constrained by two key stratigraphic makers. First the ridges were likely formed after the Isidis basin-forming event, 3.9 Ga, because many are observed between the 1st and 2nd rings of the basin structure and would not have survived the impact event otherwise. Second the ridges are exhumed from beneath a distinctive olivine-rich mafic cap unit with its emplacement dated to between the Isidis

  1. Neurobiología de la impulsividad y los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria*

    PubMed Central

    Orozco-Cabal, Luis Felipe; Herin, David

    2009-01-01

    Resumen Introducción La impulsividad es un rasgo de personalidad multidimensional relacionado con el control del comportamiento y las emociones. Está presente de manera diversa en los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, particularmente, en la bulimia nerviosa (BN). Aunque la relación entre la impulsividad y BN ha sido objeto de numerosas investigaciones, en la actualidad se desconocen los sustratos neurobiológicos de esta relación. Objetivos Discutir críticamente la evidencia que sugiere que las alteraciones en los sistemas neuronales relacio-nados con las funciones ejecutivas, con la formación de preferencias y con la regulación de los estados emocionales sirven como base para el rasgo de personalidad impulsiva, así como su estado en subgrupos de pacientes con BN. Métodos Búsqueda selectiva de la literatura relevante. Resultados y conclusiones Esta discusión ilustra la complejidad de la relación entre la impulsividad y BN, donde la impulsividad actúa como un factor de vulnerabilidad que puede sensibilizar al sujeto con BN a estados emocionales negativos, durante los cuales modifica el impacto de estímulos internos y externos sobre el comportamiento y su regulación, favoreciendo así patrones de comportamiento maladaptativos e inflexibles. PMID:19838321

  2. Bond length (Ti-O) dependence of nano ATO3-based (A = Pb, Ba, Sr) perovskite structures: Optical investigation in IR range

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ghasemifard, Mahdi; Ghamari, Misagh; Okay, Cengiz

    2018-01-01

    In the current study, ABO3 (A = Pb, Ba, Sr and B = Ti) perovskite structures are produced by the auto-combustion route by using citric acid (CA) and nitric acid (NA) as fuel and oxidizer. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed the perovskite nanostructure with cubic, tetragonal, and rhombohedral for SrTiO3, PbTiO3, and BaTiO3, respectively. Using Scherrer’s equation and XRD pattern, the average crystallite size of the samples were acquired. The effect of Ti-O bond length on the structure of the samples was evaluated. The type of structures obtained depends on Ti-O bond length which is in turn influenced by A2+ substitutions. Microstructural studies of nanostructures calcined at 850∘C confirmed the formation of polyhedral particles with a narrow size distribution. The values of optical band gaps were measured and the impact of A2+ was discussed. The optical properties such as the complex refractive index and dielectric function were calculated by IR spectroscopy and Kramers-Kronig (K-K) relations. Lead, as the element with the highest density as compared to other elements, changes the optical constants, remarkably due to altering titanium and oxygen distance in TO6 groups.

  3. Safe Operations of Unmanned Systems for Reconnaissance in Complex Environments-Army Technology Objective (SOURCE ATO) Field Experimentation Observations and Soldier Feedback

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-07-01

    intent during mission activities. Autonomous assets will have interactions with humans in several different relationships that could benefit from...RDRL HRM CN R SPENCER DCSFDI HF HQ USASOC BLDG E2929 FORT BRAGG NC 28310-5000 1 ARMY RSCH LABORATORY – HRED HUMAN RSRCH AND ENGRNG...A. William Evans, III Human Research and Engineering Directorate, ARL Approved for public release

  4. Jabuticaba-Induced Endothelium-Independent Vasodilating Effect on Isolated Arteries.

    PubMed

    Andrade, Daniela Medeiros Lobo de; Borges, Leonardo Luis; Torres, Ieda Maria Sapateiro; Conceição, Edemilson Cardoso da; Rocha, Matheus Lavorenti

    2016-09-01

    Despite the important biological effects of jabuticaba, its actions on the cardiovascular system have not been clarified. To determine the effects of jabuticaba hydroalcoholic extract (JHE) on vascular smooth muscle (VSM) of isolated arteries. Endothelium-denuded aortic rings of rats were mounted in isolated organ bath to record isometric tension. The relaxant effect of JHE and the influence of K+ channels and Ca2+ intra- and extracellular sources on JHE-stimulated response were assessed. Arteries pre-contracted with phenylephrine showed concentration-dependent relaxation (0.380 to 1.92 mg/mL). Treatment with K+ channel blockers (tetraethyl-ammonium, glibenclamide, 4-aminopyridine) hindered relaxation due to JHE. In addition, phenylephrine-stimulated contraction was hindered by previous treatment with JHE. Inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase did not change relaxation due to JHE. In addition, JHE inhibited the contraction caused by Ca2+ influx stimulated by phenylephrine and KCl (75 mM). JHE induces endothelium-independent vasodilation. Activation of K+ channels and inhibition of Ca2+ influx through the membrane are involved in the JHE relaxant effect. Embora a jabuticaba apresente importantes efeitos biológicos, suas ações sobre o sistema cardiovascular ainda não foram esclarecidas. Determinar os efeitos do extrato de jabuticaba (EHJ) sobre o músculo liso vascular (MLV) em artérias isoladas. Aortas (sem endotélio) de ratos foram montadas em banho de órgãos isolados para registro de tensão isométrica. Foram verificados o efeito relaxante, a influência dos canais de K+ e das fontes de Ca2+ intra- e extracelular sob a resposta estimulada pelo EHJ. Artérias pré-contraídas com fenilefrina apresentaram relaxamento concentração-dependente (0,380 a 1,92 mg/mL). O tratamento com bloqueadores de canais de K+ (tetraetilamônio, glibenclamida, 4-aminopiridina) prejudicaram o relaxamento pelo EHJ. A contração estimulada com fenilefrina tamb

