Strengths weaknesses opportunities and threats of blended learning: students' perceptions.

PubMed

Hande, S

2014-05-01

Blended learning (BL) in a cell biology course of the premedical program at the Kasturba Medical College International Centre, Manipal, India, commenced in 2006. The program provides training in basic sciences to students, especially from the United States and Canada. The approach to the study was phenomenographic, with a qualitative study design using an open-ended questionnaire, focused interviews and empirical observations. The aim of this study was to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of BL in a premedical class. It was a cross-sectional study. Ninety six students in a premedical cell biology class participated in the study. SWOT analysis of students' perceptions was conducted manually. Statistical analysis included content analysis of qualitative data to classify data and aligning them into the SWOT analysis matrix. The outcomes of the study revealed student perceptions in terms of SWOT of BL and the potential uses of this strategy. The study provides background for educators and curriculum experts to plan their modules while incorporating a BL approach.

Predisposing factors for critical illness polyneuromyopathy in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit.

PubMed

Nanas, S; Kritikos, K; Angelopoulos, E; Siafaka, A; Tsikriki, S; Poriazi, M; Kanaloupiti, D; Kontogeorgi, M; Pratikaki, M; Zervakis, D; Routsi, C; Roussos, C

2008-09-01

To investigate risk factors of critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPM) in a general multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU). Prospective observational study in a 28-bed university multidisciplinary ICU. Four hundred and seventy-four (323 M/151 F, age 55 +/- 19) consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated. All patients were assigned admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II; 15 +/- 7) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA; 6 +/- 3) scores and were subsequently evaluated for newly developed neuromuscular weakness. Other potential causes of new-onset weakness after ICU admission were excluded before CIPM was diagnosed. Forty-four (23.8%) of 185 patients developed generalized weakness that met the criteria for CIPM. Patients with CIPM had higher APACHE II (18.9 +/- 6.6 vs 15.6 +/- 6.4, P = 0.004) and SOFA scores (8.4 +/- 2.9 vs 7.1 +/- 2.9, P = 0.013). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, the following risk factors were independently associated with the development of CIPM: severity of illness at the time of ICU admission, administration of aminoglycoside antibiotics and high blood glucose levels. Analysis according to severity of illness stratification revealed the emergence of Gram (-) bacteremia as the most important independent predisposing factor for CIPM development in less severely ill patients. CIPM has a high incidence in the ICU setting. Our study revealed the association of aminoglycosides, hyperglycemia and illness severity with CIPM development, as well as the association between Gram (-) bacteremia and development of CIPM in less severely ill patient population.

Integrated analysis of energy transfers in elastic-wave turbulence.

PubMed

Yokoyama, Naoto; Takaoka, Masanori

2017-08-01

In elastic-wave turbulence, strong turbulence appears in small wave numbers while weak turbulence does in large wave numbers. Energy transfers in the coexistence of these turbulent states are numerically investigated in both the Fourier space and the real space. An analytical expression of a detailed energy balance reveals from which mode to which mode energy is transferred in the triad interaction. Stretching energy excited by external force is transferred nonlocally and intermittently to large wave numbers as the kinetic energy in the strong turbulence. In the weak turbulence, the resonant interactions according to the weak turbulence theory produce cascading net energy transfer to large wave numbers. Because the system's nonlinearity shows strong temporal intermittency, the energy transfers are investigated at active and moderate phases separately. The nonlocal interactions in the Fourier space are characterized by the intermittent bundles of fibrous structures in the real space.

Hyperthyroidism: an unusual case presentation.

PubMed

Scripture, D L

1998-02-01

Hyperthyroidism is the most common disorder of the thyroid. Patients typically present with complaints consistent with a hypermetabolic state, including nervousness, weight loss, heat intolerance, palpitations, irritability, and tremor. This case report reviews a 34-year-old woman who presented with unilateral upper extremity weakness, weight gain, and an episode of atrial fibrillation, the latter coinciding with a 36-hour lack of sleep and excess alcohol and caffeine intake. Although an extensive neurologic evaluation failed to identify any abnormality, the patient's laboratory analysis revealed elevations in thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels with unsuppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Subsequent treatment with the antithyroid drug methimazole (Tapazole) provided complete relief of symptoms. This case report illustrates how health care providers can be diverted to pursue a neurologic etiology when muscle weakness presents as a unilateral symptom. Plausible alternative causes for muscle weakness and other symptoms are presented.

Should You Trust Your Money to a Robot?

PubMed

Dhar, Vasant

2015-06-01

Financial markets emanate massive amounts of data from which machines can, in principle, learn to invest with minimal initial guidance from humans. I contrast human and machine strengths and weaknesses in making investment decisions. The analysis reveals areas in the investment landscape where machines are already very active and those where machines are likely to make significant inroads in the next few years.

Glutaric aciduria type 2, late onset type in Thai siblings with myopathy.

PubMed

Wasant, Pornswan; Kuptanon, Chulaluck; Vattanavicharn, Nithiwat; Liammongkolkul, Somporn; Ratanarak, Pisanu; Sangruchi, Tumtip; Yamaguchi, Seiji

2010-10-01

Reported here is a novel presentation of late onset glutaric aciduria type 2 in two Thai siblings. A 9-year-old boy presented with gradual onset of proximal muscle weakness for 6 weeks. The initial diagnosis was postviral myositis, and then polymyositis. Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity testing indicated a myopathic pattern. Muscle biopsy revealed excessive accumulation of fat. Acylcarnitine profiling led to the diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type 2. Immunoblot analysis of electron-transferring-flavoprotein and its dehydrogenase electron-transferring-flavoprotein dehydrogenase led to mutation analysis of the ETFDH gene, which revealed two different pathogenic mutations in both alleles and confirmed the diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type 2 caused by electron-transferring-flavoprotein dehydrogenase deficiency. The boy recovered completely after treatment. Later, his younger sibling became symptomatic; the same diagnosis was confirmed, and treatment was similarly effective. Acylcarnitine profiling was a crucial investigation in making this diagnosis in the presence of normal urine organic acid findings. Late onset glutaric aciduria type 2, a rare cause of muscle weakness in children, should be included in the differential diagnosis of myopathy. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A retrospective content analysis of studies on factors constraining the implementation of health sector reform in Ghana.

PubMed

Sakyi, E Kojo

2008-01-01

Ghana has undertaken many public service management reforms in the past two decades. But the implementation of the reforms has been constrained by many factors. This paper undertakes a retrospective study of research works on the challenges to the implementation of reforms in the public health sector. It points out that most of the studies identified: (1) centralised, weak and fragmented management system; (2) poor implementation strategy; (3) lack of motivation; (4) weak institutional framework; (5) lack of financial and human resources and (6) staff attitude and behaviour as the major causes of ineffective reform implementation. The analysis further revealed that quite a number of crucial factors obstructing reform implementation which are particularly internal to the health system have either not been thoroughly studied or overlooked. The analysis identified lack of leadership; weak communication and consultation; lack of stakeholder participation, corruption and unethical professional behaviour as some of the missing variables in the literature. The study, therefore, indicated that there are gaps in the literature that needed to be filled through rigorous reform evaluation based on empirical research particularly at district, sub-district and community levels. It further suggested that future research should be concerned with the effects of both systems and structures and behavioural factors on reform implementation.

Working Memory Replay Prioritizes Weakly Attended Events.

PubMed

Jafarpour, Anna; Penny, Will; Barnes, Gareth; Knight, Robert T; Duzel, Emrah

2017-01-01

One view of working memory posits that maintaining a series of events requires their sequential and equal mnemonic replay. Another view is that the content of working memory maintenance is prioritized by attention. We decoded the dynamics for retaining a sequence of items using magnetoencephalography, wherein participants encoded sequences of three stimuli depicting a face, a manufactured object, or a natural item and maintained them in working memory for 5000 ms. Memory for sequence position and stimulus details were probed at the end of the maintenance period. Decoding of brain activity revealed that one of the three stimuli dominated maintenance independent of its sequence position or category; and memory was enhanced for the selectively replayed stimulus. Analysis of event-related responses during the encoding of the sequence showed that the selectively replayed stimuli were determined by the degree of attention at encoding. The selectively replayed stimuli had the weakest initial encoding indexed by weaker visual attention signals at encoding. These findings do not rule out sequential mnemonic replay but reveal that attention influences the content of working memory maintenance by prioritizing replay of weakly encoded events. We propose that the prioritization of weakly encoded stimuli protects them from interference during the maintenance period, whereas the more strongly encoded stimuli can be retrieved from long-term memory at the end of the delay period.

Multiple diffraction in an icosahedral Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, C. Z.; Weber, Th.; Deloudi, S.; Steurer, W.

2011-07-01

In order to reveal its influence on quasicrystal structure analysis, multiple diffraction (MD) effects in an icosahedral Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal have been investigated in-house on an Oxford Diffraction four-circle diffractometer equipped with an Onyx™ CCD area detector and MoKα radiation. For that purpose, an automated approach for Renninger scans (ψ-scans) has been developed. Two weak reflections were chosen as the main reflections (called P) in the present measurements. As is well known for periodic crystals, it is also observed for this quasicrystal that the intensity of the main reflection may significantly increase if the simultaneous (H) and the coupling (P-H) reflections are both strong, while there is no obvious MD effect if one of them is weak. The occurrence of MD events during ψ-scans has been studied based on an ideal structure model and the kinematical MD theory. The reliability of the approach is revealed by the good agreement between simulation and experiment. It shows that the multiple diffraction effect is quite significant.

Jamming criticality revealed by removing localized buckling excitations.

PubMed

Charbonneau, Patrick; Corwin, Eric I; Parisi, Giorgio; Zamponi, Francesco

2015-03-27

Recent theoretical advances offer an exact, first-principles theory of jamming criticality in infinite dimension as well as universal scaling relations between critical exponents in all dimensions. For packings of frictionless spheres near the jamming transition, these advances predict that nontrivial power-law exponents characterize the critical distribution of (i) small interparticle gaps and (ii) weak contact forces, both of which are crucial for mechanical stability. The scaling of the interparticle gaps is known to be constant in all spatial dimensions d-including the physically relevant d=2 and 3, but the value of the weak force exponent remains the object of debate and confusion. Here, we resolve this ambiguity by numerical simulations. We construct isostatic jammed packings with extremely high accuracy, and introduce a simple criterion to separate the contribution of particles that give rise to localized buckling excitations, i.e., bucklers, from the others. This analysis reveals the remarkable dimensional robustness of mean-field marginality and its associated criticality.

Anatomy of a physics test: Validation of the physics items on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshall, Jill A.; Hagedorn, Eric A.; O'Connor, Jerry

2009-06-01

We report the results of an analysis of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) designed to determine whether the TAKS is a valid indicator of whether students know and can do physics at the level necessary for success in future coursework, STEM careers, and life in a technological society. We categorized science items from the 2003 and 2004 10th and 11th grade TAKS by content area(s) covered, knowledge and skills required to select the correct answer, and overall quality. We also analyzed a 5000 student sample of item-level results from the 2004 11th grade exam, performing full-information factor analysis, calculating classical test indices, and determining each item's response curve using item response theory. Triangulation of our results revealed strengths and weaknesses of the different methods of analysis. The TAKS was found to be only weakly indicative of physics preparation and we make recommendations for increasing the validity of standardized physics testing.

Five ways of being "theoretical": applications to provider-patient communication research.

PubMed

Hall, Judith A; Schmid Mast, Marianne

2009-03-01

Analyzes the term "theoretical" as it applies to the area of provider-patient communication research, in order to understand better at a conceptual level what the term may mean for authors and critics. Based on literature on provider-patient communication. Offers, and discusses, five definitions of the term "theoretical" as it applies to empirical research and its exposition: (1) grounding, (2) referencing, (3) design and analysis, (4) interpretation, and (5) impact. Each of these definitions embodies a different standard for evaluating the theoretical aspects of research. Although it is often said that research on provider-patient communication is not "theoretical" enough, the term is ambiguous and often applied vaguely. A multidimensional analysis reveals that there are several distinct ways in which empirical research can be strong or weak theoretically. Researchers, educators, editors, and reviewers could use the "Five Ways" framework to appraise the theory-relevant strengths and weaknesses of empirical research and its exposition.

Validation of Physics Standardized Test Items

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshall, Jill

2008-10-01

The Texas Physics Assessment Team (TPAT) examined the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) to determine whether it is a valid indicator of physics preparation for future course work and employment, and of the knowledge and skills needed to act as an informed citizen in a technological society. We categorized science items from the 2003 and 2004 10th and 11th grade TAKS by content area(s) covered, knowledge and skills required to select the correct answer, and overall quality. We also analyzed a 5000 student sample of item-level results from the 2004 11th grade exam using standard statistical methods employed by test developers (factor analysis and Item Response Theory). Triangulation of our results revealed strengths and weaknesses of the different methods of analysis. The TAKS was found to be only weakly indicative of physics preparation and we make recommendations for increasing the validity of standardized physics testing..

Payment changes require integrating records.

PubMed

Palley, M A

1990-06-01

The greatest challenges for healthcare organizations facing radical changes in their payment and reporting structures lie in finding ways to integrate various forms of patient information. An analysis of how three New York City hospitals dealt with their state's switch to an all-payer diagnosis related group-based payment system reveals strengths and weaknesses in their existing information systems and in steps taken to adapt to the change.

Juvenile-onset Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with a Frameshift FUS Gene Mutation Presenting Unique Neuroradiological Findings and Cognitive Impairment.

PubMed

Hirayanagi, Kimitoshi; Sato, Masayuki; Furuta, Natsumi; Makioka, Kouki; Ikeda, Yoshio

2016-01-01

A 24-year-old Japanese woman developed anterocollis, weakness of the proximal arms, and subsequent cognitive impairment. A neurological examination revealed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) without a family history. Systemic muscle atrophy progressed rapidly. Cerebral MRI clearly exhibited high signal intensities along the bilateral pyramidal tracts. An analysis of the FUS gene revealed a heterozygous two-base pair deletion, c.1507-1508delAG (p.G504WfsX515). A subset of juvenile-onset familial/sporadic ALS cases with FUS gene mutations reportedly demonstrates mental retardation or learning difficulty. Our study emphasizes the importance of conducting a FUS gene analysis in juvenile-onset ALS cases, even when no family occurrence is confirmed.

Task versus relationship conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

De Dreu, Carsten K W; Weingart, Laurie R

2003-08-01

This study provides a meta-analysis of research on the associations between relationship conflict, task conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction. Consistent with past theorizing, results revealed strong and negative correlations between relationship conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction. In contrast to what has been suggested in both academic research and introductory textbooks, however, results also revealed strong and negative (instead of the predicted positive) correlations between task conflict team performance, and team member satisfaction. As predicted, conflict had stronger negative relations with team performance in highly complex (decision making, project, mixed) than in less complex (production) tasks. Finally, task conflict was less negatively related to team performance when task conflict and relationship conflict were weakly, rather than strongly, correlated.

Applicability of SWOT analysis for measuring quality of public oral health services as perceived by adult patients in Finland. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

PubMed

Toivanen, T; Lahti, S; Leino-Kilpi, H

1999-10-01

To determine the applicability of SWOT analysis for measuring the quality of public oral health services from the adult client's perspective. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed in an earlier study. The study group consisted of all adult (over 18 years of age) clients (n = 256) using public municipal oral health services in Kirkkonummi, Finland, during 2 weeks in 1995. Before treatment, patients filled out a questionnaire that measured the importance of their expectations in different aspects of oral care. After the appointment, they filled out a similar questionnaire that measured the enactment of these expectations in the treatment situation. The response rate was 51%. The difference between subjective importance and enactment of expectations was tested by Wilcoxon's signed rank test. Results were interpreted using both a conventional analysis of "expectation enacted or not" and SWOT analysis, which is used in strategic planning to identify areas of strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O) and threats (T) in an organisation. In 28 statements out of 35, the two analyses revealed similar interpretations. In most areas the patient-perceived quality of the services was good. Weaknesses were found in the following areas: communicating to patients the causes and risk of developing oral diseases, informing them about different treatment possibilities, and including patients in decision-making when choosing restorative materials. SWOT analysis provided more structured interpretation of the results, and can be more easily transferred to development of services.

Biofilm-Forming Abilities of Listeria monocytogenes Serotypes Isolated from Different Sources

PubMed Central

Doijad, Swapnil P.; Barbuddhe, Sukhadeo B.; Garg, Sandeep; Poharkar, Krupali V.; Kalorey, Dewanand R.; Kurkure, Nitin V.; Rawool, Deepak B.; Chakraborty, Trinad

2015-01-01

A total of 98 previously characterized and serotyped L. monocytogenes strains, comprising 32 of 1/2a; 20 of 1/2b and 46 of 4b serotype, from clinical and food sources were studied for their capability to form a biofilm. The microtiter plate assay revealed 62 (63.26%) strains as weak, 27 (27.55%) strains as moderate, and 9 (9.18%) strains as strong biofilm formers. Among the strong biofilm formers, 6 strains were of serotype 1/2a and 3 strains were of serotype 1/2b. None of the strain from 4b serotype exhibited strong biofilm formation. No firm correlation (p = 0.015) was noticed between any serotype and respective biofilm formation ability. Electron microscopic studies showed that strong biofilm forming isolates could synthesize a biofilm within 24 h on surfaces important in food industries such as stainless steel, ceramic tiles, high-density polyethylene plastics, polyvinyl chloride pipes, and glass. Cell enumeration of strong, moderate, and weak biofilm was performed to determine if the number of cells correlated with the biofilm-forming capabilities of the isolates. Strong, moderate, and weak biofilm showed 570±127× 103 cells/cm2, 33±26× 103 cells/cm2, 5±3× 103 cells/cm2, respectively, indicating that the number of cells was directly proportional to the strength of the biofilm. The hydrophobicity index (HI) analysis revealed higher hydrophobicity with an increased biofilm formation. Fatty acid methyl esterase analysis revealed the amount of certain fatty acids such as iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, and anteiso-C17:0 fatty acids correlated with the biofilm-forming capability of L. monocytogenes. This study showed that different strains of L. monocytogenes form biofilm of different intensities which did not completely correlate with their serotype; however, it correlated with the number of cells, hydrophobicity, and amount of certain fatty acids. PMID:26360831

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats of Blended Learning: Students’ Perceptions

PubMed Central

Hande, S

2014-01-01

Background: Blended learning (BL) in a cell biology course of the premedical program at the Kasturba Medical College International Centre, Manipal, India, commenced in 2006. The program provides training in basic sciences to students, especially from the United States and Canada. The approach to the study was phenomenographic, with a qualitative study design using an open-ended questionnaire, focused interviews and empirical observations. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of BL in a premedical class. Subjects and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Ninety six students in a premedical cell biology class participated in the study. SWOT analysis of students’ perceptions was conducted manually. Statistical analysis included content analysis of qualitative data to classify data and aligning them into the SWOT analysis matrix. Results: The outcomes of the study revealed student perceptions in terms of SWOT of BL and the potential uses of this strategy. Conclusions: The study provides background for educators and curriculum experts to plan their modules while incorporating a BL approach. PMID:24971204

Antiparallel Self-Association of a γ,α-Hybrid Peptide: More Relevance of Weak Interactions.

PubMed

Venugopalan, Paloth; Kishore, Raghuvansh

2015-08-01

To learn how a preorganized peptide-based molecular template, together with diverse weak non-covalent interactions, leads to an effective self-association, we investigated the conformational characteristics of a simple γ,α-hybrid model peptide, Boc-γ-Abz-Gly-OMe. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the existence of a fully extended β-strand-like structure stabilized by two non-conventional C-H⋅⋅⋅O=C intramolecular H-bonds. The 2D (1) H NMR ROESY experiment led us to propose that the flat topology of the urethane-γ-Abz-amide moiety is predominantly preserved in a non-polar environment. The self-association of the energetically more favorable antiparallel β-strand-mimic in solid-state engenders an unusual 'flight of stairs' fabricated through face-to-face and edge-to-edge Ar⋅⋅⋅Ar interactions. In conjunction with FT-IR spectroscopic analysis in chloroform, we highlight that conformationally semi-rigid γ-Abz foldamer in appositely designed peptides may encourage unusual β-strand or β-sheet-like self-association and supramolecular organization stabilized via weak attractive forces. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Increase of weakly acidic gas esophagopharyngeal reflux (EPR) and swallowing-induced acidic/weakly acidic EPR in patients with chronic cough responding to proton pump inhibitors.

PubMed

Kawamura, O; Shimoyama, Y; Hosaka, H; Kuribayashi, S; Maeda, M; Nagoshi, A; Zai, H; Kusano, M

2011-05-01

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related chronic cough (CC) may have multifactorial causes. To clarify the characteristics of esophagopharyngeal reflux (EPR) events in CC patients whose cough was apparently influenced by gastro-esophageal reflux (GER), we studied patients with CC clearly responding to full-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy (CC patients). Ten CC patients, 10 GERD patients, and 10 healthy controls underwent 24-h ambulatory pharyngo-esophageal impedance and pH monitoring. Weakly acidic reflux was defined as a decrease of pH by >1 unit with a nadir pH >4. In six CC patients, monitoring was repeated after 8 weeks of PPI therapy. The number of each EPR event and the symptom association probability (SAP) were calculated. Symptoms were evaluated by a validated GERD symptom questionnaire. Weakly acidic gas EPR and swallowing-induced acidic/weakly acidic EPR only occurred in CC patients, and the numbers of such events was significantly higher in the CC group than in the other two groups (P < 0.05, respectively). Symptom association probability analysis revealed a positive association between GER and cough in three CC patients. Proton pump inhibitor therapy abolished swallowing-induced acidic/weakly acidic EPR, reduced weakly acidic gas EPR, and improved symptoms (all P < 0.05). Most patients with CC responding to PPI therapy had weakly acidic gas EPR and swallowing-induced acidic/weakly acidic EPR. A direct effect of acidic mist or liquid refluxing into the pharynx may contribute to chronic cough, while cough may also arise indirectly from reflux via a vago-vagal reflex in some patients. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Crowding-facilitated macromolecular transport in attractive micropost arrays.

PubMed

Chien, Fan-Tso; Lin, Po-Keng; Chien, Wei; Hung, Cheng-Hsiang; Yu, Ming-Hung; Chou, Chia-Fu; Chen, Yeng-Long

2017-05-02

Our study of DNA dynamics in weakly attractive nanofabricated post arrays revealed crowding enhances polymer transport, contrary to hindered transport in repulsive medium. The coupling of DNA diffusion and adsorption to the microposts results in more frequent cross-post hopping and increased long-term diffusivity with increased crowding density. We performed Langevin dynamics simulations and found maximum long-term diffusivity in post arrays with gap sizes comparable to the polymer radius of gyration. We found that macromolecular transport in weakly attractive post arrays is faster than in non-attractive dense medium. Furthermore, we employed hidden Markov analysis to determine the transition of macromolecular adsorption-desorption on posts and hopping between posts. The apparent free energy barriers are comparable to theoretical estimates determined from polymer conformational fluctuations.

Half-collision analysis of far-wing diffuse structure in Cs-Xe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Exton, R. J.; Hillard, M. E.; Lempert, W. R.

1987-01-01

Laser excitation in the far red wing of the second principal series doublet of Cs mixed with Xe revealed a diffuse structure associated with the 2P(3/2) component. The structure is thought to originate from a reflection type of spectrum between the weakly bound E 2Sigma(1/2) excited state and the X 2Sigma(1/2) repulsive ground state of CsXe.

[Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis--an unusual complication of hyperthyroidism].

PubMed

Mellgren, Gunnar; Holm, Pål Ivar; Lien, Ernst Asbjørn; Bleskestad, Inger H; Aanderud, Sylvi; Bindoff, Laurence

2002-04-20

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a complication of hyperthyroidism. We describe two patients with TPP. A 26-year-old man from Vietnam had weight loss, tachycardia, palpitations and heat intolerance for five months. Episodic leg and arm weakness developed three months after debut of symptoms. The second patient, a 23-year old woman from the Philippines, had had episodic leg weakness in the evenings after dinner for three weeks. Her attacks resolved spontaneously overnight. Physical examination of both patients revealed tachycardia and symmetrical proximal weakness involving both arms and legs. ECG and electrolyte analysis indicated a severe hypokalaemia; thyroid function tests showed hyperthyroidism. Both patients were diagnosed as having Graves' thyrotoxicosis and TPP. They were initially treated with propranolol and subsequently with carbimazole. The first patient had recurrence of thyrotoxicosis and paralysis after 16 months, whereas the second patient has remained symptom-free. TPP is most common in Asian males, very few cases are reported in females. In Western countries TPP is rare, but with increasing immigration, TPP is likely to occur more frequently.

Security of BB84 with weak randomness and imperfect qubit encoding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Liang-Yuan; Yin, Zhen-Qiang; Li, Hong-Wei; Chen, Wei; Fang, Xi; Han, Zheng-Fu; Huang, Wei

2018-03-01

The main threats for the well-known Bennett-Brassard 1984 (BB84) practical quantum key distribution (QKD) systems are that its encoding is inaccurate and measurement device may be vulnerable to particular attacks. Thus, a general physical model or security proof to tackle these loopholes simultaneously and quantitatively is highly desired. Here we give a framework on the security of BB84 when imperfect qubit encoding and vulnerability of measurement device are both considered. In our analysis, the potential attacks to measurement device are generalized by the recently proposed weak randomness model which assumes the input random numbers are partially biased depending on a hidden variable planted by an eavesdropper. And the inevitable encoding inaccuracy is also introduced here. From a fundamental view, our work reveals the potential information leakage due to encoding inaccuracy and weak randomness input. For applications, our result can be viewed as a useful tool to quantitatively evaluate the security of a practical QKD system.

N-(sulfoethyl) iminodiacetic acid-based lanthanide coordination polymers: Synthesis, magnetism and quantum Monte Carlo studies

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

Zhuang Guilin, E-mail: glzhuang@zjut.edu.cn; Chen Wulin; Zheng Jun

2012-08-15

A series of lanthanide coordination polymers have been obtained through the hydrothermal reaction of N-(sulfoethyl) iminodiacetic acid (H{sub 3}SIDA) and Ln(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} (Ln=La, 1; Pr, 2; Nd, 3; Gd, 4). Crystal structure analysis exhibits that lanthanide ions affect the coordination number, bond length and dimension of compounds 1-4, which reveal that their structure diversity can be attributed to the effect of lanthanide contraction. Furthermore, the combination of magnetic measure with quantum Monte Carlo(QMC) studies exhibits that the coupling parameters between two adjacent Gd{sup 3+} ions for anti-anti and syn-anti carboxylate bridges are -1.0 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -3} and -5.0 Multiplication-Signmore » 10{sup -3} cm{sup -1}, respectively, which reveals weak antiferromagnetic interaction in 4. - Graphical abstract: Four lanthanide coordination polymers with N-(sulfoethyl) iminodiacetic acid were obtained under hydrothermal condition and reveal the weak antiferromagnetic coupling between two Gd{sup 3+} ions by Quantum Monte Carlo studies. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Four lanthanide coordination polymers of H{sub 3}SIDA ligand were obtained. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Lanthanide ions play an important role in their structural diversity. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Magnetic measure exhibits that compound 4 features antiferromagnetic property. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Quantum Monte Carlo studies reveal the coupling parameters of two Gd{sup 3+} ions.« less

Gravitational self-force meets the post-Newtonian approximation in extreme-mass ratio inspiral of binary black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Detweiler, Steven

2010-02-01

Post-Newtonian analysis, numerical relativity and, now, perturbation-based gravitational self-force analysis are all being used to describe various aspects of black hole binary systems. Recent comparisons between self-force analysis, with m1m2, and post-Newtonian analysis, with v/c 1 show excellent agreement in their common domain of validity. This lends credence to the two very different regularization procedures which are invoked in these approximations. When self-force analysis is able to create gravitational waveforms from extreme mass-ratio inspiral, then unprecedented cross cultural comparisons of these three distinct approaches to understanding gravitational waves will reveal the strengths and weaknesses of each. )

Investigation of allosteric modulation mechanism of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 by molecular dynamics simulations, free energy and weak interaction analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Qifeng; Yao, Xiaojun

2016-02-01

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1), which belongs to class C G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), can be coupled with G protein to transfer extracellular signal by dimerization and allosteric regulation. Unraveling the dimer packing and allosteric mechanism can be of great help for understanding specific regulatory mechanism and designing more potential negative allosteric modulator (NAM). Here, we report molecular dynamics simulation studies of the modulation mechanism of FITM on the wild type, T815M and Y805A mutants of mGlu1 through weak interaction analysis and free energy calculation. The weak interaction analysis demonstrates that van der Waals (vdW) and hydrogen bonding play an important role on the dimer packing between six cholesterol molecules and mGlu1 as well as the interaction between allosteric sites T815, Y805 and FITM in wild type, T815M and Y805A mutants of mGlu1. Besides, the results of free energy calculations indicate that secondary binding pocket is mainly formed by the residues Thr748, Cys746, Lys811 and Ser735 except for FITM-bound pocket in crystal structure. Our results can not only reveal the dimer packing and allosteric regulation mechanism, but also can supply useful information for the design of potential NAM of mGlu1.

Recessive variants of MuSK are associated with late onset CMS and predominant limb girdle weakness.

PubMed

Owen, David; Töpf, Ana; Preethish-Kumar, Veeramani; Lorenzoni, Paulo José; Vroling, Bas; Scola, Rosana Herminia; Dias-Tosta, Elza; Geraldo, Argemiro; Polavarapu, Kiran; Nashi, Saraswati; Cox, Daniel; Evangelista, Teresinha; Dawson, John; Thompson, Rachel; Senderek, Jan; Laurie, Steven; Beltran, Sergi; Gut, Marta; Gut, Ivo; Nalini, Atchayaram; Lochmüller, Hanns

2018-04-28

Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) is a heterogeneous disorder that causes fatigable muscle weakness. CMS has been associated with variants in the MuSK gene and, to date, 16 patients have been reported. MuSK-CMS patients present a different phenotypic pattern of limb girdle weakness. Here, we describe four additional patients and discuss the phenotypic and clinical relationship with those previously reported. Two novel damaging missense variants are described: c.1742T > A; p.I581N found in homozygosis, and c.1634T > C; p.L545P found in compound heterozygosis with p.R166*. The reported patients had predominant limb girdle weakness with symptom onset at 12, 17, 18, and 30 years of age, and the majority exhibited a good clinical response to Salbutamol therapy, but not to esterase inhibitors. Meta-analysis including previously reported variants revealed an increased likelihood of a severe, respiratory phenotype with null alleles. Missense variants exclusively affecting the kinase domain, but not the catalytic site, are associated with late onset. These data refine the phenotype associated with MuSK-related CMS. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Pervasive Sound Sensing: A Weakly Supervised Training Approach.

PubMed

Kelly, Daniel; Caulfield, Brian

2016-01-01

Modern smartphones present an ideal device for pervasive sensing of human behavior. Microphones have the potential to reveal key information about a person's behavior. However, they have been utilized to a significantly lesser extent than other smartphone sensors in the context of human behavior sensing. We postulate that, in order for microphones to be useful in behavior sensing applications, the analysis techniques must be flexible and allow easy modification of the types of sounds to be sensed. A simplification of the training data collection process could allow a more flexible sound classification framework. We hypothesize that detailed training, a prerequisite for the majority of sound sensing techniques, is not necessary and that a significantly less detailed and time consuming data collection process can be carried out, allowing even a nonexpert to conduct the collection, labeling, and training process. To test this hypothesis, we implement a diverse density-based multiple instance learning framework, to identify a target sound, and a bag trimming algorithm, which, using the target sound, automatically segments weakly labeled sound clips to construct an accurate training set. Experiments reveal that our hypothesis is a valid one and results show that classifiers, trained using the automatically segmented training sets, were able to accurately classify unseen sound samples with accuracies comparable to supervised classifiers, achieving an average F -measure of 0.969 and 0.87 for two weakly supervised datasets.

Working Memory Replay Prioritizes Weakly Attended Events

PubMed Central

Penny, Will; Knight, Robert T.; Duzel, Emrah

2017-01-01

Abstract One view of working memory posits that maintaining a series of events requires their sequential and equal mnemonic replay. Another view is that the content of working memory maintenance is prioritized by attention. We decoded the dynamics for retaining a sequence of items using magnetoencephalography, wherein participants encoded sequences of three stimuli depicting a face, a manufactured object, or a natural item and maintained them in working memory for 5000 ms. Memory for sequence position and stimulus details were probed at the end of the maintenance period. Decoding of brain activity revealed that one of the three stimuli dominated maintenance independent of its sequence position or category; and memory was enhanced for the selectively replayed stimulus. Analysis of event-related responses during the encoding of the sequence showed that the selectively replayed stimuli were determined by the degree of attention at encoding. The selectively replayed stimuli had the weakest initial encoding indexed by weaker visual attention signals at encoding. These findings do not rule out sequential mnemonic replay but reveal that attention influences the content of working memory maintenance by prioritizing replay of weakly encoded events. We propose that the prioritization of weakly encoded stimuli protects them from interference during the maintenance period, whereas the more strongly encoded stimuli can be retrieved from long-term memory at the end of the delay period. PMID:28824955

Myotonic dystrophy mimicking postpolio syndrome in a polio survivor.

PubMed

Lim, Jae-Young; Kim, Kyoung-Eun; Choe, Gheeyoung

2009-02-01

We describe a 38-yr-old polio survivor with newly developed weakness from myotonic dystrophy. He suffered muscle atrophy and weakness in his legs as a result of poliomyelitis at the age of 3 yrs. After a stable interval of about 30 yrs, he felt new weakness and fatigue in his legs. Electromyography revealed generalized myotonic discharges, early recruitment, and findings of chronic denervation in his left leg. Genetic testing was consistent with myotonic dystrophy type 1. A biopsy from the right gastrocnemius revealed findings of both myotonic dystrophy and chronic denervation. This case report shows the importance of considering other uncommon conditions in the differential diagnoses of postpolio syndrome.

The Situation Analysis Study of the family planning program in Kenya.

PubMed

Miller, R A; Ndhlovu, L; Gachara, M M; Fisher, A A

1991-01-01

A new, relatively "quick and clean" operations research approach called a "situation analysis" was developed for examining the strengths and weaknesses of the family planning program of Kenya. Field research teams visited a stratified random sample of 99 of the Ministry of Health's approximately 775 service delivery points. Observation techniques and interviewing were used to collect information on program components and on the quality of care provided to new family planning clients during the observation day. As late as 1986, the Kenya program was rated "weak" and "poor" in the international literature. The Kenya Situation Analysis Study found a functioning, integrated maternal and child health/family planning program serving large numbers of clients, with an emphasis on oral contraceptives and Depo-Provera (and an underemphasis on permanent methods). Although a number of program problems were revealed by the study, overall, in terms of performance, a rating of "moderate" is suggested as more appropriate for Kenya's national family planning program today. In terms of the quality of care, a "moderate to moderate-high" rating is suggested.

Quantification of Diaphragm Mechanics in Pompe Disease Using Dynamic 3D MRI

PubMed Central

Mogalle, Katja; Perez-Rovira, Adria; Ciet, Pierluigi; Wens, Stephan C. A.; van Doorn, Pieter A.; Tiddens, Harm A. W. M.; van der Ploeg, Ans T.; de Bruijne, Marleen

2016-01-01

Background Diaphragm weakness is the main reason for respiratory dysfunction in patients with Pompe disease, a progressive metabolic myopathy affecting respiratory and limb-girdle muscles. Since respiratory failure is the major cause of death among adult patients, early identification of respiratory muscle involvement is necessary to initiate treatment in time and possibly prevent irreversible damage. In this paper we investigate the suitability of dynamic MR imaging in combination with state-of-the-art image analysis methods to assess respiratory muscle weakness. Methods The proposed methodology relies on image registration and lung surface extraction to quantify lung kinematics during breathing. This allows for the extraction of geometry and motion features of the lung that characterize the independent contribution of the diaphragm and the thoracic muscles to the respiratory cycle. Results Results in 16 3D+t MRI scans (10 Pompe patients and 6 controls) of a slow expiratory maneuver show that kinematic analysis from dynamic 3D images reveals important additional information about diaphragm mechanics and respiratory muscle involvement when compared to conventional pulmonary function tests. Pompe patients with severely reduced pulmonary function showed severe diaphragm weakness presented by minimal motion of the diaphragm. In patients with moderately reduced pulmonary function, cranial displacement of posterior diaphragm parts was reduced and the diaphragm dome was oriented more horizontally at full inspiration compared to healthy controls. Conclusion Dynamic 3D MRI provides data for analyzing the contribution of both diaphragm and thoracic muscles independently. The proposed image analysis method has the potential to detect less severe diaphragm weakness and could thus be used to determine the optimal start of treatment in adult patients with Pompe disease in prospect of increased treatment response. PMID:27391236

Structure, magnetic behavior, and anisotropy of homoleptic trinuclear lanthanoid 8-quinolinolate complexes.

PubMed

Chilton, Nicholas F; Deacon, Glen B; Gazukin, Olga; Junk, Peter C; Kersting, Berthold; Langley, Stuart K; Moubaraki, Boujemaa; Murray, Keith S; Schleife, Frederik; Shome, Mahasish; Turner, David R; Walker, Julia A

2014-03-03

Three complexes of the form [Ln(III)3(OQ)9] (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy; OQ = 8-quinolinolate) have been synthesized and their magnetic properties studied. The trinuclear complexes adopt V-shaped geometries with three bridging 8-quinolinolate oxygen atoms between the central and peripheral eight-coordinate metal atoms. The magnetic properties of these three complexes differ greatly. Variable-temperature direct-current (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that the gadolinium and terbium complexes display weak antiferromagnetic nearest-neighbor magnetic exchange interactions. This was quantified in the isotropic gadolinium case with an exchangecoupling parameter of J = -0.068(2) cm(-1). The dysprosium compound displays weak ferromagnetic exchange. Variable-frequency and -temperature alternating-current magnetic susceptibility measurements on the anisotropic cases reveal that the dysprosium complex displays single-molecule-magnet behavior, in zero dc field, with two distinct relaxation modes of differing time scales within the same molecule. Analysis of the data revealed anisotropy barriers of Ueff = 92 and 48 K for the two processes. The terbium complex, on the other hand, displays no such behavior in zero dc field, but upon application of a static dc field, slow magnetic relaxation can be observed. Ab initio and electrostatic calculations were used in an attempt to explain the origin of the experimentally observed slow relaxation of the magnetization for the dysprosium complex.

Cooperativity of anion⋯π and π⋯π interactions regulates the self-assembly of a series of carbene proligands: Towards quantitative analysis of intermolecular interactions with Hirshfeld surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samanta, Tapastaru; Dey, Lingaraj; Dinda, Joydev; Chattopadhyay, Shyamal Kumar; Seth, Saikat Kumar

2014-06-01

The cooperative effect of weak non-covalent forces between anions and electron deficient aromatics by π⋯π stacking of a series of carbene proligands (1-3) have been thoroughly explored by crystallographic studies. Structural analysis revealed that the anion⋯π and π⋯π interactions along with intermolecular hydrogen bonding mutually cooperate to facilitate the assembling of the supramolecular framework. The π⋯π and corresponding anion⋯π interactions have been investigated in the title carbene proligands despite their association with counter ions. The presence of the anion in the vicinity of the π-system leads to the formation of anion⋯π/π⋯π/π⋯anion network for an inductive stabilization of the assemblies. To assess the dimensionality of the supramolecular framework consolidated by cooperative anion⋯π/π⋯π interactions and hydrogen bonding, different substituent effects in the carbene backbone have been considered to tune these interactions. These facts show that the supramolecular framework based on these cooperative weak forces may be robust enough for application in molecular recognition. The investigation of close intermolecular interactions between the molecules via Hirshfeld surface analyses is presented in order to reveal subtle differences and similarities in the crystal structures. The decomposition of the fingerprint plot area provides a percentage of each intermolecular interaction, allowing for a quantified analysis of close contacts within each crystal.

Evaluating arguments during instigations of defence motivation and accuracy motivation.

PubMed

Liu, Cheng-Hong

2017-05-01

When people evaluate the strength of an argument, their motivations are likely to influence the evaluation. However, few studies have specifically investigated the influences of motivational factors on argument evaluation. This study examined the effects of defence and accuracy motivations on argument evaluation. According to the compatibility between the advocated positions of arguments and participants' prior beliefs and the objective strength of arguments, participants evaluated four types of arguments: compatible-strong, compatible-weak, incompatible-strong, and incompatible-weak arguments. Experiment 1 revealed that participants possessing a high defence motivation rated compatible-weak arguments as stronger and incompatible-strong ones as weaker than participants possessing a low defence motivation. However, the strength ratings between the high and low defence groups regarding both compatible-strong and incompatible-weak arguments were similar. Experiment 2 revealed that when participants possessed a high accuracy motivation, they rated compatible-weak arguments as weaker and incompatible-strong ones as stronger than when they possessed a low accuracy motivation. However, participants' ratings on both compatible-strong and incompatible-weak arguments were similar when comparing high and low accuracy conditions. The results suggest that defence and accuracy motivations are two major motives influencing argument evaluation. However, they primarily influence the evaluation results for compatible-weak and incompatible-strong arguments, but not for compatible-strong and incompatible-weak arguments. © 2016 The British Psychological Society.

A critical analysis of the numerical and analytical methods used in the construction of the lunar gravity potential model.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuckness, D. G.; Jost, B.

1995-08-01

Current knowledge of the lunar gravity field is presented. The various methods used in determining these gravity fields are investigated and analyzed. It will be shown that weaknesses exist in the current models of the lunar gravity field. The dominant part of this weakness is caused by the lack of lunar tracking data information (farside, polar areas), which makes modeling the total lunar potential difficult. Comparisons of the various lunar models reveal an agreement in the low-order coefficients of the Legendre polynomials expansions. However, substantial differences in the models can exist in the higher-order harmonics. The main purpose of this study is to assess today's lunar gravity field models for use in tomorrow's lunar mission designs and operations.

Genome-wide population structure and admixture analysis reveals weak differentiation among Ugandan goat breeds.

PubMed

Onzima, R B; Upadhyay, M R; Mukiibi, R; Kanis, E; Groenen, M A M; Crooijmans, R P M A

2018-02-01

Uganda has a large population of goats, predominantly from indigenous breeds reared in diverse production systems, whose existence is threatened by crossbreeding with exotic Boer goats. Knowledge about the genetic characteristics and relationships among these Ugandan goat breeds and the potential admixture with Boer goats is still limited. Using a medium-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel, we assessed the genetic diversity, population structure and admixture in six goat breeds in Uganda: Boer, Karamojong, Kigezi, Mubende, Small East African and Sebei. All the animals had genotypes for about 46 105 SNPs after quality control. We found high proportions of polymorphic SNPs ranging from 0.885 (Kigezi) to 0.928 (Sebei). The overall mean observed (H O ) and expected (H E ) heterozygosity across breeds was 0.355 ± 0.147 and 0.384 ± 0.143 respectively. Principal components, genetic distances and admixture analyses revealed weak population sub-structuring among the breeds. Principal components separated Kigezi and weakly Small East African from other indigenous goats. Sebei and Karamojong were tightly entangled together, whereas Mubende occupied a more central position with high admixture from all other local breeds. The Boer breed showed a unique cluster from the Ugandan indigenous goat breeds. The results reflect common ancestry but also some level of geographical differentiation. admixture and f 4 statistics revealed gene flow from Boer and varying levels of genetic admixture among the breeds. Generally, moderate to high levels of genetic variability were observed. Our findings provide useful insights into maintaining genetic diversity and designing appropriate breeding programs to exploit within-breed diversity and heterozygote advantage in crossbreeding schemes. © 2018 The Authors. Animal Genetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.

Group delay spread analysis of coupled-multicore fibers: A comparison between weak and tight bending conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujisawa, Takeshi; Saitoh, Kunimasa

2017-06-01

Group delay spread of coupled three-core fiber is investigated based on coupled-wave theory. The differences between supermode and discrete core mode models are thoroughly investigated to reveal applicability of both models for specific fiber bending condition. A macrobending with random twisting is taken into account for random modal mixing in the fiber. It is found that for weakly bent condition, both supermode and discrete core mode models are applicable. On the other hand, for strongly bent condition, the discrete core mode model should be used to account for increased differential modal group delay for the fiber without twisting and short correlation length, which were experimentally observed recently. Results presented in this paper indicate the discrete core mode model is superior to the supermode model for the analysis of coupled-multicore fibers for various bent condition. Also, for estimating GDS of coupled-multicore fiber, it is critically important to take into account the fiber bending condition.

Doping evolution of charge and spin excitations in two-leg Hubbard ladders: Comparing DMRG and FLEX results [Doping evolution of charge and spin excitations in two-leg Hubbard ladders: Comparing DMRG and RPA+FLEX results

DOE PAGES

Nocera, Alberto; Wang, Yan; Patel, Niravkumar D.; ...

2018-05-31

Here, we study the magnetic and charge dynamical response of a Hubbard model in a two-leg ladder geometry using the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) method and the random phase approximation within the fluctuation-exchange approximation (FLEX). Our calculations reveal that FLEX can capture the main features of the magnetic response from weak up to intermediate Hubbard repulsion for doped ladders, when compared with the numerically exact DMRG results. However, while at weak Hubbard repulsion both the spin and charge spectra can be understood in terms of weakly interacting electron-hole excitations across the Fermi surface, at intermediate coupling DMRG shows gappedmore » spin excitations at large momentum transfer that remain gapless within the FLEX approximation. For the charge response, FLEX can only reproduce the main features of the DMRG spectra at weak coupling and high doping levels, while it shows an incoherent character away from this limit. Overall, our analysis shows that FLEX works surprisingly well for spin excitations at weak and intermediate Hubbard U values even in the difficult low-dimensional geometry such as a two-leg ladder. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results for neutron scattering and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering experiments on two-leg ladder cuprate compounds.« less

Obstacles to integrated pest management adoption in developing countries

PubMed Central

Parsa, Soroush; Morse, Stephen; Bonifacio, Alejandro; Chancellor, Timothy C. B.; Condori, Bruno; Crespo-Pérez, Verónica; Hobbs, Shaun L. A.; Kroschel, Jürgen; Ba, Malick N.; Rebaudo, François; Sherwood, Stephen G.; Vanek, Steven J.; Faye, Emile; Herrera, Mario A.; Dangles, Olivier

2014-01-01

Despite its theoretical prominence and sound principles, integrated pest management (IPM) continues to suffer from anemic adoption rates in developing countries. To shed light on the reasons, we surveyed the opinions of a large and diverse pool of IPM professionals and practitioners from 96 countries by using structured concept mapping. The first phase of this method elicited 413 open-ended responses on perceived obstacles to IPM. Analysis of responses revealed 51 unique statements on obstacles, the most frequent of which was “insufficient training and technical support to farmers.” Cluster analyses, based on participant opinions, grouped these unique statements into six themes: research weaknesses, outreach weaknesses, IPM weaknesses, farmer weaknesses, pesticide industry interference, and weak adoption incentives. Subsequently, 163 participants rated the obstacles expressed in the 51 unique statements according to importance and remediation difficulty. Respondents from developing countries and high-income countries rated the obstacles differently. As a group, developing-country respondents rated “IPM requires collective action within a farming community” as their top obstacle to IPM adoption. Respondents from high-income countries prioritized instead the “shortage of well-qualified IPM experts and extensionists.” Differential prioritization was also evident among developing-country regions, and when obstacle statements were grouped into themes. Results highlighted the need to improve the participation of stakeholders from developing countries in the IPM adoption debate, and also to situate the debate within specific regional contexts. PMID:24567400

Doping evolution of charge and spin excitations in two-leg Hubbard ladders: Comparing DMRG and FLEX results [Doping evolution of charge and spin excitations in two-leg Hubbard ladders: Comparing DMRG and RPA+FLEX results

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

Nocera, Alberto; Wang, Yan; Patel, Niravkumar D.

Here, we study the magnetic and charge dynamical response of a Hubbard model in a two-leg ladder geometry using the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) method and the random phase approximation within the fluctuation-exchange approximation (FLEX). Our calculations reveal that FLEX can capture the main features of the magnetic response from weak up to intermediate Hubbard repulsion for doped ladders, when compared with the numerically exact DMRG results. However, while at weak Hubbard repulsion both the spin and charge spectra can be understood in terms of weakly interacting electron-hole excitations across the Fermi surface, at intermediate coupling DMRG shows gappedmore » spin excitations at large momentum transfer that remain gapless within the FLEX approximation. For the charge response, FLEX can only reproduce the main features of the DMRG spectra at weak coupling and high doping levels, while it shows an incoherent character away from this limit. Overall, our analysis shows that FLEX works surprisingly well for spin excitations at weak and intermediate Hubbard U values even in the difficult low-dimensional geometry such as a two-leg ladder. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results for neutron scattering and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering experiments on two-leg ladder cuprate compounds.« less

Myoadenylate deaminase deficiency, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and gigantism syndrome.

PubMed

Skyllouriotis, M L; Marx, M; Bittner, R E; Skyllouriotis, P; Gross, M; Wimmer, M

1997-07-01

We report a 20-year-old man with gigantism syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, and severe psychomotor retardation since childhood. Histochemical and biochemical analysis of skeletal muscle biopsy revealed myoadenylate deaminase deficiency; molecular genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of primary (inherited) myoadenylate deaminase deficiency. Plasma, urine, and muscle carnitine concentrations were reduced. L-Carnitine treatment led to gradual improvement in exercise tolerance and cognitive performance; plasma and tissue carnitine levels returned to normal, and echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy disappeared. The combination of inherited myoadenylate deaminase deficiency, gigantism syndrome and carnitine deficiency has not previously been described.

Genetic population structure in the yellow mongoose, Cynictis penicillata.

PubMed

Van Vuuren, B J; Robinson, T J

1997-12-01

Phylogeographic structure was determined for the yellow mongoose, Cynictis penicillata, using mtDNA RFLPs and control region sequences. The RFLP analysis revealed 13 haplotypes which showed weak geographical patterning consistent with a recent range expansion from a refugial population(s). An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed no correspondence between mtDNA phylogeography and subspecies delimitation, nor between matrilines and areas characterized by a high incidence of the viverrid-type rabies, of which the yellow mongoose is the principal vector. The lack of structure was also shown by control region sequences although four of the maternal lineages shared a near-perfect 81 bp repeat. We speculate that regional hot spots of the viverrid rabies biotype reflect population density differences in the yellow mongoose that are not underscored by genetic partitioning, at least at the level of resolution provided by our analyses.

Genome-wide analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance metabolites revealed parent-of-origin effect on triglycerides in medium very low-density lipoprotein in PTPRD gene.

PubMed

Pervjakova, N; Kukushkina, V; Haller, T; Kasela, S; Joensuu, A; Kristiansson, K; Annilo, T; Perola, M; Salomaa, V; Jousilahti, P; Metspalu, A; Mägi, R

2018-05-01

The aim of the study was to explore the parent-of-origin effects (POEs) on a range of human nuclear magnetic resonance metabolites. We search for POEs in 14,815 unrelated individuals from Estonian and Finnish cohorts using POE method for the genotype data imputed with 1000 G reference panel and 82 nuclear magnetic resonance metabolites. Meta-analysis revealed the evidence of POE for the variant rs1412727 in PTPRD gene for the metabolite: triglycerides in medium very low-density lipoprotein. No POEs were detected for genetic variants that were previously known to have main effect on circulating metabolites. We demonstrated possibility to detect POEs for human metabolites, but the POEs are weak, and therefore it is hard to detect those using currently available sample sizes.

Measuring Incompatible Observables by Exploiting Sequential Weak Values.

PubMed

Piacentini, F; Avella, A; Levi, M P; Gramegna, M; Brida, G; Degiovanni, I P; Cohen, E; Lussana, R; Villa, F; Tosi, A; Zappa, F; Genovese, M

2016-10-21

One of the most intriguing aspects of quantum mechanics is the impossibility of measuring at the same time observables corresponding to noncommuting operators, because of quantum uncertainty. This impossibility can be partially relaxed when considering joint or sequential weak value evaluation. Indeed, weak value measurements have been a real breakthrough in the quantum measurement framework that is of the utmost interest from both a fundamental and an applicative point of view. In this Letter, we show how we realized for the first time a sequential weak value evaluation of two incompatible observables using a genuine single-photon experiment. These (sometimes anomalous) sequential weak values revealed the single-operator weak values, as well as the local correlation between them.

Measuring Incompatible Observables by Exploiting Sequential Weak Values

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piacentini, F.; Avella, A.; Levi, M. P.; Gramegna, M.; Brida, G.; Degiovanni, I. P.; Cohen, E.; Lussana, R.; Villa, F.; Tosi, A.; Zappa, F.; Genovese, M.

2016-10-01

One of the most intriguing aspects of quantum mechanics is the impossibility of measuring at the same time observables corresponding to noncommuting operators, because of quantum uncertainty. This impossibility can be partially relaxed when considering joint or sequential weak value evaluation. Indeed, weak value measurements have been a real breakthrough in the quantum measurement framework that is of the utmost interest from both a fundamental and an applicative point of view. In this Letter, we show how we realized for the first time a sequential weak value evaluation of two incompatible observables using a genuine single-photon experiment. These (sometimes anomalous) sequential weak values revealed the single-operator weak values, as well as the local correlation between them.

On the Interpretation of the Fermi-GBM Transient Observed in Coincidence with LIGO Gravitational-wave Event GW150914

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Connaughton, V.; Burns, E.; Goldstein, A.; Blackburn, L.; Briggs, M. S.; Christensen, N.; Hui, C. M.; Kocevski, D.; Littenberg, T.; McEnery, J. E.; Racusin, J.; Shawhan, P.; Veitch, J.; Wilson-Hodge, C. A.; Bhat, P. N.; Bissaldi, E.; Cleveland, W.; Giles, M. M.; Gibby, M. H.; von Kienlin, A.; Kippen, R. M.; McBreen, S.; Meegan, C. A.; Paciesas, W. S.; Preece, R. D.; Roberts, O. J.; Stanbro, M.; Veres, P.

2018-01-01

The weak transient detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) 0.4 s after GW150914 has generated much speculation regarding its possible association with the black hole binary merger. Investigation of the GBM data by Connaughton et al. revealed a source location consistent with GW150914 and a spectrum consistent with a weak, short gamma-ray burst. Greiner et al. present an alternative technique for fitting background-limited data in the low-count regime, and call into question the spectral analysis and the significance of the detection of GW150914-GBM presented in Connaughton et al. The spectral analysis of Connaughton et al. is not subject to the limitations of the low-count regime noted by Greiner et al. We find Greiner et al. used an inconsistent source position and did not follow the steps taken in Connaughton et al. to mitigate the statistical shortcomings of their software when analyzing this weak event. We use the approach of Greiner et al. to verify that our original spectral analysis is not biased. The detection significance of GW150914-GBM is established empirically, with a false-alarm rate (FAR) of ∼ {10}-4 Hz. A post-trials false-alarm probability (FAP) of 2.2× {10}-3 (2.9σ ) of this transient being associated with GW150914 is based on the proximity in time to the gravitational-wave event of a transient with that FAR. The FAR and the FAP are unaffected by the spectral analysis that is the focus of Greiner et al.

Enhancement of Marine Corps’ Recruiting and Retention Programs

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

and reputation. The Corps has good marketing techniques due to enhancements in its marketing strategy since 2004. The Corps’ understaffing of Career...year than it has in the past to grow the Corps from 186,490 to 202,000 by fiscal year 2011. An analysis of the Corps’ environment and marketing ... strategy reveals strengths and weaknesses that can be exploited or mitigated to enhance recruiting and retention. The Corps’ execution of its mission and

Differential involvement of forearm muscles in ALS does not relate to sonographic structural nerve alterations.

PubMed

Schreiber, Stefanie; Schreiber, Frank; Debska-Vielhaber, Grazyna; Garz, Cornelia; Hensiek, Nathalie; Machts, Judith; Abdulla, Susanne; Dengler, Reinhard; Petri, Susanne; Nestor, Peter J; Vielhaber, Stefan

2018-07-01

We aimed to assess whether differential peripheral nerve involvement parallels dissociated forearm muscle weakness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The analysis comprised 41 ALS patients and 18 age-, sex-, height- and weight-matched healthy controls. Strength of finger-extension and -flexion was measured using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. Radial, median and ulnar nerve sonographic cross-sectional area (CSA) and echogenicity, expressed by the hypoechoic fraction (HF), were determined. In ALS, finger extensors were significantly weaker than finger flexors. Sonographic evaluation revealed peripheral nerve atrophy, affecting various nerve segments in ALS. HF was unaltered. This systematic study confirmed a long-observed physical examination finding in ALS - weakness in finger-extension out of proportion to finger-flexion. This phenomenon was not related to any particular sonographic pattern of upper limb peripheral nerve alteration. In ALS, dissociated forearm muscle weakness could aid in the disease's diagnosis. Nerve ultrasound did not provide additional information on the differential involvement of finger-extension and finger-flexion strength. Copyright © 2018 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The tobacco industry’s thwarting of marketing restrictions and health warnings in Lebanon

PubMed Central

Nakkash, R; Lee, K

2009-01-01

Aims: This article outlines how the tobacco industry has undermined tobacco control efforts in Lebanon since the early 1970s. Methods: An analysis of online and on-site tobacco industry documents, reviews of newspapers, policy and other documents, and interviews with key policy makers were conducted. Results: Findings reveal how the weakness of tobacco control legislation in Lebanon has been the product of an effective tobacco industry strategy to weaken the content and scope of regulation, and delay adoption and implementation. Conclusions: The tobacco industry has built and maintained strong alliances that were and are regularly mobilised to effectively oppose regulation. Despite ratification of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005, Lebanon's tobacco control track remains weak. Public health professionals and the government should work hard to oppose such tobacco industry tactics. PMID:19633145

Hacking on decoy-state quantum key distribution system with partial phase randomization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Shi-Hai; Jiang, Mu-Sheng; Ma, Xiang-Chun; Li, Chun-Yan; Liang, Lin-Mei

2014-04-01

Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides means for unconditional secure key transmission between two distant parties. However, in practical implementations, it suffers from quantum hacking due to device imperfections. Here we propose a hybrid measurement attack, with only linear optics, homodyne detection, and single photon detection, to the widely used vacuum + weak decoy state QKD system when the phase of source is partially randomized. Our analysis shows that, in some parameter regimes, the proposed attack would result in an entanglement breaking channel but still be able to trick the legitimate users to believe they have transmitted secure keys. That is, the eavesdropper is able to steal all the key information without discovered by the users. Thus, our proposal reveals that partial phase randomization is not sufficient to guarantee the security of phase-encoding QKD systems with weak coherent states.

Hacking on decoy-state quantum key distribution system with partial phase randomization.

PubMed

Sun, Shi-Hai; Jiang, Mu-Sheng; Ma, Xiang-Chun; Li, Chun-Yan; Liang, Lin-Mei

2014-04-23

Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides means for unconditional secure key transmission between two distant parties. However, in practical implementations, it suffers from quantum hacking due to device imperfections. Here we propose a hybrid measurement attack, with only linear optics, homodyne detection, and single photon detection, to the widely used vacuum + weak decoy state QKD system when the phase of source is partially randomized. Our analysis shows that, in some parameter regimes, the proposed attack would result in an entanglement breaking channel but still be able to trick the legitimate users to believe they have transmitted secure keys. That is, the eavesdropper is able to steal all the key information without discovered by the users. Thus, our proposal reveals that partial phase randomization is not sufficient to guarantee the security of phase-encoding QKD systems with weak coherent states.

The tobacco industry's thwarting of marketing restrictions and health warnings in Lebanon.

PubMed

Nakkash, R; Lee, K

2009-08-01

This article outlines how the tobacco industry has undermined tobacco control efforts in Lebanon since the early 1970s. An analysis of online and on-site tobacco industry documents, reviews of newspapers, policy and other documents, and interviews with key policy makers were conducted. Findings reveal how the weakness of tobacco control legislation in Lebanon has been the product of an effective tobacco industry strategy to weaken the content and scope of regulation, and delay adoption and implementation. The tobacco industry has built and maintained strong alliances that were and are regularly mobilised to effectively oppose regulation. Despite ratification of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005, Lebanon's tobacco control track remains weak. Public health professionals and the government should work hard to oppose such tobacco industry tactics.

Super-quantum correlation for SU(2) invariant state in 4⊗ 2 system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Lin-Song; Tao, Yuan-Hong; Nan, Hua; Xu, Hui

2018-04-01

We analytically evaluate the weak one-way deficit and super-quantum discord for a system composed of spin-3/2 and spin-1/2 subsystems possessing SU(2) symmetry. We also make a comparative study of the relationships among the quantum discord, one-way deficit, weak one-way deficit, and super-quantum discord for the SU(2) invariant state. It is shown that super-quantum discord via weak measurement is greater than that via von Neumann measurement. But weak one-way deficit is less than the one-way deficit. As a result, weak measurement do not always reveal more quantumness.

Use of Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potentials for Cochlear Implant Fitting: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

de Vos, Johan J; Biesheuvel, Jan Dirk; Briaire, Jeroen J; Boot, Pieter S; van Gendt, Margriet J; Dekkers, Olaf M; Fiocco, Marta; Frijns, Johan H M

The electrically evoked compound action potential (eCAP) is widely used in the clinic as an objective measure to assess cochlear implant functionality. During the past decade, there has been increasing interest in applying eCAPs for fitting of cochlear implants. Several studies have shown that eCAP-based fitting can potentially replace time-consuming behavioral fitting procedures, especially in young children. However, a closer look to all available literature revealed that there is no clear consensus on the validity of this fitting procedure. This study evaluated the validity of eCAP-based fitting of cochlear implant recipients based on a systematic review of the recent literature. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were used to search the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. The term "eCAP" was combined with "cochlear implants," "thresholds," and "levels," in addition to a range of related terms. Finally, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies were evaluated on the risk of bias and, when possible, compared by meta-analysis. Almost all assessed studies suffered from some form of risk of bias. Twenty-nine of the studies based their conclusion on a group correlation instead of individual subject correlations (analytical bias); 14 studies were unclear about randomization or blinding (outcome assessment bias); 9 studies provided no clear description of the populations used, for example, prelingually or postlingually implanted subjects (selection bias); and 4 studies had a high rate of loss (>10%) for patients or electrodes (attrition bias). Meta-analysis of these studies revealed a weak pooled correlation between eCAP thresholds and both behavioral T- and C-levels (r = 0.58 and r = 0.61, respectively). This review shows that the majority of the assessed studies suffered from substantial shortcomings in study design and statistical analysis. Meta-analysis showed that there is only weak evidence to support the use of eCAP data for cochlear implant fitting purposes; eCAP thresholds are an equally weak predictor for both T- and C-levels. Based on this review, it can be concluded that research on eCAP-based fitting needs a profound reflection on study design and analysis to draw well-grounded conclusions about the validity of eCAP-based fitting of cochlear implant recipients.

Probing finite coarse-grained virtual Feynman histories with sequential weak values

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Georgiev, Danko; Cohen, Eliahu

2018-05-01

Feynman's sum-over-histories formulation of quantum mechanics has been considered a useful calculational tool in which virtual Feynman histories entering into a coherent quantum superposition cannot be individually measured. Here we show that sequential weak values, inferred by consecutive weak measurements of projectors, allow direct experimental probing of individual virtual Feynman histories, thereby revealing the exact nature of quantum interference of coherently superposed histories. Because the total sum of sequential weak values of multitime projection operators for a complete set of orthogonal quantum histories is unity, complete sets of weak values could be interpreted in agreement with the standard quantum mechanical picture. We also elucidate the relationship between sequential weak values of quantum histories with different coarse graining in time and establish the incompatibility of weak values for nonorthogonal quantum histories in history Hilbert space. Bridging theory and experiment, the presented results may enhance our understanding of both weak values and quantum histories.

Magnetic studies on Shergotty and other SNC meteorites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cisowski, S. M.

1986-01-01

The results of a study of basic magnetic properties of meteorites within the SNC group, including the four known shergottites and two nakhlites, are presented. An estimate is made of the strength of the magnetic field which produced the remanent magnetization of the Shergotty meteorite, for the purpose of constraining the choices for the parent body of these SNC meteorites. Remanence measurements in several subsamples of Shergotty and Zagami meteorites reveal a large variation in intensity that does not seem to be related to the abundance of remanence carriers. The other meteorites carry only weak remanence, suggesting weak magnetizing fields as the source of their magnetic signal. A paleointensity experiment on a weakly magnetized subsample of Shergotty revealed a low temperature component of magnetization acquired in a field of 2000 gammas, and a high temperature component reflecting a paleofield strength of between 250 and 1000 gammas. The weak field environment that these meteorites seem to reflect is consistent with either a Martian or asteroidal origin, but inconsistent with a terrestrial origin.

Weak Higher-Order Interactions in Macroscopic Functional Networks of the Resting Brain.

PubMed

Huang, Xuhui; Xu, Kaibin; Chu, Congying; Jiang, Tianzi; Yu, Shan

2017-10-25

Interactions among different brain regions are usually examined through functional connectivity (FC) analysis, which is exclusively based on measuring pairwise correlations in activities. However, interactions beyond the pairwise level, that is, higher-order interactions (HOIs), are vital in understanding the behavior of many complex systems. So far, whether HOIs exist among brain regions and how they can affect the brain's activities remains largely elusive. To address these issues, here, we analyzed blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals recorded from six typical macroscopic functional networks of the brain in 100 human subjects (46 males and 54 females) during the resting state. Through examining the binarized BOLD signals, we found that HOIs within and across individual networks were both very weak regardless of the network size, topology, degree of spatial proximity, spatial scales, and whether the global signal was regressed. To investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the weak HOIs, we analyzed the dynamics of a network model and also found that HOIs were generally weak within a wide range of key parameters provided that the overall dynamic feature of the model was similar to the empirical data and it was operating close to a linear fluctuation regime. Our results suggest that weak HOI may be a general property of brain's macroscopic functional networks, which implies the dominance of pairwise interactions in shaping brain activities at such a scale and warrants the validity of widely used pairwise-based FC approaches. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT To explain how activities of different brain areas are coordinated through interactions is essential to revealing the mechanisms underlying various brain functions. Traditionally, such an interaction structure is commonly studied using pairwise-based functional network analyses. It is unclear whether the interactions beyond the pairwise level (higher-order interactions or HOIs) play any role in this process. Here, we show that HOIs are generally weak in macroscopic brain networks. We also suggest a possible dynamical mechanism that may underlie this phenomenon. These results provide plausible explanation for the effectiveness of widely used pairwise-based approaches in analyzing brain networks. More importantly, it reveals a previously unknown, simple organization of the brain's macroscopic functional systems. Copyright © 2017 the authors 0270-6474/17/3710481-17$15.00/0.

Effects of Recipient Posture on Persuasion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heesacker, Martin; Petty, Richard E.

Sixty-five female undergraduate students who were either standing or reclining listened to a tape-recorded counterattitudinal speech containing either strong or weak arguments. Their evaluations revealed a significant interaction between posture (standing or reclining) and quality of arguments (strong or weak) on a measure of attitude change.…

Genetic and mechanistic evaluation for the weak A phenotype in Ael blood type with IVS6 + 5G>A ABO gene mutation.

PubMed

Chen, D-P; Sun, C-F; Ning, H-C; Peng, C-T; Wang, W-T; Tseng, C-P

2015-01-01

Ael is a rare blood type that is characterized by weak agglutination of RBCs when reacts with anti-A antibody in adsorption-elution test. Although IVS6 + 5G→A mutation is known to associate with the Ael blood type, genetic and mechanistic evaluation for the weak agglutination of Ael with IVS6 + 5G→A mutation has not yet been completely addressed. In this study, five cases of confirmed Ael individuals were analysed. The cDNAs for the A(el) alleles were obtained by cloning method for sequence analyses. The erythroleukemia K562 cells were used as the cell study model and were transfected with the A(el) expression construct. Flow cytometry analysis was then performed to determine the levels of surface antigen expression. The results indicated that IVS6 + 5G→A attributes to all cases of Ael . RT-PCR analyses revealed the presence of at least 10 types of aberrant A(el) splicing transcripts. Most of the transcripts caused early termination and produced non-functional protein during translation. Nevertheless, the transcript without exons 5-6 was predicted to generate functional Ael glycosyltransferase lacking 57 amino acids at the N-terminal segment. When the exons 5-6 deletion transcript was stably expressed in the K562 cells, weak agglutination of the cells can be induced by adding anti-A antibody followed by adsorption-elution test. This study demonstrates that aberrant splicing of A transcripts contributes to weak A expression and the weak agglutination of Ael -RBCs, adding to the complexity for the regulatory mechanisms of ABO gene expression. © 2014 International Society of Blood Transfusion.

Weak Localization and Antilocalization in Topological Materials with Impurity Spin-Orbit Interactions

PubMed Central

Hankiewicz, Ewelina M.; Culcer, Dimitrie

2017-01-01

Topological materials have attracted considerable experimental and theoretical attention. They exhibit strong spin-orbit coupling both in the band structure (intrinsic) and in the impurity potentials (extrinsic), although the latter is often neglected. In this work, we discuss weak localization and antilocalization of massless Dirac fermions in topological insulators and massive Dirac fermions in Weyl semimetal thin films, taking into account both intrinsic and extrinsic spin-orbit interactions. The physics is governed by the complex interplay of the chiral spin texture, quasiparticle mass, and scalar and spin-orbit scattering. We demonstrate that terms linear in the extrinsic spin-orbit scattering are generally present in the Bloch and momentum relaxation times in all topological materials, and the correction to the diffusion constant is linear in the strength of the extrinsic spin-orbit. In topological insulators, which have zero quasiparticle mass, the terms linear in the impurity spin-orbit coupling lead to an observable density dependence in the weak antilocalization correction. They produce substantial qualitative modifications to the magnetoconductivity, differing greatly from the conventional Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka formula traditionally used in experimental fits, which predicts a crossover from weak localization to antilocalization as a function of the extrinsic spin-orbit strength. In contrast, our analysis reveals that topological insulators always exhibit weak antilocalization. In Weyl semimetal thin films having intermediate to large values of the quasiparticle mass, we show that extrinsic spin-orbit scattering strongly affects the boundary of the weak localization to antilocalization transition. We produce a complete phase diagram for this transition as a function of the mass and spin-orbit scattering strength. Throughout the paper, we discuss implications for experimental work, and, at the end, we provide a brief comparison with transition metal dichalcogenides. PMID:28773167

Tight Bell Inequalities and Nonlocality in Weak Measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waegell, Mordecai

A general class of Bell inequalities is derived based on strict adherence to probabilistic entanglement correlations observed in nature. This derivation gives significantly tighter bounds on local hidden variable theories for the well-known Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) inequality, and also leads to new proofs of the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) theorem. This method is applied to weak measurements and reveals nonlocal correlations between the weak value and the post-selection, which rules out various classical models of weak measurement. Implications of these results are discussed. Fetzer-Franklin Fund of the John E. Fetzer Memorial Trust.

