76 FR 37194 - Surety Companies Acceptable In Federal Bonds; Termination; Clearwater Insurance Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-24

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable In Federal Bonds; Termination; Clearwater Insurance Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Department of... of Authority issued by the Treasury to Clearwater Insurance Company (NAIC 25070) under 31 U.S.C. 9305...

77 FR 75263 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds: Termination; Universal Insurance Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-19

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds: Termination; Universal Insurance Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Department of... of Authority issued by the Treasury to Universal Insurance Company (NAIC 31704) under 31 U.S.C. 9305...

76 FR 20042 - Four Seasons Distributors, Inc.; Order Accepting Settlement Agreement and Terminating Proceeding

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-11

... DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration [Docket No. 08-16] Four Seasons Distributors, Inc.; Order Accepting Settlement Agreement and Terminating Proceeding On October 31, 2007, the Deputy... Show Cause to Four Seasons Distributors, Inc. (Respondent), of Belleville, Illinois. The Show Cause...

Alkyne- and 1,6-elimination- succinimidyl carbonate - terminated heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) for reversible "Click" PEGylation.

PubMed

Xie, Yumei; Duan, Shaofeng; Forrest, M Laird

2010-01-01

A new heterobifunctional (succinimidyl carbonate, SC)-activated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with a reversible 1,6-elimination linker and a terminal alkyne for "click" chemistry was synthesized with high efficiency and low polydispersity. The α-alkyne-ω-hydroxyl PEG was first prepared using trimethylsilyl-2-propargyl alcohol as an initiator for ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide followed by mild deprotection with tetrabutylammonium fluoride. The hydroxy end was then modified with diglycolic anhydride to generate α-alkyne-ω-carboxylic acid PEG. The reversible 1, 6-elimination linker was introduced by conjugation of a hydroxymethyl phenol followed by activation with N,N'-disuccinimidyl carbonate to generate the heterobifunctional α-alkyne-ω-SC PEG. The terminal alkyne is available for "click" conjugation to azido ligands via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, and the succinimidyl carbonate will form a reversible conjugate to amines (e.g. in proteins) that can release the unaltered amine after base or enzyme catalyzed cleavage of the 1,6-linker.

Hydrogen concentrations as an indicator of the predominant terminal electron-accepting reactions in aquatic sediments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lovley, D.R.; Goodwin, S.

1988-01-01

Factors controlling the concentration of dissolved hydrogen gas in anaerobic sedimentary environments were investigated. Results, presented here or previously, demonstrated that, in sediments, only microorganisms catalyze the oxidation of H2 coupled to the reduction of nitrate, Mn(IV), Fe(III), sulfate, or carbon dioxide. Theoretical considerations suggested that, at steady-state conditions, H2 concentrations are primarily dependent upon the physiological characteristics of the microorganism(s) consuming the H2 and that organisms catalyzing H2 oxidation, with the reduction of a more electrochemically positive electron acceptor, can maintain lower H2 concentrations than organisms using electron acceptors which yield less energy from H2 oxidation. The H2 concentrations associated with the specified predominant terminal electron-accepting reactions in bottom sediments of a variety of surface water environments were: methanogenesis, 7-10 nM; sulfate reduction, 1-1.5 nM; Fe(III) reduction, 0.2 nM; Mn(IV) or nitrate reduction, less than 0.05 nM. Sediments with the same terminal electron acceptor for organic matter oxidation had comparable H2 concentrations, despite variations in the rate of organic matter decomposition, pH, and salinity. Thus, each terminal electron-accepting reaction had a unique range of steady-state H2 concentrations associated with it. Preliminary studies in a coastal plain aquifer indicated that H2 concentrations also vary in response to changes in the predominant terminal electron-accepting process in deep subsurface environments. These studies suggest that H2 measurements may aid in determining which terminal electron-accepting reactions are taking place in surface and subsurface sedimentary environments. ?? 1988.

75 FR 38188 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds-Termination: Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-01

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service [NAIC 10952] Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds--Termination: Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal... Certificate of Authority issued by the Treasury to the above-named company under 31 U.S.C. 9305 to qualify as...

75 FR 6791 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds-Termination: Trinity Universal Insurance Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-10

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds--Termination: Trinity Universal Insurance Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service... that the Certificate of Authority issued by the Treasury to the above-named company under 31 U.S.C...

75 FR 81331 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds: Termination-Penn Millers Insurance Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-27

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds: Termination--Penn Millers Insurance Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Department... Certificate of Authority issued by the Treasury to the above-named company under 31 U.S.C. 9305 to qualify as...

76 FR 38459 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds; Termination American Reliable Insurance Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-30

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds; Termination American Reliable Insurance Company AGENCY: Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury, Financial... of Authority issued by the Treasury to American Reliable Insurance Company (NAIC 19615) under 31 U.S...

76 FR 37891 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds; Termination; Western Insurance Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-28

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds; Termination; Western Insurance Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Department of the... issued by the Treasury to Western Insurance Company (NAIC 10008) under 31 U.S.C. 9305 to qualify as an...

75 FR 33897 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds-Terminations: Commercial Alliance Insurance Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-15

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds--Terminations: Commercial Alliance Insurance Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service... Certificate of Authority issued by the Treasury to the above-named company under 31 U.S.C. 9305 to qualify as...

Terminal Illness: Counseling with a Family Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krieger, G. W.; Bascue, L. O.

1975-01-01

When facing terminal illness, the dying individual needs to accept death and his feelings about it, deal with potential isolation from friends and relatives, and find meaning in his remaining time. Family members need also to accept death. Family counseling offers a treatment method for responding to these needs. (Author)

The conserved N-terminal basic residues and zinc-finger motifs of HIV-1 nucleocapsid restrict the viral cDNA synthesis during virus formation and maturation

PubMed Central

Didierlaurent, Ludovic; Houzet, Laurent; Morichaud, Zakia; Darlix, Jean-Luc; Mougel, Marylène

2008-01-01

Reverse transcription of the genomic RNA by reverse transcriptase occurs soon after HIV-1 infection of target cells. The viral nucleocapsid (NC) protein chaperones this process via its nucleic acid annealing activities and its interactions with the reverse transcriptase enzyme. To function, NC needs its two conserved zinc fingers and flanking basic residues. We recently reported a new role for NC, whereby it negatively controls reverse transcription in the course of virus formation. Indeed, deleting its zinc fingers causes reverse transcription activation in virus producer cells. To investigate this new NC function, we used viruses with subtle mutations in the conserved zinc fingers and its flanking domains. We monitored by quantitative PCR the HIV-1 DNA content in producer cells and in produced virions. Results showed that the two intact zinc-finger structures are required for the temporal control of reverse transcription by NC throughout the virus replication cycle. The N-terminal basic residues also contributed to this new role of NC, while Pro-31 residue between the zinc fingers and Lys-59 in the C-terminal region did not. These findings further highlight the importance of NC as a major target for anti-HIV-1 drugs. PMID:18641038

77 FR 42554 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds-Termination: Peerless Insurance Company (NAIC #24198)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-19

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds--Termination: Peerless Insurance Company (NAIC 24198) AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service... Certificate of Authority issued by the Treasury to the above-named company under 31 U.S.C. 9305 to qualify as...

77 FR 18883 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds-Termination and Merger; Pioneer General Insurance...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-28

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds--Termination and Merger; Pioneer General Insurance Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service... Certificate of Authority issued by the Treasury to the above-named company under 31 U.S.C. 9305 to qualify as...

Base drive circuit for a four-terminal power Darlington

DOEpatents

Lee, Fred C.; Carter, Roy A.

1983-01-01

A high power switching circuit which utilizes a four-terminal Darlington transistor block to improve switching speed, particularly in rapid turn-off. Two independent reverse drive currents are utilized during turn off in order to expel the minority carriers of the Darlington pair at their own charge sweep-out rate. The reverse drive current may be provided by a current transformer, the secondary of which is tapped to the base terminal of the power stage of the Darlington block. In one application, the switching circuit is used in each power switching element in a chopper-inverter drive of an electric vehicle propulsion system.

Surface acidic amino acid of Pseudomonas/Halomonas chimeric nucleoside diphosphate kinase leads effective recovery from heat-denaturation.

PubMed

Tokunaga, Hiroko; Arakawa, Tsutomu; Tokunaga, Masao

2013-07-01

One of the hallmarks of halophilic properties is reversibility of thermal unfolding. A nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) from a moderate halophile Halomonas sp. 593 (HaNDK) follows this behavior. His-tagged chimeric NDK (HisPaHaNDK) consisting of an N-terminal half of a non-halophilic Pseuodomonas aeruginosa NDK (PaNDK) and a Cterminal half of HaNDK loses this reversible property, indicating a critical role of the N-terminal portion of PaNDK in determining the reversibility of the chimeric protein. Various mutations were introduced at Arg45 and Lys61, based on the model NDK structure. It appears that having Glu at position 45 is critical in conferring the thermal reversibility to HisPa- HaNDK chimeric protein.

A Long Terminal Repeat-Containing Retrotransposon of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Expresses a Gag-Like Protein That Assembles into Virus-Like Particles Which Mediate Reverse Transcription

PubMed Central

Teysset, Laure; Dang, Van-Dinh; Kim, Min Kyung; Levin, Henry L.

2003-01-01

The Tf1 element of Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a long terminal repeat-containing retrotransposon that encodes functional protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase proteins. Although these proteins are known to be necessary for protein processing, reverse transcription, and integration, respectively, the function of the protein thought to be Gag has not been determined. We present here the first electron microscopy of Tf1 particles. We tested whether the putative Gag of Tf1 was required for particle formation, packaging of RNA, and reverse transcription. We generated deletions of 10 amino acids in each of the four hydrophilic domains of the protein and found that all four mutations reduced transposition activity. The N-terminal deletion removed a nuclear localization signal and inhibited nuclear import of the transposon. The two mutations in the center of Gag destabilized the protein and resulted in no virus-like particles. The C-terminal deletion caused a defect in RNA packaging and, as a result, low levels of cDNA. The electron microscopy of cells expressing a truncated Tf1 showed that Gag alone was sufficient for the formation of virus-like particles. Taken together, these results indicate that Tf1 encodes a Gag protein that is a functional equivalent of the Gag proteins of retroviruses. PMID:12692246

46 CFR 159.010-5 - Independent laboratory: Application for acceptance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Independent laboratory: Application for acceptance. 159... Laboratory: Acceptance, Recognition, and Termination § 159.010-5 Independent laboratory: Application for acceptance. (a) Each application for acceptance of an organization as an independent laboratory must contain...

Optimization of arsenic removal water treatment system through characterization of terminal electron accepting processes.

PubMed

Upadhyaya, Giridhar; Clancy, Tara M; Brown, Jess; Hayes, Kim F; Raskin, Lutgarde

2012-11-06

Terminal electron accepting process (TEAP) zones developed when a simulated groundwater containing dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate, arsenate, and sulfate was treated in a fixed-bed bioreactor system consisting of two reactors (reactors A and B) in series. When the reactors were operated with an empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 20 min each, DO-, nitrate-, sulfate-, and arsenate-reducing TEAP zones were located within reactor A. As a consequence, sulfate reduction and subsequent arsenic removal through arsenic sulfide precipitation and/or arsenic adsorption on or coprecipitation with iron sulfides occurred in reactor A. This resulted in the removal of arsenic-laden solids during backwashing of reactor A. To minimize this by shifting the sulfate-reducing zone to reactor B, the EBCT of reactor A was sequentially lowered from 20 min to 15, 10, and 7 min. While 50 mg/L (0.81 mM) nitrate was completely removed at all EBCTs, more than 90% of 300 μg/L (4 μM) arsenic was removed with the total EBCT as low as 27 min. Sulfate- and arsenate-reducing bacteria were identified throughout the system through clone libraries and quantitative PCR targeting the 16S rRNA, dissimilatory (bi)sulfite reductase (dsrAB), and dissimilatory arsenate reductase (arrA) genes. Results of reverse transcriptase (RT) qPCR of partial dsrAB (i.e., dsrA) and arrA transcripts corresponded with system performance. The RT qPCR results indicated colocation of sulfate- and arsenate-reducing activities, in the presence of iron(II), suggesting their importance in arsenic removal.

Immature doublecortin-positive hippocampal neurons are important for learning but not for remembering.

PubMed

Vukovic, Jana; Borlikova, Gilyana G; Ruitenberg, Marc J; Robinson, Gregory J; Sullivan, Robert K P; Walker, Tara L; Bartlett, Perry F

2013-04-10

It is now widely accepted that hippocampal neurogenesis underpins critical cognitive functions, such as learning and memory. To assess the behavioral importance of adult-born neurons, we developed a novel knock-in mouse model that allowed us to specifically and reversibly ablate hippocampal neurons at an immature stage. In these mice, the diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) is expressed under control of the doublecortin (DCX) promoter, which allows for specific ablation of immature DCX-expressing neurons after administration of diphtheria toxin while leaving the neural precursor pool intact. Using a spatially challenging behavioral test (a modified version of the active place avoidance test), we present direct evidence that immature DCX-expressing neurons are required for successful acquisition of spatial learning, as well as reversal learning, but are not necessary for the retrieval of stored long-term memories. Importantly, the observed learning deficits were rescued as newly generated immature neurons repopulated the granule cell layer upon termination of the toxin treatment. Repeat (or cyclic) depletion of immature neurons reinstated behavioral deficits if the mice were challenged with a novel task. Together, these findings highlight the potential of stimulating neurogenesis as a means to enhance learning.

Current-voltage characteristics and increase in the quantum efficiency of three-terminal gate and avalanche-based silicon LEDs.

PubMed

Xu, Kaikai

2013-09-20

In this paper, the emission of visible light by a monolithically integrated silicon p-n junction under reverse-bias is discussed. The modulation of light intensity is achieved using an insulated-gate terminal on the surface of the p-n junction. By varying the gate voltage, the breakdown voltage of the p-n junction will be adjustable so that the reverse current I(sub) flowing through the p-n junction at a fixed reverse-bias voltage is changed. It is observed that the light, which is emitted from the defects located at the p-n junction, depends closely on the reverse current I(sub). In regard to the phenomenon of electroluminescence, the relationship between the optical emission power and the reverse current I(sub) is linear. On the other hand, it is observed that both the quantum efficiency and the power conversion efficiency are able to have obvious enhancement, although the reverse-bias of the p-n junction is reduced and the corresponding reverse-current is much lower. Moreover, the successful fabrication on monolithic silicon light source on the bulk silicon by means of standard silicon complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor process technology is presented.

The Reverse Gyrase from Pyrobaculum calidifontis, a Novel Extremely Thermophilic DNA Topoisomerase Endowed with DNA Unwinding and Annealing Activities*

PubMed Central

Jamroze, Anmbreen; Perugino, Giuseppe; Valenti, Anna; Rashid, Naeem; Rossi, Mosè; Akhtar, Muhammad; Ciaramella, Maria

2014-01-01

Reverse gyrase is a DNA topoisomerase specific for hyperthermophilic bacteria and archaea. It catalyzes the peculiar ATP-dependent DNA-positive supercoiling reaction and might be involved in the physiological adaptation to high growth temperature. Reverse gyrase comprises an N-terminal ATPase and a C-terminal topoisomerase domain, which cooperate in enzyme activity, but details of its mechanism of action are still not clear. We present here a functional characterization of PcalRG, a novel reverse gyrase from the archaeon Pyrobaculum calidifontis. PcalRG is the most robust and processive reverse gyrase known to date; it is active over a wide range of conditions, including temperature, ionic strength, and ATP concentration. Moreover, it holds a strong ATP-inhibited DNA cleavage activity. Most important, PcalRG is able to induce ATP-dependent unwinding of synthetic Holliday junctions and ATP-stimulated annealing of unconstrained single-stranded oligonucleotides. Combined DNA unwinding and annealing activities are typical of certain helicases, but until now were shown for no other reverse gyrase. Our results suggest for the first time that a reverse gyrase shares not only structural but also functional features with evolutionary conserved helicase-topoisomerase complexes involved in genome stability. PMID:24347172

The self primer of the long terminal repeat retrotransposon Tf1 is not removed during reverse transcription.

PubMed

Atwood-Moore, Angela; Yan, Kenneth; Judson, Robert L; Levin, Henry L

2006-08-01

The long terminal repeat retrotransposon Tf1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe uses a unique mechanism of self priming to initiate reverse transcription. Instead of using a tRNA, Tf1 primes minus-strand synthesis with an 11-nucleotide RNA removed from the 5' end of its own transcript. We tested whether the self primer of Tf1 was similar to tRNA primers in being removed from the cDNA by RNase H. Our analysis of Tf1 cDNA extracted from virus-like particles revealed the surprising observation that the dominant species of cDNA retained the self primer. This suggests that integration of the cDNA relies on mechanisms other than reverse transcription to remove the primer.

Medical abortion or vacuum aspiration? Two year follow up of a patient preference trial.

PubMed

Howie, F L; Henshaw, R C; Naji, S A; Russell, I T; Templeton, A A

1997-07-01

To describe and compare health outcomes two years after medical abortion or vacuum aspiration in women recruited into a patient preference trial during 1990 to 1991. Women recruited to the original, partially randomised study were contacted for assessment using a structured interview. Grampian region of Scotland, UK. One hundred and forty women who had participated in a partially randomised study of first trimester abortion two years previously. Vacuum aspiration or medical abortion using mifepristone and gemeprost. Long-term general, reproductive and psychological health; acceptability of procedure; perceived value of choice of method of termination. There were no significant differences between women who had undergone medical abortion or vacuum aspiration two years previously in general, reproductive or psychological health. Almost all women placed a high value on the provision of choice of method of termination. There was a significant difference in perception of long term procedure acceptability among women who had been randomised to a method of termination. Women should have the opportunity to choose the method of termination. This opportunity will result in high levels of acceptability, particularly at gestations under 50 days of amenorrhoea.

Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC-Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams at terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Crossing proven, superior terminal-sire sheep breeds with well-adapted maternal breeds provide opportunity to increase lamb carcass value, while maintaining acceptable environmental adaptation in crossbred lambs. Large, lean terminal-sire breeds, such as the Suffolk and Columbia, have been typicall...

Terminal Air Flow Planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Denery, Dallas G.; Erzberger, Heinz; Edwards, Thomas A. (Technical Monitor)

1998-01-01

The Center TRACON Automation System (CTAS) will be the basis for air traffic planning and control in the terminal area. The system accepts arriving traffic within an extended terminal area and optimizes the flow based on current traffic and airport conditions. The operational use of CTAS will be presented together with results from current operations.

Rational Suicide and the Crisis of Terminal Illness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lokhandwala, Tasneem M.; Westefeld, John S.

1998-01-01

Whether or not suicide may be considered a rational choice for clients with terminal illness is controversial. Rational suicide and the literature and statistics pertaining to suicide and terminal illness are reviewed. Implications of accepting rational suicide as a treatment option, including moral and ethical issues, are addressed. (Author/EMK)

Defunct Grants-Special Considerations for Termination Effectiveness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whittington, Ronaele R.; Brand, Chrystal R.

1980-01-01

Charts the phases of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, and hope in a rural work-study program for disadvantaged youth that lost its funding. An overview of national studies and reports on client terminations and program terminations is outlined. Closure-oriented tasks for the practitioner and implications for program…

Mapping reversible photoswitching of molecular-resistance fluctuations during the conformational transformation of azobenzene-terminated molecular switches.

PubMed

Cho, Duckhyung; Yang, Myungjae; Shin, Narae; Hong, Seunghun

2018-06-07

We report a direct mapping and analysis of electrical noise in azobenzene-terminated molecular monolayers, revealing reversible photoswitching of the molecular-resistance fluctuations in the layers. In this work, a conducting atomic force microscope combined with a homemade spectrum analyzer was used to image electrical current and noise at patterned self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of azobenzene-terminated molecular wires on a gold substrate. We analyzed the current and noise imaging data to obtain maps of molecular resistances and amount of mean-square fluctuations in the resistances of the regions of trans-azobenzene and a cis/trans-azobenzene mixture. We revealed that the fluctuations in the molecular resistances in the SAMs were enhanced after the trans-to-cis isomerization, while the resistances were reduced. This result could be attributed to enhanced disorders in the molecular arrangements in the cis-SAMs. Furthermore, we observed that the changes in the resistance fluctuations were reversible with respect to repeated trans-to-cis and cis-to-trans isomerizations, indicating that the effects originated from reversible photoswitching of the molecular structures rather than irreversible damages of the molecules. These findings provide valuable insights into the electrical fluctuations in photoswitchable molecules, which could be utilized in further studies on molecular switches and molecular electronics in general. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Well-Defined High Molecular Weight Polystyrene with High Rates and High Livingness Synthesized via Two-Stage RAFT Emulsion Polymerization.

PubMed

Yan, Kun; Gao, Xiang; Luo, Yingwu

2015-07-01

A highly living polymer with over 100 kg mol(-1) molecular weight is very difficult to achieve by controlled radical polymerization since the unavoidable side reactions of irreversible radical termination and radical chain transfer to monomer reaction become significant. It is reported that over 500 kg mol(-1) polystyrene with high livingness and low dispersity could be synthesized by a facile two-stage reversible addition-fragmentation transfer emulsion polymerization. The monomer conversion reaches 90% within 10 h. High livingness of the product is ascribed to the extremely low initiator concentration and the chain transfer constant for monomer unexpectedly much lower than the well-accepted values in the conventional radical polymerization. The two-stage monomer feeding policy much decreases the dispersity of the product. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Integrity of Helix 2-Helix 3 Domain of the PrP Protein Is Not Mandatory for Prion Replication*

PubMed Central

Salamat, Khalid; Moudjou, Mohammed; Chapuis, Jérôme; Herzog, Laetitia; Jaumain, Emilie; Béringue, Vincent; Rezaei, Human; Pastore, Annalisa; Laude, Hubert; Dron, Michel

2012-01-01

The process of prion conversion is not yet well understood at the molecular level. The regions critical for the conformational change of PrP remain mostly debated and the extent of sequence change acceptable for prion conversion is poorly documented. To achieve progress on these issues, we applied a reverse genetic approach using the Rov cell system. This allowed us to test the susceptibility of a number of insertion mutants to conversion into prion in the absence of wild-type PrP molecules. We were able to propagate several prions with 8 to 16 extra amino acids, including a polyglycine stretch and His or FLAG tags, inserted in the middle of the protease-resistant fragment. These results demonstrate the possibility to increase the length of the loop between helices H2 and H3 up to 4-fold, without preventing prion replication. They also indicate that this loop probably remains unstructured in PrPSc. We also showed that bona fide prions can be produced following insertion of octapeptides in the two C-terminal turns of H2. These insertions do not interfere with the overall fold of the H2-H3 domain indicating that the highly conserved sequence of the terminal part of H2 is not critical for the conversion. Altogether these data showed that the amplitude of modifications acceptable for prion conversion in the core of the globular domain of PrP is much greater than one might have assumed. These observations should help to refine structural models of PrPSc and elucidate the conformational changes underlying prions generation. PMID:22511770

Integrity of helix 2-helix 3 domain of the PrP protein is not mandatory for prion replication.

PubMed

Salamat, Khalid; Moudjou, Mohammed; Chapuis, Jérôme; Herzog, Laetitia; Jaumain, Emilie; Béringue, Vincent; Rezaei, Human; Pastore, Annalisa; Laude, Hubert; Dron, Michel

2012-06-01

The process of prion conversion is not yet well understood at the molecular level. The regions critical for the conformational change of PrP remain mostly debated and the extent of sequence change acceptable for prion conversion is poorly documented. To achieve progress on these issues, we applied a reverse genetic approach using the Rov cell system. This allowed us to test the susceptibility of a number of insertion mutants to conversion into prion in the absence of wild-type PrP molecules. We were able to propagate several prions with 8 to 16 extra amino acids, including a polyglycine stretch and His or FLAG tags, inserted in the middle of the protease-resistant fragment. These results demonstrate the possibility to increase the length of the loop between helices H2 and H3 up to 4-fold, without preventing prion replication. They also indicate that this loop probably remains unstructured in PrP(Sc). We also showed that bona fide prions can be produced following insertion of octapeptides in the two C-terminal turns of H2. These insertions do not interfere with the overall fold of the H2-H3 domain indicating that the highly conserved sequence of the terminal part of H2 is not critical for the conversion. Altogether these data showed that the amplitude of modifications acceptable for prion conversion in the core of the globular domain of PrP is much greater than one might have assumed. These observations should help to refine structural models of PrP(Sc) and elucidate the conformational changes underlying prions generation.

Terminal Model Of Newtonian Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zak, Michail

1994-01-01

Paper presents study of theory of Newtonian dynamics of terminal attractors and repellers, focusing on issues of reversibility vs. irreversibility and deterministic evolution vs. probabilistic or chaotic evolution of dynamic systems. Theory developed called "terminal dynamics" emphasizes difference between it and classical Newtonian dynamics. Also holds promise for explaining irreversibility, unpredictability, probabilistic behavior, and chaos in turbulent flows, in thermodynamic phenomena, and in other dynamic phenomena and systems.

The Self Primer of the Long Terminal Repeat Retrotransposon Tf1 Is Not Removed during Reverse Transcription

PubMed Central

Atwood-Moore, Angela; Yan, Kenneth; Judson, Robert L.; Levin, Henry L.

2006-01-01

The long terminal repeat retrotransposon Tf1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe uses a unique mechanism of self priming to initiate reverse transcription. Instead of using a tRNA, Tf1 primes minus-strand synthesis with an 11-nucleotide RNA removed from the 5′ end of its own transcript. We tested whether the self primer of Tf1 was similar to tRNA primers in being removed from the cDNA by RNase H. Our analysis of Tf1 cDNA extracted from virus-like particles revealed the surprising observation that the dominant species of cDNA retained the self primer. This suggests that integration of the cDNA relies on mechanisms other than reverse transcription to remove the primer. PMID:16873283

Associations of prognostic awareness/acceptance with psychological distress, existential suffering, and quality of life in terminally ill cancer patients' last year of life.

PubMed

Tang, Siew Tzuh; Chang, Wen-Cheng; Chen, Jen-Shi; Chou, Wen-Chi; Hsieh, Chia-Hsun; Chen, Chen H

2016-04-01

Whether prognostic awareness benefits terminally ill cancer patients' psychological-existential well-being and quality of life (QOL) is unclear because of lack of well-controlled longitudinal studies. This study longitudinally evaluated the associations of accurate prognostic awareness and prognostic acceptance with psychological distress, existential suffering, and QOL while comprehensively controlling for confounders in Taiwanese terminally ill cancer patients' last year of life. A convenience sample of 325 cancer patients was followed until death. Psychological distress and existential suffering were assessed by severe anxiety and depressive symptoms and high self-perceived sense of burden to others, respectively. Dichotomized and continuous (QOL) outcome variables were evaluated by multivariate logistic and linear regression modeling with the generalized estimating equation, respectively. Accurate prognostic awareness was not associated with the likelihood of severe anxiety or depressive symptoms but significantly increased the likelihood of high self-perceived sense of burden to others and was associated with poorer QOL in participants' last year of life. Participants who knew and highly accepted their prognosis were significantly less likely to experience severe anxiety symptoms than those who were unaware of or knew their prognosis but had difficulty accepting it. Knowing one's poor prognosis and confronting one's impending death without full acceptance and adequate professional psycho-spiritual support may harm more than benefit terminally ill cancer patients' psychological state, existential well-being, and QOL. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring psycho-spiritual support to cancer patients' psychological and existential needs when prognostic information is disclosed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Optogenetic manipulation of anatomical re-entry by light-guided generation of a reversible local conduction block.

PubMed

Watanabe, Masaya; Feola, Iolanda; Majumder, Rupamanjari; Jangsangthong, Wanchana; Teplenin, Alexander S; Ypey, Dirk L; Schalij, Martin J; Zeppenfeld, Katja; de Vries, Antoine A F; Pijnappels, Daniël A

2017-03-01

Anatomical re-entry is an important mechanism of ventricular tachycardia, characterized by circular electrical propagation in a fixed pathway. It's current investigative and therapeutic approaches are non-biological, rather unspecific (drugs), traumatizing (electrical shocks), or irreversible (ablation). Optogenetics is a new biological technique that allows reversible modulation of electrical function with unmatched spatiotemporal precision using light-gated ion channels. We therefore investigated optogenetic manipulation of anatomical re-entry in ventricular cardiac tissue. Transverse, 150-μm-thick ventricular slices, obtained from neonatal rat hearts, were genetically modified with lentiviral vectors encoding Ca2+-translocating channelrhodopsin (CatCh), a light-gated depolarizing ion channel, or enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) as control. Stable anatomical re-entry was induced in both experimental groups. Activation of CatCh was precisely controlled by 470-nm patterned illumination, while the effects on anatomical re-entry were studied by optical voltage mapping. Regional illumination in the pathway of anatomical re-entry resulted in termination of arrhythmic activity only in CatCh-expressing slices by establishing a local and reversible, depolarization-induced conduction block in the illuminated area. Systematic adjustment of the size of the light-exposed area in the re-entrant pathway revealed that re-entry could be terminated by either wave collision or extinction, depending on the depth (transmurality) of illumination. In silico studies implicated source-sink mismatches at the site of subtransmural conduction block as an important factor in re-entry termination. Anatomical re-entry in ventricular tissue can be manipulated by optogenetic induction of a local and reversible conduction block in the re-entrant pathway, allowing effective re-entry termination. These results provide distinctively new mechanistic insight into re-entry termination and a novel perspective for cardiac arrhythmia management. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2017. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

48 CFR 28.202 - Acceptability of corporate sureties.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Acceptability of corporate... Acceptability of corporate sureties. (a)(1) Corporate sureties offered for bonds furnished with contracts... (1) new approved corporate surety companies and (2) the termination of the authority of any specific...

Do Incarcerated Offenders Experience the Five Stages of Grief as Do Terminally Ill Patients?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pledger, Carolyn Brastow

1985-01-01

Examines Kubler-Ross' five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) as they are experienced not by terminally ill persons, but by 20 criminal offenders and their families during incarceration. Concludes that shock of arrest and incarceration stimulates reactions similar to those of persons coping with terminal diagnosis.…

Attitudes of Flemish secondary school students towards euthanasia and other end-of-life decisions in minors.

PubMed

Pousset, G; Bilsen, J; De Wilde, J; Deliens, L; Mortier, F

2009-05-01

The aim of the study was to investigate attitudes of secondary school students towards acceptability of requests by minors for end-of-life decisions (ELDs) with a possible life-shortening effect: non-treatment decisions, potentially life-shortening alleviation of pain and symptoms (APS) and euthanasia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among second and fourth grades students in 20 secondary schools in Flanders, Belgium. An anonymous structured questionnaire was administered to measure attitudes towards acceptability of requests for euthanasia and other ELDs, towards the right to be informed about terminal prognosis and their own desire to be informed. In total, 1769 students participated. In case of a terminal patient, 61% found a request for euthanasia acceptable, 60% a request for APS and 69% a request for non-treatment decision, compared with 18% (euthanasia) and 50% (APS) in case of a non-terminal patient. Acceptance was highest among: boys, participants older than 14 years and participants from general as opposed to technical and vocational education. Sixty-six per cent said the parents' opinion not being asked was a circumstance that should hold back a physician from administering a lethal drug. Ninety per cent of participants thought a minor has the right to be informed about terminal prognosis of a disease while 78% would like to be informed themselves. Attitudes towards ELD requests varied with case and participant characteristics and type of ELD. The studied adolescents have a clear wish to be informed about terminal prognosis. Physicians and caregivers should adequately involve adolescents in decision making and tailor prognosis-related information to their needs and level of competency.

Protection against β-amyloid neurotoxicity by a non-toxic endogenous N-terminal β-amyloid fragment and its active hexapeptide core sequence.

PubMed

Forest, Kelly H; Alfulaij, Naghum; Arora, Komal; Taketa, Ruth; Sherrin, Tessi; Todorovic, Cedomir; Lawrence, James L M; Yoshikawa, Gene T; Ng, Ho-Leung; Hruby, Victor J; Nichols, Robert A

2018-01-01

High levels (μM) of beta amyloid (Aβ) oligomers are known to trigger neurotoxic effects, leading to synaptic impairment, behavioral deficits, and apoptotic cell death. The hydrophobic C-terminal domain of Aβ, together with sequences critical for oligomer formation, is essential for this neurotoxicity. However, Aβ at low levels (pM-nM) has been shown to function as a positive neuromodulator and this activity resides in the hydrophilic N-terminal domain of Aβ. An N-terminal Aβ fragment (1-15/16), found in cerebrospinal fluid, was also shown to be a highly active neuromodulator and to reverse Aβ-induced impairments of long-term potentiation. Here, we show the impact of this N-terminal Aβ fragment and a shorter hexapeptide core sequence in the Aβ fragment (Aβcore: 10-15) to protect or reverse Aβ-induced neuronal toxicity, fear memory deficits and apoptotic death. The neuroprotective effects of the N-terminal Aβ fragment and Aβcore on Aβ-induced changes in mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and apoptotic neuronal death were demonstrated via mitochondrial membrane potential, live reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation and cell survival assays using a model neuroblastoma cell line (differentiated NG108-15) and mouse hippocampal neuron cultures. The protective action of the N-terminal Aβ fragment and Aβcore against spatial memory processing deficits in amyloid precursor protein/PSEN1 (5XFAD) mice was demonstrated in contextual fear conditioning. Stabilized derivatives of the N-terminal Aβcore were also shown to be fully protective against Aβ-triggered oxidative stress. Together, these findings indicate an endogenous neuroprotective role for the N-terminal Aβ fragment, while active stabilized N-terminal Aβcore derivatives offer the potential for therapeutic application. © 2017 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Fail-safe transcription termination: Because one is never enough.

PubMed

Lemay, Jean-François; Bachand, François

2015-01-01

Termination of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription is a fundamental step of gene expression that involves the release of the nascent transcript and dissociation of RNAPII from the DNA template. As transcription termination is intimately linked to RNA 3' end processing, termination pathways have a key decisive influence on the fate of the transcribed RNA. Quite remarkably, when reaching the 3' end of genes, a substantial fraction of RNAPII fail to terminate transcription, requiring the contribution of alternative or "fail-safe" mechanisms of termination to release the polymerase. This point of view covers redundant mechanisms of transcription termination and how they relate to conventional termination models. In particular, we expand on recent findings that propose a reverse torpedo model of termination, in which the 3'5' exonucleolytic activity of the RNA exosome targets transcription events associated with paused and backtracked RNAPII.

Closing with Compassion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Willmer, Wesley K.; O'Connor, Marie J.

1979-01-01

A study on how people have responded to institutional termination and major elements of a humane process of closure are discussed. Kubler-Ross' five stages of human response to the prospect of death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance are applied to institutional termination. (MLW)

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 protein Tat induces excitotoxic loss of presynaptic terminals in hippocampal cultures.

PubMed

Shin, Angela H; Thayer, Stanley A

2013-05-01

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of the CNS produces dendritic damage that correlates with cognitive decline in patients with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). HIV-induced neurotoxicity results in part from viral proteins shed from infected cells, including the HIV transactivator of transcription (Tat). We previously showed that Tat binds to the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), resulting in overactivation of NMDA receptors, activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, and subsequent loss of postsynaptic densities. Here, we show that Tat also induces a loss of presynaptic terminals. The number of presynaptic terminals was quantified using confocal imaging of synaptophysin fused to green fluorescent protein (Syn-GFP). Tat-induced loss of presynaptic terminals was secondary to excitatory postsynaptic mechanisms because treatment with an LRP antagonist or an NMDA receptor antagonist inhibited this loss. Treatment with nutlin-3, an E3 ligase inhibitor, prevented Tat-induced loss of presynaptic terminals. These data suggest that Tat-induced loss of presynaptic terminals is a consequence of excitotoxic postsynaptic activity. We previously found that ifenprodil, an NR2B subunit-selective NMDA receptor antagonist, induced recovery of postsynaptic densities. Here we show that Tat-induced loss of presynaptic terminals was reversed by ifenprodil treatment. Thus, Tat-induced loss of presynaptic terminals is reversible, and this recovery can be initiated by inhibiting a subset of postsynaptic NMDA receptors. Understanding the dynamics of synaptic changes in response to HIV infection of the CNS may lead to the design of improved pharmacotherapies for HAND patients. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

26 CFR 1.411(d)-2 - Termination or partial termination; discontinuance of contributions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Pension, Profit-Sharing, Stock...) Any provision for the allocation of unallocated funds which is found by the Secretary of Labor or the... of the date such cessation or decrease is adopted) is created or increased. If no such reversion is...

Resetting the transcription factor network reverses terminal chronic hepatic failure

PubMed Central

Nishikawa, Taichiro; Bell, Aaron; Brooks, Jenna M.; Setoyama, Kentaro; Melis, Marta; Han, Bing; Fukumitsu, Ken; Handa, Kan; Tian, Jianmin; Kaestner, Klaus H.; Vodovotz, Yoram; Locker, Joseph; Soto-Gutierrez, Alejandro; Fox, Ira J.

2015-01-01

The cause of organ failure is enigmatic for many degenerative diseases, including end-stage liver disease. Here, using a CCl4-induced rat model of irreversible and fatal hepatic failure, which also exhibits terminal changes in the extracellular matrix, we demonstrated that chronic injury stably reprograms the critical balance of transcription factors and that diseased and dedifferentiated cells can be returned to normal function by re-expression of critical transcription factors, a process similar to the type of reprogramming that induces somatic cells to become pluripotent or to change their cell lineage. Forced re-expression of the transcription factor HNF4α induced expression of the other hepatocyte-expressed transcription factors; restored functionality in terminally diseased hepatocytes isolated from CCl4-treated rats; and rapidly reversed fatal liver failure in CCl4-treated animals by restoring diseased hepatocytes rather than replacing them with new hepatocytes or stem cells. Together, the results of our study indicate that disruption of the transcription factor network and cellular dedifferentiation likely mediate terminal liver failure and suggest reinstatement of this network has therapeutic potential for correcting organ failure without cell replacement. PMID:25774505

Géométrie et cinématique post-oligocène des failles d'Aix et de la moyenne Durance (Provence, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guignard, Pierre; Bellier, Olivier; Chardon, Dominique

2005-02-01

The southern termination of the left-lateral 'Moyenne Durance' Fault (FMD) consists in several segments, some being connected to WSW-trending south-verging reverse faults. To the south, the Aix fault is reactivated in a post-Oligocene strike-slip movement showing that these two faults might belong to the same system. This system seems to transfer, in turn, slip to the east-trending, south-verging Trévaresse reverse fault, allowing southward propagation of the Alpine deformation front in western Provence. Fault kinematics analysis shows lateral stress field change between the two faults. Strike-slip stress state is characterized by an average N150°E trending σ1 near the FMD termination, whilst strike-slip and reverse faulting stress states show north-trending σ to the south. To cite this article: P. Guignard et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).

Fail-safe transcription termination: Because one is never enough

PubMed Central

Lemay, Jean-François; Bachand, François

2015-01-01

Termination of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription is a fundamental step of gene expression that involves the release of the nascent transcript and dissociation of RNAPII from the DNA template. As transcription termination is intimately linked to RNA 3′ end processing, termination pathways have a key decisive influence on the fate of the transcribed RNA. Quite remarkably, when reaching the 3′ end of genes, a substantial fraction of RNAPII fail to terminate transcription, requiring the contribution of alternative or “fail-safe” mechanisms of termination to release the polymerase. This point of view covers redundant mechanisms of transcription termination and how they relate to conventional termination models. In particular, we expand on recent findings that propose a reverse torpedo model of termination, in which the 3′5′ exonucleolytic activity of the RNA exosome targets transcription events associated with paused and backtracked RNAPII. PMID:26273910

Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA Polymerase I Terminates Transcription at the Reb1 Terminator In Vivo

PubMed Central

Reeder, Ronald H.; Guevara, Palmira; Roan, Judith G.

1999-01-01

We have mapped transcription termination sites for RNA polymerase I in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. S1 nuclease mapping shows that the primary terminator is the Reb1p terminator located at +93 downstream of the 3′ end of 25S rRNA. Reverse transcription coupled with quantitative PCR shows that approximately 90% of all transcripts terminate at this site. Transcripts which read through the +93 site quantitatively terminate at a fail-safe terminator located further downstream at +250. Inactivation of Rnt1p (an RNase III involved in processing the 3′ end of 25S rRNA) greatly stabilizes transcripts extending to both sites and increases readthrough at the +93 site. In vivo assay of mutants of the Reb1p terminator shows that this site operates in vivo by the same mechanism as has previously been delineated through in vitro studies. PMID:10523625

77 FR 553 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds: Termination; Western Bonding Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-05

.... Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service, Financial Accounting and Services Division, Surety..., 2011. Laura Carrico, Director, Financial Accounting and Services Division, Financial Management Service...: Termination; Western Bonding Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Department of the...

On Sinking and Swimming: The Dialectic of Hope, Hopelessness, and Acceptance in Terminal Cancer

PubMed Central

Sachs, Emily; Kolva, Elissa; Pessin, Hayley; Rosenfeld, Barry; Breitbart, William

2016-01-01

For terminally ill cancer patients, hope and hopelessness are constructs that significantly impact the quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between hope and hopelessness in advanced cancer and to identify factors that maintain hope and increase vulnerability to hopelessness. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 terminally ill cancer patients. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis to identify patient definitions of these terms and associated cognitions and emotions. Hope and hopelessness were identified as distinct, often co-occurring, and dialectically interacting constructs. The relationship between hope and hopelessness often balanced on acceptance, perceived as diametrically opposed to hopelessness, and conducive to redirecting hope toward new goals. Positive interpersonal relationships enhanced hope, and uncontrolled physical pain increased vulnerability to hopelessness. PMID:22556280

A synthetic biology approach to engineer a functional reversal of the β-oxidation cycle.

PubMed

Clomburg, James M; Vick, Jacob E; Blankschien, Matthew D; Rodríguez-Moyá, María; Gonzalez, Ramon

2012-11-16

While we have recently constructed a functional reversal of the β-oxidation cycle as a platform for the production of fuels and chemicals by engineering global regulators and eliminating native fermentative pathways, the system-level approach used makes it difficult to determine which of the many deregulated enzymes are responsible for product synthesis. This, in turn, limits efforts to fine-tune the synthesis of specific products and prevents the transfer of the engineered pathway to other organisms. In the work reported here, we overcome the aforementioned limitations by using a synthetic biology approach to construct and functionally characterize a reversal of the β-oxidation cycle. This was achieved through the in vitro kinetic characterization of each functional unit of the core and termination pathways, followed by their in vivo assembly and functional characterization. With this approach, the four functional units of the core pathway, thiolase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase, and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase/trans-enoyl-CoA reductase, were purified and kinetically characterized in vitro. When these four functional units were assembled in vivo in combination with thioesterases as the termination pathway, the synthesis of a variety of 4-C carboxylic acids from a one-turn functional reversal of the β-oxidation cycle was realized. The individual expression and modular construction of these well-defined core components exerted the majority of control over product formation, with only highly selective termination pathways resulting in shifts in product formation. Further control over product synthesis was demonstrated by overexpressing a long-chain thiolase that enables the operation of multiple turns of the reversal of the β-oxidation cycle and hence the synthesis of longer-chain carboxylic acids. The well-defined and self-contained nature of each functional unit makes the engineered reversal of the β-oxidation cycle "chassis neutral" and hence transferrable to the host of choice for efficient fuel or chemical production.

77 FR 10806 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds: Termination; First Sealord Surety, Inc.

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-23

... 20782. Dated: February 10, 2012. Laura Carrico, Director, Financial Accounting and Services Division...: Termination; First Sealord Surety, Inc. AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Department of... be directed to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service, Financial...

Novel Structure of Ty3 Reverse Transcriptase | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

Retrotransposons are mobile genetic elements that self amplify via a single-stranded RNA intermediate, which is converted to double-stranded DNA by an encoded reverse transcriptase (RT) with both DNA polymerase (pol) and ribonuclease H (RNase) activities. Categorized by whether they contain flanking long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences, retrotransposons play a critical role in

The Amino-Terminal PrP Domain Is Crucial to Modulate Prion Misfolding and Aggregation

PubMed Central

Cordeiro, Yraima; Kraineva, Julia; Gomes, Mariana P. B.; Lopes, Marilene H.; Martins, Vilma R.; Lima, Luís M. T. R.; Foguel, Débora; Winter, Roland; Silva, Jerson L.

2005-01-01

The main hypothesis for prion diseases is that the cellular protein (PrPC) can be altered into a misfolded, β-sheet-rich isoform (PrPSc), which undergoes aggregation and triggers the onset of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Here, we investigate the effects of amino-terminal deletion mutations, rPrPΔ51–90 and rPrPΔ32–121, on the stability and the packing properties of recombinant murine PrP. The region lacking in rPrPΔ51–90 is involved physiologically in copper binding and the other construct lacks more amino-terminal residues (from 32 to 121). The pressure stability is dramatically reduced with decreasing N-domain length and the process is not reversible for rPrPΔ51–90 and rPrPΔ32–121, whereas it is completely reversible for the wild-type form. Decompression to atmospheric pressure triggers immediate aggregation for the mutants in contrast to a slow aggregation process for the wild-type, as observed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The temperature-induced transition leads to aggregation of all rPrPs, but the unfolding temperature is lower for the rPrP amino-terminal deletion mutants. The higher susceptibility to pressure of the amino-terminal deletion mutants can be explained by a change in hydration and cavity distribution. Taken together, our results show that the amino-terminal region has a pivotal role on the development of prion misfolding and aggregation. PMID:16040743

77 FR 23242 - Grand Coulee Project Hydroelectric Authority; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-18

... reservoir inlet/outlet and the reversible turbine/generator units in the powerhouse; (3) an underground powerhouse containing four reversible turbine/generator units rated for 250 megawatts (MW) each, for a total... four 250-MW reversible turbine/ generator units; (4) a 2-mile-long, 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line...

77 FR 42553 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds-Termination and Merger: Harleysville Mutual...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-19

...--Termination and Merger: Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company (NAIC 14168) AGENCY: Financial Management... company merged with and into Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NAIC 23787) effective May 1, 2012. The surviving corporation of the merger activity is Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NAIC 23787), an Ohio...

77 FR 29472 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds-Termination: Atlantic Bonding Company, Inc.

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-17

..., Financial Accounting and Services Division, Surety Bond Branch, 3700 East-West Highway, Room 6F01, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Dated: May 8, 2012. Laura Carrico, Director, Financial Accounting and Services Division...--Termination: Atlantic Bonding Company, Inc. AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Department...

76 FR 60603 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds: Termination; Minnesota Surety and Trust Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-29

... 20782. Dated: September 15, 2011. Laura Carrico, Director, Financial Accounting and Services Division...: Termination; Minnesota Surety and Trust Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service... notice may be directed to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service, Financial...

77 FR 75263 - Surety Companies Acceptable on Federal Bonds: Termination; ULLICO Casualty Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-19

.... Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service, Financial Accounting and Services Division, Surety... McIntyre, Acting Director, Financial Accounting and Services Division. [FR Doc. 2012-30422 Filed 12-18-12...: Termination; ULLICO Casualty Company AGENCY: Financial Management Service, Fiscal Service, Department of the...

Three-terminal resistive switching memory in a transparent vertical-configuration device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ungureanu, Mariana; Llopis, Roger; Casanova, Fèlix; Hueso, Luis E.

2014-01-01

The resistive switching phenomenon has attracted much attention recently for memory applications. It describes the reversible change in the resistance of a dielectric between two non-volatile states by the application of electrical pulses. Typical resistive switching memories are two-terminal devices formed by an oxide layer placed between two metal electrodes. Here, we report on the fabrication and operation of a three-terminal resistive switching memory that works as a reconfigurable logic component and offers an increased logic density on chip. The three-terminal memory device we present is transparent and could be further incorporated in transparent computing electronic technologies.

Social Acceptance of Smoking Restrictions During 10 Years of Policy Implementation, Reversal, and Reenactment in the Netherlands: Findings From a National Population Survey.

PubMed

Hummel, Karin; Willemsen, Marc C; de Vries, Hein; Monshouwer, Karin; Nagelhout, Gera E

2017-02-01

Little is known about the extent to which smoking restrictions are socially accepted in a country such as the Netherlands where smoking restrictions have been implemented and reversed several times. The current study assessed trends as well as factors associated with two indicators of social acceptance of smoking restrictions in the Netherlands: acceptance of smoking in public places and implementation of home smoking bans. We used data from the Dutch Continuous Survey of Smoking Habits (DCSSH) between 2005 and 2014 (n = 182826). The DCSSH is a national population survey with a cross-sectional design in which respondents aged 15 years and older are surveyed weekly. Acceptance of smoking in public places decreased for six out of eight included venues, with the largest decrease for smoking in restaurants. The decrease in acceptance was larger among younger respondents and smokers. Smoking on terraces was an exception: decrease in acceptance there was larger among older respondents and ex-smokers. Implementation of home smoking bans increased over time. Having implemented a home smoking ban was associated with being male, being younger, having a high socioeconomic status, and being ex- or never smoker. Social acceptance of smoking restrictions has increased in the Netherlands, despite a suboptimal implementation process of smoking restrictions. However, there is still potential for improvement as acceptance of smoking is still quite high for some public venues like bars. It is important to strengthen smoking restrictions in order to further denormalize smoking in the Netherlands. We examined the extent to which smoking restrictions are socially accepted in the Netherlands where smoking restrictions have been implemented and reversed several times. Acceptance of smoking in public places decreased and implementation of home smoking bans increased between 2005 and 2014. Social acceptance of smoking restrictions increased in the Netherlands despite a suboptimal implementation process of smoking restrictions. However, acceptance of smoking in bars remains relatively high. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Long-acting reversible contraceptive acceptability and unintended pregnancy among women presenting for short-acting methods: a randomized patient preference trial.

PubMed

Hubacher, David; Spector, Hannah; Monteith, Charles; Chen, Pai-Lien; Hart, Catherine

2017-02-01

Measures of contraceptive effectiveness combine technology and user-related factors. Observational studies show higher effectiveness of long-acting reversible contraception compared with short-acting reversible contraception. Women who choose long-acting reversible contraception may differ in key ways from women who choose short-acting reversible contraception, and it may be these differences that are responsible for the high effectiveness of long-acting reversible contraception. Wider use of long-acting reversible contraception is recommended, but scientific evidence of acceptability and successful use is lacking in a population that typically opts for short-acting methods. The objective of the study was to reduce bias in measuring contraceptive effectiveness and better isolate the independent role that long-acting reversible contraception has in preventing unintended pregnancy relative to short-acting reversible contraception. We conducted a partially randomized patient preference trial and recruited women aged 18-29 years who were seeking a short-acting method (pills or injectable). Participants who agreed to randomization were assigned to 1 of 2 categories: long-acting reversible contraception or short-acting reversible contraception. Women who declined randomization but agreed to follow-up in the observational cohort chose their preferred method. Under randomization, participants chose a specific method in the category and received it for free, whereas participants in the preference cohort paid for the contraception in their usual fashion. Participants were followed up prospectively to measure primary outcomes of method continuation and unintended pregnancy at 12 months. Kaplan-Meier techniques were used to estimate method continuation probabilities. Intent-to-treat principles were applied after method initiation for comparing incidence of unintended pregnancy. We also measured acceptability in terms of level of happiness with the products. Of the 916 participants, 43% chose randomization and 57% chose the preference option. Complete loss to follow-up at 12 months was <2%. The 12-month method continuation probabilities were 63.3% (95% confidence interval, 58.9-67.3) (preference short-acting reversible contraception), 53.0% (95% confidence interval, 45.7-59.8) (randomized short-acting reversible contraception), and 77.8% (95% confidence interval, 71.0-83.2) (randomized long-acting reversible contraception) (P < .001 in the primary comparison involving randomized groups). The 12-month cumulative unintended pregnancy probabilities were 6.4% (95% confidence interval, 4.1-8.7) (preference short-acting reversible contraception), 7.7% (95% confidence interval, 3.3-12.1) (randomized short-acting reversible contraception), and 0.7% (95% confidence interval, 0.0-4.7) (randomized long-acting reversible contraception) (P = .01 when comparing randomized groups). In the secondary comparisons involving only short-acting reversible contraception users, the continuation probability was higher in the preference group compared with the randomized group (P = .04). However, the short-acting reversible contraception randomized group and short-acting reversible contraception preference group had statistically equivalent rates of unintended pregnancy (P = .77). Seventy-eight percent of randomized long-acting reversible contraception users were happy/neutral with their initial method, compared with 89% of randomized short-acting reversible contraception users (P < .05). However, among method continuers at 12 months, all groups were equally happy/neutral (>90%). Even in a typical population of women who presented to initiate or continue short-acting reversible contraception, long-acting reversible contraception proved highly acceptable. One year after initiation, women randomized to long-acting reversible contraception had high continuation rates and consequently experienced superior protection from unintended pregnancy compared with women using short-acting reversible contraception; these findings are attributable to the initial technology and not underlying factors that often bias observational estimates of effectiveness. The similarly patterned experiences of the 2 short-acting reversible contraception cohorts provide a bridge of generalizability between the randomized group and usual-care preference group. Benefits of increased voluntary uptake of long-acting reversible contraception may extend to wider populations than previously thought. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Terminal Investment Strategies and Male Mate choice: Extreme Tests of Bateman.

PubMed

Andrade, Maydianne C B; Kasumovic, Michael M

2005-11-01

Bateman's principle predicts the intensity of sexual selection depends on rates of increase of fecundity with mating success for each sex (Bateman slopes). The sex with the steeper increase (usually males) is under more intense sexual selection and is expected to compete for access to the sex under less intense sexual selection (usually females). Under Bateman and modern refinements of his ideas, differences in parental investment are key to defining Bateman slopes and thus sex roles. Other theories predict sex differences in mating investment, or any expenditures that reduce male potential reproductive rate, can also control sex roles. We focus on sexual behaviour in systems where males have low paternal investment but frequently mate only once in their lifetimes, after which they are often killed by the female. Mating effort (=terminal investment) is high for these males, and many forms of investment theory might predict sex role reversal. We find no qualitative evidence for sex role reversal in a sample of spiders that show this extreme male investment pattern. We also present new data for terminally-investing redback spiders (Latrodectus hasselti). Bateman slopes are relatively steep for male redbacks, and, as predicted by Bateman, there is little evidence for role reversal. Instead, males are competitive and show limited choosiness despite wide variation in female reproductive value. This study supports the proposal that high male mating investment coupled with low parental investment may predispose males to choosiness but will not lead to role reversal. We support the utility of using Bateman slopes to predict sex roles, even in systems with extreme male mating investment.

Probing the molecular mechanism of action of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor 4'-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine (EFdA) using pre-steady-state kinetics.

PubMed

Muftuoglu, Yagmur; Sohl, Christal D; Mislak, Andrea C; Mitsuya, Hiroaki; Sarafianos, Stefan G; Anderson, Karen S

2014-06-01

The novel antiretroviral 4'-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine (EFdA) is a potent nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor (NRTI). Unlike other FDA-approved NRTIs, EFdA contains a 3'-hydroxyl. Pre-steady-state kinetics showed RT preferred incorporating EFdA-TP over native dATP. Moreover, RT slowly inserted nucleotides past an EFdA-terminated primer, resulting in delayed chain termination with unaffected fidelity. This is distinct from KP1212, another 3'-hydroxyl-containing RT inhibitor considered to promote viral lethal mutagenesis. New mechanistic features of RT inhibition by EFdA are revealed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Probing the molecular mechanism of action of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor 4′-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2′-deoxyadenosine (EFdA) using pre-steady-state kinetics

PubMed Central

Muftuoglu, Yagmur; Sohl, Christal D.; Mislak, Andrea C.; Mitsuya, Hiroaki; Sarafianos, Stefan G.; Anderson, Karen S.

2014-01-01

The novel antiretroviral 4′-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2′-deoxyadenosine (EFdA) is a potent nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor (NRTI). Unlike other FDA-approved NRTIs, EFdA contains a 3′-hydroxyl. Pre-steady-state kinetics showed RT preferred incorporating EFdA-TP over native dATP. Moreover, RT slowly inserted nucleotides past an EFdA-terminated primer, resulting in delayed chain termination with unaffected fidelity. This is distinct from KP1212, another 3′-hydroxyl-containing RT inhibitor considered to promote viral lethal mutagenesis. New mechanistic features of RT inhibition by EFdA are revealed. PMID:24632447

Monolithically integrated Si gate-controlled light-emitting device: science and properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Kaikai

2018-02-01

The motivation of this study is to develop a p-n junction based light emitting device, in which the light emission is conventionally realized using reverse current driving, by voltage driving. By introducing an additional terminal of insulated gate for voltage driving, a novel three-terminal Si light emitting device is described where both the light intensity and spatial light pattern of the device are controlled by the gate voltage. The proposed light emitting device employs injection-enhanced Si in avalanche mode where electric field confinement occurs in the corner of a reverse-biased p+n junction. It is found that, depending on the bias conditions, the light intensity is either a linear or a quadratic function of the applied gate voltage or the reverse-bias. Since the light emission is based on the avalanching mode, the Si light emitting device offers the potential for very large scale integration-compatible light emitters for inter- or intra-chip signal transmission and contactless functional testing of wafers.

Robust spin-current injection in lateral spin valves with two-terminal Co2FeSi spin injectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oki, S.; Kurokawa, T.; Honda, S.; Yamada, S.; Kanashima, T.; Itoh, H.; Hamaya, K.

2017-05-01

We demonstrate generation and detection of pure spin currents by combining a two-terminal spin-injection technique and Co2FeSi (CFS) spin injectors in lateral spin valves (LSVs). We find that the two-terminal spin injection with CFS has the robust dependence of the nonlocal spin signals on the applied bias currents, markedly superior to the four-terminal spin injection with permalloy reported previously. In our LSVs, since the spin transfer torque from one CFS injector to another CFS one is large, the nonlocal magnetoresistance with respect to applied magnetic fields shows large asymmetry in high bias-current conditions. For utilizing multi-terminal spin injection with CFS as a method for magnetization reversals, the terminal arrangement of CFS spin injectors should be taken into account.

The Role of Reversed Equatorial Zonal Transport in Terminating an ENSO Event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, H. C.; Hu, Z. Z.; Huang, B.; Sui, C. H.

2016-02-01

In this study, we demonstrate that a sudden reversal of anomalous equatorial zonal current at the peaking ENSO phase triggers the rapid termination of an ENSO event. Throughout an ENSO cycle, the anomalous equatorial zonal current is strongly controlled by the concavity of the anomalous thermocline meridional structure near the equator. During the ENSO developing phase, the anomalous zonal current in the central and eastern Pacific generally enhances the ENSO growth through its zonal SST advection. In the mature phase of ENSO, however, the equatorial thermocline depth anomalies are reflected in the eastern Pacific and slowly propagate westward off the equator in both hemispheres. As a result, the concavity of the thermocline anomalies near the equator is reversed, i.e., the off-equatorial thermocline depth anomalies become higher than that on the equator for El Niño events and lower for La Niño events. This meridional change of thermocline structure reverses zonal transport rapidly in the central-to-eastern equatorial Pacific, which weakens the ENSO SST anomalies by reversed advection. More importantly, the reversed zonal mass transport weakens the existing zonal tilting of equatorial thermocline and suppresses the thermocline feedback. Both processes are concentrated in the eastern equatorial Pacific and can be effective on subseasonal time scales. These current reversal effects are built-in to the ENSO peak phase and independent of the zonal wind effect on thermocline slope. It functions as an oceanic control on ENSO evolution during both El Niño and La Niña events.

Increasing access to farmers markets for beneficiaries of nutrition assistance: evaluation of the farmers market access project.