  5. Albany v. 3.0

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Salinger, Andrew; Phipps, Eric; Ostien, Jakob

    2016-01-13

    The Albany code is a general-purpose finite element code for solving partial differential equations (PDEs). Albany is a research code that demonstrates how a PDE code can be built by interfacing many of the open-source software libraries that are released under Sandia's Trilinos project. Part of the mission of Albany is to be a testbed for new Trilinos libraries, to refine their methods, usability, and interfaces. Albany includes hooks to optimization and uncertainty quantification algorithms, including those in Trilinos as well as those in the Dakota toolkit. Because of this, Albany is a desirable starting point for new code developmentmore » efforts that wish to make heavy use of Trilinos. Albany is both a framework and the host for specific finite element applications. These applications have project names, and can be controlled by configuration option when the code is compiled, but are all developed and released as part of the single Albany code base, These include LCM, QCAD, FELIX, Aeras, and ATO applications.« less

  6. [Preclinical diagnostics and correction of the disturbed renal blood flow in the children presenting with diabetic nephropathy].

    PubMed

    Aver'ianov, A P; Tkacheva, E N; Bolotova, N V; Filina, N Iu; Ivanova, Iu V; Nikolaeva, N V; Tikhonova, L A

    2011-01-01

    The present study included 86 children aged between 7 and 17 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus from 1 to 15 years in duration. In all the patients, renal blood flow was investigated with the use of ultrasonic dopplerography. The results of the study suggest disturbances of intrarenal hemodynamics that manifested themselves as enhanced resistance of renal arteries from periphery to the centre in the patients at the hyperfiltration stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in conjunction with the reduced velocity of blood flow in inter-lobular and segmental arteries. In contrast, the patients at the microalbuminuric stage of diabetic nephropathy exhibited increased resistance and reduced velocity of blood flow in the main renal veins. In 35 patients presenting with diabetic nephropathy, hemodynamic correction was achieved by the application of the traveling pulsed magnetic field (TP-MF) to the renal region using an AMO-ATOS-E apparatus (Russia). This treatment resulted in normalization of the characteristics of renal blood flow. It is concluded that TPMF has good prospects for the use as a component of the combined treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

  7. Rheological and morphological characterizations on physical stability of gamma-oryzanol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs).

    PubMed

    Seetapan, Nispa; Bejrapha, Piyawan; Srinuanchai, Wanwisa; Ruktanonchai, Uracha Rungsardthong

    2010-01-01

    In the present study, gamma-oryzanol was incorporated into glycerol behenate (Compritol 888 ATO) nanoparticles (SLNs) at 5 and 10% (w/w) of lipid phase. Increasing lipid phase concentration resulted in increased consistency and particle diameter of SLNs. Upon storage over 60 days at 4, 25 and 40 degrees C, the instability was observed by rheological analysis for all samples due to the formation of gelation. Rheological measurement revealed the increase in storage modulus and critical stress during storage at all temperatures. However, at 40 degrees C, the pronounced instability was observed from the highest increase in storage modulus and a formation of rod-like network structure from scanning electron micrographs. An increase in crystallinity, determined by differential scanning calorimetry, was also found during storage at all temperatures, confirming the instability of SLNs. Particle diameters and zeta potentials of both concentrations at all storage conditions failed to explain the observed instability. These investigations may help to develop formulations of solid lipid nanoparticles, which are optimized with respect to the desired rheological properties.

  8. The Influence of Internal Structures in Fused Deposition Modeling Method on Dimensional Accuracy of Components

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Milde, Ján; Morovič, Ladislav

    2016-09-01

    The paper investigates the influence of infill (internal structures of components) in the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) method on dimensional and geometrical accuracy of components. The components in this case were real models of human mandible, which were obtained by Computed Tomography (CT) mostly used in medical applications. In the production phase, the device used for manufacturing, was a 3D printer Zortrax M200 based on the FDM technology. In the second phase, the mandibles made by the printer, were digitized using optical scanning device of GOM ATOS Triple Scan II. They were subsequently evaluated in the final phase. The practical part of this article describes the procedure of jaw model modification, the production of components using a 3D printer, the procedure of digitization of printed parts by optical scanning device and the procedure of comparison. The outcome of this article is a comparative analysis of individual printed parts, containing tables with mean deviations for individual printed parts, as well as tables for groups of printed parts with the same infill parameter.

