Le(x) glycan mediates homotypic adhesion of embryonal cells independently from E-cadherin: a preliminary note.

PubMed

Handa, Kazuko; Takatani-Nakase, Tomoka; Larue, Lionel; Stemmler, Marc P; Kemler, Rolf; Hakomori, Sen-itiroh

2007-06-22

Le(x) glycan and E-cadherin (Ecad) are co-expressed at embryonal stem (ES) cells and embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. While the structure and function of Ecad mediating homotypic adhesion of these cells have been well established, evidence that Le(x) glycan also mediates such adhesion is weak, despite the fact that Le(x) oligosaccharide inhibits the compaction process. To provide stronger evidence, we knocked out Ecad gene in EC and ES cells to establish F9 Ecad (-/-) and D3M Ecad (-/-) cells, which highly express Le(x) glycan but do not express Ecad at all. Both F9 Ecad (-/-) and D3M Ecad (-/-) cells displayed strong autoaggregation in the presence of Ca(2+), while PYS-2 cells, which express trace amount of Ecad and undetectable level of Le(x) glycan, did not display autoaggregation. In addition, F9 Ecad (-/-) and D3M Ecad (-/-) cells displayed strong adhesion to plates coated with Le(x) glycosphingolipid (III(3)FucnLc4Cer), in dose-dependent manner, in the presence of Ca(2+). Thus, ES or EC cells display autoaggregation and strong adhesion to Le(x)-coated plates in the absence of Ecad, further supporting the notion of Le(x) self-recognition (i.e., Le(x)-to-Le(x) interaction) in cell adhesion.

LexTran support project : strategic planning support for LexTran visioning.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-09-01

In October 2003, LexTran, the City of Lexingtons public transportation provider, was undergoing a management transition. It sought the assistance of the Kentucky Transportation Center for strategic planning and visioning. This project produced fou...

Impact of low-volume, high-intensity interval training on maximal aerobic capacity, health-related quality of life and motivation to exercise in ageing men.

PubMed

Knowles, Ann-Marie; Herbert, Peter; Easton, Chris; Sculthorpe, Nicholas; Grace, Fergal M

2015-01-01

There is a demand for effective training methods that encourage exercise adherence during advancing age, particularly in sedentary populations. This study examined the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise on health-related quality of life (HRQL), aerobic fitness and motivation to exercise in ageing men. Participants consisted of males who were either lifelong sedentary (SED; N = 25; age 63 ± 5 years) or lifelong exercisers (LEX; N = 19; aged 61 ± 5 years). [Formula: see text] and HRQL were measured at three phases: baseline (Phase A), week seven (Phase B) and week 13 (Phase C). Motivation to exercise was measured at baseline and week 13. [Formula: see text] was significantly higher in LEX (39.2 ± 5.6 ml kg min(-1)) compared to SED (27.2 ± 5.2 ml kg min(-1)) and increased in both groups from Phase A to C (SED 4.6 ± 3.2 ml kg min(-1), 95 % CI 3.1 - 6.0; LEX 4.9 ± 3.4 ml kg min(-1), 95 % CI 3.1-6.6) Physical functioning (97 ± 4 LEX; 93 ± 7 SED) and general health (70 ± 11 LEX; 78 ± 11 SED) were significantly higher in LEX but increased only in the SED group from Phase A to C (physical functioning 17 ± 18, 95 % CI 9-26, general health 14 ± 14, 95 % CI 8-21). Exercise motives related to social recognition (2.4 ± 1.2 LEX; 1.5 ± 1.0 SED), affiliation (2.7 ± 1.0 LEX; 1.6 ± 1.2 SED) and competition (3.3 ± 1.3 LEX; 2.2 ± 1.1) were significantly higher in LEX yet weight management motives were significantly higher in SED (2.9 ± 1.1 LEX; 4.3 ± 0.5 SED). The study provides preliminary evidence that low-volume HIIT increases perceptions of HRQL, exercise motives and aerobic capacity in older adults, to varying degrees, in both SED and LEX groups.

Variability amongst radiographers in the categorization of clinical acceptability for digital trauma radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Decoster, Robin; Toomey, Rachel; Smits, Dirk; Mol, Harrie; Verhelle, Filip; Butler, Marie-Louise

2016-03-01

Introduction: Radiographers evaluate anatomical structures to judge clinical acceptability of a radiograph. Whether a radiograph is deemed acceptable for diagnosis or not depends on the individual decision of the radiographer. Individual decisions cause variation in the accepted image quality. To minimise these variations definitions of acceptability, such as in RadLex, were developed. On which criteria radiographers attribute a RadLex categories to radiographs is unknown. Insight into these criteria helps to further optimise definitions and reduce variability in acceptance between radiographers. Therefore, this work aims the evaluation of the correlation between the RadLex classification and the evaluation of anatomical structures, using a Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) Methods: Four radiographers evaluated the visibility of five anatomical structures of 25 lateral cervical spine radiographs on a secondary class display with a VGA. They judged clinical acceptability of each radiograph using RadLex. Relations between VGAS and RadLex category were analysed with Kendall's Tau correlation and Nagelkerke pseudo-R². Results: The overall VGA score (VGAS) and the RadLex score correlate (rτ= 0.62, p<0.01, R2=0.72) strongly. The observers' evaluation of contrast between bone, air (trachea) and soft tissue has low value in predicting (rτ=0.55, p<0.01, R2=0.03) the RadLex score. The reproduction of spinous processes (rτ=0.67, p<0.01, R2=0.31) and the evaluation of the exposure (rτ=0.65, p<0.01, R2=0.56) have a strong correlation with high predictive value for the RadLex score. Conclusion: RadLex scores and VGAS correlate positively, strongly and significantly. The predictive value of bony structures may support the use of these in the judgement of clinical acceptability. Considerable inter-observer variations in the VGAS within a certain RadLex category, suggest that observers use of observer specific cut-off values.

A plasmid-encoded UmuD homologue regulates expression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa SOS genes.

PubMed

Díaz-Magaña, Amada; Alva-Murillo, Nayeli; Chávez-Moctezuma, Martha P; López-Meza, Joel E; Ramírez-Díaz, Martha I; Cervantes, Carlos

2015-07-01

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa plasmid pUM505 contains the umuDC operon that encodes proteins similar to error-prone repair DNA polymerase V. The umuC gene appears to be truncated and its product is probably not functional. The umuD gene, renamed umuDpR, possesses an SOS box overlapped with a Sigma factor 70 type promoter; accordingly, transcriptional fusions revealed that the umuDpR gene promoter is activated by mitomycin C. The predicted sequence of the UmuDpR protein displays 23 % identity with the Ps. aeruginosa SOS-response LexA repressor. The umuDpR gene caused increased MMC sensitivity when transferred to the Ps. aeruginosa PAO1 strain. As expected, PAO1-derived knockout lexA-  mutant PW6037 showed resistance to MMC; however, when the umuDpR gene was transferred to PW6037, MMC resistance level was reduced. These data suggested that UmuDpR represses the expression of SOS genes, as LexA does. To test whether UmuDpR exerts regulatory functions, expression of PAO1 SOS genes was evaluated by reverse transcription quantitative PCR assays in the lexA-  mutant with or without the pUC_umuD recombinant plasmid. Expression of lexA, imuA and recA genes increased 3.4-5.3 times in the lexA-  mutant, relative to transcription of the corresponding genes in the lexA+ strain, but decreased significantly in the lexA- /umuDpR transformant. These results confirmed that the UmuDpR protein is a repressor of Ps. aeruginosa SOS genes controlled by LexA. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays, however, did not show binding of UmuDpR to 5' regions of SOS genes, suggesting an indirect mechanism of regulation.

Inhibitors of LexA Autoproteolysis and the Bacterial SOS Response Discovered by an Academic-Industry Partnership.

PubMed

Mo, Charlie Y; Culyba, Matthew J; Selwood, Trevor; Kubiak, Jeffrey M; Hostetler, Zachary M; Jurewicz, Anthony J; Keller, Paul M; Pope, Andrew J; Quinn, Amy; Schneck, Jessica; Widdowson, Katherine L; Kohli, Rahul M

2018-03-09

The RecA/LexA axis of the bacterial DNA damage (SOS) response is a promising, yet nontraditional, drug target. The SOS response is initiated upon genotoxic stress, when RecA, a DNA damage sensor, induces LexA, the SOS repressor, to undergo autoproteolysis, thereby derepressing downstream genes that can mediate DNA repair and accelerate mutagenesis. As genetic inhibition of the SOS response sensitizes bacteria to DNA damaging antibiotics and decreases acquired resistance, inhibitors of the RecA/LexA axis could potentiate our current antibiotic arsenal. Compounds targeting RecA, which has many mammalian homologues, have been reported; however, small-molecules targeting LexA autoproteolysis, a reaction unique to the prokaryotic SOS response, have remained elusive. Here, we describe the logistics and accomplishments of an academic-industry partnership formed to pursue inhibitors against the RecA/LexA axis. A novel fluorescence polarization assay reporting on RecA-induced self-cleavage of LexA enabled the screening of 1.8 million compounds. Follow-up studies on select leads show distinct activity patterns in orthogonal assays, including several with activity in cell-based assays reporting on SOS activation. Mechanistic assays demonstrate that we have identified first-in-class small molecules that specifically target the LexA autoproteolysis step in SOS activation. Our efforts establish a realistic example for navigating academic-industry partnerships in pursuit of anti-infective drugs and offer starting points for dedicated lead optimization of SOS inhibitors that could act as adjuvants for current antibiotics.

Motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa contributes to SOS-inducible biofilm formation.

PubMed

Chellappa, Shakinah T; Maredia, Reshma; Phipps, Kara; Haskins, William E; Weitao, Tao

2013-12-01

DNA-damaging antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin induce biofilm formation and the SOS response through autocleavage of SOS-repressor LexA in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the biofilm-SOS connection remains poorly understood. It was investigated with 96-well and lipid biofilm assays. The effects of ciprofloxacin were examined on biofilm stimulation of the SOS mutant and wild-type strains. The stimulation observed in the wild-type in which SOS was induced was reduced in the mutant in which LexA was made non-cleavable (LexAN) and thus SOS non-inducible. Therefore, the stimulation appeared to involve SOS. The possible mechanisms of inducible biofilm formation were explored by subproteomic analysis of outer membrane fractions extracted from biofilms. The data predicted an inhibitory role of LexA in flagellum function. This premise was tested first by functional and morphological analyses of flagellum-based motility. The flagellum swimming motility decreased in the LexAN strain treated with ciprofloxacin. Second, the motility-biofilm assay was performed, which tested cell migration and biofilm formation. The results showed that wild-type biofilm increased significantly over the LexAN. These results suggest that LexA repression of motility, which is the initial event in biofilm development, contributes to repression of SOS-inducible biofilm formation. Copyright © 2013 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Using Standardized Lexicons for Report Template Validation with LexMap, a Web-based Application.

PubMed

Hostetter, Jason; Wang, Kenneth; Siegel, Eliot; Durack, Jeremy; Morrison, James J

2015-06-01

An enormous amount of data exists in unstructured diagnostic and interventional radiology reports. Free text or non-standardized terminologies limit the ability to parse, extract, and analyze these report data elements. Medical lexicons and ontologies contain standardized terms for relevant concepts including disease entities, radiographic technique, and findings. The use of standardized terms offers the potential to improve reporting consistency and facilitate computer analysis. The purpose of this project was to implement an interface to aid in the creation of standards-compliant reporting templates for use in interventional radiology. Non-standardized procedure report text was analyzed and referenced to RadLex, SNOMED-CT, and LOINC. Using JavaScript, a web application was developed which determined whether exact terms or synonyms in reports existed within these three reference resources. The NCBO BioPortal Annotator web service was used to map terms, and output from this application was used to create an interactive annotated version of the original report. The application was successfully used to analyze and modify five distinct reports for the Society of Interventional Radiology's standardized reporting project.

Rail-lex Slovenia--A Modern Railway Dictionary (Joint Venture Case Study).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jakopin, Primoz

Rail-lex Slovenia is a project to develop a dictionary of railway terminology in the Slovenian language, part of a larger undertaking of the International Union of Railways to develop a modern, multilingual communication infrastructure. Participating organizations represent 22 European languages. Two partners in the Rail-lex Slovenia venture are…

Dendritic Cells Pulsed with Leukemia Cell-Derived Exosomes More Efficiently Induce Antileukemic Immunities

PubMed Central

Wei, Wei; Shen, Chang; Deng, Xiaohui; Chen, Linjun; Ma, Liyuan; Hao, Siguo

2014-01-01

Dendritic cells (DCs) and tumor cell-derived exosomes have been used to develop antitumor vaccines. However, the biological properties and antileukemic effects of leukemia cell-derived exosomes (LEXs) are not well described. In this study, the biological properties and induction of antileukemic immunity of LEXs were investigated using transmission electron microscopy, western blot analysis, cytotoxicity assays, and animal studies. Similar to other tumor cells, leukemia cells release exosomes. Exosomes derived from K562 leukemia cells (LEXK562) are membrane-bound vesicles with diameters of approximately 50–100 μm and harbor adhesion molecules (e.g., intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and immunologically associated molecules (e.g., heat shock protein 70). In cytotoxicity assays and animal studies, LEXs-pulsed DCs induced an antileukemic cytotoxic T-lymphocyte immune response and antileukemic immunity more effectively than did LEXs and non-pulsed DCs (P<0.05). Therefore, LEXs may harbor antigens and immunological molecules associated with leukemia cells. As such, LEX-based vaccines may be a promising strategy for prolonging disease-free survival in patients with leukemia after chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. PMID:24622345

[Common law study of the legal responsibility of health care staff related to drug reformulation].

PubMed

Reche-Castex, F J; Alonso Herreros, J M

2005-01-01

To analyze the responsibility of health care staff in drug reformulation (change of dose, pharmaceutical form or route of administration of medicinal products) based on the common law of the High Court and the National Court. Search and analysis of common law and legal studies included in databases "El Derecho", "Difusión Jurídica" and "Indret". Health care staff has means--not outcomes--obligations according to the care standards included in the "Lex Artis" that can go beyond the mere legal standards. Failure to apply these care standards, denial of assistance or disrespect to the autonomy of the patient can be negligent behavior. We found 4 cases in common law. In the two cases in which care standards were complied with, including reformulation, health care professionals were acquitted, whereas in the other two cases in which reformulations were not used even though the "Lex Artis" required them, the professionals were condemned. Reformulation of medicinal products, as set forth in the Lex Artis, is a practice accepted by the High Court and the National Court and failure to use it when the scientific knowledge advises so is a cause for conviction.

Dynamic Self-Organization and Early Lexical Development in Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Ping; Zhao, Xiaowei; Whinney, Brian Mac

2007-01-01

In this study we present a self-organizing connectionist model of early lexical development. We call this model DevLex-II, based on the earlier DevLex model. DevLex-II can simulate a variety of empirical patterns in children's acquisition of words. These include a clear vocabulary spurt, effects of word frequency and length on age of acquisition,…

LexA Binds to Transcription Regulatory Site of Cell Division Gene ftsZ in Toxic Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa.

PubMed

Honda, Takashi; Morimoto, Daichi; Sako, Yoshihiko; Yoshida, Takashi

2018-05-17

Previously, we showed that DNA replication and cell division in toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa are coordinated by transcriptional regulation of cell division gene ftsZ and that an unknown protein specifically bound upstream of ftsZ (BpFz; DNA-binding protein to an upstream site of ftsZ) during successful DNA replication and cell division. Here, we purified BpFz from M. aeruginosa strain NIES-298 using DNA-affinity chromatography and gel-slicing combined with gel electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA). The N-terminal amino acid sequence of BpFz was identified as TNLESLTQ, which was identical to that of transcription repressor LexA from NIES-843. EMSA analysis using mutant probes showed that the sequence GTACTAN 3 GTGTTC was important in LexA binding. Comparison of the upstream regions of lexA in the genomes of closely related cyanobacteria suggested that the sequence TASTRNNNNTGTWC could be a putative LexA recognition sequence (LexA box). Searches for TASTRNNNNTGTWC as a transcriptional regulatory site (TRS) in the genome of M. aeruginosa NIES-843 showed that it was present in genes involved in cell division, photosynthesis, and extracellular polysaccharide biosynthesis. Considering that BpFz binds to the TRS of ftsZ during normal cell division, LexA may function as a transcriptional activator of genes related to cell reproduction in M. aeruginosa, including ftsZ. This may be an example of informality in the control of bacterial cell division.

The SOS Response Master Regulator LexA Regulates the Gene Transfer Agent of Rhodobacter capsulatus and Represses Transcription of the Signal Transduction Protein CckA.

PubMed

Kuchinski, Kevin S; Brimacombe, Cedric A; Westbye, Alexander B; Ding, Hao; Beatty, J Thomas

2016-02-01

The gene transfer agent of Rhodobacter capsulatus (RcGTA) is a genetic exchange element that combines central aspects of bacteriophage-mediated transduction and natural transformation. RcGTA particles resemble a small double-stranded DNA bacteriophage, package random ∼4-kb fragments of the producing cell genome, and are released from a subpopulation (<1%) of cells in a stationary-phase culture. RcGTA particles deliver this DNA to surrounding R. capsulatus cells, and the DNA is integrated into the recipient genome though a process that requires homologs of natural transformation genes and RecA-mediated homologous recombination. Here, we report the identification of the LexA repressor, the master regulator of the SOS response in many bacteria, as a regulator of RcGTA activity. Deletion of the lexA gene resulted in the abolition of detectable RcGTA production and an ∼10-fold reduction in recipient capability. A search for SOS box sequences in the R. capsulatus genome sequence identified a number of putative binding sites located 5' of typical SOS response coding sequences and also 5' of the RcGTA regulatory gene cckA, which encodes a hybrid histidine kinase homolog. Expression of cckA was increased >5-fold in the lexA mutant, and a lexA cckA double mutant was found to have the same phenotype as a ΔcckA single mutant in terms of RcGTA production. The data indicate that LexA is required for RcGTA production and maximal recipient capability and that the RcGTA-deficient phenotype of the lexA mutant is largely due to the overexpression of cckA. This work describes an unusual phenotype of a lexA mutant of the alphaproteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus in respect to the phage transduction-like genetic exchange carried out by the R. capsulatus gene transfer agent (RcGTA). Instead of the expected SOS response characteristic of prophage induction, this lexA mutation not only abolishes the production of RcGTA particles but also impairs the ability of cells to receive RcGTA-borne genes. The data show that, despite an apparent evolutionary relationship to lambdoid phages, the regulation of RcGTA gene expression differs radically. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Control of Interacting Vortex Flows at Subsonic and Transonic Speeds Using Passive Porosity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Gary E.

2003-01-01

A wind tunnel experiment was conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) 8-foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel (TPT) to determine the effects of passive surface porosity on vortex flow interactions about a general research fighter configuration at subsonic and transonic speeds. Flow- through porosity was applied to a wind leading-edge extension (LEX) mounted to a 65 deg cropped delta wind model to promote large nose-down pitching moment increments at high angles of attack. Porosity decreased the vorticity shed from the LEX, which weakened the LEX vortex and altered the global interactions of the LEX and wing vortices at high angles of attack. Six-component forces and moments and wing upper surface static pressure distributions were obtained at free- stream Mach numbers of 0.50, 0.85, and 1.20, Reynolds number of 2.5(10(exp-6) per foot, angles of attack up to 30 deg and angles of sideslip to plus or minus 8 deg. The off-surface flow field was visualized in selected cross-planes using a laser vapor screen flow visualization technique. Test data were obtained with a centerline vertical tail and with alternate twin, wing-mounted vertical fins having 0 deg and 30 deg cant angles. In addition, the porosity of the LEX was compartmentalized to determine the sensitivity of the vortex- dominated aerodynamics to the location and level of porosity applied to the LEX.

Control of Interacting Vortex Flows at Subsonic and Transonic Speeds Using Passive Porosity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Gary E.

2003-01-01

A wind tunnel experiment was conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel (TPT) to determine the effects of passive surface porosity on vortex flow interactions about a general research fighter configuration at subsonic and transonic speeds. Flow-through porosity was applied to a wing leading-edge extension (LEX) mounted to a 65 deg cropped delta wing model to promote large nose-down pitching moment increments at high angles of attack. Porosity decreased the vorticity shed from the LEX, which weakened the LEX vortex and altered the global interactions of the LEX and wing vortices at high angles of attack. Six-component forces and moments and wing upper surface static pressure distributions were obtained at free-stream Mach numbers of 0.50, 0.85, and 1.20, Reynolds number of 2.5(10(exp 6)) per foot, angles of attack up to 30 deg, and angles of sideslip to +/- 8 deg. The off-surface flow field was visualized in selected cross-planes using a laser vapor screen flow visualization technique. Test data were obtained with a centerline vertical tail and with alternate twin, wing-mounted vertical fins having 0 deg and 30 deg cant angles. In addition, the porosity of the LEX was compartmentalized to determine the sensitivity of the vortex-dominated aerodynamics to the location and level of porosity applied to the LEX.

LDV Surveys Over a Fighter Model at Moderate to High Angles of Attack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sellers, William L., III; Meyers, James F.; Hepner, Timothy E.

2004-01-01

The vortex flowfield over an advanced twin-tailed fighter configuration was measured in a low-speed wind tunnel at two angles of attack. The primary test data consisted of 3-component velocity surveys obtained using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter. Laser light sheet and surface flow visualization were also obtained to provide insight into the flowfield structure. Time-averaged velocities and the root mean square of the velocity fluctuations were obtained at two cross-sections above the model. At 15 degrees angle of attack, the vortices generated by the wing leading edge extension (LEX) were unburst over the model and passed outboard of the vertical tail. At 25 degrees angle of attack, the vortices burst in the vicinity of the wing-LEX intersection and impact directly on the vertical tails. The RMS levels of the velocity fluctuations reach values of approximately 30% in the region of the vertical tails.

Effect of different polishing systems on the surface roughness of nano-hybrid composites.

PubMed

Patel, Brijesh; Chhabra, Naveen; Jain, Disha

2016-01-01

The study aimed to investigate the influence of different polishing systems on the surface roughness of nano-hybrid composite resins. Different shapes of polishing systems are available according to the site of work. To minimize variability, a new system with single shape is developed that can be utilized in both anterior as well as posterior teeth. Seventy composite discs were fabricated using Teflon well (10 mm × 3 mm). Two main group of nano-hybrid composite Group I - Filtek Z350 and Group II - Tetric N-Ceram were used (n = 35 for each group). Both groups were further divided into four subgroups. Subgroup a - OneGloss (n = 10), Subgroup b - PoGo (n = 10), Subgroup c - Sof-Lex spiral (n = 10), Subgroup d - Mylar strip (control, n = 5). Samples were polished according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Surface roughness test was performed using contact profilometer. The obtained data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance test. Tetric N-Ceram produced smoother surfaces than Filtek Z350 (P < 0.05). Mylar strip and "PoGo" created equally smooth surfaces, while significantly rougher surfaces were obtained after applications of "Sof-Lex spiral" and "OneGloss" (P < 0.05). Polishing ability of Tetric N-Ceram is better than Filtek Z350 XT. "PoGo" seems to be a better polishing system than "OneGloss" and "Sof-Lex Spiral."

Indexing thoracic CT reports using a preliminary version of a standardized radiological lexicon (RadLex).

PubMed

Marwede, Dirk; Schulz, Thomas; Kahn, Thomas

2008-12-01

To validate a preliminary version of a radiological lexicon (RadLex) against terms found in thoracic CT reports and to index report content in RadLex term categories. Terms from a random sample of 200 thoracic CT reports were extracted using a text processor and matched against RadLex. Report content was manually indexed by two radiologists in consensus in term categories of Anatomic Location, Finding, Modifier, Relationship, Image Quality, and Uncertainty. Descriptive statistics were used and differences between age groups and report types were tested for significance using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney Test (significance level <0.05). From 363 terms extracted, 304 (84%) were found and 59 (16%) were not found in RadLex. Report indexing showed a mean of 16.2 encoded items per report and 3.2 Finding per report. Term categories most frequently encoded were Modifier (1,030 of 3,244, 31.8%), Anatomic Location (813, 25.1%), Relationship (702, 21.6%) and Finding (638, 19.7%). Frequency of indexed items per report was higher in older age groups, but no significant difference was found between first study and follow up study reports. Frequency of distinct findings per report increased with patient age (p < 0.05). RadLex already covers most terms present in thoracic CT reports based on a small sample analysis from one institution. Applications for report encoding need to be developed to validate the lexicon against a larger sample of reports and address the issue of automatic relationship encoding.

Comparative Genomics of DNA Recombination and Repair in Cyanobacteria: Biotechnological Implications

PubMed Central

Cassier-Chauvat, Corinne; Veaudor, Théo; Chauvat, Franck

2016-01-01

Cyanobacteria are fascinating photosynthetic prokaryotes that are regarded as the ancestors of the plant chloroplast; the purveyors of oxygen and biomass for the food chain; and promising cell factories for an environmentally friendly production of chemicals. In colonizing most waters and soils of our planet, cyanobacteria are inevitably challenged by environmental stresses that generate DNA damages. Furthermore, many strains engineered for biotechnological purposes can use DNA recombination to stop synthesizing the biotechnological product. Hence, it is important to study DNA recombination and repair in cyanobacteria for both basic and applied research. This review reports what is known in a few widely studied model cyanobacteria and what can be inferred by mining the sequenced genomes of morphologically and physiologically diverse strains. We show that cyanobacteria possess many E. coli-like DNA recombination and repair genes, and possibly other genes not yet identified. E. coli-homolog genes are unevenly distributed in cyanobacteria, in agreement with their wide genome diversity. Many genes are extremely well conserved in cyanobacteria (mutMS, radA, recA, recFO, recG, recN, ruvABC, ssb, and uvrABCD), even in small genomes, suggesting that they encode the core DNA repair process. In addition to these core genes, the marine Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus strains harbor recBCD (DNA recombination), umuCD (mutational DNA replication), as well as the key SOS genes lexA (regulation of the SOS system) and sulA (postponing of cell division until completion of DNA reparation). Hence, these strains could possess an E. coli-type SOS system. In contrast, several cyanobacteria endowed with larger genomes lack typical SOS genes. For examples, the two studied Gloeobacter strains lack alkB, lexA, and sulA; and Synechococcus PCC7942 has neither lexA nor recCD. Furthermore, the Synechocystis PCC6803 lexA product does not regulate DNA repair genes. Collectively, these findings indicate that not all cyanobacteria have an E. coli-type SOS system. Also interestingly, several cyanobacteria possess multiple copies of E. coli-like DNA repair genes, such as Acaryochloris marina MBIC11017 (2 alkB, 3 ogt, 7 recA, 3 recD, 2 ssb, 3 umuC, 4 umuD, and 8 xerC), Cyanothece ATCC51142 (2 lexA and 4 ruvC), and Nostoc PCC7120 (2 ssb and 3 xerC). PMID:27881980

The Antiphagocytic Activity of SeM of Streptococcus equi Requires Capsule.

PubMed

Timoney, John F; Suther, Pranav; Velineni, Sridhar; Artiushin, Sergey C

2014-01-01

Resistance to phagocytosis is a crucial virulence property of Streptococcus equi (Streptococcus equi subsp. equi; Se), the cause of equine strangles. The contribution and interdependence of capsule and SeM to killing in equine blood and neutrophils were investigated in naturally occurring strains of Se. Strains CF32, SF463 were capsule and SeM positive, strains Lex90, Lex93 were capsule negative and SeM positive and strains Se19, Se1-8 were capsule positive and SeM deficient. Phagocytosis and killing of Se19, Se1-8, Lex90 and Lex93 in equine blood and by neutrophils suspended in serum were significantly (P ≤ 0.02) greater compared to CF32 and SF463. The results indicate capsule and SeM are both required for resistance to phagocytosis and killing and that the anti-phagocytic property of SeM is greatly reduced in the absence of capsule.

Effect of different polishing systems on the surface roughness of nano-hybrid composites

PubMed Central

Patel, Brijesh; Chhabra, Naveen; Jain, Disha

2016-01-01

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the influence of different polishing systems on the surface roughness of nano-hybrid composite resins. Background: Different shapes of polishing systems are available according to the site of work. To minimize variability, a new system with single shape is developed that can be utilized in both anterior as well as posterior teeth. Materials and Methods: Seventy composite discs were fabricated using Teflon well (10 mm × 3 mm). Two main group of nano-hybrid composite Group I — Filtek Z350 and Group II — Tetric N-Ceram were used (n = 35 for each group). Both groups were further divided into four subgroups. Subgroup a — OneGloss (n = 10), Subgroup b - PoGo (n = 10), Subgroup c — Sof-Lex spiral (n = 10), Subgroup d - Mylar strip (control, n = 5). Samples were polished according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Surface roughness test was performed using contact profilometer. The obtained data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance test. Result: Tetric N-Ceram produced smoother surfaces than Filtek Z350 (P < 0.05). Mylar strip and “PoGo” created equally smooth surfaces, while significantly rougher surfaces were obtained after applications of “Sof-Lex spiral” and “OneGloss” (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Polishing ability of Tetric N-Ceram is better than Filtek Z350 XT. “PoGo” seems to be a better polishing system than “OneGloss” and “Sof-Lex Spiral.” PMID:26957791

Contagious seed dispersal beneath heterospecific fruiting trees and its consequences.

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

Kwit, Charles; Levey, Douglas, J.; Greenberg, Cathyrn, H.

2004-05-03

Kwit, Charles, D.J. Levey and Cathryn H. Greenberg. 2004. Contagious seed dispersal beneath heterospecific fruiting trees and its consequences. Oikos. 107:303-308 A n hypothesized advantage of seed dispersal is avoidance of high per capita mortality (i.e. density-dependent mortality) associated with dense populations of seeds and seedlings beneath parent trees. This hypothesis, inherent in nearly all seed dispersal studies, assumes that density effects are species-specific. Yet because many tree species exhibit overlapping fruiting phenologies and share dispersers, seeds may be deposited preferentially under synchronously fruiting heterospecific trees, another location where they may be particularly vulnerable to mortality, in this case bymore » generalist seed predators. We demonstrate that frugivores disperse higher densities of Cornus florida seeds under fruiting (female) I lex opaca trees than under non-fruiting (male) I lex trees in temperate hardwood forest settings in South Carolina, U SA . To determine if density of Cornus and/or I lex seeds influences survivorship of dispersed Cornus seeds, we followed the fates of experimentally dispersed Cornus seeds in neighborhoods of differing, manipulated background densities of Cornus and I lex seeds. We found that the probability of predation on dispersed Cornus seeds was a function of both Cornus and I lex background seed densities. H igher densities of I lex seeds negatively affected Cornus seed survivorship, and this was particularly evident as background densities of dispersed Cornus seeds increased. These results illustrate the importance of viewing seed dispersal and predation in a community context, as the pattern and intensity of density-dependent mortality may not be solely a function of conspecific densities.« less

Increased levels of fucosyltransferase IX and carbohydrate Lewis(x) adhesion determinant in human NT2N neurons.

PubMed

Brito, Catarina; Escrevente, Cristina; Reis, Celso A; Lee, Virginia M-Y; Trojanowski, John Q; Costa, Júlia

2007-05-01

The expression of the fucosylated carbohydrate Lewis(x) (Le(x)) determinant (Gal(beta1-4)[Fuc(alpha1-3)]GlcNAc-R) has been found in glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycolipids from the nervous system. Evidence suggests its association with cell-cell recognition, neurite outgrowth, and neuronal migration during central nervous system development. In the present work, we detected increased levels of Le(x) in differentiated human NT2N neurons cultured in vitro. To identify which fucosyltransferase (FUT) synthesized the Le(x) in NT2N neurons, RT-PCR, FUT substrate specificity and Western blot analysis were carried out. Strong activity toward acceptors Galbeta4GlcNAc-O-R and Fucalpha2Galbeta4GlcNAc-O-R [R = -(CH(2))(3)NHCO(CH(2))(5)NH-biotin], together with strong FUT9 detection by Western blot and presence of transcripts showed that FUT9 was the enzyme associated with Le(x) biosynthesis in NT2N neurons. Le(x) was detected at the plasma membrane of NT2N neurons, in lysosomes marked with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1), and it was found for the first time to colocalize with the tetanus neurotoxin-insensitive vesicle-associated membrane protein (TI-VAMP) that defines the TI-VAMP exocytic compartment that is involved in neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, incubation with anti-Le(x) monoclonal antibody L5 led to impaired adhesion of NT2N neurons to the surface matrix and inhibited neurite initiation. In conclusion, FUT9 and its product Le(x) are detected specifically in human NT2N neurons and our results indicate that they underlie cell differentiation, cell adhesion, and initiation of neurite outgrowth in those neurons. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Replication restart in UV-irradiated Escherichia coli involving pols II, III, V, PriA, RecA and RecFOR proteins.

PubMed

Rangarajan, Savithri; Woodgate, Roger; Goodman, Myron F

2002-02-01

In Escherichia coli, UV-irradiated cells resume DNA synthesis after a transient inhibition by a process called replication restart. To elucidate the role of several key proteins involved in this process, we have analysed the time dependence of replication restart in strains carrying a combination of mutations in lexA, recA, polB (pol II), umuDC (pol V), priA, dnaC, recF, recO or recR. We find that both pol II and the origin-independent primosome-assembling function of PriA are essential for the immediate recovery of DNA synthesis after UV irradiation. In their absence, translesion replication or 'replication readthrough' occurs approximately 50 min after UV and is pol V-dependent. In a wild-type, lexA+ background, mutations in recF, recO or recR block both pathways. Similar results were obtained with a lexA(Def) recF strain. However, lexA(Def) recO or lexA(Def) recR strains, although unable to facilitate PriA-pol II-dependent restart, were able to perform pol V-dependent readthrough. The defects in restart attributed to mutations in recF, recO or recR were suppressed in a recA730 lexA(Def) strain expressing constitutively activated RecA (RecA*). Our data suggest that in a wild-type background, RecF, O and R are important for the induction of the SOS response and the formation of RecA*-dependent recombination intermediates necessary for PriA/Pol II-dependent replication restart. In con-trast, only RecF is required for the activation of RecA that leads to the formation of pol V (UmuD'2C) and facilitates replication readthrough.

Two E-selectin ligands, BST-2 and LGALS3BP, predict metastasis and poor survival of ER-negative breast cancer.

PubMed

Woodman, Natalie; Pinder, Sarah E; Tajadura, Virginia; Le Bourhis, Xuefen; Gillett, Cheryl; Delannoy, Philippe; Burchell, Joy M; Julien, Sylvain

2016-07-01

Distant metastases account for the majority of cancer-related deaths in breast cancer. The rate and site of metastasis differ between estrogen receptor (ER)-negative and ER-positive tumours, and metastatic fate can be very diverse even within the ER-negative group. Characterisation of new pro-metastatic markers may help to identify patients with higher risk and improve their care accordingly. Selectin ligands aberrantly expressed by cancer cells promote metastasis by enabling interaction between circulating tumour cells and endothelial cells in distant organs. These ligands consist in carbohydrate molecules, such as sialyl-Lewis x antigen (sLex), borne by glycoproteins or glycolipids on the cancer cell surface. We have previously demonstrated that the molecular scaffold presenting sLex to selectins (e.g. glycolipid vs. glycoproteins) was crucial for these interactions to occur. Moreover, we reported that detection of sLex alone in breast carcinomas was only of limited prognostic value. However, since sLex was found to be carried by several glycoproteins in cancer cells, we hypothesized that the combination of the carbohydrate with its carriers could be more relevant than each marker independently. In this study, we addressed this question by analysing sLex expression together with two glycoproteins (BST-2 and LGALS3BP), shown to interact with E-selectin in a carbohydrate-dependent manner, in a cohort of 249 invasive breast cancers. We found both glycoproteins to be associated with distant metastasis risk and poorer survival. Importantly, concomitant high expression of BST-2 with sLex defined a sub-group of patients with ER-negative tumours displaying higher risks of liver and brain metastasis and a 3-fold decreased survival rate.

LexValueSets: An Approach for Context-Driven Value Sets Extraction

PubMed Central

Pathak, Jyotishman; Jiang, Guoqian; Dwarkanath, Sridhar O.; Buntrock, James D.; Chute, Christopher G.

2008-01-01

The ability to model, share and re-use value sets across multiple medical information systems is an important requirement. However, generating value sets semi-automatically from a terminology service is still an unresolved issue, in part due to the lack of linkage to clinical context patterns that provide the constraints in defining a concept domain and invocation of value sets extraction. Towards this goal, we develop and evaluate an approach for context-driven automatic value sets extraction based on a formal terminology model. The crux of the technique is to identify and define the context patterns from various domains of discourse and leverage them for value set extraction using two complementary ideas based on (i) local terms provided by the Subject Matter Experts (extensional) and (ii) semantic definition of the concepts in coding schemes (intensional). A prototype was implemented based on SNOMED CT rendered in the LexGrid terminology model and a preliminary evaluation is presented. PMID:18998955

F/A-18 1/9th scale model tail buffet measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, C. A.; Glaister, M. K.; Maclaren, L. D.; Meyn, L. A.; Ross, J.

1991-01-01

Wind tunnel tests were carried out on a 1/9th scale model of the F/A-18 at high angles of attack to investigate the characteristics of tail buffet due to bursting of the wing leading edge extension (LEX) vortices. The tests were carried out at the Aeronautical Research Laboratory low-speed wind tunnel facility and form part of a collaborative activity with NASA Ames Research Center, organized by The Technical Cooperative Program (TTCP). Information from the program will be used in the planning of similar collaborative tests, to be carried out at NASA Ames, on a full-scale aircraft. The program covered the measurement of unsteady pressures and fin vibration for cases with and without the wing LEX fences fitted. Fourier transform methods were used to analyze the unsteady data, and information on the spatial and temporal content of the vortex burst pressure field was obtained. Flow visualization of the vortex behavior was carried out using smoke and a laser light sheet technique.

Systematically Altering Bacterial SOS Activity under Stress Reveals Therapeutic Strategies for Potentiating Antibiotics.

PubMed

Mo, Charlie Y; Manning, Sara A; Roggiani, Manuela; Culyba, Matthew J; Samuels, Amanda N; Sniegowski, Paul D; Goulian, Mark; Kohli, Rahul M

2016-01-01

The bacterial SOS response is a DNA damage repair network that is strongly implicated in both survival and acquired drug resistance under antimicrobial stress. The two SOS regulators, LexA and RecA, have therefore emerged as potential targets for adjuvant therapies aimed at combating resistance, although many open questions remain. For example, it is not well understood whether SOS hyperactivation is a viable therapeutic approach or whether LexA or RecA is a better target. Furthermore, it is important to determine which antimicrobials could serve as the best treatment partners with SOS-targeting adjuvants. Here we derived Escherichia coli strains that have mutations in either lexA or recA genes in order to cover the full spectrum of possible SOS activity levels. We then systematically analyzed a wide range of antimicrobials by comparing the mean inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and induced mutation rates for each drug-strain combination. We first show that significant changes in MICs are largely confined to DNA-damaging antibiotics, with strains containing a constitutively repressed SOS response impacted to a greater extent than hyperactivated strains. Second, antibiotic-induced mutation rates were suppressed when SOS activity was reduced, and this trend was observed across a wider spectrum of antibiotics. Finally, perturbing either LexA or RecA proved to be equally viable strategies for targeting the SOS response. Our work provides support for multiple adjuvant strategies, while also suggesting that the combination of an SOS inhibitor with a DNA-damaging antibiotic could offer the best potential for lowering MICs and decreasing acquired drug resistance. IMPORTANCE Our antibiotic arsenal is becoming depleted, in part, because bacteria have the ability to rapidly adapt and acquire resistance to our best agents. The SOS pathway, a widely conserved DNA damage stress response in bacteria, is activated by many antibiotics and has been shown to play central role in promoting survival and the evolution of resistance under antibiotic stress. As a result, targeting the SOS response has been proposed as an adjuvant strategy to revitalize our current antibiotic arsenal. However, the optimal molecular targets and partner antibiotics for such an approach remain unclear. In this study, focusing on the two key regulators of the SOS response, LexA and RecA, we provide the first comprehensive assessment of how to target the SOS response in order to increase bacterial susceptibility and reduce mutagenesis under antibiotic treatment.

Systematically Altering Bacterial SOS Activity under Stress Reveals Therapeutic Strategies for Potentiating Antibiotics

PubMed Central

Mo, Charlie Y.; Manning, Sara A.; Roggiani, Manuela; Culyba, Matthew J.; Samuels, Amanda N.; Sniegowski, Paul D.; Goulian, Mark

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT The bacterial SOS response is a DNA damage repair network that is strongly implicated in both survival and acquired drug resistance under antimicrobial stress. The two SOS regulators, LexA and RecA, have therefore emerged as potential targets for adjuvant therapies aimed at combating resistance, although many open questions remain. For example, it is not well understood whether SOS hyperactivation is a viable therapeutic approach or whether LexA or RecA is a better target. Furthermore, it is important to determine which antimicrobials could serve as the best treatment partners with SOS-targeting adjuvants. Here we derived Escherichia coli strains that have mutations in either lexA or recA genes in order to cover the full spectrum of possible SOS activity levels. We then systematically analyzed a wide range of antimicrobials by comparing the mean inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and induced mutation rates for each drug-strain combination. We first show that significant changes in MICs are largely confined to DNA-damaging antibiotics, with strains containing a constitutively repressed SOS response impacted to a greater extent than hyperactivated strains. Second, antibiotic-induced mutation rates were suppressed when SOS activity was reduced, and this trend was observed across a wider spectrum of antibiotics. Finally, perturbing either LexA or RecA proved to be equally viable strategies for targeting the SOS response. Our work provides support for multiple adjuvant strategies, while also suggesting that the combination of an SOS inhibitor with a DNA-damaging antibiotic could offer the best potential for lowering MICs and decreasing acquired drug resistance. IMPORTANCE Our antibiotic arsenal is becoming depleted, in part, because bacteria have the ability to rapidly adapt and acquire resistance to our best agents. The SOS pathway, a widely conserved DNA damage stress response in bacteria, is activated by many antibiotics and has been shown to play central role in promoting survival and the evolution of resistance under antibiotic stress. As a result, targeting the SOS response has been proposed as an adjuvant strategy to revitalize our current antibiotic arsenal. However, the optimal molecular targets and partner antibiotics for such an approach remain unclear. In this study, focusing on the two key regulators of the SOS response, LexA and RecA, we provide the first comprehensive assessment of how to target the SOS response in order to increase bacterial susceptibility and reduce mutagenesis under antibiotic treatment. PMID:27536734

In-flight leading-edge extension vortex flow-field survey measurements on a F-18 aircraft at high angle of attack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richwine, David M.; Fisher, David F.

1992-01-01

Flow-field measurements on the leading-edge extension (LEX) of the F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) were obtained using a rotating rake with 16 hemispherical-tipped five-hole probes. Detailed pressure, velocity, and flow direction data were obtained through the LEX vortex core. Data were gathered during 1-g quasi-stabilized flight conditions at angles of attack alpha from 10 degrees to 52 degrees and at Reynolds numbers based on mean aerodynamic cord up to 16 x 10(exp 6). Normalized dynamic pressures and crossflow velocities clearly showed the primary vortex above the LEX and formation of a secondary vortex at higher angles of attack. The vortex was characterized by a ring of high dynamic pressure surrounding a region of low dynamic pressure at the vortex core center. The vortex core, subcore diameter, and vertical location of the core above the LEX increased with angle of attack. Minimum values for static pressure were obtained in the vortex subcore and decreased nearly linearly with increasing angle of attack until vortex breakdown. Rake-measured static pressures were consistent with previously documented surface pressures and showed good agreement with flow visualization flight test results. Comparison of the LEX vortex flight test data to computational solutions at alpha approximately equals 19 degrees and 30 degrees showed fair correlation.

LExTeS: Link Extraction and Testing Suite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryan, P. W.

2017-11-01

LExTeS (Link Extraction and Testing Suite) extracts hyperlinks from PDF documents, tests the extracted links to see which are broken, and tabulates the results. Though written to support a particular set of PDF documents, the dataset and scripts can be edited for use on other documents.

Lower-Cost, Relocatable Lunar Polar Lander and Lunar Surface Sample Return Probes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amato, G. Michael; Garvin, James B.; Burt, I. Joseph; Karpati, Gabe

2011-01-01

Key science and exploration objectives of lunar robotic precursor missions can be achieved with the Lunar Explorer (LEx) low-cost, robotic surface mission concept described herein. Selected elements of the LEx concept can also be used to create a lunar surface sample return mission that we have called Boomerang

Field trials with tank mixtures of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus formulations against Culex pipiens larvae in septic tanks in Antalya, Turkey.

PubMed

Cetin, Huseyin; Dechant, Peter; Yanikoglu, Atila

2007-06-01

Efficacy of tank mixtures of commercial Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) water-dispersable granule (WDG) formulations was evaluated in septic tanks, against Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae. VectoLex WDG (Bs) + VectoBac WDG (Bti) were evaluated at various ratios from 488 g/ha VectoLex + 250 g/ha VectoBac up to 3,000 g/ha of each. All applications and ratios delivering VectoLex WDG at a rate equal to or greater than 988 g/ha provided more than 90% control for 28 days after treatment. The lowest dose provided this level of control for at least 7 days after treatment, with greater than 80% control after 2 wk. These results suggest that a retreatment interval of 2 wk is recommended with the lowest dose and retreatment intervals of 4 or more wk are recommended with the doses equal to or higher than 988 g/ha VectoLex + 250 g/ha VectoBac.

Inhibition of cell division in hupA hupB mutant bacteria lacking HU protein.

PubMed Central

Dri, A M; Rouviere-Yaniv, J; Moreau, P L

1991-01-01

Escherichia coli hupA hypB double mutants that lack HU protein have severe cellular defects in cell division, DNA folding, and DNA partitioning. Here we show that the sfiA11 mutation, which alters the SfiA cell division inhibitor, reduces filamentation and production of anucleate cells in AB1157 hupA hupB strains. However, lexA3(Ind-) and sfiB(ftsZ)114 mutations, which normally counteract the effect of the SfiA inhibitor, could not restore a normal morphology to hupA hupB mutant bacteria. The LexA repressor, which controls the expression of the sfiA gene, was present in hupA hupB mutant bacteria in concentrations half of those of the parent bacteria, but this decrease was independent of the specific cleavage of the LexA repressor by activated RecA protein. One possibility to account for the filamentous morphology of hupA hupB mutant bacteria is that the lack of HU protein alters the expression of specific genes, such as lexA and fts cell division genes. Images PMID:2019558

One-step selection of Vaccinia virus-binding DNA aptamers by MonoLEX

PubMed Central

Nitsche, Andreas; Kurth, Andreas; Dunkhorst, Anna; Pänke, Oliver; Sielaff, Hendrik; Junge, Wolfgang; Muth, Doreen; Scheller, Frieder; Stöcklein, Walter; Dahmen, Claudia; Pauli, Georg; Kage, Andreas

2007-01-01

Background As a new class of therapeutic and diagnostic reagents, more than fifteen years ago RNA and DNA aptamers were identified as binding molecules to numerous small compounds, proteins and rarely even to complete pathogen particles. Most aptamers were isolated from complex libraries of synthetic nucleic acids by a process termed SELEX based on several selection and amplification steps. Here we report the application of a new one-step selection method (MonoLEX) to acquire high-affinity DNA aptamers binding Vaccinia virus used as a model organism for complex target structures. Results The selection against complete Vaccinia virus particles resulted in a 64-base DNA aptamer specifically binding to orthopoxviruses as validated by dot blot analysis, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy and real-time PCR, following an aptamer blotting assay. The same oligonucleotide showed the ability to inhibit in vitro infection of Vaccinia virus and other orthopoxviruses in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion The MonoLEX method is a straightforward procedure as demonstrated here for the identification of a high-affinity DNA aptamer binding Vaccinia virus. MonoLEX comprises a single affinity chromatography step, followed by subsequent physical segmentation of the affinity resin and a single final PCR amplification step of bound aptamers. Therefore, this procedure improves the selection of high affinity aptamers by reducing the competition between aptamers of different affinities during the PCR step, indicating an advantage for the single-round MonoLEX method. PMID:17697378

Efficacy, fate, and potential effects on salmonids of mosquito larvicides in catch basins in Seattle, Washington

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sternberg, Morgan; Grue, Christian; Conquest, Loveday; Grassley, James; King, Kerensa

2012-01-01

We investigated the efficacy, fate, and potential for direct effects on salmonids of 4 common mosquito larvicides (Mosquito Dunks® and Bits® (AI: Bacillis thuringiensis var. israelensis, [Bti]), VectoLex® WSP (AI: Bacillus sphaericus [Bs], VectoLex CG [AI: Bs], and Altosid® Briquets [AI: s-methoprene]) in Seattle, WA, during 3 summers. During efficacy trials in 2006, all treatments resulted in a rapid reduction in number of mosquito pupae (Mosquito Dunks and Bits and VectoLex WSP) or emergence success (Altosid Briquets). VectoLex CG was chosen for city-wide application in 2007 and 2008. The average counts of pupae within round-top basins remained significantly below the control average for 11 wk in 2007, whereas efficacy in grated-top basins was short-lived. In 2008 the average counts of pupae within grated-top basins remained significantly below the control average for 10 wk. Altosid XR was also effective in reducing adult emergence within grated basins in 2008. In 2007 and 2008, frequent precipitation events made the evaluation of efficacy difficult due to reductions in pupae across control and treated basins. Four separate analyses of VectoLex products revealed that the product was a combination of Bs and Bti. Both Bs and Bti were detected in 3 urban creeks connected to treated basins in 2007 and 2008. Laboratory toxicity test results suggest that concentrations of Bs and Bti detected in each of the watersheds pose little direct hazard to juvenile salmonids.

Evaluation and Cross-Comparison of Lexical Entities of Biological Interest (LexEBI)

PubMed Central

Rebholz-Schuhmann, Dietrich; Kim, Jee-Hyub; Yan, Ying; Dixit, Abhishek; Friteyre, Caroline; Hoehndorf, Robert; Backofen, Rolf; Lewin, Ian

2013-01-01

Motivation Biomedical entities, their identifiers and names, are essential in the representation of biomedical facts and knowledge. In the same way, the complete set of biomedical and chemical terms, i.e. the biomedical “term space” (the “Lexeome”), forms a key resource to achieve the full integration of the scientific literature with biomedical data resources: any identified named entity can immediately be normalized to the correct database entry. This goal does not only require that we are aware of all existing terms, but would also profit from knowing all their senses and their semantic interpretation (ambiguities, nestedness). Result This study compiles a resource for lexical terms of biomedical interest in a standard format (called “LexEBI”), determines the overall number of terms, their reuse in different resources and the nestedness of terms. LexEBI comprises references for protein and gene entries and their term variants and chemical entities amongst other terms. In addition, disease terms have been identified from Medline and PubmedCentral and added to LexEBI. Our analysis demonstrates that the baseforms of terms from the different semantic types show only little polysemous use. Nonetheless, the term variants of protein and gene names (PGNs) frequently contain species mentions, which should have been avoided according to protein annotation guidelines. Furthermore, the protein and gene entities as well as the chemical entities, both do comprise enzymes leading to hierarchical polysemy, and a large portion of PGNs make reference to a chemical entity. Altogether, according to our analysis based on the Medline distribution, 401,869 unique PGNs in the documents contain a reference to 25,022 chemical entities, 3,125 disease terms or 1,576 species mentions. Conclusion LexEBI delivers the complete biomedical and chemical Lexeome in a standardized representation (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/Rebholz-srv/LexEBI/). The resource provides the disease terms as open source content, and fully interlinks terms across resources. PMID:24124474

Non-equilibrium repressor binding kinetics link DNA damage dose to transcriptional timing within the SOS gene network.

PubMed

Culyba, Matthew J; Kubiak, Jeffrey M; Mo, Charlie Y; Goulian, Mark; Kohli, Rahul M

2018-06-01

Biochemical pathways are often genetically encoded as simple transcription regulation networks, where one transcription factor regulates the expression of multiple genes in a pathway. The relative timing of each promoter's activation and shut-off within the network can impact physiology. In the DNA damage repair pathway (known as the SOS response) of Escherichia coli, approximately 40 genes are regulated by the LexA repressor. After a DNA damaging event, LexA degradation triggers SOS gene transcription, which is temporally separated into subsets of 'early', 'middle', and 'late' genes. Although this feature plays an important role in regulating the SOS response, both the range of this separation and its underlying mechanism are not experimentally defined. Here we show that, at low doses of DNA damage, the timing of promoter activities is not separated. Instead, timing differences only emerge at higher levels of DNA damage and increase as a function of DNA damage dose. To understand mechanism, we derived a series of synthetic SOS gene promoters which vary in LexA-operator binding kinetics, but are otherwise identical, and then studied their activity over a large dose-range of DNA damage. In distinction to established models based on rapid equilibrium assumptions, the data best fit a kinetic model of repressor occupancy at promoters, where the drop in cellular LexA levels associated with higher doses of DNA damage leads to non-equilibrium binding kinetics of LexA at operators. Operators with slow LexA binding kinetics achieve their minimal occupancy state at later times than operators with fast binding kinetics, resulting in a time separation of peak promoter activity between genes. These data provide insight into this remarkable feature of the SOS pathway by demonstrating how a single transcription factor can be employed to control the relative timing of each gene's transcription as a function of stimulus dose.