A Web-Based System for Monitoring and Controlling Multidisciplinary Design Projects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salas, Andrea O.; Rogers, James L.

1997-01-01

In today's competitive environment, both industry and government agencies are under enormous pressure to reduce the time and cost of multidisciplinary design projects. A number of frameworks have been introduced to assist in this process by facilitating the integration of and communication among diverse disciplinary codes. An examination of current frameworks reveals weaknesses in various areas such as sequencing, displaying, monitoring, and controlling the design process. The objective of this research is to explore how Web technology, in conjunction with an existing framework, can improve these areas of weakness. This paper describes a system that executes a sequence of programs, monitors and controls the design process through a Web-based interface, and visualizes intermediate and final results through the use of Java(Tm) applets. A small sample problem, which includes nine processes with two analysis programs that are coupled to an optimizer, is used to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach.

Poor comprehenders in the classroom: teacher ratings of behavior in children with poor reading comprehension and its relationship with individual differences in working memory.

PubMed

Pimperton, Hannah; Nation, Kate

2014-01-01

Differing etiological explanations have been proposed to account for poor comprehenders' difficulties with reading comprehension, with some researchers emphasizing working memory deficits and others arguing for oral language weaknesses playing a key causal role. The authors contrasted these two theoretical accounts using data obtained from direct measures of working memory and from teacher ratings of poor comprehenders' behavior in the classroom. At the group level, poor comprehenders showed weaknesses on verbal but not nonverbal working memory tasks, in keeping with the "language account." However, they also showed evidence of elevated levels of problem behaviors specifically associated with working memory deficits. Further analysis revealed that these group differences in working-memory-related problem behaviors were carried by a small subgroup of poor comprehenders who also displayed domain-general (verbal and nonverbal) working memory problems, argued to be reflective of "genuine" underlying working memory deficits.

Weak interactions involving organic fluorine: analysis of structural motifs in Flunazirine and Haloperidol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasanna, M. D.; Row, T. N. Guru

2001-05-01

The crystal structure of Flunazirine, an anticonvulsant drug, is analyzed in terms of intermolecular interactions involving fluorine. The structure displays motifs formed by only weak interactions C-H⋯F and C-H⋯π. The motifs thus generated show cavities, which could serve as hosts for complexation. The structure of Flunazirine displays cavities formed by C-H⋯F and C-H⋯π interactions. Haloperidol, an antipsychotic drug, shows F⋯F interactions in the crystalline lattice in lieu of Cl⋯Cl interactions. However, strong O-H⋯N interactions dominate packing. The salient features of the two structures in terms of intermolecular interactions reveal, even though organic fluorine has lower tendency to engage in hydrogen bonding and F⋯F interactions, these interactions could play a significant role in the design of molecular assemblies via crystal engineering.

Stability in Real Food Webs: Weak Links in Long Loops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neutel, Anje-Margriet; Heesterbeek, Johan A. P.; de Ruiter, Peter C.

2002-05-01

Increasing evidence that the strengths of interactions among populations in biological communities form patterns that are crucial for system stability requires clarification of the precise form of these patterns, how they come about, and why they influence stability. We show that in real food webs, interaction strengths are organized in trophic loops in such a way that long loops contain relatively many weak links. We show and explain mathematically that this patterning enhances stability, because it reduces maximum ``loop weight'' and thus reduces the amount of intraspecific interaction needed for matrix stability. The patterns are brought about by biomass pyramids, a feature common to most ecosystems. Incorporation of biomass pyramids in 104 food-web descriptions reveals that the low weight of the long loops stabilizes complex food webs. Loop-weight analysis could be a useful tool for exploring the structure and organization of complex communities.

CLASH: COMPLETE LENSING ANALYSIS OF THE LARGEST COSMIC LENS MACS J0717.5+3745 AND SURROUNDING STRUCTURES

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

Medezinski, Elinor; Lemze, Doron; Ford, Holland

2013-11-01

The galaxy cluster MACS J0717.5+3745 (z = 0.55) is the largest known cosmic lens, with complex internal structures seen in deep X-ray, Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect, and dynamical observations. We perform a combined weak- and strong-lensing analysis with wide-field BVR{sub c} i'z' Subaru/Suprime-Cam observations and 16-band Hubble Space Telescope observations taken as part of the Cluster Lensing And Supernova survey with Hubble. We find consistent weak distortion and magnification measurements of background galaxies and combine these signals to construct an optimally estimated radial mass profile of the cluster and its surrounding large-scale structure out to 5 Mpc h {sup –1}. We findmore » consistency between strong-lensing and weak-lensing in the region where these independent data overlap, <500 kpc h {sup –1}. The two-dimensional weak-lensing map reveals a clear filamentary structure traced by distinct mass halos. We model the lensing shear field with nine halos, including the main cluster, corresponding to mass peaks detected above 2.5σ{sub κ}. The total mass of the cluster as determined by the different methods is M{sub vir} ≈ (2.8 ± 0.4) × 10{sup 15} M{sub ☉}. Although this is the most massive cluster known at z > 0.5, in terms of extreme value statistics, we conclude that the mass of MACS J0717.5+3745 by itself is not in serious tension with ΛCDM, representing only a ∼2σ departure above the maximum simulated halo mass at this redshift.« less

Factors influencing the surgical decision for the treatment of degenerative lumbar stenosis in a preference-based shared decision-making process.

PubMed

Kim, Ho-Joong; Park, Jae-Young; Kang, Kyoung-Tak; Chang, Bong-Soon; Lee, Choon-Ki; Yeom, Jin S

2015-02-01

In a preference-based shared decision-making system, several subjective and/or objective factors such as pain severity, degree of disability, and the radiological severity of canal stenosis may influence the final surgical decision for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). However, our understanding of the shared decision-making process and the significance of each factor remain primitive. In the present study, we aimed to investigate which factors influence the surgical decision for the treatment of LSS when using a preference-based, shared decision-making process. We included 555 patients, aged 45-80 years, who used a preference-based shared decision-making process and were treated conservatively or surgically for chronic leg and/or back pain caused by LSS from April 2012 to December 2012. Univariate and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association of surgical decision making with age, sex, body mass index, symptom duration, radiologic stenotic grade, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain, Short Form-36 (SF-36) subscales, and motor weakness. In univariate analysis, the following variables were associated with a higher odds of a surgical decision for LSS: male sex; the VAS score for leg pain; ODI; morphological stenotic grades B, C, and D; motor weakness; and the physical function, physical role, bodily pain, social function, and emotional role of the SF-36 subscales. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex, ODI, morphological stenotic grades C and D, and motor weakness were significantly associated with a higher possibility of a surgical decision. Motor weakness, male sex, morphological stenotic grade, and the amount of disability are critical factors leading to a surgical decision for LSS when using a preference-based shared decision-making process.

Activation of preexisting transverse structures in an evolving magmatic rift in East Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muirhead, J. D.; Kattenhorn, S. A.

2018-01-01

Inherited crustal weaknesses have long been recognized as important factors in strain localization and basin development in the East African Rift System (EARS). However, the timing and kinematics (e.g., sense of slip) of transverse (rift-oblique) faults that exploit these weaknesses are debated, and thus the roles of inherited weaknesses at different stages of rift basin evolution are often overlooked. The mechanics of transverse faulting were addressed through an analysis of the Kordjya fault of the Magadi basin (Kenya Rift). Fault kinematics were investigated from field and remote-sensing data collected on fault and joint systems. Our analysis indicates that the Kordjya fault consists of a complex system of predominantly NNE-striking, rift-parallel fault segments that collectively form a NNW-trending array of en echelon faults. The transverse Kordjya fault therefore reactivated existing rift-parallel faults in ∼1 Ma lavas as oblique-normal faults with a component of sinistral shear. In all, these fault motions accommodate dip-slip on an underlying transverse structure that exploits the Aswa basement shear zone. This study shows that transverse faults may be activated through a complex interplay among magma-assisted strain localization, preexisting structures, and local stress rotations. Rather than forming during rift initiation, transverse structures can develop after the establishment of pervasive rift-parallel fault systems, and may exhibit dip-slip kinematics when activated from local stress rotations. The Kordjya fault is shown here to form a kinematic linkage that transfers strain to a newly developing center of concentrated magmatism and normal faulting. It is concluded that recently activated transverse faults not only reveal the effects of inherited basement weaknesses on fault development, but also provide important clues regarding developing magmatic and tectonic systems as young continental rift basins evolve.

Pseudo-incompressible, finite-amplitude gravity waves: wave trains and stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlutow, Mark; Klein, Rupert

2017-04-01

Based on weak asymptotic WKB-like solutions for two-dimensional atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) traveling wave solutions (wave trains) are derived and analyzed with respect to stability. A systematic multiple-scale analysis using the ratio of the dominant wavelength and the scale height as a scale separation parameter is applied on the fully compressible Euler equations. A distinguished limit favorable for GWs close to static instability, reveals that pseudo-incompressible rather than Boussinesq theory applies. A spectral expansion including a mean flow, combined with the additional WKB assumption of slowly varying phases and amplitudes, is used to find general weak asymptotic solutions. This ansatz allows for arbitrarily strong, non-uniform stratification and holds even for finite-amplitude waves. It is deduced that wave trains as leading order solutions can only exist if either some non-uniform background stratification is given but the wave train propagates only horizontally or if the wave train velocity vector is given but the background is isothermal. For the first case, general analytical solutions are obtained that may be used to model mountain lee waves. For the second case with the additional assumption of horizontal periodicity, upward propagating wave train fronts were found. These wave train fronts modify the mean flow beyond the non-acceleration theorem. Stability analysis reveal that they are intrinsically modulationally unstable. The range of validity for the scale separation parameter was tested with fully nonlinear simulations. Even for large values an excellent agreement with the theory was found.

X-ray emitting T Tauri stars in the L1551 cloud

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koyama, Katsuji; Reid, I. Neill; Carkner, Lee; Feigelson, Eric D.; Montmerle, Thierry

1995-01-01

Low mass pre-main sequence stars in the nearby Lynds 1551 star forming cloud are studied with the ROSAT and ASCA X-ray satellites. An 8 ksec ROSAT image reveals 38 sources including 7 well-known T Tauri stars, 2 likely new weak-lined T Tauri stars, 5 potential new weak-lined T Tauri stars, one is a young B9 star, and the remaining sources are unrelated to the cloud or poorly identified. A 40 ksec ASCA image of the cloud detects seven of the ROSAT sources. Spectral fitting of the brighter X-ray emitting stars suggests the emission is produced in either a multi-temperature plasma, with temperatures near 0.2 and 1 keV, or a single-temperature plasma with low metal abundances. XZ Tau, a young classical T Tauri star, is much stronger in ASCA than ROSAT observations showing a harder (1.5-2.0 kev) component. Timing analysis reveals all but one of the T Tauri stars are variable on timescales ranging from one hour to a year. A powerful flare, emitting 3 x 10(exp 34) ergs within a 40 minute rise and fall, was observed by ASCA on the weak-lined T Tauri star V826 Tau. The event was preceded and followed by constant quiescent X-ray emission. The extreme classical T Tauri star XZ Tau was also caught during both high and low states, varying by a factor of 15 between the ASCA and ROSAT observations. Neither of the luminous infrared embedded protostars L1551-IRS 5 or L1551NE were detected by ROSAT or ASCA.

Electron Tomography of Cryofixed, Isometrically Contracting Insect Flight Muscle Reveals Novel Actin-Myosin Interactions

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

Wu, Shenping; Liu, Jun; Reedy, Mary C.

2010-10-22

Isometric muscle contraction, where force is generated without muscle shortening, is a molecular traffic jam in which the number of actin-attached motors is maximized and all states of motor action are trapped with consequently high heterogeneity. This heterogeneity is a major limitation to deciphering myosin conformational changes in situ. We used multivariate data analysis to group repeat segments in electron tomograms of isometrically contracting insect flight muscle, mechanically monitored, rapidly frozen, freeze substituted, and thin sectioned. Improved resolution reveals the helical arrangement of F-actin subunits in the thin filament enabling an atomic model to be built into the thin filamentmore » density independent of the myosin. Actin-myosin attachments can now be assigned as weak or strong by their motor domain orientation relative to actin. Myosin attachments were quantified everywhere along the thin filament including troponin. Strong binding myosin attachments are found on only four F-actin subunits, the 'target zone', situated exactly midway between successive troponin complexes. They show an axial lever arm range of 77{sup o}/12.9 nm. The lever arm azimuthal range of strong binding attachments has a highly skewed, 127{sup o} range compared with X-ray crystallographic structures. Two types of weak actin attachments are described. One type, found exclusively in the target zone, appears to represent pre-working-stroke intermediates. The other, which contacts tropomyosin rather than actin, is positioned M-ward of the target zone, i.e. the position toward which thin filaments slide during shortening. We present a model for the weak to strong transition in the myosin ATPase cycle that incorporates azimuthal movements of the motor domain on actin. Stress/strain in the S2 domain may explain azimuthal lever arm changes in the strong binding attachments. The results support previous conclusions that the weak attachments preceding force generation are very different from strong binding attachments.« less

Magnetostructural coupling behavior at the ferromagnetic transition in double-perovskite S r2FeMo O6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Dexin; Harrison, Richard J.; Schiemer, Jason A.; Lampronti, Giulio I.; Liu, Xueyin; Zhang, Fenghua; Ding, Hao; Liu, Yan'gai; Carpenter, Michael A.

2016-01-01

The ordered double-perovskite S r2FeMo O6 (SFMO) possesses remarkable room-temperature low-field colossal magnetoresistivity and transport properties which are related, at least in part, to combined structural and magnetic instabilities that are responsible for a cubic-tetragonal phase transition near 420 K. A formal strain analysis combined with measurements of elastic properties from resonant ultrasound spectroscopy reveal a system with weak biquadratic coupling between two order parameters belonging to Γ4+ and m Γ4+ of parent space group F m 3 ¯m . The observed softening of the shear modulus by ˜50% is due to the classical effects of strain/order parameter coupling at an improper ferroelastic (Γ4+) transition which is second order in character, while the ferromagnetic order parameter (m Γ4+ ) couples only with volume strain. The influence of a third order parameter, for ordering of Fe and Mo on crystallographic B sites, is to change the strength of coupling between the Γ4+ order parameter and the tetragonal shear strain due to the influence of changes in local strain heterogeneity at a unit cell scale. High anelastic loss below the transition point reveals the presence of mobile ferroelastic twin walls which become pinned by oxygen vacancies in a temperature interval near 340 K. The twin walls must be both ferroelastic and ferromagnetic, but due to the weak coupling between the magnetic and structural order parameters it should be possible to pull them apart with a weak magnetic field. These insights into the role of strain coupling and relaxational effects in a system with only weak coupling between three order parameters allow rationalization and prediction of how static and dynamic properties of the material might be tuned in thin film form by choice of strain contrast with a substrate.

Salt-losing nephropathy in hypothyroidism.

PubMed

Bautista, Aileen Azul; Duya, Jose Eduardo De Leon; Sandoval, Mark Anthony Santiago

2014-05-21

A 35-year-old man presented with recurrent lower extremity weakness associated with polyuria later progressing to generalised weakness with difficulty in breathing. The patient was hypotensive and dry, with normal thyroid and chest examination, weak lower extremity and carpopedal spasm. Workup revealed hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypochloraemia and hypophosphataemia. Arterial blood gas showed respiratory alkalosis with good oxygenation. Twenty-four-hour urine collection showed normal volume with electrolyte wasting. Thyroid function test revealed overt hypothyroidism with negative antithyroid peroxidase. The patient was well after treatment with levothyroxine, volume and electrolyte replacement and was discharged. Thyroid hormones are related to the expression of the Na-K-ATPase, Na-Pi cotransporter, Mg-ATPase and Na-Ca exchanger pumps in the renal tubules. Sodium, potassium, phosphate, calcium, magnesium and water losses result from decreased expression of these pumps. 2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Analysis of problem solving on project based learning with resource based learning approach computer-aided program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuncoro, K. S.; Junaedi, I.; Dwijanto

2018-03-01

This study aimed to reveal the effectiveness of Project Based Learning with Resource Based Learning approach computer-aided program and analyzed problem-solving abilities in terms of problem-solving steps based on Polya stages. The research method used was mixed method with sequential explanatory design. The subject of this research was the students of math semester 4. The results showed that the S-TPS (Strong Top Problem Solving) and W-TPS (Weak Top Problem Solving) had good problem-solving abilities in each problem-solving indicator. The problem-solving ability of S-MPS (Strong Middle Problem Solving) and (Weak Middle Problem Solving) in each indicator was good. The subject of S-BPS (Strong Bottom Problem Solving) had a difficulty in solving the problem with computer program, less precise in writing the final conclusion and could not reflect the problem-solving process using Polya’s step. While the Subject of W-BPS (Weak Bottom Problem Solving) had not been able to meet almost all the indicators of problem-solving. The subject of W-BPS could not precisely made the initial table of completion so that the completion phase with Polya’s step was constrained.

The Instrument for the Observation of Teaching Activities (IOTA) and Alternative Approaches to Remediation of Teacher Weaknesses.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richardson, Donald C.; Hatley, Richard V.

1980-01-01

Comparing the effectiveness of different strategies for remediating teacher weaknesses, as measured by the Instrument for Observation of Teaching Activities (IOTA), 99 elementary and junior high school teachers were observed. The study revealed that combining IOTA feedback with structured inservice workshops focusing on narrow specific weaknesses…

A weak lensing analysis of the PLCK G100.2-30.4 cluster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radovich, M.; Formicola, I.; Meneghetti, M.; Bartalucci, I.; Bourdin, H.; Mazzotta, P.; Moscardini, L.; Ettori, S.; Arnaud, M.; Pratt, G. W.; Aghanim, N.; Dahle, H.; Douspis, M.; Pointecouteau, E.; Grado, A.

2015-07-01

We present a mass estimate of the Planck-discovered cluster PLCK G100.2-30.4, derived from a weak lensing analysis of deep Subaru griz images. We perform a careful selection of the background galaxies using the multi-band imaging data, and undertake the weak lensing analysis on the deep (1 h) r -band image. The shape measurement is based on the Kaiser-Squires-Broadhurst algorithm; we adopt the PSFex software to model the point spread function (PSF) across the field and correct for this in the shape measurement. The weak lensing analysis is validated through extensive image simulations. We compare the resulting weak lensing mass profile and total mass estimate to those obtained from our re-analysis of XMM-Newton observations, derived under the hypothesis of hydrostatic equilibrium. The total integrated mass profiles agree remarkably well, within 1σ across their common radial range. A mass M500 ~ 7 × 1014M⊙ is derived for the cluster from our weak lensing analysis. Comparing this value to that obtained from our reanalysis of XMM-Newton data, we obtain a bias factor of (1-b) = 0.8 ± 0.1. This is compatible within 1σ with the value of (1-b) obtained in Planck 2015 from the calibration of the bias factor using newly available weak lensing reconstructed masses. Based on data collected at Subaru Telescope (University of Tokyo).

Evaluation of a novel waste heat recovery system for the cement industry using multi-criteria analysis (MCA) approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Yue; Guo, Junshan; Zheng, Wei; Ding, Junqi; Zhu, Lingkai; Che, Yongqiang; Zhang, Yanpeng

2017-12-01

Based on a novel waste heat recovery project established in a cement plant, this paper aims to evaluate the performance of the project using multi-criteria analysis (MCA) approach. Economic, environmental, social, and technical perspectives were concerned and analyzed. Different sustainability criteria and indicators related with the project were evaluated through ranking/rating process and pairwise comparison. Results have shown similar outcomes, that ten out of eleven criteria are favorable at a high standard, which reveals the project’s success. Although the project has performed so well in economic, environmental and technical terms, social aspects have some weak points, and measures should be taken to improve social benefit.

Multidimensional profiles of health locus of control in Hispanic Americans

PubMed Central

Champagne, Brian R; Fox, Rina S; Mills, Sarah D; Sadler, Georgia Robins; Malcarne, Vanessa L

2016-01-01

Latent profile analysis identified health locus of control profiles among 436 Hispanic Americans who completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales. Results revealed four profiles: Internally Oriented-Weak, -Moderate, -Strong, and Externally Oriented. The profile groups were compared on sociocultural and demographic characteristics, health beliefs and behaviors, and physical and mental health outcomes. The Internally Oriented-Strong group had less cancer fatalism, religiosity, and equity health attributions, and more alcohol consumption than the other three groups; the Externally Oriented group had stronger equity health attributions and less alcohol consumption. Deriving multidimensional health locus of control profiles through latent profile analysis allows examination of the relationships of health locus of control subtypes to health variables. PMID:25855212

Volcanic eruptions and solar activity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stothers, Richard B.

1989-01-01

The historical record of large volcanic eruptions from 1500 to 1980 is subjected to detailed time series analysis. In two weak but probably statistically significant periodicities of about 11 and 80 yr, the frequency of volcanic eruptions increases (decreases) slightly around the times of solar minimum (maximum). Time series analysis of the volcanogenic acidities in a deep ice core from Greenland reveals several very long periods ranging from about 80 to about 350 yr which are similar to the very slow solar cycles previously detected in auroral and C-14 records. Solar flares may cause changes in atmospheric circulation patterns that abruptly alter the earth's spin. The resulting jolt probably triggers small earthquakes which affect volcanism.

Value Chains of Public and Private Health-care Services in a Small EU Island State: A SWOT Analysis.

PubMed

Buttigieg, Sandra C; Schuetz, Marcus; Bezzina, Frank

2016-01-01

The global financial and macroeconomic crisis of 2008/2009 and the ensuing recessions obliged policy makers to maximize use of resources and cut down on waste. Specifically, in health care, governments started to explore ways of establishing collaborations between the public and private health-care sectors. This is essential so as to ensure the best use of available resources, while securing quality of delivery of care as well as health systems sustainability and resilience. This qualitative study explores complementary and mutual attributes in the value creation process to patients by the public and private health-care systems in Malta, a small European Union island state. A workshop was conducted with 28 professionals from both sectors to generate two separate value chains, and this was followed by an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). The latter revealed several strengths and opportunities, which can better equip health-policy makers in the quest to maximize provision of health-care services. Moreover, the analysis also highlighted areas of weaknesses in both sectors as well as current threats of the external environment that, unless addressed, may threaten the state's health-care system sustainability and resilience to macroeconomic shocks. The study goes on to provide feasible recommendations aimed at maximizing provision of health-care services in Malta.

Assessing physio-macromolecular effects of lactic acid on Zygosaccharomyces bailii cells during microaerobic fermentation.

PubMed

Kuanyshev, Nurzhan; Ami, Diletta; Signori, Lorenzo; Porro, Danilo; Morrissey, John P; Branduardi, Paola

2016-08-01

The ability of Zygosaccharomyces bailii to grow at low pH and in the presence of considerable amounts of weak organic acids, at lethal condition for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, increased the interest in the biotechnological potential of the yeast. To understand the mechanism of tolerance and growth effect of weak acids on Z. bailii, we evaluated the physiological and macromolecular changes of the yeast exposed to sub lethal concentrations of lactic acid. Lactic acid represents one of the important commodity chemical which can be produced by microbial fermentation. We assessed physiological effect of lactic acid by bioreactor fermentation using synthetic media at low pH in the presence of lactic acid. Samples collected from bioreactors were stained with propidium iodide (PI) which revealed that, despite lactic acid negatively influence the growth rate, the number of PI positive cells is similar to that of the control. Moreover, we have performed Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) microspectroscopy analysis on intact cells of the same samples. This technique has been never applied before to study Z. bailii under this condition. The analyses revealed lactic acid induced macromolecular changes in the overall cellular protein secondary structures, and alterations of cell wall and membrane physico-chemical properties. © FEMS 2016. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Pulse-coupled mixed-mode oscillators: Cluster states and extreme noise sensitivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karamchandani, Avinash J.; Graham, James N.; Riecke, Hermann

2018-04-01

Motivated by rhythms in the olfactory system of the brain, we investigate the synchronization of all-to-all pulse-coupled neuronal oscillators exhibiting various types of mixed-mode oscillations (MMOs) composed of sub-threshold oscillations (STOs) and action potentials ("spikes"). We focus particularly on the impact of the delay in the interaction. In the weak-coupling regime, we reduce the system to a Kuramoto-type equation with non-sinusoidal phase coupling and the associated Fokker-Planck equation. Its linear stability analysis identifies the appearance of various cluster states. Their type depends sensitively on the delay and the width of the pulses. Interestingly, long delays do not imply slow population rhythms, and the number of emerging clusters only loosely depends on the number of STOs. Direct simulations of the oscillator equations reveal that for quantitative agreement of the weak-coupling theory the coupling strength and the noise have to be extremely small. Even moderate noise leads to significant skipping of STO cycles, which can enhance the diffusion coefficient in the Fokker-Planck equation by two orders of magnitude. Introducing an effective diffusion coefficient extends the range of agreement significantly. Numerical simulations of the Fokker-Planck equation reveal bistability and solutions with oscillatory order parameters that result from nonlinear mode interactions. These are confirmed in simulations of the full spiking model.

The Born-Oppenheimer molecular simulations of infrared spectra of crystalline poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate with analysis of weak Csbnd H⋯Odbnd C hydrogen bonds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brela, Mateusz Z.; Boczar, Marek; Wójcik, Marek J.; Sato, Harumi; Nakajima, Takahito; Ozaki, Yukihiro

2017-06-01

In this letter we present results of study of weak Csbnd H⋯Odbnd C hydrogen bonds of crystalline poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) by using Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics. The polymeric structure and IR spectra of PHB result from the presence of the weak hydrogen bonds. We applied the post-molecular dynamics analysis to consider a Cdbnd O motion as indirectly involved in the hydrogen bonds. Quantization of the nuclear motion of the oxygens was done to perform detailed analysis of the strength and properties of the Cdbnd O bands involved in the weak hydrogen bonds. We have also shown the dynamic character of the weak hydrogen bond interactions.

Exergy analysis on industrial boiler energy conservation and emission evaluation applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Henan

2017-06-01

Industrial boiler is one of the most energy-consuming equipments in china, the annual consumption of energy accounts for about one-third of the national energy consumption. Industrial boilers in service at present have several severe problems such as small capacity, low efficiency, high energy consumption and causing severe pollution on environment. In recent years, our country in the big scope, long time serious fog weather, with coal-fired industrial boilers is closely related to the regional characteristics of high strength and low emissions [1]. The energy-efficient and emission-reducing of industry boiler is of great significance to improve China’s energy usage efficiency and environmental protection. Difference in thermal equilibrium theory is widely used in boiler design, exergy analysis method is established on the basis of the first law and second law of thermodynamics, by studying the cycle of the effect of energy conversion and utilization, to analyze its influencing factors, to reveal the exergy loss of location, distribution and size, find out the weak links, and a method of mining system of the boiler energy saving potential. Exergy analysis method is used for layer combustion boiler efficiency and pollutant emission characteristics analysis and evaluation, and can more objectively and accurately the energy conserving potential of the mining system of the boiler, find out the weak link of energy consumption, and improve equipment performance to improve the industrial boiler environmental friendliness.

Analysis of Indium Tin Oxide Film Using Argon Fluroide (ArF) Laser-Excited Atomic Fluorescence of Ablated Plumes.

PubMed

Ho, Sut Kam; Garcia, Dario Machado

2017-04-01

A two-pulse laser-excited atomic fluorescence (LEAF) technique at 193 nm wavelength was applied to the analysis of indium tin oxide (ITO) layer on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. Fluorescence emissions from analytes were induced from plumes generated by first laser pulse. Using this approach, non-selective LEAF can be accomplished for simultaneous multi-element analysis and it overcomes the handicap of strict requirement for laser excitation wavelength. In this study, experimental conditions including laser fluences, times for gating and time delay between pulses were optimized to reveal high sensitivity with minimal sample destruction and penetration. With weak laser fluences of 100 and 125 mJ/cm 2 for 355 and 193 nm pulses, detection limits were estimated to be 0.10% and 0.43% for Sn and In, respectively. In addition, the relation between fluorescence emissions and number of laser shots was investigated; reproducible results were obtained for Sn and In. It shows the feasibility of depth profiling by this technique. Morphologies of samples were characterized at various laser fluences and number of shots to examine the accurate penetration. Images of craters were also investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrate the imperceptible destructiveness of film after laser shot. With such weak laser fluences and minimal destructiveness, this LEAF technique is suitable for thin-film analysis.

Using an innovative multiple regression procedure in a cancer population (Part II): fever, depressive affect, and mobility problems clarify an influential symptom pair (pain-fatigue/weakness) and cluster (pain-fatigue/weakness-sleep problems).

PubMed

Francoeur, Richard B

2015-01-01

Most patients with advanced cancer experience symptom pairs or clusters among pain, fatigue, and insomnia. However, only combinations where symptoms are mutually influential hold potential for identifying patient subgroups at greater risk, and in some contexts, interventions with "cross-over" (multisymptom) effects. Improved methods to detect and interpret interactions among symptoms, signs, or biomarkers are needed to reveal these influential pairs and clusters. I recently created sequential residual centering (SRC) to reduce multicollinearity in moderated regression, which enhances sensitivity to detect these interactions. I applied SRC to moderated regressions of single-item symptoms that interact to predict outcomes from 268 palliative radiation outpatients. I investigated: 1) the hypothesis that the interaction, pain × fatigue/weakness × sleep problems, predicts depressive affect only when fever presents, and 2) an exploratory analysis, when fever is absent, that the interaction, pain × fatigue/weakness × sleep problems × depressive affect, predicts mobility problems. In the fever context, three-way interactions (and derivative terms) of the four symptoms (pain, fatigue/weakness, fever, sleep problems) are tested individually and simultaneously; in the non-fever context, a single four-way interaction (and derivative terms) is tested. Fever interacts separately with fatigue/weakness and sleep problems; these comoderators each magnify the pain-depressive affect relationship along the upper or full range of pain values. In non-fever contexts, fatigue/weakness, sleep problems, and depressive affect comagnify the relationship between pain and mobility problems. Different mechanisms contribute to the pain × fatigue/weakness × sleep problems interaction, but all depend on the presence of fever, a sign/biomarker/symptom of proinflammatory sickness behavior. In non-fever contexts, depressive affect is no longer an outcome representing malaise from the physical symptoms of sickness, but becomes a fourth symptom of the interaction. In outpatient subgroups at heightened risk, single interventions could potentially relieve multiple symptoms when fever accompanies sickness malaise and in non-fever contexts with mobility problems. SRC strengthens insights into symptom pairs/clusters.

Distribution of cholecystokinin mRNA and peptides in the human brain.

PubMed

Lindefors, N; Brené, S; Kopp, J; Lindén, A; Brodin, E; Sedvall, G; Persson, H

1991-01-01

Expression of preprocholecystokinin mRNA was studied in regions of post mortem human brain using RNA blot analysis (Northern blot) and in situ hybridization. Northern blot analysis using a cDNA probe showed high levels of an approximately 0.8 kb preprocholecystokinin mRNA in all regions of neocortex examined. Lower levels of preprocholecystokinin mRNA were detected in amygdaloid body and thalamus. In situ hybridization analysis using the same cDNA probe revealed numerous weakly labelled neurons in different areas of human neocortex and less numerous neurons in hippocampus and amygdaloid body. High-performance liquid-chromatography and gel-chromatography combined with radioimmunoassay of cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity from human cerebral cortex and caudate nucleus revealed two major forms, one coeluting with sulphated cholecystokinin-8 and the other coeluting with sulphated cholecystokinin-58. Two minor components coeluting with cholecystokinin-4 and cholecystokinin-5 were also detected. The finding of cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity corresponding to cholecystokinin-8 and cholecystokinin-58 in caudate nucleus where no preprocholecystokinin mRNA was found, indicates the presence of these peptides in afferent nerve terminals.

N-(sulfoethyl) iminodiacetic acid-based lanthanide coordination polymers: Synthesis, magnetism and quantum Monte Carlo studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuang, Gui-lin; Chen, Wu-lin; Zheng, Jun; Yu, Hui-you; Wang, Jian-guo

2012-08-01

A series of lanthanide coordination polymers have been obtained through the hydrothermal reaction of N-(sulfoethyl) iminodiacetic acid (H3SIDA) and Ln(NO3)3 (Ln=La, 1; Pr, 2; Nd, 3; Gd, 4). Crystal structure analysis exhibits that lanthanide ions affect the coordination number, bond length and dimension of compounds 1-4, which reveal that their structure diversity can be attributed to the effect of lanthanide contraction. Furthermore, the combination of magnetic measure with quantum Monte Carlo(QMC) studies exhibits that the coupling parameters between two adjacent Gd3+ ions for anti-anti and syn-anti carboxylate bridges are -1.0×10-3 and -5.0×10-3 cm-1, respectively, which reveals weak antiferromagnetic interaction in 4.

Evaluation of Structural Isomers, Molecular Interactions, Reactivity Descriptors, and Vibrational Analysis of Tretinoin.

PubMed

Karthick, T; Tandon, Poonam; Singh, Swapnil

2017-01-01

Tretinoin is known to be a pharmaceutical drug for treating acne vulgaris, keratosis pilaris, and acute promyelocytic leukemia. In order to reveal the possible conformers of tretinoin, the energies of all the conformers through rotational bonds have been evaluated by systematic rotor search analysis. The intramolecular interactions ranging from strong hydrogen bonds to weak van der Waals forces present in tretinoin have been distinguished with the help of electron density mapping and wavefunction analysis. The global reactivity descriptors and Fukui functions of tretinoin have been calculated and discussed. The sites suitable for electrophilic attack and nucleophilic attack have been identified with the help of Hirshfeld partitioning. The vibrational spectroscopic signature of tretinoin and mixed mode band assignments have been elucidated with the help of experimental and simulated spectra.

Derecho-like event in Bulgaria on 20 July 2011

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gospodinov, Ilian; Dimitrova, Tsvetelina; Bocheva, Lilia; Simeonov, Petio; Dimitrov, Rumen

2015-05-01

In this work we analyze the development of a severe-convective-storm system in northwestern Bulgaria on 20 July 2011 which exhibited derecho-like characteristics. Prior to this event, a derecho had never been documented in Bulgaria. The convective system was associated with a cold front. We present a synoptic-scale analysis of the evolution of the cold front and an overview of the wind and the damage that has occurred in the region with the strongest impact. The convective system consisted of two multi-cell thunderstorms that are analyzed in some detail, based on radar data. The two storms merged and the convective system evolved into a bow-shape reflectivity structure with two rear inflow notches. The analysis of the radar data revealed cloud top heights of 17 km, with the formation of а bounded weak echo region, a maximum radar reflectivity factor of 63 dBZ, and wind speeds above 30 m/s. The field investigation revealed patterns in the damaged crops typical of strong wind gusts.

Employee impact and attitude analysis for GHS implementation in Taiwan.

PubMed

Chang, Yi-Kuo; Su, Teh-Sheng; Ouyang, Yun; Tseng, Jo-Ming

2013-01-01

The employee impact and attitude analysis for GHS implementation in Taiwan was investigated in this study. An impact assessment on the new regulations or changes in regulations for government, potential costs, benefits, and the global trade in chemicals to industries and hazard communication program for workers was studied by the methods of the questionnaire design and Delphi expert method. A survey was conducted using questionnaires and taking 200 experts from government's expert database and 500 selected respondents from case company. Results from present study revealed that the barrier associated with GHS implementation is existed; it is feasible to overcome. Both experts and employees think that business entities are insufficient to test and classify chemicals on their own, and the technical guidance from the government is needed. Data analyzed by the logistic regression revealed that more hours an employee spends on education and trainings of new GHS systems; the employee thinks implementation of GHS will improve hazard awareness for transporters. The weak labeling ability affects deployment of the new GHS system.

Adsorption and mobility of metals in build-up on road surfaces.

PubMed

Gunawardana, Chandima; Egodawatta, Prasanna; Goonetilleke, Ashantha

2015-01-01

The study investigated the adsorption and bioavailability characteristics of traffic generated metals common to urban land uses, in road deposited solids particles. To validate the outcomes derived from the analysis of field samples, adsorption and desorption experiments were undertaken. The analysis of field samples revealed that metals are selectively adsorbed to different charge sites on solids. Zinc, copper, lead and nickel are adsorbed preferentially to oxides of manganese, iron and aluminium. Lead is adsorbed to organic matter through chemisorption. Cadmium and chromium form weak bonding through cation exchange with most of the particle sizes. Adsorption and desorption experiments revealed that at high metal concentrations, chromium, copper and lead form relatively strong bonds with solids particles while zinc is adsorbed through cation exchange with high likelihood of being released back into solution. Outcomes from this study provide specific guidance for the removal of metals from stormwater based on solids removal. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of ocean conditions and forage taxa reveal regional structuring of seabird–prey relationships.

PubMed

Santora, Jarrod A; Schroeder, Isaac D; Field, John C; Wells, Brian K; Sydeman, William J

Studies of predator–prey demographic responses and the physical drivers of such relationships are rare, yet essential for predicting future changes in the structure and dynamics of marine ecosystems. Here, we hypothesize that predator–prey relationships vary spatially in association with underlying physical ocean conditions, leading to observable changes in demographic rates, such as reproduction. To test this hypothesis, we quantified spatio-temporal variability in hydrographic conditions, krill, and forage fish to model predator (seabird) demographic responses over 18 years (1990–2007). We used principal component analysis and spatial correlation maps to assess coherence among ocean conditions, krill, and forage fish, and generalized additive models to quantify interannual variability in seabird breeding success relative to prey abundance. The first principal component of four hydrographic measurements yielded an index that partitioned “warm/weak upwelling” and “cool/strong upwelling” years. Partitioning of krill and forage fish time series among shelf and oceanic regions yielded spatially explicit indicators of prey availability. Krill abundance within the oceanic region was remarkably consistent between years, whereas krill over the shelf showed marked interannual fluctuations in relation to ocean conditions. Anchovy abundance varied on the shelf, and was greater in years of strong stratification, weak upwelling and warmer temperatures. Spatio-temporal variability of juvenile forage fish co-varied strongly with each other and with krill, but was weakly correlated with hydrographic conditions. Demographic responses between seabirds and prey availability revealed spatially variable associations indicative of the dynamic nature of “predator–habitat” relationships. Quantification of spatially explicit demographic responses, and their variability through time, demonstrate the possibility of delineating specific critical areas where the implementation of protective measures could maintain functions and productivity of central place foraging predators.

Predictors of Depression Stigma in Medical Students: Potential Targets for Prevention and Education.

PubMed

Wimsatt, Leslie A; Schwenk, Thomas L; Sen, Ananda

2015-11-01

Suicide rates are higher among U.S. physicians than the general population. Untreated depression is a major risk factor, yet depression stigma presents a barrier to treatment. This study aims to identify early career indications of stigma among physicians-in-training and to inform the design of stigma-reduction programs. A cross-sectional student survey administered at a large, Midwestern medical school in fall 2009 included measures of depression symptoms, attitudes toward mental health, and potential sources of depression stigma. Principal components factor analysis and linear regression were used to examine stigma factors associated with depression in medical students. The response rate was 65.7%, with 14.7% students reporting a previous depression diagnosis. Most students indicated that, if depressed, they would feel embarrassed if classmates knew. Many believed that revealing depression could negatively affect professional advancement. Factor analyses revealed three underlying stigma constructs: personal weakness, public devaluation, and social/professional discrimination. Students associating personal weakness with depression perceived medication as less efficacious and the academic environment as more competitive. Those endorsing public stigma viewed medication and counseling as less efficacious and associated depression with an inability to cope. Race, gender, and diagnosis of past/current depression also related to beliefs about stigma. Depression measures most strongly predicted stigma associated with personal weakness and social/professional discrimination. Recommendations for decreasing stigma among physicians-in-training include consideration of workplace perceptions, depression etiology, treatment efficacy, and personal attributes in the design of stigma reduction programs that could facilitate help-seeking behavior among physicians throughout their career. Copyright © 2015 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Which clinical variable influences health-related quality of life the most after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage? Hunt and Hess scale, Fisher score, World Federation of Neurosurgeons score, Brussels coma score, and Glasgow coma score compared.

PubMed

Kapapa, Thomas; Tjahjadi, Martin; König, Ralph; Wirtz, Christian Rainer; Woischneck, Dieter

2013-12-01

To determine the strength of the correlation between the Hunt and Hess scale, Fisher score, Brussels coma score, World Federation of Neurosurgeons score, and Glasgow coma score and health-related quality of life. Evaluable questionnaires from 236 patients (5.6 years [± standard deviation, 2.854 years] on average after hemorrhage) were included in the analysis. Quality of life was documented using the MOS-36 item short form health survey. Because of the ordinal nature of the variables, Kendall tau was used for calculation. Significance was established as P ≤ 0.05. Weak and very weak correlations were found in general (r ≤ 0.28). The strongest correlations were found between the Glasgow coma score and quality of life (r = 0.236, P = 0.0001). In particular, the "best verbal response" achieved the strongest correlations in the comparison, at r = 0.28/P = 0.0001. The Fisher score showed very weak correlations (r = -0.148/P = 0.012). The Brussels coma score (r = -0.216/P = 0.0001), Hunt and Hess scale (r = -0.197/P = 0.0001), and the World Federation of Neurosurgeons score (r = -0.185/P = 0.0001) revealed stronger correlations, especially in terms of the physical aspects of quality of life. The Glasgow coma scale revealed the strongest, and the Fisher score showed the weakest correlations. Thus the Fisher score, as an indicator of the severity of a hemorrhage, has little significance in terms of health-related quality of life. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Metabolic pathway engineering based on metabolomics confers acetic and formic acid tolerance to a recombinant xylose-fermenting strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background The development of novel yeast strains with increased tolerance toward inhibitors in lignocellulosic hydrolysates is highly desirable for the production of bio-ethanol. Weak organic acids such as acetic and formic acids are necessarily released during the pretreatment (i.e. solubilization and hydrolysis) of lignocelluloses, which negatively affect microbial growth and ethanol production. However, since the mode of toxicity is complicated, genetic engineering strategies addressing yeast tolerance to weak organic acids have been rare. Thus, enhanced basic research is expected to identify target genes for improved weak acid tolerance. Results In this study, the effect of acetic acid on xylose fermentation was analyzed by examining metabolite profiles in a recombinant xylose-fermenting strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Metabolome analysis revealed that metabolites involved in the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) [e.g. sedoheptulose-7-phosphate, ribulose-5-phosphate, ribose-5-phosphate and erythrose-4-phosphate] were significantly accumulated by the addition of acetate, indicating the possibility that acetic acid slows down the flux of the pathway. Accordingly, a gene encoding a PPP-related enzyme, transaldolase or transketolase, was overexpressed in the xylose-fermenting yeast, which successfully conferred increased ethanol productivity in the presence of acetic and formic acid. Conclusions Our metabolomic approach revealed one of the molecular events underlying the response to acetic acid and focuses attention on the non-oxidative PPP as a target for metabolic engineering. An important challenge for metabolic engineering is identification of gene targets that have material importance. This study has demonstrated that metabolomics is a powerful tool to develop rational strategies to confer tolerance to stress through genetic engineering. PMID:21219616

Ellipsoidal analysis of coordination polyhedra

PubMed Central

Cumby, James; Attfield, J. Paul

2017-01-01

The idea of the coordination polyhedron is essential to understanding chemical structure. Simple polyhedra in crystalline compounds are often deformed due to structural complexity or electronic instabilities so distortion analysis methods are useful. Here we demonstrate that analysis of the minimum bounding ellipsoid of a coordination polyhedron provides a general method for studying distortion, yielding parameters that are sensitive to various orders in metal oxide examples. Ellipsoidal analysis leads to discovery of a general switching of polyhedral distortions at symmetry-disallowed transitions in perovskites that may evidence underlying coordination bistability, and reveals a weak off-centre ‘d5 effect' for Fe3+ ions that could be exploited in multiferroics. Separating electronic distortions from intrinsic deformations within the low temperature superstructure of magnetite provides new insights into the charge and trimeron orders. Ellipsoidal analysis can be useful for exploring local structure in many materials such as coordination complexes and frameworks, organometallics and organic molecules. PMID:28146146

Bonding of contemporary glass ionomer cements to dentin.

PubMed

Yip, H K; Tay, F R; Ngo, H C; Smales, R J; Pashley, D H

2001-09-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the microtensile bond strength (microTBS) of contemporary glass ionomer cements (GIC) to sound coronal dentin. Three specimen teeth were prepared for each material tested: Fuji IX GP (GC), ChemFlex (Dentsply) and Ketac-Molar Aplicap (ESPE). GIC buildups were made according to the manufacturers' instructions. After being stored at 37 degrees C, 100% humidity for 24h, the teeth were vertically sectioned into 1x1mm beams for microTBS evaluation. Representative fractured beams were prepared for scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examination. Results of the microTBS test were: Fuji IX GP (12.4+/-8.6MPa), ChemFlex (15.0+/-9.3MPa) and Ketac-Molar Aplicap (11.4+/-7.7MPa). One-way ANOVA and a multiple comparison test showed that ChemFlex had a statistically higher microTBS (p<0.05). SEM fractographic analysis showed that the predominant failure modes were interfacial and mixed failures. The GIC side of the fractured beams revealed dehydration cracks, a high level of porosity, and voids with an eggshell-like crust. TEM analysis of the demineralized dentin sides of the fractured beams revealed the presence of an intermediate layer along the GIC-dentin interface. This zone was present on the fractured dentin surface in the case of interfacial failure, and beneath GIC remnants in specimens that exhibited a mixed failure mode. The findings suggest that the bonding of GIC to dentin is not weak and that the microTBS values probably represent the weak yield strengths of GICs under tension.

Structural and computational analysis of intermolecular interactions in a new 2-thiouracil polymorph.

PubMed

Fabijanić, Ivana; Matković-Čalogović, Dubravka; Pilepić, Viktor; Sanković, Krešimir

2017-12-01

The crystallization and characterization of a new polymorph of 2-thiouracil by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Hirshfeld surface analysis and periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations are described. The previously published polymorph (A) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\\overline{1}, while that described herein (B) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2 1 /c. Periodic DFT calculations showed that the energies of polymorphs A and B, compared to the gas-phase geometry, were -108.8 and -29.4 kJ mol -1 , respectively. The two polymorphs have different intermolecular contacts that were analyzed and are discussed in detail. Significant differences in the molecular structure were found only in the bond lengths and angles involving heteroatoms that are involved in hydrogen bonds. Decomposition of the Hirshfeld fingerprint plots revealed that O...H and S...H contacts cover over 50% of the noncovalent contacts in both of the polymorphs; however, they are quite different in strength. Hydrogen bonds of the N-H...O and N-H...S types were found in polymorph A, whereas in polymorph B, only those of the N-H...O type are present, resulting in a different packing in the unit cell. QTAIM (quantum theory of atoms in molecules) computational analysis showed that the interaction energies for these weak-to-medium strength hydrogen bonds with a noncovalent or mixed interaction character were estimated to fall within the ranges 5.4-10.2 and 4.9-9.2 kJ mol -1 for polymorphs A and B, respectively. Also, the NCI (noncovalent interaction) plots revealed weak stacking interactions. The interaction energies for these interactions were in the ranges 3.5-4.1 and 3.1-5.5 kJ mol -1 for polymorphs A and B, respectively, as shown by QTAIM analysis.

Joint attention in Down syndrome: A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Hahn, Laura J; Loveall, Susan J; Savoy, Madison T; Neumann, Allie M; Ikuta, Toshikazu

2018-07-01

Some studies have indicated that joint attention may be a relative strength in Down syndrome (DS), but other studies have not. To conduct a meta-analysis of joint attention in DS to more conclusively determine if this is a relative strength or weakness when compared to children with typical development (TD), developmental disabilities (DD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Journal articles published before September 13, 2016, were identified by using the search terms "Down syndrome" and "joint attention" or "coordinating attention". Identified studies were reviewed and coded for inclusion criteria, descriptive information, and outcome variables. Eleven studies (553 participants) met inclusion criteria. Children with DS showed similar joint attention as TD children and higher joint attention than children with DD and ASD. Meta-regression revealed a significant association between age and joint attention effect sizes in the DS vs. TD contrast. Joint attention appears to not be a weakness for children with DS, but may be commensurate with developmental level. Joint attention may be a relative strength in comparison to other skills associated with the DS behavioral phenotype. Early interventions for children with DS may benefit from leveraging joint attention skills. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Vortex Flow in the Right Atrium Surrogates Supraventricular Arrhythmia and Thrombus After Atriopulmonary Connection-Type Fontan Operation: Vortex Flow Analysis Using Conventional Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

PubMed

Shiina, Yumi; Inai, Kei; Takahashi, Tatsunori; Shimomiya, Yamato; Ishizaki, Umiko; Fukushima, Kenji; Nagao, Michinobu

2018-02-01

We developed a novel imaging technique, designated as vortex flow (VF) mapping, which presents a vortex flow visually on conventional two-dimensional (2D) cine MRI. Using it, we assessed circumferential VF patterns and influences on RA thrombus and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in AP connection-type Fontan circulation. Retrospectively, we enrolled 27 consecutive patients (25.1 ± 9.2 years) and 7 age-matched controls who underwent cardiac MRI. Conventional cine images acquired using a 1.5-Tesla scanner were scanned for axial and coronal cross section of the RA. We developed "vortex flow mapping" to demonstrate the ratio of the circumferential voxel movement at each phase to the total movement throughout a cardiac cycle towards the RA center. The maximum ratio was used as a magnitude of vortex flow (MVF%) in RA cine imaging. We also measured percentages of strong and weak VF areas (VFA%). Furthermore, in 10 out of 27, we compared VF between previous CMR (3.8 ± 1.5 years ago) and latest CMR. Of the patients, 15 had cardiovascular complications (Group A); 12 did not (Group B). A transaxial image showed that strong VFA% in Group A was significantly smaller than that in Group B or controls. A coronal view revealed that strong VFA% was also smaller, and weak VFA% was larger in Group A than in Group B or controls (P < 0.05, and P < 0.05). Maximum MVF% in Group A was significantly smaller than in other groups (P < 0.001). Univariate logistic analyses revealed weak VFA% on a coronal image, and serum total bilirubin level as factors affecting cardiovascular complications (Odds ratio 1.14 and 66.1, 95% CI 1.004-1.30 and 1.59-2755.6, P values < 0.05 and < 0.05, respectively). Compared to the previous CMR, smaller maximum VMF%, smaller strong VFA%, and larger weak VFA% were identified in the latest CMR. Circumferentially weak VFA% on a coronal image can be one surrogate marker of SVT and thrombus in AP connection-type Fontan circulation. This simple VF assessment is clinically useful to detect blood stagnation.

Analysis of the Radar Reflectivity of Aircraft Vortex Wakes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shariff, Karim; Wray, Alan; Yan, Jerry (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Radar has been proposed as a way to track wake vortices to reduce aircraft spacing and tests have revealed radar echoes from aircraft wakes in clear air. The results are always interpreted qualitatively using Tatarski's theory of weak scattering by isotropic atmospheric turbulence. The goal of the present work was to predict the value of the radar cross-section (RCS) using simpler models. This is accomplished in two steps. First, the refractive index is obtained. Since the structure of the aircraft wakes is different from atmospheric turbulence, three simple mechanisms specific to vortex wakes are considered: (1) Radial density gradient in a two-dimensional vortex, (2) three-dimensional fluctuations in the vortex cores, and (3) Adiabatic transport of the atmospheric fluid in a two-dimensional oval surrounding the pair of vortices. The index of refraction is obtained more precisely for the two-dimensional mechanisms than for the three-dimensional ones. In the second step, knowing the index of refraction, a scattering analysis is performed. Tatarski's weak scattering approximation is kept but the usual assumptions of a far-field and a uniform incident wave are dropped. Neither assumption is generally valid for a wake that is coherent across the radar beam. For analytical insight, a simpler approximation that invokes, in addition to weak scattering, the far-field and wide cylindrical beam assumptions, is also developed and compared with the more general analysis. The predicted RCS values for the oval surround the vortices (mechanism C) agree with the experiments of Bilson conducted over a wide range of frequencies. However, the predictions have a cut-off away from normal incidence which is not present in the measurements. Estimates suggest that this is due to turbulence in the baroclinic vorticity generated at the boundary of the oval. The reflectivity of a vortex itself (mechanism A) is comparable to that of the oval (mechanism C) but cuts-off at frequencies lower than those considered in all the experiments to date. The RCS of a vortex happens to peak at the frequency (about 49 MHz) where atmospheric radars (known as ST radars) operate and so the present prediction could be verified in the future. Finally , we suggest that hot engine exhaust could increase RCE by 40 db and reveal vortex circulation, provided its mixing with the surroundings is prevented in the laminarising flow of the vortices.

Using Laboratory Homework to Facilitate Skill Integration and Assess Understanding in Intermediate Physics Courses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnston, Marty; Jalkio, Jeffrey

2013-04-01

By the time students have reached the intermediate level physics courses they have been exposed to a broad set of analytical, experimental, and computational skills. However, their ability to independently integrate these skills into the study of a physical system is often weak. To address this weakness and assess their understanding of the underlying physical concepts we have introduced laboratory homework into lecture based, junior level theoretical mechanics and electromagnetics courses. A laboratory homework set replaces a traditional one and emphasizes the analysis of a single system. In an exercise, students use analytical and computational tools to predict the behavior of a system and design a simple measurement to test their model. The laboratory portion of the exercises is straight forward and the emphasis is on concept integration and application. The short student reports we collect have revealed misconceptions that were not apparent in reviewing the traditional homework and test problems. Work continues on refining the current problems and expanding the problem sets.

Continuum in the X-Z---Y weak bonds: Z= main group elements.

PubMed

Joy, Jyothish; Jose, Anex; Jemmis, Eluvathingal D

2016-01-15

The Continuum in the variation of the X-Z bond length change from blue-shifting to red-shifting through zero- shifting in the X-Z---Y complex is inevitable. This has been analyzed by ab-initio molecular orbital calculations using Z= Hydrogen, Halogens, Chalcogens, and Pnicogens as prototypical examples. Our analysis revealed that, the competition between negative hyperconjugation within the donor (X-Z) molecule and Charge Transfer (CT) from the acceptor (Y) molecule is the primary reason for the X-Z bond length change. Here, we report that, the proper tuning of X- and Y-group for a particular Z- can change the blue-shifting nature of X-Z bond to zero-shifting and further to red-shifting. This observation led to the proposal of a continuum in the variation of the X-Z bond length during the formation of X-Z---Y complex. The varying number of orbitals and electrons available around the Z-atom differentiates various classes of weak interactions and leads to interactions dramatically different from the H-Bond. Our explanations based on the model of anti-bonding orbitals can be transferred from one class of weak interactions to another. We further take the idea of continuum to the nature of chemical bonding in general. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 4th edition-Chinese version index scores in Taiwanese children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

PubMed

Yang, Pinchen; Cheng, Chung-Ping; Chang, Chen-Lin; Liu, Tai-Ling; Hsu, Hsiu-Yi; Yen, Cheng-Fang

2013-02-01

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 4th edition-Chinese version (WISC-IV-Chinese) has been in clinical use in Taiwan since 2007. Research is needed to determine how the WISC-IV, modified from its earlier version, will affect its interpretation in clinical practice in a Mandarin-speaking context. We attempted to use WISC-IV-Chinese scores to identify the cognitive strengths and weaknesses in 334 Taiwanese children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Comparison of cognitive profiles of WISC-IV-Chinese scores between subtypes of ADHD was also performed. The results indicated that the four-factor model of the WISC-IV-Chinese fitted well for Taiwanese children with ADHD. The profiles showed that performance in the index score of the Processing Speed Index was the weakness domain for the Taiwanese children with ADHD, as confirmed by two different kinds of analytic methods. Cognitive profile analysis of ADHD subtypes revealed children with inattentive subtypes to have a greater weakness in processing speed performance. The implications of the profiles of the index scores on the WISC-IV-Chinese version for Taiwanese children with ADHD were explored. © 2013 The Authors. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences © 2013 Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Multidimensional profiles of health locus of control in Hispanic Americans.

PubMed

Champagne, Brian R; Fox, Rina S; Mills, Sarah D; Sadler, Georgia Robins; Malcarne, Vanessa L

2016-10-01

Latent profile analysis identified health locus of control profiles among 436 Hispanic Americans who completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales. Results revealed four profiles: Internally Oriented-Weak, -Moderate, -Strong, and Externally Oriented. The profile groups were compared on sociocultural and demographic characteristics, health beliefs and behaviors, and physical and mental health outcomes. The Internally Oriented-Strong group had less cancer fatalism, religiosity, and equity health attributions, and more alcohol consumption than the other three groups; the Externally Oriented group had stronger equity health attributions and less alcohol consumption. Deriving multidimensional health locus of control profiles through latent profile analysis allows examination of the relationships of health locus of control subtypes to health variables. © The Author(s) 2015.

Further discussions on the relationship between cumulated intercepted solar radiation and crop growth

USGS Publications Warehouse

Demetriades-Shah, T.H.; Fuchs, M.; Kanemasu, E.T.; Flitcroft, I.D.

1994-01-01

A strong correlation exists between intercepted solar radiation and crop growth. We cautioned that many derivations of the functional relationship between solar energy and biomass use cumulated data, and therefore have logical and arithmetic weaknesses. We examined the growth response of plants to solar energy by using rates of change, of both interception and growth. Our analysis revealed that measurements of light interception can only establish the relationship a posteriori. Replacing interception data with normalized random numbers did not change the quality of the relations. Several scientists have contested our views. This article reconfirms the general validity of our analysis and of our conclusions, that it is not possible to determine plant growth on the sole basis of intercepted solar energy.

Chemical constituents of the leaf of Alpinia mutica Roxb.

PubMed

Sirat, Hasnah Mohd; Jani, Nor Akmalazura

2013-01-01

Hydrodistillation of the fresh leaves of Alpinia mutica afforded 0.005% colourless essential oil. GC and GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 33 components accounting for 92.9% of the total oil, dominated by 20 sesquiterpenes (76.7%) and 10 monoterpenes (8.3%). The major constituent was found to be β-sesquiphellandrene which was 29.2% of the total oil. Soxhlet extraction, followed by repeated column chromatography of the dried leaves yielded two phenolic compounds, identified as 5,6-dehydrokawain and aniba dimer A, together with one amide assigned as auranamide. The structures of these compounds were determined by using spectroscopic analysis. Antibacterial screening of the essential oil, the crude and isolated compounds showed weak to moderate inhibitory activity.

[Coalition tactics of the weaks in the power struggle].

PubMed

Yamaguchi, H

1991-02-01

This study was intended to investigate the coalition tactics of the weaks under the situation where four players in the power relationship such as "A greater than B = C = D, A less than (B + C + D)" struggled for new resources of power. Subjects were 128 male undergraduates divided into 32 groups of four members each. The experimental design was 2 (determinants of power strength; resource size or rank order) x 2 (range of power distance between the strong and the weaks; large or small). As the result, it was revealed that the weaks preferred revolutional coalition "BCD" under the condition where the resource size determined the power strength, while preferred getting-ahead coalition "AB, AC, AD" under the condition where the rank order determined, and that expansion of power distance reinforced such tendency of the weaks. It was also shown, however, that the weaks did not always form the coalitions as they had hoped before bargaining. In conclusion, the necessity to examine the characteristics of the weaks' mentalities and behaviors in coalition bargaining was suggested.

Synthesis and the crystal and molecular structure of the germanium(IV) complex with propylene-1,3-diaminetetraacetic acid [Ge(Pdta)

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

Sergienko, V. S., E-mail: sergienko@igic.ras.ru; Martsinko, E. E.; Seifullina, I. I.

2015-09-15

The germanium(IV) complex with propylene-1,3-diaminetetraacetic acid (H{sub 4}Pdta) is studied by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and IR spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction study reveals two crystallographically independent [Ge(Pdta)] molecules of similar structure. Both Ge atoms are octahedrally coordinated by four O atoms and two N atoms (at the cis positions) of the hexadentate pentachelate Pdta{sup 4–} ligand. An extended system of weak C—H···O hydrogen bonds connects complex molecules into a supramolecular 3D framework.

Synthesis and the crystal and molecular structure of the germanium(IV) complex with propylene-1,3-diaminetetraacetic acid [Ge( Pdta)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sergienko, V. S.; Martsinko, E. E.; Seifullina, I. I.; Churakov, A. V.; Chebanenko, E. A.

2015-09-01

The germanium(IV) complex with propylene-1,3-diaminetetraacetic acid (H4 Pdta) is studied by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and IR spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction study reveals two crystallographically independent [Ge( Pdta)] molecules of similar structure. Both Ge atoms are octahedrally coordinated by four O atoms and two N atoms (at the cis positions) of the hexadentate pentachelate Pdta 4- ligand. An extended system of weak С—Н···О hydrogen bonds connects complex molecules into a supramolecular 3D framework.

Long-Range Temporal Correlations, Multifractality, and the Causal Relation between Neural Inputs and Movements

PubMed Central

Hu, Jing; Zheng, Yi; Gao, Jianbo

2013-01-01

Understanding the causal relation between neural inputs and movements is very important for the success of brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). In this study, we analyze 104 neurons’ firings using statistical, information theoretic, and fractal analysis. The latter include Fano factor analysis, multifractal adaptive fractal analysis (MF-AFA), and wavelet multifractal analysis. We find neuronal firings are highly non-stationary, and Fano factor analysis always indicates long-range correlations in neuronal firings, irrespective of whether those firings are correlated with movement trajectory or not, and thus does not reveal any actual correlations between neural inputs and movements. On the other hand, MF-AFA and wavelet multifractal analysis clearly indicate that when neuronal firings are not well correlated with movement trajectory, they do not have or only have weak temporal correlations. When neuronal firings are well correlated with movements, they are characterized by very strong temporal correlations, up to a time scale comparable to the average time between two successive reaching tasks. This suggests that neurons well correlated with hand trajectory experienced a “re-setting” effect at the start of each reaching task, in the sense that within the movement correlated neurons the spike trains’ long-range dependences persisted about the length of time the monkey used to switch between task executions. A new task execution re-sets their activity, making them only weakly correlated with their prior activities on longer time scales. We further discuss the significance of the coalition of those important neurons in executing cortical control of prostheses. PMID:24130549

Novel Functional Properties of Drosophila CNS Glutamate Receptors

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

Li, Yan; Dharkar, Poorva; Han, Tae-Hee

Phylogenetic analysis reveals AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptor families in insect genomes, suggesting conserved functional properties corresponding to their vertebrate counterparts. However, heterologous expression of the Drosophila kainate receptor DKaiR1D and the AMPA receptor DGluR1A revealed novel ligand selectivity at odds with the classification used for vertebrate glutamate receptor ion channels (iGluRs). DKaiR1D forms a rapidly activating and desensitizing receptor that is inhibited by both NMDA and the NMDA receptor antagonist AP5; crystallization of the KaiR1D ligand-binding domain reveals that these ligands stabilize open cleft conformations, explaining their action as antagonists. Surprisingly, the AMPA receptor DGluR1A shows weak activation bymore » its namesake agonist AMPA and also by quisqualate. Crystallization of the DGluR1A ligand-binding domain reveals amino acid exchanges that interfere with binding of these ligands. The unexpected ligand-binding profiles of insect iGluRs allows classical tools to be used in novel approaches for the study of synaptic regulation.« less

Novel Functional Properties of Drosophila CNS Glutamate Receptors.

PubMed

Li, Yan; Dharkar, Poorva; Han, Tae-Hee; Serpe, Mihaela; Lee, Chi-Hon; Mayer, Mark L

2016-12-07

Phylogenetic analysis reveals AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptor families in insect genomes, suggesting conserved functional properties corresponding to their vertebrate counterparts. However, heterologous expression of the Drosophila kainate receptor DKaiR1D and the AMPA receptor DGluR1A revealed novel ligand selectivity at odds with the classification used for vertebrate glutamate receptor ion channels (iGluRs). DKaiR1D forms a rapidly activating and desensitizing receptor that is inhibited by both NMDA and the NMDA receptor antagonist AP5; crystallization of the KaiR1D ligand-binding domain reveals that these ligands stabilize open cleft conformations, explaining their action as antagonists. Surprisingly, the AMPA receptor DGluR1A shows weak activation by its namesake agonist AMPA and also by quisqualate. Crystallization of the DGluR1A ligand-binding domain reveals amino acid exchanges that interfere with binding of these ligands. The unexpected ligand-binding profiles of insect iGluRs allows classical tools to be used in novel approaches for the study of synaptic regulation. VIDEO ABSTRACT. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Carbon Dioxide Line Shapes for Atmospheric Remote Sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Predoi-Cross, Adriana; Ibrahim, Amr; Wismath, Alice; Teillet, Philippe M.; Devi, V. Malathy; Benner, D. Chris; Billinghurst, Brant

2010-02-01

We present a detailed spectroscopic study of carbon dioxide in support of atmospheric remote sensing. We have studied two weak absorption bands near the strong ν2 band that is used to derive atmospheric temperature profiles. We have analyzed our laboratory spectra recorded with the synchrotron and globar sources with spectral line profiles that reproduce the absorption features with high accuracy. The Q-branch transitions exhibited asymmetric line shape due to weak line-mixing. For these weak transitions, we have retrieved accurate experimental line strengths, self- and air-broadening, self- and air-induced shift coefficients and weak line mixing parameters. The experimental precision is sufficient to reveal inherent variations of the width and shift coefficients according to transition quantum numbers.

Using an innovative multiple regression procedure in a cancer population (Part 1): detecting and probing relationships of common interacting symptoms (pain, fatigue/weakness, sleep problems) as a strategy to discover influential symptom pairs and clusters.

PubMed

Francoeur, Richard B

2015-01-01

The majority of patients with advanced cancer experience symptom pairs or clusters among pain, fatigue, and insomnia. Improved methods are needed to detect and interpret interactions among symptoms or diesease markers to reveal influential pairs or clusters. In prior work, I developed and validated sequential residual centering (SRC), a method that improves the sensitivity of multiple regression to detect interactions among predictors, by conditioning for multicollinearity (shared variation) among interactions and component predictors. Using a hypothetical three-way interaction among pain, fatigue, and sleep to predict depressive affect, I derive and explain SRC multiple regression. Subsequently, I estimate raw and SRC multiple regressions using real data for these symptoms from 268 palliative radiation outpatients. Unlike raw regression, SRC reveals that the three-way interaction (pain × fatigue/weakness × sleep problems) is statistically significant. In follow-up analyses, the relationship between pain and depressive affect is aggravated (magnified) within two partial ranges: 1) complete-to-some control over fatigue/weakness when there is complete control over sleep problems (ie, a subset of the pain-fatigue/weakness symptom pair), and 2) no control over fatigue/weakness when there is some-to-no control over sleep problems (ie, a subset of the pain-fatigue/weakness-sleep problems symptom cluster). Otherwise, the relationship weakens (buffering) as control over fatigue/weakness or sleep problems diminishes. By reducing the standard error, SRC unmasks a three-way interaction comprising a symptom pair and cluster. Low-to-moderate levels of the moderator variable for fatigue/weakness magnify the relationship between pain and depressive affect. However, when the comoderator variable for sleep problems accompanies fatigue/weakness, only frequent or unrelenting levels of both symptoms magnify the relationship. These findings suggest that a countervailing mechanism involving depressive affect could account for the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral intervention to reduce the severity of a pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance cluster in a previous randomized trial.

Lithologically controlled detachment strength and steady state since 10 Ma: Exploring the Alpine wedge using critical taper analysis combined with low-temperature thermochronometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von Hagke, Christoph; Oncken, Onno; Ortner, Hugo; Cederbom, Charlotte

2014-05-01

Although evidence for weak detachments underlying foreland thrust belts exists, very little is known about the lateral variations in effective strength, as well as the geological nature of such variations. Using critical taper analysis, we show that a detailed and systematic measurement of surface slope of the Central European Alps reveals variations in strength along the detachment, based on the argument that the Alps are close to the critical state. We show that the basal detachment is very weak near the deformation front but strengthens towards the hinterland. These changes in detachment strength coincide with changes of detachment lithology in the hangingwall and footwall respectively, emphasizing the dominant role of weak shales. The very low strength values we find in shales in the frontal part of the alpine sole detachment are caused partly by slightly elevated pore pressures but may also require additional mechanisms of dynamic weakening. Using the constraints on the present day alpine taper, we investigate the change in taper through time. To this end, we produced new apatite fission track and apatite (U-Th)/He data from the Alpine orogenic front, the Austrian Subalpine Molasse. We combine this data set with existing thermochronometry, and reconstruct the Central Alpine pro-wedge geometry at 10 Ma. We show that the taper of the Central Alps has not changed significantly and presumably remained close to kinematic and mass flux steady state since then. This indicates a feedback between ongoing shortening and erosion at low rates during the Late Neogene to present.

Ionic liquid thermal stabilities: decomposition mechanisms and analysis tools.

PubMed

Maton, Cedric; De Vos, Nils; Stevens, Christian V

2013-07-07

The increasing amount of papers published on ionic liquids generates an extensive quantity of data. The thermal stability data of divergent ionic liquids are collected in this paper with attention to the experimental set-up. The influence and importance of the latter parameters are broadly addressed. Both ramped temperature and isothermal thermogravimetric analysis are discussed, along with state-of-the-art methods, such as TGA-MS and pyrolysis-GC. The strengths and weaknesses of the different methodologies known to date demonstrate that analysis methods should be in line with the application. The combination of data from advanced analysis methods allows us to obtain in-depth information on the degradation processes. Aided with computational methods, the kinetics and thermodynamics of thermal degradation are revealed piece by piece. The better understanding of the behaviour of ionic liquids at high temperature allows selective and application driven design, as well as mathematical prediction for engineering purposes.

[Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with proximal dominant involvement (HMSN-P) is caused by a mutation in TFG].

PubMed

Ishiura, Hiroyuki; Tsuji, Shoji

2013-01-01

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with proximal dominant involvement (HMSN-P) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease characterized by proximal predominant weakness and muscle atrophy accompanied by distal sensory disturbance. Linkage analysis using 4 families identified a region on chromosome 3 showing a LOD score exceeding 4. Further refinement of candidate region was performed by haplotype analysis using high-density SNP data, resulting in a minimum candidate region spanning 3.3 Mb. Exome analysis of an HMSN-P patient revealed a mutation (c.854C>T, p.Pro285Leu) in TRK-fused gene (TFG). The identical mutation was found in the four families, which cosegregated with the disease. The mutation was neither found in Japanese control subjects nor public databases. Detailed haplotype analysis suggested two independent origins of the mutation. These findings indicate that the mutation in TFG causes HMSN-P.

Distinct Cortical Pathways for Music and Speech Revealed by Hypothesis-Free Voxel Decomposition

PubMed Central

Norman-Haignere, Sam

2015-01-01

SUMMARY The organization of human auditory cortex remains unresolved, due in part to the small stimulus sets common to fMRI studies and the overlap of neural populations within voxels. To address these challenges, we measured fMRI responses to 165 natural sounds and inferred canonical response profiles (“components”) whose weighted combinations explained voxel responses throughout auditory cortex. This analysis revealed six components, each with interpretable response characteristics despite being unconstrained by prior functional hypotheses. Four components embodied selectivity for particular acoustic features (frequency, spectrotemporal modulation, pitch). Two others exhibited pronounced selectivity for music and speech, respectively, and were not explainable by standard acoustic features. Anatomically, music and speech selectivity concentrated in distinct regions of non-primary auditory cortex. However, music selectivity was weak in raw voxel responses, and its detection required a decomposition method. Voxel decomposition identifies primary dimensions of response variation across natural sounds, revealing distinct cortical pathways for music and speech. PMID:26687225

Distinct Cortical Pathways for Music and Speech Revealed by Hypothesis-Free Voxel Decomposition.

PubMed

Norman-Haignere, Sam; Kanwisher, Nancy G; McDermott, Josh H

2015-12-16

The organization of human auditory cortex remains unresolved, due in part to the small stimulus sets common to fMRI studies and the overlap of neural populations within voxels. To address these challenges, we measured fMRI responses to 165 natural sounds and inferred canonical response profiles ("components") whose weighted combinations explained voxel responses throughout auditory cortex. This analysis revealed six components, each with interpretable response characteristics despite being unconstrained by prior functional hypotheses. Four components embodied selectivity for particular acoustic features (frequency, spectrotemporal modulation, pitch). Two others exhibited pronounced selectivity for music and speech, respectively, and were not explainable by standard acoustic features. Anatomically, music and speech selectivity concentrated in distinct regions of non-primary auditory cortex. However, music selectivity was weak in raw voxel responses, and its detection required a decomposition method. Voxel decomposition identifies primary dimensions of response variation across natural sounds, revealing distinct cortical pathways for music and speech. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Possible influence of the Kuramoto length in a photo-catalytic water splitting reaction revealed by Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations involving ionization in a weak electrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Yohichi; Seki, Kazuhiko

2018-03-01

We studied ion concentration profiles and the charge density gradient caused by electrode reactions in weak electrolytes by using the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations without assuming charge neutrality. In weak electrolytes, only a small fraction of molecules is ionized in bulk. Ion concentration profiles depend on not only ion transport but also the ionization of molecules. We considered the ionization of molecules and ion association in weak electrolytes and obtained analytical expressions for ion densities, electrostatic potential profiles, and ion currents. We found the case that the total ion density gradient was given by the Kuramoto length which characterized the distance over which an ion diffuses before association. The charge density gradient is characterized by the Debye length for 1:1 weak electrolytes. We discuss the role of these length scales for efficient water splitting reactions using photo-electrocatalytic electrodes.

Effect of local and global geomagnetic activity on human cardiovascular homeostasis.

PubMed

Dimitrova, Svetla; Stoilova, Irina; Yanev, Toni; Cholakov, Ilia

2004-02-01

The authors investigated the effects of local and planetary geomagnetic activity on human physiology. They collected data in Sofia, Bulgaria, from a group of 86 volunteers during the periods of the autumnal and vernal equinoxes. They used the factors local/planetary geomagnetic activity, day of measurement, gender, and medication use to apply a four-factor multiple analysis of variance. They also used a post hoc analysis to establish the statistical significance of the differences between the average values of the measured physiological parameters in the separate factor levels. In addition, the authors performed correlation analysis between the physiological parameters examined and geophysical factors. The results revealed that geomagnetic changes had a statistically significant influence on arterial blood pressure. Participants expressed this reaction with weak local geomagnetic changes and when major and severe global geomagnetic storms took place.

[Dropped head syndrome as first manifestation of primary hyperparathyroid myopathy].

PubMed

Ota, Kiyobumi; Koseki, Sayo; Ikegami, Kenji; Onishi, Iichiroh; Tomimitsu, Hiyoryuki; Shintani, Shuzo

2018-03-28

75 years old woman presented with 6-month history of progressive dropped head syndrome. Neurological examination revealed moderate weakness of flexor and extensor of neck and mild weakness of proximal appendicular muscles with normal deep tendon reflexes. The needle electromyography showed short duration and low amplitude motor unit potential. No fibrillation potentials or positive sharp waves were seen. Biopsy of deltoid muscle was normal. Laboratory studies showed elevated levels of serum calcium (11.8 mg/dl, upper limit of normal 10.1) and intact parathyroid hormone (104 pg/ml, upper limit of normal 65), and decreased level of serum phosphorus (2.3 mg/dl, lower limit of normal 2.7). Ultrasonography and enhanced computed tomography revealed a parathyroid tumor. The tumor was removed surgically. Pathological examination proved tumor to be parathyroid adenoma. Dropped head and weakness of muscles were dramatically improved within a week after the operation. Although hyperparathyroidism is a rare cause of dropped head syndrome, neurologists must recognize hyperparathyroidism as a treatable cause of dropped head syndrome.

Analysis of trace inorganic anions in weak acid salts by single pump cycling-column-switching ion chromatography.

PubMed

Huang, Zhongping; Ni, Chengzhu; Zhu, Zhuyi; Pan, Zaifa; Wang, Lili; Zhu, Yan

2015-05-01

The application of ion chromatography with the single pump cycling-column-switching technique was described for the analysis of trace inorganic anions in weak acid salts within a single run. Due to the hydrogen ions provided by an anion suppressor electrolyzing water, weak acid anions could be transformed into weak acids, existing as molecules, after passing through the suppressor. Therefore, an anion suppressor and ion-exclusion column were adopted to achieve on-line matrix elimination of weak acid anions with high concentration for the analysis of trace inorganic anions in weak acid salts. A series of standard solutions consisting of target anions of various concentrations from 0.005 to 10 mg/L were analyzed, with correlation coefficients r ≥ 0.9990. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.67 to 1.51 μg/L, based on the signal-to-noise ratio of 3 and a 25 μL injection volume. Relative standard deviations for retention time, peak area, and peak height were all less than 2.01%. A spiking study was performed with satisfactory recoveries between 90.3 and 104.4% for all anions. The chromatographic system was successfully applied to the analysis of trace inorganic anions in five weak acid salts. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Value Chains of Public and Private Health-care Services in a Small EU Island State: A SWOT Analysis

PubMed Central

Buttigieg, Sandra C.; Schuetz, Marcus; Bezzina, Frank

2016-01-01

The global financial and macroeconomic crisis of 2008/2009 and the ensuing recessions obliged policy makers to maximize use of resources and cut down on waste. Specifically, in health care, governments started to explore ways of establishing collaborations between the public and private health-care sectors. This is essential so as to ensure the best use of available resources, while securing quality of delivery of care as well as health systems sustainability and resilience. This qualitative study explores complementary and mutual attributes in the value creation process to patients by the public and private health-care systems in Malta, a small European Union island state. A workshop was conducted with 28 professionals from both sectors to generate two separate value chains, and this was followed by an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). The latter revealed several strengths and opportunities, which can better equip health-policy makers in the quest to maximize provision of health-care services. Moreover, the analysis also highlighted areas of weaknesses in both sectors as well as current threats of the external environment that, unless addressed, may threaten the state’s health-care system sustainability and resilience to macroeconomic shocks. The study goes on to provide feasible recommendations aimed at maximizing provision of health-care services in Malta. PMID:27683658

Mapping the Dark Matter Distribution of the Merging Galaxy Cluster Abell 115

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Mincheol; Jee, Myungkook James; Forman, William; Golovich, Nathan; van Weeren, Reinout

2018-01-01

The colliding galaxy cluster Abell 115 shows a number of clear merging features including radio relics, double X-ray peaks, and offsets between the cluster member galaxies and the X-ray distributions. In order to constrain the merging scenario of this complex system, it is critical to know where the dark matter is. We present a high-fidelity weak-lensing analysis of the system using a state-of-the-art method that robustly models the detailed PSF variations. Our mass reconstruction reveals two distinct mass peaks. Through a careful bootstrapping analysis, we demonstrate that the positions of these two mass peaks are highly consistent with those of the cluster galaxies, although the comparison with the X-ray emission shows that the mass peaks lead the X-ray peaks. We obtain the first weak-lensing mass of each subcluster by simultaneously fitting two NFW profiles, as well as the total mass of the system. Interestingly, the total mass is a few factors lower than the published dynamical mass based on velocity dispersion. This large mass discrepancy may be attributed to a significant disruption of the cluster galaxy orbits due to the violent merger. Our preliminary analysis indicates that the two subclusters might have experienced a first off-axis collision a few Gyrs ago and might be now returning for a second collision.

Heisenberg spin-glass behaviour in Ga0.99Yb0.01FeO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neacsa, Daniela Maria; Gruener, Gisèle; Hebert, Sylvie; Soret, Jean-Claude

2017-06-01

The dynamic and static magnetic properties of Ga0.99Yb0.01FeO3 are studied in detail using ac susceptibility and dc magnetization measurements. The study shows that the compound undergoes a spin-glass freezing at Tg ≈ 213 K . The dynamic scaling analysis of ac susceptibility data reveals typical features characteristic of canonical spin-glasses, i.e., relaxation time τ∗ ∼10-14 s , critical exponent νz = 4.1 ± 0.2 , and frequency sensitivity parameter δf ∼10-3 within three frequency decades. The analysis of the critical behaviour of the static nonlinear susceptibility yields the critical exponents γ = 4.3 ± 0.1, β = 1.0 ± 0.1 , and δ = 5.5 ± 0.5 , which lie between those typical of three-dimensional (3D) weakly anisotropic Heisenberg and Ising spin glasses. The analysis of the field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetization data allows to define two characteristic temperatures depending on the applied magnetic field. The upper one, Tirr(H) , is the threshold temperature corresponding to the appearance of weak irreversibility, whereas the lower one, Ts(H) , marks the onset of strong irreversibility. The resulting field-temperature phase diagram turns out to be in good quantitative agreement with the mean-field predictions for 3D Heisenberg spin-glass with random magnetic anisotropy, and appears consistent with the chiral driven freezing scenario.

Psychological Treatment of Sexual Offenders Against Children: A Meta-Analytic Review of Treatment Outcome Studies.

PubMed

Grønnerød, Cato; Grønnerød, Jarna Soilevuo; Grøndahl, Pål

2015-07-01

Numerous meta-analyses and reviews have been conducted on the effectiveness of psychological treatment of sexual offenders in reducing recidivism, but no meta-analysis has been done on sexual offenders against children (SOAC) specifically. A moderate treatment effect has been shown in several evaluations of general sexual offenders, while many scholars maintain that the question remains unanswered until an adequate number of effectiveness studies with a strong research design have been carried out. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated 14 studies selected and coded according to Collaborative Outcome Data Committee (CODC) criteria. They included 1,421 adult offenders in psychotherapy and 1,509 nontreated controls, with a minimum average follow-up period of 3 years, published in peer-reviewed journals in 1980 or later. Recidivism was defined as rearrest or reconviction. Study quality was classified into strong, good, weak or rejected. The analysis revealed a treatment effect size of r = .03 for nine studies evaluated as Good or Weak, while all studies yielded an effect size of r = .08, including five studies classified as Rejected. The results show that the available research cannot establish any effect of treatment on SOAC. Despite a large amount of research, only a tiny fraction of studies meet a minimum of scientific standards, and even fewer provide sensible and useful data from which it is possible to draw conclusions. © The Author(s) 2014.

Local vibrations in disordered solids studied via single-molecule spectroscopy: Comparison with neutron, nuclear, Raman scattering, and photon echo data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vainer, Yu. G.; Naumov, A. V.; Kador, L.

2008-06-01

The energy spectrum of low-frequency vibrational modes (LFMs) in three disordered organic solids—amorphous polyisobutylene (PIB), toluene and deuterated toluene glasses, weakly doped with fluorescent chromophore molecules of tetra-tert-butylterrylene (TBT) has been measured via single-molecule (SM) spectroscopy. Analysis of the individual temperature dependences of linewidths of single TBT molecules allowed us to determine the values of the vibrational mode frequencies and the SM-LFM coupling constants for vibrations in the local environment of the molecules. The measured LFM spectra were compared with the “Boson peak” as measured in pure PIB by inelastic neutron scattering, in pure toluene glass by low-frequency Raman scattering, in doped toluene glass by nuclear inelastic scattering, and with photon echo data. The comparative analysis revealed close agreement between the spectra of the local vibrations as measured in the present study and the literature data of the Boson peak in PIB and toluene. The analysis has also the important result that weak doping of the disordered matrices with nonpolar probe molecules whose chemical composition is similar to that of the matrix molecules does not influence the observed vibrational dynamics markedly. The experimental data displaying temporal stability on the time scale of a few hours of vibrational excitation parameters in local surroundings was obtained for the first time both for polymer and molecular glass.

Awareness of and memory for arm weakness during intracarotid sodium amytal testing.

PubMed

Carpenter, K; Berti, A; Oxbury, S; Molyneux, A J; Bisiach, E; Oxbury, J M

1995-02-01

The traditional association between anosognosia for hemiplegia and the right hemisphere was investigated in 31 patients with unilateral temporal lobe pathology during intracarotid sodium amytal testing (ISA) before epilepsy surgery. Recall of arm weakness was examined by questioning at the end of the test, when memory for items presented during the hemiplegia was also examined. Significantly more patients were amnesic for left arm weakness than for right. Amnesia for right arm weakness (and speech arrest) was significantly associated with pathology in the temporal lobe on the non-injected side and with impaired recognition of the memory items. Amnesia for left arm weakness was independent of both. Examination of cases where injection was contralateral to a hemisphere without pathology, and which showed normal memory capacity under ISA conditions, revealed that 87% recalled right arm weakness, but only 22% recalled left arm weakness. Awareness of arm weakness during left hemiplegia was examined in nine patients. Five of them were not aware of the weakness. Three of the four others could not subsequently recall it. By inference from the generally unimpaired recall of right arm weakness, following left hemisphere inactivation by amytal, an intact right hemisphere is capable of both recognizing right arm weakness and mediating its subsequent recall. In contrast, the left hemisphere was aware of left arm weakness only in approximately 50% of cases and even when there had been awareness usually could not mediate its subsequent recall. The suggestion is made that the right hemisphere may have a specific mnestic function for arm weakness, and presumably for hemiplegia, additional to the gnostic function.

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis: a case report and review of the literature

PubMed Central

Soule, Benjamin R; Simone, Nicole L

2008-01-01

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis is one form of Periodic Paralysis, a rare group of disorders that can cause of sudden onset weakness. A case of a 29 year old male is presented here. The patient presented with sudden onset paralysis of his extremities. Laboratory evaluation revealed a markedly low potassium level. The patient's paralysis resolved upon repletion of his low potassium and he was discharged with no neurologic deficits. An association with thyroid disease is well established and further workup revealed Grave's disease in this patient. Although rare, Periodic Paralysis must differentiated from other causes of weakness and paralysis so that the proper treatment can be initiated quickly. PMID:18939979

Analysis of weak interactions and Eotvos experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hsu, J. P.

1978-01-01

The intermediate-vector-boson model is preferred over the current-current model as a basis for calculating effects due to weak self-energy. Attention is given to a possible violation of the equivalence principle by weak-interaction effects, and it is noted that effects due to weak self-energy are at least an order of magnitude greater than those due to the weak binding energy for typical nuclei. It is assumed that the weak and electromagnetic energies are independent.

Brassinosteroid-Insensitive Dwarf Mutants of Arabidopsis Accumulate Brassinosteroids1

PubMed Central

Noguchi, Takahiro; Fujioka, Shozo; Choe, Sunghwa; Takatsuto, Suguru; Yoshida, Shigeo; Yuan, Heng; Feldmann, Kenneth A.; Tax, Frans E.

1999-01-01

Seven dwarf mutants resembling brassinosteroid (BR)-biosynthetic dwarfs were isolated that did not respond significantly to the application of exogenous BRs. Genetic and molecular analyses revealed that these were novel alleles of BRI1 (Brassinosteroid-Insensitive 1), which encodes a receptor kinase that may act as a receptor for BRs or be involved in downstream signaling. The results of morphological and molecular analyses indicated that these represent a range of alleles from weak to null. The endogenous BRs were examined from 5-week-old plants of a null allele (bri1-4) and two weak alleles (bri1-5 and bri1-6). Previous analysis of endogenous BRs in several BR-biosynthetic dwarf mutants revealed that active BRs are deficient in these mutants. However, bri1-4 plants accumulated very high levels of brassinolide, castasterone, and typhasterol (57-, 128-, and 33-fold higher, respectively, than those of wild-type plants). Weaker alleles (bri1-5 and bri1-6) also accumulated considerable levels of brassinolide, castasterone, and typhasterol, but less than the null allele (bri1-4). The levels of 6-deoxoBRs in bri1 mutants were comparable to that of wild type. The accumulation of biologically active BRs may result from the inability to utilize these active BRs, the inability to regulate BR biosynthesis in bri1 mutants, or both. Therefore, BRI1 is required for the homeostasis of endogenous BR levels. PMID:10557222

Long clinostation influence on the localization of free and weakly bound calcium in cell walls of Funaria hygrometrica moss protonema cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nedukha, E. M.

The pyroantimonate method was used to study the localization of free and weakly bound calcium in cells of moss protonema of Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. cultivated on a clinostat (2 rev/min). Electroncytochemical study of control cells cultivated at 1 g revealed that granular precipitate marked chloroplasts, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, lipid drops, nucleoplasma, nucleolus, nucleus membranes, cell walls and endoplasmic reticulum. In mitochondria the precipitate was revealed in stroma, in chloroplast it was found on thylakoids and envelope membranes. The cultivation of protonema on clinostat led to the intensification in cytochemical reaction product deposit. A considerable intensification of the reaction was noted in endomembranes, vacuoles, periplasmic space and cell walls. At the same time analysis of pectinase localization was made using the electroncytochemical method. A high reaction intensity in walls in comparison to that in control was found out to be a distinctive pecularity of the cells cultivated on clinostat. It testifies to the fact that increasing of freee calcium concentrations under conditions of clinostation is connected with pectinic substances hydrolysis and breaking of methoxy groups of pectins. Data obtained are discussed in relation to problems of possible mechanisms of disturbance in calcium balance of plant cells and the role of cell walls in gomeostasis of cell grown under conditions of simulated weighlessness.

Effect of weak magnetic field on arsenate and arsenite removal from water by zerovalent iron: an XAFS investigation.

PubMed

Sun, Yuankui; Guan, Xiaohong; Wang, Jianmin; Meng, Xiaoguang; Xu, Chunhua; Zhou, Gongming

2014-06-17

In this study, a weak magnetic field (WMF), superimposed with a permanent magnet, was utilized to improve ZVI corrosion and thereby enhance As(V)/As(III) removal by ZVI at pHini 3.0-9.0. The experiment with real arsenic-bearing groundwater revealed that WMF could greatly improve arsenic removal by ZVI even in the presence of various cations and anions. The WMF-induced improvement in As(V)/As(III) removal by ZVI should be primarily associated with accelerated ZVI corrosion, as evidenced by the pH variation, Fe(2+) release, and the formation of corrosion products as characterized with X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The arsenic species analysis in solution/solid phases at pHini 3.0 revealed that As(III) oxidation to As(V) in aqueous phase preceded its subsequent sequestration by the newly formed iron (hydr)oxides. However, both As(V) adsorption following As(III) oxidation to As(V) in solution and As(III) adsorption preceding its conversion to As(V) in solid phase were observed at pHini 5.0-9.0. The application of WMF accelerated the transformation of As(III) to As(V) in both aqueous and solid phases at pHini 5.0-9.0 and enhanced the oxidation of As(III) to As(V) in solution at pHini 3.0.

There may be Fermi Energy levels in the hollow interiors of Nanotubes that would allow for a type of Quantum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kriske, Richard

2011-04-01

There may be Fermi Energy levels that would allow for easy travel by Atoms, Molecules and Particles, in the hollow interior of Nanotubes. This may result in a Quantum Mechanical explaination of Capillary Action, and it may result in devices could take advantage of the idea that it takes no energy to rise in a Capillary tube, only in leaving it. This no-energy conjecture of Capillarity sounds very much like the idea that Electrons in obitals lose no Energy staying in orbit, only in changing orbits.It is this conjecture that may reveal that a Fermi Energy state is essentially in a weak orbital. This weak orbital could be exploited to store Anti-matter for instance. More profoundly it clearly shows how the Quantum Mechanical states meld smoothly into Classical Physics. It also reveals how extremely efficient Classical Machines could be constructed to take advantage of this spontaneous action. Say a tube could be designed to nudge electrons out of a weak obital in one place, sent down the tube (which is another weak orbital) and deposited in a weak orbital of another very distant Atom, apparently with little or perhaps no work being done, as long as the orbitals are the same energy. This may already exist in some Biological systems. Although more experimentation is needed, this would be the breakthrough that is needed to unify Classical and Quantum Mechanics.

Mechanism of enhanced responses after combination photodynamic therapy (cPDT) in carcinoma cells involves C/EBP-mediated transcriptional upregulation of the coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPO) gene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anand, Sanjay; Hasan, Tayyaba; Maytin, Edward V.

2013-03-01

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with aminolevulinate (ALA) is widely accepted as an effective treatment for superficial carcinomas and pre-cancers. However, PDT is still suboptimal for deeper tumors, mainly due to inadequate ALA penetration and subsequent conversion to PpIX. We are interested in improving the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for deep tumors, using a combination approach (cPDT) in which target protoporphyrin (PpIX) levels are significantly enhanced by differentiation caused by giving Vitamin D or methotrexate (MTX) for 3 days prior to ALAPDT. In LNCaP and MEL cells, a strong correlation between inducible differentiation and expression of C/EBP transcription factors, as well as between differentiation and mRNA levels of CPO (a key heme-synthetic enzyme), indicates the possibility of CPO transcriptional regulation by the C/EBPs. Sequence analysis of the first 1300 base pairs of the murine CPO upstream region revealed 15 consensus C/EBP binding sites. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays (EMSA) proved that these sites form specific complexes that have strong, moderate or weak affinities for C/EBPs. However, in the context of the full-length CPO promoter, inactivation of any type of site (strong or weak) reduced CPO promoter activity (luciferase assay) to nearly the same extent, suggesting cooperative interactions. A comparative analysis of murine and human CPO promoters revealed possible protein-protein interactions between C/EBPs and several neighboring transcription factors such as NFkB, Sp1, AP-1, CBP/p300 and CREB (an enhanceosome complex). Overall, these results confirm that C/EBP's are important for CPO expression via complex mechanisms which upregulate PpIX and enhance the outcome of cPDT.

Changes in precipitation regime in the Baltic countries in 1966-2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaagus, Jaak; Briede, Agrita; Rimkus, Egidijus; Sepp, Mait

2018-01-01

The aim of the study was to analyse trends and regime shifts in time series of monthly, seasonal and annual precipitation in the eastern Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) during 1966-2015. Data from 54 stations with nearly homogeneous series were used. The Mann-Kendall test was used for trend analysis and the Rodionov test for the analysis of regime shifts. Rather few statistically significant trends ( p < 0.05) and regime shifts were determined. The highest increase (by approximately 10 mm per decade) was observed in winter precipitation when a significant trend was found at the large majority of stations. For monthly precipitation, increasing trends were detected at many stations in January, February and June. Weak negative trends revealed at few stations in April and September. Annual precipitation has generally increased, but the trend is mostly insignificant. The analysis of regime shifts revealed some significant abrupt changes, the most important of which were upward shifts in winter, in January and February precipitation at many stations since 1990 or in some other years (1989, 1995). A return shift in the time series of February precipitation occurred since 2003. The most significant increase in precipitation was determined in Latvia and the weakest increase in Lithuania.

Genome-wide DNA polymorphism in the indica rice varieties RGD-7S and Taifeng B as revealed by whole genome re-sequencing.

PubMed

Fu, Chong-Yun; Liu, Wu-Ge; Liu, Di-Lin; Li, Ji-Hua; Zhu, Man-Shan; Liao, Yi-Long; Liu, Zhen-Rong; Zeng, Xue-Qin; Wang, Feng

2016-03-01

Next-generation sequencing technologies provide opportunities to further understand genetic variation, even within closely related cultivars. We performed whole genome resequencing of two elite indica rice varieties, RGD-7S and Taifeng B, whose F1 progeny showed hybrid weakness and hybrid vigor when grown in the early- and late-cropping seasons, respectively. Approximately 150 million 100-bp pair-end reads were generated, which covered ∼86% of the rice (Oryza sativa L. japonica 'Nipponbare') reference genome. A total of 2,758,740 polymorphic sites including 2,408,845 SNPs and 349,895 InDels were detected in RGD-7S and Taifeng B, respectively. Applying stringent parameters, we identified 961,791 SNPs and 46,640 InDels between RGD-7S and Taifeng B (RGD-7S/Taifeng B). The density of DNA polymorphisms was 256.8 SNPs and 12.5 InDels per 100 kb for RGD-7S/Taifeng B. Copy number variations (CNVs) were also investigated. In RGD-7S, 1989 of 2727 CNVs were overlapped in 218 genes, and 1231 of 2010 CNVs were annotated in 175 genes in Taifeng B. In addition, we verified a subset of InDels in the interval of hybrid weakness genes, Hw3 and Hw4, and obtained some polymorphic InDel markers, which will provide a sound foundation for cloning hybrid weakness genes. Analysis of genomic variations will also contribute to understanding the genetic basis of hybrid weakness and heterosis.

Racial, Socioeconomic, and Gender Disparities in the Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes of Adult Chiari I Malformations.

PubMed

Krucoff, Max O; Cook, Steven; Adogwa, Owoicho; Moreno, Jessica; Yang, Siyun; Xie, Jichun; Firempong, Alexander O; Lad, Nandan; Bagley, Carlos A

2017-01-01

To examine the influence of race, gender, and socioeconomic factors on presentations and outcomes of adult Chiari I malformations. The charts of 638 adult patients with Chiari I malformations were reviewed, and 287 patients were included in the study. Race, gender, insurance status, symptoms, depth of cerebellar tonsillar herniation, and presence of syringomyelia were examined as covariates in multivariate logistic regression models to identify independent predictors of presentation and outcome. Patients with public insurance had a longer stay in the hospital (P = 0.01). A higher proportion of male patients presented with upper extremity weakness (P = 0.01), lower extremity weakness (P = 0.040), and cranial nerve findings (P = 0.02). Men had shorter onset to diagnosis times (P = 0.02), worse tonsillar herniation (P = 0.03), and more severe symptoms (P = 0.05). White patients more frequently presented with back pain (P = 0.03), and African American patients more frequently presented with lower extremity weakness (P = 0.01). African Americans had worse tonsillar herniation (P < 0.01) and were more likely to present with syringomyelia (P = 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that back pain (P < 0.01), upper extremity weakness (P ≤ 0.01), upper extremity paresthesias (P < 0.01), and upper with lower extremity paresthesias (P = 0.04) were significant predictors of syringomyelia. The only independent predictor of outcome was size of tonsillar herniation (P = 0.03). Significant differences in presentation of Chiari I malformation resulting from gender, race, and insurance status were quantified for the first time. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quantitative motor assessment of muscular weakness in myasthenia gravis: a pilot study.

PubMed

Hoffmann, Sarah; Siedler, Jana; Brandt, Alexander U; Piper, Sophie K; Kohler, Siegfried; Sass, Christian; Paul, Friedemann; Reilmann, Ralf; Meisel, Andreas

2015-12-23

Muscular weakness in myasthenia gravis (MG) is commonly assessed using Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis Score (QMG). More objective and quantitative measures may complement the use of clinical scales and might detect subclinical affection of muscles. We hypothesized that muscular weakness in patients with MG can be quantified with the non-invasive Quantitative Motor (Q-Motor) test for Grip Force Assessment (QGFA) and Involuntary Movement Assessment (QIMA) and that pathological findings correlate with disease severity as measured by QMG. This was a cross-sectional pilot study investigating patients with confirmed diagnosis of MG. Data was compared to healthy controls (HC). Subjects were asked to lift a device (250 and 500 g) equipped with electromagnetic sensors that measured grip force (GF) and three-dimensional changes in position and orientation. These were used to calculate the position index (PI) and orientation index (OI) as measures for involuntary movements due to muscular weakness. Overall, 40 MG patients and 23 HC were included. PI and OI were significantly higher in MG patients for both weights in the dominant and non-dominant hand. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with clinically ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) also showed significantly higher values for PI and OI in both hands and for both weights. Disease severity correlates with QIMA performance in the non-dominant hand. Q-Motor tests and particularly QIMA may be useful objective tools for measuring motor impairment in MG and seem to detect subclinical generalized motor signs in patients with OMG. Q-Motor parameters might serve as sensitive endpoints for clinical trials in MG.

Weak Localization of Light in a Disordered Microcavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gurioli, M.; Bogani, F.; Cavigli, L.; Gibbs, H.; Khitrova, G.; Wiersma, D. S.

2005-05-01

We report the observation of weak localization of light in a semiconductor microcavity. The intrinsic disorder in a microcavity leads to multiple scattering and hence to static speckle. We show that averaging over realizations of the disorder reveals a coherent backscattering cone that has a coherent enhancement factor ≥2, as required by reciprocity. The coherent backscattering cone is observed along a ring-shaped pattern due to confinement by the microcavity.

Counterfactual statements and weak measurements: an experimental proposal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mølmer, Klaus

2001-12-01

A recent analysis suggests that weak measurements can be used to give observational meaning to counterfactual reasoning in quantum physics. A weak measurement is predicted to assign a negative unit population to a specific state in an interferometric Gedankenexperiment proposed by Hardy. We propose an experimental implementation with trapped ions of the Gedankenexperiment and of the weak measurement. In our standard quantum mechanical analysis of the proposal no states have negative population, but we identify the registration of a negative population by particles being displaced on average in the direction opposite to a force acting upon them.

[A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the current immunization program in Zhejiang Province].

PubMed

He, Han-Qing; Ling, Luo-Ya; Xu, Xu-Qing

2009-02-01

To know the status of Immunization program in Zhejiang Province. The investigation on immunization program in zhejiang province was conducted, and the SWOT analysis was corducted to make a comprehensive evaluation. 11 cities, 22 counties and 44 towns were investigated in this study, and the current immunization program in Zhejiang province were explored by SWOT analysis. The SWOT Matrix, includes SO (strength-opportunity), ST (strength-threat), WO (weakness-opportunity) and WT (weakness-threat) can apply to make optimal strategy for the development of expanded program on immunization.

IRGM Variants and Susceptibility to Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the German Population

PubMed Central

Bues, Stephanie; Stallhofer, Johannes; Fries, Christoph; Olszak, Torsten; Tsekeri, Eleni; Wetzke, Martin; Beigel, Florian; Steib, Christian; Friedrich, Matthias; Göke, Burkhard; Diegelmann, Julia; Czamara, Darina; Brand, Stephan

2013-01-01

Background & Aims Genome-wide association studies identified the autophagy gene IRGM to be strongly associated with Crohn's disease (CD) but its impact in ulcerative colitis (UC), its phenotypic effects and potential epistatic interactions with other IBD susceptibility genes are less clear which we therefore analyzed in this study. Methodology/Principal Findings Genomic DNA from 2060 individuals including 817 CD patients, 283 UC patients, and 961 healthy, unrelated controls (all of Caucasian origin) was analyzed for six IRGM single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs13371189, rs10065172 = p.Leu105Leu, rs4958847, rs1000113, rs11747270, rs931058). In all patients, a detailed genotype-phenotype analysis and testing for epistasis with the three major CD susceptibility genes NOD2, IL23R and ATG16L1 were performed. Our analysis revealed an association of the IRGM SNPs rs13371189 (p = 0.02, OR 1.31 [95% CI 1.05–1.65]), rs10065172 = p.Leu105Leu (p = 0.016, OR 1.33 [95% CI 1.06–1.66]) and rs1000113 (p = 0.047, OR 1.27 [95% CI 1.01–1.61]) with CD susceptibility. There was linkage disequilibrium between these three IRGM SNPs. In UC, several IRGM haplotypes were weakly associated with UC susceptibility (p<0.05). Genotype-phenotype analysis revealed no significant associations with a specific IBD phenotype or ileal CD involvement. There was evidence for weak gene-gene-interaction between several SNPs of the autophagy genes IRGM and ATG16L1 (p<0.05), which, however, did not remain significant after Bonferroni correction. Conclusions/Significance Our results confirm IRGM as susceptibility gene for CD in the German population, supporting a role for the autophagy genes IRGM and ATG16L1 in the pathogenesis of CD. PMID:23365659

Assessing Analysis and Reasoning in Bioethics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pearce, Roger S.

2008-01-01

Developing critical thinking is a perceived weakness in current education. Analysis and reasoning are core skills in bioethics making bioethics a useful vehicle to address this weakness. Assessment is widely considered to be the most influential factor on learning (Brown and Glasner, 1999) and this piece describes how analysis and reasoning in…

Joint weak value for all order coupling using continuous variable and qubit probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumari, Asmita; Pan, Alok Kumar; Panigrahi, Prasanta K.

2017-11-01

The notion of weak measurement in quantum mechanics has gained a significant and wide interest in realizing apparently counterintuitive quantum effects. In recent times, several theoretical and experimental works have been reported for demonstrating the joint weak value of two observables where the coupling strength is restricted to the second order. In this paper, we extend such a formulation by providing a complete treatment of joint weak measurement scenario for all-order-coupling for the observable satisfying A 2 = 𝕀 and A 2 = A, which allows us to reveal several hitherto unexplored features. By considering the probe state to be discrete as well as continuous variable, we demonstrate how the joint weak value can be inferred for any given strength of the coupling. A particularly interesting result we pointed out that even if the initial pointer state is uncorrelated, the single pointer displacement can provide the information about the joint weak value, if at least third order of the coupling is taken into account. As an application of our scheme, we provide an all-order-coupling treatment of the well-known Hardy paradox by considering the continuous as well as discrete meter states and show how the negative joint weak probabilities emerge in the quantum paradoxes at the weak coupling limit.

Suboptimal T-cell receptor signaling compromises protein translation, ribosome biogenesis, and proliferation of mouse CD8 T cells.

PubMed

Tan, Thomas C J; Knight, John; Sbarrato, Thomas; Dudek, Kate; Willis, Anne E; Zamoyska, Rose

2017-07-25

Global transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of T cells have been rich sources of unbiased data for understanding T-cell activation. Lack of full concordance of these datasets has illustrated that important facets of T-cell activation are controlled at the level of translation. We undertook translatome analysis of CD8 T-cell activation, combining polysome profiling and microarray analysis. We revealed that altering T-cell receptor stimulation influenced recruitment of mRNAs to heavy polysomes and translation of subsets of genes. A major pathway that was compromised, when TCR signaling was suboptimal, was linked to ribosome biogenesis, a rate-limiting factor in both cell growth and proliferation. Defective TCR signaling affected transcription and processing of ribosomal RNA precursors, as well as the translation of specific ribosomal proteins and translation factors. Mechanistically, IL-2 production was compromised in weakly stimulated T cells, affecting the abundance of Myc protein, a known regulator of ribosome biogenesis. Consequently, weakly activated T cells showed impaired production of ribosomes and a failure to maintain proliferative capacity after stimulation. We demonstrate that primary T cells respond to various environmental cues by regulating ribosome biogenesis and mRNA translation at multiple levels to sustain proliferation and differentiation.

Photoexcited energy transfer in a weakly coupled dimer

DOE PAGES

Hernandez, Laura Alfonso; Nelson, Tammie; Tretiak, Sergei; ...

2015-01-08

Nonadiabatic excited-state molecular dynamics (NA-ESMD) simulations have been performed in order to study the time-dependent exciton localization during energy transfer between two chromophore units of the weakly coupled anthracene dimer dithia-anthracenophane (DTA). Simulations are done at both low temperature (10 K) and room temperature (300 K). The initial photoexcitation creates an exciton which is primarily localized on a single monomer unit. Subsequently, the exciton experiences an ultrafast energy transfer becoming localized on either one monomer unit or the other, whereas delocalization between both monomers never occurs. In half of the trajectories, the electronic transition density becomes completely localized on themore » same monomer as the initial excitation, while in the other half, it becomes completely localized on the opposite monomer. In this article, we present an analysis of the energy transfer dynamics and the effect of thermally induced geometry distortions on the exciton localization. Finally, simulated fluorescence anisotropy decay curves for both DTA and the monomer unit dimethyl anthracene (DMA) are compared. As a result, our analysis reveals that changes in the transition density localization caused by energy transfer between two monomers in DTA is not the only source of depolarization and exciton relaxation within a single DTA monomer unit can also cause reorientation of the transition dipole.« less

Photoexcited Energy Transfer in a Weakly Coupled Dimer.

PubMed

Alfonso Hernandez, Laura; Nelson, Tammie; Tretiak, Sergei; Fernandez-Alberti, Sebastian

2015-06-18

Nonadiabatic excited-state molecular dynamics (NA-ESMD) simulations have been performed in order to study the time-dependent exciton localization during energy transfer between two chromophore units of the weakly coupled anthracene dimer dithia-anthracenophane (DTA). Simulations are done at both low temperature (10 K) and room temperature (300 K). The initial photoexcitation creates an exciton which is primarily localized on a single monomer unit. Subsequently, the exciton experiences an ultrafast energy transfer becoming localized on either one monomer unit or the other, whereas delocalization between both monomers never occurs. In half of the trajectories, the electronic transition density becomes completely localized on the same monomer as the initial excitation, while in the other half, it becomes completely localized on the opposite monomer. In this article, we present an analysis of the energy transfer dynamics and the effect of thermally induced geometry distortions on the exciton localization. Finally, simulated fluorescence anisotropy decay curves for both DTA and the monomer unit dimethyl anthracene (DMA) are compared. Our analysis reveals that changes in the transition density localization caused by energy transfer between two monomers in DTA is not the only source of depolarization and exciton relaxation within a single DTA monomer unit can also cause reorientation of the transition dipole.

Optoelectronics-related competence building in Japanese and Western firms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyazaki, Kumiko

1992-05-01

In this paper, an analysis is made of how different firms in Japan and the West have developed competence related to optoelectronics on the basis of their previous experience and corporate strategies. The sample consists of a set of seven Japanese and four Western firms in the industrial, consumer electronics and materials sectors. Optoelectronics is divided into subfields including optical communications systems, optical fibers, optoelectronic key components, liquid crystal displays, optical disks, and others. The relative strengths and weaknesses of companies in the various subfields are determined using the INSPEC database, from 1976 to 1989. Parallel data are analyzed using OTAF U.S. patent statistics and the two sets of data are compared. The statistical analysis from the database is summarized for firms in each subfield in the form of an intra-firm technology index (IFTI), a new technique introduced to assess the revealed technology advantage of firms. The quantitative evaluation is complemented by results from intensive interviews with the management and scientists of the firms involved. The findings show that there is a marked variation in the way firms' technological trajectories have evolved giving rise to strength in some and weakness in other subfields for the different companies, which are related to their accumulated core competencies, previous core business activities, organizational, marketing, and competitive factors.

Gel Filtration Of Dilute Human Embryonic Hemoglobins Reveals Basis For Their Increased Oxygen Binding

PubMed Central

Manning, Lois R.; Popowicz, Anthony M.; Padovan, Julio C.; Chait, Brian T.; Manning, James M.

2016-01-01

This report establishes a correlation between two known properties of the human embryonic hemoglobins-- their weak subunit assemblies as demonstrated here by gel filtration at very dilute protein concentrations and their high oxygen affinities and reduced cooperativities reported previously by others but without a mechanistic basis. We demonstrate here that their high oxygen affinities are a consequence of their weak assemblies. Weak vs strong hemoglobin tetramers represent a regulatory mechanism to modulate oxygen binding capacity by altering the equilibrium between the various steps in the assembly process that can be described as an inverse allosteric effect. PMID:27965062

Gel filtration of dilute human embryonic hemoglobins reveals basis for their increased oxygen binding.

PubMed

Manning, Lois R; Popowicz, Anthony M; Padovan, Julio C; Chait, Brian T; Manning, James M

2017-02-15

This report establishes a correlation between two known properties of the human embryonic hemoglobins-- their weak subunit assemblies as demonstrated here by gel filtration at very dilute protein concentrations and their high oxygen affinities and reduced cooperativities reported previously by others but without a mechanistic basis. We demonstrate here that their high oxygen affinities are a consequence of their weak assemblies. Weak vs strong hemoglobin tetramers represent a regulatory mechanism to modulate oxygen binding capacity by altering the equilibrium between the various steps in the assembly process that can be described as an inverse allosteric effect. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Equalizer tap length requirement for mode group delay-compensated fiber link with weakly random mode coupling.

PubMed

Bai, Neng; Li, Guifang

2014-02-24

The equalizer tap length requirement is investigated analytically and numerically for differential modal group delay (DMGD) compensated fiber link with weakly random mode coupling. Each span of the DMGD compensated link comprises multiple pairs of fibers which have opposite signs of DMGD. The result reveals that under weak random mode coupling, the required tap length of the equalizer is proportional to modal group delay of a single DMGD compensated pair, instead of the total modal group delay (MGD) of the entire link. By using small DMGD compensation step sizes, the required tap length (RTL) can be potentially reduced by 2 orders of magnitude.

Weak value amplification considered harmful

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferrie, Christopher; Combes, Joshua

2014-03-01

We show using statistically rigorous arguments that the technique of weak value amplification does not perform better than standard statistical techniques for the tasks of parameter estimation and signal detection. We show that using all data and considering the joint distribution of all measurement outcomes yields the optimal estimator. Moreover, we show estimation using the maximum likelihood technique with weak values as small as possible produces better performance for quantum metrology. In doing so, we identify the optimal experimental arrangement to be the one which reveals the maximal eigenvalue of the square of system observables. We also show these conclusions do not change in the presence of technical noise.

Weak-lensing magnification as a probe for the dark Universe

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

García Fernández, Manuel

This Thesis is devoted to the analysis of weak-lensing magnification on the Dark Energy Survey. Two analysis with different goals each are made on different data-sets: the Science Verification (DES-SV) and the Year 1 (DES-Y1). The DES-SV analysis aims the development of techniques to detect the weak-lensing number count magnification signal and the mitigation of systematic errors. The DES-Y1 analysis employs the methods used with the DES-SV data to measure the convergence profile of the emptiest regions of the Universe –voids and troughs–to use them as a new cosmological probe.

Using an innovative multiple regression procedure in a cancer population (Part 1): detecting and probing relationships of common interacting symptoms (pain, fatigue/weakness, sleep problems) as a strategy to discover influential symptom pairs and clusters

PubMed Central

Francoeur, Richard B

2015-01-01

Background The majority of patients with advanced cancer experience symptom pairs or clusters among pain, fatigue, and insomnia. Improved methods are needed to detect and interpret interactions among symptoms or diesease markers to reveal influential pairs or clusters. In prior work, I developed and validated sequential residual centering (SRC), a method that improves the sensitivity of multiple regression to detect interactions among predictors, by conditioning for multicollinearity (shared variation) among interactions and component predictors. Materials and methods Using a hypothetical three-way interaction among pain, fatigue, and sleep to predict depressive affect, I derive and explain SRC multiple regression. Subsequently, I estimate raw and SRC multiple regressions using real data for these symptoms from 268 palliative radiation outpatients. Results Unlike raw regression, SRC reveals that the three-way interaction (pain × fatigue/weakness × sleep problems) is statistically significant. In follow-up analyses, the relationship between pain and depressive affect is aggravated (magnified) within two partial ranges: 1) complete-to-some control over fatigue/weakness when there is complete control over sleep problems (ie, a subset of the pain–fatigue/weakness symptom pair), and 2) no control over fatigue/weakness when there is some-to-no control over sleep problems (ie, a subset of the pain–fatigue/weakness–sleep problems symptom cluster). Otherwise, the relationship weakens (buffering) as control over fatigue/weakness or sleep problems diminishes. Conclusion By reducing the standard error, SRC unmasks a three-way interaction comprising a symptom pair and cluster. Low-to-moderate levels of the moderator variable for fatigue/weakness magnify the relationship between pain and depressive affect. However, when the comoderator variable for sleep problems accompanies fatigue/weakness, only frequent or unrelenting levels of both symptoms magnify the relationship. These findings suggest that a countervailing mechanism involving depressive affect could account for the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral intervention to reduce the severity of a pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance cluster in a previous randomized trial. PMID:25565865

[Recurrence of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection presenting with myelopathy after umbilical cord blood transplantation].

PubMed

Watanabe, Shohei; Okada, Masaya; Tokugawa, Tazuko; Sawada, Akihiro; Ogawa, Hiroyasu; Yoshikawa, Hiroo

2014-01-01

A 38-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with neck pain, dysesthesia of both hands, and weakness of the left upper limb. He had been diagnosed with a chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) at the age of 34 and had undergone umbilical cord blood transplantation at the age of 37. MRI of the spinal cord revealed an intramedullary hyperintense lesion on T₂-weighted images with gadolinium enhancement. Because his laboratory tests revealed proliferation of CD19(+) lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, and EBV DNA was detected in both peripheral blood and CSF, he was diagnosed as having post-transplant EBV associated lymphoproliferative disease. However, chemotherapy did not alleviate his symptoms. At a later time, quantitative chimerism analysis of his CSF showed a higher proportion of lymphocytes that had originated from the recipient. Finally, he was diagnosed as having a recurrence of CAEBV in the central nervous system, and his symptoms were restored by intrathecal chemotherapy (methotrexate, cytosine arabinoside, and prednisolone). Quantitative chimerism analysis of CSF was useful for diagnosing the recurrence of CAEBV in the central nervous system.

Clinical heterogeneity and phenotype/genotype findings in 5 families with GYG1 deficiency

PubMed Central

Ben Yaou, Rabah; Hubert, Aurélie; Nelson, Isabelle; Dahlqvist, Julia R.; Gaist, David; Streichenberger, Nathalie; Beuvin, Maud; Krahn, Martin; Petiot, Philippe; Parisot, Frédéric; Michel, Fabrice; Malfatti, Edoardo; Romero, Norma; Carlier, Robert Yves; Eymard, Bruno; Labrune, Philippe; Duno, Morten; Krag, Thomas; Cerino, Mathieu; Bartoli, Marc; Bonne, Gisèle; Vissing, John; Laforet, Pascal

2017-01-01

Objective: To describe the variability of muscle symptoms in patients carrying mutations in the GYG1 gene, encoding glycogenin-1, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of glycogen, and to discuss genotype-phenotype relations. Methods: We describe 9 patients from 5 families in whom muscle biopsies showed vacuoles with an abnormal accumulation of glycogen in muscle fibers, partially α-amylase resistant suggesting polyglucosan bodies. The patients had either progressive early-onset limb-girdle weakness or late-onset distal or scapuloperoneal muscle affection as shown by muscle imaging. No clear definite cardiac disease was found. Histologic and protein analysis investigations were performed on muscle. Results: Genetic analyses by direct or exome sequencing of the GYG1 gene revealed 6 different GYG1 mutations. Four of the mutations were novel. They were compound heterozygous in 3 families and homozygous in 2. Protein analysis revealed either the absence of glycogenin-1 or reduced glycogenin-1 expression with impaired glucosylation. Conclusions: Our report extends the genetic and clinical spectrum of glycogenin-1–related myopathies to include scapuloperoneal and distal affection with glycogen accumulation. PMID:29264399

Clinical heterogeneity and phenotype/genotype findings in 5 families with GYG1 deficiency.

PubMed

Ben Yaou, Rabah; Hubert, Aurélie; Nelson, Isabelle; Dahlqvist, Julia R; Gaist, David; Streichenberger, Nathalie; Beuvin, Maud; Krahn, Martin; Petiot, Philippe; Parisot, Frédéric; Michel, Fabrice; Malfatti, Edoardo; Romero, Norma; Carlier, Robert Yves; Eymard, Bruno; Labrune, Philippe; Duno, Morten; Krag, Thomas; Cerino, Mathieu; Bartoli, Marc; Bonne, Gisèle; Vissing, John; Laforet, Pascal; Petit, François M

2017-12-01

To describe the variability of muscle symptoms in patients carrying mutations in the GYG1 gene, encoding glycogenin-1, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of glycogen, and to discuss genotype-phenotype relations. We describe 9 patients from 5 families in whom muscle biopsies showed vacuoles with an abnormal accumulation of glycogen in muscle fibers, partially α-amylase resistant suggesting polyglucosan bodies. The patients had either progressive early-onset limb-girdle weakness or late-onset distal or scapuloperoneal muscle affection as shown by muscle imaging. No clear definite cardiac disease was found. Histologic and protein analysis investigations were performed on muscle. Genetic analyses by direct or exome sequencing of the GYG1 gene revealed 6 different GYG1 mutations. Four of the mutations were novel. They were compound heterozygous in 3 families and homozygous in 2. Protein analysis revealed either the absence of glycogenin-1 or reduced glycogenin-1 expression with impaired glucosylation. Our report extends the genetic and clinical spectrum of glycogenin-1-related myopathies to include scapuloperoneal and distal affection with glycogen accumulation.

Principal component analysis study of visual and verbal metaphoric comprehension in children with autism and learning disabilities.

PubMed

Mashal, Nira; Kasirer, Anat

2012-01-01

This research extends previous studies regarding the metaphoric competence of autistic and learning disable children on different measures of visual and verbal non-literal language comprehension, as well as cognitive abilities that include semantic knowledge, executive functions, similarities, and reading fluency. Thirty seven children with autism (ASD), 20 children with learning disabilities (LD), and 21 typically developed (TD) children participated in the study. Principal components analysis was used to examine the interrelationship among the various tests in each group. Results showed different patterns in the data according to group. In particular, the results revealed that there is no dichotomy between visual and verbal metaphors in TD children but rather metaphor are classified according to their familiarity level. In the LD group visual metaphors were classified independently of the verbal metaphors. Verbal metaphoric understanding in the ASD group resembled the LD group. In addition, our results revealed the relative weakness of the ASD and LD children in suppressing irrelevant information. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Classical test theory and Rasch analysis validation of the Upper Limb Functional Index in subjects with upper limb musculoskeletal disorders.

PubMed

Bravini, Elisabetta; Franchignoni, Franco; Giordano, Andrea; Sartorio, Francesco; Ferriero, Giorgio; Vercelli, Stefano; Foti, Calogero

2015-01-01

To perform a comprehensive analysis of the psychometric properties and dimensionality of the Upper Limb Functional Index (ULFI) using both classical test theory and Rasch analysis (RA). Prospective, single-group observational design. Freestanding rehabilitation center. Convenience sample of Italian-speaking subjects with upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (N=174). Not applicable. The Italian version of the ULFI. Data were analyzed using parallel analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and RA for evaluating dimensionality, functioning of rating scale categories, item fit, hierarchy of item difficulties, and reliability indices. Parallel analysis revealed 2 factors explaining 32.5% and 10.7% of the response variance. RA confirmed the failure of the unidimensionality assumption, and 6 items out of the 25 misfitted the Rasch model. When the analysis was rerun excluding the misfitting items, the scale showed acceptable fit values, loading meaningfully to a single factor. Item separation reliability and person separation reliability were .98 and .89, respectively. Cronbach alpha was .92. RA revealed weakness of the scale concerning dimensionality and internal construct validity. However, a set of 19 ULFI items defined through the statistical process demonstrated a unidimensional structure, good psychometric properties, and clinical meaningfulness. These findings represent a useful starting point for further analyses of the tool (based on modern psychometric approaches and confirmatory factor analysis) in larger samples, including different patient populations and nationalities. Copyright © 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Degradability, biocompatibility, and osteogenesis of biocomposite scaffolds containing nano magnesium phosphate and wheat protein both in vitro and in vivo for bone regeneration.

PubMed

Xia, Yan; Zhou, Panyu; Wang, Fei; Qiu, Chao; Wang, Panfeng; Zhang, Yuntong; Zhao, Liming; Xu, Shuogui

2016-01-01

In this study, bioactive scaffold of nano magnesium phosphate (nMP)/wheat protein (WP) composite (MWC) was fabricated. The results revealed that the MWC scaffolds had interconnected not only macropores (sized 400-600 μm) but also micropores (sized 10-20 μm) on the walls of macropores. The MWC scaffolds containing 40 w% nMP had an appropriate degradability in phosphate-buffered saline and produced a weak alkaline microenvironment. In cell culture experiments, the results revealed that the MWC scaffolds significantly promoted the MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, differentiation, and growth into the scaffolds. The results of synchrotron radiation microcomputed tomography and analysis of the histological sections of the in vivo implantation revealed that the MWC scaffolds evidently improved the new bone formation and bone defects repair as compared with WP scaffolds. Moreover, it was found that newly formed bone tissue continued to increase with the gradual reduction of materials residual in the MWC scaffolds. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical analysis further offered the evidence of the stimulatory effects of MWC scaffolds on osteogenic-related cell differentiation and new bone regeneration. The results indicated that MWC scaffolds with good biocompability and degradability could promote osteogenesis in vivo, which would have potential for bone tissue repair.

Spectro-spatial analysis of wave packet propagation in nonlinear acoustic metamaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, W. J.; Li, X. P.; Wang, Y. S.; Chen, W. Q.; Huang, G. L.

2018-01-01

The objective of this work is to analyze wave packet propagation in weakly nonlinear acoustic metamaterials and reveal the interior nonlinear wave mechanism through spectro-spatial analysis. The spectro-spatial analysis is based on full-scale transient analysis of the finite system, by which dispersion curves are generated from the transmitted waves and also verified by the perturbation method (the L-P method). We found that the spectro-spatial analysis can provide detailed information about the solitary wave in short-wavelength region which cannot be captured by the L-P method. It is also found that the optical wave modes in the nonlinear metamaterial are sensitive to the parameters of the nonlinear constitutive relation. Specifically, a significant frequency shift phenomenon is found in the middle-wavelength region of the optical wave branch, which makes this frequency region behave like a band gap for transient waves. This special frequency shift is then used to design a direction-biased waveguide device, and its efficiency is shown by numerical simulations.

Single molecule spectroscopy reveals heterogeneous transport mechanisms for molecular ions in a polyelectrolyte polymer brush.

PubMed

Reznik, Carmen; Estillore, Nicel; Advincula, Rigoberto C; Landes, Christy F

2009-11-05

Single molecule polarization and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy were used to evaluate heterogeneous transport mechanisms of molecular ions within supported polyelectrolyte brushes. Modes of diffusive transport include periods of significantly restricted rotational motion, often maintained over tens of milliseconds; periods of fast molecular rotation; and occasional adsorption of fluorescent probe molecules in the brush. The studies reveal rapid switching between orientational states during each observed mode of motion. Through quantitative analysis of state occupation times, the rate constants for transitions from weakly associated to strongly associated states were extracted. Additionally, the pH dependence of the ion transport rates in the brush exhibits an abrupt, rather than continuous, trend. These single molecule studies demonstrate the presence of dynamic anisotropic interactions between the charged molecular probe and the polymer brush and provide experimental evidence of stimuli responsive switchable transport functionality in the polyelectrolyte brush.

Discovery of a Wolf-Rayet Star through Detection of Its Photometric Variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Littlefield, Colin; Garnavich, Peter; Marion, G. H. Howie; Vinkó, József; McClelland, Colin; Rettig, Terrence; Wheeler, J. Craig

2012-06-01

We report the serendipitous discovery of a heavily reddened Wolf-Rayet star that we name WR 142b. While photometrically monitoring a cataclysmic variable, we detected weak variability in a nearby field star. Low-resolution spectroscopy revealed a strong emission line at 7100 Å, suggesting an unusual object and prompting further study. A spectrum taken with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope confirms strong He II emission and an N IV 7112 Å line consistent with a nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet star of spectral class WN6. Analysis of the He II line strengths reveals no detectable hydrogen in WR 142b. A blue-sensitive spectrum obtained with the Large Binocular Telescope shows no evidence for a hot companion star. The continuum shape and emission line ratios imply a reddening of E(B - V) = 2.2-2.6 mag. We estimate that the distance to WR 142b is 1.4 ± 0.3 kpc.

Physiological assessment of tongue function in dysarthria following traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Goozée, J V; Murdoch, B E; Theodoros, D G

2001-01-01

A tongue pressure transducer system was used to assess tongue strength, endurance, fine pressure control and rate of repetitive movement in a group of 20 individuals, aged 17 to 60 years, with dysarthria following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Comparison of the TBI group's results against data obtained from a group of 20 age and sex matched control subjects revealed reductions in tongue endurance and rate of repetitive movement. Tongue strength and fine pressure control, however, were found not to differ significantly from the control group. Pearson's product-moment correlations indicated there to be only weak correlations between the physiological nonspeech tongue parameters and the deviant perceptual articulatory features exhibited by the TBI group. Further analysis of the results on an individual subject basis revealed no clear relationships between the physiological and perceptual parameters suggesting that the TBI subjects may have been compensating in different ways for the physiological impairments.

Fine scale relationships between sex, life history, and dispersal of masu salmon

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kitanishi, Shigeru; Yamamoto, Toshiaki; Koizumi, Itsuro; Dunham, Jason B.; Higashi, Seigo

2012-01-01

Identifying the patterns and processes driving dispersal is critical for understanding population structure and dynamics. In many organisms, sex-biased dispersal is related to the type of mating system. Considerably less is known about the influence of life history variability on dispersal. Here we investigated patterns of dispersal in masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) to evaluate influences of sex and life history on dispersal. As expected, assignment tests and isolation by distance analysis revealed that dispersal of marine-migratory masu salmon was male-biased. However, dispersal of resident and migratory males did not follow our expectation and marine-migratory individuals dispersed more than residents. This may be because direct competition between marine-migratory and resident males is weak or that the cost of dispersal is smaller for marine-migratory individuals. This study revealed that both sex and migratory life history influence patterns of dispersal at a local scale in masu salmon.

Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2E Due to a Novel Large Deletion in SGCB Gene.

PubMed

Ghafouri-Fard, Soudeh; Hashemi-Gorji, Feyzollah; Fardaei, Majid; Miryounesi, Mohammad

2017-01-01

Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD type 2) are a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous diseases with the main characteristics of weakness and wasting of the pelvic and shoulder girdle muscles. Among them are sarcoglycanopathies caused by mutations in at least four genes named SGCA, SGCB, SGCG and SGCD. Here we report a consanguineous Iranian family with two children affected with LGMD type 2E. Mutation analysis revealed a novel homozygous exon 2 deletion of SGCB gene in the patients with the parents being heterozygous for this deletion. This result presents a novel underlying genetic mechanism for LGMD type 2E.

Atomistic Modeling of Pd Site Preference in NiTi

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bozzolo, Guillermo; Noebe, Ronald D.; Mosca, Hugo O.

2004-01-01

An analysis of the site subsitution behavior of Pd in NiTi was performed using the BFS method for alloys. Through a combination of Monte Carlo simulations and detailed atom-by-atom energetic analyses of various computational cells, representing compositions of NiTi with up to 10 at% Pd, a detailed understanding of site occupancy of Pd in NiTi was revealed. Pd subsituted at the expense of Ni in a NiTi alloy will prefer the Ni-sites. Pd subsituted at the expense of Ti shows a very weak preference for Ti-sites that diminishes as the amount of Pd in the alloy increases and as the temperature increases.

A fragmentation-based approach for evaluating the intra-chain excitonic couplings in conjugated polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Jing; Ma, Haibo

2017-07-01

For computing the intra-chain excitonic couplings in polymeric systems, here we propose a new fragmentation approach. A comparison for the energetic and spatial properties of the low-lying excited states in PPV between our scheme and full quantum chemical calculations, reveals that our scheme can nicely reproduce full quantum chemical results in weakly coupled systems. Further wavefunction analysis indicate that improved description for strongly coupled system can be achieved by the inclusion of the higher excited states within each fragments. Our proposed scheme is helpful for building the bridge linking the phenomenological descriptions of excitons and microscopic modeling for realistic polymers.

A long- and short-run analysis of electricity demand in Ciudad Juarez

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendez-Carrillo, Ericka Cecilia

Economic growth and appliance saturation are increasing electricity consumption in Mexico. Annual frequency data from 1990 to 2012 are utilized to develop an error correction framework that sheds light on short- and long-run electricity consumption behavior in Ciudad Juarez, a large Mexican metropolitan economy at the border with the United States. The results for this study reveal that electricity is an inelastic normal good in this market. Moreover, natural gas is found to be a weak complement to electricity. With regards to the customer base in this urban economy, population, employment, and income exercise positive and statistically significant impacts on the demand for electricity hook-ups.

The internet worm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Denning, Peter J.

1989-01-01

In November 1988 a worm program invaded several thousand UNIX-operated Sun workstations and VAX computers attached to the Research Internet, seriously disrupting service for several days but damaging no files. An analysis of the work's decompiled code revealed a battery of attacks by a knowledgeable insider, and demonstrated a number of security weaknesses. The attack occurred in an open network, and little can be inferred about the vulnerabilities of closed networks used for critical operations. The attack showed that passwork protection procedures need review and strengthening. It showed that sets of mutually trusting computers need to be carefully controlled. Sharp public reaction crystalized into a demand for user awareness and accountability in a networked world.

Nonlinear low-frequency electrostatic wave dynamics in a two-dimensional quantum plasma

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

Ghosh, Samiran, E-mail: sran_g@yahoo.com; Chakrabarti, Nikhil, E-mail: nikhil.chakrabarti@saha.ac.in

2016-08-15

The problem of two-dimensional arbitrary amplitude low-frequency electrostatic oscillation in a quasi-neutral quantum plasma is solved exactly by elementary means. In such quantum plasmas we have treated electrons quantum mechanically and ions classically. The exact analytical solution of the nonlinear system exhibits the formation of dark and black solitons. Numerical simulation also predicts the possible periodic solution of the nonlinear system. Nonlinear analysis reveals that the system does have a bifurcation at a critical Mach number that depends on the angle of propagation of the wave. The small-amplitude limit leads to the formation of weakly nonlinear Kadomstev–Petviashvili solitons.

Imaging the in-plane distribution of helium precipitates at a Cu/V interface

DOE PAGES

Chen, Di; Li, Nan; Yuryev, Dina; ...

2017-02-15

Here, we describe a transmission electron microscopy investigation of the distribution of helium precipitates within the plane of an interface between Cu and V. Statistical analysis of precipitate locations reveals a weak tendency for interfacial precipitates to align alongmore » $$\\langle$$110$$\\rangle$$-type crystallographic directions within the Cu layer. Comparison of these findings with helium-free Cu/V interfaces suggests that the precipitates may be aggregating preferentially along atomic-size steps in the interface created by threading dislocations in the Cu layer. Our observations also suggest that some precipitates may be aggregating along intersections between interfacial misfit dislocations.« less

College students' multiple stereotypes of lesbians: A cognitive perspective.

PubMed

Geiger, Wendy; Harwood, Jake; Hummert, Mary Lee

2006-01-01

This paper examines stereotypes of lesbians held by college students. Multiple stereotypes are elicited from a free response trait listing task, followed by a sorting task. The results of the sorting task are submitted to cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling to reveal the complexity of cognitive representations of this group. Eight types are described, reflecting underlying distinctions between positive perceptions (e.g., lipstick lesbian, career-oriented feminist) and negative perceptions (e.g., sexually deviant, angry butch) and also between relative strength and weakness. The research is discussed in terms of cognitive perspectives on stereotyping and gender inversion theory. Suggestions for future research are provided.

Low temperature exciton dynamics and structural changes in perylene bisimide aggregates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolter, Steffen; Magnus Westphal, Karl; Hempel, Magdalena; Würthner, Frank; Kühn, Oliver; Lochbrunner, Stefan

2017-09-01

The temperature dependent exciton dynamics of J-aggregates formed by a perylene bisimide dye is investigated down to liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K) by femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. The analysis of the transient absorption data using a diffusion model for the excitons does not only reveal an overall decrease of the exciton mobility, but also a change in the dimensionality of the exciton transport at low temperatures. This change in dimensionality is further investigated by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, identifying weakly interlinked one-dimensional aggregate chains as the most likely structure at low temperatures. This causes the exciton transport to be highly anisotropic.

Duffy blood group phenotype-genotype correlations using high-resolution melting analysis PCR and microarray reveal complex cases including a new null FY*A allele: the role for sequencing in genotyping algorithms.

PubMed

Lopez, G H; Morrison, J; Condon, J A; Wilson, B; Martin, J R; Liew, Y-W; Flower, R L; Hyland, C A

2015-10-01

Duffy blood group phenotypes can be predicted by genotyping for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) responsible for the Fy(a) /Fy(b) polymorphism, for weak Fy(b) antigen, and for the red cell null Fy(a-b-) phenotype. This study correlates Duffy phenotype predictions with serotyping to assess the most reliable procedure for typing. Samples, n = 155 (135 donors and 20 patients), were genotyped by high-resolution melt PCR and by microarray. Samples were in three serology groups: 1) Duffy patterns expected n = 79, 2) weak and equivocal Fy(b) patterns n = 29 and 3) Fy(a-b-) n = 47 (one with anti-Fy3 antibody). Discrepancies were observed for five samples. For two, SNP genotyping predicted weak Fy(b) expression discrepant with Fy(b-) (Group 1 and 3). For three, SNP genotyping predicted Fy(a) , discrepant with Fy(a-b-) (Group 3). DNA sequencing identified silencing mutations in these FY*A alleles. One was a novel FY*A 719delG. One, the sample with the anti-Fy3, was homozygous for a 14-bp deletion (FY*01N.02); a true null. Both the high-resolution melting analysis and SNP microarray assays were concordant and showed genotyping, as well as phenotyping, is essential to ensure 100% accuracy for Duffy blood group assignments. Sequencing is important to resolve phenotype/genotype conflicts which here identified alleles, one novel, that carry silencing mutations. The risk of alloimmunisation may be dependent on this zygosity status. © 2015 International Society of Blood Transfusion.

Exome sequencing identifies a novel SMCHD1 mutation in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy 2.

PubMed

Mitsuhashi, Satomi; Boyden, Steven E; Estrella, Elicia A; Jones, Takako I; Rahimov, Fedik; Yu, Timothy W; Darras, Basil T; Amato, Anthony A; Folkerth, Rebecca D; Jones, Peter L; Kunkel, Louis M; Kang, Peter B

2013-12-01

FSHD2 is a rare form of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) characterized by the absence of a contraction in the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat region on chromosome 4q35 that is the hallmark of FSHD1. However, hypomethylation of this region is common to both subtypes. Recently, mutations in SMCHD1 combined with a permissive 4q35 allele were reported to cause FSHD2. We identified a novel p.Lys275del SMCHD1 mutation in a family affected with FSHD2 using whole-exome sequencing and linkage analysis. This mutation alters a highly conserved amino acid in the ATPase domain of SMCHD1. Subject III-11 is a male who developed asymmetrical muscle weakness characteristic of FSHD at 13 years. Physical examination revealed marked bilateral atrophy at biceps brachii, bilateral scapular winging, some asymmetrical weakness at tibialis anterior and peroneal muscles, and mild lower facial weakness. Biopsy of biceps brachii in subject II-5, the father of III-11, demonstrated lobulated fibers and dystrophic changes. Endomysial and perivascular inflammation was found, which has been reported in FSHD1 but not FSHD2. Given the previous report of SMCHD1 mutations in FSHD2 and the clinical presentations consistent with the FSHD phenotype, we conclude that the SMCHD1 mutation is the likely cause of the disease in this family. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crack deflection in brittle media with heterogeneous interfaces and its application in shale fracking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Xiaguang; Wei, Yujie

Driven by the rapid progress in exploiting unconventional energy resources such as shale gas, there is growing interest in hydraulic fracture of brittle yet heterogeneous shales. In particular, how hydraulic cracks interact with natural weak zones in sedimentary rocks to form permeable cracking networks is of significance in engineering practice. Such a process is typically influenced by crack deflection, material anisotropy, crack-surface friction, crustal stresses, and so on. In this work, we extend the He-Hutchinson theory (He and Hutchinson, 1989) to give the closed-form formulae of the strain energy release rate of a hydraulic crack with arbitrary angles with respect to the crustal stress. The critical conditions in which the hydraulic crack deflects into weak interfaces and exhibits a dependence on crack-surface friction and crustal stress anisotropy are given in explicit formulae. We reveal analytically that, with increasing pressure, hydraulic fracture in shales may sequentially undergo friction locking, mode II fracture, and mixed mode fracture. Mode II fracture dominates the hydraulic fracturing process and the impinging angle between the hydraulic crack and the weak interface is the determining factor that accounts for crack deflection; the lower friction coefficient between cracked planes and the greater crustal stress difference favor hydraulic fracturing. In addition to shale fracking, the analytical solution of crack deflection could be used in failure analysis of other brittle media.