  9. Late recurrent peripheral upper limb ischemia after non-union of a clavicle fracture.

    PubMed

    Stella, Marco; Santolini, Emmanuele; Briano, Stefania; Santolini, Federico

    2015-12-01

    A 74-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to recurrent episodes of upper limb ischemia. Her past medical history included a clavicle non-union developed after a clavicle midshaft fracture that had occurred 30 years previously. After a long asymptomatic period, she started showing symptoms of chronic ischemia to the left arm that were misdiagnosed. Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a rare but possible complication of mal-union and non-union of clavicle fractures; symptoms related to arterial involvement (ATOS) amount to less than 1% of all existing forms of thoracic outlet syndrome. In case of clavicle non-union, local instability plays a key role in determining the initial injury to the vessels and the recurrence of symptoms. Restoration of local bone stability and anatomy, obtained by compression plating and autologous bone grafting, combined with an appropriate vascular surgery, is essential to achieve a clinical resolution of symptoms and to avoid the recurrence of symptomatology as seen in the herein case. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. The peripheral nervous system supports blood cell homing and survival in the Drosophila larva

    PubMed Central

    Makhijani, Kalpana; Alexander, Brandy; Tanaka, Tsubasa; Rulifson, Eric; Brückner, Katja

    2011-01-01

    Interactions of hematopoietic cells with their microenvironment control blood cell colonization, homing and hematopoiesis. Here, we introduce larval hematopoiesis as the first Drosophila model for hematopoietic colonization and the role of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) as a microenvironment in hematopoiesis. The Drosophila larval hematopoietic system is founded by differentiated hemocytes of the embryo, which colonize segmentally repeated epidermal-muscular pockets and proliferate in these locations. Importantly, we show that these resident hemocytes tightly colocalize with peripheral neurons and we demonstrate that larval hemocytes depend on the PNS as an attractive and trophic microenvironment. atonal (ato) mutant or genetically ablated larvae, which are deficient for subsets of peripheral neurons, show a progressive apoptotic decline in hemocytes and an incomplete resident hemocyte pattern, whereas supernumerary peripheral neurons induced by ectopic expression of the proneural gene scute (sc) misdirect hemocytes to these ectopic locations. This PNS-hematopoietic connection in Drosophila parallels the emerging role of the PNS in hematopoiesis and immune functions in vertebrates, and provides the basis for the systematic genetic dissection of the PNS-hematopoietic axis in the future. PMID:22071105

  11. [The application of combined physical therapy for the treatment of women with pelvic pain syndrome].

    PubMed

    Tkachenko, L V; Raĭgorodskiĭ, Iu M; Tarasenko, Iu N; Tikhaeva, K Iu; Kurushina, O V

    2011-01-01

    A total of 98 women presenting with pelvic pain syndrome of different etiology (inflammatory diseases of small pelvic organs following surgical interventions, dysmenorrhoea, ovulatory syndrome) were enrolled in this study with an object of estimating the efficacy of the combined central and local application of physiotherapeutic techniques. An AVIM-1 apparatus was used to cause vibration in and apply a magnetic field to the perineal region. Transcranial magnetotherapy and electrostimulation were applied centrally using an AMO-ATOS-E device. The study has demonstrated that the combined central and local application of physiotherapeutic techniques supplemented by medicamental treatment according to the indications made it possible to attenuate pain syndrome by 64.6% and improve the vegetative nervous function and cerebral blood circulation by 30% and 18% respectively compared with the women in the control group. Moreover, the 1.5-2-fold improvement of the main characteristics of microcirculation was achieved. The overall resistance increased under the influence of physiotherapy in 71% of the women which promoted their reproductive potential and enhanced the probability of pregnancy.

  12. Estudio comparativo de las moléculas isovalentes de interés atmosférico CF3Cl y CF3Br y sus correspondientes halógenos aislados Cl y Br.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mayor, E.; Velasco, A. M.; Martín, I.; Lavín, C.

    Los estados Rydberg moleculares han suscitado en los últimos años un creciente interés entre los espectroscopistas experimentales, motivado en parte por el desarrollo de nuevas técnicas espectroscópicas capaces de investigar estos estados altamente excitados electrónicamente. Los procesos de fotoabsorción que implican estados Rydberg en los derivados halogenados del metano son de gran importancia, debido a su abundancia en la atmósfera y a sus implicaciones medioambientales. Por ello, la obtención de datos relativos a sus fuerzas de oscilador es de gran interés. En este trabajo se aborda el estudio de dichas propiedades para las moléculas isovalentes CF3Cl y CF3Br. Ambas moléculas presentan idéntica estructura electrónica para el estado fundamental por lo que se espera que sus espectros Rydberg presenten grandes similitudes, en ausencia de perturbaciones. Por ello y dada la escasez de datos relativos a fuerzas de oscilador, hemos establecido la corrección de nuestros resultados en base a las analogías esperadas en las intensidades espectrales correspondientes a transiciones análogas. Por otro lado, Novak y col. [1] han encontrado experimentalmente un marcado carácter atómico en el espectro correspondiente a estas moléculas, siendo muy similar a los de los átomos de Cl y Br. Por ello en el presente trabajo, además de establecer la comparación entre ambas moléculas hemos buscado las similitudes con sus respectivos halógenos. Los cálculos relativos a las especies moleculares se han realizado utilizando la Metodología Molécular de Orbítales de Defecto Cuántico (MQDO) [2], mientras que para el estudio de los átomos de Cl y Br se empleó la versión relativista del método (RQDO) [3].