Risk assessment of nanomaterials in cosmetics: a European union perspective.

PubMed

Henkler, Frank; Tralau, Tewes; Tentschert, Jutta; Kneuer, Carsten; Haase, Andrea; Platzek, Thomas; Luch, Andreas; Götz, Mario E

2012-11-01

In Europe, the data requirements for the hazard and exposure characterisation of chemicals are defined according to the REACH regulation and its guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), and its guidance documents; available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:396:0001:0849:EN:PDF ; and at: http://guidance.echa.europa.eu/docs/guidance_document/information_requirements_en.htm ). This is the basis for any related risk assessment. The standard reference for the testing of cosmetic ingredients is the SCCP's 'Notes of Guidance for the Testing of Cosmetic Ingredients and their Safety Evaluation' (The SCCP's Notes of Guidance for the testing of cosmetic ingredients and their safety evaluation (2006); available at: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_03j.pdf ), which refers to the OECD guidelines for the testing of chemicals (The OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals as a collection of the most relevant internationally agreed testing methods used by government, industry and independent laboratories to assess the safety of chemical products; available at: http://www.oecd.org/topic/0,2686,en_2649_34377_1_1_1_1_37407,00.html ). According to the cosmetics directive [76/768/EEC], compounds that are classified as mutagenic, carcinogenic or toxic to reproduction are banned for the use in cosmetic products. Since December 2010, the respective labelling is based on the rules of regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Official Journal L 353, 31/12/2008, pages 1-1355; available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:353:0001:1355:en:PDF ) on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP). There is no further impact from the CLP regulation on cosmetic products, because regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 on cosmetic products defines its own labelling rules (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products; available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:342:0059:0209:en:PDF ). Special notification procedures are mandatory for preservatives, colourants and UV-filters where a safety approval from the European 'Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety' (SCCS) is needed prior to marketing. The risk assessment of nanomaterials in consumer products still poses a significant challenge as highlighted by the example of UV-filters in sunscreens since nanomaterials cannot be classified as a homogenous group of chemicals but still need to be addressed in risk characterisation on a case by case basis.

Lextale-Esp: A Test to Rapidly and Efficiently Assess the Spanish Vocabulary Size

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Izura, Cristina; Cuetos, Fernando; Brysbaert, Marc

2014-01-01

The methods to measure vocabulary size vary across disciplines. This heterogeneity hinders direct comparisons between studies and slows down the understanding of research findings. A quick, free and efficient test of English language proficiency, LexTALE, was recently developed to remedy this problem. LexTALE has been validated and shown to be an…

Evaluating gold standard corpora against gene/protein tagging solutions and lexical resources

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Motivation The identification of protein and gene names (PGNs) from the scientific literature requires semantic resources: Terminological and lexical resources deliver the term candidates into PGN tagging solutions and the gold standard corpora (GSC) train them to identify term parameters and contextual features. Ideally all three resources, i.e. corpora, lexica and taggers, cover the same domain knowledge, and thus support identification of the same types of PGNs and cover all of them. Unfortunately, none of the three serves as a predominant standard and for this reason it is worth exploring, how these three resources comply with each other. We systematically compare different PGN taggers against publicly available corpora and analyze the impact of the included lexical resource in their performance. In particular, we determine the performance gains through false positive filtering, which contributes to the disambiguation of identified PGNs. Results In general, machine learning approaches (ML-Tag) for PGN tagging show higher F1-measure performance against the BioCreative-II and Jnlpba GSCs (exact matching), whereas the lexicon based approaches (LexTag) in combination with disambiguation methods show better results on FsuPrge and PennBio. The ML-Tag solutions balance precision and recall, whereas the LexTag solutions have different precision and recall profiles at the same F1-measure across all corpora. Higher recall is achieved with larger lexical resources, which also introduce more noise (false positive results). The ML-Tag solutions certainly perform best, if the test corpus is from the same GSC as the training corpus. As expected, the false negative errors characterize the test corpora and – on the other hand – the profiles of the false positive mistakes characterize the tagging solutions. Lex-Tag solutions that are based on a large terminological resource in combination with false positive filtering produce better results, which, in addition, provide concept identifiers from a knowledge source in contrast to ML-Tag solutions. Conclusion The standard ML-Tag solutions achieve high performance, but not across all corpora, and thus should be trained using several different corpora to reduce possible biases. The LexTag solutions have different profiles for their precision and recall performance, but with similar F1-measure. This result is surprising and suggests that they cover a portion of the most common naming standards, but cope differently with the term variability across the corpora. The false positive filtering applied to LexTag solutions does improve the results by increasing their precision without compromising significantly their recall. The harmonisation of the annotation schemes in combination with standardized lexical resources in the tagging solutions will enable their comparability and will pave the way for a shared standard. PMID:24112383

Wind Tunnel Investigation of the Effects of Surface Porosity and Vertical Tail Placement on Slender Wing Vortex Flow Aerodynamics at Supersonic Speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Gary E.

2007-01-01

A wind tunnel experiment was conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) to determine the effects of passive surface porosity and vertical tail placement on vortex flow development and interactions about a general research fighter configuration at supersonic speeds. Optical flow measurement and flow visualization techniques were used that featured pressure sensitive paint (PSP), laser vapor screen (LVS), and schlieren, These techniques were combined with conventional electronically-scanned pressure (ESP) and six-component force and moment measurements to quantify and to visualize the effects of flow-through porosity applied to a wing leading edge extension (LEX) and the placement of centerline and twin vertical tails on the vortex-dominated flow field of a 65 cropped delta wing model. Test results were obtained at free-stream Mach numbers of 1.6, 1.8, and 2.1 and a Reynolds number per foot of 2.0 million. LEX porosity promoted a wing vortex-dominated flow field as a result of a diffusion and weakening of the LEX vortex. The redistribution of the vortex-induced suction pressures contributed to large nose-down pitching moment increments but did not significantly affect the vortex-induced lift. The trends associated with LEX porosity were unaffected by vertical tail placement. The centerline tail configuration generally provided more stable rolling moments and yawing moments compared to the twin wing-mounted vertical tails. The strength of a complex system of shock waves between the twin tails was reduced by LEX porosity.

[RadLex - German version: a radiological lexicon for indexing image and report information].

PubMed

Marwede, D; Daumke, P; Marko, K; Lobsien, D; Schulz, S; Kahn, T

2009-01-01

Since 2003 the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has been developing a lexicon of standardized radiological terms (RadLex) intended to support the structured reporting of imaging observations and the indexing of teaching cases. The aim of this study was to translate the first version of the lexicon (1 - 2007) into German and to implement a language-independent online term browser. RadLex version 1 - 2007 contains 6303 terms in nine main categories. Two radiologists independently translated the lexicon using medical dictionaries. Terms translated differently were revised and translated by consensus. For the development of an online term browser, a text processing algorithm called morphosemantic indexing was used which splits up words into small semantic units and compares those units to language-specific subword thesauri. In total 6240 of 6303 terms (99 %) were translated. Of those terms 3965 were German, 1893 were Latin, 359 were multilingual, and 23 were English terms that are also used in German and were therefore maintained. The online term browser supports a language-independent term search in RadLex (German/English) and other common medical terminology (e. g., ICD 10). The term browser displays term hierarchies and translations in different frames and the complexity of the result lists can be adapted by the user. RadLex version 1 - 2007 developed by the RSNA is now available in German and can be accessed online through a term browser with an efficient search function. This is an important precondition for the future comparison of national and international indexed radiological examination results and the interoperability between digital teaching resources.

Evaluation of new monoclonal antibody-based latex agglutination test for detection of cryptococcal polysaccharide antigen in serum and cerebrospinal fluid.

PubMed Central

Kiska, D L; Orkiszewski, D R; Howell, D; Gilligan, P H

1994-01-01

We evaluated the performance of CRYPTO-LEX (Trinity Laboratories, Inc., Raleigh, N. C.), a new mouse immunoglobulin M monoclonal antibody latex agglutination reagent which reacts with the capsular polysaccharide of the four serogroups of Cryptococcus neoformans. This test was compared with CALAS (Meridian Diagnostics, Cincinnati, Ohio) for the ability to detect cryptococcal antigen in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A total of 580 clinical specimens (327 serum and 253 CSF samples), primarily from human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, were tested in this study. Sixty-seven specimens (44 serum and 23 CSF samples) were positive for cryptococcal antigen with both tests, and 511 (282 serum and 229 CSF samples) were negative. The two latex reagents agreed for 326 of 327 serum specimens (44 positives and 282 negatives). One serum specimen with a titer of 1:2 was CALAS positive but CRYPTO-LEX negative. The titer correlation coefficient for the two tests was 0.884 when two highly discordant serum specimens were eliminated from analysis of the data. The two latex tests agreed for 252 of 253 CSF specimens (23 positives and 229 negatives). One specimen with a titer of 1:2 was positive with CALAS and negative by CRYPTO-LEX. The correlation coefficient of the two tests for CSF titers was 0.886. The sensitivity and specificity of CRYPTO-LEX were 97 and 100%, respectively, with a 99.6% correlation with CALAS. These data show that the performance of CRYPTO-LEX is comparable to that of CALAS for detection of cryptococcal antigen in serum and CSF. PMID:7814566

Lexion: That Which Upholds or Bears an Archetype. "Introducing Lex and Lexion to Modern English"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Russ, Helen

2015-01-01

Derived from the Etruscan and Greek alphabets, Latin is a classical language that has influenced modern languages such as English, French, Italian and Spanish. With its Latin and Greek roots, this paper argues that the word lexion is an appropriate and necessary addition to the English language. Lex in Latin means, law, syllabus, statute and…

System Data Model (SDM) Source Code

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-23

CROSS_COMPILE=/opt/gumstix/build_arm_nofpu/staging_dir/bin/arm-linux-uclibcgnueabi- 8 : CC=$(CROSS_COMPILE)gcc 9: CXX=$(CROSS_COMPILE)g++ 10 : AR...and flags to pass to it 6: LEX=flex 7: LEXFLAGS=-B 8 : 9: ## The parser generator to invoke and flags to pass to it 10 : YACC=bison 11: YACCFLAGS...5: # Point to default PetaLinux root directory 6: ifndef ROOTDIR 7: ROOTDIR=$(PETALINUX)/software/petalinux-dist 8 : endif 9: 10 : PATH:=$(PATH

Deletion of Brca2 exon 27 causes hypersensitivity to DNA crosslinks, chromosomal instability, and reduced life span in mice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Donoho, Greg; Brenneman, Mark A.; Cui, Tracy X.; Donoviel, Dorit; Vogel, Hannes; Goodwin, Edwin H.; Chen, David J.; Hasty, Paul

2003-01-01

The Brca2 tumor-suppressor gene contributes to genomic stability, at least in part by a role in homologous recombinational repair. BRCA2 protein is presumed to function in homologous recombination through interactions with RAD51. Both exons 11 and 27 of Brca2 code for domains that interact with RAD51; exon 11 encodes eight BRC motifs, whereas exon 27 encodes a single, distinct interaction domain. Deletion of all RAD51-interacting domains causes embryonic lethality in mice. A less severe phenotype is seen with BRAC2 truncations that preserve some, but not all, of the BRC motifs. These mice can survive beyond weaning, but are runted and infertile, and die very young from cancer. Cells from such mice show hypersensitivity to some genotoxic agents and chromosomal instability. Here, we have analyzed mice and cells with a deletion of only the RAD51-interacting region encoded by exon 27. Mice homozygous for this mutation (called brca2(lex1)) have a shorter life span than that of control littermates, possibly because of early onsets of cancer and sepsis. No other phenotype was observed in these animals; therefore, the brca2(lex1) mutation is less severe than truncations that delete some BRC motifs. However, at the cellular level, the brca2(lex1) mutation causes reduced viability, hypersensitivity to the DNA interstrand crosslinking agent mitomycin C, and gross chromosomal instability, much like more severe truncations. Thus, the extreme carboxy-terminal region encoded by exon 27 is important for BRCA2 function, probably because it is required for a fully functional interaction between BRCA2 and RAD51. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Evaluation of surface roughness of enamel after various bonding and clean-up procedures on enamel bonded with three different bonding agents: An in-vitro study

PubMed Central

Goel, Amit; Singh, Atul; Gupta, Tarun

2017-01-01

Background The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the enamel surface roughness before bonding and after debonding, to find correlation between the adhesive remnant index and its effect on enamel surface roughness and to evaluate which clean-up method is most efficient to provide a smoother enamel surface. Material and Methods 135 premolars were divided into 3 groups containing 45 premolars in each group. Group I was bonded by using moisture insensitive primer, Group II by using conventional orthodontic adhesive and Group III by using self-etching primer. Each group was divided into 3 sub-groups on the basis of type of clean-up method applied i,e scaling followed by polishing, tungsten carbide bur and Sof-Lex disc. Enamel surface roughness was measured and compared before bonding and after clean-up. Results Evaluation of pre bonding and post clean-up enamel surface roughness (Ra value) with the t test showed that Post clean-up Ra values were greater than Pre bonding Ra values in all the groups except in teeth bonded with self-etching primer cleaned with Sof-Lex disc. Reliability of ARI score taken at different time interval tested with Kruskal Wallis test suggested that all the readings were reliable. Conclusions No clean-up procedure was able to restore the enamel to its original smoothness. Self-etching primer and Sof-Lex disc clean-up method combination restored the enamel surface roughness (Ra value) closest to its pre-treatment value. Key words:Enamel surface roughness, clean-up method, adhesive remnant index. PMID:28512535

The Bacteriophage P1 HumD Protein Is a Functional Homolog of the Prokaryotic UmuD′-Like Proteins and Facilitates SOS Mutagenesis in Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

McLenigan, Mary P.; Kulaeva, Olga I.; Ennis, Don G.; Levine, Arthur S.; Woodgate, Roger

1999-01-01

The Escherichia coli umuD and umuC genes comprise an operon and encode proteins that are involved in the mutagenic bypass of normally replication-inhibiting DNA lesions. UmuD is, however, unable to function in this process until it undergoes a RecA-mediated cleavage reaction to generate UmuD′. Many homologs of umuDC have now been identified. Most are located on bacterial chromosomes or on broad-host-range R plasmids. One such putative homolog, humD (homolog of umuD) is, however, found on the bacteriophage P1 genome. Interestingly, humD differs from other umuD homologs in that it encodes a protein similar in size to the posttranslationally generated UmuD′ protein and not UmuD, nor is it in an operon with a cognate umuC partner. To determine if HumD is, in fact, a bona fide homolog of the prokaryotic UmuD′-like mutagenesis proteins, we have analyzed the ability of HumD to complement UmuD′ functions in vivo as well as examined HumD’s physical properties in vitro. When expressed from a high-copy-number plasmid, HumD restored cellular mutagenesis and increased UV survival to normally nonmutable recA430 lexA(Def) and UV-sensitive ΔumuDC recA718 lexA(Def) strains, respectively. Complementing activity was reduced when HumD was expressed from a low-copy-number plasmid, but this observation is explained by immunoanalysis which indicates that HumD is normally poorly expressed in vivo. In vitro analysis revealed that like UmuD′, HumD forms a stable dimer in solution and is able to interact with E. coli UmuC and RecA nucleoprotein filaments. We conclude, therefore, that bacteriophage P1 HumD is a functional homolog of the UmuD′-like proteins, and we speculate as to the reasons why P1 might require the activity of such a protein in vivo. PMID:10559166

Reversible Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Myopia Correction: A Non-Human Primate Study of Lenticule Re-Implantation after Refractive Lenticule Extraction

PubMed Central

Chaurasia, Shyam S.; Lee, Wing S.; Tan, Donald T.; Mehta, Jodhbir S.

2013-01-01

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a common laser refractive procedure for myopia and astigmatism, involving permanent removal of anterior corneal stromal tissue by excimer ablation beneath a hinged flap. Correction of refractive error is achieved by the resulting change in the curvature of the cornea and is limited by central corneal thickness, as a thin residual stromal bed may result in biomechanical instability of the cornea. A recently developed alternative to LASIK called Refractive Lenticule Extraction (ReLEx) utilizes solely a femtosecond laser (FSL) to incise an intrastromal refractive lenticule (RL), which results in reshaping the corneal curvature and correcting the myopia and/or astigmatism. As the RL is extracted intact in the ReLEx, we hypothesized that it could be cryopreserved and re-implanted at a later date to restore corneal stromal volume, in the event of keratectasia, making ReLEx a potentially reversible procedure, unlike LASIK. In this study, we re-implanted cryopreserved RLs in a non-human primate model of ReLEx. Mild intrastromal haze, noted during the first 2 weeks after re-implantation, subsided after 8 weeks. Refractive parameters including corneal thickness, anterior curvature and refractive error indices were restored to near pre-operative values after the re-implantation. Immunohistochemistry revealed no myofibroblast formation or abnormal collagen type I expression after 8 weeks, and a significant attenuation of fibronectin and tenascin expression from week 8 to 16 after re-implantation. In addition, keratocyte re-population could be found along the implanted RL interfaces. Our findings suggest that RL cryopreservation and re-implantation after ReLEx appears feasible, suggesting the possibility of potential reversibility of the procedure, and possible future uses of RLs in treating other corneal disorders and refractive errors. PMID:23826194

Lifelong exercise, but not short-term high-intensity interval training, increases GDF11, a marker of successful aging: a preliminary investigation.

PubMed

Elliott, Bradley T; Herbert, Peter; Sculthorpe, Nicholas; Grace, Fergal M; Stratton, Daniel; Hayes, Lawrence D

2017-07-01

Lifelong exercise is associated with regulation of skeletal mass and function, reductions in frailty, and successful aging. Yet, the influence of exercise on myostatin and myostatin-interacting factors is relatively under examined in older males. Therefore, we investigated whether serum total myostatin, free myostatin, follistatin, and growth and differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) were altered following high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in a group of 13 lifelong sedentary (SED; 64 [6] years) and 11 lifelong exercising (LEX; 62 [6] years) older males. SED follistatin was moderately greater than LEX pre-HIIT (Cohen's d  = 0.66), and was largely greater post-HIIT (Cohen's d  = 1.22). The HIIT-induced increase in follistatin was large in SED (Cohen's d  = 0.82) and absent in LEX (Cohen's d  = 0.03). GDF11 was higher in LEX pre-HIIT (Cohen's d  = 0.49) and post-HIIT (Cohen's d  = 0.63) compared to SED HIIT resulted in no change to GDF11 in LEX or SED (Cohen's d  = 0.00-0.03). Peak power output and GDF11 were correlated ( r  = 0.603), independent of grouping. Differences in GDF11 with lifelong exercise training, paired with the correlation between GDF11 and peak power output, suggested that GDF11 may be a relevant myostatin-interacting peptide to successful aging in humans, and strategies to maintain this need to be further explored. © 2017 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.

High intensity interval training (HIIT) improves resting blood pressure, metabolic (MET) capacity and heart rate reserve without compromising cardiac function in sedentary aging men.

PubMed

Grace, Fergal; Herbert, Peter; Elliott, Adrian D; Richards, Jo; Beaumont, Alexander; Sculthorpe, Nicholas F

2017-05-13

This study examined a programme of pre-conditioning exercise with subsequent high intensity interval training (HIIT) on blood pressure, echocardiography, cardiac strain mechanics and maximal metabolic (MET) capacity in sedentary (SED) aging men compared with age matched masters athletes (LEX). Using a STROBE compliant observational design, 39 aging male participants (SED; n=22, aged 62.7±5.2yrs) (LEX; n=17, aged=61.1±5.4yrs) were recruited to a study that necessitated three distinct assessment phases; enrolment (Phase A), following pre-conditioning exercise in SED (Phase B), then following 6weeks of HIIT performed once every five days by both groups before reassessment (Phase C). Hemodynamic, echocardiographic and cardiac strain mechanics were obtained at rest and maximal cardiorespiratory and chronotropic responses were obtained at each measurement phase. The training intervention improved systolic, mean arterial blood pressure, rate pressure product and heart rate reserve (each P<0.05) in SED and increased MET capacity in both SED and LEX (P<0.01) which was amplified by HIIT. Echocardiography and cardiac strain measures were unremarkable apart from trivial increase to intra-ventricular septum diastole (IVSd) (P<0.05) and decrease to left ventricular internal dimension diastole (LVId) (P<0.05) in LEX following HIIT. A programme of preconditioning exercise with HIIT induces clinically relevant improvements in blood pressure, rate pressure product and encourages recovery of heart rate reserve in SED, while improving maximal MET capacity in both SED and LEX without inducing any pathological cardiovascular remodeling. These data add to the emerging repute of HIIT as a safe and promising exercise prescription to improve cardiovascular function and metabolic capacity in sedentary aging. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interaction Between a Novel p21 Activated Kinase (PAK6) and Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-02-01

Beest , M., van Es, J., 51. Easwaran, V., Pishvaian, M., Salimuddin, and Byers, S. (1999) Curr. Biol. 9, Loureiro, J., Ypma, A., Hursh, D., Jones, T...antibody was generated and used in the study. 40 Immunofluorescence. Cells were cultured in 8-well Lab Tek chambered cover slides (Nalge Nunc...C19220, Transduction Labs , Lex- To further evaluate the roles of IGF-11 and EGF in ington, KY). Proteins were detected using the ECL kit (Am- AR

Lex genetica: the law and ethics of programming biological code.

PubMed

Burk, Dan L

2002-01-01

Recent advances in genetic engineering now allow the design of programmable biological artifacts. Such programming may include usage constraints that will alter the balance of ownership and control for biotechnology products. Similar changes have been analyzed in the context of digital content management systems, and while this previous work is useful in analyzing issues related to biological programming, the latter technology presents new conceptual problems that require more comprehensive evaluation of the interplay between law and technologically embedded values. In particular, the ability to embed contractual terms in technological artifacts now requires a re-examination of disclosure and consent in transactions involving such artifacts.

F-18 high alpha research vehicle surface pressures: Initial in-flight results and correlation with flow visualization and wind-tunnel data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fisher, David F.; Banks, Daniel W.; Richwine, David M.

1990-01-01

Pressure distributions measured on the forebody and the leading-edge extensions (LEX's) of the NASA F-18 high alpha research vehicle (HARV) were reported at 10 and 50 degree angles of attack and at Mach 0.20 to 0.60. The results were correlated with HARV flow visualization and 6-percent scale F-18 wind-tunnel-model test results. The general trend in the data from the forebody was for the maximum suction pressure peaks to first appear at an angle of attack (alpha) of approximately 19 degrees and increase in magnitude with angle of attack. The LEX pressure distribution general trend was the inward progression and increase in magnitude of the maximum suction peaks up to vortex core breakdown and then the decrease and general flattening of the pressure distribution beyond that. No significant effect of Mach number was noted for the forebody results. However, a substantial compressibility effect on the LEX's resulted in a significant reduction in vortex-induced suction pressure as Mach number increased. The forebody primary and the LEX secondary vortex separation lines, from surface flow visualization, correlated well with the end of pressure recovery, leeward and windward, respectively, of maximum suction pressure peaks. The flight to wind-tunnel correlations were generally good with some exceptions.

Effects of continuous low-carbohydrate diet after long-term exercise on GLUT-4 protein content in rat skeletal muscle.

PubMed

Kubota, M; Koshinaka, K; Kawata, Y; Koike, T; Oshida, Y

2008-01-01

Stimulation of AMPK and decreased glycogen levels in skeletal muscle have a deep involvement in enhanced insulin action and GLUT-4 protein content after exercise training. The present study examined the chronic effects of a continuous low-carbohydrate diet after long-term exercise on GLUT-4 protein content, glycogen content, AMPK, and insulin signaling in skeletal muscle. Rats were divided randomly into four groups: normal chow diet sedentary (N-Sed), low carbohydrate diet sedentary (L-Sed), normal chow diet exercise (N-Ex), and low carbohydrate diet exercise (L-Ex) groups. Rats in the exercise groups (N-Ex and L-Ex) were exercised by swimming for 6 hours/day in two 3-hour bouts separated by 45 minutes of rest. The 10-day exercise training resulted in a significant increase in the GLUT-4 protein content (p<0.01). Additionally, the GLUT-4 protein content in L-Ex rats was increased by 29% above that in N-Ex rats (p<0.01). Finally, the glycogen content in skeletal muscle of L-Ex rats was decreased compared with that of N-Ex rats. Taken together, we suggest that the maintenance of glycogen depletion after exercise by continuous low carbohydrate diet results in the increment of the GLUT-4 protein content in skeletal muscle.

Maximizing Immune Response to Carbohydrate Antigens on Breast Tumors

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-08-01

induction of T cells that target naturally processed glycopeptides expressed on murine models of breast cancer; 2) Showed that these mimotopes can inhibit...metastatic process by employing tumor cells that are injected directly into the blood. As a deviation of our work we investigated the relative role of...sLex oligosaccharide in the dissemination of breast carcinoma, employing the spontaneous 2 4T1 murine metastasis model. An sLex deficient subpopulation

Vesiculation from Pseudomonas aeruginosa under SOS.

PubMed

Maredia, Reshma; Devineni, Navya; Lentz, Peter; Dallo, Shatha F; Yu, Jiehjuen; Guentzel, Neal; Chambers, James; Arulanandam, Bernard; Haskins, William E; Weitao, Tao

2012-01-01

Bacterial infections can be aggravated by antibiotic treatment that induces SOS response and vesiculation. This leads to a hypothesis concerning association of SOS with vesiculation. To test it, we conducted multiple analyses of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced from the Pseudomonas aeruginosa wild type in which SOS is induced by ciprofloxacin and from the LexA noncleavable (lexAN) strain in which SOS is repressed. The levels of OMV proteins, lipids, and cytotoxicity increased for both the treated strains, demonstrating vesiculation stimulation by the antibiotic treatment. However, the further increase was suppressed in the lexAN strains, suggesting the SOS involvement. Obviously, the stimulated vesiculation is attributed by both SOS-related and unrelated factors. OMV subproteomic analysis was performed to examine these factors, which reflected the OMV-mediated cytotoxicity and the physiology of the vesiculating cells under treatment and SOS. Thus, SOS plays a role in the vesiculation stimulation that contributes to cytotoxicity.

Vesiculation from Pseudomonas aeruginosa under SOS

PubMed Central

Maredia, Reshma; Devineni, Navya; Lentz, Peter; Dallo, Shatha F.; Yu, JiehJuen; Guentzel, Neal; Chambers, James; Arulanandam, Bernard; Haskins, William E.; Weitao, Tao

2012-01-01

Bacterial infections can be aggravated by antibiotic treatment that induces SOS response and vesiculation. This leads to a hypothesis concerning association of SOS with vesiculation. To test it, we conducted multiple analyses of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced from the Pseudomonas aeruginosa wild type in which SOS is induced by ciprofloxacin and from the LexA noncleavable (lexAN) strain in which SOS is repressed. The levels of OMV proteins, lipids, and cytotoxicity increased for both the treated strains, demonstrating vesiculation stimulation by the antibiotic treatment. However, the further increase was suppressed in the lexAN strains, suggesting the SOS involvement. Obviously, the stimulated vesiculation is attributed by both SOS-related and unrelated factors. OMV subproteomic analysis was performed to examine these factors, which reflected the OMV-mediated cytotoxicity and the physiology of the vesiculating cells under treatment and SOS. Thus, SOS plays a role in the vesiculation stimulation that contributes to cytotoxicity. PMID:22448133

Carbohydrate phenotyping of human and animal milk glycoproteins.

PubMed

Gustafsson, Anki; Kacskovics, Imre; Breimer, Michael E; Hammarström, Lennart; Holgersson, Jan

2005-03-01

Breast-milk has a well-known anti-microbial effect, which is in part due to the many different carbohydrate structures expressed. This renders it a position as a potential therapeutic for treatment of infection by different pathogens, thus avoiding the drawbacks of many antibiotics. The plethora of carbohydrate epitopes in breast-milk is known to differ between species, with human milk expressing the most complex one. We have investigated the expression of protein-bound carbohydrate epitopes in milk from man, cow, goat, sheep, pig, horse, dromedary and rabbit. Proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and the presence of carbohydrate epitopes on milk proteins were analysed by Western blotting using different lectins and carbohydrate-specific antibodies. We show that ABH, Lewis (Le)x, sialyl-Lex, Lea, sialyl-Lea and Leb carbohydrate epitopes are expressed mainly on man, pig and horse milk proteins. The blood group precursor structure H type 1 is expressed in all species investigated, while only pig, dromedary and rabbit milk proteins carry H type 2 epitopes. These epitopes are receptors for Helicobacter pylori (Leb and sialyl-Lex), enteropathogenic (H type 1, Lea and Lex) and enterotoxic Escherichia coli (heat-stable toxin; H type 1 and 2), and Campylobacter jejuni (H type 2). Thus, milk from these animals or their genetically modified descendants could have a therapeutic effect by inhibiting pathogen colonization and infection.

Matched population comparison of visual outcomes and patient satisfaction between 3 modalities for the correction of low to moderate myopic astigmatism

PubMed Central

Ganesh, Sri; Brar, Sheetal; Pawar, Archana

2017-01-01

Purpose To compare toric implantable collamer lens (T-ICL), femto-LASIK, and ReLEx SMILE for the treatment of low to moderate myopic astigmatism in terms of long-term visual and refractive outcomes and predictability of astigmatic correction. Materials and methods The study included 30 eyes from 30 patients between the age groups of 21 and 40 years, undergoing bilateral surgery with any of the three procedures – T-ICL, femto-LASIK, or ReLEx SMILE – for correction of myopic astigmatism within the range of −3 to −8 D spherical equivalent (SE), with a minimum astigmatism of −0.75 D. Patients were followed up at day 1, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. Results At 1 year, the mean cylinder reduced to −0.21±0.28, −0.17±0.36, and −0.22±0.28 D in the T-ICL, femto-LASIK, and ReLEx SMILE group, respectively. The predictability of astigmatism correction was comparable, with no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups (P>0.05). A total of 97% of eyes in ReLEx SMILE achieved a uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better, compared to T-ICL (93%) and FS-LASIK (90%). However, gain in lines of corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA) was maximum in T-ICL group (60%). Four eyes in the femto-LASIK group had loss of CDVA by one line. Three eyes required exchange due to high vault and rotation of the T-ICL, which did not affect the final outcome. Conclusion All 3 modalities were effective for myopic astigmatism at the end of 1 year. Quality of vision and patient satisfaction with T-ICL and ReLEx SMILE were similar and better than FS-LASIK. However, slight chances of postoperative rotation and exchange exist with T-ICL, which warrant thorough preoperative planning. PMID:28740361

Bio-SimVerb and Bio-SimLex: wide-coverage evaluation sets of word similarity in biomedicine.

PubMed

Chiu, Billy; Pyysalo, Sampo; Vulić, Ivan; Korhonen, Anna

2018-02-05

Word representations support a variety of Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks. The quality of these representations is typically assessed by comparing the distances in the induced vector spaces against human similarity judgements. Whereas comprehensive evaluation resources have recently been developed for the general domain, similar resources for biomedicine currently suffer from the lack of coverage, both in terms of word types included and with respect to the semantic distinctions. Notably, verbs have been excluded, although they are essential for the interpretation of biomedical language. Further, current resources do not discern between semantic similarity and semantic relatedness, although this has been proven as an important predictor of the usefulness of word representations and their performance in downstream applications. We present two novel comprehensive resources targeting the evaluation of word representations in biomedicine. These resources, Bio-SimVerb and Bio-SimLex, address the previously mentioned problems, and can be used for evaluations of verb and noun representations respectively. In our experiments, we have computed the Pearson's correlation between performances on intrinsic and extrinsic tasks using twelve popular state-of-the-art representation models (e.g. word2vec models). The intrinsic-extrinsic correlations using our datasets are notably higher than with previous intrinsic evaluation benchmarks such as UMNSRS and MayoSRS. In addition, when evaluating representation models for their abilities to capture verb and noun semantics individually, we show a considerable variation between performances across all models. Bio-SimVerb and Bio-SimLex enable intrinsic evaluation of word representations. This evaluation can serve as a predictor of performance on various downstream tasks in the biomedical domain. The results on Bio-SimVerb and Bio-SimLex using standard word representation models highlight the importance of developing dedicated evaluation resources for NLP in biomedicine for particular word classes (e.g. verbs). These are needed to identify the most accurate methods for learning class-specific representations. Bio-SimVerb and Bio-SimLex are publicly available.

Automatic code generation in SPARK: Applications of computer algebra and compiler-compilers

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

Nataf, J.M.; Winkelmann, F.

We show how computer algebra and compiler-compilers are used for automatic code generation in the Simulation Problem Analysis and Research Kernel (SPARK), an object oriented environment for modeling complex physical systems that can be described by differential-algebraic equations. After a brief overview of SPARK, we describe the use of computer algebra in SPARK's symbolic interface, which generates solution code for equations that are entered in symbolic form. We also describe how the Lex/Yacc compiler-compiler is used to achieve important extensions to the SPARK simulation language, including parametrized macro objects and steady-state resetting of a dynamic simulation. The application of thesemore » methods to solving the partial differential equations for two-dimensional heat flow is illustrated.« less

Automatic code generation in SPARK: Applications of computer algebra and compiler-compilers

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

Nataf, J.M.; Winkelmann, F.

We show how computer algebra and compiler-compilers are used for automatic code generation in the Simulation Problem Analysis and Research Kernel (SPARK), an object oriented environment for modeling complex physical systems that can be described by differential-algebraic equations. After a brief overview of SPARK, we describe the use of computer algebra in SPARK`s symbolic interface, which generates solution code for equations that are entered in symbolic form. We also describe how the Lex/Yacc compiler-compiler is used to achieve important extensions to the SPARK simulation language, including parametrized macro objects and steady-state resetting of a dynamic simulation. The application of thesemore » methods to solving the partial differential equations for two-dimensional heat flow is illustrated.« less

Integration of heterogeneous molecular networks to unravel gene-regulation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

PubMed

van Dam, Jesse C J; Schaap, Peter J; Martins dos Santos, Vitor A P; Suárez-Diez, María

2014-09-26

Different methods have been developed to infer regulatory networks from heterogeneous omics datasets and to construct co-expression networks. Each algorithm produces different networks and efforts have been devoted to automatically integrate them into consensus sets. However each separate set has an intrinsic value that is diluted and partly lost when building a consensus network. Here we present a methodology to generate co-expression networks and, instead of a consensus network, we propose an integration framework where the different networks are kept and analysed with additional tools to efficiently combine the information extracted from each network. We developed a workflow to efficiently analyse information generated by different inference and prediction methods. Our methodology relies on providing the user the means to simultaneously visualise and analyse the coexisting networks generated by different algorithms, heterogeneous datasets, and a suite of analysis tools. As a show case, we have analysed the gene co-expression networks of Mycobacterium tuberculosis generated using over 600 expression experiments. Regarding DNA damage repair, we identified SigC as a key control element, 12 new targets for LexA, an updated LexA binding motif, and a potential mismatch repair system. We expanded the DevR regulon with 27 genes while identifying 9 targets wrongly assigned to this regulon. We discovered 10 new genes linked to zinc uptake and a new regulatory mechanism for ZuR. The use of co-expression networks to perform system level analysis allows the development of custom made methodologies. As show cases we implemented a pipeline to integrate ChIP-seq data and another method to uncover multiple regulatory layers. Our workflow is based on representing the multiple types of information as network representations and presenting these networks in a synchronous framework that allows their simultaneous visualization while keeping specific associations from the different networks. By simultaneously exploring these networks and metadata, we gained insights into regulatory mechanisms in M. tuberculosis that could not be obtained through the separate analysis of each data type.

Evaluation of the surface hardness, roughness, gloss and color of composites after different finishing/polishing treatments and thermocycling using a multitechnique approach.

PubMed

Pala, Kanşad; Tekçe, Neslihan; Tuncer, Safa; Serim, Merve Efe; Demirci, Mustafa

2016-01-01

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the mechanical and physical properties of resin composites. The materials evaluated were the Clearfil Majesty Posterior, Filtek Z550 and G-aenial Posterior composites. A total of 189 specimens were fabricated for microhardness, roughness, gloss and color tests. The specimens were divided into three finishing and polishing systems: Enhance, OneGloss and Sof-Lex Spiral. Microhardness, roughness, gloss and color were measured after 24 h and after 10,000 thermocycles. Two samples from each group were evaluated using SEM and AFM. G-aenial Posterior exhibited the lowest microhardness values. The mean roughness ranged from 0.37 to 0.61 µm. The smoothest surfaces were obtained with Sof-Lex Spiral for each material. G-aenial Posterior with Enhance was determined to be the glossiest surfaces. All of the materials exhibited similar ΔE values ranging between 1.69 and 2.75. Sof-Lex Spiral discs could be used successfully to polish composites.

In-flight flow visualization with pressure measurements at low speeds on the NASA F-18 high alpha research vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delfrate, John H.; Fisher, David F.; Zuniga, Fanny A.

1990-01-01

In-flight results from surface and off-surface flow visualizations and from extensive pressure distributions document the vortical flow on the leading edge extensions (LEX) and forebody of the NASA F-18 high alpha research vehicle for low speeds and angles of attack up to 50 degs. Surface flow visualization data, obtained using the emitted fluid technique, were used to define separation lines and laminar separation bubbles. Off-surface flow visualization data, obtained by smoke injection, were used to document both the path of the vortex cores and the location of vortex core breakdown. The location of vortex core breakdown correlated well with the loss of suction pressure on the LEX and with the flow visualization results from ground facilities. Surface flow separation lines on the LEX and forebody corresponded well with the end of pressure recovery under the vortical flows. Correlation of the pressures with wind tunnel results show fair to good correlation.

Assessing the performance of LOINC® and RadLex for coverage of CT scans across three sites in a health information exchange.

PubMed

Beitia, Anton Oscar; Kuperman, Gilad; Delman, Bradley N; Shapiro, Jason S

2013-01-01

We evaluated the performance of LOINC® and RadLex standard terminologies for covering CT test names from three sites in a health information exchange (HIE) with the eventual goal of building an HIE-based clinical decision support system to alert providers of prior duplicate CTs. Given the goal, the most important parameter to assess was coverage for high frequency exams that were most likely to be repeated. We showed that both LOINC® and RadLex provided sufficient coverage for our use case through calculations of (a) high coverage of 90% and 94%, respectively for the subset of CTs accounting for 99% of exams performed and (b) high concept token coverage (total percentage of exams performed that map to terminologies) of 92% and 95%, respectively. With trends toward greater interoperability, this work may provide a framework for those wishing to map radiology site codes to a standard nomenclature for purposes of tracking resource utilization.

Wind tunnel investigation of the interaction and breakdown characteristics of slender wing vortices at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Gary E.

1991-01-01

The vortex dominated aerodynamic characteristics of a generic 65 degree cropped delta wing model were studied in a wind tunnel at subsonic through supersonic speeds. The lee-side flow fields over the wing-alone configuration and the wing with leading edge extension (LEX) added were observed at M (infinity) equals 0.40 to 1.60 using a laser vapor screen technique. These results were correlated with surface streamline patterns, upper surface static pressure distributions, and six-component forces and moments. The wing-alone exhibited vortex breakdown and asymmetry of the breakdown location at the subsonic and transonic speeds. An earlier onset of vortex breakdown over the wing occurred at transonic speeds due to the interaction of the leading edge vortex with the normal shock wave. The development of a shock wave between the vortex and wing surface caused an early separation of the secondary boundary layer. With the LEX installed, wing vortex breakdown asymmetry did not occur up to the maximum angle of attack in the present test of 24 degrees. The favorable interaction of the LEX vortex with the wing flow field reduced the effects of shock waves on the wing primary and secondary vortical flows. The direct interaction of the wing and LEX vortex cores diminished with increasing Mach number. The maximum attainable vortex-induced pressure signatures were constrained by the vacuum pressure limit at the transonic and supersonic speeds.

Ontology-based image navigation: exploring 3.0-T MR neurography of the brachial plexus using AIM and RadLex.

PubMed

Wang, Kenneth C; Salunkhe, Aditya R; Morrison, James J; Lee, Pearlene P; Mejino, José L V; Detwiler, Landon T; Brinkley, James F; Siegel, Eliot L; Rubin, Daniel L; Carrino, John A

2015-01-01

Disorders of the peripheral nervous system have traditionally been evaluated using clinical history, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic testing. In selected cases, imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance (MR) neurography may help further localize or characterize abnormalities associated with peripheral neuropathies, and the clinical importance of such techniques is increasing. However, MR image interpretation with respect to peripheral nerve anatomy and disease often presents a diagnostic challenge because the relevant knowledge base remains relatively specialized. Using the radiology knowledge resource RadLex®, a series of RadLex queries, the Annotation and Image Markup standard for image annotation, and a Web services-based software architecture, the authors developed an application that allows ontology-assisted image navigation. The application provides an image browsing interface, allowing users to visually inspect the imaging appearance of anatomic structures. By interacting directly with the images, users can access additional structure-related information that is derived from RadLex (eg, muscle innervation, muscle attachment sites). These data also serve as conceptual links to navigate from one portion of the imaging atlas to another. With 3.0-T MR neurography of the brachial plexus as the initial area of interest, the resulting application provides support to radiologists in the image interpretation process by allowing efficient exploration of the MR imaging appearance of relevant nerve segments, muscles, bone structures, vascular landmarks, anatomic spaces, and entrapment sites, and the investigation of neuromuscular relationships. RSNA, 2015

Ontology-based Image Navigation: Exploring 3.0-T MR Neurography of the Brachial Plexus Using AIM and RadLex

PubMed Central

Salunkhe, Aditya R.; Morrison, James J.; Lee, Pearlene P.; Mejino, José L. V.; Detwiler, Landon T.; Brinkley, James F.; Siegel, Eliot L.; Rubin, Daniel L.; Carrino, John A.

2015-01-01

Disorders of the peripheral nervous system have traditionally been evaluated using clinical history, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic testing. In selected cases, imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance (MR) neurography may help further localize or characterize abnormalities associated with peripheral neuropathies, and the clinical importance of such techniques is increasing. However, MR image interpretation with respect to peripheral nerve anatomy and disease often presents a diagnostic challenge because the relevant knowledge base remains relatively specialized. Using the radiology knowledge resource RadLex®, a series of RadLex queries, the Annotation and Image Markup standard for image annotation, and a Web services–based software architecture, the authors developed an application that allows ontology-assisted image navigation. The application provides an image browsing interface, allowing users to visually inspect the imaging appearance of anatomic structures. By interacting directly with the images, users can access additional structure-related information that is derived from RadLex (eg, muscle innervation, muscle attachment sites). These data also serve as conceptual links to navigate from one portion of the imaging atlas to another. With 3.0-T MR neurography of the brachial plexus as the initial area of interest, the resulting application provides support to radiologists in the image interpretation process by allowing efficient exploration of the MR imaging appearance of relevant nerve segments, muscles, bone structures, vascular landmarks, anatomic spaces, and entrapment sites, and the investigation of neuromuscular relationships. ©RSNA, 2015 PMID:25590394

[Criminal claims about medical professional liability in the Instituto de Medicina Legal of Lima, Peru].

PubMed

Navarro-Sandoval, Cleyber; Arones-Guevara, Shermany; Carrera-Palao, Rosa; Casana-Jara, Kelly; Colque-Jaliri, Tomasa

2013-07-01

To determine the characteristics of the criminal complaints claining medical professional liability, based on the expert reports issued by the Forensic Examination Division of Lima, Peru. A cross-sectional study was carried out, which included all the expert reports issued between 2005 and 2010 at the Forensic Examination Division of Lima, Peru. A descriptive analysis of each of the variables was performed. 60.3% (495/821) of the criminal complaints for medical professional liability were valued as being in accordance with the lex artis while 16.8% (138/821) were not in accordance with the lex artis. In 13% (107/821) of the cases, conclusions could not be drawn;in 9.9% (81/821) of the cases, the conclusions in the expert report did not include an valuations of the medical act.The cases in which the injury was attributed to the process of the disease itself accounted for 80.9% (502/620), and those in which in the injury was considered a result of the health care received were 19.0% (118/620). The distribution of the cause of the injury based on accordance with the lex artis showed significant differences. In our country, the number of claims for claimed medical liability is increasing, predominantly in relation to surgical specialties, where a medical act is more likely to be considered not in accordance with the lex artis. In addition, in a significant percentage of cases, no conclusions are drawn about the medical act.

Posterior corneal curvature changes following Refractive Small Incision Lenticule Extraction.

PubMed

Ganesh, Sri; Patel, Utsav; Brar, Sheetal

2015-01-01

To compare the posterior corneal curvature changes, in terms of corneal power and asphercity, following Refractive Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (ReLEx SMILE) procedure for low, moderate, and high myopia. This retrospective, non randomized, comparative, interventional trial; included 52 eyes of 26 patients, divided in three groups: low myopia (myopia ≤3 D [diopters] spherical equivalent [SE]), moderate myopia (myopia >3 D and <6 D SE), and high myopia (myopia ≥6 D SE). All patients were treated for myopia and myopic astigmatism using ReLEx SMILE. The eyes were examined pre-operatively and 3 months post-operatively using SCHWIND SIRIUS, a three-dimensional rotating Scheimpflug camera with a Placido disc topographer to assess corneal changes with regard to keratometric power and asphericity of the cornea. A statistically significant increase in mean keratometric power in the 3, 5, and 7 mm zones of the posterior corneal surface compared with its pre-ReLEx SMILE value was detected after 3 months in the moderate myopia group (pre-operative [pre-op] -6.14±0.23, post-operative [post-op] -6.29±0.22, P<0.001) and high myopia group (pre-op -6.19±0.16, post-op -6.4±0.18, P<0.001), but there was no significant change in keratometric power of the posterior surface in the low myopia group (pre-op -5.87±0.17, post-op -6.06±0.29, P=0.143). Asphericity (Q-value) of the posterior surface changed significantly (P<0.001) after ReLEx SMILE in the moderate myopia group in the 3, 5, and 7 mm zones, and in the high myopia group in the 3 and 7 mm zones; but there was no significant change in the Q-value in the low myopia group in all three zones (pre-op 0.23±0.43, post-op -0.40±0.71, P=0.170), and in the high myopia group in the 5 mm zone (P=0.228). ReLEx SMILE causes significant changes in posterior corneal keratometric power and asphericity in moderate and high myopia, but the effect is subtle and insignificant in low myopia.

Apoptosis-like death, an extreme SOS response in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Erental, Ariel; Kalderon, Ziva; Saada, Ann; Smith, Yoav; Engelberg-Kulka, Hanna

2014-07-15

In bacteria, SOS is a global response to DNA damage, mediated by the recA-lexA genes, resulting in cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and mutagenesis. Previously, we reported that Escherichia coli responds to DNA damage via another recA-lexA-mediated pathway resulting in programmed cell death (PCD). We called it apoptosis-like death (ALD) because it is characterized by membrane depolarization and DNA fragmentation, which are hallmarks of eukaryotic mitochondrial apoptosis. Here, we show that ALD is an extreme SOS response that occurs only under conditions of severe DNA damage. Furthermore, we found that ALD is characterized by additional hallmarks of eukaryotic mitochondrial apoptosis, including (i) rRNA degradation by the endoribonuclease YbeY, (ii) upregulation of a unique set of genes that we called extensive-damage-induced (Edin) genes, (iii) a decrease in the activities of complexes I and II of the electron transport chain, and (iv) the formation of high levels of OH˙ through the Fenton reaction, eventually resulting in cell death. Our genetic and molecular studies on ALD provide additional insight for the evolution of mitochondria and the apoptotic pathway in eukaryotes. Importance: The SOS response is the first described and the most studied bacterial response to DNA damage. It is mediated by a set of two genes, recA-lexA, and it results in DNA repair and thereby in the survival of the bacterial culture. We have shown that Escherichia coli responds to DNA damage by an additional recA-lexA-mediated pathway resulting in an apoptosis-like death (ALD). Apoptosis is a mode of cell death that has previously been reported only in eukaryotes. We found that E. coli ALD is characterized by several hallmarks of eukaryotic mitochondrial apoptosis. Altogether, our results revealed that recA-lexA is a DNA damage response coordinator that permits two opposite responses: life, mediated by the SOS, and death, mediated by the ALD. The choice seems to be a function of the degree of DNA damage in the cell. Copyright © 2014 Erental et al.

One-year refractive results, contrast sensitivity, high-order aberrations and complications after myopic small-incision lenticule extraction (ReLEx SMILE).

PubMed

Sekundo, Walter; Gertnere, Jana; Bertelmann, Thomas; Solomatin, Igor

2014-05-01

To report one year results of the first cohort of routine refractive lenticule extraction through a small incision (ReLEx SMILE) for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Fifty-four eyes of 27 patients with spherical equivalent of -4.68 ± 1.29D who underwent routine ReLEx SMILE by a single surgeon were prospectively followed-up for 1 year. We used the VisuMax femtosecond laser system (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany) with a 500 kHz repetition rate. Folow-up intervals were at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. We obtained following parameters: uncorrected (UDVA) and distance-corrected visual acuity (CDVA), contrast sensitivity, and wave front measurements. We also recorded all complications. Because of suction loss in one eye, 12-month results were obtained in 53 eyes as follows. After 1 year, 88% of eyes with plano target had an UDVA of 20/20 or better. Twelve percent of eyes lost 1 line of CDVA, while 31% gained 1 line and 3% gained 2 lines. The mean SE after 1 year was -0.19 ± 0.19. The mean refraction change between month 1 and 12 was 0.08 D. Neither mesopic nor photopic contrast sensitivity showed any significant changes. The high-order aberrations (HOA) increased from 0.17 to 0.27 μm (Malacara notation). No visually threatening complications were observed. In this first cohort, ReLEx SMILE produced satisfactory refractive outcomes with moderate induction of HOA and unaffected contrast sensitivity after 1 year.

DNA repair properties of Escherichia coli tif-1, recAo281 and lexA1 strains deficient in single-strand DNA binding protein.

PubMed

Whittier, R F; Chase, J W

1983-01-01

Mutations affecting single-strand DNA binding protein (SSB) impair induction of mutagenic (SOS) repair. To further investigate the role of SSB in SOS induction and DNA repair, isogenic strains were constructed combining the ssb+, ssb-1 or ssb-113 alleles with one or more mutations known to alter regulation of damage inducible functions. As is true in ssb+ strains tif-1 (recA441) was found to allow thermal induction of prophage lambda + and Weigle reactivation in ssb-1 and ssb-113 strains. Furthermore, tif-1 decreased the UV sensitivity of the ssb-113 strain slightly and permitted UV induction of prophage lambda + at 30 degrees C. Strains carrying the recAo281 allele were also constructed. This mutation causes high constitutive levels of RecA protein synthesis and relieves much of the UV sensitivity conferred by lexA- alleles without restoring SOS (error-prone) repair. In contrast, the recAo281 allele failed to alleviate the UV sensitivity associated with either ssb- mutation. In a lexA1 recAo281 background the ssb-1 mutation increased the extent of postirradiation DNA degradation and concommitantly increased UV sensitivity 20-fold to the level exhibited by a recA1 strain. The ssb-113 mutation also increased UV sensitivity markedly in this background but did so without greatly increasing postirradiation DNA degradation. These results suggest a direct role for SSB in recombinational repair apart from and in addition to its role in facilitating induction of the recA-lexA regulon.

An Unequal Secure Encryption Scheme for H.264/AVC Video Compression Standard

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Yibo; Wang, Jidong; Ikenaga, Takeshi; Tsunoo, Yukiyasu; Goto, Satoshi

H.264/AVC is the newest video coding standard. There are many new features in it which can be easily used for video encryption. In this paper, we propose a new scheme to do video encryption for H.264/AVC video compression standard. We define Unequal Secure Encryption (USE) as an approach that applies different encryption schemes (with different security strength) to different parts of compressed video data. This USE scheme includes two parts: video data classification and unequal secure video data encryption. Firstly, we classify the video data into two partitions: Important data partition and unimportant data partition. Important data partition has small size with high secure protection, while unimportant data partition has large size with low secure protection. Secondly, we use AES as a block cipher to encrypt the important data partition and use LEX as a stream cipher to encrypt the unimportant data partition. AES is the most widely used symmetric cryptography which can ensure high security. LEX is a new stream cipher which is based on AES and its computational cost is much lower than AES. In this way, our scheme can achieve both high security and low computational cost. Besides the USE scheme, we propose a low cost design of hybrid AES/LEX encryption module. Our experimental results show that the computational cost of the USE scheme is low (about 25% of naive encryption at Level 0 with VEA used). The hardware cost for hybrid AES/LEX module is 4678 Gates and the AES encryption throughput is about 50Mbps.