PubMed

Cole, Kate; McNees, Molly; Kinney, Karen; Fisher, Kari; Krieger, James W

2013-10-03

Increased acceptance of nutrition benefits at farmers markets could improve access to nutritious foods for low-income shoppers. The objective of this study was to evaluate a pilot project to increase participation by farmers markets and their vendors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The intervention targeted 9 markets in lower-income regions of King County, Washington. Markets and vendors were offered subsidized electronic benefits transfer (EBT) terminals for processing SNAP, and vendors could apply to accept WIC cash value vouchers. WIC staff received information on using SNAP and vouchers at farmers markets. We used mixed methods post-implementation to measure participation, describe factors in acceptance of benefits, and assess information needs for WIC staff to conduct effective outreach. Of approximately 88 WIC-eligible vendors, 38 agreed to accept vouchers. Ten of 125 vendors installed an EBT terminal, and 6 markets installed a central market terminal. The number of market stalls accepting SNAP increased from 80 to 143, an increase of 79%. Participating vendors wanted to provide access to SNAP and WIC shoppers, although redemption rates were low. Some WIC staff members were unfamiliar with markets, which hindered outreach. Vendors and markets value low-income shoppers and, when offered support, will take on some inconvenience to serve them. To improve participation and sustainability, we recommend ongoing subsidies and streamlined procedures better suited to meet markets' capabilities. Low EBT redemption rates at farmers markets suggest a need for more outreach to low-income shoppers and relationship building with WIC staff.

Termination and the Eastern Band of Cherokees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Finger, John R.

1991-01-01

During the 1940s and 1950s, local factors helped the Eastern Cherokees to resist termination of tribal status and federal responsibilities in Indian affairs. Factors include the belief that area tourism depended on Cherokee tribal identity, reluctance of local public schools to accept Indian students, and the band's complex legal status and…

Physical Illness, Psychiatric Illness, and the Acceptability of Suicide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deluty, Robert H.

1989-01-01

Assessed whether attitudes toward suicide vary as function of type of illness that precipitates suicide. College students (N=455) responded to scenarios of suicide victim. Evaluations of suicide were most favorable when it occurred in response to terminal physical illness; less favorable in response to chronic, non-terminal physical illness; and…

Perinatal grief following a termination of pregnancy for foetal abnormality: the impact of coping strategies.

PubMed

Lafarge, Caroline; Mitchell, Kathryn; Fox, Pauline

2013-12-01

Pregnancy termination for foetal abnormality (TFA) can have significant psychological repercussions, but little is known about the coping strategies involved in dealing with TFA. This study examined the relationships between women's coping strategies and perinatal grief. A total of 166 women completed a survey online. Coping and perinatal grief were measured using the Brief COPE and Short Perinatal Grief Scales. Data were analysed through multiple regression analyses. Despite using mostly adaptive coping strategies, women's levels of grief were high and varied according to obstetric and termination variables. Grief was predicted by behavioural disengagement, venting, planning, religion, self-blame, being recently bereaved, being childless at the time of TFA, not having had children/being pregnant since TFA and uncertainty about the decision to terminate the pregnancy. Acceptance and positive reframing negatively predicted grief. Identifying women vulnerable to poor psychological adjustment and promoting coping strategies associated with lower levels of grief may be beneficial. This could be addressed through information provision and interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Moses meets Kübler-Ross: the five stages toward accepting death as seen in the Midrash.

PubMed

Berkowitz, M C

2001-01-01

Elucidates and explains an ancient Midrash (rabbinic interpretation of biblical text, @ 400-600 CE) through the lens of modern psychological theory. Describes Moses's reactions to his approaching death and points out that his reactions follow closely the five classic stages of coming to terms with terminal illness. Brings to light and analyzes a text previously inaccessible to the non-specialist and notes practical applications for pastoral caregivers in dealing with the terminally ill in general. Suggests reasons why Jewish patients may be particularly resistant to accepting death and how using this Midrash could offer a constructive model to approaching death.

Human Factors Assessment: The Passive Final Approach Spacing Tool (pFAST) Operational Evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Katharine K.; Sanford, Beverly D.

1998-01-01

Automation to assist air traffic controllers in the current terminal and en route air traff ic environments is being developed at Ames Research Center in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration. This automation, known collectively as the Center-TRACON Automation System (CTAS), provides decision- making assistance to air traffic controllers through computer-generated advisories. One of the CTAS tools developed specifically to assist terminal area air traffic controllers is the Passive Final Approach Spacing Tool (pFAST). An operational evaluation of PFAST was conducted at the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility. Human factors data collected during the test describe the impact of the automation upon the air traffic controller in terms of perceived workload and acceptance. Results showed that controller self-reported workload was not significantly increased or reduced by the PFAST automation; rather, controllers reported that the levels of workload remained primarily the same. Controller coordination and communication data were analyzed, and significant differences in the nature of controller coordination were found. Controller acceptance ratings indicated that PFAST was acceptable. This report describes the human factors data and results from the 1996 Operational Field Evaluation of Passive FAST.

78 FR 23941 - Pilot Program for Early Feasibility Study Investigational Device Exemption Applications...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-23

...] Pilot Program for Early Feasibility Study Investigational Device Exemption Applications; Extending the... 13343), FDA terminated the acceptance of applications into the program and extended the pilot program for the nine accepted sponsors until May 8, 2013. The pilot program will be further extended for the...

Site-directed mutagenesis of the conserved Asp-443 and Asp-498 carboxy-terminal residues of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

PubMed Central

Mizrahi, V; Usdin, M T; Harington, A; Dudding, L R

1990-01-01

Substitution of the conserved Asp-443 residue of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by asparagine specifically suppressed the ribonuclease H activity of the enzyme without affecting the reverse transcriptase activity, suggesting involvement of this ionizable residue at the ribonuclease H active site. An analogous asparagine substitution of the Asp-498 residue yielded an unstable enzyme that was difficult to enzymatically characterize. However, the instability caused by the Asn-498 mutation was relieved by the introduction of a second distal Asn-443 substitution, yielding an enzyme with wild type reverse transcriptase activity, but lacking ribonuclease H activity. Images PMID:1699202

Prejunctional and postjunctional actions of heptanol and 18 beta-glycyrretinic acid in the rodent vas deferens.

PubMed

Rahman, Faisal; Manchanda, Rohit; Brain, Keith L

2009-06-15

Heptanol and 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (18 beta GA) block gap junctions, but have other actions on transmitter release that have not been characterised. This study investigates the prejunctional and postjunctional effects of these compounds in guinea pig and mouse vas deferens using intracellular electrophysiological recording and confocal Ca(2+) imaging of sympathetic nerve terminals. In mice, heptanol (2 mM) reversibly decreased the amplitude of purinergic excitatory junction potentials (EJPs; 52+/-5%, P<0.05) while having little effect on spontaneous excitatory junction potentials (sEJPs). Heptanol (2 mM) reversibly abolished the nerve terminal Ca(2+) transient in 52% of terminals. 18 beta GA (10 microM) decreased the mean EJP amplitude, and increased input resistance in both mouse (137+/-17%, P<0.05) and guinea pig (354+/-50%, P<0.001) vas deferens indicating gap junction blockade. Further, 18 beta GA increased the sEJP frequency significantly in guinea pigs (by 71+/-25%, P<0.05) and in 5 out of 6 tissues in mice (19+/-3%, P<0.05). Moreover, 18 beta GA depolarised cells from both mice (11+/-1%, P<0.01) and guinea pigs (8+/-1%, P<0.005). Therefore, we conclude that heptanol (2 mM) decreases neurotransmitter release (given the decrease in EJP amplitude) by abolishing the nerve terminal action potential in a proportion of nerve terminals. 18 betaGA (10 microM) effectively blocks the gap junctions, but the increase in sEJP frequency suggests an additional prejunctional effect, which might involve the induction of spontaneous nerve terminal action potentials.

Universal statistics of terminal dynamics before collapse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lenner, Nicolas; Eule, Stephan; Wolf, Fred

Recent biological developments have both drastically increased the precision as well as amount of generated data, allowing for a switching from pure mean value characterization of the process under consideration to an analysis of the whole ensemble, exploiting the stochastic nature of biology. We focus on the general class of non-equilibrium processes with distinguished terminal points as can be found in cell fate decision, check points or cognitive neuroscience. Aligning the data to a terminal point (e.g. represented as an absorbing boundary) allows to device a general methodology to characterize and reverse engineer the terminating history. Using a small noise approximation we derive mean variance and covariance of the aligned data for general finite time singularities.

Cruise-Efficient Short Takeoff and Landing (CESTOL): Potential Impact on Air Traffic Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Couluris, G. J.; Signor, D.; Phillips, J.

2010-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is investigating technological and operational concepts for introducing Cruise-Efficient Short Takeoff and Landing (CESTOL) aircraft into a future US National Airspace System (NAS) civil aviation environment. CESTOL is an aircraft design concept for future use to increase capacity and reduce emissions. CESTOL provides very flexible takeoff, climb, descent and landing performance capabilities and a high-speed cruise capability. In support of NASA, this study is a preliminary examination of the potential operational impact of CESTOL on airport and airspace capacity and delay. The study examines operational impacts at a subject site, Newark Liberty Intemational Airport (KEWR), New Jersey. The study extends these KEWR results to estimate potential impacts on NAS-wide network traffic operations due to the introduction of CESTOL at selected major airports. These are the 34 domestic airports identified in the Federal Aviation Administration's Operational Evolution Plan (OEP). The analysis process uses two fast-time simulation tools to separately model local and NAS-wide air traffic operations using predicted flight schedules for a 24-hour study period in 2016. These tools are the Sen sis AvTerminal model and NASA's Airspace Concept Evaluation System (ACES). We use both to simulate conventional-aircraft-only and CESTOL-mixed-with-conventional-aircraft operations. Both tools apply 4-dimension trajectory modeling to simulate individual flight movement. The study applies AvTerminal to model traffic operations and procedures for en route and terminal arrival and departures to and from KEWR. These AvTerminal applications model existing arrival and departure routes and profiles and runway use configurations, with the assumption jet-powered, large-sized civil CESTOL aircraft use a short runway and standard turboprop arrival and departure procedures. With these rules, the conventional jet and CESTOL aircraft are procedurally separated from each other geographically and in altitude during tenninal airspace approach and departure operations, and each use a different arrival runway. AvTeminal implements its unique Focal-point Scheduling Process to sequence, space and delay aircraft to resolve spacing and overtake conflicts among flights in the airspace and airport system serving KEWR. This Process effectively models integrated arrival and departure operations. AvTerminal assesses acceptance rates and delay magnitude and causality at selected locations, including en route outer boundary fixes, tenninal airspace arrival and departure boundary fixes, terminal airspace arrival merge and departure diverge fixes, and runway landing and takeoff runways. The analysis compares the resulting capacity impacts, flight delays and delay sources between CESTOL and conventional KEWR operations. AvTerminal quantitative results showed that CESTOL has significant capability to increase airport arrival acceptance rates (35-40% at KEWR) by taking advantage of otherwise underused airspace and runways where available. The study extrapolates the AvTerminal-derived KEWR peak arrival and departure acceptance rates to estimate capacity parameter values for each of the OEP airports in the ACES modeling of traffic through the entire NAS network. The extrapolations of acceptance rates allow full, partial or no achievement of CESTOL capacity gains at an OEP airport as determined by assessments of the degree to which local procedures allow leveraging of CESTOL capabilities. These assessments consider each OEP airport's runway geometries, runway system configurations, airport and airspace operations, and potential CESTOL traffic loadings. The ACES modeling, simulates airport and airspace spacing constraints imposed by airport runway system, terminal and en route air traffic control and traffic flow management operations using airport acceptance rates representing conventional-aircraft-only and CESTOL-mixed operations. CEOL aircraft are assumed to have Mach 0.8, and alternatively Mach 0.7, cruise speeds to examine compatibility with conventional aircraft operations in common airspace. The ACES results provides estimates of CESTOL delay impact NAS-wide and at OEP airports due to changes in OEP airport acceptance rates and changes in en route airspace potential conflict rates. Preliminary results show meaningful nationwide delay reductions (20%) due to CESTOL operations at 34 major domestic airports.

Nonvolatile Ionic Two-Terminal Memory Device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Roger M.

1990-01-01

Conceptual solid-state memory device nonvolatile and erasable and has only two terminals. Proposed device based on two effects: thermal phase transition and reversible intercalation of ions. Transfer of sodium ions between source of ions and electrical switching element increases or decreases electrical conductance of element, turning switch "on" or "off". Used in digital computers and neural-network computers. In neural networks, many small, densely packed switches function as erasable, nonvolatile synaptic elements.

Global Distribution of Net Electron Acceptance in Subseafloor Sediment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fulfer, V. M.; Pockalny, R. A.; D'Hondt, S.

2017-12-01

We quantified the global distribution of net electron acceptance rates (e-/m2/year) in subseafloor sediment (>1.5 meters below seafloor [mbsf]) using (i) a modified version of the chemical-reaction-rate algorithm by Wang et al. (2008), (ii) physical properties and dissolved oxygen and sulfate data from interstitial waters of sediment cores collected by the Ocean Drilling Program, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, International Ocean Discovery Program, and U.S. coring expeditions, and (iii) correlation of net electron acceptance rates to global oceanographic properties. Calculated net rates vary from 4.8 x 1019 e-/m2/year for slowly accumulating abyssal clay to 1.2 x 1023 e-/m2/year for regions of high sedimentation rate. Net electron acceptance rate correlates strongly with mean sedimentation rate. Where sedimentation rate is very low (e.g., 1 m/Myr), dissolved oxygen penetrates more than 70 mbsf and is the primary terminal electron acceptor. Where sedimentation rate is moderate (e.g., 3 to 60 m/Myr), dissolved sulfate penetrates as far as 700 mbsf and is the principal terminal electron acceptor. Where sedimentation rate is high (e.g., > 60 m/Myr), dissolved sulfate penetrates only meters, but is the principal terminal electron acceptor in subseafloor sediment to the depth of sulfate penetration. Because microbial metabolism continues at greater depths than the depth of sulfate penetration in fast-accumulating sediment, complete quantification of subseafloor metabolic rates will require consideration of other chemical species.

The specificity and flexibility of l1 reverse transcription priming at imperfect T-tracts.

PubMed

Monot, Clément; Kuciak, Monika; Viollet, Sébastien; Mir, Ashfaq Ali; Gabus, Caroline; Darlix, Jean-Luc; Cristofari, Gaël

2013-05-01

L1 retrotransposons have a prominent role in reshaping mammalian genomes. To replicate, the L1 ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) first uses its endonuclease (EN) to nick the genomic DNA. The newly generated DNA end is subsequently used as a primer to initiate reverse transcription within the L1 RNA poly(A) tail, a process known as target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT). Prior studies demonstrated that most L1 insertions occur into sequences related to the L1 EN consensus sequence (degenerate 5'-TTTT/A-3' sites) and frequently preceded by imperfect T-tracts. However, it is currently unclear whether--and to which degree--the liberated 3'-hydroxyl extremity on the genomic DNA needs to be accessible and complementary to the poly(A) tail of the L1 RNA for efficient priming of reverse transcription. Here, we employed a direct assay for the initiation of L1 reverse transcription to define the molecular rules that guide this process. First, efficient priming is detected with as few as 4 matching nucleotides at the primer 3' end. Second, L1 RNP can tolerate terminal mismatches if they are compensated within the 10 last bases of the primer by an increased number of matching nucleotides. All terminal mismatches are not equally detrimental to DNA extension, a C being extended at higher levels than an A or a G. Third, efficient priming in the context of duplex DNA requires a 3' overhang. This suggests the possible existence of additional DNA processing steps, which generate a single-stranded 3' end to allow L1 reverse transcription. Based on these data we propose that the specificity of L1 reverse transcription initiation contributes, together with the specificity of the initial EN cleavage, to the distribution of new L1 insertions within the human genome.

Increasing Access to Farmers Markets for Beneficiaries of Nutrition Assistance: Evaluation of the Farmers Market Access Project

PubMed Central

Cole, Kate; Kinney, Karen; Fisher, Kari; Krieger, James W.

2013-01-01

Introduction Increased acceptance of nutrition benefits at farmers markets could improve access to nutritious foods for low-income shoppers. The objective of this study was to evaluate a pilot project to increase participation by farmers markets and their vendors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Methods The intervention targeted 9 markets in lower-income regions of King County, Washington. Markets and vendors were offered subsidized electronic benefits transfer (EBT) terminals for processing SNAP, and vendors could apply to accept WIC cash value vouchers. WIC staff received information on using SNAP and vouchers at farmers markets. We used mixed methods post-implementation to measure participation, describe factors in acceptance of benefits, and assess information needs for WIC staff to conduct effective outreach. Results Of approximately 88 WIC-eligible vendors, 38 agreed to accept vouchers. Ten of 125 vendors installed an EBT terminal, and 6 markets installed a central market terminal. The number of market stalls accepting SNAP increased from 80 to 143, an increase of 79%. Participating vendors wanted to provide access to SNAP and WIC shoppers, although redemption rates were low. Some WIC staff members were unfamiliar with markets, which hindered outreach. Conclusion Vendors and markets value low-income shoppers and, when offered support, will take on some inconvenience to serve them. To improve participation and sustainability, we recommend ongoing subsidies and streamlined procedures better suited to meet markets’ capabilities. Low EBT redemption rates at farmers markets suggest a need for more outreach to low-income shoppers and relationship building with WIC staff. PMID:24135392

75 FR 54464 - Delegation of Authority to the Director of Its Division of Enforcement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-08

... Division of Enforcement, in connection with the collection of delinquent debts arising from actions to enforce the federal securities laws, to terminate collection activity or discharge debts, to accept or reject offers to compromise debts, and to accept or reject offers to enter into payment plans. This...

Reversal of a Neurospora Translocation by Crossing over Involving Displaced Rdna, and Methylation of the Rdna Segments That Result from Recombination

PubMed Central

Perkins, David D.; Metzenberg, Robert L.; Raju, Namboori B.; Selker, Eric U.; Barry, Edward G.

1986-01-01

In translocation OY321 of Neurospora crassa, the nucleolus organizer is divided into two segments, a proximal portion located interstitially in one interchange chromosome, and a distal portion now located terminally on another chromosome, linkage group I. In crosses of Translocation x Translocation, exceptional progeny are recovered nonselectively in which the chromosome sequence has apparently reverted to Normal. Genetic, cytological, and molecular evidence indicates that reversion is the result of meiotic crossing over between homologous displaced rDNA repeats. Marker linkages are wild type in these exceptional progeny. They differ from wild type, however, in retaining an interstitial block of rRNA genes which can be demonstrated cytologically by the presence of a second, small interstitial nucleolus and genetically by linkage of an rDNA restriction site polymorphism to the mating-type locus in linkage group I. The interstitial rDNA is more highly methylated than the terminal rDNA. The mechanism by which methylation enzymes distinguish between interstitial rDNA and terminal rDNA is unknown. Some hypotheses are considered. PMID:2947829

Reverse Osmosis Processing of Organic Model Compounds and Fermentation Broths

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-04-01

AFRL-ML-TY-TP-2007-4545 POSTPRINT REVERSE OSMOSIS PROCESSING OF ORGANIC MODEL COMPOUNDS AND FERMENTATION BROTHS Robert Diltz...TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code) Bioresource Technology 98 (2007) 686–695Reverse osmosis processing of organic model compounds and fermentation broths...December 2005; accepted 31 January 2006 Available online 4 April 2006Abstract Post-treatment of an anaerobic fermentation broth was evaluated using a 150

Flight Crew Workload, Acceptability, and Performance When Using Data Comm in a High-Density Terminal Area Simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Norman, R. Michael; Baxley, Brian T.; Adams, Cathy A.; Ellis, Kyle K. E.; Latorella, Kara A.; Comstock, James R., Jr.

2013-01-01

This document describes a collaborative FAA/NASA experiment using 22 commercial airline pilots to determine the effect of using Data Comm to issue messages during busy, terminal area operations. Four conditions were defined that span current day to future flight deck equipage: Voice communication only, Data Comm only, Data Comm with Moving Map Display, and Data Comm with Moving Map displaying taxi route. Each condition was used in an arrival and a departure scenario at Boston Logan Airport. Of particular interest was the flight crew response to D-TAXI, the use of Data Comm by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to send taxi instructions. Quantitative data was collected on subject reaction time, flight technical error, operational errors, and eye tracking information. Questionnaires collected subjective feedback on workload, situation awareness, and acceptability to the flight crew for using Data Comm in a busy terminal area. Results showed that 95% of the Data Comm messages were responded to by the flight crew within one minute and 97% of the messages within two minutes. However, post experiment debrief comments revealed almost unanimous consensus that two minutes was a reasonable expectation for crew response. Flight crews reported that Expected D-TAXI messages were useful, and employment of these messages acceptable at all altitude bands evaluated during arrival scenarios. Results also indicate that the use of Data Comm for all evaluated message types in the terminal area was acceptable during surface operations, and during arrivals at any altitude above the Final Approach Fix, in terms of response time, workload, situation awareness, and flight technical performance. The flight crew reported the use of Data Comm as implemented in this experiment as unacceptable in two instances: in clearances to cross an active runway, and D-TAXI messages between the Final Approach Fix and 80 knots during landing roll. Critical cockpit tasks and the urgency of out-the window scan made the additional head down time to respond to Data Comm messages undesirable during these events. However, most crews also stated that Data Comm messages without an accompanying audio chime and no expectation of an immediate response could be acceptable even during these events.

European public acceptance of euthanasia: socio-demographic and cultural factors associated with the acceptance of euthanasia in 33 European countries.

PubMed

Cohen, Joachim; Marcoux, Isabelle; Bilsen, Johan; Deboosere, Patrick; van der Wal, Gerrit; Deliens, Luc

2006-08-01

In many European countries, the last decade has been marked by an increasing debate about the acceptability and regulation of euthanasia and other end-of-life decisions in medical practice. Growing public sensibility to a 'right to die' for terminally ill patients has been one of the main constituents of these debates. Within this context, we sought to describe and compare acceptance of euthanasia among the general public in 33 European countries. We used the European Values Study data of 1999-2000 with a total of 41125 respondents (63% response rate) in 33 European countries. The main outcome measure concerned the acceptance of euthanasia (defined as 'terminating the life of the incurably sick', rated on a scale from 1 to 10). Results showed that the acceptance of euthanasia tended to be high in some countries (e.g. the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Sweden), while a markedly low acceptance was found in others (e.g. Romania, Malta and Turkey). A multivariate ordinal regression showed that weaker religious belief was the most important factor associated with a higher acceptance; however, there were also socio-demographic differences: younger cohorts, people from non-manual social classes, and people with a higher educational level tended to have a higher acceptance of euthanasia. While religious belief, socio-demographic factors, and also moral values (i.e. the belief in the right to self-determination) could largely explain the differences between countries, our findings suggest that perceptions regarding euthanasia are probably also influenced by national traditions and history (e.g. Germany). Thus, we demonstrated clear cross-national differences with regard to the acceptance of euthanasia, which can serve as an important basis for further debate and research in the specific countries.

Two medical abortion regimens for late first-trimester termination of pregnancy: a prospective randomized trial.

PubMed

Dalenda, Chelly; Ines, Najar; Fathia, Boudaya; Malika, Affes; Bechir, Zouaoui; Ezzeddine, Sfar; Hela, Chelly; Badis, Channoufi Mohamed

2010-04-01

Medical abortion regimens based on the use of either misoprostol alone or in association with mifepristone have shown high efficacy and excellent safety profile in early pregnancy abortion. However, no clear recommendation is available for late first-trimester termination of pregnancy. A prospective randomized controlled trial included 122 women seeking medical abortion at 9 to 12 weeks of gestation. Seventy-three patients were given a fixed protocol of 200 mg of mifepristone followed 48 h later by 400 mcg oral misoprostol (Group 1). The second group of 49 patients was administered 800-mcg intravaginal single-dose misoprostol (Group 2). This study sought to compare safety, efficacy and acceptability of these two nonsurgical abortion regimens. Fifty-nine (80.8%) women in Group 1 had complete abortion vs. 38 (77.4%) women in Group 2 (p=.66). Abdominal pain was observed significantly more often in Group 2 (35/49 (71.4%) vs. 32/73 (43.8%) in Group 1, p<.0001. Medical abortion was equally acceptable among the two groups [37/49 (75.5%) and 55/73 (75.7%), p=.89]. For late first-trimester termination, a single 800-mcg vaginal dose of misoprostol seems to be as effective as the mifepristone+misoprostol regimen, with acceptable side effects. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

20 CFR 408.950 - Will we accept a compromise settlement of an overpayment debt or suspend or terminate collection...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...' Benefits SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN WORLD WAR II VETERANS Underpayments... (31 CFR 900.3 and parts 902 and 903). (c) Effect of compromise, suspension or termination. When we... accordance with provisions of the Social Security Act, other laws, and the standards set forth in 31 CFR...

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

Kwon, Hyock Joo; Abi-Mosleh, Lina; Wang, Michael L.

LDL delivers cholesterol to lysosomes by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Exit of cholesterol from lysosomes requires two proteins, membrane-bound Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) and soluble NPC2. NPC2 binds cholesterol with its isooctyl side chain buried and its 3{beta}-hydroxyl exposed. Here, we describe high-resolution structures of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of NPC1 and complexes with cholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol. NPC1(NTD) binds cholesterol in an orientation opposite to NPC2: 3{beta}-hydroxyl buried and isooctyl side chain exposed. Cholesterol transfer from NPC2 to NPC1(NTD) requires reorientation of a helical subdomain in NPC1(NTD), enlarging the opening for cholesterol entry. NPC1 with point mutations in this subdomain (distinct from themore » binding subdomain) cannot accept cholesterol from NPC2 and cannot restore cholesterol exit from lysosomes in NPC1-deficient cells. We propose a working model wherein after lysosomal hydrolysis of LDL-cholesteryl esters, cholesterol binds NPC2, which transfers it to NPC1(NTD), reversing its orientation and allowing insertion of its isooctyl side chain into the outer lysosomal membranes.« less

Dynamic characteristics of 4H-SiC drift step recovery diodes

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

Ivanov, P. A., E-mail: Pavel.Ivanov@mail.ioffe.ru; Kon’kov, O. I.; Samsonova, T. P.

The dynamic characteristics of 4H-SiC p{sup +}–p–n{sub 0}–n{sup +} diodes are experimentally studied in the pulsed modes characteristic of the operation of drift step recovery diodes (DSRD-mode). The effect of the subnanosecond termination of the reverse current maintained by electron-hole plasma preliminarily pumped by a forward current pulse is analyzed in detail. The influence exerted on the DSRD effect by the amplitude of reverse-voltage pulses, the amplitude and duration of forward-current pulses, and the time delay between the forward and reverse pulses is demonstrated and accounted for.

Novel Structure of Ty3 Reverse Transcriptase | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

Retrotransposons are mobile genetic elements that self amplify via a single-stranded RNA intermediate, which is converted to double-stranded DNA by an encoded reverse transcriptase (RT) with both DNA polymerase (pol) and ribonuclease H (RNase) activities. Categorized by whether they contain flanking long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences, retrotransposons play a critical role in the architecture of eukaryotic genomes and are the evolutionary origin of retroviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Abrupt climate changes during Termination III in Southern Europe

PubMed Central

Pérez-Mejías, Carlos; Moreno, Ana; Sancho, Carlos; Bartolomé, Miguel; Stoll, Heather; Cacho, Isabel; Cheng, Hai; Edwards, R. Lawrence

2017-01-01

The Late Quaternary glacial–interglacial transitions represent the highest amplitude climate changes over the last million years. Unraveling the sequence of events and feedbacks at Termination III (T-III), including potential abrupt climate reversals similar to those of the last Termination, has been particularly challenging due to the scarcity of well-dated records worldwide. Here, we present speleothem data from southern Europe covering the interval from 262.7 to 217.9 kyBP, including the transition from marine isotope stage (MIS) 8 to MIS 7e. High-resolution δ13C, δ18O, and Mg/Ca profiles reveal major millennial-scale changes in aridity manifested in changing water availability and vegetation productivity. uranium–thorium dates provide a solid chronology for two millennial-scale events (S8.1 and S8.2) which, compared with the last two terminations, has some common features with Heinrich 1 and Heinrich 2 in Termination I (T-I). PMID:28874530

Abrupt climate changes during Termination III in Southern Europe.

PubMed

Pérez-Mejías, Carlos; Moreno, Ana; Sancho, Carlos; Bartolomé, Miguel; Stoll, Heather; Cacho, Isabel; Cheng, Hai; Edwards, R Lawrence

2017-09-19

The Late Quaternary glacial-interglacial transitions represent the highest amplitude climate changes over the last million years. Unraveling the sequence of events and feedbacks at Termination III (T-III), including potential abrupt climate reversals similar to those of the last Termination, has been particularly challenging due to the scarcity of well-dated records worldwide. Here, we present speleothem data from southern Europe covering the interval from 262.7 to 217.9 kyBP, including the transition from marine isotope stage (MIS) 8 to MIS 7e. High-resolution δ 13 C, δ 18 O, and Mg/Ca profiles reveal major millennial-scale changes in aridity manifested in changing water availability and vegetation productivity. uranium-thorium dates provide a solid chronology for two millennial-scale events (S8.1 and S8.2) which, compared with the last two terminations, has some common features with Heinrich 1 and Heinrich 2 in Termination I (T-I).

Abrupt climate changes during Termination III in Southern Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez-Mejías, Carlos; Moreno, Ana; Sancho, Carlos; Bartolomé, Miguel; Stoll, Heather; Cacho, Isabel; Cheng, Hai; Edwards, R. Lawrence

2017-09-01

The Late Quaternary glacial-interglacial transitions represent the highest amplitude climate changes over the last million years. Unraveling the sequence of events and feedbacks at Termination III (T-III), including potential abrupt climate reversals similar to those of the last Termination, has been particularly challenging due to the scarcity of well-dated records worldwide. Here, we present speleothem data from southern Europe covering the interval from 262.7 to 217.9 kyBP, including the transition from marine isotope stage (MIS) 8 to MIS 7e. High-resolution δ13C, δ18O, and Mg/Ca profiles reveal major millennial-scale changes in aridity manifested in changing water availability and vegetation productivity. uranium-thorium dates provide a solid chronology for two millennial-scale events (S8.1 and S8.2) which, compared with the last two terminations, has some common features with Heinrich 1 and Heinrich 2 in Termination I (T-I).

Terminal addition in a cellular world.

PubMed

Torday, J S; Miller, William B

2018-07-01

Recent advances in our understanding of evolutionary development permit a reframed appraisal of Terminal Addition as a continuous historical process of cellular-environmental complementarity. Within this frame of reference, evolutionary terminal additions can be identified as environmental induction of episodic adjustments to cell-cell signaling patterns that yield the cellular-molecular pathways that lead to differing developmental forms. Phenotypes derive, thereby, through cellular mutualistic/competitive niche constructions in reciprocating responsiveness to environmental stresses and epigenetic impacts. In such terms, Terminal Addition flows according to a logic of cellular needs confronting environmental challenges over space-time. A reconciliation of evolutionary development and Terminal Addition can be achieved through a combined focus on cell-cell signaling, molecular phylogenies and a broader understanding of epigenetic phenomena among eukaryotic organisms. When understood in this manner, Terminal Addition has an important role in evolutionary development, and chronic disease might be considered as a form of 'reverse evolution' of the self-same processes. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

[Could infant euthanasia be ever acceptable?].

PubMed

Beca, J P; Leiva, A

2014-10-01

The recent enactment of a law that allows infant euthanasia in Belgium raises questions with varied answers. To contribute to a better understanding of the topic, euthanasia and legislation concepts are described. After a bioethical analysis, we propose as conclusion that children euthanasia could only be acceptable in very exceptional situations in which palliative measures have failed. The answer should be that it is not acceptable in our setting, not until we have public policies, protocols and palliative care services for terminally ill children.

[Human dignity and terminal situations].

PubMed

Masiá, J

2007-01-01

Dignity should not be confused with the unbecoming conditions that a person can find himself in due to external situations or disease. The person/patient in a terminal situation has human dignity, which must be respected not because he/she is a terminal patient but simply because he/she is a person. But it is true that in terminal situations dignity can be particularly threatened. Nonetheless, one must not deduce from the criterion of respecting dignity the conclusion of prolonging biological life at all costs, but instead that of guaranteeing the best quality of living during the process of dying and of worthily accompanying the person who is approaching death by helping him to accept this.

Development of a character, line and point display system. [for medical records

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Owen, E. W.

1977-01-01

A compact graphics terminal for use as the input to a computerized medical records system is described. The principal mode of communication between the terminal and the records system is by checklists and menu selection. However, the terminal accepts short, handwritten messages as well as conventional alphanumeric input. The terminal consists of an electronic tablet, a display, a microcomputer controller, a character generator, and a refresh memory for the display. An Intel SBC 80/10 microcomputer controls the flow of information and a 16 kilobyte memory stores the point-by-point array of information to be displayed. A specially designed interface continuously generates the raster display without the intervention of the microcomputer.

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

Nabavi, Sadeq; Nazar, Ross N., E-mail: rnnazar@uoguelph.ca

The maturation of many small nuclear RNAs is dependent on RNase III-like endonuclease mediated cleavage, which generates a loading site for the exosome complex that trims the precursor at its 3' end. Using a temperature sensitive Pac1 nuclease, here we show that the endonuclease cleavage is equally important in terminating the transcription of the U2 snRNA in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Using a temperature sensitive Dhp1p 5' {yields} 3' exonuclease, we demonstrate that it also is an essential component of the termination pathway. Taken together the results support a 'reversed torpedoes' model for the termination and maturation of the U2 snRNA; themore » Pac1 endonuclease cleavage provides entry sites for the 3' and 5' exonuclease activities, leading to RNA maturation in one direction and transcript termination in the other.« less

The Application of a Homologous Recombination Assay Revealed Amino Acid Residues in an LTR-Retrotransposon That Were Critical for Integration

PubMed Central

Atwood, Angela; Choi, Jeannie; Levin, Henry L.

1998-01-01

Retroviruses and their relatives, the LTR-retrotransposons, possess an integrase protein (IN) that is required for the insertion of reverse transcripts into the genome of host cells. Schizosaccharomyces pombe is the host of Tf1, an LTR-retrotransposon with integration activity that can be studied by using techniques of yeast genetics. In this study, we sought to identify amino acid substitutions in Tf1 that specifically affected the integration step of transposition. In addition to seeking amino acid substitutions in IN, we also explored the possibility that other Tf1 proteins contributed to integration. By comparing the results of genetic assays that monitored both transposition and reverse transcription, we were able to seek point mutations throughout Tf1 that blocked transposition but not the synthesis of reverse transcripts. These mutant versions of Tf1 were candidates of elements that possessed defects in the integration step of transposition. Five mutations in Tf1 that resulted in low levels of integration were found to be located in the IN protein: two substitutions in the N-terminal Zn domain, two in the catalytic core, and one in the C-terminal domain. These results suggested that each of the three IN domains was required for Tf1 transposition. The potential role of these five amino acid residues in the function of IN is discussed. Two of the mutations that reduced integration mapped to the RNase H (RH) domain of Tf1 reverse transcriptase. The Tf1 elements with the RH mutations produced high levels of reverse transcripts, as determined by recombination and DNA blot analysis. These results indicated that the RH of Tf1 possesses a function critical for transposition that is independent of the accumulation of reverse transcripts. PMID:9445033

Paleointensity Behavior and Intervals Between Geomagnetic Reversals in the Last 167 Ma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurazhkovskii, A. Yu.; Kurazhkovskaya, N. A.; Klain, B. I.

2018-01-01

The results of comparative analysis of the behavior of paleointensity and polarity (intervals between reversals) of the geomagnetic field for the last 167 Ma are presented. Similarities and differences in the behavior of these characteristics of the geomagnetic field are discussed. It is shown that bursts of paleointensity and long intervals between reversals occurred at high mean values of paleointensity in the Cretaceous and Paleogene. However, there are differences between the paleointensity behavior and the reversal regime: (1) the characteristic times of paleointensity variations are less than the characteristic times of the frequency of geomagnetic reversals, (2) the achievement of maximum values of paleointensity at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and the termination of paleointensity bursts after the boundary of 45-40 Ma are not marked by explicit features in the geomagnetic polarity behavior.

48 CFR 245.7307-2 - Justification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... terminated research and development contracts with educational institutions; (2) No acceptable bids received under an advertised competitive sale; (3) Property value so small that anticipated proceeds would not...

V/STOLAND avionics system flight-test data on a UH-1H helicopter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, F. A.; Jaynes, D. N.; Corliss, L. D.; Liden, S.; Merrick, R. B.; Dugan, D. C.

1980-01-01

The flight-acceptance test results obtained during the acceptance tests of the V/STOLAND (versatile simplex digital avionics system) digital avionics system on a Bell UH-1H helicopter in 1977 at Ames Research Center are presented. The system provides navigation, guidance, control, and display functions for NASA terminal area VTOL research programs and for the Army handling qualities research programs at Ames Research Center. The acceptance test verified system performance and contractual acceptability. The V/STOLAND hardware navigation, guidance, and control laws resident in the digital computers are described. Typical flight-test data are shown and discussed as documentation of the system performance at acceptance from the contractor.

The C-terminal domain of Tetrahymena thermophila telomerase holoenzyme protein p65 induces multiple structural changes in telomerase RNA

PubMed Central

Akiyama, Benjamin M.; Loper, John; Najarro, Kevin; Stone, Michael D.

2012-01-01

The unique cellular activity of the telomerase reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) requires proper assembly of protein and RNA components into a functional complex. In the ciliate model organism Tetrahymena thermophila, the La-domain protein p65 is required for in vivo assembly of telomerase. Single-molecule and biochemical studies have shown that p65 promotes efficient RNA assembly with the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein, in part by inducing a bend in the conserved stem IV region of telomerase RNA (TER). The domain architecture of p65 consists of an N-terminal domain, a La-RRM motif, and a C-terminal domain (CTD). Using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET), we demonstrate the p65CTD is necessary for the RNA remodeling activity of the protein and is sufficient to induce a substantial conformational change in stem IV of TER. Moreover, nuclease protection assays directly map the site of p65CTD interaction to stem IV and reveal that, in addition to bending stem IV, p65 binding reorganizes nucleotides that comprise the low-affinity TERT binding site within stem–loop IV. PMID:22315458

28 CFR 811.6 - Duration of the obligation to register.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... section. (c) Reversal, vacation, or pardon. A person's obligation to register terminates if the person's conviction, finding of not guilty by reason of insanity, or finding that the person is a sexual psychopath is...

The origin of the post-tetanic hyperpolarization of mammalian motor nerve terminals

PubMed Central

Gage, P. W.; Hubbard, J. I.

1966-01-01

1. Motor nerve terminals in magnesium-poisoned rat hemidiaphragm-phrenic nerve preparations in vitro were stimulated with short depolarizing pulses of approximately threshold strength and the evoked antidromic responses recorded from the phrenic nerve. The percentage of these 1/sec or 0·5/sec stimuli to which there was no antidromic response was used as a quantitative measure of the terminal excitability. After standard tetanic stimulation (1000 impulses at 100/sec) the excitability of the terminals was depressed for an average duration of 60-70 sec, during most of which time no antidromic responses to stimuli of pretetanic intensity were recorded. There was no significant interaction between stimuli to the terminals at rates of 1 or 0·5/sec. 2. Potassium-free solutions at first increased, then decreased, the post-tetanic depression of excitability. Raising [K]o threefold (15 mM) abolished the post-tetanic depression and often converted it to an exaltation of excitability. 3. Polarizing currents were applied to the terminals with a second electrode. Depolarizing currents increased, while hyperpolarizing currents decreased, the post-tetanic depression of excitability. 4. In solutions with 70% of the normal NaCl content replaced by sucrose, the post-tetanic depression of excitability was reversibly prolonged. 5. In the presence of 7·7 × 10-6 M digoxin or 0·42 mM ouabain there was a small reversible reduction of post-tetanic excitability. 6. After exposure to solutions containing no glucose or to solutions containing 3-5 mM sodium azide the excitability of the terminals was not altered by the tetanus. After washing with the control solution, post-tetanic depression of excitability returned. Antimycin-A (1·8 × 10-6 M) had little or no effect upon post-tetanic excitability. 7. It was concluded that the post-tetanic depression of excitability reflected hyperpolarization of the terminals and that this hyperpolarization was caused by a shift of the membrane potential towards the potassium equilibrium potential because of an increase in potassium permeability. ImagesFig. 1 PMID:5921834

Gray water recycle: Effect of pretreatment technologies on low pressure reverse osmosis treatment

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Gray water can be a valuable source of water when properly treated to reduce the risks associated with chemical and microbial contamination to acceptable levels for the intended reuse application. In this study, the treatment of gray water using low pressure reverse osmosis (RO) filtration after pre...

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Habit Reversal Training for the Treatment of Trichotillomania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crosby, Jesse M.; Dehlin, John P.; Mitchell, P. R.; Twohig, Michael P.

2012-01-01

Trichotillomania is a behavioral problem, and is often referred to as a habit disorder, but it is important to consider the cognitive and emotional components of the behavior. Current treatment recommendations include a traditional behavioral approach (Habit Reversal Training; HRT) combined with an approach that addresses the cognitive and…

Absolute Negative Resistance Induced by Directional Electron-Electron Scattering in a Two-Dimensional Electron Gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaya, Ismet I.; Eberl, Karl

2007-05-01

A three-terminal device formed by two electrostatic barriers crossing an asymmetrically patterned two-dimensional electron gas displays an unusual potential depression at the middle contact, yielding absolute negative resistance. The device displays momentum and current transfer ratios that far exceed unity. The observed reversal of the current or potential in the middle terminal can be interpreted as the analog of Bernoulli’s effect in a Fermi liquid. The results are explained by directional scattering of electrons in two dimensions.

Environmental Interactions of Hydrazine Fuels in Soil/Water Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-10-01

model requires that two equations be solved numerically, one for convective-dispersive transport ac/at = D a2 C/az 2 - uaC/az + [p/Glk S I - kfC [7...the menu and get the users choice; if [CHoice.LE.0) THEN If (.Not.AskOus’Do you wish to terminate?’,.true.,12)) (confirm termination before...Return to General Simulation Parameters Menu ’,’ & ’<l> Ion-Exchange (Hydrazium vs Calcium)’, & ’ɚ> Reversible Sorption’, & ’ɛ> Irreversible Sorption

A Numerical Analysis of Electromagnetic Scattering from Two-Dimensional Edge Terminations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gray, B. E.; Dominek, A. K.; Wang, N.

1995-01-01

Several techniques that influence the low frequency scattering from penetrable edge terminations are evaluated using a hybrid finite element and boundary element method code. The edge terminations consist of a dielectric skin forming an exterior shape with an internal conducting bulkhead. Some of the techniques considered are bulkhead shaping, internal material loading, placement of resistive cards, and the placement of lossy dielectric material rods. The intent of the various treatments is to find a combination or combinations that influence(s) the backscattered field to acceptable levels over a range of frequencies for both transverse magnetic and transverse electric polarizations.

Rapid preparation of lecture slides.

PubMed

Persson, A V; Frusha, J D; Chevalier, R J

1985-02-01

When lecture slides must be prepared at a moment's notice, these methods of rapid preparation will allow you to create good quality slides. Although rush jobs are usually associated with higher costs, using these methods will keep the price per slide to a minimum. An investment must be made for the initial equipment, but the cost per slide is much less than that of slides produced by the standard methods. Type produced by typewriters or computer printers is adequate for most slides, but better slides can be produced with KroyType or Letraset letters. The KL film is preferred for reverse slides of text or line drawings, and the RPC film for production of radiographic slides. If an X-omat developer is not available, Polaroid film is a good alternative for rapid production of slides. The KL reverse slide projects best and can be colored, but RPC film produces a good positive slide of typed material. We have also photographed from a computer terminal screen using the KL film to make positive slides, the Polaroid continuous tone film for reverse slides, and Polaroid color film for color slides of material composed on a computer terminal with multicolor and graphics capabilities.

The Specificity and Flexibility of L1 Reverse Transcription Priming at Imperfect T-Tracts

PubMed Central

Viollet, Sébastien; Mir, Ashfaq Ali; Gabus, Caroline; Darlix, Jean-Luc; Cristofari, Gaël

2013-01-01

L1 retrotransposons have a prominent role in reshaping mammalian genomes. To replicate, the L1 ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) first uses its endonuclease (EN) to nick the genomic DNA. The newly generated DNA end is subsequently used as a primer to initiate reverse transcription within the L1 RNA poly(A) tail, a process known as target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT). Prior studies demonstrated that most L1 insertions occur into sequences related to the L1 EN consensus sequence (degenerate 5′-TTTT/A-3′ sites) and frequently preceded by imperfect T-tracts. However, it is currently unclear whether—and to which degree—the liberated 3′-hydroxyl extremity on the genomic DNA needs to be accessible and complementary to the poly(A) tail of the L1 RNA for efficient priming of reverse transcription. Here, we employed a direct assay for the initiation of L1 reverse transcription to define the molecular rules that guide this process. First, efficient priming is detected with as few as 4 matching nucleotides at the primer 3′ end. Second, L1 RNP can tolerate terminal mismatches if they are compensated within the 10 last bases of the primer by an increased number of matching nucleotides. All terminal mismatches are not equally detrimental to DNA extension, a C being extended at higher levels than an A or a G. Third, efficient priming in the context of duplex DNA requires a 3′ overhang. This suggests the possible existence of additional DNA processing steps, which generate a single-stranded 3′ end to allow L1 reverse transcription. Based on these data we propose that the specificity of L1 reverse transcription initiation contributes, together with the specificity of the initial EN cleavage, to the distribution of new L1 insertions within the human genome. PMID:23675310

A simulator evaluation of an automatic terminal approach system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hinton, D. A.

1983-01-01

The automatic terminal approach system (ATAS) is a concept for improving the pilot/machine interface with cockpit automation. The ATAS can automatically fly a published instrument approach by using stored instrument approach data to automatically tune airplane avionics, control the airplane's autopilot, and display status information to the pilot. A piloted simulation study was conducted to determine the feasibility of an ATAS, determine pilot acceptance, and examine pilot/ATAS interaction. Seven instrument-rated pilots each flew four instrument approaches with a base-line heading select autopilot mode. The ATAS runs resulted in lower flight technical error, lower pilot workload, and fewer blunders than with the baseline autopilot. The ATAS status display enabled the pilots to maintain situational awareness during the automatic approaches. The system was well accepted by the pilots.

Evidence for the packaging of multiple copies of Tf1 mRNA into particles and the trans priming of reverse transcription.

PubMed

Haag, A L; Lin, J H; Levin, H L

2000-08-01

Long terminal repeat (LTR)-containing retrotransposons and retroviruses are close relatives that possess similar mechanisms of reverse transcription. The particles of retroviruses package two copies of viral mRNA that both function as templates for the reverse transcription of the element. We studied the LTR-retrotransposon Tf1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe to test whether multiple copies of transposon mRNA participate in the production of cDNA. Using the unique self-priming property of Tf1, we obtained evidence that multiple copies of Tf1 mRNA were packaged into virus-like particles. By coexpressing two distinct versions of Tf1, we found that the bulk of reverse transcription that was initiated on one mRNA template was subsequently transferred to others. In addition, the first 11 nucleotides of one mRNA were able to prime, in trans, the reverse transcription of another mRNA.

Effect of redox conditions on MTBE biodegradation in surface water Sediments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bradley, P.M.; Chapelle, F.H.; Landmeyer, J.E.

2001-01-01

Microbial degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was observed in surface water-sediment microcosms under anaerobic conditions. The efficiency and products of anaerobic MTBE biodegradation were dependent on the predominant terminal electron-accepting conditions. In the presence of substantial methanogenic activity, MTBE biodegradation was nominal and involved reduction of MTBE to the toxic product, tert-butyl alcohol (TBA). In the absence of significant methanogenic activity, accumulation of [14C]TBA generally decreased, and mineralization of [U-14C]MTBE to 14CO2 generally increased as the oxidative potential of the predominant terminal electron acceptor increased in the order of SO4, Fe(III), Mn(IV) < NO3 < O2. Microbial mineralization of MTBE to CO2 under Mn(IV)or SO4-reducing conditions has not been reported previously. The results of this study indicate that microorganisms inhabiting the sediments of streams and lakes can degrade MTBE effectively under a range of anaerobic terminal electron-accepting conditions. Thus, anaerobic bed sediment microbial processes may provide a significant environmental sink for MTBE in surface water systems throughout the United States.

Effects of amantadine on modification of dopamine dependent behaviours by molindone.

PubMed

Dhaware, B S; Balsara, J J; Nandal, N V; Chandorkar, A G

2000-08-01

Amantadine, a dopamine agonist is reported to act by releasing dopamine from the dopaminergic nerve terminals as an anti-Parkinsonian drug. In the present behavioural study in the rat, molindone-induced catalepsy and ptosis, which are dopamine dependent-behaviors are reversed by amantadine. Amantadine has also revered molindone-induced inhibition of traction response in mice. Our study indicates that amantadine, like other DA agonists, e.g. amphetamine and apomorphine can antagonize or even reverse the neuroleptic induced dopaminergic behaviors.

Analysis of the primary structure of the long terminal repeat and the gag and pol genes of the human spumaretrovirus.

PubMed Central

Maurer, B; Bannert, H; Darai, G; Flügel, R M

1988-01-01

The nucleotide sequence of the human spumaretrovirus (HSRV) genome was determined. The 5' long terminal repeat region was analyzed by strong stop cDNA synthesis and S1 nuclease mapping. The length of the RU5 region was determined and found to be 346 nucleotides long. The 5' long terminal repeat is 1,123 base pairs long and is bound by an 18-base-pair primer-binding site complementary to the 3' end of mammalian lysine-1,2-specific tRNA. Open reading frames for gag and pol genes were identified. Surprisingly, the HSRV gag protein does not contain the cysteine motif of the nucleic acid-binding proteins found in and typical of all other retroviral gag proteins; instead the HSRV gag gene encodes a strongly basic protein reminiscent of those of hepatitis B virus and retrotransposons. The carboxy-terminal part of the HSRV gag gene products encodes a protease domain. The pol gene overlaps the gag gene and is postulated to be synthesized as a gag/pol precursor via translational frameshifting analogous to that of Rous sarcoma virus, with 7 nucleotides immediately upstream of the termination codons of gag conserved between the two viral genomes. The HSRV pol gene is 2,730 nucleotides long, and its deduced protein sequence is readily subdivided into three well-conserved domains, the reverse transcriptase, the RNase H, and the integrase. Although the degree of homology of the HSRV reverse transcriptase domain is highest to that of murine leukemia virus, the HSRV genomic organization is more similar to that of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses. The data justify classifying the spumaretroviruses as a third subfamily of Retroviridae. Images PMID:2451755

Alpha-A crystallin: quantitation of C-terminal modification during lens aging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takemoto, L.; Gopalakrishnan, S.; Spooner, B. S. (Principal Investigator)

1994-01-01

Previous studies have demonstrated that the C-terminal region of alpha-A crystallin is susceptible to age-dependent, posttranslational modification. To quantitate the amount of modification, alpha-A crystallin was purified from total proteins of the aging bovine lens, then digested with lys-C endoproteinase. Reverse phase, high pressure liquid chromatography was used to resolve and quantitate the resulting peptides, to determine the amount of C-terminal peptide relative to peptides from other regions of the protein that have not been reported to undergo modification. The results indicate that relative to alpha-A crystallin from newborn lens, posttranslational modification has occurred in approximately 45-55% of the C-terminal region from mature lens. These results demonstrate extensive modification of the C-terminal region of alpha-A crystallin from the mature lens, indicating that during the aging process, posttranslational modifications in this region may make significant contributions to the aggregated state and/or molecular chaperone properties of the molecule.

Randomised preference trial of medical versus surgical termination of pregnancy less than 14 weeks' gestation (TOPS).

PubMed

Robson, S C; Kelly, T; Howel, D; Deverill, M; Hewison, J; Lie, M L S; Stamp, E; Armstrong, N; May, C R

2009-11-01

To determine the acceptability, efficacy and costs of medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) compared with surgical termination of pregnancy (STOP) at less than 14 weeks' gestation, and to understand women's decision-making processes and experiences when accessing the termination service. A partially randomised preference trial and economic evaluation with follow-up at 2 weeks and 3 months. The Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Women accepted for termination of pregnancy (TOP) under the relevant Acts of Parliament with pregnancies < 14 weeks' gestation on the day of abortion. A further group of women attending contraception and sexual health clinics participated in a discrete choice experiment (DCE). STOP: all women > or = 6 weeks' and < 14 weeks' gestation were primed with misoprostol 400 micrograms 2 hours before the procedure. STOP was performed under general anaesthesia using vacuum aspiration. MTOP: all women < 14 weeks' gestation were given mifepristone 200 milligrams orally, returning 36-48 hours later for misoprostol. Main outcome measure was acceptability of TOP method. Secondary outcome measures included strength of preference by willingness to pay (WTP); distress, using the Impact of Event Scale (IES); anxiety and depression; satisfaction with care; experience of care; frequency and extent of symptoms including self-assessment of pain; clinical effectiveness; and complications. A DCE was used to identify attributes that shape women's preferences for abortion services. The trial recruited 1877 women, 349 in the randomised arms and 1528 in the preference arms. Of those in the preference arms, 54% chose MTOP. At 2 weeks after the procedure more women having STOP would choose the same method again in the future. Acceptability of MTOP declined with increasing gestational age. The difference in acceptability between STOP and MTOP persisted at 3 months. At 2 weeks after TOP, women in the preference arms were prepared to pay more to have their preferred option. There was no difference in anxiety or depression scores in women having MTOP or STOP. However, women randomised to MTOP had higher scores on subscales of the IES at both 2 weeks and 3 months. There was no difference in IES scores between MTOP and STOP in the preference arm. Women were more likely to be satisfied overall and with technical and interpersonal aspects of care if they had STOP rather than MTOP. Experience of care scores were lower after MTOP in both randomised and preference arms. During admission women undergoing MTOP had more symptoms and reported higher mean pain scores, and after discharge reported more nausea and diarrhoea. There were no differences in time taken to return to work between groups; around 90% had returned to work and normal activity by 2 weeks. Rates of unplanned or emergency admissions were higher after MTOP than after STOP. Overall complication rates were also higher after MTOP, although this only achieved statistical significance in the preference arm. Overall, STOP cost more than MTOP due to higher inpatient standard costs. Even though complication rates were higher with MTOP, it was still more cost-effective. DCE identified three attributes with an almost equal impact on women's preferences: provision of counselling, number of days delay to the procedure, and possibility of an overnight stay. MTOP was associated with more negative experiences of care and lower acceptability. Acceptability of MTOP declined with increasing gestational age. MTOP was less costly but also less effective than STOP. The majority of women choosing MTOP were satisfied with their care and found the procedure acceptable. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: An audit of provision of MTOP and STOP in England and Wales is urgently required. Further studies exploring the barriers to offering women the choice of method of TOP are needed, together with research on the acceptability and effectiveness of (1) MTOP and manual VA in pregnancies below 9 weeks' gestation and (2) MTOP and dilatation and evacuation after 14 weeks' gestation. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN07823656.

48 CFR 49.001 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS 49.001 Definitions. As used in this part— Other work means any current or scheduled... classification. The final phase of the plant clearance period means that period after receipt of acceptable...

48 CFR 49.001 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS 49.001 Definitions. As used in this part— Other work means any current or scheduled... classification. The final phase of the plant clearance period means that period after receipt of acceptable...

Rational suicide in the terminally ill.

PubMed

Fontana, Joyce S

2002-01-01

To examine the current debate over the right to die specific to the rational suicide of terminally ill patients. Literature was reviewed for information concerning historical end-of-life practices and the past acceptance of suicide. Another review showed philosophical opinions and perspectives that spanned from ancient Greece and the Roman Empire to modern philosophical discourse. A case study of a terminally ill woman who chose suicide is presented to apply the history and philosophy to nursing care today. As more nursing care is delivered in patients' homes, nurses will face this situation with increasing frequency. A call is made for organizations to provide guidelines for nursing practice.

Terminator Disparity Contributes to Stereo Matching for Eye Movements and Perception

PubMed Central

Optican, Lance M.; Cumming, Bruce G.

2013-01-01

In the context of motion detection, the endings (or terminators) of 1-D features can be detected as 2-D features, affecting the perceived direction of motion of the 1-D features (the barber-pole illusion) and the direction of tracking eye movements. In the realm of binocular disparity processing, an equivalent role for the disparity of terminators has not been established. Here we explore the stereo analogy of the barber-pole stimulus, applying disparity to a 1-D noise stimulus seen through an elongated, zero-disparity, aperture. We found that, in human subjects, these stimuli induce robust short-latency reflexive vergence eye movements, initially in the direction orthogonal to the 1-D features, but shortly thereafter in the direction predicted by the disparity of the terminators. In addition, these same stimuli induce vivid depth percepts, which can only be attributed to the disparity of line terminators. When the 1-D noise patterns are given opposite contrast in the two eyes (anticorrelation), both components of the vergence response reverse sign. Finally, terminators drive vergence even when the aperture is defined by a texture (as opposed to a contrast) boundary. These findings prove that terminators contribute to stereo matching, and constrain the type of neuronal mechanisms that might be responsible for the detection of terminator disparity. PMID:24285893

Terminator disparity contributes to stereo matching for eye movements and perception.

PubMed

Quaia, Christian; Optican, Lance M; Cumming, Bruce G

2013-11-27

In the context of motion detection, the endings (or terminators) of 1-D features can be detected as 2-D features, affecting the perceived direction of motion of the 1-D features (the barber-pole illusion) and the direction of tracking eye movements. In the realm of binocular disparity processing, an equivalent role for the disparity of terminators has not been established. Here we explore the stereo analogy of the barber-pole stimulus, applying disparity to a 1-D noise stimulus seen through an elongated, zero-disparity, aperture. We found that, in human subjects, these stimuli induce robust short-latency reflexive vergence eye movements, initially in the direction orthogonal to the 1-D features, but shortly thereafter in the direction predicted by the disparity of the terminators. In addition, these same stimuli induce vivid depth percepts, which can only be attributed to the disparity of line terminators. When the 1-D noise patterns are given opposite contrast in the two eyes (anticorrelation), both components of the vergence response reverse sign. Finally, terminators drive vergence even when the aperture is defined by a texture (as opposed to a contrast) boundary. These findings prove that terminators contribute to stereo matching, and constrain the type of neuronal mechanisms that might be responsible for the detection of terminator disparity.

46 CFR 159.010-19 - Termination of acceptance or recognition: Procedure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., CONSTRUCTION, AND MATERIALS: SPECIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL APPROVAL OF EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS Independent... of the laboratory and may direct the holder of the certificate of approval to cease claiming that the...

46 CFR 159.010-19 - Termination of acceptance or recognition: Procedure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., CONSTRUCTION, AND MATERIALS: SPECIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL APPROVAL OF EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS Independent... of the laboratory and may direct the holder of the certificate of approval to cease claiming that the...

Dual power, constant speed electric motor system

DOEpatents

Kirschbaum, H.S.

1984-07-31

A dual capacity permanent split capacitor electric motor system is provided with a stator having main and auxiliary windings. The main stator winding includes two winding sections which are connected in parallel with each other and across a pair of line terminals while the auxiliary winding is connected in series with a capacitor to form a circuit branch which is connected between the line terminals for operation at a first output power level. Switching means are provided to reconnect the main stator winding sections in series with each other and in series with a second capacitor to form a circuit branch which is connected between the line terminals while the stator auxiliary winding is connected directly between the line terminals for operation at a second output power level. Automatic rotation reversal occurs when the motor switches from the first to the second output power level. 6 figs.

Dual power, constant speed electric motor system

DOEpatents

Kirschbaum, Herbert S.

1984-01-01

A dual capacity permanent split capacitor electric motor system is provided with a stator having main and auxiliary windings. The main stator winding includes two winding sections which are connected in parallel with each other and across a pair of line terminals while the auxiliary winding is connected in series with a capacitor to form a circuit branch which is connected between the line terminals for operation at a first output power level. Switching means are provided to reconnect the main stator winding sections in series with each other and in series with a second capacitor to form a circuit branch which is connected between the line terminals while the stator auxiliary winding is connected directly between the line terminals for operation at a second output power level. Automatic rotation reversal occurs when the motor switches from the first to the second output power level.