  13. Impacto metabólico e inflamatorio de una comida rica en grasas saturadas y su relación con la obesidad abdominal.

    PubMed

    Alayón, Alicia Norma; Rivadeneira, Ana Patricia; Herrera, Carlos; Guzmán, Heidy; Arellano, Dioneris; Echeverri, Isabella

    2018-05-01

    Introducción. La etapa posprandial se asocia con el incremento de marcadores relacionados con el riesgo cardiovascular, cuya intensidad depende del estado metabólico.Objetivo. Determinar el impacto de la ingestión de una comida rica en grasas saturadas sobre el perfil metabólico e inflamatorio y su relación con la obesidad abdominal.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un ensayo clínico en 42 individuos (21 con obesidad abdominal). Se midieron, en sangre, la glucosa, la insulina, el perfil lipídico, la proteína C reactiva, los lipopolisacáridos y la interleucina 6, en ayunas y después de la ingestión.Resultados. Además de la obesidad, se registró la presencia de resistencia a la insulina y de niveles elevados de triacilglicéridos y proteína C reactiva en ayunas. Asimismo, se detectaron niveles posprandiales más elevados de glucosa, insulina y triacilglicéridos. La interleucina 6 disminuyó en el grupo de personas sin obesidad y los lipopolisacáridos aumentaron en ambos grupos.Conclusión. La ingestión de una comida rica en grasas saturadas produjo un mayor impacto en las variables glucémicas en el grupo con obesidad y, aunque afectó de forma similar los lípidos en ambos grupos, el incremento de triacilglicéridos fue mayor en presencia de una concentración basal elevada y promovió el aumento de lipopolisacáridos. El estado inflamatorio basal y posprandial afectó en mayor medida al grupo con obesidad. El momento posprandial reflejó el estado más frecuente de los individuos en un día normal y permitió evidenciar la capacidad de respuesta metabólica frente a la ingestión de alimentos, así como los estados tempranos de riesgo metabólico.

  14. ?`Es necesario calcular detalladamente funciones de partición atómicas?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Milone, L. A.; Merlo, D. C.

    Basándonos en extensos y precisos cómputos de funciones de partición realizados por nosotros para distintos átomos, se muestra que en el cálculo u obtención de ciertas magnitudes (notablemente la presión electrónica, la abundancia de un elemento deducida a partir de un estado fuertemente ionizado, etc.) el error porcentual que se comete es pequeño (inferior a 1 %) si se adopta, como valor de la función de partición, el peso estadístico del término correspondiente al estado fundamental del átomo. Esta notable simplificación acelera el cálculo, por ejemplo, de un modelo de atmósfera estelar, sin disminuir la precisión de los resultados.

  15. Implementation Of A Marine Altimeter Calibration Campaign In The Area Of Ibiza Island

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martinez-Benjamin, Juan Jose; Bravo, Rogelio Lopez; Gomez, Begona Perez; Ripoll, Josep Gili; Gomez, Ana Tapia; Gonzalez, Juan Carlos; Conde, Mercedes Sanz; Gracia, Carlos

    2013-12-01

    Sea level monitoring geodetic improvements has been made in specific coastal Spanish sites as Ibiza harbour. At Ibiza site new measurements and levelling between the GPS reference station and a radar MIROS tide gauge, both from Puertos del Estado, has been made in the last years. The goal is to maintain and improve the quality of the observation of the sea level. The information is coming from Puertos del Estado www.puertos.es. The presentation is directed mainly to the description of the actual situation of the Ibiza site in preparation for a new altimeter calibration marine campaign of Jason-2 and Saral/AltiKa satellites to be made in September 2013. A description of the two geometric levelling campaigns made in June and September 2013 is included.

  16. Conceptos Basicos Sobre el Propano (in Spanish)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    El propano provee energia a mas de 143.000 vehiculos en los Estados Unidos y 23 millones en todo el mundo. Flotas de todos los Estados Unidos han implementado con exito el uso de vehiculos que funcionan con gas propano, y en la actualidad varios funcionan gracias a este gas, incluyendo autobuses escolares, lanzaderas y autobuses publicos, asi como tambien furgonetas, taxis, vehiculos utilizados por las fuerzas del orden, barredoras de calles y camiones para uso profesional. El propano tambien se utiliza con frecuencia en aplicaciones fuera de la carretera, tales como montacargas, podadoras y equipos de uso profesional y otrosmore » equipos agricolas. Las ventajas del propano incluyen la disponibilidad interna, su rendimiento y el hecho de que genera menos emisiones de gases contaminantes que otras alternativas energeticas.« less

  17. Back Cover: NIH MedlinePlus Salud

    MedlinePlus

    ... page please turn Javascript on. ¡A su salud! Los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud (NIH, por sus ... Amigos de la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de los Estados Unidos y la Alianza Nacional para la ...