Polishing mechanism of light-initiated dental composite: Geometric optics approach.

PubMed

Chiang, Yu-Chih; Lai, Eddie Hsiang-Hua; Kunzelmann, Karl-Heinz

2016-12-01

For light-initiated dental hybrid composites, reinforcing particles are much stiffer than the matrix, which makes the surface rugged after inadequate polish and favors bacterial adhesion and biofilm redevelopment. The aim of the study was to investigate the polishing mechanism via the geometric optics approach. We defined the polishing abilities of six instruments using the obtained gloss values through the geometric optics approach (micro-Tri-gloss with 20°, 60°, and 85° measurement angles). The surface texture was validated using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Based on the gloss values, we sorted polishing tools into three abrasive levels, and proposed polishing sequences to test the hypothesis that similar abrasive levels would leave equivalent gloss levels on dental composites. The three proposed, tested polishing sequences included: S1, Sof-Lex XT coarse disc, Sof-Lex XT fine disc, and OccluBrush; S2, Sof-Lex XT coarse disc, Prisma Gloss polishing paste, and OccluBrush; and S3, Sof-Lex XT coarse disc, Enhance finishing cups, and OccluBrush. S1 demonstrated significantly higher surface gloss than the other procedures (p < 0.05). The surface textures (FE-SEM micrographs) correlated well with the obtained gloss values. Nominally similar abrasive abilities did not result in equivalent polish levels, indicating that the polishing tools must be evaluated and cannot be judged based on their compositions or abrasive sizes. The geometric optic approach is an efficient and nondestructive method to characterize the polished surface of dental composites. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effect of the Polishing Procedures on Color Stability and Surface Roughness of Composite Resins

PubMed Central

Schmitt, Vera Lucia; Puppin-Rontani, Regina Maria; Naufel, Fabiana Scarparo; Nahsan, Flávia Pardo Salata; Alexandre Coelho Sinhoreti, Mário; Baseggio, Wagner

2011-01-01

Objectives. To evaluate the polishing procedures effect on color stability and surface roughness of composite resins. Methods. Specimens were distributed into 6 groups: G1: Filtek Supreme XT + PoGo; G2: Filtek Supreme XT + Sof-Lex; G3: Filtek Supreme XT + no polishing; G4: Amelogen + PoGo; G5: Amelogen + Sof-Lex.; G6: Amelogen + no polishing. Initial color values were evaluated using the CIELab scale. After polishing, surface roughness was evaluated and the specimens were stored in coffee solution at 37°C for 7 days. The final color measurement and roughness were determined. Results. Sof-Lex resulted in lower staining. Amelogen showed the highest roughness values than Filtek Supreme on baseline and final evaluations regardless of the polishing technique. Filtek Supreme polished with PoGo showed the lowest roughness values. All groups presented discoloration after storage in coffee solution, regardless of the polishing technique. Conclusion. Multiple-step polishing technique provided lower degree of discoloration for both composite resins. The final surface texture is material and technique dependent. PMID:21991483

Evaluation of the Effect of Surface Polishing, Oral Beverages and Food Colorants on Color Stability and Surface Roughness of Nanocomposite Resins

PubMed Central

Kumari, R Veena; Nagaraj, Hema; Siddaraju, Kishore; Poluri, Ramya Krishna

2015-01-01

Background: It is beyond doubt that finishing and polishing of a composite restoration enhance its esthetics and, is also essential for the health of the periodontium. A variety of instruments are commonly used for finishing and polishing tooth-colored restorative materials Thus, it is important to understand which type of surface finishing treatments would significantly affect the staining and surface irregularities of the composite resin restoration. Still one of the properties of the composite resins that have to pass the test of time is its color stability. In modern day dentistry, a large emphasis is laid over esthetics. Hence, it is important to understand the various agents capable of adversely affecting the esthetics of a restoration due to its staining capacity. Thus, the aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of surface polishing, oral beverages and food colorants on the color stability and surface roughness of nanocomposite resins. Materials and Methods: 90 Disks of nanocomposites resin (Filtek Z350 XT) measuring 8 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness were fabricated using a custom made silicon mold. Pre-polishing surface roughness (Ra1) of all the 90 samples were measured using a Surface Profilometer. The nano-composite disks were then randomly divided into 3 groups with 30 samples in each group. Group I: Control group: The samples were not subjected to any polishing procedures. Group II: Sof-Lex group: Samples subjected to polishing using different grits of Sof-Lex disks. Group III: Diamond polishing paste group: Samples were subjected with a polishing paste consisting of diamond particles. Following polishing procedures, the surface roughness of all samples were measured again to obtain change in surface roughness due to polishing procedures (Ra2), pre immersion spectrophotometric value (ΔE1) was also recorded for baseline color of the samples. The samples were then divided into subgroups (A, B, C, D, E), by including every first sample in Subgroup A, second in Subgroup B, third in Subgroup C, fourth in Subgroup D, and fifth in Subgroup E. Each was immersed in the respective test solution for 10 min, twice a day for 30 days. Group A - Tea, Group B - Coffee, Group C - Cola, Group D - Turmeric, Group E - Control (artificial saliva). Post immersion profilometric value was recorded to evaluate roughness bought about by the solutions (Ra3) and spectrophotometric value was recorded to evaluate the color change in samples (ΔE2). Results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. Results: Higher mean roughness (Ra2-Ra1) value was recorded in Sof-Lex, followed by Diamond polishing paste and Control group. Comparison of surface roughness caused due to beverages and food colorant solution showed subgroup C (Coca Cola) increased surface roughness in all groups (Group I, II, III). Subgroup D (Turmeric) had the highest discoloration potential (P < 0001) in all groups, followed by coffee, tea, coca-cola and artificial saliva. Sof-Lex polishing System showed most color stability. Conclusion: Polishing procedures significantly roughen the surface of the restoration compared to the unpolished Mylar controls. One-step polishing system (diamond polishing paste) produces a smoother surface compared to a multi-step system (Sof-Lex polishing disks). Turmeric solution caused maximum staining of the samples, to a visually perceptible level. PMID:26229373

Evaluation of the Effect of Surface Polishing, Oral Beverages and Food Colorants on Color Stability and Surface Roughness of Nanocomposite Resins.

PubMed

Kumari, R Veena; Nagaraj, Hema; Siddaraju, Kishore; Poluri, Ramya Krishna

2015-07-01

It is beyond doubt that finishing and polishing of a composite restoration enhance its esthetics and, is also essential for the health of the periodontium. A variety of instruments are commonly used for finishing and polishing tooth-colored restorative materials Thus, it is important to understand which type of surface finishing treatments would significantly affect the staining and surface irregularities of the composite resin restoration. Still one of the properties of the composite resins that have to pass the test of time is its color stability. In modern day dentistry, a large emphasis is laid over esthetics. Hence, it is important to understand the various agents capable of adversely affecting the esthetics of a restoration due to its staining capacity. Thus, the aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of surface polishing, oral beverages and food colorants on the color stability and surface roughness of nanocomposite resins. 90 Disks of nanocomposites resin (Filtek Z350 XT) measuring 8 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness were fabricated using a custom made silicon mold. Pre-polishing surface roughness (Ra1) of all the 90 samples were measured using a Surface Profilometer. The nano-composite disks were then randomly divided into 3 groups with 30 samples in each group. Group I: The samples were not subjected to any polishing procedures. Group II: Sof-Lex group: Samples subjected to polishing using different grits of Sof-Lex disks. Group III: Diamond polishing paste group: Samples were subjected with a polishing paste consisting of diamond particles. Following polishing procedures, the surface roughness of all samples were measured again to obtain change in surface roughness due to polishing procedures (Ra2), pre immersion spectrophotometric value (ΔE1) was also recorded for baseline color of the samples. The samples were then divided into subgroups (A, B, C, D, E), by including every first sample in Subgroup A, second in Subgroup B, third in Subgroup C, fourth in Subgroup D, and fifth in Subgroup E. Each was immersed in the respective test solution for 10 min, twice a day for 30 days. Group A - Tea, Group B - Coffee, Group C - Cola, Group D - Turmeric, Group E - Control (artificial saliva). Post immersion profilometric value was recorded to evaluate roughness bought about by the solutions (Ra3) and spectrophotometric value was recorded to evaluate the color change in samples (ΔE2). Results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. Higher mean roughness (Ra2-Ra1) value was recorded in Sof-Lex, followed by Diamond polishing paste and Control group. Comparison of surface roughness caused due to beverages and food colorant solution showed subgroup C (Coca Cola) increased surface roughness in all groups (Group I, II, III). Subgroup D (Turmeric) had the highest discoloration potential (P < 0001) in all groups, followed by coffee, tea, coca-cola and artificial saliva. Sof-Lex polishing System showed most color stability. Polishing procedures significantly roughen the surface of the restoration compared to the unpolished Mylar controls. One-step polishing system (diamond polishing paste) produces a smoother surface compared to a multi-step system (Sof-Lex polishing disks). Turmeric solution caused maximum staining of the samples, to a visually perceptible level.

Comparing image search behaviour in the ARRS GoldMiner search engine and a clinical PACS/RIS.

PubMed

De-Arteaga, Maria; Eggel, Ivan; Do, Bao; Rubin, Daniel; Kahn, Charles E; Müller, Henning

2015-08-01

Information search has changed the way we manage knowledge and the ubiquity of information access has made search a frequent activity, whether via Internet search engines or increasingly via mobile devices. Medical information search is in this respect no different and much research has been devoted to analyzing the way in which physicians aim to access information. Medical image search is a much smaller domain but has gained much attention as it has different characteristics than search for text documents. While web search log files have been analysed many times to better understand user behaviour, the log files of hospital internal systems for search in a PACS/RIS (Picture Archival and Communication System, Radiology Information System) have rarely been analysed. Such a comparison between a hospital PACS/RIS search and a web system for searching images of the biomedical literature is the goal of this paper. Objectives are to identify similarities and differences in search behaviour of the two systems, which could then be used to optimize existing systems and build new search engines. Log files of the ARRS GoldMiner medical image search engine (freely accessible on the Internet) containing 222,005 queries, and log files of Stanford's internal PACS/RIS search called radTF containing 18,068 queries were analysed. Each query was preprocessed and all query terms were mapped to the RadLex (Radiology Lexicon) terminology, a comprehensive lexicon of radiology terms created and maintained by the Radiological Society of North America, so the semantic content in the queries and the links between terms could be analysed, and synonyms for the same concept could be detected. RadLex was mainly created for the use in radiology reports, to aid structured reporting and the preparation of educational material (Lanlotz, 2006) [1]. In standard medical vocabularies such as MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) and UMLS (Unified Medical Language System) specific terms of radiology are often underrepresented, therefore RadLex was considered to be the best option for this task. The results show a surprising similarity between the usage behaviour in the two systems, but several subtle differences can also be noted. The average number of terms per query is 2.21 for GoldMiner and 2.07 for radTF, the used axes of RadLex (anatomy, pathology, findings, …) have almost the same distribution with clinical findings being the most frequent and the anatomical entity the second; also, combinations of RadLex axes are extremely similar between the two systems. Differences include a longer length of the sessions in radTF than in GoldMiner (3.4 and 1.9 queries per session on average). Several frequent search terms overlap but some strong differences exist in the details. In radTF the term "normal" is frequent, whereas in GoldMiner it is not. This makes intuitive sense, as in the literature normal cases are rarely described whereas in clinical work the comparison with normal cases is often a first step. The general similarity in many points is likely due to the fact that users of the two systems are influenced by their daily behaviour in using standard web search engines and follow this behaviour in their professional search. This means that many results and insights gained from standard web search can likely be transferred to more specialized search systems. Still, specialized log files can be used to find out more on reformulations and detailed strategies of users to find the right content. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A unified structural/terminological interoperability framework based on LexEVS: application to TRANSFoRm.

PubMed

Ethier, Jean-François; Dameron, Olivier; Curcin, Vasa; McGilchrist, Mark M; Verheij, Robert A; Arvanitis, Theodoros N; Taweel, Adel; Delaney, Brendan C; Burgun, Anita

2013-01-01

Biomedical research increasingly relies on the integration of information from multiple heterogeneous data sources. Despite the fact that structural and terminological aspects of interoperability are interdependent and rely on a common set of requirements, current efforts typically address them in isolation. We propose a unified ontology-based knowledge framework to facilitate interoperability between heterogeneous sources, and investigate if using the LexEVS terminology server is a viable implementation method. We developed a framework based on an ontology, the general information model (GIM), to unify structural models and terminologies, together with relevant mapping sets. This allowed a uniform access to these resources within LexEVS to facilitate interoperability by various components and data sources from implementing architectures. Our unified framework has been tested in the context of the EU Framework Program 7 TRANSFoRm project, where it was used to achieve data integration in a retrospective diabetes cohort study. The GIM was successfully instantiated in TRANSFoRm as the clinical data integration model, and necessary mappings were created to support effective information retrieval for software tools in the project. We present a novel, unifying approach to address interoperability challenges in heterogeneous data sources, by representing structural and semantic models in one framework. Systems using this architecture can rely solely on the GIM that abstracts over both the structure and coding. Information models, terminologies and mappings are all stored in LexEVS and can be accessed in a uniform manner (implementing the HL7 CTS2 service functional model). The system is flexible and should reduce the effort needed from data sources personnel for implementing and managing the integration.

Wind tunnel investigation of vortex flows on F/A-18 configuration at subsonic through transonic speed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Gary E.

1991-01-01

A wind tunnel experiment was conducted in the David Taylor Research Center 7- by 10-Foot Transonic Tunnel of the wing leading-edge extension (LEX) and forebody vortex flows at subsonic and transonic speeds about a 0.06-scale model of the F/A-18. The primary goal was to improve the understanding and control of the vortical flows, including the phenomena of vortex breakdown and vortex interactions with the vertical tails. Laser vapor screen flow visualizations, LEX, and forebody surface static pressures, and six-component forces and moments were obtained at angles of attack of 10 to 50 degrees, free-stream Mach numbers of 0.20 to 0.90, and Reynolds numbers based on the wing mean aerodynamic chord of 0.96 x 10(exp 6) to 1.75 x 10(exp 6). The wind tunnel results were correlated with in-flight flow visualizations and handling qualities trends obtained by NASA using an F-18 High-Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) and by the Navy and McDonnell Douglas on F-18 aircraft with LEX fences added to improve the vertical tail buffet environment. Key issues that were addressed include the sensitivity of the vortical flows to the Reynolds number and Mach number; the reduced vertical tail excitation, and the corresponding flow mechanism, in the presence of the LEX fence; the repeatability of data obtained during high angle-of-attack wind tunnel testing of F-18 models; the effects of particle seeding for flow visualization on the quantitative model measurements; and the interpretation of off-body flow visualizations obtained using different illumination and particle seeding techniques.

NeuroLex.org: an online framework for neuroscience knowledge

PubMed Central

Larson, Stephen D.; Martone, Maryann E.

2013-01-01

The ability to transmit, organize, and query information digitally has brought with it the challenge of how to best use this power to facilitate scientific inquiry. Today, few information systems are able to provide detailed answers to complex questions about neuroscience that account for multiple spatial scales, and which cross the boundaries of diverse parts of the nervous system such as molecules, cellular parts, cells, circuits, systems and tissues. As a result, investigators still primarily seek answers to their questions in an increasingly densely populated collection of articles in the literature, each of which must be digested individually. If it were easier to search a knowledge base that was structured to answer neuroscience questions, such a system would enable questions to be answered in seconds that would otherwise require hours of literature review. In this article, we describe NeuroLex.org, a wiki-based website and knowledge management system. Its goal is to bring neurobiological knowledge into a framework that allows neuroscientists to review the concepts of neuroscience, with an emphasis on multiscale descriptions of the parts of nervous systems, aggregate their understanding with that of other scientists, link them to data sources and descriptions of important concepts in neuroscience, and expose parts that are still controversial or missing. To date, the site is tracking ~25,000 unique neuroanatomical parts and concepts in neurobiology spanning experimental techniques, behavioral paradigms, anatomical nomenclature, genes, proteins and molecules. Here we show how the structuring of information about these anatomical parts in the nervous system can be reused to answer multiple neuroscience questions, such as displaying all known GABAergic neurons aggregated in NeuroLex or displaying all brain regions that are known within NeuroLex to send axons into the cerebellar cortex. PMID:24009581

A new method for the automatic retrieval of medical cases based on the RadLex ontology.

PubMed

Spanier, A B; Cohen, D; Joskowicz, L

2017-03-01

The goal of medical case-based image retrieval (M-CBIR) is to assist radiologists in the clinical decision-making process by finding medical cases in large archives that most resemble a given case. Cases are described by radiology reports comprised of radiological images and textual information on the anatomy and pathology findings. The textual information, when available in standardized terminology, e.g., the RadLex ontology, and used in conjunction with the radiological images, provides a substantial advantage for M-CBIR systems. We present a new method for incorporating textual radiological findings from medical case reports in M-CBIR. The input is a database of medical cases, a query case, and the number of desired relevant cases. The output is an ordered list of the most relevant cases in the database. The method is based on a new case formulation, the Augmented RadLex Graph and an Anatomy-Pathology List. It uses a new case relatedness metric [Formula: see text] that prioritizes more specific medical terms in the RadLex tree over less specific ones and that incorporates the length of the query case. An experimental study on 8 CT queries from the 2015 VISCERAL 3D Case Retrieval Challenge database consisting of 1497 volumetric CT scans shows that our method has accuracy rates of 82 and 70% on the first 10 and 30 most relevant cases, respectively, thereby outperforming six other methods. The increasing amount of medical imaging data acquired in clinical practice constitutes a vast database of untapped diagnostically relevant information. This paper presents a new hybrid approach to retrieving the most relevant medical cases based on textual and image information.

A unified structural/terminological interoperability framework based on LexEVS: application to TRANSFoRm

PubMed Central

Ethier, Jean-François; Dameron, Olivier; Curcin, Vasa; McGilchrist, Mark M; Verheij, Robert A; Arvanitis, Theodoros N; Taweel, Adel; Delaney, Brendan C; Burgun, Anita

2013-01-01

Objective Biomedical research increasingly relies on the integration of information from multiple heterogeneous data sources. Despite the fact that structural and terminological aspects of interoperability are interdependent and rely on a common set of requirements, current efforts typically address them in isolation. We propose a unified ontology-based knowledge framework to facilitate interoperability between heterogeneous sources, and investigate if using the LexEVS terminology server is a viable implementation method. Materials and methods We developed a framework based on an ontology, the general information model (GIM), to unify structural models and terminologies, together with relevant mapping sets. This allowed a uniform access to these resources within LexEVS to facilitate interoperability by various components and data sources from implementing architectures. Results Our unified framework has been tested in the context of the EU Framework Program 7 TRANSFoRm project, where it was used to achieve data integration in a retrospective diabetes cohort study. The GIM was successfully instantiated in TRANSFoRm as the clinical data integration model, and necessary mappings were created to support effective information retrieval for software tools in the project. Conclusions We present a novel, unifying approach to address interoperability challenges in heterogeneous data sources, by representing structural and semantic models in one framework. Systems using this architecture can rely solely on the GIM that abstracts over both the structure and coding. Information models, terminologies and mappings are all stored in LexEVS and can be accessed in a uniform manner (implementing the HL7 CTS2 service functional model). The system is flexible and should reduce the effort needed from data sources personnel for implementing and managing the integration. PMID:23571850

Phi-square Lexical Competition Database (Phi-Lex): an online tool for quantifying auditory and visual lexical competition.

PubMed

Strand, Julia F

2014-03-01

A widely agreed-upon feature of spoken word recognition is that multiple lexical candidates in memory are simultaneously activated in parallel when a listener hears a word, and that those candidates compete for recognition (Luce, Goldinger, Auer, & Vitevitch, Perception 62:615-625, 2000; Luce & Pisoni, Ear and Hearing 19:1-36, 1998; McClelland & Elman, Cognitive Psychology 18:1-86, 1986). Because the presence of those competitors influences word recognition, much research has sought to quantify the processes of lexical competition. Metrics that quantify lexical competition continuously are more effective predictors of auditory and visual (lipread) spoken word recognition than are the categorical metrics traditionally used (Feld & Sommers, Speech Communication 53:220-228, 2011; Strand & Sommers, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 130:1663-1672, 2011). A limitation of the continuous metrics is that they are somewhat computationally cumbersome and require access to existing speech databases. This article describes the Phi-square Lexical Competition Database (Phi-Lex): an online, searchable database that provides access to multiple metrics of auditory and visual (lipread) lexical competition for English words, available at www.juliastrand.com/phi-lex .

Influence of work clothing on physiological responses and performance during treadmill exercise and the Wildland Firefighter Pack Test.

PubMed

Phillips, Devin B; Ehnes, Cameron M; Welch, Bradley G; Lee, Lauren N; Simin, Irina; Petersen, Stewart R

2018-04-01

This study investigated physiological responses and performance during three separate exercise challenges (Parts I, II, and III) with wildland firefighting work clothing ensemble (boots and coveralls) and a 20.4 kg backpack in four conditions: U-EX (no pack, exercise clothing); L-EX (pack, exercise clothing); U-W (no pack, work clothing); and, L-W (pack and work clothing). Part I consisted of randomly-ordered graded exercise tests, on separate days, in U-EX, L-EX and L-W conditions. Part II consisted of randomly-ordered bouts of sub-maximal treadmill exercise in the four conditions. In Part III, subjects completed, in random-order on separate days, 4.83 km Pack Tests in L-EX or L-W conditions. In Part I, peak oxygen uptake was reduced (p < .05) in L-W. In Part II, mass-specific oxygen uptake was significantly higher in both work clothing conditions. In Part III, Pack Test time was slower (p < .05) in L-W. These results demonstrate the negative impact of work clothing and load carriage on physiological responses to exercise and performance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clustered carbohydrates as a target for natural killer cells: a model system.

PubMed

Kovalenko, Elena I; Abakushina, Elena; Telford, William; Kapoor, Veena; Korchagina, Elena; Khaidukov, Sergei; Molotkovskaya, Irina; Sapozhnikov, Alexander; Vlaskin, Pavel; Bovin, Nicolai

2007-03-01

Membrane-associated oligosaccharides are known to take part in interactions between natural killer (NK) cells and their targets and modulate NK cell activity. A model system was therefore developed using synthetic glycoconjugates as tools to modify the carbohydrate pattern on NK target cell surfaces. NK cells were then assessed for function in response to synthetic glycoconjugates, using both cytolysis-associated caspase 6 activation measured by flow cytometry and IFN-gamma production. Lipophilic neoglycoconjugates were synthesized to provide their easy incorporation into the target cell membranes and to make carbohydrate residues available for cell-cell interactions. While incorporation was successful based on fluorescence monitoring, glycoconjugate incorporation did not evoke artifactual changes in surface antigen expression, and had no negative effect on cell viability. Glycoconjugates contained Le(x), sulfated Le(x), and Le(y) sharing the common structure motif trisaccharide Le(x) were revealed to enhance cytotoxicity mediated specifically by CD16 +CD56+NK cells. The glycoconjugate effects were dependent on saccharide presentation in a polymeric form. Only polymeric, or clustered, but not monomeric glycoconjugates resulted in alteration of cytotoxicity in our system, suggesting that appropriate presentation is critical for carbohydrate recognition and subsequent biological effects.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) increases insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in sedentary aging men but not masters' athletes: an observational study.

PubMed

Herbert, Peter; Hayes, Lawrence D; Sculthorpe, Nicholas; Grace, Fergal M

2017-03-01

The aim of this investigation was to examine the impact high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in active compared with sedentary aging men. 22 lifetime sedentary (SED; 62 ± 2 years) and 17 masters' athletes (LEX; 60 ± 5 years) were recruited to the study. As HIIT requires preconditioning exercise in sedentary cohorts, the study required three assessment phases; enrollment (phase A), following preconditioning exercise (phase B), and post-HIIT (phase C). Serum IGF-I was determined by electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. IGF-I was higher in LEX compared to SED at baseline (p = 0.007, Cohen's d = 0.91), and phase B (p = 0.083, Cohen's d = 0.59), with only a small difference at C (p = 0.291, Cohen's d = 0.35). SED experienced a small increase in IGF-I following preconditioning from 13.1 ± 4.7 to 14.2 ± 6.0 μg·dl -1 (p = 0.376, Cohen's d = 0.22), followed by a larger increase post-HIIT (16.9 ± 4.4 μg·dl -1 ), which was significantly elevated compared with baseline (p = 0.002, Cohen's d = 0.85), and post-preconditioning (p = 0.005, Cohen's d = 0.51). LEX experienced a trivial changes in IGF-I from A to B (18.2 ± 6.4 to 17.2 ± 3.7 μg·dl -1 [p = 0.538, Cohen's d = 0.19]), and a small change post-HIIT (18.4 ± 4.1 μg·dl -1 [p = 0.283, Cohen's d = 0.31]). Small increases were observed in fat-free mass in both groups following HIIT (p < 0.05, Cohen's d = 0.32-0.45). In conclusion, HIIT with preconditioning exercise abrogates the age associated difference in IGF-I between SED and LEX, and induces small improvements in fat-free mass in both SED and LEX.

Posterior corneal curvature changes following Refractive Small Incision Lenticule Extraction

PubMed Central

Ganesh, Sri; Patel, Utsav; Brar, Sheetal

2015-01-01

Purpose To compare the posterior corneal curvature changes, in terms of corneal power and asphercity, following Refractive Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (ReLEx SMILE) procedure for low, moderate, and high myopia. Methods This retrospective, non randomized, comparative, interventional trial; included 52 eyes of 26 patients, divided in three groups: low myopia (myopia ≤3 D [diopters] spherical equivalent [SE]), moderate myopia (myopia >3 D and <6 D SE), and high myopia (myopia ≥6 D SE). All patients were treated for myopia and myopic astigmatism using ReLEx SMILE. The eyes were examined pre-operatively and 3 months post-operatively using SCHWIND SIRIUS, a three-dimensional rotating Scheimpflug camera with a Placido disc topographer to assess corneal changes with regard to keratometric power and asphericity of the cornea. Results A statistically significant increase in mean keratometric power in the 3, 5, and 7 mm zones of the posterior corneal surface compared with its pre-ReLEx SMILE value was detected after 3 months in the moderate myopia group (pre-operative [pre-op] −6.14±0.23, post-operative [post-op] −6.29±0.22, P<0.001) and high myopia group (pre-op −6.19±0.16, post-op −6.4±0.18, P<0.001), but there was no significant change in keratometric power of the posterior surface in the low myopia group (pre-op −5.87±0.17, post-op −6.06±0.29, P=0.143). Asphericity (Q-value) of the posterior surface changed significantly (P<0.001) after ReLEx SMILE in the moderate myopia group in the 3, 5, and 7 mm zones, and in the high myopia group in the 3 and 7 mm zones; but there was no significant change in the Q-value in the low myopia group in all three zones (pre-op 0.23±0.43, post-op −0.40±0.71, P=0.170), and in the high myopia group in the 5 mm zone (P=0.228). Conclusion ReLEx SMILE causes significant changes in posterior corneal keratometric power and asphericity in moderate and high myopia, but the effect is subtle and insignificant in low myopia. PMID:26229428

Numerical simulation of the flow about the F-18 HARV at high angle of attack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murman, Scott M.

1994-01-01

This report summarizes research done over the past two years as part of NASA Grant NCC 2-729. This research has been aimed at validating numerical methods for computing the flow about the complete F-18 HARV at alpha = 30 deg and alpha = 45 deg. At 30 deg angle of attack, the flow about the F-18 is dominated by the formation, and subsequent breakdown, of strong vortices over the wing leading-edge extensions (LEX). As the angle of attack is increased to alpha = 45 deg, the fuselage forebody of the F-18 contains significant laminar and transitional regions which are not present at alpha = 30 deg. Further, the flow over the LEX at alpha = 45 deg is dominated by an unsteady shedding in time, rather than strong coherent vortices. This complex physics, combined with the complex geometry of a full aircraft configuration, provides a challenge for current computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. The following sections present the numerical method and grid generation scheme that was used, a review of prior research done to numerically model the F-18 HARV, and a discussion of the current research. The current research is broken into two main topics: the effect of engine-inlet mass-flow rate on the F-18 vortex breakdown position, and the results using a refined F-18 computational model to compute the flow at alpha = 30 deg and alpha = 45 deg.

Numerical simulation of the flow about the F-18 HARV at high angle of attack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murman, Scott M.

1995-01-01

This research has been aimed at validating numerical methods for computing the flow about the complete F-18 HARV at alpha = 30 deg and alpha = 45 deg. At 30 deg angle of attack, the flow about the F-18 is dominated by the formation, and subsequent breakdown, of strong vortices over the wing leading-edge extensions (LEX). As the angle of attack is increased to alpha = 45 deg, the fuselage forebody of the F-18 contains significant laminar and transitional regions which are not present at alpha = 30 deg. Further, the flow over the LEX at alpha = 45 deg is dominated by an unsteady shedding in time, rather than strong coherent vortices. This complex physics, combined with the complex geometry of a full-aircraft configuration, provides a challenge for current computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. The following sections present the numerical method and grid generation scheme that was used, a review of prior research done to numerically model the F-18 HARV, and a discussion of the current research. The current research is broken into three main topics; the effect of engine-inlet mass-flow rate on the F-18 vortex breakdown position, the results using a refined F-18 computational model to compute the flow at alpha = 30 deg and alpha = 45 deg, and research done using the simplified geometry of an ogive-cylinder configuration to investigate the physics of unsteady shear-layer shedding. The last section briefly summarizes the discussion.

Application of a Two Camera Video Imaging System to Three-Dimensional Vortex Tracking in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyn, Larry A.; Bennett, Mark S.

1993-01-01

A description is presented of two enhancements for a two-camera, video imaging system that increase the accuracy and efficiency of the system when applied to the determination of three-dimensional locations of points along a continuous line. These enhancements increase the utility of the system when extracting quantitative data from surface and off-body flow visualizations. The first enhancement utilizes epipolar geometry to resolve the stereo "correspondence" problem. This is the problem of determining, unambiguously, corresponding points in the stereo images of objects that do not have visible reference points. The second enhancement, is a method to automatically identify and trace the core of a vortex in a digital image. This is accomplished by means of an adaptive template matching algorithm. The system was used to determine the trajectory of a vortex generated by the Leading-Edge eXtension (LEX) of a full-scale F/A-18 aircraft tested in the NASA Ames 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel. The system accuracy for resolving the vortex trajectories is estimated to be +/-2 inches over distance of 60 feet. Stereo images of some of the vortex trajectories are presented. The system was also used to determine the point where the LEX vortex "bursts". The vortex burst point locations are compared with those measured in small-scale tests and in flight and found to be in good agreement.

Wind Tunnel Investigation of Passive Vortex Control and Vortex-Tail Interactions on a Slender Wing at Subsonic and Transonic Speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Gary E.

2013-01-01

A wind tunnel experiment was conducted in the NASA Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel to determine the effects of passive porosity on vortex flow interactions about a slender wing configuration at subsonic and transonic speeds. Flow-through porosity was applied in several arrangements to a leading-edge extension, or LEX, mounted to a 65-degree cropped delta wing as a longitudinal instability mitigation technique. Test data were obtained with LEX on and off in the presence of a centerline vertical tail and twin, wing-mounted vertical fins to quantify the sensitivity of the aerodynamics to tail placement and orientation. A close-coupled canard was tested as an alternative to the LEX as a passive flow control device. Wing upper surface static pressure distributions and six-component forces and moments were obtained at Mach numbers of 0.50, 0.85, and 1.20, unit Reynolds number of 2.5 million, angles of attack up to approximately 30 degrees, and angles of sideslip to +/-8 degrees. The off-surface flow field was visualized in cross planes on selected configurations using a laser vapor screen flow visualization technique. Tunnel-to-tunnel data comparisons and a Reynolds number sensitivity assessment were also performed. 15.

Experimental investigation of forebody and wing leading-edge vortex interactions at high angles of attack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, G. E.; Gilbert, W. P.

1983-01-01

An experimental investigation was conducted to assess the vortex flow-field interactions on an advanced, twin-jet fighter aircraft configuration at high angles of attack. Flow-field surveys were conducted on a small-scale model in the Northrop 0.41 - by 0.60-meter water tunnel and, where appropriate, the qualitative observations were correlated with low-speed wind tunnel data trends obtained on a large-scale model of the advanced fighter in the NASA Langley Research Center 30- by 60-foot (9.1- by 18.3-meter) facility. Emphasis was placed on understanding the interactions of the forebody and LEX-wing vortical flows, defining the effects on rolling moment variation with sideslip, and identifying modifications to control or regulate the vortex interactions at high angles of attack. The water tunnel flow visualization results and wind tunnel data trend analysis revealed the potential for strong interactions between the forebody and LEX vortices at high angles of attack. In particular, the forebody flow development near the nose could be controlled by means of carefully-positioned radome strakes. The resultant strake-induced flow-field changes were amplified downstream by the more powerful LEX vortical motions with subsequent large effects on wing flow separation characteristics.

Error-prone repair and translesion synthesis III: the activation of UmuD (or less is more).

PubMed

Bridges, Bryn A

2005-08-15

Following DNA damage to Escherichia coli bacteria, RecA protein is activated by binding to single stranded DNA and cleaves its own gene repressor (LexA protein). Two papers from Graham Walker's laboratory showed that several bacterial genes in addition to RecA are repressed by the LexA repressor and are inducible following DNA damage [C.J. Keyon, G.C. Walker, DNA-damaging agents stimulate gene expression at specific loci in Escherichia coli, in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 77, 1980, pp. 2819--2823] and predicted that one of them (UmuD) might itself be subject to activation by a further cleavage reaction involving activated RecA protein [K.L. Perry, S.J. Elledge, B.B. Mitchell, L. Marsh, G.C. Walker, umuD,C and mucA,B operans whose products are required for UV light- and chemical-induced mutagenesis: UmuD, MucA, and LexA proteins share homology, in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 82, 1985, pp. 4331--4335]. The processed form of UmuD, termed UmuD', later proved to be a subunit of DNA polymerase V, a key enzyme involved in translesion synthesis.

The dorsal striatum and ventral striatum play different roles in the programming of social behaviour: a tribute to Lex Cools.

PubMed

van den Bos, Ruud

2015-02-01

Early work by Lex Cools suggested that the caudate nucleus (dorsal striatum) plays a role in programming social behaviour: enhanced activity in the caudate nucleus increased the extent to which ongoing behaviour is controlled by the individual's own behaviour (internal control) rather than by that of its partners (external control). Interestingly, later studies by others have indicated that the ventral striatum plays a role in external rather than internal control. Here, I discuss the role of these different striatal areas - and the emotional (ventral striatum) and cognitive control (dorsal striatum) system in which they are embedded - in the organization of social behaviour in the context of locus of control. Following on from this discussion, I will pay particular attention to individual differences in social behaviour (individuals with more internal or external control), focusing on the role of dopamine, serotonin and the effects of stress-related challenges in relation to their different position in a dominance hierarchy. I will subsequently allude to potential psychological and behavioural problems in the social domain following on from these differences in locus of control ['social obliviousness' (dorsal stratum) and 'social impulsivity' (ventral striatum)]. In doing so, I provide as a tribute a historical account of the early research by Lex Cools.

Sex chromosomal abnormalities associated with equine infertility: validation of a simple molecular screening tool in the Purebred Spanish Horse.

PubMed

Anaya, G; Molina, A; Valera, M; Moreno-Millán, M; Azor, P; Peral-García, P; Demyda-Peyrás, S

2017-08-01

Chromosomal abnormalities in the sex chromosome pair (ECAX and ECAY) are widely associated with reproductive problems in horses. However, a large proportion of these abnormalities remains undiagnosed due to the lack of an affordable diagnostic tool that allows for avoiding karyotyping tests. Hereby, we developed an STR (single-tandem-repeat)-based molecular method to determine the presence of the main sex chromosomal abnormalities in horses in a fast, cheap and reliable way. The frequency of five ECAX-linked (LEX026, LEX003, TKY38, TKY270 and UCDEQ502) and two ECAY-linked (EcaYH12 and SRY) markers was characterized in 261 Purebred Spanish Horses to determine the efficiency of the methodology developed to be used as a chromosomal diagnostic tool. All the microsatellites analyzed were highly polymorphic, with a sizeable number of alleles (polymorphic information content > 0.5). Based on this variability, the methodology showed 100% sensitivity and 99.82% specificity to detect the most important sex chromosomal abnormalities reported in horses (chimerism, Turner's syndrome and sex reversal syndromes). The method was also validated with 100% efficiency in 10 individuals previously diagnosed as chromosomally aberrant. This STR screening panel is an efficient and reliable molecular-cytogenetic tool for the early detection of sex chromosomal abnormalities in equines that could be included in breeding programs to save money, effort and time of veterinary practitioners and breeders. © 2017 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.

Analysis of LexA binding sites and transcriptomics in response to genotoxic stress in Leptospira interrogans.

PubMed

Schons-Fonseca, Luciane; da Silva, Josefa B; Milanez, Juliana S; Domingos, Renan H; Smith, Janet L; Nakaya, Helder I; Grossman, Alan D; Ho, Paulo L; da Costa, Renata M A

2016-02-18

We determined the effects of DNA damage caused by ultraviolet radiation on gene expression in Leptospira interrogans using DNA microarrays. These data were integrated with DNA binding in vivo of LexA1, a regulator of the DNA damage response, assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation and massively parallel DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq). In response to DNA damage, Leptospira induced expression of genes involved in DNA metabolism, in mobile genetic elements and defective prophages. The DNA repair genes involved in removal of photo-damage (e.g. nucleotide excision repair uvrABC, recombinases recBCD and resolvases ruvABC) were not induced. Genes involved in various metabolic pathways were down regulated, including genes involved in cell growth, RNA metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. From ChIP-seq data, we observed 24 LexA1 binding sites located throughout chromosome 1 and one binding site in chromosome 2. Expression of many, but not all, genes near those sites was increased following DNA damage. Binding sites were found as far as 550 bp upstream from the start codon, or 1 kb into the coding sequence. Our findings indicate that there is a shift in gene expression following DNA damage that represses genes involved in cell growth and virulence, and induces genes involved in mutagenesis and recombination. © The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Identification of the recA (tif) gene product of Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

Gudas, Lorraine J.; Mount, David W.

1977-01-01

Treatments that inhibit DNA synthesis in recA+lexA+Escherichia coli stimulate synthesis of a 40,000 molecular weight protein species (protein X). The protein X molecules produced by wild-type and mutant E. coli strains have been compared by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. One recA mutant (DM1415 spr recA1) produced a protein X with a more acidic isoelectric point than protein X from the wild type, demonstrating that protein X is probably the product of the recA gene. Additional mutants carrying the recA-linked tif-1 mutation yielded a protein X that was more basic than the wild-type protein, indicating that the tif-1 mutation also alters the recA protein. Protein X molecules from the above mutants and wild-type E. coli have been shown to yield similar partial products upon limited proteolysis in sodium dodecyl sulfate, indicating they are the same protein species. These and additional studies suggest that (i) the tif-1 mutation alters a site on the recA protein that is sensitive to DNA synthesis inhibition, (ii) synthesis of recA protein is self-regulated, and (iii) synthesis of recA protein is also regulated by the lexA product with lexA-suppressor mutations such as spr resulting in constitutive synthesis of recA protein. Images PMID:341152

Silencing of DNase Colicin E8 Gene Expression by a Complex Nucleoprotein Assembly Ensures Timely Colicin Induction.

PubMed

Kamenšek, Simona; Browning, Douglas F; Podlesek, Zdravko; Busby, Stephen J W; Žgur-Bertok, Darja; Butala, Matej

2015-06-01

Colicins are plasmid-encoded narrow spectrum antibiotics that are synthesized by strains of Escherichia coli and govern intraspecies competition. In a previous report, we demonstrated that the global transcriptional factor IscR, co dependently with the master regulator of the DNA damage response, LexA, delays induction of the pore forming colicin genes after SOS induction. Here we show that IscR is not involved in the regulation of nuclease colicins, but that the AsnC protein is. We report that AsnC, in concert with LexA, is the key controller of the temporal induction of the DNA degrading colicin E8 gene (cea8), after DNA damage. We demonstrate that a large AsnC nucleosome-like structure, in conjunction with two LexA molecules, prevent cea8 transcription initiation and that AsnC binding activity is directly modulated by L asparagine. We show that L-asparagine is an environmental factor that has a marked impact on cea8 promoter regulation. Our results show that AsnC also modulates the expression of several other DNase and RNase colicin genes but does not substantially affect pore-forming colicin K gene expression. We propose that selection pressure has "chosen" highly conserved regulators to control colicin expression in E. coli strains, enabling similar colicin gene silencing among bacteria upon exchange of colicinogenic plasmids.

MP3 player listening sound pressure levels among 10 to 17 year old students.

PubMed

Keith, Stephen E; Michaud, David S; Feder, Katya; Haider, Ifaz; Marro, Leonora; Thompson, Emma; Marcoux, Andre M

2011-11-01

Using a manikin, equivalent free-field sound pressure level measurements were made from the portable digital audio players of 219 subjects, aged 10 to 17 years (93 males) at their typical and "worst-case" volume levels. Measurements were made in different classrooms with background sound pressure levels between 40 and 52 dBA. After correction for the transfer function of the ear, the median equivalent free field sound pressure levels and interquartile ranges (IQR) at typical and worst-case volume settings were 68 dBA (IQR = 15) and 76 dBA (IQR = 19), respectively. Self-reported mean daily use ranged from 0.014 to 12 h. When typical sound pressure levels were considered in combination with the average daily duration of use, the median noise exposure level, Lex, was 56 dBA (IQR = 18) and 3.2% of subjects were estimated to exceed the most protective occupational noise exposure level limit in Canada, i.e., 85 dBA Lex. Under worst-case listening conditions, 77.6% of the sample was estimated to listen to their device at combinations of sound pressure levels and average daily durations for which there is no known risk of permanent noise-induced hearing loss, i.e., ≤  75 dBA Lex. Sources and magnitudes of measurement uncertainties are also discussed.

Suppression of the E. coli SOS response by dNTP pool changes.

PubMed

Maslowska, Katarzyna H; Makiela-Dzbenska, Karolina; Fijalkowska, Iwona J; Schaaper, Roel M

2015-04-30

The Escherichia coli SOS system is a well-established model for the cellular response to DNA damage. Control of SOS depends largely on the RecA protein. When RecA is activated by single-stranded DNA in the presence of a nucleotide triphosphate cofactor, it mediates cleavage of the LexA repressor, leading to expression of the 30(+)-member SOS regulon. RecA activation generally requires the introduction of DNA damage. However, certain recA mutants, like recA730, bypass this requirement and display constitutive SOS expression as well as a spontaneous (SOS) mutator effect. Presently, we investigated the possible interaction between SOS and the cellular deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools. We found that dNTP pool changes caused by deficiencies in the ndk or dcd genes, encoding nucleoside diphosphate kinase and dCTP deaminase, respectively, had a strongly suppressive effect on constitutive SOS expression in recA730 strains. The suppression of the recA730 mutator effect was alleviated in a lexA-deficient background. Overall, the findings suggest a model in which the dNTP alterations in the ndk and dcd strains interfere with the activation of RecA, thereby preventing LexA cleavage and SOS induction. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research 2015. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

A Small-Molecule Inducible Synthetic Circuit for Control of the SOS Gene Network without DNA Damage.

PubMed

Kubiak, Jeffrey M; Culyba, Matthew J; Liu, Monica Yun; Mo, Charlie Y; Goulian, Mark; Kohli, Rahul M

2017-11-17

The bacterial SOS stress-response pathway is a pro-mutagenic DNA repair system that mediates bacterial survival and adaptation to genotoxic stressors, including antibiotics and UV light. The SOS pathway is composed of a network of genes under the control of the transcriptional repressor, LexA. Activation of the pathway involves linked but distinct events: an initial DNA damage event leads to activation of RecA, which promotes autoproteolysis of LexA, abrogating its repressor function and leading to induction of the SOS gene network. These linked events can each independently contribute to DNA repair and mutagenesis, making it difficult to separate the contributions of the different events to observed phenotypes. We therefore devised a novel synthetic circuit to unlink these events and permit induction of the SOS gene network in the absence of DNA damage or RecA activation via orthogonal cleavage of LexA. Strains engineered with the synthetic SOS circuit demonstrate small-molecule inducible expression of SOS genes as well as the associated resistance to UV light. Exploiting our ability to activate SOS genes independently of upstream events, we further demonstrate that the majority of SOS-mediated mutagenesis on the chromosome does not readily occur with orthogonal pathway induction alone, but instead requires DNA damage. More generally, our approach provides an exemplar for using synthetic circuit design to separate an environmental stressor from its associated stress-response pathway.

Navier-Stokes, flight, and wind tunnel flow analysis for the F/A-18 aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghaffari, Farhad

1994-01-01

Computational analysis of flow over the F/A-18 aircraft is presented along with complementary data from both flight and wind tunnel experiments. The computational results are based on the three-dimensional thin-layer Navier-Stokes formulation and are obtained from an accurate surface representation of the fuselage, leading-edge extension (LEX), and the wing geometry. However, the constraints imposed by either the flow solver and/or the complexity associated with the flow-field grid generation required certain geometrical approximations to be implemented in the present numerical model. In particular, such constraints inspired the removal of the empennage and the blocking (fairing) of the inlet face. The results are computed for three different free-stream flow conditions and compared with flight test data of surface pressure coefficients, surface tuft flow, and off-surface vortical flow characteristics that included breakdown phenomena. Excellent surface pressure coefficient correlations, both in terms of magnitude and overall trend, are obtained on the forebody throughout the range of flow conditions. Reasonable pressure agreement was obtained over the LEX; the general correlation tends to improve at higher angles of attack. The surface tuft flow and the off-surface vortex flow structures compared qualitatively well with the flight test results. To evaluate the computational results, a wind tunnel investigation was conducted to determine the effects of existing configurational differences between the flight vehicle and the numerical model on aerodynamic characteristics. In most cases, the geometrical approximations made to the numerical model had very little effect on overall aerodynamic characteristics.

SemVisM: semantic visualizer for medical image

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landaeta, Luis; La Cruz, Alexandra; Baranya, Alexander; Vidal, María.-Esther

2015-01-01

SemVisM is a toolbox that combines medical informatics and computer graphics tools for reducing the semantic gap between low-level features and high-level semantic concepts/terms in the images. This paper presents a novel strategy for visualizing medical data annotated semantically, combining rendering techniques, and segmentation algorithms. SemVisM comprises two main components: i) AMORE (A Modest vOlume REgister) to handle input data (RAW, DAT or DICOM) and to initially annotate the images using terms defined on medical ontologies (e.g., MesH, FMA or RadLex), and ii) VOLPROB (VOlume PRObability Builder) for generating the annotated volumetric data containing the classified voxels that belong to a particular tissue. SemVisM is built on top of the semantic visualizer ANISE.1

A Small-Molecule Inducible Synthetic Circuit for Control of the SOS Gene Network without DNA Damage

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The bacterial SOS stress-response pathway is a pro-mutagenic DNA repair system that mediates bacterial survival and adaptation to genotoxic stressors, including antibiotics and UV light. The SOS pathway is composed of a network of genes under the control of the transcriptional repressor, LexA. Activation of the pathway involves linked but distinct events: an initial DNA damage event leads to activation of RecA, which promotes autoproteolysis of LexA, abrogating its repressor function and leading to induction of the SOS gene network. These linked events can each independently contribute to DNA repair and mutagenesis, making it difficult to separate the contributions of the different events to observed phenotypes. We therefore devised a novel synthetic circuit to unlink these events and permit induction of the SOS gene network in the absence of DNA damage or RecA activation via orthogonal cleavage of LexA. Strains engineered with the synthetic SOS circuit demonstrate small-molecule inducible expression of SOS genes as well as the associated resistance to UV light. Exploiting our ability to activate SOS genes independently of upstream events, we further demonstrate that the majority of SOS-mediated mutagenesis on the chromosome does not readily occur with orthogonal pathway induction alone, but instead requires DNA damage. More generally, our approach provides an exemplar for using synthetic circuit design to separate an environmental stressor from its associated stress-response pathway. PMID:28826208

Intermolecular cleavage by UmuD-like mutagenesis proteins

PubMed Central

McDonald, John P.; Frank, Ekaterina G.; Levine, Arthur S.; Woodgate, Roger

1998-01-01

The activity of a number of proteins is regulated by self-processing reactions. Elegant examples are the cleavage of the prokaryotic LexA and λCI transcriptional repressors and the UmuD-like mutagenesis proteins. Various studies support the hypothesis that LexA and λCI cleavage reactions are predominantly intramolecular in nature. The recently described crystal structure of the Escherichia coli UmuD′ protein (the posttranslational cleavage product of the UmuD protein) suggests, however, that the region of the protein corresponding to the cleavage site is at least 50 Å away from the catalytic active site. We considered the possibility, therefore, that the UmuD-like proteins might undergo self-processing that, in contrast to LexA and λCI, occurs via an intermolecular rather than intramolecular reaction. To test this hypothesis, we introduced into E. coli compatible plasmids with mutations at either the cleavage or the catalytic site of three UmuD-like proteins. Cleavage of these proteins only occurs in the presence of both plasmids, indicating that the reaction is indeed intermolecular in nature. Furthermore, this intermolecular reaction is completely dependent upon the multifunctional RecA protein and leads to the restoration of cellular mutagenesis in nonmutable E. coli strains. Intermolecular cleavage of a biotinylated UmuD active site mutant was also observed in vitro in the presence of the wild-type UmuD′ protein, indicating that in addition to the intact UmuD protein, the normal cleavage product (UmuD′) can also act as a classical enzyme. PMID:9465040

Light History Influences the Response of the Marine Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. WH7803 to Oxidative Stress1[W][OA

PubMed Central

Blot, Nicolas; Mella-Flores, Daniella; Six, Christophe; Le Corguillé, Gildas; Boutte, Christophe; Peyrat, Anne; Monnier, Annabelle; Ratin, Morgane; Gourvil, Priscillia; Campbell, Douglas A.; Garczarek, Laurence

2011-01-01

Marine Synechococcus undergo a wide range of environmental stressors, especially high and variable irradiance, which may induce oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While light and ROS could act synergistically on the impairment of photosynthesis, inducing photodamage and inhibiting photosystem II repair, acclimation to high irradiance is also thought to confer resistance to other stressors. To identify the respective roles of light and ROS in the photoinhibition process and detect a possible light-driven tolerance to oxidative stress, we compared the photophysiological and transcriptomic responses of Synechococcus sp. WH7803 acclimated to low light (LL) or high light (HL) to oxidative stress, induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or methylviologen. While photosynthetic activity was much more affected in HL than in LL cells, only HL cells were able to recover growth and photosynthesis after the addition of 25 μm H2O2. Depending upon light conditions and H2O2 concentration, the latter oxidizing agent induced photosystem II inactivation through both direct damage to the reaction centers and inhibition of its repair cycle. Although the global transcriptome response appeared similar in LL and HL cells, some processes were specifically induced in HL cells that seemingly helped them withstand oxidative stress, including enhancement of photoprotection and ROS detoxification, repair of ROS-driven damage, and regulation of redox state. Detection of putative LexA binding sites allowed the identification of the putative LexA regulon, which was down-regulated in HL compared with LL cells but up-regulated by oxidative stress under both growth irradiances. PMID:21670225

Influence of Finishing and Polishing Techniques and Abrasion on Transmittance and Roughness of Composite Resins.

PubMed

Carneiro, Pma; Ramos, T M; de Azevedo, C S; de Lima, E; de Souza, Shj; Turbino, M L; Cesar, P F; Matos, A B

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of finishing and polishing systems and toothbrush abrasion on transmittance (T) and surface roughness (Ra) of three composite resins (Filtek Z350 XT, Tetric N-Ceram, and IPS Empress Direct). Eighteen resin disks (10 mm diameter × 2 mm thick) finished by polyester strips had initial surface smoothness recorded, representing phase 1 (P1). Specimens were divided into three groups (n=6) according to the finishing/polishing instrument used (OneGloss, TopGloss, and Sof-Lex) to compose phase 2 samples (P2). Then specimens were subjected to 514 cycles of toothbrush simulation using a toothpaste slurry, with a constant load applied to soft bristles, and were then washed (phase 3=P3). After each phase, the specimens were examined by an optical profiler and spectrophotometer to measure Ra and T. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance, Tukey and Pearson tests. T values were statistically influenced by composite resin ( p=0.000) and phase of measurement ( p=0.000) factors, while the finishing/polishing system used ( p=0.741) did not affect T. On the other hand, Ra values were statistically affected by the factor finishing/polishing system ( p=0.000), but not by composite resin ( p=0.100) and phase of measurement ( p=0.451). Tetric N-Ceram and Empress Direct presented higher values of roughness when polished by OneGloss, while TopGloss and Sof-Lex showed a lower roughness. It can be concluded that composite resins transmitted more light after dental abrasion. Transmittance of composite resins was not modified by the distinct roughness created by finishing/polishing instruments.