Inadvertent transposition of defibrillator coil terminal pins causing inappropriate ICD therapies.

PubMed

Issa, Ziad F

2008-06-01

We report the case of a 65-year-old man with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) and severe ischemic cardiomyopathy who underwent implantation of a prophylactic single-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The patient experienced inappropriate ICD therapies due to oversensing of pectoral muscle myopotential secondary to reversal of the defibrillator coil terminal pins in the ICD header. Recognizing this possibility is important to avoid misinterpretation of spontaneous oversensing as hardware failure (e.g., lead fracture or insulation breech) and potentially unnecessary ICD system surgical intervention, including lead extraction.

Synthesis of high quality phosphorothioate oligonucleotides as antisense drugs. Use of I-linker in the elimination of 3'-terminal phosphorothioate monoesters.

PubMed

Ravikumar, Vasulinga T; Kumar, R Krishna; Capaldi, Daniel C; Cole, Douglas L

2003-01-01

Detritylation of a 5'-O-DMT-2'-deoxyadenosine moiety attached to solid support under acidic condition leads to depurination during oligonucleotide synthesis. Deprotection followed by reversed phase HPLC purification leads to desired oligonucleotide contaminated with significant levels of 3'-terminal phosphorothiaote (3'-TPT) monoester (n-1)-mer. However, it is demonstrated that attachment of dA nucleoside through its exocyclic amino group to solid support leads to substantial reduction of 3'-TPT formation thereby improving the quality of oligonucleotide synthesized.

Is the C-terminal flanking peptide of rat cholecystokinin double sulphated?

PubMed

Adrian, T E; Domin, J; Bacarese-Hamilton, A J; Bloom, S R

1986-02-03

A specific radioimmunoassay was developed to the predicted nine amino acid C-terminal flanking peptide of cholecystokinin (peptide serine serine, PSS). In aqueous extracts of rat brain, PSS was undetectable unless the extracts were first treated with arylsulphatase, which also resulted in desulphation of cholecystokinin. The reverse-phase HPLC analysis of partially desulphated extracts showed the presence of two peaks intermediate to the naturally occurring and the completely desulphated forms. It is therefore proposed that the CCK-flanking peptide PSS has both tyrosine residues sulphated.

The mouse Pol I terminator is more efficient than the hepatitis delta virus ribozyme in generating influenza-virus-like RNAs with precise 3' ends in a plasmid-only-based virus rescue system.

PubMed

Feng, Liqiang; Li, Feng; Zheng, Xuehua; Pan, Weiqi; Zhou, Kai; Liu, Yichu; He, Hongxuan; Chen, Ling

2009-01-01

Reverse genetics systems for generating recombinant influenza viruses are based on two different mechanisms for obtaining the 3' end of the viral RNA: one uses the self-cleaving hepatitis delta virus ribozyme (HDVR), and the other uses the murine RNA polymerase I (Pol I) terminator. In this study, we employed EGFP and Renilla luciferase reporter constructs to compare the efficiency of both methods. Our results indicate that the murine Pol I terminator was more efficient than the HDVR, which will be helpful in choosing an influenza virus rescue system, as well as in establishing other RNA virus rescue systems.

A randomized trial of hospital vs home self administration of vaginal misoprostol for medical abortion.

PubMed

Shrestha, A; Sedhai, L B

2014-01-01

A combination of mifepristone followed after 24 hrs by misoprostol has proved a safe and effective abortifacient for termination of early pregnancy. Home use of misoprostol for medical abortion is still controversial in many countries including ours where women's literacy rate is low. Particularly in developing countries, this method markedly decreased the hospital visit which would be beneficial to patients and hospital staff. To see whether the home self administration of vaginal misoprostol was equally effective as administered by trained staff in terms of successful termination of early pregnancy. Secondary outcomes were bleeding and pain duration during medical abortion, side effects, reason for termination of pregnancy and women's acceptability of the procedure. One hundred and eighty eight women requesting medical abortion with pregnancy less than 63 days gestation were randomized into two groups either self administration of vaginal misoprostol (800 mcg) at home or hospital administration 24 hours after oral 200 mg mifepristone. Ultrasound was performed after 14 days to confirm complete abortion. The overall success rate was similar in two groups: 89.13% on home group Vs 86.9% in hospital group. Eleven out of 18 women (61.1%) having incomplete abortion had successful termination after 2nd dose misoprostol( 400 mcg). None of the women had continued pregnancy. Multigravida had slightly higher risk of failure (R.R: 1.04). Home self administration of vaginal misoprostol was safe and effective for early termination of medical abortion and was acceptable. Use of extra dose of misoprostol has advantage of higher completion rate of abortion.

Impact of hydrophilic and hydrophobic functionalization of flat TiO2/Ti surfaces on proteins adsorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fabre, Héloïse; Mercier, Dimitri; Galtayries, Anouk; Portet, David; Delorme, Nicolas; Bardeau, Jean-François

2018-02-01

Controlling adsorption of proteins onto medical devices is a key issue for implant-related infections. As self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on titanium oxide represent a good model to study the surface-protein interactions, TiO2 surface properties were modified by grafting bisphosphonate molecules terminated with hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) groups and hydrophobic perfluoropolyether ones, respectively. Characterisation of the surface chemistry and surface topography of the modified surfaces was performed using XPS and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) was used to determine the mass of adsorbed proteins as well as its kinetics. Poly(ethylene glycol)-terminated SAMs were the most effective surfaces to limit the adsorption of both BSA and fibrinogen in comparison to perfluorinated-terminated SAMs and non-modified TiO2 surfaces, as expected. The adsorption was not reversible in the case of BSA, while a partial reversibility was observed with Fg, most probably due to multilayers of proteins. The grafted surfaces adsorbed about the same quantity of proteins in terms of molecules per surface area, most probably in monolayer or island-like groups of adsorbed proteins. The adsorption on pristine TiO2 reveals a more important, non-specific adsorption of proteins.

Localization and molecular forms of galanin in human adrenals: elevated levels in pheochromocytomas.

PubMed

Bauer, F E; Hacker, G W; Terenghi, G; Adrian, T E; Polak, J M; Bloom, S R

1986-12-01

Galanin immunoreactivity was measured by RIA, using antibodies directed against both the non-C- and C-terminal positions of porcine galanin, in tissue extracts of normal adrenals and pheochromocytomas and also in the plasma of normal subjects and patients with pheochromocytomas. No C-terminal galanin-like immunoreactivity was detected in plasma or tissue, suggesting differences in the amino acid sequence of human compared with porcine galanin. A non-C-terminally directed antibody was, therefore, used to characterize human galanin immunoreactivity by gel permeation chromatography and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography and to localize it by immunocytochemistry. The galanin content of whole adrenal gland was 2.6 +/- 0.9 (+/- SEM) pmol/g (n = 5). In contrast, however, pheochromocytomas had much greater concentrations (21 +/- 2.3 pmol/g; n = 16). Gel chromatography and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography revealed 2 molecular forms of galanin immunoreactivity with identical elution positions in both normal adrenals and tumors. The concentration of galanin in plasma from both normal subjects and pheochromocytoma patients was below the detection limit of the assay (less than 10 pmol/liter). Using immunocytochemistry, galanin was localized to scattered cells or clusters of tumor cells in 5 of 11 pheochromocytomas and only a few chromaffin cells and cortical nerve fibers in normal adrenals.

Systematic Underestimation of Earthquake Magnitudes from Large Intracontinental Reverse Faults: Historical Ruptures Break Across Segment Boundaries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rubin, C. M.

1996-01-01

Because most large-magnitude earthquakes along reverse faults have such irregular and complicated rupture patterns, reverse-fault segments defined on the basis of geometry alone may not be very useful for estimating sizes of future seismic sources. Most modern large ruptures of historical earthquakes generated by intracontinental reverse faults have involved geometrically complex rupture patterns. Ruptures across surficial discontinuities and complexities such as stepovers and cross-faults are common. Specifically, segment boundaries defined on the basis of discontinuities in surficial fault traces, pronounced changes in the geomorphology along strike, or the intersection of active faults commonly have not proven to be major impediments to rupture. Assuming that the seismic rupture will initiate and terminate at adjacent major geometric irregularities will commonly lead to underestimation of magnitudes of future large earthquakes.

The psycholegal factors for juvenile transfer and reverse transfer evaluations.

PubMed

King, Christopher M

2018-01-01

It remains unclear whether forensic mental health assessments for juvenile reverse transfer (to juvenile court) are distinct from those for juvenile transfer (to adult court). This survey consisted of an updated review of transfer and reverse transfer laws (in jurisdictions that have both mechanisms) in light of the generally accepted three-factor model of functional legal capacities involved in transfer evaluations (i.e., risk, sophistication-maturity, and treatment amenability). Results indicated that a majority of states' reverse transfer statutes refer explicitly or implicitly to the same three psycholegal constructs identified as central for transfer. Given the legal similarity between transfer and reverse transfer, potential practice implications and directions for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Air Traffic Management Technology Demostration: 1 Research and Procedural Testing of Routes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Sara R.; Kibler, Jennifer L.; Hubbs, Clay E.; Smail, James W.

2015-01-01

NASA's Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration-1 (ATD-1) will operationally demonstrate the feasibility of efficient arrival operations combining ground-based and airborne NASA technologies. The ATD-1 integrated system consists of the Traffic Management Advisor with Terminal Metering which generates precise time-based schedules to the runway and merge points; Controller Managed Spacing decision support tools which provide controllers with speed advisories and other information needed to meet the schedule; and Flight deck-based Interval Management avionics and procedures which allow flight crews to adjust their speed to achieve precise relative spacing. Initial studies identified air-ground challenges related to the integration of these three scheduling and spacing technologies, and NASA's airborne spacing algorithm was modified to address some of these challenges. The Research and Procedural Testing of Routes human-in-the-loop experiment was then conducted to assess the performance of the new spacing algorithm. The results of this experiment indicate that the algorithm performed as designed, and the pilot participants found the airborne spacing concept, air-ground procedures, and crew interface to be acceptable. However, the researchers concluded that the data revealed issues with the frequency of speed changes and speed reversals.

Sensitivity of Runway Occupancy Time (ROT) to Various Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO) Factors. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldthorpe, S. H.

1997-01-01

The Terminal Area Productivity (TAP) research program was initiated by NASA to increase the airport capacity for transport aircraft operations. One element of the research program is called Low Visibility Landing and Surface Operations (LVLASO). A goal of the LVLASO research is to develop transport aircraft technologies which reduce Runway Occupancy Time (ROT) so that it does not become the limiting factor in the terminal area operations that determine the capacity of a runway. Under LVLASO, the objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of ROT to various factors associated with the Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO) operation for transport aircraft. The following operational factors were studied and are listed in the order of decreasing ROT sensitivity: ice/flood runway surface condition, exit entrance ground speed, number of exits, high-speed exit locations and spacing, aircraft type, touchdown ground speed standard deviation, reverse thrust and braking method, accurate exit prediction capability, maximum reverse thrust availability, spiral-arc vs. circle-arc exit geometry, dry/slush/wet/snow runway surface condition, maximum allowed deceleration, auto asymmetric braking on exit, do not stow reverse thrust before the exit, touchdown longitudinal location standard deviation, flap setting, anti-skid efficiency, crosswind conditions, stopping on the exit and touchdown lateral offset.

Sensitivity of Runway Occupancy Time (ROT) to Various Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO) Factors. Volume 2; Complete Set of Plotted Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldthorpe, S. H.

1997-01-01

The Terminal Area Productivity (TAP) research program was initiated by NASA to increase the airport capacity for transport aircraft operations. One element of the research program is called Low Visibility Landing and Surface Operations (LVLASO). A goal of the LVLASO research is to develop transport aircraft technologies which reduce Runway Occupancy Time (ROT) so that it does not become the limiting factor in the terminal area operations that determine the capacity of a runway. Under LVLASO, the objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of ROT to various factors associated with the Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO) operation for transport aircraft. The following operational factors were studied and are listed in the order of decreasing ROT sensitivity: ice/flood runway surface condition, exit entrance ground speed, number of exits, high-speed exit locations and spacing, aircraft type, touchdown ground speed standard deviation, reverse thrust and braking method, accurate exit prediction capability, maximum reverse thrust availability, spiral-arc vs. circle-arc exit geometry, dry/slush/wet/snow runway surface condition, maximum allowed deceleration, auto asymmetric braking on exit, do not stow reverse thrust before the exit, touchdown longitudinal location standard deviation, flap setting, anti-skid efficiency, crosswind conditions, stopping on the exit and touchdown lateral offset.

Base Preferences in Non-Templated Nucleotide Incorporation by MMLV-Derived Reverse Transcriptases

PubMed Central

Zajac, Pawel; Islam, Saiful; Hochgerner, Hannah; Lönnerberg, Peter; Linnarsson, Sten

2013-01-01

Reverse transcriptases derived from Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus (MMLV) have an intrinsic terminal transferase activity, which causes the addition of a few non-templated nucleotides at the 3´ end of cDNA, with a preference for cytosine. This mechanism can be exploited to make the reverse transcriptase switch template from the RNA molecule to a secondary oligonucleotide during first-strand cDNA synthesis, and thereby to introduce arbitrary barcode or adaptor sequences in the cDNA. Because the mechanism is relatively efficient and occurs in a single reaction, it has recently found use in several protocols for single-cell RNA sequencing. However, the base preference of the terminal transferase activity is not known in detail, which may lead to inefficiencies in template switching when starting from tiny amounts of mRNA. Here, we used fully degenerate oligos to determine the exact base preference at the template switching site up to a distance of ten nucleotides. We found a strong preference for guanosine at the first non-templated nucleotide, with a greatly reduced bias at progressively more distant positions. Based on this result, and a number of careful optimizations, we report conditions for efficient template switching for cDNA amplification from single cells. PMID:24392002

Membrane-bound dd-carboxypeptidases from Bacillus megaterium KM. General properties, substrate specificity and sensitivity to penicillins, cephalosporins and peptide inhibitors of the activity at pH5

PubMed Central

Diaz-Mauriño, Teresa; Nieto, Manuel; Perkins, Harold R.

1974-01-01

1. The membrane from Bacillus megaterium KM contained a dd-carboxypeptidase with optimum activity under the following conditions: pH5.2, bivalent cation, 3mm; ionic strength, 40mm; temperature, 35°C. It was inactivated by treatment with p-chloromercuribenzoate but was fairly insensitive to 2-mercaptoethanol. 2. The enzyme was inhibited by penicillins and cephalosporins. The inhibition of this enzyme was partially reversed on dialysis but 0.2m-2-mercaptoethanol could neither prevent nor reverse the inhibition. 3. The enzyme was extremely sensitive to changes in the configuration and size of the side chain of the C-terminal dipeptide of the substrate. An aliphatic side chain of a well-defined length and polarity was required in the residue that precedes the C-terminal dipeptide. 4. The enzyme was inhibited by a wide range of analogues of the peptidic portion of the natural substrate. PMID:4218954

Numerical analysis of the reverse blocking enhancement in High-K passivation AlGaN/GaN Schottky barrier diodes with gated edge termination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Zhiyuan; Du, Jiangfeng; Xin, Qi; Li, Ruonan; Yu, Qi

2018-02-01

We conducted a numerical analysis on high-K dielectric passivated AlGaN/GaN Schottky barrier diodes (HPG-SBDs) with a gated edge termination (GET). The reverse blocking characteristics were significantly enhanced without the stimulation of any parasitic effect by varying the dielectric thickness dge under the GET, thickness TP, and dielectric constant εr of the high-K passivation layer. The leakage current was reduced by increasing εr and decreasing dge. The breakdown voltage of the device was enhanced by increasing εr and TP. The highest breakdown voltage of 970 V and the lowest leakage current of 0.5 nA/mm were achieved under the conditions of εr = 80, TP = 800 nm, and dge = 10 nm. C-V simulation revealed that the HPG-SBDs induced no parasitic capacitance by comparing the integrated charges of the devices with different high-K dielectrics and different dge.

Major advance of South Georgia glaciers during the Antarctic Cold Reversal following extensive sub-Antarctic glaciation

PubMed Central

Graham, Alastair G. C.; Kuhn, Gerhard; Meisel, Ove; Hillenbrand, Claus-Dieter; Hodgson, Dominic A.; Ehrmann, Werner; Wacker, Lukas; Wintersteller, Paul; dos Santos Ferreira, Christian; Römer, Miriam; White, Duanne; Bohrmann, Gerhard

2017-01-01

The history of glaciations on Southern Hemisphere sub-polar islands is unclear. Debate surrounds the extent and timing of the last glacial advance and termination on sub-Antarctic South Georgia in particular. Here, using sea-floor geophysical data and marine sediment cores, we resolve the record of glaciation offshore of South Georgia through the transition from the Last Glacial Maximum to Holocene. We show a sea-bed landform imprint of a shelf-wide last glacial advance and progressive deglaciation. Renewed glacier resurgence in the fjords between c. 15,170 and 13,340 yr ago coincided with a period of cooler, wetter climate known as the Antarctic Cold Reversal, revealing a cryospheric response to an Antarctic climate pattern extending into the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. We conclude that the last glaciation of South Georgia was extensive, and the sensitivity of its glaciers to climate variability during the last termination more significant than implied by previous studies. PMID:28303885

Mechanistic Basis for High Reactivity of (salen)Co–OTs in the Hydrolytic Kinetic Resolution of Terminal Epoxides

PubMed Central

Nielsen, Lars P. C.; Zuend, Stephan J.; Ford, David D.; Jacobsen, Eric N.

2012-01-01

The (salen)Co(III)-catalyzed hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of terminal epoxides is a bimetallic process with a rate controlled by partitioning between a nucleophilic (salen)Co–OH catalyst and a Lewis acidic (salen)Co–X catalyst. The commonly used (salen)Co–OAc and (salen)Co–Cl precatalysts undergo complete and irreversible counterion addition to epoxide during the course of the epoxide hydrolysis reaction, resulting in quantitative formation of weakly Lewis acidic (salen)Co–OH, and severely diminished reaction rates in the late stages of HKR reactions. In contrast, (salen)Co–OTs maintains high reactivity over the entire course of HKR reactions. We describe here an investigation of catalyst partitioning with different (salen)Co–X precatalysts, and demonstrate that counterion addition to epoxide is reversible in the case of the (salen)Co–OTs. This reversible counterion addition results in stable partitioning between nucleophilic and Lewis acidic catalyst species, allowing highly efficient catalysis throughout the course of the HKR reaction. PMID:22292515

Mechanistic basis for high reactivity of (salen)Co-OTs in the hydrolytic kinetic resolution of terminal epoxides.

PubMed

Nielsen, Lars P C; Zuend, Stephan J; Ford, David D; Jacobsen, Eric N

2012-03-02

The (salen)Co(III)-catalyzed hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of terminal epoxides is a bimetallic process with a rate controlled by partitioning between a nucleophilic (salen)Co-OH catalyst and a Lewis acidic (salen)Co-X catalyst. The commonly used (salen)Co-OAc and (salen)Co-Cl precatalysts undergo complete and irreversible counterion addition to epoxide during the course of the epoxide hydrolysis reaction, resulting in quantitative formation of weakly Lewis acidic (salen)Co-OH and severely diminished reaction rates in the late stages of HKR reactions. In contrast, (salen)Co-OTs maintains high reactivity over the entire course of HKR reactions. We describe here an investigation of catalyst partitioning with different (salen)Co-X precatalysts and demonstrate that counterion addition to epoxide is reversible in the case of the (salen)Co-OTs. This reversible counterion addition results in stable partitioning between nucleophilic and Lewis acidic catalyst species, allowing highly efficient catalysis throughout the course of the HKR reaction.

Toni Morrison's Beloved: a journey through the pain of grief.

PubMed

Pass, Olivia McNeely

2006-01-01

This paper elucidates the structure of Toni Morrison's novel, Beloved, using the framework of human emotions in response to grieving and death as developed by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Through her studies of terminally ill patients, Kubler-Ross identified five stages when approaching death: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These stages accurately fill the process that the character Sethe experiences in the novel as she learns to accept her daughter's death.

Reversible cobalt ion binding to imidazole-modified nanopipettes

PubMed Central

Sa, Niya; Fu, Yaqin; Baker, Lane A.

2010-01-01

In this report, we demonstrate that quartz nanopipettes modified with an imidazole-terminated silane respond to metal ions (Co2+) in solution. The response of nanopipettes is evaluated through examination of the ion current rectification response. By cycling nanopipettes between solutions of different pH, adsorbed Co2+ can be released from the nanopipette surface, to regenerate binding sites of the nanopipette. These results demonstrate that rectification-based sensing strategies for nanopore sensors can benefit from selection of recognition elements with intermediate binding affinities, such that reversible responses to be attained. PMID:21090777

Reversible cobalt ion binding to imidazole-modified nanopipettes.

PubMed

Sa, Niya; Fu, Yaqin; Baker, Lane A

2010-12-15

In this report, we demonstrate that quartz nanopipettes modified with an imidazole-terminated silane respond to metal ions (Co(2+)) in solution. The response of nanopipettes is evaluated through examination of the ion current rectification ratio. When nanopipettes are cycled between solutions of different pH, adsorbed Co(2+) can be released from the nanopipette surface, to regenerate binding sites of the nanopipette. These results demonstrate that rectification-based sensing strategies for nanopore sensors can benefit from selection of recognition elements with intermediate binding affinities, such that reversible responses can be attained.

40 CFR Appendix H to Subpart G of... - Substitutes Subject to Use Restrictions and Unacceptable Substitutes, Effective May 28, 1999

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... inch or the thread direction must be reversed (i.e. right-handed vs. left-handed). Simply changing the thread pitch is not sufficient. For quick-connect fittings, “differ” means that a person using normal... Acceptable subject to narrowed use limits. Acceptable when manufactured using any process that does not...

40 CFR Appendix H to Subpart G of... - Substitutes Subject to Use Restrictions and Unacceptable Substitutes, Effective May 28, 1999

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... inch or the thread direction must be reversed (i.e. right-handed vs. left-handed). Simply changing the thread pitch is not sufficient. For quick-connect fittings, “differ” means that a person using normal... Acceptable subject to narrowed use limits. Acceptable when manufactured using any process that does not...

40 CFR Appendix H to Subpart G of... - Substitutes Subject to Use Restrictions and Unacceptable Substitutes, Effective May 28, 1999

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... inch or the thread direction must be reversed (i.e. right-handed vs. left-handed). Simply changing the thread pitch is not sufficient. For quick-connect fittings, “differ” means that a person using normal... Acceptable subject to narrowed use limits. Acceptable when manufactured using any process that does not...

Antibacterial activity in bovine lactoferrin-derived peptides.

PubMed Central

Hoek, K S; Milne, J M; Grieve, P A; Dionysius, D A; Smith, R

1997-01-01

Several peptides sharing high sequence homology with lactoferricin B (Lf-cin B) were generated from bovine lactoferrin (Lf) with recombinant chymosin. Two peptides were copurified, one identical to Lf-cin B and another differing from Lf-cin B by the inclusion of a C-terminal alanine (lactoferricin). Two other peptides were copurified from chymosin-hydrolyzed Lf, one differing from Lf-cin B by the inclusion of C-terminal alanyl-leucine and the other being a heterodimer linked by a disulfide bond. These peptides were isolated in a single step from chymosin-hydrolyzed Lf by membrane ion-exchange chromatography and were purified by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). They were characterized by N-terminal Edman sequencing, mass spectrometry, and antibacterial activity determination. Pure lactoferricin, prepared from pepsin-hydrolyzed Lf, was purified by standard chromatography techniques. This peptide was analyzed against a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria before and after reduction of its disulfide bond or cleavage after its single methionine residue and was found to inhibit the growth of all the test bacteria at a concentration of 8 microM or less. Subfragments of lactoferricin were isolated from reduced and cleaved peptide by reverse-phase HPLC. Subfragment 1 (residues 1 to 10) was active against most of the test microorganisms at concentrations of 10 to 50 microM. Subfragment 2 (residues 11 to 26) was active against only a few microorganisms at concentrations up to 100 microM. These antibacterial studies indicate that the activity of lactoferricin is mainly, but not wholly, due to its N-terminal region. PMID:8980754

Passenger comfort during terminal-area flight maneuvers. M.S. Thesis.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schoonover, W. E., Jr.

1976-01-01

A series of flight experiments was conducted to obtain passenger subjective responses to closely controlled and repeatable flight maneuvers. In 8 test flights, reactions were obtained from 30 passenger subjects to a wide range of terminal-area maneuvers, including descents, turns, decelerations, and combinations thereof. Analysis of the passenger rating variance indicated that the objective of a repeatable flight passenger environment was achieved. Multiple linear regression models developed from the test data were used to define maneuver motion boundaries for specified degrees of passenger acceptance.

An evaluation of two differential reinforcement procedures with escape extinction to treat food refusal.

PubMed

Patel, Meeta R; Piazza, Cathleen C; Martinez, Cheryl J; Volkert, Valerie M; Christine, M Santana

2002-01-01

Consumption of solids and liquids occurs as a chain of behaviors that may include accepting, swallowing, and retaining the food or drink. In the current investigation, we evaluated the relative effectiveness of differential reinforcement of the first behavior in the chain (acceptance) versus differential reinforcement for the terminal behavior in the chain (mouth clean). Three children who had been diagnosed with a feeding disorder participated. Acceptance remained at zero when differential reinforcement contingencies were implemented for acceptance or mouth clean. Acceptance and mouth clean increased for all 3 participants once escape extinction was added to the differential reinforcement procedures, independent of whether reinforcement was provided for acceptance or for mouth clean. Maintenance was observed in 2 children when escape extinction was removed from the treatment package. The mechanism by which consumption increased is discussed in relation to positive and negative reinforcement contingencies.

Evidence for the Packaging of Multiple Copies of Tf1 mRNA into Particles and the trans Priming of Reverse Transcription

PubMed Central

Haag, Amanda Leigh; Lin, Jia-Hwei; Levin, Henry L.

2000-01-01

Long terminal repeat (LTR)-containing retrotransposons and retroviruses are close relatives that possess similar mechanisms of reverse transcription. The particles of retroviruses package two copies of viral mRNA that both function as templates for the reverse transcription of the element. We studied the LTR-retrotransposon Tf1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe to test whether multiple copies of transposon mRNA participate in the production of cDNA. Using the unique self-priming property of Tf1, we obtained evidence that multiple copies of Tf1 mRNA were packaged into virus-like particles. By coexpressing two distinct versions of Tf1, we found that the bulk of reverse transcription that was initiated on one mRNA template was subsequently transferred to others. In addition, the first 11 nucleotides of one mRNA were able to prime, in trans, the reverse transcription of another mRNA. PMID:10888658

Active and Passive Physician-Assisted Dying and the Terminal Disease Requirement.

PubMed

Varelius, Jukka

2016-11-01

The view that voluntary active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide should be made available for terminal patients only is typically warranted by reference to the risks that the procedures are seen to involve. Though they would appear to involve similar risks, the commonly endorsed end-of-life practices referred to as passive euthanasia are available also for non-terminal patients. In this article, I assess whether there is good reason to believe that the risks in question would be bigger in the case of voluntary active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide than in that of passive euthanasia. I propose that there is not. On that basis, I suggest that limiting access to voluntary active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide to terminal patients only is not consistent with accepting the existing practices of passive euthanasia. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

12 CFR 611.1270 - Repayment of obligations-terminating bank.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

...-wide obligations in a method that we deem acceptable. Before we make a final decision on your proposal... respect to financing and disclosure. (2) If you and the other Farm Credit banks are unable to reach...

Biochemical Characterisation of TSC1 and TSC2 Variants Identified in Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-07-01

G-3¶) and TSC1 reverse (5¶-GCG GGT ACC TTA GCT GTG TTC ATG AGT CTC-3¶). Subsequently, an mCherry tag was inserted N-terminally in pcDNA3.1-TSC1 to...primer pair mCherry forward (5¶-GCG TCT AGA ACC ATG GTG AGC AAG GGC GA-3¶) and mCherry reverse (5¶-GCG GCT AGC CTT GTA CAG CTC GTC CAT GCC-3¶). The...5¶-GAT GAG ATC CGC ACC CTC TGA GAC CAG CTG CTT TTA CTG CAC AAC-3¶; TSC1R692X reverse: 5¶-GTT GTG CAG TAA AAG CAG CTG GTC TCA GAG GGT GCG GAT CTC ATC

Structural Basis of Vta1 Function in the Multivesicular Body Sorting Pathway

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

Xiao, Junyu; Xia, Hengchuan; Zhou, Jiahai

The MVB pathway plays essential roles in several eukaryotic cellular processes. Proper function of the MVB pathway requires reversible membrane association of the ESCRTs, a process catalyzed by Vps4 ATPase. Vta1 regulates the Vps4 activity, but its mechanism of action was poorly understood. We report the high-resolution crystal structures of the Did2- and Vps60-binding N-terminal domain and the Vps4-binding C-terminal domain of S. cerevisiae Vta1. The C-terminal domain also mediates Vta1 dimerization and both subunits are required for its function as a Vps4 regulator. Emerging from our analysis is a mechanism of regulation by Vta1 in which the C-terminal domainmore » stabilizes the ATP-dependent double ring assembly of Vps4. In addition, the MIT motif-containing N-terminal domain, projected by a long disordered linker, allows contact between the Vps4 disassembly machinery and the accessory ESCRT-III proteins. This provides an additional level of regulation and coordination for ESCRT-III assembly and disassembly.« less

Methanol adsorption and dissociation on LaMnO 3 and Sr doped LaMnO 3 (001) surfaces

DOE PAGES

Beste, Ariana

2017-06-20

Using density functional theory, we investigate in this paper methanol adsorption and dissociation on the MnO 2- and LaO-terminated LaMnO 3 (001) surface as a function of Sr dopant enrichment in and near the surface. In response to bulk cleavage, we find electron depletion of the negatively charged MnO 2 surface layer that is enhanced by Sr doping in the subsurface. In contrast, we observe electron accumulation in the positively charged LaO surface layer that is reduced by Sr doping in the surface layer. Methanol adsorbs dissociatively on the LaO termination of the LaMnO 3 (001) surface. Methanol adsorption onmore » the LaO termination is strongly preferred over adsorption on the MnO 2 termination. While moderate doping has a small influence on methanol adsorption and dissociation, when 100% of La is replaced by Sr in the surface or subsurface, the adsorption preference of methanol is reversed. Finally, if the surface is highly dopant enriched, methanol favours dissociative adsorption on the MnO 2-terminated surface.« less

Methanol adsorption and dissociation on LaMnO 3 and Sr doped LaMnO 3 (001) surfaces

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

Beste, Ariana

Using density functional theory, we investigate in this paper methanol adsorption and dissociation on the MnO 2- and LaO-terminated LaMnO 3 (001) surface as a function of Sr dopant enrichment in and near the surface. In response to bulk cleavage, we find electron depletion of the negatively charged MnO 2 surface layer that is enhanced by Sr doping in the subsurface. In contrast, we observe electron accumulation in the positively charged LaO surface layer that is reduced by Sr doping in the surface layer. Methanol adsorbs dissociatively on the LaO termination of the LaMnO 3 (001) surface. Methanol adsorption onmore » the LaO termination is strongly preferred over adsorption on the MnO 2 termination. While moderate doping has a small influence on methanol adsorption and dissociation, when 100% of La is replaced by Sr in the surface or subsurface, the adsorption preference of methanol is reversed. Finally, if the surface is highly dopant enriched, methanol favours dissociative adsorption on the MnO 2-terminated surface.« less

Structural basis of Vta1 function in the multi-vesicular body sorting pathway

PubMed Central

Xiao, Junyu; Xia, Hengchuan; Zhou, Jiahai; Azmi, Ishara; Davies, Brian A.; Katzmann, David J.; Xu, Zhaohui

2009-01-01

Summary The MVB pathway plays essential roles in several eukaryotic cellular processes. Proper function of the MVB pathway requires reversible membrane association of the ESCRTs, a process catalyzed by Vps4 ATPase. Vta1 regulates the Vps4 activity but its mechanism of action was poorly understood. We report the high-resolution crystal structures of the Did2- and Vps60-binding N-terminal domain and the Vps4-binding C-terminal domain of S. cerevisiae Vta1. The C-terminal domain also mediates Vta1 dimerization and both subunits are required for its function as a Vps4 regulator. Emerging from our analysis is a mechanism of regulation by Vta1 in which the C-terminal domain stabilizes the ATP-dependent double ring assembly of Vps4. In addition, the MIT motif containing N-terminal domain, projected by a long disordered linker, allows contact between the Vps4 disassembly machinery and the accessory ESCRT-III proteins. This provides an additional level of regulation and coordination for ESCRT-III assembly and disassembly. PMID:18194651

Effect of Tamoxifen and Brain-Penetrant Protein Kinase C and c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitors on Tolerance to Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression in Mice

PubMed Central

Withey, Sarah L.; Hill, Rob; Lyndon, Abigail; Dewey, William L.; Kelly, Eamonn

2017-01-01

Respiratory depression is the major cause of death in opioid overdose. We have previously shown that prolonged treatment of mice with morphine induces profound tolerance to the respiratory-depressant effects of the drug (Hill et al., 2016). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether tolerance to opioid-induced respiratory depression is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) and/or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We found that although mice treated for up to 6 days with morphine developed tolerance, as measured by the reduced responsiveness to an acute challenge dose of morphine, administration of the brain-penetrant PKC inhibitors tamoxifen and calphostin C restored the ability of acute morphine to produce respiratory depression in morphine-treated mice. Importantly, reversal of opioid tolerance was dependent on the nature of the opioid ligand used to induce tolerance, as these PKC inhibitors did not reverse tolerance induced by prolonged treatment of mice with methadone nor did they reverse the protection to acute morphine-induced respiratory depression afforded by prolonged treatment with buprenorphine. We found no evidence for the involvement of JNK in morphine-induced tolerance to respiratory depression. These results indicate that PKC represents a major mechanism underlying morphine tolerance, that the mechanism of opioid tolerance to respiratory depression is ligand-dependent, and that coadministration of drugs with PKC-inhibitory activity and morphine (as well as heroin, largely metabolized to morphine in the body) may render individuals more susceptible to overdose death by reversing tolerance to the effects of morphine. PMID:28130265

Kinematics of center of mass and center of pressure predict friction requirement at shoe-floor interface during walking.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Takeshi; Yano, Masaru; Onodera, Hiroshi; Hokkirigawa, Kazuo

2013-06-01

We aimed to determine whether inclination angles of the line connecting the whole body center of mass (COM) to the center of pressure (COP) (COM-COP angle) help predict the required coefficient of friction (RCOF) in young adult males during the weight acceptance and push-off phases in transient movements such as turning, gait termination and initiation, and steady-state movements such as straight walking. Seventeen healthy young adult males were asked to (1) walk in a straight line, (2) turn 60° with either foot (step and spin turns), and (3) initiate and terminate walking on a dry level floor. Peak absolute values of the ratio between resultant horizontal and vertical ground reaction forces during the weight acceptance and push-off phases (RCOFh and RCOFt, respectively) were calculated. COM-COP angles θh and θt at the instant of RCOFh and RCOFt, respectively, were also calculated. Bivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the |θh| and |θt| tangents were significant predictors of RCOFh (R = 0.878; R(2) = 0.770; p<0.001) and RCOFt (R = 0.918; R(2) = 0.843; p<0.001), respectively. The results suggest that COM and COP kinematics (i.e., the COM-COP angle) serve as a predictor of friction requirement during the weight acceptance and push-off phases in steady-state movements such as straight walking and transient movements such as turning as well as gait termination and initiation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phylogenetic relationships within anuran clade Terrarana, with emphasis on the placement of Brazilian Atlantic rainforest frogs genus Ischnocnema (Anura: Brachycephalidae).

PubMed

Canedo, Clarissa; Haddad, Célio F B

2012-11-01

We present a phylogenetic hypothesis of the anuran clade Terrarana based on partial sequences of nuclear (Tyr and RAG1) and mitochondrial (12S, tRNA-Val, and 16S) genes, testing the monophyly of Ischnocnema and its species series. We performed maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference analyses on 364 terminals: 11 outgroup terminals and 353 ingroup Terrarana terminals, including 139 Ischnocnema terminals (accounting for 29 of the 35 named Ischnocnema species) and 214 other Terrarana terminals within the families Brachycephalidae, Ceuthomantidae, Craugastoridae, and Eleutherodactylidae. Different optimality criteria produced similar results and mostly recovered the currently accepted families and genera. According to these topologies, Ischnocnema is not a monophyletic group. We propose new combinations for three species, relocating them to Pristimantis, and render Eleutherodactylus bilineatus Bokermann, 1975 incertae sedis status within Holoadeninae. The rearrangements in Ischnocnema place it outside the northernmost Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, where the fauna of Terrarana comprises typical Amazonian genera. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Method of making high breakdown voltage semiconductor device

DOEpatents

Arthur, Stephen D.; Temple, Victor A. K.

1990-01-01

A semiconductor device having at least one P-N junction and a multiple-zone junction termination extension (JTE) region which uniformly merges with the reverse blocking junction is disclosed. The blocking junction is graded into multiple zones of lower concentration dopant adjacent termination to facilitate merging of the JTE to the blocking junction and placing of the JTE at or near the high field point of the blocking junction. Preferably, the JTE region substantially overlaps the graded blocking junction region. A novel device fabrication method is also provided which eliminates the prior art step of separately diffusing the JTE region.

Application of the π-accepting ability parameter of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in iridium complexes for signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE).

PubMed

van Weerdenburg, Bram J A; Eshuis, Nan; Tessari, Marco; Rutjes, Floris P J T; Feiters, Martin C

2015-09-21

The new π-accepting ability parameter (PAAP) appears to be the best tool to analyse the electronic properties of NHC ligands in [Ir(H)2(NHC)(Py)3](+) complexes for SABRE. Together with the buried volume, the efficiency of hyperpolarisation transfer in SABRE, depending on the exchange rate of pyridine, can be described.

Acceptance of prenatal diagnosis for genetic disorders in Lebanon.

PubMed

Zahed, L; Nabulsi, M; Bou-Ghanim, M; Usta, I

1999-12-01

Acceptance of prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy in the case of an affected fetus may vary from one country to another, depending on the health system, religious belief, cultural and educational backgrounds of the population. Following a previous study on couples at risk for a haemoglobin disorder in Lebanon, we have here interviewed 90 couples at risk for a variety of genetic disorders, in order to assess their acceptance of prenatal diagnosis and the variables that might influence their choice. Overall, 54 per cent of couples said they would request diagnosis in their next pregnancy, while 26 per cent were opposed to such a procedure. In 87. 5 per cent of cases, the reason for refusal was because of religious conviction against termination of pregnancy. Refusal of prenatal diagnosis was also related to a lower socio-economic background and poorer education. Only 12 per cent of couples were properly aware of their genetic risk. Therefore, for prevention of genetic disorders, the emphasis in countries such as Lebanon has probably to be placed on public awareness about genetic risks, the risks of consanguinity, availability of services, while taking into consideration the personal beliefs of the individuals. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Menstrual induction in preference to abortion.

PubMed

Csapo, A I; Peskin, E G; Sauvage, J P; Pulkkinen, M O; Lampe, L; Godeny, S; Laajoki, V; Kivikoski, A

1980-01-12

In the early 1970s the effort was begun to examine the clinical benefits of "menstrual induction" (MI) at 6 weeks pregnancy (last menstrual period), in the belief that if pregnancy is to be terminated there was no sound medical nor psychological reason to delay the procedure. It was found that the transcervical, intrauterine delivery of a "PG-impact" compromised the conceptus and terminated pregnancy in 95% of the cases, with clinical symptoms of menstruation rather than abortion. The side-effects were acceptable; the prematurity rate did not increase in subsequent pregnancies. Yet, the need for strict asepsis limited the use of this otherwise simple and effective procedure. Recently, this limitation has been overcome by the development of the PGE2 analogue 16-phenoxy-w17,18,19,20 tetranor-PGE2-methyl sulfanylamide ('Sulproston'). Clinical trials have been done in terms of dealing with the questions of efficacy, acceptability, and preference. 90 volunteers have been studied. At 14 days follow-up the success rate (negative pregnancy test) was 96%. The side effects were acceptable -- vomiting 26%, diarrhea 10%, and endometritis 2%. Of the 42 patients interviewed, 90% were satisfied with the procedure. Of those who had previously experienced surgical interruption, 89% preferred this pharmacological method.

Use of Data Comm by Flight Crew in High-Density Terminal Areas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baxley, Brian T.; Norman, Robert M.; Ellis, Kyle K. E.; Latorella, Kara A.; Comstock, James R.; Adams, Cathy A.

2010-01-01

This paper describes a collaborative FAA and NASA experiment using 22 commercial airline pilots to determine the effect of using Datalink Communication (Data Comm) to issue messages in busy, terminal area operations. Four conditions were defined that span current day to future flight deck equipage levels (voice communication only, Data Comm only, Data Comm with Moving Map Display, Data Comm with Moving Map displaying taxi route), and each condition was used to create an arrival and a departure scenario at the Boston Logan Airport. These eight scenarios were repeated twice for a total of 16 scenarios for each of the eleven crews. Quantitative data was collected on subject reaction time and eye tracking information. Questionnaires collected subjective feedback on workload and acceptability to the flight crew for using Data Comm in a busy terminal area. 95% of the Data Comm messages were responded to by the flight crew within one minute; however, post experiment debrief comments revealed almost unanimous consensus that two minutes was a reasonable expectation for crew response. Eye tracking data indicated an insignificant decrease in head-up time for the Pilot Flying when Data Comm was introduced; however, the Pilot Monitoring had significantly less head-up time. Data Comm workload was rated as operationally acceptable by both crew members in all conditions in flight at any altitude above the Final Approach Fix in terms of response time and workload. Results also indicate the use of Data Comm during surface operations was acceptable, the exception being the simultaneous use of voice, Data Comm, and audio chime required for an aircraft to cross an active runway. Many crews reported they believed Data Comm messages would be acceptable after the Final Approach Fix or to cross a runway if the message was not accompanied by a chime and there was not a requirement to immediately respond to the uplink message.

78 FR 48903 - Certain Products Having Laminated Packaging, Laminated Packaging, and Components Thereof...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-12

... economic prong of the domestic industry requirement. On review, the Commission has determined to reverse... industry requirement. Accordingly, the investigation is terminated with a finding of no violation of... LLC of Santa Monica, California; and Camus Wine & Spirits Group of Cognac, France (``Camus''). Camus...

Photodriven [2]rotaxane-[2]catenane interconversion.

PubMed

Tron, Arnaud; Jacquot de Rouville, Henri-Pierre; Ducrot, Aurélien; Tucker, James H R; Baroncini, Massimo; Credi, Alberto; McClenaghan, Nathan D

2015-02-18

A [2]rotaxane, whose thread component comprises a central dibenzylammonium group and 9-alkoxyanthracene stoppers and is hosted by a 24-dibenzo-8-crown bead, undergoes an efficient photocatenation step resulting in a [2]rotaxane-to-[2]catenane topology interconversion via a fully reversible [4π+4π] photocyclomerization of terminal anthracene groups.

Scheduling real-time, periodic jobs using imprecise results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Jane W. S.; Lin, Kwei-Jay; Natarajan, Swaminathan

1987-01-01

A process is called a monotone process if the accuracy of its intermediate results is non-decreasing as more time is spent to obtain the result. The result produced by a monotone process upon its normal termination is the desired result; the error in this result is zero. External events such as timeouts or crashes may cause the process to terminate prematurely. If the intermediate result produced by the process upon its premature termination is saved and made available, the application may still find the result unusable and, hence, acceptable; such a result is said to be an imprecise one. The error in an imprecise result is nonzero. The problem of scheduling periodic jobs to meet deadlines on a system that provides the necessary programming language primitives and run-time support for processes to return imprecise results is discussed. This problem differs from the traditional scheduling problems since the scheduler may choose to terminate a task before it is completed, causing it to produce an acceptable but imprecise result. Consequently, the amounts of processor time assigned to tasks in a valid schedule can be less than the amounts of time required to complete the tasks. A meaningful formulation of this problem taking into account the quality of the overall result is discussed. Three algorithms for scheduling jobs for which the effects of errors in results produced in different periods are not cumulative are described, and their relative merits are evaluated.

Congenital anomalies and termination of pregnancy in Iran.

PubMed

Samadirad, Bahram; Khamnian, Zhila; Hosseini, Mohammad Bager; Dastgiri, Saeed

2012-01-01

The aim of this study was to document some epidemiological features of termination of pregnancy for birth defects in Iran. We studied 603 pregnant women who were diagnosed/recommended for the termination of pregnancy as having a fetus with some types of birth defect(s). Most women (87.2 percent) had at least one ultrasound examination. The proportion of other screening tests including amniocentesis and genetic tests were 2.8 and 4.6 percent, respectively. Of 603 women, 201 terminated the pregnancy giving a prevalence rate of 33.3 percent (CI 95%: 29.6-37.6). The remaining 402 subjects were unable to get the permission for abortion because of untimely diagnosis/application for termination (20th week of pregnancy and/or later). Forty-eight percent of termination of pregnancies was performed before the 18th week of pregnancy. Neural tube defects, limb deformation, hydrops fetalis, hydrocephaly, and chromosomal anomalies including Down syndrome accounted proportionally for about 65 percent of defects eligible for abortion in the region. Although the rate of termination of pregnancy for birth defects is acceptable at the current situation in the country, more efforts should still be made to convince the community authorities to give more possibility and ease for the termination of pregnancy for congenital anomalies.

Feasibility and acceptability of a decision aid designed for people facing advanced or terminal illness: a pilot randomized trial.

PubMed

Matlock, Dan D; Keech, Tarah A E; McKenzie, Marlene B; Bronsert, Michael R; Nowels, Carolyn T; Kutner, Jean S

2014-02-01

Patients nearing the end of their lives face an array of difficult decisions. This study was designed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a decision aid (DA) designed for patients facing advanced or terminal illness. We conducted a pilot randomized clinical trial of Health Dialog's Looking Ahead: choices for medical care when you're seriously ill DA (booklet and DVD) applied to patients on a hospital-based palliative care (PC) service. University of Colorado Hospital - December 2009 and May 2010. All adult, English-speaking patients or their decision makers were potentially eligible. Patients were not approached if they were in isolation, did not speak English or if any provider felt that they were not appropriate because of issues such as family conflict or actively dying. All participants received a standard PC consultation. Participants in the intervention arm also received a copy of the DA. Measurements Primary outcomes included decision conflict and knowledge. Participants in the intervention arm also completed an acceptability questionnaire and qualitative exit interviews. Of the 239 patients or decision makers, 51(21%) enrolled in the trial. The DA had no significant effect on decision conflict or knowledge. Exit interviews indicated it was acceptable and empowering, although they wished they had access to the DA earlier. While the DA was acceptable, feasibility was limited by late-life illness challenges. Future trials of this DA should be performed on patients earlier in their illness trajectory and should include additional outcome measures such as self-efficacy and confidence. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

United States direct broadcast satellite system development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dement, D. K.

1984-03-01

As the technology appears increasingly likely to meet the needs and as DBS regulatory activity becomes fixed, investment decisions will be made. With only modest technical risk for even the high-powered satellites, with little doubt that mass-produced earth terminals' gain-over-temperature of 10 dB or more can be attained for an acceptable price, and with the advent of acceptably priced individual descramblers for pay television, interest in DBS continues to grow. Present concerns center on market acceptance, competition, and programming availability. The variety of operational approaches revealed in FCC permit applications is seen as showing a willingness to risk, innovate, and move forward as quickly as possible.

Mxi1 is a repressor of the c-Myc promoter and reverses activation by USF.

PubMed

Lee, T C; Ziff, E B

1999-01-08

The basic region/helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper (B-HLH-LZ) oncoprotein c-Myc is abundant in proliferating cells and forms heterodimers with Max protein that bind to E-box sites in DNA and stimulate genes required for proliferation. A second B-HLH-LZ protein, Mxi1, is induced during terminal differentiation, and forms heterodimers with Max that also bind E-boxes but tether the mSin3 transcriptional repressor protein along with histone deacetylase thereby antagonizing Myc-dependent activation. We show that Mxi1 also antagonizes Myc by a second pathway, repression of transcription from the major c-myc promoter, P2. Repression was independent of Mxi1 binding to mSin3 but dependent on the Mxi1 LZ and COOH-terminal sequences, including putative casein kinase II phosphorylation sites. Repression targeted elements of the myc P2 promoter core (-35/+10), where it reversed transactivation by the constitutive transcription factor, USF. We show that Zn2+ induction of a stably transfected, metallothionein promoter-regulated mxi1 gene blocked the ability of serum to induce transcription of the endogenous c-myc gene and cell entry into S phase. Thus, induction of Mxi1 in terminally differentiating cells may block Myc function by repressing the c-myc gene P2 promoter, as well as by antagonizing Myc-dependent transactivation through E-boxes.

Isolation of prolactin and growth hormone from the pituitary of the holostean fish Amia calva.

PubMed

Dores, R M; Noso, T; Rand-Weaver, M; Kawauchi, H

1993-06-01

Pituitaries from adult male and female Amia calva (Order Holostei) were acid extracted and fractionated by gel filtration column chromatography and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. This two-step isolation procedure yielded homogeneous pools of Amia prolaction (PRL) and growth hormone (GH). The amino acid composition of both purified polypeptides was determined. Primary sequence analysis of the first 22 positions at the N-terminal of Amia PRL revealed that this region has 63% sequence identity with eel PRL-1. The N-terminal region of Amia PRL lacks the disulfide bridge which is characteristic of tetrapod PRLs. Primary sequence analysis of the first 24 positions at the N-terminal of Amia GH revealed that this region has 62% sequence identity with eel GH and 54% sequence identity with both blue shark GH and sea turtle GH. Based on N-terminal analysis, it appears that Amia PRL and GH are more closely related to teleost PRLs and GHs than they are to tetrapod PRLs and GHs.

Structural basis of suppression of host translation termination by Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Xuhua; Zhu, Yiping; Baker, Stacey L.; Bowler, Matthew W.; Chen, Benjamin Jieming; Chen, Chen; Hogg, J. Robert; Goff, Stephen P.; Song, Haiwei

2016-06-01

Retroviral reverse transcriptase (RT) of Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) is expressed in the form of a large Gag-Pol precursor protein by suppression of translational termination in which the maximal efficiency of stop codon read-through depends on the interaction between MoMLV RT and peptidyl release factor 1 (eRF1). Here, we report the crystal structure of MoMLV RT in complex with eRF1. The MoMLV RT interacts with the C-terminal domain of eRF1 via its RNase H domain to sterically occlude the binding of peptidyl release factor 3 (eRF3) to eRF1. Promotion of read-through by MoMLV RNase H prevents nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) of mRNAs. Comparison of our structure with that of HIV RT explains why HIV RT cannot interact with eRF1. Our results provide a mechanistic view of how MoMLV manipulates the host translation termination machinery for the synthesis of its own proteins.

Regulation of dendrite growth and maintenance by exocytosis

PubMed Central

Peng, Yun; Lee, Jiae; Rowland, Kimberly; Wen, Yuhui; Hua, Hope; Carlson, Nicole; Lavania, Shweta; Parrish, Jay Z.; Kim, Michael D.

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT Dendrites lengthen by several orders of magnitude during neuronal development, but how membrane is allocated in dendrites to facilitate this growth remains unclear. Here, we report that Ras opposite (Rop), the Drosophila ortholog of the key exocytosis regulator Munc18-1 (also known as STXBP1), is an essential factor mediating dendrite growth. Neurons with depleted Rop function exhibit reduced terminal dendrite outgrowth followed by primary dendrite degeneration, suggestive of differential requirements for exocytosis in the growth and maintenance of different dendritic compartments. Rop promotes dendrite growth together with the exocyst, an octameric protein complex involved in tethering vesicles to the plasma membrane, with Rop–exocyst complexes and exocytosis predominating in primary dendrites over terminal dendrites. By contrast, membrane-associated proteins readily diffuse from primary dendrites into terminals, but not in the reverse direction, suggesting that diffusion, rather than targeted exocytosis, supplies membranous material for terminal dendritic growth, revealing key differences in the distribution of materials to these expanding dendritic compartments. PMID:26483382

Discovery, development, and clinical application of sugammadex sodium, a selective relaxant binding agent

PubMed Central

Welliver, Mark; McDonough, John; Kalynych, Nicholas; Redfern, Robert

2008-01-01

Neuromuscular blockade, induced by neuromuscular blocking agents, has allowed prescribed immobility, improved surgical exposure, optimal airway management conditions, and facilitated mechanical ventilation. However, termination of the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents has, until now, remained limited. A novel cyclodextrin encapsulation process offers improved termination of the paralytic effects of aminosteroidal non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents. Sugammadex sodium is the first in a new class of drug called selective relaxant binding agents. Currently, in clinical trials, sugammadex, a modified gamma cyclodextrin, has shown consistent and rapid termination of neuromuscular blockade with few side effects. The pharmacology of cyclodextrins in general and sugammadex in particular, together with the results of current clinical research are reviewed. The ability of sugammadex to terminate the action of neuromuscular blocking agents by direct encapsulation is compared to the indirect competitive antagonism of their effects by cholinesterase inhibitors. Also discussed are the clinical implications that extend beyond fast, effective reversal, including numerous potential perioperative benefits. PMID:19920893

Morphology and innervation of the vestibular lagena in pigeons

PubMed Central

Mridha, Zakir; Wu, Le-Qing; Dickman, J. David

2012-01-01

The morphological characteristics of the pigeon lagena were examined using histology, scanning electron microscopy, and biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) neural tracers. The lagena epithelium was observed to lie partially in a parasagittal plane, but was also U-shaped with orthogonal (lateral) directed tips. Hair cell planar polarities were oriented away from a central reversal line that ran nearly the length of the epithelium. Similar to the vertebrate utricle and saccule, three afferent classes were observed based upon their terminal innervation pattern, which include calyx, dimorph, and bouton fibers. Calyx and dimorph afferents innervated the striola region of the lagena, while bouton afferents innervated the extrastriola and a small region of the central striola known as the type II band. Calyx units had large calyceal terminal structures that innervated only type I hair cells. Dimorph afferents innervated both type I and II hair cells, with calyx and bouton terminals. Bouton afferents had the largest most complex innervation patterns and the greatest terminal areas contacting many hair cells. PMID:22387112

Structure stability of lytic peptides during their interactions with lipid bilayers.

PubMed

Chen, H M; Lee, C H

2001-10-01

In this work, molecular dynamics simulations were used to examine the consequences of a variety of analogs of cecropin A on lipid bilayers. Analog sequences were constructed by replacing either the N- or C-terminal helix with the other helix in native or reverse sequence order, by making palindromic peptides based on both the N- and C-terminal helices, and by deleting the hinge region. The structure of the peptides was monitored throughout the simulation. The hinge region appeared not to assist in maintaining helical structure but help in motion flexibility. In general, the N-terminal helix of peptides was less stable than the C-terminal one during the interaction with anionic lipid bilayers. Sequences with hydrophobic helices tended to regain helical structure after an initial loss while sequences with amphipathic helices were less able to do this. The results suggests that hydrophobic design peptides have a high structural stability in an anionic membrane and are the candidates for experimental investigation.

75 FR 20839 - Dimethyldithiocarbamate Salts; Amendments to Terminate Uses

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-21

... requested by the registrant and accepted by the Agency, of products containing the pesticides sodium... distribution, sale, or use of the sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate and potassium dimethyldithiocarbamate products..., and manufacturing-use sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate salts products registered under section 3 of...

Disulfide-Bridged (Mo3S11) Cluster Polymer: Molecular Dynamics and Application as Electrode Material for a Rechargeable Magnesium Battery.

PubMed

Truong, Quang Duc; Kempaiah Devaraju, Murukanahally; Nguyen, Duc N; Gambe, Yoshiyuki; Nayuki, Keiichiro; Sasaki, Yoshikazu; Tran, Phong D; Honma, Itaru

2016-09-14

Exploring novel electrode materials is critical for the development of a next-generation rechargeable magnesium battery with high volumetric capacity. Here, we showed that a distinct amorphous molybdenum sulfide, being a coordination polymer of disulfide-bridged (Mo3S11) clusters, has great potential as a rechargeable magnesium battery cathode. This material provided good reversible capacity, attributed to its unique structure with high flexibility and capability of deformation upon Mg insertion. Free-terminal disulfide moiety may act as the active site for reversible insertion and extraction of magnesium.

The Terminal: a tale of virtue.

PubMed

Austin, Wendy

2007-01-01

The movie, The terminal, is used to illustrate MacIntyre's description of virtue ethics. The terminal is a mythical tale about a traveler, Viktor Navorski, who is stranded by circumstances in a New York airport. Viktor is a person who, without a strict reliance on duty or rules, has developed the disposition to act well despite variation in his circumstances. His character is revealed in contrast to that of three other characters: a cleaner, a flight attendant and the airport manager. Stories like this one may be a good way to open dialogue among clinicians about being virtuous as a practitioner. Such dialogue may make striving to be virtuous an acceptable goal for practitioners and less like an idealistic, pseudo-goal for those aiming for sainthood.

Functional Interaction Map of Lyssavirus Phosphoprotein: Identification of the Minimal Transcription Domains

PubMed Central

Jacob, Yves; Real, Eléonore; Tordo, Noël

2001-01-01

Lyssaviruses, the causative agents of rabies encephalitis, are distributed in seven genotypes. The phylogenetically distant rabies virus (PV strain, genotype 1) and Mokola virus (genotype 3) were used to develop a strategy to identify functional homologous interactive domains from two proteins (P and N) which participate in the viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) transcription-replication complex. This strategy combined two-hybrid and green fluorescent protein–reverse two-hybrid assays in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to analyze protein-protein interactions and a reverse genetic assay in mammalian cells to study the transcriptional activity of the reconstituted RNP complex. Lyssavirus P proteins contain two N-binding domains (N-BDs), a strong one encompassing amino acid (aa) 176 to the C terminus and a weak one in the 189 N-terminal aa. The N-terminal portion of P (aa 52 to 189) also contains a homomultimerization site. Here we demonstrate that N-P interactions, although weaker, are maintained between proteins of the different genotypes. A minimal transcriptional module of the P protein was obtained by fusing the first 60 N-terminal aa containing the L protein binding site to the C-terminal strong N-BD. Random mutation of the strong N-BD on P protein identified three highly conserved K residues crucial for N-P interaction. Their mutagenesis in full-length P induced a transcriptionally defective RNP. The analysis of homologous interactive domains presented here and previously reported dissections of the P protein allowed us to propose a model of the functional interaction network of the lyssavirus P protein. This model underscores the central role of P at the interface between L protein and N-RNA template. PMID:11559793

Reversal of enantioselectivity in the hydroformylation of styrene with [2S,4S-BDPP]Pt(SnCl3)Cl at high temperature arises from a change in the enantioselective-determining step.

PubMed

Casey, Charles P; Martins, Susie C; Fagan, Maureen A

2004-05-05

Deuterioformylation of styrene catalyzed by [(2S,4S)-BDPP]Pt(SnCl(3))Cl at 39 degrees C gave 3-phenylpropanal (3) and 2-phenylpropanal (2) (n:i = 1.8, 71% ee (S)-2) with deuterium only beta to the aldehyde carbonyl and in the formyl group. Small amounts of deuterium were also found in the internal (2.8%), cis terminal (1.4%), and trans terminal (1.3%) vinyl positions of the recovered styrene. Deuterioformylation of styrene at 98 degrees C gave 3- (3) and 2-phenylpropanal (2) (n:i = 2.3, 10% ee (R)-2) with deuterium both alpha and beta to the aldehyde carbonyl and in the formyl group. Deuterium was also found in the internal (20%), cis terminal (12%), and trans terminal (12%) vinyl positions of the recovered styrene. These deuterioformylation results establish that platinum hydride addition to styrene is largely irreversible at 39 degrees C but reversible at 98 degrees C. Hydroformylation of (E)- and (Z)-beta-deuteriostyrene at 40 degrees C, followed by oxidation of the aldehydes to acids, and subsequent derivitization to the (S)-mandelate esters confirmed that 84% of 2-phenylpropanal (2) arises from platinum hydride addition to the si-face of styrene, while 73% of 3-phenylpropanal (3) arises from platinum hydride addition to the re-face of styrene. At 100 degrees C, the effect of variable H(2) and CO pressure on n:i, % ee, and TOF of hydroformylation of styrene was investigated. The results are consistent with enantioselectivity not being fully determined until the final hydrogenolysis of a platinum acyl intermediate.