  18. El Estado de la Educacion para los Hispanos en los Estados Unidos (The Condition of Education for Hispanics in the United States).

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brown, George H.; And Others

    Organized into 4 chapters, the report provides tabular data portraying the educational condition for about 12 million Hispanic Americans in the United States, and shows how Hispanics compare with the majority population on various measures of educational participation and achievement. Providing an overview of Hispanic Americans in the U.S.,…

  19. Understanding Cleft and Craniofacial Team Care

    MedlinePlus

    ... website for more information on Team Care . US Team Listings, alphabetically by State ( Equipos en los Estados ... ongoing basis based on team approval status. International Team Listings, alphabetically by Country ( Equipos internacionales, alfabéticamente por ...

  20. Mood Disorders - Multiple Languages

    MedlinePlus

    ... Expand Section Mood Disorders: MedlinePlus Health Topic - English Trastornos del estado de ánimo: Tema de salud de MedlinePlus - español (Spanish) National Library of Medicine Bipolar Disorder (An Introduction) - English PDF Bipolar Disorder (An ...

  1. Gas in the land of Gauchos

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kelley, T.

    The author discusses the natural gas industry in Argentina. Despite a troubled past, Argentina looks toward a future brightened by the growing prominence of natural gas use. A state-run company, Gas del Estado, controls the exploration, production, transmission and distribution of natural gas. Natural gas reserves, measured in tons of oil equivalent, grew from 51 percent of oil reserves in 1970 to 187 percent in 1983. This growth is expected to continue with gas reserves predicted to nearly triple in absolute terms to 70 Tcf, by the turn of the century. This article discusses some of the problems that Argentinamore » has in using its natural gas. The immediate obstacle is one of funds. Gas del Estado has no technical limitations but may be handicapped in its growth by economic and financial problems.« less

  2. Inequalities in healthy life expectancy by Federated States.

    PubMed

    Szwarcwald, Célia Landmann; Montilla, Dália Elena Romero; Marques, Aline Pinto; Damacena, Giseli Nogueira; Almeida, Wanessa da Silva de; Malta, Deborah Carvalho

    2017-06-01

    ça de vida saudável foi estimada pelo método de Sullivan, com base nas informações da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013. Foram adotados três critérios para definição de estado "não saudável": autoavaliação de saúde ruim, funcionalidade para realização das atividades da vida diária, e presença de doença crônica não transmissível com grau intenso de limitação. O indicador de nível socioeconômico foi construído com base no número de bens no domicílio e grau de escolaridade do responsável. Para analisar as desigualdades geográficas e por nível socioeconômico, foram calculadas medidas de desigualdade, como a razão, a diferença e o coeficiente angular. A esperança de vida saudável entre os homens variou de 13,8 (Alagoas) a 20,9 (Espírito Santo) para o critério de autoavaliação de saúde ruim. Entre as mulheres, as estimativas correspondentes foram sempre mais altas e variaram de 14,9 (Maranhão) a 22,2 (São Paulo). Quanto à razão de desigualdades por Unidade da Federação, as medianas foram sempre maiores para a esperança de vida saudável do que para a esperança de vida, independentemente da definição adotada para estado saudável. Quanto às diferenças por Unidade da Federação, a esperança de vida saudável chegou a ser sete anos maior em um estado do que em outro. Por nível socioeconômico, foram encontradas diferenças de três e quatro anos, aproximadamente, entre os últimos e primeiro quintos, para homens e mulheres, respectivamente. Além de os indicadores de mortalidade estarem associados às condições de vida, as desigualdades são ainda mais pronunciadas quando o bem-estar e as limitações nas atividades habituais são levados em consideração, mostrando a necessidade de promover ações e programas para diminuir o gradiente socioespacial.

  3. Dicloruro de paraquat

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    El dicloruro de paraquat, comúnmente conocido como “paraquat,” es uno de los herbicidas registrados de mayor uso en los Estados Unidos. El paraquat también se conoce como Gramaxone (un producto popular de uso final

  4. El Estado de los Bosques de Puerto Rico, 2003

    Treesearch

    Thomas J. Brandeis; Eileen H. Helmer; Sonja N. Oswalt

    2003-01-01

    La cobertura forestal de Puerto Rico sigue aumentando y ahora asciende a un 57 por ciento en la isla de Puerto Rico, 85 por ciento en Vieques y 88 por ciento en Culebra. Los bosques subtropicales secos ocupan 50 346 ha, 6832 ha, 2591 ha y 6217 ha en las islas de Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra y Mona, respectivamente. El bosque subtropical húmedo, la zona de vida...

  5. Observatorio Pierre Auger: motivación y estado actual

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rovero, A. C.; Etchegoyen, A.; García, B.