Surface Roughness and Gloss of Actual Composites as Polished With Different Polishing Systems.

PubMed

Rodrigues-Junior, S A; Chemin, P; Piaia, P P; Ferracane, J L

2015-01-01

This in vitro study evaluated the effect of polishing with different polishing systems on the surface roughness and gloss of commercial composites. One hundred disk-shaped specimens (10 mm in diameter × 2 mm thick) were made with Filtek P-90, Filtek Z350 XT, Opallis, and Grandio. The specimens were manually finished with #400 sandpaper and polished by a single operator using three multistep systems (Superfix, Diamond Pro, and Sof-lex), one two-step system (Polidores DFL), and one one-step system (Enhance), following the manufacturer's instructions. The average surface roughness (μm) was measured with a surface profilometer (TR 200 Surface Roughness Tester), and gloss was measured using a small-area glossmeter (Novo-Curve, Rhopoint Instrumentation, East Sussex, UK). Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (α=0.05). Statistically significant differences in surface roughness were identified by varying the polishing systems (p<0.0001) and by the interaction between polishing system and composite (p<0.0001). Pairwise comparisons revealed higher surface roughness for Grandio when polished with Sof-Lex and Filtek Z250 and Opallis when polished with Enhance. Gloss was influenced by the composites (p<0.0001), the polishing systems (p<0.0001), and the interaction between them (p<0.0001). The one-step system, Enhance, produced the lowest gloss for all composites. Surface roughness and gloss were affected by composites and polishing systems. The interaction between both also influenced these surface characteristics, meaning that a single polishing system will not behave similarly for all composites. The multistep systems produced higher gloss, while the one-step system produced the highest surface roughness and the lowest gloss of all.

Genotoxicity assessments of alluvial soil irrigated with wastewater from a pesticide manufacturing industry.

PubMed

Anjum, Reshma; Krakat, Niclas

2015-10-01

In this study, organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and heavy metals were analyzed from wastewater- and groundwater- irrigated soils (control samples) by gas chromatography (GC) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), respectively. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of high concentration of pesticides in soil irrigated with wastewater (WWS). These concentrations were far above the maximum residue permissible limits indicating that alluvial soils have high binding capacity of OCP. AAS analyses revealed higher concentration of heavy metals in WWS as compared to groundwater (GWS). Also, the DNA repair (SOS)-defective Escherichia coli K-12 mutant assay and the bacteriophage lambda system were employed to estimate the genotoxicity of soils. Therefore, soil samples were extracted by hexane, acetonitrile, methanol, chloroform, and acetone. Both bioassays revealed that hexane-extracted soils from WWS were most genotoxic. A maximum survival of 15.2% and decline of colony-forming units (CFUs) was observed in polA mutants of DNA repair-defective E. coli K-12 strains when hexane was used as solvent. However, the damage of polA (-) mutants triggered by acetonitrile, methanol, chloroform, and acetone extracts was 80.0, 69.8, 65.0, and 60.7%, respectively. These results were also confirmed by the bacteriophage λ test system as hexane extracts of WWS exhibited a maximum decline of plaque-forming units for lexA mutants of E. coli K-12 pointing to an elevated genotoxic potential. The lowest survival was observed for lexA (12%) treated with hexane extracts while the percentage of survival was 25, 49.2, 55, and 78% with acetonitrile, methanol, chloroform, and acetone, respectively, after 6 h of treatment. Thus, our results suggest that agricultural soils irrigated with wastewater from pesticide industries have a notably high genotoxic potential.

Comparison of ReLEx SMILE and PRK in terms of visual and refractive outcomes for the correction of low myopia.

PubMed

Ganesh, Sri; Brar, Sheetal; Patel, Utsav

2018-06-01

To compare the objective and subjective quality of vision after femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low myopia. One hundred and twenty eyes from 60 patients (34 females, 26 males) undergoing bilateral correction of low myopia (≤-4 D SE) with either ReLEx SMILE or PRK were included. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and higher-order aberrations were recorded preoperatively and compared postoperatively. A quality of vision questionnaire was scored and analyzed 3 months postoperatively. At 3 months, the SMILE group had significantly better uncorrected and corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA), compared to PRK group (p = 0.01). Post-op spherical equivalent (SE) was comparable in both groups (SMILE = -0.15 ± 0.19 D, PRK = -0.14 ± 0.23 D, p = 0.72). However, SE predictability was better in SMILE group with 97% eyes within ±0.05 D compared to 93% eyes in the PRK group. Total higher-order aberrations (HOAs) were significantly higher in PRK compared to the SMILE group (p = 0.022). The SMILE group demonstrated slightly better contrast sensitivity, which was significant at spatial frequency of 12 cpd (p = 0.03). Four eyes in the PRK group had loss of CDVA by one line due to mild haze. Both SMILE and PRK were effective procedures for correction of low myopia. However, SMILE offered superior quality of vision and patient satisfaction due to better postoperative comfort and lower induction of aberrations at 3 months.

Distributed Processor/Memory Architectures Design Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-02-01

Event Scheduling Plo 31 Globat LAl Message Input Event Sicheduling Fhou ..... ............... 106 32 It tc Iata Representation...298 138 GEX LEX Scheduling Phlmophy ....... ...................... 300 139 Executive Comirol Herarchy... Scheduler Subroutine lnterrelatiomhips . ..... ................. 312 145 Task Scheduler Message Scatuer. . ...... ....................... 315 146

In-flight flow visualization characteristics of the NASA F-18 high alpha research vehicle at high angles of attack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fisher, David F.; Delfrate, John H.; Richwine, David M.

1991-01-01

Surface and off-surface flow visualization techniques were used to visualize the 3-D separated flows on the NASA F-18 high alpha research vehicle at high angles of attack. Results near the alpha = 25 to 26 deg and alpha = 45 to 49 deg are presented. Both the forebody and leading edge extension (LEX) vortex cores and breakdown locations were visualized using smoke. Forebody and LEX vortex separation lines on the surface were defined using an emitted fluid technique. A laminar separation bubble was also detected on the nose cone using the emitted fluid technique and was similar to that observed in the wind tunnel test, but not as extensive. Regions of attached, separated, and vortical flow were noted on the wing and the leading edge flap using tufts and flow cones, and compared well with limited wind tunnel results.

Transcription and Regulation of the Bidirectional Hydrogenase in the Cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. Strain PCC 7120▿

PubMed Central

Sjöholm, Johannes; Oliveira, Paulo; Lindblad, Peter

2007-01-01

The filamentous, heterocystous cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120 (Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120) possesses an uptake hydrogenase and a bidirectional enzyme, the latter being capable of catalyzing both H2 production and evolution. The completely sequenced genome of Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120 reveals that the five structural genes encoding the bidirectional hydrogenase (hoxEFUYH) are separated in two clusters at a distance of approximately 8.8 kb. The transcription of the hox genes was examined under nitrogen-fixing conditions, and the results demonstrate that the cluster containing hoxE and hoxF can be transcribed as one polycistronic unit together with the open reading frame alr0750. The second cluster, containing hoxU, hoxY, and hoxH, is transcribed together with alr0763 and alr0765, located between the hox genes. Moreover, alr0760 and alr0761 form an additional larger operon. Nevertheless, Northern blot hybridizations revealed a rather complex transcription pattern in which the different hox genes are expressed differently. Transcriptional start points (TSPs) were identified 66 and 57 bp upstream from the start codon of alr0750 and hoxU, respectively. The transcriptions of the two clusters containing the hox genes are both induced under anaerobic conditions concomitantly with the induction of a higher level of hydrogenase activity. An additional TSP, within the annotated alr0760, 244 bp downstream from the suggested translation start codon, was identified. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with purified LexA from Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120 demonstrated specific interactions between the transcriptional regulator and both hox promoter regions. However, when LexA from Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 was used, the purified protein interacted only with the promoter region of the alr0750-hoxE-hoxF operon. A search of the whole Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120 genome demonstrated the presence of 216 putative LexA binding sites in total, including recA and recF. This indicates that, in addition to the bidirectional hydrogenase gene, a number of other genes, including open reading frames connected to DNA replication, recombination, and repair, may be part of the LexA regulatory network in Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120. PMID:17630298

Action Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

1996

These four papers were presented at a symposium on action learning moderated by Lex Dilworth at the 1996 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development. "Developing an Infrastructure for Individual and Organizational Change: Transfer of Learning from an Action Reflection Learning (ARL) Program" (ARL Inquiry) reports findings…

Structural modelling and molecular dynamics of a multi-stress responsive WRKY TF-DNA complex towards elucidating its role in stress signalling mechanisms in chickpea.

PubMed

Konda, Aravind Kumar; Farmer, Rohit; Soren, Khela Ram; P S, Shanmugavadivel; Setti, Aravind

2017-07-28

Chickpea is a premier food legume crop with high nutritional quality and attains prime importance in the current era of 795 million people being undernourished worldwide. Chickpea production encounters setbacks due to various stresses and understanding the role of key transcription factors (TFs) involved in multiple stresses becomes inevitable. We have recently identified a multi-stress responsive WRKY TF in chickpea. The present study was conducted to predict the structure of WRKY TF to identify the DNA-interacting residues and decipher DNA-protein interactions. Comparative modelling approach produced 3D model of the WRKY TF with good stereochemistry, local/global quality and further revealed W19, R20, K21, and Y22 motifs within a vicinity of 5 Å to the DNA amongst R18, G23, Q24, K25, Y36, Y37, R38 and K47 and these positions were equivalent to the 2LEX WRKY domain of Arabidopsis. Molecular simulations analysis of reference protein -PDB ID 2LEX, along with Car-WRKY TF modelled structure with the DNA coordinates derived from PDB ID 2LEX and docked using HADDOCK were executed. Root Mean Square (RMS) Deviation and RMS Fluctuation values yielded consistently stable trajectories over 50 ns simulation. Strengthening the obtained results, neither radius of gyration, distance and total energy showed any signs of DNA-WRKY complex falling apart nor any significant dissociation event over 50 ns run. Therefore, the study provides first insights into the structural properties of multi-stress responsive WRKY TF-DNA complex in chickpea, enabling genome wide identification of TF binding sites and thereby deciphers their gene regulatory networks.

Cryopreservation of Extracted Corneal Lenticules after Small Incision Lenticule Extraction for Potential Use in Human Subjects

PubMed Central

Ganesh, Sri; Rao, Pallavi A.

2014-01-01

Purpose: To describe the technique of cryopreservation of corneal lenticules extracted after small incision refractive lenticule extraction (ReLEx SMILE) and initial results of femtosecond laser intrastromal lenticular implantation for hyperopia. Methods: Lenticules were collected from patients undergoing ReLEx SMILE for the correction of myopia and subjected to a tissue processing technique and cryopreservation. These lenticules were subsequently used to treat 8 hyperopic eyes and 1 aphakic eye. A femtosecond laser was used to create a pocket into each patient's cornea, followed by implantation of a cryopreserved lenticule. The patients were monitored through follow-up examinations for a mean 155.4 days (38–310 days). Results: The mean interval from storage of lenticules to removal from liquid nitrogen was 96 days (range, 19–178 days). Mean spherical equivalent of hyperopic eyes treated was +4.50 ± 1.1 diopter (D). Mean keratometry and pachymetry changed from preoperative 43.9 D and 531.6 μm to 47.4 D and 605.2 μm, respectively, postoperatively. Mean residual spherical equivalent for hyperopic eyes was +0.6 D and +4.1 D for the aphakic eye. None of the eyes showed evidence of rejection or loss of best-corrected visual acuity at the end of the follow-up period. Conclusions: The cryopreservation technique seems to be a safe method of long-term storage of refractive lenticules extracted after ReLEx SMILE for use in allogeneic human subjects. It may potentially be a safe and effective alternative to excimer laser ablation for hyperopia because of the low risks of regression, haze, flap-related complications, postoperative dry eye, and higher-order aberrations. Clinical Trial Registration—URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: CTRI/2014/01/004331. PMID:25343698

Suppression of the UV-sensitive phenotype of Escherichia coli recF mutants by recA(Srf) and recA(Tif) mutations requires recJ+.

PubMed Central

Thoms, B; Wackernagel, W

1988-01-01

Mutations in recA, such as recA801(Srf) (suppressor of RecF) or recA441(Tif) (temperature-induced filamentation) partially suppress the deficiency in postreplication repair of UV damage conferred by recF mutations. We observed that spontaneous recA(Srf) mutants accumulated in cultures of recB recC sbcB sulA::Mu dX(Ap lac) lexA51 recF cells because they grew faster than the parental strain. We show that in a uvrA recB+ recC+ genetic background there are two prerequisites for the suppression by recA(Srf) of the UV-sensitive phenotype of recF mutants. (i) The recA(Srf) protein must be provided in increased amounts either by SOS derepression or by a recA operator-constitutive mutation in a lexA(Ind) (no induction of SOS functions) genetic background. (ii) The gene recJ, which has been shown previously to be involved in the recF pathway of recombination and repair, must be functional. The level of expression of recJ in a lexA(Ind) strain suffices for full suppression. Suppression by recA441 at 30 degrees C also depends on recJ+. The hampered induction by UV of the SOS gene uvrA seen in a recF mutant was improved by a recA(Srf) mutation. This improvement did not require recJ+. We suggest that recA(Srf) and recA(Tif) mutant proteins can operate in postreplication repair independent of recF by using the recJ+ function. PMID:2841294

Influence of protein expression system on elicitation of IgE antibody responses: experience with lactoferrin.

PubMed

Almond, Rachael J; Flanagan, Brian F; Kimber, Ian; Dearman, Rebecca J

2012-11-15

With increased interest in genetically modified (GM) crop plants there is an important need to understand the properties that contribute to the ability of such novel proteins to provoke immune and/or allergic responses. One characteristic that may be relevant is glycosylation, particularly as novel expression systems (e.g. bacterial to plant) will impact on the protein glycoprofile. The allergenicity (IgE inducing) and immunogenicity (IgG inducing) properties of wild type native human lactoferrin (NLF) from human milk (hm) and neutrophil granules (n) and a recombinant molecule produced in rice (RLF) have been assessed. These forms of lactoferrin have identical amino acid sequences, but different glycosylation patterns: hmNLF and nNLF have complex glycoprofiles including Lewis (Le)(x) structures, with particularly high levels of Le(x) expressed by nNLF, whereas RLF is simpler and rich in mannose residues. Antibody responses induced in BALB/c strain mice by intraperitoneal exposure to the different forms of lactoferrin were characterised. Immunisation with both forms of NLF stimulated substantial IgG and IgE antibody responses. In contrast, the recombinant molecule was considerably less immunogenic and failed to stimulate detectable IgE, irrespective of endotoxin and iron content. The glycans did not contribute to epitope formation, with equivalent IgE and IgG binding recorded for high titre anti-NLF antisera regardless of whether the immunising NLF or the recombinant molecule were used substrates in the analyses. These data demonstrate that differential glycosylation profiles can have a profound impact on protein allergenicity and immunogenicity, with mannose and Le(x) exhibiting opposing effects. These results have clear relevance for characterising the allergenic hazards of novel proteins in GM crops. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Survey of immune-related, mannose/fucose-binding C-type lectin receptors reveals widely divergent sugar-binding specificities

PubMed Central

Lee, Reiko T; Hsu, Tsui-Ling; Huang, Shau Ku; Hsieh, Shie-Liang; Wong, Chi-Huey; Lee, Yuan C

2011-01-01

C-type lectins (CTLs) are proteins that contain one or more carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs) that require calcium for sugar binding and share high degree of sequence homology and tertiary structure. CTLs whose CRD contain EPN (Glu-Pro-Asn) tripeptide motifs have potential to bind mannose (Man), N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), glucose (Glc) and l-fucose (Fuc), whereas those with QPD (Glu-Pro-Asp) tripeptide motifs bind galactose (Gal) and N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). We report here for the first time a direct comparison of monosaccharide (and some di- and trisaccharides)-binding characteristics of 11 EPX-containing (X = N, S or D) immune-related CTLs using a competition assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and neoglycoproteins as ligand. The EPX CTLs studied are DC-SIGN, L-SIGN, mSIGNR1, human and mouse mannose receptors, Langerin, BDCA-2, DCIR, dectin-2, MCL and MINCLE. We found that: (1) they all bound Man and Fuc; (2) binding of Glc and GlcNAc varied considerably among these lectins, but was always less than Man and Fuc; (3) in general, Gal and GalNAc were not bound. However, dectin-2, DCIR and MINCLE showed ability to bind Gal/GalNAc; (4) DC-SIGN, L-SIGN, mSIGNR1 and Langerin showed enhanced binding of Manα2Man over Man, whereas all others showed no enhancement; (5) DC-SIGN bound Lex trisaccharide structure, which has terminal Gal and Fuc residues, more avidly than Fuc, whereas L-SIGN, mSIGNR1, DCIR and MINCLE bound Lex less avidly than Fuc. BDCA-2, dectin-2, Langerin, MCL and mannose receptor did not bind Lex at all. PMID:21112966

Survey of immune-related, mannose/fucose-binding C-type lectin receptors reveals widely divergent sugar-binding specificities.

PubMed

Lee, Reiko T; Hsu, Tsui-Ling; Huang, Shau Ku; Hsieh, Shie-Liang; Wong, Chi-Huey; Lee, Yuan C

2011-04-01

C-type lectins (CTLs) are proteins that contain one or more carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs) that require calcium for sugar binding and share high degree of sequence homology and tertiary structure. CTLs whose CRD contain EPN (Glu-Pro-Asn) tripeptide motifs have potential to bind mannose (Man), N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), glucose (Glc) and l-fucose (Fuc), whereas those with QPD (Glu-Pro-Asp) tripeptide motifs bind galactose (Gal) and N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). We report here for the first time a direct comparison of monosaccharide (and some di- and trisaccharides)-binding characteristics of 11 EPX-containing (X = N, S or D) immune-related CTLs using a competition assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and neoglycoproteins as ligand. The EPX CTLs studied are DC-SIGN, L-SIGN, mSIGNR1, human and mouse mannose receptors, Langerin, BDCA-2, DCIR, dectin-2, MCL and MINCLE. We found that: (1) they all bound Man and Fuc; (2) binding of Glc and GlcNAc varied considerably among these lectins, but was always less than Man and Fuc; (3) in general, Gal and GalNAc were not bound. However, dectin-2, DCIR and MINCLE showed ability to bind Gal/GalNAc; (4) DC-SIGN, L-SIGN, mSIGNR1 and Langerin showed enhanced binding of Manα2Man over Man, whereas all others showed no enhancement; (5) DC-SIGN bound Le(x) trisaccharide structure, which has terminal Gal and Fuc residues, more avidly than Fuc, whereas L-SIGN, mSIGNR1, DCIR and MINCLE bound Le(x) less avidly than Fuc. BDCA-2, dectin-2, Langerin, MCL and mannose receptor did not bind Le(x) at all.

CTC-Endothelial Cell Interactions during Metastasis

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-01

endothelial cells via a variety of E-selectin ligands ( ESL ). These ESLs express a unique carbohydrate motif, sLex, which appears to be required for... ESL binding. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 has also been reported to supporting transendothelial migration of prostate cells through bone marrow

Wind Tunnel Investigation of Passive Porosity Applied to the Leading-Edge Extension and Leading-Edge Flaps on a Slender Wing at Subsonic Speed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Gary E.

2017-01-01

A wind tunnel experiment was conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center 7- by 10-Foot High Speed Tunnel to determine the effects of passive surface porosity on the subsonic vortex flow interactions about a general research fighter configuration. Flow-through porosity was applied to the leading-edge extension, or LEX, and leading-edge flaps mounted to a 65deg cropped delta wing model as a potential vortex flow control technique at high angles of attack. All combinations of porous and nonporous LEX and flaps were investigated. Wing upper surface static pressure distributions and six-component forces and moments were obtained at a free-stream Mach number of 0.20 corresponding to a Reynolds number of 1.35(106) per foot, angles of attack up to 45deg, angles of sideslip of 0deg and +/-5deg, and leading-edge flap deflections of 0deg and 30deg.

Polishing and toothbrushing alters the surface roughness and gloss of composite resins.

PubMed

Kamonkhantikul, Krid; Arksornnukit, Mansuang; Takahashi, Hidekazu; Kanehira, Masafumi; Finger, Werner J

2014-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the surface roughness and gloss of composite resins after using two polishing systems and toothbrushing. Six composite resins (Durafill VS, Filtek Z250, Filtek Z350 XT, Kalore, Venus Diamond, and Venus Pearl) were evaluated after polishing with two polishing systems (Sof-Lex, Venus Supra) and after toothbrushing up to 40,000 cycles. Surface roughness (Ra) and gloss were determined for each composite resin group (n=6) after silicon carbide paper grinding, polishing, and toothbrushing. Two-way ANOVA indicated significant differences in both Ra and gloss between measuring stages for the composite resins tested, except Venus Pearl, which showed significant differences only in gloss. After polishing, the Filtek Z350 XT, Kalore, and Venus Diamond showed significant increases in Ra, while all composite resin groups except the Filtek Z350 XT and Durafill VS with Sof-Lex showed increases in gloss. After toothbrushing, all composite resin demonstrated increases in Ra and decreases in gloss.

Installed F/A-18 inlet flow calculations at 30 degrees angle-of-attack: A comparative study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, C. Frederic; Podleski, Steve D.

1994-01-01

NASA Lewis is currently engaged in a research effort as a team member of the High Alpha Technology Program (HATP) within NASA. This program utilizes a specially equipped F/A-18, the High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV), in an ambitious effort to improve the maneuverability of high-performance military aircraft at low subsonic speed, high angle of attack conditions. The overall objective of the Lewis effort is to develop inlet technology that will ensure efficient airflow delivery to the engine during these maneuvers. One part of the Lewis approach utilizes computational fluid dynamics codes to predict the installed performance of inlets for these highly maneuverable aircraft. Full Navier-Stokes (FNS) calculations on the installed F/A-18 inlet at 30 degrees angle of attack, 0 degrees yaw, and a freestream Mach number of 0.2 have been obtained in this study using an algebraic turbulence model with two grids (original and revised). Results obtained with the original grid were used to determine where further grid refinements and additional geometry were needed. In order to account properly for the external effects, the forebody, leading edge extension (LEX), ramp, and wing were included with inlet geometry. In the original grid, the diverter, LEX slot, and leading edge flap were not included due to insufficient geometry definition, but were included in a revised grid. In addition, a thin-layer Navier-Stokes (TLNS) code is used with the revised grid and the numerical results are compared to those obtained with the FNS code. The TLNS code was used to evaluate the effects on the solution using a code with more recent CFD developments such as upwinding with TVD schemes versus central differencing with artificial dissipation. The calculations are compared to a limited amount of available experimental data. The predicted forebody/fuselage surface static pressures compared well with data of all solutions. The predicted trajectory of the vortex generated under the LEX was different for each solution. These discrepancies are attributed to differences in the grid resolution and turbulence modeling. All solutions predict that this vortex is ingested by the inlet. The predicted inlet total pressure recoveries are lower than data and the distortions are higher than data. The results obtained with the revised grid were significantly improved from the original grid results. The original grid results indicated the ingested vortex migrated to the engine face and caused additional distortions to those already present due to secondary flow development. The revised grid results indicate that the ingested vortex is dissipated along the inlet duct inboard wall. The TLNS results indicate the flow at the engine face was much more distorted than the FNS results and is attributed to the pole boundary condition introducing numerical distortions into the flow field.

Tools for Assessing Readability of Statistics Teaching Materials

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lesser, Lawrence; Wagler, Amy

2016-01-01

This article provides tools and rationale for instructors in math and science to make their assessment and curriculum materials (more) readable for students. The tools discussed (MSWord, LexTutor, Coh-Metrix TEA) are readily available linguistic analysis applications that are grounded in current linguistic theory, but present output that can…

Can Reduced-Step Polishers Be as Effective as Multiple-Step Polishers in Enhancing Surface Smoothness?

PubMed

Kemaloglu, Hande; Karacolak, Gamze; Turkun, L Sebnem

2017-02-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of various finishing and polishing systems on the final surface roughness of a resin composite. Hypotheses tested were: (1) reduced-step polishing systems are as effective as multiple-step systems on reducing the surface roughness of a resin composite and (2) the number of application steps in an F/P system has no effect on reducing surface roughness. Ninety discs of a nano-hybrid resin composite were fabricated and divided into nine groups (n = 10). Except the control, all of the specimens were roughened prior to be polished by: Enamel Plus Shiny, Venus Supra, One-gloss, Sof-Lex Wheels, Super-Snap, Enhance/PoGo, Clearfil Twist Dia, and rubber cups. The surface roughness was measured and the surfaces were examined under scanning electron microscope. Results were analyzed with analysis of variance and Holm-Sidak's multiple comparisons test (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found among the surface roughness of all groups (p < 0.05). The smoothest surfaces were obtained under Mylar strips and the results were not different than Super-Snap, Enhance/PoGo, and Sof-Lex Spiral Wheels. The group that showed the roughest surface was the rubber cup group and these results were similar to those of the One-gloss, Enamel Plus Shiny, and Venus Supra groups. (1) The number of application steps has no effect on the performance of F/P systems. (2) Reduced-step polishers used after a finisher can be preferable to multiple-step systems when used on nanohybrid resin composites. (3) The effect of F/P systems on surface roughness seems to be material-dependent rather than instrument- or system-dependent. Reduced-step systems used after a prepolisher can be an acceptable alternative to multiple-step systems on enhancing the surface smoothness of a nanohybrid composite; however, their effectiveness depends on the materials' properties. (J Esthet Restor Dent 29:31-40, 2017). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Learning Exchange Program: A Cooperative Venture for Realistic Job Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wanat, John A.

1977-01-01

A brief description and evaluation of the Learning Exchange Program (LEX), a high school cooperative education program between New Jersey local school districts and the New Jersey National Guard, in which students work alongside full-time National Guard technicians in such areas as jet engine repair, helicopter maintenance, and other technical…

Using Software Tools to Automate the Assessment of Student Programs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, David

1991-01-01

Argues that advent of computer-aided instruction (CAI) systems for teaching introductory computer programing makes it imperative that software be developed to automate assessment and grading of student programs. Examples of typical student programing problems are given, and application of the Unix tools Lex and Yacc to the automatic assessment of…

Recombinant levels of Escherichia coli K-12 mutants deficient in various replication, recombination, or repair genes.

PubMed Central

Zieg, J; Maples, V F; Kushner, S R

1978-01-01

Escherichia coli strains containing mutations in lexA, rep, uvrA, uvrD, uvrE, lig, polA, dam, or xthA were constructed and tested for conjugation and transduction proficiencies and ability to form Lac+ recombinants in an assay system utilizing a nontandem duplication of two partially deleted lactose operons (lacMS286phi80dIIlacBK1). lexA and rep mutants were as deficient (20% of wild type) as recB and recC strains in their ability to produce Lac+ progeny. All the other strains exhibited increased frequencies of Lac+ recombinant formation, compared with wild type, ranging from 2- to 13-fold. Some strains showed markedly increased conjugation proficiency (dam uvrD) compared to wild type, while others appeared deficient (polA107). Some differences in transduction proficiency were also observed. Analysis of the Lac+ recombinants formed by the various mutants indicated that they were identical to the recombinants formed by a wild-type strain. The results indicate that genetic recombination in E. coli is a highly regulated process involving multiple gene products. PMID:350859

Refractive Lenticule Implantation for Correction of Ametropia: Case Reports and Literature Review.

PubMed

Lazaridis, A; Messerschmidt-Roth, A; Sekundo, W; Schulze, S

2017-01-01

The ReLEx® technique allows correction of refractive errors through the creation and extraction of refractive stromal lenticules. Contrary to excimer laser corneal refractive procedures, where the stromal tissue is photoablated, the extracted lenticules obtained with ReLEx® can be preserved. Recent studies and case reports have described autologous re-implantation and allogeneic implantation of refractive lenticules into femtosecond-laser created stromal pockets in order to reverse the refractive outcome of a myopic corneal refractive procedure, correct hyperopia, aphakia, presbyopia and treat keratoconus. The use of stromal lenticules has also been described for therapeutic purposes, with an allogenic lenticule being transplanted under a LASIK flap in order to restore corneal volume and reduce the refractive error in a case of excessive stromal tissue removal after LASIK. This review summarises the results of the latest case reports and studies that describe the implantation of cryopreserved or fresh refractive stromal lenticules and discusses the feasibility, safety and refractive outcomes of the procedure, on the basis of published literature as well as our own experience. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Effects of voluntary running exercise on bone histology in type 2 diabetic rats.

PubMed

Takamine, Yuri; Ichinoseki-Sekine, Noriko; Tsuzuki, Takamasa; Yoshihara, Toshinori; Naito, Hisashi

2018-01-01

The incidence of obesity in children and adolescents, which may lead to type 2 diabetes, is increasing. Exercise is recommended to prevent and improve diabetes. However, little is known about the bone marrow environment at the onset of diabetes in the young, and it is unclear whether exercise training is useful for maintaining bone homeostasis, such as mechanical and histological properties. Thus, this study clarified the histological properties of bone and whether exercise contributes to maintaining bone homeostasis at the onset of type 2 diabetes in rats. Four-week-old male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF; n = 21) rats as a diabetic model and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO; n = 18) rats as a control were assigned randomly to four groups: the OLETF sedentary group (O-Sed; n = 11), OLETF exercise group (O-Ex; n = 10), LETO sedentary group (L-Sed; n = 9), and LETO exercise group (L-Ex; n = 9). All rats in the exercise group were allowed free access to a steel running wheel for 20 weeks (5-25 weeks of age). In the glucose tolerance test, blood glucose level was higher in the O-Sed group than that in the L-Sed and L-Ex groups, and was markedly suppressed by the voluntary running exercise of O-Ex rats. The energy to fracture and the two-dimensional bone volume at 25 weeks of age did not differ significantly among the groups, though the maximum breaking force and stiffness were lower in OLETF rats. However, bone marrow fat volume was greater in O-Sed than that in L-Sed and L-Ex rats, and was markedly suppressed by wheel running in the O-Ex rats. Our results indicate that exercise has beneficial effects not only for preventing diabetes but also on normal bone remodeling at an early age.

[Professional liability claims against dentists].

PubMed

Moscoso Matus, Karla; Smok Vásquez, Pía

2015-03-01

The frequency and features of malpractice lawsuits against dentists in Chile are not well known. To determine the magnitude and frequency of professional liability claims against dentists. A retrospective analysis of the Medical Liability Unit of the Legal Medical Service of Chile database. This public organization deals with most professional liability claims in Chile. Between 2007 and 2012, 3,990 expert opinions about liability of health care professionals were requested. Odontology was the fifth specialty most commonly sued and dentists, the second most frequently sued professionals. Sixty nine percent of cases originated in private clinics, which is coincident with a higher frequency of dentists working in private practice. Most petitioners were adult women and most claims originated from surgical interventions and infections. In 35% of claims against dentists, a violation of Lex Artis was confirmed, compared with 9% of all expert opinions that generated in the unit. Claims against dentists are more common than previously thought and these professionals should adopt preventive measures to avoid them.

Molecular and cellular organization of taste neurons in adult Drosophila pharynx

PubMed Central

Chen, Yu-Chieh (David); Dahanukar, Anupama

2017-01-01

SUMMARY The Drosophila pharyngeal taste organs are poorly characterized despite their location at important sites for monitoring food quality. Functional analysis of pharyngeal neurons has been hindered by the paucity of molecular tools to manipulate them, as well as their relative inaccessibility for neurophysiological investigations. Here, we generate receptor-to-neuron maps of all three pharyngeal taste organs by performing a comprehensive chemoreceptor-GAL4/LexA expression analysis. The organization of pharyngeal neurons reveals similarities and distinctions in receptor repertoires and neuronal groupings compared to external taste neurons. We validate the mapping results by pinpointing a single pharyngeal neuron required for feeding avoidance of L-canavanine. Inducible activation of pharyngeal taste neurons reveals functional differences between external and internal taste neurons and functional subdivision within pharyngeal sweet neurons. Our results provide road maps of pharyngeal taste organs in an insect model system for probing the role of these understudied neurons in controlling feeding behaviors. PMID:29212040

Translations on Eastern Europe, Scientific Affairs, Number 534.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-01-13

revolution, and that following the path outlined in the guidelines is an important factor in the development of scientific life in Hungary. Since...development program of comp- lex light construction. 5. Optimum creation of human macroenvironment and microenvironment. 6. Research and...assortment of foods on the retail market ; their processing and conservation. The third section deals with financing; it covers the calculations

Overview of HATP Experimental Aerodynamics Data for the Baseline F/A-18 Configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Robert M.; Murri, Daniel G.; Erickson, Gary E.; Fisher, David F.; Banks, Daniel W.; Lanser, Wendy, R.

1996-01-01

Determining the baseline aerodynamics of the F/A-18 was one of the major objectives of the High-Angle-of-Attack Technology Program (HATP). This paper will review the key data bases that have contributed to our knowledge of the baseline aerodynamics and the improvements in test techniques that have resulted from the experimental program. Photographs are given highlighting the forebody and leading-edge-extension (LEX) vortices. Other data representing the impact of Mach and Reynolds numbers on the forebody and LEX vortices will also be detailed. The level of agreement between different tunnels and between tunnels and flight will be illustrated using pressures, forces, and moments measured on a 0.06-scale model tested in the Langley 7- by 10-Foot High Speed Tunnel, a 0.16-scale model in the Langley 30- by 60-Foot Tunnel, a full-scale vehicle in the Ames 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel, and the flight F/A-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV). Next, creative use of wind tunnel resources that accelerated the validation of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes will be described. Lastly, lessons learned, deliverables, and program conclusions are presented.

Apoptosis-Like Death, an Extreme SOS Response in Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

Erental, Ariel; Kalderon, Ziva; Saada, Ann; Smith, Yoav

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT In bacteria, SOS is a global response to DNA damage, mediated by the recA-lexA genes, resulting in cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and mutagenesis. Previously, we reported that Escherichia coli responds to DNA damage via another recA-lexA-mediated pathway resulting in programmed cell death (PCD). We called it apoptosis-like death (ALD) because it is characterized by membrane depolarization and DNA fragmentation, which are hallmarks of eukaryotic mitochondrial apoptosis. Here, we show that ALD is an extreme SOS response that occurs only under conditions of severe DNA damage. Furthermore, we found that ALD is characterized by additional hallmarks of eukaryotic mitochondrial apoptosis, including (i) rRNA degradation by the endoribonuclease YbeY, (ii) upregulation of a unique set of genes that we called extensive-damage-induced (Edin) genes, (iii) a decrease in the activities of complexes I and II of the electron transport chain, and (iv) the formation of high levels of OH˙ through the Fenton reaction, eventually resulting in cell death. Our genetic and molecular studies on ALD provide additional insight for the evolution of mitochondria and the apoptotic pathway in eukaryotes. PMID:25028428

Glyco-Immune Diagnostic Signatures and Therapeutic Targets of Mesothelioma

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-01

Huflejt ME. Processing and analysis of serum antibody binding signals from Printed Glycan Arrays for diagnostic and prognostic applications. Int J...rats 542 LeCLex1-6’(LeC1-3’)Lac-sp4 543 Lex1-6’(LeB1-3’)Lac-sp4 641 E.coli oligosaccharide -2 (1208) 642 E.coli oligosaccharide -3 (1210) 254 More

Structural studies on lipopolysaccharides of serologically non-typable strains of Helicobacter pylori, AF1 and 007, expressing Lewis antigenic determinants.

PubMed

Knirel, Y A; Kocharova, N A; Hynes, S O; Widmalm, G; Andersen, L P; Jansson, P E; Moran, A P

1999-11-01

In contrast to other Helicobacter pylori strains, which have serologically detectable Lewis(x)+ (Le(x)) and Lewis(y)++ (++Le(y)) antigenic determinants in the O-specific polysaccharide chains of the lipopolysaccharides, H. pylori AF1 and 007 were non-typable with anti-Le(x) and anti-Le(y) antibodies. The carbohydrate portions of the lipopolysaccharides were liberated by mild acid hydrolysis and subsequently studied by sugar and methylation analyses, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Compared with each other, and with lipopolysaccharides of strains studied previously, the lipopolysaccharides of both AF1 and 007 showed similarities, but also differences, in the structures of the core region and O-specific polysaccharide chains. The O-specific polysaccharide chains of both strains consisted of a short or long polyfucosylated poly-N-acetyl-beta-lactosamine chains, which were distinguished from those of other strains by a high degree of fucosylation producing a polymeric Le(x)chain terminating with Le(x) or Le(y) units:[sequence: see text] where n = 0 or 1 in strain AF1 and 0 in strain 007, m = 0-2, 6-7 in strain AF1 and m = 0-2, 6-7 or approximately 40 in strain 007, the medium-size species being predominant. Therefore, compared with other strains, the lack of reactivity of lipopolysaccharide of H. pylori AF1 and 007 with anti-Le(x) and anti-Le(y) may reflect the presence of a polymeric Le(x) chain and has important implications for serological and pathogenesis studies. As the substitution pattern of a D-glycero-D-manno-heptose residue in the outer core varied in the two strains, and an extended DD-heptan chain was present in some lipopolysaccharide species but not in others, this region was less conservative than the inner core region. The inner core L-glycero-D-manno-heptose region of both strains carried a 2-aminoethyl phosphate group, rather than a phosphate group, as reported previously for other H. pylori strains.

Circulating Biomphalaria glabrata hemocyte subpopulations possess shared schistosome glycans and receptors capable of binding larval glycoconjugates

PubMed Central

Yoshino, Timothy P.; Wu, Xiao-Jun; Gonzalez, Laura A.; Hokke, Cornelis H.

2013-01-01

Host lectin-like recognition molecules may play an important role in innate resistance in Biomphalaria glabrata snails to larval schistosome infection, thus implicating parasite-expressed glycans as putative ligands for these lectin receptors. While host lectins may utilize specific glycan structures for parasite recognition, it also has been hypothesized that the parasite may use this system to evade immune detection by mimicking naturally-expressed host glycans, resulting in reduced immunorecognition capacity. By employing immunocytochemical (ICC) and Western blot assays using schistosome glycan-specific monoclonal antibodies (mABs) we sought to identify specific glycan epitopes (glycotopes) shared in common between larval S. mansoni and B. glabrata hemocytes, the primary immune effector cells in snails. Results confirmed the presence of selected larval glycotopes on subpopulations of hemocytes by ICC and association with numerous hemocyte proteins by Western blot analyses, including a trimannosyl core N-glycan (TriMan), and two fucosylated lacdiNAc (LDN) variants, F-LDN and F-LDN-F. Snail strain differences were seen in the prevalence of constitutively expressed F-LDN on hemocytes, and in the patterns of protein immunoreactivity with these mABs. In contrast, there was little to no hemocyte reactivity with mABs for Lewis X (LeX), LDN, LDN-F or LDN-DF. When intact hemocytes were exposed to larval transformation products (LTPs), distinct cell subpopulations displayed weak (LeX, LDN-DF) to moderate (LDN, LDN-F) glycotope reactivity by ICC, including snail strain differences in the prevalence of LDN-reactive cellular subsets. Far-Western blot analyses of the hemocytes following exposure to larval transformation proteins (LTPs) also revealed multiple mAB-reactive hemocyte protein bands for LeX, LDN, LDN-F, and LDN-DF. These results demonstrate the existence of complex patterns of shared larval glycan constitutively expressed on hemocytes and their proteins, as well as the ability or hemocytes to acquire shared glycans by the selective binding of parasite-released LTP. Unraveling the functional significance of these naturally expressed and acquired shared glycans on specific hemocyte populations represents an important challenge for future investigations. PMID:23085445

Ret Receptor: Functional Consequences of Oncogenic Rearrangements.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-10-01

incorporation of the thymidine analog 5- bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and its subsequent detection by immunostaining (33). Following nuclear ...other LexA- fussions to test for Ret/ptc2 specific interaction. Seventeen of the library plasmids yielded co-transformants which were 3- galactosidase...cellsexpressing the EGFR/Ret chimera and M. Pierotti for the Ret/ptc2 events in papillary thyroid carcinoma (28). In a nuclear micro- clone. injection assay the

Replication Studies: Vocabulary Knowledge in Relation to Memory and Analysis--An Approximate Replication of Milton's (2007) Study on Lexical Profiles and Learning Style

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Booth, Paul

2013-01-01

This paper presents an approximate replication of Milton's (2007) study on lexical profiles and learning style. Milton investigated the assumption that more frequent words are acquired before less frequent ones. Using a vocabulary recognition test ("X-Lex") to measure vocabulary size, Milton found that L2 English group profiles show…

An Annotated Bibliography on Second Language Acquisition

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-06-01

not assessment purposes. Examples of three ’serious’ rote learning programs are SPRECH, GERAD, and LEX. DEDUCT is a question/answer game where the...interactively create game-trees for context-bound vocabulary drills from scratch without modifications to the program software through CREATE. C 1985...II (pp. 223-294). Stanford, CA: Heuristech Press. The goal of CAI research is to build instructional programs that incorporate well-prepared course

National Oceanographic Fleet Platform Characteristics

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-01-01

Hydrographic/Topographic Center, (Attn: MCC Mail Stop D44), 4600 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20816 -5003, commercial (301) 227-3147 or 7 LEX 898334, DMAHTC...Stop D44), 4600 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20816 -5003, commercial (301) 227-3147 or TELEX 898334, DMAHTC, Washington, DC. Military users may use...Mail Stop D44), 4600 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20816 -5003, commercial (301) 227-3147 or TELEX 898334, DMAHTC, Washington, DC. Military users

A Comparison of Query-by-Example Methods for Spoken Term Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

consistent “errors” between the in- dex and the query. Few query terms have more than one pro- nunciation (avg. 1.1 prons . per term), as a result, there is... pron lex. one dict entry (llr) 73.01 47.66 21.11 all dict entries (avg+llr) 73.99 48.16 20.92 all dict entries (max+llr) 74.27 48.26 20.93 Table 1

Port Security in the Persian Gulf

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-01

drafters of ISPS for secure, standardized documents to be issued to the world’s merchant seamen, another arm of the UN, the International Labour ...Revised), 2003," International Labour Organization, http://www.ilo.org/ilolex/cgi-lex/convde.pl?C185 (accessed March 11, 2008). 5 The convention has...identity documents for a particularly impoverished portion of their workforce . 2. MTSA (2002) and SAFE-Port (2006) The two primary pieces of

Coculture with endothelial cells reduces the population of cycling LeX neural precursors but increases that of quiescent cells with a side population phenotype

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

Mathieu, Celine; Fouchet, Pierre; Gauthier, Laurent R.

2006-04-01

Neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation are regulated by external cues from their microenvironment. As endothelial cells are closely associated with neural stem cell in brain germinal zones, we investigated whether endothelial cells may interfere with neurogenesis. Neural precursor cells (NPC) from telencephalon of EGFP mouse embryos were cocultured in direct contact with endothelial cells. Endothelial cells did not modify the overall proliferation and apoptosis of neural cells, albeit they transiently delayed spontaneous apoptosis. These effects appeared to be specific to endothelial cells since a decrease in proliferation and a raise in apoptosis were observed in cocultures with fibroblasts. Endothelialmore » cells stimulated the differentiation of NPC into astrocytes and into neurons, whereas they reduced differentiation into oligodendrocytes in comparison to adherent cultures on polyornithine. Determination of NPC clonogenicity and quantification of LeX expression, a marker for NPC, showed that endothelial cells decreased the number of cycling NPC. On the other hand, the presence of endothelial cells increased the number of neural cells having 'side population' phenotype, another marker reported on NPC, which we have shown to contain quiescent cells. Thus, we show that endothelial cells may regulate neurogenesis by acting at different level of NPC differentiation, proliferation and quiescence.« less

Glycan modification of antigen alters its intracellular routing in dendritic cells, promoting priming of T cells

PubMed Central

Streng-Ouwehand, Ingeborg; Ho, Nataschja I; Litjens, Manja; Kalay, Hakan; Boks, Martine Annemarie; Cornelissen, Lenneke AM; Kaur Singh, Satwinder; Saeland, Eirikur; Garcia-Vallejo, Juan J; Ossendorp, Ferry A; Unger, Wendy WJ; van Kooyk, Yvette

2016-01-01

Antigen uptake by dendritic cells and intracellular routing of antigens to specific compartments is regulated by C-type lectin receptors that recognize glycan structures. We show that the modification of Ovalbumin (OVA) with the glycan-structure LewisX (LeX) re-directs OVA to the C-type lectin receptor MGL1. LeX-modification of OVA favored Th1 skewing of CD4+ T cells and enhanced cross-priming of CD8+ T cells. While cross-presentation of native OVA requires high antigen dose and TLR stimuli, LeX modification reduces the required amount 100-fold and obviates its dependence on TLR signaling. The OVA-LeX-induced enhancement of T cell cross-priming is MGL1-dependent as shown by reduced CD8+ effector T cell frequencies in MGL1-deficient mice. Moreover, MGL1-mediated cross-presentation of OVA-LeX neither required TAP-transporters nor Cathepsin-S and was still observed after prolonged intracellular storage of antigen in Rab11+LAMP1+ compartments. We conclude that controlled neo-glycosylation of antigens can crucially influence intracellular routing of antigens, the nature and strength of immune responses and should be considered for optimizing current vaccination strategies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.11765.001 PMID:26999763

Gene-specific cell labeling using MiMIC transposons

PubMed Central

Gnerer, Joshua P.; Venken, Koen J. T.; Dierick, Herman A.

2015-01-01

Binary expression systems such as GAL4/UAS, LexA/LexAop and QF/QUAS have greatly enhanced the power of Drosophila as a model organism by allowing spatio-temporal manipulation of gene function as well as cell and neural circuit function. Tissue-specific expression of these heterologous transcription factors relies on random transposon integration near enhancers or promoters that drive the binary transcription factor embedded in the transposon. Alternatively, gene-specific promoter elements are directly fused to the binary factor within the transposon followed by random or site-specific integration. However, such insertions do not consistently recapitulate endogenous expression. We used Minos-Mediated Integration Cassette (MiMIC) transposons to convert host loci into reliable gene-specific binary effectors. MiMIC transposons allow recombinase-mediated cassette exchange to modify the transposon content. We developed novel exchange cassettes to convert coding intronic MiMIC insertions into gene-specific binary factor protein-traps. In addition, we expanded the set of binary factor exchange cassettes available for non-coding intronic MiMIC insertions. We show that binary factor conversions of different insertions in the same locus have indistinguishable expression patterns, suggesting that they reliably reflect endogenous gene expression. We show the efficacy and broad applicability of these new tools by dissecting the cellular expression patterns of the Drosophila serotonin receptor gene family. PMID:25712101

Informatics in radiology: RADTF: a semantic search-enabled, natural language processor-generated radiology teaching file.

PubMed

Do, Bao H; Wu, Andrew; Biswal, Sandip; Kamaya, Aya; Rubin, Daniel L

2010-11-01

Storing and retrieving radiology cases is an important activity for education and clinical research, but this process can be time-consuming. In the process of structuring reports and images into organized teaching files, incidental pathologic conditions not pertinent to the primary teaching point can be omitted, as when a user saves images of an aortic dissection case but disregards the incidental osteoid osteoma. An alternate strategy for identifying teaching cases is text search of reports in radiology information systems (RIS), but retrieved reports are unstructured, teaching-related content is not highlighted, and patient identifying information is not removed. Furthermore, searching unstructured reports requires sophisticated retrieval methods to achieve useful results. An open-source, RadLex(®)-compatible teaching file solution called RADTF, which uses natural language processing (NLP) methods to process radiology reports, was developed to create a searchable teaching resource from the RIS and the picture archiving and communication system (PACS). The NLP system extracts and de-identifies teaching-relevant statements from full reports to generate a stand-alone database, thus converting existing RIS archives into an on-demand source of teaching material. Using RADTF, the authors generated a semantic search-enabled, Web-based radiology archive containing over 700,000 cases with millions of images. RADTF combines a compact representation of the teaching-relevant content in radiology reports and a versatile search engine with the scale of the entire RIS-PACS collection of case material. ©RSNA, 2010

Identification of binding domains in the herpes simplex virus type 1 small capsid protein pUL35 (VP26).

PubMed

Apcarian, Arin; Cunningham, Anthony L; Diefenbach, Russell J

2010-11-01

In this study, fragments of the small capsid protein pUL35 (VP26) from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were generated to identify binding domains for a number of known ligands. Analysis of the binding of dynein light chain subunits, DYNLT1 and DYNLT3, as well the HSV-1 structural proteins pUL19 (VP5) and pUL37 was then undertaken using the LexA yeast two-hybrid assay. The N-terminal half of pUL35, in particular residues 30-43, was identified as a common region for the binding of DYNLT1 and DYNLT3. Additional distinct regions in the C terminus of pUL35 also contribute to the binding of DYNLT1 and DYNLT3. In contrast, only the C-terminal half of pUL35 was found to mediate the binding of pUL19 and pUL37 through distinct regions. The relevance of this information to the role of pUL35 in viral transport and assembly is discussed.

NATO: Maintaining Relevance in the Twenty-First Century

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

NATO Secretary General. “NATO after Lybia.” Foreign Affairs (July/August 2011): 1–3. Arendt , Hannah . On Violence. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Books...2003. http://eur- lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:143:SOM:EN:HTML (accessed February 1, 2011). d’ Entreves, Maurizio Passerin. Hannah Arendt ...Stanford Encylcopedia of Philosophy). July 27, 2006. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ arendt / (accessed June 5, 2011). 66 Faria, Fernanda. “EUISS

Plasmodesmata-mediated intercellular signaling during plant growth and development.

PubMed

Yadav, Shri R; Yan, Dawei; Sevilem, Iris; Helariutta, Ykä

2014-01-01

Plasmodesmata (PD) are cytoplasmic channels that connect neighboring cells for cell-to-cell communication. PD structure and function vary temporally and spatially to allow formation of symplastic domains during different stages of plant development. Reversible deposition of callose at PD plays an important role in controlling molecular trafficking through PD by regulating their size exclusion limit. Previously, we reported several semi-dominant mutants for CALLOSE SYNTHASE 3 (CALS3) gene, which overproduce callose at PD in Arabidopsis. By combining two of these mutations in a LexA-VP16-ER (XVE)-based estradiol inducible vector system, a tool known as the "icals3m system" was developed to temporally obstruct the symplastic connections in a specified spatial domain. The system has been successfully tested and used, in combination with other methods, to investigate the route for mobile signals such as the SHR protein, microRNA165/6, and cytokinins in Arabidopsis roots, and also to understand the role of symplastic domain formation during lateral root development. We envision that this tool may also be useful for identifying tissue-specific symplastic regulatory networks and to analyze symplastic movement of metabolites.

P-selectin mediates Ca(2+)-dependent adhesion of activated platelets to many different types of leukocytes: detection by flow cytometry.

PubMed

de Bruijne-Admiraal, L G; Modderman, P W; Von dem Borne, A E; Sonnenberg, A

1992-07-01

Previous studies have shown that thrombin-activated platelets interact through the P-selectin with neutrophils and monocytes. To identify other types of leukocytes capable of such an interaction, eosinophils, basophils, and lymphocytes were isolated from whole blood. Binding of these cells to activated platelets was examined in a double immunofluorescence assay and the results show that activated platelets not only bind to neutrophils and monocytes, but also to eosinophils, basophils, and subpopulations of T lymphocytes. Using monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) specific for subsets of T cells, we could further demonstrate that the T cells which bind activated platelets are natural killer (NK) cells and an undefined subpopulation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. All these interactions were dependent on divalent cations and were completely inhibited by an MoAb against P-selectin. Thus, P-selectin mediates the binding of activated platelets to many different types of leukocytes. Studies with leukocytes treated with proteases or neuraminidase have shown that the structures recognized by P-selectin are glycoproteins carrying sialic acid residues. Because the loss of binding of activated platelets to neuraminidase-treated neutrophils was almost complete, but only partial to treated eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes, the latter cell types may have different P-selectin ligands in addition to those present on neutrophils. We found that two previously identified ligands for P-selectin, the oligosaccharides Le(x) and sialyl-Le(x), had little or no inhibitory effect on adhesion of activated platelets to leukocytes and that binding was not inhibited by MoAbs against these oligosaccharides. In addition, there was no correlation between the expression of Le(x) on several cell types and their capacity to bind activated platelets. In contrast, the expression of sialyl-Le(x) on cells was almost perfectly correlated with their ability to bind activated platelets. Thus, while Le(x) cannot be a major ligand for P-selectin, a possible role for sialyl-Le(x) in P-selectin-mediated adhesion processes cannot be dismissed. Finally, activated platelets were found to bind normally to monocytes and neutrophils of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobulinuria (PNH) and to neutrophils from which phosphatidyl inositol (PI)-linked proteins had been removed by glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-specific phospholipase C (GPI-PLC) digestion. This suggests that at least part of the P-selectin ligands on these cells are not GPI-anchored.