Wigner's quantum phase-space current in weakly-anharmonic weakly-excited two-state systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kakofengitis, Dimitris; Steuernagel, Ole

2017-09-01

There are no phase-space trajectories for anharmonic quantum systems, but Wigner's phase-space representation of quantum mechanics features Wigner current J . This current reveals fine details of quantum dynamics —finer than is ordinarily thought accessible according to quantum folklore invoking Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. Here, we focus on the simplest, most intuitive, and analytically accessible aspects of J. We investigate features of J for bound states of time-reversible, weakly-anharmonic one-dimensional quantum-mechanical systems which are weakly-excited. We establish that weakly-anharmonic potentials can be grouped into three distinct classes: hard, soft, and odd potentials. We stress connections between each other and the harmonic case. We show that their Wigner current fieldline patterns can be characterised by J's discrete stagnation points, how these arise and how a quantum system's dynamics is constrained by the stagnation points' topological charge conservation. We additionally show that quantum dynamics in phase space, in the case of vanishing Planck constant ℏ or vanishing anharmonicity, does not pointwise converge to classical dynamics.

Using SWOT Analysis for Promoting the Accounting Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sawyer, Joe E.

2001-01-01

Describes how SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis can be used by business educators to find the best match between environmental trends (opportunities and threats) and internal departmental capabilities (strengths and weaknesses). An example from accounting education is provided. (JOW)

A general nonlinear magnetomechanical model for ferromagnetic materials under a constant weak magnetic field

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

Shi, Pengpeng; Zheng, Xiaojing, E-mail: xjzheng@xidian.edu.cn; Jin, Ke

2016-04-14

Weak magnetic nondestructive testing (e.g., metal magnetic memory method) concerns the magnetization variation of ferromagnetic materials due to its applied load and a weak magnetic surrounding them. One key issue on these nondestructive technologies is the magnetomechanical effect for quantitative evaluation of magnetization state from stress–strain condition. A representative phenomenological model has been proposed to explain the magnetomechanical effect by Jiles in 1995. However, the Jiles' model has some deficiencies in quantification, for instance, there is a visible difference between theoretical prediction and experimental measurements on stress–magnetization curve, especially in the compression case. Based on the thermodynamic relations and themore » approach law of irreversible magnetization, a nonlinear coupled model is proposed to improve the quantitative evaluation of the magnetomechanical effect. Excellent agreement has been achieved between the predictions from the present model and previous experimental results. In comparison with Jiles' model, the prediction accuracy is improved greatly by the present model, particularly for the compression case. A detailed study has also been performed to reveal the effects of initial magnetization status, cyclic loading, and demagnetization factor on the magnetomechanical effect. Our theoretical model reveals that the stable weak magnetic signals of nondestructive testing after multiple cyclic loads are attributed to the first few cycles eliminating most of the irreversible magnetization. Remarkably, the existence of demagnetization field can weaken magnetomechanical effect, therefore, significantly reduces the testing capability. This theoretical model can be adopted to quantitatively analyze magnetic memory signals, and then can be applied in weak magnetic nondestructive testing.« less

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy Lom type in a Serbian family.

PubMed

Dacković, J; Keckarević-Marković, M; Komazec, Z; Rakocević-Stojanović, V; Lavrnić, D; Stević, Z; Ribarić, K; Romac, S; Apostolski, S

2008-10-01

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy Lom type (HMSNL), also called CMT 4D, a hereditary autosomal recessive neuropathy, caused by mutation in N-Myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1 gene), was first described in a Bulgarian Gypsy population near Lom and later has been found in Gypsy communities in Italy, Spain, Slovenia and Hungary. We present two siblings with HMSNL, female and male, aged 30 and 26, respectively in a Serbian non-consanguineous family of Gypsy ethnic origin. They had normal developmental milestones. Both had symptoms of lower limb muscle weakness and walking difficulties with frequent falls, which began at the age of seven. At the age of 12, they developed hearing problems and at the age of 15 hand muscle weakness. Neurological examination revealed sensorineural hearing loss, dysarthria, severe distal and mild proximal muscle wasting and weakness, areflexia and impairment of all sensory modalities of distal distribution. Electrophysiological study revealed denervation with severe and early axonal loss. Sensorineural hearing loss was confirmed on electrocochleography and brainstem evoked potentials. Molecular genetic testing confirmed homozygote C564t (R148X) mutation in NDRG1 gene.

Discospondylitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in an African black-footed penguin (Spheniscus demersus).

PubMed

Field, Cara L; Beaufrère, Hugues; Wakamatsu, Nobuko; Rademacher, Nathalie; MacLean, Robert

2012-12-01

A 22-year-old female African black-footed penguin (Spheniscus demersus), housed indoors with other African and rockhopper penguins, was presented acutely with lethargy, ataxia, and hind limb weakness after a molt. The penguin would assume a hunched position and, when resting, sat on its hocks or lay on its keel. Physical and neurologic examination revealed hind limb paraparesis, proprioceptive deficits, and tiptoe walking. Results of a complete blood cell count and biochemical analysis revealed mild heterophilic leukocytosis, anemia, mild hypoalbuminemia, hypokalemia, and hyperuricemia. Results of whole-body radiographs and coelioscopy were unremarkable. Two computed tomographies of the spine at a 3-month interval revealed a lesion at the mobile thoracic vertebra proximal to the synsacrum with associated spinal cord compression. The penguin was treated with itraconazole, doxycycline, and meloxicam, and it initially improved with return to near normal gait and behavior. However, 5 months after the onset of clinical signs, the penguin was euthanatized after a relapse with worsening of the neurologic signs. Postmortem and histopathologic examination revealed focal granulomatous discospondylitis at the penultimate mobile thoracic vertebra, with intralesional bacteria from which Staphylococcus aureus was cultured.

48 CFR 44.305-2 - Notification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... approved. The system approval notification shall identify the class or classes of subcontracts requiring... has revealed sufficient weaknesses in a particular area of subcontracting to warrant special attention...

AV Corner.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berry, Donna A., Ed.

1990-01-01

Reviewed are two 35MM slide sets "Halley's Comet Revealed" and "Supernova 1987A"; and a videotape entitled "Experiments; Physics Level 1. Magnetic Fields." Features, availability, strengths and weaknesses are discussed. (CW)

The challenge of distinguishing figure from ground: reaction to Gelso's work on the real relationship.

PubMed

McCullough, Leigh

2009-05-01

The motives of the beginning psychotherapist for choosing his or her orientation are an underresearched issue in psychotherapy training. This study focuses on the role of personality-based factors, specifically the epistemological preferences of the therapist that Kolb (1984) has termed "learning style" (LS). The aim of the present study was to explore possible associations between psychology students' developing LSs and their choice of psychotherapeutic orientation (psychodynamic [PDT] vs. cognitive-behavioural [CBT]). Students in a psychologist's program (N = 175) took the Learning Style Inventory in their third semester and, before their formal choice, in their seventh semester. Besides a common trend toward radicalization or purification of their LS, the average PDT student tended to stick to the "feel and watch" style from the third semester to the seventh, whereas the CBT student tended to move toward "think and do." A cluster analysis revealed that the average movement among the CBT students was the result of the forces in two different subgroups, one toward "think" (and, more weakly, "watch"), the other toward "do" (and, more weakly, "feel").

The moderating role of personal resources in the relationship between psychosocial job demands and health: a cross-sectional study

PubMed Central

Mayerl, Hannes; Stolz, Erwin; Großschädl, Franziska; Rásky, Éva; Freidl, Wolfgang

2017-01-01

Objective The main objective of this research was to investigate the buffering effects of an individual’s physical, mental and social resources in the relationship between psychosocial job demands and (1) health symptoms, (2) mental strain and (3) the body mass index (BMI), respectively. Methods We performed moderated regression analysis to examine data from a large cross-sectional survey of an Austrian employee sample (n=9434). Results The results revealed a robust association between psychosocial job demands and health symptoms as well as mental strain, but only a weak relationship between psychosocial job demands and BMI. Although the personal resources showed a positive effect on health symptoms and mental strain, only weak evidence was found for the hypothesised interaction with psychosocial job demands. Solely the physical fitness of a person was found to mitigate the impact of psychosocial job demands on health symptoms. Conclusions In conclusion, personal resources substantially accounted for the prediction of health. However, the interactions between psychosocial job demands and personal resources only slightly contributed to explaining the variation in health. PMID:28851776

Cocrystal assembled by 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene and phenothiazine based on C-I...π/N/S halogen bond and other assisting interactions.

PubMed

Wang, Hui; Jin, Wei Jun

2017-04-01

The halogen-bonded cocrystal of 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (1,4-DITFB) with the butterfly-shape non-planar heterocyclic compound phenothiazine (PHT) was successfully assembled by the conventional solution-based method. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis reveals a 3:2 stoichiometric ratio for the cocrystal (1,4-DITFB/PHT), and the cocrystal structure is constructed via C-I...π, C-I...N and C-I...S halogen bonds as well as other assisting interactions (e.g. C-H...F/S hydrogen bond, C-H...H-C and C-F...F-C bonds). The small shift of the 1,4-DITFB vibrational band to lower frequencies in FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies provide evidence to confirm the existence of the halogen bond. In addition, the non-planarity of the PHT molecule in the cocrystal results in PHT emitting weak phosphorescence and relatively strong delayed fluorescence. Thus, a wide range of delayed fluorescence and weak phosphorescence could play a significant role in selecting a proper π-conjugated system to engineer functional cocrystal and luminescent materials by halogen bonds.

a Search for Interstellar Urea with Carma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, H.-L.; Snyder, L. E.; Friedel, D. N.; Looney, L. W.; McCall, B. J.; Remijan, A. J.; Lovas, F. J.; Hollis, J. M.

2009-06-01

Urea, a molecule discovered in human urine by H. M Rouelle in 1773, also plays a significant role in prebiotic chemistry. Previous BIMA observations have suggested that interstellar urea [(NH_2)_2CO] is a compact hot core molecule such as the other large molecules methyl formate and acetic acid (2008, 63rd OSU Symposium On Molecular Spectroscopy, RF11). We have conducted an extensive search for urea toward the high mass hot molecular core Sgr B2(N-LMH) using the CARMA array. The resolution at 1 mm enables favorable coupling of source size and synthesized beam size, which was found to be essential for flux measurements and detection limits of weak signals. The 2.5^''×2^'' synthesized beam of CARMA significantly resolves out the extended emission and reveals the weak lines that were previously blended with nearby transitions. Our analysis indicates that these lines are likely to be urea since they are now less contaminated, the resulting observed line frequencies are coincident with a set of overlapping connecting urea lines, and the observed line intensities are consistent with expected line strengths of urea.

Layer detection and snowpack stratigraphy characterisation from digital penetrometer signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Floyer, James Antony

Forecasting for slab avalanches benefits from precise measurements of snow stratigraphy. Snow penetrometers offer the possibility of providing detailed information about snowpack structure; however, their use has yet to be adopted by avalanche forecasting operations in Canada. A manually driven, variable rate force-resistance penetrometer is tested for its ability to measure snowpack information suitable for avalanche forecasting and for spatial variability studies on snowpack properties. Subsequent to modifications, weak layers of 5 mm thick are reliably detected from the penetrometer signals. Rate effects are investigated and found to be insignificant for push velocities between 0.5 to 100 cm s-1 for dry snow. An analysis of snow deformation below the penetrometer tip is presented using particle image velocimetry and two zones associated with particle deflection are identified. The compacted zone is a region of densified snow that is pushed ahead of the penetrometer tip; the deformation zone is a broader zone surrounding the compacted zone, where deformation is in compression and in shear. Initial formation of the compacted zone is responsible for pronounced force spikes in the penetrometer signal. A layer tracing algorithm for tracing weak layers, crusts and interfaces across transects or grids of penetrometer profiles is presented. This algorithm uses Wiener spiking deconvolution to detect a portion of the signal manually identified as a layer in one profile across to an adjacent profile. Layer tracing is found to be most effective for tracing crusts and prominent weak layers, although weak layers close to crusts were not well traced. A framework for extending this method for detecting weak layers with no prior knowledge of weak layer existence is also presented. A study relating the fracture character of layers identified in compression tests is presented. A multivariate model is presented that distinguishes between sudden and other fracture characters 80% of the time. Transects of penetrometer profiles are presented over several alpine terrain features commonly associated with spatial variability of snowpack properties. Physical processes relating to the variability of certain snowpack properties revealed in the transects is discussed. The importance of characteristic signatures for training avalanche practitioners to recognise potentially unstable terrain is also discussed.

Ultrasound Imaging of Muscle Contraction of the Tibialis Anterior in Patients with Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy.

PubMed

Gijsbertse, Kaj; Goselink, Rianne; Lassche, Saskia; Nillesen, Maartje; Sprengers, André; Verdonschot, Nico; van Alfen, Nens; de Korte, Chris

2017-11-01

A need exists for biomarkers to diagnose, quantify and longitudinally follow facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and many other neuromuscular disorders. Furthermore, the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to muscle weakness in most neuromuscular disorders are not completely understood. Dynamic ultrasound imaging (B-mode image sequences) in combination with speckle tracking is an easy, applicable and patient-friendly imaging tool to visualize and quantify muscle deformation. This dynamic information provides insight in the pathophysiological mechanisms and may help to distinguish the various stages of diseased muscle in FSHD. In this proof-of-principle study, we applied a speckle tracking technique to 2-D ultrasound image sequences to quantify the deformation of the tibialis anterior muscle in patients with FSHD and in healthy controls. The resulting deformation patterns were compared with muscle ultrasound echo intensity analysis (a measure of fat infiltration and dystrophy) and clinical outcome measures. Of the four FSHD patients, two patients had severe peroneal weakness and two patients had mild peroneal weakness on clinical examination. We found a markedly varied muscle deformation pattern between these groups: patients with severe peroneal weakness showed a different motion pattern of the tibialis anterior, with overall less displacement of the central tendon region, while healthy patients showed a non-uniform displacement pattern, with the central aponeurosis showing the largest displacement. Hence, dynamic muscle ultrasound of the tibialis anterior muscle in patients with FSHD revealed a distinctively different tissue deformation pattern among persons with and without tibialis anterior weakness. These findings could clarify the understanding of the pathophysiology of muscle weakness in FSHD patients. In addition, the change in muscle deformation shows good correlation with clinical measures and quantitative muscle ultrasound measurements. In conclusion, dynamic ultrasound in combination with speckle tracking allows the study of the effects of muscle pathology in relation to strength, force transmission and movement generation. Although further research is required, this technique can develop into a biomarker to quantify muscle disease severity. Copyright © 2017 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The relationship between the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale and its revised form and child outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Brunsek, Ashley; Perlman, Michal; Falenchuk, Olesya; McMullen, Evelyn; Fletcher, Brooke; Shah, Prakesh S

2017-01-01

The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and its revised version (ECERS-R) were designed as global measures of quality that assess structural and process aspects of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs. Despite frequent use of the ECERS/ECERS-R in research and applied settings, associations between it and child outcomes have not been systematically reviewed. The objective of this research was to evaluate the association between the ECERS/ECERS-R and children's wellbeing. Searches of Medline, PsycINFO, ERIC, websites of large datasets and reference sections of all retrieved articles were completed up to July 3, 2015. Eligible studies provided a statistical link between the ECERS/ECERS-R and child outcomes for preschool-aged children in ECEC programs. Of the 823 studies selected for full review, 73 were included in the systematic review and 16 were meta-analyzed. The combined sample across all eligible studies consisted of 33, 318 preschool-aged children. Qualitative systematic review results revealed that ECERS/ECERS-R total scores were more generally associated with positive outcomes than subscales or factors. Seventeen separate meta-analyses were conducted to assess the strength of association between the ECERS/ECERS-R and measures that assessed children's language, math and social-emotional outcomes. Meta-analyses revealed a small number of weak effects (in the expected direction) between the ECERS/ECERS-R total score and children's language and positive behavior outcomes. The Language-Reasoning subscale was weakly related to a language outcome. The enormous heterogeneity in how studies operationalized the ECERS/ECERS-R, the outcomes measured and statistics reported limited our ability to meta-analyze many studies. Greater consistency in study methodology is needed in this area of research. Despite these methodological challenges, the ECERS/ECERS-R does appear to capture aspects of quality that are important for children's wellbeing; however, the strength of association is weak.

The relationship between the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale and its revised form and child outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Brunsek, Ashley; Perlman, Michal; Falenchuk, Olesya; McMullen, Evelyn; Fletcher, Brooke; Shah, Prakesh S.

2017-01-01

The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and its revised version (ECERS-R) were designed as global measures of quality that assess structural and process aspects of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs. Despite frequent use of the ECERS/ECERS-R in research and applied settings, associations between it and child outcomes have not been systematically reviewed. The objective of this research was to evaluate the association between the ECERS/ECERS-R and children’s wellbeing. Searches of Medline, PsycINFO, ERIC, websites of large datasets and reference sections of all retrieved articles were completed up to July 3, 2015. Eligible studies provided a statistical link between the ECERS/ECERS-R and child outcomes for preschool-aged children in ECEC programs. Of the 823 studies selected for full review, 73 were included in the systematic review and 16 were meta-analyzed. The combined sample across all eligible studies consisted of 33, 318 preschool-aged children. Qualitative systematic review results revealed that ECERS/ECERS-R total scores were more generally associated with positive outcomes than subscales or factors. Seventeen separate meta-analyses were conducted to assess the strength of association between the ECERS/ECERS-R and measures that assessed children’s language, math and social-emotional outcomes. Meta-analyses revealed a small number of weak effects (in the expected direction) between the ECERS/ECERS-R total score and children’s language and positive behavior outcomes. The Language-Reasoning subscale was weakly related to a language outcome. The enormous heterogeneity in how studies operationalized the ECERS/ECERS-R, the outcomes measured and statistics reported limited our ability to meta-analyze many studies. Greater consistency in study methodology is needed in this area of research. Despite these methodological challenges, the ECERS/ECERS-R does appear to capture aspects of quality that are important for children’s wellbeing; however, the strength of association is weak. PMID:28586399

A new atomic force microscope force ramp technique using digital force feedback control reveals mechanically weak protein unfolding events.

PubMed

Kawakami, M; Smith, D A

2008-12-10

We have developed a new force ramp modification of the atomic force microscope (AFM) which can control multiple unfolding events of a multi-modular protein using software-based digital force feedback control. With this feedback the force loading rate can be kept constant regardless the length of soft elastic linkage or number of unfolded polypeptide domains. An unfolding event is detected as a sudden drop in force, immediately after which the feedback control reduces the applied force to a low value of a few pN by lowering the force set point. Hence the remaining folded domains can relax and the subsequent force ramp is applied to relaxed protein domains identically in each case. We have applied this technique to determine the kinetic parameters x(u), which is the distance between the native state and transition state, and α(0), which is the unfolding rate constant at zero force, for the mechanical unfolding of a pentamer of I27 domains of titin. In each force ramp the unfolding probability depends on the number of folded domains remaining in the system and we had to take account of this effect in the analysis of unfolding force data. We obtained values of x(u) and α(0) to be 0.28 nm and 1.02 × 10(-3) s(-1), which are in good agreement with those obtained from conventional constant velocity experiments. This method reveals unfolding data at low forces that are not seen in constant velocity experiments and corrects for the change in stiffness that occurs with most mechanical systems throughout the unfolding process to allow constant force ramp experiments to be carried out. In addition, a mechanically weak structure was detected, which formed from the fully extended polypeptide chain during a force quench. This indicates that the new technique will allow studies of the folding kinetics of previously hidden, mechanically weak species.

Expression of the inclusion body myopathy 3 mutation in Drosophila depresses myosin function and stability and recapitulates muscle inclusions and weakness.

PubMed

Wang, Yang; Melkani, Girish C; Suggs, Jennifer A; Melkani, Anju; Kronert, William A; Cammarato, Anthony; Bernstein, Sanford I

2012-06-01

Hereditary myosin myopathies are characterized by variable clinical features. Inclusion body myopathy 3 (IBM-3) is an autosomal dominant disease associated with a missense mutation (E706K) in the myosin heavy chain IIa gene. Adult patients experience progressive muscle weakness. Biopsies reveal dystrophic changes, rimmed vacuoles with cytoplasmic inclusions, and focal disorganization of myofilaments. We constructed a transgene encoding E706K myosin and expressed it in Drosophila (E701K) indirect flight and jump muscles to establish a novel homozygous organism with homogeneous populations of fast IBM-3 myosin and muscle fibers. Flight and jump abilities were severely reduced in homozygotes. ATPase and actin sliding velocity of the mutant myosin were depressed >80% compared with wild-type myosin. Light scattering experiments and electron microscopy revealed that mutant myosin heads bear a dramatic propensity to collapse and aggregate. Thus E706K (E701K) myosin appears far more labile than wild-type myosin. Furthermore, mutant fly fibers exhibit ultrastructural hallmarks seen in patients, including cytoplasmic inclusions containing aberrant proteinaceous structures and disorganized muscle filaments. Our Drosophila model reveals the unambiguous consequences of the IBM-3 lesion on fast muscle myosin and fibers. The abnormalities observed in myosin function and muscle ultrastructure likely contribute to muscle weakness observed in our flies and patients.

Health Education in India: A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharma, Manoj

2005-01-01

The purpose of this study was to conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of the health education profession and discipline in India. Materials from CINAHL, ERIC, MEDLINE, and Internet were collected to conduct the open coding of the SWOT analysis. Strengths of health education in India include an elaborate…

Clinical investigation into feed-related hypervitaminosis D in a captive flock of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus): morbidity, mortalities, and pathologic lesions.

PubMed

Olds, June E; Burrough, Eric; Madison, Darin; Ensley, Steve; Horst, Ronald; Janke, Bruce H; Schwartz, Kent; Stevenson, Gregory W; Gauger, Phillip; Cooper, Vickie L; Arruda, Paulo; Opriessnig, Tanja

2015-03-01

The Blank Park Zoo began suffering mortalities in the spring of 2012 within a flock of 229 captive budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) housed in an interactive public-feeding aviary. Clinical signs in affected birds included weakness, posterior paresis, inability to fly, or acute death. Gross and microscopic lesions were not initially apparent in acutely affected deceased birds. Many birds had evidence of trauma, which is now hypothesized to have been related to the birds' weakness. Investigation into the cause(s) of morbidity and mortality were complicated by the opening of a new interactive enclosure. For this reason, environmental conditions and husbandry protocols were heavily scrutinized. Microscopic examination of dead budgies later in the course of the investigation revealed mineralization of soft tissues consistent with hypervitaminosis D. Pooled serum analysis of deceased birds identified elevated vitamin D3 levels. Vitamin D3 analysis was performed on the feed sticks offered by the public and the formulated maintenance diet fed to the flock. This analysis detected elevated levels of vitamin D3 that were 22.5-times the manufacturer's labeled content in the formulated diet. These findings contributed to a manufacturer recall of more than 100 formulated diets fed to a wide variety of domestic and captive wild animal species throughout the United States and internationally. This case report discusses the complexities of determining the etiology of a toxic event in a zoologic institution.

Lower Extremity Muscle Activity during Cycling in Adolescents with and without Cerebral Palsy

PubMed Central

Lauer, Richard T.; Johnston, Therese E.; Smith, Brian T.; Lee, Samuel C.K.

2008-01-01

Background In individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), adaptation and plasticity in the neuromuscular system can lead to detrimental changes affecting gait. Cycling may be an effective method to improve mobility. The biomechanics of cycling in adolescents with CP have been studied, but further analysis of the frequency and amplitude characteristics of the electromyographic (EMG) signals can assist with interpretation of the cycling kinematics. Methods Data were analyzed from ten adolescents with typical development (TD) (mean = 14.9 SD = 1.4 years) and ten adolescents with CP (mean = 15.6 SD = 1.8 years) as they cycled at two different cadences. Analyses of the lower extremity EMG signals involved frequency and amplitude analysis across the cycling revolution. Findings Examination of cycling cadence revealed that adolescents with CP had altered EMG characteristics in comparison to adolescents with typical development across the entire crank revolution for all muscles. Analyses of individual muscles indicated both inappropriate muscle activation and weakness. Interpretation A more comprehensive analysis of EMG activity has the potential to provide insight into how a task is accomplished. In this study, the control of the several muscles, especially the rectus femoris, was significantly different in adolescents with cerebral palsy. This, combined with muscle weakness, may have contributed to the observed deviations in joint kinematics. Interventions that increase muscle strength with feedback to the nervous system about appropriate activation timing may be beneficial to allow individuals with CP to cycle more efficiently. PMID:18082920

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in an adult following acute paralytic poliomyelitis in early childhood.

PubMed

Shimada, A; Lange, D J; Hays, A P

1999-03-01

About 30% of polio survivors develop a post-polio syndrome. Some of these patients develop slowly progressive muscle weakness known as post-poliomyelitis muscular atrophy (PPMA). We describe an unusual form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a patient with acute poliomyelitis in childhood. An 80-year-old woman had acute poliomyelitis at 2 years of age and developed weakness limited to the lower extremities. Residual weakness was stable until the age of 75 when she developed rapidly progressive weakness that first affected her left arm and subsequently the right arm. Neurological examination revealed both upper and lower motor neuron signs. These clinical features were more consistent with ALS than PPMA. At autopsy, there was marked atrophy of the precentral gyrus. Microscopic examination revealed a severe loss of all nerve cells and pronounced fibrillary astrocytosis of the lumbar ventral horns in the spinal cord, presumably a result of poliomyelitis. Superimposed on these spinal cord alterations were the pathological features of ALS, consisting of loss of Betz cells, corticospinal tract degeneration and loss of motor neurons of other levels of the spinal cord. The findings included some atypical features for ALS, namely, sparing of the hypoglossal nucleus, absence of Bunina bodies and absence of ubiquitin-immunoreactive inclusions. Although poliomyelitis and ALS may be coincidental, the unusual pathological expression of ALS raise the possibility that it is related to the antecedent poliomyelitis.

Where clocks are redundant: weak circadian mechanisms in reindeer living under polar photic conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Oort, Bob E. H.; Tyler, Nicholas J. C.; Gerkema, Menno P.; Folkow, Lars; Stokkan, Karl-Arne

2007-03-01

Biological rhythms are a result of interplay between endogenous clocks and the ambient light-dark (LD) cycle. Biological timing in resident polar organisms presents a conundrum because these experience distinct daily LD cycles for only a few weeks each year. We measured locomotor activity in reindeer, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus (SR, n = 5 and 6) and R. tarandus tarandus (NR, n = 6), ranging freely at 78 and 70°N, respectively, continuously throughout 1 year using data loggers. NR, but not SR, are gregarious which enabled us to examine the integrated effects of differences in social organisation and the photic environment at two different latitudes on the organisation of activity. In both sub-species, ultradian bouts of activity and inactivity alternated across the 24-h day throughout the year. This pattern was modified by the LD cycle in NR but barely at all in SR. Periodogram analysis revealed significant ultradian rhythmicity in both sub-species; the frequency of daily cycles of activity increased from three per day in winter to nearly five in summer. We conclude that this increase, and a concomitant increase in the level of daily activity, reflected the seasonal increase in the animals’ appetite and the quality of their forage. Secondly, the combination, most evident in SR, of a weak photic response, weak circadian mechanisms and a weak social synchronization reduces the constraints of biological timing in an environment which is effectively non-rhythmic most of the year and permits expression of the basic ultradian pattern of ruminant activity. Third, the weaker 24-h rhythmicity in SR compared to NR indicates a latitudinal decrease in circadian organization and photic responsiveness in Rangifer.

High-Resolution Study of the First Stretching Overtones of H3Si79Br.

PubMed

Ceausu; Graner; Bürger; Mkadmi; Pracna; Lafferty

1998-11-01

The Fourier transform infrared spectrum of monoisotopic H3Si79Br (resolution 7.7 x 10(-3) cm-1) was studied from 4200 to 4520 cm-1, in the region of the first overtones of the Si-H stretching vibration. The investigation of the spectrum revealed the presence of two band systems, the first consisting of one parallel (nu0 = 4340.2002 cm-1) and one perpendicular (nu0 = 4342.1432 cm-1) strong component, and the second of one parallel (nu0 = 4405.789 cm-1) and one perpendicular (nu0 = 4416.233 cm-1) weak component. The rovibrational analysis shows strong local perturbations for both strong and weak systems. Seven hundred eighty-one nonzero-weighted transitions belonging to the strong system [the (200) manifold in the local mode picture] were fitted to a simple model involving a perpendicular component interacting by a weak Coriolis resonance with a parallel component. The most severely perturbed transitions (whose ||obs-calc || values exceeded 3 x 10(-3) cm-1) were given zero weights. The standard deviations of the fit were 1.0 x 10(-3) and 0.69 x 10(-3) cm-1 for the parallel and the perpendicular components, respectively. The weak band system, severely perturbed by many "dark" perturbers, was fitted to a model involving one parallel and one perpendicular band, connected by a Coriolis-type resonance. The K" . DeltaK = +10 to +18 subbands of the perpendicular component, which showed very high observed - calculated values ( approximately 0.5 cm-1), were excluded from this calculation. The standard deviations of the fit were 11 x 10(-3) and 13 x 10(-3) cm-1 for the parallel and the perpendicular components, respectively. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Measuring Medical Students' Empathy: Exploring the Underlying Constructs of and Associations Between Two Widely Used Self-Report Instruments in Five Countries.

PubMed

Costa, Patrício; de Carvalho-Filho, Marco Antonio; Schweller, Marcelo; Thiemann, Pia; Salgueira, Ana; Benson, John; Costa, Manuel João; Quince, Thelma

2017-06-01

Understanding medical student empathy is important to future patient care; however, the definition and development of clinical empathy remain unclear. The authors sought to examine the underlying constructs of two of the most widely used self-report instruments-Davis's Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy version for medical students (JSE-S)-plus, the distinctions and associations between these instruments. Between 2007 and 2014, the authors administered the IRI and JSE-S in three separate studies in five countries, (Brazil, Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal, and the United Kingdom). They collected data from 3,069 undergraduate medical students and performed exploratory factor analyses, correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression analyses. Exploratory factor analysis yielded identical results in each country, confirming the subscale structures of each instrument. Results of correlation analyses indicated significant but weak correlations (r = 0.313) between the total IRI and JSE-S scores. All intercorrelations of IRI and JSE-S subscale scores were statistically significant but weak (range r = -0.040 to 0.306). Multiple linear regression models revealed that the IRI subscales were weak predictors of all JSE-S subscale and total scores. The IRI subscales explained between 9.0% and 15.3% of variance for JSE-S subscales and 19.5% for JSE-S total score. The IRI and JSE-S are only weakly related, suggesting that they may measure different constructs. To better understand this distinction, more studies using both instruments and involving students at different stages in their medical education, as well as more longitudinal and qualitative studies, are needed.

MNL1 Regulates Weak Acid–induced Stress Responses of the Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans

PubMed Central

Selway, Laura; Stead, David; Walker, Jan; Yin, Zhikang; Nicholls, Susan M.; Crowe, Jonathan; Sheils, Emma M.; Brown, Alistair J.P.

2008-01-01

MNL1, the Candida albicans homologue of an orphan Msn2-like gene (YER130c in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has no known function. Here we report that MNL1 regulates weak acid stress responses. Deletion of MNL1 prevents the long-term adaptation of C. albicans cells to weak acid stresses and compromises their global transcriptional response under these conditions. The promoters of Mnl1-dependent genes contain a novel STRE-like element (SLE) that imposes Mnl1-dependent, weak acid stress–induced transcription upon a lacZ reporter in C. albicans. The SLE (HHYYCCCCTTYTY) is related to the Nrg1 response element (NRE) element recognized by the transcriptional repressor Nrg1. Deletion of NRG1 partially restores the ability of C. albicans mnl1 cells to adapt to weak acid stress, indicating that Mnl1 and Nrg1 act antagonistically to regulate this response. Molecular, microarray, and proteomic analyses revealed that Mnl1-dependent adaptation does not occur in cells exposed to proapoptotic or pronecrotic doses of weak acid, suggesting that Ras-pathway activation might suppress the Mnl1-dependent weak acid response in dying cells. Our work defines a role for this YER130c orthologue in stress adaptation and cell death. PMID:18653474

[An Autopsy Case of Globular Glial Tauopathy Presenting with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with Dementia].

PubMed

Sasaki, Ryogen; Mimuro, Maya; Kokubo, Yasumasa; Imai, Hiroshi; Yoshida, Mari; Tomimoto, Hidekazu

2016-08-01

We report an autopsy case of globular glial tauopathy (GGT) presenting clinically with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with dementia. A 79-year-old female developed weakness in the right upper limb, which progressed gradually. She developed apathy and speech disorder at 80 years of age. On neurological examination, she showed signs of upper and lower motor neuron disorder and dementia, but no extrapyramidal signs. The clinical diagnosis was ALS with dementia. The autopsy revealed left predominant marked atrophy of the frontal lobe due to severe neuronal loss and Gliosis. Immunohistochemistry using anti-4-repeat tau antibody revealed numerous globular glial inclusions. Severe neurodegeneration in the primary motor cortex and corticospinal tract was observed. There were distinctive tau-positive inclusions in both Betz and anterior horn cells. TDP-43-positive inclusions in motor neurons were not detected. Sequence analysis of the tau gene revealed no mutations in exons 1-5, 7, 9-13, or the adjacent intronic sequences. GGT can cause a clinical phenotype of ALS with dementia. (Received December 28, 2015; Accepted February 23, 2016; Published August 1, 2016).

Seroprevalence and molecular characterization of Chlamydia abortus in frozen fetal and placental tissues of aborting ewes in northeastern Algeria.

PubMed

Hireche, Sana; Ababneh, Mustafa Mohammed Kheir; Bouaziz, Omar; Boussena, Sabrina

2016-02-01

Enzootic abortion of ewes is one of the most serious health problems in sheep flocks worldwide. It has a significant economic impact because abortion, decrease in milk production and weak lambs. Besides, the bacteria is zoonotic. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydia abortus infection in 552 ewes in Constantine using a C. abortus-specific indirect ELISA kit. Chlamydial DNA was investigated in ten ovine fetuses and eight placentas using PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing. The study concluded that 7.2 % of ewes were seropositive and 33.3 % of sheep flocks had at least one seropositive ewe. Adjacent farmworker visits (OR = 7.667, 95 % CI (OR) = 2.307; 27.203) was defined as a risk factor. Deliveries of weak lambs (OR = 2.920, 95 % CI (OR) = 1.022; 8.342) and septicemia in lambs (OR = 9.971, 95 % CI (OR) = 2.383; 41.713) were significantly associated with chlamydial infection. PCR-RFLP analysis revealed positive signals to C. abortus in six fetuses and four placentas. Sequencing of the omp2 gene revealed that the Algerian strain is 96 % similar with C. abortus FAS strain. C. abortus plays a major role in abortion in northeastern Algeria. Appropriate control measures must be implemented to reduce economic losses and to avoid human contamination.

Analyzing and strengthening the vaccine safety program in Manitoba.

PubMed

Montalban, J M; Ogbuneke, C; Hilderman, T

2014-12-04

The emergence of a novel influenza A virus in 2009 and the rapid introduction of new pandemic vaccines prompted an analysis of the current state of the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance response in several provinces. To highlight aspects of the situational analysis of the Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors (MHHLS's) AEFI surveillance system and to demonstrate how common business techniques could be usefully applied to a provincial vaccine safety monitoring program. Situational analysis of the AEFI surveillance system in Manitoba was developed through a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT) analysis and informed by the National Immunization Strategy vaccine safety priorities. Strategy formulation was developed by applying the threats-opportunities-weaknesses-strengths (TOWS) matrix. Thirteen strategies were formulated that use strengths to either take advantage of opportunities or avoid threats, that exploit opportunities to overcome weaknesses, or that rectify weaknesses to circumvent threats. These strategies entailed the development of various tools and resources, most of which are either actively underway or completed. The SWOT analysis and the TOWS matrix enabled MHHLS to enhance the capacity of its vaccine safety program.

Analyzing and strengthening the vaccine safety program in Manitoba

PubMed Central

Montalban, JM; Ogbuneke, C; Hilderman, T

2014-01-01

Background: The emergence of a novel influenza A virus in 2009 and the rapid introduction of new pandemic vaccines prompted an analysis of the current state of the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance response in several provinces. Objectives To highlight aspects of the situational analysis of the Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors (MHHLS’s) AEFI surveillance system and to demonstrate how common business techniques could be usefully applied to a provincial vaccine safety monitoring program. Method Situational analysis of the AEFI surveillance system in Manitoba was developed through a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT) analysis and informed by the National Immunization Strategy vaccine safety priorities. Strategy formulation was developed by applying the threats-opportunities-weaknesses-strengths (TOWS) matrix. Results Thirteen strategies were formulated that use strengths to either take advantage of opportunities or avoid threats, that exploit opportunities to overcome weaknesses, or that rectify weaknesses to circumvent threats. These strategies entailed the development of various tools and resources, most of which are either actively underway or completed. Conclusion The SWOT analysis and the TOWS matrix enabled MHHLS to enhance the capacity of its vaccine safety program. PMID:29769910

Topology of polymer chains under nanoscale confinement.

PubMed

Satarifard, Vahid; Heidari, Maziar; Mashaghi, Samaneh; Tans, Sander J; Ejtehadi, Mohammad Reza; Mashaghi, Alireza

2017-08-24

Spatial confinement limits the conformational space accessible to biomolecules but the implications for bimolecular topology are not yet known. Folded linear biopolymers can be seen as molecular circuits formed by intramolecular contacts. The pairwise arrangement of intra-chain contacts can be categorized as parallel, series or cross, and has been identified as a topological property. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we determine the contact order distributions and topological circuits of short semi-flexible linear and ring polymer chains with a persistence length of l p under a spherical confinement of radius R c . At low values of l p /R c , the entropy of the linear chain leads to the formation of independent contacts along the chain and accordingly, increases the fraction of series topology with respect to other topologies. However, at high l p /R c , the fraction of cross and parallel topologies are enhanced in the chain topological circuits with cross becoming predominant. At an intermediate confining regime, we identify a critical value of l p /R c , at which all topological states have equal probability. Confinement thus equalizes the probability of more complex cross and parallel topologies to the level of the more simple, non-cooperative series topology. Moreover, our topology analysis reveals distinct behaviours for ring- and linear polymers under weak confinement; however, we find no difference between ring- and linear polymers under strong confinement. Under weak confinement, ring polymers adopt parallel and series topologies with equal likelihood, while linear polymers show a higher tendency for series arrangement. The radial distribution analysis of the topology reveals a non-uniform effect of confinement on the topology of polymer chains, thereby imposing more pronounced effects on the core region than on the confinement surface. Additionally, our results reveal that over a wide range of confining radii, loops arranged in parallel and cross topologies have nearly the same contact orders. Such degeneracy implies that the kinetics and transition rates between the topological states cannot be solely explained by contact order. We expect these findings to be of general importance in understanding chaperone assisted protein folding, chromosome architecture, and the evolution of molecular folds.

ICT-Based Dynamic Assessment to Reveal Special Education Students' Potential in Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peltenburg, Marjolijn; van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, Marja; Robitzsch, Alexander

2010-01-01

This paper reports on a research project on information and communication technology (ICT)-based dynamic assessment. The project aims to reveal the mathematical potential of students in special education. The focus is on a topic that is generally recognised as rather difficult for weak students: subtraction up to 100 with crossing the ten. The…

Comparison of Seven Methods for Boolean Factor Analysis and Their Evaluation by Information Gain.

PubMed

Frolov, Alexander A; Húsek, Dušan; Polyakov, Pavel Yu

2016-03-01

An usual task in large data set analysis is searching for an appropriate data representation in a space of fewer dimensions. One of the most efficient methods to solve this task is factor analysis. In this paper, we compare seven methods for Boolean factor analysis (BFA) in solving the so-called bars problem (BP), which is a BFA benchmark. The performance of the methods is evaluated by means of information gain. Study of the results obtained in solving BP of different levels of complexity has allowed us to reveal strengths and weaknesses of these methods. It is shown that the Likelihood maximization Attractor Neural Network with Increasing Activity (LANNIA) is the most efficient BFA method in solving BP in many cases. Efficacy of the LANNIA method is also shown, when applied to the real data from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database, which contains full genome sequencing for 1368 organisms, and to text data set R52 (from Reuters 21578) typically used for label categorization.

Revealing weak spin-orbit coupling effects on charge carriers in a π -conjugated polymer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malissa, H.; Miller, R.; Baird, D. L.; Jamali, S.; Joshi, G.; Bursch, M.; Grimme, S.; van Tol, J.; Lupton, J. M.; Boehme, C.

2018-04-01

We measure electrically detected magnetic resonance on organic light-emitting diodes made of the polymer poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] at room temperature and high magnetic fields where spectral broadening of the resonance due to spin-orbit coupling (SOC) exceeds that due to the local hyperfine fields. Density-functional-theory calculations on an open-shell model of the material reveal g -tensors of charge-carrier spins in the lowest unoccupied (electron) and highest occupied (hole) molecular orbitals. These tensors are used for simulations of magnetic resonance line shapes. Besides providing the first quantification and direct observation of SOC effects on charge-carrier states in these weakly SO-coupled hydrocarbons, this procedure demonstrates that spin-related phenomena in these materials are fundamentally monomolecular in nature.

Tomography reveals buoyant asthenosphere accumulating beneath the Juan de Fuca plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawley, William B.; Allen, Richard M.; Richards, Mark A.

2016-09-01

The boundary between Earth’s strong lithospheric plates and the underlying mantle asthenosphere corresponds to an abrupt seismic velocity decrease and electrical conductivity increase with depth, perhaps indicating a thin, weak layer that may strongly influence plate motion dynamics. The behavior of such a layer at subduction zones remains unexplored. We present a tomographic model, derived from on- and offshore seismic experiments, that reveals a strong low-velocity feature beneath the subducting Juan de Fuca slab along the entire Cascadia subduction zone. Through simple geodynamic arguments, we propose that this low-velocity feature is the accumulation of material from a thin, weak, buoyant layer present beneath the entire oceanic lithosphere. The presence of this feature could have major implications for our understanding of the asthenosphere and subduction zone dynamics.

Competition among networks highlights the power of the weak

PubMed Central

Iranzo, Jaime; Buldú, Javier M.; Aguirre, Jacobo

2016-01-01

The unpreventable connections between real networked systems have recently called for an examination of percolation, diffusion or synchronization phenomena in multilayer networks. Here we use network science and game theory to explore interactions in networks-of-networks and model these as a game for gaining importance. We propose a viewpoint where networks choose the connection strategies, in contrast with classical approaches where nodes are the active players. Specifically, we investigate how creating paths between networks leads to different Nash equilibria that determine their structural and dynamical properties. In a wide variety of cases, selecting adequate connections leads to a cooperative solution that allows weak networks to overcome the strongest opponent. Counterintuitively, each weak network can induce a global transition to such cooperative configuration regardless of the actions of the strongest network. This power of the weak reveals a critical dominance of the underdogs in the fate of networks-of-networks. PMID:27841258

[Substrate-inhibitory analysis of monoamine oxidase from hepatopancreas of the octopus Bathypolypus arcticus].

PubMed

Basova, I N; Iagodina, O V

2012-01-01

Study of the substrate-inhibitory specificity of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) of hepatopancreas of the octopus Bathypolypus arcticus revealed distinctive peculiarities of catalytic properties of this enzyme. The studied enzyme, on one hand, like the classic MAO of homoiothermal animals, is able to deaminate tyramine, serotonin, benzylamine, tryptamine, beta-phenylethylamine, while, on the other hand, deaminates histamine and does not deaminate putrescine--classic substrates of diamine oxidase (DAO). Results of the substrate-inhibitory analysis with use of chlorgiline and deprenyl are indirect proofs of the existence in the octopus hepatopancreas of one molecular MAO form. Semicarbazide and pyronine G turned out to be weak irreversible inhibitors, four derivatives of acridine--irreversible inhibitors of the intermediate effectiveness with respect to the octopus hepatopancreas MAO; specificity of action of inhibitors at deamination of different substrates was equal.

Interval sampling methods and measurement error: a computer simulation.

PubMed

Wirth, Oliver; Slaven, James; Taylor, Matthew A

2014-01-01

A simulation study was conducted to provide a more thorough account of measurement error associated with interval sampling methods. A computer program simulated the application of momentary time sampling, partial-interval recording, and whole-interval recording methods on target events randomly distributed across an observation period. The simulation yielded measures of error for multiple combinations of observation period, interval duration, event duration, and cumulative event duration. The simulations were conducted up to 100 times to yield measures of error variability. Although the present simulation confirmed some previously reported characteristics of interval sampling methods, it also revealed many new findings that pertain to each method's inherent strengths and weaknesses. The analysis and resulting error tables can help guide the selection of the most appropriate sampling method for observation-based behavioral assessments. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Invited Article: Relation between electric and magnetic field structures and their proton-beam images

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

Kugland, N. L.; Ryutov, D. D.; Plechaty, C.

2012-10-15

Proton imaging is commonly used to reveal the electric and magnetic fields that are found in high energy density plasmas. Presented here is an analysis of this technique that is directed towards developing additional insight into the underlying physics. This approach considers: formation of images in the limits of weak and strong intensity variations; caustic formation and structure; image inversion to obtain line-integrated field characteristics; direct relations between images and electric or magnetic field structures in a plasma; imaging of sharp features such as Debye sheaths and shocks. Limitations on spatial and temporal resolution are assessed, and similarities with opticalmore » shadowgraphy are noted. Synthetic proton images are presented to illustrate the analysis. These results will be useful for quantitatively analyzing experimental proton imaging data and verifying numerical codes.« less

[Cloning and sequence analysis of 55 K protein of egg drop syndrome virus].

PubMed

Zhu, L; Jin, Q; Zeng, L

1999-06-30

For understanding the characteristics of genomic structure of egg drop syndrome virus(EDSV). Nucleic acid was extracted using routine method from weak virulent strain AA-2 of EDSV isolated from Chinese sick hens. Construction of the whole genomic library was by hydrolysis with Hind III, strand encoding 55 K gene locating in Hind III--A segment was sequenced and analyzed. The open reading frame has a length of 1,014 nt and codes a polypeptide of 337 amino acids with molecular weight of 38,200. Analysis of the amino acid sequence revealed a homology from 25.5%-32.4% to the 55 K protein of human adenovirus types 2, 12, 40, canine adenovirus and fowl adenoviruses of group 1, whereas to ovine adenovirus is 46.4%. The genomic structure of EDSV has some relationship with adenoviruses.

The tracking analysis in the Q-weak experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, J.; Androic, D.; Armstrong, D. S.; Asaturyan, A.; Averett, T.; Balewski, J.; Beaufait, J.; Beminiwattha, R. S.; Benesch, J.; Benmokhtar, F.; Birchall, J.; Carlini, R. D.; Cates, G. D.; Cornejo, J. C.; Covrig, S.; Dalton, M. M.; Davis, C. A.; Deconinck, W.; Diefenbach, J.; Dowd, J. F.; Dunne, J. A.; Dutta, D.; Duvall, W. S.; Elaasar, M.; Falk, W. R.; Finn, J. M.; Forest, T.; Gaskell, D.; Gericke, M. T. W.; Grames, J.; Gray, V. M.; Grimm, K.; Guo, F.; Hoskins, J. R.; Johnston, K.; Jones, D.; Jones, M.; Jones, R.; Kargiantoulakis, M.; King, P. M.; Korkmaz, E.; Kowalski, S.; Leacock, J.; Leckey, J.; Lee, A. R.; Lee, J. H.; Lee, L.; MacEwan, S.; Mack, D.; Magee, J. A.; Mahurin, R.; Mammei, J.; Martin, J. W.; McHugh, M. J.; Meekins, D.; Mei, J.; Michaels, R.; Micherdzinska, A.; Mkrtchyan, A.; Mkrtchyan, H.; Morgan, N.; Myers, K. E.; Narayan, A.; Ndukum, L. Z.; Nelyubin, V.; Nuruzzaman; van Oers, W. T. H.; Opper, A. K.; Page, S. A.; Pan, J.; Paschke, K. D.; Phillips, S. K.; Pitt, M. L.; Poelker, M.; Rajotte, J. F.; Ramsay, W. D.; Roche, J.; Sawatzky, B.; Seva, T.; Shabestari, M. H.; Silwal, R.; Simicevic, N.; Smith, G. R.; Solvignon, P.; Spayde, D. T.; Subedi, A.; Subedi, R.; Suleiman, R.; Tadevosyan, V.; Tobias, W. A.; Tvaskis, V.; Waidyawansa, B.; Wang, P.; Wells, S. P.; Wood, S. A.; Yang, S.; Young, R. D.; Zhamkochyan, S.

2016-12-01

The Q-weak experiment at Jefferson Laboratory measured the parity violating asymmetry ( A P V ) in elastic electron-proton scattering at small momentum transfer squared ( Q 2=0.025 ( G e V/ c)2), with the aim of extracting the proton's weak charge ({Q^p_W}) to an accuracy of 5 %. As one of the major uncertainty contribution sources to {Q^p_W}, Q 2 needs to be determined to ˜1 % so as to reach the proposed experimental precision. For this purpose, two sets of high resolution tracking chambers were employed in the experiment, to measure tracks before and after the magnetic spectrometer. Data collected by the tracking system were then reconstructed with dedicated software into individual electron trajectories for experimental kinematics determination. The Q-weak kinematics and the analysis scheme for tracking data are briefly described here. The sources that contribute to the uncertainty of Q 2 are discussed, and the current analysis status is reported.

Laser-pulse compression in a collisional plasma under weak-relativistic ponderomotive nonlinearity

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

Singh, Mamta; Gupta, D. N., E-mail: dngupta@physics.du.ac.in

We present theory and numerical analysis which demonstrate laser-pulse compression in a collisional plasma under the weak-relativistic ponderomotive nonlinearity. Plasma equilibrium density is modified due to the ohmic heating of electrons, the collisions, and the weak relativistic-ponderomotive force during the interaction of a laser pulse with plasmas. First, within one-dimensional analysis, the longitudinal self-compression mechanism is discussed. Three-dimensional analysis (spatiotemporal) of laser pulse propagation is also investigated by coupling the self-compression with the self-focusing. In the regime in which the laser becomes self-focused due to the weak relativistic-ponderomotive nonlinearity, we provide results for enhanced pulse compression. The results show thatmore » the matched interplay between self-focusing and self-compression can improve significantly the temporal profile of the compressed pulse. Enhanced pulse compression can be achieved by optimizing and selecting the parameters such as collision frequency, ion-temperature, and laser intensity.« less

The Weakly Nonlinear Magnetorotational Instability in a Global, Cylindrical Taylor–Couette Flow

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

Clark, S. E.; Oishi, Jeffrey S., E-mail: seclark@astro.columbia.edu

We conduct a global, weakly nonlinear analysis of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) in a Taylor–Couette flow. This is a multiscale, perturbative treatment of the nonideal, axisymmetric MRI near threshold, subject to realistic radial boundary conditions and cylindrical geometry. We analyze both the standard MRI, initialized by a constant vertical background magnetic field, and the helical MRI, with an azimuthal background field component. This is the first weakly nonlinear analysis of the MRI in a global Taylor–Couette geometry, as well as the first weakly nonlinear analysis of the helical MRI. We find that the evolution of the amplitude of the standardmore » MRI is described by a real Ginzburg–Landau equation (GLE), whereas the amplitude of the helical MRI takes the form of a complex GLE. This suggests that the saturated state of the helical MRI may itself be unstable on long spatial and temporal scales.« less

Weak Fault Feature Extraction of Rolling Bearings Based on an Improved Kurtogram.

PubMed

Chen, Xianglong; Feng, Fuzhou; Zhang, Bingzhi

2016-09-13

Kurtograms have been verified to be an efficient tool in bearing fault detection and diagnosis because of their superiority in extracting transient features. However, the short-time Fourier Transform is insufficient in time-frequency analysis and kurtosis is deficient in detecting cyclic transients. Those factors weaken the performance of the original kurtogram in extracting weak fault features. Correlated Kurtosis (CK) is then designed, as a more effective solution, in detecting cyclic transients. Redundant Second Generation Wavelet Packet Transform (RSGWPT) is deemed to be effective in capturing more detailed local time-frequency description of the signal, and restricting the frequency aliasing components of the analysis results. The authors in this manuscript, combining the CK with the RSGWPT, propose an improved kurtogram to extract weak fault features from bearing vibration signals. The analysis of simulation signals and real application cases demonstrate that the proposed method is relatively more accurate and effective in extracting weak fault features.

Magnetic field structure in single late-type giants: The weak G-band giant 37 Comae from 2008 to 2011

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsvetkova, S.; Petit, P.; Konstantinova-Antova, R.; Aurière, M.; Wade, G. A.; Palacios, A.; Charbonnel, C.; Drake, N. A.

2017-03-01

Aims: This work studies the magnetic activity of the late-type giant 37 Com. This star belongs to the group of weak G-band stars that present very strong carbon deficiency in their photospheres. The paper is a part of a global investigation into the properties and origin of magnetic fields in cool giants. Methods: We use spectropolarimetric data, which allows the simultaneous measurement of the longitudinal magnetic field Bl, line activity indicators (Hα, Ca II IRT, S-index) and radial velocity of the star, and consequently perform a direct comparison of their time variability. Mean Stokes V profiles are extracted using the least squares deconvolution (LSD) method. One map of the surface magnetic field of the star is reconstructed via the Zeeman Doppler imaging (ZDI) inversion technique. Results: A periodogram analysis is performed on our dataset and it reveals a rotation period of 111 days. We interpret this period to be the rotation period of 37 Com. The reconstructed magnetic map reveals that the structure of the surface magnetic field is complex and features a significant toroidal component. The time variability of the line activity indicators, radial velocity and magnetic field Bl indicates a possible evolution of the surface magnetic structures in the period from 2008 to 2011. For completeness of our study, we use customized stellar evolutionary models suited to a weak G-band star. Synthetic spectra are also calculated to confirm the peculiar abundance of 37 Com. Conclusions: We deduce that 37 Com is a 6.5 M⊙ weak G-band star located in the Hertzsprung gap, whose magnetic activity is probably due to dynamo action. Based on observations obtained at the Télescope Bernard Lyot (TBL, Pic du Midi, France) of the Midi-Pyrénées Observatory which is operated by the Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique of France and Université de Toulouse, and at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) which is operated by the National Research Council of Canada, the Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique of France, and the University of Hawaii.

Genetic Polymorphisms of Glutathione-Related Enzymes (GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1) and Schizophrenia Risk: A Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Kim, Su Kang; Kang, Sang Wook; Chung, Joo-Ho; Park, Hae Jeong; Cho, Kyu Bong; Park, Min-Su

2015-01-01

The association between polymorphisms of glutathione-related enzyme (GST) genes and the risk of schizophrenia has been investigated in many published studies. However, their results were inconclusive. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to explore the association between the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms and the risk of schizophrenia. Twelve case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to investigate the strength of the association. Our meta-analysis results revealed that GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms were not related to risk of schizophrenia (p > 0.05 in each model). Further analyses based on ethnicity, GSTM polymorphism showed weak association with schizophrenia in East Asian population (OR = 1.314, 95% CI = 1.025–1.684, p = 0.031). In conclusion, our meta-analysis indicated the GSTM1 polymorphism may be the only genetic risk factor for schizophrenia in East Asian population. However, more meta-analysis with a larger sample size were needed to provide more precise evidence. PMID:26295386

Optical Orientation of Mn2+ Ions in GaAs in Weak Longitudinal Magnetic Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akimov, I. A.; Dzhioev, R. I.; Korenev, V. L.; Kusrayev, Yu. G.; Sapega, V. F.; Yakovlev, D. R.; Bayer, M.

2011-04-01

We report on optical orientation of Mn2+ ions in bulk GaAs subject to weak longitudinal magnetic fields (B≤100mT). A manganese spin polarization of 25% is directly evaluated by using spin-flip Raman scattering. The dynamical Mn2+ polarization occurs due to the s-d exchange interaction with optically oriented conduction band electrons. Time-resolved photoluminescence reveals a nontrivial electron spin dynamics, where the oriented Mn2+ ions tend to stabilize the electron spins.

Optical orientation of Mn2+ ions in GaAs in weak longitudinal magnetic fields.

PubMed

Akimov, I A; Dzhioev, R I; Korenev, V L; Kusrayev, Yu G; Sapega, V F; Yakovlev, D R; Bayer, M

2011-04-08

We report on optical orientation of Mn2+ ions in bulk GaAs subject to weak longitudinal magnetic fields (B≤100  mT). A manganese spin polarization of 25% is directly evaluated by using spin-flip Raman scattering. The dynamical Mn2+ polarization occurs due to the s-d exchange interaction with optically oriented conduction band electrons. Time-resolved photoluminescence reveals a nontrivial electron spin dynamics, where the oriented Mn2+ ions tend to stabilize the electron spins.

An Etic-Emic Analysis of Individualism and Collectivism.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Triandis, Harry C.; And Others

1993-01-01

An analysis of the responses of 1,614 adult subjects from 10 cultures show that the Leung-Bond procedure provides ways of extracting both strong and weak etics relevant to individualism and weak etics relevant to collectivism. The most complete picture is obtained when both etics and emics are examined. (SLD)

Shock Structure Analysis and Aerodynamics in a Weakly Ionized Gas Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saeks, R.; Popovic, S.; Chow, A. S.

2006-01-01

The structure of a shock wave propagating through a weakly ionized gas is analyzed using an electrofluid dynamics model composed of classical conservation laws and Gauss Law. A viscosity model is included to correctly model the spatial scale of the shock structure, and quasi-neutrality is not assumed. A detailed analysis of the structure of a shock wave propagating in a weakly ionized gas is presented, together with a discussion of the physics underlying the key features of the shock structure. A model for the flow behind a shock wave propagating through a weakly ionized gas is developed and used to analyze the effect of the ionization on the aerodynamics and performance of a two-dimensional hypersonic lifting body.

Impacts of land cover changes on climate trends in Jiangxi province China.

PubMed

Wang, Qi; Riemann, Dirk; Vogt, Steffen; Glaser, Rüdiger

2014-07-01

Land-use/land-cover (LULC) change is an important climatic force, and is also affected by climate change. In the present study, we aimed to assess the regional scale impact of LULC on climate change using Jiangxi Province, China, as a case study. To obtain reliable climate trends, we applied the standard normal homogeneity test (SNHT) to surface air temperature and precipitation data for the period 1951-1999. We also compared the temperature trends computed from Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) datasets and from our analysis. To examine the regional impacts of land surface types on surface air temperature and precipitation change integrating regional topography, we used the observation minus reanalysis (OMR) method. Precipitation series were found to be homogeneous. Comparison of GHCN and our analysis on adjusted temperatures indicated that the resulting climate trends varied slightly from dataset to dataset. OMR trends associated with surface vegetation types revealed a strong surface warming response to land barrenness and weak warming response to land greenness. A total of 81.1% of the surface warming over vegetation index areas (0-0.2) was attributed to surface vegetation type change and regional topography. The contribution of surface vegetation type change decreases as land cover greenness increases. The OMR precipitation trend has a weak dependence on surface vegetation type change. We suggest that LULC integrating regional topography should be considered as a force in regional climate modeling.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation activity worldwide in 2012 and a SWOT analysis of the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group including the global survey.

PubMed

Niederwieser, D; Baldomero, H; Szer, J; Gratwohl, M; Aljurf, M; Atsuta, Y; Bouzas, L F; Confer, D; Greinix, H; Horowitz, M; Iida, M; Lipton, J; Mohty, M; Novitzky, N; Nunez, J; Passweg, J; Pasquini, M C; Kodera, Y; Apperley, J; Seber, A; Gratwohl, A

2016-06-01

Data on 68 146 hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) (53% autologous and 47% allogeneic) gathered by 1566 teams from 77 countries and reported through their regional transplant organizations were analyzed by main indication, donor type and stem cell source for the year 2012. With transplant rates ranging from 0.1 to 1001 per 10 million inhabitants, more HSCTs were registered from unrelated 16 433 donors than related 15 493 donors. Grafts were collected from peripheral blood (66%), bone marrow (24%; mainly non-malignant disorders) and cord blood (10%). Compared with 2006, an increase of 46% total (57% allogeneic and 38% autologous) was observed. Growth was due to an increase in reporting teams (18%) and median transplant activity/team (from 38 to 48 HSCTs/team). An increase of 167% was noted in mismatched/haploidentical family HSCT. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis revealed the global perspective of WBMT to be its major strength and identified potential to be the key professional body for patients and authorities. The limited data collection remains its major weakness and threat. In conclusion, global HSCT grows over the years without plateauing (allogeneic>autologous) and at different rates in the four World Health Organization regions. Major increases were observed in allogeneic, haploidentical HSCT and, to a lesser extent, in cord blood transplantation.

Instability analysis of cosmic viscoelastic gyro-gravitating clouds in the presence of dark matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karmakar, Pralay Kumar; Das, Papari

2017-08-01

A classical formalism for the weakly nonlinear instability analysis of a gravitating rotating viscoelastic gaseous cloud in the presence of gyratory dark matter is presented on the cosmic Jeans flat scales of space and time. The constituent neutral gaseous fluid (NGF) and dark matter fluid (DMF) are inter-coupled frictionally via mutual gravity alone. Application of standard nonlinear perturbation techniques over the complex gyro-gravitating clouds results in a unique conjugated pair of viscoelastic forced Burgers (VFB) equations. The VFB pair is conjointly twinned by correlational viscoelastic effects. There is no regular damping term here, unlike, in the conventional Burgers equation for the luminous (bright) matter solely. Instead, an interesting linear self-consistent derivative force-term naturalistically appears. A numerical illustrative platform is provided to reveal the micro-physical insights behind the weakly non-linear natural diffusive eigen-modes. It is fantastically seen that the perturbed NGF evolves as extended compressive solitons and compressive shock-like structures. In contrast, the perturbed DMF grows as rarefactive extended solitons and hybrid shocks. The latter is micro-physically composed of rarefactive solitons and compressive shocks. The consistency and reliability of the results are validated in the panoptic light of the existing reports based on the preeminent nonlinear advection-diffusion-based Burgers fabric. At the last, we highlight the main implications and non-trivial futuristic applications of the explored findings.

Atom-Pair Kinetics with Strong Electric-Dipole Interactions.

PubMed

Thaicharoen, N; Gonçalves, L F; Raithel, G

2016-05-27

Rydberg-atom ensembles are switched from a weakly to a strongly interacting regime via adiabatic transformation of the atoms from an approximately nonpolar into a highly dipolar quantum state. The resultant electric dipole-dipole forces are probed using a device akin to a field ion microscope. Ion imaging and pair-correlation analysis reveal the kinetics of the interacting atoms. Dumbbell-shaped pair-correlation images demonstrate the anisotropy of the binary dipolar force. The dipolar C_{3} coefficient, derived from the time dependence of the images, agrees with the value calculated from the permanent electric-dipole moment of the atoms. The results indicate many-body dynamics akin to disorder-induced heating in strongly coupled particle systems.

Room-temperature ductile inorganic semiconductor.

PubMed

Shi, Xun; Chen, Hongyi; Hao, Feng; Liu, Ruiheng; Wang, Tuo; Qiu, Pengfei; Burkhardt, Ulrich; Grin, Yuri; Chen, Lidong

2018-05-01

Ductility is common in metals and metal-based alloys, but is rarely observed in inorganic semiconductors and ceramic insulators. In particular, room-temperature ductile inorganic semiconductors were not known until now. Here, we report an inorganic α-Ag 2 S semiconductor that exhibits extraordinary metal-like ductility with high plastic deformation strains at room temperature. Analysis of the chemical bonding reveals systems of planes with relatively weak atomic interactions in the crystal structure. In combination with irregularly distributed silver-silver and sulfur-silver bonds due to the silver diffusion, they suppress the cleavage of the material, and thus result in unprecedented ductility. This work opens up the possibility of searching for ductile inorganic semiconductors/ceramics for flexible electronic devices.

Hepatitis From Spiroplasma sp. in an Immunocompromised Patient.

PubMed

Mueller, N J; Tini, G M; Weber, A; Gaspert, A; Husmann, L; Bloemberg, G; Boehler, A; Benden, C

2015-09-01

A 70-year-old lung transplant recipient patient was admitted with fever, nausea, abdominal pain, peripheral edema and pronounced weakness. An initial work-up for presumed infection revealed cholestatic hepatitis, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia, but failed to detect a pathogen. An increased glucose uptake exclusively in the liver was demonstrated by positron emission tomography. Liver biopsy showed basophilic inclusions in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. Broad- range 16S rRNA gene PCR followed by sequence analysis yielded Spiroplasma sp. in two independent blood samples and the liver biopsy, confirming Spiroplasma sp. as the causative agent. Antibiotic treatment with doxycycline and azithromycin led to complete recovery. © Copyright 2015 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

Probing noise in flux qubits via macroscopic resonant tunneling.

PubMed

Harris, R; Johnson, M W; Han, S; Berkley, A J; Johansson, J; Bunyk, P; Ladizinsky, E; Govorkov, S; Thom, M C; Uchaikin, S; Bumble, B; Fung, A; Kaul, A; Kleinsasser, A; Amin, M H S; Averin, D V

2008-09-12

Macroscopic resonant tunneling between the two lowest lying states of a bistable rf SQUID is used to characterize noise in a flux qubit. Measurements of the incoherent decay rate as a function of flux bias revealed a Gaussian-shaped profile that is not peaked at the resonance point but is shifted to a bias at which the initial well is higher than the target well. The rms amplitude of the noise, which is proportional to the dephasing rate 1/tauphi, was observed to be weakly dependent on temperature below 70 mK. Analysis of these results indicates that the dominant source of low energy flux noise in this device is a quantum mechanical environment in thermal equilibrium.

Room-temperature ductile inorganic semiconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Xun; Chen, Hongyi; Hao, Feng; Liu, Ruiheng; Wang, Tuo; Qiu, Pengfei; Burkhardt, Ulrich; Grin, Yuri; Chen, Lidong

2018-05-01

Ductility is common in metals and metal-based alloys, but is rarely observed in inorganic semiconductors and ceramic insulators. In particular, room-temperature ductile inorganic semiconductors were not known until now. Here, we report an inorganic α-Ag2S semiconductor that exhibits extraordinary metal-like ductility with high plastic deformation strains at room temperature. Analysis of the chemical bonding reveals systems of planes with relatively weak atomic interactions in the crystal structure. In combination with irregularly distributed silver-silver and sulfur-silver bonds due to the silver diffusion, they suppress the cleavage of the material, and thus result in unprecedented ductility. This work opens up the possibility of searching for ductile inorganic semiconductors/ceramics for flexible electronic devices.

The Mechanism and Dynamics of N-S Rifting in Southern Tibet: Insight From 3-D Thermomechanical Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pang, Yajin; Zhang, Huai; Gerya, Taras V.; Liao, Jie; Cheng, Huihong; Shi, Yaolin

2018-01-01

N-S trending rifts are widely distributed in southern Tibet, suggesting that this region is under E-W extension, behind the N-S collision between the Eurasia and India plates. Geophysical anomalies and Miocene magma extrusions indicate the presence of dispersed weak zones in the middle to lower crust in southern Tibet. These weak zones are partially located underneath the N-S rifting systems. In order to study the formation of rifts in collision zones, we have developed a high-resolution 3-D thermomechanical model of continental lithosphere with bidirectional compressional-extensional deformation, and spatially localized weak and low-density zones in the middle to lower crust. Our numerical experiments systematically reproduce the development of N-S trending rifts. Model results reveal that the weak middle to lower crust triggers the development of normal faults in the upper crust and surface uplift, whereas regions without such weak layer or with small-scale weak zones are characterized by strike-slip faulting. Geodynamic properties (density, depth, and geometry) of the weak middle to lower crust and Moho temperature notably influence the rifting pattern. In addition, rifting formation is critically controlled by large E-W extension, with the ratio of extensional to compressional strain rate larger than 1.5 in the model with continuous weak middle crust. Our simulated rifting patterns correlate well with the observations in southern Tibet; we conclude that a combination of the bidirectional compression-extension and the presence of locally weak middle to lower crust triggered the development of the rifting systems in southern Tibet.

Muscle weakness in a girl with autoimmune hepatitis and Graves' disease.

PubMed

Sarkhy, Ahmed; Persad, Rabindranath; Tarnopolsky, Mark

2009-02-01

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic hepatic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology associated with inflammatory changes and autoantibodies. The combination of AIH, Grave's disease, and myasthenia gravis (MG) is rare, with only one other case reported. We report a pediatric patient with AIH type 2 and Grave's disease who developed MG whilst on a treatment with corticosteroids. A 13-year-old girl, diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis, was identified as having AIH type 2. During the course of her therapy, she developed muscle weakness. Investigations revealed increased anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies and her electromyography (EMG) was characteristic for MG. Her course is described here. This case highlights the importance of investigating muscle weakness in severely ill hospitalized patients.

Extremely weak linear electron-phonon coupling in iron-free hemeproteins studied by phase-modulated photon echo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, J. W.-I.; Tada, T.; Saikan, S.; Kushida, T.; Tani, T.

1991-10-01

The femtosecond accumulated photon echoes in iron-free myoglobin and iron-free cytochrome-C reveal that the linear electron-phonon coupling is extremely weak in these materials. This feature also manifests itself in the absence of the Stokes shift in the fluorescence spectrum over a wide range of temperatures from liquid-helium temperatures to near room temperatures. The origin of the weak coupling is attributed to the close packing of the porphyrin chromophores into a hydrophobic environment, which is constructed out of the polypeptide chain of the protein. The present results hint at the so-called hydrophobic compartmentalization of the chromophores as one of the important factors in reducing markedly the electron-phonon coupling in dye-polymer systems.

Molecular cloning of a gene encoding translation initiation factor (TIF) from Candida albicans.

PubMed

Mirbod, F; Nakashima, S; Kitajima, Y; Ghannoum, M A; Cannon, R D; Nozawa, Y

1996-01-01

The differential display technique was applied to compare mRNAs from two clinical isolates of Candida albicans with different virulence; high (potent strain, 16240) and low (weak strain, 18084) extracellular phospholipase activities. Complementary DNA fragments corresponding to several apparently differentially expressed mRNAs were recovered and sequenced. A complementary DNA fragment seen distinctly in the potent phospholipase producing strain was highly homologous to the yeast translation initiation factor (TIF). The selected DNA fragment was then used as a probe to isolate its corresponding complementary DNA clone from a library of C. albicans genomic DNA. The sequence of isolated gene revealed an open reading frame of 1194 nucleotides with the potential to encode a protein of 397 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 43 kDa. Over its entire length, the amino acid sequence showed strong homology (78-89%) to Saccharomyces cerevisiae TIF and (63-80%) to mouse eIF-4A proteins. Therefore, our C. albicans gene was identified to be TIF (Ca TIF). Northern blot analysis in the two strains of C. albicans revealed that Ca TIF expression is 1.5-fold higher in the potent phospholipase producing strain. The restriction endonuclease digestion of genomic DNA from this potent strain revealed at least two hybridized bands in Southern blot analysis, suggesting two or more closely related sequences in the C. albicans genome.