    The Pierre Auger Observatory is aiming to understand the origin, nature and acceleration mechanisms of the most energetic cosmic rays (E>10 E18 eV). It will consist of one hybrid detector in each hemisphere, giving a total acceptance of 14200 km2 sr. The southern observatory is being constructed in Malargue, Mendoza, Argentina, and will be finished in 2006. No final statement can be made so far about any feature in the most energetic part of the spectrum. However, good candidate events were observed to have a primary energy of about 10 E20 eV.

  6. 16 CFR 455.5 - Spanish language sales.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... pueden darle a usted algunos derechos y hacer que el vendedor resuelva problemas graves que no fueron... implícitas” de acuerdo a la ley del estado pueden concederle derechos adicionales. EC29SE91.053 EC29SE91.054...

  7. Colombia’s Resurrection: Alternative Development is the Key to Democratic Security

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2004-09-01

    regional economic strength. This implies 73 Sesin. 74 Departamento Nacional de Planeación (DNP), Bases del Plan Nacional de Desarrollo “Hacia un...Estado Comunitario .” Page 54 (Web version). 38 that the government is willing to adopt more flexible

  8. Top-down and bottom-up attention to memory: a hypothesis (AtoM) on the role of the posterior parietal cortex in memory retrieval.

    PubMed

    Ciaramelli, Elisa; Grady, Cheryl L; Moscovitch, Morris

    2008-01-01

    Recent neuroimaging studies have implicated the posterior parietal cortex in episodic memory retrieval, but there is uncertainty about its specific role. Research in the attentional domain has shown that superior parietal lobe (SPL) regions along the intraparietal sulcus are implicated in the voluntary orienting of attention to relevant aspects of the environment, whereas inferior parietal lobe (IPL) regions at the temporo-parietal junction mediate the automatic allocation of attention to task-relevant information. Here we propose that the SPL and the IPL play conceptually similar roles in episodic memory retrieval. We hypothesize that the SPL allocates top-down attention to memory retrieval, whereas the IPL mediates the automatic, bottom-up attentional capture by retrieved memory contents. By reviewing the existing fMRI literature, we show that the posterior intraparietal sulcus of SPL is consistently active when the need for top-down assistance to memory retrieval is supposedly maximal, e.g., for memories retrieved with low vs. high confidence, for familiar vs. recollected memories, for recognition of high vs. low frequency words. On the other hand, the supramarginal gyrus of IPL is consistently active when the attentional capture by memory contents is supposedly maximal, i.e., for strong vs. weak memories, for vividly recollected vs. familiar memories, for memories retrieved with high vs. low confidence. We introduce a model of episodic memory retrieval that characterizes contributions of posterior parietal cortex.

  9. La importancia de la protección de las playas

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Las playas son una parte importante de la vida en Estados Unidos. Las playas ofrecen un sinnúmero de beneficios para el medio ambiente, actividades recreativas y la economía local. Aprenda la importancia de las playas y cómo protegerlas.

  10. El federalismo cooperativo en la EPA

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    La EPA acoge el federalismo cooperativo y trabaja en colaboración con los estados, los gobiernos locales y las tribus para implementar las leyes que protegen la salud humana y el medioambiente, en vez de dictar mandatos genéricos desde Washington.

  11. Aplicación de la metodología Molecular de Orbitales de Defecto Cuántico (MQDO) al cálculo de intensidades vibrónicas y vidas medias de niveles vibracionales

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    María Velasco Sanz, Ana

    Desde que se formuló, en 1996, la metodología Molecular de Orbitales de Defecto Cuántico (MQDO) [1], se han obtenido datos de calidad relativos a intensidades de bandas electrónicas que implican estados Rydberg para una gran variedad de sistemas moleculares [2]. Animados por los buenos resultados obtenidos, recientemente hemos abordado el estudio de transiciones vibrónicas, es decir aquellas que ocurren entre estados vibracionales que pertenecen a distintos estados Rydberg electrónicos. Como prototipo adecuado para nuestros propósitos hemos elegido la molécula de NO, importante en la química de la atmósfera, y para la cual existen en la bibliografía datos experimentales de calidad suficiente para contrastar la validez de nuestros resultados. En concreto, hemos calculado las fuerzas de oscilador y coeficientes de Einstein para transiciones electrónicas y vibrónicas de las principales bandas del NO, al igual que vidas medias radiativas de niveles vibracionales de dicha molécula. Las propiedades estudiadas son esenciales para la comprensión de los aspectos teóricos de los procesos físicos básicos relativos a la dispersión electrónica en moléculas heteronucleares con capas abiertas. Además, valores fiables de probabilidades de transición moleculares tienen importantes aplicaciones en Astrofísica, en la modelización de procesos fotodinámicos moleculares, etc., al igual que para evaluar más profundamente la validez de nuestra metodología teórica.

  12. Optimization and physicochemical characterization of a triamcinolone acetonide-loaded NLC for ocular antiangiogenic applications.