[Impact of Different Percent Tissue Altered Values on Visual Outcome after Refractive Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (ReLEx SMILE)].

PubMed

Breyer, D R H; Hagen, P; Kaymak, H; Klabe, K; Auffarth, G U; Kretz, F T A

2017-01-01

Purpose   To compare the visual outcomes after ReLEx SMILE treatment of eyes with low and high PTA values (PTA: percent tissue altered) within a follow-up period of up to 3 years and to assess whether a high PTA value might contribute to the development of keratectasia, as is the case for LASIK. Methods   This retrospective analysis comprises results from 313 eyes (189 patients) with a PTA value of less than 40 % and of 373 eyes (213 patients) with a PTA value of at least 40 %. Preoperatively and up to 3 years after SMILE surgery, refraction values, monocular corrected (CDVA) and uncorrected distant visual acuity (UDVA) and wavefront data were evaluated. Results   One to 3 years after surgery, the group with PTA < 40 % (PTA ≥ 40 %) had a loss of two Snellen lines in 1.1 % (0.0 %) of the cases. Loss of one line occurred in 1.1 % (3.6 %) of the eyes, whereas 97.7 % (96.4 %) remained unchanged or gained lines. With respect to predictability of the spherical equivalent, 92.0 % (78.6 %) of the eyes were within ± 0.5D and 97.7 % (92.9 %) were within ± 1.0D. The group with high PTA values displayed a slightly but significantly greater undercorrection of about 0,25D. 74.4 % (71.8 %) achieved UDVA of at least 20/20 and 96.5 % (87.1 %) achieved at least 20/25. The mean UDVA was - 0.03 ± 0.10logMAR (0.01 ± 0.12logMAR) and its mean difference to the preoperative CDVA was 0.00 ± 0.09logMAR (0.03 ± 0.12logMAR). Conclusion   ReLEx SMILE is a safe and effective corneal refractive treatment, even for PTA values of 40 % and more. Eyes with high PTA values did not display any evidence of keratectasia development within the 3-year follow-up of this study. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Cultural Resources Survey of the Hickman Harbor Disposal Area, Fulton County, Kentucky

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-05-01

Reelfoot Lake region in northwestern Tennessee, were utilized in reconstructing this community. Elm and sweetgum form the dominant species in the community...sites, with extensive testing recommended for 15 Fu 17 and 15 Fu 18. fDurin- investi-ation of Reelfoot Lake - Lake No. 9 project impact area, four...Projects in Kentucky. UKMA, Lex. I Smith, Gerald P. 1974 Archaeological Reconnaissance of the Reelfoot Lake , Lake No. 9 Project Impact Area, Fulton

Evaluation of a Sexual Assault Education/Prevention Program for Male U.S. Navy Personnel

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

MILITARY MEDICINE, 175, 6:429, 2010 Evaluation of a Sexual Assault Education/Prevention Program for Male U.S. Navy Personnel Terri J. Rau, PhD*; Lex...Mandy M. Rabenhorst, PhDf, Joel S. Milner, PhDt ABSTRACT A randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Navy Sexual ...reducing rape myth acceptance, and increasing empathy for rape victims. As expected, men who had exhibited previous coercive sexual behavior, compared

Plasma Sheet Velocity Measurement Techniques for the Pulsed Plasma Thruster SIMP-LEX

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nawaz, Anuscheh; Lau, Matthew

2011-01-01

The velocity of the first plasma sheet was determined between the electrodes of a pulsed plasma thruster using three measurement techniques: time of flight probe, high speed camera and magnetic field probe. Further, for time of flight probe and magnetic field probe, it was possible to determine the velocity distribution along the electrodes, as the plasma sheet is accelerated. The results from all three techniques are shown, and are compared for one thruster geometry.

GreekLex 2: A comprehensive lexical database with part-of-speech, syllabic, phonological, and stress information

PubMed Central

van Heuven, Walter J. B.; Pitchford, Nicola J.; Ledgeway, Timothy

2017-01-01

Databases containing lexical properties on any given orthography are crucial for psycholinguistic research. In the last ten years, a number of lexical databases have been developed for Greek. However, these lack important part-of-speech information. Furthermore, the need for alternative procedures for calculating syllabic measurements and stress information, as well as combination of several metrics to investigate linguistic properties of the Greek language are highlighted. To address these issues, we present a new extensive lexical database of Modern Greek (GreekLex 2) with part-of-speech information for each word and accurate syllabification and orthographic information predictive of stress, as well as several measurements of word similarity and phonetic information. The addition of detailed statistical information about Greek part-of-speech, syllabification, and stress neighbourhood allowed novel analyses of stress distribution within different grammatical categories and syllabic lengths to be carried out. Results showed that the statistical preponderance of stress position on the pre-final syllable that is reported for Greek language is dependent upon grammatical category. Additionally, analyses showed that a proportion higher than 90% of the tokens in the database would be stressed correctly solely by relying on stress neighbourhood information. The database and the scripts for orthographic and phonological syllabification as well as phonetic transcription are available at http://www.psychology.nottingham.ac.uk/greeklex/. PMID:28231303

Isolation and characterization of Escherichia coli K-12 mutants unable to induce the adaptive response to simple alkylating agents.

PubMed Central

Jeggo, P

1979-01-01

When Esherichia coli cells are exposed to a low level of simple alkylating agents, they induce the adaptive response which renders them more resistant to the killing and the mutagenic effects of the same or other alkylating agents. This paper describes the isolation of one strain that was deficient in mutagenic adaptation and five that were deficient in both mutagenic and killing adaptation, confirming previous suggestions that killing and mutagenic adaptation are, at least to some extent, separable. These six strains have been called Ada mutants. They were more sensitive to the killing and mutagenic effects of N-methy-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) than the unadapted Ada+ parent. Thus, the adaptation pathway is responsible for circumventing some alkylation-induced damage even in cells that are preinduced. The increase in mutation frequency seen in Ada cells treated with MNNG was the same whether the cells were lexA+ or lexA, showing that the extra mutations found in Ada- strains do not depend upon the SOS pathway. Ada strains accumulated more O6-methyl guanine lesions than the Ada+ parent on prolonged exposure to MNNG, and this supports the idea that O6-methyl guanine is the most important lesion for MNNG-induced mutagenesis. The ada mutations have been shown to map in the 47 to 53-min region of the E. coli chromosome. PMID:383692

A combinatorial approach to synthetic transcription factor-promoter combinations for yeast strain engineering

DOE PAGES

Dossani, Zain Y.; Reider Apel, Amanda; Szmidt-Middleton, Heather; ...

2017-10-30

Despite the need for inducible promoters in strain development efforts, the majority of engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae continues to rely on a few constitutively active or inducible promoters. Building on advances that use the modular nature of both transcription factors and promoter regions, we have built a library of hybrid promoters that are regulated by a synthetic transcription factor. The hybrid promoters consist of native S. cerevisiae promoters, in which the operator regions have been replaced with sequences that are recognized by the bacterial LexA DNA binding protein. Correspondingly, the synthetic transcription factor (TF) consists of the DNA binding domainmore » of the LexA protein, fused with the human estrogen binding domain and the viral activator domain, VP16. The resulting system with a bacterial DNA binding domain avoids the transcription of native S. cerevisiae genes, and the hybrid promoters can be induced using estradiol, a compound with no detectable impact on S. cerevisiae physiology. Using combinations of one, two or three operator sequence repeats and a set of native S. cerevisiae promoters, we obtained a series of hybrid promoters that can be induced to different levels, using the same synthetic TF and a given estradiol. Finally, this set of promoters, in combination with our synthetic TF, has the potential to regulate numerous genes or pathways simultaneously, to multiple desired levels, in a single strain.« less

Two new FUT2 (fucosyltransferase 2 gene) missense polymorphisms, 739G→A and 839T→C, are partly responsible for non-secretor status in a Caucasian population from Northern Portugal

PubMed Central

2004-01-01

Secretor status is defined by the expression of H type 1 antigen on gastric surface epithelium and external secretions. The H type 1 structure, and other fucosylated carbohydrates (Lea, sialyl-Lea, Leb, Lex, sialyl-Lex and Ley), can serve as ligands for several pathogens, including Helicobacter pylori, and are cancer-associated antigens. Secretor individuals are more susceptible to some bacterial and viral infections of the genito-urinary and digestive tracts. The aim of the present study was to examine FUT2 (fucosyltransferase 2 gene) polymorphisms in a Caucasian population of non-secretor individuals (n=36) from northern Portugal and to evaluate the activity of the mutant FUT2 enzymes. The secretor status was determined by UEAI [Ulex europaeus (gorse) lectin] histochemistry in gastric mucosa, and FUT2 polymorphisms were studied by restriction-fragment-length polymorphism and direct sequencing. The majority of non-secretors (88.9%) were homozygous for 428G→A polymorphism; 5.6% were homozygous for 571C→T and 5.6% were homozygous for two new missense polymorphisms, 739G→A (2.8%) and 839T→C (2.8%). By kinetic studies it was demonstrated that the two new FUT2 mutants (739G→A and 839T→C) are almost inactive and are responsible for some non-secretor cases. PMID:15250822

Gene-specific cell labeling using MiMIC transposons.

PubMed

Gnerer, Joshua P; Venken, Koen J T; Dierick, Herman A

2015-04-30

Binary expression systems such as GAL4/UAS, LexA/LexAop and QF/QUAS have greatly enhanced the power of Drosophila as a model organism by allowing spatio-temporal manipulation of gene function as well as cell and neural circuit function. Tissue-specific expression of these heterologous transcription factors relies on random transposon integration near enhancers or promoters that drive the binary transcription factor embedded in the transposon. Alternatively, gene-specific promoter elements are directly fused to the binary factor within the transposon followed by random or site-specific integration. However, such insertions do not consistently recapitulate endogenous expression. We used Minos-Mediated Integration Cassette (MiMIC) transposons to convert host loci into reliable gene-specific binary effectors. MiMIC transposons allow recombinase-mediated cassette exchange to modify the transposon content. We developed novel exchange cassettes to convert coding intronic MiMIC insertions into gene-specific binary factor protein-traps. In addition, we expanded the set of binary factor exchange cassettes available for non-coding intronic MiMIC insertions. We show that binary factor conversions of different insertions in the same locus have indistinguishable expression patterns, suggesting that they reliably reflect endogenous gene expression. We show the efficacy and broad applicability of these new tools by dissecting the cellular expression patterns of the Drosophila serotonin receptor gene family. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Effect of Aerobic Training on Glucose Control and Blood Pressure in T2DDM East African Males

PubMed Central

Prista, Antonio; Ranadive, Sushant M.; Damasceno, Albertino; Caupers, Paula; Kanaley, Jill A.; Fernhall, Bo

2014-01-01

Background. Exercise training intervention is underused in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in East Africa. Methods. 41 physically-active males with type 2 diabetes mellitus living in Mozambique were recruited and randomly assigned to 12 weeks of supervised exercise of low intensity exercise (LEX), vigorous intensity exercise (VEX), or to a control group (CON). Since there were no differences for any outcome variables between the exercise groups, VEX and LEX were combined into one exercise group (EX). Results. Age and baseline body weight were similar between EX and CON. Plasma glucose at 120 min following glucose load (Glu 120) was significantly reduced in the EX group after training (Glu 120 : 17.3 mmol/L to 15.0 mmol/L, P < 0.05), whereas Glu 120 remained unchanged in the CON (Glu 120 : 16.6 mmol/L to 18.7 mmol/L). After controlling for baseline blood pressure (BP), posttraining systolic BP and diastolic BP were lower in the EX group than in the CON group (EX: 129/77 mm Hg, CON: 152/83 mm Hg, P < 0.05). Conclusion. Adding exercise to already active African men with type 2 diabetes improved glucose control and BP levels without concomitant changes in weight. PMID:24729886

GreekLex 2: A comprehensive lexical database with part-of-speech, syllabic, phonological, and stress information.

PubMed

Kyparissiadis, Antonios; van Heuven, Walter J B; Pitchford, Nicola J; Ledgeway, Timothy

2017-01-01

Databases containing lexical properties on any given orthography are crucial for psycholinguistic research. In the last ten years, a number of lexical databases have been developed for Greek. However, these lack important part-of-speech information. Furthermore, the need for alternative procedures for calculating syllabic measurements and stress information, as well as combination of several metrics to investigate linguistic properties of the Greek language are highlighted. To address these issues, we present a new extensive lexical database of Modern Greek (GreekLex 2) with part-of-speech information for each word and accurate syllabification and orthographic information predictive of stress, as well as several measurements of word similarity and phonetic information. The addition of detailed statistical information about Greek part-of-speech, syllabification, and stress neighbourhood allowed novel analyses of stress distribution within different grammatical categories and syllabic lengths to be carried out. Results showed that the statistical preponderance of stress position on the pre-final syllable that is reported for Greek language is dependent upon grammatical category. Additionally, analyses showed that a proportion higher than 90% of the tokens in the database would be stressed correctly solely by relying on stress neighbourhood information. The database and the scripts for orthographic and phonological syllabification as well as phonetic transcription are available at http://www.psychology.nottingham.ac.uk/greeklex/.

Flow Visualization Techniques in Wind Tunnel Tests of a Full-Scale F/A-18 Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lanser, Wendy R.; Botha, Gavin J.; James, Kevin D.; Bennett, Mark; Crowder, James P.; Cooper, Don; Olson, Lawrence (Technical Monitor)

1994-01-01

The proposed paper presents flow visualization performed during experiments conducted on a full-scale F/A-18 aircraft in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind-Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. The purpose of the flow-visualization experiments was to document the forebody and leading edge extension (LEX) vortex interaction along with the wing flow patterns at high angles of attack and low speed high Reynolds number conditions. This investigation used surface pressures in addition to both surface and off-surface flow visualization techniques to examine the flow field on the forebody, canopy, LEXS, and wings. The various techniques used to visualize the flow field were fluorescent tufts, flow cones treated with reflective material, smoke in combination with a laser light sheet, and a video imaging system for three-dimension vortex tracking. The flow visualization experiments were conducted over an angle of attack range from 20 deg to 45 deg and over a sideslip range from -10 deg to 10 deg. The various visualization techniques as well as the pressure distributions were used to understand the flow field structure. The results show regions of attached and separated flow on the forebody, canopy, and wings as well as the vortical flow over the leading-edge extensions. This paper will also present flow visualization comparisons with the F-18 HARV flight vehicle and small-scale oil flows on the F-18.

A combinatorial approach to synthetic transcription factor‐promoter combinations for yeast strain engineering

PubMed Central

Dossani, Zain Y.; Reider Apel, Amanda; Szmidt‐Middleton, Heather; Hillson, Nathan J.; Deutsch, Samuel; Keasling, Jay D.

2017-01-01

Abstract Despite the need for inducible promoters in strain development efforts, the majority of engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae continues to rely on a few constitutively active or inducible promoters. Building on advances that use the modular nature of both transcription factors and promoter regions, we have built a library of hybrid promoters that are regulated by a synthetic transcription factor. The hybrid promoters consist of native S. cerevisiae promoters, in which the operator regions have been replaced with sequences that are recognized by the bacterial LexA DNA binding protein. Correspondingly, the synthetic transcription factor (TF) consists of the DNA binding domain of the LexA protein, fused with the human estrogen binding domain and the viral activator domain, VP16. The resulting system with a bacterial DNA binding domain avoids the transcription of native S. cerevisiae genes, and the hybrid promoters can be induced using estradiol, a compound with no detectable impact on S. cerevisiae physiology. Using combinations of one, two or three operator sequence repeats and a set of native S. cerevisiae promoters, we obtained a series of hybrid promoters that can be induced to different levels, using the same synthetic TF and a given estradiol. This set of promoters, in combination with our synthetic TF, has the potential to regulate numerous genes or pathways simultaneously, to multiple desired levels, in a single strain. PMID:29084380

Water-tunnel study results of a TF/A-18 and F/A-18 canopy flow visualization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Steven A.; Fisher, David F.

1990-01-01

A water tunnel study examining the influence of canopy shape on canopy and leading edge extension flow patterns was initiated. The F/A-18 single-place canopy model and the TF/A-18 two place canopy model were the study subjects. Plan view and side view photographs showing the flow patterns created by injected colored dye are presented for 0 deg and 5 deg sideslip angles. Photographs taken at angle of attack and sideslip conditions correspond to test departure points found in flight test. Flight experience has shown that the TF/A-18 airplane departs in regions where the F/A-18 airplane is departure-resistant. The study results provide insight into the differences in flow patterns which may influence the resulting aerodynamics of the TF/A-18 and F/A-18 aircraft. It was found that at 0 deg sideslip, the TF/A-18 model has more downward flow on the sides of the canopy than the F/A-18 model. This could be indicative of flow from the leading edge extension (LEX) vortexes impinging on the sides of the wider TF/A-18 canopy. In addition, the TF/A-18 model has larger areas of asymmetric separated and unsteady flow on the LEXs and fuselage, possibly indicating a lateral and directional destabilizing effect at the conditions studied.

A combinatorial approach to synthetic transcription factor-promoter combinations for yeast strain engineering

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

Dossani, Zain Y.; Reider Apel, Amanda; Szmidt-Middleton, Heather

Despite the need for inducible promoters in strain development efforts, the majority of engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae continues to rely on a few constitutively active or inducible promoters. Building on advances that use the modular nature of both transcription factors and promoter regions, we have built a library of hybrid promoters that are regulated by a synthetic transcription factor. The hybrid promoters consist of native S. cerevisiae promoters, in which the operator regions have been replaced with sequences that are recognized by the bacterial LexA DNA binding protein. Correspondingly, the synthetic transcription factor (TF) consists of the DNA binding domainmore » of the LexA protein, fused with the human estrogen binding domain and the viral activator domain, VP16. The resulting system with a bacterial DNA binding domain avoids the transcription of native S. cerevisiae genes, and the hybrid promoters can be induced using estradiol, a compound with no detectable impact on S. cerevisiae physiology. Using combinations of one, two or three operator sequence repeats and a set of native S. cerevisiae promoters, we obtained a series of hybrid promoters that can be induced to different levels, using the same synthetic TF and a given estradiol. Finally, this set of promoters, in combination with our synthetic TF, has the potential to regulate numerous genes or pathways simultaneously, to multiple desired levels, in a single strain.« less

Salivary agglutinin, which binds Streptococcus mutans and Helicobacter pylori, is the lung scavenger receptor cysteine-rich protein gp-340.

PubMed

Prakobphol, A; Xu, F; Hoang, V M; Larsson, T; Bergstrom, J; Johansson, I; Frängsmyr, L; Holmskov, U; Leffler, H; Nilsson, C; Borén, T; Wright, J R; Strömberg, N; Fisher, S J

2000-12-22

Salivary agglutinin is a high molecular mass component of human saliva that binds Streptococcus mutans, an oral bacterium implicated in dental caries. To study its protein sequence, we isolated the agglutinin from human parotid saliva. After trypsin digestion, a portion was analyzed by matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), which gave the molecular mass of 14 unique peptides. The remainder of the digest was subjected to high performance liquid chromatography, and the separated peptides were analyzed by MALDI-TOF/post-source decay; the spectra gave the sequences of five peptides. The molecular mass and peptide sequence information showed that salivary agglutinin peptides were identical to sequences in lung (lavage) gp-340, a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich protein family. Immunoblotting with antibodies that specifically recognized either lung gp-340 or the agglutinin confirmed that the salivary agglutinin was gp-340. Immunoblotting with an antibody specific to the sialyl Le(x) carbohydrate epitope detected expression on the salivary but not the lung glycoprotein, possible evidence of different glycoforms. The salivary agglutinin also interacted with Helicobacter pylori, implicated in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, Streptococcus agalactiae, implicated in neonatal meningitis, and several oral commensal streptococci. These results identify the salivary agglutinin as gp-340 and suggest it binds bacteria that are important determinants of either the oral ecology or systemic diseases.

Alternative generation of CNS neural stem cells and PNS derivatives from neural crest-derived peripheral stem cells.

PubMed

Weber, Marlen; Apostolova, Galina; Widera, Darius; Mittelbronn, Michel; Dechant, Georg; Kaltschmidt, Barbara; Rohrer, Hermann

2015-02-01

Neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) from the embryonic peripheral nervous system (PNS) can be reprogrammed in neurosphere (NS) culture to rNCSCs that produce central nervous system (CNS) progeny, including myelinating oligodendrocytes. Using global gene expression analysis we now demonstrate that rNCSCs completely lose their previous PNS characteristics and acquire the identity of neural stem cells derived from embryonic spinal cord. Reprogramming proceeds rapidly and results in a homogenous population of Olig2-, Sox3-, and Lex-positive CNS stem cells. Low-level expression of pluripotency inducing genes Oct4, Nanog, and Klf4 argues against a transient pluripotent state during reprogramming. The acquisition of CNS properties is prevented in the presence of BMP4 (BMP NCSCs) as shown by marker gene expression and the potential to produce PNS neurons and glia. In addition, genes characteristic for mesenchymal and perivascular progenitors are expressed, which suggests that BMP NCSCs are directed toward a pericyte progenitor/mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate. Adult NCSCs from mouse palate, an easily accessible source of adult NCSCs, display strikingly similar properties. They do not generate cells with CNS characteristics but lose the neural crest markers Sox10 and p75 and produce MSC-like cells. These findings show that embryonic NCSCs acquire a full CNS identity in NS culture. In contrast, MSC-like cells are generated from BMP NCSCs and pNCSCs, which reveals that postmigratory NCSCs are a source for MSC-like cells up to the adult stage. © 2014 AlphaMed Press.

Effects of air-polishing powders on color stability of composite resins.

PubMed

Güler, Ahmet Umut; Duran, Ibrahim; Yücel, Ali Çağin; Ozkan, Pelin

2011-10-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different air-polishing powders on the color stability of different types of composite resin restorative materials. Thirty cylindrical specimens (15×2 mm) were prepared for each of 7 composite resin restorative materials. All specimens were polished with a series of aluminum oxide polishing discs (Sof-Lex). The prepared specimens of each composite resin were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 specimens each, for control (Group-C) and two air-powder applications (Group-CP: Cavitron Prophy-Jet; Group-PS: Sirona ProSmile prophylaxis powder). A standard air-polishing unit (ProSmile Handly) was used. All specimens were air-powdered for 10 s at 4-bar pressure. The distance of the spray nosel from the specimens was approximately 10 mm and angulation of the nosel was 90°. Specimens were stored in 100 mL of coffee (Nescafe Classic) for 24 h at 37°C. Color measurement of all specimens was recorded before and after exposure to staining agent with a colorimeter (Minolta CR-300). Color differences (∆E*) between the 2 color measurements (baseline and after 24 h storage) were calculated. The data were analyzed with a 2-way ANOVA test, and mean values were compared by the Tukey HSD test (p<0.05). According to the 2-way ANOVA results, composite resin restorative materials, air-polishing powders, and their interaction were statistically significant (p<0.05) For Aelite Aesthetic Enemal, Filtek Z250, Grandio, CeramX Mono, and Quixfil composite resin restorative materials, no significant difference was observed between Group-PS and Group-CP (p>.05) and these groups demonstrated the highest ∆E* values. For Filtek Silorane and IntenS, the highest ∆E* values were observed in Group-PS. The lowest ∆E* values for all composite resin groups were observed in Group-C. When comparing the 7 composite resin restorative materials, Aelite Aesthetic Enemal demonstrated significantly less ∆E* values than the other composite resins tested. The highest ∆E* values were observed in Quixfil. Except for Quixfil, all control groups of composite resins that were polished Sof-Lex exhibited clinically acceptable ∆E values (<3.7). Air-polishing applications increased the color change for all composite resin restorative materials tested. Composite restorations may require re-polishing after air-polishing.

Effects of air-polishing powders on color stability of composite resins

PubMed Central

GÜLER, Ahmet Umut; DURAN, Ibrahim; YÜCEL, Ali Çagin; ÖZKAN, Pelin

2011-01-01

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different air-polishing powders on the color stability of different types of composite resin restorative materials. Material and methods Thirty cylindrical specimens (15×2 mm) were prepared for each of 7 composite resin restorative materials. All specimens were polished with a series of aluminum oxide polishing discs (Sof-Lex). The prepared specimens of each composite resin were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 specimens each, for control (Group-C) and two air-powder applications (Group-CP: Cavitron Prophy-Jet; Group-PS: Sirona ProSmile prophylaxis powder). A standard air-polishing unit (ProSmile Handly) was used. All specimens were air-powdered for 10 s at 4-bar pressure. The distance of the spray nosel from the specimens was approximately 10 mm and angulation of the nosel was 90º. Specimens were stored in 100 mL of coffee (Nescafe Classic) for 24 h at 37ºC. Color measurement of all specimens was recorded before and after exposure to staining agent with a colorimeter (Minolta CR-300). Color differences (∆E*) between the 2 color measurements (baseline and after 24 h storage) were calculated. The data were analyzed with a 2-way ANOVA test, and mean values were compared by the Tukey HSD test (p≤0.05). Results According to the 2-way ANOVA results, composite resin restorative materials, air-polishing powders, and their interaction were statistically significant (p<0.05) For Aelite Aesthetic Enemal, Filtek Z250, Grandio, CeramX Mono, and Quixfil composite resin restorative materials, no significant difference was observed between Group-PS and Group-CP (p>.05) and these groups demonstrated the highest ∆E* values. For Filtek Silorane and IntenS, the highest ∆E* values were observed in Group-PS. The lowest ∆E* values for all composite resin groups were observed in Group-C. When comparing the 7 composite resin restorative materials, Aelite Aesthetic Enemal demonstrated significantly less ∆E* values than the other composite resins tested. The highest ∆E* values were observed in Quixfil. Conclusion Except for Quixfil, all control groups of composite resins that were polished Sof-Lex exhibited clinically acceptable ∆E values (<3.7). Air-polishing applications increased the color change for all composite resin restorative materials tested. Composite restorations may require re-polishing after air-polishing. PMID:21922122

Controlled-Release Personal Use Arthropod Repellent Formulation. Phase 3

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-08-26

Polyethylene Glycol (200) Glyceryl Monotallowate (Varonic L1420) 54.2 lbs. Glyceryl Stearate/ Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (Lexemul AS) 129.3 lbs. Propylene... Sulfate 6-0 Xr ________ (Le.ernul AS) - 0.65__ * 13W00 Cetyl Palmitate (W,xenol 816) 2,600 Xg. Ci Zq! 167 2.2___ 10026 Poyproplen Gycol (15) Stenryl...1 Stearate7Sodium lAu 1l Sulfate T- 4fIa- TW _ - ________ Lex emul AS)__________ ____ _______ 2.41 11315 /Prop lene Glycol D1 cap" lateDf~caerate

The SOS Response is Permitted in Escherichia coli Strains Deficient in the Expression of the mazEF Pathway

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-03

DNA damage . It is controlled by a complex network involving the RecA and LexA proteins. We have previously shown that the SOS response to DNA damage ...Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211 enteric bacterium E. coli, SOS Response, DNA damage REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT...Report Title The Escherichia coli (E. coli) SOS response is the largest, most complex, and best characterized bacterial network induced by DNA damage

Adhesion Forces between Lewis(X) Determinant Antigens as Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy.

PubMed

Tromas, C; Rojo, J; de la Fuente, J M; Barrientos, A G; García, R; Penadés, S

2001-01-01

The adhesion forces between individual molecules of Lewis(X) trisaccharide antigen (Le(X) ) have been measured in water and in calcium solution by using atomic force microscopy (AFM, see graph). These results demonstrate the self-recognition capability of this antigen, and reinforce the hypothesis that carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction could be considered as the first step in the cell-adhesion process in nature. Copyright © 2001 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, Fed. Rep. of Germany.

The Impact of IEEE-1076 on VHDL (Hardware Description Language)

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-12-01

Portability simply refers to how machine-independent the language is defined. The Efficiency criterion looks at how fast a program compiles and how ...if a programming language is good. The evaluation was done to determine if IEEE Standard 1076-1987 was indeed a better version of VHDL than its...must be UNIX-based and be able to * use the tools that are common to that operating system such as lex [Lesk78I, yacc [John78] and the programming

Technical Performance Assessment: Mission Success in Software Acquisition Management

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-27

Examples Design constraints make software acquisition and development t l iti lex reme y cr ca Application domain – Operational Flight Program, Air...environment – used to produce the software Ri k t t bli h d d i t i d i k ts managemen – es a s e an ma n a ne r s managemen systems Milestone reviews...Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that

SOS response and its regulation on the fluoroquinolone resistance.

PubMed

Qin, Ting-Ting; Kang, Hai-Quan; Ma, Ping; Li, Peng-Peng; Huang, Lin-Yan; Gu, Bing

2015-12-01

Bacteria can survive fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs) treatment by becoming resistant through a genetic change-mutation or gene acquisition. The SOS response is widespread among bacteria and exhibits considerable variation in its composition and regulation, which is repressed by LexA protein and derepressed by RecA protein. Here, we take a comprehensive review of the SOS gene network and its regulation on the fluoroquinolone resistance. As a unique survival mechanism, SOS may be an important factor influencing the outcome of antibiotic therapy in vivo.

SOS response and its regulation on the fluoroquinolone resistance

PubMed Central

Qin, Ting-Ting; Kang, Hai-Quan; Ma, Ping; Li, Peng-Peng; Huang, Lin-Yan

2015-01-01

Bacteria can survive fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs) treatment by becoming resistant through a genetic change—mutation or gene acquisition. The SOS response is widespread among bacteria and exhibits considerable variation in its composition and regulation, which is repressed by LexA protein and derepressed by RecA protein. Here, we take a comprehensive review of the SOS gene network and its regulation on the fluoroquinolone resistance. As a unique survival mechanism, SOS may be an important factor influencing the outcome of antibiotic therapy in vivo. PMID:26807413

ESDAPT - APT PROGRAMMING EDITOR AND INTERPRETER

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Premack, T.

1994-01-01

ESDAPT is a graphical programming environment for developing APT (Automatically Programmed Tool) programs for controlling numerically controlled machine tools. ESDAPT has a graphical user interface that provides the user with an APT syntax sensitive text editor and windows for displaying geometry and tool paths. APT geometry statement can also be created using menus and screen picks. ESDAPT interprets APT geometry statements and displays the results in its view windows. Tool paths are generated by batching the APT source to an APT processor (COSMIC P-APT recommended). The tool paths are then displayed in the view windows. Hardcopy output of the view windows is in color PostScript format. ESDAPT is written in C-language, yacc, lex, and XView for use on Sun4 series computers running SunOS. ESDAPT requires 4Mb of disk space, 7Mb of RAM, and MIT's X Window System, Version 11 Release 4, or OpenWindows version 3 for execution. Program documentation in PostScript format and an executable for OpenWindows version 3 are provided on the distribution media. The standard distribution medium for ESDAPT is a .25 inch streaming magnetic tape cartridge (Sun QIC-24) in UNIX tar format. This program was developed in 1992.

Keto analogue and amino acid supplementation affects the ammonaemia response during exercise under ketogenic conditions.

PubMed

Prado, Eduardo Seixas; de Rezende Neto, José Melquiades; de Almeida, Rosemeire Dantas; Dória de Melo, Marcelia Garcez; Cameron, Luiz-Claudio

2011-06-28

Hyperammonaemia is related to both central and peripheral fatigue during exercise. Hyperammonaemia in response to exercise can be reduced through supplementation with either amino acids or combined keto analogues and amino acids (KAAA). In the present study, we determined the effect of short-term KAAA supplementation on ammonia production in subjects eating a low-carbohydrate diet who exercise. A total of thirteen male cyclists eating a ketogenic diet for 3 d were divided into two groups receiving either KAAA (KEx) or lactose (control group; LEx) supplements. Athletes cycled indoors for 2 h, and blood samples were obtained at rest, during exercise and over the course of 1 h during the recovery period. Exercise-induced ammonaemia increased to a maximum of 35 % in the control group, but no significant increase was observed in the supplemented group. Both groups had a significant increase (approximately 35 %) in uraemia in response to exercise. The resting urate levels of the two groups were equivalent and remained statistically unchanged in the KEx group after 90 min of exercise; an earlier increase was observed in the LEx group. Glucose levels did not change, either during the trial time or between the groups. An increase in lactate levels was observed during the first 30 min of exercise in both groups, but there was no difference between the groups. The present results suggest that the acute use of KAAA diminishes exercise-induced hyperammonaemia.

Recovery of commercially produced Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus from tires and prevalence of bacilli in artificial and natural containers.

PubMed

Siegel, J P; Smith, A R; Novak, R J

2001-03-01

We conducted surveys to identify the species of spore-forming bacteria present in natural and artificial containers. Most of our samples came from Illinois. Identification was based on the cellular fatty acid composition of the bacterial cell wall. In addition, we utilized a custom database for commercially produced strains of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) and B. sphaericus, to differentiate between larvicidal isolates with commercial or native origin. Native Bti was present at low levels in almost all habitats but was not recovered from bromeliads and metal containers. In temporary woodland pools, 27.9% of the colonies recovered were native Bti. We did not recover larvicidal B. sphaericus in untreated habitats. VectoBac and VectoLex were applied to tires containing water and the tires were sampled 3 months and 9 months after treatment. Isolates of Bti and B. sphaericus with commercial origin were recovered as long as 9 months after application. We noticed numerous cadavers of Aedes triseriatus in several tires 9 months after treatment with VectoBac. We could not determine if this mortality resulted from recycling of Bti in these tires or whether insecticidal crystal proteins from the original treatment were resuspended. Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis isolates with commercial ancestry were recovered from untreated tires 9 months after application. Isolates of larvicidal B. sphaericus that differed from the bacteria in VectoLex were also recovered from untreated tires.

Total x-ray power measurements in the Sandia LIGA program.

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

Malinowski, Michael E.; Ting, Aili

2005-08-01

Total X-ray power measurements using aluminum block calorimetry and other techniques were made at LIGA X-ray scanner synchrotron beamlines located at both the Advanced Light Source (ALS) and the Advanced Photon Source (APS). This block calorimetry work was initially performed on the LIGA beamline 3.3.1 of the ALS to provide experimental checks of predictions of the LEX-D (LIGA Exposure- Development) code for LIGA X-ray exposures, version 7.56, the version of the code in use at the time calorimetry was done. These experiments showed that it was necessary to use bend magnet field strengths and electron storage ring energies different frommore » the default values originally in the code in order to obtain good agreement between experiment and theory. The results indicated that agreement between LEX-D predictions and experiment could be as good as 5% only if (1) more accurate values of the ring energies, (2) local values of the magnet field at the beamline source point, and (3) the NIST database for X-ray/materials interactions were used as code inputs. These local magnetic field value and accurate ring energies, together with NIST database, are now defaults in the newest release of LEX-D, version 7.61. Three dimensional simulations of the temperature distributions in the aluminum calorimeter block for a typical ALS power measurement were made with the ABAQUS code and found to be in good agreement with the experimental temperature data. As an application of the block calorimetry technique, the X-ray power exiting the mirror in place at a LIGA scanner located at the APS beamline 10 BM was measured with a calorimeter similar to the one used at the ALS. The overall results at the APS demonstrated the utility of calorimetry in helping to characterize the total X-ray power in LIGA beamlines. In addition to the block calorimetry work at the ALS and APS, a preliminary comparison of the use of heat flux sensors, photodiodes and modified beam calorimeters as total X-ray power monitors was made at the ALS, beamline 3.3.1. This work showed that a modification of a commercially available, heat flux sensor could result in a simple, direct reading beam power meter that could be a useful for monitoring total X-ray power in Sandia's LIGA exposure stations at the ALS, APS and Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL).« less

Characterization of water sorption, solubility, and roughness of silorane- and methacrylate-based composite resins.

PubMed

Giannini, M; Di Francescantonio, M; Pacheco, R R; Cidreira Boaro, L C; Braga, R R

2014-01-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness (SR), water sorption (WS), and solubility (SO) of four composite resins after finishing/polishing and after one year of water storage. Two low-shrinkage composites (Filtek Silorane [3M ESPE] and Aelite LS [Bisco Inc]) and two composites of conventional formulations (Heliomolar and Tetric N-Ceram [Ivoclar Vivadent]) were tested. Their respective finishing and polishing systems (Sof-Lex Discs, 3M ESPE; Finishing Discs Kit, Bisco Inc; and Astropol F, P, HP, Ivoclar Vivadent) were used according to the manufacturers' instructions. Ten disc-shaped specimens of each composite resin were made for each evaluation. Polished surfaces were analyzed using a profilometer after 24 hours and one year. For the WS and SO, the discs were stored in desiccators until constant mass was achieved. Specimens were then stored in water for seven days or one year, at which time the mass of each specimen was measured. The specimens were dried again and dried specimen mass determined. The WS and SO were calculated from these measurements. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test (α=0.05). Filtek Silorane showed the lowest SR, WS, and SO means. Water storage for one year increased the WS means for all composite resins tested. The silorane-based composite resin results were better than those obtained for methacrylate-based resins. One-year water storage did not change the SR and SO properties in any of the composite resins.

Advanced Imaging Tracker

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-06-01

3oijsteii 14.) v ilson f3 1vj Ar inj~on, VA Ž222JY L. or p AtLnZ: -,iii~iarn Ouriey I d.LU ýu ndoldt i~d txlJlýjLuqucqe, 14,, f. /A i’ Atun : ý...34ivision iY) LiOX d /M ye I v - iv i S i 01-1 I ,/L i r ic u .L Lbr~ J o-r y At~rlt -lex earker 1.i nj .on, A½iI r -I efnLi.) DL-4 NAS’A Aines Atun

National Medical Terminology Server in Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sungin; Song, Seung-Jae; Koh, Soonjeong; Lee, Soo Kyoung; Kim, Hong-Gee

Interoperable EHR (Electronic Health Record) necessitates at least the use of standardized medical terminologies. This paper describes a medical terminology server, LexCare Suite, which houses terminology management applications, such as a terminology editor, and a terminology repository populated with international standard terminology systems such as Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED). The server is to satisfy the needs of quality terminology systems to local primary to tertiary hospitals. Our partner general hospitals have used the server to test its applicability. This paper describes the server and the results of the applicability test.

Surface geometry of three packable and one hybrid composite after polishing.

PubMed

Jung, Martin; Bruegger, Hilka; Klimek, Joachim

2003-01-01

This study evaluated the surface quality of four composite materials after polishing with six different polishing techniques. Eighty specimens were made using three packable composites (Definite/Degussa, SureFil/ Dentsply and Solitaire/Heraeus-Kulzer) and one hybrid composite (Herculite XRV/Kerr). Five specimens of each material were polished using flexible Sof-Lex discs. The remaining 75 specimens of each composite were prepared using three finishing protocols: a single 30 microm diamond (n = 25), two finishing diamonds (30/20 microm; n = 25) and a 30 microm diamond followed by a tungsten carbide finishing bur (n = 25). Final polishing of each of the three finishing groups was accomplished with SuperBuff, Diafix-oral, OneGloss, Astropol and HaWe Composite Polishers (n = 5, each). Surface roughness was evaluated quantitatively by laser-stylus profilometry. Average roughness (R(a)) was calculated; statistical analysis of the data was performed with two-way ANOVA and Scheffé post-hoc tests. The polished surfaces were examined qualitatively by SEM. The results showed significant effects on surface roughness from the different composites (p = 0.011) and polishing systems (p < 0.001). After polishing, the Solitaire surfaces (R(a) = 0.72 microm) were smoother than Definite (R(a) = 0.87 microm) and SureFil (R(a) = 0.89 microm) and significantly smoother than Herculite (R(a) = 0.92 microm; p = 0.011). Three of the polishing methods (SuperBuff, Diafix-oral and Astropol) achieved lower R(a)-values than Sof-Lex discs. The polishing quality of the one-step systems SuperBuff and Diafix-oral was strongly affected by the initial finishing protocol.

Effect of Various Finishing Procedures on the Reflectivity (Shine) of Tooth Enamel - An In-vitro Study.

PubMed

Patil, Harshal Ashok; Chitko, Shrikant Shrinivas; Kerudi, Veerendra Virupaxappa; Maheshwari, Amit Ratanlal; Patil, Neeraj Suresh; Tekale, Pawankumar Dnyandeo; Gore, Ketan Ashorao; Zope, Amit Ashok

2016-08-01

Reflectivity of an object is a good parameter for surface finish. As the patient evaluates finishing as a function of gloss/reflectivity/shine an attempt is made here to evaluate changes in surface finish with custom made reflectometer. The aim of the present study was to study the effect of various procedures during orthodontic treatment on the shine of enamel, using a custom made reflectometer. Sixty one extracted premolars were collected and each tooth was mounted on acrylic block. Reflectivity of the teeth was measured as compared to standard before any procedure. One tooth was kept as standard throughout the study. Sixty teeth were acid etched. Reflectivity was measured on custom made reflectometer and readings recorded. Same procedure was repeated after debonding. Then 60 samples were divided into three groups: Group 1 - Tungsten Carbide, Group 2 - Astropol, Group 3- Sof-Lex disc depending upon the finishing method after debonding and reflectivity was measured. The mean percentage of reflectivity after acid etching was 31.4%, debonding 45.5%, Tungsten carbide bur finishing (Group 1) was 58.3%, Astropol (Group 2) 72.8%, and Sof-Lex disc (Group 3) 84.4% as that to the standard. There was statistically very highly significant (p<0.001) difference in reflectivity restored by the three finishing materials in the study. Thus, the light reflection was better in Group 3> Group 2> Group 1. The primary goal was to restore the enamel to its original state after orthodontic treatment. The methods tested in this study could not restore the original enamel reflectivity.

PathBot: A Radiology-Pathology Correlation Dashboard.

PubMed

Kelahan, Linda C; Kalaria, Amit D; Filice, Ross W

2017-12-01

Pathology is considered the "gold standard" of diagnostic medicine. The importance of radiology-pathology correlation is seen in interdepartmental patient conferences such as "tumor boards" and by the tradition of radiology resident immersion in a radiologic-pathology course at the American Institute of Radiologic Pathology. In practice, consistent pathology follow-up can be difficult due to time constraints and cumbersome electronic medical records. We present a radiology-pathology correlation dashboard that presents radiologists with pathology reports matched to their dictations, for both diagnostic imaging and image-guided procedures. In creating our dashboard, we utilized the RadLex ontology and National Center for Biomedical Ontology (NCBO) Annotator to identify anatomic concepts in pathology reports that could subsequently be mapped to relevant radiology reports, providing an automated method to match related radiology and pathology reports. Radiology-pathology matches are presented to the radiologist on a web-based dashboard. We found that our algorithm was highly specific in detecting matches. Our sensitivity was slightly lower than expected and could be attributed to missing anatomy concepts in the RadLex ontology, as well as limitations in our parent term hierarchical mapping and synonym recognition algorithms. By automating radiology-pathology correlation and presenting matches in a user-friendly dashboard format, we hope to encourage pathology follow-up in clinical radiology practice for purposes of self-education and to augment peer review. We also hope to provide a tool to facilitate the production of quality teaching files, lectures, and publications. Diagnostic images have a richer educational value when they are backed up by the gold standard of pathology.

Evaluation of phylogenetic footprint discovery for predicting bacterial cis-regulatory elements and revealing their evolution.

PubMed

Janky, Rekin's; van Helden, Jacques

2008-01-23

The detection of conserved motifs in promoters of orthologous genes (phylogenetic footprints) has become a common strategy to predict cis-acting regulatory elements. Several software tools are routinely used to raise hypotheses about regulation. However, these tools are generally used as black boxes, with default parameters. A systematic evaluation of optimal parameters for a footprint discovery strategy can bring a sizeable improvement to the predictions. We evaluate the performances of a footprint discovery approach based on the detection of over-represented spaced motifs. This method is particularly suitable for (but not restricted to) Bacteria, since such motifs are typically bound by factors containing a Helix-Turn-Helix domain. We evaluated footprint discovery in 368 Escherichia coli K12 genes with annotated sites, under 40 different combinations of parameters (taxonomical level, background model, organism-specific filtering, operon inference). Motifs are assessed both at the levels of correctness and significance. We further report a detailed analysis of 181 bacterial orthologs of the LexA repressor. Distinct motifs are detected at various taxonomical levels, including the 7 previously characterized taxon-specific motifs. In addition, we highlight a significantly stronger conservation of half-motifs in Actinobacteria, relative to Firmicutes, suggesting an intermediate state in specificity switching between the two Gram-positive phyla, and thereby revealing the on-going evolution of LexA auto-regulation. The footprint discovery method proposed here shows excellent results with E. coli and can readily be extended to predict cis-acting regulatory signals and propose testable hypotheses in bacterial genomes for which nothing is known about regulation.

[Three Years Follow-up Study after Refractive Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) Using 500 kHz Femtosecond Laser in "Fast Mode"].

PubMed

Messerschmidt-Roth, A; Sekundo, W; Lazaridis, A; Schulze, S

2017-01-01

Background   The aim of this clinical trial was to check the results of laser built-in settings 3 years after ReLEx SMILE for moderate and high myopia in unselected "real life" patients. Patients and Methods   50 myopic eyes of 27 patients were called in for examination after 3 years. 25 of these eyes with a preoperative myopia under - 6D comprised the "moderate myopia subgroup". All surgeries were performed with the 500 kHz VisuMax® femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena) in the "fast mode" setting. Results   The spherical equivalent (SE) of the entire group changed from - 6.18 D (± 1.91) prior to surgery to - 0.18 D (± 0.39) 3 years later. The preoperative SE in the moderate myopia subgroup changed from - 4.71 D (± 0.94) to - 0.04 D (± 0.23). 14 % of 50 eyes gained one line and 22 % lost one line of CDVA. The regression between month 3 and 36 was 0.07D for the entire group and 0.06 D for the moderate myopia subgroup. There were no late side effects. Primary undercorrection was predominantly seen in eyes over - 6 D. Conclusion   ReLEx SMILE shows remarkable stability over the entire range of myopias after 3 years, however primary undercorrection occurs predominantly in eyes of - 6.0 D, which necessitates nomogram adjustment. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Clinical Outcomes of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction with Accelerated Cross-Linking (ReLEx SMILE Xtra) in Patients with Thin Corneas and Borderline Topography

PubMed Central

Ganesh, Sri; Brar, Sheetal

2015-01-01

Purpose. To study the safety and clinical outcomes of ReLEx SMILE with accelerated cross-linking in individuals with thinner corneas, borderline topography, and higher refractive errors. Methods. Eligible patients first underwent SMILE procedure for correction of myopic refractive error. Following the removal of lenticule, 0.25% riboflavin in saline was injected into the interface and allowed to diffuse for 60 seconds. Finally, eye was exposed to UV-A radiation of 45 mW/cm2 for 75 seconds through the cap. Total energy delivered was 3.4 J/cm2. Results. 40 eyes of 20 patients with mean age of 26.75 ± 5.99 years were treated. Mean follow-up was 12 months ± 28.12 days. Mean spherical equivalent (SE) was −5.02 ± 2.06 D preoperatively and −0.24 ± 0.18 D postoperatively. The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) and keratometry changed from 501 ± 25.90 µm to 415 ± 42.26 µm and 45.40 ± 1.40 D to 41.2 ± 2.75 D, respectively. Mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/25 or better in all eyes. No eyes lost lines of corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA). There were no complications like haze, keratitis, ectasia, or regression. Conclusion. Based on the initial clinical outcome it appears that SMILE Xtra may be a safe and feasible modality to prevent corneal ectasia in susceptible individuals. PMID:26221538

Clinical Outcomes of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction with Accelerated Cross-Linking (ReLEx SMILE Xtra) in Patients with Thin Corneas and Borderline Topography.

PubMed

Ganesh, Sri; Brar, Sheetal

2015-01-01

Purpose. To study the safety and clinical outcomes of ReLEx SMILE with accelerated cross-linking in individuals with thinner corneas, borderline topography, and higher refractive errors. Methods. Eligible patients first underwent SMILE procedure for correction of myopic refractive error. Following the removal of lenticule, 0.25% riboflavin in saline was injected into the interface and allowed to diffuse for 60 seconds. Finally, eye was exposed to UV-A radiation of 45 mW/cm(2) for 75 seconds through the cap. Total energy delivered was 3.4 J/cm(2). Results. 40 eyes of 20 patients with mean age of 26.75 ± 5.99 years were treated. Mean follow-up was 12 months ± 28.12 days. Mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -5.02 ± 2.06 D preoperatively and -0.24 ± 0.18 D postoperatively. The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) and keratometry changed from 501 ± 25.90 µm to 415 ± 42.26 µm and 45.40 ± 1.40 D to 41.2 ± 2.75 D, respectively. Mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/25 or better in all eyes. No eyes lost lines of corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA). There were no complications like haze, keratitis, ectasia, or regression. Conclusion. Based on the initial clinical outcome it appears that SMILE Xtra may be a safe and feasible modality to prevent corneal ectasia in susceptible individuals.

Larval control of Anopheles (Nyssorhinchus) darlingi using granular formulation of Bacillus sphaericus in abandoned gold-miners excavation pools in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest.

PubMed

Galardo, Allan Kardec Ribeiro; Zimmerman, Robert; Galardo, Clícia Denis

2013-01-01

Use of a Bacillus sphaericus based mosquito larvicide was evaluated as an intervention for malaria vector control at a mining site in Amapá, Brazil. Impacts on larval and adult densities of the primary vector Anopheles darlingi were measured over the course of a 52 week study period. In Calçoene, State of Amapá, gold mining activity occurs in 19 mining sites in gold-miners of Lourenço. Large pools are formed in mining sites and naturally colonized by Anopheles darlingi. During one year, the impact of applications of VectoLex® CG to these larval sources was evaluated. Applications of 20kg/ha were made as needed, based on 10 immature (3rd, 4th instars and pupae) surveillance of health and established thresholds. One hundred percent initial control was observed 48h after each treatment. The pools received from 2-10 (5.3±1.6) treatments during the year. The average re-treatment interval in productive pools was 9.4±4.3 weeks. During weeks 3-52 of the study, mean density of late stage larvae was 78% and pupae were 93% lower in the treated pools than in untreated pools (p< 0.0001, n=51) while reduction of adult mosquitoes was 53% in comparison to the untreated area during the last five months of the study, which were the rainy season (p<0.001). VectoLex® CG reduced immature Anopheles darlingi infestation levels during the entire study period, and reduced adult mosquito populations during the rainy season.

Measures Matter: The Local Exposure/Isolation (LEx/Is) Metrics and Relationships Between Local Level Segregation and Breast Cancer Survival

PubMed Central

Bemanian, Amin; Beyer, Kirsten M.M.

2017-01-01

Background The Black to White disparity in breast cancer survival is increasing, and racial residential segregation is a potential driver for this trend. However, study findings have been mixed, and no study has comprehensively compared the effectiveness of different local level segregation metrics in explaining cancer survival. Methods We proposed a set of new local segregation metrics named LEx/Is (Local Exposure and Isolation) and compared our new local isolation metric to two related metrics - the location quotient (LQ) and the index of concentration at extremes (ICE) - across the 102 largest US metropolitan areas. Then, using case data from the Milwaukee, WI metropolitan area, we used proportional hazards models to explore associations between segregation and breast cancer survival. Results Across the 102 metropolitan areas, the new local isolation metric was less skewed than the LQ or ICE. Across all races, Hispanic isolation was associated with poorer all-cause survival, and Hispanic LQ and Hispanic-White ICE were found to be associated with poorer survival for both breast cancer specific and all-cause mortality. For Black patients, Black LQ was associated with lower all-cause mortality and Black local isolation was associated with reduced all-cause and breast cancer specific mortality. ICE was found to suffer from high multicollinearity. Conclusions Local segregation is associated with breast cancer survival, but associations varied based on patient race and metric employed. Impact We highlight how selection of a segregation measure can alter study findings. These relationships need to be validated in other geographic areas. PMID:28325737

The NOGAPS Ten Year AMIP Integration

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-10-01

problems with open) c C c character*54 file character*48 fitnmai character*8 status character*6 ctau c logical lex,opn,iread c Lenr = 8*(2.len) if(itype.ne...return endi f c endi f c open(unit~iun,file~file,access=’direct’,form~’unformattedI *, recl= lenr ,status=status) C if(msg.tt.2) return c print 100...status(1:3),fiLnam,iun, Lenr 100 format(lx,a3,lx,a54,1 opened as unit=’,i3,’ : Lenr =’,i9,’ bytes ’) return end subroutine nfread(fnam,msg,itype,istrt,nrec

Health information exchange: 'lex parsimoniae'.

PubMed

Overhage, J Marc

2007-01-01

The country has identified health information exchange (HIE) as an essential strategy to address our crisis of cost, quality, and safety in health care. The Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) will consist of a "network of networks"--interconnected local or regional HIEs. We must create policy and technical interfaces that allow these local exchanges to share data with each other. More importantly, we must create nationwide exchanges that are consistent across the country. The should be parsimonious--not overly constraining how the exchanges operate and maintaining separation between the applications that provide functionality and the network that supports HIE.