Ocean heat budget analysis on sea surface temperature anomaly in western Indian Ocean during strong-weak Asian summer monsoon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fathrio, Ibnu; Manda, Atsuyoshi; Iizuka, Satoshi; Kodama, Yasu-Masa; Ishida, Sachinobu

2018-05-01

This study presents ocean heat budget analysis on seas surface temperature (SST) anomalies during strong-weak Asian summer monsoon (southwest monsoon). As discussed by previous studies, there was close relationship between variations of Asian summer monsoon and SST anomaly in western Indian Ocean. In this study we utilized ocean heat budget analysis to elucidate the dominant mechanism that is responsible for generating SST anomaly during weak-strong boreal summer monsoon. Our results showed ocean advection plays more important role to initate SST anomaly than the atmospheric prcess (surface heat flux). Scatterplot analysis showed that vertical advection initiated SST anomaly in western Arabian Sea and southwestern Indian Ocean, while zonal advection initiated SST anomaly in western equatorial Indian Ocean.

Ultra-weak photon emission as a non-invasive tool for monitoring of oxidative processes in the epidermal cells of human skin: comparative study on the dorsal and the palm side of the hand.

PubMed

Rastogi, Anshu; Pospísil, Pavel

2010-08-01

All living organisms emit spontaneous ultra-weak photon emission as a result of cellular metabolic processes. Exposure of living organisms to exogenous factors results in oxidative processes and enhancement in ultra-weak photon emission. Here, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), as a strongly oxidizing molecule, was used to induce oxidative processes and enhance ultra-weak photon emission in human hand skin. The presented work intends to compare both spontaneous and peroxide-induced ultra-weak photon emission from the epidermal cells on the dorsal and the palm side of the hand. A highly sensitive photomultiplier tube and a charge-coupled device camera were used to detect ultra-weak photon emission from human hand skin. Spontaneous ultra-weak photon emission from the epidermal cells on the dorsal side of the hand was 4 counts/s. Topical application of 500 mM H(2)O(2) to the dorsal side of the hand caused enhancement in ultra-weak photon emission to 40 counts/s. Interestingly, both spontaneous and peroxide-induced ultra-weak photon emission from the epidermal cells on the palm side of the hand were observed to increase twice their values, i.e. 8 and 80 counts/s, respectively. Similarly, the two-dimensional image of ultra-weak photon emission observed after topical application of H(2)O(2) to human skin reveals that photon emission from the palm side exceeds the photon emission from the dorsal side of the hand. The results presented indicate that the ultra-weak photon emission originating from the epidermal cells on the dorsal and the palm side of the hand is related to the histological structure of the human hand skin. Ultra-weak photon emission is shown as a non-destructive technique for monitoring of oxidative processes in the epidermal cells of the human hand skin and as a diagnostic tool for skin diseases.

Magneto-optical properties of α-Fe2O3@ZnO nanocomposites prepared by the high energy ball-milling technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaudhury, Chandana Roy; Roychowdhury, Anirban; Das, Anusree; Das, Dipankar

2016-05-01

Magnetic-fluorescent nanocomposites (NCs) with 10 wt% of α-Fe2O3 in ZnO have been prepared by the high energy ball-milling. The crystallite sizes of α-Fe2O3 and ZnO in the NCs are found to vary from 65 nm to 20 nm and 47 nm to 15 nm respectively as milling time is increased from 2 to 30 h. XRD analysis confirms presence of α-Fe2O3 and ZnO in pure form in all the NCs. UV-vis study of the NCs shows a continuous blue-shift of the absorption peak and a steady increase of band gap of ZnO with increasing milling duration that are assigned to decreasing particle size of ZnO in the NCs. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the NCs reveal three weak emission bands in the visible region at 421, 445 and 485 nm along with the strong near band edge emission at 391 nm. These weak emission bands are attributed to different defect - related energy levels e.g. Zn-vacancy, Zn interstitial and oxygen vacancy. Dc and ac magnetization measurements show presence of weakly interacting superparamagnetic (SPM) α-Fe2O3 particles in the NCs. 57Fe-Mössbauer study confirms presence of SPM hematite in the sample milled for 30 h. Positron annihilation lifetime measurements indicate presence of cation vacancies in ZnO nanostructures confirming results of PL studies.

Fatal course of foodborne botulism in an eight-month old infant

PubMed Central

Lonati, Davide; Locatelli, Carlo Alessandro; Fenicia, Lucia; Anniballi, Fabrizio; Landri, Paolo; Giampreti, Andrea; Petrolini, Valeria Margherita; Vecchio, Sarah; Manzo, Luigi

2011-01-01

An 8-month old girl, weighing 9 kg, was brought by her parents at 8.15 am to the Emergency Department (ED) for a progressive worsening of weakness and acute respiratory failure. On admission, the baby presented with poor oral intake, a weak cry and extremely weak muscular body control. Poor gag and suck, unreactive mydriasis, hypotonia, lethargy and absence of peristalsis were noted. Laboratory data showed severe respiratory acidosis. Chest X-ray, electroencephalography, encephalic CT scan and MRI were all normal, as were cerebrospinal fluid analysis and viral tests. Orotracheal intubation and continuous mechanical ventilation were applied. The patient received fluids, corticosteroids, aerosol therapy, large-spectrum antibiotics and enteral-nutrition. Further investigation revealed ingestion of an improperly prepared home-canned homogenized turkey meal. Type A botulinum neurotoxin was identified. Trivalent botulinum antitoxin, prostigmine and oral activated charcoal were administered. Generalized flaccid paralysis, areflexic bilateral mydriasis, gastric stasis and deep coma persisted for the duration of the hospital stay, and the patient died of severe respiratory failure and cardiac arrest 12 days after ED admission. Botulism poisoning should be suspected in any infant presenting with feeding difficulties, constipation, descendent paralysis or acute respiratory failure. Supportive treatment and antidotal therapy should be performed as soon as a clinical diagnosis is made. We describe a case of foodborne botulism in an 8-month old infant caused by ingestion of an improperly prepared home-canned homogenized turkey meal, representing the youngest fatal case reported in medical literature. PMID:22355516

The roles of calving migration and climate change in the formation of the weak genetic structure in the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii).

PubMed

Chen, Jiarui; Lin, Gonghua; Qin, Wen; Yan, Jingyan; Zhang, Tongzuo; Su, Jianping

2018-05-31

Geographical barriers and distance can reduce gene exchange among animals, resulting in genetic divergence of geographically isolated populations. The habitats of Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) has a geographical range of approximately 1,600 km across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) with a series tall mountains and big rivers. However, previously studies indicated that there was little genetic differentiation among their geographically delineated populations. To better understand the genetic structure of P. hodgsonii populations, we collected 145 samples from the three major calving regions considering their various calving grounds and migration routes. We used a combination of mitochondrial sequences (Cyt b, ATPase, D-loop and COX I) to investigate the genetic structure and the evolutionary divergence of the populations. Significant, albeit weak, genetic differentiation was detected among the three geographical populations. Analysis of the genetic divergence process revealed that the animals gradually entered into a period of rapid genetic differentiation since approximately 60,000 years ago. The calving migration of P. hodgsonii cannot be the main cause of their weak genetic structure since such cannot fully homogenize the genetic pool. Instead, the geological and climatic events as well as the coupling vegetation succession process during this period have been suggested to greatly contribute to the genetic structure and the expansion of genetic diversity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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

Bagraev, N. T., E-mail: Bagraev@mail.ioffe.ru; Chaikina, E. I.; Danilovskii, E. Yu.

The sulfur passivation of the semi-insulating GaAs bulk (SI GaAs) grown in an excess phase of arsenic is used to observe the transition from the Coulomb blockade to the weak localization regime at room temperature. The I–V characteristics of the SI GaAs device reveal nonlinear behavior that appears to be evidence of the Coulomb blockade process as well as the Coulomb oscillations. The sulfur passivation of the SI GaAs device surface results in enormous transformation of the I–V characteristics that demonstrate the strong increase of the resistance and Coulomb blockade regime is replaced by the electron tunneling processes. The resultsmore » obtained are analyzed within frameworks of disordering SI GaAs surface that is caused by inhomogeneous distribution of the donor and acceptor anti-site defects which affects the conditions of quantum- mechanical tunneling. Weak localization processes caused by the preservation of the Fermi level pinning are demonstrated by measuring the negative magnetoresistance in weak magnetic fields at room temperature. Finally, the studies of the magnetoresistance at higher magnetic fields reveal the h/2e Aharonov–Altshuler–Spivak oscillations with the complicated behavior due to possible statistical mismatch of the interference paths in the presence of different microdefects.« less

Trapping proton transfer intermediates in the disordered hydrogen-bonded network of cryogenic hydrofluoric acid solutions.

PubMed

Ayotte, Patrick; Plessis, Sylvain; Marchand, Patrick

2008-08-28

A molecular-level description of the structural and dynamical aspects that are responsible for the weak acid behaviour of dilute hydrofluoric acid solutions and their unusual increased acidity at near equimolar concentrations continues to elude us. We address this problem by reporting reflection-absorption infrared spectra (RAIRS) of cryogenic HF-H(2)O binary mixtures at various compositions prepared as nanoscopic films using molecular beam techniques. Optical constants for these cryogenic solutions [n(omega) and k(omega)] are obtained by iteratively solving Fresnel equations for stratified media. Modeling of the experimental RAIRS spectra allow for a quantitative interpretation of the complex interplay between multiple reflections, optical interference and absorption effects. The evolution of the strong absorption features in the intermediate 1000-3000 cm(-1) range with increasing HF concentration reveals the presence of various ionic dissociation intermediates that are trapped in the disordered H-bonded network of cryogenic hydrofluoric acid solutions. Our findings are discussed in light of the conventional interpretation of why hydrofluoric acid is a weak acid revealing molecular-level details of the mechanism for HF ionization that may be relevant to analogous elementary processes involved in the ionization of weak acids in aqueous solutions.

Personality, Cognitive Style, Motivation, and Aptitude Predict Systematic Trends in Analytic Forecasting Behavior.

PubMed

Poore, Joshua C; Forlines, Clifton L; Miller, Sarah M; Regan, John R; Irvine, John M

2014-12-01

The decision sciences are increasingly challenged to advance methods for modeling analysts, accounting for both analytic strengths and weaknesses, to improve inferences taken from increasingly large and complex sources of data. We examine whether psychometric measures-personality, cognitive style, motivated cognition-predict analytic performance and whether psychometric measures are competitive with aptitude measures (i.e., SAT scores) as analyst sample selection criteria. A heterogeneous, national sample of 927 participants completed an extensive battery of psychometric measures and aptitude tests and was asked 129 geopolitical forecasting questions over the course of 1 year. Factor analysis reveals four dimensions among psychometric measures; dimensions characterized by differently motivated "top-down" cognitive styles predicted distinctive patterns in aptitude and forecasting behavior. These dimensions were not better predictors of forecasting accuracy than aptitude measures. However, multiple regression and mediation analysis reveals that these dimensions influenced forecasting accuracy primarily through bias in forecasting confidence. We also found that these facets were competitive with aptitude tests as forecast sampling criteria designed to mitigate biases in forecasting confidence while maximizing accuracy. These findings inform the understanding of individual difference dimensions at the intersection of analytic aptitude and demonstrate that they wield predictive power in applied, analytic domains.

Personality, Cognitive Style, Motivation, and Aptitude Predict Systematic Trends in Analytic Forecasting Behavior

PubMed Central

Forlines, Clifton L.; Miller, Sarah M.; Regan, John R.; Irvine, John M.

2014-01-01

The decision sciences are increasingly challenged to advance methods for modeling analysts, accounting for both analytic strengths and weaknesses, to improve inferences taken from increasingly large and complex sources of data. We examine whether psychometric measures—personality, cognitive style, motivated cognition—predict analytic performance and whether psychometric measures are competitive with aptitude measures (i.e., SAT scores) as analyst sample selection criteria. A heterogeneous, national sample of 927 participants completed an extensive battery of psychometric measures and aptitude tests and was asked 129 geopolitical forecasting questions over the course of 1 year. Factor analysis reveals four dimensions among psychometric measures; dimensions characterized by differently motivated “top-down” cognitive styles predicted distinctive patterns in aptitude and forecasting behavior. These dimensions were not better predictors of forecasting accuracy than aptitude measures. However, multiple regression and mediation analysis reveals that these dimensions influenced forecasting accuracy primarily through bias in forecasting confidence. We also found that these facets were competitive with aptitude tests as forecast sampling criteria designed to mitigate biases in forecasting confidence while maximizing accuracy. These findings inform the understanding of individual difference dimensions at the intersection of analytic aptitude and demonstrate that they wield predictive power in applied, analytic domains. PMID:25983670

Effects of weak nonlinearity on the dispersion relation and frequency band-gaps of a periodic Bernoulli–Euler beam

PubMed Central

Thomsen, Jon Juel

2016-01-01

The paper deals with analytically predicting the effects of weak nonlinearity on the dispersion relation and frequency band-gaps of a periodic Bernoulli–Euler beam performing bending oscillations. Two cases are considered: (i) large transverse deflections, where nonlinear (true) curvature, nonlinear material and nonlinear inertia owing to longitudinal motions of the beam are taken into account, and (ii) mid-plane stretching nonlinearity. A novel approach is employed, the method of varying amplitudes. As a result, the isolated as well as combined effects of the considered sources of nonlinearities are revealed. It is shown that nonlinear inertia has the most substantial impact on the dispersion relation of a non-uniform beam by removing all frequency band-gaps. Explanations of the revealed effects are suggested, and validated by experiments and numerical simulation. PMID:27118899

Tomography reveals buoyant asthenosphere accumulating beneath the Juan de Fuca plate.

PubMed

Hawley, William B; Allen, Richard M; Richards, Mark A

2016-09-23

The boundary between Earth's strong lithospheric plates and the underlying mantle asthenosphere corresponds to an abrupt seismic velocity decrease and electrical conductivity increase with depth, perhaps indicating a thin, weak layer that may strongly influence plate motion dynamics. The behavior of such a layer at subduction zones remains unexplored. We present a tomographic model, derived from on- and offshore seismic experiments, that reveals a strong low-velocity feature beneath the subducting Juan de Fuca slab along the entire Cascadia subduction zone. Through simple geodynamic arguments, we propose that this low-velocity feature is the accumulation of material from a thin, weak, buoyant layer present beneath the entire oceanic lithosphere. The presence of this feature could have major implications for our understanding of the asthenosphere and subduction zone dynamics. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Accuracy Enhancement of Raman Spectroscopy Using Complementary Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) with Geologically Mixed Samples.

PubMed

Choi, Soojin; Kim, Dongyoung; Yang, Junho; Yoh, Jack J

2017-04-01

Quantitative Raman analysis was carried out with geologically mixed samples that have various matrices. In order to compensate the matrix effect in Raman shift, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis was performed. Raman spectroscopy revealed the geological materials contained in the mixed samples. However, the analysis of a mixture containing different matrices was inaccurate due to the weak signal of the Raman shift, interference, and the strong matrix effect. On the other hand, the LIBS quantitative analysis of atomic carbon and calcium in mixed samples showed high accuracy. In the case of the calcite and gypsum mixture, the coefficient of determination of atomic carbon using LIBS was 0.99, while the signal using Raman was less than 0.9. Therefore, the geological composition of the mixed samples is first obtained using Raman and the LIBS-based quantitative analysis is then applied to the Raman outcome in order to construct highly accurate univariate calibration curves. The study also focuses on a method to overcome matrix effects through the two complementary spectroscopic techniques of Raman spectroscopy and LIBS.

Use Hierarchical Storage and Analysis to Exploit Intrinsic Parallelism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zender, C. S.; Wang, W.; Vicente, P.

2013-12-01

Big Data is an ugly name for the scientific opportunities and challenges created by the growing wealth of geoscience data. How to weave large, disparate datasets together to best reveal their underlying properties, to exploit their strengths and minimize their weaknesses, to continually aggregate more information than the world knew yesterday and less than we will learn tomorrow? Data analytics techniques (statistics, data mining, machine learning, etc.) can accelerate pattern recognition and discovery. However, often researchers must, prior to analysis, organize multiple related datasets into a coherent framework. Hierarchical organization permits entire dataset to be stored in nested groups that reflect their intrinsic relationships and similarities. Hierarchical data can be simpler and faster to analyze by coding operators to automatically parallelize processes over isomorphic storage units, i.e., groups. The newest generation of netCDF Operators (NCO) embody this hierarchical approach, while still supporting traditional analysis approaches. We will use NCO to demonstrate the trade-offs involved in processing a prototypical Big Data application (analysis of CMIP5 datasets) using hierarchical and traditional analysis approaches.

Biological risk factors for suicidal behaviors: a meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Chang, B P; Franklin, J C; Ribeiro, J D; Fox, K R; Bentley, K H; Kleiman, E M; Nock, M K

2016-01-01

Prior studies have proposed a wide range of potential biological risk factors for future suicidal behaviors. Although strong evidence exists for biological correlates of suicidal behaviors, it remains unclear if these correlates are also risk factors for suicidal behaviors. We performed a meta-analysis to integrate the existing literature on biological risk factors for suicidal behaviors and to determine their statistical significance. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, PsycInfo and Google Scholar for studies that used a biological factor to predict either suicide attempt or death by suicide. Inclusion criteria included studies with at least one longitudinal analysis using a biological factor to predict either of these outcomes in any population through 2015. From an initial screen of 2541 studies we identified 94 cases. Random effects models were used for both meta-analyses and meta-regression. The combined effect of biological factors produced statistically significant but relatively weak prediction of suicide attempts (weighted mean odds ratio (wOR)=1.41; CI: 1.09–1.81) and suicide death (wOR=1.28; CI: 1.13–1.45). After accounting for publication bias, prediction was nonsignificant for both suicide attempts and suicide death. Only two factors remained significant after accounting for publication bias—cytokines (wOR=2.87; CI: 1.40–5.93) and low levels of fish oil nutrients (wOR=1.09; CI: 1.01–1.19). Our meta-analysis revealed that currently known biological factors are weak predictors of future suicidal behaviors. This conclusion should be interpreted within the context of the limitations of the existing literature, including long follow-up intervals and a lack of tests of interactions with other risk factors. Future studies addressing these limitations may more effectively test for potential biological risk factors. PMID:27622931

The health impact of trade and investment agreements: a quantitative systematic review and network co-citation analysis.

PubMed

Barlow, Pepita; McKee, Martin; Basu, Sanjay; Stuckler, David

2017-03-08

Regional trade agreements are major international policy instruments that shape macro-economic and political systems. There is widespread debate as to whether and how these agreements pose risks to public health. Here we perform a comprehensive systematic review of quantitative studies of the health impact of trade and investment agreements. We identified studies from searches in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Global Health Online. Research articles were eligible for inclusion if they were quantitative studies of the health impacts of trade and investment agreements or policy. We systematically reviewed study findings, evaluated quality using the Quality Assessment Tool from the Effective Public Health Practice Project, and performed network citation analysis to study disciplinary siloes. Seventeen quantitative studies met our inclusion criteria. There was consistent evidence that implementing trade agreements was associated with increased consumption of processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. Granting import licenses for patented drugs was associated with increased access to pharmaceuticals. Implementing trade agreements and associated policies was also correlated with higher cardiovascular disease incidence and higher Body Mass Index (BMI), whilst correlations with tobacco consumption, under-five mortality, maternal mortality, and life expectancy were inconclusive. Overall, the quality of studies is weak or moderately weak, and co-citation analysis revealed a relative isolation of public health from economics. We identified limitations in existing studies which preclude definitive conclusions of the health impacts of regional trade and investment agreements. Few address unobserved confounding, and many possible consequences and mechanisms linking trade and investment agreements to health remain poorly understood. Results from our co-citation analysis suggest scope for greater interdisciplinary collaboration. Notwithstanding these limitations, our results find evidence that trade agreements pose some significant health risks. Health protections in trade and investment treaties may mitigate these impacts.

Mapping clinical outcomes expectations to treatment decisions: an application to vestibular schwannoma management.

PubMed

Cheung, Steven W; Aranda, Derick; Driscoll, Colin L W; Parsa, Andrew T

2010-02-01

Complex medical decision making obligates tradeoff assessments among treatment outcomes expectations, but an accessible tool to perform the necessary analysis is conspicuously absent. We aimed to demonstrate methodology and feasibility of adapting conjoint analysis for mapping clinical outcomes expectations to treatment decisions in vestibular schwannoma (VS) management. Prospective. Tertiary medical center and US-based otologists/neurotologists. Treatment preference profiles among VS stakeholders-61 younger and 74 older prospective patients, 61 observation patients, and 60 surgeons-were assessed for the synthetic VS case scenario of a 10-mm tumor in association with useful hearing and normal facial function. Treatment attribute utility. Conjoint analysis attribute levels were set in accordance to the results of a meta-analysis. Forty-five case series were disaggregated to formulate microsurgery facial nerve and hearing preservation outcomes expectations models. Attribute utilities were computed and mapped to the realistic treatment choices of translabyrinthine craniotomy, middle fossa craniotomy, and gamma knife radiosurgery. Among the treatment attributes of likelihoods of causing deafness, temporary facial weakness for 2 months, and incurable cancer within 20 years, and recovery time, permanent deafness was less important to tumor surgeons, and temporary facial weakness was more important to tumor surgeons and observation patients (Wilcoxon rank-sum, p < 0.001). Inverse mapping of preference profiles to realistic treatment choices showed all study cohorts were inclined to choose gamma knife radiosurgery. Mapping clinical outcomes expectations to treatment decisions for a synthetic clinical scenario revealed inhomogeneous drivers of choice selection among study cohorts. Medical decision engines that analyze personal preferences of outcomes expectations for VS and many other diseases may be developed to promote shared decision making among health care stakeholders and transparency in the informed consent process.

Joint cosmic microwave background and weak lensing analysis: constraints on cosmological parameters.

PubMed

Contaldi, Carlo R; Hoekstra, Henk; Lewis, Antony

2003-06-06

We use cosmic microwave background (CMB) observations together with the red-sequence cluster survey weak lensing results to derive constraints on a range of cosmological parameters. This particular choice of observations is motivated by their robust physical interpretation and complementarity. Our combined analysis, including a weak nucleosynthesis constraint, yields accurate determinations of a number of parameters including the amplitude of fluctuations sigma(8)=0.89+/-0.05 and matter density Omega(m)=0.30+/-0.03. We also find a value for the Hubble parameter of H(0)=70+/-3 km s(-1) Mpc(-1), in good agreement with the Hubble Space Telescope key-project result. We conclude that the combination of CMB and weak lensing data provides some of the most powerful constraints available in cosmology today.

Sensitivity analyses for sparse-data problems-using weakly informative bayesian priors.

PubMed

Hamra, Ghassan B; MacLehose, Richard F; Cole, Stephen R

2013-03-01

Sparse-data problems are common, and approaches are needed to evaluate the sensitivity of parameter estimates based on sparse data. We propose a Bayesian approach that uses weakly informative priors to quantify sensitivity of parameters to sparse data. The weakly informative prior is based on accumulated evidence regarding the expected magnitude of relationships using relative measures of disease association. We illustrate the use of weakly informative priors with an example of the association of lifetime alcohol consumption and head and neck cancer. When data are sparse and the observed information is weak, a weakly informative prior will shrink parameter estimates toward the prior mean. Additionally, the example shows that when data are not sparse and the observed information is not weak, a weakly informative prior is not influential. Advancements in implementation of Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation make this sensitivity analysis easily accessible to the practicing epidemiologist.

Sensitivity Analyses for Sparse-Data Problems—Using Weakly Informative Bayesian Priors

PubMed Central

Hamra, Ghassan B.; MacLehose, Richard F.; Cole, Stephen R.

2013-01-01

Sparse-data problems are common, and approaches are needed to evaluate the sensitivity of parameter estimates based on sparse data. We propose a Bayesian approach that uses weakly informative priors to quantify sensitivity of parameters to sparse data. The weakly informative prior is based on accumulated evidence regarding the expected magnitude of relationships using relative measures of disease association. We illustrate the use of weakly informative priors with an example of the association of lifetime alcohol consumption and head and neck cancer. When data are sparse and the observed information is weak, a weakly informative prior will shrink parameter estimates toward the prior mean. Additionally, the example shows that when data are not sparse and the observed information is not weak, a weakly informative prior is not influential. Advancements in implementation of Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation make this sensitivity analysis easily accessible to the practicing epidemiologist. PMID:23337241

Impaired social brain network for processing dynamic facial expressions in autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Sato, Wataru; Toichi, Motomi; Uono, Shota; Kochiyama, Takanori

2012-08-13

Impairment of social interaction via facial expressions represents a core clinical feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the neural correlates of this dysfunction remain unidentified. Because this dysfunction is manifested in real-life situations, we hypothesized that the observation of dynamic, compared with static, facial expressions would reveal abnormal brain functioning in individuals with ASD.We presented dynamic and static facial expressions of fear and happiness to individuals with high-functioning ASD and to age- and sex-matched typically developing controls and recorded their brain activities using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Regional analysis revealed reduced activation of several brain regions in the ASD group compared with controls in response to dynamic versus static facial expressions, including the middle temporal gyrus (MTG), fusiform gyrus, amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Dynamic causal modeling analyses revealed that bi-directional effective connectivity involving the primary visual cortex-MTG-IFG circuit was enhanced in response to dynamic as compared with static facial expressions in the control group. Group comparisons revealed that all these modulatory effects were weaker in the ASD group than in the control group. These results suggest that weak activity and connectivity of the social brain network underlie the impairment in social interaction involving dynamic facial expressions in individuals with ASD.

Weak hard X-ray emission from broad absorption line quasars: evidence for intrinsic X-ray weakness

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

Luo, B.; Brandt, W. N.; Scott, A. E.

We report NuSTAR observations of a sample of six X-ray weak broad absorption line (BAL) quasars. These targets, at z = 0.148-1.223, are among the optically brightest and most luminous BAL quasars known at z < 1.3. However, their rest-frame ≈2 keV luminosities are 14 to >330 times weaker than expected for typical quasars. Our results from a pilot NuSTAR study of two low-redshift BAL quasars, a Chandra stacking analysis of a sample of high-redshift BAL quasars, and a NuSTAR spectral analysis of the local BAL quasar Mrk 231 have already suggested the existence of intrinsically X-ray weak BAL quasars,more » i.e., quasars not emitting X-rays at the level expected from their optical/UV emission. The aim of the current program is to extend the search for such extraordinary objects. Three of the six new targets are weakly detected by NuSTAR with ≲ 45 counts in the 3-24 keV band, and the other three are not detected. The hard X-ray (8-24 keV) weakness observed by NuSTAR requires Compton-thick absorption if these objects have nominal underlying X-ray emission. However, a soft stacked effective photon index (Γ{sub eff} ≈ 1.8) for this sample disfavors Compton-thick absorption in general. The uniform hard X-ray weakness observed by NuSTAR for this and the pilot samples selected with <10 keV weakness also suggests that the X-ray weakness is intrinsic in at least some of the targets. We conclude that the NuSTAR observations have likely discovered a significant population (≳ 33%) of intrinsically X-ray weak objects among the BAL quasars with significantly weak <10 keV emission. We suggest that intrinsically X-ray weak quasars might be preferentially observed as BAL quasars.« less

The tracking analysis in the Q-weak experiment

DOE PAGES

Pan, J.; Androic, D.; Armstrong, D. S.; ...

2016-11-21

Here, the Q-weak experiment at Jefferson Laboratory measured the parity violating asymmetry (Amore » $$_{PV}$$ ) in elastic electron-proton scattering at small momentum transfer squared (Q$$^{2}$$=0.025 (G e V/c)$$^{2}$$), with the aim of extracting the proton’s weak charge ( $${Q^p_W}$$ ) to an accuracy of 5 %. As one of the major uncertainty contribution sources to $${Q^p_W}$$ , Q$$^{2}$$ needs to be determined to ~1 % so as to reach the proposed experimental precision. For this purpose, two sets of high resolution tracking chambers were employed in the experiment, to measure tracks before and after the magnetic spectrometer. Data collected by the tracking system were then reconstructed with dedicated software into individual electron trajectories for experimental kinematics determination. The Q-weak kinematics and the analysis scheme for tracking data are briefly described here. The sources that contribute to the uncertainty of Q$$^{2}$$ are discussed, and the current analysis status is reported.« less

Weak Fault Feature Extraction of Rolling Bearings Based on an Improved Kurtogram

PubMed Central

Chen, Xianglong; Feng, Fuzhou; Zhang, Bingzhi

2016-01-01

Kurtograms have been verified to be an efficient tool in bearing fault detection and diagnosis because of their superiority in extracting transient features. However, the short-time Fourier Transform is insufficient in time-frequency analysis and kurtosis is deficient in detecting cyclic transients. Those factors weaken the performance of the original kurtogram in extracting weak fault features. Correlated Kurtosis (CK) is then designed, as a more effective solution, in detecting cyclic transients. Redundant Second Generation Wavelet Packet Transform (RSGWPT) is deemed to be effective in capturing more detailed local time-frequency description of the signal, and restricting the frequency aliasing components of the analysis results. The authors in this manuscript, combining the CK with the RSGWPT, propose an improved kurtogram to extract weak fault features from bearing vibration signals. The analysis of simulation signals and real application cases demonstrate that the proposed method is relatively more accurate and effective in extracting weak fault features. PMID:27649171

Expression analysis of chitinase upon challenge inoculation to Alternaria wounding and defense inducers in Brassica juncea.

PubMed

Rawat, Sandhya; Ali, Sajad; Mittra, Bhabatosh; Grover, Anita

2017-03-01

Chitinases are the hydrolytic enzymes which belong to the pathogenesis-related (PR) protein family and play an important role not only in plant defense but also in various abiotic stresses. However, only a limited number of chitinase genes have been characterised in B. juncea . In this study, we have characterised B. juncea class IV chitinase gene (accession no EF586206) in response to fungal infection, salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) treatments and wounding. Gene expression studies revealed that the transcript levels of Bjchitinase ( BjChp ) gene increases significantly both in local and distal tissues after Alternaria infection. Bjchitinase gene was also induced by jasmonic acid and wounding but moderately by salicylic acid. A 2.5 kb class IV chitinase promoter of this gene was isolated from B. juncea by Genome walking (accession no KF055403.1). In-silico analysis of this promoter revealed a number of conserved cis -regulatory elements related to defense, wounding and signalling molecules like SA, and JA. For validation, chitinase promoter was fused to the GUS gene, and the resultant construct was then introduced into Arabidopsis plants. Histochemical analysis of T 2 transgenic Arabidopsis plants showed that higher GUS activity in leaves after fungal infection, wounding and JA treatment but weakly by SA. GUS activity was seen in meristematic tissues, young leaves, seeds and siliques. Finally investigation has led to the identification of a pathogen-inducible, developmentally regulated and organ-specific promoter. Present study revealed that Bjchitinase ( BjChp ) promoter is induced during biotic and environmental stress and it can be used in developing finely tuned transgenics.

The preBötzinger complex as a hub for network activity along the ventral respiratory column in the neonate rat.

PubMed

Gourévitch, Boris; Mellen, Nicholas

2014-09-01

In vertebrates, respiratory control is ascribed to heterogeneous respiration-modulated neurons along the Ventral Respiratory Column (VRC) in medulla, which includes the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC), the putative respiratory rhythm generator. Here, the functional anatomy of the VRC was characterized via optical recordings in the sagittaly sectioned neonate rat hindbrain, at sampling rates permitting coupling estimation between neuron pairs, so that each neuron was described using unitary, neuron-system, and coupling attributes. Structured coupling relations in local networks, significantly oriented coupling in the peri-inspiratory interval detected in pooled data, and significant correlations between firing rate and expiratory duration in subsets of neurons revealed network regulation at multiple timescales. Spatially averaged neuronal attributes, including coupling vectors, revealed a sharp boundary at the rostral margin of the preBötC, as well as other functional anatomical features congruent with identified structures, including the parafacial respiratory group and the nucleus ambiguus. Cluster analysis of attributes identified two spatially compact, homogenous groups: the first overlapped with the preBötC, and was characterized by strong respiratory modulation and dense bidirectional coupling with itself and other groups, consistent with a central role for the preBötC in respiratory control; the second lay between preBötC and the facial nucleus, and was characterized by weak respiratory modulation and weak coupling with other respiratory neurons, which is congruent with cardiovascular regulatory networks that are found in this region. Other groups identified using cluster analysis suggested that networks along VRC regulated expiratory duration, and the transition to and from inspiration, but these groups were heterogeneous and anatomically dispersed. Thus, by recording local networks in parallel, this study found evidence for respiratory regulation at multiple timescales along the VRC, as well as a role for the preBötC in the integration of functionally disparate respiratory neurons. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Arabidopsis DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 gene affects ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) expression and genetically interacts with ABI3 during Arabidopsis seed development.

PubMed

Dekkers, Bas J W; He, Hanzi; Hanson, Johannes; Willems, Leo A J; Jamar, Diaan C L; Cueff, Gwendal; Rajjou, Loïc; Hilhorst, Henk W M; Bentsink, Leónie

2016-02-01

The seed expressed gene DELAY OF GERMINATION (DOG) 1 is absolutely required for the induction of dormancy. Next to a non-dormant phenotype, the dog1-1 mutant is also characterized by a reduced seed longevity suggesting that DOG1 may affect additional seed processes as well. This aspect however, has been hardly studied and is poorly understood. To uncover additional roles of DOG1 in seeds we performed a detailed analysis of the dog1 mutant using both transcriptomics and metabolomics to investigate the molecular consequences of a dysfunctional DOG1 gene. Further, we used a genetic approach taking advantage of the weak aba insensitive (abi) 3-1 allele as a sensitized genetic background in a cross with dog1-1. DOG1 affects the expression of hundreds of genes including LATE EMBRYOGENESIS ABUNDANT and HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN genes which are affected by DOG1 partly via control of ABI5 expression. Furthermore, the content of a subset of primary metabolites, which normally accumulate during seed maturation, was found to be affected in the dog1-1 mutant. Surprisingly, the abi3-1 dog1-1 double mutant produced green seeds which are highly ABA insensitive, phenocopying severe abi3 mutants, indicating that dog1-1 acts as an enhancer of the weak abi3-1 allele and thus revealing a genetic interaction between both genes. Analysis of the dog1 and dog1 abi3 mutants revealed additional seed phenotypes and therefore we hypothesize that DOG1 function is not limited to dormancy but that it is required for multiple aspects of seed maturation, in part by interfering with ABA signalling components. © 2016 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Rattling induced superconductivity in RV2Al20 (R = Sc, Lu, Y) aluminides - an experimental and theoretical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winiarski, Michal; Wiendlocha, Bartlomiej; Sternik, Malgorzata; Wisniewski, Piotr; Kaczorowski, Dariusz; Klimczuk, Tomasz

Polycrystalline samples of four ternary intermetallics RV2Al20 (R = Sc, Y, La, and Lu) were synthesized. Structural studies carried out using powder x-ray diffraction and Rietveld analysis show that all compounds crystallize in CeCr2Al20-type structure composed of icosahedral Al-R cages. Results of physical properties measurements reveal that ScV2Al20, YV2Al20, and LuV2Al20 are weakly-coupled BCS superconductors with critical temperatures Tc = 1.0, 0.57, and 0.60 K, respectively. Electronic and phonon structure calculations reveal the key role of low-frequency anharmonic vibrations of R atoms (rattling effect) for the appearance of superconductivity. A correlation between phonon and crystal structures was observed, allowing to search for new RV2Al20 superconductors. Project was financially supported by the National Science Centre (Poland) Grant (DEC-2012/07/E/ST3/00584).

DISCOVERY OF A WOLF-RAYET STAR THROUGH DETECTION OF ITS PHOTOMETRIC VARIABILITY

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

Littlefield, Colin; Garnavich, Peter; McClelland, Colin

We report the serendipitous discovery of a heavily reddened Wolf-Rayet star that we name WR 142b. While photometrically monitoring a cataclysmic variable, we detected weak variability in a nearby field star. Low-resolution spectroscopy revealed a strong emission line at 7100 A, suggesting an unusual object and prompting further study. A spectrum taken with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope confirms strong He II emission and an N IV 7112 A line consistent with a nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet star of spectral class WN6. Analysis of the He II line strengths reveals no detectable hydrogen in WR 142b. A blue-sensitive spectrum obtained with the Large Binocularmore » Telescope shows no evidence for a hot companion star. The continuum shape and emission line ratios imply a reddening of E(B - V) = 2.2-2.6 mag. We estimate that the distance to WR 142b is 1.4 {+-} 0.3 kpc.« less

GIS-based environmental analysis of fox and canine lungworm distribution: an epidemiological study of Angiostrongylus vasorum and Crenosoma vulpis in red foxes from Slovakia.

PubMed

Čabanová, Viktória; Miterpáková, Martina; Druga, Michal; Hurníková, Zuzana; Valentová, Daniela

2018-02-01

Over a period of intervening years, the distribution of two canine cardiopulmonary metastrongylid nematodes, Angiostrongylus vasorum and Crenosoma vulpis, has been recognised in Central Europe. Here, we report the first epidemiological research conducted in red foxes from Slovakia and the potential influence of selected environmental variables on the parasites' occurrence, quantified by logistic regression. The environmental models revealed that distribution of C. vulpis is not significantly influenced by any environmental variables, and the parasite is present in the whole area under study. Models for A. vasorum revealed some weak influence of environmental variables, as it tends to occur in drier areas with lower proportion of forest. Moreover, A. vasorum shows a typical spatial clustering and occurs in endemic foci identified mainly in the eastern part of Slovakia. A cluster of A. vasorum infection foci was also found in the north-eastern region, where the average winter air temperature regularly falls below - 10 °C.

Mirror neurons and imitation: a computationally guided review.

PubMed

Oztop, Erhan; Kawato, Mitsuo; Arbib, Michael

2006-04-01

Neurophysiology reveals the properties of individual mirror neurons in the macaque while brain imaging reveals the presence of 'mirror systems' (not individual neurons) in the human. Current conceptual models attribute high level functions such as action understanding, imitation, and language to mirror neurons. However, only the first of these three functions is well-developed in monkeys. We thus distinguish current opinions (conceptual models) on mirror neuron function from more detailed computational models. We assess the strengths and weaknesses of current computational models in addressing the data and speculations on mirror neurons (macaque) and mirror systems (human). In particular, our mirror neuron system (MNS), mental state inference (MSI) and modular selection and identification for control (MOSAIC) models are analyzed in more detail. Conceptual models often overlook the computational requirements for posited functions, while too many computational models adopt the erroneous hypothesis that mirror neurons are interchangeable with imitation ability. Our meta-analysis underlines the gap between conceptual and computational models and points out the research effort required from both sides to reduce this gap.

Coverage dependent non-adiabaticity of CO on a copper surface

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

Omiya, Takuma; Surface and Interface Science Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako 351-0198; Arnolds, Heike

2014-12-07

We have studied the coverage-dependent energy transfer dynamics between hot electrons and CO on Cu(110) with femtosecond visible pump, sum frequency probe spectroscopy. We find that transients of the C–O stretch frequency display a red shift, which increases from 3 cm{sup −1} at 0.1 ML to 9 cm{sup −1} at 0.77 ML. Analysis of the transients reveals that the non-adiabatic coupling between the adsorbate vibrational motion and the electrons becomes stronger with increasing coverage. This trend requires the frustrated rotational mode to be the cause of the non-adiabatic behavior, even for relatively weak laser excitation of the adsorbate. We attributemore » the coverage dependence to both an increase in the adsorbate electronic density of states and an increasingly anharmonic potential energy surface caused by repulsive interactions between neighboring CO adsorbates. This work thus reveals adsorbate-adsorbate interactions as a new way to control adsorbate non-adiabaticity.« less

Real time study of amalgam formation and mercury adsorption on thin gold film by total internal reflection ellipsometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paulauskas, A.; Selskis, A.; Bukauskas, V.; Vaicikauskas, V.; Ramanavicius, A.; Balevicius, Z.

2018-01-01

Total internal reflection ellipsometry (TIRE) was utilized in its dynamic data acquisition mode to reveal the percentage of mercury present in an amalgam surface layer. In determining the optical constants of the amalgam film, the non-homogeneities of the formed surface layer were taken into account. The composition of the amalgam layer by percentage was determined using the EMA Bruggemann model for the analysis of the TIRE data. Regression results showed that amalgam layer consisted of mercury 16.00 ± 0.43% and gold 84.00 ± 0.43%. This real time TIRE analysis has shown that for these studies method can detect 0.6 ± 0.4% of mercury on a gold surface, proving that this is a suitable optical technique for obtaining real time readouts. The structural analysis of SEM and AFM have shown that the amalgam layer had a dendritic structure, which formation was determined by the weak adhesion of the gold atoms onto its surface.

Population differentiation in the red-legged kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris) as revealed by mitochondrial DNA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Patirana, A.; Hatcher, S.A.; Friesen, Vicki L.

2002-01-01

Population decline in red-legged kittiwakes (Rissa brevirostris) over recent decades has necessitated the collection of information on the distribution of genetic variation within and among colonies for implementation of suitable management policies. Here we present a preliminary study of the extent of genetic structuring and gene flow among the three principal breeding locations of red-legged kittiwakes using the hypervariable Domain I of the mitochondrial control region. Genetic variation was high relative to other species of seabirds, and was similar among locations. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that population genetic structure was statistically significant, and nested clade analysis suggested that kittiwakes breeding on Bering Island maybe genetically isolated from those elsewhere. However, phylogeographic structure was weak. Although this analysis involved only a single locus and a small number of samples, it suggests that red-legged kittiwakes probably constitute a single evolutionary significant unit; the possibility that they constitute two management units requires further investigation.

A grounded theory of positive youth development through sport based on results from a qualitative meta-study

PubMed Central

Holt, Nicholas L.; Neely, Kacey C.; Slater, Linda G.; Camiré, Martin; Côté, Jean; Fraser-Thomas, Jessica; MacDonald, Dany; Strachan, Leisha; Tamminen, Katherine A.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The overall purpose of this study was to create a model of positive youth development (PYD) through sport grounded in the extant qualitative literature. More specifically, the first objective was to review and evaluate qualitative studies of PYD in sport. The second objective was to analyze and synthesize findings from these studies. Following record identification and screening, 63 articles were retained for analysis. Meta-method analysis revealed strengths of studies were the use of multiple data collection and validity techniques, which produced high-quality data. Weaknesses were limited use of ‘named’ methodologies and inadequate reporting of sampling procedures. Philosophical perspectives were rarely reported, and theory was used sparingly. Results of an inductive meta-data analysis produced three categories: PYD climate (adult relationships, peer relationships, and parental involvement), life skills program focus (life skill building activities and transfer activities), and PYD outcomes (in personal, social, and physical domains). A model that distinguishes between implicit and explicit processes to PYD is presented. PMID:27695511

Precise design-based defect characterization and root cause analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Qian; Venkatachalam, Panneerselvam; Lee, Julie; Chen, Zhijin; Zafar, Khurram

2017-03-01

As semiconductor manufacturing continues its march towards more advanced technology nodes, it becomes increasingly important to identify and characterize design weak points, which is typically done using a combination of inline inspection data and the physical layout (or design). However, the employed methodologies have been somewhat imprecise, relying greatly on statistical techniques to signal excursions. For example, defect location error that is inherent to inspection tools prevents them from reporting the true locations of defects. Therefore, common operations such as background-based binning that are designed to identify frequently failing patterns cannot reliably identify specific weak patterns. They can only identify an approximate set of possible weak patterns, but within these sets there are many perfectly good patterns. Additionally, characterizing the failure rate of a known weak pattern based on inline inspection data also has a lot of fuzziness due to coordinate uncertainty. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) Review attempts to come to the rescue by capturing high resolution images of the regions surrounding the reported defect locations, but SEM images are reviewed by human operators and the weak patterns revealed in those images must be manually identified and classified. Compounding the problem is the fact that a single Review SEM image may contain multiple defective patterns and several of those patterns might not appear defective to the human eye. In this paper we describe a significantly improved methodology that brings advanced computer image processing and design-overlay techniques to better address the challenges posed by today's leading technology nodes. Specifically, new software techniques allow the computer to analyze Review SEM images in detail, to overlay those images with reference design to detect every defect that might be present in all regions of interest within the overlaid reference design (including several classes of defects that human operators will typically miss), to obtain the exact defect location on design, to compare all defective patterns thus detected against a library of known patterns, and to classify all defective patterns as either new or known. By applying the computer to these tasks, we automate the entire process from defective pattern identification to pattern classification with high precision, and we perform this operation en masse during R & D, ramp, and volume production. By adopting the methodology, whenever a specific weak pattern is identified, we are able to run a series of characterization operations to ultimately arrive at the root cause. These characterization operations can include (a) searching all pre-existing Review SEM images for the presence of the specific weak pattern to determine whether there is any spatial (within die or within wafer) or temporal (within any particular date range, before or after a mask revision, etc.) correlation and (b) understanding the failure rate of the specific weak pattern to prioritize the urgency of the problem, (c) comparing the weak pattern against an OPC (Optical Procimity Correction) Verification report or a PWQ (Process Window Qualification)/FEM (Focus Exposure Matrix) result to assess the likelihood of it being a litho-sensitive pattern, etc. After resolving the specific weak pattern, we will categorize it as known pattern, and the engineer will move forward with discovering new weak patterns.

SWOT analysis in Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center.

PubMed

Salamati, Payman; ashraf Eghbali, Ali; Zarghampour, Manijeh

2014-01-01

The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying and evaluating the internal and external factors, affecting the Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences and propose some of related strategies to senior managers. We used a combined quantitative and qualitative methodology. Our study population consisted of personnel (18 individuals) at Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center. Data-collection tools were the group discussions and the questionnaires. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. 18 individuals participated in sessions, consisting of 8 women (44.4%) and 10 men (55.6%). The final scores were 2.45 for internal factors (strength-weakness) and 2.17 for external factors (opportunities-threats). In this study, we proposed 36 strategies (10 weakness-threat strategies, 10 weakness-opportunity strategies, 7 strength-threat strategies, and 9 strength-opportunity strategies). The current status of Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center is threatened weak. We recommend the center to implement the proposed strategies.

Recovery of Weak Factor Loadings When Adding the Mean Structure in Confirmatory Factor Analysis: A Simulation Study

PubMed Central

Ximénez, Carmen

2016-01-01

This article extends previous research on the recovery of weak factor loadings in confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) by exploring the effects of adding the mean structure. This issue has not been examined in previous research. This study is based on the framework of Yung and Bentler (1999) and aims to examine the conditions that affect the recovery of weak factor loadings when the model includes the mean structure, compared to analyzing the covariance structure alone. A simulation study was conducted in which several constraints were defined for one-, two-, and three-factor models. Results show that adding the mean structure improves the recovery of weak factor loadings and reduces the asymptotic variances for the factor loadings, particularly for the models with a smaller number of factors and a small sample size. Therefore, under certain circumstances, modeling the means should be seriously considered for covariance models containing weak factor loadings. PMID:26779071

Enabling Housing Cooperatives: policy lessons from Sweden, India and the United States.

PubMed

Ganapati, Sukumar

2010-01-01

Housing cooperatives became active in urban areas in Sweden, India and the United States during the interwar period. Yet, after the second world war, while housing cooperatives grew phenomenally nationwide in Sweden and India, they did not do so in the United States. This article makes a comparative institutional analysis of the evolution of housing cooperatives in these three countries. The analysis reveals that housing cooperatives' relationship with the state and the consequent support structures explain the divergent evolution. Although the relationships between cooperatives and the state evolved over time, they can be characterized as embedded autonomy, overembeddedness and disembeddedness in Sweden, India and the United States respectively. Whereas the consequent support structures for housing cooperatives became well developed in Sweden and India, such structures have been weak in the United States. The article highlights the need for embedded autonomy and the need for supportive structures to enable the growth of housing cooperatives.

Security analysis and enhancements of an effective biometric-based remote user authentication scheme using smart cards.

PubMed

An, Younghwa

2012-01-01

Recently, many biometrics-based user authentication schemes using smart cards have been proposed to improve the security weaknesses in user authentication system. In 2011, Das proposed an efficient biometric-based remote user authentication scheme using smart cards that can provide strong authentication and mutual authentication. In this paper, we analyze the security of Das's authentication scheme, and we have shown that Das's authentication scheme is still insecure against the various attacks. Also, we proposed the enhanced scheme to remove these security problems of Das's authentication scheme, even if the secret information stored in the smart card is revealed to an attacker. As a result of security analysis, we can see that the enhanced scheme is secure against the user impersonation attack, the server masquerading attack, the password guessing attack, and the insider attack and provides mutual authentication between the user and the server.

Characterization and Degradation of Pectic Polysaccharides in Cocoa Pulp.

PubMed

Meersman, Esther; Struyf, Nore; Kyomugasho, Clare; Jamsazzadeh Kermani, Zahra; Santiago, Jihan Santanina; Baert, Eline; Hemdane, Sami; Vrancken, Gino; Verstrepen, Kevin J; Courtin, Christophe M; Hendrickx, Marc; Steensels, Jan

2017-11-08

Microbial fermentation of the viscous pulp surrounding cocoa beans is a crucial step in chocolate production. During this process, the pulp is degraded, after which the beans are dried and shipped to factories for further processing. Despite its central role in chocolate production, pulp degradation, which is assumed to be a result of pectin breakdown, has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive physicochemical analysis of cocoa pulp, focusing on pectic polysaccharides, and the factors influencing its degradation. Detailed analysis reveals that pectin in cocoa pulp largely consists of weakly bound substances, and that both temperature and enzyme activity play a role in its degradation. Furthermore, this study shows that pulp degradation by an indigenous yeast fully relies on the presence of a single gene (PGU1), encoding for an endopolygalacturonase. Apart from their basic scientific value, these new insights could propel the selection of microbial starter cultures for more efficient pulp degradation.

Security Analysis and Enhancements of an Effective Biometric-Based Remote User Authentication Scheme Using Smart Cards

PubMed Central

An, Younghwa

2012-01-01

Recently, many biometrics-based user authentication schemes using smart cards have been proposed to improve the security weaknesses in user authentication system. In 2011, Das proposed an efficient biometric-based remote user authentication scheme using smart cards that can provide strong authentication and mutual authentication. In this paper, we analyze the security of Das's authentication scheme, and we have shown that Das's authentication scheme is still insecure against the various attacks. Also, we proposed the enhanced scheme to remove these security problems of Das's authentication scheme, even if the secret information stored in the smart card is revealed to an attacker. As a result of security analysis, we can see that the enhanced scheme is secure against the user impersonation attack, the server masquerading attack, the password guessing attack, and the insider attack and provides mutual authentication between the user and the server. PMID:22899887

Phase-locking dynamics in optoelectronic oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, Abhijit; Sarkar, Jayjeet; Das, NikhilRanjan; Biswas, Baidyanath

2018-05-01

This paper analyzes the phase-locking phenomenon in single-loop optoelectronic microwave oscillators considering weak and strong radio frequency (RF) signal injection. The analyses are made in terms of the lock-range, beat frequency and the spectral components of the unlocked-driven oscillator. The influence of RF injection signal on the frequency pulling of the unlocked-driven optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) is also studied. An approximate expression for the amplitude perturbation of the oscillator is derived and the influence of amplitude perturbation on the phase-locking dynamics is studied. It is shown that the analysis clearly reveals the phase-locking phenomenon and the associated frequency pulling mechanism starting from the fast-beat state through the quasi-locked state to the locked state of the pulled OEO. It is found that the unlocked-driven OEO output signal has a very non-symmetrical sideband distribution about the carrier. The simulation results are also given in partial support to the conclusions of the analysis.

No complexity–stability relationship in empirical ecosystems

PubMed Central

Jacquet, Claire; Moritz, Charlotte; Morissette, Lyne; Legagneux, Pierre; Massol, François; Archambault, Philippe; Gravel, Dominique

2016-01-01

Understanding the mechanisms responsible for stability and persistence of ecosystems is one of the greatest challenges in ecology. Robert May showed that, contrary to intuition, complex randomly built ecosystems are less likely to be stable than simpler ones. Few attempts have been tried to test May's prediction empirically, and we still ignore what is the actual complexity–stability relationship in natural ecosystems. Here we perform a stability analysis of 116 quantitative food webs sampled worldwide. We find that classic descriptors of complexity (species richness, connectance and interaction strength) are not associated with stability in empirical food webs. Further analysis reveals that a correlation between the effects of predators on prey and those of prey on predators, combined with a high frequency of weak interactions, stabilize food web dynamics relative to the random expectation. We conclude that empirical food webs have several non-random properties contributing to the absence of a complexity–stability relationship. PMID:27553393

Immunohistochemical analysis of an ectopic endometriosis in the uterine round ligament.

PubMed

Terada, Shinichi; Miyata, Yachiyo; Nakazawa, Hiroaki; Higashimori, Takamitsu; Arai, Takanari; Kikuchi, Yuji; Nozaki, Motohiro

2006-09-09

A rare case of the inguinal endometriosis was reported with immunohistochemical analysis. A 28-year-old woman had a thumb-sized tumor in the right groin for two years with a gradual increase in size and pain. An operation revealed an elastic hard tumor with an unclear margin and adhesion to the uterine round ligament. The histology showed irregular proliferation of the endometrial glands and stroma. The glandular epithelium stained weakly positive against CD125 antibody and the stromal matrix stained strongly positive against CD10 antibody. The nucleus in both the epithelial and stromal cells stained strongly positive against progesterone and estrogen receptor antibodies, and the cytoplasm in both types of cells stained moderately positive against COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) antibody. In conclusion, the combination of estrogen or progesterone receptor antibody for the nucleus and CD10 or COX-2 antibody for the cytoplasm could enhance the accuracy of diagnosis for ectopic endometriosis.

Tectonic analysis of folds in the Colorado plateau of Arizona

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, G. H.

1975-01-01

Structural mapping and analysis of folds in Phanerozoic rocks in northern Arizona, using LANDSAT-1 imagery, yielded information for a tectonic model useful in identifying regional fracture zones within the Colorado Plateau tectonic province. Since the monoclines within the province developed as a response to differential movements of basement blocks along high-angle faults, the monoclinal fold pattern records the position and trend of many elements of the regional fracture system. The Plateau is divided into a mosaic of complex, polyhedral crustal blocks whose steeply dipping faces correspond to major fracture zones. Zones of convergence and changes in the trend of the monoclinal traces reveal the corners of the blocks. Igneous (and salt) diapirs have been emplaced into many of the designated zones of crustal weakness. As loci of major fracturing, folding, and probably facies changes, the fractures exert control on the entrapment of oil and gas.

Interplay of weak interactions in the atom-by-atom condensation of xenon within quantum boxes

PubMed Central

Nowakowska, Sylwia; Wäckerlin, Aneliia; Kawai, Shigeki; Ivas, Toni; Nowakowski, Jan; Fatayer, Shadi; Wäckerlin, Christian; Nijs, Thomas; Meyer, Ernst; Björk, Jonas; Stöhr, Meike; Gade, Lutz H.; Jung, Thomas A.

2015-01-01

Condensation processes are of key importance in nature and play a fundamental role in chemistry and physics. Owing to size effects at the nanoscale, it is conceptually desired to experimentally probe the dependence of condensate structure on the number of constituents one by one. Here we present an approach to study a condensation process atom-by-atom with the scanning tunnelling microscope, which provides a direct real-space access with atomic precision to the aggregates formed in atomically defined ‘quantum boxes’. Our analysis reveals the subtle interplay of competing directional and nondirectional interactions in the emergence of structure and provides unprecedented input for the structural comparison with quantum mechanical models. This approach focuses on—but is not limited to—the model case of xenon condensation and goes significantly beyond the well-established statistical size analysis of clusters in atomic or molecular beams by mass spectrometry. PMID:25608225

Site effect classification based on microtremor data analysis using a concentration-area fractal model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adib, A.; Afzal, P.; Heydarzadeh, K.

2015-01-01

The aim of this study is to classify the site effect using concentration-area (C-A) fractal model in Meybod city, central Iran, based on microtremor data analysis. Log-log plots of the frequency, amplification and vulnerability index (k-g) indicate a multifractal nature for the parameters in the area. The results obtained from the C-A fractal modelling reveal that proper soil types are located around the central city. The results derived via the fractal modelling were utilized to improve the Nogoshi and Igarashi (1970, 1971) classification results in the Meybod city. The resulting categories are: (1) hard soil and weak rock with frequency of 6.2 to 8 Hz, (2) stiff soil with frequency of about 4.9 to 6.2 Hz, (3) moderately soft soil with the frequency of 2.4 to 4.9 Hz, and (4) soft soil with the frequency lower than 2.4 Hz.

Site effect classification based on microtremor data analysis using concentration-area fractal model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adib, A.; Afzal, P.; Heydarzadeh, K.

2014-07-01

The aim of this study is to classify the site effect using concentration-area (C-A) fractal model in Meybod city, Central Iran, based on microtremor data analysis. Log-log plots of the frequency, amplification and vulnerability index (k-g) indicate a multifractal nature for the parameters in the area. The results obtained from the C-A fractal modeling reveal that proper soil types are located around the central city. The results derived via the fractal modeling were utilized to improve the Nogoshi's classification results in the Meybod city. The resulted categories are: (1) hard soil and weak rock with frequency of 6.2 to 8 Hz, (2) stiff soil with frequency of about 4.9 to 6.2 Hz, (3) moderately soft soil with the frequency of 2.4 to 4.9 Hz, and (4) soft soil with the frequency lower than 2.4 Hz.

Autopsy case of the C12orf65 mutation in a patient with signs of mitochondrial dysfunction

PubMed Central

Nishihara, Hideaki; Omoto, Masatoshi; Takao, Masaki; Higuchi, Yujiro; Koga, Michiaki; Kawai, Motoharu; Kawano, Hiroo; Ikeda, Eiji; Takashima, Hiroshi

2017-01-01

Objective: To describe the autopsy case of a patient with a homozygous 2-base deletion, c171_172delGA (p.N58fs), in the C12orf65 gene. Methods: We described the clinical history, neuroimaging data, neuropathology, and genetic analysis of the patients with C12orf65 mutations. Results: The patient was a Japanese woman with a history of delayed psychomotor development, primary amenorrhea, and gait disturbance in her 20s. She was hospitalized because of respiratory failure at the age of 60. Pectus excavatum, long fingers and toes, and pes cavus were revealed by physical examination. Her IQ score was 44. Neurologic examination revealed ophthalmoplegia, optic atrophy, dysphagia, distal dominant muscle weakness and atrophy, hyperreflexia at patellar tendon reflex, hyporeflexia at Achilles tendon reflex, and extensor plantar reflexes. At age 60, she died of pneumonia. Lactate levels were elevated in the patient's serum and CSF. T2-weighted brain MRI showed symmetrical hyperintense brainstem lesions. At autopsy, axial sections exposed symmetrical cyst formation with brownish lesions in the upper spinal cord, ventral medulla, pons, dorsal midbrain, and medial hypothalamus. Microscopic analysis of these areas demonstrated mild gliosis with rarefaction. Cell bodies in the choroid plexuses were eosinophilic and swollen. Electron microscopic examination revealed that these cells contained numerous abnormal mitochondria. Whole-exome sequencing revealed the 2-base deletion in C12orf65. Conclusions: We report an autopsy case of the C12orf65 mutation, and findings suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction may underlie the unique clinical presentations. PMID:28804760

Structure and regulation of the Yersinia pestis yscBCDEF operon.

PubMed Central

Haddix, P L; Straley, S C

1992-01-01

We have investigated the physical and genetic structure and regulation of the Yersinia pestis yscBCDEF region, previously called lcrC. DNA sequence analysis showed that this region is homologous to the corresponding part of the ysc locus of Yersinia enterocolitica and suggested that the yscBCDEF cistrons belong to a single operon on the low-calcium response virulence plasmid pCD1. Promoter activity measurements of ysc subclones indicated that yscBCDEF constitutes a suboperon of the larger ysc region by revealing promoter activity in a clone containing the 3' end of yscD, intact yscE and yscF, and part of yscG. These experiments also revealed an additional weak promoter upstream of yscD. Northern (RNA) analysis with a yscD probe showed that operon transcription is thermally induced and downregulated in the presence of Ca2+. Primer extension of operon transcripts suggested that two promoters, a moderate-level constitutive one and a stronger, calcium-downregulated one, control full-length operon transcription at 37 degrees C. Primer extension provided additional support for the proposed designation of a yscBCDEF suboperon by identifying a 5' end within yscF, for which relative abundances in the presence and absence of Ca2+ revealed regulation that is distinct from that for transcripts initiating farther upstream. YscB and YscC were expressed in Escherichia coli by using a high-level transcription system. Attempts to express YscD were only partially successful, but they revealed interesting regulation at the translational level. Images PMID:1624469

Why is hydrofluoric acid a weak acid?

PubMed

Ayotte, Patrick; Hébert, Martin; Marchand, Patrick

2005-11-08

The infrared vibrational spectra of amorphous solid water thin films doped with HF at 40 K reveal a strong continuous absorbance in the 1000-3275 cm(-1) range. This so-called Zundel continuum is the spectroscopic hallmark for aqueous protons. The extensive ionic dissociation of HF at such low temperature suggests that the reaction enthalpy remains negative down to 40 K. These observations support the interpretation that dilute HF aqueous solutions behave as weak acids largely due to the large positive reaction entropy resulting from the structure making character of the hydrated fluoride ion.

Asymptotic response of observables from divergent weak-coupling expansions: a fractional-calculus-assisted Padé technique.

PubMed

Dhatt, Sharmistha; Bhattacharyya, Kamal

2012-08-01

Appropriate constructions of Padé approximants are believed to provide reasonable estimates of the asymptotic (large-coupling) amplitude and exponent of an observable, given its weak-coupling expansion to some desired order. In many instances, however, sequences of such approximants are seen to converge very poorly. We outline here a strategy that exploits the idea of fractional calculus to considerably improve the convergence behavior. Pilot calculations on the ground-state perturbative energy series of quartic, sextic, and octic anharmonic oscillators reveal clearly the worth of our endeavor.

Transformation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with linear DNA killer plasmids from Kluyveromyces lactis.

PubMed Central

Gunge, N; Murata, K; Sakaguchi, K

1982-01-01

Protoplasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were mixed with linear DNA plasmids, pGKl1 and pGKl2, isolated from a Kluyveromyces lactis killer strain and treated with polyethylene glycol. Out of 2,000 colonies regenerated on a nonselective medium, two killer transformants were obtained. The pGKl plasmids and the killer character were stably maintained in one (Pdh-1) of them. Another transformant, Pdl-1, was a weak killer, and the subclones consisted of a mixture of weak and nonkiller cells. The weak killers were characterized by the presence of pGKl1 in a decreased amount, and nonkillers were characterized by the absence of pGKl1. The occurrence of two new plasmids which migrated faster than pGKl1 in an agarose gel was observed in Pdl-1 and its subclones, whether weak or nonkillers. Staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole revealed that the pGKl plasmids exist in the cytosol of transformant cells with numerous copy numbers. Images PMID:7045080

Evidence of C-F-P and aromatic π-F-P weak interactions in imidazolium ionic liquids and its consequences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panja, Sumit Kumar; Srivastava, Nitin; Srivastava, Jyoti; Prasad, Namburi Eswara; Noothalapati, Hemanth; Shigeto, Shinsuke; Saha, Satyen

2018-04-01

A simple change from alkyl group to alkene in side chain of imidazolium cation with same anion resulted in a drastic impact on physical properties (e.g., melting point) from bmimPF6 IL to cmimPF6 IL. The underlying reasons have been elucidated by structural and interaction studies with the help of DSC, SCXRD, vibrational and multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopic techniques. Experiments reveal existence of new weak interactions involving the carbon and π cloud of the imidazolium aromatic ring with fluoride of PF6 anion (i.e., C2-F-P and π-F-P) in cmimPF6 but are absent in structurally similar prototype IL, bmimPF6. Though weak, these interactions helped to form ladder type supramolecular arrangement, resulting in quite high melting point for cmimPF6 IL compared to bmimPF6 IL. These findings emphasize that an IL system can behave uniquely because of the existence of uncommon weak interactions.

Accessibility to Specialized Public Oral Health Services from the Perspective of Brazilian Users

PubMed Central

de Castro, Ricardo Dias; Rangel, Marianne de Lucena; da Silva, Marcos André Azevedo; de Lucena, Brunna Thaís Lucwu; Cavalcanti, Alessandro Leite; Bonan, Paulo Rogério Ferreti; Oliveira, Julyana de Araújo

2016-01-01

The Specialized Dental Clinics (SDCs) represent the first government initiative in Latin America aimed at providing specialized oral health services. This study sought to evaluate the organizational accessibility to specialized oral health care services in Brazil and to understand the factors that may be associated with accessibility from the user’s perspective. This epidemiological, cross-sectional and quantitative study was conducted by means of interviews with individuals who sought specialized public oral health services in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, and consisted of a sample of 590 individuals. Users expressed a favorable view of the classification and resolutive nature of specialized services offered by Brazilian public health. The binary logistic regression analysis revealed weak points highlighting the difficulty involved in obtaining such treatments leading to unfavorable evaluations. In the resolutive nature item, difficulty in accessing the location, queues and lack of materials and equipment were highlighted as statistically significant unfavorable aspects. While many of the users considered the service to be resolutive, weaknesses were mentioned that need to be detected to promote improvements and to prevent other health models adopted worldwide from reproducing the same flaws. PMID:27775584

Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Children: Post-Acute Effects on Cognitive and School Readiness Skills

PubMed Central

Taylor, H. Gerry; Swartwout, Maegan; Yeates, Keith O.; Walz, Nicolay C.; Stancin, Terry; Wade, Shari L.

2009-01-01

Previous studies have documented weaknesses in cognitive ability and early academic readiness in young children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, few of these studies have rigorously controlled for demographic characteristics, examined the effects of TBI severity on a wide range of skills, or explored moderating influences of environmental factors on outcomes. To meet these objectives, each of three groups of children with TBI (20 with severe, 64 with moderate, and 15 with mild) were compared with a group of 117 children with orthopedic injuries (OI group). The children were hospitalized for their injuries between 3 and 6 years of age and were assessed an average of 1½ months post injury. Analysis revealed generalized weaknesses in cognitive and school readiness skills in the severe TBI group and suggested less pervasive effects of moderate and mild TBI. Indices of TBI severity predicted outcomes within the TBI sample and environmental factors moderated the effects of TBI on some measures. The findings document adverse effects of TBI in early childhood on post-acute cognitive and school readiness skills and indicate that residual deficits are related to both injury severity and the family environment. PMID:18764969

State health managers' perceptions of the Public Health Action Organizational Contract in the State of Ceará, Brazil.

PubMed

Goya, Neusa; Andrade, Luiz Odorico Monteiro de; Pontes, Ricardo José Soares; Tajra, Fábio Solon; Barreto, Ivana Cristina de Holanda Cunha

2017-04-01

The Public Health Action Organizational Contract (COAP) / Decree 7.508/2011 aimed to seal health agreements made between federated entities to promote the cooperative governance and management of Health Regions. A qualitative study was carried out adopting a hermeneutic approach to understand state health managers' perceptions of the elaboration and effects of the COAP in the State of Ceará. Open-ended interviewees and documental analysis were conducted. It was observed that the COAP led to the strengthening of regionalization in the government sphere; institutional gains through the implementation of ombudsmen and the National System of Pharmaceutical Care Management; increased information about the state health system's workforce; and health budget transparency. The following problems were (re)visited: institutional weakness in the operation of the network; limited state capacity for regulation of care; and underfunding. Regional governance was restricted to the government sphere, coordinated by the state, and was characterized by a predominantly bureaucratic and hierarchical governance structure. The COAP inaugurated a contractual interfederative model of regionalization, but revealed the institutional weaknesses of the SUS and its lacks of capacity to fulfill its principles as the structural problems of the three-tiered model go unaddressed.

Impacts of El Niño Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole on dengue incidence in Bangladesh

PubMed Central

Banu, Shahera; Guo, Yuming; Hu, Wenbiao; Dale, Pat; Mackenzie, John S.; Mengersen, Kerrie; Tong, Shilu

2015-01-01

Dengue dynamics are driven by complex interactions between hosts, vectors and viruses that are influenced by environmental and climatic factors. Several studies examined the role of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in dengue incidence. However, the role of Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), a coupled ocean atmosphere phenomenon in the Indian Ocean, which controls the summer monsoon rainfall in the Indian region, remains unexplored. Here, we examined the effects of ENSO and IOD on dengue incidence in Bangladesh. According to the wavelet coherence analysis, there was a very weak association between ENSO, IOD and dengue incidence, but a highly significant coherence between dengue incidence and local climate variables (temperature and rainfall). However, a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) revealed that the association between dengue incidence and ENSO or IOD were comparatively stronger after adjustment for local climate variables, seasonality and trend. The estimated effects were nonlinear for both ENSO and IOD with higher relative risks at higher ENSO and IOD. The weak association between ENSO, IOD and dengue incidence might be driven by the stronger effects of local climate variables such as temperature and rainfall. Further research is required to disentangle these effects. PMID:26537857

Analysis of formability of Ca-added magnesium alloy sheets at low temperatures

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

Kim, Se-Jong; Lee, Young-Seon; Kim, Daeyong, E-mail: daeyong@kims.re.kr

The formability of sheets of the Ca-added magnesium alloy AZX311 was analyzed. The parameters affecting the sheet formability, such as the strain-hardening rate and the strain-rate sensitivity, did not seem to be higher in the alloy AZX311 at temperatures of room temperature (RT) and 200 °C. In addition, the critical stress for fracture at RT was lower in AZX311 than in AZ31. However, AZX311 exhibited higher stretchability and formability at low temperatures than AZ31. Electron back-scattered diffraction microscopy revealed that AZX311 had a weaker basal texture as well as broadened basal poles along the transverse direction. Polycrystal plasticity simulations confirmedmore » that this weaker basal texture increases the activity of basal slip over thickness strain, resulting in the higher formability of AZX311. - Highlights: • A weak basal texture with broadening basal poles along the TD in AZX311 • Lower critical stress for fracture at RT in AZX311 than in AZ31 • Lower strain-hardening rates at low temperatures in the AZX311 than in the AZ31 • Higher formability at low temperatures in AZX311 because of the weak basal texture.« less

Impacts of El Niño Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole on dengue incidence in Bangladesh.