    PubMed

    Araújo, J; Gonzalez-Mira, E; Egea, M A; Garcia, M L; Souto, E B

    2010-06-30

    The purpose of this study was to develop a novel nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) for the intravitreal-targeting delivery of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) by direct ocular instillation. A five-level central composite rotable design was used to study the influence of four different variables on the physicochemical characteristics of NLCs. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical test was used to assess the optimization of NLC production parameters. The systems were produced by high pressure homogenization using Precirol ATO5 and squalene as solid and liquid lipids respectively, and Lutrol F68 as surfactant. Homogenization at 600 bar for 3 cycles of the optimized formulation resulted in the production of small NLC (mean diameter < 200 nm) with a homogeneous particle size distribution (polydispersity index (PI) approximately 0.1), of negatively charged surface (approximately |45| mV) and high entrapment efficiency (approximately 95%). Surface morphology was assessed by SEM which revealed fairly spherical shape. DSC, WAXS and FT-IR analyses confirmed that TA was mostly entrapped into the NLC, characterized by an amorphous matrix. In vivo Draize test showed no signs of ocular toxicity. 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. K-sam, an amplified gene in stomach cancer, is a member of the heparin-binding growth factor receptor genes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hattori, Yutaka; Odagiri, Hiroki; Nakatani, Hiroshi

    1990-08-01

    DNA fragments amplified in a stomach cancer-derived cell line, KATO-III, were previously identified by the in-gel DNA renaturation method, and a 0.2-kilobase-pair fragment of the amplified sequence was subsequently cloned. By genomic walking, a portion of the exon of the gene flanking this 0.2-kilobase-pair fragment was cloned, and the gene was designated as K-sam ({und K}ATO-III cell-derived {und s}tomach cancer {und am}plified gene). The K-sam cDNAs, corresponding to the 3.5-kilobase K-sam mRNA, were cloned from the KATO-III cells. Sequence analysis revealed that this gene coded for 682 amino acid residues that satisfied the characteristics of the receptor tyrosine kinase. Themore » K-sam gene had significant homologies with bek, FLG, and chicken basic fibroblast growth factor receptor gene. The K-sam gene was amplified in KATO-III cells with the major transcript of 3.5-kilobases in size. This gene was also expressed in some other stomach cancer cells, a small cell lung cancer, and germ cell tumors.« less

  14. Cost-effectiveness of atorvastatin in the prevention of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients: a French adaptation of CARDS.

    PubMed

    Lafuma, Antoine; Colin, Xavier; Solesse, Anne

    2008-05-01

    We estimated the cost-effectiveness of atorvastatin in the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes using data from the Collaborative AtoRvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS). A total of 2838 patients aged 40-75 years with type 2 diabetes and no documented history of cardiovascular disease and without elevated low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol were recruited in the UK and in Ireland. Patients were randomly allocated to atorvastatin 10mg daily (n=1428) or placebo (n=1410) and were followed up for a median of 3.9 years. Direct treatment costs and effectiveness were analysed to provide estimates of cost per event avoided and cost per life-year gained over the trial period and over a patient's lifetime. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio over the trial period was estimated to be Euro 3862 per clinical event avoided. Over the patient's lifetime, the incremental cost per life-year gained was Euro 2506 when considering cardiovascular deaths, and Euro 1418 per year when considering all-cause death. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with atorvastatin is cost-effective in patients with type 2 diabetes, with the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for this intervention falling within the current acceptance threshold.

  15. Xuezhikang ameliorates contrast media-induced nephropathy in rats via suppression of oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Chu, Shichun; Hu, Liuhua; Wang, Xiaolei; Sun, Shiqun; Zhang, Tuo; Sun, Zhe; Shen, Linghong; Jin, Shuxuan; He, Ben

    2016-11-01

    The aim of this study was to assess the preventive effect of xuezhikang (XZK) to replace atorvastatin on the contrast media-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). The male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: group 1 (sham), injected with normal saline; group 2 (XZK), treated with XZK; group 3 contrast media (CM), injected with CM; group 4 (CM + ATO), injected with CM + pretreatment with atorvastatin; group 5 (CM + XZK), injected with CM + pretreatment with XZK. Twenty-four hours after injection with normal saline or CM, the blood sample and the kidneys were collected for the measurement of biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, nitric oxide production, inflammatory parameters, as well as renal histopathology and apoptosis detection. Our results indicated that XZK restored the renal function by reducing serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr), depressing renal malondialdehyde (MDA), increasing renal NO production, decreasing TNF-ɑ and IL-6 expression, attenuating renal pathological changes and inhibiting the apoptosis of renal tubular cells. XZK's therapeutic effect is similar, or even better than atorvastatin at the same effectual dose in some parts.

  16. Enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis: serial passage of disease in cynomolgus macaques and tamarins and recovery of disease-associated 27- to 34-nm viruslike particles.