Terminal area automatic navigation, guidance, and control 1: Automatic rollout, turnoff, and taxis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pines, S.

1981-01-01

A study developed for the TCV B-737, designed to apply existing navigation aids plus magnetic leader cable signals and develop breaking and reverse thrust guidance laws to provide for rapid automated rollout, turnoff, and taxi to reduce runway occupation time for a wide variety of landing conditions for conventional commercial-type aircraft, is described. Closed loop guidance laws for braking and reverse thrust are derived for rollout, turnoff, and taxi, as functions of the landing speed, the desired taxi speed and the distance to go. Brake limitations for wet runway conditions and reverse thrust limitations are taken into account to provide decision rules to avoid tire skid and to choose an alternate turnoff point, farther down the runway, to accommodate extreme landing conditions.

Computers as learning resources in the health sciences: impact and issues.

PubMed Central

Ellis, L B; Hannigan, G G

1986-01-01

Starting with two computer terminals in 1972, the Health Sciences Learning Resources Center of the University of Minnesota Bio-Medical Library expanded its instructional facilities to ten terminals and thirty-five microcomputers by 1985. Computer use accounted for 28% of total center circulation. The impact of these resources on health sciences curricula is described and issues related to use, support, and planning are raised and discussed. Judged by their acceptance and educational value, computers are successful health sciences learning resources at the University of Minnesota. PMID:3518843

ACTS (Advanced Communications Technology Satellite) Propagation Experiment: Preprocessing Software User's Manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crane, Robert K.; Wang, Xuhe; Westenhaver, David

1996-01-01

The preprocessing software manual describes the Actspp program originally developed to observe and diagnose Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) propagation terminal/receiver problems. However, it has been quite useful for automating the preprocessing functions needed to convert the terminal output to useful attenuation estimates. Prior to having data acceptable for archival functions, the individual receiver system must be calibrated and the power level shifts caused by ranging tone modulation must be received. Actspp provides three output files: the daylog, the diurnal coefficient file, and the file that contains calibration information.

A brief review of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PubMed

Hogg, James C

2012-01-01

A recent study, based on a combination of multidetector computed tomography scanning of an intact specimen with microcomputed tomography and histological analysis of lung tissue samples, reported that the number of terminal bronchioles were reduced from approximately 44,500/lung pair in control (donor) lungs to approximately 4800/lung pair in lungs donated by individuals with very severe (Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage 4) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated by lung transplantation. The present short review discusses the hypothesis that a rapid rate of terminal bronchiolar destruction causes the rapid decline in lung function leading to advanced COPD. With respect to why the terminal bronchioles are targeted for destruction, the postulated mechanisms of this destruction and the possibility that new treatments are able to either prevent or reverse the underlying cause of airway obstruction in COPD are addressed.

Over-expression of phage HK022 Nun protein is toxic for Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

Uc-Mass, Augusto; Khodursky, Arkady; Brown, Lewis; Gottesman, Max E.

2008-01-01

The Nun protein of coliphage HK022 excludes superinfecting λ phage. Nun recognizes and binds to the N utilization (nut) sites on phage λ nascent RNA and induces transcription termination. Over-expression of Nun from a high-copy plasmid is toxic for E.coli, despite the fact that nut sites are not encoded in the E.coli genome. Cells expressing Nun cannot exit stationary phase. Toxicity is related to transcription termination, since host and nun mutations that block termination also suppress cell killing. Nun inhibits expression of wild-type lacZ, but not lacZ expressed from the Crp/cAMP–independent lacUV5 promoter. Microarray and proteomics analyses show Nun down-regulates crp and tnaA. Crp over-expression and high indole concentrations partially reverse Nun-mediated toxicity and restore lacZ expression. PMID:18571198

Electron transfer capacity dependence of quinone-mediated Fe(III) reduction and current generation by Klebsiella pneumoniae L17.

PubMed

Li, Xiaomin; Liu, Liang; Liu, Tongxu; Yuan, Tian; Zhang, Wei; Li, Fangbai; Zhou, Shungui; Li, Yongtao

2013-06-01

Quinone groups in exogenous electron shuttles can accelerate extracellular electron transfer (EET) from bacteria to insoluble terminal electron acceptors, such as Fe(III) oxides and electrodes, which are important in biogeochemical redox processes and microbial electricity generation. However, the relationship between quinone-mediated EET performance and electron-shuttling properties of the quinones remains incompletely characterized. This study investigates the effects of a series of synthetic quinones (SQs) on goethite reduction and current generation by a fermenting bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae L17. In addition, the voltammetric behavior and electron transfer capacities (ETCs) of SQ, including electron accepting (EAC) and donating (EDC) capacities, is also examined using electrochemical methods. The results showed that SQ can significantly increase both the Fe(III) reduction rates and current outputs of L17. Each tested SQ reversibly accepted and donated electrons as indicated by the cyclic voltammograms. The EAC and EDC results showed that Carmine and Alizarin had low relative capacities of electron transfer, whereas 9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid (AQDS), 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (2-HNQ), and 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (5-HNQ) showed stronger relative ETC, and 9,10-anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid (AQC) and 9,10-anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid (AQS) had high relative ETC. Enhancement of microbial goethite reduction kinetics and current outputs by SQ had a good linear relationship with their ETC, indicating that the effectiveness of quinone-mediated EET may be strongly dependent on the ETC of the quinones. Therefore, the presence of quinone compounds and fermenting microorganisms may increase the diversity of microbial populations that contribute to element transformation in natural environments. Moreover, ETC determination of different SQ would help to evaluate their performance for microbial EET under anoxic conditions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Partial purification and properties of tropine dehydrogenase from root cultures of Datura stramonium.

PubMed

Koelen, K J; Gross, G G

1982-04-01

From sterile root cultures of Datura stramonium, an NADP(H)-specific tropine dehydrogenase has been isolated and characterized. The enzyme catalyzes the reversible and stereospecific oxidation of tropine and related tropane-3 alpha-ols to the corresponding ketone. Isomeric pseudotropine (tropane-3 beta-ol) is neither accepted as substrate nor produced in the reverse reaction. It is assumed that this dehydrogenase is involved in the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids.

Early and mid-term results of autograft rescue by Ross reversal: A one-valve disease need not become a two-valve disease.

PubMed

Hussain, Syed T; Majdalany, David S; Dunn, Aaron; Stewart, Robert D; Najm, Hani K; Svensson, Lars G; Houghtaling, Penny L; Blackstone, Eugene H; Pettersson, Gösta B

2018-02-01

Risk of reoperation and loss of a second native valve are major drawbacks of the Ross operation. Rather than discarding the failed autograft, it can be placed back into the native pulmonary position by "Ross reversal." We review our early and mid-term results with this operation. From 2006 to 2017, 39 patients underwent reoperation for autograft dysfunction. The autograft was successfully rescued in 35 patients: by Ross reversal in 30, David procedure in 4, and autograft repair in 1. Medical records were reviewed for patient characteristics (mean age was 46 ± 13 years, range 18-67 years, and 23 were male), previous operations, indications for reoperation, hospital outcomes, and echocardiographic findings for the 30 patients undergoing successful Ross reversal. Follow-up was 4.1 ± 3.5 years (range 7 months-11 years). Median interval between the original Ross procedure and Ross reversal was 12 years (range 5-19 years). Eight patients also had absolute indications for replacement of the pulmonary allograft. There was no operative mortality. One patient required reoperation for bleeding. Another had an abdominal aorta injury from use of an endoballoon clamp. There was no other major postoperative morbidity, and median postoperative hospital stay was 7.2 days (range 4-41 days). No patient required reoperation during follow-up. Twenty-four patients had acceptable pulmonary valve function, and 6 had clinically well-tolerated moderate or severe pulmonary regurgitation. Ross reversal can be performed with low morbidity and acceptable pulmonary valve function, reducing patient risk of losing 2 native valves when the autograft fails in the aortic position. Copyright © 2017 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of Reverse Bias Stress on Leakage Currents and Breakdown Voltages of Solid Tantalum Capacitors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teverovsky, Alexander A.

2011-01-01

The majority of solid tantalum capacitors are produced by high-temperature sintering of a fine tantalum powder around a tantalum wire followed by electrolytic anodization that forms a thin amorphous Ta2O5 dielectric layer and pyrolysis of manganese nitrite on the oxide to create a conductive manganese dioxide electrode. A contact to tantalum wire is used as anode terminal and to the manganese layer as a cathode terminal of the device. This process results in formation of an asymmetric Ta -- Ta2O5 -- MnO2 capacitor that has different characteristics at forward (positive bias applied to tantalum) and reverse (positive bias applied to manganese cathode) voltages. Reverse bias currents might be several orders of magnitude larger than forward leakage currents so I-V characteristics of tantalum capacitors resemble characteristics of semiconductor rectifiers. Asymmetric I-V characteristics of Ta -- anodic Ta2O5 systems have been observed at different top electrode materials including metals, electrolytes, conductive polymers, and manganese oxide thus indicating that this phenomenon is likely related to the specifics of the Ta -- Ta2O5 interface. There have been multiple attempts to explain rectifying characteristics of capacitors employing anodic tantalum pentoxide dielectrics. A brief review of works related to reverse bias (RB) behavior of tantalum capacitors shows that the mechanism of conduction in Ta -- Ta2O5 systems is still not clear and more testing and analysis is necessary to understand the processes involved. If tantalum capacitors behave just as rectifiers, then the assessment of the safe reverse bias operating conditions would be a relatively simple task. Unfortunately, these parts can degrade with time under reverse bias significantly, and this further complicates analysis of the I-V characteristics and establishing safe operating areas of the parts. On other hand, time dependence of reverse currents might provide additional information for investigation of the processes under reverse bias conditions. In practice, there were instances when, due to unforeseen events, the system operated at conditions when capacitors experience periodically a relatively small reverse bias for some time followed by normal, forward bias conditions. In such a case an assessment should be made on the degree to which these capacitors are degraded by application of low-voltage reverse bias, and whether this degradation can be reversed by normal operating conditions. In this study, reverse currents in different types of tantalum capacitors were monitored at different reverse voltages below 15%VR and temperatures in the range from room to 145 C for up to 150 hours to get better understanding of the degradation process and determine conditions favorable to the unstable mode of operation. The reversibility of RB degradation has been evaluated after operation of the capacitors at forward bias conditions. The effect of reverse bias stress (RBS) on reliability at normal operating conditions was evaluated using highly accelerated life testing at voltages of 1.5VR and 2 VR and by analysis of changes in distributions of breakdown voltages. Possible mechanisms of RB degradation are discussed.

Teacher Support, Peer Acceptance, and Engagement in the Classroom: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study in Late Childhood.

PubMed

Weyns, Tessa; Colpin, Hilde; De Laet, Steven; Engels, Maaike; Verschueren, Karine

2018-06-01

Although research has examined the bivariate effects of teacher support, peer acceptance, and engagement, it remains unclear how these key classroom experiences evolve together, especially in late childhood. This study aims to provide a detailed picture of their transactional relations in late childhood. A sample of 586 children (M age  = 9.26 years, 47.1% boys) was followed from fourth to sixth grade. Teacher support and engagement were student-reported and peer acceptance was peer-reported. Autoregressive cross-lagged models revealed unique longitudinal effects of both peer acceptance and teacher support on engagement, and of peer acceptance on teacher support. No reverse effects of engagement on peer acceptance or teacher support were found. The study underscores the importance of examining the relative contribution of several social actors in the classroom. Regarding interventions, improving both peer acceptance and teacher support can increase children's engagement, and augmenting peer acceptance can help to increase teacher support.

Short-term blueberry-enriched antioxidant diet prevents and reverses object recognition memory loss in aged rats

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Objective Previously, four months of a blueberry-enriched (BB) antioxidant diet prevented impaired object recognition memory in aged rats. Experiment 1 determined whether one and two-month BB diets would have a similar effect and whether the benefits would disappear promptly after terminating the d...

48 CFR 1652.000 - Applicable clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Data. 52.215-27Termination of Defined Benefit Pension Plans. 52.215-30Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-31Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-39Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for...-6Drug-Free Workplace. 52.227-1Authorization and Consent. 52.227-2Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent...

48 CFR 1652.000 - Applicable clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Data. 52.215-27Termination of Defined Benefit Pension Plans. 52.215-30Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-31Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-39Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for...-6Drug-Free Workplace. 52.227-1Authorization and Consent. 52.227-2Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent...

48 CFR 1652.000 - Applicable clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Data. 52.215-27Termination of Defined Benefit Pension Plans. 52.215-30Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-31Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-39Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for...-6Drug-Free Workplace. 52.227-1Authorization and Consent. 52.227-2Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent...

48 CFR 1652.000 - Applicable clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Data. 52.215-27Termination of Defined Benefit Pension Plans. 52.215-30Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-31Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-39Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for...-6Drug-Free Workplace. 52.227-1Authorization and Consent. 52.227-2Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent...

48 CFR 1652.000 - Applicable clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Data. 52.215-27Termination of Defined Benefit Pension Plans. 52.215-30Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-31Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money. 52.215-39Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for...-6Drug-Free Workplace. 52.227-1Authorization and Consent. 52.227-2Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent...

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Investigation of a 1/24-Scale Model of the Grumman F9F-6 Airplane TED No. NACA DE 364

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klinar, Walter J.; Healy, Frederick M.

1952-01-01

An investigation of a 1/24-scale model of the Grumman F9F-6 airplane has been conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel. The erect and inverted spin and recovery characteristics of the model were determined for the normal flight loading with the model in the clean condition. The effect of loading variations was investigated briefly. Spin-recovery parachute tests were also performed. The results indicate that erect spins obtained on the airplane in the clean condition will be satisfactorily terminated for all loading conditions provided full rudder reversal is accompanied by moving the ailerons and flaperons (lateral controls) to full with the spin (stick right in a right spin). Inverted spins should be satisfactorily terminated by full reversal of the rudder alone. The model tests indicate that an 11.4-foot (laid-out-flat diameter) tail parachute (drag coefficient approximately 0.73) should be effective as an emergency spin-recovery device during demonstration spins of the airplane provided the towline is attached above the horizontal stabilizer.

78 FR 9 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-02

... AD adds repetitive inspections for cracking using different inspection methods and inspecting... cracking using different inspection methods and would inspect additional areas, and corrective actions if... an acceptable method for accomplishing the inspections in areas covered by non-terminating repairs as...

The reverse boomerang sign: a marker for first-trimester transposition of great arteries.

PubMed

Bravo-Valenzuela, Nathalie Jeanne; Peixoto, Alberto Borges; Araujo Júnior, Edward; Da Silva Costa, Fabricio; Meagher, Simon

2017-10-12

To describe a new sonographic marker of transposition of great arteries (TGA) during the first-trimester screening. We reviewed six cases of TGA from 2013 to 2016 in which an antenatal diagnosis of TGA at first-trimester screening (11-13 + 6 weeks of gestation) was confirmed postnatally. We specifically assessed images obtained by scanning the fetal heart in three vessels (3V) and three-vessel with trachea (3VT) views using color Doppler. The "reverse boomerang" sign was defined as a reverse curvature of right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) at level of the 3VT view. We described six cases of confirmed TGA, five singletons and one twin pregnancy, among which only two vessels and the reverse curvature of RVOT (reverse boomerang sign) was demonstrated in the first-trimester screening at level of 3VT view. Ventricular septal defects were observed in three cases, and double outlet right ventricle in one case. No other cardiac or extracardiac anomalies were identified. Termination of pregnancy was not performed in any case. Our series case suggests that the reverse boomerang sign may improve the early prenatal screening for TGA.

Reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage circuit

DOEpatents

Honig, Emanuel M.

1987-01-01

A high-power reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage and transfer circuit includes an opening switch, a main energy storage coil, a counterpulse capacitor and a small inductor. After counterpulsing the opening switch off, the counterpulse capacitor is recharged by the main energy storage coil before the load pulse is initiated. This gives the counterpulse capacitor sufficient energy for the next counterpulse operation, although the polarity of the capacitor's voltage must be reversed before that can occur. By using a current-zero switch as the counterpulse start switch, the capacitor is disconnected from the circuit (with a full charge) when the load pulse is initiated, preventing the capacitor from depleting its energy store by discharging through the load. After the load pulse is terminated by reclosing the main opening switch, the polarity of the counterpulse capacitor voltage is reversed by discharging the capacitor through a small inductor and interrupting the discharge current oscillation at zero current and peak reversed voltage. The circuit enables high-power, high-repetition-rate operation with reusable switches and features total control (pulse-to-pulse) over output pulse initiation, duration, repetition rate, and, to some extent, risetime.

Reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage circuit

DOEpatents

Honig, E.M.

1984-06-05

A high power reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage and transfer circuit includes an opening switch, a main energy storage coil, a counterpulse capacitor and a small inductor. After counterpulsing the opening switch off, the counterpulse capacitor is recharged by the main energy storage coil before the load pulse is initiated. This gives the counterpulse capacitor sufficient energy for the next counterpulse operation, although the polarity of the capacitor's voltage must be reversed before that can occur. By using a current-zero switch as the counterpulse start switch, the capacitor is disconnected from the circuit (with a full charge) when the load pulse is initiated, preventing the capacitor from depleting its energy store by discharging through the load. After the load pulse is terminated by reclosing the main opening switch, the polarity of the counterpulse capacitor voltage is reversed by discharging the capacitor through a small inductor and interrupting the discharge current oscillation at zero current and peak reversed voltage. The circuit enables high-power, high-repetition-rate operation with reusable switches and features total control (pulse-to-pulse) over output pulse initiation, duration, repetition rate, and, to some extent, risetime.

Honey bee cognition.

PubMed

Gould, J L

1990-11-01

The visual memory of honey bees is stored pictorially. Bees will accept a mirror-image reversal of a familiar pattern in the absence of the original, but prefer the original over the reversal; the matching system of bees, therefore, does not incorporate a mirror-image ambiguity. Bees will not accept a rotation of a familiar vertical pattern, but readily recognize any rotation of a horizontal pattern; the context-specific ability to make a mental transformation seems justified by natural contingencies. Bees are able to construct and use cognitive maps of their home area, though it is possible to create conditions under which they lack useful cues. Other experiments suggest that recruits, having attended a dance in the hive specifying the distance and direction of a food source, can evaluate the "plausibility" of the location without leaving the hive; this suggests a kind of imagination.

Use of contraception among women who request first trimester pregnancy termination in Norway.

PubMed

Strøm-Roum, Ellen Marie; Lid, Julie; Eskild, Anne

2016-08-01

Among women requesting pregnancy termination, we studied the proportion of women who reported having used contraception when they became pregnant and the contraceptive method that they had used. We included all requests for pregnancy termination in Norway during the years 2007-2011 (n=80,346) by obtaining information from the Norwegian Registry of Pregnancy Termination. By using a logistic regression model, we estimated odds ratios for using any contraceptive method associated with the woman's age, previous childbirth, previous pregnancy termination, marital status, employment status and educational level. In total, 36.5% of the women who requested pregnancy termination (29,305/80,346) reported having used contraception when they became pregnant. Of all women, 16.6% reported having used the combined contraceptive pill/progestin pill, 11.5% the condom and 1.1% long-acting reversible contraceptives (1.0% intrauterine contraception). Overall, 38.9% of women 20-24years old had used contraception, compared to 29.9% of women 40-44years old (odds ratio 0.55, 95% confidence interval 0.51-0.60). Previous childbirth, previous pregnancy termination and high educational level were also associated with contraceptive use. Among women who requested pregnancy termination in Norway, 36.5% reported having used contraception when they became pregnant. Contraception use was associated with young age and having previously been pregnant. A large proportion of women who request pregnancy termination have experienced contraceptive failure. Women who are fertile and do not wish to become pregnant should be offered a contraceptive method that carries low risk of incorrect use. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

C-Terminal Protein Characterization by Mass Spectrometry: Isolation of C-Terminal Fragments from Cyanogen Bromide-Cleaved Protein

PubMed Central

Nika, Heinz; Hawke, David H.; Angeletti, Ruth Hogue

2014-01-01

A sample preparation method for protein C-terminal peptide isolation from cyanogen bromide (CNBr) digests has been developed. In this strategy, the analyte was reduced and carboxyamidomethylated, followed by CNBr cleavage in a one-pot reaction scheme. The digest was then adsorbed on ZipTipC18 pipette tips for conjugation of the homoserine lactone-terminated peptides with 2,2′-dithiobis (ethylamine) dihydrochloride, followed by reductive release of 2-aminoethanethiol from the derivatives. The thiol-functionalized internal and N-terminal peptides were scavenged on activated thiol sepharose, leaving the C-terminal peptide in the flow-through fraction. The use of reversed-phase supports as a venue for peptide derivatization enabled facile optimization of the individual reaction steps for throughput and completeness of reaction. Reagents were replaced directly on the support, allowing the reactions to proceed at minimal sample loss. By this sequence of solid-phase reactions, the C-terminal peptide could be recognized uniquely in mass spectra of unfractionated digests by its unaltered mass signature. The use of the sample preparation method was demonstrated with low-level amounts of a whole, intact model protein. The C-terminal fragments were retrieved selectively and efficiently from the affinity support. The use of covalent chromatography for C-terminal peptide purification enabled recovery of the depleted material for further chemical and/or enzymatic manipulation. The sample preparation method provides for robustness and simplicity of operation and is anticipated to be expanded to gel-separated proteins and in a scaled-up format to high-throughput protein profiling in complex biological mixtures. PMID:24688319

Ultrafast Reverse Recovery Time Measurement for Wide-Bandgap Diodes

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

Mauch, Daniel L.; Zutavern, Fred J.; Delhotal, Jarod J.

A system is presented that is capable of measuring sub-nanosecond reverse recovery times of diodes in wide-bandgap materials over a wide range of forward biases (0 – 1 A) and reverse voltages (0 – 10 kV). The system utilizes the step recovery technique and comprises a cable pulser based on a silicon (Si) Photoconductive Semiconductor Switch (PCSS) triggered with an Ultra Short Pulse Laser (USPL), a pulse charging circuit, a diode biasing circuit, and resistive and capacitive voltage monitors. The PCSS based cable pulser transmits a 130 ps rise time pulse down a transmission line to a capacitively coupled diode,more » which acts as the terminating element of the transmission line. The temporal nature of the pulse reflected by the diode provides the reverse recovery characteristics of the diode, measured with a high bandwidth capacitive probe integrated into the cable pulser. Furthermore, this system was used to measure the reverse recovery times (including the creation and charging of the depletion region) for two Avogy gallium nitride (GaN) diodes; the initial reverse recovery time was found to be 4 ns and varied minimally over reverse biases of 50 – 100 V and forward current of 1 – 100 mA.« less

Ultrafast Reverse Recovery Time Measurement for Wide-Bandgap Diodes

DOE PAGES

Mauch, Daniel L.; Zutavern, Fred J.; Delhotal, Jarod J.; ...

2017-03-01

A system is presented that is capable of measuring sub-nanosecond reverse recovery times of diodes in wide-bandgap materials over a wide range of forward biases (0 – 1 A) and reverse voltages (0 – 10 kV). The system utilizes the step recovery technique and comprises a cable pulser based on a silicon (Si) Photoconductive Semiconductor Switch (PCSS) triggered with an Ultra Short Pulse Laser (USPL), a pulse charging circuit, a diode biasing circuit, and resistive and capacitive voltage monitors. The PCSS based cable pulser transmits a 130 ps rise time pulse down a transmission line to a capacitively coupled diode,more » which acts as the terminating element of the transmission line. The temporal nature of the pulse reflected by the diode provides the reverse recovery characteristics of the diode, measured with a high bandwidth capacitive probe integrated into the cable pulser. Furthermore, this system was used to measure the reverse recovery times (including the creation and charging of the depletion region) for two Avogy gallium nitride (GaN) diodes; the initial reverse recovery time was found to be 4 ns and varied minimally over reverse biases of 50 – 100 V and forward current of 1 – 100 mA.« less

Energy efficient and fast reversal of a fixed skyrmion two-terminal memory with spin current assisted by voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharya, Dhritiman; Mamun Al-Rashid, Md; Atulasimha, Jayasimha

2017-10-01

Recent work (P-H Jang et al 2015 Appl. Phys. Lett. 107 202401, J. Sampaio et al 2016 Appl. Phys. Lett. 108 112403) suggests that ferromagnetic reversal with spin transfer torque (STT) requires more current in a system in the presence of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) than switching a typical ferromagnet of the same dimensions and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). However, DMI promotes the stabilization of skyrmions and we report that when perpendicular anisotropy is modulated (reduced) for both the skyrmion and ferromagnet, it takes a much smaller current to reverse the fixed skyrmion than to reverse the ferromagnet in the same amount of time, or the skyrmion reverses much faster than the ferromagnet at similar levels of current. We show with rigorous micromagnetic simulations that skyrmion switching proceeds along a different path at very low PMA, which results in a significant reduction in the spin current or time required for reversal. This can offer potential for memory applications where a relatively simple modification of the standard STT-RAM (to include a heavy metal adjacent to the soft magnetic layer and with appropriate design of the tunnel barrier) can lead to an energy efficient and fast magnetic memory device based on the reversal of fixed skyrmions.

Effect of Tamoxifen and Brain-Penetrant Protein Kinase C and c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitors on Tolerance to Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression in Mice.

PubMed

Withey, Sarah L; Hill, Rob; Lyndon, Abigail; Dewey, William L; Kelly, Eamonn; Henderson, Graeme

2017-04-01

Respiratory depression is the major cause of death in opioid overdose. We have previously shown that prolonged treatment of mice with morphine induces profound tolerance to the respiratory-depressant effects of the drug (Hill et al., 2016). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether tolerance to opioid-induced respiratory depression is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) and/or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We found that although mice treated for up to 6 days with morphine developed tolerance, as measured by the reduced responsiveness to an acute challenge dose of morphine, administration of the brain-penetrant PKC inhibitors tamoxifen and calphostin C restored the ability of acute morphine to produce respiratory depression in morphine-treated mice. Importantly, reversal of opioid tolerance was dependent on the nature of the opioid ligand used to induce tolerance, as these PKC inhibitors did not reverse tolerance induced by prolonged treatment of mice with methadone nor did they reverse the protection to acute morphine-induced respiratory depression afforded by prolonged treatment with buprenorphine. We found no evidence for the involvement of JNK in morphine-induced tolerance to respiratory depression. These results indicate that PKC represents a major mechanism underlying morphine tolerance, that the mechanism of opioid tolerance to respiratory depression is ligand-dependent, and that coadministration of drugs with PKC-inhibitory activity and morphine (as well as heroin, largely metabolized to morphine in the body) may render individuals more susceptible to overdose death by reversing tolerance to the effects of morphine. Copyright © 2017 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Results of kidney transplantation from high-terminal creatinine donors and the role of time-zero biopsy.

PubMed

Lin, N C; Yang, A H; King, K L; Wu, T H; Yang, W C; Loong, C C

2010-11-01

Deceased-donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) from high-terminal creatinine donors is associated with lower graft survival. These kidneys may be considered for discarding, worsening the organ shortage crisis. Using time-zero biopsy for histologic evaluation of these kidneys, we identified those organs eligible for transplantation, seeking to achieve better graft utility with comparable outcomes. From April 2004 to April 2008, 55 patients underwent DDKT. A time-zero biopsy was used to examine glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and arteriolar narrowing. A scoring system was used to determine a discard. Twenty-five patients received DDKT from donors whose terminal creatinine levels were >2.0 mg/dL (high terminal creatinine, HTC group) and 30 from donors whose terminal creatinine levels were <2.0 mg/dL (low terminal creatinine, LTC group). Patients who accepted kidneys from HTC donors had shorter waiting times (P = .011) but a higher incidence of delayed graft function after transplantation (P < .001). Nonetheless, 5-year graft survival rates were similar between the two groups. With a time-zero biopsy for histologic evaluation, kidneys recovered from high-terminal creatinine donors can be transplanted to overcome the organ shortage while achieving reasonable graft survival. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Moses presages Kubler-Ross: five stages in accepting death, as seen in the midrash.

PubMed

Berkowitz, M C; Knight, L

2001-11-01

This paper elucidates and explains an ancient midrash (rabbinic interpretation of a biblical text) through the lens of modern psychological theory. The midrash describes Moses' reactions to his approaching death. The paper points out that these reactions anticipate the five classic stages, described by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, of coming to accept terminal illness: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. The article shows the ancient rabbis' sensitivity to human feeling and the universal nature of human reaction through the dialogue and reactions they attribute to Moses. Finally, it shows how using this midrash offers a constructive model for approaching death, for Jewish and non-Jewish patients alike, as well as their caregivers.

An Analysis of Unseasonal Equatorial Plasma Bubbles in July 2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, B. A.; Currie, J. L.; Pradipta, R.; Groves, K. M.; Caton, R. G.; Yokoyama, T.

2017-12-01

In the equatorial ionosphere, the Raleigh-Taylor (RT) plasma instability in the post sunset region is known to cause plasma depletions, known as equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs). These EPBs can have adverse effects on satellite-reliant technologies by causing scintillations in the phase and amplitude of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. The effect of EPBs on satellite-reliant technologies highlights a need for reliable forecasting of EPBs in the low-latitude regions, which requires a solid understanding of their climatology and daily variability. The climatology of EPB occurrence is known to correlate with the angle between the magnetic field and solar terminator. This angle controls the longitudinal E-region conductivity gradient across the day-night terminator, which influences the strength of the pre-reversal enhancement in the upward plasma drift, a dominant term in the linear RT growth rate. This relationship is well established from ground-based GNSS and satellite-based studies. However, reliable forecasts have not been developed by space weather forecasting agencies due to the lack of understanding of EPB daily variability. During July, EPB occurrence is small in the South-East Asia longitude sector due to the relatively large angle between the magnetic field and solar terminator. As a result, the pre-reversal enhancement in the upward plasma drift is typically low during this period, creating less favourable conditions for EPB growth. However, despite the typically low pre-reversal enhancement strength, this analysis reveals that July 2014 is not devoid of EPB events above South-East Asia. These unseasonal EPB events during July 2014 are studied in the context of the prevalently low solar and geomagnetic activity conditions. Given the lack of solar and geomagnetic control, the influence of the lower atmosphere on EPB generation (e.g., via atmospheric gravity wave seeding) is explored. These events provide a unique opportunity to investigate the factors that affect the daily variability of EPBs, which will contribute towards the development of EPB prediction capabilities.

Logistics Management: New trends in the Reverse Logistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonyová, A.; Antony, P.; Soewito, B.

2016-04-01

Present level and quality of the environment are directly dependent on our access to natural resources, as well as their sustainability. In particular production activities and phenomena associated with it have a direct impact on the future of our planet. Recycling process, which in large enterprises often becomes an important and integral part of the production program, is usually in small and medium-sized enterprises problematic. We can specify a few factors, which have direct impact on the development and successful application of the effective reverse logistics system. Find the ways to economically acceptable model of reverse logistics, focusing on converting waste materials for renewable energy, is the task in progress.

Medical abortion reversal: science and politics meet.

PubMed

Bhatti, Khadijah Z; Nguyen, Antoinette T; Stuart, Gretchen S

2018-03-01

Medical abortion is a safe, effective, and acceptable option for patients seeking an early nonsurgical abortion. In 2014, medical abortion accounted for nearly one third (31%) of all abortions performed in the United States. State-level attempts to restrict reproductive and sexual health have recently included bills that require physicians to inform women that a medical abortion is reversible. In this commentary, we will review the history, current evidence-based regimen, and regulation of medical abortion. We will then examine current proposed and existing abortion reversal legislation. The objective of this commentary is to ensure physicians are armed with rigorous evidence to inform patients, communities, and policy makers about the safety of medical abortion. Furthermore, given the current paucity of evidence for medical abortion reversal, physicians and policy makers can dispel bad science and misinformation and advocate against medical abortion reversal legislation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Purification, cloning, functional expression and characterization of perakine reductase: the first example from the AKR enzyme family, extending the alkaloidal network of the plant Rauvolfia.

PubMed

Sun, Lianli; Ruppert, Martin; Sheludko, Yuri; Warzecha, Heribert; Zhao, Yu; Stöckigt, Joachim

2008-07-01

Perakine reductase (PR) catalyzes an NADPH-dependent step in a side-branch of the 10-step biosynthetic pathway of the alkaloid ajmaline. The enzyme was cloned by a "reverse-genetic" approach from cell suspension cultures of the plant Rauvolfia serpentina (Apocynaceae) and functionally expressed in Escherichia coli as the N-terminal His(6)-tagged protein. PR displays a broad substrate acceptance, converting 16 out of 28 tested compounds with reducible carbonyl function which belong to three substrate groups: benzaldehyde, cinnamic aldehyde derivatives and monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. The enzyme has an extraordinary selectivity in the group of alkaloids. Sequence alignments define PR as a new member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) super family, exhibiting the conserved catalytic tetrad Asp52, Tyr57, Lys84, His126. Site-directed mutagenesis of each of these functional residues to an alanine residue results in >97.8% loss of enzyme activity, in compounds of each substrate group. PR represents the first example of the large AKR-family which is involved in the biosynthesis of plant monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. In addition to a new esterase, PR significantly extends the Rauvolfia alkaloid network to the novel group of peraksine alkaloids.

Maintenance of a low-sodium, high-carotene and -vitamin C diet after a 1-year dietary intervention: the Hiraka dietary intervention follow-up study.

PubMed

Takahashi, Yoshiko; Sasaki, Satoshi; Okubo, Shunji; Hayashi, Masato; Tsugane, Shoichiro

2006-07-01

The importance of dietary modification for disease prevention is widely accepted. The difficulty of implementing and sustaining long-term changes is also well documented. Nevertheless, a few studies have attempted to achieve significant dietary change for extended periods. The Hiraka Dietary Intervention Study was a community-based randomized cross-over trial designed to develop an effective dietary modification tool and system in an area with high mortality for stomach cancer and stroke in 1998-2000. The main study subjects were 550 healthy volunteers, who were randomized into two groups and given tailored dietary education aimed at decreasing the intake of sodium and increasing that of carotene and vitamin C in either the first or second year. Four (first intervention group) and three (second intervention group) years after the intervention ended, 308 subjects were selected for this follow-up dietary survey. The low-sodium, high-vitamin C and -carotene diet was maintained with only a small, nonsignificant reversal from post-intervention to follow-up (P = 0.082-0.824). Significant changes from pre-intervention to follow-up were also maintained (P < 0.01). This dietary intervention program was maintained well over 4 years after the termination of the intervention sessions.

In vitro studies on the effect of physical cross-linking on the biological performance of aliphatic poly(urethane urea) for blood contact applications.

PubMed

Thomas, V; Kumari, T V; Jayabalan, M

2001-01-01

The effect of physical cross-linking in candidate cycloaliphatic and hydrophobic poly(urethane urea) (4,4'-methylenebis(cyclohexylisocyanate), H(12)MDI/hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene, HTPBD/hexamethylenediamine, HDA) and poly(ether urethane urea)s (H(12)MDI/HTPBD-PTMG/HDA) on the in vitro calcification and blood-material interaction was studied. All the candidate poly(urethane urea)s and poly(ether urethane urea)s elicit acceptable hemolytic activity, cytocompatibility, calcification, and blood compatibility in vitro. The studies on blood-material interaction reveal that the present poly(urethane urea)s are superior to polystyrene microtiter plates which were used for the studies on blood-material interaction. The present investigation reveals the influence of physical cross-link density on biological interaction differently with poly(urethane urea) and poly(ether urethane urea)s. The higher the physical cross-link density in the poly(urethane urea)s, the higher the calcification and consumption of WBC in whole blood. On the other hand, the higher the physical cross-link density in the poly(ether urethane urea)s, the lesser the calcification and consumption of WBC in whole blood. However a reverse of the above trend has been observed with the platelet consumption in the poly(urethane urea)s and poly(ether urethane urea)s.

Expanding the pool of kidney donors: use of kidneys with acute renal dysfunction

PubMed Central

de Matos, Ana Cristina Carvalho; Requião-Moura, Lúcio Roberto; Clarizia, Gabriela; Durão, Marcelino de Souza; Tonato, Eduardo José; Chinen, Rogério; de Arruda, Érika Ferraz; Filiponi, Thiago Corsi; Pires, Luciana Mello de Mello Barros; Bertocchi, Ana Paula Fernandes; Pacheco-Silva, Alvaro

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT Given the shortage of organs transplantation, some strategies have been adopted by the transplant community to increase the supply of organs. One strategy is the use of expanded criteria for donors, that is, donors aged >60 years or 50 and 59 years, and meeting two or more of the following criteria: history of hypertension, terminal serum creatinine >1.5mg/dL, and stroke as the donor´s cause of death. In this review, emphasis was placed on the use of donors with acute renal failure, a condition considered by many as a contraindication for organ acceptance and therefore one of the main causes for kidney discard. Since these are well-selected donors and with no chronic diseases, such as hypertension, renal disease, or diabetes, many studies showed that the use of donors with acute renal failure should be encouraged, because, in general, acute renal dysfunction is reversible. Although most studies demonstrated these grafts have more delayed function, the results of graft and patient survival after transplant are very similar to those with the use of standard donors. Clinical and morphological findings of donors, the use of machine perfusion, and analysis of its parameters, especially intrarenal resistance, are important tools to support decision-making when considering the supply of organs with renal dysfunction. PMID:26154553

7 CFR 274.3 - Retailer management.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... retailer, and it must include acceptable privacy and security features. Such systems shall only be... terminals that are capable of relaying electronic transactions to a central database computer for... specifications prior to implementation of the EBT system to enable third party processors to access the database...

7 CFR 1945.20 - Making EM loans available.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... disaster; (D) The incidence period for the disaster; (E) The termination date for accepting applications... Administrator's notification number (Example: N181); (ii) The incidence period for the natural disaster; and... are continuing losses or damages caused by that disaster, the Administrator will extend the incidence...

SUMO chain formation relies on the amino-terminal region of SUMO-conjugating enzyme and has dedicated substrates in plants

PubMed Central

Tomanov, Konstantin; Nehlin, Lilian; Ziba, Ionida

2018-01-01

The small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) conjugation apparatus usually attaches single SUMO moieties to its substrates, but SUMO chains have also been identified. To better define the biochemical requirements and characteristics of SUMO chain formation, mutations in surface-exposed Lys residues of Arabidopsis SUMO-conjugating enzyme (SCE) were tested for in vitro activity. Lys-to-Arg changes in the amino-terminal region of SCE allowed SUMO acceptance from SUMO-activating enzyme and supported substrate mono-sumoylation, but these mutations had significant effects on SUMO chain assembly. We found no indication that SUMO modification of SCE promotes chain formation. A substrate was identified that is modified by SUMO chain addition, showing that SCE can distinguish substrates for either mono-sumoylation or SUMO chain attachment. It is also shown that SCE with active site Cys mutated to Ser can accept SUMO to form an oxyester, but cannot transfer this SUMO moiety onto substrates, explaining a previously known dominant negative effect of this mutation. PMID:29133528

Modulating the DNA polymerase β reaction equilibrium to dissect the reverse reaction

PubMed Central

Shock, David D.; Freudenthal, Bret D.; Beard, William A.; Wilson, Samuel H.

2017-01-01

DNA polymerases catalyze efficient and high fidelity DNA synthesis. While this reaction favors nucleotide incorporation, polymerases also catalyze a reverse reaction, pyrophosphorolysis, removing the DNA primer terminus and generating deoxynucleoside triphosphates. Since pyrophosphorolysis can influence polymerase fidelity and sensitivity to chain-terminating nucleosides, we analyzed pyrophosphorolysis with human DNA polymerase β and found the reaction to be inefficient. The lack of a thio-elemental effect indicated that it was limited by a non-chemical step. Utilizing a pyrophosphate analog, where the bridging oxygen is replaced with an imido-group (PNP), increased the rate of the reverse reaction and displayed a large thio-elemental effect indicating that chemistry was now rate determining. Time-lapse crystallography with PNP captured structures consistent with a chemical equilibrium that favored the reverse reaction. These results highlight the importance of the bridging atom between the β- and γ-phosphates of the incoming nucleotide in reaction chemistry, enzyme conformational changes, and overall reaction equilibrium. PMID:28759020

Acceptability of Flight Deck-Based Interval Management Crew Procedures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murdock, Jennifer L.; Wilson, Sara R.; Hubbs, Clay E.; Smail, James W.

2013-01-01

The Interval Management for Near-term Operations Validation of Acceptability (IM-NOVA) experiment was conducted at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC) in support of the NASA Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Airspace Systems Program's Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration - 1 (ATD-1). ATD-1 is intended to showcase an integrated set of technologies that provide an efficient arrival solution for managing aircraft using NextGen surveillance, navigation, procedures, and automation for both airborne and ground-based systems. The goal of the IM-NOVA experiment was to assess if procedures outlined by the ATD-1 Concept of Operations, when used with a minimum set of Flight deck-based Interval Management (FIM) equipment and a prototype crew interface, were acceptable to and feasible for use by flight crews in a voice communications environment. To investigate an integrated arrival solution using ground-based air traffic control tools and aircraft automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) tools, the LaRC FIM system and the Traffic Management Advisor with Terminal Metering and Controller Managed Spacing tools developed at the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) were integrated in LaRC's Air Traffic Operations Laboratory. Data were collected from 10 crews of current, qualified 757/767 pilots asked to fly a high-fidelity, fixed based simulator during scenarios conducted within an airspace environment modeled on the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Terminal Radar Approach Control area. The aircraft simulator was equipped with the Airborne Spacing for Terminal Area Routes algorithm and a FIM crew interface consisting of electronic flight bags and ADS-B guidance displays. Researchers used "pseudo-pilot" stations to control 24 simulated aircraft that provided multiple air traffic flows into DFW, and recently retired DFW air traffic controllers served as confederate Center, Feeder, Final, and Tower controllers. Pilot participant feedback indicated that the procedures used by flight crews to receive and execute interval management (IM) clearances in a voice communications environment were logical, easy to follow, did not contain any missing or extraneous steps, and required the use of an acceptable level of workload. The majority of the pilot participants found the IM concept, in addition to the proposed FIM crew procedures, to be acceptable and indicated that the ATD-1 procedures can be successfully executed in a near-term NextGen environment.

Reversal of a full-length mutant huntingtin neuronal cell phenotype by chemical inhibitors of polyglutamine-mediated aggregation

PubMed Central

Wang, Jin; Gines, Silvia; MacDonald, Marcy E; Gusella, James F

2005-01-01

Background Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder triggered by an expanded polyglutamine tract in huntingtin that is thought to confer a new conformational property on this large protein. The propensity of small amino-terminal fragments with mutant, but not wild-type, glutamine tracts to self-aggregate is consistent with an altered conformation but such fragments occur relatively late in the disease process in human patients and mouse models expressing full-length mutant protein. This suggests that the altered conformational property may act within the full-length mutant huntingtin to initially trigger pathogenesis. Indeed, genotype-phenotype studies in HD have defined genetic criteria for the disease initiating mechanism, and these are all fulfilled by phenotypes associated with expression of full-length mutant huntingtin, but not amino-terminal fragment, in mouse models. As the in vitro aggregation of amino-terminal mutant huntingtin fragment offers a ready assay to identify small compounds that interfere with the conformation of the polyglutamine tract, we have identified a number of aggregation inhibitors, and tested whether these are also capable of reversing a phenotype caused by endogenous expression of mutant huntingtin in a striatal cell line from the HdhQ111/Q111 knock-in mouse. Results We screened the NINDS Custom Collection of 1,040 FDA approved drugs and bioactive compounds for their ability to prevent in vitro aggregation of Q58-htn 1–171 amino terminal fragment. Ten compounds were identified that inhibited aggregation with IC50 < 15 μM, including gossypol, gambogic acid, juglone, celastrol, sanguinarine and anthralin. Of these, both juglone and celastrol were effective in reversing the abnormal cellular localization of full-length mutant huntingtin observed in mutant HdhQ111/Q111 striatal cells. Conclusions At least some compounds identified as aggregation inhibitors also prevent a neuronal cellular phenotype caused by full-length mutant huntingtin, suggesting that in vitro fragment aggregation can act as a proxy for monitoring the disease-producing conformational property in HD. Thus, identification and testing of compounds that alter in vitro aggregation is a viable approach for defining potential therapeutic compounds that may act on the deleterious conformational property of full-length mutant huntingtin. PMID:15649316

Thermoelectric energy converters under a trade-off figure of merit with broken time-reversal symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iyyappan, I.; Ponmurugan, M.

2017-09-01

We study the performance of a three-terminal thermoelectric device such as heat engine and refrigerator with broken time-reversal symmetry by applying the unified trade-off figure of merit (\\dotΩ criterion) which accounts for both useful energy and losses. For the heat engine, we find that a thermoelectric device working under the maximum \\dotΩ criterion gives a significantly better performance than a device working at maximum power output. Within the framework of linear irreversible thermodynamics such a direct comparison is not possible for refrigerators, however, our study indicates that, for refrigerator, the maximum cooling load gives a better performance than the maximum \\dotΩ criterion for a larger asymmetry. Our results can be useful to choose a suitable optimization criterion for operating a real thermoelectric device with broken time-reversal symmetry.

PRINT: A Protein Bioconjugation Method with Exquisite N-terminal Specificity

PubMed Central

Sur, Surojit; Qiao, Yuan; Fries, Anja; O’Meally, Robert N.; Cole, Robert N.; Kinzler, Kenneth W.; Vogelstein, Bert; Zhou, Shibin

2015-01-01

Chemical conjugation is commonly used to enhance the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and potency of protein therapeutics, but often leads to non-specific modification or loss of bioactivity. Here, we present a simple, versatile and widely applicable method that allows exquisite N-terminal specific modification of proteins. Combining reversible side-chain blocking and protease mediated cleavage of a commonly used HIS tag appended to a protein, we generate with high yield and purity exquisitely site specific and selective bio-conjugates of TNF-α by using amine reactive NHS ester chemistry. We confirm the N terminal selectivity and specificity using mass spectral analyses and show near complete retention of the biological activity of our model protein both in vitro and in vivo murine models. We believe that this methodology would be applicable to a variety of potentially therapeutic proteins and the specificity afforded by this technique would allow for rapid generation of novel biologics. PMID:26678960

Absolute Negative Resistance Induced by Directional Electron-Electron Scattering in a Two-Dimensional Electron Gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaya, Ismet I.

2007-03-01

A ballistic conductor is restricted to have positive three terminal resistance just as a Drude conductor. Intercarrier scattering does not influence the conductivity of the latter transport regime and does not exist in the former. However, as the electron energies increased, in the intermediate regime, single or few intercarrier scattering events starts to dominate the transport properties of a conductor with sufficiently small dimensions. A three-terminal device formed by two electrostatic barriers crossing an asymmetrically patterned two dimensional electron gas displays an unusual potential depression at the middle contact, yielding absolute negative resistance. The device displays momentum and current transfer ratios that far exceed unity. The observed reversal of the current or potential in the middle terminal is interpreted as the analog of Bernoulli's effect in a Fermi liquid. The results are explained by directional scattering of electrons in two dimensions.

Land-use planning: One geologist's viewpoint

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zen, E.-A.

1983-01-01

Planning for the best use of land and its resources should take fully into consideration the long-term consequences of each type of use in order to stretch out most beneficially the well-being of society in the future, and to protect the integrity of the land and its biota. Three kinds of land-use can be distinguished for planning purposes. Reversible land-use leaves the land, after use, essentially as it was before; little or no man-induced modification remains. An example of reversible use in the United States is the designation of certain public lands as Wilderness. Terminal land-use commits the land to a chosen particular use, and any attempt at reversal requires either time-scales that are long compared with the expected lifespan of the social and political institution, or a commitment of resources that is too high for society to consider worth bearing. Examples of terminal land-use are location of metropolises and sites of toxic and/or radioactive waste disposals; by its nature the list grows monotonically. A current source of some social tension arises from the fact that Wilderness designation appears to assign a terminal-use status by legislative fiat, whereas in fact the land is being used reversibly. In between these two extremes of reversible and terminal land-use, the bulk of land-use is sequential, in which each use of land changes its potentials and configurations, and these changes are mainly irreversible. One goal of geologic input to land-use planning is to identify the various pathways along which a given land may be used, in order to extract the greatest benefit to society with the least harm to the land and its life. The proposed planning format consists of identification of (1) types of land, (2) types of use, (3) nature of consumption of resources when (2) acts upon (1), (4) identification of alternative pathways of land recovery to the original or some new state, and (5) due consideration of potentials for future use. Some consumptions are tangible; others, such as consumption of future options, are not. However, all must be considered in deciding how the land should be used, and both internal and environmental costs need to be included in the planning. Predictive methodology for land-use planning and for estimations of uncertainties must be developed to allow for the needs and consequences of both land-use and land recovery. Hardin (1968) spoke of the tragedy of the commons; White (1967) discussed the constraints of the western cultural heritage on our attitude towards our land and its resources. Land-use presents an archetype of the problem of the commons; only by community awareness of the dire consequences of the latent tragedy can effective societal action begin for the stewardship of the commons. Land-use decisions involve value judgement and are problems without technical solutions; but they require technical input, and earth scientists have a major role to play in both providing the input and in pointing out the implications of alternative decisions. ?? 1983.

Discovery of potent, reversible MetAP2 inhibitors via fragment based drug discovery and structure based drug design-Part 1.

PubMed

Cheruvallath, Zacharia; Tang, Mingnam; McBride, Christopher; Komandla, Mallareddy; Miura, Joanne; Ton-Nu, Thu; Erikson, Phil; Feng, Jun; Farrell, Pamela; Lawson, J David; Vanderpool, Darin; Wu, Yiqin; Dougan, Douglas R; Plonowski, Artur; Holub, Corine; Larson, Chris

2016-06-15

Methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) is an enzyme that cleaves an N-terminal methionine residue from a number of newly synthesized proteins. Pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest that MetAP2 inhibitors could be used as a novel treatment for obesity. Herein we describe our use of fragment screening methods and structural biology to quickly identify and elaborate an indazole fragment into a series of reversible MetAP2 inhibitors with <10nM potency, excellent selectivity, and favorable in vitro safety profiles. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Energy Metabolism during Anaerobic Methane Oxidation in ANME Archaea

PubMed Central

McGlynn, Shawn E.

2017-01-01

Anaerobic methane oxidation in archaea is often presented to operate via a pathway of “reverse methanogenesis”. However, if the cumulative reactions of a methanogen are run in reverse there is no apparent way to conserve energy. Recent findings suggest that chemiosmotic coupling enzymes known from their use in methylotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens—in addition to unique terminal reductases—biochemically facilitate energy conservation during complete CH4 oxidation to CO2. The apparent enzyme modularity of these organisms highlights how microbes can arrange their energy metabolisms to accommodate diverse chemical potentials in various ecological niches, even in the extreme case of utilizing “reverse” thermodynamic potentials. PMID:28321009

A reversible transition in liquid Bi under pressure.

PubMed

Emuna, M; Matityahu, S; Yahel, E; Makov, G; Greenberg, Y

2018-01-21

The electrical resistance of solid and liquid Bi has been measured at high pressures and temperatures using a novel experimental design for high sensitivity measurements utilizing a "Paris-Edinburgh" toroid large volume press. An anomalous sharp decrease in resistivity with increasing temperature at constant pressures was observed in the region beyond melting which implies a possible novel transition in the melt. The proposed transition was observed across a range of pressures both in heating and cooling cycles of the sample demonstrating its reversibility. From the measurements it was possible to determine a "phase-line" of this transition on the Bi pressure-temperature phase diagram terminating at the melting curve.

Lentin, a novel and potent antifungal protein from shitake mushroom with inhibitory effects on activity of human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase and proliferation of leukemia cells.

PubMed

Ngai, Patrick H K; Ng, T B

2003-11-14

From the fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Lentinus edodes, a novel protein designated lentin with potent antifungal activity was isolated. Lentin was unadsorbed on DEAE-cellulose, and adsorbed on Affi-gel blue gel and Mono S. The N-terminal sequence of lentin manifested similarity to endoglucanase. Lentin, which had a molecular mass of 27.5 kDa, inhibited mycelial growth in a variety of fungal species including Physalospora piricola, Botrytis cinerea and Mycosphaerella arachidicola. Lentin also exerted an inhibitory activity on HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and proliferation of leukemia cells.

Operating systems in the air transportation environment.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cherry, G. W.

1971-01-01

Consideration of the problems facing air transport at present, and to be expected in the future. In the Northeast Corridor these problems involve community acceptance, airway and airport congestion and delays, passenger acceptance, noise reduction, and improvements in low-density short-haul economics. In the development of a superior short-haul operating system, terminal-configured vs cruise-configured vehicles are evaluated. CTOL, STOL, and VTOL aircraft of various types are discussed. In the field of noise abatement, it is shown that flight procedural techniques are capable of supplementing ?quiet engine' technology.

Guidelines for the assessment and acceptance of potential brain-dead organ donors

PubMed Central

Westphal, Glauco Adrieno; Garcia, Valter Duro; de Souza, Rafael Lisboa; Franke, Cristiano Augusto; Vieira, Kalinca Daberkow; Birckholz, Viviane Renata Zaclikevis; Machado, Miriam Cristine; de Almeida, Eliana Régia Barbosa; Machado, Fernando Osni; Sardinha, Luiz Antônio da Costa; Wanzuita, Raquel; Silvado, Carlos Eduardo Soares; Costa, Gerson; Braatz, Vera; Caldeira Filho, Milton; Furtado, Rodrigo; Tannous, Luana Alves; de Albuquerque, André Gustavo Neves; Abdala, Edson; Gonçalves, Anderson Ricardo Roman; Pacheco-Moreira, Lúcio Filgueiras; Dias, Fernando Suparregui; Fernandes, Rogério; Giovanni, Frederico Di; de Carvalho, Frederico Bruzzi; Fiorelli, Alfredo; Teixeira, Cassiano; Feijó, Cristiano; Camargo, Spencer Marcantonio; de Oliveira, Neymar Elias; David, André Ibrahim; Prinz, Rafael Augusto Dantas; Herranz, Laura Brasil; de Andrade, Joel

2016-01-01

Organ transplantation is the only alternative for many patients with terminal diseases. The increasing disproportion between the high demand for organ transplants and the low rate of transplants actually performed is worrisome. Some of the causes of this disproportion are errors in the identification of potential organ donors and in the determination of contraindications by the attending staff. Therefore, the aim of the present document is to provide guidelines for intensive care multi-professional staffs for the recognition, assessment and acceptance of potential organ donors. PMID:27737418

77 FR 13343 - Pilot Program for Early Feasibility Study Investigational Device Exemption Applications...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-06

...] Pilot Program for Early Feasibility Study Investigational Device Exemption Applications; Termination of... acceptance of nominations for the Early Feasibility Study Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) Applications... technologies to participate in a pilot program for early feasibility study IDE applications. FDA is also...

24 CFR 880.603 - Selection and admission of assisted tenants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM) SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION Management § 880.603 Selection and admission of assisted tenants. (a) Application. The owner must accept... concerning deferral of termination of assistance. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under...

24 CFR 880.603 - Selection and admission of assisted tenants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM) SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION Management § 880.603 Selection and admission of assisted tenants. (a) Application. The owner must accept... concerning deferral of termination of assistance. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under...

Employees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Biggs, Thomas S., Jr.

In 1979 judicial activity continued to add to the body of law available relative to relationships between universities and colleges and their employees. Cases touched on the nature of the contract when an offer of employment has been made and accepted, benefits and working conditions, and termination and the procedural safeguards involved.…

STOL terminal area operating systems (aircraft and onboard avionics, ATC, navigation aids)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burrous, C.; Erzberger, H.; Johnson, N.; Neuman, F.

1974-01-01

Operational procedures and systems onboard the STOL aircraft which are required to enable the aircraft to perform acceptably in restricted airspace in all types of atmospheric conditions and weather are discussed. Results of simulation and flight investigations to establish operational criteria are presented.

26 CFR 1.281-3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... determined by accepted industry practice. The fact that nonterminal businesses may also provide such services..., car rental facilities, or other similar facilities for passengers, in waiting rooms or along passenger... the general public on the terminal premises or from the sorting of mail in a railroad box car. (3...

MICROFRACTURE SURFACE GEOCHEMISTRY AND ADHERENT MICROBIAL POPULATION METABOLISM IN TCE-CONTAMINATED COMPETENT BEDROCK

EPA Science Inventory

A TCE-contaminated competent bedrock site in Portsmouth, NH was used to determine if a relation existed between microfracture (MF) surface geochemistry and the ecology and metabolic activity of attached microbes relative to terminal electron accepting processes (TEAPs) and TCE bi...

Implementation of the Enhanced Flight Termination System at National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tow, David

2010-01-01

This paper discusses the methodology, requirements, tests, and results of the implementation of the current operating capability for the Enhanced Flight Termination System (EFTS) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC). The implementation involves the development of the EFTS at NASA DFRC starting from the requirements to system safety review to full end to end system testing, and concluding with the acceptance of the system as an operational system. The paper discusses the first operational usage and subsequent flight utilizing EFTS successfully.

TBA biodegradation in surface-water sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

PubMed

Bradley, Paul M; Landmeyer, James E; Chapelle, Francis H

2002-10-01

The potential for [U-14C] TBA biodegradation was examined in laboratory microcosms under a range of terminal electron accepting conditions. TBA mineralization to CO2 was substantial in surface-water sediments under oxic, denitrifying, or Mn(IV)-reducing conditions and statistically significant but low under SO4-reducing conditions. Thus, anaerobic TBA biodegradation may be a significant natural attenuation mechanism for TBA in the environment, and stimulation of in situ TBA bioremediation by addition of suitable terminal electron acceptors may be feasible. No degradation of [U-14C] TBA was observed under methanogenic or Fe(III)-reducing conditions.

TBA biodegradation in surface-water sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bradley, P.M.; Landmeyer, J.E.; Chapelle, F.H.

2002-01-01

The potential for [U-14C] TBA biodegradation was examined in laboratory microcosms under a range of terminal electron accepting conditions. TBA mineralization to CO2 was substantial in surface-water sediments under oxic, denitrifying, or Mn(IV)-reducing conditions and statistically significant but low under SO4-reducing conditions. Thus, anaerobic TBA biodegradation may be a significant natural attenuation mechanism for TBA in the environment, and stimulation of in situ TBA bioremediation by addition of suitable terminal electron acceptors may be feasible. No degradation of [U-14C] TBA was observed under methanogenic or Fe(III)-reducing conditions.

Informing the introduction of contraceptive implants in the Pacific: a mixed methods study of contraceptive beliefs and behaviours in Tonga.

PubMed

Winn-Dix, Edward A; Nathan, Sally A; Rawstorne, Patrick

2016-04-01

To explore the knowledge and attitudes underlying contraceptive use and non-use among Tongan adults and investigate the potential acceptability of contraceptive implants. A mixed methods study was conducted that used two focus groups and a short self-completed survey (n=109). Participants were recruited from a Tongan non-governmental sexual and reproductive health clinic. Contraceptive method discontinuation was high among the study group, with reasons for discontinuation often relating to misconceptions circulating in the community about the side effects of contraceptives. A high proportion (38%) reported using 'natural' contraceptive methods. A total of 47% of survey participants reported having heard of implants and 37% indicated they would be willing to try them. Current Tongan contraceptive uptake and continuation is hampered by misconceptions about side effects of methods and their risks, particularly among long-acting and reversible methods. Contraceptive implants may be acceptable to Tongans given their arm placement, reversibility and long-lasting effect. Efforts to improve contraceptive continuation in Tonga should focus on improving counselling on potential side effects for all methods. The introduction of contraceptive implants as an additional long-acting reversible method should be considered. © 2015 Public Health Association of Australia.