PubMed

Banu, Shahera; Guo, Yuming; Hu, Wenbiao; Dale, Pat; Mackenzie, John S; Mengersen, Kerrie; Tong, Shilu

2015-11-05

Dengue dynamics are driven by complex interactions between hosts, vectors and viruses that are influenced by environmental and climatic factors. Several studies examined the role of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in dengue incidence. However, the role of Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), a coupled ocean atmosphere phenomenon in the Indian Ocean, which controls the summer monsoon rainfall in the Indian region, remains unexplored. Here, we examined the effects of ENSO and IOD on dengue incidence in Bangladesh. According to the wavelet coherence analysis, there was a very weak association between ENSO, IOD and dengue incidence, but a highly significant coherence between dengue incidence and local climate variables (temperature and rainfall). However, a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) revealed that the association between dengue incidence and ENSO or IOD were comparatively stronger after adjustment for local climate variables, seasonality and trend. The estimated effects were nonlinear for both ENSO and IOD with higher relative risks at higher ENSO and IOD. The weak association between ENSO, IOD and dengue incidence might be driven by the stronger effects of local climate variables such as temperature and rainfall. Further research is required to disentangle these effects.

Applying an alternative mathematics pedagogy for students with weak mathematics: meta-analysis of alternative pedagogies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lake, Warren; Wallin, Margie; Woolcott, Geoff; Boyd, Wendy; Foster, Alan; Markopoulos, Christos; Boyd, William

2017-02-01

Student mathematics performance and the need for work-ready graduates to be mathematics-competent is a core issue for many universities. While both student and teacher are responsible for learning outcomes, there is a need to explicitly acknowledge the weak mathematics foundation of many university students. A systematic literature review was undertaken of identified innovations and/or interventions that may lead to improvement in student outcomes for university mathematics-based units of study. The review revealed the importance of understanding the foundations of student performance in higher education mathematics learning, especially in first year. Pre-university mathematics skills were identified as significant in student retention and mathematics success at university, and a specific focus on student pre-university mathematics skill level was found to be more effective in providing help, rather than simply focusing on a particular at-risk group. Diagnostics tools were found to be important in identifying (1) student background and (2) appropriate intervention. The studies highlighted the importance of appropriate and validated interventions in mathematics teaching and learning, and the need to improve the learning model for mathematics-based subjects, communication and technology innovations.

Spontaneous brain activity in the sensorimotor cortex in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can be negatively regulated by corticospinal fiber integrity.

PubMed

Sako, Wataru; Abe, Takashi; Izumi, Yuishin; Yamazaki, Hiroki; Matsui, Naoko; Harada, Masafumi; Kaji, Ryuji

2017-05-01

Previous studies failed to detect reduced value of the amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) derived from resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging in the primary motor cortex in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) though primary motor cortex was mainly affected with ALS. We aimed to investigate the cause of masking the abnormality in the primary motor cortex in ALS and usefulness of ALFF for differential diagnosis among diseases showing muscle weakness. We enrolled ten patients with ALS and eleven disease controls showing muscle weakness. Voxel-wise analysis revealed that significant reduction of ALFF value was present in the right sensorimotor cortex in ALS. There was a significant negative correlation between ALFF value in the right sensorimotor cortex and fractional anisotropy (FA) value in the posterior limbs of the internal capsule (PLIC). For a diagnostic tool, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve improved if the ALS patients with disease duration >1 year were excluded. The present findings raised the possibility of usefulness of ALFF value in the sensorimotor cortex for differential diagnosis of ALS, and supported the notion that adjustment for FA value in the PLIC could improve accuracy.

Comprehensive behavioral analysis of RNG105 (Caprin1) heterozygous mice: Reduced social interaction and attenuated response to novelty

PubMed Central

Ohashi, Rie; Takao, Keizo; Miyakawa, Tsuyoshi; Shiina, Nobuyuki

2016-01-01

RNG105 (also known as Caprin1) is a major RNA-binding protein in neuronal RNA granules, and is responsible for mRNA transport to dendrites and neuronal network formation. A recent study reported that a heterozygous mutation in the Rng105 gene was found in an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patient, but it remains unclear whether there is a causal relation between RNG105 deficiency and ASD. Here, we subjected Rng105+/− mice to a comprehensive behavioral test battery, and revealed the influence of RNG105 deficiency on mouse behavior. Rng105+/− mice exhibited a reduced sociality in a home cage and a weak preference for social novelty. Consistently, the Rng105+/− mice also showed a weak preference for novel objects and novel place patterns. Furthermore, although the Rng105+/− mice exhibited normal memory acquisition, they tended to have relative difficulty in reversal learning in the spatial reference tasks. These findings suggest that the RNG105 heterozygous knockout leads to a reduction in sociality, response to novelty and flexibility in learning, which are implicated in ASD-like behavior. PMID:26865403

A rare subclinical or mild type of Becker muscular dystrophy caused by a single exon 48 deletion of the dystrophin gene.

PubMed

Zimowski, Janusz G; Pilch, Jacek; Pawelec, Magdalena; Purzycka, Joanna K; Kubalska, Jolanta; Ziora-Jakutowicz, Karolina; Dudzińska, Magdalena; Zaremba, Jacek

2017-08-01

In the material of 227 families with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), we found nine non-consanguineous families with 17 male individuals carrying a rare mutation-a single exon 48 deletion of the dystrophin gene-who were affected with a very mild or subclinical form of BMD. They were usually detected thanks to accidental findings of elevated serum creatine phosphokinase (sCPK). A thorough clinical analysis of the carriers, both children (12) and adults (5), revealed in some of them muscle hypotonia (10/17) and/or very mild muscle weakness (9/17), as well as decreased tendon reflexes (6/17). Adults, apart from very mild muscle weakness and calf hypertrophy in some, had no significant abnormalities on neurological assessments and had good exercise tolerance. Parents of the children carriers of the exon 48 deletion are usually unaware of their children being affected, and possibly at risk of developing life-threatening cardiomyopathy. The same concerns the adult male carriers. Therefore, the authors postulate undertaking preventive measures such as cascade screening of the relatives of the probands. Newborn screening programmes of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)/BMD based on sCPK marked increase may be considered.

Cascading activation from lexical processing to letter-level processing in written word production.

PubMed

Buchwald, Adam; Falconer, Carolyn

2014-01-01

Descriptions of language production have identified processes involved in producing language and the presence and type of interaction among those processes. In the case of spoken language production, consensus has emerged that there is interaction among lexical selection processes and phoneme-level processing. This issue has received less attention in written language production. In this paper, we present a novel analysis of the writing-to-dictation performance of an individual with acquired dysgraphia revealing cascading activation from lexical processing to letter-level processing. The individual produced frequent lexical-semantic errors (e.g., chipmunk → SQUIRREL) as well as letter errors (e.g., inhibit → INBHITI) and had a profile consistent with impairment affecting both lexical processing and letter-level processing. The presence of cascading activation is suggested by lower letter accuracy on words that are more weakly activated during lexical selection than on those that are more strongly activated. We operationalize weakly activated lexemes as those lexemes that are produced as lexical-semantic errors (e.g., lethal in deadly → LETAHL) compared to strongly activated lexemes where the intended target word (e.g., lethal) is the lexeme selected for production.

Isolation and characterization of a novel acidic matrix protein hic22 from the nacreous layer of the freshwater mussel, Hyriopsis cumingii.

PubMed

Liu, X J; Jin, C; Wu, L M; Dong, S J; Zeng, S M; Li, J L

2016-07-29

Matrix proteins that either weakly acidic or unusually highly acidic have important roles in shell biomineralization. In this study, we have identified and characterized hic22, a weakly acidic matrix protein, from the nacreous layer of Hyriopsis cumingii. Total protein was extracted from the nacre using 5 M EDTA and hic22 was purified using a DEAE-sepharose column. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of hic22 was determined and the complete cDNA encoding hic22 was cloned and sequenced by rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction. Finally, the localization and distribution of hic22 was determined by in situ hybridization. Our results revealed that hic22 encodes a 22-kDa protein composed of 185 amino acids. Tissue expression analysis and in situ hybridization indicated that hic22 is expressed in the dorsal epithelial cells of the mantle pallial; moreover, significant expression levels of hic22 were observed after the early formation of the pearl sac (days 19-77), implying that hic22 may play an important role in biomineralization of the nacreous layer.

Synthetic observations of wave propagation in a sunspot umbra

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

Felipe, T.; Socas-Navarro, H.; Khomenko, E.

2014-11-01

Spectropolarimetric temporal series from Fe I λ6301.5 Å and Ca II infrared triplet lines are obtained by applying the Stokes synthesis code NICOLE to a numerical simulation of wave propagation in a sunspot umbra from MANCHA code. The analysis of the phase difference between Doppler velocity and intensity core oscillations of the Fe I λ6301.5 Å line reveals that variations in the intensity are produced by opacity fluctuations rather than intrinsic temperature oscillations, except for frequencies between 5 and 6.5 mHz. On the other hand, the photospheric magnetic field retrieved from the weak field approximation provides the intrinsic magnetic fieldmore » oscillations associated to wave propagation. Our results suggest that this is due to the low magnetic field gradient of our sunspot model. The Stokes parameters of the chromospheric Ca II infrared triplet lines show striking variations as shock waves travel through the formation height of the lines, including emission self-reversals in the line core and highly abnormal Stokes V profiles. Magnetic field oscillations inferred from the Ca II infrared lines using the weak field approximation appear to be related with the magnetic field strength variation between the photosphere and the chromosphere.« less

Analysis of Teacher Beliefs and Efficacy for Teaching Writing to Weak Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mohar, Tunku Mohani Tunku; Singh, Charajit Kaur Swaran; Kepol, Napisah; Ahmad, Ahmad Zainuri Loap; Moneyam, Sasigaran

2017-01-01

The present study investigated the beliefs and efficacy of a teacher teaching English to students who were weak at the language. The objective of the study was mainly to investigate the beliefs and efficacy of the ESL teacher for teaching writing to weak learners. The research was a case study of the English Language teacher teaching Form Three…

Single-visit or multiple-visit root canal treatment: systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

PubMed Central

Schwendicke, Falk; Göstemeyer, Gerd

2017-01-01

Objectives Single-visit root canal treatment has some advantages over conventional multivisit treatment, but might increase the risk of complications. We systematically evaluated the risk of complications after single-visit or multiple-visit root canal treatment using meta-analysis and trial-sequential analysis. Data Controlled trials comparing single-visit versus multiple-visit root canal treatment of permanent teeth were included. Trials needed to assess the risk of long-term complications (pain, infection, new/persisting/increasing periapical lesions ≥1 year after treatment), short-term pain or flare-up (acute exacerbation of initiation or continuation of root canal treatment). Sources Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central) were screened, random-effects meta-analyses performed and trial-sequential analysis used to control for risk of random errors. Evidence was graded according to GRADE. Study selection 29 trials (4341 patients) were included, all but 6 showing high risk of bias. Based on 10 trials (1257 teeth), risk of complications was not significantly different in single-visit versus multiple-visit treatment (risk ratio (RR) 1.00 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.35); weak evidence). Based on 20 studies (3008 teeth), risk of pain did not significantly differ between treatments (RR 0.99 (95% CI 0.76 to 1.30); moderate evidence). Risk of flare-up was recorded by 8 studies (1110 teeth) and was significantly higher after single-visit versus multiple-visit treatment (RR 2.13 (95% CI 1.16 to 3.89); very weak evidence). Trial-sequential analysis revealed that firm evidence for benefit, harm or futility was not reached for any of the outcomes. Conclusions There is insufficient evidence to rule out whether important differences between both strategies exist. Clinical significance Dentists can provide root canal treatment in 1 or multiple visits. Given the possibly increased risk of flare-ups, multiple-visit treatment might be preferred for certain teeth (eg, those with periapical lesions). PMID:28148534

Better out than in

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kemp, Luke

2017-07-01

Continued US membership in the Paris Agreement on climate would be symbolic and have no effect on US emissions. Instead, it would reveal the weaknesses of the agreement, prevent new opportunities from emerging, and gift greater leverage to a recalcitrant administration.

Bleaching response of coral species in the context of assemblage response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swain, Timothy D.; DuBois, Emily; Goldberg, Scott J.; Backman, Vadim; Marcelino, Luisa A.

2017-06-01

Caribbean coral reefs are declining due to a mosaic of local and global stresses, including climate change-induced thermal stress. Species and assemblage responses differ due to factors that are not easily identifiable or quantifiable. We calculated a novel species-specific metric of coral bleaching response, taxon- α and - β, which relates the response of a species to that of its assemblages for 16 species over 18 assemblages. By contextualizing species responses within the response of their assemblages, the effects of environmental factors are removed and intrinsic differences among taxa are revealed. Most corals experience either a saturation response, overly sensitive to weak stress ( α > 0) but under-responsive compared to assemblage bleaching ( β < 1), or a threshold response, insensitive to weak stress ( α < 0) but over-responsive compared to assemblage bleaching ( β > 1). This metric may help reveal key factors of bleaching susceptibility and identify species as targets for conservation.

Bleaching response of coral species in the context of assemblage response.

PubMed

Swain, Timothy D; DuBois, Emily; Goldberg, Scott J; Backman, Vadim; Marcelino, Luisa A

2017-06-01

Caribbean coral reefs are declining due to a mosaic of local and global stresses, including climate change-induced thermal stress. Species and assemblage responses differ due to factors that are not easily identifiable or quantifiable. We calculated a novel species-specific metric of coral bleaching response, taxon-α and -β, which relates the response of a species to that of its assemblages for 16 species over 18 assemblages. By contextualizing species responses within the response of their assemblages, the effects of environmental factors are removed and intrinsic differences among taxa are revealed. Most corals experience either a saturation response, overly-sensitive to weak stress (α > 0) but under-responsive compared to assemblage bleaching (β < 1), or a threshold response, insensitive to weak stress (α < 0) but over-responsive compared to assemblage bleaching (β > 1). This metric may help reveal key factors of bleaching susceptibility and identify species as targets for conservation.

Molecular Insight into the Slipperiness of Ice.

PubMed

Weber, Bart; Nagata, Yuki; Ketzetzi, Stefania; Tang, Fujie; Smit, Wilbert J; Bakker, Huib J; Backus, Ellen H G; Bonn, Mischa; Bonn, Daniel

2018-05-16

Measurements of the friction coefficient of steel-on-ice over a large temperature range reveal very high friction at low temperatures (-100 °C) and a steep decrease in the friction coefficient with increasing temperature. Very low friction is only found over the limited temperature range typical for ice skating. The strong decrease in the friction coefficient with increasing temperature exhibits Arrhenius behavior with an activation energy of E a ≈ 11.5 kJ mol -1 . Remarkably, molecular dynamics simulations of the ice-air interface reveal a very similar activation energy for the mobility of surface molecules. Weakly hydrogen-bonded surface molecules diffuse over the surface in a rolling motion, their number and mobility increasing with increasing temperature. This correlation between macroscopic friction and microscopic molecular mobility indicates that slippery ice arises from the high mobility of its surface molecules, making the ice surface smooth and the shearing of the weakly bonded surface molecules easy.

A dormant internal ribosome entry site controls translation of feline immunodeficiency virus.

PubMed

Camerini, Valentina; Decimo, Didier; Balvay, Laurent; Pistello, Mauro; Bendinelli, Mauro; Darlix, Jean-Luc; Ohlmann, Théophile

2008-04-01

The characterization of internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) in virtually all lentiviruses prompted us to investigate the mechanism used by the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) to produce viral proteins. Various in vitro translation assays with mono- and bicistronic constructs revealed that translation of the FIV genomic RNA occurred both by a cap-dependent mechanism and by weak internal entry of the ribosomes. This weak IRES activity was confirmed in feline cells expressing bicistronic RNAs containing the FIV 5' untranslated region (UTR). Surprisingly, infection of feline cells with FIV, but not human immunodeficiency virus type 1, resulted in a great increase in FIV translation. Moreover, a change in the cellular physiological condition provoked by heat stress resulted in the specific stimulation of expression driven by the FIV 5' UTR while cap-dependent initiation was severely repressed. These results reveal the presence of a "dormant" IRES that becomes activated by viral infection and cellular stress.

Mammary Gland Pathology Subsequent to Acute Infection with Strong versus Weak Biofilm Forming Staphylococcus aureus Bovine Mastitis Isolates: A Pilot Study Using Non-Invasive Mouse Mastitis Model.

PubMed

Gogoi-Tiwari, Jully; Williams, Vincent; Waryah, Charlene Babra; Costantino, Paul; Al-Salami, Hani; Mathavan, Sangeetha; Wells, Kelsi; Tiwari, Harish Kumar; Hegde, Nagendra; Isloor, Shrikrishna; Al-Sallami, Hesham; Mukkur, Trilochan

2017-01-01

Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus is an important virulence attribute because of its potential to induce persistent antibiotic resistance, retard phagocytosis and either attenuate or promote inflammation, depending upon the disease syndrome, in vivo. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential significance of strength of biofilm formation by clinical bovine mastitis-associated S. aureus in mammary tissue damage by using a mouse mastitis model. Two S. aureus strains of the same capsular phenotype with different biofilm forming strengths were used to non-invasively infect mammary glands of lactating mice. Biofilm forming potential of these strains were determined by tissue culture plate method, ica typing and virulence gene profile per detection by PCR. Delivery of the infectious dose of S. aureus was directly through the teat lactiferous duct without invasive scraping of the teat surface. Both bacteriological and histological methods were used for analysis of mammary gland pathology of mice post-infection. Histopathological analysis of the infected mammary glands revealed that mice inoculated with the strong biofilm forming S. aureus strain produced marked acute mastitic lesions, showing profuse infiltration predominantly with neutrophils, with evidence of necrosis in the affected mammary glands. In contrast, the damage was significantly less severe in mammary glands of mice infected with the weak biofilm-forming S. aureus strain. Although both IL-1β and TNF-α inflammatory biomarkers were produced in infected mice, level of TNF-α produced was significantly higher (p<0.05) in mice inoculated with strong biofilm forming S. aureus than the weak biofilm forming strain. This finding suggests an important role of TNF-α in mammary gland pathology post-infection with strong biofilm-forming S. aureus in the acute mouse mastitis model, and offers an opportunity for the development of novel strategies for reduction of mammary tissue damage, with or without use of antimicrobials and/or anti-inflammatory compounds for the treatment of bovine mastitis.

Probing equilibrium by nonequilibrium dynamics: Aging in Co/Cr superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Binek, Christian

2013-03-01

Magnetic aging phenomena are investigated in a structurally ordered Co/Cr superlattice through measurements of magnetization relaxation, magnetic susceptibility, and hysteresis at various temperatures above and below the onset of collective magnetic order. We take advantage of the fact that controlled growth of magnetic multilayer thin films via molecular beam epitaxy allows tailoring the intra and inter-layer exchange interaction and thus enables tuning of magnetic properties including the spin-fluctuation spectra. Tailored nanoscale periodicity in Co/Cr multilayers creates mesoscopic spatial magnetic correlations with slow relaxation dynamics when quenching the system into a nonequilibrium state. Magnetization relaxation in weakly correlated spin systems depends on the microscopic spin-flip time of about 10 ns and is therefore a fast process. The spin correlations in our Co/Cr superlattice bring the magnetization dynamics to experimentally better accessible time scales of seconds or hours. In contrast to spin-glasses, where slow dynamics due to disorder and frustration is a well-known phenomenon, we tune and increase relaxation times in ordered structures. This is achieved by increasing spin-spin correlation between mesoscopically correlated regions rather than individual atomic spins, a concept with some similarity to block spin renormalization. Magnetization transients are measured after exposing the Co/Cr heterostructure to a magnetic set field for various waiting times. Scaling analysis reveals an asymptotic power-law behavior in accordance with a full aging scenario. The temperature dependence of the relaxation exponent shows pronounced anomalies at the equilibrium phase transitions of the antiferromagnetic superstructure and the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition of the Co layers. The latter leaves only weak fingerprints in the equilibrium magnetic behavior but gives rise to a prominent change in nonequilibrium properties. Our findings suggest that scaling analysis of nonequilibrium data can serve as a probe for weak equilibrium phase transitions. Financial support by NRI, and NSF through EPSCoR, and MRSEC 0820521 is greatly acknowledged.

Comparing Stream Discharge, Dissolved Organic Carbon, and Selected MODIS Indices in Freshwater Basins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaver, W. T.; Wollheim, W. M.

2009-12-01

In a preliminary study of the Ipswich Basin in Massachusetts, a good correlation was found to exist between the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) Enhanced Vegetation Index and stream dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Further study was warranted to determine the utility of MODIS indices in predicting temporal stream DOC. Stream discharge rates and DOC data were obtained from the USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) database. Twelve NAWQA monitoring sites were selected for evaluation based on the criteria of having drainage basin sizes less than 600 km2 with relatively continuous, long-term DOC and discharge data. MODIS indices were selected based on their connections with terrestrial DOC and were obtained for each site's catchment area. These included the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), the Daily Photosynthesis (PSN) and the Leaf Area Index (LAI). Regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between DOC, discharge and MODIS products. Data analysis revealed several important trends. Sites with strong positive correlation coefficients (r values ranging from 0.462 to 0.831) between DOC and discharge displayed weak correlations with all of the MODIS indices (r values ranging from 0 to 0.322). For sites where the DOC/discharge correlation was weak or negative, MODIS indices were moderately correlated, with r values ranging from 0.35 to 0.647, all of which were significant at less than 1 percent. Some sites that had weak positive correlations with MODIS indices displayed a lag time, that is, the MODIS index rose and fell shortly before the DOC concentration rose and fell. Shifting the MODIS data forward in time by roughly one month significantly increased the DOC/MODIS r values by about 10%. NDVI and EVI displayed the strongest correlations with temporal DOC variability (r values ranging from 0.471 to 0.647), and therefore these indices are the most promising for being incorporated into a model for remotely sensing terrestrial DOC.

The business process management software for successful quality management and organization: A case study from the University of Split School of Medicine.

PubMed

Sapunar, Damir; Grković, Ivica; Lukšić, Davor; Marušić, Matko

2016-05-01

Our aim was to describe a comprehensive model of internal quality management (QM) at a medical school founded on the business process analysis (BPA) software tool. BPA software tool was used as the core element for description of all working processes in our medical school, and subsequently the system served as the comprehensive model of internal QM. The quality management system at the University of Split School of Medicine included the documentation and analysis of all business processes within the School. The analysis revealed 80 weak points related to one or several business processes. A precise analysis of medical school business processes allows identification of unfinished, unclear and inadequate points in these processes, and subsequently the respective improvements and increase of the QM level and ultimately a rationalization of the institution's work. Our approach offers a potential reference model for development of common QM framework allowing a continuous quality control, i.e. the adjustments and adaptation to contemporary educational needs of medical students. Copyright © 2016 by Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Temperament and problem solving in a population of adolescent guide dogs.

PubMed

Bray, Emily E; Sammel, Mary D; Seyfarth, Robert M; Serpell, James A; Cheney, Dorothy L

2017-09-01

It is often assumed that measures of temperament within individuals are more correlated to one another than to measures of problem solving. However, the exact relationship between temperament and problem-solving tasks remains unclear because large-scale studies have typically focused on each independently. To explore this relationship, we tested 119 prospective adolescent guide dogs on a battery of 11 temperament and problem-solving tasks. We then summarized the data using both confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory principal components analysis. Results of confirmatory analysis revealed that a priori separation of tests as measuring either temperament or problem solving led to weak results, poor model fit, some construct validity, and no predictive validity. In contrast, results of exploratory analysis were best summarized by principal components that mixed temperament and problem-solving traits. These components had both construct and predictive validity (i.e., association with success in the guide dog training program). We conclude that there is complex interplay between tasks of "temperament" and "problem solving" and that the study of both together will be more informative than approaches that consider either in isolation.

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of Shocks in Two-Dimensional Yukawa Systems [Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of Shocks in 2D Yukawa Systems

DOE PAGES

Marciante, Mathieu; Murillo, Michael Sean

2017-01-10

Particle-level simulations of shocked plasmas are carried out to examine kinetic properties not captured by hydrodynamic models. In particular, molecular dynamics simulations of 2D Yukawa plasmas with variable couplings and screening lengths are used to examine shock features unique to plasmas, including the presence of dispersive shock structures for weak shocks. A phase-space analysis reveals several kinetic properties, including anisotropic velocity distributions, non-Maxwellian tails, and the presence of fast particles ahead of the shock, even for moderately low Mach numbers. As a result, we also examine the thermodynamics (Rankine-Hugoniot relations) of recent experiments and find no anomalies in their equationsmore » of state.« less

Bridgework ahead! Innovation ecosystems vis-à-vis responsible innovation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foley, Rider; Wiek, Arnim

2017-02-01

Public funding agencies largely support academic research as an effort to stimulate future product commercialization and foster broader societal benefits. Yet, translating research nurtured in academic settings into such outcomes is complex and demands functional interactions between government, academic, and industry, i.e., "triple helix," organizations within an innovation ecosystem. This article argues that in the spirit of responsible innovation, research funding should build bridges that extend beyond the triple helix stakeholders to connect to peripheral organizations. To support that argument, evidence from agent network analysis gathered from two case studies reveals strong and weak connections, as well as gaps within innovation ecosystems in Switzerland and metropolitan Phoenix, USA. This article offers insights on how innovation ecosystems are aligned or misaligned with responsible innovation.

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of Shocks in Two-Dimensional Yukawa Systems [Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of Shocks in 2D Yukawa Systems

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

Marciante, Mathieu; Murillo, Michael Sean

Particle-level simulations of shocked plasmas are carried out to examine kinetic properties not captured by hydrodynamic models. In particular, molecular dynamics simulations of 2D Yukawa plasmas with variable couplings and screening lengths are used to examine shock features unique to plasmas, including the presence of dispersive shock structures for weak shocks. A phase-space analysis reveals several kinetic properties, including anisotropic velocity distributions, non-Maxwellian tails, and the presence of fast particles ahead of the shock, even for moderately low Mach numbers. As a result, we also examine the thermodynamics (Rankine-Hugoniot relations) of recent experiments and find no anomalies in their equationsmore » of state.« less

Are K-12 learners motivated in physical education? A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Senlin; Chen, Ang; Zhu, Xihe

2012-03-01

Previous studies devoted to K-12 learner motivation in physical education share a general assumption that students may lack motivation. This meta-analytic study examined published original studies (n = 79) to determine students' motivation level and the association between motivation and outcomes. Original means of motivation measures were converted and aggregated to determine motivation levels. Correlation effect sizes were calculated to determine the association between motivation and outcome measures. The analyses revealed that K-12 students are motivated regardless of the theoretical constructs used in the studies (M > 50). The correlation effect sizes (r = .20-.30, p < .05) indicate a weak association between motivation and outcome. The findings suggest a need to involve meaningful learning and pedagogy variables in motivation research.

Chimera patterns in the Kuramoto-Battogtokh model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smirnov, Lev; Osipov, Grigory; Pikovsky, Arkady

2017-02-01

Kuramoto and Battogtokh (2002 Nonlinear Phenom. Complex Syst. 5 380) discovered chimera states represented by stable coexisting synchrony and asynchrony domains in a lattice of coupled oscillators. After a reformulation in terms of a local order parameter, the problem can be reduced to partial differential equations. We find uniformly rotating, spatially periodic chimera patterns as solutions of a reversible ordinary differential equation, and demonstrate a plethora of such states. In the limit of neutral coupling they reduce to analytical solutions in the form of one- and two-point chimera patterns as well as localized chimera solitons. Patterns at weakly attracting coupling are characterized by virtue of a perturbative approach. Stability analysis reveals that only the simplest chimeras with one synchronous region are stable.

Band splitting in Cd3As2 measured by magnetotransport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desrat, W.; Krishtopenko, S. S.; Piot, B. A.; Orlita, M.; Consejo, C.; Ruffenach, S.; Knap, W.; Nateprov, A.; Arushanov, E.; Teppe, F.

2018-06-01

Magnetotransport measurements have been performed on (112)-oriented bulk Cd3As2 samples with in situ rotation at low temperature. The frequency analysis of the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations reveals two weakly separated frequencies arising from two Fermi ellipsoids. The angle dependence of these frequencies is fitted by an analytical expression that we derived for any magnetic field orientation. It is based on an 8 ×8 k .p model which includes the spin-orbit coupling, the crystal field splitting due to tetragonal distortion, and the additional band splitting occurring in noncentrosymmetric crystals. This band splitting is evaluated to a finite value of 30 meV, demonstrating the absence of inversion symmetry in our Cd3As2 crystal.

Comparative analysis of video processing and 3D rendering for cloud video games using different virtualization technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bada, Adedayo; Alcaraz-Calero, Jose M.; Wang, Qi; Grecos, Christos

2014-05-01

This paper describes a comprehensive empirical performance evaluation of 3D video processing employing the physical/virtual architecture implemented in a cloud environment. Different virtualization technologies, virtual video cards and various 3D benchmarks tools have been utilized in order to analyse the optimal performance in the context of 3D online gaming applications. This study highlights 3D video rendering performance under each type of hypervisors, and other factors including network I/O, disk I/O and memory usage. Comparisons of these factors under well-known virtual display technologies such as VNC, Spice and Virtual 3D adaptors reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the various hypervisors with respect to 3D video rendering and streaming.

Characterization of nanostructured CuO-porous silicon matrix formed on copper-coated silicon substrate via electrochemical etching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naddaf, M.; Mrad, O.; Al-zier, A.

2014-06-01

A pulsed anodic etching method has been utilized for nanostructuring of a copper-coated p-type (100) silicon substrate, using HF-based solution as electrolyte. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the formation of a nanostructured matrix that consists of island-like textures with nanosize grains grown onto fiber-like columnar structures separated with etch pits of grooved porous structures. Spatial micro-Raman scattering analysis indicates that the island-like texture is composed of single-phase cupric oxide (CuO) nanocrystals, while the grooved porous structure is barely related to formation of porous silicon (PS). X-ray diffraction shows that both the grown CuO nanostructures and the etched silicon layer have the same preferred (220) orientation. Chemical composition obtained by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis confirms the presence of the single-phase CuO on the surface of the patterned CuO-PS matrix. As compared to PS formed on the bare silicon substrate, the room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) from the CuO-PS matrix exhibits an additional weak `blue' PL band as well as a blue shift in the PL band of PS (S-band). This has been revealed from XPS analysis to be associated with the enhancement in the SiO2 content as well as formation of the carbonyl group on the surface in the case of the CuO-PS matrix.

Genome-wide analysis of Tol2 transposon reintegration in zebrafish.

PubMed

Kondrychyn, Igor; Garcia-Lecea, Marta; Emelyanov, Alexander; Parinov, Sergey; Korzh, Vladimir

2009-09-08

Tol2, a member of the hAT family of transposons, has become a useful tool for genetic manipulation of model animals, but information about its interactions with vertebrate genomes is still limited. Furthermore, published reports on Tol2 have mainly been based on random integration of the transposon system after co-injection of a plasmid DNA harboring the transposon and a transposase mRNA. It is important to understand how Tol2 would behave upon activation after integration into the genome. We performed a large-scale enhancer trap (ET) screen and generated 338 insertions of the Tol2 transposon-based ET cassette into the zebrafish genome. These insertions were generated by remobilizing the transposon from two different donor sites in two transgenic lines. We found that 39% of Tol2 insertions occurred in transcription units, mostly into introns. Analysis of the transposon target sites revealed no strict specificity at the DNA sequence level. However, Tol2 was prone to target AT-rich regions with weak palindromic consensus sequences centered at the insertion site. Our systematic analysis of sequential remobilizations of the Tol2 transposon from two independent sites within a vertebrate genome has revealed properties such as a tendency to integrate into transcription units and into AT-rich palindrome-like sequences. This information will influence the development of various applications involving DNA transposons and Tol2 in particular.

Analysis of Four Automated Urinalysis Systems Compared to Reference Methods.

PubMed

Bartosova, Kamila; Kubicek, Zdenek; Franekova, Janka; Louzensky, Gustav; Lavrikova, Petra; Jabor, Antonin

2016-11-01

The aim of this study was to compare four automated urinalysis systems: the Iris iQ200 Sprint (Iris Diagnostics, U.S.A.) combined with the Arkray AUTION MAX AX 4030, Iris + AUTION, Arkray AU 4050 (Arkray Global Business, Inc., Japan), Dirui FUS 2000 (Dirui Industrial Co., P.R.C.), and Menarini sediMAX (Menarini, Italy). Urine concentrations of protein and glucose (Iris, Dirui) were compared using reference quantitative analysis on an Abbott Architect c16000. Leukocytes, erythrocytes, epithelia, and casts (Iris, Arkray, Diuri, Menarini) were compared to urine sediment under reference light microscopy, Leica DM2000 (Leica Microsystems GmbH, Germany) with calibrated FastRead plates (Biosigma S.r.l., Italy), using both native and stained preparations. Total protein and glucose levels were measured using the Iris + AUTION system with borderline trueness, while the Dirui analysis revealed worse performances for the protein and glucose measurements. True classifications of leukocytes and erythrocytes were above 85% and 72%, respectively. Kappa statistics revealed a nearly perfect evaluation of leukocytes for all tested systems; the erythrocyte evaluation was nearly perfect for the Iris, Dirui and Arkray analyzers and substantial for the Menarini analyzer. The epithelia identification was connected to high false negativity (above 15%) in the Iris, Arkray, and Menarini analyses. False-negative casts were above 70% for all tested systems. The use of automated urinalysis demonstrated some weaknesses and should be checked by experienced laboratory staff using light microscopy.

Fermi GBM Observations of LIGO Gravitational-Wave Event Gw150914

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connaughton, V.; Burns, E.; Goldstein, A.; Blackburn, L.; Briggs, M. S.; Zhang, B.-B.; Camp, J.; Christensen, N.; Hui, C. M.; Jenke, P.;

Q weak: First direct measurement of the proton’s weak charge

DOE PAGES

Androic, D.; Armstrong, D. S.; Asaturyan, A.; ...

2017-03-22

The Q weak experiment, which took data at Jefferson Lab in the period 2010 - 2012, will precisely determine the weak charge of the proton by measuring the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic e-p scattering at 1.1 GeV using a longitudinally polarized electron beam and a liquid hydrogen target at a low momentum transfer of Q 2 = 0.025 (GeV/c) 2. The weak charge of the proton is predicted by the Standard Model and any significant deviation would indicate physics beyond the Standard Model. The technical challenges and experimental apparatus for measuring the weak charge of the proton will be discussed,more » as well as the method of extracting the weak charge of the proton. Finally, the results from a small subset of the data, that has been published, will also be presented. Furthermore an update will be given of the current status of the data analysis.« less

Q weak: First direct measurement of the proton’s weak charge

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

Androic, D.; Armstrong, D. S.; Asaturyan, A.

The Q weak experiment, which took data at Jefferson Lab in the period 2010 - 2012, will precisely determine the weak charge of the proton by measuring the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic e-p scattering at 1.1 GeV using a longitudinally polarized electron beam and a liquid hydrogen target at a low momentum transfer of Q 2 = 0.025 (GeV/c) 2. The weak charge of the proton is predicted by the Standard Model and any significant deviation would indicate physics beyond the Standard Model. The technical challenges and experimental apparatus for measuring the weak charge of the proton will be discussed,more » as well as the method of extracting the weak charge of the proton. Finally, the results from a small subset of the data, that has been published, will also be presented. Furthermore an update will be given of the current status of the data analysis.« less

Geometric Integration of Weakly Dissipative Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Modin, K.; Führer, C.; Soöderlind, G.

2009-09-01

Some problems in mechanics, e.g. in bearing simulation, contain subsystems that are conservative as well as weakly dissipative subsystems. Our experience is that geometric integration methods are often superior for such systems, as long as the dissipation is weak. Here we develop adaptive methods for dissipative perturbations of Hamiltonian systems. The methods are "geometric" in the sense that the form of the dissipative perturbation is preserved. The methods are linearly explicit, i.e., they require the solution of a linear subsystem. We sketch an analysis in terms of backward error analysis and numerical comparisons with a conventional RK method of the same order is given.

Improving emergency preparedness and crisis management capabilities in transportation : year 2.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-03-01

While disaster preparedness and emergency management have had a high public : profile over the past decade, Hurricane Katrina revealed serious weaknesses in the : United States emergency response capabilities. There is thus much left to do : befor...

Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis Success Stories of X-Plane Design to Flight Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cosentino, Gary B.

2008-01-01

Examples of the design and flight test of three true X-planes are described, particularly X-plane design techniques that relied heavily on computational fluid dynamics(CFD) analysis. Three examples are presented: the X-36 Tailless Fighter Agility Research Aircraft, the X-45A Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle, and the X-48B Blended Wing Body Demonstrator Aircraft. An overview is presented of the uses of CFD analysis, comparison and contrast with wind tunnel testing, and information derived from CFD analysis that directly related to successful flight test. Lessons learned on the proper and improper application of CFD analysis are presented. Highlights of the flight-test results of the three example X-planes are presented. This report discusses developing an aircraft shape from early concept and three-dimensional modeling through CFD analysis, wind tunnel testing, further refined CFD analysis, and, finally, flight. An overview of the areas in which CFD analysis does and does not perform well during this process is presented. How wind tunnel testing complements, calibrates, and verifies CFD analysis is discussed. Lessons learned revealing circumstances under which CFD analysis results can be misleading are given. Strengths and weaknesses of the various flow solvers, including panel methods, Euler, and Navier-Stokes techniques, are discussed.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Increased Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis Levels Are Independent Predictors of Dyslipidemia in Youth.

PubMed

Erkenekli, Kudret; Oztas, Efser; Kuscu, Elif; Keskin, Uğur; Kurt, Yasemin Gulcan; Tas, Ahmet; Yilmaz, Nafiye

2017-01-01

Dyslipidemia is common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) irrespective of age. Our aim was to investigate soluble tumor necrosis factor like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK), a cardiovascular risk marker in PCOS, and to determine if it is associated with dyslipidemia in youth. A prospective-observational study was carried out including 35 PCOS patients and 35 healthy controls. Serum sTWEAK levels were measured using commercially available kits. Multiple logistic regression analysis was then performed to verify the statistically significant differences in the possible predictors of dyslipidemia. Serum sTWEAK levels and the percentage of women with dyslipidemia were significantly higher in the PCOS group (p = 0.024 and p < 0.001, respectively). Participants were further divided into 2 subgroups based on the presence of dyslipidemia. The percentage of women with PCOS was significantly higher in the dyslipidemic group when compared with controls; 70.7 vs. 20.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that both the presence of PCOS (OR 7.924, 95% CI 2.117-29.657, p = 0.002) and increased levels of sTWEAK (>693 pg/ml; OR 3.810, 95% CI 1.075-13.501, p = 0.038) were independently associated with dyslipidemia. Increased levels of both sTWEAK and PCOS were found to be independently associated with dyslipidemia in youth. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Congenital myasthenic syndrome with tubular aggregates caused by GFPT1 mutations.

PubMed

Guergueltcheva, Velina; Müller, Juliane S; Dusl, Marina; Senderek, Jan; Oldfors, Anders; Lindbergh, Christopher; Maxwell, Susan; Colomer, Jaume; Mallebrera, Cecilia Jimenez; Nascimento, Andres; Vilchez, Juan J; Muelas, Nuria; Kirschner, Janbernd; Nafissi, Shahriar; Kariminejad, Ariana; Nilipour, Yalda; Bozorgmehr, Bita; Najmabadi, Hossein; Rodolico, Carmelo; Sieb, Jörn P; Schlotter, Beate; Schoser, Benedikt; Herrmann, Ralf; Voit, Thomas; Steinlein, Ortrud K; Najafi, Abdolhamid; Urtizberea, Andoni; Soler, Doriette M; Muntoni, Francesco; Hanna, Michael G; Chaouch, Amina; Straub, Volker; Bushby, Kate; Palace, Jacqueline; Beeson, David; Abicht, Angela; Lochmüller, Hanns

2012-05-01

Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited disorders of the neuromuscular junction. A difficult to diagnose subgroup of CMS is characterised by proximal muscle weakness and fatigue while ocular and facial involvement is only minimal. DOK7 mutations have been identified as causing the disorder in about half of the cases. More recently, using classical positional cloning, we have identified mutations in a previously unrecognised CMS gene, GFPT1, in a series of DOK7-negative cases. However, detailed description of clinical features of GFPT1 patients has not been reported yet. Here we describe the clinical picture of 24 limb-girdle CMS (LG-CMS) patients and pathological findings of 18 of them, all carrying GFPT1 mutations. Additional patients with CMS, but without tubular aggregates, and patients with non-fatigable weakness with tubular aggregates were also screened. In most patients with GFPT1 mutations, onset of the disease occurs in the first decade of life with characteristic limb-girdle weakness and fatigue. A common feature was beneficial and sustained response to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor treatment. Most of the patients who had a muscle biopsy showed tubular aggregates in myofibers. Analysis of endplate morphology in one of the patients revealed unspecific abnormalities. Our study delineates the phenotype of CMS associated with GFPT1 mutations and expands the understanding of neuromuscular junction disorders. As tubular aggregates in context of a neuromuscular transmission defect appear to be highly indicative, we suggest calling this condition congenital myasthenic syndrome with tubular aggregates (CMS-TA).

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF CHAFF SCALE, PARLATORIA PERGANDII COMSTOCK IN COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FLUCTUATING POPULATION DENSITIES ON THREE CITRUS VARIETIES IN EL-BEHEIRA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT.

PubMed

Moursi Khadiga, S; Abdel Fattah, S; Rasha; Omar, M A A; Mourad, A K

2015-01-01

Investigation throughout the subsequent years of 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 indicated that chaff scale, P. pegandii is an important economic pest on citrus trees in Abou El-Matamer area, El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt. It has been recorded in relatively high rates all over the year on three citrus varieties called Succari, Baladi and Navel oranges. Field observation and recorded data revealed that the common abundance was recorded for chaff scale on Succari oranges followed by Navel oranges then the least abundant on Baladi oranges. Generally, the calculated data on Succari oranges showed that, the population of P. pergandii reached the maximum during July and there were five highly variation periods in both the growing seasons of 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. The maximal percent of pre and adult females was observed during Spring and early Summer and reached 100% of the total counted individuals during October and December in the first year, but in the second one a higher population was recorded during Summer and early Winter months. The adult males were observed during Summer and Autumn months. Results showed also that the relationship between daily mean temperature and population density of chaff scale was weak, insignificantly negative in the two growing seasons (2011-2012 and 2012-2013) and also insignificantly but positive with relative humidity. That relationship with wind speed indicated weak positive significance in the first year and strong in the second season. The relationship between dew point and insect population was weak of positive significance in both growing seasons.

Weak Concordance between Fish and Macroinvertebrates in Mediterranean Streams

PubMed Central

Larsen, Stefano; Mancini, Laura; Pace, Giorgio; Scalici, Massimiliano; Tancioni, Lorenzo

2012-01-01

Although anthropogenic degradation of riverine systems stimulated a multi-taxon bioassessment of their ecological integrity in EU countries, specific responses of different taxonomic groups to human pressure are poorly investigated in Mediterranean rivers. Here, we assess if richness and composition of macroinvertebrate and fish assemblages show concordant variation along a gradient of anthropogenic pressure in 31 reaches across 13 wadeable streams in central Italy. Fish and invertebrate taxonomic richness was not correlated across sites. However, Mantel test showed that the two groups were significantly, albeit weakly, correlated even after statistically controlling for the effect of environmental variables and site proximity. Variance partitioning with partial Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed that the assemblages of the two groups were influenced by different set of environmental drivers: invertebrates were influenced by water organic content, channel and substratum features, while fish were related to stream temperature (mirroring elevation) and local land-use. Variance partitioning revealed the importance of biotic interactions between the two groups as a possible mechanisms determining concordance. Although significant, the congruence between the groups was weak, indicating that they should not be used as surrogate of each other for environmental assessments in these Mediterranean catchments. Indeed, both richness and patterns in nestedness (i.e. where depauperate locations host only a subset of taxa found in richer locations) appeared influenced by different environmental drivers suggesting that the observed concordance did not result from a co-loss of taxa along similar environmental gradients. As fish and macroinvertebrates appeared sensitive to different environmental factors, we argue that monitoring programmes should consider a multi-assemblage assessment, as also required by the Water Framework Directive. PMID:23251432

Resident performance on the in-training and board examinations in obstetrics and gynecology: implications for the ACGME Outcome Project.

PubMed

Withiam-Leitch, Matthew; Olawaiye, Alexander

2008-01-01

The Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Outcomes Project has endorsed the in-training examination (ITE) as an example of a multiple-choice question examination that is a valid measure of a resident's attainment of medical knowledge. An outcome measure for performance on the ITE would be the subsequent performance on the board certification examination. However, there are few reports that attempt to correlate a resident's performance on the ITE to subsequent performance on the board certification examination. The Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) has administered the ITE annually since 1970. This study tested the hypothesis that the CREOG-ITE score is a valid assessment tool to predict performance on the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) written examination. CREOG-ITE and ABOG written board examination results were collected for 69 resident graduates between the years 1998 and 2005. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to estimate the relationship between a resident's score on the CREOG-ITE and subsequent performance on the ABOG written examination. Fifty-seven resident graduates passed (82.6%) and 12 graduates failed (17.4%) the ABOG written examination. The correlation between the CREOG-ITE overall score and performance on the ABOG examination was weak (correlation coefficient =.38, p =.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis for the CREOG-ITE overall scores and the probability of passing or failing the ABOG examination revealed moderate accuracy (area under the curve = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.62-0.92) with a CREOG-ITE score of 187.5 yielding the best trade-off between specificity (0.79) and sensitivity (0.75). At the cutoff value of 187.5 there was a weak positive predictive value of 43% (i.e., 43% of residents with a score less than 187.5 will fail the ABOG exam) and a strong negative predictive value of 94% (i.e., 94% of the residents with a score above 187.5 will pass the ABOG exam). Logistic regression analysis also revealed a statistically significant relationship between the CREOG-ITE overall score and performance on the ABOG written examination (p = .003). Similar to other specialties, resident performance on the CREOG-ITE is a weak assessment tool to predict the probability of a resident failing the ABOG written examination. Our study highlights the need, in the spirit of the ACGME Outcome Project, for residency and board specialty organizations to coordinate efforts to develop more reliable and correlative measures of a resident's medical knowledge and ability to pass the boards.

Shear Recovery Accuracy in Weak-Lensing Analysis with the Elliptical Gauss-Laguerre Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakajima, Reiko; Bernstein, Gary

2007-04-01

We implement the elliptical Gauss-Laguerre (EGL) galaxy-shape measurement method proposed by Bernstein & Jarvis and quantify the shear recovery accuracy in weak-lensing analysis. This method uses a deconvolution fitting scheme to remove the effects of the point-spread function (PSF). The test simulates >107 noisy galaxy images convolved with anisotropic PSFs and attempts to recover an input shear. The tests are designed to be immune to statistical (random) distributions of shapes, selection biases, and crowding, in order to test more rigorously the effects of detection significance (signal-to-noise ratio [S/N]), PSF, and galaxy resolution. The systematic error in shear recovery is divided into two classes, calibration (multiplicative) and additive, with the latter arising from PSF anisotropy. At S/N > 50, the deconvolution method measures the galaxy shape and input shear to ~1% multiplicative accuracy and suppresses >99% of the PSF anisotropy. These systematic errors increase to ~4% for the worst conditions, with poorly resolved galaxies at S/N simeq 20. The EGL weak-lensing analysis has the best demonstrated accuracy to date, sufficient for the next generation of weak-lensing surveys.

Multi-trophic resource selection function enlightens the behavioural game between wolves and their prey.

PubMed

Courbin, Nicolas; Fortin, Daniel; Dussault, Christian; Fargeot, Viviane; Courtois, Réhaume

2013-09-01

1. Habitat selection strategies translate into movement tactics, which reckon with the predator-prey spatial game. Strategic habitat selection analysis can therefore illuminate behavioural games. Cover types at potential encounter sites (i.e. intersections between movement paths of predator and prey) can be compared with cover types available (i) within the area of home-range-overlap (HRO) between predator and prey; and (ii) along the path (MP) of each species. Unlike the HRO scale, cover-type availability at MP scale differs between interacting species due to species-specific movement decisions. Scale differences in selection could therefore inform on divergences in fitness rewarding actions between predators and prey. 2. We used this framework to evaluate the spatial game between GPS-collared wolves (Canis lupus) versus caribou (Rangifer tarandus), and wolf versus moose (Alces alces). 3. Changes in cover-type availability between HRO and MP revealed differences in how each species fine-tuned its movements to habitat features. In contrast to caribou, wolves increased their encounter rate with regenerating cuts along their paths (MP) relative to the HRO level. As a consequence, wolves were less likely to cross caribou paths in areas with higher percentage of regenerating cuts than expected based on the availability along their paths, whereas caribou had a higher risk of intersecting wolf paths by crossing these areas, relative to random expectation along their paths. Unlike for caribou, availability of mixed and deciduous areas decreased from HRO to MP level for wolves and moose. Overall, wolves displayed stronger similarities in movement decisions with moose than with caribou, thereby revealing the focus of wolves on moose. 4. Our study reveals how differences in fine-scale movement tactics between species create asymmetric relative encounter probabilities between predators and prey, given their paths. Increase in relative risk of encounter for prey and decrease for predators associated with specific cover types emerging from HRO to MP scale analysis can disclose potential weaknesses in current movement tactics involved the predator-prey game, such as caribou use of cutovers in summer-autumn. In turn, these weaknesses can inform on subsequent changes in habitat selection tactics that might arise due to evolutionary forces. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology © 2013 British Ecological Society.

Hyperventilation of pregnancy presenting with flaccid quadriparesis due to hypokalaemia secondary to respiratory alkalosis.

PubMed

Santra, Gouranga; Paul, Rudrajit; Das, Shubhabrata; Pradhan, Sourav

2014-06-01

Hyperventilation in pregnancy is a cause of chronic respiratory alkalosis. Alkalosis either metabolic or respiratory may cause intracellular shift of potassium ions that may lead to hypokalaemia. However, the resultant hypokalaemia in respiratory alkalosis is usually mild and does not cause much clinical features. A five-months-pregnant female of the age 25 years presented with sudden onset flaccid weakness of both lower limbs associated with thigh muscle pain followed by weakness of both upper limbs within three days. Subsequent investigation revealed severe hypokalaemia due to acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory alkalosis secondary to hyperventilation of pregnancy, other causes of hypokalaemia being ruled out. Respiratory alkalosis causes tetany and other clinical manifestations. But hypokalaemia and such weakness is rarely found. Thisis probably the first report of this type from India.

Discovering protein complexes in protein interaction networks via exploring the weak ties effect

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Studying protein complexes is very important in biological processes since it helps reveal the structure-functionality relationships in biological networks and much attention has been paid to accurately predict protein complexes from the increasing amount of protein-protein interaction (PPI) data. Most of the available algorithms are based on the assumption that dense subgraphs correspond to complexes, failing to take into account the inherence organization within protein complex and the roles of edges. Thus, there is a critical need to investigate the possibility of discovering protein complexes using the topological information hidden in edges. Results To provide an investigation of the roles of edges in PPI networks, we show that the edges connecting less similar vertices in topology are more significant in maintaining the global connectivity, indicating the weak ties phenomenon in PPI networks. We further demonstrate that there is a negative relation between the weak tie strength and the topological similarity. By using the bridges, a reliable virtual network is constructed, in which each maximal clique corresponds to the core of a complex. By this notion, the detection of the protein complexes is transformed into a classic all-clique problem. A novel core-attachment based method is developed, which detects the cores and attachments, respectively. A comprehensive comparison among the existing algorithms and our algorithm has been made by comparing the predicted complexes against benchmark complexes. Conclusions We proved that the weak tie effect exists in the PPI network and demonstrated that the density is insufficient to characterize the topological structure of protein complexes. Furthermore, the experimental results on the yeast PPI network show that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms. The analysis of detected modules by the present algorithm suggests that most of these modules have well biological significance in context of complexes, suggesting that the roles of edges are critical in discovering protein complexes. PMID:23046740

Prevalence of neck pain and associated factors with personal characteristics, physical workloads and psychosocial among male rubber workers in FELDA settlement Malaysia.

PubMed

Shan, Chow Li; Bin Adon, Mohd Yusoff; Rahman, Anita Binti Abd; Hassan, Syed Tajuddin Syed; Ismail, Kamal Bin

2011-12-29

Rubber tapping processes posed potential risk of various health problems among rubber workers. It ranges from simple musculoskeletal aches to more serious and complicated structural damage to bone, muscles, tendons and nerves of musculoskeletal system. These health problems might be linked directly to the arduous demands of farm labor. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of neck pain (NP) and musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and its association with personal characteristics, physical workloads and psychosocial factors among rubber workers. Stratified random sampling method was adopted and a total of 419 rubber workers in FELDA's scheme Malaysia participated in this study. Data was collected through face to face interview using modified Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) and Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). The results revealed the prevalence of NP was 59.9% and weak correlation with age (?= -0.184, p= 0.001) and a positive weak correlation with working hours per day (?= 0.099, p= 0.043) significantly. All physical workloads (neck flexion or rotation, awkward postures, repetitive motion and static postures) had significant weak to moderate positive correlation with NP (p<0.05). Job insecurity was found to have weak and positive correlation with NP (p<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed risk factors for NP were decreased with age (OR= 3.92, 95% CI 1.61 - 9.58, p=0.003), increase in neck flexion or rotation (OR= 9.52, 95% CI 5.55 - 16.32, p= 0.001), awkward postures (OR=2.23, 95% CI 1.29 - 3.86, p= 0.004) and static postures (OR= 1.86, 95% CI 1.10 - 3.14, p= 0.021). This study showed that high prevalence of NP was associated with neck flexion or rotation, awkward and static postures.

Sustainability and factors affecting the success of community-based reproductive health programs in rural northwest Ethiopia.

PubMed

Argaw, Daniel; Fanthahun, Mesganaw; Berhane, Yemane

2007-08-01

arious Community-Based Reproductive Health interventions were initiated in many developing countries but their effectiveness has not been evaluated as much as needed. A comparative cross sectional study was carried out in February 2002 among women who participated in community based reproductive health interventions in South Gondar zone, Ethiopia. The study was conducted in eight kebeles taking successful and weak program areas for comparison. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data collection. The qualitative method included key informants interview, and Focus Group Discussions with Community-based reproductive health agents (CBRHAs). A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 792 study subjects for the quantitative part of the study. Awareness of the presence of the CBRHA in the locality, participation in selection of the agents, acceptance of the agent, and evertalking to CBRHA about reproductive health issues were significantly higher in successful than in weak program areas [OR(95% CI) = 2.32 (1.74, 3.08), 3.28 (1.22, 9.27), 6.65 (3.59, 12.43), and 5.05 (3.22, 7.96), respectively]. In multiple logistic regression analysis awareness of presence of CBRHA in the village, acceptance of the CBRHA, and having had discussion with CBRHA maintained significant associations with type of community-based reproductive health program (successful/weak). Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews revealed better involvement of community leaders and health workers in the process of selecting and supervising CBRHA in successful areas compared to weak areas. The sustainability score of the Community-Based Reproductive Health Program (CBRHP) graded by the program coordinators was 2.92 out of 5. Acceptance of the CBRHAs, communication of the agents with community members, level of Support to the agents, better involvement of community representatives in the selection process were found to be the major factors affecting CBRHP. Overall sustainability of the CBRHP was low which calls for an urgent action.

Prevalence of Neck Pain and Associated Factors with Personal Characteristics, Physical Workloads and Psychosocial among Male Rubber Workers in FELDA Settlement Malaysia

PubMed Central

Shan, Chow Li; Adon, Mohd Yusoff Bin; Rahman, Anita Binti Abd; Hassan, Syed Tajuddin Syed; Ismail, Kamal Bin

2012-01-01

Rubber tapping processes posed potential risk of various health problems among rubber workers. It ranges from simple musculoskeletal aches to more serious and complicated structural damage to bone, muscles, tendons and nerves of musculoskeletal system. These health problems might be linked directly to the arduous demands of farm labor. Objectives: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of neck pain (NP) and musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and its association with personal characteristics, physical workloads and psychosocial factors among rubber workers. Methods: Stratified random sampling method was adopted and a total of 419 rubber workers in FELDA’s scheme Malaysia participated in this study. Data was collected through face to face interview using modified Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) and Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Results: The results revealed the prevalence of NP was 59.9% and weak correlation with age (ρ= -0.184, p= 0.001) and a positive weak correlation with working hours per day (ρ= 0.099, p= 0.043) significantly. All physical workloads (neck flexion or rotation, awkward postures, repetitive motion and static postures) had significant weak to moderate positive correlation with NP (p<0.05). Job insecurity was found to have weak and positive correlation with NP (p<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed risk factors for NP were decreased with age (OR= 3.92, 95% CI 1.61 – 9.58, p=0.003), increase in neck flexion or rotation (OR= 9.52, 95% CI 5.55 – 16.32, p= 0.001), awkward postures (OR=2.23, 95% CI 1.29 – 3.86, p= 0.004) and static postures (OR= 1.86, 95% CI 1.10 – 3.14, p= 0.021). Conclusion: This study showed that high prevalence of NP was associated with neck flexion or rotation, awkward and static postures. PMID:22980103

Part I. Student success in intensive versus traditional introductory chemistry courses. Part II. Synthesis of salts of the weakly coordinating trisphat anion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hall, Mildred V.

Part I. Intensive courses have been shown to be associated with equal or greater student success than traditional-length courses in a wide variety of disciplines and education levels. Student records from intensive and traditional-length introductory general chemistry courses were analyzed to determine the effects, of the course format, the level of academic experience, life experience (age), GPA, academic major and gender on student success in the course. Pretest scores, GPA and ACT composite scores were used as measures of academic ability and prior knowledge; t-tests comparing the means of these variables were used to establish that the populations were comparable prior to the course. Final exam scores, total course points and pretest-posttest differences were used as measures of student success; t-tests were used to determine if differences existed between the populations. ANCOVA analyses revealed that student GPA, pretest scores and course format were the only variables tested that were significant in accounting for the variance of the academic success measures. In general, the results indicate that students achieved greater academic success in the intensive-format course, regardless of the level of academic experience, life experience, academic major or gender. Part II. Weakly coordinating anions have many important applications, one of which is to function as co-catalysts in the polymerization of olefins by zirconocene. The structure of tris(tetrachlorobenzenedialato) phosphate(V) or "trisphat" anion suggests that it might be an outstanding example of a weakly coordinating anion. Trisphat acid was synthesized and immediately used to prepare the stable tributylammonium trisphat, which was further reacted to produce trisphat salts of Group I metal cations in high yields. Results of the 35Cl NQR analysis of these trisphat salts indicate only very weak coordination between the metal cations and the chlorine atoms of the trisphat anion.

Combined venomics, antivenomics and venom gland transcriptome analysis of the monocoled cobra (Naja kaouthia) from China.

PubMed

Xu, Ning; Zhao, Hong-Yan; Yin, Yin; Shen, Shan-Shan; Shan, Lin-Lin; Chen, Chuan-Xi; Zhang, Yan-Xia; Gao, Jian-Fang; Ji, Xiang

2017-04-21

We conducted an omics-analysis of the venom of Naja kaouthia from China. Proteomics analysis revealed six protein families [three-finger toxins (3-FTx), phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ), nerve growth factor, snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP), cysteine-rich secretory protein and ohanin], and venom-gland transcriptomics analysis revealed 28 protein families from 79 unigenes. 3-FTx (56.5% in proteome/82.0% in transcriptome) and PLA 2 (26.9%/13.6%) were identified as the most abundant families in venom proteome and venom-gland transcriptome. Furthermore, N. kaouthia venom expressed strong lethality (i.p. LD 50 : 0.79μg/g) and myotoxicity (CK: 5939U/l) in mice, and showed notable activity in PLA 2 but weak activity in SVMP, l-amino acid oxidase or 5' nucleotidase. Antivenomic assessment revealed that several venom components (nearly 17.5% of total venom) from N. kaouthia could not be thoroughly immunocaptured by commercial Naja atra antivenom. ELISA analysis revealed that there was no difference in the cross-reaction between N. kaouthia and N. atra venoms against the N. atra antivenom. The use of commercial N. atra antivenom in treatment of snakebites caused by N. kaouthia is reasonable, but design of novel antivenom with the attention on enhancing the immune response of non-immunocaptured components should be encouraged. The venomics, antivenomics and venom-gland transcriptome of the monocoled cobra (Naja kaouthia) from China have been elucidated. Quantitative and qualitative differences are evident when venom proteomic and venom-gland transcriptomic profiles are compared. Two protein families (3-FTx and PLA 2 ) are found to be the predominated components in N. kaouthia venom, and considered as the major players in functional role of venom. Other protein families with relatively low abundance appear to be minor in the functional significance. Antivenomics and ELISA evaluation reveal that the N. kaouthia venom can be effectively immunorecognized by commercial N. atra antivenom, but still a small number of venom components could not be thoroughly immunocaptured. The findings indicate that exploring the precise composition of snake venom should be executed by an integrated omics-approach, and elucidating the venom composition is helpful in understanding composition-function relationships and will facilitate the clinical application of antivenoms. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

AT1 receptor blocker losartan protects against mechanical ventilation-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction

PubMed Central

Kwon, Oh Sung; Smuder, Ashley J.; Wiggs, Michael P.; Hall, Stephanie E.; Sollanek, Kurt J.; Morton, Aaron B.; Talbert, Erin E.; Toklu, Hale Z.; Tumer, Nihal

2015-01-01

Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving intervention for patients in respiratory failure. Unfortunately, prolonged ventilator support results in diaphragmatic atrophy and contractile dysfunction leading to diaphragm weakness, which is predicted to contribute to problems in weaning patients from the ventilator. While it is established that ventilator-induced oxidative stress is required for the development of ventilator-induced diaphragm weakness, the signaling pathway(s) that trigger oxidant production remain unknown. However, recent evidence reveals that increased plasma levels of angiotensin II (ANG II) result in oxidative stress and atrophy in limb skeletal muscles. Using a well-established animal model of mechanical ventilation, we tested the hypothesis that increased circulating levels of ANG II are required for both ventilator-induced diaphragmatic oxidative stress and diaphragm weakness. Cause and effect was determined by administering an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril) to prevent ventilator-induced increases in plasma ANG II levels, and the ANG II type 1 receptor antagonist (losartan) was provided to prevent the activation of ANG II type 1 receptors. Enalapril prevented the increase in plasma ANG II levels but did not protect against ventilator-induced diaphragmatic oxidative stress or diaphragm weakness. In contrast, losartan attenuated both ventilator-induced oxidative stress and diaphragm weakness. These findings indicate that circulating ANG II is not essential for the development of ventilator-induced diaphragm weakness but that activation of ANG II type 1 receptors appears to be a requirement for ventilator-induced diaphragm weakness. Importantly, these experiments provide the first evidence that the Food and Drug Administration-approved drug losartan may have clinical benefits to protect against ventilator-induced diaphragm weakness in humans. PMID:26359481

Vaginal Stone in a Cynomolgus Macaque (Macaca fascicularis).

PubMed

Colagross-Schouten, Angela M; Canfield, Don R

2015-12-01

A 20-y-old female cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) housed in an indoor primate facility presented for poor appetite and acute weakness after several years of no adverse health events. Physical examination revealed a firm, ovoid mass in the caudal abdomen. Further evaluation revealed the mass to be a vaginal calculus composed of calcium carbonate, apatite, and struvite. To our knowledge, this case is the first reported description of a vaginal stone in an NHP.

Theoretical investigation of the weak interaction between graphene and alcohol solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Haining; Chen, Sian; Lu, Shanfu; Xiang, Yan

2017-05-01

The dispersion of graphene in five different alcohol solvents was investigated by evaluating the binding energy between graphene and alcohol molecules using DFT-D method. The calculation showed the most stable binding energy appeared at the distance of ∼3.5 Å between graphene and alcohol molecules and increased linearly as changing the alcohol from methanol to 1-pentanol. The weak interaction was further graphically illustrated using the reduced density gradient method. The theoretical study revealed alcohols with more carbon atoms could be a good starting point for screening suitable solvents for graphene dispersion.

Natural Gas Prices Forecast Comparison--AEO vs. Natural Gas Markets

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

Wong-Parodi, Gabrielle; Lekov, Alex; Dale, Larry

This paper evaluates the accuracy of two methods to forecast natural gas prices: using the Energy Information Administration's ''Annual Energy Outlook'' forecasted price (AEO) and the ''Henry Hub'' compared to U.S. Wellhead futures price. A statistical analysis is performed to determine the relative accuracy of the two measures in the recent past. A statistical analysis suggests that the Henry Hub futures price provides a more accurate average forecast of natural gas prices than the AEO. For example, the Henry Hub futures price underestimated the natural gas price by 35 cents per thousand cubic feet (11.5 percent) between 1996 and 2003more » and the AEO underestimated by 71 cents per thousand cubic feet (23.4 percent). Upon closer inspection, a liner regression analysis reveals that two distinct time periods exist, the period between 1996 to 1999 and the period between 2000 to 2003. For the time period between 1996 to 1999, AEO showed a weak negative correlation (R-square = 0.19) between forecast price by actual U.S. Wellhead natural gas price versus the Henry Hub with a weak positive correlation (R-square = 0.20) between forecasted price and U.S. Wellhead natural gas price. During the time period between 2000 to 2003, AEO shows a moderate positive correlation (R-square = 0.37) between forecasted natural gas price and U.S. Wellhead natural gas price versus the Henry Hub that show a moderate positive correlation (R-square = 0.36) between forecast price and U.S. Wellhead natural gas price. These results suggest that agencies forecasting natural gas prices should consider incorporating the Henry Hub natural gas futures price into their forecasting models along with the AEO forecast. Our analysis is very preliminary and is based on a very small data set. Naturally the results of the analysis may change, as more data is made available.« less

Constraints on the dark matter and dark energy interactions from weak lensing bispectrum tomography

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

An, Rui; Feng, Chang; Wang, Bin, E-mail: an_rui@sjtu.edu.cn, E-mail: chang.feng@uci.edu, E-mail: wang_b@sjtu.edu.cn

We estimate uncertainties of cosmological parameters for phenomenological interacting dark energy models using weak lensing convergence power spectrum and bispectrum. We focus on the bispectrum tomography and examine how well the weak lensing bispectrum with tomography can constrain the interactions between dark sectors, as well as other cosmological parameters. Employing the Fisher matrix analysis, we forecast parameter uncertainties derived from weak lensing bispectra with a two-bin tomography and place upper bounds on strength of the interactions between the dark sectors. The cosmic shear will be measured from upcoming weak lensing surveys with high sensitivity, thus it enables us to usemore » the higher order correlation functions of weak lensing to constrain the interaction between dark sectors and will potentially provide more stringent results with other observations combined.« less

Fine-scale genetic structure and cryptic associations reveal evidence of kin-based sociality in the African forest elephant.

PubMed

Schuttler, Stephanie G; Philbrick, Jessica A; Jeffery, Kathryn J; Eggert, Lori S

2014-01-01

Spatial patterns of relatedness within animal populations are important in the evolution of mating and social systems, and have the potential to reveal information on species that are difficult to observe in the wild. This study examines the fine-scale genetic structure and connectivity of groups within African forest elephants, Loxodonta cyclotis, which are often difficult to observe due to forest habitat. We tested the hypothesis that genetic similarity will decline with increasing geographic distance, as we expect kin to be in closer proximity, using spatial autocorrelation analyses and Tau K(r) tests. Associations between individuals were investigated through a non-invasive genetic capture-recapture approach using network models, and were predicted to be more extensive than the small groups found in observational studies, similar to fission-fusion sociality found in African savanna (Loxodonta africana) and Asian (Elephas maximus) species. Dung samples were collected in Lopé National Park, Gabon in 2008 and 2010 and genotyped at 10 microsatellite loci, genetically sexed, and sequenced at the mitochondrial DNA control region. We conducted analyses on samples collected at three different temporal scales: a day, within six-day sampling sessions, and within each year. Spatial autocorrelation and Tau K(r) tests revealed genetic structure, but results were weak and inconsistent between sampling sessions. Positive spatial autocorrelation was found in distance classes of 0-5 km, and was strongest for the single day session. Despite weak genetic structure, individuals within groups were significantly more related to each other than to individuals between groups. Social networks revealed some components to have large, extensive groups of up to 22 individuals, and most groups were composed of individuals of the same matriline. Although fine-scale population genetic structure was weak, forest elephants are typically found in groups consisting of kin and based on matrilines, with some individuals having more associates than observed from group sizes alone.

Synthesis, structure, computational and in-silico anticancer studies of N,N-diethyl-N‧-palmitoylthiourea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asegbeloyin, Jonnie Niyi; Oyeka, Ebube Evaristus; Okpareke, Obinna; Ibezim, Akachukwu

2018-02-01

A new potential ONS donor ligand N,N-diethyl-N‧-palmitoylthiourea (PACDEA) with the molecular formular C21H42N2OS has been synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS, UV, FTIR 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and single X-ray crystallography. The asymmetric molecules crystallized in the centrosymmetric structure of monoclinic crystal system with space group P21/c. In the crystal structure of the compound, molecules are linked in a continuous chain by intermolecular Nsbnd H⋯Odbnd C hydrogen bonds, which stabilized the crystal structure. The palmitoyl moiety and N (2)-ethyl group lie on a plane, while the thiocarbonyl moiety is twisted and lying othorgonal to the plane. Non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis on the hydrogen bonded solid state structure of the molecule revealed the presence of a significant number of non-covalent interactions including intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, Csbnd Hsbnd -lone pair interactions, weak Van der Waals interactions, and steric/ring closure interactions. The NCI analysis also showed the presence of intramolecular stabilizing Csbnd H⋯Odbnd C and Csbnd H⋯Sdbnd C interactions. Docking simulation revealed that the compound interacted favourably with ten selected validated anticancer drug targets, which is an indication that the compound could possess some anticancer properties.