Profilometric analysis of two composite resins' surface repolished after tooth brush abrasion with three polishing systems.

PubMed

Uppal, Mudit; Ganesh, Arathi; Balagopal, Suresh; Kaur, Gurleen

2013-07-01

To evaluate the effect of three polishing protocols that could be implemented at recall on the surface roughness of two direct esthetic restorative materials. Specimens (n = 40) measuring 8 mm (length) × 5 mm (width) × 4 mm (height) were fabricated in an acrylic mold using two light-cured resin-based materials (microfilled composite and microhybrid composite). After photopolymerization, all specimens were finished and polished with one of three polishing protocols (Enhance, One Gloss, and Sof-Lex polishing systems). The average surface roughness of each treated specimen was determined using 3D optical profilometer. Next all specimens were brushed 60,000 times with nylon bristles at 7200 rpm using crosshead brushing device with equal parts of toothpaste and water used as abrasive medium. The surface roughness of each specimen was measured after brushing followed by repolishing with one of three polishing protocols, and then, the final surface roughness values were determined. The data were analyzed using one-way and two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD). Significant difference (P < 0.05) in surface roughness was observed. Simulated brushing following initial polishing procedure significantly roughened the surface of restorative material (P < 0.05). Polishing protocols can be used to restore a smooth surface on esthetic restorative materials following simulated tooth brushing.

Measures Matter: The Local Exposure/Isolation (LEx/Is) Metrics and Relationships between Local-Level Segregation and Breast Cancer Survival.

PubMed

Bemanian, Amin; Beyer, Kirsten M M

2017-04-01

Background: The Black-to-White disparity in breast cancer survival is increasing, and racial residential segregation is a potential driver for this trend. However, study findings have been mixed, and no study has comprehensively compared the effectiveness of different local-level segregation metrics in explaining cancer survival. Methods: We proposed a set of new local segregation metrics named local exposure and isolation (LEx/Is) and compared our new local isolation metric with two related metrics, the location quotient (LQ) and the index of concentration at extremes (ICE), across the 102 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. Then, using case data from the Milwaukee, WI, metropolitan area, we used proportional hazards models to explore associations between segregation and breast cancer survival. Results: Across the 102 metropolitan areas, the new local isolation metric was less skewed than the LQ or ICE. Across all races, Hispanic isolation was associated with poorer all-cause survival, and Hispanic LQ and Hispanic-White ICE were found to be associated with poorer survival for both breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. For Black patients, Black LQ was associated with lower all-cause mortality and Black local isolation was associated with reduced all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality. ICE was found to suffer from high multicollinearity. Conclusions: Local segregation is associated with breast cancer survival, but associations varied based on patient race and metric employed. Impact: We highlight how selection of a segregation measure can alter study findings. These relationships need to be validated in other geographic areas. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(4); 516-24. ©2017 AACR See all the articles in this CEBP Focus section, "Geospatial Approaches to Cancer Control and Population Sciences." ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

Comparison of different finishing/polishing systems on surface roughness and gloss of resin composites.

PubMed

Antonson, Sibel A; Yazici, A Rüya; Kilinc, Evren; Antonson, Donald E; Hardigan, Patrick C

2011-07-01

The aim of this study was to compare four finishing/polishing systems (F/P) on surface roughness and gloss of different resin composites. A total of 40 disc samples (15 mm × 3 mm) were prepared from a nanofill - Filtek Supreme Plus (FS) and a micro-hybrid resin composite - Esthet-X (EX). Following 24h storage in 37°C water, the top surfaces of each sample were roughened using 120-grit sandpaper. Baseline measurements of surface roughness (Ra, μm) and gloss were recorded. Each composite group was divided into four F/P disk groups: Astropol[AP], Enhance/PoGo[EP], Sof-Lex[SL], and an experimental disk system, EXL-695[EXL] (n=5). The same operator finished/polished all samples. One sample from each group was evaluated under SEM. Another blinded-operator conducted postoperative measurements. Results were analysed by two-way ANOVA, two interactive MANOVA and Tukey's t-test (p<0.05). In surface roughness, the baseline of two composites differed significantly from each other whereas postoperatively there was no significance. The Sof-Lex F/P system provided the smoothest surface although there were no statistical significance differences between F/P systems (p>0.01). In gloss, FS composite with the EXL-695 system provided a significantly higher gloss (p<0.01). EX treated by Soflex revealed the least gloss (p<0.05). SEM images revealed comparable results for F/P systems but EX surfaces included more air pockets. Four different finishing/polishing systems provided comparable surface smoothness for both composites, whereas EXL with FS provided significantly higher gloss. SEM evaluations revealed that the EX surface contained more air pockets but F/P systems were compatible. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Amyloid-β Peptide on Sialyl-LewisX-Selectin-Mediated Membrane Tether Mechanics at the Cerebral Endothelial Cell Surface

PubMed Central

Askarova, Sholpan; Sun, Zhe; Sun, Grace Y.; Meininger, Gerald A.; Lee, James C-M.

2013-01-01

Increased deposition of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) at the cerebral endothelial cell (CEC) surface has been implicated in enhancement of transmigration of monocytes across the brain blood barrier (BBB) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy (QIM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) with cantilevers biofunctionalized by sialyl-Lewisx (sLex) were employed to investigate Aβ-altered mechanics of membrane tethers formed by bonding between sLex and p-selectin at the CEC surface, the initial mechanical step governing the transmigration of monocytes. QIM results indicated the ability for Aβ to increase p-selectin expression at the cell surface and promote actin polymerization in both bEND3 cells (immortalized mouse CECs) and human primary CECs. AFM data also showed the ability for Aβ to increase cell stiffness and adhesion probability in bEND3 cells. On the contrary, Aβ lowered the overall force of membrane tether formation (Fmtf), and produced a bimodal population of Fmtf, suggesting subcellular mechanical alterations in membrane tethering. The lower Fmtf population was similar to the results obtained from cells treated with an F-actin-disrupting drug, latrunculin A. Indeed, AFM results also showed that both Aβ and latrunculin A decreased membrane stiffness, suggesting a lower membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion, a factor resulting in lower Fmtf. In addition, these cerebral endothelial alterations induced by Aβ were abrogated by lovastatin, consistent with its anti-inflammatory effects. In sum, these results demonstrated the ability for Aβ to enhance p-selectin expression at the CEC surface and induce cytoskeleton reorganization, which in turn, resulted in changes in membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion and membrane tethering, mechanical factors important in transmigration of monocytes through the BBB. PMID:23593361

L-asparaginase inhibits invasive and angiogenic activity and induces autophagy in ovarian cancer

PubMed Central

Yu, Minshu; Henning, Ryan; Walker, Amanda; Kim, Geoffrey; Perroy, Alyssa; Alessandro, Riccardo; Virador, Victoria; Kohn, Elise C

2012-01-01

Recent work identified L-asparaginase (L-ASP) as a putative therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. We suggest that L-ASP, a dysregulator of glycosylation, would interrupt the local microenvironment, affecting the ovarian cancer cell—endothelial cell interaction and thus angiogenesis without cytotoxic effects. Ovarian cancer cell lines and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) were exposed to L-ASP at physiologically attainable concentrations and subjected to analyses of endothelial tube formation, invasion, adhesion and the assessment of sialylated proteins involved in matrix-associated and heterotypic cell adhesion. Marked reduction in HMVEC tube formation in vitro, HMVEC and ovarian cancer cell invasion, and heterotypic cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion was observed (P < 0.05–0.0001). These effects were associated with reduced binding to ß1integrin, activation of FAK, and cell surface sialyl LewisX (sLex) expression. No reduction in HMVEC E-selectin expression was seen consistent with the unidirectional inhibitory actions observed. L-ASP concentrations were non-toxic to either ovarian cancer or HMVEC lines in the time frame of the assays. However, early changes of autophagy were observed in both cell types with induction of ATG12, beclin-1, and cleavage of LC-3, indicating cell injury did occur. These data and the known mechanism of action of L-ASP on glycosylation of nascent proteins suggest that L-ASP reduces of ovarian cancer dissemination and progression through modification of its microenvironment. The reduction of ovarian cancer cell surface sLex inhibits interaction with HMVEC and thus HMVEC differentiation into tubes, inhibits interaction with the local matrix reducing invasive behaviour, and causes cell injury initiating autophagy in tumour and vascular cells. PMID:22333033

L-selectin-carbohydrate interactions: relevant modifications of the Lewis x trisaccharide.

PubMed

Sanders, W J; Katsumoto, T R; Bertozzi, C R; Rosen, S D; Kiessling, L L

1996-11-26

Protein-carbohydrate interactions are known to mediate cell-cell recognition and adhesion events. Specifically, three carbohydrate binding proteins termed selectins (E-, P-, and L-selectin) have been shown to be essential for leukocyte rolling along the vascular endothelium, the first step in the recruitment of leukocytes from the blood into inflammatory sites or into secondary lymphoid organs. Although this phenomenon is well-established, little is known about the molecular-level interactions on which it depends. All three selectins recognize sulfated and sialylated derivatives of the Lewis x [Le(x):Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3)GlcNAc] and Lewis a [Le(a): Gal beta 1-->3(Fuc alpha 1-->4)GlcNAc] trisaccharide cores with affinities in the millimolar range, and it is believed that variants of these structures are the carbohydrate determinants of selectin recognition. Recently it was shown that the mucin GlyCAM-1, a secreted physiological ligand for L-selectin, is capped with sulfated derivatives of sialyl Lewis x [sLe(x): Sia alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3)GlcNAc] and that sulfation is required for the high-affinity interaction between GlyCAM-1 and L-selectin. To elucidate the important sites of sulfation on Le(x) with respect to L-selectin recognition, we have synthesized six sulfated Le(x) analogs and determined their abilities to block binding of a recombinant L-selectin-Ig chimera to immobilized GlyCAM-1. Our results suggest that 6-sulfo sLe(x) binds to L-selectin with higher affinity than does sLe(x) or 6'-sulfo sLe(x) and that sulfation of sLe(x) capping groups on GlyCAM-1 at the 6-position is important for L-selectin recognition.

Differential requirements of two recA mutants for constitutive SOS expression in Escherichia coli K-12.

PubMed

Long, Jarukit Edward; Renzette, Nicholas; Centore, Richard C; Sandler, Steven J

2008-01-01

Repairing DNA damage begins with its detection and is often followed by elicitation of a cellular response. In E. coli, RecA polymerizes on ssDNA produced after DNA damage and induces the SOS Response. The RecA-DNA filament is an allosteric effector of LexA auto-proteolysis. LexA is the repressor of the SOS Response. Not all RecA-DNA filaments, however, lead to an SOS Response. Certain recA mutants express the SOS Response (recA(C)) in the absence of external DNA damage in log phase cells. Genetic analysis of two recA(C) mutants was used to determine the mechanism of constitutive SOS (SOS(C)) expression in a population of log phase cells using fluorescence of single cells carrying an SOS reporter system (sulAp-gfp). SOS(C) expression in recA4142 mutants was dependent on its initial level of transcription, recBCD, recFOR, recX, dinI, xthA and the type of medium in which the cells were grown. SOS(C) expression in recA730 mutants was affected by none of the mutations or conditions tested above. It is concluded that not all recA(C) alleles cause SOS(C) expression by the same mechanism. It is hypothesized that RecA4142 is loaded on to a double-strand end of DNA and that the RecA filament is stabilized by the presence of DinI and destabilized by RecX. RecFOR regulate the activity of RecX to destabilize the RecA filament. RecA730 causes SOS(C) expression by binding to ssDNA in a mechanism yet to be determined.

Analysis of Neural Stem Cells from Human Cortical Brain Structures In Vitro.

PubMed

Aleksandrova, M A; Poltavtseva, R A; Marei, M V; Sukhikh, G T

2016-05-01

Comparative immunohistochemical analysis of the neocortex from human fetuses showed that neural stem and progenitor cells are present in the brain throughout the gestation period, at least from week 8 through 26. At the same time, neural stem cells from the first and second trimester fetuses differed by the distribution, morphology, growth, and quantity. Immunocytochemical analysis of neural stem cells derived from fetuses at different gestation terms and cultured under different conditions showed their differentiation capacity. Detailed analysis of neural stem cell populations derived from fetuses on gestation weeks 8-9, 18-20, and 26 expressing Lex/SSEA1 was performed.

Effects of Passive Porosity on Interacting Vortex Flows At Supersonic Speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Gary E.

2000-01-01

A wind tunnel experiment was conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) to determine the effects of passive surface porosity on vortex flow interaction about a general research fighter configuration at supersonic speeds. Optical flow measurement and flow visualization techniques were used and included pressure-sensitive paint (PSP), schlieren, and laser vapor screen (LVS) These techniques were combined with force and moment and conventional electronically-scanned pressure (ESP) measurements to quantify and to visualize the effects of flow-through porosity applied to a wing leading-edge extension (LEX) mounted to a 65 deg cropped delta wing model.

Effect of artificial toothbrushing and water storage on the surface roughness and micromechanical properties of tooth-colored CAD-CAM materials.

PubMed

Flury, Simon; Diebold, Elisabeth; Peutzfeldt, Anne; Lussi, Adrian

2017-06-01

Because of the different composition of resin-ceramic computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) materials, their polishability and their micromechanical properties vary. Moreover, depending on the composition of the materials, their surface roughness and micromechanical properties are likely to change with time. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of artificial toothbrushing and water storage on the surface roughness (Ra and Rz) and the micromechanical properties, surface hardness (Vickers [VHN]) and indentation modulus (E IT ), of 5 different tooth-colored CAD-CAM materials when polished with 2 different polishing systems. Specimens (n=40 per material) were cut from a composite resin (Paradigm MZ100; 3M ESPE), a feldspathic ceramic (Vitablocs Mark II; Vita Zahnfabrik), a resin nanoceramic (Lava Ultimate; 3M ESPE), a hybrid dental ceramic (Vita Enamic; Vita Zahnfabrik), and a nanocomposite resin (Ambarino High-Class; Creamed). All specimens were roughened in a standardized manner and polished either with Sof-Lex XT discs or the Vita Polishing Set Clinical. Surface roughness, VHN, and E IT were measured after polishing and after storage for 6 months (tap water, 37°C) with periodic, artificial toothbrushing. The surface roughness, VHN, and E IT results were analyzed with a nonparametric ANOVA followed by Kruskal-Wallis and exact Wilcoxon rank sum tests (α=.05). Irrespective of polishing system and of artificial toothbrushing and storage, Lava Ultimate generally showed the lowest surface roughness and Vitablocs Mark II the highest. As regards micromechanical properties, the following ranking of the CAD-CAM materials was found (from highest VHN/E IT to lowest VHN/E IT ): Vitablocs Mark II > Vita Enamic > Paradigm MZ100 > Lava Ultimate > Ambarino High-Class. Irrespective of material and of artificial toothbrushing and storage, polishing with Sof-Lex XT discs resulted in lower surface roughness than the Vita Polishing Set Clinical (P≤.016). However, the polishing system generally had no influence on the micromechanical properties (P>.05). The effect of artificial toothbrushing and storage on surface roughness depended on the material and the polishing system: Ambarino High-Class was most sensitive to storage, Lava Ultimate and Vita Enamic were least sensitive. Artificial toothbrushing and storage generally resulted in a decrease in VHN and E IT for Paradigm MZ100, Lava Ultimate, and Ambarino High-Class but not for Vita Enamic and Vitablocs Mark II. Tooth-colored CAD-CAM materials with lower VHN and E IT generally showed better polishability. However, these materials were more prone to degradation by artificial toothbrushing and water storage than materials with higher VHN and E IT . Copyright © 2016 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Anatomical Entity Recognition with a Hierarchical Framework Augmented by External Resources

PubMed Central

Xu, Yan; Hua, Ji; Ni, Zhaoheng; Chen, Qinlang; Fan, Yubo; Ananiadou, Sophia; Chang, Eric I-Chao; Tsujii, Junichi

2014-01-01

References to anatomical entities in medical records consist not only of explicit references to anatomical locations, but also other diverse types of expressions, such as specific diseases, clinical tests, clinical treatments, which constitute implicit references to anatomical entities. In order to identify these implicit anatomical entities, we propose a hierarchical framework, in which two layers of named entity recognizers (NERs) work in a cooperative manner. Each of the NERs is implemented using the Conditional Random Fields (CRF) model, which use a range of external resources to generate features. We constructed a dictionary of anatomical entity expressions by exploiting four existing resources, i.e., UMLS, MeSH, RadLex and BodyPart3D, and supplemented information from two external knowledge bases, i.e., Wikipedia and WordNet, to improve inference of anatomical entities from implicit expressions. Experiments conducted on 300 discharge summaries showed a micro-averaged performance of 0.8509 Precision, 0.7796 Recall and 0.8137 F1 for explicit anatomical entity recognition, and 0.8695 Precision, 0.6893 Recall and 0.7690 F1 for implicit anatomical entity recognition. The use of the hierarchical framework, which combines the recognition of named entities of various types (diseases, clinical tests, treatments) with information embedded in external knowledge bases, resulted in a 5.08% increment in F1. The resources constructed for this research will be made publicly available. PMID:25343498

Bile Salt-Stimulated Lipase from Human Milk Binds DC-SIGN and Inhibits Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Transfer to CD4+ T Cells

PubMed Central

Naarding, Marloes A.; Dirac, Annette M.; Ludwig, Irene S.; Speijer, Dave; Lindquist, Susanne; Vestman, Eva-Lotta; Stax, Martijn J.; Geijtenbeek, Teunis B. H.; Pollakis, Georgios; Hernell, Olle; Paxton, William A.

2006-01-01

A wide range of pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), hepatitis C virus, Ebola virus, cytomegalovirus, dengue virus, Mycobacterium, Leishmania, and Helicobacter pylori, can interact with dendritic cell (DC)-specific ICAM3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN), expressed on DCs and a subset of B cells. More specifically, the interaction of the gp120 envelope protein of HIV-1 with DC-SIGN can facilitate the transfer of virus to CD4+ T lymphocytes in trans and enhance infection. We have previously demonstrated that a multimeric LeX component in human milk binds to DC-SIGN, preventing HIV-1 from interacting with this receptor. Biochemical analysis reveals that the compound is heat resistant, trypsin sensitive, and larger than 100 kDa, indicating a specific glycoprotein as the inhibitory compound. By testing human milk from three different mothers, we found the levels of DC-SIGN binding and viral inhibition to vary between samples. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization analysis, we identified bile salt-stimulated lipase (BSSL), a Lewis X (LeX)-containing glycoprotein found in human milk, to be the major variant protein between the samples. BSSL isolated from human milk bound to DC-SIGN and inhibited the transfer of HIV-1 to CD4+ T lymphocytes. Two BSSL isoforms isolated from the same human milk sample showed differences in DC-SIGN binding, illustrating that alterations in the BSSL forms explain the differences observed. These results indicate that variations in BSSL lead to alterations in LeX expression by the protein, which subsequently alters the DC-SIGN binding capacity and the inhibitory effect on HIV-1 transfer. Identifying the specific molecular interaction between the different forms may aid in the future design of antimicrobial agents. PMID:17005819

Action of nitrofurans on E. coli: mutation and induction and repair of daughter-strand gaps in DNA.

PubMed

Lu, C; McCalla, D R; Bryant, D W

1979-06-01

The antibacterial and mutagenic potency of 9 nitrofurans in "treat and plate" experiments varied over almost 5 orders of magnitude. The relative toxicities were as follows: FANFT greater than AF2 greater than ANFT greather than furazolidone greater than furagin greater than nitrofurantoin greater than nitrofurazone greater than methylnitrofuroate greater than nitrofuroic acid. In general, mutagenic activity paralleled toxicity. The compounds at concentrations corresponding to their LD50's, induced mutations at frequencies which ranged from 2.5/10(6) survivors for FANFT to 130/10(6) survivors for furagin (NF416). The observed differences in antibacterial and mutagenic activity are unlikely to be due to lack of activation of the weaker agents since the two most potent agents were reduced somewhat more slowly than many of the less active agents. The relative sensitivities to the antibacterial effects of AF2 of strains WP2, WP2 uvrA, CM561 (lexA) and CM571 (recA) were 1 : 1.6 : 3 : 7 and to nitrofurazone 1 : 1 : 25 : 50. The wvrA strain was 6--7-fold more mutable with both these agents than was WP2. No increase over the spontaneous mutation frequency was observed when recA or lexA strains were exposed to either AF2 or nitrofurazone in these experiments. When wild-type of wvrA bacteria containing nitrofuran-induced lesions replicated their DNA in drug-free medium in the presence of [3H]thymidine for 5 min, the label was found in low molecular weight DNA indicating that daughter-strand gaps were formed. During subsequent incubation in nonradioactive medium the molecular weight of the DNA increased to the control value. A recA strain (which was very sensitive to the lethal effects of AF2 and nitrofurazone) lacked the ability to repair daughter-strand gaps caused by nitrofuran-induced lesions.

Circulating Tumor Cells from Prostate Cancer Patients Interact with E-Selectin under Physiologic Blood Flow

PubMed Central

Gakhar, Gunjan; Navarro, Vicente N.; Jurish, Madelyn; Lee, Guang Yu.; Tagawa, Scott T.; Akhtar, Naveed H.; Seandel, Marco; Geng, Yue; Liu, He; Bander, Neil H.; Giannakakou, Paraskevi; Christos, Paul J.; King, Michael R.; Nanus, David M.

2013-01-01

Hematogenous metastasis accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths, yet the mechanism remains unclear. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood may employ different pathways to cross blood endothelial barrier and establish a metastatic niche. Several studies provide evidence that prostate cancer (PCa) cell tethering and rolling on microvascular endothelium via E-selectin/E-selectin ligand interactions under shear flow theoretically promote extravasation and contribute to the development of metastases. However, it is unknown if CTCs from PCa patients interact with E-selectin expressed on endothelium, initiating a route for tumor metastases. Here we report that CTCs derived from PCa patients showed interactions with E-selectin and E-selectin expressing endothelial cells. To examine E-selectin-mediated interactions of PCa cell lines and CTCs derived from metastatic PCa patients, we used fluorescently-labeled anti-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) monoclonal antibody J591-488 which is internalized following cell-surface binding. We employed a microscale flow device consisting of E-selectin-coated microtubes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on parallel-plate flow chamber simulating vascular endothelium. We observed that J591-488 did not significantly alter the rolling behavior in PCa cells at shear stresses below 3 dyn/cm2. CTCs obtained from 31 PCa patient samples showed that CTCs tether and stably interact with E-selectin and E-selectin expressing HUVECs at physiological shear stress. Interestingly, samples collected during disease progression demonstrated significantly more CTC/E-selectin interactions than samples during times of therapeutic response (p=0.016). Analysis of the expression of sialyl Lewis X (sLex) in patient samples showed that a small subset comprising 1.9-18.8% of CTCs possess high sLex expression. Furthermore, E-selectin-mediated interactions between prostate CTCs and HUVECs were diminished in the presence of anti-E-selectin neutralizing antibody. CTC-Endothelial interactions provide a novel insight into potential adhesive mechanisms of prostate CTCs as a means to initiate metastasis. PMID:24386459

E-selectin: sialyl Lewis, a dependent adhesion of colon cancer cells, is inhibited differently by antibodies against E-selectin ligands.

PubMed

Srinivas, U; Påhlsson, P; Lundblad, A

1996-09-01

Recent studies have demonstrated that selectins, a new family of cell-adhesion molecules with similar domain structures, mediate the adhesion of peripheral blood cells to interleukin-1 (IL-1)-activated endothelium. In the present study the authors evaluated the role of E-selectin-Sialyl Lewis x (SLe(x))/ Sialyl Lewis a (SLe(a)) interaction in mediating in vitro adhesion of two colon cancer cell lines, HT-29 and COLO 201, to human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVEC). Colon cancer cell lines had a strong expression of blood group-related carbohydrate epitopes as evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. It was established that adhesion of HT-29 and COLO 201 cells to IL-1 stimulated HUVEC was calcium dependent and could be inhibited by a monoclonal antibody directed against E-selectin. Prior incubation of cells with two different antibodies directed against SLe(x) and antibodies directed against related Lewis epitopes, Le(x) and Le(a), had no significant effect on adhesion. Three antibodies directed against SLe(a) differed in their capacity to inhibit the adhesion of HT-29 and COLO 201 cells to HUVEC. Only one antibody directed against the SLe(a) structure was effective in inhibiting adhesion of both COLO 201 and HT-29 cells. The difference could not be attributed to titre, the type or number of glycoproteins, or to a difference in the amount of SLe(a) present on individual proteins, suggesting that presence and right presentation of SLe(a) epitope might be important for adhesion of colon cancer cells. Finally, in the in vitro system used, adhesion of HT-29 and COLO 201 cells to activated HUVEC is mediated predominantly by E-selectin/SLe(a) interaction. SLe(x) and related epitopes, Le(x) and Le(a), seem to have limited relevance for colon cancer cell recognition of E-selectin.

Requirement of RecBC enzyme and an elevated level of activated RecA for induced stable DNA replication in Escherichia coli.

PubMed Central

Magee, T R; Kogoma, T

1990-01-01

During SOS induction, Escherichia coli cells acquire the ability to replicate DNA in the absence of protein synthesis, i.e., induced stable DNA replication (iSDR). Initiation of iSDR can occur in the absence of transcription and DnaA protein activity, which are both required for initiation of normal DNA replication at the origin of replication, oriC. In this study we examined the requirement of recB, recC, and recA for the induction and maintenance of iSDR. We found that recB and recC mutations blocked the induction of iSDR by UV irradiation and nalidixic acid treatment. In recB(Ts) strains, iSDR activity induced at 30 degrees C was inhibited by subsequent incubation at 42 degrees C. In addition, iSDR that was induced after heat activation of the RecA441 protein was abolished by the recB21 mutation. These results indicated that the RecBC enzyme was essential not only for SOS signal generation but also for the reinitiation of DNA synthesis following DNA damage. recAo(Con) lexA3(Ind-) strains were found to be capable of iSDR after nalidixic acid treatment, indicating that the derepression of the recA gene and the activation of the elevated level of RecA protein were the necessary and sufficient conditions for the induction of iSDR. PMID:2180906

[Cold auto- and alloantibodies considered "benign"--do they have some pathological significance?].

PubMed

Serrano, J

1990-12-01

In our Blood Bank the screening for irregular antibodies is performed on blood bags and patient's serum and is done at 37 degrees C as well as 22 degrees C even when we are conscious that the test at 22 degrees C is devoid of any practical value as far as transfusional haemolytic reactions are concerned. A total of 23,021 patients and 91,021 blood bags have been studied in the last 10 years. The results have been analyzed in order to find out any possible association of cold autoanti-I antibodies, or cold alloantibodies, mainly anti-P1, anti-Leb, anti-Lea and anti-Lex, with certain diseases. The cold antibodies looked for in the present study are neither "natural" antibodies reactive only at 4-10 degrees C, since they were not investigated at such low temperatures, nor pathological antibodies, reactive up to 37 degrees C and/or endowed with haemolytic activity. They are instead antibodies, reactive at 22 degrees C, that interfere with compatibility tests and with screening for irregular antibodies, when the assay is performed at room temperature. In our experience, by far the most prominent antibody in this category is auto-anti-I, amounting to over two thirds of the positive findings. This autoantibodies, as well as allo-anti-P1, appear much more frequently in patients that in donors, whereas significant differences are not found with anti-Lewis antibodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Application of neuroanatomical ontologies for neuroimaging data annotation.

PubMed

Turner, Jessica A; Mejino, Jose L V; Brinkley, James F; Detwiler, Landon T; Lee, Hyo Jong; Martone, Maryann E; Rubin, Daniel L

2010-01-01

The annotation of functional neuroimaging results for data sharing and re-use is particularly challenging, due to the diversity of terminologies of neuroanatomical structures and cortical parcellation schemes. To address this challenge, we extended the Foundational Model of Anatomy Ontology (FMA) to include cytoarchitectural, Brodmann area labels, and a morphological cortical labeling scheme (e.g., the part of Brodmann area 6 in the left precentral gyrus). This representation was also used to augment the neuroanatomical axis of RadLex, the ontology for clinical imaging. The resulting neuroanatomical ontology contains explicit relationships indicating which brain regions are "part of" which other regions, across cytoarchitectural and morphological labeling schemas. We annotated a large functional neuroimaging dataset with terms from the ontology and applied a reasoning engine to analyze this dataset in conjunction with the ontology, and achieved successful inferences from the most specific level (e.g., how many subjects showed activation in a subpart of the middle frontal gyrus) to more general (how many activations were found in areas connected via a known white matter tract?). In summary, we have produced a neuroanatomical ontology that harmonizes several different terminologies of neuroanatomical structures and cortical parcellation schemes. This neuroanatomical ontology is publicly available as a view of FMA at the Bioportal website. The ontological encoding of anatomic knowledge can be exploited by computer reasoning engines to make inferences about neuroanatomical relationships described in imaging datasets using different terminologies. This approach could ultimately enable knowledge discovery from large, distributed fMRI studies or medical record mining.

Femtosecond Lasers and Corneal Surgical Procedures.

PubMed

Marino, Gustavo K; Santhiago, Marcony R; Wilson, Steven E

2017-01-01

Our purpose is to present a broad review about the principles, early history, evolution, applications, and complications of femtosecond lasers used in refractive and nonrefractive corneal surgical procedures. Femtosecond laser technology added not only safety, precision, and reproducibility to established corneal surgical procedures such as laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and astigmatic keratotomy, but it also introduced new promising concepts such as the intrastromal lenticule procedures with refractive lenticule extraction (ReLEx). Over time, the refinements in laser optics and the overall design of femtosecond laser platforms led to it becoming an essential tool for corneal surgeons. In conclusion, femtosecond laser is a heavily utilized tool in refractive and nonrefractive corneal surgical procedures, and further technological advances are likely to expand its applications. Copyright 2017 Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology.

Study of aerodynamic technology for VSTOL fighter/attack aircraft: Vertical attitude concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerhardt, H. A.; Chen, W. S.

1978-01-01

The aerodynamic technology for a vertical attitude VSTOL (VATOL) supersonic fighter/attack aircraft was studied. The selected configuration features a tailless clipped delta wing with leading-edge extension (LEX), maneuvering flaps, top-side inlet, twin dry engines and vectoring nozzles. A relaxed static stability is employed in conjunction with the maneuvering flaps to optimize transonic performance and minimize supersonic trim drag. Control for subaerodynamic flight is obtained by gimballing the nozzles in combination with wing tip jets. Emphasis is placed on the development of aerodynamic characteristics and the identification of aerodynamic uncertainties. A wind tunnel test program is proposed to resolve these uncertainties and ascertain the feasibility of the conceptual design. Ship interface, flight control integration, crew station concepts, advanced weapons, avionics, and materials are discussed.

21 CFR 870.3640 - Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer... Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer. (a) Identification. An indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer is an electrically powered device that is used to determine pacemaker function or...

21 CFR 870.3640 - Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer... Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer. (a) Identification. An indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer is an electrically powered device that is used to determine pacemaker function or...

21 CFR 870.3630 - Pacemaker generator function analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Pacemaker generator function analyzer. 870.3630... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Prosthetic Devices § 870.3630 Pacemaker generator function analyzer. (a) Identification. A pacemaker generator function analyzer is a device that is...

21 CFR 870.3640 - Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer... Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer. (a) Identification. An indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer is an electrically powered device that is used to determine pacemaker function or...

21 CFR 870.3640 - Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer... Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer. (a) Identification. An indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer is an electrically powered device that is used to determine pacemaker function or...

21 CFR 870.3630 - Pacemaker generator function analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Pacemaker generator function analyzer. 870.3630... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Prosthetic Devices § 870.3630 Pacemaker generator function analyzer. (a) Identification. A pacemaker generator function analyzer is a device that is...

21 CFR 870.3630 - Pacemaker generator function analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Pacemaker generator function analyzer. 870.3630... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Prosthetic Devices § 870.3630 Pacemaker generator function analyzer. (a) Identification. A pacemaker generator function analyzer is a device that is...

21 CFR 870.3630 - Pacemaker generator function analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Pacemaker generator function analyzer. 870.3630... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Prosthetic Devices § 870.3630 Pacemaker generator function analyzer. (a) Identification. A pacemaker generator function analyzer is a device that is...

Predicting Visual Semantic Descriptive Terms from Radiological Image Data: Preliminary Results with Liver Lesions in CT

PubMed Central

Depeursinge, Adrien; Kurtz, Camille; Beaulieu, Christopher F.; Napel, Sandy; Rubin, Daniel L.

2014-01-01

We describe a framework to model visual semantics of liver lesions in CT images in order to predict the visual semantic terms (VST) reported by radiologists in describing these lesions. Computational models of VST are learned from image data using high–order steerable Riesz wavelets and support vector machines (SVM). The organization of scales and directions that are specific to every VST are modeled as linear combinations of directional Riesz wavelets. The models obtained are steerable, which means that any orientation of the model can be synthesized from linear combinations of the basis filters. The latter property is leveraged to model VST independently from their local orientation. In a first step, these models are used to predict the presence of each semantic term that describes liver lesions. In a second step, the distances between all VST models are calculated to establish a non–hierarchical computationally–derived ontology of VST containing inter–term synonymy and complementarity. A preliminary evaluation of the proposed framework was carried out using 74 liver lesions annotated with a set of 18 VSTs from the RadLex ontology. A leave–one–patient–out cross–validation resulted in an average area under the ROC curve of 0.853 for predicting the presence of each VST when using SVMs in a feature space combining the magnitudes of the steered models with CT intensities. Likelihood maps are created for each VST, which enables high transparency of the information modeled. The computationally–derived ontology obtained from the VST models was found to be consistent with the underlying semantics of the visual terms. It was found to be complementary to the RadLex ontology, and constitutes a potential method to link the image content to visual semantics. The proposed framework is expected to foster human–computer synergies for the interpretation of radiological images while using rotation–covariant computational models of VSTs to (1) quantify their local likelihood and (2) explicitly link them with pixel–based image content in the context of a given imaging domain. PMID:24808406

Control of mosquitoes in catch basins in Connecticut with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, Bacillus sphaericus, [corrected] and spinosad.

PubMed

Anderson, John F; Ferrandino, Francis J; Dingman, Douglas W; Main, Andrew J; Andreadis, Theodore G; Becnel, James J

2011-03-01

Catch basins are a major source of Culex pipiens pipiens, Cx. restuans, and Aedes japonicus in northeastern USA. VectoBac CG (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis [Bti]), VectoLex CG (Bacillus sphaericus [Bs]), and VectoBac 12AS (Bti), each applied at maximum label rate of 1.8 g, 1.8 g, and 0.193 ml per catch basin, respectively, significantly reduced the numbers of larvae for 1 wk. The dosages on the labels for treatment of mosquito larvae in catch basins, where mosquito breeding is continuous, are not adequate for providing long-term control in the northeastern USA without the need for frequent retreatment. When applied at 3 times the maximum label rate, VectoLex CG, VectoBac 12AS, and VectoBac CG significantly reduced the numbers of larvae for 5, 4, and 2 wk, respectively. A single application of VectoMax WSP (Bti + Bs) (1 pouch containing 10 g) per catch basin significantly reduced the numbers of 3rd and 4th instars and healthy pupae in catch basins in 2008, but numbers of 3rd and 4th instars in treated catch basins at 21 days after treatment had increased to 40% of the numbers in untreated catch basins. A 2nd treatment of 1 pouch per catch basin reduced the numbers of 3rd and 4th instars and healthy pupae to near zero for the next 4 wk, into the middle of September 2008. In 2009, VectoMax applied as 1 pouch per catch basin on July 1 and again on August 18 significantly reduced the numbers of healthy pupae throughout the summer until the end of September. A 2nd application of VectoMax to catch basins is likely needed during summer, when rainfall averages 13.7 in. (approximately 34.25 cm) during June through September, to keep the numbers of Culex and Ae. japonicus significantly reduced to lower risk of human exposure to West Nile virus. The application of 1 Natular XRT tablet, each weighing approximately 40.5 g (6.25% spinosad), to individual catch basins in 2009 significantly reduced the total numbers of larvae for 5 wk.

New petrified forest in Maranhão, Permian (Cisuralian) of the Parnaíba Basin, Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

da Conceição, Domingas Maria; de Andrade, Luiz Saturnino; Cisneros, Juan Carlos; Iannuzzi, Roberto; Pereira, Agostinha Araújo; Machado, Francisco Carlos

2016-10-01

This work presents a new fossil plant-bearing area located in the municipalities of Duque Bacelar and Coelho Neto, Maranhão State, Brazil, recovered from lower Permian (Cisuralian) strata of the Pedra de Fogo Formation, northeastern portion of the Parnaíba Basin. The area comprises more than five exposures with assemblages formed mostly of large gymnosperm woods, a number of them in life-position (reaching up to ∼2.30 m in height and 1.15 m in diameter) and, in lesser degree, of horizontal tree-fern stems (up to 5 m in length), some of them being referable to Psaronius sp. The fossils are recorded in sedimentary beds of continental origin that accumulated in shallow, nearshore areas of large lakes, which eventually were affected by rapid burial episodes generated by non-channelized, high energy fluvial systems. The new fossil assemblages are included within lacustrine rocks placed at the base of the Pedra de Fogo Formation, i.e., Sílex Basal Member, near the contact with the underlying Piauí Formation (Pennsylvanian). This observation contrasts with previous studies at the southwestern portion of the basin, where the stratigraphic position of plant fossils is referred to the upper Pedra de Fogo Formation (Trisidela Member) or even to the overlying Motuca Formation. The new sites currently suffer damage from human activities and require urgent actions in order to protect them. Based on the current laws, some measures of protection for these sites are discussed and proposed herein. xml:lang="pt"

Lead exposure from food: the German LExUKon project.

PubMed

Schneider, Klaus; Schwarz, Markus A; Lindtner, Oliver; Blume, Katrin; Heinemeyer, Gerhard

2014-01-01

Lead is a highly toxic contaminant with food being the major source of exposure for the general public. The second German food consumption survey (Nationale Verzehrsstudie II - NVS II) with about 20 000 participants (15 371 for dietary history interviews used for this study) allowed for an updated exposure assessment for the German population. Based on these comprehensive data, information on consumption of 545 individual food items by the German population was generated. Lead concentrations in food were compiled from the German food monitoring programme, European countries' authority programmes and the published literature, covering the years from 2000 to 2009, and were multiplied with consumption data to obtain estimates of lead intake from food. Average lead concentrations per main food group were highest for meat (including offal), followed by fish (including seafood), vegetables and cereals. Due to high consumption, beverages contributed most to the intake of the general public, followed by main groups vegetables, fruits & nuts and cereals. Lead intake from food was estimated to be 0.53 and 0.72 µg kg(-1) bw and day for average and high-end consumers, respectively. This is close to (average consumers) respectively above (high-end consumers) a reference value derived from a recent health risk evaluation performed by EFSA, using the benchmark approach. Uncertainties in these estimates pertain to the influence of values below the limit of quantification and some foods not considered due to lacking occurrence data. In conclusion, the estimated lead intake of the German population from food is still close to health-based reference values. Further efforts to reduce lead intake are required.

Differences in Surface-Exposed Antigen Expression between Helicobacter pylori Strains Isolated from Duodenal Ulcer Patients and from Asymptomatic Subjects

PubMed Central

Thoreson, Ann-Catrin E.; Hamlet, Annika; Çelik, Janet; Byström, Mona; Nyström, Susanne; Olbe, Lars; Svennerholm, Ann-Mari

2000-01-01

We have analyzed possible qualitative and quantitative differences in antigen expression between Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from the antrum and different locations in the duodenum of 21 duodenal ulcer (DU) patients and 20 asymptomatic subjects (AS) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and inhibition ELISA. Almost all antral and duodenal strains grown in vitro expressed the N-acetyl-neuroaminyllactose-binding hemagglutinin, flagellins (subunits FlaA and FlaB), urease, a 26-kDa protein, and a neutrophil-activating protein. In 75% of both the DU patients and the AS, antral H. pylori strains expressed either the blood group antigen Lewis y (Ley) alone or together with the Lex antigen. However, duodenal H. pylori strains of DU patients expressed Ley antigen more frequently than corresponding strains of AS (P < 0.05). Presence of Ley on H. pylori was related to the degree of active duodenitis (P < 0.05). Duodenal H. pylori strains isolated from AS were significantly more often Lewis nontypeable than duodenal strains of DU patients (P < 0.01). Presence of H. pylori blood group antigen-binding adhesin (BabA) was significantly higher on both antral and duodenal strains isolated from DU patients than on corresponding strains isolated from AS (P < 0.05). BabA-positive duodenal H. pylori strains isolated from DU patients were associated with active duodenitis more frequently than corresponding strains isolated from AS (P < 0.01). Infection with H. pylori strains positive for Ley and BabA in the duodenum is associated with development of duodenal ulcer formation. PMID:10970397

Autonomy, consent and responsability. Part 1: limitations of the principle of autonomy as a foundation of informed consent.

PubMed

Mellado, J M

2016-01-01

Legal recognition of patient's rights aspired to change clinical relationship and medical lex artis. However, its implementation has been hampered by the scarcity of resources and the abundance of regulations. For several years, autonomy, consent, and responsibility have formed one of the backbones of the medical profession. However, they have sparked controversy and professional discomfort. In the first part of this article, we examine the conceptual and regulatory limitations of the principle of autonomy as the basis of informed consent. We approach the subject from philosophical, historical, legal, bioethical, deontological, and professional standpoints. In the second part, we cover the viability of informed consent in health care and its relationship with legal responsibility. Copyright © 2016 SERAM. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Autonomy, consent and responsibility. Part II. Informed consent in medical care and in the law.

PubMed

Mellado, J M

Legal recognition of patient's rights aspired to change clinical relationship and medical lex artis. However, its implementation has been hampered by the scarcity of resources and the abundance of regulations. For several years, autonomy, consent, and responsibility have formed one of the backbones of the medical profession. However, they have sparked controversy and professional discomfort. In the first part of this article, we examine the conceptual and regulatory limitations of the principle of autonomy as the basis of informed consent. We approach the subject from philosophical, historical, legal, bioethical, deontological, and professional standpoints. In the second part, we cover the viability of informed consent in health care and its relationship with legal responsibility. Copyright © 2016 SERAM. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Free and Open Source Software underpinning the European Forest Data Centre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez Aseretto, Dario; Di Leo, Margherita; de Rigo, Daniele; Corti, Paolo; McInerney, Daniel; Camia, Andrea; San-Miguel-Ayanz, Jesús

2013-04-01

Worldwide, governments are growingly focusing [1] on free and open source software (FOSS) as a move toward transparency and the freedom to run, copy, study, change and improve the software [2]. The European Commission (EC) is also supporting the development of FOSS (see e.g., [3]). In addition to the financial savings, FOSS contributes to scientific knowledge freedom in computational science (CS) [4] and is increasingly rewarded in the science-policy interface within the emerging paradigm of open science [5-8]. Since complex computational science applications may be affected by software uncertainty [4,9-11], FOSS may help to mitigate part of the impact of software errors by CS community-driven open review, correction and evolution of scientific code [10,12-15]. The continental scale of EC science-based policy support implies wide networks of scientific collaboration. Thematic information systems also may benefit from this approach within reproducible [16] integrated modelling [4]. This is supported by the EC strategy on FOSS: "for the development of new information systems, where deployment is foreseen by parties outside of the EC infrastructure, [F]OSS will be the preferred choice and in any case used whenever possible" [17]. The aim of this contribution is to highlight how a continental scale information system may exploit and integrate FOSS technologies within the transdisciplinary research underpinning such a complex system. A European example is discussed where FOSS innervates both the structure of the information system itself and the inherent transdisciplinary research for modelling the data and information which constitute the system content. The information system. The European Forest Data Centre (EFDAC, http://forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/efdac/) has been established at the EC Joint Research Centre (JRC) as the focal point for forest data and information in Europe to supply European decision-makers with processed, quality checked and timely policy relevant forest data and information (see also [18]). A set of web-based tools allow accessing the information located in EFDAC. The following applications - running on GNU/Linux platforms - are the core elements of EFDAC: In (a.1) a metadata client allows users to search for EFDAC related spatial datasets while (a.2) is a customized web map service that allows the user to visualize, navigate and query available maps and derived geo-datasets on several forest-related topics. The database system currently relies on ORACLE and PostgreSQL [24] with PostGIS [25]. EFFIS (a.3) [26-33] is a comprehensive system covering the full cycle of forest-fire management. The system supports forest-fire prevention and fighting in Europe, North Africa and Middle East countries through the provision of timely and reliable information on forest-fires [29,30,32]. Within EFFIS, UMN Mapserver [34] is used for the management and publication of the fire behavior forecast and the other fire-related layers in a wide range of formats including INSPIRE and Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards such as: Transdisciplinary modelling research. The EFDAC portal [39] provides data and information which rely on coordinated research [40-50] on wide-scale transdisciplinary modelling for environment (WSTMe) [51]. This contributed to advanced computational modelling approaches such as morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) [52-54] and geospatial semantic array programming (GeoSemAP) [51,55]. FOSS is here essential. For example, GeoSemAP is based on a semantically-enhanced [56,57] joint use of geospatial and array programming [58] tools (c) where semantic transparency also implies FOSS use. References Hahn, R. W., Bessen, J., Evans, D. S., Lessig, L., Smith, B. L., 2009. Government Policy Toward Open Source Software. Hahn, R. W. (Ed.). ISBN: 0-8157-3393-3 http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn Free Software Foundation, 2012. What is free software? http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html (revision 1.118 archived at http://www.webcitation.org/6DXqCFAN3 ) Kroes, N., 2010. How to get more interoperability in Europe. In: Open Forum Europe 2010 Summit - Openness at the heart of the EU Digital Agenda. No. SPEECH/10/300. European Commission press release. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-10-300_en.pdf de Rigo, D., 2013. Behind the horizon of reproducible integrated environmental modelling at European scale: ethics and practice of scientific knowledge freedom. F1000 Research. To appear as discussion paper Stallman, R. M., 2005. Free community science and the free development of science. PLoS Med 2 (2), e47+. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0020047 Cai, Y., Judd, K. L., Lontzek, T. S., 2012. Open science is necessary. Nature Climate Change 2 (5), 299. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1509 Morin, A., Urban, J., Adams, P. D., Foster, I., Sali, A., Baker, D., Sliz, P., 2012. Shining light into black boxes. Science 336 (6078), 159-160. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1218263 Ince, D. C., Hatton, L., Graham-Cumming, J., 2012. The case for open computer programs. Nature 482 (7386), 485-488. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature10836 Lehman, M. M., Ramil, J. F., 2002. Software uncertainty. In: Bustard, D., Liu, W., Sterritt, R. (Eds.), Soft-Ware 2002: Computing in an Imperfect World. Vol. 2311 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer Berlin / Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, Ch. 14, pp. 477-514. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/3-540-46019-5_14 Hatton, L., 2012. Defects, scientific computation and the scientific method uncertainty quantification in scientific computing. Vol. 377 of IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. Springer Boston, Berlin, Heidelberg, Ch. 8, pp. 123-138. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32677-68 de Rigo, D., 2013. Software Uncertainty in Integrated Environmental Modelling: the role of Semantics and Open Science. Geophysical Research Abstracts 15, EGU General Assembly 2013 Hatton, L., 2007. The chimera of software quality. Computer 40 (8), 104-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MC.2007.292 Cai, Y., Judd, K. L., Lontzek, T. S., May 2012. Open science is necessary. Nature Climate Change 2 (5), 299. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1509 Sonnenburg, S., Braun, M. L., Ong, C. S., Bengio, S., Bottou, L., Holmes, G., LeCun, Y., Müller, K. R., Pereira, F., Rasmussen, C. E., Rätsch, G., Schölkopf, B., Smola, A., Vincent, P., Weston, J., Williamson, R., Dec. 2007. The need for open source software in machine learning. J. Mach. Learn. Res. 8, 2443-2466. http://jmlr.csail.mit.edu/papers/v8/sonnenburg07a.html de Vos, M. G., Janssen, S. J. C., van Bussel, L. G. J., Kromdijk, J., van Vliet, J., Top, J. L., Dec. 2011. Are environmental models transparent and reproducible enough? In: Chan, F., Marinova, D., Anderssen, R. S. (Eds.), MODSIM2011, 19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, pp. 2954-2961. http://www.mssanz.org.au/modsim2011/G7/devos.pdf Peng, R. D., 2011. Reproducible research in computational science. Science 334 (6060), 1226-1227. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1213847 European Commission, 2011. Strategy for internal use of OSS at the EC. European Commission, Directorate-General for Informatics (DIGIT). http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/informatics/oss_tech/index_en.htm (archived at: http://www.webcitation.org/6DXuBeTAU ) European Commission, 2006. European Union forest action plan. No. COM(2006) 302 final. Communication from the Commission. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2006:0302:FIN:EN:HTML Ticheler, J., Hielkema, J. U., 2007. GeoNetwork opensource. OSGeo Journal 2, 1-5. http://journal.osgeo.org/index.php/journal/article/viewFile/86/69 European Parliament, 2007. Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 march 2007 establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in the european community (INSPIRE). Official Journal of the European Union 50 (L 108), 1-14. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:108:0001:0014:EN:PDF European Commission, 2008. Commission regulation (EC) no 1205/2008 of 3 december 2008 implementing directive 2007/2/EC of the european parliament and of the council as regards metadata. Official Journal of the European Union 51 (L 326), 12-30. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:326:0012:0030:EN:PDF Hazzard, E., 2011. Openlayers 2.10 beginner's guide. Packt Publishing. ISBN: 9781849514125 Holovaty, A., Kaplan-Moss, J., 2009. The definitive guide to Django: Web development done right. Apress (distributed by Springer-Verlag). ISBN: 9781590597255. http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1572516 Worsley, J. C., Drake, J. D., 2002. Practical PostgreSQL: a hardened, robust, open source database. O'Reilly. ISBN: 1565928466. http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=580258 Obe, R., Hsu, L., 2011. PostGIS in Action. Manning Publications. ISBN:1935182269. http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2018871 San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., 2010. Wildfires in Europe: The analysis of past and future trends within the European Forest Fire Information System. In: EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts. Vol. 12 of EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts. pp. 15401+. http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2010/EGU2010-15401.pdf Camia, A., Durrant Houston, T., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., 2010. The European fire database: development, structure and implementation. In: 6th International Conference on Forest Fire Research. No. A20. Coimbra, Portugal Whitmore, C., Camia, A., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., 2010. Enhancing the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) with open source software. In: FOSS4G 2010. Barcelona, Spain. http://2010.foss4g.org/presentations_show.php?id=3693 San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., Schulte, E., Schmuck, G., Camia, A., 2012. The European Forest Fire Information System in the context of environmental policies of the European Union. Forest Policy and Economics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2011.08.012 San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., Schulte, E., Schmuck, G., Camia, A., Strobl, P., Liberta, G., Giovando, C., Boca, R., Sedano, F., Kempeneers, P., McInerney, D., Withmore, C., de Oliveira, S. S., Rodrigues, M., Durrant, T., Corti, P., Oehler, F., Vilar, L., Amatulli, G., 2012. Comprehensive monitoring of wildfires in Europe: The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). In: Tiefenbacher, J. (Ed.), Approaches to Managing Disaster - Assessing Hazards, Emergencies and Disaster Impacts. InTech, Ch. 5. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/28441 Giovando, C., Whitmore, C., Camia, A., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., 2010. Enhancing the European forest fire information system (EFFIS) with open source software. In: FOSS4G 2010. http://2010.foss4g.org/presentations_show.php?id=3693 Corti, P., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., Camia, A., McInerney, D., Boca, R., Di Leo, M., 2012. Fire news management in the context of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). In: proceedings of "Quinta conferenza italiana sul software geografico e sui dati geografici liberi" (GFOSS DAY 2012). http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.101918 Amatulli, G., Camia, A., 2007. Exploring the relationships of fire occurrence variables by jeans of CART and MARS models. In: Proceedings of the 4th International Wildland Fire Conference, Sevilla, Spain, 13-18 May 2007. http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de/sevilla-2007/contributions/doc/cd/SESIONES_TEMATICAS/ST4/Amatulli_Camia_ITALY.pdf MapServer, http://mapserver.org/ Open Geospatial Consortium, 2006. OpenGIS Web Map Service version 1.3.0. No. OGC 06-042 in OpenGIS Standard. Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). http://portal.opengeospatial.org/files/?artifact_id=14416 http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/wms

Occupational noise exposure of nightclub bar employees in Ireland.