Food-Experience Induced Taste Desensitization Modulated by the Drosophila TRPL Channel

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yali V.; Raghuwanshi, Rakesh P.; Shen, Wei L.; Montell, Craig

2013-01-01

Animals tend to reject bitter foods. However, long-term exposure to some unpalatable tastants increases acceptance of the foods. Here, we showed that dietary exposure to the unappealing food but safe additive, camphor, caused the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to decrease camphor rejection. The TRPL cation channel was a direct target for camphor in gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs), and long-term feeding on a camphor diet led to reversible down-regulation of TRPL protein levels. The turnover of TRPL was controlled by an E3 ubiquitin ligase, Ube3a. The decline in TRPL levels and increased acceptance of camphor reversed after returning the flies long-term to a camphor-free diet. We propose that dynamic regulation of taste receptor levels by ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation comprises an important molecular mechanism that allows an animal to alter taste behavior in response to a changing food environment. PMID:24013593

Error, contradiction and reversal in science and medicine.

PubMed

Coccheri, Sergio

2017-06-01

Error and contradictions are not "per se" detrimental in science and medicine. Going back to the history of philosophy, Sir Francis Bacon stated that "truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion", and recently Popper introduced the concept of an approximate temporary truth that constitutes the engine of scientific progress. In biomedical research and in clinical practice we assisted during the last decades to many overturnings or reversals of concepts and practices. This phenomenon may discourage patients from accepting ordinary medical care and may favour the choice of alternative medicine. The media often enhance the disappointment for these discrepancies. In this note I recommend to transfer to patients the concept of a confirmed and dependable knowledge at the present time. However, physicians should tolerate uncertainty and accept the idea that medical concepts and applications are subjected to continuous progression, change and displacement. Copyright © 2017 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ACTS Ka-Band Earth Stations: Technology, Performance, and Lessons Learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinhart, Richard C.; Struharik, Steven J.; Diamond, John J.; Stewart, David

2000-01-01

The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) Project invested heavily in prototype Ka-band satellite ground terminals to conduct an experiments program with ACTS. The ACTS experiments program proposed to validate Ka-band satellite and ground-station technology, demonstrate future telecommunication services, demonstrate commercial viability and market acceptability of these new services, evaluate system networking and processing technology, and characterize Ka-band propagation effects, including development of techniques to mitigate signal fading. This paper will present a summary of the fixed ground terminals developed by the NASA Glenn Research Center and its industry partners, emphasizing the technology and performance of the terminals and the lessons learned throughout their 6-year operation, including the inclined orbit phase-of-operations. The fixed ground stations used for experiments by government, academic, and commercial entities used reflector-based offset-fed antenna systems with antennas ranging in size from 0.35 to 3.4 in. in diameter. Gateway earth stations included two systems referred to as the NASA Ground Station (NGS) and the Link Evaluation Terminal (LET).

Traffic sharing algorithms for hybrid mobile networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arcand, S.; Murthy, K. M. S.; Hafez, R.

1995-01-01

In a hybrid (terrestrial + satellite) mobile personal communications networks environment, a large size satellite footprint (supercell) overlays on a large number of smaller size, contiguous terrestrial cells. We assume that the users have either a terrestrial only single mode terminal (SMT) or a terrestrial/satellite dual mode terminal (DMT) and the ratio of DMT to the total terminals is defined gamma. It is assumed that the call assignments to and handovers between terrestrial cells and satellite supercells take place in a dynamic fashion when necessary. The objectives of this paper are twofold, (1) to propose and define a class of traffic sharing algorithms to manage terrestrial and satellite network resources efficiently by handling call handovers dynamically, and (2) to analyze and evaluate the algorithms by maximizing the traffic load handling capability (defined in erl/cell) over a wide range of terminal ratios (gamma) given an acceptable range of blocking probabilities. Two of the algorithms (G & S) in the proposed class perform extremely well for a wide range of gamma.

78 FR 54280 - Biweekly Notice; Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-03

... safety-related batteries would remain operable if all the inter-cell and terminal connections were at the... new acceptance criteria for total battery connection resistance to ensure that the safety-related batteries can perform their specified safety function. Basis for proposed no significant hazards...

7 CFR 1738.19 - Facilities financed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... broadband loans to finance broadband facilities leased under the terms of a capital lease as defined in... under the terms of an operating lease as defined in generally accepted accounting principles. (c) RUS... applicant. (e) RUS will not make a broadband loan to finance the following items: (1) Customer terminal...

24 CFR 202.5 - General approval standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... years from the date that the materials are circulated or used to advertise. (3) Non-FHA-approved entities. A lender or mortgagee that accepts a loan application from a non-FHA-approved entity must confirm..., including, but not limited to, mergers, terminations, name, location, control of ownership, and character of...

24 CFR 202.5 - General approval standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... years from the date that the materials are circulated or used to advertise. (3) Non-FHA-approved entities. A lender or mortgagee that accepts a loan application from a non-FHA-approved entity must confirm..., including, but not limited to, mergers, terminations, name, location, control of ownership, and character of...

24 CFR 202.5 - General approval standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... years from the date that the materials are circulated or used to advertise. (3) Non-FHA-approved entities. A lender or mortgagee that accepts a loan application from a non-FHA-approved entity must confirm..., including, but not limited to, mergers, terminations, name, location, control of ownership, and character of...

43 CFR 2885.11 - What terms and conditions must I comply with?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... established trails destroyed or damaged by constructing, operating, maintaining, or terminating the project... a surety bond or other acceptable security to cover any losses, damages, or injury to human health, the environment, and property incurred in connection with your use and occupancy of the right-of-way...

43 CFR 2885.11 - What terms and conditions must I comply with?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... established trails destroyed or damaged by constructing, operating, maintaining, or terminating the project... a surety bond or other acceptable security to cover any losses, damages, or injury to human health, the environment, and property incurred in connection with your use and occupancy of the right-of-way...

43 CFR 2885.11 - What terms and conditions must I comply with?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... established trails destroyed or damaged by constructing, operating, maintaining, or terminating the project... a surety bond or other acceptable security to cover any losses, damages, or injury to human health, the environment, and property incurred in connection with your use and occupancy of the right-of-way...

43 CFR 2885.11 - What terms and conditions must I comply with?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... established trails destroyed or damaged by constructing, operating, maintaining, or terminating the project... a surety bond or other acceptable security to cover any losses, damages, or injury to human health, the environment, and property incurred in connection with your use and occupancy of the right-of-way...

Trade Education Syllabus in Graphics Industries Occupations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New York State Education Dept., Albany. Bureau of Occupational Education Curriculum Development.

This syllabus provides occupational education teachers in secondary schools with a guide for developing a course in trade graphics which meets the minimal requirements that an acceptable two-year program in New York State must provide. The content is presented in six sections, and each one includes terminal objectives and suggestions for…

24 CFR 3280.808 - Wiring methods and materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... the appliance terminal connections to a readily accessible outlet box placed at least one foot from... manufactured homes. (b) Nonmetallic outlet boxes shall be acceptable only with nonmetallic cable. (c... not exceeding 41/2 feet and within 12 inches from every cabinet, box or fitting. (e) Metal-clad and...

24 CFR 3280.808 - Wiring methods and materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... the appliance terminal connections to a readily accessible outlet box placed at least one foot from... manufactured homes. (b) Nonmetallic outlet boxes shall be acceptable only with nonmetallic cable. (c... not exceeding 41/2 feet and within 12 inches from every cabinet, box or fitting. (e) Metal-clad and...

25 CFR 166.910 - What happens if I do not fulfill my obligation to the BIA?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... GRAZING PERMITS Agriculture Education, Education Assistance, Recruitment, and Training § 166.910 What... under agriculture education programs with an obligated service requirement, and who does not accept employment or unreasonably terminates employment must repay us in accordance with the following table: If you...

Rational Suicide among the Elderly.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Humphry, Derek

1992-01-01

Contends that old age, in and of itself, should never need to be a cause for self-destruction. Further argues that suicide and assisted suicide carried out in the face of terminal illness causing unbearable suffering should be ethically and legally acceptable. Outlines a perspective on rational suicide among the elderly. (Author/NB)

Do Extenuating Circumstances Influence African American Women's Attitudes toward Suicide?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marion, Michelle S.; Range, Lillian M.

2003-01-01

To see if suicide attitudes might be softened by extenuating circumstances, such as terminal illness, African American and European American women imagined themselves in one of four extenuating circumstances then completed measures of suicide acceptability and religiosity. Both ethnic groups reported a greater likelihood of suicide when imagining…

Factors Affecting the Acceptability of Suicide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deluty, Robert H.

1989-01-01

College students (N=780) read 1 of 12 scenarios of person who decided to commit suicide. Scenarios varied by age of victim (45 versus 70), gender, and illness (chronic depression, chronic physical pain, terminal bone cancer). Suicide evaluations tended to be significantly more favorable when evaluators were male, victims were male, victims were…

77 FR 21767 - Imidacloprid, Methomyl, and Oxamyl; Cancellation Order for Amendments To Terminate Uses

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-11

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0933; FRL-9342-2] Imidacloprid, Methomyl, and... requested by registrants and accepted by the Agency, of products containing imidacloprid, methomyl, and... Requests from the registrants listed in Table 2 of Unit II to voluntarily amend certain imidacloprid...

Terminator oligo blocking efficiently eliminates rRNA from Drosophila small RNA sequencing libraries.

PubMed

Wickersheim, Michelle L; Blumenstiel, Justin P

2013-11-01

A large number of methods are available to deplete ribosomal RNA reads from high-throughput RNA sequencing experiments. Such methods are critical for sequencing Drosophila small RNAs between 20 and 30 nucleotides because size selection is not typically sufficient to exclude the highly abundant class of 30 nucleotide 2S rRNA. Here we demonstrate that pre-annealing terminator oligos complimentary to Drosophila 2S rRNA prior to 5' adapter ligation and reverse transcription efficiently depletes 2S rRNA sequences from the sequencing reaction in a simple and inexpensive way. This depletion is highly specific and is achieved with minimal perturbation of miRNA and piRNA profiles.

Particle beam injector system and method

DOEpatents

Guethlein, Gary

2013-06-18

Methods and devices enable coupling of a charged particle beam to a radio frequency quadrupole accelerator. Coupling of the charged particle beam is accomplished, at least in-part, by relying on of sensitivity of the input phase space acceptance of the radio frequency quadrupole to the angle of the input charged particle beam. A first electric field across a beam deflector deflects the particle beam at an angle that is beyond the acceptance angle of the radio frequency quadrupole. By momentarily reversing or reducing the established electric field, a narrow portion of the charged particle beam is deflected at an angle within the acceptance angle of the radio frequency quadrupole. In another configuration, beam is directed at an angle within the acceptance angle of the radio frequency quadrupole by the first electric field and is deflected beyond the acceptance angle of the radio frequency quadrupole due to the second electric field.

Reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage circuit

DOEpatents

Honig, E.M.

1987-02-10

A high-power reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage and transfer circuit includes an opening switch, a main energy storage coil, a counterpulse capacitor and a small inductor. After counterpulsing the opening switch off, the counterpulse capacitor is recharged by the main energy storage coil before the load pulse is initiated. This gives the counterpulse capacitor sufficient energy for the next counterpulse operation, although the polarity of the capacitor's voltage must be reversed before that can occur. By using a current-zero switch as the counterpulse start switch, the capacitor is disconnected from the circuit (with a full charge) when the load pulse is initiated, preventing the capacitor from depleting its energy store by discharging through the load. After the load pulse is terminated by reclosing the main opening switch, the polarity of the counterpulse capacitor voltage is reversed by discharging the capacitor through a small inductor and interrupting the discharge current oscillation at zero current and peak reversed voltage. The circuit enables high-power, high-repetition-rate operation with reusable switches and features total control (pulse-to-pulse) over output pulse initiation, duration, repetition rate, and, to some extent, risetime. 10 figs.

Stability and activity modulation of chymotrypsins in AOT reversed micelles by protein-interface interaction: interaction of alpha-chymotrypsin with a negative interface leads to a cooperative breakage of a salt bridge that keeps the catalytic active conformation (Ile16-Asp194).

PubMed

Almeida, F C; Valente, A P; Chaimovich, H

1998-08-05

The stability of alpha-chymotrypsin and delta-chymotrypsin was studied in reversed micelles of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) in isooctane. alpha-Chymotrypsin is inactivated at the interface and at the water pool, while delta-chymotrypsin is inactivated only at the water pool. The mechanism of inactivation at the interface is related to the interaction of N-terminal group alanine 149 (absent in delta-chymotrypsin) with the negative interface. The dependence of enzyme activity on water content of these two enzymes in reversed micelles of AOT is also related with the interface interaction, since delta-chymotrypsin does not have a bell-shaped curve as observed for alpha-chymotrypsin. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Effects of Zeeman splitting on spin transportation in a three-terminal Rashba ring under a weak magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhai, Li-Xue; Wang, Yan; An, Zhong

2018-05-01

Spin-dependent transport in one-dimensional (1D) three-terminal Rashba rings is investigated under a weak magnetic field, and we focus on the Zeeman splitting (ZS) effect. For this purpose, the interaction between the electron spin and the weak magnetic field has been treated by perturbation theory. ZS removes the spin degeneracy, and breaks both the time reversal symmetry and the spin reversal symmetry of the ring system. Consequently, all conductance zeros are lifted and turned into conductance dips. Aharonov-Bohm (AB) oscillations can be found in both branch conductances and the total conductance as a function of the magnetic field. In a relatively high magnetic field, the decoherence caused by ZS decreases the amplitude of the branch conductance and increases that of the total conductance. The results have been compared with those reported in the published literature, and a reasonable agreement is obtained. The conductance as a function of the Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC) strength has also been investigated. As the RSOC strength increases, the role of ZS becomes weaker and weaker; ZS can even be neglected when B ≤ 0.1 T.

Simulation design of high reverse blocking high-K/low-K compound passivation AlGaN/GaN Schottky barrier diode with gated edge termination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Zhiyuan; Du, Jiangfeng; Xin, Qi; Li, Ruonan; Yu, Qi

2017-11-01

In this paper, a novel high-K/low-K compound passivation AlGaN/GaN Schottky Barrier Diode (CPG-SBD) is proposed to improve the off-state characteristics of AlGaN/GaN schottky barrier diode with gated edge termination (GET-SBD) by adding low-K blocks in to the high-K passivation layer. The reverse leakage current of CPG-SBD can be reduced to 1.6 nA/mm by reducing the thickness of high-K dielectric under GET region to 5 nm, while the forward voltage and on-state resistance keep 1 V and 3.8 Ω mm, respectively. Breakdown voltage of CPG-SBDs can be improved by inducing discontinuity of the electric field at the high-K/low-K interface. The breakdown voltage of the optimized CPG-SBD with 4 blocks of low-K can reach 1084 V with anode to cathode distance of 5 μm yielding a high FOM of 5.9 GW/cm2. From the C-V simulation results, CPG-SBDs induce no parasitic capacitance by comparison of the GET-SBDs.

Human-In-The-Loop Investigation of Interoperability Between Terminal Sequencing and Spacing, Automated Terminal Proximity Alert, and Wake-Separation Recategorization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Callantine, Todd J.; Bienert, Nancy; Borade, Abhay; Gabriel, Conrad; Gujral, Vimmy; Jobe, Kim; Martin, Lynne; Omar, Faisal; Prevot, Thomas; Mercer, Joey

2016-01-01

A human-in-the-loop simulation study addressed terminal-area controller-workstation interface variations for interoperability between three new capabilities being introduced by the FAA. The capabilities are Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSAS), Automated Terminal Proximity Alert (ATPA), and wake-separation recategorization, or 'RECAT.' TSAS provides controllers with Controller-Managed Spacing (CMS) tools, including slot markers, speed advisories, and early/late indications, together with runway assignments and sequence numbers. ATPA provides automatic monitor, warning, and alert cones to inform controllers about spacing between aircraft on approach. ATPA cones are sized according to RECAT, an improved method of specifying wake-separation standards. The objective of the study was to identify potential issues and provide recommendations for integrating TSAS with ATPA and RECAT. Participants controlled arrival traffic under seven different display configurations, then tested an 'exploratory' configuration developed with participant input. All the display conditions were workable and acceptable, but controllers strongly preferred having the CMS tools available on Feeder positions, and both CMS tools and ATPA available on Final positions. Controllers found the integrated systems favorable and liked being able to tailor configurations to individual preferences.

76 FR 76155 - Nevada Hydro Company, Inc.; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-06

... elevation of 2,830 feet above mean sea level (msl); (2) a powerhouse with two reversible pump-turbine units... Diego Gas & Electric Company transmission line located to the south. Applicant Contact: Arnold B...

Automated external defibrillators in the hospital: A case of medical reversal.

PubMed

Stewart, John A

2018-05-01

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) emerged in the 1980s as an important innovation in pre-hospital emergency cardiac care (ECC). In the years since, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the International Liaison Committee for Resuscitation (ILCOR) have promoted AED technology for use in hospitals as well, resulting in the widespread purchase and use of AED-capable defibrillators. In-hospital use of AEDs now appears to have decreased survival from cardiac arrests. This article will look at the use of AEDs in hospitals as a case of "medical reversal." Medical reversal occurs when an accepted, widely used treatment is found to be ineffective or even harmful. This article will discuss the issue of AEDs in the hospital using a conceptual framework provided by recent work on medical reversal. It will go on to consider the implications of the reversal for in-hospital resuscitation programs and emergency medicine more generally. Copyright © 2017 The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction protocols for cloning small circular RNAs.

PubMed

Navarro, B; Daròs, J A; Flores, R

1998-07-01

A protocol is described for general application for cloning small circular RNAs which requires only minimal amounts of template (approximately 50 ng) of unknown sequence. Both cDNA strands are synthesized with a 26-mer primer whose six 3'-terminal positions are totally degenerate in two consecutive reactions catalyzed by reverse transcriptase and DNA polymerase, respectively. The cDNAs are then PCR-amplified, using a 20-mer primer with the non-degenerate sequence of the previous primer, cloned and sequenced. This information permits the synthesis of one or more pairs of specific and adjacent primers for obtaining full-length cDNA clones by a protocol which is also described.

The site-specific ribosomal DNA insertion element R1Bm belongs to a class of non-long-terminal-repeat retrotransposons.

PubMed Central

Xiong, Y; Eickbush, T H

1988-01-01

Two types of insertion elements, R1 and R2 (previously called type I and type II), are known to interrupt the 28S ribosomal genes of several insect species. In the silkmoth, Bombyx mori, each element occupies approximately 10% of the estimated 240 ribosomal DNA units, while at most only a few copies are located outside the ribosomal DNA units. We present here the complete nucleotide sequence of an R1 insertion from B. mori (R1Bm). This 5.1-kilobase element contains two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs) which together occupy 88% of its length. ORF1 is 461 amino acids in length and exhibits characteristics of retroviral gag genes. ORF2 is 1,051 amino acids in length and contains homology to reverse transcriptase-like enzymes. The analysis of 3' and 5' ends of independent isolates from the ribosomal locus supports the suggestion that R1 is still functioning as a transposable element. The precise location of the element within the genome implies that its transposition must occur with remarkable insertion sequence specificity. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences from six retrotransposons, R1 and R2 of B. mori, I factor and F element of Drosophila melanogaster, L1 of Mus domesticus, and Ingi of Trypanosoma brucei, reveals a relatively high level of sequence homology in the reverse transcriptase region. Like R1, these elements lack long terminal repeats. We have therefore named this class of related elements the non-long-terminal-repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons. Images PMID:2447482

Communication between the N and C Termini Is Required for Copper-stimulated Ser/Thr Phosphorylation of Cu(I)-ATPase (ATP7B)*

PubMed Central

Braiterman, Lelita T.; Gupta, Arnab; Chaerkady, Raghothama; Cole, Robert N.; Hubbard, Ann L.

2015-01-01

The Wilson disease protein ATP7B exhibits copper-dependent trafficking. In high copper, ATP7B exits the trans-Golgi network and moves to the apical domain of hepatocytes where it facilitates elimination of excess copper through the bile. Copper levels also affect ATP7B phosphorylation. ATP7B is basally phosphorylated in low copper and becomes more phosphorylated (“hyperphosphorylated”) in elevated copper. The functional significance of hyperphosphorylation remains unclear. We showed that hyperphosphorylation occurs even when ATP7B is restricted to the trans-Golgi network. We performed comprehensive phosphoproteomics of ATP7B in low versus high copper, which revealed that 24 Ser/Thr residues in ATP7B could be phosphorylated, and only four of these were copper-responsive. Most of the phosphorylated sites were found in the N- and C-terminal cytoplasmic domains. Using truncation and mutagenesis, we showed that inactivation or elimination of all six N-terminal metal binding domains did not block copper-dependent, reversible, apical trafficking but did block hyperphosphorylation in hepatic cells. We showed that nine of 15 Ser/Thr residues in the C-terminal domain were phosphorylated. Inactivation of 13 C-terminal phosphorylation sites reduced basal phosphorylation and eliminated hyperphosphorylation, suggesting that copper binding at the N terminus propagates to the ATP7B C-terminal region. C-terminal mutants with either inactivating or phosphomimetic substitutions showed little effect upon copper-stimulated trafficking, indicating that trafficking does not depend on phosphorylation at these sites. Thus, our studies revealed that copper-dependent conformational changes in the N-terminal region lead to hyperphosphorylation at C-terminal sites, which seem not to affect trafficking and may instead fine-tune copper sequestration. PMID:25666620

The GP(Y/F) Domain of TF1 Integrase Multimerizes when Present in a Fragment, and Substitutions in This Domain Reduce Enzymatic Activity of the Full-length Protein*S⃞

PubMed Central

Ebina, Hirotaka; Chatterjee, Atreyi Ghatak; Judson, Robert L.; Levin, Henry L.

2008-01-01

Integrases (INs) of retroviruses and long terminal repeat retrotransposons possess a C-terminal domain with DNA binding activity. Other than this binding activity, little is known about how the C-terminal domain contributes to integration. A stretch of conserved amino acids called the GP(Y/F) domain has been identified within the C-terminal IN domains of two distantly related families, the γ-retroviruses and the metavirus retrotransposons. To enhance understanding of the C-terminal domain, we examined the function of the GP(Y/F) domain in the IN of Tf1, a long terminal repeat retrotransposon of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The activities of recombinant IN were measured with an assay that modeled the reverse of integration called disintegration. Although deletion of the entire C-terminal domain disrupted disintegration activity, an alanine substitution (P365A) in a conserved amino acid of the GP(Y/F) domain did not significantly reduce disintegration. When assayed for the ability to join two molecules of DNA in a reaction that modeled forward integration, the P365A substitution disrupted activity. UV cross-linking experiments detected DNA binding activity in the C-terminal domain and found that this activity was not reduced by substitutions in two conserved amino acids of the GP(Y/F) domain, G364A and P365A. Gel filtration and cross-linking of a 71-amino acid fragment containing the GP(Y/F) domain revealed a surprising ability to form dimers, trimers, and tetramers that was disrupted by the G364A and P365A substitutions. These results suggest that the GP(Y/F) residues may play roles in promoting multimerization and intermolecular strand joining. PMID:18397885

The GP(Y/F) domain of TF1 integrase multimerizes when present in a fragment, and substitutions in this domain reduce enzymatic activity of the full-length protein.

PubMed

Ebina, Hirotaka; Chatterjee, Atreyi Ghatak; Judson, Robert L; Levin, Henry L

2008-06-06

Integrases (INs) of retroviruses and long terminal repeat retrotransposons possess a C-terminal domain with DNA binding activity. Other than this binding activity, little is known about how the C-terminal domain contributes to integration. A stretch of conserved amino acids called the GP(Y/F) domain has been identified within the C-terminal IN domains of two distantly related families, the gamma-retroviruses and the metavirus retrotransposons. To enhance understanding of the C-terminal domain, we examined the function of the GP(Y/F) domain in the IN of Tf1, a long terminal repeat retrotransposon of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The activities of recombinant IN were measured with an assay that modeled the reverse of integration called disintegration. Although deletion of the entire C-terminal domain disrupted disintegration activity, an alanine substitution (P365A) in a conserved amino acid of the GP(Y/F) domain did not significantly reduce disintegration. When assayed for the ability to join two molecules of DNA in a reaction that modeled forward integration, the P365A substitution disrupted activity. UV cross-linking experiments detected DNA binding activity in the C-terminal domain and found that this activity was not reduced by substitutions in two conserved amino acids of the GP(Y/F) domain, G364A and P365A. Gel filtration and cross-linking of a 71-amino acid fragment containing the GP(Y/F) domain revealed a surprising ability to form dimers, trimers, and tetramers that was disrupted by the G364A and P365A substitutions. These results suggest that the GP(Y/F) residues may play roles in promoting multimerization and intermolecular strand joining.

The effectiveness of flumazenil in reversing the sedation and amnesia produced by intravenous midazolam.

PubMed

Ochs, M W; Tucker, M R; Owsley, T G; Anderson, J A

1990-03-01

In this double-blind study 31 outpatients undergoing third molar extraction were randomly assigned to one of two groups. All patients were sedated with intravenous midazolam (IV) by titration method. The flumazenil group (n = 20) received an average of 0.8 +/- 0.17 mg of flumazenil IV. The placebo patients (n = 11) each received 10 mL of normal saline. By both observer and patient alertness ratings, patients receiving flumazenil appeared significantly more alert than placebo patients at 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes following reversal. After reversal the flumazenil group had significantly higher scores than the placebo group at all intervals through 60 minutes. All the patients receiving flumazenil were able to walk without assistance at 5 minutes, compared with only one patient in the placebo group, and more patients in the flumazenil group recognized the picture card shown to them at 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes postreversal. Flumazenil is effective in terminating the amnestic properties of midazolam, but this appears to occur to a lesser extent than the reversal of its sedative properties.

Structural basis for methylesterase CheB regulation by a phosphorylation-activated domain

PubMed Central

Djordjevic, Snezana; Goudreau, Paul N.; Xu, Qingping; Stock, Ann M.; West, Ann H.

1998-01-01

We report the x-ray crystal structure of the methylesterase CheB, a phosphorylation-activated response regulator involved in reversible modification of bacterial chemotaxis receptors. Methylesterase CheB and methyltransferase CheR modulate signaling output of the chemotaxis receptors by controlling the level of receptor methylation. The structure of CheB, which consists of an N-terminal regulatory domain and a C-terminal catalytic domain joined by a linker, was solved by molecular replacement methods using independent search models for the two domains. In unphosphorylated CheB, the N-terminal domain packs against the active site of the C-terminal domain and thus inhibits methylesterase activity by directly restricting access to the active site. We propose that phosphorylation of CheB induces a conformational change in the regulatory domain that disrupts the domain interface, resulting in a repositioning of the domains and allowing access to the active site. Structural similarity between the two companion receptor modification enzymes, CheB and CheR, suggests an evolutionary and/or functional relationship. Specifically, the phosphorylated N-terminal domain of CheB may facilitate interaction with the receptors, similar to the postulated role of the N-terminal domain of CheR. Examination of surfaces in the N-terminal regulatory domain of CheB suggests that despite a common fold throughout the response regulator family, surfaces used for protein–protein interactions differ significantly. Comparison between CheB and other response regulators indicates that analogous surfaces are used for different functions and conversely, similar functions are mediated by different molecular surfaces. PMID:9465023

43 CFR 2805.12 - What terms and conditions must I comply with?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...) Rebuild and repair roads, fences, and established trails destroyed or damaged by the project; (c) Build... bond or other acceptable security to cover any losses, damages, or injury to human health, the environment, and property in connection with your use and occupancy of the right-of-way, including terminating...

43 CFR 2805.12 - What terms and conditions must I comply with?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...) Rebuild and repair roads, fences, and established trails destroyed or damaged by the project; (c) Build... bond or other acceptable security to cover any losses, damages, or injury to human health, the environment, and property in connection with your use and occupancy of the right-of-way, including terminating...

43 CFR 2805.12 - What terms and conditions must I comply with?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...) Rebuild and repair roads, fences, and established trails destroyed or damaged by the project; (c) Build... bond or other acceptable security to cover any losses, damages, or injury to human health, the environment, and property in connection with your use and occupancy of the right-of-way, including terminating...

43 CFR 2805.12 - What terms and conditions must I comply with?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

...) Rebuild and repair roads, fences, and established trails destroyed or damaged by the project; (c) Build... bond or other acceptable security to cover any losses, damages, or injury to human health, the environment, and property in connection with your use and occupancy of the right-of-way, including terminating...

75 FR 17733 - Monosodium Methanearsonate (MSMA); Notice of Receipt of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Pesticide...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-07

... that would merit its further review of the requests, or unless the registrants withdraw their requests within this period. Upon acceptance of these requests, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed... arsenical monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA). The requests would not terminate the last MSMA products...

Potential contribution of microbial degradation to natural attenuation of MTBE in surface water systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bradley, P.M.; Chapelle, F.H.; Landmeyer, J.E.

2001-01-01

The potential contribution of in situ biodegradation as a mechanism for natural attenuation of MTBE in surface water was studied. Surface water sediments from streams and lakes at 11 sites throughout the US. Microbial degradation of [U-14C] MTBE was observed in surface-water-sediment microcosms under anaerobic conditions, but the efficiency and products of anaerobic MTBE biodegradation were strongly dependent on the predominant terminal electron accepting conditions. In the presence of substantial methanogenic activity, MTBE biodegradation was nominal and involved reduction of MTBE to t-butanol (TBA). Under more oxidizing conditions, minimal accumulation of 14C-TBA and significant mineralization of [U-14C] MTBE to 14CO2 were observed. Microorganisms inhabiting the bed sediments of streams and lakes could degrade MTBE effectively under a range of anaerobic terminal electron accepting conditions. Thus, anaerobic bed sediment microbial processes also might contribute to natural attenuation of MTBE in surface water systems throughout the US. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 222nd ACS National Meting (Chicago, IL 8/26-30/2001).

Acceptance of dying: a discourse analysis of palliative care literature.

PubMed

Zimmermann, Camilla

2012-07-01

The subject of death denial in the West has been examined extensively in the sociological literature. However, there has not been a similar examination of its "opposite", the acceptance of death. In this study, I use the qualitative method of discourse analysis to examine the use of the term "acceptance" of dying in the palliative care literature from 1970 to 2001. A Medline search was performed by combining the text words "accept or acceptance" with the subject headings "terminal care or palliative care or hospice care", and restricting the search to English language articles in clinical journals discussing acceptance of death in adults. The 40 articles were coded and analysed using a critical discourse analysis method. This paper focuses on the theme of acceptance as integral to palliative care, which had subthemes of acceptance as a goal of care, personal acceptance of healthcare workers, and acceptance as a facilitator of care. For patients and families, death acceptance is a goal that they can be helped to attain; for palliative care staff, acceptance of dying is a personal quality that is a precondition for effective practice. Acceptance not only facilitates the dying process for the patient and family, but also renders care easier. The analysis investigates the intertextuality of these themes with each other and with previous texts. From a Foucauldian perspective, I suggest that the discourse on acceptance of dying represents a productive power, which disciplines patients through apparent psychological and spiritual gratification, and encourages participation in a certain way to die. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

77 FR 21765 - Nevada Hydro Company, Inc.; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-11

... level (msl); (2) a powerhouse with two reversible pump-turbine units with a total installed capacity of... California Edison located north of the proposed project and to an existing San Diego Gas & Electric Company...

Normal and reverse flow injection–spectrophotometric determination of thiamine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations using diazotized metoclopramide

PubMed Central

Al Abachi, Mouayed Q.; Hadi, Hind

2012-01-01

Simple and sensitive normal and reverse flow injection methods for spectrophotometric determination of thiamine hydrochloride (THC) at the microgram level were proposed and optimized. Both methods are based on the reaction between THC and diazotized metoclopramide in alkaline medium. Beer’s law was obeyed over the range of 10–300 and 2–90 μg/mL, the limits of detection were 2.118 and 0.839 μg/mL and the sampling rates were 80 and 95 injections per hour for normal and reverse flow injection methods respectively. The application of both methods to commercially available pharmaceuticals produced acceptable results. The flow system is suitable for application in quality control processes. PMID:29403765

Dodecyl Amino Glucoside Enhances Transdermal and Topical Drug Delivery via Reversible Interaction with Skin Barrier Lipids.

PubMed

Kopečná, Monika; Macháček, Miloslav; Prchalová, Eva; Štěpánek, Petr; Drašar, Pavel; Kotora, Martin; Vávrová, Kateřina

2017-03-01

Skin permeation/penetration enhancers are substances that enable drug delivery through or into the skin. To search for new enhancers with high but reversible activity and acceptable toxicity, we synthesized a series of D-glucose derivatives, both hydrophilic and amphiphilic. Initial evaluation of the ability of these sugar derivatives to increase permeation and penetration of theophylline through/into human skin compared with a control (no enhancer) or sorbitan monolaurate (Span 20; positive control) revealed dodecyl 6-amino-6-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 5 as a promising enhancer. Furthermore, this amino sugar 5 increased epidermal concentration of a highly hydrophilic antiviral cidofovir by a factor of 7. The effect of compound 5 on skin electrical impedance suggested its direct interaction with the skin barrier. Infrared spectroscopy of isolated stratum corneum revealed no effect of enhancer 5 on the stratum corneum proteins but an overall decrease in the lipid chain order. The enhancer showed acceptable toxicity on HaCaT keratinocyte and 3T3 fibroblast cell lines. Finally, transepidermal water loss returned to baseline values after enhancer 5 had been removed from the skin. Compound 5, a dodecyl amino glucoside, is a promising enhancer that acts through a reversible interaction with the stratum corneum lipids.

Unmarried women's decisions on pregnancy termination: Qualitative interviews in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

PubMed

Olsson, Pia; Wijewardena, Kumudu

2010-11-01

In Sri Lanka pregnancy termination is very restricted by law and social norms. Premarital sex, and pregnancies are not generally accepted and unmarried pregnant women are vulnerable in their decision-making on pregnancy termination. The objective of this study was to describe the circumstances of becoming pregnant and factors considered in the decision-making for seeking pregnancy termination in a sample of unmarried women in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted with 19 unmarried women seeking pregnancy terminations at a reproductive health centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The interviews were later analysed using qualitative content analysis. Becoming pregnant in a love relationship was predominant in this sample. Awareness of contraceptives varied and initial reaction to the pregnancy involved strong contradictory emotions. Multiple interrelated factors were considered in the decision-making for termination. Family pressure was the most prominent factor followed by the partner's qualities and attitude towards the pregnancy, economic factors and own feelings, values and future fertility. The women described that their own emotional, religious and economic reasons for continuing the pregnancy were often outweighed by their responsibility to the family, male partner and unborn child. These unmarried women's sexual and reproductive rights were limited and for many the pregnancy termination was socially unsafe. They found themselves at the interface of two value systems. Modern values allow for relationships with men prior to marriage; whereas, traditional values did not. The limited possibilities to prevent pregnancies and little hope for support if continuing the pregnancy; made women seek pregnancy termination despite own doubts. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of Nipah virus W protein involves multiple discrete interactions with the nuclear import and export machinery.

PubMed

Audsley, Michelle D; Jans, David A; Moseley, Gregory W

2016-10-21

Paramyxoviruses replicate in the cytoplasm with no obvious requirement to interact with the nucleus. Nevertheless, the W protein of the highly lethal bat-borne paramyxovirus Nipah virus (NiV) is known to undergo specific targeting to the nucleus, mediated by a single nuclear localisation signal (NLS) within the C-terminal domain. Here, we report for the first time that additional sites modulate nucleocytoplasmic localisation of W. We show that the N-terminal domain interacts with importin α1 and contributes to nuclear accumulation of W, indicative of a novel N-terminal NLS. We also find that W undergoes exportin-1 mediated nuclear export, dependent on a leucine at position 174. Together, these data enable significant revision of the generally accepted model of W trafficking, with implications for understanding of the mechanisms of NiV immune evasion. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Race, a Relevant Factor? Our Fractured View of Affirmative Action: "Piscataway Township Board of Education v. Taxman."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeMitchell, Todd A.

1998-01-01

In a test of affirmative-action policies, a white teacher, Sharon Taxman, filed reverse discrimination charges when her downsizing district terminated her and kept a black teacher of nearly identical qualifications. The case was settled out of court. If the U.S. Supreme Court had heard the case under either the Equal Protection or Title VII…

Multiple forms of statherin in human salivary secretions.

PubMed

Jensen, J L; Lamkin, M S; Troxler, R F; Oppenheim, F G

1991-01-01

Sequential chromatography of hydroxyapatite-adsorbed salivary proteins from submandibular/sublingual secretions on Sephadex G-50 and reversed-phase HPLC resulted in the purification of statherin and several statherin variants. Amino acid analysis, Edman degradation and carboxypeptidase digestion of the obtained protein fractions led to the determination of the complete primary structures of statherin SV1, statherin SV2, and statherin SV3. SV1 is identical to statherin but lacks the carboxyl-terminal phenylalanine residue. SV2, lacking residues 6-15, is otherwise identical to statherin. SV3 is identical to SV2 but lacks the carboxyl-terminal phenylalanine. These results provide the first evidence for multiple forms of statherin which are probably derived both by post-translational modification and alternative splicing of the statherin gene.

Vasectomy as a reversible form of contraception for select patients.

PubMed

Samplaski, Mary K; Daniel, Ariande; Jarvi, Keith

2014-04-01

To provide an effective form of birth control, men may choose a reversible or permanent form of contraception. Vasectomy is presently offered as a permanent option for male contraception. We have had patients who were interested in vasectomy and reversal as a temporary birth control option. The purpose of this paper is to determine if vasectomy should be offered for selected couples as a temporary form of contraception and under which circumstances. A literature review was conducted to determine the available reversible contraceptive options, risks, failure rates and contraindications to each, and the risks and success rates of vasectomy and vasectomy reversal. Reversible contraceptives include hormonally based methods for women, non-hormonal anatomic barrier devices and spermatocidal agents. Hormone based therapies may be contraindicated in women with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and some cancers. Non-hormonal contraceptives are generally less effective and may be unacceptable for some couples due to higher failure rates, difficulty of use and lack of acceptance. Both vasectomy and vasectomy reversal are low risk procedures. Reversal may be performed with a high degree of success, particularly with a short obstructive interval (97% patency if performed < 3 years following vasectomy). While vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of sterilization for most couples, there are select couples, unable or unwilling to use other forms of birth control, who would benefit from an informed discussion about using a vasectomy as a reversible form of contraception.

Structural and temporal requirements for geomagnetic field reversal deduced from lava flows.

PubMed

Singer, Brad S; Hoffman, Kenneth A; Coe, Robert S; Brown, Laurie L; Jicha, Brian R; Pringle, Malcolm S; Chauvin, Annick

2005-03-31

Reversals of the Earth's magnetic field reflect changes in the geodynamo--flow within the outer core--that generates the field. Constraining core processes or mantle properties that induce or modulate reversals requires knowing the timing and morphology of field changes that precede and accompany these reversals. But the short duration of transitional field states and fragmentary nature of even the best palaeomagnetic records make it difficult to provide a timeline for the reversal process. 40Ar/39Ar dating of lavas on Tahiti, long thought to record the primary part of the most recent 'Matuyama-Brunhes' reversal, gives an age of 795 +/- 7 kyr, indistinguishable from that of lavas in Chile and La Palma that record a transition in the Earth's magnetic field, but older than the accepted age for the reversal. Only the 'transitional' lavas on Maui and one from La Palma (dated at 776 +/- 2 kyr), agree with the astronomical age for the reversal. Here we propose that the older lavas record the onset of a geodynamo process, which only on occasion would result in polarity change. This initial instability, associated with the first of two decreases in field intensity, began approximately 18 kyr before the actual polarity switch. These data support the claim that complete reversals require a significant period for magnetic flux to escape from the solid inner core and sufficiently weaken its stabilizing effect.

Structural Basis of Specific Recognition of Non-Reducing Terminal N-Acetylglucosamine by an Agrocybe aegerita Lectin

PubMed Central

Ren, Xiao-Ming; Li, De-Feng; Jiang, Shuai; Lan, Xian-Qing; Hu, Yonglin; Sun, Hui; Wang, Da-Cheng

2015-01-01

O-linked N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) is a reversible post-translational modification that plays essential roles in many cellular pathways. Research in this field, however, is hampered by the lack of suitable probes to identify, accumulate, and purify the O-GlcNAcylated proteins. We have previously reported the identification of a lectin from the mushroom Agrocybe aegerita, i.e., Agrocybe aegerita lectin 2, or AAL2, that could bind terminal N-acetylglucosamine with higher affinities and specificity than other currently used probes. In this paper, we report the crystal structures of AAL2 and its complexes with GlcNAc and GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc and reveal the structural basis of GlcNAc recognition by AAL2 and residues essential for the binding of terminal N-acetylglucosamine. Study on AAL2 may enable us to design a protein probe that can be used to identify and purify O-GlcNAcylated proteins more efficiently. PMID:26114302

Isolation and characterization of a new bacteriocin, termed enterocin M, produced by environmental isolate Enterococcus faecium AL41.

PubMed

Mareková, Mária; Lauková, Andrea; Skaugen, Morten; Nes, Ingolf

2007-08-01

The new bacteriocin, termed enterocin M, produced by Enterococcus faecium AL 41 showed a wide spectrum of inhibitory activity against the indicator organisms from different sources. It was purified by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, cation-exchange chromatography and reverse phase chromatography (FPLC). The purified peptide was sequenced by N-terminal amino acid Edman degradation and a mass spectrometry analysis was performed. By combining the data obtained from amino acid sequence (39 N-terminal amino acid residues was determined) and the molecular weight (determined to be 4628 Da) it was concluded that the purified enterocin M is a new bacteriocin, which is very similar to enterocin P. However, its molecular weight is different from enterocin P (4701.25). Of the first 39 N-terminal residues of enterocin M, valine was found in position 20 and a lysine in position 35, while enterocin P has tryptophane residues in these positions.

Silver Makes Better Electrical Contacts to Thiol-Terminated Silanes than Gold.

PubMed

Li, Haixing; Su, Timothy A; Camarasa-Gómez, María; Hernangómez-Pérez, Daniel; Henn, Simon E; Pokorný, Vladislav; Caniglia, Caravaggio D; Inkpen, Michael S; Korytár, Richard; Steigerwald, Michael L; Nuckolls, Colin; Evers, Ferdinand; Venkataraman, Latha

2017-11-06

We report that the single-molecule junction conductance of thiol-terminated silanes with Ag electrodes are higher than the conductance of those formed with Au electrodes. These results are in contrast to the trends in the metal work function Φ(Ag)<Φ(Au). As such, a better alignment of the Au Fermi level to the molecular orbital of silane that mediates charge transport would be expected. This conductance trend is reversed when we replace the thiols with amines, highlighting the impact of metal-S covalent and metal-NH 2 dative bonds in controlling the molecular conductance. Density functional theory calculations elucidate the crucial role of the chemical linkers in determining the level alignment when molecules are attached to different metal contacts. We also demonstrate that conductance of thiol-terminated silanes with Pt electrodes is lower than the ones formed with Au and Ag electrodes, again in contrast to the trends in the metal work-functions. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Bioinspired orientation-dependent friction.

PubMed

Xue, Longjian; Iturri, Jagoba; Kappl, Michael; Butt, Hans-Jürgen; del Campo, Aránzazu

2014-09-23

Spatular terminals on the toe pads of a gecko play an important role in directional adhesion and friction required for reversible attachment. Inspired by the toe pad design of a gecko, we study friction of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micropillars terminated with asymmetric (spatular-shaped) overhangs. Friction forces in the direction of and against the spatular end were evaluated and compared to friction forces on symmetric T-shaped pillars and pillars without overhangs. The shape of friction curves and the values of friction forces on spatula-terminated pillars were orientation-dependent. Kinetic friction forces were enhanced when shearing against the spatular end, while static friction was stronger in the direction toward the spatular end. The overall friction force was higher in the direction against the spatula end. The maximum value was limited by the mechanical stability of the overhangs during shear. The aspect ratio of the pillar had a strong influence on the magnitude of the friction force, and its contribution surpassed and masked that of the spatular tip for aspect ratios of >2.

Reversible ion transportation switch by a ligand-gated synthetic supramolecular ion channel.

PubMed

Muraoka, Takahiro; Endo, Takahiro; Tabata, Kazuhito V; Noji, Hiroyuki; Nagatoishi, Satoru; Tsumoto, Kouhei; Li, Rui; Kinbara, Kazushi

2014-11-05

Inspired by the regulation of cellular activities found in the ion channel proteins, here we developed membrane-embedded synthetic chiral receptors 1 and 2 with different terminal structures, where receptor 1 has hydrophobic triisopropylsilyl (TIPS) groups and receptor 2 has hydrophilic hydroxy groups. The receptors have ligand-binding units that interact with cationic amphiphiles such as 2-phenethylamine (PA). Conductance study revealed that the receptors hardly show ion transportation at the ligand-free state. After ligand binding involving a conformational change, receptor 1 bearing TIPS termini displays a significant current enhancement due to ion transportation. The current substantially diminishes upon addition of β-cyclodextrin (βCD) that scavenges the ligand from the receptor. Importantly, the receptor again turns into the conductive state by the second addition of PA, and the activation/deactivation of the ion transportation can be repeated. In contrast, receptor 2 bearing the hydroxy terminal groups hardly exhibits ion transportation, suggesting the importance of terminal TIPS groups of 1 that likely anchor the receptor in the membrane.

A conserved tripeptide in CNG and HCN channels regulates ligand gating by controlling C-terminal oligomerization.

PubMed

Zhou, Lei; Olivier, Nelson B; Yao, Huan; Young, Edgar C; Siegelbaum, Steven A

2004-12-02

Cyclic nucleotides directly enhance the opening of the tetrameric CNG and HCN channels, although the mechanism remains unclear. We examined why HCN and certain CNG subunits form functional homomeric channels, whereas other CNG subunits only function in heteromeric channels. The "defect" in the CNGA4 subunit that prevents its homomeric expression was localized to its C-linker, which connects the transmembrane domain to the binding domain and contains a tripeptide that decreases the efficacy of ligand gating. Remarkably, replacement of the homologous HCN tripeptide with the CNGA4 sequence transformed cAMP into an inverse agonist that inhibits HCN channel opening. Using analytical ultracentrifugation, we identified the structural basis for this gating switch: whereas cAMP normally enhances the assembly of HCN C-terminal domains into a tetrameric gating ring, inclusion of the CNGA4 tripeptide reversed this action so that cAMP now causes gating ring disassembly. Thus, ligand gating depends on the dynamic oligomerization of C-terminal binding domains.

Cardiorespiratory activity of C-terminal pentapeptide of substance P in anaesthetized rats.

PubMed

Wojciechowski, Piotr; Szereda-Przestaszewska, Małgorzata; Lipkowski, Andrzej Wojciech

2016-11-01

Experiments were performed in anaesthetized, spontaneously breathing rats to: (1) analyse the respiratory and cardiovascular effects of C-terminal fragment of substance P (AWL2077) as referred to those exerted by the parent undecapeptide, (2) determine the involvement of lung vagal afferents to these responses. Each peptide was injected intravenously at a dose of 0.3μmol/kg into neurally intact or midcervically vagotomized rats. Administration of both compounds decreased tidal volume, minute ventilation, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate, showing stimulatory (SP) and depressive (AWL2077) effects on the rate of breathing. Midcervical vagotomy reversed (post-SP) and precluded (post-AWL2077) respiratory rate responses and eliminated bradycardia evoked by both peptides. These findings indicate that the examined C-terminal pentapeptide was convergent with, but less potent than substance P in central depression of tidal volume and displayed divergence in the peripheral effect on respiratory timing. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A study of the influence of charged residues on β-hairpin formation by nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics.

PubMed

Makowska, Joanna; Zmudzińska, Wioletta; Uber, Dorota; Chmurzyński, Lech

2014-12-01

Chain reversals are often nucleation sites in protein folding. The β-hairpins of FBP28 WW domain and IgG are stable and have been proved to initiate the folding and are, therefore, suitable for studying the influence of charged residues on β-hairpin conformation. In this paper, we carried out NMR examination of the conformations in solution of two fragments from the FPB28 protein (PDB code: 1E0L) (N-terminal part) namely KTADGKT-NH2 (1E0L 12-18, D7) and YKTADGKTY-NH2 (1E0L 11-19, D9), one from the B3 domain of the protein G (PDB code: 1IGD), namely DDATKT-NH2 (1IGD 51-56) (Dag1), and three variants of Dag1 peptide: DVATKT-NH2 (Dag2), OVATKT-NH2 (Dag3) and KVATKT-NH2 (Dag4), respectively, in which the original charged residue were replaced with non-polar residues or modified charged residues. It was found that both the D7 and D9 peptides form a large fraction bent conformations. However, no hydrophobic contacts between the terminal Tyr residues of D9 occur, which suggests that the presence of a pair of like-charged residues stabilizes chain reversal. Conversely, only the Dag1 and Dag2 peptides exhibit some chain reversal; replacing the second aspartic-acid residue with a valine and the first one with a basic residue results in a nearly extended conformation. These results suggest that basic residues farther away in sequence can result in stabilization of chain reversal owing to screening of the non-polar core. Conversely, smaller distance in sequence prohibits this screening, while the presence oppositely-charged residues can stabilize a turn because of salt-bridge formation.

MgATP hydrolysis destabilizes the interaction between subunit H and yeast V1-ATPase, highlighting H's role in V-ATPase regulation by reversible disassembly.

PubMed

Sharma, Stuti; Oot, Rebecca A; Wilkens, Stephan

2018-05-12

Vacuolar H+-ATPases (V-ATPases; V1Vo-ATPases) are rotary motor proton pumps that acidify intracellular compartments and in some tissues, the extracellular space. V-ATPase is regulated by reversible disassembly into autoinhibited V1-ATPase and Vo proton channel sectors. An important player in V-ATPase regulation is subunit H, which binds at the interface of V1 and Vo. H is required for MgATPase activity in holo V-ATPase, but also for stabilizing the MgADP inhibited state in membrane detached V1. However, how H fulfills these two functions is poorly understood. To characterize the H-V1 interaction and its role in reversible disassembly, we determined binding affinities of full length H and its N-terminal domain (HNT) for an isolated heterodimer of subunits E and G (EG), the N-terminal domain of subunit a (aNT), and V1 lacking subunit H (V1ΔH). Using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and biolayer interferometry (BLI), we show that HNT binds EG with moderate affinity, that full length H binds aNT weakly, and that both H and HNT bind V1ΔH with high affinity. We also found that only one molecule of HNT binds V1ΔH with high affinity, suggesting conformational asymmetry of the three EG heterodimers in V1ΔH. Moreover, MgATP hydrolysis-driven conformational changes in V1 destabilized the interaction of H, or HNT, with V1ΔH, suggesting an interplay between MgADP inhibition and subunit H. Our observation that H binding is affected by MgATP hydrolysis in V1 points to H's role in the mechanism of reversible disassembly. Published under license by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Reversible Negative Resistive Switching in an Individual Fe@Al2O3 Hybrid Nanotube for Nonvolatile Memory.

PubMed

Ye, Yalong; Zhao, Jie; Xiao, Li; Cheng, Baochang; Xiao, Yanhe; Lei, Shuijin

2018-06-06

Hybrid nanostructures can show enormous potential in different areas because of their unique structural configurations. Herein, Fe@Al 2 O 3 hybrid nanotubes are constructed via a homogeneous coprecipitation method followed by subsequent annealing in a reducing atmosphere. The introduction of zero band gap Fe nanocrystals in the wall of ultrawide band gap Al 2 O 3 insulator nanotubes results in the formation of charge trap centers, and correspondingly a single hybrid nanotube-based two-terminal device can show reversible negative resistive switching (RS) characteristics with symmetrical negative differential resistance (NDR) at relatively high operation bias voltages. At a large bias voltage, holes and electrons can be injected into traps at two ends from electrodes, respectively, and then captured. The bias voltage dependence of asymmetrical filling of charges can lead to a reversible variation of built-in electromotive force, and therefore the symmetrical negative RS with NDR arises from two reversible back-to-back series bipolar RS. At a low readout voltage, the single Fe@Al 2 O 3 hybrid nanotube can show an excellent nonvolatile memory feature with a relatively large switching ratio of ∼30. The bias-governed reversible negative RS with superior stability, reversibility, nondestructive readout, and remarkable cycle performance makes it a potential candidate in next-generation erasable nonvolatile resistive random access memories.

Get3 is a holdase chaperone and moves to deposition sites for aggregated proteins when membrane targeting is blocked

PubMed Central

Powis, Katie; Schrul, Bianca; Tienson, Heather; Gostimskaya, Irina; Breker, Michal; High, Stephen; Schuldiner, Maya; Jakob, Ursula; Schwappach, Blanche

2013-01-01

Summary The endomembrane system of yeast contains different tail-anchored proteins that are post-translationally targeted to membranes via their C-terminal transmembrane domain. This hydrophobic segment could be hazardous in the cytosol if membrane insertion fails, resulting in the need for energy-dependent chaperoning and the degradation of aggregated tail-anchored proteins. A cascade of GET proteins cooperates in a conserved pathway to accept newly synthesized tail-anchored proteins from ribosomes and guide them to a receptor at the endoplasmic reticulum, where membrane integration takes place. It is, however, unclear how the GET system reacts to conditions of energy depletion that might prevent membrane insertion and hence lead to the accumulation of hydrophobic proteins in the cytosol. Here we show that the ATPase Get3, which accommodates the hydrophobic tail anchor of clients, has a dual function: promoting tail-anchored protein insertion when glucose is abundant and serving as an ATP-independent holdase chaperone during energy depletion. Like the generic chaperones Hsp42, Ssa2, Sis1 and Hsp104, we found that Get3 moves reversibly to deposition sites for protein aggregates, hence supporting the sequestration of tail-anchored proteins under conditions that prevent tail-anchored protein insertion. Our findings support a ubiquitous role for the cytosolic GET complex as a triaging platform involved in cellular proteostasis. PMID:23203805

Tonoplast-Bound Protein Kinase Phosphorylates Tonoplast Intrinsic Protein 1

PubMed Central

Johnson, Kenneth D.; Chrispeels, Maarten J.

1992-01-01

Tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) is a member of a family of putative membrane channels found in bacteria, animals, and plants. Plants have seed-specific, vegetative/reproductive organ-specific, and water-stress-induced forms of TIP. Here, we report that the seed-specific TIP is a phosphoprotein whose phosphorylation can be monitored in vivo by allowing bean cotyledons to take up [32P]orthophosphate and in vitro by incubating purified tonoplasts with γ-labeled [32P]ATP. Characterization of the in vitro phosphorylation of TIP indicates that a membrane-bound protein kinase phosphorylates TIP in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The capacity of the isolated tonoplast membranes to phosphorylate TIP declined markedly during seed germination, and this decline occurred well before the development-mediated decrease in TIP occurs. Phosphoamino acid analysis of purified, radiolabeled TIP showed that serine is the major, if not only, phosphorylated residue, and cyanogen bromide cleavage yielded a single radioactive peptide peak on a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatogram. Estimation of the molecular mass of the cyanogen bromide phosphopeptide by laser desorption mass spectroscopy led to its identification as the hydrophilic N-terminal domain of TIP. The putative phosphate-accepting serine residue occurs in a consensus phosphorylation site for serine/threonine protein kinases. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 PMID:16653198

Plant cell division is specifically affected by nitrotyrosine

PubMed Central

Jovanović, Aleksandra M.; Durst, Steffen; Nick, Peter

2010-01-01

Virtually all eukaryotic α-tubulins harbour a C-terminal tyrosine that can be reversibly removed and religated, catalysed by a specific tubulin–tyrosine carboxypeptidase (TTC) and a specific tubulin–tyrosine ligase (TTL), respectively. The biological function of this post-translational modification has remained enigmatic. 3-nitro-L-tyrosine (nitrotyrosine, NO2Tyr), can be incorporated into detyrosinated α-tubulin instead of tyrosine, producing irreversibly nitrotyrosinated α-tubulin. To gain insight into the possible function of detyrosination, the effect of NO2Tyr has been assessed in two plant model organisms (rice and tobacco). NO2Tyr causes a specific, sensitive, and dose-dependent inhibition of cell division that becomes detectable from 1 h after treatment and which is not observed with non-nitrosylated tyrosine. These effects are most pronounced in cycling tobacco BY-2 cells, where the inhibition of cell division is accompanied by a stimulation of cell length, and a misorientation of cross walls. NO2Tyr reduces the abundance of the detyrosinated form of α-tubulin whereas the tyrosinated α-tubulin is not affected. These findings are discussed with respect to a model where NO2Tyr is accepted as substrate by TTL and subsequently blocks TTC activity. The irreversibly tyrosinated α-tubulin impairs microtubular functions that are relevant to cell division in general, and cell wall deposition in particular. PMID:20018903

Cobalt(II) complexes with azole-pyridine type ligands for non-aqueous redox-flow batteries: Tunable electrochemistry via structural modification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armstrong, Craig G.; Toghill, Kathryn E.

2017-05-01

A single species redox flow battery employing a new class of cobalt(II) complexes with 'tunable' tridentate azole-pyridine type ligands is reported. Four structures were synthesised and their electrochemical, physical and battery characteristics were investigated as a function of successive substitution of the ligand terminal pyridyl donors. The Co(II/I) and Co(III/II) couples are stable and quasi-reversible on gold and glassy carbon electrodes, however redox potentials are tunable allowing the cobalt potential difference to be preferentially increased from 1.07 to 1.91 V via pyridine substitution with weaker σ-donating/π-accepting 3,5-dimethylpyrazole groups. The charge-discharge properties of the system were evaluated using an H-type glass cell and graphite rod electrodes. The complexes delivered high Coulombic efficiencies of 89.7-99.8% and very good voltaic efficiencies of 70.3-81.0%. Consequently, energy efficiencies are high at 63.1-80.8%, marking an improvement on other similar non-aqueous systems. Modification of the ligands also improved solubility from 0.18 M to 0.50 M via pyridyl substitution with 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, though the low solubility of the complexes limits the overall energy capacity to between 2.58 and 12.80 W h L-1. Preliminary flow cell studies in a prototype flow cell are also demonstrated.

Hybrid Escherichia coli sensory transducers with altered stimulus detection and signaling properties.

PubMed Central

Slocum, M K; Halden, N F; Parkinson, J S

1987-01-01

The tar and tap loci of Escherichia coli encode methyl-accepting inner membrane proteins that mediate chemotactic responses to aspartate and maltose or to dipeptides. These genes lie adjacent to each other in the same orientation on the chromosome and have extensive sequence homology throughout the C-terminal portions of their coding regions. Many spontaneous deletions in the tar-tap region appear to be generated by recombination between these regions of homology, leading to gene fusions that produce hybrid transducer molecules in which the N terminus of Tar is joined to the C terminus of Tap. The properties of two such hybrids are described in this report. Although Tar and Tap molecules have homologous domain structures, these Tar-Tap hybrids exhibited defects in stimulus detection and flagellar signaling. Both hybrid transducers retained Tar receptor specificity, but had reduced detection sensitivity. This defect was correlated with the presence of the C-terminal methyl-accepting segment of Tap, which may have more methylation sites than its Tar counterpart, leading to elevated steady-state methylation levels in the hybrid molecules. One of the hybrids, which carried a more extensive segment from Tap, appeared to generate constitutive signals that locked the flagellar motors in a counterclockwise rotational mode. Changes in the methylation state of this transducer were ineffective in cancelling this aberrant signal. These findings implicate the conserved C-terminal domain of bacterial transducers in the generation or regulation of flagellar signals. Images PMID:3110130

Retrospective observational study of interventions to improve acceptance of long-acting reversible contraception following abortion at Lusaka Teaching Hospital, Zambia.