A Weighted and Directed Interareal Connectivity Matrix for Macaque Cerebral Cortex

PubMed Central

Markov, N. T.; Ercsey-Ravasz, M. M.; Ribeiro Gomes, A. R.; Lamy, C.; Magrou, L.; Vezoli, J.; Misery, P.; Falchier, A.; Quilodran, R.; Gariel, M. A.; Sallet, J.; Gamanut, R.; Huissoud, C.; Clavagnier, S.; Giroud, P.; Sappey-Marinier, D.; Barone, P.; Dehay, C.; Toroczkai, Z.; Knoblauch, K.; Van Essen, D. C.; Kennedy, H.

2014-01-01

Retrograde tracer injections in 29 of the 91 areas of the macaque cerebral cortex revealed 1,615 interareal pathways, a third of which have not previously been reported. A weight index (extrinsic fraction of labeled neurons [FLNe]) was determined for each area-to-area pathway. Newly found projections were weaker on average compared with the known projections; nevertheless, the 2 sets of pathways had extensively overlapping weight distributions. Repeat injections across individuals revealed modest FLNe variability given the range of FLNe values (standard deviation <1 log unit, range 5 log units). The connectivity profile for each area conformed to a lognormal distribution, where a majority of projections are moderate or weak in strength. In the G29 × 29 interareal subgraph, two-thirds of the connections that can exist do exist. Analysis of the smallest set of areas that collects links from all 91 nodes of the G29 × 91 subgraph (dominating set analysis) confirms the dense (66%) structure of the cortical matrix. The G29 × 29 subgraph suggests an unexpectedly high incidence of unidirectional links. The directed and weighted G29 × 91 connectivity matrix for the macaque will be valuable for comparison with connectivity analyses in other species, including humans. It will also inform future modeling studies that explore the regularities of cortical networks. PMID:23010748

Comprehensive Analysis of DWARF14-LIKE2 (DLK2) Reveals Its Functional Divergence from Strigolactone-Related Paralogs

PubMed Central

Végh, Attila; Incze, Norbert; Fábián, Attila; Huo, Heqiang; Bradford, Kent J.; Balázs, Ervin; Soós, Vilmos

2017-01-01

Strigolactones (SLs) and related butenolides, originally identified as active seed germination stimulants of parasitic weeds, play important roles in many aspects of plant development. Two members of the D14 α/β hydrolase protein family, DWARF14 (D14) and KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2) are essential for SL/butenolide signaling. The third member of the family in Arabidopsis, DWARF 14-LIKE2 (DLK2) is structurally very similar to D14 and KAI2, but its function is unknown. We demonstrated that DLK2 does not bind nor hydrolyze natural (+)5-deoxystrigol [(+)5DS], and weakly hydrolyzes non-natural strigolactone (-)5DS. A detailed genetic analysis revealed that DLK2 does not affect SL responses and can regulate seedling photomorphogenesis. DLK2 is upregulated in the dark dependent upon KAI2 and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORS (PIFs), indicating that DLK2 might function in light signaling pathways. In addition, unlike its paralog proteins, DLK2 is not subject to rac-GR24-induced degradation, suggesting that DLK2 acts independently of MORE AXILLARY GROWTH2 (MAX2); however, regulation of DLK2 transcription is mostly accomplished through MAX2. In conclusion, these data suggest that DLK2 represents a divergent member of the DWARF14 family. PMID:28970845

Comprehensive Analysis of DWARF14-LIKE2 (DLK2) Reveals Its Functional Divergence from Strigolactone-Related Paralogs.

PubMed

Végh, Attila; Incze, Norbert; Fábián, Attila; Huo, Heqiang; Bradford, Kent J; Balázs, Ervin; Soós, Vilmos

2017-01-01

Strigolactones (SLs) and related butenolides, originally identified as active seed germination stimulants of parasitic weeds, play important roles in many aspects of plant development. Two members of the D14 α/β hydrolase protein family, DWARF14 (D14) and KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2) are essential for SL/butenolide signaling. The third member of the family in Arabidopsis, DWARF 14-LIKE2 (DLK2) is structurally very similar to D14 and KAI2, but its function is unknown. We demonstrated that DLK2 does not bind nor hydrolyze natural (+)5-deoxystrigol [(+)5DS], and weakly hydrolyzes non-natural strigolactone (-)5DS. A detailed genetic analysis revealed that DLK2 does not affect SL responses and can regulate seedling photomorphogenesis. DLK2 is upregulated in the dark dependent upon KAI2 and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORS (PIFs), indicating that DLK2 might function in light signaling pathways. In addition, unlike its paralog proteins, DLK2 is not subject to rac -GR24-induced degradation, suggesting that DLK2 acts independently of MORE AXILLARY GROWTH2 (MAX2); however, regulation of DLK2 transcription is mostly accomplished through MAX2. In conclusion, these data suggest that DLK2 represents a divergent member of the DWARF14 family.

Forecasting hourly PM(10) concentration in Cyprus through artificial neural networks and multiple regression models: implications to local environmental management.

PubMed

Paschalidou, Anastasia K; Karakitsios, Spyridon; Kleanthous, Savvas; Kassomenos, Pavlos A

2011-02-01

In the present work, two types of artificial neural network (NN) models using the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and the radial basis function (RBF) techniques, as well as a model based on principal component regression analysis (PCRA), are employed to forecast hourly PM(10) concentrations in four urban areas (Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia and Paphos) in Cyprus. The model development is based on a variety of meteorological and pollutant parameters corresponding to the 2-year period between July 2006 and June 2008, and the model evaluation is achieved through the use of a series of well-established evaluation instruments and methodologies. The evaluation reveals that the MLP NN models display the best forecasting performance with R (2) values ranging between 0.65 and 0.76, whereas the RBF NNs and the PCRA models reveal a rather weak performance with R (2) values between 0.37-0.43 and 0.33-0.38, respectively. The derived MLP models are also used to forecast Saharan dust episodes with remarkable success (probability of detection ranging between 0.68 and 0.71). On the whole, the analysis shows that the models introduced here could provide local authorities with reliable and precise predictions and alarms about air quality if used on an operational basis.

Insight, symptoms and executive functions in schizophrenia.

PubMed

Simon, Andor E; Berger, Gregor E; Giacomini, Véronique; Ferrero, François; Mohr, Sylvia

2006-09-01

We investigated the relationship of insight with executive functions and symptoms in a group of stabilised inpatients with schizophrenia. Executive functions using an extensive battery constituted of several tests as well as psychopathology were assessed in 38 inpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia. Insight was assessed with the Scale to assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD). A principal component analysis of the insight dimensions revealed a three-factor model which accounted for 98% of the variance. Of particular interest is the finding that a composite factor that accounted for 74% of the variance covered insight dimensions that represent a higher degree of insight (awareness of mental disorder, its social consequences, and attribution of symptoms). Only an association between letter fluency and this composite factor was found, which was weakly mediated by depressive symptoms. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed a relationship between antipsychotic dose and awareness of medication effect. No association of illness duration and insight was found. The findings of partial association between dimensions of insight and measures of executive function supports the growing evidence that insight is a multidimensional phenomenon. Accordingly, they emphasise that in the framework of therapeutic interventions, enhancement of higher levels of insight needs to take into account that patients suffering from schizophrenia have differential impairment in insight dimensions.

Establishment of H2Mab-119, an Anti-Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Monoclonal Antibody, Against Pancreatic Cancer.

PubMed

Yamada, Shinji; Itai, Shunsuke; Nakamura, Takuro; Chang, Yao-Wen; Harada, Hiroyuki; Suzuki, Hiroyoshi; Kaneko, Mika K; Kato, Yukinari

2017-12-01

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in breast cancer and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. In addition, HER2 expression has been reported in other cancers, such as gastric, colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers. An anti-HER2 humanized antibody, trastuzumab, leads to significant survival benefits in patients with HER2-overexpressing breast cancers and gastric cancers. Herein, we established a novel anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb), H 2 Mab-119 (IgG 1 , kappa), and characterized its efficacy against pancreatic cancers using flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analyses. H 2 Mab-119 reacted with pancreatic cancer cell lines, such as KLM-1, Capan-2, and MIA PaCa-2, but did not react with PANC-1 in flow cytometry analysis. Western blot analysis also revealed a moderate signal for KLM-1 and a weak signal for MIA PaCa-2, although H 2 Mab-119 reacted strongly with LN229/HER2 cells. Finally, immunohistochemical analyses with H 2 Mab-119 revealed sensitive and specific reactions against breast and colon cancers but did not react with pancreatic cancers, indicating that H 2 Mab-119 is useful for detecting HER2 overexpression in pancreatic cancers using flow cytometry and Western blot analyses.

Physical activity and risk of pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Behrens, Gundula; Jochem, Carmen; Schmid, Daniela; Keimling, Marlen; Ricci, Cristian; Leitzmann, Michael F

2015-04-01

Physical activity may prevent pancreatic cancer by regulating body weight and decreasing insulin resistance, DNA damage, and chronic inflammation. Previous meta-analyses found inconsistent evidence for a protective effect of physical activity on pancreatic cancer but those studies did not investigate whether the association between physical activity and pancreatic cancer varies by smoking status, body mass index (BMI), or level of consistency of physical activity over time. To address these issues, we conducted an updated meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines among 30 distinct studies with a total of 10,501 pancreatic cancer cases. Random effects meta-analysis of cohort studies revealed a weak, statistically significant reduction in pancreatic cancer risk for high versus low levels of physical activity (relative risk (RR) 0.93, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.88-0.98). By comparison, case-control studies yielded a stronger, statistically significant risk reduction (RR 0.78, 95 % CI 0.66-0.94; p-difference by study design = 0.07). When focusing on cohort studies, physical activity summary risk estimates appeared to be more pronounced for consistent physical activity over time (RR 0.86, 95 % CI 0.76-0.97) than for recent past physical activity (RR 0.95, 95 % CI 0.90-1.01) or distant past physical activity (RR 0.95, 95 % CI 0.79-1.15, p-difference by timing in life of physical activity = 0.36). Physical activity summary risk estimates did not differ by smoking status or BMI. In conclusion, physical activity is not strongly associated with pancreatic cancer risk, and the relation is not modified by smoking status or BMI level. While overall findings were weak, we did find some suggestion of potential pancreatic cancer risk reduction with consistent physical activity over time.

Phylogeographic patterns of Lygus pratensis (Hemiptera: Miridae): Evidence for weak genetic structure and recent expansion in northwest China.

PubMed

Zhang, Li-Juan; Cai, Wan-Zhi; Luo, Jun-Yu; Zhang, Shuai; Wang, Chun-Yi; Lv, Li-Min; Zhu, Xiang-Zhen; Wang, Li; Cui, Jin-Jie

2017-01-01

Lygus pratensis (L.) is an important cotton pest in China, especially in the northwest region. Nymphs and adults cause serious quality and yield losses. However, the genetic structure and geographic distribution of L. pratensis is not well known. We analyzed genetic diversity, geographical structure, gene flow, and population dynamics of L. pratensis in northwest China using mitochondrial and nuclear sequence datasets to study phylogeographical patterns and demographic history. L. pratensis (n = 286) were collected at sites across an area spanning 2,180,000 km2, including the Xinjiang and Gansu-Ningxia regions. Populations in the two regions could be distinguished based on mitochondrial criteria but the overall genetic structure was weak. The nuclear dataset revealed a lack of diagnostic genetic structure across sample areas. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a lack of population level monophyly that may have been caused by incomplete lineage sorting. The Mantel test showed a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances among the populations based on the mtDNA data. However the nuclear dataset did not show significant correlation. A high level of gene flow among populations was indicated by migration analysis; human activities may have also facilitated insect movement. The availability of irrigation water and ample cotton hosts makes the Xinjiang region well suited for L. pratensis reproduction. Bayesian skyline plot analysis, star-shaped network, and neutrality tests all indicated that L. pratensis has experienced recent population expansion. Climatic changes and extensive areas occupied by host plants have led to population expansion of L. pratensis. In conclusion, the present distribution and phylogeographic pattern of L. pratensis was influenced by climate, human activities, and availability of plant hosts.

On the occurrence and strength of multi-frequency multi-GNSS Ionospheric Scintillations in Indian sector during declining phase of solar cycle 24

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivasu, V. K. D.; Dashora, N.; Prasad, D. S. V. V. D.; Niranjan, K.; Gopi Krishna, S.

2018-04-01

This study presents unique perspectives of occurrence and strength of low latitude ionospheric scintillations on multiple signals of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and its frequency dependence using continuous observation records of 780 nights. A robust comparative analysis is performed using scintillation index, S4 and its variation during pre-midnight and post-midnight duration from a GNSS receiver located at Waltair (17.7°N, 83.3°E), India, covering period from July 2014 to August 2016. The results, generally exhibit the impact of declining phase of solar cycle 24 on occurrence and strength of scintillations, which, however, is evidently different over different frequencies transmitted from different GNSS systems. A deeper quantitative analysis uniquely reveals that apart from the solar cycle and seasonal effects, the number of visible satellites of a selected GNSS markedly affect the occurrence and also the strength. Processing scheme of adopting 6 hourly time windows of pre-midnight and post-midnight brought a novel result that the strength and occurrence of strong scintillations decrease with declining solar activity during pre-midnight hours but remarkably increase for moderate and weak scintillations during post-midnight. The physical processes that dominate the post-midnight equatorial ionosphere are invoked to explain such variations that are special during declining solar activity. Finally, inter-GNSS signal analysis in terms of the effect of strong, moderate and weak scintillations is presented with due consideration of number of satellite passes affected and frequency dependence of mean S4. The quantitative results of this study emphasize for the first time effect of low latitude scintillation on GNSS signals in Indian zone under changing background solar and seasonal conditions.

On the Weak-Wind Problem in Massive Stars: X-Ray Spectra Reveal a Massive Hot Wind in mu Columbae

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huenemoerder, David P.; Oskinova, Lidia M.; Ignace, Richard; Waldron, Wayne L.; Todt, Helge; Hamaguchi, Kenji; Kitamoto, Shunji

2012-01-01

Mu Columbae is a prototypical weak-wind O star for which we have obtained a high-resolution X-ray spectrum with the Chandra LETG/ACIS instrument and a low-resolution spectrum with Suzaku. This allows us, for the first time, to investigate the role of X-rays on the wind structure in a bona fide weak-wind system and to determine whether there actually is a massive hot wind. The X-ray emission measure indicates that the outflow is an order of magnitude greater than that derived from UV lines and is commensurate with the nominal wind-luminosity relationship for O stars. Therefore, the "weak-wind problem"--identified from cool wind UV/optical spectra--is largely resolved by accounting for the hot wind seen in X-rays. From X-ray line profiles, Doppler shifts, and relative strengths, we find that this weak-wind star is typical of other late O dwarfs. The X-ray spectra do not suggest a magnetically confined plasma-the spectrum is soft and lines are broadened; Suzaku spectra confirm the lack of emission above 2 keV. Nor do the relative line shifts and widths suggest any wind decoupling by ions. The He-like triplets indicate that the bulk of the X-ray emission is formed rather close to the star, within five stellar radii. Our results challenge the idea that some OB stars are "weak-wind" stars that deviate from the standard wind-luminosity relationship. The wind is not weak, but it is hot and its bulk is only detectable in X-rays.

Weak values of a quantum observable and the cross-Wigner distribution.

PubMed

de Gosson, Maurice A; de Gosson, Serge M

2012-01-09

We study the weak values of a quantum observable from the point of view of the Wigner formalism. The main actor here is the cross-Wigner transform of two functions, which is in disguise the cross-ambiguity function familiar from radar theory and time-frequency analysis. It allows us to express weak values using a complex probability distribution. We suggest that our approach seems to confirm that the weak value of an observable is, as conjectured by several authors, due to the interference of two wavefunctions, one coming from the past, and the other from the future.

Monoclonal antibodies to murine thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2 reveal differential expression patterns in cancer and low antigen expression in normal tissues

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

Bujak, Emil; Pretto, Francesca; Ritz, Danilo

2014-09-10

There is a considerable interest for the discovery and characterization of tumor-associated antigens, which may facilitate antibody-based pharmacodelivery strategies. Thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2 are homologous secreted proteins, which have previously been reported to be overexpressed during remodeling typical for wound healing and tumor progression and to possibly play a functional role in cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. To our knowledge, a complete immunohistochemical characterization of thrombospondins levels in normal rodent tissues has not been reported so far. Using antibody phage technology, we have generated and characterized monoclonal antibodies specific to murine thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2, two antigens which share 62% aminoacid identity.more » An immunofluorescence analysis revealed that both antigens are virtually undetectable in normal mouse tissues, except for a weak staining of heart tissue by antibodies specific to thrombospondin-1. The analysis also showed that thrombospondin-1 was strongly expressed in 5/7 human tumors xenografted in nude mice, while it was only barely detectable in 3/8 murine tumors grafted in immunocompetent mice. By contrast, a high-affinity antibody to thrombospondin-2 revealed a much lower level of expression of this antigen in cancer specimens. Our analysis resolves ambiguities related to conflicting reports on thrombosponding expression in health and disease. Based on our findings, thrombospondin-1 (and not thrombospondin-2) may be considered as a target for antibody-based pharmacodelivery strategies, in consideration of its low expression in normal tissues and its upregulation in cancer. - Highlights: • High affinity monoclonal antibodies to murine and human TSP1 and 2 were raised. • Both antigens are virtually undetectable in normal mouse tissues. • Strong positivity of human tumor xenografts for TSP1 was detected. • Study revealed much lower level of TSP2 expression in cancer specimens. • TSP1 (and not TSP2) may be considered as a target for antibody-based pharmacodelivery.« less

Bethe Ansatz for the Weakly Asymmetric Simple Exclusion Process and Phase Transition in the Current Distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simon, Damien

2011-03-01

The probability distribution of the current in the asymmetric simple exclusion process is expected to undergo a phase transition in the regime of weak asymmetry of the jumping rates. This transition was first predicted by Bodineau and Derrida using a linear stability analysis of the hydrodynamical limit of the process and further arguments have been given by Mallick and Prolhac. However it has been impossible so far to study what happens after the transition. The present paper presents an analysis of the large deviation function of the current on both sides of the transition from a Bethe Ansatz approach of the weak asymmetry regime of the exclusion process.

Crystallographic Phasing from Weak Anomalous Signals

PubMed Central

Liu, Qun; Hendrickson, Wayne A.

2015-01-01

The exploitation of anomalous signals for biological structural solution is maturing. Single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) is dominant in de novo structure analysis. Nevertheless, for challenging structures where the resolution is low (dmin ≥ 3.5 Å) or where only lighter atoms (Z ≤ 20) are present, as for native macromolecules, solved SAD structures are still scarce. With the recent rapid development in crystal handling, beamline instrumentation, optimization of data collection strategies, use of multiple crystals and structure determination technologies, the weak anomalous diffraction signals are now robustly measured and should be used for routine SAD structure determination. The review covers these recent advances on weak anomalous signals measurement, analysis and utilization. PMID:26432413

Crystallographic phasing from weak anomalous signals.

PubMed

Liu, Qun; Hendrickson, Wayne A

2015-10-01

The exploitation of anomalous signals for biological structural solution is maturing. Single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) is dominant in de novo structure analysis. Nevertheless, for challenging structures where the resolution is low (dmin≥3.5Å) or where only lighter atoms (Z≤20) are present, as for native macromolecules, solved SAD structures are still scarce. With the recent rapid development in crystal handling, beamline instrumentation, optimization of data collection strategies, use of multiple crystals and structure determination technologies, the weak anomalous diffraction signals are now robustly measured and should be used for routine SAD structure determination. The review covers these recent advances on weak anomalous signals measurement, analysis and utilization. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Security analysis and improvements to the PsychoPass method.

PubMed

Brumen, Bostjan; Heričko, Marjan; Rozman, Ivan; Hölbl, Marko

2013-08-13

In a recent paper, Pietro Cipresso et al proposed the PsychoPass method, a simple way to create strong passwords that are easy to remember. However, the method has some security issues that need to be addressed. To perform a security analysis on the PsychoPass method and outline the limitations of and possible improvements to the method. We used the brute force analysis and dictionary attack analysis of the PsychoPass method to outline its weaknesses. The first issue with the Psychopass method is that it requires the password reproduction on the same keyboard layout as was used to generate the password. The second issue is a security weakness: although the produced password is 24 characters long, the password is still weak. We elaborate on the weakness and propose a solution that produces strong passwords. The proposed version first requires the use of the SHIFT and ALT-GR keys in combination with other keys, and second, the keys need to be 1-2 distances apart. The proposed improved PsychoPass method yields passwords that can be broken only in hundreds of years based on current computing powers. The proposed PsychoPass method requires 10 keys, as opposed to 20 keys in the original method, for comparable password strength.

Security Analysis and Improvements to the PsychoPass Method

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background In a recent paper, Pietro Cipresso et al proposed the PsychoPass method, a simple way to create strong passwords that are easy to remember. However, the method has some security issues that need to be addressed. Objective To perform a security analysis on the PsychoPass method and outline the limitations of and possible improvements to the method. Methods We used the brute force analysis and dictionary attack analysis of the PsychoPass method to outline its weaknesses. Results The first issue with the Psychopass method is that it requires the password reproduction on the same keyboard layout as was used to generate the password. The second issue is a security weakness: although the produced password is 24 characters long, the password is still weak. We elaborate on the weakness and propose a solution that produces strong passwords. The proposed version first requires the use of the SHIFT and ALT-GR keys in combination with other keys, and second, the keys need to be 1-2 distances apart. Conclusions The proposed improved PsychoPass method yields passwords that can be broken only in hundreds of years based on current computing powers. The proposed PsychoPass method requires 10 keys, as opposed to 20 keys in the original method, for comparable password strength. PMID:23942458

3D receiver function Kirchhoff depth migration image of Cascadia subduction slab weak zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, C.; Allen, R. M.; Bodin, T.; Tauzin, B.

2016-12-01

We have developed a highly computational efficient algorithm of applying 3D Kirchhoff depth migration to telesismic receiver function data. Combine primary PS arrival with later multiple arrivals we are able to reveal a better knowledge about the earth discontinuity structure (transmission and reflection). This method is highly useful compare with traditional CCP method when dipping structure is met during the imaging process, such as subduction slab. We apply our method to the reginal Cascadia subduction zone receiver function data and get a high resolution 3D migration image, for both primary and multiples. The image showed us a clear slab weak zone (slab hole) in the upper plate boundary under Northern California and the whole Oregon. Compare with previous 2D receiver function image from 2D array(CAFE and CASC93), the position of the weak zone shows interesting conherency. This weak zone is also conherent with local seismicity missing and heat rising, which lead us to think about and compare with the ocean plate stucture and the hydralic fluid process during the formation and migration of the subduction slab.

Impaired social brain network for processing dynamic facial expressions in autism spectrum disorders

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Impairment of social interaction via facial expressions represents a core clinical feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the neural correlates of this dysfunction remain unidentified. Because this dysfunction is manifested in real-life situations, we hypothesized that the observation of dynamic, compared with static, facial expressions would reveal abnormal brain functioning in individuals with ASD. We presented dynamic and static facial expressions of fear and happiness to individuals with high-functioning ASD and to age- and sex-matched typically developing controls and recorded their brain activities using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Result Regional analysis revealed reduced activation of several brain regions in the ASD group compared with controls in response to dynamic versus static facial expressions, including the middle temporal gyrus (MTG), fusiform gyrus, amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Dynamic causal modeling analyses revealed that bi-directional effective connectivity involving the primary visual cortex–MTG–IFG circuit was enhanced in response to dynamic as compared with static facial expressions in the control group. Group comparisons revealed that all these modulatory effects were weaker in the ASD group than in the control group. Conclusions These results suggest that weak activity and connectivity of the social brain network underlie the impairment in social interaction involving dynamic facial expressions in individuals with ASD. PMID:22889284

The use of regression analysis in determining reference intervals for low hematocrit and thrombocyte count in multiple electrode aggregometry and platelet function analyzer 100 testing of platelet function.

PubMed

Kuiper, Gerhardus J A J M; Houben, Rik; Wetzels, Rick J H; Verhezen, Paul W M; Oerle, Rene van; Ten Cate, Hugo; Henskens, Yvonne M C; Lancé, Marcus D

2017-11-01

Low platelet counts and hematocrit levels hinder whole blood point-of-care testing of platelet function. Thus far, no reference ranges for MEA (multiple electrode aggregometry) and PFA-100 (platelet function analyzer 100) devices exist for low ranges. Through dilution methods of volunteer whole blood, platelet function at low ranges of platelet count and hematocrit levels was assessed on MEA for four agonists and for PFA-100 in two cartridges. Using (multiple) regression analysis, 95% reference intervals were computed for these low ranges. Low platelet counts affected MEA in a positive correlation (all agonists showed r 2 ≥ 0.75) and PFA-100 in an inverse correlation (closure times were prolonged with lower platelet counts). Lowered hematocrit did not affect MEA testing, except for arachidonic acid activation (ASPI), which showed a weak positive correlation (r 2 = 0.14). Closure time on PFA-100 testing was inversely correlated with hematocrit for both cartridges. Regression analysis revealed different 95% reference intervals in comparison with originally established intervals for both MEA and PFA-100 in low platelet or hematocrit conditions. Multiple regression analysis of ASPI and both tests on the PFA-100 for combined low platelet and hematocrit conditions revealed that only PFA-100 testing should be adjusted for both thrombocytopenia and anemia. 95% reference intervals were calculated using multiple regression analysis. However, coefficients of determination of PFA-100 were poor, and some variance remained unexplained. Thus, in this pilot study using (multiple) regression analysis, we could establish reference intervals of platelet function in anemia and thrombocytopenia conditions on PFA-100 and in thrombocytopenia conditions on MEA.

Functional characterization of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Abcg2a (Bcrp) transporter.

PubMed

Zaja, Roko; Popović, Marta; Lončar, Jovica; Smital, Tvrtko

2016-12-01

ABCG2 (BCRP - breast cancer resistance protein) belongs to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily. It plays an important role in the disposition and elimination of xeno- and endobiotics and/or their metabolites in mammals. Likewise, the protective role of ABC transporters, including Abcg2, has been reported for aquatic organisms. In our previous study we have cloned the full gene sequence of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Abcg2a and showed its high expression in liver and primary hepatocytes. Based on those insights, the main goal of this study was to perform a detailed functional characterization of trout Abcg2a using insect ovary cells (Spodoptera frugiperda, Sf9) as a heterologous expression system. Membrane vesicles preparations from Sf9 cells were used for the ATPase assay determinations and basic biochemical properties of fish Abcg2a versus human ABCG2 have been compared. A series of 39 physiologically and/or environmentally relevant substances was then tested on interaction with trout Abcg2a and human ABCG2. Correlation analysis reveals highly similar pattern of activation and inhibition. Significant activation of trout Abcg2a ATPase was observed for prazosin, doxorubicine, sildenafil, furosemid, propranolol, fenofibrate and pheophorbide. Pesticides showed either a weak activation (malathione) or strong (endosulfan) to weak (chlorpyrifos, fenoxycarb, DDE) inhibition of trout Abcg2a ATPase while the highest activation was obtained for benzo(a)pyrene, curcumine and testosterone. In conclusion, data from this study offer the first characterization of fish Abcg2a, reveal potent interactors among physiologically or environmentally relevant substances and point to similarities regarding strengths and interactor preferences between human ABCG2 and fish Abcg2a. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Light illumination intensity dependence of photovoltaic parameter in polymer solar cells with ammonium heptamolybdate as hole extraction layer.

PubMed

Liu, Zhiyong; Niu, Shengli; Wang, Ning

2018-01-01

A low-temperature, solution-processed molybdenum oxide (MoO X ) layer and a facile method for polymer solar cells (PSCs) is developed. The PSCs based on a MoO X layer as the hole extraction layer (HEL) is a significant advance for achieving higher photovoltaic performance, especially under weaker light illumination intensity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements show that the (NH 4 ) 6 Mo 7 O 24 molecule decomposes and forms the molybdenum oxide (MoO X ) molecule when undergoing thermal annealing treatment. In this study, PSCs with the MoO X layer as the HEL exhibited better photovoltaic performance, especially under weak light illumination intensity (from 100 to 10mWcm -2 ) compared to poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)-based PSCs. Analysis of the current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics at various light intensities provides information on the different recombination mechanisms in the PSCs with a MoO X and PEDOT:PSS layer as the HEL. That the slopes of the open-circuit voltage (V OC ) versus light illumination intensity plots are close to 1 unity (kT/q) reveals that bimolecular recombination is the dominant and weaker monomolecular recombination mechanism in open-circuit conditions. That the slopes of the short-circuit current density (J SC ) versus light illumination intensity plots are close to 1 reveals that the effective charge carrier transport and collection mechanism of the MoO X /indium tin oxide (ITO) anode is the weaker bimolecular recombination in short-circuit conditions. Our results indicate that MoO X is an alternative candidate for high-performance PSCs, especially under weak light illumination intensity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Estimating small amplitude tremor sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katakami, S.; Ito, Y.; Ohta, K.

2017-12-01

Various types of slow earthquakes have been recently observed at both the updip and downdip edges of the coseismic slip areas [Obara and Kato, 2016]. Frequent occurrence of slow earthquakes may help us to reveal the physics underlying megathrust events as useful analogs. Maeda and Obara [2009] estimated spatiotemporal distribution of seismic energy radiation from low-frequency tremors. They applied their method to only the tremors, whose hypocenters had been decided with multiple station method. However, recently Katakami et al. (2016) identified a lot of continuous tremors with small amplitude that were not recorded multiple stations. These small events should be important to reveal the whole slow earthquake activity and to understand strain condition around a plate boundary in subduction zones. First, we apply the modified frequency scanning method (mFSM) at a single station to NIED Hi-net data in the southwestern Japan to understand whole tremor activity which were included weak signal tremors. Second, we developed a method to identify the tremor source area by using the difference of apparent tremor energy at each station by mFSM. We estimated the apparent source tremor energy after correcting both site amplification factor and geometrical spreading. Finally we calculate a tremor source area if the difference of apparent tremor energy between each pair of sites is the smallest. We checked a validity of this analysis by using only tremors which were already detected by envelope correlation method [Idehara et al., 2014]. We calculated the average amplitude as apparent tremor energy in 5 minutes window after occurring tremor at each station. Our results almost consistent to hypocenters which were determined the envelope correlation method. We successfully determined apparent tremor source areas of weak continuous tremors after estimating possible tremor occurrence time windows by using mFSM.

Hepatic neosporosis in a dog treated for pemphigus foliaceus

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A 4 year old, female, spayed Border Collie was presented for progressive lethargy, inappetence, and weakness of four days duration. The animal had been diagnosed with pemphigus foliaceus three months prior and was receiving combination immunosuppressive therapy. Serum biochemistry revealed severely ...

Teaching in Overseas Military Settings.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McKinney, Fred

1980-01-01

Reveals strengths and weaknesses encountered by a psychology teacher involved in the overseas graduate counseling program for Ball State University. Problems included lack of proper teaching and counseling facilities, long teaching hours, and civilian teachers' ignorance of military protocol. Advantages included helping military personnel obtain a…

Proximal muscle weakness as a result of osteomalacia associated with celiac disease: a case report.

PubMed

Oz, B; Akan, O; Kocyigit, H; Gürgan, H A

2016-02-01

A 24-year-old woman suffering from back and hip pain with difficulty in walking was reported. She had proximal muscle weakness. Laboratory findings led to the diagnosis of osteomalacia. Positivity of antibodies strengthened suspicion of celiac disease. In patients with proximal muscle weakness, osteomalacia should be considered in differential diagnosis even in a young woman. A 24-year-old woman suffering from back pain, bilateral hip pain, and difficulty in walking was reported. Her symptoms had started in the first trimester of pregnancy. In her physical examination, proximal muscle weakness and waddling gait pattern were determined. Her lumbar spine and hip MRI revealed no obvious pathological findings. Electromyography showed a myophatic pattern. Physical examination, normal values of creatine kinase, and muscle biopsy were supplied to exclude the diagnosis of primer muscle diseases. Laboratory findings led to the diagnosis of osteomalacia with normal renal function. Gastrointestinal symptoms and positivity of anti-gliadin and anti-endomysium antibodies strengthened the suspicion of celiac disease as a cause of the osteomalacia. The diagnosis of celiac disease was confirmed with duodenal mucosal biopsy. In patients with proximal muscle weakness and waddling gait pattern, osteomalacia should be considered in differential diagnosis even in a young woman and underlying disease should be investigated.

Characteristics of plasma plume in ultrafast laser ablation with a weakly ionized air channel

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

Hou, Huaming; Yang, Bo; Mao, Xianglei

We report the influence of femtosecond (fs) laser weakly ionized air channel on characteristics of plasma induced from fs-laser ablation of solid Zr metal target. A novel method to create high temperature, low electron density plasma with intense elemental emission and weak bremsstrahlung emission was demonstrated. Weakly ionized air channel was generated as a result of a non-linear phenomenon. Two-dimensional time-resolved optical-emission images of plasma plumes were taken for plume dynamics analysis. Dynamic physical properties of filament channels were simulated. In particular, we investigated the influence of weakly ionized air channel on the evolution of solid plasma plume. Plasma plumemore » splitting was observed whilst longer weakly ionized air channel formed above the ablation spot. The domination mechanism for splitting is attributed to the long-lived underdense channel created by fs-laser induced weakly ionization of air. The evolutions of atomic/molecular emission intensity, peak broadening, and plasma temperature were analyzed, and the results show that the part of plasma entering weakly ionized air channel features higher initial temperature, lower electron density and faster decay.« less

Characteristics of plasma plume in ultrafast laser ablation with a weakly ionized air channel

DOE PAGES

Hou, Huaming; Yang, Bo; Mao, Xianglei; ...

2018-05-10

We report the influence of femtosecond (fs) laser weakly ionized air channel on characteristics of plasma induced from fs-laser ablation of solid Zr metal target. A novel method to create high temperature, low electron density plasma with intense elemental emission and weak bremsstrahlung emission was demonstrated. Weakly ionized air channel was generated as a result of a non-linear phenomenon. Two-dimensional time-resolved optical-emission images of plasma plumes were taken for plume dynamics analysis. Dynamic physical properties of filament channels were simulated. In particular, we investigated the influence of weakly ionized air channel on the evolution of solid plasma plume. Plasma plumemore » splitting was observed whilst longer weakly ionized air channel formed above the ablation spot. The domination mechanism for splitting is attributed to the long-lived underdense channel created by fs-laser induced weakly ionization of air. The evolutions of atomic/molecular emission intensity, peak broadening, and plasma temperature were analyzed, and the results show that the part of plasma entering weakly ionized air channel features higher initial temperature, lower electron density and faster decay.« less

[Correlation factors of 127 times pre-crisis state in patients with myasthenia gravis].

PubMed

Ou, C Y; Ran, H; Qiu, L; Huang, Z D; Lin, Z Z; Deng, J; Liu, W B

2017-10-10

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of the Pre-Crisis State and analyze the correlated risk factors of Pre-Crisis State of myasthenia crisis. Methods: We included 93 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who experienced 127 times Pre-Crisis State between October 2007 and July 2016. Those patients were hospitalized in the MG specialize center, Department of Neurological Science, first Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. The information of the general situation, the clinical manifestations and the blood gas analysis in those patients were collected using our innovated clinical research form. Statistic methods were applied including descriptive analysis, univariate logistic analysis, multivariate correlation logistic analysis, etc. Results: (1)The typical features of MG Pre-Crisis State included: dyspnea (127 times, 100% not requiring intubation or non-invasive ventilation), bulbar-muscle weakness (121 times, 95.28%), the increased blood partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO(2)) (94 times, 85.45%), expectoration weakness (99 times, 77.95%), sleep disorders (107 times, 84.25%) and the infection (99 times, 77.95%). The occurrence of dyspnea in combination with bulbar-muscle weakness ( P =0.002) or the increased blood PCO(2) ( P =0.042) often indicated the tendency of crisis. (2) The MG symptoms which were proportion to the occurrence of crisis includes: bulbar-muscle weakness ( P =0.028), fever ( P =0.028), malnutrition ( P =0.066), complications ( P =0.071), excess oropharyngeal secretions ( P =0.005) and the increased blood PCO(2) ( P =0.007). The perioperative period of thymectomy would not increase the risk of crisis. Conclusions: Dyspnea indicates the occurrence of the Pre-Crisis State of MG. In order to significantly reduce the morbidity of myasthenia crisis, the bulbar-muscle weakness, the increased blood PCO(2), expectoration weakness, sleep disorders, infection & fever and excess oropharyngeal secretions should be treated timely.

An investigation about the structures, thermodynamics and kinetics of the formic acid involved molecular clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Rui; Jiang, Shuai; Liu, Yi-Rong; Wen, Hui; Feng, Ya-Juan; Huang, Teng; Huang, Wei

2018-05-01

Despite the very important role of atmospheric aerosol nucleation in climate change and air quality, the detailed aerosol nucleation mechanism is still unclear. Here we investigated the formic acid (FA) involved multicomponent nucleation molecular clusters including sulfuric acid (SA), dimethylamine (DMA) and water (W) through a quantum chemical method. The thermodynamics and kinetics analysis was based on the global minima given by Basin-Hopping (BH) algorithm coupled with Density Functional Theory (DFT) and subsequent benchmarked calculations. Then the interaction analysis based on ElectroStatic Potential (ESP), Topological and Atomic Charges analysis was made to characterize the binding features of the clusters. The results show that FA binds weakly with the other molecules in the cluster while W binds more weakly. Further kinetic analysis about the time evolution of the clusters show that even though the formic acid's weak interaction with other nucleation precursors, its effect on sulfuric acid dimer steady state concentration cannot be neglected due to its high concentration in the atmosphere.

Morphologies of mid-IR variability-selected AGN host galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polimera, Mugdha; Sarajedini, Vicki; Ashby, Matthew L. N.; Willner, S. P.; Fazio, Giovanni G.

2018-05-01

We use multi-epoch 3.6 and 4.5 μm data from the Spitzer Extended Deep Survey (SEDS) to probe the AGN population among galaxies to redshifts ˜3 via their mid-IR variability. About 1 per cent of all galaxies in our survey contain varying nuclei, 80 per cent of which are likely to be AGN. Twenty-three per cent of mid-IR variables are also X-ray sources. The mid-IR variables have a slightly greater fraction of weakly disturbed morphologies compared to a control sample of normal galaxies. The increased fraction of weakly distorted hosts becomes more significant when we remove the X-ray emitting AGN, while the frequency of strongly disturbed hosts remains similar to the control galaxy sample. These results suggest that mid-IR variability identifies a unique population of obscured, Compton-thick AGN revealing elevated levels of weak distortion among their host galaxies.

X-ray electron density investigation of chemical bonding in van der Waals materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasai, Hidetaka; Tolborg, Kasper; Sist, Mattia; Zhang, Jiawei; Hathwar, Venkatesha R.; Filsø, Mette Ø.; Cenedese, Simone; Sugimoto, Kunihisa; Overgaard, Jacob; Nishibori, Eiji; Iversen, Bo B.

2018-03-01

Van der Waals (vdW) solids have attracted great attention ever since the discovery of graphene, with the essential feature being the weak chemical bonding across the vdW gap. The nature of these weak interactions is decisive for many extraordinary properties, but it is a strong challenge for current theory to accurately model long-range electron correlations. Here we use synchrotron X-ray diffraction data to precisely determine the electron density in the archetypal vdW solid, TiS2, and compare the results with density functional theory calculations. Quantitative agreement is observed for the chemical bonding description in the covalent TiS2 slabs, but significant differences are identified for the interactions across the gap, with experiment revealing more electron deformation than theory. The present data provide an experimental benchmark for testing theoretical models of weak chemical bonding.

Hereditary sensory ataxic neuropathy associated with proximal muscle weakness in the lower extremities.

PubMed

Murakami, Tatsufumi; Fukai, Yuta; Rikimaru, Mitsue; Henmi, Shoji; Ohsawa, Yutaka; Sunada, Yoshihide

2010-04-15

We describe three patients from the same family with hereditary sensory ataxic neuropathy followed by proximal muscle weakness in the lower extremities. Sensory ataxic gait began as an initial symptom when patients were in their 50s. Mild proximal weakness in the lower extremities appeared several years later. Serum creatine kinase was mildly elevated. Nerve conduction studies revealed sensory dominant axonal neuropathy, and short sensory evoked potentials showed involvement of the sensory nerve axon, dorsal root ganglia and posterior funiculus of the spinal cord. Needle electromyography showed fibrillation, positive sharp waves, and multiple giant motor unit potentials, suggesting the involvement of anterior horn motor neurons or the anterior root. Autosomal recessive inheritance was considered, because of consanguinity. The disorder described here may be a new clinical entity with unique clinical manifestations. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Churg–Strauss syndrome in a patient previously diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

PubMed Central

Sarkar, Pamela; Ibitoye, Richard Tolulope; Promnitz, Douglas Anthony

2011-01-01

A lady in her 70s with a background of multiple sclerosis (MS) and late-onset asthma was admitted with a 2-week history of cough and shortness of breath, progressive right-sided weakness and functional decline. Investigation revealed eosinophilia, elevated myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, CT sinuses showed long-standing inflammatory changes consistent with sinonasal polyposis and MRI head showed lesions consistent with vasculitis. She then developed left-sided weakness and increased wheeze. Review of her case notes demonstrated that, the eosinophilia was long-standing, her asthma was severe and steroid-dependent, and her neurologic syndrome was atypical for MS. Intravenous methylprednisolone then cyclophosphamide were administered. She demonstrated remarkable improvement, becoming more alert, with improvement in left-sided weakness. A diagnosis of Churg–Strauss syndrome was established. She was discharged to a nursing home with outpatient rheumatology follow-up. The diagnosis of MS was revisited. PMID:22679315

Reaction-induced rheological weakening enables oceanic plate subduction.

PubMed

Hirauchi, Ken-Ichi; Fukushima, Kumi; Kido, Masanori; Muto, Jun; Okamoto, Atsushi

2016-08-26

Earth is the only terrestrial planet in our solar system where an oceanic plate subducts beneath an overriding plate. Although the initiation of plate subduction requires extremely weak boundaries between strong plates, the way in which oceanic mantle rheologically weakens remains unknown. Here we show that shear-enhanced hydration reactions contribute to the generation and maintenance of weak mantle shear zones at mid-lithospheric depths. High-pressure friction experiments on peridotite gouge reveal that in the presence of hydrothermal water, increasing strain and reactions lead to an order-of-magnitude reduction in strength. The rate of deformation is controlled by pressure-solution-accommodated frictional sliding on weak hydrous phyllosilicate (talc), providing a mechanism for the 'cutoff' of the high peak strength at the brittle-plastic transition. Our findings suggest that infiltration of seawater into transform faults with long lengths and low slip rates is an important controlling factor on the initiation of plate tectonics on terrestrial planets.

E2 enzyme inhibition by stabilization of a low affinity interface with ubiquitin

PubMed Central

St-Cyr, Daniel J.; Ziemba, Amy; Garg, Pankaj; Plamondon, Serge; Auer, Manfred; Sidhu, Sachdev; Marinier, Anne; Kleiger, Gary; Tyers, Mike; Sicheri, Frank

2014-01-01

Weak protein interactions between ubiquitin and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) enzymes that mediate its covalent attachment to substrates serve to position ubiquitin for optimal catalytic transfer. We show that a small molecule inhibitor of the E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme Cdc34A, called CC0651, acts by trapping a weak interaction between ubiquitin and the E2 donor ubiquitin binding site. A structure of the ternary CC0651-Cdc34A-ubiquitin complex reveals that the inhibitor engages a composite binding pocket formed from Cdc34A and ubiquitin. CC0651 also suppresses the spontaneous hydrolysis rate of the Cdc34A-ubiquitin thioester, without overtly affecting the interaction between Cdc34A and the RING domain subunit of the E3 enzyme. Stabilization of the numerous other weak interactions between ubiquitin and UPS enzymes by small molecules may be a feasible strategy to selectively inhibit different UPS activities. PMID:24316736

Observational Evidence for Small-Scale Mixture of Weak and Strong Fields in the Quiet Sun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Socas-Navarro, H.; Lites, B. W.

2004-11-01

Three different maps of the quiet Sun, observed with the Advanced Stokes Polarimeter (ASP) and the Diffraction-Limited Stokes Polarimeter (DLSP), show evidence of strong (~=1700 G) and weak (<500 G) fields coexisting within the resolution element at both network and internetwork locations. The angular resolution of the observations is of 1" (ASP) and 0.6" (DLSP). Even at the higher DLSP resolution, a significant fraction of the network magnetic patches harbor a mixture of strong and weak fields. Internetwork elements that exhibit kG fields when analyzed with a single-component atmosphere are also shown to harbor considerable amounts of weak fields. Only those patches for which a single-component analysis yields weak fields do not show this mixture of field strengths. Finally, there is a larger fractional area of weak fields in the convective upflows than in the downflows.

Review on microfluidic paper-based analytical devices towards commercialisation.

PubMed

Akyazi, Tugce; Basabe-Desmonts, Lourdes; Benito-Lopez, Fernando

2018-02-25

Paper-based analytical devices introduce an innovative platform technology for fluid handling and analysis, with wide range of applications, promoting low cost, ease of fabrication/operation and equipment independence. This review gives a general overview on the fabrication techniques reported to date, revealing and discussing their weak points as well as the newest approaches in order to overtake current mass production limitations and therefore commercialisation. Moreover, this review aims especially to highlight novel technologies appearing in literature for the effective handling and controlling of fluids. The lack of flow control is the main problem of paper-based analytical devices, which generates obstacles for marketing and slows down the transition of paper devices from the laboratory into the consumers' hands. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rapid identification of triterpenoid sulfates and hydroxy fatty acids including two new constituents from Tydemania expeditionis by LC-MS

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jian-Long; Kubanek, Julia; Hay, Mark E.; Aalbersberg, William; Ye, Wen-Cai; Jiang, Ren-Wang

2011-01-01

Tydemania expeditionis Weber-van Bosse (Udoteaceae) is a weakly calcified green alga. In the present paper, liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and electrospray mass spectrometry was developed to identify the fingerprint components. A total of four triterpenoid sulfates and three hydroxy fatty acids in the ethyl acetate fraction of the crude extract were structurally characterized on the basis of retention time, online UV spectrum and mass fragmentation pattern. Furthermore, detailed LC-MS analysis revealed two new hydroxy fatty acids, which were then prepared and characterized by extensive NMR analyses. The proposed method provides a scientific and technical platform for the rapid identification of triterpenoid sulfates and hydroxy fatty acids in similar marine algae and terrestrial plants. PMID:21915955

On the comparison of perturbation-iteration algorithm and residual power series method to solve fractional Zakharov-Kuznetsov equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Şenol, Mehmet; Alquran, Marwan; Kasmaei, Hamed Daei

2018-06-01

In this paper, we present analytic-approximate solution of time-fractional Zakharov-Kuznetsov equation. This model demonstrates the behavior of weakly nonlinear ion acoustic waves in a plasma bearing cold ions and hot isothermal electrons in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. Basic definitions of fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo sense. Perturbation-iteration algorithm (PIA) and residual power series method (RPSM) are applied to solve this equation with success. The convergence analysis is also presented for both methods. Numerical results are given and then they are compared with the exact solutions. Comparison of the results reveal that both methods are competitive, powerful, reliable, simple to use and ready to apply to wide range of fractional partial differential equations.

Dynamically assisted Schwinger effect beyond the spatially-uniform-field approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aleksandrov, I. A.; Plunien, G.; Shabaev, V. M.

2018-06-01

We investigate the phenomenon of electron-positron pair production from vacuum in the presence of a strong electric field superimposed by a weak but fast varying pulse which substantially increases the total particle yield. We employ a nonperturbative numerical technique and perform the calculations beyond the spatially-uniform-field approximation, i.e., dipole approximation, taking into account the coordinate dependence of the fast component. The analysis of the main characteristics of the pair-production process (momentum spectra of particles and total amount of pairs) reveals a number of important features which are absent within the previously used approximation. In particular, the structure of the momentum distribution is modified both qualitatively and quantitatively, and the total number of pairs created as well as the enhancement factor due to dynamical assistance become significantly smaller.

Use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation: myth or reality?

PubMed Central

Gosselin, Matthias; Hedouin, Valéry

2017-01-01

The use of insects as indicators of post-mortem displacement is discussed in many texts, courses and TV shows, and several studies addressing this issue have been published. Although the concept is widely cited, it is poorly understood, and only a few forensic cases have successfully applied such a method. The use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation actually involves a wide range of biological aspects. Distribution, microhabitat, phenology, behavioral ecology, and molecular analysis are among the research areas associated with this topic. This article provides the first review of the current knowledge and addresses the potential and limitations of different methods to evaluate their applicability. This work reveals numerous weaknesses and erroneous beliefs as well as many possibilities and research opportunities. PMID:28785513

Three new benzolactones from Lavandula angustifolia and their bioactivities.

PubMed

Shi, Jian-Lian; Tang, Shi-Yun; Liu, Chun-Bo; Ye, Ling; Yang, Pei-Song; Zhang, Feng-Mei; He, Pei; Liu, Zhi-Hua; Miao, Ming-Ming; Guo, Ya-Dong; Shen, Qin-Peng

2017-08-01

Three new benzolactones (1-3), together with four known ones (4-7), were isolated from the whole herb of Lavandula angustifolia. Their structures were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis (1D- and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS, UV, and IR) and comparison with data reported in the literature. New compounds were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) activities and cytotoxic activities. The results revealed that compounds 1-3 showed obvious anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 26.9, 30.2, and 28.4%, which were at the same grade as positive control. Compounds 1-3 also showed weak inhibitory activities against some tested human tumor cell lines with IC 50 values in the range of 32.1-7.6 μM.

Phosphine-substrate recognition through the C-H...O hydrogen bond: application to the asymmetric Pauson-Khand reaction.

PubMed

Solà, Jordi; Riera, Antoni; Verdaguer, Xavier; Maestro, Miguel A

2005-10-05

A unique methine moiety attached to three heteroatoms (O, P, S) and contained in the PuPHOS and CamPHOS ligands serves as a strong hydrogen-bond donor. Nonclassical hydrogen bonding of this methine with an amido-carbonyl acceptor provides a completely diastereoselective ligand exchange process between an alkyne dicobalthexacarbonyl complex and a phosphine ligand. This weak contact has been studied by means of X-ray analysis, 1H NMR, and quantum mechanical calculations and revealed that the present interaction falls in the range of strong C-H...O=C bonds. The hydrogen-bond bias obtained in the ligand exchange process has been exploited in the asymmetric intermolecular Pauson-Khand reaction to yield the corresponding cyclization adducts in up to 94% ee.

Vibronic effects in the 1.4-eV optical center in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iakoubovskii, Konstantin; Davies, Gordon

2004-12-01

We report optical absorption and luminescence measurements on the 1.4-eV center in diamond. We show that the zero-phonon lines have a temperature-dependent Ni-isotope shift, that the isotopic shifts induced by carbon and nickel are opposite in sign, and that a local vibronic mode is present in the absorption spectrum but not in luminescence. The microscopic properties of the center are successfully analyzed with the Ludwig-Woodbury theory (LWT), revealing that the Ni+ ion in the 1.4-eV center only weakly interacts with the diamond lattice. The importance of vibronic effects in the LWT analysis is experimentally demonstrated. It is believed that similar effects can account for the discrepancies previously encountered in modeling other 3d9 impurities in semiconductors.

Foundation for the Future. 2013-2015 Strategic Plan. FY13 Organizational Performance Plan

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats ( SWOT ) Analysis 192013–2015 Strategic Plan tr t ic l The Planning, Policy, and Leadership Support (PPLS...participation of faculty and staff from across the University in this review. The review process begins with an analysis of organizational strengths...weaknesses, opportunities, and threats ( SWOT ). (The results of the SWOT are shown on page 18.) This is based on an environmental scan which identifi

An Analysis of the Budget Formulation and Execution Process in United States Naval Dental Centers and Performance Measure Utilization in the Process

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-12-01

Accounting and Reporting System-Field Level SWOT Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats TMA Tricare Management Activity TOA Total Obligational...progression of the four principles. [Ref 3] The organization uses SWOT analysis to assist in developing the mission and business...strategy. SWOT stands for the strengths and weaknesses of the organization and the opportunities for and threats to the organization

Initial assessment of strategic plans for improving the performance of veterinary services in developing countries: a review of OIE PVS gap analysis reports.

PubMed

Weaver, J; Leon, E; Edan, M; D'Alessio, F

2012-08-01

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) carries out Gap Analysis missions (if a country so wishes) as part of its programme to assess and improve the Performance of Veterinary Services (the 'PVS Pathway') in Member Countries. These Gap Analysis missions have found that many national Veterinary Services comply to only a limited extent with the international standards established by the OIE and that their competence is compromised by poor governance. This failure threatens animal and public health not only nationally but also internationally. The OIE PVS Gap Analysis reports reviewed found that all the Veterinary Services have a strong vision and commitmentto improvement but are held back by a weak chain of command, inadequate and outdated legislation, insufficient funding, weak technical competencies, compromised technical independence, poor communications and limited joint programmes. There are weaknesses across all the core technical areas of trade, animal health, veterinary public health and veterinary laboratories and also in the overall management of the Veterinary Services. The OIE PVS Gap Analysis missions recommend significant increases in budget in all countries.

Multiple maternal origins and weak phylogeographic structure in domestic goats

PubMed Central

Luikart, Gordon; Gielly, Ludovic; Excoffier, Laurent; Vigne, Jean-Denis; Bouvet, Jean; Taberlet, Pierre

2001-01-01

Domestic animals have played a key role in human history. Despite their importance, however, the origins of most domestic species remain poorly understood. We assessed the phylogenetic history and population structure of domestic goats by sequencing a hypervariable segment (481 bp) of the mtDNA control region from 406 goats representing 88 breeds distributed across the Old World. Phylogeographic analysis revealed three highly divergent goat lineages (estimated divergence >200,000 years ago), with one lineage occurring only in eastern and southern Asia. A remarkably similar pattern exists in cattle, sheep, and pigs. These results, combined with recent archaeological findings, suggest that goats and other farm animals have multiple maternal origins with a possible center of origin in Asia, as well as in the Fertile Crescent. The pattern of goat mtDNA diversity suggests that all three lineages have undergone population expansions, but that the expansion was relatively recent for two of the lineages (including the Asian lineage). Goat populations are surprisingly less genetically structured than cattle populations. In goats only ≈10% of the mtDNA variation is partitioned among continents. In cattle the amount is ≥50%. This weak structuring suggests extensive intercontinental transportation of goats and has intriguing implications about the importance of goats in historical human migrations and commerce. PMID:11344314

Antigravity posture for analysis of motor unit recruitment: the "45 degree test".

PubMed

Petajan, J H

1990-04-01

The maximum number of different motor unit action potentials (MUAPs), their firing rates, and total MUAP spikes/second recorded by monopolar needle electrode were determined for the biceps brachii muscle during 45-degree elbow flexion. There were 4.2 +/- 1.6 different MUAPs exceeding 100 microV. Mean firing rate was 10.0 +/- 1.7 Hz, and total MUAP spikes/second were 40.3 +/- 18. Recordings from 16 patients with neurogenic atrophy (NA) and just detectable weakness revealed corresponding values of 3.1 +/- 1.7 different MUAPs, a mean rate of 10.2 +/- 1.5 Hz and 30.6 +/- 19 total MUAP spikes/second, not different from normal. In these patients, increased force of muscle contraction was required to activate high threshold motor units firing at high rates. In each of 4 patients just able to hold the arm against gravity, 1 or 2 "overdriven" motor units firing at a mean rate greater than 20 Hz were recorded. In 8 patients with myopathy and just detectable weakness, greater than 100 total MUAP spikes/second were recorded. Antigravity posture as a reference level of innervation has the advantage that motor unit firing rate is set about that of physiologic tremor (10-13 Hz). Its application was helpful in quantifying recruitment.

The moderating role of personal resources in the relationship between psychosocial job demands and health: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Mayerl, Hannes; Stolz, Erwin; Großschädl, Franziska; Rásky, Éva; Freidl, Wolfgang

2017-08-28

The main objective of this research was to investigate the buffering effects of an individual's physical, mental and social resources in the relationship between psychosocial job demands and (1) health symptoms, (2) mental strain and (3) the body mass index (BMI), respectively. We performed moderated regression analysis to examine data from a large cross-sectional survey of an Austrian employee sample (n = 9434). The results revealed a robust association between psychosocial job demands and health symptoms as well as mental strain, but only a weak relationship between psychosocial job demands and BMI. Although the personal resources showed a positive effect on health symptoms and mental strain, only weak evidence was found for the hypothesised interaction with psychosocial job demands. Solely the physical fitness of a person was found to mitigate the impact of psychosocial job demands on health symptoms. In conclusion, personal resources substantially accounted for the prediction of health. However, the interactions between psychosocial job demands and personal resources only slightly contributed to explaining the variation in health. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

A case of adult-onset reducing body myopathy presenting a novel clinical feature, asymmetrical involvement of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.

PubMed

Fujii, Takayuki; Hayashi, Shintaro; Kawamura, Nobutoshi; Higuchi, Masa-Aki; Tsugawa, Jun; Ohyagi, Yasumasa; Hayashi, Yukiko K; Nishino, Ichizo; Kira, Jun-Ichi

2014-08-15

We herein report a 32-year-old woman with adult-onset reducing body myopathy (RBM) who had a mutation in the four-and-a-half LIM domain 1 gene (FHL1) and showed a marked asymmetrical involvement of sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. At 30 years of age she noticed bilateral foot drop, and over the next two years developed difficulty raising her right arm. At 32 years of age she was admitted to our hospital for a diagnostic evaluation. Neurological examination showed moderate weakness and atrophy of her right sternocleidomastoid muscle, right trapezius muscle, and bilateral upper proximal muscles. There were severe weakness and atrophy of her bilateral tibialis anterior muscles. Her deep tendon reflexes were hypoactive in her upper extremities. Her serum creatine kinase level was mildly increased. Muscle biopsy specimens from the left tibialis anterior muscle revealed marked variation in fiber size, some necrotic or regenerating fibers, and reducing bodies. Gene analysis of FHL1 demonstrated a mutation: a heterozygous missense mutation of c.377G>A (p. C126T) in FHL1. Compared with previous adult-onset RBM cases harboring mutations in FHL1, our case was characterized by asymmetrical atrophy of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of a weak transverse magnetic field on the microstructure in directionally solidified peritectic alloys

PubMed Central

Li, Xi; Lu, Zhenyuan; Fautrelle, Yves; Gagnoud, Annie; Moreau, Rene; Ren, Zhongming

2016-01-01

Effect of a weak transverse magnetic field on the microstructures in directionally solidified Fe-Ni and Pb-Bi peritectic alloys has been investigated experimentally. The results indicate that the magnetic field can induce the formation of banded and island-like structures and refine the primary phase in peritectic alloys. The above results are enhanced with increasing magnetic field. Furthermore, electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) analysis reveals that the magnetic field increases the Ni solute content on one side and enhances the solid solubility in the primary phase in the Fe-Ni alloy. The thermoelectric (TE) power difference at the liquid/solid interface of the Pb-Bi peritectic alloy is measured in situ, and the results show that a TE power difference exists at the liquid/solid interface. 3 D numerical simulations for the TE magnetic convection in the liquid are performed, and the results show that a unidirectional TE magnetic convection forms in the liquid near the liquid/solid interface during directional solidification under a transverse magnetic field and that the amplitude of the TE magnetic convection at different scales is different. The TE magnetic convections on the macroscopic interface and the cell/dendrite scales are responsible for the modification of microstructures during directional solidification under a magnetic field. PMID:27886265

Targeted replacement: systematic studies of dodecanuclear {MLn} coordination clusters (M = Cr, Co; Ln = Dy, Y).

PubMed

Chen, Sihuai; Mereacre, Valeriu; Zhao, Zhiying; Zhang, Wanwan; Zhang, Mengsi; He, Zhangzhen

2018-06-05

Three dodecanuclear 3d-4f coordination clusters, [CrIII6LnIII6(μ3-OH)8(tbdea)6(C6H5COO)16]·2H2O (Ln = Dy (1), Y (2)) and [CoIII6DyIII6(μ3-OH)8(nbdea)6(m-CH3C6H4COO)16]·2H2O·2CH3CN (3), have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that all three compounds possess an analogous {MIII6LnIII6} core (M = Cr, Co; Ln = Dy, Y) and dc magnetic susceptibility studies indicated that the magnetic exchange couplings between DyIII ions are dominant antiferromagnetic, while the CrIII-DyIII interactions are weakly ferromagnetic. Furthermore, the ac magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that both CrIII6DyIII6 compound 1 and CoIIi6DyIII6 compound 3 containing highly anisotropic DyIII ions displayed single-molecule magnetic (SMM) behavior with the energy barrier Ueff increasing from 12.8 K (for 1) to 20.8 K (for 3), indicating that weak 3d-4f exchange couplings enhance the QTM and reduce the energy barrier.

Formation characteristics of aerosol particles from pulverized coal pyrolysis in high-temperature environments.

PubMed

Chen, Wei-Hsin; Du, Shan-Wen; Yang, Hsi-Hsien; Wu, Jheng-Syun

2008-05-01

The formation characteristics of aerosol particles from pulverized coal pyrolysis in high temperatures are studied experimentally. By conducting a drop-tube furnace, fuel pyrolysis processes in industrial furnaces are simulated in which three different reaction temperatures of 1000, 1200, and 1400 degrees C are considered. Experimental observations indicate that when the reaction temperature is 1000 degrees C, submicron particles are produced, whereas the particle size is dominated by nanoscale for the temperature of 1400 degrees C. Thermogravimetric analysis of the aerosol particles stemming from the pyrolysis temperature of 1000 degrees C reveals that the thermal behavior of the aerosol is characterized by a three-stage reaction with increasing heating temperature: (1) a volatile-reaction stage, (2) a weak-reaction stage, and (3) a soot-reaction stage. However, with the pyrolysis temperature of 1400 degrees C, the volatile- and weak-reaction stages almost merge together and evolve into a chemical-frozen stage. The submicron particles (i.e., 1000 degrees C) are mainly composed of volatiles, tar, and soot, with the main component of the nanoscale particles (i.e., 1400 degrees C) being soot. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contained in the aerosols are also analyzed. It is found that the PAH content in generated aerosols decreases dramatically as the pyrolysis temperature increases.

Comparison of biodegradation performance of OECD test guideline 301C with that of other ready biodegradability tests.

PubMed

Kayashima, Takakazu; Taruki, Masanori; Katagiri, Kazuomi; Nabeoka, Ryosuke; Yoshida, Tomohiko; Tsuji, Toshiaki

2014-02-01

The Organisation for Economic Co-operatoin and development (OECD) Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals list 7 types of tests for determining the ready biodegradability of chemical compounds (301A-F and 310). The present study compares the biodegradation performance of test guideline 301C, which is applied in Japan's Chemical Substances Control Law, with the performance of the other 6 ready biodegradability tests (RBTs) listed in the guidelines. Test guideline 301C specifies use of activated sludge precultured with synthetic sewage containing glucose and peptone (301C sludge) as a test inoculum; in the other RBTs, however, activated sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP sludge) is frequently employed. Analysis based on percentage of biodegradation and pass levels revealed that the biodegradation intensity of test guideline 301C is relatively weak compared with the intensities of RBTs using WWTP sludge, and the following chemical compounds are probably not biodegraded under test guideline 301C conditions: phosphorus compounds; secondary, tertiary, and quaternary amines; and branched quaternary carbon compounds. The relatively weak biodegradation intensity of test guideline 301C may be related to the markedly different activities of the 301C and WWTP sludges. These findings will be valuable for evaluating RBT data in relation to Japan's Chemical Substances Control Law. © 2013 SETAC.

Functional anatomy and feeding biomechanics of a giant Upper Jurassic pliosaur (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from Weymouth Bay, Dorset, UK.

PubMed

Foffa, Davide; Cuff, Andrew R; Sassoon, Judyth; Rayfield, Emily J; Mavrogordato, Mark N; Benton, Michael J

2014-08-01

Pliosaurs were among the largest predators in Mesozoic seas, and yet their functional anatomy and feeding biomechanics are poorly understood. A new, well-preserved pliosaur from the Kimmeridgian of Weymouth Bay (UK) revealed cranial adaptations related to feeding. Digital modelling of computed tomography scans allowed reconstruction of missing, distorted regions of the skull and of the adductor musculature, which indicated high bite forces. Size-corrected beam theory modelling showed that the snout was poorly optimised against bending and torsional stresses compared with other aquatic and terrestrial predators, suggesting that pliosaurs did not twist or shake their prey during feeding and that seizing was better performed with post-symphyseal bites. Finite element analysis identified biting-induced stress patterns in both the rostrum and lower jaws, highlighting weak areas in the rostral maxillary-premaxillary contact and the caudal mandibular symphysis. A comparatively weak skull coupled with musculature that was able to produce high forces, is explained as a trade-off between agility, hydrodynamics and strength. In the Kimmeridgian ecosystem, we conclude that Late Jurassic pliosaurs were generalist predators at the top of the food chain, able to prey on reptiles and fishes up to half their own length. © 2014 Anatomical Society.

Functional anatomy and feeding biomechanics of a giant Upper Jurassic pliosaur (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from Weymouth Bay, Dorset, UK

PubMed Central

Foffa, Davide; Cuff, Andrew R; Sassoon, Judyth; Rayfield, Emily J; Mavrogordato, Mark N; Benton, Michael J

2014-01-01

Pliosaurs were among the largest predators in Mesozoic seas, and yet their functional anatomy and feeding biomechanics are poorly understood. A new, well-preserved pliosaur from the Kimmeridgian of Weymouth Bay (UK) revealed cranial adaptations related to feeding. Digital modelling of computed tomography scans allowed reconstruction of missing, distorted regions of the skull and of the adductor musculature, which indicated high bite forces. Size-corrected beam theory modelling showed that the snout was poorly optimised against bending and torsional stresses compared with other aquatic and terrestrial predators, suggesting that pliosaurs did not twist or shake their prey during feeding and that seizing was better performed with post-symphyseal bites. Finite element analysis identified biting-induced stress patterns in both the rostrum and lower jaws, highlighting weak areas in the rostral maxillary-premaxillary contact and the caudal mandibular symphysis. A comparatively weak skull coupled with musculature that was able to produce high forces, is explained as a trade-off between agility, hydrodynamics and strength. In the Kimmeridgian ecosystem, we conclude that Late Jurassic pliosaurs were generalist predators at the top of the food chain, able to prey on reptiles and fishes up to half their own length. PMID:24925465

Improved and high throughput quantitative measurements of weak GFP expression in transgenic plant materials.

PubMed

Wu, Jing-Jing; Liu, Yu-Wen; Sun, Meng-Xiang

2011-07-01

Green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) are widely used in tracing transgene expression and have been known as convenient and efficient markers for plant transformation. However, sometimes researchers are still puzzled by the weak fluorescence since it makes the observation of GFP signals and confirmation of transgenic plants difficult. In this investigation, we explored the possibility of enhancing the weak signals by changing the pH environment of detection and took microplate reader as a more effective instrument compared to traditional fluorescent microscope to detect the weak signals. It was found that the fluorescence intensity of enhanced GFP (EGFP) in transgenic plants can be increased 2-6 folds by altering the environmental pH, and the concentration of EGFP at a large scale (ranged from 20 ng/ml to 20 μg/ml) can be detected and quantified. It can exclude the influence of degradation fragment and hence facilitate later analysis; these advantages were further verified by comparing with western blotting and confocal microscopy. It was reliable and effective for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of transgenic plants and was more suitable for the detection of very weak fluorescent signals.

Did the strong get stronger and the weak get weaker? Examining changes in hospital financial condition.

PubMed

Bazzoli, Gloria J; Lindrooth, Richard C; Clement, Jan P; Zhao, Mei; Chukmaitov, Askar

2006-01-01

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, many industry observers expressed the view that there was a growing dichotomy in the hospital industry in which financially weak hospitals were getting weaker and financially strong hospitals were getting stronger. Although existing analysis of cross-sectional financial data concur with this view, our analysis of 1993 to 2000 longitudinal data provides only partial support. We find that about one half of general acute care hospitals classified as financially strong in 1993-95 continued to be strong in 1998-00. More persistence was found for hospitals in weak financial position in 1993-95 with about 60 to 70 percent of them continuing to be weak in 1998-00. Persistently weak hospitals did experience deteriorating financial condition whereas persistently strong hospitals appeared at best to hold their ground financially. Although many Medicare payment policies appear well-targeted to hospitals that would otherwise have financial problems (for example, isolated rural institutions and teaching hospitals), policymakers may need to consider the development of temporary loan or grant programs to assist hospitals that experience transitory financial problems during difficult times.

Ultra Wideband Indoor Positioning Technologies: Analysis and Recent Advances †

PubMed Central

Alarifi, Abdulrahman; Al-Salman, AbdulMalik; Alsaleh, Mansour; Alnafessah, Ahmad; Al-Hadhrami, Suheer; Al-Ammar, Mai A.; Al-Khalifa, Hend S.

2016-01-01

In recent years, indoor positioning has emerged as a critical function in many end-user applications; including military, civilian, disaster relief and peacekeeping missions. In comparison with outdoor environments, sensing location information in indoor environments requires a higher precision and is a more challenging task in part because various objects reflect and disperse signals. Ultra WideBand (UWB) is an emerging technology in the field of indoor positioning that has shown better performance compared to others. In order to set the stage for this work, we provide a survey of the state-of-the-art technologies in indoor positioning, followed by a detailed comparative analysis of UWB positioning technologies. We also provide an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) to analyze the present state of UWB positioning technologies. While SWOT is not a quantitative approach, it helps in assessing the real status and in revealing the potential of UWB positioning to effectively address the indoor positioning problem. Unlike previous studies, this paper presents new taxonomies, reviews some major recent advances, and argues for further exploration by the research community of this challenging problem space. PMID:27196906

A meta-analysis of math performance in Turner syndrome.