    PubMed Central

    Bradley, D W; Krawczynski, K; Cook, E H; McCaustland, K A; Humphrey, C D; Spelbring, J E; Myint, H; Maynard, J E

    1987-01-01

    An experimental model of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis (ET-NANBH) was established in tamarins (Saguinus mystax mystax) and cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). First-passage animals were inoculated with two different stool suspensions obtained from human patients with well-defined ET-NANBH that originated from Burma and Pakistan, where epidemics of ET-NANBH occur. Both inocula contained 27- ato 34-nm-diameter viruslike particles (VLPs) that were specifically aggregated by acute-phase ET-NANBH sera. ET-NANBH was subpassaged in both tamarins and cynomolgus macaques by using pools of stool suspensions from first-passage animals. One additional passage of disease in cynomolgus macaques resulted in a significantly shortened incubation period and increased severity of disease. VLPs similar to those found in the human inocula were observed in stool specimens of first-, second-, and third-passage cynomolgus macaques and in first- and second-passage tamarins. Our findings indicate that cynomolgus macaques are particularly suitable experimental models for studies of human ET-NANBH. The 27- to 34-nm VLPs found in infected human and primate stools appear to be etiologically linked to disease. Images PMID:3114746

  17. Discovering the Regulatory Considerations of the Federal Aviation Administration: Interviewing the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lu, Chien-tsung

    2005-01-01

    Maintenance Resource Management (MRM) training for aviation mechanics has become mandatory in many industrialized countries since 1998. Yet, to date, MRM training remains optional in the U.S. Interestingly, a similar safety discipline, namely Crew/Cockpit Resource Management (CRM), is mandatory for pilots, flight engineers, flight attendants, and dispatchers and is regulated in the Federal Aviation Administration s (FAA) Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). If MRM training is important to enhance aviation technicians working behavior, the rationale to not regulate it opens a window for study. This research aims to inductively investigate the FAA s regulatory rationale concerning MRM training based on direct inputs from the FAA s Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) members. Delphi methodology associated with purposive sampling technique was adopted. The result revealed that the FAA cannot regulate MRM because the aviation industry is strongly opposed to it due to the lack of training budgets, the need of a quantifiable cost-effect analysis, concern over the FAA s inspection workforce, an ongoing voluntary alternative called the Air Transportation Surveillance System (ATOS), the government s lower priority on maintenance after 9/11, and the airlines tight embracement of operational flexibility without regulation.

  18. Effect of squalane on mebendazole-loaded Compritol® nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Graves, Richard A; Ledet, Grace A; Nation, Cedric A; Pramar, Yashoda V; Bostanian, Levon A; Mandal, Tarun K

    2015-01-01

    The objective of this study is to develop nanostructured lipid formulations of Compritol for the delivery of mebendazole. The formulations were prepared with Compritol 888 ATO, squalane, and Pluronic F68. Nine batches with different amounts of modifier, squalane, and drug were prepared. The formulations were characterized by evaluating particle size, morphology, and zeta potential. The thermal properties of the formulations were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The encapsulation efficiency of each formulation and the drug release rates from each formulation were quantified by UPLC. The particles were spherical and had median particle sizes between 300 and 600 nm (50th percentile). A linear relationship was observed between Compritol/squalane composition and the melting point of the mixture. The DSC scans of the formulations revealed some recrystallization of the drug from the formulations, and the amount of recrystallization correlated with the amount of squalane in the formulation. Approximately, 70% efficiency of encapsulation was observed in the formulations with 30% (w/w) squalane, and these formulations also had faster dissolution rates compared to the other formulations. Overall, the formulations with 30% squalane are the preferred formulation for future testing.

  19. Comparação de modelos para o cálculo de perturbações orbitais devidas à maré terrestre

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vieira Pinto, J.; Vilhena de Moraes, R.

    2003-08-01

    Aplicações recentes de satélites artificiais com finalidades geodinâmicas requerem órbitas determinadas com bastante precisão. Em particular marés terrestres influenciam o potencial terrestre causando perturbações adicionais no movimento de satélites artificiais, as quais tem sido medidas por diversos processos. A atração exercida pela lua e pelo sol sobre a terra produz deslocamentos elásticos em seu interior e uma protuberância em sua superfície. O resultado é uma pequena variação na distribuição da massa na terra, consequentemente no geopotencial. As perturbações nos elementos orbitais de satélites artificiais terrestres devidas a maré terrestre podem ser estudadas a partir das equações de Lagrange, considerando-se um conveniente potencial. Por outro lado, como tem sido feito pelo IERS, as mudanças induzidas pela maré terrestre no geopotencial podem ser convenientemente modeladas como variações nos coeficientes Cnm e Snm do geopotencial. As duas teorias ainda não foram comparados para um mesmo satélite. Neste trabalho são apresentadas e comparadas as variações de longo período e seculares nas perturbações orbitais devidas à maré terrestre, calculadas por um modelo simples, o de Kozai, e pelo modelo do IERS. Resultados preliminares mostram, para os satélites SCD2 e CBERS1, e para a Lua em movimento elíptico e precessionando, as perturbações seculares no argumento do perigeu e na longitude do nodo ascendente.

  20. El Programa Nacional de Estuarios (NEP)

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Información general sobre el Programa Nacional de Estuarios (PNE, por sus siglas en inglés) establecido en el 1987 para restaurar y proteger los estuarios significativos para Estados Unidos, y sus territorios. La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de EE.UU.