PubMed

Macha, Swebby; Muyuni, Mutinta; Nkonde, Scholastica; Pádua, Karla S; Faundes, Anibal

2018-04-01

To evaluate long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) uptake immediately after abortion at Lusaka University Teaching Hospital, Zambia in the period following an intervention to increase the acceptance of LARC. The present retrospective, observational study reviewed the clinical records of all patients admitted to the Lusaka University Teaching Hospital for an incomplete abortion or for a legal induced abortion between January 1 and December 31, 2016. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of adult women (aged 20-44 years) and adolescents (aged 10-19 years) who were already using an available contraceptive method at the time of hospital discharge. Contraceptive use was compared with historical data from the same institution before the intervention to increase LARC acceptance was performed. Data from 3858 patients (587 adolescents and 3271 adults) were included. LARC use was recorded among 108 (18.4%) and 409 (12.5%) adolescents and adults, respectively. This compared with rates from 2011 of less than 1% and less than 4%, respectively. The rate of LARC use at discharge following incomplete or induced abortion had increased when compared with historical control data from before the intervention program was performed; however, there remains room for improvement. © 2017 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Effect of enzymatic pretreatment on the physical quality of plantain (Musa ssp., group AAB) employing airflow reversal drying.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Miranda, J; Martínez-Sánchez, C E; Hernández-Santos, B; Juárez-Barrientos, J M; Ventura-Báez, E G; Herman-Lara, E

2018-01-01

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of enzymatic pretreatment on the color and texture of plantain ( Musa ssp., group AAB) dried by airflow reversal drying. Plantain slices 1.0 cm thick were used. Pretreatment with two commercial enzymes, Pectinex Ultra SPL ( Aspergillus aculeatus ) and Pectinex 3XL ( Aspergillus niger ), was performed. Drying kinetics were determined with and without pretreatment at temperatures of 50, 65 and 80 °C using a fixed bed convective dryer. An air speed of 6 m/s, a bed height of 5 cm and either unidirectional flow or airflow reversal (every 15 min) were used for drying. Color and texture were analyzed, and consumer acceptance of the results of the best treatments was determined. Pretreatment with the enzyme A. niger and airflow reversal gave the best drying kinetics and showed the greatest reduction in drying time (59.0%) at 80 °C. The best hardness results were found at 80 °C with A. niger enzymatic pretreatment with both types of air flow. Brightness and hue angle showed that samples pretreated with enzymes and dried at 65 °C had a lighter yellow color compared to non-pretreated samples. Plantain samples enzymatically pretreated and dried at 65 and 80 °C were the most accepted by consumers. This kind of enzymatic pretreatment on plantain could allow the conservation of some physical properties and reduction of drying times relative to the current methodology.

Upper airway resistance syndrome. Central electroencephalographic power and changes in breathing effort.

PubMed

Black, J E; Guilleminault, C; Colrain, I M; Carrillo, O

2000-08-01

Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is defined by excessive daytime sleepiness and tiredness, and is associated with increased breathing effort. Its polygraphic features involve progressive increases in esophageal pressure (Pes), terminated by arousal (AR) as defined by the American Sleep Disorders Association (ASDA). With the arousal there is an abrupt decrease in Pes, called Pes reversal. However, Pes reversal can be seen without the presence of an AR. We performed spectral analysis on electroencephalographic data from a central lead for both AR and nonarousal (N-AR) events obtained from 15 UARS patients (eight men and seven women). Delta band activity was increased before and surrounding Pes reversal regardless of the presence or absence of AR. In the period after Pes reversal, alpha, sigma, and beta activity showed a greater increase in AR events than in N-AR events. The Pes measures were identical leading up to the point of reversal, but showed a longer-lasting and significantly greater decrease in respiratory effort after an AR. The data indicate that substantial electroencephalographic changes can be identified in association with Pes events, even when ARs cannot be detected according to standard criteria; however, visually identifiable electroencephalographic arousals clearly have a greater impact on ongoing inspiratory effort.

Deglacial hydrography and IRD inputs: A comparison of Terminations I and II in the N.E. Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hibbert, Fiona; Chapman, Mark; Austin, William; Rohling, Eelco

2015-04-01

We present a high resolution marine record (MD04-2822) from the N.E. Atlantic. This record captures the demise of the penultimate glaciation (Termination II) in high resolution. The record of co-registered proxies offers the opportunity to investigate the evolution of the last two deglacial events in the North Atlantic. The deglacial evolution of Termination II is much less well documented than the last deglaciation (Termination I). A striking feature of Termination II in the MD04-2822 record, are several large (~1 ‰) oscillations in benthic δ18O, reflecting oscillations in sea level (e.g. Grant et al., 2012, Thomas et al., 2009) and/or deep sea temperatures (cf. Skinner and Shackleton, 2006). Also notable is the markedly different pattern of surface and deep water evolution for the two deglaciations. Termination I is characterised by a short offset between benthic δ18O decrease and δ13C increase (and northwards migration of the polar front) whereas during Termination II, benthic δ13C 'improvement' (and inferred resumption in overturning) occurs only during the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e plateau, giving the marine record it's characteristic 'drawn-out' appearance. The most conspicuous feature of the penultimate deglacial in most marine cores is Heinrich event 11 (H11), an extensive episode of ice rafted debris (IRD) discharge that spread across the North Atlantic to the margin of what is now the subtropical gyre (Chapman et al., 2000). H11 generally manifests in marine records as one large and long (~ 2.5 ka) event throughout the Termination. In MD04-2822 however, there are multiple IRD events within the Termination. The continued influence of the disintegrating N. hemisphere ice sheets is also evident within the benthic δ13C and surface conditions (the polar front migrates north of the core site early within MIS 5e following a brief SST reversal).

5 CFR 2641.204 - One-year restriction on any former senior employee's representations to former agency concerning...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

....204 Section 2641.204 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS POST... termination or dispersion of the agency's functions, and other factors as may be appropriate. (A) Agency... accepts a senior employee position at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) where she...

5 CFR 2641.204 - One-year restriction on any former senior employee's representations to former agency concerning...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

....204 Section 2641.204 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS POST... termination or dispersion of the agency's functions, and other factors as may be appropriate. (A) Agency... accepts a senior employee position at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) where she...

5 CFR 2641.204 - One-year restriction on any former senior employee's representations to former agency concerning...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

....204 Section 2641.204 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS POST... termination or dispersion of the agency's functions, and other factors as may be appropriate. (A) Agency... accepts a senior employee position at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) where she...

5 CFR 2641.204 - One-year restriction on any former senior employee's representations to former agency concerning...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

....204 Section 2641.204 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS POST... termination or dispersion of the agency's functions, and other factors as may be appropriate. (A) Agency... accepts a senior employee position at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) where she...

5 CFR 2641.204 - One-year restriction on any former senior employee's representations to former agency concerning...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

....204 Section 2641.204 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS POST... termination or dispersion of the agency's functions, and other factors as may be appropriate. (A) Agency... accepts a senior employee position at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) where she...

Knowledge and Acceptability of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among Adolescent Women Receiving School-Based Primary Care Services.

PubMed

Hoopes, Andrea J; Ahrens, Kym R; Gilmore, Kelly; Cady, Janet; Haaland, Wren L; Amies Oelschlager, Anne-Marie; Prager, Sarah

2016-07-01

A key strategy to reduce unintended adolescent pregnancies is to expand access to long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods, including intrauterine devices and subdermal contraceptive implants. LARC services can be provided to adolescents in school-based health and other primary care settings, yet limited knowledge and negative attitudes about LARC methods may influence adolescents' utilization of these methods. This study aimed to evaluate correlates of knowledge and acceptability of LARC methods among adolescent women at a school-based health center (SBHC). In this cross-sectional study, female patients receiving care at 2 SBHCs in Seattle, Washington completed an electronic survey about sexual and reproductive health. Primary outcomes were (1) LARC knowledge as measured by percentage correct of 10 true-false questions and (2) LARC acceptability as measured by participants reporting either liking the idea of having an intrauterine device (IUD)/subdermal implant or currently using one. A total of 102 students diverse in race/ethnicity and socioeconomic backgrounds completed the survey (mean age 16.2 years, range 14.4-19.1 years). Approximately half reported a lifetime history of vaginal sex. Greater LARC knowledge was associated with white race (regression coefficient [coef] = 26.8; 95% CI 13.3-40.4; P < .001), history of vaginal intercourse (coef = 29.9; 95% CI 17.1-42.7; P < .001), and current/prior LARC use (coef = 22.8; 95% CI 6.5-40.0; P = .007). Older age was associated with lower IUD acceptability (odds ratio = 0.53, 95% CI 0.30-0.94; P = .029) while history of intercourse was associated with greater implant acceptability (odds ratio 5.66, 95% CI 1.46-22.0; P = .012). Adolescent women in this SBHC setting had variable knowledge and acceptability of LARC. A history of vaginal intercourse was the strongest predictor of LARC acceptability. Our findings suggest a need for LARC counseling and education strategies, particularly for young women from diverse cultural backgrounds and those with less sexual experience. © The Author(s) 2016.

Knowledge and Acceptability of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among Adolescent Women Receiving School-Based Primary Care Services

PubMed Central

Hoopes, Andrea J.; Ahrens, Kym R.; Gilmore, Kelly; Cady, Janet; Haaland, Wren L.; Amies Oelschlager, Anne-Marie; Prager, Sarah

2016-01-01

Background: A key strategy to reduce unintended adolescent pregnancies is to expand access to long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods, including intrauterine devices and subdermal contraceptive implants. LARC services can be provided to adolescents in school-based health and other primary care settings, yet limited knowledge and negative attitudes about LARC methods may influence adolescents’ utilization of these methods. This study aimed to evaluate correlates of knowledge and acceptability of LARC methods among adolescent women at a school-based health center (SBHC). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, female patients receiving care at 2 SBHCs in Seattle, Washington completed an electronic survey about sexual and reproductive health. Primary outcomes were (1) LARC knowledge as measured by percentage correct of 10 true-false questions and (2) LARC acceptability as measured by participants reporting either liking the idea of having an intrauterine device (IUD)/subdermal implant or currently using one. Results: A total of 102 students diverse in race/ethnicity and socioeconomic backgrounds completed the survey (mean age 16.2 years, range 14.4-19.1 years). Approximately half reported a lifetime history of vaginal sex. Greater LARC knowledge was associated with white race (regression coefficient [coef] = 26.8; 95% CI 13.3-40.4; P < .001), history of vaginal intercourse (coef = 29.9; 95% CI 17.1-42.7; P < .001), and current/prior LARC use (coef = 22.8; 95% CI 6.5-40.0; P = .007). Older age was associated with lower IUD acceptability (odds ratio = 0.53, 95% CI 0.30-0.94; P = .029) while history of intercourse was associated with greater implant acceptability (odds ratio 5.66, 95% CI 1.46-22.0; P = .012). Discussion: Adolescent women in this SBHC setting had variable knowledge and acceptability of LARC. A history of vaginal intercourse was the strongest predictor of LARC acceptability. Our findings suggest a need for LARC counseling and education strategies, particularly for young women from diverse cultural backgrounds and those with less sexual experience. PMID:27067583

78 FR 1855 - 1-Methyl-3,5,7-Triaza-1-Azoniatricyclodecane Chloride (Busan1024); Amendment To Terminate Uses

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-09

...This notice announces EPA's order for the amendment to terminate uses, voluntarily requested by the registrant and accepted by the Agency, of products containing the pesticide, Busan 1024, pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This cancellation order follows an August 13, 2008 Federal Register Notice of Receipt of Request for Amendments to Delete Uses from the registrant listed in Table 2, to voluntarily amend to terminate uses of this product registration. This is the last product containing this pesticide registered for use in the United States. In the August 13, 2008 notice, EPA indicated that it would issue an order implementing the amendment to terminate uses, unless the Agency received substantive comments within the 30-day comment period that would merit its further review of this request, or unless the registrant withdrew the request within this period. The Agency did not receive any comments on the notice. Further, the registrant did not withdraw the request. Accordingly, EPA hereby issues in this notice a cancellation order granting the requested amendment to terminate uses. Any distribution, sale, or use of the products subject to this cancellation order is permitted only in accordance with the terms of this order, including any existing stocks provisions.

Withholding or termination of resuscitation in pediatric out-of-hospital traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest.

PubMed

Fallat, Mary E

2014-04-01

This multiorganizational literature review was undertaken to provide an evidence base for determining whether recommendations for out-of-hospital termination of resuscitation could be made for children who are victims of traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest. Although there is increasing acceptance of out-of-hospital termination of resuscitation for adult traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest when there is no expectation of a good outcome, children are routinely excluded from state termination-of-resuscitation protocols. The decision to withhold resuscitative efforts in a child under specific circumstances (decapitation or dependent lividity, rigor mortis, etc) is reasonable. If there is any doubt as to the circumstances or timing of the traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest, under the current status of limiting termination of resuscitation in the field to persons older than 18 years in most states, resuscitation should be initiated and continued until arrival to the appropriate facility. If the patient has arrested, resuscitation has already exceeded 30 minutes, and the nearest facility is more than 30 minutes away, involvement of parents and family of these children in the decision-making process with assistance and guidance from medical professionals should be considered as part of an emphasis on family-centered care because the evidence suggests that either death or a poor outcome is inevitable.

Withholding or termination of resuscitation in pediatric out-of-hospital traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest.

PubMed

Fallat, Mary E

2014-04-01

This multiorganizational literature review was undertaken to provide an evidence base for determining whether or not recommendations for out-of-hospital termination of resuscitation could be made for children who are victims of traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest. Although there is increasing acceptance of out-of-hospital termination of resuscitation for adult traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest when there is no expectation of a good outcome, children are routinely excluded from state termination-of-resuscitation protocols. The decision to withhold resuscitative efforts in a child under specific circumstances (decapitation or dependent lividity, rigor mortis, etc) is reasonable. If there is any doubt as to the circumstances or timing of the traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest, under the current status of limiting termination of resuscitation in the field to persons older than 18 years in most states, resuscitation should be initiated and continued until arrival to the appropriate facility. If the patient has arrested, resuscitation has already exceeded 30 minutes, and the nearest facility is more than 30 minutes away, involvement of parents and family of these children in the decision-making process with assistance and guidance from medical professionals should be considered as part of an emphasis on family-centered care, because the evidence suggests that either death or a poor outcome is inevitable.

Aggregation of γ-crystallins associated with human cataracts via domain swapping at the C-terminal β-strands

PubMed Central

Das, Payel; King, Jonathan A.; Zhou, Ruhong

2011-01-01

The prevalent eye disease age-onset cataract is associated with aggregation of human γD-crystallins, one of the longest-lived proteins. Identification of the γ-crystallin precursors to aggregates is crucial for developing strategies to prevent and reverse cataract. Our microseconds of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations uncover the molecular structure of the experimentally detected aggregation-prone folding intermediate species of monomeric native γD-crystallin with a largely folded C-terminal domain and a mostly unfolded N-terminal domain. About 30 residues including a, b, and c strands from the Greek Key motif 4 of the C-terminal domain experience strong solvent exposure of hydrophobic residues as well as partial unstructuring upon N-terminal domain unfolding. Those strands comprise the domain–domain interface crucial for unusually high stability of γD-crystallin. We further simulate the intermolecular linkage of these monomeric aggregation precursors, which reveals domain-swapped dimeric structures. In the simulated dimeric structures, the N-terminal domain of one monomer is frequently found in contact with residues 135–164 encompassing the a, b, and c strands of the Greek Key motif 4 of the second molecule. The present results suggest that γD-crystallin may polymerize through successive domain swapping of those three C-terminal β-strands leading to age-onset cataract, as an evolutionary cost of its very high stability. Alanine substitutions of the hydrophobic residues in those aggregation-prone β-strands, such as L145 and M147, hinder domain swapping as a pathway toward dimerization. These findings thus provide critical molecular insights onto the initial stages of age-onset cataract, which is important for understanding protein aggregation diseases. PMID:21670251

Low-lift-to-drag-ratio approach and landing studies using a CV-990 airplane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kock, B. M.; Fulton, F. L.; Drinkwater, F. J., III

1972-01-01

The results are presented of a flight-test program utilizing a CV-990 airplane, flow in low-lift-to-drag-ratio (L/D) configurations, to simulate terminal area operation, approach, and landing of large unpowered vehicles. The results indicate that unpowered approaches and landings are practical with vehicles of the size and performance characteristics of the proposed shuttle vehicle. Low L/D landings provided touchdown dispersion patterns acceptable for operation on runways of reasonable length. The dispersion pattern was reduced when guidance was used during the final approach. High levels of pilot proficiency were not required for acceptable performance.

Implicit time-marching solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for thrust reversing and thrust vectoring nozzle flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Imlay, S. T.

1986-01-01

An implicit finite volume method is investigated for the solution of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations for flows within thrust reversing and thrust vectoring nozzles. Thrust reversing nozzles typically have sharp corners, and the rapid expansion and large turning angles near these corners are shown to cause unacceptable time step restrictions when conventional approximate factorization methods are used. In this investigation these limitations are overcome by using second-order upwind differencing and line Gauss-Siedel relaxation. This method is implemented with a zonal mesh so that flows through complex nozzle geometries may be efficiently calculated. Results are presented for five nozzle configurations including two with time varying geometries. Three cases are compared with available experimental data and the results are generally acceptable.

Source Code Vulnerability Assessment Methodology

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

Information Sciences Directorate’s (CISD) Center for Intrusion Detection Monitoring and Protection ( CIMP ) to reverse engineer tools captured by...application terminates. It is possible, however, to write past the buffer boundary in a controlled way such that the value for EIP can be overwritten with...vulnerability is widely known and has been exploited in the past . This work provides a proof-of-concept for the ARL/SLAD CAM and exploit development process

A new pH-responsive peptide tag for protein purification.

PubMed

Nonaka, Takahiro; Tsurui, Noriko; Mannen, Teruhisa; Kikuchi, Yoshimi; Shiraki, Kentaro

2018-06-01

This paper describes a new pH-responsive peptide tag that adds a protein reversible precipitation and redissolution character. This peptide tag is a part of a cell surface protein B (CspB) derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum. Proinsulin that genetically fused with a peptide of N-terminal 6, 17, 50, or 250 amino acid residues of CspB showed that the reversible precipitation and redissolution depended on the pH. The transition occurred within a physiological and narrow pH range. A CspB50 tag comprising 50 amino acid residues of N-terminal CspB was further evaluated as a representative using other pharmaceutical proteins. Below pH 6.8, almost all CspB50-Teriparatide fusion formed an aggregated state. Subsequent addition of alkali turned the cloudy protein solution transparent above pH 7.3, in which almost all the CspB50-Teriparatide fusion redissolved. The CspB50-Bivalirudin fusion showed a similar behavior with slightly different pH range. This tag is offering a new protein purification method based on liquid-solid separation which does not require an affinity ligand. This sharp response around neutral pH is useful as a pH-responsive tag for the purification of unstable proteins at a non-physiological pH. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Long Terminal Repeat Retrotransposons Tf1 and Tf2 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

PubMed

Esnault, Caroline; Levin, Henry L

2015-08-01

The long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons Tf1 and Tf2 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe are active mobile elements of the Ty3/gypsy family. The mobilization of these retrotransposons depends on particle formation, reverse transcription and integration, processes typical of other LTR retrotransposons. However, Tf1 and Tf2 are distinct from other LTR elements in that they assemble virus-like particles from a single primary translation product, initiate reverse transcription with an unusual self-priming mechanism, and, in the case of Tf1, integrate with a pattern that favors specific promoters of RNA pol II-transcribed genes. To avoid the chromosome instability and genome damage that results from increased copy number, S. pombe applies a variety of defense mechanisms that restrict Tf1 and Tf2 activity. The mRNA of the Tf elements is eliminated by an exosome-based pathway when cells are in favorable conditions whereas nutrient deprivation triggers an RNA interference-dependent pathway that results in the heterochromatization of the elements. Interestingly, Tf1 integrates into the promoters of stress-induced genes and these insertions are capable of increasing the expression of adjacent genes. These properties of Tf1 transposition raise the possibility that Tf1 benefits cells with specific insertions by providing resistance to environmental stress.

Sensitization of meningeal nociceptors: inhibition by naproxen

PubMed Central

Levy, Dan; Zhang, Xi-Chun; Jakubowski, Moshe; Burstein, Rami

2009-01-01

Migraine attacks associated with throbbing (manifestation of peripheral sensitization) and cutaneous allodynia (manifestation of central sensitization) are readily terminated by intravenous administration of a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor. Evidence that sensitization of rat central trigeminovascular neurons was also terminated in vivo by non-selective COX inhibition has led us to propose that COX inhibitors may act centrally in the dorsal horn. In the present study, we examined whether COX inhibition can also suppress peripheral sensitization in meningeal nociceptors. Using single-unit recording in the trigeminal ganglion in vivo, we found that intravenous infusion of naproxen, a non-selective COX inhibitor, reversed measures of sensitization induced in meningeal nociceptors by prior exposure of the dura to inflammatory soup (IS): ongoing activity of Aδ- and C-units and their response magnitude to mechanical stimulation of the dura, which were enhanced after IS, returned to baseline after naproxen infusion. Topical application of naproxen or the selective COX-2 inhibitor N-[2-(cyclohexyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl]-methanesulfonamide (NS-398) onto the dural receptive field of Aδ- and C-unit nociceptors also reversed the neuronal hyper-responsiveness to mechanical stimulation of the dura. The findings suggest that local COX activity in the dura could mediate the peripheral sensitization that underlies migraine headache. PMID:18333963

Topical Application of a Bioadhesive Black Raspberry Gel Modulates Gene Expression and Reduces Cyclooxygenase 2 Protein in Human Premalignant Oral Lesions

PubMed Central

Mallery, Susan R.; Zwick, Jared C.; Pei, Ping; Tong, Meng; Larsen, Peter E.; Shumway, Brian S.; Lu, Bo; Fields, Henry W.; Mumper, Russell J.; Stoner, Gary D.

2010-01-01

Reduced expression of proapoptotic and terminal differentiation genes in conjunction with increased levels of the proinflammatory and angiogenesis-inducing enzymes, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), correlate with malignant transformation of oral intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN). Accordingly, this study investigated the effects of a 10% (w/w) freeze-dried black raspberry gel on oral IEN histopathology, gene expression profiles, intraepithelial COX-2 and iNOS proteins, and microvascular densities. Our laboratories have shown that freeze-dried black raspberries possess antioxidant properties and also induce keratinocyte apoptosis and terminal differentiation. Oral IEN tissues were hemisected to provide samples for pretreatment diagnoses and establish baseline biochemical and molecular variables. Treatment of the remaining lesional tissue (0.5 g gel applied four times daily for 6 weeks) began 1 week after the initial biopsy. RNA was isolated from snap-frozen IEN lesions for microarray analyses, followed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR validation. Additional epithelial gene-specific quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analyses facilitated the assessment of target tissue treatment effects. Surface epithelial COX-2 and iNOS protein levels and microvascular densities were determined by image analysis quantified immunohistochemistry. Topical berry gel application uniformly suppressed genes associated with RNA processing, growth factor recycling, and inhibition of apoptosis. Although the majority of participants showed posttreatment decreases in epithelial iNOS and COX-2 proteins, only COX-2 reductions were statistically significant. These data show that berry gel application modulated oral IEN gene expression profiles, ultimately reducing epithelial COX-2 protein. In a patient subset, berry gel application also reduced vascular densities in the superficial connective tissues and induced genes associated with keratinocyte terminal differentiation. PMID:18559542

Reverse genetics studies on the filamentous morphology of influenza A virus.

PubMed

Bourmakina, Svetlana V; García-Sastre, Adolfo

2003-03-01

We have investigated the genetic determinants responsible for the filamentous morphology of influenza A viruses, a property characteristic of primary virus isolates. A plasmid-based reverse genetics system was used to transfer the M segment of influenza A/Udorn/72 (H3N2) virus into influenza A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus. While WSN virions display spherical morphology, recombinant WSN-Mud virus acquired the ability of the parental Udorn strain to form filamentous virus particles. This was determined by immunofluorescence studies in infected MDCK cells and by electron microscopy of purified virus particles. To determine the gene product within the M segment responsible for filamentous virus morphology, we generated four recombinant viruses carrying different sets of M1 and M2 genes from WSN or Udorn strains in a WSN background. These studies revealed that the M1 gene of Udorn, independently of the origin of the M2 gene, conferred filamentous budding properties and filamentous virus morphology to the recombinant viruses. We also constructed two WSN viruses encoding chimeric M1 proteins containing the amino-terminal 1-162 amino acids or the carboxy-terminal 163-252 amino acids of the Udorn M1 protein. Neither of these two viruses acquired filamentous phenotypes, indicating that both amino- and carboxy-terminal domains of the M1 protein contribute to filamentous virus morphology. We next rescued seven mutant WSN-M1ud viruses containing Udorn M1 proteins carrying single amino acid substitutions corresponding to the seven amino acid differences with the M1 protein of WSN virus. Characterization of these recombinant viruses revealed that amino acid residues 95 and 204 are critical in determining filamentous virus particle formation.

The short interspersed repetitive element of Trypanosoma cruzi, SIRE, is part of VIPER, an unusual retroelement related to long terminal repeat retrotransposons

PubMed Central

Vázquez, Martín; Ben-Dov, Claudia; Lorenzi, Hernan; Moore, Troy; Schijman, Alejandro; Levin, Mariano J.

2000-01-01

The short interspersed repetitive element (SIRE) of Trypanosoma cruzi was first detected when comparing the sequences of loci that encode the TcP2β genes. It is present in about 1,500–3,000 copies per genome, depending on the strain, and it is distributed in all chromosomes. An initial analysis of SIRE sequences from 21 genomic fragments allowed us to derive a consensus nucleotide sequence and structure for the element, consisting of three regions (I, II, and III) each harboring distinctive features. Analysis of 158 transcribed SIREs demonstrates that the consensus is highly conserved. The sequences of 51 cDNAs show that SIRE is included in the 3′ end of several mRNAs, always transcribed from the sense strand, contributing the polyadenylation site in 63% of the cases. This study led to the characterization of VIPER (vestigial interposed retroelement), a 2,326-bp-long unusual retroelement. VIPER's 5′ end is formed by the first 182 bp of SIRE, whereas its 3′ end is formed by the last 220 bp of the element. Both SIRE moieties are connected by a 1,924-bp-long fragment that carries a unique ORF encoding a complete reverse transcriptase-RNase H gene whose 15 C-terminal amino acids derive from codons specified by SIRE's region II. The amino acid sequence of VIPER's reverse transcriptase-RNase H shares significant homology to that of long terminal repeat retrotransposons. The fact that SIRE and VIPER sequences are found only in the T. cruzi genome may be of relevance for studies concerning the evolution and the genome flexibility of this protozoan parasite. PMID:10688909

Family Planning Practices, Programmes and Policies in India Including Implants and Injectables with a Special Focus on Jharkhand, India: A Brief Review

PubMed Central

Dehury, Ranjit Kumar

2015-01-01

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3 clearly delineates that the usage of contraceptive practices has increased considerably but is more inclined toward terminal methods of contraception especially the female sterilization. The fact is also evident from various studies carried out from time to time in different Indian states. Given the context we carried out a short review to understand the family planning practices, programs and policies in India including implants and injectable contraceptives with a special focus on the state of Jharkhand. We found that among the reversible methods IUCD (intra uterine contraceptive devices), OC (oral contraceptive) pills and condoms are the most commonly used methods. In this review, in addition to national picture, we specially focused on the state of Jharkhand owing to its very gloomy picture of family planning practices as per NFHS -3 reports. The current usage of any methods of contraception in Jharkhand is only 35.7% out of which terminal methods especially female sterilization accounts to 23.4% and male sterilization being only 0.4%. Similar picture is also reflected in the conventional methods such as; IUCD-0.6%, oral pill -3.8% and condom-2.7%. Compared to the national figure the unmet need for family planning in Jharkhand is also relatively high for the conventional reversible methods than that of terminal methods which is 11.9 and 11.3 respectively. Injectable contraceptives are available only through private or social marketing channels, because of which their use is limited. The studies carried out in different Indian states show improvement in contraceptive prevalence but the same needs further improvement. PMID:26674943

Family Planning Practices, Programmes and Policies in India Including Implants and Injectables with a Special Focus on Jharkhand, India: A Brief Review.

PubMed

Samal, Janmejaya; Dehury, Ranjit Kumar

2015-11-01

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3 clearly delineates that the usage of contraceptive practices has increased considerably but is more inclined toward terminal methods of contraception especially the female sterilization. The fact is also evident from various studies carried out from time to time in different Indian states. Given the context we carried out a short review to understand the family planning practices, programs and policies in India including implants and injectable contraceptives with a special focus on the state of Jharkhand. We found that among the reversible methods IUCD (intra uterine contraceptive devices), OC (oral contraceptive) pills and condoms are the most commonly used methods. In this review, in addition to national picture, we specially focused on the state of Jharkhand owing to its very gloomy picture of family planning practices as per NFHS -3 reports. The current usage of any methods of contraception in Jharkhand is only 35.7% out of which terminal methods especially female sterilization accounts to 23.4% and male sterilization being only 0.4%. Similar picture is also reflected in the conventional methods such as; IUCD-0.6%, oral pill -3.8% and condom-2.7%. Compared to the national figure the unmet need for family planning in Jharkhand is also relatively high for the conventional reversible methods than that of terminal methods which is 11.9 and 11.3 respectively. Injectable contraceptives are available only through private or social marketing channels, because of which their use is limited. The studies carried out in different Indian states show improvement in contraceptive prevalence but the same needs further improvement.

Advance directives: cancer patients' preferences and family-based decision making.

PubMed

Xing, Yan-Fang; Lin, Jin-Xiang; Li, Xing; Lin, Qu; Ma, Xiao-Kun; Chen, Jie; Wu, Dong-Hao; Wei, Li; Yin, Liang-Hong; Wu, Xiang-Yuan

2017-07-11

Advance directives are a sensitive issue among traditional Chinese people, who usually refrain from mentioning this topic until it is imperative. Medical decisions for cancer patients are made by their families, and these decisions might violate patients' personal will. This study aimed to examine the acceptance of advance directives among Chinese cancer patients and their families and patient participation in this procedure and, finally, to analyze the moral risk involved. While 246 patients and their family members refused official discussion of an advance directive, the remaining 166 patients and their families accepted the concept of an advance directive and signed a document agreeing to give up invasive treatment when the anti-cancer treatment was terminated. Of these, only 24 patients participated in the decision making. For 101 patients, anti-cancer therapy was ended prematurely with as many as 37 patients not told about their potential loss of health interests. Participants were 412 adult cancer patients from 9 leading hospitals across China. An advance directive was introduced to the main decision makers for each patient; if they wished to sign it, the advance directive would be systematically discussed. A questionnaire was given to the oncologists in charge of each patient to evaluate the interaction between families and patients, patients' awareness of their disease, and participation in an advance directive. Advance directives were not widely accepted among Chinese cancer patients unless anti-cancer therapy was terminated. Most cancer patients were excluded from the discussion of an advance directive.

Maturity-associated variation in physical activity and health-related quality of life in British adolescent girls: moderating effects of peer acceptance.

PubMed

Pindus, Dominika M; Cumming, Sean P; Sherar, Lauren B; Gammon, Catherine; Coelho e Silva, Manuel; Malina, Robert M

2014-01-01

Using a Biocultural Model of Maturity-Associated Variance in physical activity (PA) as a conceptual framework, the main and interactive effects of biological maturity status and perceived peer acceptance on PA and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescent girls were examined. Three hundred forty-two female British students in years 7 to 9 (13.2±0.83 years) participated in the study. All participants completed the PA Questionnaire for Adolescents and KIDSCREEN-10, a measure of HRQoL. Self-reported perceptions of peer acceptance were measured by items from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.Maturity status was estimated as the percentage of predicted adult (mature) height attained at the time of observation. Analysis of covariance suggested an influence of peer acceptance on maturity-associated differences in PA, but not on HRQoL. Girls early and "on time" in maturation with higher perceptions of peer acceptance reported greater involvement in PA than girls early and "on time" in maturation with lower perceptions of peer acceptance. A reverse association was observed for late-maturing girls. Peer acceptance is an important moderator of maturity-associated variation in PA.

A CK2 site is reversibly phosphorylated in the photosystem II subunit CP29.

PubMed

Testi, M G; Croce, R; Polverino-De Laureto, P; Bassi, R

1996-12-16

Protein phosphorylation is a major mechanism in the regulation of protein function. In chloroplast thylakoids several photosystem II subunits, including the major antenna light-harvesting complex II and several core complex components, are reversibly phosphorylated depending on the redox state of the electron carriers. A previously unknown reversible phosphorylation event has recently been described on the CP29 subunit which leads to conformational changes and protection from cold stress (Bergantino, E., Dainese, P., Cerovic, Z. Sechi, S. and Bassi, R. (1995) J. Biol Chem. 270, 8474-8481). In this study, we have identified the phosphorylation site on the N-terminal, stroma-exposed domain, showing that it is located in a sequence not homologous to the other members of the Lhc family. The phosphorylated sequence is unique in chloroplast membranes since it meets the requirements for CK2 (casein kinase II) kinases. The possibility that this phosphorylation is involved in a signal transduction pathway is discussed.

Terminal illness and access to Phase 1 experimental agents, surgeries and devices: reviewing the ethical arguments.

PubMed

Schüklenk, Udo; Lowry, Christopher

2009-01-01

The advent of AIDS brought about a group of patients unwilling to accept crucial aspects of the methodological standards for clinical research investigating Phase 1 drugs, surgeries or devices. Their arguments against placebo controls in trials, which depended--at the time--on the terminal status of patient volunteers led to a renewed discussion of the ethics of denying patients with catastrophic illnesses access to last-chance experimental drugs, surgeries or devices. Existing ethics and health policy literature on the topic of access to experimental drugs. The positions of those arguing for or against free access to experimental drugs for terminally ill patients are irreconcilable. At stake are questions about the kinds of personal sacrifices society can reasonably expect patients in clinical trials to make to ensure statistically predictive results. These would benefit by necessity a much larger number of current and future patients--the conflict is about individual versus public interests. It is also about the question of whether or not the state can legitimately prevent patients with terminal illnesses from unfettered access to experimental drugs, surgeries or devices in order to motivate them to participate in clinical trials. We review the ethical arguments for and against the provision of access to Phase 1 agents for terminally ill patients. Finding a compromise between providing free or no access to Phase 1 drugs for terminally ill patients. We ought to investigate means to increase access to experimental drugs for terminally ill patients without sacrificing necessary clinical trials' sounds scientific methods.

75 FR 53961 - Pajuela Peak Hydro, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-02

... hydraulic head of 1,465 feet; (2) a proposed 50-ft zoned earth and rockfill lower dam with a 5,896-ft length... 150 MW and two 50 MW reversible pump/turbine generating units having an installed capacity of 250...

Public perceptions of land management in the Great Basin

Treesearch

Susan Wilmot; Mark Brunson

2008-01-01

The Great Basin is undergoing significant landscape change due to an array of natural and anthropogenic factors. Land management strategies intended to address these problems will require landscape-scale solutions that can reduce, reverse, or mitigate ecosystem degradation while remaining economically feasible and socially acceptable. The latter criterion may be...

Spurious-Mode Control of Same-Phase Drive-Type Ultrasonic Motor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoyagi, Manabu; Watanabe, Hiroyuki; Tomikawa, Yoshiro; Takano, Takehiro

2002-05-01

A same-phase drive-type ultrasonic motor requires a single power source for its operation. In particular, self-oscillation driving is useful for driving a small ultrasonic motor. This type of ultrasonic motor has a spurious mode close to the operation frequency on its stator vibrator. The spurious vibration mode affects the oscillation frequency of a self-oscillation drive circuit. Hence the spurious vibration mode should be restrained or moved away from the neighborhood of the operation frequency. In this paper, we report that an inductor connected at an electrical control terminal provided on standby electrodes for the reverse rotation operation controls only the spurious vibration mode. The effect of an inductor connected at the control terminal was clarified by the simulation of an equivalent circuit and some experiments.

Air Traffic Management Technology Demostration Phase 1 (ATD) Interval Management for Near-Term Operations Validation of Acceptability (IM-NOVA) Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kibler, Jennifer L.; Wilson, Sara R.; Hubbs, Clay E.; Smail, James W.

2015-01-01

The Interval Management for Near-term Operations Validation of Acceptability (IM-NOVA) experiment was conducted at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC) in support of the NASA Airspace Systems Program's Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration-1 (ATD-1). ATD-1 is intended to showcase an integrated set of technologies that provide an efficient arrival solution for managing aircraft using Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) surveillance, navigation, procedures, and automation for both airborne and ground-based systems. The goal of the IMNOVA experiment was to assess if procedures outlined by the ATD-1 Concept of Operations were acceptable to and feasible for use by flight crews in a voice communications environment when used with a minimum set of Flight Deck-based Interval Management (FIM) equipment and a prototype crew interface. To investigate an integrated arrival solution using ground-based air traffic control tools and aircraft Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) tools, the LaRC FIM system and the Traffic Management Advisor with Terminal Metering and Controller Managed Spacing tools developed at the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) were integrated into LaRC's Air Traffic Operations Laboratory (ATOL). Data were collected from 10 crews of current 757/767 pilots asked to fly a high-fidelity, fixed-based simulator during scenarios conducted within an airspace environment modeled on the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Terminal Radar Approach Control area. The aircraft simulator was equipped with the Airborne Spacing for Terminal Area Routes (ASTAR) algorithm and a FIM crew interface consisting of electronic flight bags and ADS-B guidance displays. Researchers used "pseudo-pilot" stations to control 24 simulated aircraft that provided multiple air traffic flows into the DFW International Airport, and recently retired DFW air traffic controllers served as confederate Center, Feeder, Final, and Tower controllers. Analyses of qualitative data revealed that the procedures used by flight crews to receive and execute interval management (IM) clearances in a voice communications environment were logical, easy to follow, did not contain any missing or extraneous steps, and required the use of an acceptable workload level. The majority of the pilot participants found the IM concept, in addition to the proposed FIM crew procedures, to be acceptable and indicated that the ATD-1 procedures could be successfully executed in a nearterm NextGen environment. Analyses of quantitative data revealed that the proposed procedures were feasible for use by flight crews in a voice communications environment. The delivery accuracy at the achieve-by point was within +/-5 sec, and the delivery precision was less than 5 sec. Furthermore, FIM speed commands occurred at a rate of less than one per minute, and pilots found the frequency of the speed commands to be acceptable at all times throughout the experiment scenarios.

Hypothalamic gliosis associated with high-fat diet feeding is reversible in mice: a combined immunohistochemical and magnetic resonance imaging study.

PubMed

Berkseth, Kathryn E; Guyenet, Stephan J; Melhorn, Susan J; Lee, Donghoon; Thaler, Joshua P; Schur, Ellen A; Schwartz, Michael W

2014-08-01

Gliosis, the activation of astrocyte and microglial cell populations, is a hallmark of central nervous system injury and is detectable using either immunohistochemistry or in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Obesity in rodents and humans is associated with gliosis of the arcuate nucleus, a key hypothalamic region for the regulation of energy homeostasis and adiposity, but whether this response is permanent or reversible is unknown. Here we combine terminal immunohistochemistry analysis with serial, noninvasive MRI to characterize the progression and reversibility of hypothalamic gliosis in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. The effects of HFD feeding for 16 weeks to increase body weight and adiposity relative to chow were nearly normalized after the return to chow feeding for an additional 4 weeks in the diet-reversal group. Mice maintained on the HFD for the full 20-week study period experienced continued weight gain associated with the expected increases of astrocyte and microglial activation in the arcuate nucleus, but these changes were not observed in the diet-reversal group. The proopiomelanocortin neuron number did not differ between groups. Although MRI demonstrated a positive correlation between body weight, adiposity, and the gliosis-associated T2 signal in the mediobasal hypothalamus, it did not detect the reversal of gliosis among the HFD-fed mice after the return to chow diet. We conclude that hypothalamic gliosis associated with 16-week HFD feeding is largely reversible in rodents, consistent with the reversal of the HFD-induced obesity phenotype, and extend published evidence regarding the utility of MRI as a tool for studying obesity-associated hypothalamic gliosis in vivo.

Usefulness of cardiac biomarkers to predict cardiac recovery in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for refractory cardiogenic shock.

PubMed

Luyt, Charles-Edouard; Landivier, Antoine; Leprince, Pascal; Bernard, Maguy; Pavie, Alain; Chastre, Jean; Combes, Alain

2012-10-01

No prognostic markers of myocardial recovery in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock requiring circulatory support are known, but early identification of patients who will not recover might provide an opportunity to change the treatment strategy to improve outcome. Because N-terminal fragment of the B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin Ic, midregional fragment of the proatrial natriuretic peptide, proadrenomedullin, and copeptin are prognostic markers in patients with cardiac failure, we hypothesized that, among patients with refractory cardiogenic shock of potentially reversible cause supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the kinetics of these markers might help identify patients who would recover. This was a prospective, observational, single-center study in a medical-surgical intensive care unit. Among 41 consecutive patients with refractory cardiogenic shock of potentially reversible cause receiving ECMO support, 18 recovered and were successfully weaned off the machine. Blood N-terminal fragment of the B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin Ic, midregional fragment of the proatrial natriuretic peptide, proadrenomedullin, and copeptin concentrations were determined on days 1, 3, and 7 post-ECMO. Neither the absolute values of those biomarkers at days 1, 3, or 7 nor their kinetics during the first week differed between patients weaned or not. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (95% confidence interval) of the day 1-to-day 3 biomarker changes for predicting cardiac recovery were 0.54 (0.36-0.71), 0.61 (0.43-0.78), 0.61 (0.42-0.77), 0.56 (0.38-0.73), and 0.61 (0.43-0.78), respectively. In patients with refractory cardiogenic shock of potentially reversible cause receiving ECMO support, early measurements of cardiac biomarkers are not useful for identifying those who would recover. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Green Tea Component (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Sensitizes Primary Endothelial Cells to Arsenite-Induced Apoptosis by Decreasing c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase-Mediated Catalase Activity

PubMed Central

Lee, Hyeon-Ju; Byun, Catherine Jeonghae; Park, Jung-Hyun; Park, Jae Hoon; Cho, Ho-Seong; Cho, Sung-Jin; Jo, Sangmee Ahn; Jo, Inho

2015-01-01

The green tea component (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been shown to sensitize many different types of cancer cells to anticancer drug-induced apoptosis, although it protects against non-cancerous primary cells against toxicity from certain conditions such as exposure to arsenic (As) or ultraviolet irradiation. Here, we found that EGCG promotes As-induced toxicity of primary-cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) at doses in which treatment with each chemical alone had no such effect. Increased cell toxicity was accompanied by an increased condensed chromatin pattern and fragmented nuclei, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), activity of the pro-apoptotic enzymes caspases 3, 8 and 9, and Bax translocation into mitochondria, suggesting the involvement of an apoptotic signaling pathway. Fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis revealed that compared with EGCG or As alone, combined EGCG and As (EGCG/As) treatment significantly induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was accompanied by decreased catalase activity and increased lipid peroxidation. Pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine or catalase reversed EGCG/As-induced caspase activation and EC toxicity. EGCG/As also increased the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which was not reversed by catalase. However, pretreatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 reversed all of the observed effects of EGCG/As, suggesting that JNK may be the most upstream protein examined in this study. Finally, we also found that all the observed effects by EGCG/As are true for other types of EC tested. In conclusion, this is firstly to show that EGCG sensitizes non-cancerous EC to As-induced toxicity through ROS-mediated apoptosis, which was attributed at least in part to a JNK-activated decrease in catalase activity. PMID:26375285

The Green Tea Component (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Sensitizes Primary Endothelial Cells to Arsenite-Induced Apoptosis by Decreasing c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase-Mediated Catalase Activity.

PubMed

Kim, Jee-Youn; Choi, Ji-Young; Lee, Hyeon-Ju; Byun, Catherine Jeonghae; Park, Jung-Hyun; Park, Jae Hoon; Cho, Ho-Seong; Cho, Sung-Jin; Jo, Sangmee Ahn; Jo, Inho

2015-01-01

The green tea component (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been shown to sensitize many different types of cancer cells to anticancer drug-induced apoptosis, although it protects against non-cancerous primary cells against toxicity from certain conditions such as exposure to arsenic (As) or ultraviolet irradiation. Here, we found that EGCG promotes As-induced toxicity of primary-cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) at doses in which treatment with each chemical alone had no such effect. Increased cell toxicity was accompanied by an increased condensed chromatin pattern and fragmented nuclei, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), activity of the pro-apoptotic enzymes caspases 3, 8 and 9, and Bax translocation into mitochondria, suggesting the involvement of an apoptotic signaling pathway. Fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis revealed that compared with EGCG or As alone, combined EGCG and As (EGCG/As) treatment significantly induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was accompanied by decreased catalase activity and increased lipid peroxidation. Pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine or catalase reversed EGCG/As-induced caspase activation and EC toxicity. EGCG/As also increased the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which was not reversed by catalase. However, pretreatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 reversed all of the observed effects of EGCG/As, suggesting that JNK may be the most upstream protein examined in this study. Finally, we also found that all the observed effects by EGCG/As are true for other types of EC tested. In conclusion, this is firstly to show that EGCG sensitizes non-cancerous EC to As-induced toxicity through ROS-mediated apoptosis, which was attributed at least in part to a JNK-activated decrease in catalase activity.

A Climatological Study of Short-Period Gravity Waves and Ripples at Davis Station, Antarctica (68°S, 78°E), During the (Austral Winter February-October) Period 1999-2013

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rourke, S.; Mulligan, F. J.; French, W. J. R.; Murphy, D. J.

2017-11-01

A scanning radiometer deployed at Davis Station, Antarctica (68°S, 78°E), has been recording infrared (1.10-1.65 μm) images of a small region (24 km × 24 km) of the zenith night sky once per minute each austral winter night since February 1999. These images have been processed to extract information on the passage of gravity waves (GWs) (horizontal wavelength, λh > 15 km) and ripples (λh ≤ 15 km) over the observing station. Phase speeds, periods, horizontal wavelengths, and predominant propagation directions have been deduced. Observed speeds were found to be highly correlated with horizontal wavelengths as has been reported in previous studies. Reverse ray tracing of the detected GWs only enabled us to identify four distinct groups. On average, only 15% of waves detected can be traced back to the troposphere, and a large proportion ( 45%) were not successfully reverse traced substantially below the airglow layer. Two smaller groups were found to reach a termination condition for reverse ray tracing at altitudes near 50 km and 75 km. Of those that reached the termination altitude in the troposphere (10 km), most of the end points fell within a radius of 300 km of the station, with a very pronounced concentration of wave initiation to the northwest of the observing point. The predominant direction of propagation was southward, and they were observed throughout the year. Recent reports suggest the interaction of planetary waves with the background wind field as a potential source for these waves.

RNA–protein binding interface in the telomerase ribonucleoprotein

PubMed Central

Bley, Christopher J.; Qi, Xiaodong; Rand, Dustin P.; Borges, Chad R.; Nelson, Randall W.; Chen, Julian J.-L.

2011-01-01

Telomerase is a specialized reverse transcriptase containing an intrinsic telomerase RNA (TR) which provides the template for telomeric DNA synthesis. Distinct from conventional reverse transcriptases, telomerase has evolved a unique TR-binding domain (TRBD) in the catalytic telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein, integral for ribonucleoprotein assembly. Two structural elements in the vertebrate TR, the pseudoknot and CR4/5, bind TERT independently and are essential for telomerase enzymatic activity. However, the details of the TR–TERT interaction have remained elusive. In this study, we employed a photoaffinity cross-linking approach to map the CR4/5-TRBD RNA–protein binding interface by identifying RNA and protein residues in close proximity. Photoreactive 5-iodouridines were incorporated into the medaka CR4/5 RNA fragment and UV cross-linked to the medaka TRBD protein fragment. The cross-linking RNA residues were identified by alkaline partial hydrolysis and cross-linked protein residues were identified by mass spectrometry. Three CR4/5 RNA residues (U182, U187, and U205) were found cross-linking to TRBD amino acids Tyr503, Phe355, and Trp477, respectively. This CR4/5 binding pocket is distinct and separate from the previously proposed T pocket in the Tetrahymena TRBD. Based on homologous structural models, our cross-linking data position the essential loop L6.1 adjacent to the TERT C-terminal extension domain. We thus propose that stem-loop 6.1 facilitates proper TERT folding by interacting with both TRBD and C-terminal extension. Revealing the telomerase CR4/5-TRBD binding interface with single-residue resolution provides important insights into telomerase ribonucleoprotein architecture and the function of the essential CR4/5 domain. PMID:22123986

Sexual dimorphism of gonadotropin-releasing hormone type-III (GnRH3) neurons and hormonal sex reversal of male reproductive behavior in Mozambique tilapia.

PubMed

Kuramochi, Asami; Tsutiya, Atsuhiro; Kaneko, Toyoji; Ohtani-Kaneko, Ritsuko

2011-10-01

In tilapia, hormone treatment during the period of sexual differentiation can alter the phenotype of the gonads, indicating that endocrine factors can cause gonadal sex reversal. However, the endocrine mechanism underlying sex reversal of reproductive behaviors remains unsolved. In the present study, we detected sexual dimorphism of gonadotropin-releasing hormone type III (GnRH3) neurons in Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus. Our immunohistochemical observations showed sex differences in the number of GnRH3 immunoreactive neurons in mature tilapia; males had a greater number of GnRH3 neurons in the terminal ganglion than females. Treatment with androgen (11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) or methyltestosterone), but not that with 17β-estradiol, increased the number of GnRH3 neurons in females to a level similar to that in males. Furthermore, male-specific nest-building behavior was induced in 70% of females treated with 11-KT within two weeks after the onset of the treatment. These results indicate androgen-dependent regulation of GnRH3 neurons and nest-building behavior, suggesting that GnRH3 is importantly involved in sex reversal of male-specific reproductive behavior.

Trans-activation of the 5' to 3' viral DNA strand transfer by nucleocapsid protein during reverse transcription of HIV1 RNA.

PubMed

Darlix, J L; Vincent, A; Gabus, C; de Rocquigny, H; Roques, B

1993-08-01

Two DNA strand transfer reactions take place during reverse transcription of the retroviral genome. The first transfer, that of the minus-strand strong stop DNA from the 5' end of the viral RNA to the 3' end, has been studied in vitro with two RNAs mimicking the 5' and 3' regions of the HIV1 genome and with nucleocapsid protein, NCp7, and reverse transcriptase. The results show that NCp7 strongly activates the 5' to 3' DNA strand transfer during reverse transcription while a basic peptide resembling NCp7 is inactive. Activation of the first transfer by several NCp7 derived peptides and the influence of the terminal redundancies (R) present at the 5' and 3' ends of HIV1 RNA were also examined. The first transfer is optimal in the presence of intact NCp7 and necessitates R on both the 5' and 3' RNAs. Sequencing of full length viral DNA products reveals approximately 40% misincorporations at the first nucleotide beyond the transfer point. If such base misincorporations occur during proviral DNA synthesis with possible homologous recombinations it may well contribute to the high level of genetic variability of HIV.

CELL DIVISION IN A SPECIES OF ERWINIA. III. REVERSAL OF INHIBITION OF CELL DIVISION CAUSED BY D-AMINO ACIDS, PENICILLIN, AND ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT

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

Grula, E.A.; Grula, M.M.

Inhibition of cell division in an Erwinia sp. occurs in the presence of any of six D-amino acids, penicillin, or ultraviolet light. Cell-division inhibition caused by D-amino acids is pH-dependent; however, elongation caused by penicillin occurs over a wide range of pH. Bulging and spheroplast formation in the presence of penicillin occurs only at pH values below 7.6; however, division continues to be inhibited at higher pH levels. Reversal of cell-division inhibition caused by two D-amino acids (phenylalanine and histidine) can be partially overcome by their respective L-isomers. Divalent cations (Zn, Ca, Mn) cause varying amounts of reversal of divisionmore » inhibition in all systems studied; each system appears to have an individual requirement. All induced division inhibitions, including that caused by penicillin, can be reversed by pantoyl lactone or omega methylpantoyl lactone. Evidence is presented and discussed concerning the possible importance of pantoyl lactone and divalent cations in terminal steps of the cell-division process in this organism. (auth)« less

Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Poly(Arylene Ether Sulfone) Random and Segmented Copolymers for Membrane Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nebipasagil, Ali

Poly(arylene ether sulfone)s are high-performance engineering thermoplastics that have been investigated extensively over the past several decades due to their outstanding mechanical properties, high glass transition temperatures (Tg), solvent resistance and exceptional thermal, oxidative and hydrolytic stability. Their thermal and mechanical properties are highly suited to a variety of applications including membrane applications such as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and gas separation. This dissertation covers structure-property-performance relationships of poly(arylene ether sulfone) and poly(ethylene oxide)-containing random and segmented copolymers for reverse osmosis and gas separation membranes. The second chapter of this dissertation describes synthesis of disulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) random copolymers with oligomeric molecular weights that contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments for thin film composite (TFC) reverse osmosis membranes. These copolymers were synthesized and chemically modified to obtain novel crosslinkable poly(arylene ether sulfone) oligomers with acrylamide groups on both ends. The acrylamideterminated oligomers were crosslinked with UV radiation in the presence of a multifunctional acrylate and a UV initiator. Transparent, dense films were obtained with high gel fractions. Mechanically robust TFC membranes were prepared from either aqueous or water-methanol solutions cast onto a commercial UDELRTM foam support. This was the first example that utilized a water or alcohol solvent system and UV radiation to obtain reverse osmosis TFC membranes. The membranes were characterized with regard to composition, surface properties, and water uptake. Water and salt transport properties were elucidated at the department of chemical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. The gas separation membranes presented in chapter three were poly(arylene ether sulfone) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-containing polyurethanes. Poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymers with controlled molecular weights were synthesized and chemically modified to obtain poly(arylene ether sulfone) polyols with aliphatic hydroxyethyl terminal functionality. The hydroxyethyl-terminated oligomers and a,u-hydroxy-terminated PEO were chain extended with a diisocyanate to obtain polyurethanes. Compositions with high poly(arylene ether sulfone) content relative to the hydrophilic PEO blocks were of interest due to their mechanical integrity. The membranes were characterized to analyze their compositions, thermal and mechanical properties, water uptake, and molecular weights. These membranes were also evaluated by collaborators at the University of Texas at Austin to explore single gas transport properties. The results showed that both polymer and transport properties closely related to PEO-content. The CO2/CH4 gas selectivity of our membranes were improved from 25 to 34 and the CO2/N2 gas selectivity nearly doubled from 25 to 46 by increasing PEO-content from 0 to 30 wt.% in polyurethanes. Chapter four also focuses on polymers for gas separation membranes. Disulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) and poly(ethylene oxide)-containing polyurethanes were synthesized for potential applications as gas separation membranes. Disulfonated polyols containing 20 and 40 mole percent of disulfonated repeat units with controlled molecular weights were synthesized. Poly(arylene ether sulfone) polyols and alpha,o-hydroxy-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) were subsequently chain extended with a diisocyanate to obtain polyurethanes. Thermal and mechanical characterization revealed that the polyurethanes had a phase-mixed complex morphology.

Disrupted Social Work Field Placement: Factors That Contribute to Premature Termination of BSW Students' Field Placement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tyler, Janet

2012-01-01

According to R. Wayne ("Legal Guidelines for Dismissing Students Because of Poor Performance in the Field," 2004), there is a widely accepted assumption in social work education that field placement provides the best opportunity to evaluate students' goodness-of-fit with the profession and is therefore used to weed out unsuitable…

5 CFR 843.410 - Annuity for a child age 18 to 22 during full-time school attendance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... accepted as minimum for completion, by a full-time day student, of the academic or training program... student, and whose parent dies after the child's 22nd birthday but before the date the annuity terminates... to receive an annuity as a full-time student, the child must also meet all other requirements...

Flight Crew Factors for CTAS/FMS Integration in the Terminal Area

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crane, Barry W.; Prevot, Thomas; Palmer, Everett A.; Shafto, M. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Center TRACON Automation System (CTAS)/Flight Management System (FMS) integration on the flightdeck implies flight crews flying coupled in highly automated FMS modes [i.e. Vertical Navigation (VNAV) and Lateral Navigation (LNAV)] from top of descent to the final approach phase of flight. Pilots may also have to make FMS route edits and respond to datalink clearances in the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) airspace. This full mission simulator study addresses how the introduction of these FMS descent procedures affect crew activities, workload, and performance. It also assesses crew acceptance of these procedures. Results indicate that the number of crew activities and workload ratings are significantly reduced below current day levels when FMS procedures can be flown uninterrupted, but that activity numbers increase significantly above current day levels and workload ratings return to current day levels when FMS procedures are interrupted by common ATC interventions and CTAS routing advisories. Crew performance showed some problems with speed control during FMS procedures. Crew acceptance of the FMS procedures and route modification requirements was generally high; a minority of crews expressed concerns about use of VNAV in the TRACON airspace. Suggestions for future study are discussed.

Loss of Huntingtin stimulates capture of retrograde dense-core vesicles to increase synaptic neuropeptide stores.

PubMed

Bulgari, Dinara; Deitcher, David L; Levitan, Edwin S

2017-08-01

The Huntington's disease protein Huntingtin (Htt) regulates axonal transport of dense-core vesicles (DCVs) containing neurotrophins and neuropeptides. DCVs travel down axons to reach nerve terminals where they are either captured in synaptic boutons to support later release or reverse direction to reenter the axon as part of vesicle circulation. Currently, the impact of Htt on DCV dynamics in the terminal is unknown. Here we report that knockout of Drosophila Htt selectively reduces retrograde DCV flux at proximal boutons of motoneuron terminals. However, initiation of retrograde transport at the most distal bouton and transport velocity are unaffected suggesting that synaptic capture rate of these retrograde DCVs could be altered. In fact, tracking DCVs shows that retrograde synaptic capture efficiency is significantly elevated by Htt knockout or knockdown. Furthermore, synaptic boutons contain more neuropeptide in Htt knockout larvae even though bouton size, single DCV fluorescence intensity, neuropeptide release in response to electrical stimulation and subsequent activity-dependent capture are unaffected. Thus, loss of Htt increases synaptic capture as DCVs travel by retrograde transport through boutons resulting in reduced transport toward the axon and increased neuropeptide in the terminal. These results therefore identify native Htt as a regulator of synaptic capture and neuropeptide storage. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

An Analysis of Enzyme Kinetics Data for Mitochondrial DNA Strand Termination by Nucleoside Reverse Transcription Inhibitors

PubMed Central

Wendelsdorf, Katherine V.; Song, Zhuo; Cao, Yang; Samuels, David C.

2009-01-01

Nucleoside analogs used in antiretroviral treatment have been associated with mitochondrial toxicity. The polymerase-γ hypothesis states that this toxicity stems from the analogs' inhibition of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase (polymerase-γ) leading to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion. We have constructed a computational model of the interaction of polymerase-γ with activated nucleoside and nucleotide analog drugs, based on experimentally measured reaction rates and base excision rates, together with the mtDNA genome size, the human mtDNA sequence, and mitochondrial dNTP concentrations. The model predicts an approximately 1000-fold difference in the activated drug concentration required for a 50% probability of mtDNA strand termination between the activated di-deoxy analogs d4T, ddC, and ddI (activated to ddA) and the activated forms of the analogs 3TC, TDF, AZT, FTC, and ABC. These predictions are supported by experimental and clinical data showing significantly greater mtDNA depletion in cell culture and patient samples caused by the di-deoxy analog drugs. For zidovudine (AZT) we calculated a very low mtDNA replication termination probability, in contrast to its reported mitochondrial toxicity in vitro and clinically. Therefore AZT mitochondrial toxicity is likely due to a mechanism that does not involve strand termination of mtDNA replication. PMID:19132079

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty in 3 and 4 part proximal humeral fractures in patients aged more than 65 years: Results and complications.