PubMed

Baker, Joseph M; Reiss, Allan L

2016-02-01

Studies investigating the relationship between Turner syndrome and math learning disability have used a wide variation of tasks designed to test various aspects of mathematical competencies. Although these studies have revealed much about the math deficits common to Turner syndrome, their diversity makes comparisons between individual studies difficult. As a result, the consistency of outcomes among these diverse measures remains unknown. The overarching aim of this review is to provide a systematic meta-analysis of the differences in math and number performance between females with Turner syndrome and age-matched neurotypical peers. We provide a meta-analysis of behavioral performance in Turner syndrome relative to age-matched neurotypical populations on assessments of math and number aptitude. In total, 112 comparisons collected across 17 studies were included. Although 54% of all statistical comparisons in our analyses failed to reject the null hypothesis, our results indicate that meaningful group differences exist on all comparisons except those that do not require explicit calculation. Taken together, these results help elucidate our current understanding of math and number weaknesses in Turner syndrome, while highlighting specific topics that require further investigation. © 2015 Mac Keith Press.

Ultra Wideband Indoor Positioning Technologies: Analysis and Recent Advances.

PubMed

Alarifi, Abdulrahman; Al-Salman, AbdulMalik; Alsaleh, Mansour; Alnafessah, Ahmad; Al-Hadhrami, Suheer; Al-Ammar, Mai A; Al-Khalifa, Hend S

2016-05-16

In recent years, indoor positioning has emerged as a critical function in many end-user applications; including military, civilian, disaster relief and peacekeeping missions. In comparison with outdoor environments, sensing location information in indoor environments requires a higher precision and is a more challenging task in part because various objects reflect and disperse signals. Ultra WideBand (UWB) is an emerging technology in the field of indoor positioning that has shown better performance compared to others. In order to set the stage for this work, we provide a survey of the state-of-the-art technologies in indoor positioning, followed by a detailed comparative analysis of UWB positioning technologies. We also provide an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) to analyze the present state of UWB positioning technologies. While SWOT is not a quantitative approach, it helps in assessing the real status and in revealing the potential of UWB positioning to effectively address the indoor positioning problem. Unlike previous studies, this paper presents new taxonomies, reviews some major recent advances, and argues for further exploration by the research community of this challenging problem space.

TD-M06-2X insights into the absorption and emission spectra of dichlorvos and its molecularly imprinted recognition by methacrylic acid.

PubMed

Cheng, Xueli

2016-11-01

The absorption and emission spectra of dichlorvos and the dichlorvos-MAA complex in methanol, water, and chloroform in the molecularly imprinted recognition were investigated systematically. The M06-2X results revealed that: 1) the hydroxyl groups in polar solvents such as methanol and water may markedly influence the weak interactions, and then alter the adsorption and emission spectra; 2) the electronic excitation in absorption spectra of dichlorvos is dominated by the configuration HOMO → LUMO, but in the most stable dichlorvos-MAA it becomes the ππ* excitation of HOMO → LUMO + 1; 3) Mulliken charges reveal that dichlorvos almost dissociates to Cl - and a cation in its S 1 excitation state; 4) the phosphorescence spectra of dichlorvos-MAA are relatively weak. Graphical Abstract The absorption and emission spectra of dichlorvos and the dichlorvos-MAA complex in the molecularly imprinted recognition of dichlorvos were investigated systematically in methanol, water, and chloroform as solvents.

Multifunctionality of nanocrystalline lanthanum ferrite

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

Rai, Atma, E-mail: atma@iitp.ac.in; Thakur, Awalendra K.; Centre for Energy and Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Patna 800013 India

2016-05-06

Nanocrystalline lanthanum ferrite has been synthesized by adopting modified Pechini route. No evidence of impurity or secondary phase has been detected up to the detection of error limit of X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction pattern reveals orthorhombic crystal system with space group Pnma (62).Crystallite size and lattice strain was found to be ∼42.8nm and 0.306% respectively. Optical band gap was found to be 2.109 eV, by UV-Visible diffused reflectance spectrum (DRS). Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface area was found to be ∼3.45 m{sup 2}/g. Magnetization-hysteresis (M-H) loop was recorded at room temperature (300K) reveals weak ferromagnetism in Nanocrystalline lanthanummore » ferrite. The weak ferromagnetism in lanthanum ferrite is due to the uncompensated antiferromagnetic spin ordering. Ferroelectric loop hysteresis observed at room temperature at 100Hz depicts the presence of ferroelectric ordering in LaFeO{sub 3}.Simultanious presence of magnetic and ferroelectric ordering at room temperature makes it suitable candidate of Multiferroic family.« less

'Bald trochanter' spontaneous rupture of the conjoined tendons of the gluteus medius and minimus presenting as a trochanteric bursitis.

PubMed

LaBan, Myron M; Weir, Susan K; Taylor, Ronald S

2004-10-01

A 66-yr-old white woman presented with progressive complaints of right lateral hip and thigh pain associated with a disabling limp without an antecedent history of trauma. Physical examination revealed localized pain over the right greater trochanter to palpation. A full pain-free range of motion of the right hip was associated with weakness in the hip abductors. The patient ambulated with a compensated right Trendelenburg gait. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a trochanteric bursitis and an effusion of the hip and a full-thickness tear of the gluteus medius muscle, with both a disruption and retraction of the tendon of an atretic gluteus minimus muscle. Conjoined tendon pathology of both the gluteus medius and minimus as, revealed by magnetic resonance examination, is probably more frequent than heretofore commonly recognized. In patients presenting with "intractable" complaints of a trochanteric bursitis and an ambulatory limp due to weakness in the hip abductors, imaging studies calling attention to a possible tendon rupture may be diagnostic.

Multifunctionality of nanocrystalline lanthanum ferrite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rai, Atma; Thakur, Awalendra K.

2016-05-01

Nanocrystalline lanthanum ferrite has been synthesized by adopting modified Pechini route. No evidence of impurity or secondary phase has been detected up to the detection of error limit of X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction pattern reveals orthorhombic crystal system with space group Pnma (62).Crystallite size and lattice strain was found to be ˜42.8nm and 0.306% respectively. Optical band gap was found to be 2.109 eV, by UV-Visible diffused reflectance spectrum (DRS). Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface area was found to be ˜3.45 m2/g. Magnetization-hysteresis (M-H) loop was recorded at room temperature (300K) reveals weak ferromagnetism in Nanocrystalline lanthanum ferrite. The weak ferromagnetism in lanthanum ferrite is due to the uncompensated antiferromagnetic spin ordering. Ferroelectric loop hysteresis observed at room temperature at 100Hz depicts the presence of ferroelectric ordering in LaFeO3.Simultanious presence of magnetic and ferroelectric ordering at room temperature makes it suitable candidate of Multiferroic family.

A Dormant Internal Ribosome Entry Site Controls Translation of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus▿

PubMed Central

Camerini, Valentina; Decimo, Didier; Balvay, Laurent; Pistello, Mauro; Bendinelli, Mauro; Darlix, Jean-Luc; Ohlmann, Théophile

2008-01-01

The characterization of internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) in virtually all lentiviruses prompted us to investigate the mechanism used by the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) to produce viral proteins. Various in vitro translation assays with mono- and bicistronic constructs revealed that translation of the FIV genomic RNA occurred both by a cap-dependent mechanism and by weak internal entry of the ribosomes. This weak IRES activity was confirmed in feline cells expressing bicistronic RNAs containing the FIV 5′ untranslated region (UTR). Surprisingly, infection of feline cells with FIV, but not human immunodeficiency virus type 1, resulted in a great increase in FIV translation. Moreover, a change in the cellular physiological condition provoked by heat stress resulted in the specific stimulation of expression driven by the FIV 5′ UTR while cap-dependent initiation was severely repressed. These results reveal the presence of a “dormant” IRES that becomes activated by viral infection and cellular stress. PMID:18234788

Two-sided block of a dual-topology F- channel.

PubMed

Turman, Daniel L; Nathanson, Jacob T; Stockbridge, Randy B; Street, Timothy O; Miller, Christopher

2015-05-05

The Fluc family is a set of small membrane proteins forming F(-)-specific electrodiffusive ion channels that rescue microorganisms from F(-) toxicity during exposure to weakly acidic environments. The functional channel is built as a dual-topology homodimer with twofold symmetry parallel to the membrane plane. Fluc channels are blocked by nanomolar-affinity fibronectin-domain monobodies originally selected from phage-display libraries. The unusual symmetrical antiparallel dimeric architecture of Flucs demands that the two chemically equivalent monobody-binding epitopes reside on opposite ends of the channel, a double-sided blocking situation that has never before presented itself in ion channel biophysics. However, it is not known if both sites can be simultaneously occupied, and if so, whether monobodies bind independently or cooperatively to their transmembrane epitopes. Here, we use direct monobody-binding assays and single-channel recordings of a Fluc channel homolog to reveal a novel trimolecular blocking behavior that reveals a doubly occupied blocked state. Kinetic analysis of single-channel recordings made with monobody on both sides of the membrane shows substantial negative cooperativity between the two blocking sites.

Communication: Diverse nanoscale cluster dynamics: Diffusion of 2D epitaxial clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, King C.; Evans, James W.; Liu, Da-Jiang

2017-11-01

The dynamics of nanoscale clusters can be distinct from macroscale behavior described by continuum formalisms. For diffusion of 2D clusters of N atoms in homoepitaxial systems mediated by edge atom hopping, macroscale theory predicts simple monotonic size scaling of the diffusion coefficient, DN ˜ N-β, with β = 3/2. However, modeling for nanoclusters on metal(100) surfaces reveals that slow nucleation-mediated diffusion displaying weak size scaling β < 1 occurs for "perfect" sizes Np = L2 and L(L+1) for integer L = 3,4,… (with unique square or near-square ground state shapes), and also for Np+3, Np+4,…. In contrast, fast facile nucleation-free diffusion displaying strong size scaling β ≈ 2.5 occurs for sizes Np+1 and Np+2. DN versus N oscillates strongly between the slowest branch (for Np+3) and the fastest branch (for Np+1). All branches merge for N = O(102), but macroscale behavior is only achieved for much larger N = O(103). This analysis reveals the unprecedented diversity of behavior on the nanoscale.

Solvent induced synthesis, structure and properties of coordination polymers based on 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid as linker and 1,10-phenanthroline as auxiliary ligand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kariem, Mukaddus; Yawer, Mohd; Sheikh, Haq Nawaz

2015-11-01

Three new coordination polymers [Mn(hip)(phen) (H2O)]n (1), [Co(hip)(phen) (H2O)]n (2), and [Cd(hip) (phen) (H2O)]n (3) (H2hip=5-hydroxyisophthalic acid; phen=1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized by solvo-hydrothermal method using diethyl formamide-water (DEF-H2O) as solvent system. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that all three coordination polymers 1, 2 and 3 crystallize in monoclinic space group P2/n. Metal ions are inter-connected by hydroxyisophthalate anions forming zig-zag 1D chain. 1D chains are further inter-connected by hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions leading to 3D supramolecular architecture. Hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking provide thermal stability to polymers. Compounds 1 and 2 are paramagnetic at room temperature and variable temperature magnetic moment measurements revealed weak ferromagnetic interactions between metal ions at low temperature. Compound 3 exhibits excellent photoluminescence with large Stokes shift.

Genetic Structure and Diversity of the Endangered Fir Tree of Lebanon (Abies cilicica Carr.): Implications for Conservation

PubMed Central

Awad, Lara; Fady, Bruno; Khater, Carla; Roig, Anne; Cheddadi, Rachid

2014-01-01

The threatened conifer Abies cilicica currently persists in Lebanon in geographically isolated forest patches. The impact of demographic and evolutionary processes on population genetic diversity and structure were assessed using 10 nuclear microsatellite loci. All remnant 15 local populations revealed a low genetic variation but a high recent effective population size. FST-based measures of population genetic differentiation revealed a low spatial genetic structure, but Bayesian analysis of population structure identified a significant Northeast-Southwest population structure. Populations showed significant but weak isolation-by-distance, indicating non-equilibrium conditions between dispersal and genetic drift. Bayesian assignment tests detected an asymmetric Northeast-Southwest migration involving some long-distance dispersal events. We suggest that the persistence and Northeast-Southwest geographic structure of Abies cilicica in Lebanon is the result of at least two demographic processes during its recent evolutionary history: (1) recent migration to currently marginal populations and (2) local persistence through altitudinal shifts along a mountainous topography. These results might help us better understand the mechanisms involved in the species response to expected climate change. PMID:24587219

On the possibility of detecting weak magnetic fields in variable white dwarfs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Philip W.; Hansen, Carl J.; Pesnell, W. Dean; Kawaler, Steven D.

1989-01-01

It is suggested that 'weak' magnetic fields of strengths less than 10 to the 6th G may be detectable in some variable white dwarfs. Weak fields can cause subtle changes in the Fourier power spectra of these stars in the form of 'splitting' in frequency of otherwise degenerate signals. Present-day observational and analysis techniques are capable of detecting these changes. It is suggested suggested, by listing some well-studied candidate stars, that perhaps the magnetic signature of splitting has already been observed in at least one object and that the difficult task of intensive measurements of weak fields should now be undertaken of those candidates.

Major strengths and weaknesses of the lod score method.

PubMed

Ott, J

2001-01-01

Strengths and weaknesses of the lod score method for human genetic linkage analysis are discussed. The main weakness is its requirement for the specification of a detailed inheritance model for the trait. Various strengths are identified. For example, the lod score (likelihood) method has optimality properties when the trait to be studied is known to follow a Mendelian mode of inheritance. The ELOD is a useful measure for information content of the data. The lod score method can emulate various "nonparametric" methods, and this emulation is equivalent to the nonparametric methods. Finally, the possibility of building errors into the analysis will prove to be essential for the large amount of linkage and disequilibrium data expected in the near future.

A Taylor weak-statement algorithm for hyperbolic conservation laws

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, A. J.; Kim, J. W.

1987-01-01

Finite element analysis, applied to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) problem classes, presents a formal procedure for establishing the ingredients of a discrete approximation numerical solution algorithm. A classical Galerkin weak-statement formulation, formed on a Taylor series extension of the conservation law system, is developed herein that embeds a set of parameters eligible for constraint according to specification of suitable norms. The derived family of Taylor weak statements is shown to contain, as special cases, over one dozen independently derived CFD algorithms published over the past several decades for the high speed flow problem class. A theoretical analysis is completed that facilitates direct qualitative comparisons. Numerical results for definitive linear and nonlinear test problems permit direct quantitative performance comparisons.

Eavesdropping and crosstalk between secreted quorum sensing peptide signals that regulate bacteriocin production in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

PubMed

Miller, Eric L; Kjos, Morten; Abrudan, Monica I; Roberts, Ian S; Veening, Jan-Willem; Rozen, Daniel E

2018-06-13

Quorum sensing (QS), where bacteria secrete and respond to chemical signals to coordinate population-wide behaviors, has revealed that bacteria are highly social. Here, we investigate how diversity in QS signals and receptors can modify social interactions controlled by the QS system regulating bacteriocin secretion in Streptococcus pneumoniae, encoded by the blp operon (bacteriocin-like peptide). Analysis of 4096 pneumococcal genomes detected nine blp QS signals (BlpC) and five QS receptor groups (BlpH). Imperfect concordance between signals and receptors suggested widespread social interactions between cells, specifically eavesdropping (where cells respond to signals that they do not produce) and crosstalk (where cells produce signals that non-clones detect). This was confirmed in vitro by measuring the response of reporter strains containing six different blp QS receptors to cognate and non-cognate peptides. Assays between pneumococcal colonies grown adjacent to one another provided further evidence that crosstalk and eavesdropping occur at endogenous levels of signal secretion. Finally, simulations of QS strains producing bacteriocins revealed that eavesdropping can be evolutionarily beneficial even when the affinity for non-cognate signals is very weak. Our results highlight that social interactions can mediate intraspecific competition among bacteria and reveal that competitive interactions can be modified by polymorphic QS systems.

Abundance Analysis of the Helium Weak Star 20-TAURI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mon, M.; Hirata, R.; Sadakane, K.

An abundance analysis of the helium-weak star 20 Tauri is performed with a fully line-blanketed model atmosphere. The adopted atmospheric parameters are Teff =12600 K and log g=3.2. These values are lower by about 1000 K in Teff and 0.3 in log g than those used in previous investigations, and 20 Tau is the coolest star among the group of helium-weak star. A value of log N(He)/N(H)=-1.7 is found from the average of six He I lines. Mg, Si, Ca, and Ni are underabundant, while P and Mn are overabundant. The abundances of C, Ti, Cr, and Fe coincide with the solar values within ±0.3 dex. Upper limits of the abundances of S, Sc, and Sr are estimated and these elements are not overabundant. The observed abundance pattern in 20 Tau is quite different from those in other helium-weak stars, while it shows a mild characteristic of Mn-Hg stars.

Pre-2014 mudslides at Oso revealed by InSAR and multi-source DEM analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, J. W.; Lu, Z.; QU, F.

2014-12-01

The landslide is a process that results in the downward and outward movement of slope-reshaping materials including rocks and soils and annually causes the loss of approximately $3.5 billion and tens of casualties in the United States. The 2014 Oso mudslide was an extreme event costing nearly 40 deaths and damaging civilian properties. Landslides are often unpredictable, but in many cases, catastrophic events are repetitive. Historic record in the Oso mudslide site indicates that there have been serial events in decades, though the extent of sliding events varied from time to time. In our study, the combination of multi-source DEMs, InSAR, and time-series InSAR analysis has enabled to characterize the Oso mudslide. InSAR results from ALOS PALSAR show that there was no significant deformation between mid-2006 and 2011. The combination of time-series InSAR analysis and old-dated DEM indicated revealed topographic changes associated the 2006 sliding event, which is confirmed by the difference of multiple LiDAR DEMs. Precipitation and discharge measurements before the 2006 and 2014 landslide events did not exhibit extremely anomalous records, suggesting the precipitation is not the controlling factor in determining the sliding events at Oso. The lack of surface deformation during 2006-2011 and weak correlation between the precipitation and the sliding event, suggest other factors (such as porosity) might play a critical role on the run-away events at this Oso and other similar landslides.

The association of posttraumatic stress disorder, complex posttraumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder from a network analytical perspective.

PubMed

Knefel, Matthias; Tran, Ulrich S; Lueger-Schuster, Brigitte

2016-10-01

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) share etiological risk factors and an overlapping set of associated symptoms. Since the ICD-11 proposal for trauma-related disorders, the relationship of these disorders has to be clarified. A novel approach to psychopathology, network analysis, allows for a detailed analysis of comorbidity on symptom level. Symptoms were assessed in adult survivors of childhood abuse (N=219) using the newly developed ICD-11 Trauma-Questionnaire and the SCID-II. The psychopathological network was analyzed using the network approach. PTSD and Complex PTSD symptoms were strongly connected within disorders and to a lesser degree between disorders. Symptoms of BPD were weakly connected to others. Re-experiencing and dissociation were the most central symptoms. Mental disorders are no discrete entities, clear boundaries are unlikely to be found. The psychopathological network revealed central symptoms that might be important targets for specific first interventions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Functional connectivity analysis of the neural bases of emotion regulation: A comparison of independent component method with density-based k-means clustering method.

PubMed

Zou, Ling; Guo, Qian; Xu, Yi; Yang, Biao; Jiao, Zhuqing; Xiang, Jianbo

2016-04-29

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an important tool in neuroscience for assessing connectivity and interactions between distant areas of the brain. To find and characterize the coherent patterns of brain activity as a means of identifying brain systems for the cognitive reappraisal of the emotion task, both density-based k-means clustering and independent component analysis (ICA) methods can be applied to characterize the interactions between brain regions involved in cognitive reappraisal of emotion. Our results reveal that compared with the ICA method, the density-based k-means clustering method provides a higher sensitivity of polymerization. In addition, it is more sensitive to those relatively weak functional connection regions. Thus, the study concludes that in the process of receiving emotional stimuli, the relatively obvious activation areas are mainly distributed in the frontal lobe, cingulum and near the hypothalamus. Furthermore, density-based k-means clustering method creates a more reliable method for follow-up studies of brain functional connectivity.

Novel SNP array analysis and exome sequencing detect a homozygous exon 7 deletion of MEGF10 causing early onset myopathy, areflexia, respiratory distress and dysphagia (EMARDD)

PubMed Central

Pierson, Tyler Mark; Markello, Thomas; Accardi, John; Wolfe, Lynne; Adams, David; Sincan, Murat; Tarazi, Noor M.; Fajardo, Karin Fuentes; Cherukuri, Praveen F.; Bajraktari, Ilda; Meilleur, Katy G.; Donkervoort, Sandra; Jain, Mina; Hu, Ying; Lehky, Tanya J.; Cruz, Pedro; Mullikin, James C.; Bonnemann, Carsten; Gahl, William A.; Boerkoel, Cornelius F.; Tifft, Cynthia J.

2013-01-01

Early-onset myopathy, areflexia, respiratory distress and dysphagia (EMARDD) is a myopathic disorder associated with mutations in MEGF10. By novel analysis of SNP array hybridization and exome sequence coverage, we diagnosed a 10-year old girl with EMARDD following identification of a novel homozygous deletion of exon 7 in MEGF10. In contrast to previously reported EMARDD patients, her weakness was more prominent proximally than distally, and involved her legs more than her arms. MRI of her pelvis and thighs showed muscle atrophy and fatty replacement. Ultrasound of several muscle groups revealed dense homogenous increases in echogenicity. Cloning and sequencing of the deletion breakpoint identified features suggesting the mutation arose by fork stalling and template switching. These findings constitute the first genomic deletion causing EMARDD, expand the clinical phenotype, and provide new insight into the pattern and histology of its muscular pathology. PMID:23453856

Coherent Backscattering by Polydisperse Discrete Random Media: Exact T-Matrix Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mishchenko, Michael I.; Dlugach, Janna M.; Mackowski, Daniel W.

2011-01-01

The numerically exact superposition T-matrix method is used to compute, for the first time to our knowledge, electromagnetic scattering by finite spherical volumes composed of polydisperse mixtures of spherical particles with different size parameters or different refractive indices. The backscattering patterns calculated in the far-field zone of the polydisperse multiparticle volumes reveal unequivocally the classical manifestations of the effect of weak localization of electromagnetic waves in discrete random media, thereby corroborating the universal interference nature of coherent backscattering. The polarization opposition effect is shown to be the least robust manifestation of weak localization fading away with increasing particle size parameter.

Attrition analysed in five waves of a longitudinal yearly survey of smokers: findings from the ITC Netherlands survey.

PubMed

Zethof, Dennis; Nagelhout, Gera E; de Rooij, Mark; Driezen, Pete; Fong, Geoffrey T; van den Putte, Bas; Hummel, Karin; de Vries, Hein; Thompson, Mary E; Willemsen, Marc C

2016-08-01

Attrition bias can affect the external validity of findings. This article analyses attrition bias and assesses the effectiveness of replenishment samples on demographic and smoking-related characteristics for the International Tobacco Control Netherlands Survey, a longitudinal survey among smokers. Attrition analyses were conducted for the first five survey waves (2008-12). We assessed, including and excluding replenishment samples, whether the demographic composition of the samples changed between the first and fifth waves. Replenishment samples were tailored to ensure the sample remained representative of the smoking population. We also constructed a multivariable survival model of attrition that included all five waves with replenishment samples. Of the original 1820 respondents recruited in 2008, 46% participated again in 2012. Demographic differences between waves due to attrition were generally small and replenishment samples tended to minimize them further. The multivariable survival analysis revealed that only two of the 10 variables analysed were significant predictors of attrition: a weak effect for gender (men dropped out more often) and weak to moderate effects for age (respondents aged 15-24 years dropped out more than aged 25-39 years, who dropped out more than those aged 40+ years). Weak to moderate attrition effects were found for men and younger age groups. This information could be used to minimize respondent attrition. Our findings suggest that sampling weights and tailored replenishment samples can effectively compensate for attrition effects. This is already being done for the International Tobacco Control Netherlands Survey, including the categories that significantly predicted attrition in this study. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

A conceptual prediction model for seasonal drought processes using atmospheric and oceanic standardized anomalies and its application to four recent severe regional drought events in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Z.; LU, G.; He, H.; Wu, Z.; He, J.

2017-12-01

Reliable drought prediction is fundamental for seasonal water management. Considering that drought development is closely related to the spatio-temporal evolution of large-scale circulation patterns, we develop a conceptual prediction model of seasonal drought processes based on atmospheric/oceanic Standardized Anomalies (SA). It is essentially the synchronous stepwise regression relationship between 90-day-accumulated atmospheric/oceanic SA-based predictors and 3-month SPI updated daily (SPI3). It is forced with forecasted atmospheric and oceanic variables retrieved from seasonal climate forecast systems, and it can make seamless drought prediction for operational use after a year-to-year calibration. Simulation and prediction of four severe seasonal regional drought processes in China were forced with the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis datasets and the NCEP Climate Forecast System Version 2 (CFSv2) operationally forecasted datasets, respectively. With the help of real-time correction for operational application, model application during four recent severe regional drought events in China revealed that the model is good at development prediction but weak in severity prediction. In addition to weakness in prediction of drought peak, the prediction of drought relief is possible to be predicted as drought recession. This weak performance may be associated with precipitation-causing weather patterns during drought relief. Based on initial virtual analysis on predicted 90-day prospective SPI3 curves, it shows that the 2009/2010 drought in Southwest China and 2014 drought in North China can be predicted and simulated well even for the prospective 1-75 day. In comparison, the prospective 1-45 day may be a feasible and acceptable lead time for simulation and prediction of the 2011 droughts in Southwest China and East China, after which the simulated and predicted developments clearly change.

Synthesis, characterization and monoamine transporter activity of the new psychoactive substance mexedrone and its N-methoxy positional isomer, N-methoxymephedrone

PubMed Central

McLaughlin, Gavin; Morris, Noreen; Kavanagh, Pierce V.; Power, John D.; Dowling, Geraldine; Twamley, Brendan; O'Brien, John; Talbot, Brian; Walther, Donna; Partilla, John S.; Baumann, Michael H.; Brandt, Simon D.

2017-01-01

3-Methoxy-2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (mexedrone) appeared in 2015 and was advertised by UK Internet retailers as a non-controlled mephedrone derivative (2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one), which was of particular interest to countries who operate generic drugs legislation. This study describes the synthesis and analytical characterization of mexedrone and the differentiation from its isomer, N-methoxymephedrone, which was predicted to be a suitable candidate before the identity of mexedrone was revealed. A full analytical characterization is described using various chromatographic, spectroscopic and mass spectrometric platforms and X-ray crystal structure analysis. The analytical data obtained for a vendor sample were consistent with the synthesized mexedrone reference standard and analytical differentiation between the mexedrone and N-methoxymephedrone positional isomers was achieved. Furthermore, α-chloromethylmephedrone was identified as a by-product during mexedrone synthesis. All three substances were also studied for their uptake and releasing properties at dopamine transporters (DAT), norepinephrine transporters (NET) and serotonin transporters (SERT) using in vitro monoamine transporter assays in rat brain synaptosomes and compared to mephedrone. Mexedrone was a weak non-selective uptake blocker with IC50 values in the low μM range. It was also devoid of releasing activity at DAT and NET but displayed weak releasing activity at SERT (EC50= 2.5 μM). The isomer N-methoxymephedrone was found to be a weak uptake blocker at DAT, NET and SERT, as well as a fully efficacious substrate-type releasing agent across all three transporters with EC50 values in the low micromolar range. The synthesis by-product α-chloromethylmephedrone was inactive in all assays. PMID:27524685

Understanding the tropical cloud feedback from an analysis of the circulation and stability regimes simulated from an upgraded multiscale modeling framework

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

Xu, Kuan-Man; Cheng, Anning

As revealed from studies using conventional general circulation models (GCMs), the thermodynamic contribution to the tropical cloud feedback dominates the dynamic contribution, but these models have difficulty in simulating the subsidence regimes in the tropics. In this study, we analyze the tropical cloud feedback from a 2 K sea surface temperature (SST) perturbation experiment performed with a multiscale modeling framework (MMF). The MMF explicitly represents cloud processes using 2-D cloud-resolving models with an advanced higher-order turbulence closure in each atmospheric column of the host GCM. We sort the monthly mean cloud properties and cloud radiative effects according to circulation andmore » stability regimes. Here, we find that the regime-sorted dynamic changes dominate the thermodynamic changes in terms of the absolute magnitude. The dynamic changes in the weak subsidence regimes exhibit strong negative cloud feedback due to increases in shallow cumulus and deep clouds while those in strongly convective and moderate-to-strong subsidence regimes have opposite signs, resulting in a small contribution to cloud feedback. On the other hand, the thermodynamic changes are large due to decreases in stratocumulus clouds in the moderate-to-strong subsidence regimes with small opposite changes in the weak subsidence and strongly convective regimes, resulting in a relatively large contribution to positive cloud feedback. The dynamic and thermodynamic changes contribute equally to positive cloud feedback and are relatively insensitive to stability in the moderate-to-strong subsidence regimes. But they are sensitive to stability changes from the SST increase in convective and weak subsidence regimes. Lastly, these results have implications for interpreting cloud feedback mechanisms.« less

Understanding the tropical cloud feedback from an analysis of the circulation and stability regimes simulated from an upgraded multiscale modeling framework

DOE PAGES

Xu, Kuan-Man; Cheng, Anning

2016-11-15

As revealed from studies using conventional general circulation models (GCMs), the thermodynamic contribution to the tropical cloud feedback dominates the dynamic contribution, but these models have difficulty in simulating the subsidence regimes in the tropics. In this study, we analyze the tropical cloud feedback from a 2 K sea surface temperature (SST) perturbation experiment performed with a multiscale modeling framework (MMF). The MMF explicitly represents cloud processes using 2-D cloud-resolving models with an advanced higher-order turbulence closure in each atmospheric column of the host GCM. We sort the monthly mean cloud properties and cloud radiative effects according to circulation andmore » stability regimes. Here, we find that the regime-sorted dynamic changes dominate the thermodynamic changes in terms of the absolute magnitude. The dynamic changes in the weak subsidence regimes exhibit strong negative cloud feedback due to increases in shallow cumulus and deep clouds while those in strongly convective and moderate-to-strong subsidence regimes have opposite signs, resulting in a small contribution to cloud feedback. On the other hand, the thermodynamic changes are large due to decreases in stratocumulus clouds in the moderate-to-strong subsidence regimes with small opposite changes in the weak subsidence and strongly convective regimes, resulting in a relatively large contribution to positive cloud feedback. The dynamic and thermodynamic changes contribute equally to positive cloud feedback and are relatively insensitive to stability in the moderate-to-strong subsidence regimes. But they are sensitive to stability changes from the SST increase in convective and weak subsidence regimes. Lastly, these results have implications for interpreting cloud feedback mechanisms.« less

Ultra-weak photon emission of hands in aging prediction.

PubMed

Zhao, Xin; van Wijk, Eduard; Yan, Yu; van Wijk, Roeland; Yang, Huanming; Zhang, Yan; Wang, Jian

2016-09-01

Aging has been one of the several topics intensely investigated during recent decades. More scientists have been scrutinizing mechanisms behind the human aging process. Ultra-weak photon emission is known as one type of spontaneous photon emission that can be detected with a highly sensitive single photon counting photomultiplier tube (PMT) from the surface of human bodies. It may reflect the body's oxidative damage. Our aim was to examine whether ultra-weak photon emission from a human hand is able to predict one's chronological age. Sixty subjects were recruited and grouped by age. We examined four areas of each hand: palm side of fingers, palm side of hand, dorsum side of fingers, and dorsum side of hand. Left and right hand were measured synchronously with two independent PMTs. Mean strength and Fano factor values of photon counts were utilized to compare the UPE patterns of males and females of different age groups. Subsequently, we utilized UPE data from the most sensitive PMT to develop an age prediction model. We randomly picked 49 subjects to construct the model, whereas the remaining 11 subjects were utilized for validation. The results demonstrated that the model was a good regression compared to the observed values (Pearson's r=0.6, adjusted R square=0.4, p=9.4E-7, accuracy=49/60). Further analysis revealed that the average difference between the chronological age and predicted age was only 7.6±0.8years. It was concluded that this fast and non-invasive photon technology is sufficiently promising to be developed for the estimation of biological aging. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In Situ Observation of Failure Mechanisms Controlled by Rock Masses with Weak Interlayer Zones in Large Underground Cavern Excavations Under High Geostress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Shu-Qian; Feng, Xia-Ting; Jiang, Quan; Liu, Guo-Feng; Pei, Shu-Feng; Fan, Yi-Lin

2017-09-01

A weak interlayer zone (WIZ) is a poor rock mass system with loose structure, weak mechanical properties, variable thickness, random distribution, strong extension, and high risk due to the shear motion of rock masses under the action of tectonism, bringing many stability problems and geological hazards, especially representing a potential threat to the overall stability of rock masses with WIZs in large underground cavern excavations. Focusing on the deformation and failure problems encountered in the process of excavation unloading, this research proposes comprehensive in situ observation schemes for rock masses with WIZs in large underground cavern on the basis of the collection of geological, construction, monitoring, and testing data. The schemes have been fully applied in two valuable project cases of an underground cavern group under construction in the southwest of China, including the plastic squeezing-out tensile failure and the structural stress-induced collapse of rock masses with WIZs. In this way, the development of rock mass failure, affected by the step-by-step excavations along the cavern's axis and the subsequent excavation downward, could be observed thoroughly. Furthermore, this paper reveals the preliminary analyses of failure mechanism of rock masses with WIZs from several aspects, including rock mass structure, strength, high stress, ground water effects, and microfracture mechanisms. Finally, the failure particularities of rock masses with WIZs and rethink on prevention and control of failures are discussed. The research results could provide important guiding reference value for stability analysis, as well as for rethinking the excavation and support optimization of rock masses with WIZs in similar large underground cavern under high geostress.

Search for volatiles on icy satellites. I. Europa

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brown, R.H.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Tokunaga, A.T.; Smith, R.G.; Clark, R.N.

1988-01-01

New reflectance spectra have been obtained for both the leading and trailing sides of Europa, using the Cooled Grating Array Spectrometer (CGAS) of the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF). The spectra are of higher precision than any yet obtained. Spectra of Europa's trailing side (central meridian longitude ???300??) obtained in 1985 show two weak absorptions near 2.2 and 2.3 ??m. Both of these features as well as others are seen in spectra obtained by R. N. Clark, R. B. Singer, P. D. Owensby, and F.P. Fanale (1980a, Bull. Amer. Astron. Soc. 12, 713-714) at similar central meridian longitude. Data obtained with an improved detector array in 1986, however, do not show the absorptions seen in the 1980 and 1985 spectra. It is not clear why the newest data do not show the apparent absorptions seen in previous years, but the suggestion is that either the 1980 and 1985 data are spurious or that the material responsible for the weak absorptions is no longer detectable. Analysis of the 1980 and 1985 data did not reveal any obvious source of systematic error capable of introducing spurious features, but we are skeptical of any explanation that cites transient deposition, movement, and/or destruction of material on Europa's trailing side to account for the nondetection of the features in the 1986 data. If the weak absorptions seen in the 1980 and 1985 data are real, they can be interpreted as indicating the transient spectroscopic presence of a molecular component on Europa's trailing side different from the water ice that is known to be the dominant surface constituent. Further monitoring is required to determine if the apparent absorptions are real. ?? 1988.

Synthesis, characterization and monoamine transporter activity of the new psychoactive substance mexedrone and its N-methoxy positional isomer, N-methoxymephedrone.

PubMed

McLaughlin, Gavin; Morris, Noreen; Kavanagh, Pierce V; Power, John D; Dowling, Geraldine; Twamley, Brendan; O'Brien, John; Talbot, Brian; Walther, Donna; Partilla, John S; Baumann, Michael H; Brandt, Simon D

2017-03-01

3-Methoxy-2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (mexedrone) appeared in 2015 and was advertised by UK Internet retailers as a non-controlled mephedrone derivative (2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one), which was of particular interest to countries who operate generic drugs legislation. This study describes the synthesis and analytical characterization of mexedrone and the differentiation from its isomer, N-methoxymephedrone, which was predicted to be a suitable candidate before the identity of mexedrone was revealed. A full analytical characterization is described using various chromatographic, spectroscopic and mass spectrometric platforms and X-ray crystal structure analysis. The analytical data obtained for a vendor sample were consistent with the synthesized mexedrone reference standard and analytical differentiation between the mexedrone and N-methoxymephedrone positional isomers was achieved. Furthermore, α-chloromethylmephedrone was identified as a by-product during mexedrone synthesis. All three substances were also studied for their uptake and releasing properties at dopamine transporters (DAT), norepinephrine transporters (NET) and serotonin transporters (SERT) using in vitro monoamine transporter assays in rat brain synaptosomes and compared to mephedrone. Mexedrone was a weak non-selective uptake blocker with IC 50 values in the low μM range. It was also devoid of releasing activity at DAT and NET but displayed weak releasing activity at SERT (EC 50  = 2.5 μM). The isomer N-methoxymephedrone was found to be a weak uptake blocker at DAT, NET and SERT, as well as a fully efficacious substrate-type releasing agent across all three transporters with EC 50 values in the low micromolar range. The synthesis by-product α-chloromethylmephedrone was inactive in all assays. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Plato alleges that God forever geometrizes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ne'Eman, Yuval

1996-05-01

Since 1961, the experimental exploration at the fundamental level of physical reality has surprised physists by revealing to them a highly geometric scenery. Like Einstein's (classical) theory of gravity, the “standard model,” describing the strong, weak, and electromagnetic interaction, testifies in favor of Plato's reported allegation.

Ranking of Russian Higher Education Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pokholkov, Yuri P.; Chuchalin, Alexander I.; Agranovich, Boris L.; Mogilnitsky, Sergey B.

2007-01-01

This article considers some patterns of ranking higher education institutions which are used in the Russian Federation to reveal strengths and weaknesses in meeting the national individual, societal and state-related needs, as well as those of the international academic community concerning relevant information on Russian higher education…

QUANTITATIVE DECISION TOOLS AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

BYARS, LLOYD L.; NUNN, GEOFFREY E.

THIS ARTICLE OUTLINED THE CURRENT STATUS OF QUANTITATIVE METHODS AND OPERATIONS RESEARCH (OR), SKETCHED THE STRENGTHS OF TRAINING EFFORTS AND ISOLATED WEAKNESSES, AND FORMULATED WORKABLE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING SUCCESS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAMS. A SURVEY OF 105 COMPANIES REVEALED THAT PERT, INVENTORY CONTROL THEORY AND LINEAR…

Concerns About Adult Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schroeder, Wayne L.

A national survey (1961-62) revealed that only one adult out of five participates annually in educative activities; the graduate's negative attitude toward education needs to be replaced by an appreciation for life-long learning. Some weaknesses might be overcome through introduction of adult education programs in universities, as well as…

Flip-Flops in Students' Conceptions of State

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herman, G. L.; Zilles, C.; Loui, M. C.

2012-01-01

The authors conducted a qualitative interview-based study to reveal students' misconceptions about state in sequential circuits. This paper documents 16 misconceptions of state, how students' conceptions of state shift and change, and students' methodological weaknesses. These misconceptions can be used to inform and direct instruction. This study…

Multi-Reanalysis Comparison of Variability in Analysis Increment of Column-Integrated Water Vapor Associated with Madden-Julian Oscillation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yokoi, S.

2014-12-01

This study conducts a comparison of three reanalysis products (JRA-55, JRA-25, and ERA-Interim) in representation of Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), focusing on column-integrated water vapor (CWV) that is considered as an essential variable for discussing MJO dynamics. Besides the analysis fields of CWV, which exhibit spatio-temporal distributions that are quite similar to satellite observations, CWV tendency simulated by forecast models and analysis increment calculated by data assimilation are examined. For JRA-55, it is revealed that, while its forecast model is able to simulate eastward propagation of the CWV anomaly, it tends to weaken the amplitude, and data assimilation process sustains the amplitude. The multi-reanalysis comparison of the analysis increment further reveals that this weakening bias is probably caused by excessively weak cloud-radiative feedback represented by the model. This bias in the feedback strength makes anomalous moisture supply by the vertical advection term in the CWV budget equation too insensitive to precipitation anomaly, resulting in reduction of the amplitude of CWV anomaly. ERA-Interim has a nearly opposite feature; the forecast model represents excessively strong feedback and unrealistically strengthens the amplitude, while the data assimilation weakens it. These results imply the necessity of accurate representation of the cloud-radiative feedback strength for a short-term MJO forecast, and may be evidence to support the argument that this feedback is essential for the existence of MJO. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that the multi-reanalysis comparison of the analysis increment will provide useful information for identifying model biases and, potentially, for estimating parameters that are difficult to estimate solely from observation data, such as gross moist stability.

Genetic variability of VEGF pathway genes in six randomized phase III trials assessing the addition of bevacizumab to standard therapy.

PubMed

de Haas, Sanne; Delmar, Paul; Bansal, Aruna T; Moisse, Matthieu; Miles, David W; Leighl, Natasha; Escudier, Bernard; Van Cutsem, Eric; Carmeliet, Peter; Scherer, Stefan J; Pallaud, Celine; Lambrechts, Diether

2014-10-01

Despite extensive translational research, no validated biomarkers predictive of bevacizumab treatment outcome have been identified. We performed a meta-analysis of individual patient data from six randomized phase III trials in colorectal, pancreatic, lung, renal, breast, and gastric cancer to explore the potential relationships between 195 common genetic variants in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway and bevacizumab treatment outcome. The analysis included 1,402 patients (716 bevacizumab-treated and 686 placebo-treated). Twenty variants were associated (P < 0.05) with progression-free survival (PFS) in bevacizumab-treated patients. Of these, 4 variants in EPAS1 survived correction for multiple testing (q < 0.05). Genotype-by-treatment interaction tests revealed that, across these 20 variants, 3 variants in VEGF-C (rs12510099), EPAS1 (rs4953344), and IL8RA (rs2234671) were potentially predictive (P < 0.05), but not resistant to multiple testing (q > 0.05). A weak genotype-by-treatment interaction effect was also observed for rs699946 in VEGF-A, whereas Bayesian genewise analysis revealed that genetic variability in VHL was associated with PFS in the bevacizumab arm (q < 0.05). Variants in VEGF-A, EPAS1, and VHL were located in expression quantitative loci derived from lymphoblastoid cell lines, indicating that they affect the expression levels of their respective gene. This large genetic analysis suggests that variants in VEGF-A, EPAS1, IL8RA, VHL, and VEGF-C have potential value in predicting bevacizumab treatment outcome across tumor types. Although these associations did not survive correction for multiple testing in a genotype-by-interaction analysis, they are among the strongest predictive effects reported to date for genetic variants and bevacizumab efficacy.

The Analysis of Weak Rock Using the Pressuremeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dafni, Jacob

The pressuremeter is a versatile in situ testing instrument capable of testing a large range of materials from very soft clay to weak rock. Due to limitations of other testing devices, the pressuremeter is one of the few instruments capable of capturing stiffness and strength properties of weak rock. However, data collected is only useful if the material tested is properly modeled and desirable material properties can be obtained. While constitutive models with various flows rules have been developed for pressuremeter analysis in soil, less research has been directed at model development for pressuremeter tests in weak rock. The result is pressuremeter data collected in rock is typically analyzed using models designed for soil. The aim of this study was to explore constitutive rock models for development into a pressuremeter framework. Three models were considered, with two of those three implemented for pressuremeter analysis. A Mohr-Coulomb model with a tensile cutoff developed by Haberfield (1987) and a Hoek-Brown model initiated by Yang et al (2011) and further developed by the author were implemented and calibrated against a data set of pressuremeter tests from 5 project test sites including a total of 115 pressuremeter tests in a number of different rock formations. Development of a multiscale damage model established by Kondo et al (2008) was explored. However, this model requires further development to be used for pressuremeter data analysis.

Strong ion and weak acid analysis in severe preeclampsia: potential clinical significance.

PubMed

Ortner, C M; Combrinck, B; Allie, S; Story, D; Landau, R; Cain, K; Dyer, R A

2015-08-01

The influence of common disturbances seen in preeclampsia, such as changes in strong ions and weak acids (particularly albumin) on acid-base status, has not been fully elucidated. The aims of this study were to provide a comprehensive acid-base analysis in severe preeclampsia and to identify potential new biological predictors of disease severity. Fifty women with severe preeclampsia, 25 healthy non-pregnant- and 46 healthy pregnant controls (26-40 weeks' gestation), were enrolled in this prospective case-control study. Acid-base analysis was performed by applying the physicochemical approach of Stewart and Gilfix. Mean [sd] base excess was similar in preeclamptic- and healthy pregnant women (-3.3 [2.3], and -2.8 [1.5] mEq/L respectively). In preeclampsia, there were greater offsetting contributions to the base excess, in the form of hyperchloraemia (BE(Cl) -2 [2.3] vs -0.4 [2.3] mEq/L, P<0.001) and hypoalbuminaemia (BE(Alb) 3.6 [1] vs 2.1 [0.8] mEq/L, P<0.001). In preeclampsia, hypoalbuminaemic metabolic alkalosis was associated with a non-reassuring/abnormal fetal heart tracing (P<0.001). Quantitative analysis in healthy pregnancy revealed respiratory and hypoalbuminaemic alkalosis that was metabolically offset by acidosis, secondary to unmeasured anions and dilution. While the overall base excess in severe preeclampsia is similar to that in healthy pregnancy, preeclampsia is associated with a greater imbalance offsetting hypoalbuminaemic alkalosis and hyperchloraemic acidosis. Rather than the absolute value of base excess, the magnitude of these opposing contributors may be a better indicator of the severity of this disease. Hypoalbuminaemic alkalosis may also be a predictor of fetal compromise. clinicaltrials.gov: NCT 02164370. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Lung cancer risk and consumption of vegetables and fruit: an evaluation based on a systematic review of epidemiological evidence from Japan.

PubMed

Wakai, Kenji; Matsuo, Keitaro; Nagata, Chisato; Mizoue, Tetsuya; Tanaka, Keitaro; Tsuji, Ichiro; Sasazuki, Shizuka; Shimazu, Taichi; Sawada, Norie; Inoue, Manami; Tsugane, Shoichiro

2011-05-01

Clinical trials of β-carotene supplementation and recent large-scale prospective studies have called into question the protective effects of vegetable and fruit consumption against lung cancer. To re-assess this issue, we reviewed data from Japanese epidemiological studies. Original data were obtained from searches of MEDLINE and the Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (Ichushi) database. The associations were assessed based on their magnitude and the strength of the evidence, together with their biological plausibility as previously evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. We identified six cohort studies and four case-control studies on the consumption of vegetables and/or fruit. We focused on fruit and green-yellow vegetables as food items, as they were included in more of the studies, and insufficient data were available on other types of vegetables. Among the three cohort and two case-control studies that reported on green-yellow vegetables, only one of each study type showed a weak inverse association between lung cancer risk and their consumption. Two of the four cohort studies and one (or possibly two) of the four case-control studies demonstrated a weak inverse correlation between lung cancer risk and fruit consumption. Meta-analysis for fruit consumption revealed a summary relative risk that was significantly smaller than unity. Our analysis of the Japanese epidemiological data showed that fruit consumption possibly decreased the risk of lung cancer, but found insufficient evidence of a link with vegetable consumption. Further prospective studies should assess the effects of consuming these food groups.

Water Vapor Measurements by Howard University Raman Lidar during the WAVES 2006 Campaign

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adam, M.; Demoz, B. B.; Whiteman, D. N.; Venable, D. D.; Joseph E.; Gambacorta, A.; Wei, J.; Shephard, M. W.; Miloshevich, L. M.; Barnet, C. D.;

Structural insight into the role of Gln293Met mutation on the Peloruside A/Laulimalide association with αβ-tubulin from molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy calculations and weak interactions analysis.

PubMed

Zúñiga, Matías A; Alderete, Joel B; Jaña, Gonzalo A; Jiménez, Verónica A

2017-07-01

Peloruside A (PLA) and Laulimalide (LAU) are novel microtubule-stabilizing agents with promising properties against different cancer types. These ligands share a non-taxoid binding site at the outer surface of β-tubulin and promote microtubule stabilization by bridging two adjacent αβ-tubulin dimers from parallel protofilaments. Recent site-directed mutagenesis experiments confirmed the existence of a unique β-tubulin site mutation (Gln293Met) that specifically increased the activity of PLA and caused resistance to LAU, without affecting the stability of microtubules in the absence of the ligands. In this work, fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to examine the PLA and LAU association with native and mutated αβ-tubulin in the search for structural and energetic evidence to explain the role of Gln293Met mutation on determining the activity of these ligands. Our results revealed that Gln293Met mutation induced the loss of relevant LAU-tubulin contacts but exerted negligible changes in the interaction networks responsible for PLA-tubulin association. Binding free energy calculations (MM/GBSA and MM/PBSA), and weak interaction analysis (aNCI) predicted an increased affinity for PLA, and a weakened association for LAU after mutation, thus suggesting that Gln293Met mutation exerts its action by a modulation of drug-tubulin interactions. These results are valuable to increase understanding about PLA and LAU activity and to assist the future design of novel agents targeting the PLA/LAU binding pocket.

Structural insight into the role of Gln293Met mutation on the Peloruside A/Laulimalide association with αβ-tubulin from molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy calculations and weak interactions analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zúñiga, Matías A.; Alderete, Joel B.; Jaña, Gonzalo A.; Jiménez, Verónica A.

2017-07-01

Peloruside A (PLA) and Laulimalide (LAU) are novel microtubule-stabilizing agents with promising properties against different cancer types. These ligands share a non-taxoid binding site at the outer surface of β-tubulin and promote microtubule stabilization by bridging two adjacent αβ-tubulin dimers from parallel protofilaments. Recent site-directed mutagenesis experiments confirmed the existence of a unique β-tubulin site mutation (Gln293Met) that specifically increased the activity of PLA and caused resistance to LAU, without affecting the stability of microtubules in the absence of the ligands. In this work, fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to examine the PLA and LAU association with native and mutated αβ-tubulin in the search for structural and energetic evidence to explain the role of Gln293Met mutation on determining the activity of these ligands. Our results revealed that Gln293Met mutation induced the loss of relevant LAU-tubulin contacts but exerted negligible changes in the interaction networks responsible for PLA-tubulin association. Binding free energy calculations (MM/GBSA and MM/PBSA), and weak interaction analysis (aNCI) predicted an increased affinity for PLA, and a weakened association for LAU after mutation, thus suggesting that Gln293Met mutation exerts its action by a modulation of drug-tubulin interactions. These results are valuable to increase understanding about PLA and LAU activity and to assist the future design of novel agents targeting the PLA/LAU binding pocket.

Guidelines for pre-clinical animal and cellular models of MuSK-myasthenia gravis.

PubMed

Phillips, W D; Christadoss, P; Losen, M; Punga, A R; Shigemoto, K; Verschuuren, J; Vincent, A

2015-08-01

Muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) autoantibodies are the hallmark of a form of myasthenia gravis (MG) that can challenge the neurologist and the experimentalist. The clinical disease can be difficult to treat effectively. MuSK autoantibodies affect the neuromuscular junction in several ways. When added to muscle cells in culture, MuSK antibodies disperse acetylcholine receptor clusters. Experimental animals actively immunized with MuSK develop MuSK autoantibodies and muscle weakness. Weakness is associated with reduced postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor numbers, reduced amplitudes of miniature endplate potentials and endplate potentials, and failure of neuromuscular transmission. Similar impairments have been found in mice injected with IgG from MG patients positive for MuSK autoantibody (MuSK-MG). The active and passive models have begun to reveal the mechanisms by which MuSK antibodies disrupt synaptic function at the neuromuscular junction, and should be valuable in developing therapies for MuSK-MG. However, translation into new and improved treatments for patients requires procedures that are not too cumbersome but suitable for examining different aspects of MuSK function and the effects of potential therapies. Study design, conduct and analysis should be carefully considered and transparently reported. Here we review what has been learnt from animal and culture models of MuSK-MG, and offer guidelines for experimental design and conduct of studies, including sample size determination, randomization, outcome parameters and precautions for objective data analysis. These principles may also be relevant to the increasing number of other antibody-mediated diseases that are now recognized. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Relevance and costs of RHD genotyping in women with a weak D phenotype.

PubMed

Laget, L; Izard, C; Durieux-Roussel, E; Gouvitsos, J; Dettori, I; Chiaroni, J; Ferrera-Tourenc, V

2018-06-01

For pregnant women, the serologic test results of D antigen will determine the frequency of RBC antibody detection as well as the indication for RhIG prophylaxis. RHD genotyping is the only method that may provide clear guidance on prophylaxis for women with a weak D phenotype. This analysis evaluated the economical implications of using RHD genotyping to guide RhIG prophylaxis among pregnant women with a serological weak D phenotype. We compared the costs of 2 strategies in a cohort of 273 women with weak D phenotype. In the first strategy, we did not perform genotyping and all women with weak D phenotypes were treated as if they were D-, thus considered to be a risk of RhD alloimmunization. These women all received the prophylactic follow up. In the second strategy, RHD genotyping was performed on all women with a serologic weak D phenotype. Then, the follow-up will be determined by phenotype deduced from genotype. On the studied cohort, the additional expense occurred by genotyping is 26,536 €. RHD Genotyping has highlighted 162 weak D Type 1, 2 3, that could safely be managed as D+ and 111 partial D to consider as D-. By comparing the 2 strategies, the savings generated by genotyping the patients of our cohort are € 12,046 for the follow up of one pregnancy. Knowing that in France, a woman has on average 2 pregnancies and that the genotyping is carried out only once, the savings generated for the following pregnancies would be € 38,581. Performing RHD genotyping for pregnant women with a weak D phenotype enables to clearly identify weak D type 1, 2 or 3 from the other variants at risk of alloimmunization. This analysis generates savings in terms of follow-up schedule of pregnant women and RhIG prophylaxis. It also allows saving of D- products for patient with a weak D type 1, 2 or 3 in case of a transfusion need. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Radiography for intensive care: participatory process analysis in a PACS-equipped and film/screen environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peer, Regina; Peer, Siegfried; Sander, Heike; Marsolek, Ingo; Koller, Wolfgang; Pappert, Dirk; Hierholzer, Johannes

2002-05-01

If new technology is introduced into medical practice it must prove to make a difference. However traditional approaches of outcome analysis failed to show a direct benefit of PACS on patient care and economical benefits are still in debate. A participatory process analysis was performed to compare workflow in a film based hospital and a PACS environment. This included direct observation of work processes, interview of involved staff, structural analysis and discussion of observations with staff members. After definition of common structures strong and weak workflow steps were evaluated. With a common workflow structure in both hospitals, benefits of PACS were revealed in workflow steps related to image reporting with simultaneous image access for ICU-physicians and radiologists, archiving of images as well as image and report distribution. However PACS alone is not able to cover the complete process of 'radiography for intensive care' from ordering of an image till provision of the final product equals image + report. Interference of electronic workflow with analogue process steps such as paper based ordering reduces the potential benefits of PACS. In this regard workflow modeling proved to be very helpful for the evaluation of complex work processes linking radiology and the ICU.

On the costs and benefits of emotional labor: a meta-analysis of three decades of research.

PubMed

Hülsheger, Ute R; Schewe, Anna F

2011-07-01

This article provides a quantitative review of the link of emotional labor (emotion-rule dissonance, surface acting, and deep acting) with well-being and performance outcomes. The meta-analysis is based on 494 individual correlations drawn from a final sample of 95 independent studies. Results revealed substantial relationships of emotion-rule dissonance and surface acting with indicators of impaired well-being (ρs between .39 and .48) and job attitudes (ρs between -.24 and -.40) and a small negative relationship with performance outcomes (ρs between -.20 and -.05). Overall, deep acting displayed weak relationships with indicators of impaired well-being and job attitudes but positive relationships with emotional performance and customer satisfaction (ρs .18 and .37). A meta-analytic regression analysis provides information on the unique contribution of emotion-rule dissonance, surface acting, and deep acting in statistically predicting well-being and performance outcomes. Furthermore, a mediation analysis confirms theoretical models of emotional labor which suggest that surface acting partially mediates the relationship of emotion-rule dissonance with well-being. Implications for future research as well as pragmatic ramifications for organizational practices are discussed in conclusion.

[Model of Analysis and Prevention of Accidents - MAPA: tool for operational health surveillance].

PubMed

de Almeida, Ildeberto Muniz; Vilela, Rodolfo Andrade de Gouveia; da Silva, Alessandro José Nunes; Beltran, Sandra Lorena

2014-12-01

The analysis of work-related accidents is important for accident surveillance and prevention. Current methods of analysis seek to overcome reductionist views that see these occurrences as simple events explained by operator error. The objective of this paper is to analyze the Model of Analysis and Prevention of Accidents (MAPA) and its use in monitoring interventions, duly highlighting aspects experienced in the use of the tool. The descriptive analytical method was used, introducing the steps of the model. To illustrate contributions and or difficulties, cases where the tool was used in the context of service were selected. MAPA integrates theoretical approaches that have already been tried in studies of accidents by providing useful conceptual support from the data collection stage until conclusion and intervention stages. Besides revealing weaknesses of the traditional approach, it helps identify organizational determinants, such as management failings, system design and safety management involved in the accident. The main challenges lie in the grasp of concepts by users, in exploring organizational aspects upstream in the chain of decisions or at higher levels of the hierarchy, as well as the intervention to change the determinants of these events.

Scientific authorship and collaboration network analysis on malaria research in Benin: papers indexed in the web of science (1996-2016).

PubMed

Azondekon, Roseric; Harper, Zachary James; Agossa, Fiacre Rodrigue; Welzig, Charles Michael; McRoy, Susan

2018-01-01

To sustain the critical progress made, prioritization and a multidisciplinary approach to malaria research remain important to the national malaria control program in Benin. To document the structure of the malaria collaborative research in Benin, we analyze authorship of the scientific documents published on malaria from Benin. We collected bibliographic data from the Web Of Science on malaria research in Benin from January 1996 to December 2016. From the collected data, a mulitigraph co-authorship network with authors representing vertices was generated. An edge was drawn between two authors when they co-author a paper. We computed vertex degree, betweenness, closeness, and eigenvectors among others to identify prolific authors. We further assess the weak points and how information flow in the network. Finally, we perform a hierarchical clustering analysis, and Monte-Carlo simulations. Overall, 427 publications were included in this study. The generated network contained 1792 authors and 116,388 parallel edges which converted in a weighted graph of 1792 vertices and 95,787 edges. Our results suggested that prolific authors with higher degrees tend to collaborate more. The hierarchical clustering revealed 23 clusters, seven of which form a giant component containing 94% of all the vertices in the network. This giant component has all the characteristics of a small-world network with a small shortest path distance between pairs of three, a diameter of 10 and a high clustering coefficient of 0.964. However, Monte-Carlo simulations suggested our observed network is an unusual type of small-world network. Sixteen vertices were identified as weak articulation points within the network. The malaria research collaboration network in Benin is a complex network that seems to display the characteristics of a small-world network. This research reveals the presence of closed research groups where collaborative research likely happens only between members. Interdisciplinary collaboration tends to occur at higher levels between prolific researchers. Continuously supporting, stabilizing the identified key brokers and most productive authors in the Malaria research collaborative network is an urgent need in Benin. It will foster the malaria research network and ensure the promotion of junior scientists in the field.

Clinical laboratory as an economic model for business performance analysis

PubMed Central

Buljanović, Vikica; Patajac, Hrvoje; Petrovečki, Mladen

2011-01-01

Aim To perform SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of a clinical laboratory as an economic model that may be used to improve business performance of laboratories by removing weaknesses, minimizing threats, and using external opportunities and internal strengths. Methods Impact of possible threats to and weaknesses of the Clinical Laboratory at Našice General County Hospital business performance and use of strengths and opportunities to improve operating profit were simulated using models created on the basis of SWOT analysis results. The operating profit as a measure of profitability of the clinical laboratory was defined as total revenue minus total expenses and presented using a profit and loss account. Changes in the input parameters in the profit and loss account for 2008 were determined using opportunities and potential threats, and economic sensitivity analysis was made by using changes in the key parameters. The profit and loss account and economic sensitivity analysis were tools for quantifying the impact of changes in the revenues and expenses on the business operations of clinical laboratory. Results Results of simulation models showed that operational profit of €470 723 in 2008 could be reduced to only €21 542 if all possible threats became a reality and current weaknesses remained the same. Also, operational gain could be increased to €535 804 if laboratory strengths and opportunities were utilized. If both the opportunities and threats became a reality, the operational profit would decrease by €384 465. Conclusion The operational profit of the clinical laboratory could be significantly reduced if all threats became a reality and the current weaknesses remained the same. The operational profit could be increased by utilizing strengths and opportunities as much as possible. This type of modeling may be used to monitor business operations of any clinical laboratory and improve its financial situation by implementing changes in the next fiscal period. PMID:21853546

Clinical laboratory as an economic model for business performance analysis.

PubMed

Buljanović, Vikica; Patajac, Hrvoje; Petrovecki, Mladen

2011-08-15

To perform SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of a clinical laboratory as an economic model that may be used to improve business performance of laboratories by removing weaknesses, minimizing threats, and using external opportunities and internal strengths. Impact of possible threats to and weaknesses of the Clinical Laboratory at Našice General County Hospital business performance and use of strengths and opportunities to improve operating profit were simulated using models created on the basis of SWOT analysis results. The operating profit as a measure of profitability of the clinical laboratory was defined as total revenue minus total expenses and presented using a profit and loss account. Changes in the input parameters in the profit and loss account for 2008 were determined using opportunities and potential threats, and economic sensitivity analysis was made by using changes in the key parameters. The profit and loss account and economic sensitivity analysis were tools for quantifying the impact of changes in the revenues and expenses on the business operations of clinical laboratory. Results of simulation models showed that operational profit of €470 723 in 2008 could be reduced to only €21 542 if all possible threats became a reality and current weaknesses remained the same. Also, operational gain could be increased to €535 804 if laboratory strengths and opportunities were utilized. If both the opportunities and threats became a reality, the operational profit would decrease by €384 465. The operational profit of the clinical laboratory could be significantly reduced if all threats became a reality and the current weaknesses remained the same. The operational profit could be increased by utilizing strengths and opportunities as much as possible. This type of modeling may be used to monitor business operations of any clinical laboratory and improve its financial situation by implementing changes in the next fiscal period.

Linoleic Acid-Induced Ultra-Weak Photon Emission from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a Tool for Monitoring of Lipid Peroxidation in the Cell Membranes

PubMed Central

Prasad, Ankush; Pospíšil, Pavel

2011-01-01

Reactive oxygen species formed as a response to various abiotic and biotic stresses cause an oxidative damage of cellular component such are lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Lipid peroxidation is considered as one of the major processes responsible for the oxidative damage of the polyunsaturated fatty acid in the cell membranes. Various methods such as a loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids, amount of the primary and the secondary products are used to monitor the level of lipid peroxidation. To investigate the use of ultra-weak photon emission as a non-invasive tool for monitoring of lipid peroxidation, the involvement of lipid peroxidation in ultra-weak photon emission was studied in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Lipid peroxidation initiated by addition of exogenous linoleic acid to the cells was monitored by ultra-weak photon emission measured with the employment of highly sensitive charged couple device camera and photomultiplier tube. It was found that the addition of linoleic acid to the cells significantly increased the ultra-weak photon emission that correlates with the accumulation of lipid peroxidation product as measured using thiobarbituric acid assay. Scavenging of hydroxyl radical by mannitol, inhibition of intrinsic lipoxygenase by catechol and removal of molecular oxygen considerably suppressed ultra-weak photon emission measured after the addition of linoleic acid. The photon emission dominated at the red region of the spectrum with emission maximum at 680 nm. These observations reveal that the oxidation of linoleic acid by hydroxyl radical and intrinsic lipoxygenase results in the ultra-weak photon emission. Electronically excited species such as excited triplet carbonyls are the likely candidates for the primary excited species formed during the lipid peroxidation, whereas chlorophylls are the final emitters of photons. We propose here that the ultra-weak photon emission can be used as a non-invasive tool for the detection of lipid peroxidation in the cell membranes. PMID:21799835

[Differentiation therapy for non-acidic gastroesophageal reflux disease].

PubMed

Lishchuk, N B; Simanenkov, V I; Tikhonov, S V

2017-01-01

To investigate the clinical and pathogenetic features of the non-acidic types of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to evaluate the impact of combined therapy versus monotherapy on the course of this disease. The investigation enrolled 62 patients with non-acidic GERD. The follow-up period was 6 weeks. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1) weakly acidic gastroesophageal refluxes (GER); 2) weakly alkaline GER. Then each group was distributed, thus making up 4 groups: 1) 19 patients with weakly acidic GER who received monotherapy with rabeprazole 20 mg/day; 2) 21 patients with weakly acidic GER had combined therapy with rabeprazole 20 mg and itopride; 3) 8 patients with weakly alkaline GER who received ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) monotherapy; and 4) 14 patients with weakly alkaline GER who had combined therapy with UDCA and itopride, The clinical symptoms of the disease, the endoscopic pattern of the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) mucosa, histological changes in the esophageal and gastric mucosa, and the results of 24-hour impedance pH monitoring were assessed over time. During differentiation therapy, the majority of patients reported positive clinical changes and an improved or unchanged endoscopic pattern. Assessment of impedance pH monitoring results revealed decreases in the overall number of GERs, the presence of a bolus in the esophagus, and the number of proximal refluxes. These changes were noted not only in patients taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), but also in those treated with UDCA monotherapy or combined PPI and prokinetic therapy. A differentiated approach to non-acidic GER treatment contributes to its efficiency. Adding the prokinetic itomed (itopride hydrochloride) to PPI therapy in a patient with weakly acidic GER enhances the efficiency of treatment, by positively affecting upper GIT motility. The mainstay of therapy for GERD with a predominance of weakly alkaline refluxes is UDCA, the combination of the latter and the prokinetic can exert a more pronounced effect on the clinical and endoscopic pattern and upper GIT motility.

Enhancing QKD security with weak measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farinholt, Jacob M.; Troupe, James E.

2016-10-01

Publisher's Note: This paper, originally published on 10/24/2016, was replaced with a corrected/revised version on 11/8/2016. If you downloaded the original PDF but are unable to access the revision, please contact SPIE Digital Library Customer Service for assistance. In the late 1980s, Aharonov and colleagues developed the notion of a weak measurement of a quantum observable that does not appreciably disturb the system.1, 2 The measurement results are conditioned on both the pre-selected and post-selected state of the quantum system. While any one measurement reveals very little information, by making the same measurement on a large ensemble of identically prepared pre- and post-selected (PPS) states and averaging the results, one may obtain what is known as the weak value of the observable with respect to that PPS ensemble. Recently, weak measurements have been proposed as a method of assessing the security of QKD in the well-known BB84 protocol.3 This weak value augmented QKD protocol (WV-QKD) works by additionally requiring the receiver, Bob, to make a weak measurement of a particular observable prior to his strong measurement. For the subset of measurement results in which Alice and Bob's measurement bases do not agree, the weak measurement results can be used to detect any attempt by an eavesdropper, Eve, to correlate her measurement results with Bob's. Furthermore, the well-known detector blinding attacks, which are known to perfectly correlate Eve's results with Bob's without being caught by conventional BB84 implementations, actually make the eavesdropper more visible in the new WV-QKD protocol. In this paper, we will introduce the WV-QKD protocol and discuss its generalization to the 6-state single qubit protocol. We will discuss the types of weak measurements that are optimal for this protocol, and compare the predicted performance of the 6- and 4-state WV-QKD protocols.

Importance of weak minerals on earthquake mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaneki, S.; Hirono, T.

2017-12-01

The role of weak minerals such as smectite and talc on earthquake mechanics is one of the important issues, and has been debated for recent several decades. Traditionally weak minerals in fault have been reported to weaken fault strength causing from its low frictional resistance. Furthermore, velocity-strengthening behavior of such weak mineral (talc) is considered to responsible for fault creep (aseismic slip) in the San Andreas fault. In contrast, recent studies reported that large amount of weak smectite in the Japan Trench could facilitate gigantic seismic slip during the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake. To investigate the role of weak minerals on rupture propagation process and magnitude of slip, we focus on the frictional properties of carbonaceous materials (CMs), which is the representative weak materials widely distributed in and around the convergent boundaries. Field observation and geochemical analyses revealed that graphitized CMs-layer is distributed along the slip surface of a fossil plate-subduction fault. Laboratory friction experiments demonstrated that pure quartz, bulk mixtures with bituminous coal (1 wt.%), and quartz with layered coal samples exhibited almost similar frictional properties (initial, yield, and dynamic friction). However, mixtures of quartz (99 wt.%) and layered graphite (1 wt.%) showed significantly lower initial and yield friction coefficient (0.31 and 0.50, respectively). Furthermore, the stress ratio S, defined as (yield stress-initial stress)/(initial stress-dynamic stress), increased in layered graphite samples (1.97) compared to quartz samples (0.14). Similar trend was observed in smectite-rich fault gouge. By referring the reported results of dynamic rupture propagation simulation using S ratio of 1.4 (typical value for the Japan Trench) and 2.0 (this study), we confirmed that higher S ratio results in smaller slip distance by approximately 20 %. On the basis of these results, we could conclude that weak minerals have lower initial/yield strength and higher S ratio, and thus restrain magnitude of slip during earthquake.

A Search Technique for Weak and Long-Duration Gamma-Ray Bursts from Background Model Residuals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Skelton, R. T.; Mahoney, W. A.

1993-01-01

We report on a planned search technique for Gamma-Ray Bursts too weak to trigger the on-board threshold. The technique is to search residuals from a physically based background model used for analysis of point sources by the Earth occultation method.

School-Based Sexuality Education in Portugal: Strengths and Weaknesses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rocha, Ana Cristina; Leal, Cláudia; Duarte, Cidália

2016-01-01

Portugal, like many other countries, faces obstacles regarding school-based sexuality education. This paper explores Portuguese schools' approaches to implementing sexuality education at a local level, and provides a critical analysis of potential strengths and weaknesses. Documents related to sexuality education in a convenience sample of 89…

The Analysis of Classroom Talk: Methods and Methodologies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mercer, Neil

2010-01-01

This article describes methods for analysing classroom talk, comparing their strengths and weaknesses. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are described and assessed for their strengths and weaknesses, with a discussion of the mixed use of such methods. It is acknowledged that particular methods are often embedded in particular…