PubMed

Kelly, Aoife C; Boyd, Sara M; Henehan, Gary T M; Chambers, Gordon

2012-01-01

Due to the transposition of the EU Directive 2003/10/EC into Irish Law, the entertainment sector was obligated to comply with the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Chapter 1 Part 5: Control of Noise at Work since February 2008. Compliance with the Noise Regulations was examined in 9 nightclubs in Ireland. The typical daily noise exposure of 19 bar employees was measured using 2 logging dosimeters and a Type 1 fixed position sound level meter. Physical site inspections identified nightclub noise control measures. Interviews and questionnaires were used to assess the managers and employees awareness of the noise legislation. The average bar employee daily noise exposure (L(EX, 8h)) was 92 dBA, almost 4 times more than the accepted legal limit. None of the venues examined were fully compliant with the requirements of the 2007 Noise Regulations, and awareness of this legislation was limited.

Effect of tif expression, irradiation of recipient and presence of plasmid pKM101 on recovery of a marker from a donor exposed to ultraviolet light prior to conjugation.

PubMed

von Wright, A; Bridges, B A

1980-08-01

To detect the effect of the postulated inducible error-prone repair system ('SOS repair') on the bacterial chromosome, an Hfr Escherichia coli strain JC5088 recA was u.v.-irradiated immediately before mating it with recipients in which SOS repair was supposed to be functioning through tif expression, u.v. irradiation or the presence of plasmid pKM101. The recombinant yields of these crosses were compared with those obtained in corresponding crosses with recipients in which SOS repair either was not induced or was totally eliminated by the lexA mutation. No difference in marker recovery efficiency could be detected between these two sets of recipients and thus no induced repair process acting on donor DNA could be demonstrated. The possible reasons for this finding are discussed.

Dynein's Network of Chemomechanical Motor Cycles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Weibo; Wang, Ziqing; Wang, Guodong

2012-07-01

An eight-state network model of dynein's chemomechanical motor cycles is developed, in which the states of an effective single dynein head are represented by the number of ATP binding at the primary site and the number of ATP binding at other three secondary sites. The binding and unbinding of ATP, as well as the hydrolysis of ATP and the reverse process, are characterized by transition rates between certain states. Our results show that the stall force of dynein increases fast with ATP up to 1 mM ATP, beyond which it increases slowly to a saturated value, and that load and ATP concentration can adjust the step size of dynein, i.e., dynein can shift gears according to conditions. These results are in agreement with experiments [R. Mallik, B. C. Carter, S. A. Lex, S. J. King and S. P. Gross, Nature 427, 649 (2004)].

The myth of lesbian impunity: capital laws from 1270 to 1791.

PubMed

Crompton, L

The standard history of antihomosexual legislation states that lesbian acts were not punished by medieval or later laws. This essay challenges this view by documenting capital laws since 1270 in Europe and America. A major influence was Paul's condemnation in Romans I, 26. By 1400, the lex foedissimam, an edict of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximianus, issued in 287, was interpreted to justify the death penalty. Executions took place in Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain. A brief survey of presently known male deaths in Europe and the Americas, which number about 400, also is included. This study draws on canon law and the commentaries of such jurists as Cino da Pistoia, Saliceto, López, Gómez, Farinacio, Cotton, Carpzow, Sinistrari, de Vouglans, and Jousse. It also discusses the records of a German trial of 1721, published elsewhere in this issue, that also led to the execution of a woman.

Toward a Bio-Medical Thesaurus: Building the Foundation of the UMLS

PubMed Central

Tuttle, Mark S.; Blois, Marsden S.; Erlbaum, Mark S.; Nelson, Stuart J.; Sherertz, David D.

1988-01-01

The Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) is being designed to provide a uniform user interface to heterogeneous machine-readable bio-medical information resources, such as bibliographic databases, genetic databases, expert systems and patient records.1 Such an interface will have to recognize different ways of saying the same thing, and provide links to ways of saying related things. One way to represent the necessary associations is via a domain thesaurus. As no such thesaurus exists, and because, once built, it will be both sizable and in need of continuous maintenance, its design should include a methodology for building and maintaining it. We propose a methodology, utilizing lexically expanded schema inversion, and a design, called T. Lex, which together form one approach to the problem of defining and building a bio-medical thesaurus. We argue that the semantic locality implicit in such a thesaurus will support model-based reasoning in bio-medicine.2

Wind Tunnel Visualization of the Flow Over a Full-Scale F/A-18 Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lanser, Wendy R.; Botha, Gavin J.; James, Kevin D.; Crowder, James P.; Schmitz, Fredric H. (Technical Monitor)

1994-01-01

The proposed paper presents flow visualization performed during experiments conducted on a full-scale F/A-18 aircraft in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind-Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. This investigation used both surface and off-surface flow visualization techniques to examine the flow field on the forebody, canopy, leading edge extensions (LEXs), and wings. The various techniques used to visualize the flow field were fluorescent tufts, flow cones treated with reflective material, smoke in combination with a laser light sheet, and a video imaging system. The flow visualization experiments were conducted over an angle of attack range from 20deg to 45deg and over a sideslip range from -10deg to 10deg. The results show regions of attached and separated flow on the forebody, canopy, and wings. Additionally, the vortical flow is clearly visible over the leading-edge extensions, canopy, and wings.

A study of high alpha dynamics and flow visualization for a 2.5-percent model of the F-18 HARV undergoing wing rock

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quast, Thomas; Nelson, Robert C.; Fisher, David F.

1991-01-01

Free-to-roll experiments and flow visualization studies have been conducted for a 2.5-percent model of the F-18 undergoing unsteady wing rock oscillations. Data have been acquired in the form of roll angle time histories as well as video recordings and 35 mm photography of the forebody and leading edge extension vortices. The time histories were differentiated to produce angular velocity and angular acceleration. From this the roll moment as a function of time and/or roll angle could be estimated. A thorough analysis of the data has revealed a genuine wing-rock phenomenon. Off-surface flow visualization was used to identiify the forebody and LEX vortex core positions and their interaction in both static and dynamic configurations. A direct correlation between the dynamic data and visualized vortex activity during the wing-rock motion has been made.

Unique patterns of organization and migration of FGF-expressing cells during Drosophila morphogenesis.

PubMed

Du, Lijuan; Zhou, Amy; Patel, Akshay; Rao, Mishal; Anderson, Kelsey; Roy, Sougata

2017-07-01

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are essential signaling proteins that regulate diverse cellular functions in developmental and metabolic processes. In Drosophila, the FGF homolog, branchless (bnl) is expressed in a dynamic and spatiotemporally restricted pattern to induce branching morphogenesis of the trachea, which expresses the Bnl-receptor, breathless (btl). Here we have developed a new strategy to determine bnl- expressing cells and study their interactions with the btl-expressing cells in the range of tissue patterning during Drosophila development. To enable targeted gene expression specifically in the bnl expressing cells, a new LexA based bnl enhancer trap line was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing. Analyses of the spatiotemporal expression of the reporter in various embryonic stages, larval or adult tissues and in metabolic hypoxia, confirmed its target specificity and versatility. With this tool, new bnl expressing cells, their unique organization and functional interactions with the btl-expressing cells were uncovered in a larval tracheoblast niche in the leg imaginal discs, in larval photoreceptors of the developing retina, and in the embryonic central nervous system. The targeted expression system also facilitated live imaging of simultaneously labeled Bnl sources and tracheal cells, which revealed a unique morphogenetic movement of the embryonic bnl- source. Migration of bnl- expressing cells may create a dynamic spatiotemporal pattern of the signal source necessary for the directional growth of the tracheal branch. The genetic tool and the comprehensive profile of expression, organization, and activity of various types of bnl-expressing cells described in this study provided us with an important foundation for future research investigating the mechanisms underlying Bnl signaling in tissue morphogenesis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A semantic graph-based approach to biomedical summarisation.

PubMed

Plaza, Laura; Díaz, Alberto; Gervás, Pablo

2011-09-01

Access to the vast body of research literature that is available in biomedicine and related fields may be improved by automatic summarisation. This paper presents a method for summarising biomedical scientific literature that takes into consideration the characteristics of the domain and the type of documents. To address the problem of identifying salient sentences in biomedical texts, concepts and relations derived from the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) are arranged to construct a semantic graph that represents the document. A degree-based clustering algorithm is then used to identify different themes or topics within the text. Different heuristics for sentence selection, intended to generate different types of summaries, are tested. A real document case is drawn up to illustrate how the method works. A large-scale evaluation is performed using the recall-oriented understudy for gisting-evaluation (ROUGE) metrics. The results are compared with those achieved by three well-known summarisers (two research prototypes and a commercial application) and two baselines. Our method significantly outperforms all summarisers and baselines. The best of our heuristics achieves an improvement in performance of almost 7.7 percentage units in the ROUGE-1 score over the LexRank summariser (0.7862 versus 0.7302). A qualitative analysis of the summaries also shows that our method succeeds in identifying sentences that cover the main topic of the document and also considers other secondary or "satellite" information that might be relevant to the user. The method proposed is proved to be an efficient approach to biomedical literature summarisation, which confirms that the use of concepts rather than terms can be very useful in automatic summarisation, especially when dealing with highly specialised domains. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Discoloration Removal by Polishing Resin Composites Submitted to Staining in Different Drink Solutions

PubMed Central

Spina, Denis Roberto Falcão; Grossi, João Ricardo Almeida; Cunali, Rafael Schlögel; Baratto Filho, Flares; da Cunha, Leonardo Fernandes; Gonzaga, Carla Castiglia; Correr, Gisele Maria

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the discoloration effects of water, cola-based soft drink, coffee, and wine on resin composites used in restorative dentistry and the possibility of removing the stain with chair side manual polishing. The A2 shade of three materials was tested. Disc specimens were prepared. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the baseline CIE-Lab color parameters of each material (n=10) 24 hours after sample preparation. Samples were then immersed in a cola-based soft drink, coffee, or wine for 1 hour every day, for 30 days. For the remaining hours, the specimens were stored in distilled water. In the control group, the specimens were immersed in water for the whole period. The color differences (ΔE) were calculated after 7 and 30 days of storage, and after polishing with coarse Sof-Lex discs, and analyzed by two-way ANOVA with repeated measures and Tukey's HSD test (α=0.05). Luna presented higher ΔE values (3.41)a followed by Durafill (2.82)b and Herculite (2.24)c. For the drink solutions, ΔE values were higher for wine (4.40)a followed by coffee (2.59)b and for cola-based soft drink (2.23)c and water (2.13)c which were statistically similar. For time, ΔE values were higher for 30 days (3.97)a and then for 7 days (2.48)b and after polishing (2.04)c. The results indicate that color stability is material dependent. The types of drinks that patients consume also influence the color stability of restorative materials. PMID:27347551

Comparison of two-step versus four-step composite finishing/polishing disc systems: evaluation of a new two-step composite polishing disc system.

PubMed

da Costa, Juliana B; Goncalves, Flavia; Ferracane, Jack L

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate surface finish and gloss of a two-step composite finishing/polishing (F/P) disc system compared with two multistep systems on five composites. Seventy-five disc-shaped composite specimens (D=10.0 mm, 2 mm thick, n=15 per composite) were made of microfill (Durafill-D), nanofill (Filtek Supreme-FS), nanohybrid (Premise-PR), and microhybrids (Filtek Z250-FZ, Esthet-EX). One side of each specimen was initially finished with a carbide bur. Five specimens of each resin composite were randomly assigned to receive full F/P by each of the disc systems: two-step (Enhance Flex NST-EF) and four-step (Sof-Lex-SL, Super-Snap-SS). Surface gloss was measured with a glossmeter and surface roughness was measured with a profilometer. Results were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Tukey's (α<0.05). No difference in gloss was noted among the three F/P systems when used with D and EX; no difference between SL and EF when used with any composite, except for FS; and no difference between SL and SS when used with any composite. SL and EF showed similar surface roughness when used on all composites, except for EX. EF and SS showed similar surface roughness on PR. SL and SS showed similar surface roughness values on every composite, except for FZ. EF was capable of providing similar gloss and surface roughness to SL on four composites evaluated but was not able to produce as glossy or as smooth a surface as SS for three of the five composites.

The effect of different polishing systems on surface roughness and gloss of various resin composites.

PubMed

Da Costa, Juliana; Ferracane, Jack; Paravina, Rade D; Mazur, Rui Fernando; Roeder, Leslie

2007-01-01

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the surface finish and gloss of five direct resin composites polished with six polishing systems. One hundred and fifty disk-shaped composite specimens (D=10.0 mm, 2-mm-thick, N=30 per material) were made. One side of each specimen was finished with a 16-fluted carbide finishing bur and then polished. Five specimens of each resin composite were randomly assigned to one of the six polishing systems. The surface roughness and gloss were measured with a surface profilometer and a glossmeter. The results were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's t-test (p

Effect of different polishing systems and drinks on the color stability of resin composite.

PubMed

Berber, Asll; Cakir, Filiz Yalcin; Baseren, Meserret; Gurgan, Sevil

2013-07-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color stability of resin composit using different finishing systems and drinks. Composit disks (5 mm diameter, 2 mm thickness) were prepared for each nanofilled composite using a brass mold. The specimens were divided into 5 finishing system groups Mylar strip (Mylar, DuPont, Wilmington, Del., USA), Soft Lex (3M(™) ESPE(™) St. Paul, MN, USA), Enhance (Dentsply-DeTrey GmbHD Konstanz, Germany), Hiluster (KerrHawe, Bioggio, Switzerland), Opti Disc (KerrHawe, Bioggio, Switzerland) and each group was divided into 10 subgroups (n = 10) and stored for 24 hours at 37°C in different drinks water coffee, coffee with sugar, tea, tea with sugar, diet coke, coke, light sour cherry juice or sour cherry juice. Color of all specimens was measured before and after exposure with a spectrophotometer using CIE L*a*b* relative, and color changes (ΔE*) were then calculated. The data were analyzed with a twoway analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mean values were compared by the Tukey HSD test (p = 0.05). For the drinks, the lowest ΔE* values were observed in the water and highest ΔE* values were observed in sour cherry juice. When drinks with and without sugar were compared, all groups with sugar demonstrated a higher color difference than without sugar. For the different finishing systems, Mylar strip group demonstrated significantly highest color change; Enhance groups demonstrated significantly lowest color change. Finishing treatments and storage solutions significantly affect the color stability of resin composite. The presence of sugar in drinks increased the color difference compared to drinks without composit. Polishing techniques and drinking drinks with sugar may affect the color of esthetic restorations.

Characterization of the Burkholderia thailandensis SOS Response by Using Whole-Transcriptome Shotgun Sequencing

PubMed Central

Ulrich, Ricky L.; DeShazer, David; Kenny, Tara A.; Ulrich, Melanie P.; Moravusova, Anna; Opperman, Timothy; Bavari, Sina; Bowlin, Terry L.; Moir, Donald T.

2013-01-01

The bacterial SOS response is a well-characterized regulatory network encoded by most prokaryotic bacterial species and is involved in DNA repair. In addition to nucleic acid repair, the SOS response is involved in pathogenicity, stress-induced mutagenesis, and the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Using high-throughput sequencing technology (SOLiD RNA-Seq), we analyzed the Burkholderia thailandensis global SOS response to the fluoroquinolone antibiotic, ciprofloxacin (CIP), and the DNA-damaging chemical, mitomycin C (MMC). We demonstrate that a B. thailandensis recA mutant (RU0643) is ∼4-fold more sensitive to CIP in contrast to the parental strain B. thailandensis DW503. Our RNA-Seq results show that CIP and MMC treatment (P < 0.01) resulted in the differential expression of 344 genes in B. thailandensis and 210 genes in RU0643. Several genes associated with the SOS response were induced and include lexA, uvrA, dnaE, dinB, recX, and recA. At the genome-wide level, we found an overall decrease in gene expression, especially for genes involved in amino acid and carbohydrate transport and metabolism, following both CIP and MMC exposure. Interestingly, we observed the upregulation of several genes involved in bacterial motility and enhanced transcription of a B. thailandensis genomic island encoding a Siphoviridae bacteriophage designated ϕE264. Using B. thailandensis plaque assays and PCR with B. mallei ATCC 23344 as the host, we demonstrate that CIP and MMC exposure in B. thailandensis DW503 induces the transcription and translation of viable bacteriophage in a RecA-dependent manner. This is the first report of the SOS response in Burkholderia spp. to DNA-damaging agents. We have identified both common and unique adaptive responses of B. thailandensis to chemical stress and DNA damage. PMID:23872555

Characterization of the Burkholderia thailandensis SOS response by using whole-transcriptome shotgun sequencing.

PubMed

Ulrich, Ricky L; Deshazer, David; Kenny, Tara A; Ulrich, Melanie P; Moravusova, Anna; Opperman, Timothy; Bavari, Sina; Bowlin, Terry L; Moir, Donald T; Panchal, Rekha G

2013-10-01

The bacterial SOS response is a well-characterized regulatory network encoded by most prokaryotic bacterial species and is involved in DNA repair. In addition to nucleic acid repair, the SOS response is involved in pathogenicity, stress-induced mutagenesis, and the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Using high-throughput sequencing technology (SOLiD RNA-Seq), we analyzed the Burkholderia thailandensis global SOS response to the fluoroquinolone antibiotic, ciprofloxacin (CIP), and the DNA-damaging chemical, mitomycin C (MMC). We demonstrate that a B. thailandensis recA mutant (RU0643) is ∼4-fold more sensitive to CIP in contrast to the parental strain B. thailandensis DW503. Our RNA-Seq results show that CIP and MMC treatment (P < 0.01) resulted in the differential expression of 344 genes in B. thailandensis and 210 genes in RU0643. Several genes associated with the SOS response were induced and include lexA, uvrA, dnaE, dinB, recX, and recA. At the genome-wide level, we found an overall decrease in gene expression, especially for genes involved in amino acid and carbohydrate transport and metabolism, following both CIP and MMC exposure. Interestingly, we observed the upregulation of several genes involved in bacterial motility and enhanced transcription of a B. thailandensis genomic island encoding a Siphoviridae bacteriophage designated E264. Using B. thailandensis plaque assays and PCR with B. mallei ATCC 23344 as the host, we demonstrate that CIP and MMC exposure in B. thailandensis DW503 induces the transcription and translation of viable bacteriophage in a RecA-dependent manner. This is the first report of the SOS response in Burkholderia spp. to DNA-damaging agents. We have identified both common and unique adaptive responses of B. thailandensis to chemical stress and DNA damage.

Acquisition of a High Resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope for the Analysis of Returned Samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nittler, Larry R.

2003-01-01

This grant furnished funds to purchase a state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope (SEM) to support our analytical facilities for extraterrestrial samples. After evaluating several instruments, we purchased a JEOL 6500F thermal field emission SEM with the following analytical accessories: EDAX energy-dispersive x-ray analysis system with fully automated control of instrument and sample stage; EDAX LEXS wavelength-dispersive x-ray spectrometer for high sensitivity light-element analysis; EDAX/TSL electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) system with software for phase identification and crystal orientation mapping; Robinson backscatter electron detector; and an in situ micro-manipulator (Kleindiek). The total price was $550,000 (with $150,000 of the purchase supported by Carnegie institution matching funds). The microscope was delivered in October 2002, and most of the analytical accessories were installed by January 2003. With the exception of the wavelength spectrometer (which has been undergoing design changes) everything is working well and the SEM is in routine use in our laboratory.

OntoVIP: an ontology for the annotation of object models used for medical image simulation.

PubMed

Gibaud, Bernard; Forestier, Germain; Benoit-Cattin, Hugues; Cervenansky, Frédéric; Clarysse, Patrick; Friboulet, Denis; Gaignard, Alban; Hugonnard, Patrick; Lartizien, Carole; Liebgott, Hervé; Montagnat, Johan; Tabary, Joachim; Glatard, Tristan

2014-12-01

This paper describes the creation of a comprehensive conceptualization of object models used in medical image simulation, suitable for major imaging modalities and simulators. The goal is to create an application ontology that can be used to annotate the models in a repository integrated in the Virtual Imaging Platform (VIP), to facilitate their sharing and reuse. Annotations make the anatomical, physiological and pathophysiological content of the object models explicit. In such an interdisciplinary context we chose to rely on a common integration framework provided by a foundational ontology, that facilitates the consistent integration of the various modules extracted from several existing ontologies, i.e. FMA, PATO, MPATH, RadLex and ChEBI. Emphasis is put on methodology for achieving this extraction and integration. The most salient aspects of the ontology are presented, especially the organization in model layers, as well as its use to browse and query the model repository. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Leveraging Terminologies for Retrieval of Radiology Reports with Critical Imaging Findings

PubMed Central

Warden, Graham I.; Lacson, Ronilda; Khorasani, Ramin

2011-01-01

Introduction: Communication of critical imaging findings is an important component of medical quality and safety. A fundamental challenge includes retrieval of radiology reports that contain these findings. This study describes the expressiveness and coverage of existing medical terminologies for critical imaging findings and evaluates radiology report retrieval using each terminology. Methods: Four terminologies were evaluated: National Cancer Institute Thesaurus (NCIT), Radiology Lexicon (RadLex), Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED-CT), and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9-CM). Concepts in each terminology were identified for 10 critical imaging findings. Three findings were subsequently selected to evaluate document retrieval. Results: SNOMED-CT consistently demonstrated the highest number of overall terms (mean=22) for each of ten critical findings. However, retrieval rate and precision varied between terminologies for the three findings evaluated. Conclusion: No single terminology is optimal for retrieving radiology reports with critical findings. The expressiveness of a terminology does not consistently correlate with radiology report retrieval. PMID:22195212

Terminology representation guidelines for biomedical ontologies in the semantic web notations.

PubMed

Tao, Cui; Pathak, Jyotishman; Solbrig, Harold R; Wei, Wei-Qi; Chute, Christopher G

2013-02-01

Terminologies and ontologies are increasingly prevalent in healthcare and biomedicine. However they suffer from inconsistent renderings, distribution formats, and syntax that make applications through common terminologies services challenging. To address the problem, one could posit a shared representation syntax, associated schema, and tags. We identified a set of commonly-used elements in biomedical ontologies and terminologies based on our experience with the Common Terminology Services 2 (CTS2) Specification as well as the Lexical Grid (LexGrid) project. We propose guidelines for precisely such a shared terminology model, and recommend tags assembled from SKOS, OWL, Dublin Core, RDF Schema, and DCMI meta-terms. We divide these guidelines into lexical information (e.g. synonyms, and definitions) and semantic information (e.g. hierarchies). The latter we distinguish for use by informal terminologies vs. formal ontologies. We then evaluate the guidelines with a spectrum of widely used terminologies and ontologies to examine how the lexical guidelines are implemented, and whether our proposed guidelines would enhance interoperability. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multiplexed precision genome editing with trackable genomic barcodes in yeast.

PubMed

Roy, Kevin R; Smith, Justin D; Vonesch, Sibylle C; Lin, Gen; Tu, Chelsea Szu; Lederer, Alex R; Chu, Angela; Suresh, Sundari; Nguyen, Michelle; Horecka, Joe; Tripathi, Ashutosh; Burnett, Wallace T; Morgan, Maddison A; Schulz, Julia; Orsley, Kevin M; Wei, Wu; Aiyar, Raeka S; Davis, Ronald W; Bankaitis, Vytas A; Haber, James E; Salit, Marc L; St Onge, Robert P; Steinmetz, Lars M

2018-07-01

Our understanding of how genotype controls phenotype is limited by the scale at which we can precisely alter the genome and assess the phenotypic consequences of each perturbation. Here we describe a CRISPR-Cas9-based method for multiplexed accurate genome editing with short, trackable, integrated cellular barcodes (MAGESTIC) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. MAGESTIC uses array-synthesized guide-donor oligos for plasmid-based high-throughput editing and features genomic barcode integration to prevent plasmid barcode loss and to enable robust phenotyping. We demonstrate that editing efficiency can be increased more than fivefold by recruiting donor DNA to the site of breaks using the LexA-Fkh1p fusion protein. We performed saturation editing of the essential gene SEC14 and identified amino acids critical for chemical inhibition of lipid signaling. We also constructed thousands of natural genetic variants, characterized guide mismatch tolerance at the genome scale, and ascertained that cryptic Pol III termination elements substantially reduce guide efficacy. MAGESTIC will be broadly useful to uncover the genetic basis of phenotypes in yeast.

DNA Damage Responses in Prokaryotes: Regulating Gene Expression, Modulating Growth Patterns, and Manipulating Replication Forks

PubMed Central

Kreuzer, Kenneth N.

2013-01-01

Recent advances in the area of bacterial DNA damage responses are reviewed here. The SOS pathway is still the major paradigm of bacterial DNA damage response, and recent studies have clarified the mechanisms of SOS induction and key physiological roles of SOS including a very major role in genetic exchange and variation. When considering diverse bacteria, it is clear that SOS is not a uniform pathway with one purpose, but rather a platform that has evolved for differing functions in different bacteria. Relating in part to the SOS response, the field has uncovered multiple apparent cell-cycle checkpoints that assist cell survival after DNA damage and remarkable pathways that induce programmed cell death in bacteria. Bacterial DNA damage responses are also much broader than SOS, and several important examples of LexA-independent regulation will be reviewed. Finally, some recent advances that relate to the replication and repair of damaged DNA will be summarized. PMID:24097899

Gibberellin Perception by the Gibberellin Receptor and its Effector Recognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hakoshima, Toshio; Murase, Kohji; Hirano, Yoshinori; Sun, Tai-Ping

Gibberellins control a diverse range of growth and developmental processes in higher plants and have been widely utilized in the agricultural industry. By binding to a nuclear receptor GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF1 (GID1), gibberellins regulate gene expression by promoting degradation of the transcriptional regulator DELLA proteins. The precise manner in which GID1 discriminates and becomes activated by bioactive gibberellins for specific binding to DELLA proteins remains unclear. We present the crystal structure of a ternary complex of Arabidopsis thaliana GID1A, a bioactive gibberellin and the N-terminal DELLA domain of GAI. In this complex, GID1a occludes gibberellin in a deep binding pocket covered by its N-terminal helical switch region, which in turn interacts with the DELLA domain containing DELLA, VHYNP and LExLE motifs. Our results establish a structural model of a plant hormone receptor which is distinct from the hormone-perception mechanism and effector recognition of the known auxin receptors.

RecA Inhibitors Potentiate Antibiotic Activity and Block Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance.

PubMed

Alam, Md Kausar; Alhhazmi, Areej; DeCoteau, John F; Luo, Yu; Geyer, C Ronald

2016-03-17

Antibiotic resistance arises from the maintenance of resistance mutations or genes acquired from the acquisition of adaptive de novo mutations or the transfer of resistance genes. Antibiotic resistance is acquired in response to antibiotic therapy by activating SOS-mediated DNA repair and mutagenesis and horizontal gene transfer pathways. Initiation of the SOS pathway promotes activation of RecA, inactivation of LexA repressor, and induction of SOS genes. Here, we have identified and characterized phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid RecA inhibitors that block antibiotic-induced activation of the SOS response. These inhibitors potentiate the activity of bactericidal antibiotics, including members of the quinolone, β-lactam, and aminoglycoside families in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. They reduce the ability of bacteria to acquire antibiotic resistance mutations and to transfer mobile genetic elements conferring resistance. This study highlights the advantage of including RecA inhibitors in bactericidal antibiotic therapies and provides a new strategy for prolonging antibiotic shelf life. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CINDA-3G: Improved Numerical Differencing Analyzer Program for Third-Generation Computers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaski, J. D.; Lewis, D. R.; Thompson, L. R.

1970-01-01

The goal of this work was to develop a new and versatile program to supplement or replace the original Chrysler Improved Numerical Differencing Analyzer (CINDA) thermal analyzer program in order to take advantage of the improved systems software and machine speeds of the third-generation computers.

40 CFR 86.332-79 - Oxides of nitrogen analyzer calibration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Emission Regulations for New Gasoline-Fueled and Diesel-Fueled Heavy-Duty Engines; Gaseous Exhaust Test.... (2) Zero the oxides of nitrogen analyzer. (3) Connect the outlet of the NOX generator (see Figure D79... operating range. (4) Introduce into the NOX generator-analyzer system a span gas with a NO concentration...

40 CFR 86.332-79 - Oxides of nitrogen analyzer calibration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Emission Regulations for New Gasoline-Fueled and Diesel-Fueled Heavy-Duty Engines; Gaseous Exhaust Test.... (2) Zero the oxides of nitrogen analyzer. (3) Connect the outlet of the NOX generator (see Figure D79... operating range. (4) Introduce into the NOX generator-analyzer system a span gas with a NO concentration...

Imaging quality analysis of computer-generated holograms using the point-based method and slice-based method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhen; Chen, Siqing; Zheng, Huadong; Sun, Tao; Yu, Yingjie; Gao, Hongyue; Asundi, Anand K.

2017-06-01

Computer holography has made a notably progress in recent years. The point-based method and slice-based method are chief calculation algorithms for generating holograms in holographic display. Although both two methods are validated numerically and optically, the differences of the imaging quality of these methods have not been specifically analyzed. In this paper, we analyze the imaging quality of computer-generated phase holograms generated by point-based Fresnel zone plates (PB-FZP), point-based Fresnel diffraction algorithm (PB-FDA) and slice-based Fresnel diffraction algorithm (SB-FDA). The calculation formula and hologram generation with three methods are demonstrated. In order to suppress the speckle noise, sequential phase-only holograms are generated in our work. The results of reconstructed images numerically and experimentally are also exhibited. By comparing the imaging quality, the merits and drawbacks with three methods are analyzed. Conclusions are given by us finally.

Effect of prophylactic polishing protocols on the surface roughness of esthetic restorative materials.

PubMed

Neme, A L; Frazier, K B; Roeder, L B; Debner, T L

2002-01-01

Many polishing protocols have been evaluated in vitro for their effect on the surface roughness of restorative materials. These results have been useful in establishing protocols for in vivo application. However, limited research has focused on the subsequent care and maintenance of esthetic restorations following their placement. This investigation evaluated the effect of five polishing protocols that could be implemented at recall on the surface roughness of five direct esthetic restorative materials. Specimens (n=25) measuring 8 mm diameter x 3 mm thick were fabricated in an acrylic mold using five light-cured resin-based materials (hybrid composite, microfilled composite, packable composite, compomer and resin-modified glass ionomer). After photopolymerization, all specimens were polished with Sof-Lex Disks to produce an initial (baseline) surface finish. All specimens were then polished with one of five prophylactic protocols (Butler medium paste, Butler coarse paste, OneGloss, SuperBuff or OneGloss & SuperBuff). The average surface roughness of each treated specimen was determined from three measurements with a profilometer (Surface 1). Next, all specimens were brushed 60,000 times at 1.5 Hz using a brush-head force of 2 N on a Manly V-8 cross-brushing machine in a 50:50 (w/w) slurry of toothpaste and water. The surface roughness of each specimen was measured after brushing (Surface 2) followed by re-polishing with one of five protocols, then final surface roughness values were determined (Surface 3). The data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Significant differences (p=0.05) in surface roughness were observed among restorative materials and polishing protocols. The microfilled and hybrid resin composite yielded significantly rougher surfaces than the other three materials following tooth brushing. Prophylactic polishing protocols can be used to restore a smooth surface on resin-based esthetic restorative materials following simulated tooth brushing.

Pulsed Neurton Elemental On-Line Material Analyzer

DOEpatents

Vourvopoulos, George

2002-08-20

An on-line material analyzer which utilizes pulsed neutron generation in order to determine the composition of material flowing through the apparatus. The on-line elemental material analyzer is based on a pulsed neutron generator. The elements in the material interact with the fast and thermal neutrons produced from the pulsed generator. Spectra of gamma-rays produced from fast neutrons interacting with elements of the material are analyzed and stored separately from spectra produced from thermal neutron reactions. Measurements of neutron activation takes place separately from the above reactions and at a distance from the neutron generator. A primary passageway allows the material to flow through at a constant rate of speed and operators to provide data corresponding to fast and thermal neutron reactions. A secondary passageway meters the material to allow for neutron activation analysis. The apparatus also has the capability to determine the density of the flowed material. Finally, the apparatus continually utilizes a neutron detector in order to normalize the yield of the gamma ray detectors and thereby automatically calibrates and adjusts the spectra data for fluctuations in neutron generation.

Light-mediated control of DNA transcription in yeast

PubMed Central

Hughes, Robert M.; Bolger, Steven; Tapadia, Hersh; Tucker, Chandra L.

2012-01-01

A variety of methods exist for inducible control of DNA transcription in yeast. These include the use of native yeast promoters or regulatory elements that are responsive to small molecules such as galactose, methionine, and copper, or engineered systems that allow regulation by orthogonal small molecules such as estrogen. While chemically regulated systems are easy to use and can yield high levels of protein expression, they often provide imprecise control over protein levels. Moreover, chemically regulated systems can affect many other proteins and pathways in yeast, activating signaling pathways or physiological responses. Here, we describe several methods for light mediated control of DNA transcription in vivo in yeast. We describe methodology for using a red light and phytochrome dependent system to induce transcription of genes under GAL1 promoter control, as well as blue light / cryptochrome dependent systems to control transcription of genes under GAL1 promoter or LexA operator control. Light is dose dependent, inexpensive to apply, easily delivered, and does not interfere with cellular pathways, and thus has significant advantages over chemical systems. PMID:22922268

Low-level laser effects on bacterial cultures submitted to heat stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonçalves, E. M.; Guimarães, O. R.; Geller, M.; Paoli, F.; Fonseca, A. S.

2016-06-01

Low-level lasers have been used worldwide to treat a number of diseases, pain relief, and wound healing. Some studies demonstrated that low-level laser radiations induce effects depending on the physiological state and DNA repair mechanisms of cells. In this work we evaluated the effects of low-level red and infrared lasers on Escherichia coli cells deficient in SOS responses submitted to heat stress. Exponential and stationary E. coli cultures of wild type (AB1157), RecA deficient (AB2463) and LexA deficient (AB2494), both SOS response deficient, were exposed to low-level red and infrared lasers at different fluences and submitted to heat stress (42 °C, 20 min). After that, cell survival and morphology were evaluated. Previous exposure to red, but not infrared lasers, increases survival fractions and decreases the area ratios of E. coli AB1157 cells submitted to heat stress. Our research suggests that a low-level red laser increases cell viability and protects cells from morphological alteration in E. coli cultures submitted to heat stress depending on laser wavelength and SOS response.

Thermoresistant revertants of an Escherichia coli strain carrying tif-1 and ruv mutations: non-suppressibility of ruv by sfi.

PubMed Central

Otsuji, N; Iyehara-Ogawa, H

1979-01-01

Spontaneous thermoresistant revertants were isolated from Tif1 Ruv- and Tif1 Ruv+ strains of Escherichia coli K-12. They were divided into five groups; backmutants to tif+ and recA structural gene mutants accounted for at least two of these groups. Mutations with an unconditional RecA- phenyotype were detected at a higher frequency in the Tif1 Ruv- strains (65%) than in the Tif1 Ruv+ strains (25%). A third group consisted of revertants exhibiting a RecA- phenotype at low temperature. Revertants with normal recombination ability and UV resistance, but with a thermosensitive defect in propagating lambda bio11 phage, were also isolated (group 4). The alleles responsible for this property were cotransducible with the srl gene, suggesting that they are located at the recA locus. Other revertants, which might carry lex, LEXB, or zab mutations, were UV sensitive and were able to propagate lambda bio11 phage (group 5). The sfi mutation, which suppresses filamentation in the Tif1 and UV-sensitive Lon- strains, does not restore UV resistance of the Ruv- mutant. PMID:374356

Ribonuclease E modulation of the bacterial SOS response.

PubMed

Manasherob, Robert; Miller, Christine; Kim, Kwang-sun; Cohen, Stanley N

2012-01-01

Plants, animals, bacteria, and Archaea all have evolved mechanisms to cope with environmental or cellular stress. Bacterial cells respond to the stress of DNA damage by activation of the SOS response, the canonical RecA/LexA-dependent signal transduction pathway that transcriptionally derepresses a multiplicity of genes-leading to transient arrest of cell division and initiation of DNA repair. Here we report the previously unsuspected role of E. coli endoribonuclease RNase E in regulation of the SOS response. We show that RNase E deletion or inactivation of temperature-sensitive RNase E protein precludes normal initiation of SOS. The ability of RNase E to regulate SOS is dynamic, as down regulation of RNase E following DNA damage by mitomycin C resulted in SOS termination and restoration of RNase E function leads to resumption of a previously aborted response. Overexpression of the RraA protein, which binds to the C-terminal region of RNase E and modulates the actions of degradosomes, recapitulated the effects of RNase E deficiency. Possible mechanisms for RNase E effects on SOS are discussed.

Ribonuclease E Modulation of the Bacterial SOS Response

PubMed Central

Manasherob, Robert; Miller, Christine; Kim, Kwang-sun; Cohen, Stanley N.

2012-01-01

Plants, animals, bacteria, and Archaea all have evolved mechanisms to cope with environmental or cellular stress. Bacterial cells respond to the stress of DNA damage by activation of the SOS response, the canonical RecA/LexA-dependent signal transduction pathway that transcriptionally derepresses a multiplicity of genes–leading to transient arrest of cell division and initiation of DNA repair. Here we report the previously unsuspected role of E. coli endoribonuclease RNase E in regulation of the SOS response. We show that RNase E deletion or inactivation of temperature-sensitive RNase E protein precludes normal initiation of SOS. The ability of RNase E to regulate SOS is dynamic, as down regulation of RNase E following DNA damage by mitomycin C resulted in SOS termination and restoration of RNase E function leads to resumption of a previously aborted response. Overexpression of the RraA protein, which binds to the C-terminal region of RNase E and modulates the actions of degradosomes, recapitulated the effects of RNase E deficiency. Possible mechanisms for RNase E effects on SOS are discussed. PMID:22719885

Assessment of noise exposure during commuting in the Madrid subway.

PubMed

Tabacchi, M; Pavón, I; Ausejo, M; Asensio, C; Recuero, M

2011-09-01

Because noise-induced hearing impairment is the result not only of occupational noise exposure but also of total daily noise exposure, it is important to take the non-occupational exposure of individuals (during commuting to and from their jobs, at home, and during recreational activities) into account. Mass transit is one of the main contributors to non-occupational noise exposure. We developed a new methodology to estimate a representative commuting noise exposure. The methodology was put into practice for the Madrid subway because of all Spanish subway systems it covers the highest percentage of worker journeys (22.6%). The results of the application highlight that, for Madrid subway passengers, noise exposure level normalized to a nominal 8 hr (L(Ex,8h-cj) ) depends strongly on the type of train, the presence of squealing noise, and the public address audio system, ranging from 68.6 dBA to 72.8 dBA. These values play an important role in a more complete evaluation of a relationship between noise dose and worker health response.

Effect of bleaching and repolishing procedures on coffee and tea stain removal from three anterior composite veneering materials.

PubMed

Türkün, L Sebnem; Türkün, Murat

2004-01-01

Discolored teeth can be treated with resin veneers, but their color changes when confronted with staining solutions. Polishing procedures can provide a remedy for highly stained composites, but they tend to remove some materials as well. However, bleaching procedures are an effective, nondestructive method for solving the problem. The aim of this study was to compare the color change of three veneer composites exposed to staining solutions and to evaluate the effectiveness of a 15% hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent and three polishing systems to remove the stain. Forty-five disks (12 x 2 mm) each of Clearfil ST (Kuraray Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan), Esthet-X (Dentsply/Caulk, Milford DE, USA), and Filtek A110 (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) were prepared. The specimens were polished with Sof-Lex (3M ESPE), Enhance (Dentsply/Caulk), or PoGo (Dentsply/Caulk). Five specimens for each material-polishing system combination were immersed in coffee (Nescafe Classic, Nestle SA, Vevey, Switzerland) or tea (Earl Grey, Lipton, Blackfriars-London, England) for 7 days. The remaining disks were stored in water. Color measurements were made with a spectrophotometer (X-Rite Seroice SP78, Loaner, Köln, Germany) at baseline; after 1, 3, 5, and 7 days; and after bleaching and repolishing. After 1 week, one side of the specimens was bleached with Illuminé-office (Dentsply De Trey GmbH, Konstanz, Germany) for 1 hour, and the other side was repolished for 30 seconds. All comparisons of color change for the polishing systems, times, and staining solutions were subjected to repeated measurements of analysis of variance. Paired t-test was used to examine whether significant color differences (deltaE*) occurred during immersion at the specified time intervals (p < or = .05). Filtek A110 was the least stained resin composite. Its color remained under a deltaE* value of 2 during the study. Clearfil ST exhibited the most color change after 1 week. All specimens polished with Enhance showed less staining, whereas those polished with the Sof-Lex system demonstrated the most color change. Water did not cause a variance in the deltaE*. There was no difference in the staining potential of coffee and tea. Bleaching and repolishing were effective in removing the stains. The resin composites tested reversed nearly to baseline color with the bleaching and to less than values at 1 day of staining with repolishing. The coffee and tea brands tested stained the composites used in this study equally. In-office bleaching was found to be more effective than repolishing in the restitution of the color. The results of this study suggest that the discoloration of resin veneers can be partially removed by in-office bleaching and repolishing procedures.

An exploration of the utility of mathematical modeling predicting fatigue from sleep/wake history and circadian phase applied in accident analysis and prevention: the crash of Comair Flight 5191.

PubMed

Pruchnicki, Shawn A; Wu, Lora J; Belenky, Gregory

2011-05-01

On 27 August 2006 at 0606 eastern daylight time (EDT) at Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, KY (LEX), the flight crew of Comair Flight 5191 inadvertently attempted to take off from a general aviation runway too short for their aircraft. The aircraft crashed killing 49 of the 50 people on board. To better understand this accident and to aid in preventing similar accidents, we applied mathematical modeling predicting fatigue-related degradation in performance for the Air Traffic Controller on-duty at the time of the crash. To provide the necessary input to the model, we attempted to estimate circadian phase and sleep/wake histories for the Captain, First Officer, and Air Traffic Controller. We were able to estimate with confidence the circadian phase for each. We were able to estimate with confidence the sleep/wake history for the Air Traffic Controller, but unable to do this for the Captain and First Officer. Using the sleep/wake history estimates for the Air Traffic Controller as input, the mathematical modeling predicted moderate fatigue-related performance degradation at the time of the crash. This prediction was supported by the presence of what appeared to be fatigue-related behaviors in the Air Traffic Controller during the 30 min prior to and in the minutes after the crash. Our modeling results do not definitively establish fatigue in the Air Traffic Controller as a cause of the accident, rather they suggest that had he been less fatigued he might have detected Comair Flight 5191's lining up on the wrong runway. We were not able to perform a similar analysis for the Captain and First Officer because we were not able to estimate with confidence their sleep/wake histories. Our estimates of sleep/wake history and circadian rhythm phase for the Air Traffic Controller might generalize to other air traffic controllers and to flight crew operating in the early morning hours at LEX. Relative to other times of day, the modeling results suggest an elevated risk of fatigue-related error, incident, or accident in the early morning due to truncated sleep from the early start and adverse circadian phase from the time of day. This in turn suggests that fatigue mitigation targeted to early morning starts might reduce fatigue risk. In summary, this study suggests that mathematical models predicting performance from sleep/wake history and circadian phase are (1) useful in retrospective accident analysis provided reliable sleep/wake histories are available for the accident personnel and, (2) useful in prospective fatigue-risk identification, mitigation, and accident prevention. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of rifampicin and gentamicin on Shiga toxin 2 expression level and the SOS response in Escherichia coli O104:H4.

PubMed

Fadlallah, Sukayna M; Rahal, Elias A; Sabra, Ahmad; Kissoyan, Kohar A B; Matar, Ghassan M

2015-01-01

A novel pathotype, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4, was the cause of a severe outbreak that affected European countries, mainly Germany, in 2011. The effect of different regimens of rifampicin and gentamicin were evaluated to determine possible treatment modes for the novel strain, and to evaluate the SOS response and its effect on toxin release. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed on the novel E. coli O104:H4 pathotype and two pre-outbreak E. coli O104:H4 CDC strains. Transcript levels of the stx2 and recA gene (SOS response inducer) were evaluated using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in the novel E. coli O104:H4 samples subjected to different regimens of rifampicin and gentamicin. Consequently, reverse passive latex agglutination (RPLA) was used to determine the Stx2 titers in these samples. Western blot was performed to determine the LexA levels (SOS response repressor) in E. coli O104:H4. The efficacy of treatment with antimicrobial agents was assessed in BALB/c mice. The outbreak and pre-outbreak strains are closely related as shown by PFGE, which demonstrated slight genomic differences between the three strains. The transcription level of the stx2 gene in the new pathotype was 1.41- and 1.75-fold that of the 2009 EL-2050 and 2009 EL-2071 pre-outbreak strains, respectively. Moreover, the transcription level of the stx2 gene in the new pathotype was substantially decreased as a result of treatment with the different concentrations of the antimicrobial agents, but was enhanced when the antibiotics were administered at two subinhibitory levels. RPLA data were in accordance with the qRT-PCR results. E. coli O104:H4 exposed to gentamicin at both sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels led to high transcription levels of the recA gene and lack of expression of the LexA protein, implying that the SOS response was activated. Rifampicin at both sub-MIC levels resulted in low transcript levels of the recA gene, indicating that the SOS response was not induced. In vivo, the highest survival rate in BALB/c mice was observed in the group that was treated with the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of gentamicin. The use of antimicrobial agents in E. coli O104:H4 infection seems to be effective at the MIC and MBC levels. This provides a promising ground for treatment of E. coli O104:H4.

21 CFR 870.3640 - Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Indirect pacemaker generator function analyzer. 870.3640 Section 870.3640 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Prosthetic Devices § 870.3640...

21 CFR 870.3630 - Pacemaker generator function analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Pacemaker generator function analyzer. 870.3630 Section 870.3630 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Prosthetic Devices § 870.3630 Pacemaker...

Design and modeling of energy generated magneto rheological damper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahamed, Raju; Rashid, Muhammad Mahbubur; Ferdaus, Md Meftahul; Yusof, Hazlina Md.

2016-02-01

In this paper an energy generated mono tube MR damper model has been developed for vehicle suspension systems. A 3D model of energy generated MR damper is developed in Solid Works electromagnetic simulator (EMS) where it is analyzed extensively by finite element method. This dynamic simulation clearly illustrates the power generation ability of the damper. Two magnetic fields are induced inside this damper. One is in the outer coil of the power generator and another is in the piston head coils. The complete magnetic isolation between these two fields is accomplished here, which can be seen in the finite element analysis. The induced magnetic flux densities, magnetic field intensities of this damper are analyzed for characterizing the damper's power generation ability. Finally, the proposed MR damper's energy generation ability was studied experimentally.

A Phenomenological Investigation of the Lived Experiences of Successful First Generation Hispanic College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Puente, Christina C.

2013-01-01

This qualitative phenomenological research study investigated the lived experiences of five successful first generation Hispanic college students. Participants' interviews were analyzed using Creswell's (2007) six steps for analyzing phenomenological studies. Findings from this study affirm the factors for student success in college regarding…

From Verified Models to Verifiable Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lensink, Leonard; Munoz, Cesar A.; Goodloe, Alwyn E.

2009-01-01

Declarative specifications of digital systems often contain parts that can be automatically translated into executable code. Automated code generation may reduce or eliminate the kinds of errors typically introduced through manual code writing. For this approach to be effective, the generated code should be reasonably efficient and, more importantly, verifiable. This paper presents a prototype code generator for the Prototype Verification System (PVS) that translates a subset of PVS functional specifications into an intermediate language and subsequently to multiple target programming languages. Several case studies are presented to illustrate the tool's functionality. The generated code can be analyzed by software verification tools such as verification condition generators, static analyzers, and software model-checkers to increase the confidence that the generated code is correct.

Brush potential curve tracer

DOEpatents

Finch, H.A.

1985-06-21

A device for analyzing commutating characteristics of a motor or generator includes a holder for supporting a plurality of probes adjacent a brush of the motor or generator. Measurements of electrical current characteristics of the probes provides information useful in analyzing operation of the machine. Methods for employing a device in accordance with the invention are also disclosed.

Factors determining waste generation in Spanish towns and cities.

PubMed

Prades, Miriam; Gallardo, Antonio; Ibàñez, Maria Victoria

2015-01-01

This paper analyzes the generation and composition of municipal solid waste in Spanish towns and cities with more than 5000 inhabitants, which altogether account for 87% of the Spanish population. To do so, the total composition and generation of municipal solid waste fractions were obtained from 135 towns and cities. Homogeneity tests revealed heterogeneity in the proportions of municipal solid waste fractions from one city to another. Statistical analyses identified significant differences in the generation of glass in cities of different sizes and in the generation of all fractions depending on the hydrographic area. Finally, linear regression models and residuals analysis were applied to analyze the effect of different demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic variables on the generation of waste fractions. The conclusions show that more densely populated towns, a hydrographic area, and cities with over 50,000 inhabitants have higher waste generation rates, while certain socioeconomic variables (people/car) decrease that generation. Other socioeconomic variables (foreigners and unemployment) show a positive and null influence on that waste generation, respectively.

Brush potential curve tracer

DOEpatents

Finch, Hilvan A.

1987-01-01

A device for analyzing commutating characteristics of a motor or generator includes a holder for supporting a plurality of probes adjacent a brush of the motor or generator. Measurements of electrical current characteristics in each of the probes provides information useful in analyzing operation of the machine. Methods for employing a device in accordance with the invention are also disclosed.

Measurement of "g" Using a Flashing LED

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Terzella, T.; Sundermier, J.; Sinacore, J.; Owen, C.; Takai, H.

2008-01-01

In one of the classic free-fall experiments, a small mass is attached to a strip of paper tape and both are allowed to fall through a spark timer, where sparks are generated at regular time intervals. Students analyze marks (dots) left on the tape by the timer, thereby generating distance-versus-time data, which they analyze to extract the…

Chrysler improved numerical differencing analyzer for third generation computers CINDA-3G

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaski, J. D.; Lewis, D. R.; Thompson, L. R.

1972-01-01

New and versatile method has been developed to supplement or replace use of original CINDA thermal analyzer program in order to take advantage of improved systems software and machine speeds of third generation computers. CINDA-3G program options offer variety of methods for solution of thermal analog models presented in network format.

Elemental analysis using temporal gating of a pulsed neutron generator

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

Mitra, Sudeep

Technologies related to determining elemental composition of a sample that comprises fissile material are described herein. In a general embodiment, a pulsed neutron generator periodically emits bursts of neutrons, and is synchronized with an analyzer circuit. The bursts of neutrons are used to interrogate the sample, and the sample outputs gamma rays based upon the neutrons impacting the sample. A detector outputs pulses based upon the gamma rays impinging upon the material of the detector, and the analyzer circuit assigns the pulses to temporally-based bins based upon the analyzer circuit being synchronized with the pulsed neutron generator. A computing devicemore » outputs data that is indicative of elemental composition of the sample based upon the binned pulses.« less

Noise and soundscape in Rome

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brambilla, Giovanni

2004-05-01

Noise pollution is an old problem in Rome. In 45 B.C. the Lex Julia Municipalis limited carriage traffic in the city center to specific times. Road traffic constitutes the most important and widespread noise source, and several investigations have been conducted since 1972, some aimed at developing a numerical model for predicting the hourly LAeq level. In order to reduce the large impact of this type of noise some measures have been carried out, including surfacing with porous asphalt, erection of noise barriers, limitation in time and spacing of private traffic, etc. However, most of the public complaints deal with noise from equipment operation and recreational activities rather than transportation systems. Moreover, the most famous tourist areas opened to pedestrians only are not as quiet as expected but their sound environment is usually rated more acceptable than noise from other sources at the same level. In compliance with the Italian legislation on noise, the Municipality of Rome issued a noise zoning code for its own territory, and a noise mapping is in progress, pursuant to the requirements of the 2002/49/EC European directive. A Geographical Information System has been also developed to manage all the aspects of noise pollution.

["Lex Kendra" in New York, United States. Homicide, "revolving door psychiatry" and political response].

PubMed

Röttgers, H R; Nedjat, S

2001-03-01

The history, motivation and consequences of the New York State "Kendra's Law" as of August 1999 are reviewed. "Kendra's Law" was the consequence of the killing of a young woman, Kendra W., by a schizophrenic patient later convicted for second degree murder. Before, he had been repeatedly rejected when he sought treatment in state-run psychiatric facilities and was expelled several times from long-term hospitals despite a long history of violent behaviour when untreated. "Kendra's Law" now entitles physicians, case workers, roommates and families of untreated mentally ill persons to seek a court order forcing a patient to comply with treatment and, at the same time, compelling mental health institutions to grant this treatment. Additionally, the law and another bill signed in November 1999 provided for additional funding for the underfinanced state-run mental health system. "Kendra's Law" illustrates a bidirectional attempt to cope with the revolving door treatment situation of mentally ill in the State of New York by additional funding and additional possibilities to enforce treatment. The law illustrates the fundamental conflict between individual autonomy and the need for treatment of people suffering from severe mental illness.

Intensive physical activity and alexithymia: results from swimmers' discourse analysis.