PubMed

Villodre-Jiménez, J; Estrems-Díaz, V; Diranzo-García, J; Bru-Pomer, A

The treatment of 3and 4 part proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients is still controversial. The frequent co-existence of poor quality bone and rotator cuff abnormalities in patients with multiple clinical conditions and with difficulties for physical rehabilitation leads to disappointing clinical results, even when the radiological images are acceptable. To evaluate the clinical, radiological, and functional results in patients over 65 years old with complex proximal humerus fractures treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty. A prospective review was carried out on 30 patients (26 women and 4 men) with proximal humeral fractures treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty in our department. The mean age was 74.9 years (SD=6.3), and the mean follow-up was 34.5 months (SD=19.3). Clinical and functional results were acceptable, with a mean forward flexion of 124° and a mean external rotation of 13°. The mean abbreviated Constant abbreviated score was 49.1 (SD=14.1), 27 (SD=6.3) in the UCLA scale, and 32.2 (SD=19.2) in the QuickDASH questionnaire. The large majority (80%) of the patients are pain free, and they do not need medication to do daily activities. The complication rate was 13.3%. We consider that reverse shoulder arthroplasty is a valid option to treat 3and 4 part proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients. The surgical goals should include the anatomical reconstruction of the tuberosities, avoiding enlargement of the operated arm greater than 2cm. Copyright © 2016 SECOT. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Training and Human Factors Research in Military Systems. A Final Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-05-01

Combat vehicle Human factors/ identification (CVI), Operational test and evaluatio (Continued) 19. ABSTRACT (Continue on reverse if necessaty and...prepared on the management of CVI for service schools (1985). * A videotape entitled "Training for Combat" was prepared as an update for the CVI and TAATS...media, and the effects of image motion on CVI training performance. Future Developments The ART -Fort Hood TAATS program was terminated in 1987, and

Evolutionary Algorithm Based Automated Reverse Engineering and Defect Discovery

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-21

a previous application of a GP as a data mining function to evolve fuzzy decision trees symbolically [3-5], the terminal set consisted of fuzzy...of input and output information is required. In the case of fuzzy decision trees, the database represented a collection of scenarios about which the...fuzzy decision tree to be evolved would make decisions . The database also had entries created by experts representing decisions about the scenarios

Reversible Human TGF-β Signal Shifting between Tumor Suppression and Fibro-Carcinogenesis: Implications of Smad Phospho-Isoforms for Hepatic Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions.

PubMed

Yoshida, Katsunori; Murata, Miki; Yamaguchi, Takashi; Matsuzaki, Koichi; Okazaki, Kazuichi

2016-01-12

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) are observed during both physiological liver wound healing and the pathological fibrotic/carcinogenic (fibro-carcinogenetic) process. TGF-β and pro-inflammatory cytokine are considered to be the major factors accelerating liver fibrosis and promoting liver carcinogenesis. Smads, consisting of intermediate linker regions connecting Mad homology domains, act as the intracellular mediators of the TGF-β signal transduction pathway. As the TGF-β receptors, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and cyclin-dependent kinase, differentially phosphorylate Smad2/3, we have generated numerous antibodies against linker (L) and C-terminal (C) phosphorylation sites in Smad2/3 and identified four types of phosphorylated forms: cytostatic COOH-terminally-phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3C), mitogenic pSmad3L (Ser-213) signaling, fibrogenic pSmad2L (Ser-245/250/255)/C signaling and migratory pSmad2/3L (Thr-220/179)/C signaling. After acute liver injury, TGF-β upregulates pSmad3C signaling and terminates pSmad3L (Ser-213)-mediated hepatocyte proliferation. TGF-β and pro-inflammatory cytokines cooperatively enhance collagen synthesis by upregulating pSmad2L (Thr-220)/C and pSmad3L (Thr-179)/C pathways in activated hepatic stellate cells. During chronic liver injuries, hepatocytes persistently affected by TGF-β and pro-inflammatory cytokines eventually become pre-neoplastic hepatocytes. Both myofibroblasts and pre-neoplastic hepatocyte exhibit the same carcinogenic (mitogenic) pSmad3L (Ser-213) and fibrogenic pSmad2L (Ser-245/250/255)/C signaling, with acquisition of fibro-carcinogenic properties and increasing risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Firstly, we review phospho-Smad-isoform signalings in epithelial and mesenchymal cells in physiological and pathological conditions and then consider Smad linker phosphorylation as a potential target for pathological EMT during human fibro-carcinogenesis, because human Smad phospho-isoform signals can reverse from fibro-carcinogenesis to tumor-suppression in a process of MET after therapy.

Group II and III metabotropic glutamate receptors and the control of the nucleus reticularis thalami input to rat thalamocortical neurones in vitro.

PubMed

Turner, J P; Salt, T E

2003-01-01

Intracellular recordings were made from neurones in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) and ventro-basal (VB) thalamus in slices of rat midbrain in vitro. Electrical stimulation of the medial lemniscus or TRN resulted in the generation of complex synaptic potentials containing disynaptic inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (IPSPs) in VB thalamocortical neurones. Analysis of the excitatory synaptic responses in TRN neurones indicates they can produce burst output response irrespective of the level of sub-threshold membrane potential. This suggests that network-evoked IPSPs in VB thalamocortical neurones occur following a burst of TRN action potentials. Using ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, the activation of these disynaptic events was blocked, and the monosynaptic IPSPs that resulted from the direct activation of the TRN could be isolated. The selective Group II agonists LY354740 (1-10 microM) and N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG; 100-500 microM) both caused a reversible depression of these monosynaptic TRN IPSPs without any effect on membrane potential or input resistance. Likewise, the specific Group III agonist L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate (10-500 microM), but not (RS)-4-phosphonophenylglycine (1 and 30 microM) also caused a reversible depression of these IPSPs, again without any effect on membrane potential or input resistance.Thus, the IPSPs recorded in VB thalamocortical neurones, evoked by TRN activation, can be depressed by the activation of either Group II or III metabotropic glutamate receptors. This is consistent with the location of these receptor types on the presynaptic terminals of TRN axons in the VB thalamus. This raises the possibility that, during periods of intense excitatory activity, glutamate release could influence the release of GABA from TRN axon terminals in the thalamus. In addition, as NAAG is located in the axons and terminals arising from the TRN, there is the possibility that this dipeptide is also released by these terminals to control the release of GABA during periods of high activity in the TRN.

Hope Tree: An Interactive Art Installation to Facilitate the Expression of Hope in a Hospice Setting.

PubMed

Collins, Andrew; Bhathal, Darpanjot; Field, Tara; Larlee, Randene; Paje, Rachael; Young, Daneen

2018-01-01

Individuals confronting a terminal illness can experience intense psychological distress. Previous research has shown that hope can enhance one's ability to acknowledge, accept, and fight a terminal illness. Patients can continue to have hope or be hopeful, even in the face of a terminal illness. Can participation in a creative writing practice improve the expression of hope in a hospice setting? In this program evaluation, each expressed hope placed on the "Hope Tree" was independently coded by all research team members utilizing inductive content analysis. Overall themes were derived using a constant comparative approach and arranged into overarching themes based on consensus. Eight major themes emerged from the data: "Peace," "Dreams," "Total well-being," "Acknowledgment of loss," "Relationships," "Hospice care," "Spirituality," and "Dichotomies." The Hope Tree is a creative art project that can be used within a hospice environment to promote hope among family members and the health-care professionals who care for patients.

"Death with dignity" in the Japanese context.

PubMed

Shimoda, Motomu

2005-01-01

In Japan, "death with dignity" is a widely known term that is distinguished from "euthanasia." It is generally defined as "the act of letting a terminally ill or a patient in a persistent vegetative state die by withdrawing life-sustaining treatment on request in the form of a living will." Most Japanese people consider death with dignity a desirable way of terminating one's life and it is therefore acceptable as a "natural death" or "humane death." Originally, death with dignity was regarded as a passive intervention, but since the 1990s, its connotations have changed in western countries; people claim that voluntary active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide should be legalized as death with dignity or the "right to die." In this paper, I examine the points and problems of this new type of death with dignity and propose an alternative version of death with dignity especially for the Japanese context, i.e. the end-of-life care process in support of terminal living with dignity.

Living with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and an implantable defibrillator.

PubMed

Magnusson, Peter; Jonsson, Jessica; Mörner, Stellan; Fredriksson, Lennart

2017-05-10

ICDs efficiently terminate life-threatening arrhythmias, but complications occur during long-term follow-up. Patients' own perspective is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to describe experiences of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients with implantable defibrillators (ICDs). We analyzed 26 Swedish patient interviews using hermeneutics and latent content analysis. Patients (aged 27-76 years) were limited by HCM especially if it deteriorates into heart failure. The ICD implies safety, gratitude, and is accepted as a part of the body even when inappropriate ICD shocks are encountered. Nobody regretted the implant. Both the disease and the ICD affected professional life and leisure time activities, especially at younger ages. Family support was usually strong, but sometimes resulted in overprotection, whereas health care focused on medical issues. Despite limitations, patients adapted, accepted, and managed challenges. HCM patients with ICDs reported good spirit and hope even though they had to adapt and accept limitations over time.

ATC simulation of helicopter IFR approaches into major terminal areas using RNAV, MLS, and CDTI

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tobias, L.; Lee, H. Q.; Peach, L. L.; Willett, F. M., Jr.; Obrien, P. J.

1981-01-01

The introduction of independent helicopter IFR routes at hub airports was investigated in a real time air traffic control system simulation involving a piloted helicopter simulator, computer generated air traffic, and air traffic controllers. The helicopter simulator was equipped to fly area navigation (RNAV) routes and microwave landing system approaches. Problems studied included: (1) pilot acceptance of the approach procedure and tracking accuracy; (2) ATC procedures for handling a mix of helicopter and fixed wing traffic; and (3) utility of the cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) for the helicopter in the hub airport environment. Results indicate that the helicopter routes were acceptable to the subject pilots and were noninterfering with fixed wing traffic. Merging and spacing maneuvers using CDTI were successfully carried out by the pilots, but controllers had some reservations concerning the acceptability of the CDTI procedures.

FUS Phase Separation Is Modulated by a Molecular Chaperone and Methylation of Arginine Cation-π Interactions.

PubMed

Qamar, Seema; Wang, GuoZhen; Randle, Suzanne J; Ruggeri, Francesco Simone; Varela, Juan A; Lin, Julie Qiaojin; Phillips, Emma C; Miyashita, Akinori; Williams, Declan; Ströhl, Florian; Meadows, William; Ferry, Rodylyn; Dardov, Victoria J; Tartaglia, Gian G; Farrer, Lindsay A; Kaminski Schierle, Gabriele S; Kaminski, Clemens F; Holt, Christine E; Fraser, Paul E; Schmitt-Ulms, Gerold; Klenerman, David; Knowles, Tuomas; Vendruscolo, Michele; St George-Hyslop, Peter

2018-04-19

Reversible phase separation underpins the role of FUS in ribonucleoprotein granules and other membrane-free organelles and is, in part, driven by the intrinsically disordered low-complexity (LC) domain of FUS. Here, we report that cooperative cation-π interactions between tyrosines in the LC domain and arginines in structured C-terminal domains also contribute to phase separation. These interactions are modulated by post-translational arginine methylation, wherein arginine hypomethylation strongly promotes phase separation and gelation. Indeed, significant hypomethylation, which occurs in FUS-associated frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), induces FUS condensation into stable intermolecular β-sheet-rich hydrogels that disrupt RNP granule function and impair new protein synthesis in neuron terminals. We show that transportin acts as a physiological molecular chaperone of FUS in neuron terminals, reducing phase separation and gelation of methylated and hypomethylated FUS and rescuing protein synthesis. These results demonstrate how FUS condensation is physiologically regulated and how perturbations in these mechanisms can lead to disease. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acetylation of TAF(I)68, a subunit of TIF-IB/SL1, activates RNA polymerase I transcription.

PubMed

Muth, V; Nadaud, S; Grummt, I; Voit, R

2001-03-15

Mammalian rRNA genes are preceded by a terminator element that is recognized by the transcription termination factor TTF-I. In exploring the functional significance of the promoter-proximal terminator, we found that TTF-I associates with the p300/CBP-associated factor PCAF, suggesting that TTF-I may target histone acetyltransferase to the rDNA promoter. We demonstrate that PCAF acetylates TAF(I)68, the second largest subunit of the TATA box-binding protein (TBP)-containing factor TIF-IB/SL1, and acetylation enhances binding of TAF(I)68 to the rDNA promoter. Moreover, PCAF stimulates RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription in a reconstituted in vitro system. Consistent with acetylation of TIF-IB/SL1 being required for rDNA transcription, the NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase mSir2a deacetylates TAF(I)68 and represses Pol I transcription. The results demonstrate that acetylation of the basal Pol I transcription machinery has functional consequences and suggest that reversible acetylation of TIF-IB/SL1 may be an effective means to regulate rDNA transcription in response to external signals.

Purification and Characterization of Peptides Inhibiting MMP-1 Activity with C Terminate of Gly-Leu from Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion Hydrolysates of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Skin Gelatin.

PubMed

Liping, Sun; Qiuming, Liu; Jian, Fan; Xiao, Li; Yongliang, Zhuang

2018-01-24

Tilapia skin gelatin hydrolysates (TSGHs) were prepared by simulated gastrointestinal digestion and separated by gel filtration and semi-preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The anti-photoaging effects were evaluated using an ultraviolet radiation B (UVB)-induced mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) photoaging model in vitro. Three fractions from TSGHs with high inhibitory intercellular matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) activities and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were obtained. Three key peptides, GYTGL, LGATGL, and VLGL, were identified, and their C terminate was Gly-Leu. Three peptides were synthesized and exhibited a significant inhibition of intercellular MMP-1 activity and ROS production. Furthermore, three peptides inhibiting MMP-1 activities were evaluated through their docking of S 1 ' and S 3 ' active pockets of MMP-1. Hydrogen bonds and C terminate Gly-Leu played important roles. Finally, the protective effects of three peptides on intercellular collagen in UVB-induced MEFs were compared. Our results indicated that tilapia gelatin peptides exhibited potential activities to prevent and regulate photoaging.

Interconversion of two GDP-bound conformations and their selection in an Arf-family small G protein.

PubMed

Okamura, Hideyasu; Nishikiori, Masaki; Xiang, Hongyu; Ishikawa, Masayuki; Katoh, Etsuko

2011-07-13

ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) and other Arf-family small G proteins participate in many cellular functions via their characteristic GTP/GDP conformational cycles, during which a nucleotide(∗)Mg(2+)-binding site communicates with a remote N-terminal helix. However, the conformational interplay between the nucleotides, the helix, the protein core, and Mg(2+) has not been fully delineated. Herein, we report a study of the dynamics of an Arf-family protein, Arl8, under various conditions by means of NMR relaxation spectroscopy. The data indicated that, when GDP is bound, the protein core, which does not include the N-terminal helix, reversibly transition between an Arf-family GDP form and another conformation that resembles the Arf-family GTP form. Additionally, we found that the N-terminal helix and Mg(2+), respectively, stabilize the aforementioned former and latter conformations in a population-shift manner. Given the dynamics of the conformational changes, we can describe the Arl8 GTP/GDP cycle in terms of an energy diagram. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Desmin and nerve terminal expression during embryonic development of the lateral pterygoid muscle in mice.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Masahito; Shinomiya, Takashi; Kishi, Asuka; Yamane, Shigeki; Umezawa, Takashi; Ide, Yoshinobu; Abe, Shinichi

2014-09-01

In adults, the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) is usually divided into the upper and lower head, between which the buccal nerve passes. Recent investigations have demonstrated foetal developmental changes in the topographical relationship between the human LPM and buccal nerve. However, as few studies have investigated this issue, we clarified the expression of desmin and nerve terminal distribution during embryonic development of the LPM in mice. We utilized immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription chain reaction (RT-PCR) to clarify the expression of desmin and nerve terminal distribution. We observed weak expression of desmin in the LPM at embryonic day (ED) 11, followed by an increase in expression from embryonic days 12-15. In addition, starting at ED 12, we observed preferential accumulation of desmin in the vicinity of the myotendinous junction, a trend that did not change up to ED 15. Nerve terminal first appeared at ED 13 and formed regularly spaced linear arrays at the centre of the muscle fibre by ED 15. The results of immunohistochemical staining agreed with those of RT-PCR analysis. We found that desmin accumulated in the vicinity of the myotendinous junction starting at ED 12, prior to the onset of jaw movement. We speculate that the accumulation of desmin is due to factors other than mechanical stress experienced during early muscle contraction. Meanwhile, the time point at which nerve terminals first appeared roughly coincided with the onset of jaw movement. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cathode materials review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daniel, Claus; Mohanty, Debasish; Li, Jianlin; Wood, David L.

2014-06-01

The electrochemical potential of cathode materials defines the positive side of the terminal voltage of a battery. Traditionally, cathode materials are the energy-limiting or voltage-limiting electrode. One of the first electrochemical batteries, the voltaic pile invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800 (Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. 90, 403-431) had a copper-zinc galvanic element with a terminal voltage of 0.76 V. Since then, the research community has increased capacity and voltage for primary (nonrechargeable) batteries and round-trip efficiency for secondary (rechargeable) batteries. Successful secondary batteries have been the lead-acid with a lead oxide cathode and a terminal voltage of 2.1 V and later the NiCd with a nickel(III) oxide-hydroxide cathode and a 1.2 V terminal voltage. The relatively low voltage of those aqueous systems and the low round-trip efficiency due to activation energies in the conversion reactions limited their use. In 1976, Wittingham (J. Electrochem. Soc., 123, 315) and Besenhard (J. Power Sources 1(3), 267) finally enabled highly reversible redox reactions by intercalation of lithium ions instead of by chemical conversion. In 1980, Goodenough and Mizushima (Mater. Res. Bull. 15, 783-789) demonstrated a high-energy and high-power LiCoO2 cathode, allowing for an increase of terminal voltage far beyond 3 V. Over the past four decades, the international research community has further developed cathode materials of many varieties. Current state-of-the-art cathodes demonstrate voltages beyond any known electrolyte stability window, bringing electrolyte research once again to the forefront of battery research.

Sustained neurochemical plasticity in central terminals of mouse DRG neurons following colitis.

PubMed

Benson, Jessica R; Xu, Jiameng; Moynes, Derek M; Lapointe, Tamia K; Altier, Christophe; Vanner, Stephen J; Lomax, Alan E

2014-05-01

Sensitization of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons is an important mechanism underlying the expression of chronic abdominal pain caused by intestinal inflammation. Most studies have focused on changes in the peripheral terminals of DRG neurons in the inflamed intestine but recent evidence suggests that the sprouting of central nerve terminals in the dorsal horn is also important. Therefore, we examine the time course and reversibility of changes in the distribution of immunoreactivity for substance P (SP), a marker of the central terminals of DRG neurons, in the spinal cord during and following dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Acute and chronic treatment with DSS significantly increased SP immunoreactivity in thoracic and lumbosacral spinal cord segments. This increase developed over several weeks and was evident in both the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn and in lamina X. These increases persisted for 5 weeks following cessation of both the acute and chronic models. The increase in SP immunoreactivity was not observed in segments of the cervical spinal cord, which were not innervated by the axons of colonic afferent neurons. DRG neurons dissociated following acute DSS-colitis exhibited increased neurite sprouting compared with neurons dissociated from control mice. These data suggest significant colitis-induced enhancements in neuropeptide expression in DRG neuron central terminals. Such neurotransmitter plasticity persists beyond the period of active inflammation and might contribute to a sustained increase in nociceptive signaling following the resolution of inflammation.

Non-native, N-terminal Hsp70 Molecular Motor Recognition Elements in Transit Peptides Support Plastid Protein Translocation*

PubMed Central

Chotewutmontri, Prakitchai; Bruce, Barry D.

2015-01-01

Previously, we identified the N-terminal domain of transit peptides (TPs) as a major determinant for the translocation step in plastid protein import. Analysis of Arabidopsis TP dataset revealed that this domain has two overlapping characteristics, highly uncharged and Hsp70-interacting. To investigate these two properties, we replaced the N-terminal domains of the TP of the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and its reverse peptide with a series of unrelated peptides whose affinities to the chloroplast stromal Hsp70 have been determined. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that eight out of nine peptides in this series are not similar to the TP N terminus. Using in vivo and in vitro protein import assays, the majority of the precursors containing Hsp70-binding elements were targeted to plastids, whereas none of the chimeric precursors lacking an N-terminal Hsp70-binding element were targeted to the plastids. Moreover, a pulse-chase assay showed that two chimeric precursors with the most uncharged peptides failed to translocate into the stroma. The ability of multiple unrelated Hsp70-binding elements to support protein import verified that the majority of TPs utilize an N-terminal Hsp70-binding domain during translocation and expand the mechanistic view of the import process. This work also indicates that synthetic biology may be utilized to create de novo TPs that exceed the targeting activity of naturally occurring sequences. PMID:25645915

Conditional silencing of the Escherichia coli pykF gene results from artificial convergent transcription protected from Rho-dependent termination.

PubMed

Krylov, Alexander A; Airich, Larisa G; Kiseleva, Evgeniya M; Minaeva, Natalia I; Biryukova, Irina V; Mashko, Sergey V

2010-01-01

PykF is one of two pyruvate kinases in Escherichia coli K-12. lambdaP(L) was convergently integrated into the chromosome of the MG1655 strain, downstream of pykF, face-to-face with its native promoter. In the presence of lambdacIts857, efficient pykF ts-silencing was achieved when the 5'-terminus of the P(L)-originated antisense RNA (asRNA), consisting of the rrnG-AT sequence, converted elongation complexes of RNA polymerase to a form resistant to Rho-dependent transcription termination. pykF silencing was detected by the following features: (a) impaired growth of the strain when pykA was also disrupted and when using ribose as a non-phosphotransferase system-transporting carbon source; (b) a pattern of reduced synthesis of the full-sized pykF mRNA, mediated by reverse transcription PCR, and (c) a significant decrease in PykF activity. The advantages of anti-terminated convergent transcription were clearly manifested in the strains where the rho_a-terminator was inserted specifically to interrupt asRNA synthesis. Most likely, the target gene was silenced by transcriptional interference due to collisions between converging RNA polymerases, although, strictly, the role of cis-asRNA effects could not be excluded. While details of the mechanisms have yet to be determined, anti-terminated convergent transcription is a promising new technique for silencing other target genes. Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Efficacy of the chelating agent CaEDTA in reversing lead-induced changes in behavior.

PubMed

Cory-Slechta, D A; Weiss, B

1989-01-01

The chelating agent CaEDTA has been reported to reverse the deficits in intellectual function and performance associated with Pb (lead) exposure in children. However, such studies have not included rigorous controls for the intervention procedures per se. The experiments reported here examined reversibility of performance changes in a rat model based on behavior sensitive to low-level Pb exposure. Rats were exposed to 50 ppm sodium or Pb acetate in drinking water from weaning. Performance maintained under a Fixed-Interval schedule of food reinforcement began at 55 days of age. Following the onset of the characteristic increase in short interresponse times (IRTs) associated with low-level Pb exposure after 35 experimental sessions, Pb treatment was terminated. Animals within both the control and Pb groups were then matched on the basis of performance indices and injected daily for 5 days with either saline, 75 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg CaEDTA. Subsequent changes in F1 performance were monitored for 35-60 sessions. No consistent effects of CaEDTA were detected in control animals. CaEDTA treatment failed to reverse the behavioral effects in Pb-exposed animals. If anything, it tended to further increase the proportion of short IRTs. These data suggest that better controlled clinical studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of CaEDTA in reversing Pb-induced behavioral effects before its application for these purposes becomes widespread.

Reversibly extracellular pH controlled cellular uptake and photothermal therapy by PEGylated mixed-charge gold nanostars.

PubMed

Wang, Shouju; Teng, Zhaogang; Huang, Peng; Liu, Dingbin; Liu, Ying; Tian, Ying; Sun, Jing; Li, Yanjun; Ju, Huangxian; Chen, Xiaoyuan; Lu, Guangming

2015-04-17

Shielding nanoparticles from nonspecific interactions with normal cells/tissues before they reach and after they leave tumors is crucial for the selective delivery of NPs into tumor cells. By utilizing the reversible protonation of weak electrolytic groups to pH changes, long-chain amine/carboxyl-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG) decorated gold nanostars (GNSs) are designed, exhibiting reversible, significant, and sensitive response in cell affinity and therapeutic efficacy to the extracellular pH (pHe) gradient between normal tissues and tumors. This smart nanosystem shows good dispersity and unimpaired photothermal efficacy in complex bioenvironment at pH 6.4 and 7.4 even when their surface charge is neutral. One PEGylated mixed-charge GNSs with certain surface composition, GNS-N/C 4, exhibits high cell affinity and therapeutic efficacy at pH 6.4, and low affinity and almost "zero" damage to cells at pH 7.4. Remarkably, this significant and sensitive response in cell affinity and therapeutic efficacy is reversible as local pH alternated. In vivo, GNS-N/C 4 shows higher accumulation in tumors and improved photothermal therapeutic efficacy than pH-insensitive GNSs. This newly developed smart nanosystem, whose cell affinity reversibly transforms in response to pHe gradient with unimpaired biostability, provides a novel effective means of tumor-selective therapy. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Binary Supramolecular Gel of Achiral Azobenzene with a Chaperone Gelator: Chirality Transfer, Tuned Morphology, and Chiroptical Property.

PubMed

Ji, Lukang; Ouyang, Guanghui; Liu, Minghua

2017-10-31

Binary supramolecular gels based on achiral azobenzene derivatives and a chiral chaperone gelator, long-alkyl-chain-substituted L-Histidine (abbreviated as LHC18) that could assist many nongelling acids in forming gels, were investigated in order to fabricate the chiroptical gel materials in a simple way. It was found that although the carboxylic acid-terminated achiral azobenzene derivatives could not form gels in any solvents, when mixed with LHC18 they formed the co-gels and self-assembled into various morphologies ranging from nanotubes and loose nanotubes to nanosheets, depending on the substituent groups on the azobenzene moiety. The ether linkage and the number of carboxylic acid groups attached to the azobenzene moiety played important roles. Upon gel formation, the localized molecular chirality in LHC18 could be transferred to the azobenzene moiety. Combined with the trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene, optically and chiroptically reversible gels were generated. It was found that the gel based on azobenzene with two carboxylic acid groups and ether linkages showed clear optical reversibility but less chiroptical reversibility, whereas the gel based on azobenzene with one carboxylic acid and an ether linkage showed both optical and chiroptical reversibility. Thus, new insights into the relationship among the molecular structures of the azobenzene, self-assembled nanostructures in the gel and the optical and chiroptical reversibility were disclosed.

Extending computer technology to hospice research: interactive pentablet measurement of symptoms by hospice cancer patients in their homes.

PubMed

Wilkie, Diana J; Kim, Young Ok; Suarez, Marie L; Dauw, Colleen M; Stapleton, Stephen J; Gorman, Geraldine; Storfjell, Judith; Zhao, Zhongsheng

2009-07-01

We aimed to determine the acceptability and feasibility of a pentablet-based software program, PAINReportIt-Plus, as a means for patients with cancer in home hospice to report their symptoms and differences in acceptability by demographic variables. Of the 131 participants (mean age = 59 +/- 13, 58% women, 48.1% African American), 44% had never used a computer, but all participants easily used the computerized tool and reported an average computer acceptability score of 10.3 +/- 1.8, indicating high acceptability. Participants required an average of 19.1 +/- 9.5 minutes to complete the pain section, 9.8 +/- 6.5 minutes for the medication section, and 4.8 +/- 2.3 minutes for the symptom section. The acceptability scores were not statistically different by demographic variables but time to complete the tool differed by racial/ethnic groups. Our findings demonstrate that terminally ill patients with cancer are willing and able to utilize computer pentablet technology to record and describe their pain and other symptoms. Visibility of pain and distress is the first step necessary for the hospice team to develop a care plan for improving control of noxious symptoms.

Transition of Attention in Terminal Area NextGen Operations Using Synthetic Vision Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ellis, Kyle K. E.; Kramer, Lynda J.; Shelton, Kevin J.; Arthur, Shelton, J. J., III; Prinzel, Lance J., III; Norman, Robert M.

2011-01-01

This experiment investigates the capability of Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) to provide significant situation awareness in terminal area operations, specifically in low visibility conditions. The use of a Head-Up Display (HUD) and Head-Down Displays (HDD) with SVS is contrasted to baseline standard head down displays in terms of induced workload and pilot behavior in 1400 RVR visibility levels. Variances across performance and pilot behavior were reviewed for acceptability when using HUD or HDD with SVS under reduced minimums to acquire the necessary visual components to continue to land. The data suggest superior performance for HUD implementations. Improved attentional behavior is also suggested for HDD implementations of SVS for low-visibility approach and landing operations.

Noise Considerations for V/STOL Transports

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kenyon, George C.

1968-01-01

Noise consideration may well be as important a factor in future aircraft concept selection as such economic factors as operating cost and profitability. The impact of noise on some of the design and operational aspects of future V/STOL transports is examined in detail, including consideration of configuration, attitude-control system, lift system, and terminal flight pattern. Extended vertical rise of VTOL aircraft as a method of limiting the intense noise exposure to the terminal area is shown to be only partially effective as well as costly. Comparisons are made of noise contours for conceptual V/STOL transports for several PNdB criteria. The variation in extent of affected area with configuration and criterion emphasizes the importance of establishing an "acceptable" noise level for "city-center" operation.

Dependence of the duration of geomagnetic polarity reversals on site latitude.

PubMed

Clement, Bradford M

2004-04-08

An important constraint on the processes governing the geodynamo--the flow in the outer core responsible for generating Earth's magnetic field--is the duration of geomagnetic polarity reversals; that is, how long it takes for Earth's magnetic field to reverse. It is generally accepted that Earth's magnetic field strength drops to low levels during polarity reversals, and the field direction progresses through a 180 degrees change while the field is weak. The time it takes for this process to happen, however, remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from a few thousand up to 28,000 years. Here I present an analysis of the available sediment records of the four most recent polarity reversals. These records yield an average estimate of about 7,000 years for the time it takes for the directional change to occur. The variation about this mean duration is not random, but instead varies with site latitude, with shorter durations observed at low-latitude sites, and longer durations observed at mid- to high-latitude sites. Such variation of duration with site latitude is predicted by simple geometrical reversal models, in which non-dipole fields are allowed to persist while the axial dipole decays through zero and then builds in the opposite direction, and provides a constraint on numerical dynamo models.

Safety of feed treated with 17a-methyltestosterone (17MT) to larval Nile tilapia

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

As a synthetic androgen, 17 a-methyltestosterone (17MT) is frequently used to redirect the course of sex differentiation by exposing the undifferentiated gonad at sufficient dosage. This hormone has been widely accepted as a safe and effective treatment for sex-reversal in many fish species, and it...

Literature-Related Discovery (LRD)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-11-01

accepted) water purification literature. The annular region between the inner and outer circles represents literatures related directly and...procedures (thalamotomy and pallidotomy) destroy regions of the brain that produce the uncontrolled spasmodic movements in PD patients [11]. A...more recent procedure, deep brain stimulation, sends electricity through a probe to normalize electrical activity in the brain region , reversing the

76 FR 62399 - Bison Peak Pumped Storage, LLC.; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-07

... reservoir, termed ``South,'' ``Tejon,'' ``Horsethief,'' and ``Sawmill.'' Water for the initial fill of each of the alternatives would be obtained from local water agency infrastructure via a route that would...) reversible pump turbines and located 900 feet below ground level, approximately midway between the upper and...

75 FR 62517 - California Water Service Company; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-12

... physical changes to the existing cement infrastructure; (2) one reverse-pump turbine generator unit with a rated capacity of 325 kW; (3) the turbine generator unit to be installed within the pipeline using... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 13802-000] California Water...

The Double Standard at Sexual Debut: Gender, Sexual Behavior and Adolescent Peer Acceptance

PubMed Central

Kreager, Derek A.; Staff, Jeremy; Gauthier, Robin; Lefkowitz, Eva S.; Feinberg, Mark E.

2016-01-01

A sexual double standard in adolescence has important implications for sexual development and gender inequality. The present study uses longitudinal social network data (N = 914; 11–16 years of age) to test if gender moderates associations between adolescents’ sexual behaviors and peer acceptance. Consistent with a traditional sexual double standard, female adolescents who reported having sex had significant decreases in peer acceptance over time, whereas male adolescents reporting the same behavior had significant increases in peer acceptance. This pattern was observed net of respondents’ own perceived friendships, further suggesting that the social responses to sex vary by gender of the sexual actor. However, findings for “making out” showed a reverse double standard, such that female adolescents reporting this behavior had increases in peer acceptance and male adolescents reporting the same behavior had decreases in peer acceptance over time. Results thus suggest that peers enforce traditional sexual scripts for both “heavy” and “light” sexual behaviors during adolescence. These findings have important implications for sexual health education, encouraging educators to develop curricula that emphasize the gendered social construction of sexuality and to combat inequitable and stigmatizing peer responses to real or perceived deviations from traditional sexual scripts. PMID:27833252

The Double Standard at Sexual Debut: Gender, Sexual Behavior and Adolescent Peer Acceptance.

PubMed

Kreager, Derek A; Staff, Jeremy; Gauthier, Robin; Lefkowitz, Eva S; Feinberg, Mark E

2016-10-01

A sexual double standard in adolescence has important implications for sexual development and gender inequality. The present study uses longitudinal social network data ( N = 914; 11-16 years of age) to test if gender moderates associations between adolescents' sexual behaviors and peer acceptance. Consistent with a traditional sexual double standard, female adolescents who reported having sex had significant decreases in peer acceptance over time, whereas male adolescents reporting the same behavior had significant increases in peer acceptance. This pattern was observed net of respondents' own perceived friendships, further suggesting that the social responses to sex vary by gender of the sexual actor. However, findings for "making out" showed a reverse double standard, such that female adolescents reporting this behavior had increases in peer acceptance and male adolescents reporting the same behavior had decreases in peer acceptance over time. Results thus suggest that peers enforce traditional sexual scripts for both "heavy" and "light" sexual behaviors during adolescence. These findings have important implications for sexual health education, encouraging educators to develop curricula that emphasize the gendered social construction of sexuality and to combat inequitable and stigmatizing peer responses to real or perceived deviations from traditional sexual scripts.

75 FR 79368 - Tetrahydro-3, 5-dimethyl-2H-1, 3, 4-thiadiazine-2-thione; Amendment To Terminate and or Delete...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-20

...This notice announces EPA's order for the amendment to terminate and/or delete certain uses, voluntarily requested by the registrant and accepted by the Agency, of the products, listed in Table 1, pursuant to section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended. This order follows a September 10, 2010 Federal Register Notice of Receipt of Request from the registrant listed in Table 2 to voluntarily amend their tetrahydro-3, 5-dimethyl-2H-1, 3, 4-thiadiazine-2-thione (Dazomet) product registrations to terminate or delete one or more uses. The request would terminate the uses listed in Table 1 of Unit II. The request would delete the uses listed in Table 2 of Unit II. The request would not terminate the last tetrahydro-3, 5-dimethyl-2H-1, 3, 4-thiadiazine- 2-thione products registered for use in the United States and would result in retention of some registered uses for those products. In the September 10, 2010 notice, EPA indicated that it would issue an order implementing the amendments to terminate uses, unless the Agency received substantive comments within the 30-day comment period that would merit its further review of these requests, or unless the registrant withdrew their request within this period. The Agency did not receive any comments on the notice. Further, the registrant did not withdraw their request. Accordingly, EPA hereby issues in this notice a cancellation order granting the requested amendment to terminate uses. Any distribution, sale, or use of the products subject to this cancellation order is permitted only in accordance with the terms of this order, including any existing stocks provisions.

75 FR 70730 - Natural Currents Energy Services, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-18

...(f) of the Federal Power Act, proposing to study the feasibility of the Salem Tidal Energy Project... Atlantic Port Terminal to the south. The project proposes between 10 and 30 NC Sea Dragon or Red Hawk tidal... minimum of 3,504,000 kW hours per year with the installation of 10 units. Applicant Contact: Mr. Roger...

Prerequisites of Colonoscopy

PubMed Central

Hong, Kyong Hee

2014-01-01

Colonoscopy is a widely accepted method for the evaluation of the colon and terminal ileum. Its diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic safety are influenced by prerequisites, including modulation of medication and bowel cleansing. Appropriate choices of sedative medication and bowel-cleansing regimen, together with diet modification, should be made based on the patient's underlying disease, age, and medication intake. Moreover, effective methods for patient education regarding bowel preparation should be considered. PMID:25133119

An algorithm to compute the sequency ordered Walsh transform

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Larsen, H.

1976-01-01

A fast sequency-ordered Walsh transform algorithm is presented; this sequency-ordered fast transform is complementary to the sequency-ordered fast Walsh transform introduced by Manz (1972) and eliminating gray code reordering through a modification of the basic fast Hadamard transform structure. The new algorithm retains the advantages of its complement (it is in place and is its own inverse), while differing in having a decimation-in time structure, accepting data in normal order, and returning the coefficients in bit-reversed sequency order. Applications include estimation of Walsh power spectra for a random process, sequency filtering and computing logical autocorrelations, and selective bit reversing.

Structural communication between the chromophore-binding pocket and the N-terminal extension in plant phytochrome phyB.

PubMed

Velázquez Escobar, Francisco; Buhrke, David; Fernandez Lopez, Maria; Shenkutie, Sintayehu Manaye; von Horsten, Silke; Essen, Lars-Oliver; Hughes, Jon; Hildebrandt, Peter

2017-05-01

The N-terminal extension (NTE) of plant phytochromes has been suggested to play a functional role in signaling photoinduced structural changes. Here, we use resonance Raman spectroscopy to study the effect of the NTE on the chromophore structure of B-type phytochromes from two evolutionarily distant plants. NTE deletion seems to have no effect on the chromophore in the inactive Pr state, but alters the torsion of the C-D ring methine bridge and the surrounding hydrogen bonding network in the physiologically active Pfr state. These changes are accompanied by a shift of the conformational equilibrium between two Pfr substates, which might affect the thermal isomerization rate of the C-D double bond and, thus, account for the effect of the NTE on the dark reversion kinetics. © 2017 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

The effects of lubrol WX on brain membrane Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake activity following acute and chronic ethanol.

PubMed

Ross, D H; Garrett, K M; Cardenas, H L

1985-02-01

Acute administration of ethanol (2.5 gm/kg, i.p.) to rats inhibits the cytosolic buffering of Ca2+ in nerve terminals. Ca2+ ATPase and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake are both inhibited 30 min after a single dose of ethanol. Chronic ethanol administration (6%, 14 days) did not inhibit Ca2+ ATPase but significantly stimulated ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake. Lubrol WX treatment of acute ethanolic membranes reverses the inhibition of Ca2+ ATPase seen following ethanol. Lubrol WX treatment of chronic ethanolic membranes prevents the increase in ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake seen in ethanolic membranes. Both acute and chronic ethanol-induced changes in Ca2+ transport within nerve terminals may involve lipid-dependent parameters of the membrane which may underlie neuronal adaptation.

Social and individual determinants of adolescents' acceptance of novel healthy and cool snack products.

PubMed

Nørgaard, Maria Kümpel; Sørensen, Bjarne Taulo; Grunert, Klaus G

2014-12-01

Four new, healthy snack products, consisting of fruit, vegetables, bread, dip and topping, were tested with 600 Danish adolescents aged 9-16. Participants could view, handle, and test the products in a school setting. Acceptance was measured by overall buying intention, as well as buying intention contingent on specific substitutes and on the social situation. Price consciousness, health consciousness, snack neophobia, peer influence, social activities and word-of-mouth were measured as potential determinants of acceptance of the novel products. An exploratory analysis in TETRAD suggested that the measured constructs form three layers, with overall buying intention as the terminal causal effect, health consciousness, word of mouth, snack neophobia and peer influence as endogenous determinants, and social activities and the contingent buying intentions as mediators. Estimation of the causal relationships was conducted in LISREL. Findings show a predominance of social factors as determinants of novel snack acceptance, whereas health consciousness had only a weak and indirect effect on buying intentions and the effect of snack neophobia was partly mediated by social factors. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Generation of recombinant European bat lyssavirus type 1 and inter-genotypic compatibility of lyssavirus genotype 1 and 5 antigenome promoters.

PubMed

Orbanz, Jeannette; Finke, Stefan

2010-10-01

Bat lyssaviruses (Fam. Rhabdoviridae) represent a source for the infection of terrestial mammals and the development of rabies disease. Molecular differences in the replication of bat and non-bat lyssaviruses and their contribution to pathogenicity, however, are unknown. One reason for this is the lack of reverse genetics systems for bat-restricted lyssaviruses. To investigate bat lyssavirus replication and host adaptation, we developed a reverse genetics system for European bat lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1; genotype 5). This was achieved by co-transfection of HEK-293T cells with a full-length EBLV-1 genome cDNA and expression plasmids for EBLV-1 proteins, resulting in recombinant EBLV-1 (rEBLV-1). Replication of rEBLV-1 was comparable to that of parental virus, showing that rEBLV-1 is a valid tool to investigate EBLV-1 replication functions. In a first approach, we tested whether the terminal promoter sequences of EBLV-1 are genotype-specific. Although genotype 1 (rabies virus) minigenomes were successfully amplified by EBLV-1 helper virus, in the context of the complete virus, only the antigenome promoter (AGP) sequence of EBLV-1 was replaceable, as indicated by comparable replication of rEBLV-1 and the chimeric virus. These analyses demonstrate that the terminal AGPs of genotype 1 and genotype 5 lyssaviruses are compatible with those of the heterologous genotype.

LANL Virtual Center for Chemical Hydrogen Storage: Chemical Hydrogen Storage Using Ultra-high Surface Area Main Group Materials

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

Susan M. Kauzlarich; Phillip P. Power; Doinita Neiner

The focus of the project was to design and synthesize light element compounds and nanomaterials that will reversibly store molecular hydrogen for hydrogen storage materials. The primary targets investigated during the last year were amine and hydrogen terminated silicon (Si) nanoparticles, Si alloyed with lighter elements (carbon (C) and boron (B)) and boron nanoparticles. The large surface area of nanoparticles should facilitate a favorable weight to volume ratio, while the low molecular weight elements such as B, nitrogen (N), and Si exist in a variety of inexpensive and readily available precursors. Furthermore, small NPs of Si are nontoxic and non-corrosive.more » Insights gained from these studies will be applied toward the design and synthesis of hydrogen storage materials that meet the DOE 2010 hydrogen storage targets: cost, hydrogen capacity and reversibility. Two primary routes were explored for the production of nanoparticles smaller than 10 nm in diameter. The first was the reduction of the elemental halides to achieve nanomaterials with chloride surface termination that could subsequently be replaced with amine or hydrogen. The second was the reaction of alkali metal Si or Si alloys with ammonium halides to produce hydrogen capped nanomaterials. These materials were characterized via X-ray powder diffraction, TEM, FTIR, TG/DSC, and NMR spectroscopy.« less

Solid-Phase Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification and Length-Scale Effects during RNA Amplification.

PubMed

Ma, Youlong; Teng, Feiyue; Libera, Matthew

2018-06-05

Solid-phase oligonucleotide amplification is of interest because of possible applications to next-generation sequencing, multiplexed microarray-based detection, and cell-free synthetic biology. Its efficiency is, however, less than that of traditional liquid-phase amplification involving unconstrained primers and enzymes, and understanding how to optimize the solid-phase amplification process remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate the concept of solid-phase nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (SP-NASBA) and use it to study the effect of tethering density on amplification efficiency. SP-NASBA involves two enzymes, avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase (AMV-RT) and RNase H, to convert tethered forward and reverse primers into tethered double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) bridges from which RNA - amplicons can be generated by a third enzyme, T7 RNA polymerase. We create microgels on silicon surfaces using electron-beam patterning of thin-film blends of hydroxyl-terminated and biotin-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-OH, PEG-B). The tethering density is linearly related to the PEG-B concentration, and biotinylated primers and molecular beacon detection probes are tethered to streptavidin-activated microgels. While SP-NASBA is very efficient at low tethering densities, the efficiency decreases dramatically with increasing tethering density due to three effects: (a) a reduced hybridization efficiency of tethered molecular beacon detection probes; (b) a decrease in T7 RNA polymerase efficiency; (c) inhibition of T7 RNA polymerase activity by AMV-RT.

Homopolar machine for reversible energy storage and transfer systems

DOEpatents

Stillwagon, Roy E.

1978-01-01

A homopolar machine designed to operate as a generator and motor in reversibly storing and transferring energy between the machine and a magnetic load coil for a thermo-nuclear reactor. The machine rotor comprises hollow thin-walled cylinders or sleeves which form the basis of the system by utilizing substantially all of the rotor mass as a conductor thus making it possible to transfer substantially all the rotor kinetic energy electrically to the load coil in a highly economical and efficient manner. The rotor is divided into multiple separate cylinders or sleeves of modular design, connected in series and arranged to rotate in opposite directions but maintain the supply of current in a single direction to the machine terminals. A stator concentrically disposed around the sleeves consists of a hollow cylinder having a number of excitation coils each located radially outward from the ends of adjacent sleeves. Current collected at an end of each sleeve by sleeve slip rings and brushes is transferred through terminals to the magnetic load coil. Thereafter, electrical energy returned from the coil then flows through the machine which causes the sleeves to motor up to the desired speed in preparation for repetition of the cycle. To eliminate drag on the rotor between current pulses, the brush rigging is designed to lift brushes from all slip rings in the machine.

Homopolar machine for reversible energy storage and transfer systems

DOEpatents

Stillwagon, Roy E.

1981-01-01

A homopolar machine designed to operate as a generator and motor in reversibly storing and transferring energy between the machine and a magnetic load coil for a thermo-nuclear reactor. The machine rotor comprises hollow thin-walled cylinders or sleeves which form the basis of the system by utilizing substantially all of the rotor mass as a conductor thus making it possible to transfer substantially all the rotor kinetic energy electrically to the load coil in a highly economical and efficient manner. The rotor is divided into multiple separate cylinders or sleeves of modular design, connected in series and arranged to rotate in opposite directions but maintain the supply of current in a single direction to the machine terminals. A stator concentrically disposed around the sleeves consists of a hollow cylinder having a number of excitation coils each located radially outward from the ends of adjacent sleeves. Current collected at an end of each sleeve by sleeve slip rings and brushes is transferred through terminals to the magnetic load coil. Thereafter, electrical energy returned from the coil then flows through the machine which causes the sleeves to motor up to the desired speed in preparation for repetition of the cycle. To eliminate drag on the rotor between current pulses, the brush rigging is designed to lift brushes from all slip rings in the machine.

Rapid Reversion from Monomer to Dimer Regenerates the Ultraviolet-B Photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 in Intact Arabidopsis Plants1[W][OA

PubMed Central

Heilmann, Monika; Jenkins, Gareth I.

2013-01-01

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 (UVR8) is a photoreceptor that specifically mediates photomorphogenic responses to ultraviolet (UV)-B in plants. UV-B photoreception induces the conversion of the UVR8 dimer into a monomer that interacts with the CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1) protein to regulate gene expression. However, it is not known how the dimeric photoreceptor is regenerated in plants. Here, we show, by using inhibitors of protein synthesis and degradation via the proteasome, that the UVR8 dimer is not regenerated by rapid de novo synthesis following destruction of the monomer. Rather, regeneration occurs by reversion from the monomer to the dimer. However, regeneration of dimeric UVR8 in darkness following UV-B exposure occurs much more rapidly in vivo than in vitro with illuminated plant extracts or purified UVR8, indicating that rapid regeneration requires intact cells. Rapid dimer regeneration in vivo requires protein synthesis, the presence of a carboxyl-terminal 27-amino acid region of UVR8, and the presence of COP1, which is known to interact with the carboxyl-terminal region. However, none of these factors can account fully for the difference in regeneration kinetics in vivo and in vitro, indicating that additional proteins or processes are involved in UVR8 dimer regeneration in vivo. PMID:23129206

Afferent innervation patterns of the saccule in pigeons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zakir, M.; Huss, D.; Dickman, J. D.

2003-01-01

The innervation patterns of vestibular saccular afferents were quantitatively investigated in pigeons using biotinylated dextran amine as a neural tracer and three-dimensional computer reconstruction. Type I hair cells were found throughout a large portion of the macula, with the highest density observed in the striola. Type II hair cells were located throughout the macula, with the highest density in the extrastriola. Three classes of afferent innervation patterns were observed, including calyx, dimorph, and bouton units, with 137 afferents being anatomically reconstructed and used for quantitative comparisons. Calyx afferents were located primarily in the striola, innervated a number of type I hair cells, and had small innervation areas. Most calyx afferent terminal fields were oriented parallel to the anterior-posterior axis and the morphological polarization reversal line. Dimorph afferents were located throughout the macula, contained fewer type I hair cells in a calyceal terminal than calyx afferents and had medium sized innervation areas. Bouton afferents were restricted to the extrastriola, with multi-branching fibers and large innervation areas. Most of the dimorph and bouton afferents had innervation fields that were oriented dorso-ventrally but were parallel to the neighboring reversal line. The organizational morphology of the saccule was found to be distinctly different from that of the avian utricle or lagena otolith organs and appears to represent a receptor organ undergoing evolutionary adaptation toward sensing linear motion in terrestrial and aerial species.

The analysis of some indices of immune response, DNA repair, and micronuclei content in cells from tick-borne encephalitis patients.

PubMed

Ilyinskikh, N N; Zagromov, E J; Lepekhin, A V

1990-12-01

Patients with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) had higher counts of red blood cells (RBC) with micronuclei. The majority of patients revealed decreased capacity of blood lymphoid cells for DNA repair except those with a 2-wave pattern of the course of disease; in the latter, the DNA repair was significantly higher than in healthy donors. Patients with TBE revealed lower T-lymphocyte counts due to a decrease in the amount of T-helper cells (the level of T-suppressors was elevated). The intensity of antibody production against TBE virus was significantly enhanced by termination of disease in the majority of patients. The count of natural killer cells was decreased, particularly at the initial stage of disease. At the time of admission to hospital the counts of RBC with micronuclei and of T-helper cells were in reverse proportion. At the terminal stage of disease the same correlation was noted between RBC counts with micronuclei and the antibody level. At the onset of disease a direct correlation was noted between DNA repair and B-lymphocyte and T-helper counts. At the final stage of disease the reverse correlation between the activity of DNA-repair systems and T-suppressor counts was registered. Three months after discharge from hospital, the indices of micronuclear test, natural killer cell activity, and DNA repair returned to normal.

Shelter-based palliative care for the homeless terminally ill.

PubMed

Podymow, Tiina; Turnbull, Jeffrey; Coyle, Doug

2006-03-01

The homeless have high rates of mortality, but live in environments not conducive to terminal care. Traditional palliative care hospitals may be reluctant to accept such patients, due to behavior or lifestyle concerns. The Ottawa Inner City Health Project (OICHP) is a pilot study to improve health care delivery to homeless adults. This is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of terminally ill homeless individuals and the effectiveness of shelter-based palliative care. As proof of principle, a cost comparison was performed. 28 consecutive homeless terminally ill patients were admitted and died at a shelter-based palliative care hospice. Demographics, diagnoses at admission and course were recorded. Burden of illness was assessed by medical and psychiatric diagnoses, addictions, Karnofsky scale and symptom management. An expert panel was convened to identify alternate care locations. Using standard costing scales, direct versus alternate care costs were compared. 28 patients had a mean age 49 years; average length of stay 120 days. DIAGNOSES: liver disease 43%, HIV/AIDS 25%, malignancy 25% and other 8%. Addiction to drugs or alcohol and mental illness in 82% of patients. Karnofsky performance score mean 40 +/- 16.8. Pain management with continuous opiates in 71%. The majority reunited with family. Compared to alternate care locations, the hospice projected 1.39 million dollars savings for the patients described. The homeless terminally ill have a heavy burden of disease including physical illness, psychiatric conditions and addictions. Shelter-based palliative care can provide effective end-of-life care to terminally ill homeless individuals at potentially substantial cost savings.

Separation of polyethylene glycols and amino-terminated polyethylene glycols by high-performance liquid chromatography under near critical conditions.

PubMed

Wei, Y-Z; Zhuo, R-X; Jiang, X-L

2016-05-20

The separation and characterization of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and amino-substituted derivatives on common silica-based reversed-phase packing columns using isocratic elution is described. This separation is achieved by liquid chromatography under the near critical conditions (LCCC), based on the number of amino functional end groups without obvious effect of molar mass for PEGs. The mobile phase is acetonitrile in water with an optimal ammonium acetate buffer. The separation mechanism of PEG and amino-substituted PEG under the near LCCC on silica-based packing columns is confirmed to be ion-exchange interaction. Under the LCCC of PEG backbone, with fine tune of buffer concentration, the retention factor ratios for benzylamine and phenol in buffered mobile phases, α(benzylamine/phenol)-values, were used to assess the ion-exchange capacity on silica-based reversed-phase packing columns. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on separation of amino-functional PEGs independent of the molar mass by isocratic elution using common C18 or phenyl reversed-phase packing columns. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An Immunogenic Peptide in the A-box of HMGB1 Protein Reverses Apoptosis-induced Tolerance through RAGE Receptor*♦

PubMed Central

LeBlanc, Philippe M.; Doggett, Teresa Ann; Choi, Jayoung; Hancock, Mark A.; Durocher, Yves; Frank, Filipp; Nagar, Bhushan; Ferguson, Thomas A.; Saleh, Maya

2014-01-01

Apoptotic cells trigger immune tolerance in engulfing phagocytes. This poorly understood process is believed to contribute to the severe immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to nosocomial infections observed in critically ill sepsis patients. Extracellular high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an important mediator of both sepsis lethality and the induction of immune tolerance by apoptotic cells. We have found that HMGB1 is sensitive to processing by caspase-1, resulting in the production of a fragment within its N-terminal DNA-binding domain (the A-box) that signals through the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) to reverse apoptosis-induced tolerance. In a two-hit mouse model of sepsis, we show that tolerance to a secondary infection and its associated mortality were effectively reversed by active immunization with dendritic cells treated with HMGB1 or the A-box fragment, but not a noncleavable form of HMGB1. These findings represent a novel link between caspase-1 and HMGB1, with potential therapeutic implications in infectious and inflammatory diseases. PMID:24474694

Nonportable computed radiography of the chest--radiologists' acceptance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gennari, Rose C.; Gur, David; Miketic, Linda M.; Campbell, William L.; Oliver, James H., III; Plunkett, Michael B.

1994-04-01

Following a large ROC study to assess diagnostic accuracy of PA chest computed radiography (CR) images displayed in a variety of formats, we asked nine experienced radiologists to subjectively assess their acceptance of and preferences for display modes in primary diagnosis of erect PA chest images. Our results indicate that radiologists felt somewhat less comfortable interpreting CR images displayed on either laser-printed films or workstations as compared to conventional films. The use of four minified images were thought to somewhat decrease diagnostic confidence, as well as to increase the time of interpretation. The reverse mode (black bone) images increased radiologists' confidence level in the detection of soft tissue abnormalities.

"Big Brown Dog" or "Brown Big Dog?" An Electrophysiological Study of Semantic Constraints on Prenominal Adjective Order

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kemmerer, David; Weber-Fox, Christine; Price, Karen; Zdanczyk, Cynthia; Way, Heather

2007-01-01

Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded while participants read and made acceptability judgments about sentences containing three types of adjective sequences: (1) normal sequences--e.g., "Jennifer rode a huge gray elephant"; (2) reversed sequences that violate grammatical-semantic constraints on linear order--e.g., *"Jennifer rode a…

The Addition of Saccharin to Taste Cues Affects Taste Preference Conditioning in Thirsty Rats

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forestell, Catherine A.; LoLordo, Vincent M.

2004-01-01

Previous failures to condition preferences for the unacceptable taste cues sucrose octaacetate (SOA) and citric acid (CA) using a reverse-order, differential conditioning procedure (Forestell & LoLordo, 2000) may have been the result of low consumption of the taste cues in training or of their relatively low acceptability to rats that are thirsty…

76 FR 29744 - Reliable Storage 2, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-23

... reversible pump turbine with a total installed generating capacity of 250 megawatts (MW); (6) a transformer... with a total installed generating capacity of 250 MW; (6) a transformer hall; (7) a lower reservoir; (8... installed generating capacity of 250 MW; (6) a transformer hall; (7) a lower reservoir with a storage...

A Spectrum of Nerve Injury after Thermal Ablation: A Report of Four Cases and Review of the Literature

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

Philip, Asher; Gupta, Sanjay, E-mail: sgupta@mdanderson.org; Ahrar, Kamran, E-mail: kahrar@mdanderson.org

2013-10-15

Thermal ablation is an accepted alternative for the palliation of pain from bone metastases. Although rare, neurologic complications after thermal ablation have been reported. We present four cases, including two cases of rapid reversal of postcryoablation neurapraxia after the administration of steroid therapy, and review the literature.

Visual Compensatory Tracking Performance after Exposure to Flashblinding Pulses. I. Comparison of Human and Rhesus Monkey Subjects

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-01

If different Irom Report) 18. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 19. KEY WOROS rContlnuo nrn rever.se ., vde it nee.ssary and rdenrlfy hv brock number) Flashbl...control strategy plays a minor or secondary role in predicting the effects of an insult to the system would be more acceptable. CONCLUSIONS Humans and

Early selection of resistance-associated mutations in HIV-1 RT C-terminal domains across different subtypes: role of the genetic barrier to resistance.

PubMed

Muniz, Cláudia P; Soares, Marcelo A; Santos, André F

2014-10-01

Interpretation of drug resistance mutation (DRM) has been based solely on HIV-1 subtype B. Reverse transcriptase (RT) C-terminal domains have been disregarded in resistance interpretation, as their clinical relevance is still controversial. We determined the emergence of DRM in RT C-terminal domains of different HIV-1 subtypes, the genetic barrier for the acquisition of these DRM and their temporal appearance with 'classical' RT inhibitor (RTI) mutations. HIV-1 RT sequences were obtained from information from 6087 treatment-naive and 3795 RTI-treated patients deposited in the Stanford HIV Resistance Database, including all major subtypes. DRM emergence was evaluated for subtype B, and was correlated with the number of DRM in the polymerase domain. Genetic barrier was calculated for each DRM studied and in each subtype. N348I, T369I and A360V were found at low prevalence in treatment-naive isolates of all subtypes. A371V was common to treatment-naive isolates. N348I was observed in all subtypes, while T369I was only selected in subtype C. A360V and T369V were selected by RTI treatment in several subtypes. A371V was selected in subtypes B and C, but is a signature in subtype A. RT C-terminal mutations were correlated with early drug resistance in subtype B. All subtypes have a low calculated genetic barrier towards C-terminal DRM acquisition, despite a few disparities having been observed. C-terminal mutations were selected in all HIV-1 subtypes, while some represent subtype-specific signatures. The selection of C-terminal DRMs occurs early in RTI resistance failure in subtype B. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Nanoporous membranes with electrochemically switchable, chemically stabilized ionic selectivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Small, Leo J.; Wheeler, David R.; Spoerke, Erik D.

2015-10-01

Nanopore size, shape, and surface charge all play important roles in regulating ionic transport through nanoporous membranes. The ability to control these parameters in situ provides a means to create ion transport systems tunable in real time. Here, we present a new strategy to address this challenge, utilizing three unique electrochemically switchable chemistries to manipulate the terminal functional group and control the resulting surface charge throughout ensembles of gold plated nanopores in ion-tracked polycarbonate membranes 3 cm2 in area. We demonstrate the diazonium mediated surface functionalization with (1) nitrophenyl chemistry, (2) quinone chemistry, and (3) previously unreported trimethyl lock chemistry. Unlike other works, these chemistries are chemically stabilized, eliminating the need for a continuously applied gate voltage to maintain a given state and retain ionic selectivity. The effect of surface functionalization and nanopore geometry on selective ion transport through these functionalized membranes is characterized in aqueous solutions of sodium chloride at pH = 5.7. The nitrophenyl surface allows for ionic selectivity to be irreversibly switched in situ from cation-selective to anion-selective upon reduction to an aminophenyl surface. The quinone-terminated surface enables reversible changes between no ionic selectivity and a slight cationic selectivity. Alternatively, the trimethyl lock allows ionic selectivity to be reversibly switched by up to a factor of 8, approaching ideal selectivity, as a carboxylic acid group is electrochemically revealed or hidden. By varying the pore shape from cylindrical to conical, it is demonstrated that a controllable directionality can be imparted to the ionic selectivity. Combining control of nanopore geometry with stable, switchable chemistries facilitates superior control of molecular transport across the membrane, enabling tunable ion transport systems.Nanopore size, shape, and surface charge all play important roles in regulating ionic transport through nanoporous membranes. The ability to control these parameters in situ provides a means to create ion transport systems tunable in real time. Here, we present a new strategy to address this challenge, utilizing three unique electrochemically switchable chemistries to manipulate the terminal functional group and control the resulting surface charge throughout ensembles of gold plated nanopores in ion-tracked polycarbonate membranes 3 cm2 in area. We demonstrate the diazonium mediated surface functionalization with (1) nitrophenyl chemistry, (2) quinone chemistry, and (3) previously unreported trimethyl lock chemistry. Unlike other works, these chemistries are chemically stabilized, eliminating the need for a continuously applied gate voltage to maintain a given state and retain ionic selectivity. The effect of surface functionalization and nanopore geometry on selective ion transport through these functionalized membranes is characterized in aqueous solutions of sodium chloride at pH = 5.7. The nitrophenyl surface allows for ionic selectivity to be irreversibly switched in situ from cation-selective to anion-selective upon reduction to an aminophenyl surface. The quinone-terminated surface enables reversible changes between no ionic selectivity and a slight cationic selectivity. Alternatively, the trimethyl lock allows ionic selectivity to be reversibly switched by up to a factor of 8, approaching ideal selectivity, as a carboxylic acid group is electrochemically revealed or hidden. By varying the pore shape from cylindrical to conical, it is demonstrated that a controllable directionality can be imparted to the ionic selectivity. Combining control of nanopore geometry with stable, switchable chemistries facilitates superior control of molecular transport across the membrane, enabling tunable ion transport systems. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures, synthesis, and characterization of molecules 1, 2 and 3. Explanation of the electrochemical method for approximating nanopore diameter. Additional XPS spectra. See DOI: 10.1039/C5NR02939B

Threatened with death but growing: changes in and determinants of posttraumatic growth over the dying process for Taiwanese terminally ill cancer patients.

PubMed

Tang, Siew Tzuh; Lin, Kuan-Chia; Chen, Jen-Shi; Chang, Wen-Cheng; Hsieh, Chia-Hsun; Chou, Wen-Chi

2015-02-01

Posttraumatic growth at end of life, a positive psychological consequence of dealing with a life crisis, may be catalyzed by the trauma of facing mortality. Studies on cancer patients' posttraumatic growth have overwhelmingly examined early-stage survivors. Of the few studies on advanced cancer patients, none anchored posttraumatic growth with the patient's death. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to describe longitudinal changes in and to identify determinants of posttraumatic growth over the dying process. A convenience sample of 313 cancer patients was recruited and followed until death. Posttraumatic growth was measured by the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Determinants were evaluated from sociodemographics, cancer characteristics, social context variables, and coping strategies using a multiple linear regression model. The dying process may be too threatening and stressful for cancer patients to experience profound posttraumatic growth as manifested by low Posttraumatic Growth Inventory scores (26.13 ± 21.59 to 40.33 ± 27.71 on a 0-105 scale) without significant changes as death approached. However, terminally ill cancer patients who were not defeated by the initial threat of death experienced posttraumatic growth. Patients were at risk for low-level posttraumatic growth if they were male, were non-middle aged, had low educational attainment, had a non-metastatic disease, recently recognized terminally ill status, had severe symptom distress, had high functional dependence and weak social support, and were unaware or had low acceptance of their prognosis. Interventions are needed to appropriately relieve symptom distress, facilitate functional independence, enhance social support, and improve prognostic awareness and acceptance to inspire positive changes for cancer patients at end of life. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Prospective Study on Music Therapy in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients during Specialized Inpatient Palliative Care.

PubMed

Kordovan, Sarah; Preissler, Pia; Kamphausen, Anne; Bokemeyer, Carsten; Oechsle, Karin

2016-04-01

This study was a prospective evaluation of feasibility, acceptance, and potential beneficial effects of music therapy in terminally ill cancer patients on a specialized palliative care inpatient ward. Intervention had to consist of at least two sessions, but frequency and duration was left to the patients` decision. Different music therapy methods were offered to the patient at the beginning of every session. Patients rated their subjective benefit. Disease-related and sociodemographic factors were considered as potentially influencing factors. A total of 166 music therapy sessions were performed with 41 patients (average, 4; range, 2-10). Average session duration was 41 minutes (range, 20-70). Most favored methods were therapeutic conversation in 84% of sessions; listening to relaxing music, 39%; playing an instrument, 31%; and music-lead imagination, 11%. Receptive music therapy was applied in 45%, active forms in 25%, a combination of both in 7%, and therapeutic conversation only in 23%. Music therapy was rated to be "helpful" in 68%. Positive effects were significantly associated with frequency (p = 0.009) and duration (p = 0.040), living in a partnership (p = 0.017), having children (p = 0.035), psycho-oncologic therapy (p = 0.043), experience with music therapy (p = 0.007), role of music in life (p = 0.035), playing an instrument (p = 0.021), and singing regularly (p = 0.003). Music therapy techniques, especially receptive methods, are feasible and well accepted in terminally ill cancer patients. Therapeutic conversation seems to play an important role. Frequency and duration of music therapy, previous experience with music and music therapy, as well as sociodemographic factors influence positive effects of music therapy.

Breaking time reversal in a simple smooth chaotic system.

PubMed

Tomsovic, Steven; Ullmo, Denis; Nagano, Tatsuro

2003-06-01

Within random matrix theory, the statistics of the eigensolutions depend fundamentally on the presence (or absence) of time reversal symmetry. Accepting the Bohigas-Giannoni-Schmit conjecture, this statement extends to quantum systems with chaotic classical analogs. For practical reasons, much of the supporting numerical studies of symmetry breaking have been done with billiards or maps, and little with simple, smooth systems. There are two main difficulties in attempting to break time reversal invariance in a continuous time system with a smooth potential. The first is avoiding false time reversal breaking. The second is locating a parameter regime in which the symmetry breaking is strong enough to transform the fluctuation properties fully to the broken symmetry case, and yet remain weak enough so as not to regularize the dynamics sufficiently that the system is no longer chaotic. We give an example of a system of two coupled quartic oscillators whose energy level statistics closely match with those of the Gaussian unitary ensemble, and which possesses only a minor proportion of regular motion in its phase space.

Reversal of Hartmann's procedure: a high-risk operation?

PubMed

Schmelzer, Thomas M; Mostafa, Gamal; Norton, H James; Newcomb, William L; Hope, William W; Lincourt, Amy E; Kercher, Kent W; Kuwada, Timothy S; Gersin, Keith S; Heniford, B Todd

2007-10-01

Patients who undergo Hartmann's procedure often do not have their colostomy closed based on the perceived risk of the operation. This study evaluated the outcome of reversal of Hartmann's procedure based on preoperative risk factors. We retrospectively reviewed adult patients who underwent reversal of Hartmann's procedure at our tertiary referral institution. Patient outcomes were compared based on identified risk factors (age >60 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] score >2, and >2 preoperative comorbidities). One-hundred thirteen patients were included. Forty-four patients (39%) had an ASA score of >or=3. The mean hospital duration of stay was 6.8 days. There were 28 (25%) postoperative complications and no mortality. Patients >60 years old had significantly longer LOS compared with the rest of the group (P = .02). There were no differences in outcomes between groups based on ASA score or the presence of multiple preoperative comorbidities. An albumin level of <3.5 was the only significant predictor of postoperative complications (P = .04). The reversal of Hartmann's operation appears to be a safe operation with acceptable morbidity rates and can be considered in patients, including those with significant operative risk factors.

Does lead affect microbial metabolism in aquifer sediments under different terminal electron accepting conditions?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bradley, P.M.; Chapelle, F.H.; Vroblesky, D.A.

1993-01-01

In groundwater from a petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated aquifer. Substantial accumulation of aliphatic organic acids occurred only in methanogenic microcosms, and only trace amounts of acetic acid were detected in sulfate-reducing microcosms. This pattern parallels field observations in which high organic acid concentrations were detected in methanogenic zones, but only low concentrations of acetic acid were detected in sulfate-reducing zones. -from Authors

Helicopter Non-Unique Trim Strategies for Blade-Vortex Interaction (BVI) Noise Reduction

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-22

levels of harmonic rotor noise are one of the key technical barriers preventing the widespread public acceptance of helicopters for commercial...transportation. Blade-Vortex Interaction (BVI) is one such mechanism of rotor noise. BVI noise is a problem for civilian helicopter terminal area...non-rotating frame) on the vehicle trim which in turn affects noise generation. For example, conventional single main rotor helicopters commonly

Dying or living?: The double bind.

PubMed

Longhofer, J

1980-06-01

Describing the behaviors of terminally ill patients, their families and those charged with their care has received considerable attention during the past decade. This study of comprehensive cancer treatment and research facility indicates that the prevailing theory is limited to explanation at the intra-psychic level. In her work with hundreds of terminal cases, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross found that patients typically progress through five stages: 1) denial, 2) anger, 3) bargaining, 4) depression, and 5) acceptance. She concludes that the majority of her patients die in a stage of acceptance--a state of equanimity. Recently, scholars have claimed that this five stage scheme has limited applicability and may in fact contribute to the formalization of a dying person's behavior. This preliminary report proposes that the stage theory, if it has any descriptive validity, becomes meaningful only when used to describe behaviors occurring among patients, families, and medical practitioners. A plausible explanation of these behaviors is accomplished by examination of communication patterns containing the structure of paradox or double bind. Patients are forced to perceive realities about their physical conditions not as they appear to them, but as they are defined by those in their environment. This paper explores these communication patterns in relation to the structure of social relationships and the specific contents of messages being transmitted and received.

Reliability and validity of an audio signal modified shuttle walk test.

PubMed

Singla, Rupak; Rai, Richa; Faye, Abhishek Anil; Jain, Anil Kumar; Chowdhury, Ranadip; Bandyopadhyay, Debdutta

2017-01-01

The audio signal in the conventionally accepted protocol of shuttle walk test (SWT) is not well-understood by the patients and modification of the audio signal may improve the performance of the test. The aim of this study is to study the validity and reliability of an audio signal modified SWT, called the Singla-Richa modified SWT (SWTSR), in healthy normal adults. In SWTSR, the audio signal was modified with the addition of reverse counting to it. A total of 54 healthy normal adults underwent conventional SWT (CSWT) at one instance and two times SWTSRon the same day. The validity was assessed by comparing outcomes of the SWTSRto outcomes of CSWT using the Pearson correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plot. Test-retest reliability of SWTSRwas assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The acceptability of the modified test in comparison to the conventional test was assessed using Likert scale. The distance walked (mean ± standard deviation) in the CSWT and SWTSRtest was 853.33 ± 217.33 m and 857.22 ± 219.56 m, respectively (Pearson correlation coefficient - 0.98; P < 0.001) indicating SWTSRto be a valid test. The SWTSRwas found to be a reliable test with ICC of 0.98 (95% confidence interval: 0.97-0.99). The acceptability of SWTSRwas significantly higher than CSWT. The SWTSRwith modified audio signal with reverse counting is a reliable as well as a valid test when compared with CSWT in healthy normal adults. It better understood by subjects compared to CSWT.

Ageing and spatial reversal learning in humans: findings from a virtual water maze.

PubMed

Schoenfeld, R; Foreman, N; Leplow, B

2014-08-15

Deterioration in spatial memory with normal ageing is well accepted. Animal research has shown spatial reversal learning to be most vulnerable to pathological changes in the brain, but this has never been tested in humans. We studied ninety participants (52% females, 20-80 yrs) in a virtual water maze with a reversal learning procedure. Neuropsychological functioning, mood and personality were assessed to control moderator effects. For data analysis, participants were subdivided post hoc into groups aged 20-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64 and 65-80 yrs. Initial spatial learning occurred in all age groups but 65-80-yrs-olds never reached the level of younger participants. When tested for delayed recall of spatial memory, younger people frequented the target area but those over 65 yrs did not. In spatial reversal learning, age groups over 45 yrs were deficient and the 65-80-yrs-olds showed no evidence of reversal. Spatial measures were associated with neuropsychological functioning. Extraversion and measures of depression moderated the age effect on the learning index with older introverted and non-depressed individuals showing better results. Measures of anxiety moderated the age effect on reversal learning with older people having higher anxiety scores showing a preserved reversal learning capability. Results confirmed age to be a major factor in spatial tasks but further showed neuropsychological functioning, psycho-affective determinants and personality traits to be significant predictors of individual differences. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The 'glial' glutamate transporter, EAAT2 (Glt-1) accounts for high affinity glutamate uptake into adult rodent nerve endings.

PubMed

Suchak, Sachin K; Baloyianni, Nicoletta V; Perkinton, Michael S; Williams, Robert J; Meldrum, Brian S; Rattray, Marcus

2003-02-01

The excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT) removes neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate from the synaptic cleft. Most CNS glutamate uptake is mediated by EAAT2 into glia, though nerve terminals show evidence for uptake, through an unknown transporter. Reverse-transcriptase PCR identified the expression of EAAT1, EAAT2, EAAT3 and EAAT4 mRNAs in primary cultures of mouse cortical or striatal neurones. We have used synaptosomes and glial plasmalemmal vesicles (GPV) from adult mouse and rat CNS to identify the nerve terminal transporter. Western blotting showed detectable levels of the transporters EAAT1 (GLAST) and EAAT2 (Glt-1) in both synaptosomes and GPVs. Uptake of [3H]D-aspartate or [3H]L-glutamate into these preparations revealed sodium-dependent uptake in GPV and synaptosomes which was inhibited by a range of EAAT blockers: dihydrokainate, serine-o-sulfate, l-trans-2,4-pyrrolidine dicarboxylate (PDC) (+/-)-threo-3-methylglutamate and (2S,4R )-4-methylglutamate. The IC50 values found for these compounds suggested functional expression of the 'glial, transporter, EAAT2 in nerve terminals. Additionally blockade of the majority EAAT2 uptake sites with 100 micro m dihydrokainate, failed to unmask any functional non-EAAT2 uptake sites. The data presented in this study indicate that EAAT2 is the predominant nerve terminal glutamate transporter in the adult rodent CNS.

Trends in acceptance of euthanasia among the general public in 12 European countries (1981-1999).

PubMed

Cohen, Joachim; Marcoux, Isabelle; Bilsen, Johan; Deboosere, Patrick; van der Wal, Gerrit; Deliens, Luc

2006-12-01

We wanted to examine how the acceptance of euthanasia among the general public in Western Europe has changed in the last decades, and we wanted to look for possible explanations. We analysed data from the European Values Surveys, held in 1981, 1990, and 1999-2000 in 12 West European countries. In each country, representative samples of the general public were interviewed using the same structured questionnaire in all countries. Euthanasia was explained in the questionnaires as 'terminating the life of the incurably sick'. A total of 46 199 respondents participated in the surveys. A significant increase in acceptance of euthanasia could be observed in all countries except (West) Germany. While the average increase in euthanasia acceptance was 22%, the increase was particularly obvious in Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. Although changes in several characteristics of respondents, such as decrease in religious beliefs, rising belief in the right to self-determination, and (to a lesser extent) rise in levels of education, were associated with growing acceptance of euthanasia, they could only partly explain the increase of euthanasia acceptance over the years. An increase of euthanasia acceptance among the general public took place over the last two decades in almost all West European countries, possibly indicating a growing support for personal autonomy regarding medical end-of-life decisions. If this trend continues, it is likely to increase the public and political debate about the (legal) regulation of euthanasia under certain conditions of careful medical practice in several West European countries.

Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptors Transiently Silence Glutamatergic Nerve Terminals of Cultured Cerebellar Granule Cells

PubMed Central

Ramírez-Franco, Jorge; Bartolomé-Martín, David; Alonso, Beatris; Torres, Magdalena; Sánchez-Prieto, José

2014-01-01

Cannabinoid receptors are the most abundant G protein-coupled receptors in the brain and they mediate retrograde short-term inhibition of neurotransmitter release, as well as long-term depression of synaptic transmission at many excitatory synapses. The induction of presynaptically silent synapses is a means of modulating synaptic strength, which is important for synaptic plasticity. Persistent activation of cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1Rs) mutes GABAergic terminals, although it is unclear if CB1Rs can also induce silencing at glutamatergic synapses. Cerebellar granule cells were transfected with VGLUT1-pHluorin to visualise the exo-endocytotic cycle. We found that prolonged stimulation (10 min) of cannabinoid receptors with the agonist HU-210 induces the silencing of previously active synapses. However, the presynaptic silencing induced by HU-210 is transient as it reverses after 20 min. cAMP with forskolin prevented CB1R-induced synaptic silencing, via activation of the Exchange Protein directly Activated by cAMP (Epac). Furthermore, Epac activation accelerated awakening of already silent boutons. Electron microscopy revealed that silencing was associated with synaptic vesicle (SV) redistribution within the nerve terminal, which diminished the number of vesicles close to the active zone of the plasma membrane. Finally, by combining functional and immunocytochemical approaches, we observed a strong correlation between the release capacity of the nerve terminals and RIM1α protein content, but not that of Munc13-1 protein. These results suggest that prolonged stimulation of cannabinoid receptors can transiently silence glutamatergic nerve terminals. PMID:24533119

Cathode materials review

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

Daniel, Claus, E-mail: danielc@ornl.gov; Mohanty, Debasish, E-mail: danielc@ornl.gov; Li, Jianlin, E-mail: danielc@ornl.gov

2014-06-16

The electrochemical potential of cathode materials defines the positive side of the terminal voltage of a battery. Traditionally, cathode materials are the energy-limiting or voltage-limiting electrode. One of the first electrochemical batteries, the voltaic pile invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800 (Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. 90, 403-431) had a copper-zinc galvanic element with a terminal voltage of 0.76 V. Since then, the research community has increased capacity and voltage for primary (nonrechargeable) batteries and round-trip efficiency for secondary (rechargeable) batteries. Successful secondary batteries have been the lead-acid with a lead oxide cathode and a terminal voltage of 2.1 V andmore » later the NiCd with a nickel(III) oxide-hydroxide cathode and a 1.2 V terminal voltage. The relatively low voltage of those aqueous systems and the low round-trip efficiency due to activation energies in the conversion reactions limited their use. In 1976, Wittingham (J. Electrochem. Soc., 123, 315) and Besenhard (J. Power Sources 1(3), 267) finally enabled highly reversible redox reactions by intercalation of lithium ions instead of by chemical conversion. In 1980, Goodenough and Mizushima (Mater. Res. Bull. 15, 783-789) demonstrated a high-energy and high-power LiCoO{sub 2} cathode, allowing for an increase of terminal voltage far beyond 3 V. Over the past four decades, the international research community has further developed cathode materials of many varieties. Current state-of-the-art cathodes demonstrate voltages beyond any known electrolyte stability window, bringing electrolyte research once again to the forefront of battery research.« less

2013 Estorm - Invited Paper - Cathode Materials Review

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

Daniel, Claus; Mohanty, Debasish; Li, Jianlin

2014-01-01

The electrochemical potential of cathode materials defines the positive side of the terminal voltage of a battery. Traditionally, cathode materials are the energy-limiting or voltage-limiting electrode. One of the first electrochemical batteries, the voltaic pile invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800 (Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. 90, 403 431) had a copper-zinc galvanic element with a terminal voltage of 0.76 V. Since then, the research community has increased capacity and voltage for primary (nonrechargeable) batteries and round-trip efficiency for secondary (rechargeable) batteries. Successful secondary batteries have been the lead acid with a lead oxide cathode and a terminal voltage of 2.1more » V and later the NiCd with a nickel(III) oxide hydroxide cathode and a 1.2 V terminal voltage. The relatively low voltage of those aqueous systems and the low round-trip efficiency due to activation energies in the conversion reactions limited their use. In 1976, Wittingham (J. Electrochem. Soc., 123, 315) and Besenhard (J Power Sources 1(3), 267) finally enabled highly reversible redox reactions by intercalation of lithium ions instead of by chemical conversion. In 1980, Goodenough and Mizushima (Mater. Res. Bull. 15, 783 789) demonstrated a high-energy and high-power LiCoO2 cathode, allowing for an increase of terminal voltage far beyond 3 V. Over the past four decades, the international research community has further developed cathode materials of many varieties. Current state-of-the-art cathodes demonstrate voltages beyond any known electrolyte stability window, bringing electrolyte research once again to the forefront of battery research.« less

The Kubler-Ross model, physician distress, and performance reporting.

PubMed

Smaldone, Marc C; Uzzo, Robert G

2013-07-01

Physician performance reporting has been proposed as an essential component of health-care reform, with the aim of improving quality by providing transparency and accountability. Despite strong evidence demonstrating regional variation in practice patterns and lack of evidence-based care, public outcomes reporting has been met with resistance from medical professionals. Application of the Kubler-Ross 'five stages of grief' model--a conceptual framework consisting of a series of emotional stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) inspired by work with terminally ill patients--could provide some insight into why physicians are reluctant to accept emerging quality-reporting mechanisms. Physician-led quality-improvement initiatives are vital to contemporary health-care reform efforts and applications in urology, as well as other medical disciplines, are currently being explored.

A single centre study on birth of children with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia in Malaysia and reasons for ineffective prevention.

PubMed

Ngim, C F; Ibrahim, H; Lai, N M; Ng, C S

2015-01-01

We aimed to identify factors contributing to ineffective prevention of thalassaemia in Malaysia by studying events leading to the births of children with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (TDT) including their parents' reproductive choices. Thirty children with TDT born in the year 2005 to 2012 were included. Their parents underwent a semi-structured, face-to-face interview in 2012 and were followed up until 2014 to evaluate the actual decisions made during subsequent pregnancy. In 70% of the cases (21/30), neither parent was aware of their carrier status until their child's diagnosis. Six of the remaining nine cases did not receive accurate information or support for prenatal diagnosis and the termination option. Of the 38 parents interviewed, 20 (52.6%) indicated that they would terminate an affected pregnancy. Notably, 52.2% of Muslims supported termination. Prenatal diagnosis was made in two of the five subsequent pregnancies, with thalassaemia traits diagnosed in both fetuses. The current poor uptake of voluntary thalassaemia screening in Malaysia and inadequate access to counselling and prenatal diagnostic services contributed to ineffective prevention. A considerable number of Malaysian Muslims may accept the termination option if given access to comprehensive genetic counselling services. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Relationships between personal attitudes about death and communication with terminally ill patients: How oncology clinicians grapple with mortality.

PubMed

Rodenbach, Rachel A; Rodenbach, Kyle E; Tejani, Mohamedtaki A; Epstein, Ronald M

2016-03-01

Clinician discomfort with death may affect care of patients but has not been well-studied. This study explores oncology clinicians' attitudes surrounding their own death and how these attitudes both affect and are affected by their care of dying patients and their communication with them. Qualitative interviews with physicians (n=25), nurse practitioners (n=7), and physician assistants (n=1) in medical or hematologic oncology clinical practices about communication styles, care of terminally ill patients, and personal perspectives about mortality. Clinicians described three communication styles used with patients about death and dying: direct, indirect, or selectively direct. Most reported an acceptance of their mortality that was "conditional," meaning that that they could not fully know how they would respond if actually terminally ill. For many clinicians, caring for dying patients affected their outlook on life and death, and their own perspectives on life and death affected their approach to caring for dying patients. An awareness of personal mortality may help clinicians to discuss death more openly with patients and to provide better care. Efforts to promote self-awareness and communication training are key to facilitating clear communication with and compassionate care of terminally ill patients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Naloxone reversal of an overdose of a novel, long-acting transdermal fentanyl solution in laboratory Beagles.

PubMed

Freise, K J; Newbound, G C; Tudan, C; Clark, T P

2012-08-01

Opioid overdose in dogs is manifested by clinical signs such as excessive sedation, bradycardia, and hypothermia. The ability of two different intramuscular (i.m.) naloxone reversal regimens to reverse the opioid-induced effects of a fivefold overdose of long-acting transdermal fentanyl solution was evaluated in dogs. Twenty-four healthy Beagles were administered a single 13 mg/kg dose (fivefold overdose) of transdermal fentanyl solution and randomized to two naloxone reversal regimen treatment groups, hourly administration for 8 h of 40 (n = 8) or 160 μg/kg i.m. (n = 16). All dogs were sedated and had reduced body temperatures and heart rates (HRs) prior to naloxone administration. Both dosage regimens significantly reduced sedation (P < 0.001), and the 160 μg/kg naloxone regimen resulted in a nearly threefold lower odds of sedation than that of the 40 μg/kg i.m. naloxone regimen (P < 0.05). Additionally, naloxone significantly increased the mean body temperatures and HR (P < 0.001), although the 160 μg/kg regimen increased body temperature and HR more (P < 0.05). However, the narcotic side effects of fentanyl returned within 1-3 h following termination of the naloxone dosage regimens. The opioid-induced effects of an overdose of transdermal fentanyl solution can be safely and effectively reversed by either 40 or 160 μg/kg i.m. naloxone administered at hourly intervals. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Understanding of self-terminating pulse generation using silicon controlled rectifier and RC load

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

Chang, Chris, E-mail: chrischang81@gmail.com; Karunasiri, Gamani, E-mail: karunasiri@nps.edu; Alves, Fabio, E-mail: falves@alionscience.com

2016-01-15

Recently a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR)-based circuit that generates self-terminating voltage pulses was employed for the detection of light and ionizing radiation in pulse mode. The circuit consisted of a SCR connected in series with a RC load and DC bias. In this paper, we report the investigation of the physics underlying the pulsing mechanism of the SCR-based. It was found that during the switching of SCR, the voltage across the capacitor increased beyond that of the DC bias, thus generating a reverse current in the circuit, which helped to turn the SCR off. The pulsing was found to bemore » sustainable only for a specific range of RC values depending on the SCR’s intrinsic turn-on/off times. The findings of this work will help to design optimum SCR based circuits for pulse mode detection of light and ionizing radiation without external amplification circuitry.« less

Functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with thermo-responsive azide-terminated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) via click reactions.

PubMed

Su, Xin; Shuai, Ya; Guo, Zanru; Feng, Yujun

2013-04-18

Covalently functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by grafting well-defined thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) via click reactions. First, azide-terminated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (N3-PNIPAM) was synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and then the N₃-PNIPAM moiety was connected onto MWNTs by click chemistry. The products were characterized by means of FT-IR, TGA and TEM. The results show that the modification of MWNTs is very successful and MWNTs functionalized by N₃-PNIPAM (MWNTs-PNIPAM) have good solubility and stability in water. TEM images show the functionalized MWNTs are dispersed individually, indicating that the bundles of original MWNTs are separated into individual tubes by surface modification with polymer chains. These MWNTs modified with PNIPAM represent a potential nano-material for preparation of hydrophilic composite materials.

TRPA1 activation by lidocaine in nerve terminals results in glutamate release increase

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

Piao, L.-H.; Fujita, Tsugumi; Jiang, C.-Y.

2009-02-20

We examined the effects of local anesthetics lidocaine and procaine on glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory transmission in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons in adult rat spinal cord slices with whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Bath-applied lidocaine (1-5 mM) dose-dependently and reversibly increased the frequency but not the amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) in SG neurons. Lidocaine activity was unaffected by the Na{sup +}-channel blocker, tetrodotoxin, and the TRPV1 antagonist, capsazepine, but was inhibited by the TRP antagonist, ruthenium red. In the same neuron, the TRPA1 agonist, allyl isothiocyanate, and lidocaine both increased sEPSC frequency. In contrast, procaine did not produce presynaptic enhancement.more » These results indicate that lidocaine activates TRPA1 in nerve terminals presynaptic to SG neurons to increase the spontaneous release of L-glutamate.« less

Evaluation of genetic and metabolic role of SKIP11 in Arabidopsis thaliana

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassan, Muhammad Naeem ul; Ismail, Ismanizan

2015-09-01

Most of the regulatory proteins are degraded by 26S proteasome complex, only when they are tagged by Ubiquitin. A complex of four proteins, SKP1-Cullin-Ring box-F box (SCF) catalyses the final step to link the Ubiquitin tag with the target proteins. SCF complex interacts with the target proteins through F-box proteins, which confer the overall substrate specificity to the complex. F-box proteins, one of the largest family of proteins in plants have an N-terminal F-box domain and variable C-terminal domains, like leucine-rich repeat, WD-40 repeat and the kelch-repeat domains. In this study, we analysed the role of SKIP11, a kelch containing F-box protein (KFB) from Arabidopsis thaliana, by using reverse genetics strategy. The results show that SKIP11 is involved in the down-regulation of oxylipin pathway, possibly through the degradation of enzymes or/ and the regulatory factors of the pathway.

Radioimmunoassay of neuropeptide Y.

PubMed

Allen, J M; Yeats, J C; Adrian, T E; Bloom, S R

1984-01-01

The development of a radioimmunoassay to the newly isolated peptide, neuropeptide Y is described. Four separate antisera have been developed using different immunisation schedules. Two of these antisera (YNI and YNIO) are directed to the C-terminal region of the peptide and cross-react with the related peptide PYY, whereas YN7 is specific being directed to the N-terminal region of NPY, YN6 is similarly specific for NPY, but is unable to bind the available fragments. These four antisera provide similar results for determination of NPY immunoreactivity within porcine brain extracts, however YN6 consistently undervalues all extracts from the other species examined (human, rat, guinea pig, cat and mouse). Chromatographic analysis by means of reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) shows that NPY immunoreactivity of human extracts elutes in an earlier position than the porcine standard. It seems likely therefore that human and porcine NPY differ in their amino acid sequences.

Free-cooling: A total HVAC design concept

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

Janeke, C.E.

1982-01-01

This paper discusses a total ''free cooling'' HVAC design concept in which mechanical refrigeration is practically obviated via the refined application of existing technological strategies and a new diffuser terminal. The principles being applied are as follows; Thermal Swing: This is the active contribution of programmed heat storage to overall HVAC system performance. Reverse Diffuser: This is a new air terminal design that facilitates manifesting the thermal storage gains. Developing the thermal storage equation system into a generalized simulation model, optimizing the thermal storage and operating strategies with a computer program and developing related algorithms are subsequently illustrated. Luminair Aspiration:more » This feature provides for exhausting all luminair heat totally out of the building envelope, via an exhaust duct system and insulated boots. Two/Three-Stage Evaporative Cooling: This concept comprises a system of air conditioning that entails a combination of closed and open loop evaporative cooling with standby refrigeration only.« less

Behavioural treatment of tics: habit reversal and exposure with response prevention.

PubMed

van de Griendt, J M T M; Verdellen, C W J; van Dijk, M K; Verbraak, M J P M

2013-07-01

Behaviour therapy has been shown to be an effective strategy in treating tics; both habit reversal (HR) and exposure and response prevention (ER) are recommended as first-line interventions. This review provides an overview of the history, theoretical concepts and evidence at present for HR and ER. In addition, treatment manuals for HR and ER are described. Despite the evidence and availability of treatment manuals, many patients do not receive a first-line psychological intervention for tics. Barriers to the acceptance and dissemination of behaviour therapy are discussed as are ways to overcome these barriers, such as the use of E-health and E-learning. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The moving-ring field-reversed mirror prototype reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, A. C., Jr.; Carlson, G. A.; Fleischmann, H. H.; Grossman, W., Jr.; Kammash, T.; Schultz, K. R.; Woodall, D. M.

1981-03-01

A prototype fusion reactor was designed based on magnetic field reversed plasma confinement. A set of physics, technology, and mechanical design criteria were developed in order to make this concept attractive. Six major criteria guide the commercial prototype design. The prototype must: (1) produce net electricity decisively P sub net 70% of P sub gross; (2) scale to an economical commercial plant and have small physical size; (3) have all features required of a correcial upgrade plant (H-3 breeding, etc.); (4) minimize exotic technology and maintenance complexity; (5) promise significantly lower safety hazards than fission plants (environmentally and socially acceptable); and (6) be modular in design to permit repetitive production of components.

Afferent innervation of the utricular macula in pigeons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Si, Xiaohong; Zakir, Mridha Md; Dickman, J. David

2003-01-01

Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was used to retrogradely label afferents innervating the utricular macula in adult pigeons. The pigeon utriclar macula consists of a large rectangular-shaped neuroepithelium with a dorsally curved anterior edge and an extended medioposterior tail. The macula could be demarcated into several regions based on cytoarchitectural differences. The striola occupied 30% of the macula and contained a large density of type I hair cells with fewer type II hair cells. Medial and lateral extrastriola zones were located outside the striola and contained only type II hair cells. A six- to eight-cell-wide band of type II hair cells existed near the center of the striola. The reversal line marked by the morphological polarization of hair cells coursed throughout the epithelium, near the peripheral margin, and through the center of the type II band. Calyx afferents innervated type I hair cells with calyceal terminals that contained between 2 and 15 receptor cells. Calyx afferents were located only in the striola region, exclusive of the type II band, had small total fiber innervation areas and low innervation densities. Dimorph afferents innervated both type I and type II hair cells with calyceal and bouton terminals and were primarily located in the striola region. Dimorph afferents had smaller calyceal terminals with few type I hair cells, extended fiber branches with bouton terminals and larger innervation areas. Bouton afferents innervated only type II hair cells in the extrastriola and type II band regions. Bouton afferents innervating the type II band had smaller terminal fields with fewer bouton terminals and smaller innervation areas than fibers located in the extrastriolar zones. Bouton afferents had the most bouton terminals on the longest fibers, the largest innervation areas with the highest innervation densities of all afferents. Among all afferents, smaller terminal innervation fields were observed in the striola and large fields were located in the extrastriola. The cellular organization and innervation patterns of the utricular maculae in birds appear to represent an organ in adaptive evolution, different from that observed for amphibians or mammals.

A NOVEL PROCESS TO USE SALT CAVERNS TO RECEIVE SHIP BORNE LNG

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

Michael M. McCall; William M. Bishop; Marcus Krekel

2005-05-31

This cooperative research project validates use of man made salt caverns to receive and store the cargoes of LNG ships in lieu of large liquid LNG tanks. Salt caverns will not tolerate direct injection of LNG because it is a cryogenic liquid, too cold for contact with salt. This research confirmed the technical processes and the economic benefits of pressuring the LNG up to dense phase, warming it to salt compatible temperatures and then directly injecting the dense phase gas into salt caverns for storage. The use of salt caverns to store natural gas sourced from LNG imports, particularly whenmore » located offshore, provides a highly secure, large scale and lower cost import facility as an alternative to tank based LNG import terminals. This design can unload a ship in the same time as unloading at a tank based terminal. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve uses man made salt caverns to securely store large quantities of crude oil. Similarly, this project describes a novel application of salt cavern gas storage technologies used for the first time in conjunction with LNG receiving. The energy industry uses man made salt caverns to store an array of gases and liquids but has never used man made salt caverns directly in the importation of LNG. This project has adapted and expanded the field of salt cavern storage technology and combined it with novel equipment and processes to accommodate LNG importation. The salt cavern based LNG receiving terminal described in the project can be located onshore or offshore, but the focus of the design and cost estimates has been on an offshore location, away from congested channels and ports. The salt cavern based terminal can provide large volumes of gas storage, high deliverability from storage, and is simplified in operation compared to tank based LNG terminals. Phase I of this project included mathematical modeling that proved a salt cavern based receiving terminal could be built at lower capital cost, and would have significantly higher delivery capacity, shorter construction time, and be much more secure than a conventional liquid tank based terminal. Operating costs of a salt cavern terminal are lower than tank based terminals because ''boil off'' is eliminated and maintenance costs of caverns are lower than LNG tanks. Phase II included the development of offshore mooring designs, wave tank tests, high pressure LNG pump field tests, heat exchanger field tests, and development of a model offshore LNG facility and cavern design. Engineers designed a model facility, prepared equipment lists, and confirmed capital and operating costs. In addition, vendors quoted fabrication and installation costs, confirming that an offshore salt cavern based LNG terminal would have lower capital and operating costs than a similarly sized offshore tank based terminal. Salt cavern storage is infinitely more secure than surface storage tanks, far less susceptible to accidents or purposeful damage, and much more acceptable to the community. More than thirty industry participants provided cost sharing, technical expertise, and guidance in the conduct and evaluation of the field tests, facility design and operating and cost estimates. Their close participation has accelerated the industry's acceptance of the conclusions of this research. The industry participants also developed and submitted several alternative designs for offshore mooring and for high pressure LNG heat exchangers in addition to those that were field tested in this project. HNG Storage, a developer, owner, and operator of natural gas storage facilities, and a participant in the DOE research has announced they will lead the development of the first offshore salt cavern based LNG import facility. Which will be called the Freedom LNG Terminal. It will be located offshore Louisiana, and is expected to be jointly developed with other members of the research group yet to be named. An offshore port license application is scheduled to be filed by fourth quarter 2005 and the terminal could be operational by 2009. This terminal allows the large volume importation of LNG without disrupting coastal port operations by being offshore, out of sight of land.« less

Paleoceanographic insights on oxygen minimum zone expansion: Lessons from the most recent deglaciation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moffitt, S. E.; Moffitt, R.; Sauthoff, W.; Davis, C. V.; Hewett, K.; Hill, T. M.

2013-12-01

The expansion of low oxygen hydrographic zones in the modern ocean, known as Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZ), has the potential to deteriorate ecosystems, alter ocean nutrient cycling and inflict mass mortality events upon benthic and pelagic communities. During the last deglaciation (18-10 ka), large, climate-driven changes in the oxygen content of the upper ocean occurred. We propose that previous climate-driven OMZ expansions are data-rich events with which to characterize the spatial scales of OMZ hydrographic perturbation, and the temporal scales of natural OMZ variability. Here we synthesize a global compilation of marine sediment records from modern OMZ regions to investigate deglacial changes in the vertical extent, intensity, and surface area impingements of hypoxic waters upon continental margins. We surveyed sediment core records within water depths of 183-3,296 meters below sea level (mbsl) and took advantage of cores with geochemical, sedimentary or microfossil oxygenation proxies to reconstruct the timing, depth and intensity of seafloor hypoxia. OMZ maximum vertical extent during the deglaciation was variable by region: Subarctic Pacific (~600-2,900 mbsl), California Current (~330-1,500 mbsl), Baja and Mexico (~330-830 mbsl), and Equatorial Pacific and Humboldt Current (~110-3,100 mbsl). Expansion timing is regionally coherent but not globally synchronous, such that Subarctic Pacific and California Current marginal areas exhibit tight correlation and oxygenation reversals with Northern Hemisphere deglacial events (Termination 1A, Bølling-Allerød, Younger Dryas and Termination 1B). Southern regions (Baja and Mexico, and the Equatorial Pacific and Humboldt Current) exhibit hypoxia expansion prior to Termination 1A (~16 ka), and no oxygenation reversals. Our analysis provides new evidence for the geospatially coherent and temporally rapid expansion of OMZs during the last deglaciation, and reveals the extreme shallowness of the upper hypoxic boundary in coastal waters during events of global-scale warming.

Molecular cloning and long terminal repeat sequences of human endogenous retrovirus genes related to types A and B retrovirus genes

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

Ono, M.

1986-06-01

By using a DNA fragment primarily encoding the reverse transcriptase (pol) region of the Syrian hamster intracisternal A particle (IAP; type A retrovirus) gene as a probe, human endogenous retrovirus genes, tentatively termed HERV-K genes, were cloned from a fetal human liver gene library. Typical HERV-K genes were 9.1 or 9.4 kilobases in length, having long terminal repeats (LTRs) of ca. 970 base pairs. Many structural features commonly observed on the retrovirus LTRs, such as the TATAA box, polyadenylation signal, and terminal inverted repeats, were present on each LTR, and a lysine (K) tRNA having a CUU anticodon was identifiedmore » as a presumed primer tRNA. The HERV-K LTR, however, had little sequence homology to either the IAP LTR or other typical oncovirus LTRs. By filter hybridization, the number of HERV-K genes was estimated to be ca. 50 copies per haploid human genome. The cloned mouse mammary tumor virus (type B) gene was found to hybridize with both the HERV-K and IAP genes to essentially the same extent.« less

Prenatal diagnosis of a de novo 9p terminal chromosomal deletion in a fetus with major congenital anomalies.

PubMed

Hou, Wen-Chien; Chen, Chih-Ping; Hwang, Kwei-Shuai; Chen, Ying-Chieh; Lai, Yu-Ju; Tien, Chau-Yang; Su, Her-Young

2014-12-01

We describe a prenatal ultrasonography diagnosis of omphalocele and symbrachydactyly in a fetus and review the literature on prenatal diagnosis of 9p terminal chromosomal deletions. A 31-year-old woman (gravida 3, para 1) was referred for genetic counseling because a fetal omphalocele had been detected. Prenatal ultrasonography at 17+ weeks of gestational age revealed a singleton female fetus with biometry equivalent to 18 weeks with an omphalocele. In addition, symbrachydactyly was also noted in the right arm; the wrist bones as well as the metacarpals were missing. A chromosomal study was arranged for a congenital anomaly involving omphalocele. We obtained Giemsa-banded chromosomes from fetal tissue cells, and an abnormal male karyotype with a terminal deletion of the short arm of chromosome 9 at band 9p13 was noted. After delivery, the fetus showed omphalocele, symbrachydactyly, trigonocephaly, sex reversal, a long philtrum, low-set ears, telecanthus, and a frontal prominence. Prenatal diagnosis of abnormal ultrasound findings with omphalocele and symbrachydactyly should include the differential diagnosis of a chromosome 9p deletion. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Genetic absence of PD-1 promotes accumulation of terminally differentiated exhausted CD8+ T cells

PubMed Central

Odorizzi, Pamela M.; Pauken, Kristen E.; Paley, Michael A.; Sharpe, Arlene

2015-01-01

Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) has received considerable attention as a key regulator of CD8+ T cell exhaustion during chronic infection and cancer because blockade of this pathway partially reverses T cell dysfunction. Although the PD-1 pathway is critical in regulating established “exhausted” CD8+ T cells (TEX cells), it is unclear whether PD-1 directly causes T cell exhaustion. We show that PD-1 is not required for the induction of exhaustion in mice with chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. In fact, some aspects of exhaustion are more severe with genetic deletion of PD-1 from the onset of infection. Increased proliferation between days 8 and 14 postinfection is associated with subsequent decreased CD8+ T cell survival and disruption of a critical proliferative hierarchy necessary to maintain exhausted populations long term. Ultimately, the absence of PD-1 leads to the accumulation of more cytotoxic, but terminally differentiated, CD8+ TEX cells. These results demonstrate that CD8+ T cell exhaustion can occur in the absence of PD-1. They also highlight a novel role for PD-1 in preserving TEX cell populations from overstimulation, excessive proliferation, and terminal differentiation. PMID:26034050

Impact of the French 3rd and 4th generation pill scare in women seeking termination of pregnancy.

PubMed

Caillot, O; Aubry, M; Duros, S; Boyer, L; Van Valenberg, C; Levêque, J; Lavoué, V

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the contraceptive profile of women seeking termination of pregnancy following the debate on 3rd and 4th generation pills in France in 2012. Single-center case-control study comparing the attitude to contraception before (between 02/15/2012 and 07/16/2012) and after the debate (between 02/25/2013 and 06/24/2013). A total of 291 patients consulted before and 601 after the debate. We showed that there were more students (+9.5%), more single women (+8.3%) and fewer working women (-7.7%) in the cohort after the debate. After the termination procedure, prescriptions for long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods increased (+7.8%, P=0.03), in particular in patients aged 25 or younger, including nulliparous (+12.6%, P=0.02). The media alert about the pill led to a change in the contraceptive standard in the post-abortion period and altered patient profiles. An increase was notably observed in certain vulnerable populations (high school students, unemployed and single women). It remains to be seen whether these changes are transient or permanent. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

An “ohmic-first” self-terminating gate-recess technique for normally-off Al2O3/GaN MOSFET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongyue; Wang, Jinyan; Li, Mengjun; He, Yandong; Wang, Maojun; Yu, Min; Wu, Wengang; Zhou, Yang; Dai, Gang

2018-04-01

In this article, an ohmic-first AlGaN/GaN self-terminating gate-recess etching technique was demonstrated where ohmic contact formation is ahead of gate-recess-etching/gate-dielectric-deposition (GRE/GDD) process. The ohmic contact exhibits few degradations after the self-terminating gate-recess process. Besides, when comparing with that using the conventional fabrication process, the fabricated device using the ohmic-first fabrication process shows a better gate dielectric quality in terms of more than 3 orders lower forward gate leakage current, more than twice higher reverse breakdown voltage as well as better stability. Based on this proposed technique, the normally-off Al2O3/GaN MOSFET exhibits a threshold voltage (V th) of ˜1.8 V, a maximum drain current of ˜328 mA/mm, a forward gate leakage current of ˜10-6 A/mm and an off-state breakdown voltage of 218 V at room temperature. Meanwhile, high temperature characteristics of the device was also evaluated and small variations (˜7.6%) of the threshold voltage was confirmed up to 300 °C.

Second trimester medical abortion with mifepristone followed by unlimited dosing of buccal misoprostol in Armenia.

PubMed

Louie, Karmen S; Chong, Erica; Tsereteli, Tamar; Avagyan, Gayane; Abrahamyan, Ruzanna; Winikoff, Beverly

2017-02-01

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and acceptability of a regimen using mifepristone and buccal misoprostol with unlimited dosing for second trimester abortion in Armenia. Women seeking to terminate 13-22 week pregnancies were enrolled in the study. Participants swallowed 200 mg mifepristone in the clinic and were instructed to return to the hospital for induction 24-48 h later. During induction, women were given 400 μg buccal misoprostol every 3 h until the fetus and placenta were expelled. The abortion was considered a success if complete uterine evacuation was achieved without oxytocin or surgery. A total of 120 women with a median gestational age of 18 weeks participated in the study. All women began misoprostol induction around 24 h after taking mifepristone. Complete uterine evacuation was achieved in 119 (99.2%) women. The median induction-to-abortion interval was 10.3 h (range 4-17.4) with a mean of 9.5 ± 2.5 h. A median of four misoprostol doses (range 2-6) with a mean of 4 ± 1 misoprostol doses were administered. The induction-to-abortion interval, number of misoprostol doses, pain score and analgesia use increased as gestational age advanced. Acceptability of the method was high among both patients and providers. The medical abortion regimen of 200 mg mifepristone followed 24 h later by induction with 400 μg buccal misoprostol administered every 3 h, with no limit on the number of doses used for the termination of pregnancies of 13-22 weeks' gestation is an effective and acceptable option for women.

78 FR 20842 - Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Dryers and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-08

...,999 British thermal units per hour (Btu/h), and the minimum cooling capacity for product class 5b for room air conditioners without reverse cycle and with louvered sides as 25,000 Btu/h, rather than 27,999 Btu/h and 28,000 Btu/h, respectively. DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding...

18 CFR 4.32 - Acceptance for filing or rejection; information to be made available to the public; requests for...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... where the applicant seeks PURPA benefits: § 292.208. (b) (1) Each applicant for a preliminary permit...) If an applicant reverses a statement of intent not to seek PURPA benefits: (i) Prior to the... a license or exemption for the project, the applicant is prohibited from obtaining PURPA benefits...

18 CFR 4.32 - Acceptance for filing or rejection; information to be made available to the public; requests for...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... where the applicant seeks PURPA benefits: § 292.208. (b) (1) Each applicant for a preliminary permit... an applicant reverses a statement of intent not to seek PURPA benefits: (i) Prior to the Commission... or exemption for the project, the applicant is prohibited from obtaining PURPA benefits. (d) When any...

18 CFR 4.32 - Acceptance for filing or rejection; information to be made available to the public; requests for...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... where the applicant seeks PURPA benefits: § 292.208. (b) (1) Each applicant for a preliminary permit...(b)(1)(vi). (2) If an applicant reverses a statement of intent not to seek PURPA benefits: (i) Prior... Commission issues a license or exemption for the project, the applicant is prohibited from obtaining PURPA...

18 CFR 4.32 - Acceptance for filing or rejection; information to be made available to the public; requests for...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... where the applicant seeks PURPA benefits: § 292.208. (b) (1) Each applicant for a preliminary permit... an applicant reverses a statement of intent not to seek PURPA benefits: (i) Prior to the Commission... or exemption for the project, the applicant is prohibited from obtaining PURPA benefits. (d) When any...

18 CFR 4.32 - Acceptance for filing or rejection; information to be made available to the public; requests for...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... where the applicant seeks PURPA benefits: § 292.208. (b) (1) Each applicant for a preliminary permit... an applicant reverses a statement of intent not to seek PURPA benefits: (i) Prior to the Commission... or exemption for the project, the applicant is prohibited from obtaining PURPA benefits. (d) When any...

Jimmy's Baby Doll and Jenny's Truck: Young Children's Reasoning about Gender Norms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conry-Murray, Clare; Turiel, Elliot

2012-01-01

To assess the flexibility of reasoning about gender, children ages 4, 6, and 8 years (N = 72) were interviewed about gender norms when different domains were highlighted. The majority of participants at all ages judged a reversal of gender norms in a different cultural context to be acceptable. They also judged gender norms as a matter of personal…

Assessing the Decision-Making Capacity of Terminally Ill Patients with Cancer.

PubMed

Kolva, Elissa; Rosenfeld, Barry; Saracino, Rebecca

2018-05-01

Despite the clinical, ethical, and legal magnitude of end-of-life decision-making, the capacity of terminally ill patients to make the medical decisions they often face is largely unknown. In practice, clinicians are responsible for determining when their patients are no longer competent to make treatment decisions, yet the accuracy of these assessments is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore decision-making capacity and its assessment in terminally ill cancer patients. Fifty-five patients with advanced cancer receiving inpatient palliative care and 50 healthy adults were administered the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MacCAT-T) to evaluate decision-making capacity with regard to the four most commonly used legal standards: Choice, Understanding, Appreciation, and Reasoning. Participants made a hypothetical treatment decision about whether to accept artificial nutrition and hydration for treatment of cachexia. Participants' physicians independently rated their decision-making capacity. Terminally ill participants were significantly more impaired than healthy adults on all MacCAT-T subscales. Most terminally ill participants were able to express a treatment choice (85.7%), but impairment was common on the Understanding (44.2%), Appreciation (49.0%), and Reasoning (85.4%) subscales. Agreement between physician-rated capacity and performance on the MacCAT-T subscales was poor. The use of the MacCAT-T revealed high rates of decisional impairment in terminally ill participants. Participants' physicians infrequently detected impairment identified by the MacCAT-T. The findings from the present study reinforce the need for engagement in advance care planning for patients with advanced cancer. Copyright © 2018 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Clinical Study on Administration of Opioid Antagonists in Terminal Cancer Patients: 7 Patients Receiving Opioid Antagonists Following Opioids among 2443 Terminal Cancer Patients Receiving Opioids.

PubMed

Uekuzu, Yoshihiro; Higashiguchi, Takashi; Futamura, Akihiko; Ito, Akihiro; Mori, Naoharu; Murai, Miyo; Ohara, Hiroshi; Awa, Hiroko; Chihara, Takeshi

2017-03-01

There have been few detailed reports on respiratory depression due to overdoses of opioids in terminal cancer patients. We investigated the situation of treatment with opioid antagonists for respiratory depression that occurred after administration of opioid at optimal doses in terminal cancer patients, to clarify pathological changes as well as causative factors. In 2443 terminal cancer patients receiving opioids, 7 patients (0.3%) received opioid antagonists: 6, morphine (hydrochloride, 5; sulfate, 1); 1, oxycodone. The median dosage of opioids was 13.3 mg/d, as converted to morphine injection. Respiratory depression occurred on this daily dose in 4 patients and after changed dose and route in 3 patients. Opioids were given through the vein in 6 patients and by the enteral route in 1 patient. Concomitant drugs included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 3 patients and zoledronic acid in 2 patients. In morphine-receiving patients, renal functions were significantly worsened at the time of administration of an opioid antagonist than the day before the start of opioid administration. These findings indicate that the proper use of opioids was safe and acceptable in almost all terminal cancer patients. In rare cases, however, a risk toward respiratory depression onset is indicated because morphine and morphine-6-glucuronide become relatively excessive owing to systemic debility due to disease progression, especially respiratory and renal dysfunctions. At the onset of respiratory depression, appropriate administration of an opioid antagonist mitigated the symptoms. Thereafter, opioid switching or continuous administration at reduced dosages of the same opioids prevented the occurrence of serious adverse events.

The Reverse Transcriptase of the Tf1 Retrotransposon Has a Specific Novel Activity for Generating the RNA Self-Primer That Is Functional in cDNA Synthesis▿

PubMed Central

Hizi, Amnon

2008-01-01

The Tf1 retrotransposon of Schizosaccharomyces pombe represents a group of eukaryotic long terminal repeat (LTR) retroelements that, based on their sequences, were predicted to use an RNA self-primer for initiating reverse transcription while synthesizing the negative-sense DNA strand. This feature is substantially different from the one typical to retroviruses and other LTR retrotransposons that all exhibit a tRNA-dependent priming mechanism. Genetic studies have suggested that the self-primer of Tf1 can be generated by a cleavage between the 11th and 12th bases of the Tf1 RNA transcript. The in vitro data presented here show that recombinant Tf1 reverse transcriptase indeed introduces a nick at the end of a duplexed region at the 5′ end of Tf1 genomic RNA, substantiating the prediction that this enzyme is responsible for generating this RNA self-primer. The 3′ end of the primer, generated in this manner, can then be extended upon the addition of deoxynucleoside triphosphates by the DNA polymerase activity of the same enzyme, synthesizing the negative-sense DNA strand. This functional primer must have been generated by the RNase H activity of Tf1 reverse transcriptase, since a mutant enzyme lacking this activity has lost its ability to generate the self-primer. It was also found here that the reverse transcriptases of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and of murine leukemia virus do not exhibit this specific cleavage activity. In all, it is likely that the observed unique mechanism of self-priming in Tf1 represents an early advantageous form of initiating reverse transcription in LTR retroelements without involving cellular tRNAs. PMID:18753200

The reverse transcriptase of the Tf1 retrotransposon has a specific novel activity for generating the RNA self-primer that is functional in cDNA synthesis.

PubMed

Hizi, Amnon

2008-11-01

The Tf1 retrotransposon of Schizosaccharomyces pombe represents a group of eukaryotic long terminal repeat (LTR) retroelements that, based on their sequences, were predicted to use an RNA self-primer for initiating reverse transcription while synthesizing the negative-sense DNA strand. This feature is substantially different from the one typical to retroviruses and other LTR retrotransposons that all exhibit a tRNA-dependent priming mechanism. Genetic studies have suggested that the self-primer of Tf1 can be generated by a cleavage between the 11th and 12th bases of the Tf1 RNA transcript. The in vitro data presented here show that recombinant Tf1 reverse transcriptase indeed introduces a nick at the end of a duplexed region at the 5' end of Tf1 genomic RNA, substantiating the prediction that this enzyme is responsible for generating this RNA self-primer. The 3' end of the primer, generated in this manner, can then be extended upon the addition of deoxynucleoside triphosphates by the DNA polymerase activity of the same enzyme, synthesizing the negative-sense DNA strand. This functional primer must have been generated by the RNase H activity of Tf1 reverse transcriptase, since a mutant enzyme lacking this activity has lost its ability to generate the self-primer. It was also found here that the reverse transcriptases of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and of murine leukemia virus do not exhibit this specific cleavage activity. In all, it is likely that the observed unique mechanism of self-priming in Tf1 represents an early advantageous form of initiating reverse transcription in LTR retroelements without involving cellular tRNAs.

Estrogen Receptor α L543A,L544A Mutation Changes Antagonists to Agonists, Correlating with the Ligand Binding Domain Dimerization Associated with DNA Binding Activity*

PubMed Central

Arao, Yukitomo; Hamilton, Katherine J.; Coons, Laurel A.; Korach, Kenneth S.

2013-01-01

A ligand-dependent nuclear transcription factor, ERα has two transactivating functional domains (AF), AF-1 and AF-2. AF-1 is localized in the N-terminal region, and AF-2 is distributed in the C-terminal ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the ERα protein. Helix 12 (H12) in the LBD is a component of the AF-2, and the configuration of H12 is ligand-inducible to an active or inactive form. We demonstrated previously that the ERα mutant (AF2ER) possessing L543A,L544A mutations in H12 disrupts AF-2 function and reverses antagonists such as fulvestrant/ICI182780 (ICI) or 4-hydoxytamoxifen (OHT) into agonists in the AF2ER knock-in mouse. Our previous in vitro studies suggested that the mode of AF2ER activation is similar to the partial agonist activity of OHT for WT-ERα. However, it is still unclear how antagonists activate ERα. To understand the molecular mechanism of antagonist reversal activity, we analyzed the correlation between the ICI-dependent estrogen-responsive element-mediated transcription activity of AF2ER and AF2ER-LBD dimerization activity. We report here that ICI-dependent AF2ER activation correlated with the activity of AF2ER-LBD homodimerization. Prevention of dimerization impaired the ICI-dependent ERE binding and transcription activity of AF2ER. The dislocation of H12 caused ICI-dependent LBD homodimerization involving the F-domain, the adjoining region of H12. Furthermore, F-domain truncation also strongly depressed the dimerization of WT-ERα-LBD with antagonists but not with E2. AF2ER activation levels with ICI, OHT, and raloxifene were parallel with the degree of AF2ER-LBD homodimerization, supporting a mechanism that antagonist-dependent LBD homodimerization involving the F-domain results in antagonist reversal activity of H12-mutated ERα. PMID:23733188

Site-specific crosslinking of 4-thiouridine-modified human tRNA(3Lys) to reverse transcriptase from human immunodeficiency virus type I.

PubMed Central

Mishima, Y; Steitz, J A

1995-01-01

We have mapped specific RNA-protein contacts between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type I reverse transcriptase (RT) and its natural primer, human tRNA(3Lys), using a site-specific crosslinking strategy. Four different tRNA(3Lys) constructs with a single 32P-labeled 4-thiouridine (4-thioU) residue at positions -1, 16, 36 or 41 were synthesized. After incubation with RT followed by irradiation, crosslinks were localized to either the p66 or p51 subunit of RT by digestion with nuclease and SDS gel fractionation. 4-thioU at position -1 or 16 transferred label to the p66 subunit almost exclusively (> 90%), whereas position 36 labeled both p66 and p51 (3:1). Position 41 yielded no detectable crosslinks. The region of p66 contacted by position -1 of tRNA(3Lys) was localized to the 203 C-terminal amino acids of RT by CNBr cleavage, whereas a 127 amino acid-CNBr peptide (residues 230-357) from both p66 and p51 was labeled by position 36. Functionality of the 4-thioU-modified tRNA(3Lys)(-1) crosslinked to RT in the presence of an RNA but not a DNA template was demonstrated by the ability of the tRNA to be extended. These results localize the 5' half of the tRNA on the interface between the two RT subunits, closer to the RNase H domain than to the polymerase active site, in accord with previous suggestions. They argue further that a specific binding site for the 5' end of the primer tRNA(3Lys) may exist within the C-terminal portion of the p66 subunit, which could be important for the initiation of reverse transcription. Images PMID:7540137

Video Guidance, Landing, and Imaging system (VGLIS) for space missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schappell, R. T.; Knickerbocker, R. L.; Tietz, J. C.; Grant, C.; Flemming, J. C.

1975-01-01

The feasibility of an autonomous video guidance system that is capable of observing a planetary surface during terminal descent and selecting the most acceptable landing site was demonstrated. The system was breadboarded and "flown" on a physical simulator consisting of a control panel and monitor, a dynamic simulator, and a PDP-9 computer. The breadboard VGLIS consisted of an image dissector camera and the appropriate processing logic. Results are reported.