PubMed

Allegre, Benjamin; Noel-Jorand, Marie-Christine; Souville, Marc; Pellegrin, Liliane; Therme, Pierre

2007-06-01

The aim of this study was to describe and understand the relationship of swimmers' practice intensity and alexithymia features in discourse. This study investigated psychological processes in two groups of male swimmers training at different intensities. The first group was composed of 10 Expert amateurs (M age = 19.5 yr., SD = 1.9), who were competing at the national or international level and trained 22 hours per week. The second group was composed of 10 Amateur swimmers (M age = 20.5 yr., SD = 1.4), who competed at the regional level and trained 6 hours per week. The discourse of swimmers was analysed using the ALCESTE (Analyse de Lexèmes Coocurents dans les Enoncés Simples d'un Texte) method of discourse analysis. Discourse analysis was performed on speech samples produced by swimmers. All the swimmers showed alexithymic verbal behaviour as regards both the means of expression used and the feelings and emotions expressed. This lack of articulateness was more pronounced in the Expert than in the Amateur group. The difference of alexithymic features in correlation with the intensity of sport practice raises the question of the health benefits of intense sports practice and the need for psychological assessment of athletes.

Identification of structural protein-protein interactions of herpes simplex virus type 1.

PubMed

Lee, Jin H; Vittone, Valerio; Diefenbach, Eve; Cunningham, Anthony L; Diefenbach, Russell J

2008-09-01

In this study we have defined protein-protein interactions between the structural proteins of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) using a LexA yeast two-hybrid system. The majority of the capsid, tegument and envelope proteins of HSV-1 were screened in a matrix approach. A total of 40 binary interactions were detected including 9 out of 10 previously identified tegument-tegument interactions (Vittone, V., Diefenbach, E., Triffett, D., Douglas, M.W., Cunningham, A.L., and Diefenbach, R.J., 2005. Determination of interactions between tegument proteins of herpes simplex virus type 1. J. Virol. 79, 9566-9571). A total of 12 interactions involving the capsid protein pUL35 (VP26) and 11 interactions involving the tegument protein pUL46 (VP11/12) were identified. The most significant novel interactions detected in this study, which are likely to play a role in viral assembly, include pUL35-pUL37 (capsid-tegument), pUL46-pUL37 (tegument-tegument) and pUL49 (VP22)-pUS9 (tegument-envelope). This information will provide further insights into the pathways of HSV-1 assembly and the identified interactions are potential targets for new antiviral drugs.

LIBMAKER

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

2015-08-01

Version 00 COG LibMaker contains various utilities to convert common data formats into a format usable by the COG - Multi-particle Monte Carlo Code System package, (C00777MNYCP01). Utilities included: ACEtoCOG - ACE formatted neutron data: Currently ENDFB7R0.BNL, ENDFB7R1.BNL, JEFF3.1, JEFF3.1.1, JEFF3.1.2, MCNP.50c, MCNP.51c, MCNP.55c, MCNP.66c, and MCNP.70c. ACEUtoCOG - ACEU formatted photonuclear data: Currently PN.MCNP.30c and PN.MCNP.70u. ACTLtoCOG - Creates a COG library from ENDL formatted activation data COG library. EDDLtoCOG - Creates a COG library from ENDL formatted LLNL deuteron data. ENDLtoCOG - Creates a COG library from ENDL formatted LLNL neutron data. EPDLtoCOG - Creates a COG librarymore » from ENDL formatted LLNL photon data. LEX - Creates a COG dictionary file. SAB.ACEtoCOG - Creates a COG library from ACE formatted S(a,b) data. SABtoCOG - Creates a COG library from ENDF6 formatted S(a,b) data. URRtoCOG - Creates a COG library from ACE formatted probability table data. This package also includes library checking and bit swapping capability.« less

Buried layers: On the origins, rise, and fall of stratification theories.

PubMed

Wieser, Martin

2018-02-01

This article presents a historical analysis of the origins, rise, and demise of theories of stratification ( Schichtentheorien ). Following their roots in the ancient metaphysical idea of the "great chain of being," Aristotle's scala naturae , the medieval "Jacob's ladder," and Leibniz's concept of the lex continua, I argue that theories of stratification represent the modern heir to the ancient cosmological idea of a harmonious, hierarchical, and unified universe. Theories of stratification reached their heyday during the interwar period within German academia, proliferating over a vast number of disciplines and rising to special prominence within personality psychology, feeding the hope for a unitary image of the world and of human beings, their biological and mental development, their social organization and cultural creations. This article focuses on the role of visuality as a distinct mode of scientific knowledge within theories of stratification as well as the cultural context that provided the fertile ground for their flowering in the Weimar Republic. Finally, the rapid demise of theories of stratification during the 1950s is discussed, and some reasons for their downfall during the second half of the 20th century are explored. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

NeuroElectro: a window to the world's neuron electrophysiology data

PubMed Central

Tripathy, Shreejoy J.; Savitskaya, Judith; Burton, Shawn D.; Urban, Nathaniel N.; Gerkin, Richard C.

2014-01-01

The behavior of neural circuits is determined largely by the electrophysiological properties of the neurons they contain. Understanding the relationships of these properties requires the ability to first identify and catalog each property. However, information about such properties is largely locked away in decades of closed-access journal articles with heterogeneous conventions for reporting results, making it difficult to utilize the underlying data. We solve this problem through the NeuroElectro project: a Python library, RESTful API, and web application (at http://neuroelectro.org) for the extraction, visualization, and summarization of published data on neurons' electrophysiological properties. Information is organized both by neuron type (using neuron definitions provided by NeuroLex) and by electrophysiological property (using a newly developed ontology). We describe the techniques and challenges associated with the automated extraction of tabular electrophysiological data and methodological metadata from journal articles. We further discuss strategies for how to best combine, normalize and organize data across these heterogeneous sources. NeuroElectro is a valuable resource for experimental physiologists attempting to supplement their own data, for computational modelers looking to constrain their model parameters, and for theoreticians searching for undiscovered relationships among neurons and their properties. PMID:24808858

Expedient synthesis of C-aryl carbohydrates by consecutive biocatalytic benzoin and aldol reactions.

PubMed

Hernández, Karel; Parella, Teodor; Joglar, Jesús; Bujons, Jordi; Pohl, Martina; Clapés, Pere

2015-02-16

The introduction of aromatic residues connected by a C-C bond into the non-reducing end of carbohydrates is highly significant for the development of innovative structures with improved binding affinity and selectivity (e.g., C-aril-sLex). In this work, an expedient asymmetric "de novo" synthetic route to new aryl carbohydrate derivatives based on two sequential stereoselectively biocatalytic carboligation reactions is presented. First, the benzoin reaction of aromatic aldehydes to dimethoxyacetaldehyde is conducted, catalyzed by benzaldehyde lyase from Pseudomonas fluorescens biovar I. Then, the α-hydroxyketones formed are reduced by using NaBH4 yielding the anti diol. After acetal hydrolysis, the aldol addition of dihydroxyacetone, hydroxyacetone, or glycolaldehyde catalyzed by the stereocomplementary D-fructose-6-phosphate aldolase and L-rhamnulose-1-phosphate aldolase is performed. Both aldolases accept unphosphorylated donor substrates, avoiding the need of handling the phosphate group that the dihydroxyacetone phosphate-dependent aldolases require. In this way, 6-C-aryl-L-sorbose, 6-C-aryl-L-fructose, 6-C-aryl-L-tagatose, and 5-C-aryl-L-xylose derivatives are prepared by using this methodology. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The SOS response is permitted in Escherichia coli strains deficient in the expression of the mazEF pathway.

PubMed

Kalderon, Ziva; Kumar, Sathish; Engelberg-Kulka, Hanna

2014-01-01

The Escherichia coli (E. coli) SOS response is the largest, most complex, and best characterized bacterial network induced by DNA damage. It is controlled by a complex network involving the RecA and LexA proteins. We have previously shown that the SOS response to DNA damage is inhibited by various elements involved in the expression of the E. coli toxin-antitoxin mazEF pathway. Since the mazEF module is present on the chromosomes of most E. coli strains, here we asked: Why is the SOS response found in so many E. coli strains? Is the mazEF module present but inactive in those strains? We examined three E. coli strains used for studies of the SOS response, strains AB1932, BW25113, and MG1655. We found that each of these strains is either missing or inhibiting one of several elements involved in the expression of the mazEF-mediated death pathway. Thus, the SOS response only takes place in E. coli cells in which one or more elements of the E. coli toxin-antitoxin module mazEF or its downstream pathway is not functioning.

The SOS Response is Permitted in Escherichia coli Strains Deficient in the Expression of the mazEF Pathway

PubMed Central

Kalderon, Ziva; Kumar, Sathish; Engelberg-Kulka, Hanna

2014-01-01

The Escherichia coli (E. coli) SOS response is the largest, most complex, and best characterized bacterial network induced by DNA damage. It is controlled by a complex network involving the RecA and LexA proteins. We have previously shown that the SOS response to DNA damage is inhibited by various elements involved in the expression of the E. coli toxin-antitoxin mazEF pathway. Since the mazEF module is present on the chromosomes of most E. coli strains, here we asked: Why is the SOS response found in so many E. coli strains? Is the mazEF module present but inactive in those strains? We examined three E. coli strains used for studies of the SOS response, strains AB1932, BW25113, and MG1655. We found that each of these strains is either missing or inhibiting one of several elements involved in the expression of the mazEF-mediated death pathway. Thus, the SOS response only takes place in E. coli cells in which one or more elements of the E. coli toxin-antitoxin module mazEF or its downstream pathway is not functioning. PMID:25470502

Using an extended 2D hydrodynamic model for evaluating damage risk caused by extreme rain events: Flash-Flood-Risk-Map (FFRM) Upper Austria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Humer, Günter; Reithofer, Andreas

2016-04-01

Using an extended 2D hydrodynamic model for evaluating damage risk caused by extreme rain events: Flash-Flood-Risk-Map (FFRM) Upper Austria Considering the increase in flash flood events causing massive damage during the last years in urban but also rural areas [1-4], the requirement for hydrodynamic calculation of flash flood prone areas and possible countermeasures has arisen to many municipalities and local governments. Besides the German based URBAS project [1], also the EU-funded FP7 research project "SWITCH-ON" [5] addresses the damage risk caused by flash floods in the sub-project "FFRM" (Flash Flood Risk Map Upper Austria) by calculating damage risk for buildings and vulnerable infrastructure like schools and hospitals caused by flash-flood driven inundation. While danger zones in riverine flooding are established as an integral part of spatial planning, flash floods caused by overland runoff from extreme rain events have been for long an underrated safety hazard not only for buildings and infrastructure, but man and animals as well. Based on the widespread 2D-model "hydro_as-2D", an extension was developed, which calculates the runoff formation from a spatially and temporally variable precipitation and determines two dimensionally the land surface area runoff and its concentration. The conception of the model is to preprocess the precipitation data and calculate the effective runoff-volume for a short time step of e.g. five minutes. This volume is applied to the nodes of the 2D-model and the calculation of the hydrodynamic model is started. At the end of each time step, the model run is stopped, the preprocessing step is repeated and the hydraulic model calculation is continued. In view of the later use for the whole of Upper Austria (12.000 km²) a model grid of 25x25 m² was established using digital elevation data. Model parameters could be estimated for the small catchment of river Ach, which was hit by an intense rain event with up to 109 mm per hour at 20th of June 2012, based on open data sources of geology, soil and land use. The aim of FFRM is to provide an estimation of the damage risk caused by flash-floods for the whole of Upper Austria. To address the hazard, inundation depths were calculated with the extended 2D-model using design rains with an 100-year return period provided by the Environmental Ministry [7]. The potential damage was calculated using damage functions, which were derived from our experience from damage surveys of past events in Austria and according to guidelines for determination of cost-benefit-ratios for flood protection measures [8]. The greatest difficulty was to get appropriate data for the distribution of houses and industrial plants. Zoning plans provide good information on spatial distribution of residential, commercial and industrial areas, but does not contain information on the kind of industry, which is essential for estimating absolute damage values. To get a first idea detailed information from surveyed areas was intersected with the zoning plan, which provides an average damage in the respective zones. The first results can be found on www.waterviewer.com and will be updated with the further development of the project. [1] URBAS, risk management of extreme flooding events - prediction and management of flash floods in urban areas, www.urbanesturzfluten.de, prompted on 13th of November 2014 [2] Società Meteorologica Italiana (SMI), http://www.nimbus.it/eventi/2013/130624flashfloodRimini.pdf, prompted on 13th of November 2014 [3]Newspaper "Österreich", http://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/chronik/Sturzflut-Regen-legt-Ost-Oesterreich-lahm/1509113, prompted on 13th of November 2014 [4] Newspaper "Oberösterreichische Nachrichten", http://www.nachrichten.at/oberoesterreich/Unwetter-Mure-riss-Strasse-mit-Wohnhaus-in-Gosau-gefaehrdet;art4,911288 , prompted on 13th of November 2014 [5] Sharing Water-related Information to Tackle Changes in the Hydrosphere - for Operational Needs (SWITCH-ON), http://water-switch-on.eu [6] European Commission, directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 23rd October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:288:0027:0034:en:PDF [7] http://ehyd.gv.at [8] Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management: „Kosten-Nutzen-Untersuchungen im Schutzwaserbau", July 2009

Game theory competition analysis of reservoir water supply and hydropower generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, T.

2013-12-01

The total installed capacity of the power generation systems in Taiwan is about 41,000 MW. Hydropower is one of the most important renewable energy sources, with hydropower generation capacity of about 4,540 MW. The aim of this research is to analyze competition between water supply and hydropower generation in water-energy systems. The major relationships between water and energy systems include hydropower generation by water, energy consumption for water system operation, and water consumption for energy system. In this research, a game-theoretic Cournot model is formulated to simulate oligopolistic competition between water supply, hydropower generation, and co-fired power generation in water-energy systems. A Nash equilibrium of the competitive market is derived and solved by GAMS with PATH solver. In addition, a case study analyzing the competition among water supply and hydropower generation of De-ji and Ku-Kuan reservoirs, Taipower, Star Energy, and Star-Yuan power companies in central Taiwan is conducted.

77 FR 41720 - Hazardous Waste Management System; Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste; Proposed Exclusion

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-16

... delist? B. How does IBM generate the waste? C. How did IBM sample and analyze the petitioned waste? D..., thickened/conditioned, and pressed to generate the F006 waste stream. C. How did IBM sample and analyze the... the volatiles and semi-volatiles samples were non- detect. E. How did EPA evaluate the risk of...

Status of the Monte Carlo library least-squares (MCLLS) approach for non-linear radiation analyzer problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gardner, Robin P.; Xu, Libai

2009-10-01

The Center for Engineering Applications of Radioisotopes (CEAR) has been working for over a decade on the Monte Carlo library least-squares (MCLLS) approach for treating non-linear radiation analyzer problems including: (1) prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) for bulk analysis, (2) energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analyzers, and (3) carbon/oxygen tool analysis in oil well logging. This approach essentially consists of using Monte Carlo simulation to generate the libraries of all the elements to be analyzed plus any other required background libraries. These libraries are then used in the linear library least-squares (LLS) approach with unknown sample spectra to analyze for all elements in the sample. Iterations of this are used until the LLS values agree with the composition used to generate the libraries. The current status of the methods (and topics) necessary to implement the MCLLS approach is reported. This includes: (1) the Monte Carlo codes such as CEARXRF, CEARCPG, and CEARCO for forward generation of the necessary elemental library spectra for the LLS calculation for X-ray fluorescence, neutron capture prompt gamma-ray analyzers, and carbon/oxygen tools; (2) the correction of spectral pulse pile-up (PPU) distortion by Monte Carlo simulation with the code CEARIPPU; (3) generation of detector response functions (DRF) for detectors with linear and non-linear responses for Monte Carlo simulation of pulse-height spectra; and (4) the use of the differential operator (DO) technique to make the necessary iterations for non-linear responses practical. In addition to commonly analyzed single spectra, coincidence spectra or even two-dimensional (2-D) coincidence spectra can also be used in the MCLLS approach and may provide more accurate results.

Educational Attainment: Analysis by Immigrant Generation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chiswick, Barry R.; DebBurman, Noyna

2004-01-01

This paper presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the largely ignored issue of the determinants of the educational attainment of adults by immigrant generation. Using current population survey (CPS) data, differences in educational attainment are analyzed by immigrant generation (first, second, and higher order generations), and among…

Analysis of municipal waste generation rate in Poland compared to selected European countries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klojzy-Karczmarczyk, Beata; Makoudi, Said

2017-10-01

The generated municipal waste rates provided in the planning documents are a tool for forecasting the mass of waste generated in individual waste management regions. An important issue is the decisive separation of two concepts: waste generated and waste collected. The study includes analysis of the generation rate for Poland with division into urban and rural areas. The estimated and projected rate of municipal waste generation for Poland provided in subsequent editions of National Waste Management Plans (KPGO) changed since 2000 within wide range from about 300 to more than 500 kg per capita in an individual year (kg/pc/year). Currently, the National Waste Management Plan for the years 2017-2022 estimates municipal waste generation rate at approx. 270 kg/per capita/year with a projected increase to 330 kg/per capita/year in 2030. Most European countries adopt higher municipal waste generation rate, often exceeding 600 kg/per capita/year. The objective of the paper is therefore to analyze the causes of this difference in the declared values. The morphological composition of municipal waste stream in Poland and in selected European countries (e.g. France, Belgium, Switzerland) was analyzed. At present it is not possible to balance the value of the generation rate with the rate of waste collection in Poland. The conducted analyzes allow for determining a number of reasons for variation of the rate value in particular countries, mostly morphological composition of municipal waste, inclusion of household-like waste from infrastructure facilities or not and amount of waste collected in rural areas. The differences in the generation rates and provided possible reasons indicate the need to harmonize the methodology for estimating rates of municipal waste generation in various countries, including Poland.

Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) versus laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK): study protocol for a randomized, non-inferiority trial.

PubMed

Ang, Marcus; Tan, Donald; Mehta, Jodhbir S

2012-05-31

Small incision lenticule extraction or SMILE is a novel form of 'flapless' corneal refractive surgery that was adapted from refractive lenticule extraction (ReLEx). SMILE uses only one femtosecond laser to complete the refractive surgery, potentially reducing surgical time, side effects, and cost. If successful, SMILE could potentially replace the current, widely practiced laser in-situ keratomileusis or LASIK. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether SMILE is non-inferior to LASIK in terms of refractive outcomes at 3 months post-operatively. Single tertiary center, parallel group, single-masked, paired-eye design, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial. Participants who are eligible for LASIK will be enrolled for study after informed consent. Each participant will be randomized to receive SMILE and LASIK in each eye. Our primary hypothesis (stated as null) in this non-inferiority trial would be that SMILE differs from LASIK in adults (>21 years old) with myopia (> -3.00 diopter (D)) at a tertiary eye center in terms of refractive predictability at 3 months post-operatively. Our secondary hypothesis (stated as null) in this non-inferiority trial would be that SMILE differs from LASIK in adults (>21 years old) with myopia (> -3.00 D) at a tertiary eye center in terms of other refractive outcomes (efficacy, safety, higher-order aberrations) at 3 months post-operatively. Our primary outcome is refractive predictability, which is one of several standard refractive outcomes, defined as the proportion of eyes achieving a postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) within ±0.50 D of the intended target. Randomization will be performed using random allocation sequence generated by a computer with no blocks or restrictions, and implemented by concealing the number-coded surgery within sealed envelopes until just before the procedure. In this single-masked trial, subjects and their caregivers will be masked to the assigned treatment in each eye. This novel trial will provide information on whether SMILE has comparable, if not superior, refractive outcomes compared to the established LASIK for myopia, thus providing evidence for translation into clinical practice. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01216475.

Active control of turbomachine discrete tones

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fleeter, Sanford

1994-01-01

This paper was directed at active control of discrete frequency noise generated by subsonic blade rows through cancellation of the blade row interaction generated propagating acoustic waves. First discrete frequency noise generated by a rotor and stator in a duct was analyzed to determine the propagating acoustic pressure waves. Then a mathematical model was developed to analyze and predict the active control of discrete frequency noise generated by subsonic blade rows through cancellation of the propagating acoustic waves, accomplished by utilizing oscillating airfoil surfaces to generate additional control propagating pressure waves. These control waves interact with the propagating acoustic waves, thereby, in principle, canceling the acoustic waves and thus, the far field discrete frequency tones. This model was then applied to a fan exit guide vane to investigate active airfoil surface techniques for control of the propagating acoustic waves, and thus the far field discrete frequency tones, generated by blade row interactions.

Active control of turbomachine discrete tones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleeter, Sanford

This paper was directed at active control of discrete frequency noise generated by subsonic blade rows through cancellation of the blade row interaction generated propagating acoustic waves. First discrete frequency noise generated by a rotor and stator in a duct was analyzed to determine the propagating acoustic pressure waves. Then a mathematical model was developed to analyze and predict the active control of discrete frequency noise generated by subsonic blade rows through cancellation of the propagating acoustic waves, accomplished by utilizing oscillating airfoil surfaces to generate additional control propagating pressure waves. These control waves interact with the propagating acoustic waves, thereby, in principle, canceling the acoustic waves and thus, the far field discrete frequency tones. This model was then applied to a fan exit guide vane to investigate active airfoil surface techniques for control of the propagating acoustic waves, and thus the far field discrete frequency tones, generated by blade row interactions.

Spectral Archives: Extending Spectral Libraries to Analyze both Identified and Unidentified Spectra

PubMed Central

Frank, Ari M.; Monroe, Matthew E.; Shah, Anuj R.; Carver, Jeremy J.; Bandeira, Nuno F.; Moore, Ronald J.; Anderson, Gordon A.; Smith, Richard D.; Pevzner, Pavel A.

2011-01-01

MS/MS experiments generate multiple, nearly identical spectra of the same peptide in various laboratories, but proteomics researchers typically do not leverage the unidentified spectra produced in other labs to decode spectra generated in their own labs. We propose a spectral archives approach that clusters MS/MS datasets, representing similar spectra by a single consensus spectrum. Spectral archives extend spectral libraries by analyzing both identified and unidentified spectra in the same way and maintaining information about spectra of peptides shared across species and conditions. Thus archives offer both traditional library spectrum similarity-based search capabilities along with novel ways to analyze the data. By developing a clustering tool, MS-Cluster, we generated a spectral archive from ~1.18 billion spectra that greatly exceeds the size of existing spectral repositories. We advocate that publicly available data should be organized into spectral archives, rather than be analyzed as disparate datasets, as is mostly the case today. PMID:21572408

Standard Anatomic Terminologies: Comparison for Use in a Health Information Exchange–Based Prior Computed Tomography (CT) Alerting System

PubMed Central

Lowry, Tina; Vreeman, Daniel J; Loo, George T; Delman, Bradley N; Thum, Frederick L; Slovis, Benjamin H; Shapiro, Jason S

2017-01-01

Background A health information exchange (HIE)–based prior computed tomography (CT) alerting system may reduce avoidable CT imaging by notifying ordering clinicians of prior relevant studies when a study is ordered. For maximal effectiveness, a system would alert not only for prior same CTs (exams mapped to the same code from an exam name terminology) but also for similar CTs (exams mapped to different exam name terminology codes but in the same anatomic region) and anatomically proximate CTs (exams in adjacent anatomic regions). Notification of previous same studies across an HIE requires mapping of local site CT codes to a standard terminology for exam names (such as Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes [LOINC]) to show that two studies with different local codes and descriptions are equivalent. Notifying of prior similar or proximate CTs requires an additional mapping of exam codes to anatomic regions, ideally coded by an anatomic terminology. Several anatomic terminologies exist, but no prior studies have evaluated how well they would support an alerting use case. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the fitness of five existing standard anatomic terminologies to support similar or proximate alerts of an HIE-based prior CT alerting system. Methods We compared five standard anatomic terminologies (Foundational Model of Anatomy, Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms, RadLex, LOINC, and LOINC/Radiological Society of North America [RSNA] Radiology Playbook) to an anatomic framework created specifically for our use case (Simple ANatomic Ontology for Proximity or Similarity [SANOPS]), to determine whether the existing terminologies could support our use case without modification. On the basis of an assessment of optimal terminology features for our purpose, we developed an ordinal anatomic terminology utility classification. We mapped samples of 100 random and the 100 most frequent LOINC CT codes to anatomic regions in each terminology, assigned utility classes for each mapping, and statistically compared each terminology’s utility class rankings. We also constructed seven hypothetical alerting scenarios to illustrate the terminologies’ differences. Results Both RadLex and the LOINC/RSNA Radiology Playbook anatomic terminologies ranked significantly better (P<.001) than the other standard terminologies for the 100 most frequent CTs, but no terminology ranked significantly better than any other for 100 random CTs. Hypothetical scenarios illustrated instances where no standard terminology would support appropriate proximate or similar alerts, without modification. Conclusions LOINC/RSNA Radiology Playbook and RadLex’s anatomic terminologies appear well suited to support proximate or similar alerts for commonly ordered CTs, but for less commonly ordered tests, modification of the existing terminologies with concepts and relations from SANOPS would likely be required. Our findings suggest SANOPS may serve as a framework for enhancing anatomic terminologies in support of other similar use cases. PMID:29242174

Educational Attainment: Analysis by Immigrant Generation. IZA Discussion Paper Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chiswick, Barry R.; DebBurman, Noyna

This paper presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the largely ignored issue of the determinants of the educational attainment of adults by immigrant generation. Using Current Population Survey (CPS) data, differences in educational attainment are analyzed by immigrant generation (first, second, and higher order generations), and among…

Nuclear quadrupole resonance studies project. [spectrometer design and spectrum analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murty, A. N.

1978-01-01

The participation of undergraduates in nuclear quadrupole resonance research at Grambling University was made possible by NASA grants. Expanded laboratory capabilities include (1) facilities for high and low temperature generation and measurement; (2) facilities for radio frequency generation and measurement with the modern spectrum analyzers, precision frequency counters and standard signal generators; (3) vacuum and glass blowing facilities; and (4) miscellaneous electronic and machine shop facilities. Experiments carried out over a five year period are described and their results analyzed. Theoretical studies on solid state crystalline electrostatic fields, field gradients, and antishielding factors are included.

Economic challenges of hybrid microgrid: An analysis and approaches for rural electrification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habibullah, Mohammad; Mahmud, Khizir; Koçar, Günnur; Islam, A. K. M. Sadrul; Salehin, Sayedus

2017-06-01

This paper focuses on the integration of three renewable resources: biogas, wind energy and solar energy, utilizing solar PV panels, a biogas generator, and a wind turbine, respectively, to analyze the technical and economic challenges of a hybrid micro-gird. The integration of these sources has been analyzed and optimized based on realistic data for a real location. Different combinations of these sources have been analyzed to find out the optimized combination based on the efficiency and the minimum cost of electricity (COE). Wind and solar energy are considered as the primary sources of power generation during off-peak hours, and any excess power is used to charge a battery bank. During peak hours, biogas generators produce power to support the additional demand. A business strategy to implement the integrated optimized system in rural areas is discussed.

Polymerase matters: non-proofreading enzymes inflate fungal community richness estimates by up to 15 %

Treesearch

Alena K. Oliver; Shawn P. Brown; Mac A. Callaham; Ari Jumpponen

2015-01-01

Rare taxa overwhelm metabarcoding data generated using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Low frequency Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) may be artifacts generated by PCR-amplification errors resulting from polymerase mispairing. We analyzed two Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) MiSeq libraries generated with proofreading (ThermoScientific Phusion

Financial management: a necessary tool for generating cash.

PubMed

Humphrey, E; Cilwik, C J

1994-01-01

This article is an introduction to four types of financial analysis and a foundation for additional exposure to financial analysis. If you don't like working with numbers, consider hiring an accountant or a qualified industry consultant to help you analyze your business. Eventually, you will learn what financial clues to look for when analyzing your business and how to reach your objectives and generate cash to reinvest in your business.

40 CFR 86.332-79 - Oxides of nitrogen analyzer calibration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 19 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Oxides of nitrogen analyzer... Procedures § 86.332-79 Oxides of nitrogen analyzer calibration. (a) At least monthly during testing, perform.... (2) Zero the oxides of nitrogen analyzer. (3) Connect the outlet of the NOX generator (see Figure D79...

40 CFR 86.332-79 - Oxides of nitrogen analyzer calibration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 19 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Oxides of nitrogen analyzer... Procedures § 86.332-79 Oxides of nitrogen analyzer calibration. (a) At least monthly during testing, perform.... (2) Zero the oxides of nitrogen analyzer. (3) Connect the outlet of the NOX generator (see Figure D79...

Demonstration of a vectorial optical field generator with adaptive close loop control.

PubMed

Chen, Jian; Kong, Lingjiang; Zhan, Qiwen

2017-12-01

We experimentally demonstrate a vectorial optical field generator (VOF-Gen) with an adaptive close loop control. The close loop control capability is illustrated with the calibration of polarization modulation of the system. To calibrate the polarization ratio modulation, we generate 45° linearly polarized beam and make it propagate through a linear analyzer whose transmission axis is orthogonal to the incident beam. For the retardation calibration, circularly polarized beam is employed and a circular polarization analyzer with the opposite chirality is placed in front of the CCD as the detector. In both cases, the close loop control automatically changes the value of the corresponding calibration parameters in the pre-set ranges to generate the phase patterns applied to the spatial light modulators and records the intensity distribution of the output beam by the CCD camera. The optimized calibration parameters are determined corresponding to the minimum total intensity in each case. Several typical kinds of vectorial optical beams are created with and without the obtained calibration parameters, and the full Stokes parameter measurements are carried out to quantitatively analyze the polarization distribution of the generated beams. The comparisons among these results clearly show that the obtained calibration parameters could remarkably improve the accuracy of the polarization modulation of the VOF-Gen, especially for generating elliptically polarized beam with large ellipticity, indicating the significance of the presented close loop in enhancing the performance of the VOF-Gen.

Hot and cold body reference noise generators from 0 to 40 GHz

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hornbostel, D. H.

1974-01-01

This article describes the design, development, and analysis of exceptionally accurate radiometric noise generators from 0-40 GHz to serve as standard references. Size, weight, power, and reliability are optimized to meet the requirements of NASA air- and space-borne radiometers. The radiometric noise temperature of these noise generators is, unavoidably, calculated from measured values rather than measured directly. The absolute accuracy and stability are equal to or better than those of reliable standards available for comparison. A noise generator has been developed whose measurable properties (VSWR, line loss, thermometric temperatures) have been optimized in order to minimize the effects of the uncertainty in the calculated radiometric noise temperatures. Each measurable property is evaluated and analyzed to determine the effects of the uncertainty of the measured value. Unmeasurable properties (primarily temperature gradients) are analyzed, and reasonable precautions are designed into the noise generator to guarantee that the uncertainty of the value remains within tolerable limits.

Multi-Agent simulation of generation capacity expansion decisions.

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

Botterud, A.; Mahalik, M.; Conzelmann, G.

2008-01-01

In this paper, we use a multi-agent simulation model, EMCAS, to analyze generation expansion in the Iberian electricity market. The expansion model simulates generation investment decisions of decentralized generating companies (GenCos) interacting in a complex, multidimensional environment. A probabilistic dispatch algorithm calculates prices and profits for new candidate units in different future states of the system. Uncertainties in future load, hydropower conditions, and competitorspsila actions are represented in a scenario tree, and decision analysis is used to identify the optimal expansion decision for each individual GenCo. We run the model using detailed data for the Iberian market. In a scenariomore » analysis, we look at the impact of market design variables, such as the energy price cap and carbon emission prices. We also analyze how market concentration and GenCospsila risk preferences influence the timing and choice of new generating capacity.« less

I. Developing Methods for the Analysis of Chemistry Students' Inscriptions, II. Exploring the Regioselectivity of 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions of Munchnones, III. Stereochemical Investigations of C-H Activation Reactions Involving Germylene and Stannylene/Aryl Iodide Reagents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kiste, Alan L.

2009-01-01

I. Analyzing and comparing student-generated inscriptions in chemistry is crucial to gaining insight into students' understanding about chemistry concepts. Thus, we developed two methods of analyzing student-generated inscriptions: features analysis and thematic analysis. We have also demonstrated how these methods are able to discern differences…

Game-theoretic equilibrium analysis applications to deregulated electricity markets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joung, Manho

This dissertation examines game-theoretic equilibrium analysis applications to deregulated electricity markets. In particular, three specific applications are discussed: analyzing the competitive effects of ownership of financial transmission rights, developing a dynamic game model considering the ramp rate constraints of generators, and analyzing strategic behavior in electricity capacity markets. In the financial transmission right application, an investigation is made of how generators' ownership of financial transmission rights may influence the effects of the transmission lines on competition. In the second application, the ramp rate constraints of generators are explicitly modeled using a dynamic game framework, and the equilibrium is characterized as the Markov perfect equilibrium. Finally, the strategic behavior of market participants in electricity capacity markets is analyzed and it is shown that the market participants may exaggerate their available capacity in a Nash equilibrium. It is also shown that the more conservative the independent system operator's capacity procurement, the higher the risk of exaggerated capacity offers.

Analyzing user-generated online content for drug discovery: development and use of MedCrawler.

PubMed

Helfenstein, Andreas; Tammela, Päivi

2017-04-15

Ethnopharmacology, or the scientific validation of traditional medicine, is a respected starting point in drug discovery. Home remedies and traditional use of plants are still widespread, also in Western societies. Instead of perusing ancient pharmacopeias, we developed MedCrawler, which we used to analyze blog posts for mentions of home remedies and their applications. This method is free and accessible from the office computer. We developed MedCrawler, a data mining tool for analyzing user-generated blog posts aiming to find modern 'traditional' medicine or home remedies. It searches user-generated blog posts and analyzes them for correlations between medically relevant terms. We also present examples and show that this method is capable of delivering both scientifically validated uses as well as not so well documented applications, which might serve as a starting point for follow-up research. Source code is available on GitHub at {{ https://github.com/a-hel/medcrawler }}. paivi.tammela@helsinki.fi. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

Hemolysis and heat generation in six different types of centrifugal blood pumps.

PubMed

Araki, K; Taenaka, Y; Masuzawa, T; Tatsumi, E; Wakisaka, Y; Watari, M; Nakatani, T; Akagi, H; Baba, Y; Anai, H

1995-09-01

What the most causative factor affecting hemolysis is still controversial. To resolve this problem, we investigated the relationship between hemolysis and heat generation in six types of centrifugal blood pumps (Bio-Pump, Delphin, Capiox, Nikkiso, Isoflow, and Toyobo). The analyzed parameters were index of hemolysis in fresh goat blood, pumping performance, and heat generation in a thermally isolated mock circuit. These parameters were analyzed at a flow rate of 5 L/min by changing the pressure head (100 mm Hg and 500 mm Hg). At 500 mm Hg of pressure head, the Bio-Pump needed the highest rotation number and showed the highest hemolytic rate and heat generation. The index of hemolysis is well correlated to heat generation (r2 = 0.721). Heat may originate from the motor by conduction, hydraulic energy loss, and mechanical friction between the shaft and seal. We strongly suspect that hemolysis was caused by a factor such as mechanical friction which generates heat locally.

Efficient generation of transgenic cattle using the DNA transposon and their analysis by next-generation sequencing

PubMed Central

Yum, Soo-Young; Lee, Song-Jeon; Kim, Hyun-Min; Choi, Woo-Jae; Park, Ji-Hyun; Lee, Won-Wu; Kim, Hee-Soo; Kim, Hyeong-Jong; Bae, Seong-Hun; Lee, Je-Hyeong; Moon, Joo-Yeong; Lee, Ji-Hyun; Lee, Choong-Il; Son, Bong-Jun; Song, Sang-Hoon; Ji, Su-Min; Kim, Seong-Jin; Jang, Goo

2016-01-01

Here, we efficiently generated transgenic cattle using two transposon systems (Sleeping Beauty and Piggybac) and their genomes were analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Blastocysts derived from microinjection of DNA transposons were selected and transferred into recipient cows. Nine transgenic cattle have been generated and grown-up to date without any health issues except two. Some of them expressed strong fluorescence and the transgene in the oocytes from a superovulating one were detected by PCR and sequencing. To investigate genomic variants by the transgene transposition, whole genomic DNA were analyzed by NGS. We found that preferred transposable integration (TA or TTAA) was identified in their genome. Even though multi-copies (i.e. fifteen) were confirmed, there was no significant difference in genome instabilities. In conclusion, we demonstrated that transgenic cattle using the DNA transposon system could be efficiently generated, and all those animals could be a valuable resource for agriculture and veterinary science. PMID:27324781

OCSEGen: Open Components and Systems Environment Generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tkachuk, Oksana

2014-01-01

To analyze a large system, one often needs to break it into smaller components.To analyze a component or unit under analysis, one needs to model its context of execution, called environment, which represents the components with which the unit interacts. Environment generation is a challenging problem, because the environment needs to be general enough to uncover unit errors, yet precise enough to make the analysis tractable. In this paper, we present a tool for automated environment generation for open components and systems. The tool, called OCSEGen, is implemented on top of the Soot framework. We present the tool's current support and discuss its possible future extensions.

An assessment of a traffic monitoring system for a major traffic generator to improve regional planning : technical report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-09-01

The opening of a major traffic generator in the San Antonio area provided an opportunity to develop and : implement an extensive traffic monitoring system to analyze local, area, and regional traffic impacts from the : generator. Researchers reviewed...

Determination of nonlinear resistance voltage-current relationships by measuring harmonics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stafford, J. M.

1971-01-01

Test configuration measures harmonic signal amplitudes generated in nonlinear resistance. Vacuum-type voltmeter measures low frequency sinusoidal input signal amplitude and wave-analyzer measures amplitude of harmonic signals generated in junction. Input signal harmonics amplitude must not exceed that of harmonics generated in nonlinear resistance.

Method and apparatus for monitoring aircraft components

DOEpatents

Dickens, Larry M.; Haynes, Howard D.; Ayers, Curtis W.

1996-01-01

Operability of aircraft mechanical components is monitored by analyzing the voltage output of an electrical generator of the aircraft. Alternative generators, for a turbine-driven rotor aircraft, include the gas producer turbine tachometer generator, the power turbine tachometer generator, and the aircraft systems power producing starter/generator. Changes in the peak amplitudes of the fundamental frequency and its harmonics are correlated to changes in condition of the mechanical components.

Method and apparatus for monitoring aircraft components

DOEpatents

Dickens, L.M.; Haynes, H.D.; Ayers, C.W.

1996-01-16

Operability of aircraft mechanical components is monitored by analyzing the voltage output of an electrical generator of the aircraft. Alternative generators, for a turbine-driven rotor aircraft, include the gas producer turbine tachometer generator, the power turbine tachometer generator, and the aircraft systems power producing starter/generator. Changes in the peak amplitudes of the fundamental frequency and its harmonics are correlated to changes in condition of the mechanical components. 14 figs.

Evaluation of Oxygen Concentrators and Chemical Oxygen Generators at Altitude and Temperature Extremes

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-22

ceased. Oxygen concentration was continuously measured with a fast laser diode oxygen analyzer (O2CAP, Oxigraf, Inc., Mountain View, CA) throughout the...duration of operation. The output generated from the COGs was analyzed by a gas mass spectrometer (QGA model HAS 301, Hiden Analytical, Livonia, MI...throughout the range of bolus volumes with each device at respiratory rates of 20 and 30 breaths /min with each bolus setting. Data were recorded every

Current shunting and formation of stationary shock waves during electric explosions of metal wires in air

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

Ivanenkov, G. V.; Gus'kov, S. Yu.; Barishpol'tsev, D. V.

2010-01-15

Results of experiments on the generation of shock waves during electric explosions of fine copper and tungsten wires in air are analyzed. The generation mechanism of stationary shock wave by a plasma piston formed during the shunting breakdown of the electrode gap in the course of a wire explosion is investigated. The role of structural elements of such discharges, such as the core, corona, and wire environment, is analyzed.

The Mediating Roles of Generative Cognition and Organizational Culture between Personality Traits and Student Imagination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Yi-Lin; Liang, Chaoyun

2014-01-01

Using science majors as an example, we analyzed how generative cognition, organizational culture, and personality traits affect student imagination, and examined the mediating effects of generative cognition and organizational culture. A total of 473 undergraduates enrolled in physical, chemical, mathematical, and biological science programs…

Ferrographic analysis of wear debris generated in a sliding elastohydrodynamic contact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, W. R., Jr.; Nagaraj, H. S.; Winer, W. O.

1977-01-01

The ferrograph was used to analyze wear debris generated in a sliding elastohydrodynamic contact. The amount of wear debris correlates well with the ratio of film thickness to composite surface roughness. Essentially all of the generated wear particles were of the normal rubbing wear type.

Mapping Their Road to University: First-Generation Students' Choice and Decision of University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kutty, Faridah Mydin

2014-01-01

This paper describes a qualitative case study that investigated the aspirations and decision-making process of first-generation students concerning university education. The participants comprised of 16 first-generation students at a research university. Data were obtained through interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis method. The…

Gloss and surface roughness produced by polishing kits on resin composites.

PubMed

Sadidzadeh, Ramtin; Cakir, Deniz; Ramp, Lance C; Burgess, John O

2010-08-01

To compare in vitro the surface roughness (Ra) and gloss (G) produced by three conventional and one experimental polishing kits on four resin composites. 24 discs were prepared (d = 12 mm, t = 4 mm) for each resin composite: Filtek Supreme Plus Body/A2 (FSB), Yellow Translucent (FST), Heliomolar/A2 (HM), and EsthetX/A2 (EX) following the manufacturers' instructions. They were finished with 320 grit silicon carbide paper for 80 seconds each. Polishing systems: Sof-Lex, Enhance-Pogo, Astropol and Experimental Discs/EXL-695, were applied following manufacturers' instructions. Each specimen was ultrasonically cleaned with distilled water and dried. Gloss and Ra were measured with a small area glossmeter (Novo-curve) and non-contact profilometer (Proscan 2000) following ISO 4288, respectively. The results were evaluated by two-way ANOVA followed by separate one-way ANOVA and Tukey/Kramer test (P = 0.05). There was a significant interaction of surface roughness and gloss between the composites and polishing systems (P < 0.05). The lowest surface roughness was recorded for FST polished with the Experimental kit. The highest gloss was obtained for FSB composite polished with the Experimental kit. The experimental polishing system produced smoothest surfaces (P < 0.05). The Enhance-Pogo and the experimental polishing kit produced highest gloss (P < 0.05).

Effect of adhesive remnant removal on enamel topography after bracket debonding

PubMed Central

Cardoso, Larissa Adrian Meira; Valdrighi, Heloísa Cristina; Vedovello, Mario; Correr, Américo Bortolazzo

2014-01-01

INTRODUCTION: At orthodontic treatment completion, knowledge about the effects of adhesive remnant removal on enamel is paramount. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at assessing the effect of different adhesive remnant removal methods on enamel topography (ESI) and surface roughness (Ra) after bracket debonding and polishing. METHODS: A total of 50 human premolars were selected and divided into five groups according to the method used for adhesive remnant removal: high speed tungsten carbide bur (TCB), Sof-Lex discs (SL), adhesive removing plier (PL), ultrasound (US) and Fiberglass burs (FB). Metal brackets were bonded with Transbond XT, stored at 37oC for 24 hours before debonding with adhesive removing plier. Subsequently, removal methods were carried out followed by polishing with pumice paste. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted with pre-bonding, post-debonding and post-polishing analyses. Results were submitted to statistical analysis with F test (ANOVA) and Tukey's (Ra) as well as with Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni tests (ESI) (P < 0.05). RESULTS: US Ra and ESI were significantly greater than TCB, SL, PL and FB. Polishing minimized Ra and ESI in the SL and FB groups. CONCLUSION: Adhesive remnant removal with SL and FB associated with polishing are recommended due to causing little damage to the enamel. PMID:25628087

D-MATRIX: A web tool for constructing weight matrix of conserved DNA motifs

PubMed Central

Sen, Naresh; Mishra, Manoj; Khan, Feroz; Meena, Abha; Sharma, Ashok

2009-01-01

Despite considerable efforts to date, DNA motif prediction in whole genome remains a challenge for researchers. Currently the genome wide motif prediction tools required either direct pattern sequence (for single motif) or weight matrix (for multiple motifs). Although there are known motif pattern databases and tools for genome level prediction but no tool for weight matrix construction. Considering this, we developed a D-MATRIX tool which predicts the different types of weight matrix based on user defined aligned motif sequence set and motif width. For retrieval of known motif sequences user can access the commonly used databases such as TFD, RegulonDB, DBTBS, Transfac. D­MATRIX program uses a simple statistical approach for weight matrix construction, which can be converted into different file formats according to user requirement. It provides the possibility to identify the conserved motifs in the co­regulated genes or whole genome. As example, we successfully constructed the weight matrix of LexA transcription factor binding site with the help of known sos­box cis­regulatory elements in Deinococcus radiodurans genome. The algorithm is implemented in C-Sharp and wrapped in ASP.Net to maintain a user friendly web interface. D­MATRIX tool is accessible through the CIMAP domain network. Availability http://203.190.147.116/dmatrix/ PMID:19759861

D-MATRIX: a web tool for constructing weight matrix of conserved DNA motifs.

PubMed

Sen, Naresh; Mishra, Manoj; Khan, Feroz; Meena, Abha; Sharma, Ashok

2009-07-27

Despite considerable efforts to date, DNA motif prediction in whole genome remains a challenge for researchers. Currently the genome wide motif prediction tools required either direct pattern sequence (for single motif) or weight matrix (for multiple motifs). Although there are known motif pattern databases and tools for genome level prediction but no tool for weight matrix construction. Considering this, we developed a D-MATRIX tool which predicts the different types of weight matrix based on user defined aligned motif sequence set and motif width. For retrieval of known motif sequences user can access the commonly used databases such as TFD, RegulonDB, DBTBS, Transfac. D-MATRIX program uses a simple statistical approach for weight matrix construction, which can be converted into different file formats according to user requirement. It provides the possibility to identify the conserved motifs in the co-regulated genes or whole genome. As example, we successfully constructed the weight matrix of LexA transcription factor binding site with the help of known sos-box cis-regulatory elements in Deinococcus radiodurans genome. The algorithm is implemented in C-Sharp and wrapped in ASP.Net to maintain a user friendly web interface. D-MATRIX tool is accessible through the CIMAP domain network. http://203.190.147.116/dmatrix/

Predicting visual semantic descriptive terms from radiological image data: preliminary results with liver lesions in CT.

PubMed

Depeursinge, Adrien; Kurtz, Camille; Beaulieu, Christopher; Napel, Sandy; Rubin, Daniel

2014-08-01

We describe a framework to model visual semantics of liver lesions in CT images in order to predict the visual semantic terms (VST) reported by radiologists in describing these lesions. Computational models of VST are learned from image data using linear combinations of high-order steerable Riesz wavelets and support vector machines (SVM). In a first step, these models are used to predict the presence of each semantic term that describes liver lesions. In a second step, the distances between all VST models are calculated to establish a nonhierarchical computationally-derived ontology of VST containing inter-term synonymy and complementarity. A preliminary evaluation of the proposed framework was carried out using 74 liver lesions annotated with a set of 18 VSTs from the RadLex ontology. A leave-one-patient-out cross-validation resulted in an average area under the ROC curve of 0.853 for predicting the presence of each VST. The proposed framework is expected to foster human-computer synergies for the interpretation of radiological images while using rotation-covariant computational models of VSTs to 1) quantify their local likelihood and 2) explicitly link them with pixel-based image content in the context of a given imaging domain.

Action of hydrogen peroxide on degradation of DNA after irradiation in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Keller, K M; Pollard, E C

1977-05-01

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which produces breaks in cellular DNA, has not hitherto been shown to cause degradation of DNA. In this investigation it is shown that if transcription is blocked with rifampin, treatment with H2O2 causes degradation of DNA to nearly the same extent as does gamma-radiation. Further, if cells are given a treatment with H2O2 and incubated for 50 min, the amount of degradation in a second treatment is markedly less. This is attributed to the induction of the inhibitor of post-irradiation degradation of DNA (prd) by the first treatment. There is thus a double action of H2O2: first, to induce inhibition, and second, to cause degradation of DNA to begin in non-induced cells. The genetic dependence of induction by H2O2 mimics that of ionizing radiation. Accordingly, the induction process does not occur in recA- and lex- cells, because they are not inducible and is absent in recB- cells because they lack exonuclease V, the major component of prd. Potassium iodide (KI), an OH radical scavenger, negates the action of peroxide on DNA. The results obtained in this study suggest a possible theory for the evolution of radiation response systems

Screening of Latin American plants for antiparasitic activities against malaria, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis.

PubMed

Calderón, Angela I; Romero, Luz I; Ortega-Barría, Eduardo; Solís, Pablo N; Zacchino, Susana; Gimenez, Alberto; Pinzón, Roberto; Cáceres, Armando; Tamayo, Giselle; Guerra, Carlos; Espinosa, Alex; Correa, Mireya; Gupta, Mahabir P

2010-05-01

In order to explore rationally the medical potential of the plant biodiversity of the Central and South American region as a source of novel antiparasitic molecules, a multinational Organization of American States (OAS) project, which included the participation of multidisciplinary research centers from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama, was carried out during the period 2001-2004. This project aimed at screening organic plant extracts for antitrypanosomal, antileishmanial and antimalarial activities and subsequently isolating and characterizing bioactive molecules. Plants for antiparasitic screening were selected from a database of ethnomedical uses of Latin American plants (PlanMedia) based on the amount of biological and chemical information available in the literature. We report here the evaluation of 452 extracts from 311 plant species in vitro screens against Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania mexicana, and Trypanosoma cruzi. Out of 311 species tested, 17 plants (5.4%) showed antiparasitic activities at IC(50) values < or = 10 microg/mL. The most active plants were Acnistus arborescens (L.) Schltdl. (Solanaceae) (leaf, EtOH, IC(50): 4 microg/mL) Monochaetum myrtoideum Naudin (Melastomataceae) (leaf, MeOH, IC(50): 5 microg/mL) and Bourreria huanita (Lex.) Hemsl. (Boraginaceae) (branch, EtOH, IC(50): 6 microg/mL). These were selectively active against P. falciparum, L. mexicana and T. cruzi, respectively.

Using text mining to link journal articles to neuroanatomical databases

PubMed Central

French, Leon; Pavlidis, Paul

2013-01-01

The electronic linking of neuroscience information, including data embedded in the primary literature, would permit powerful queries and analyses driven by structured databases. This task would be facilitated by automated procedures which can identify biological concepts in journals. Here we apply an approach for automatically mapping formal identifiers of neuroanatomical regions to text found in journal abstracts, and apply it to a large body of abstracts from the Journal of Comparative Neurology (JCN). The analyses yield over one hundred thousand brain region mentions which we map to 8,225 brain region concepts in multiple organisms. Based on the analysis of a manually annotated corpus, we estimate mentions are mapped at 95% precision and 63% recall. Our results provide insights into the patterns of publication on brain regions and species of study in the Journal, but also point to important challenges in the standardization of neuroanatomical nomenclatures. We find that many terms in the formal terminologies never appear in a JCN abstract, while conversely, many terms authors use are not reflected in the terminologies. To improve the terminologies we deposited 136 unrecognized brain regions into the Neuroscience Lexicon (NeuroLex). The training data, terminologies, normalizations, evaluations and annotated journal abstracts are freely available at http://www.chibi.ubc.ca/WhiteText/. PMID:22120205

SOS gene induction and possible mutagenic effects of freeze-drying in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium.

PubMed

Rosen, Rachel; Buchinger, Sebastian; Pfänder, Ramona; Pedhazur, Rami; Reifferscheid, Georg; Belkin, Shimshon

2016-11-01

We report the results of a study of the potential negative effects of the freeze-drying process, normally considered a benign means for long-term conservation of living cells and the golden standard in bacterial preservation. By monitoring gene induction using a whole-cell Escherichia coli bioreporter panel, in which diverse stress-responsive gene promoters are fused to luminescent or fluorescent reporting systems, we have demonstrated that DNA repair genes belonging to the SOS operon (recA, sulA, uvrA, umuD, and lexA) were induced upon resuscitation from the freeze-dried state, whereas other stress-responsive promoters such as grpE, katG, phoA, soxS, and sodA were not affected. This observation was confirmed by the UMU-chromotest (activation of the umuD gene promoter) in Salmonella typhimurium, as well as by real-time PCR analyses of selected E. coli SOS genes. We further show that a functional SOS operon is important in viability maintenance following resuscitation, but that at the same time, this repair system may introduce significantly higher mutation rates, comparable to those induced by high concentrations of a known mutagen. Our results also indicate that the entire freeze-drying process, rather than either freezing or drying separately, is instrumental in the induction of DNA damage.

Generation of Long-time Complex Signals for Testing the Instruments for Detection of Voltage Quality Disturbances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Živanović, Dragan; Simić, Milan; Kokolanski, Zivko; Denić, Dragan; Dimcev, Vladimir

2018-04-01

Software supported procedure for generation of long-time complex test sentences, suitable for testing the instruments for detection of standard voltage quality (VQ) disturbances is presented in this paper. This solution for test signal generation includes significant improvements of computer-based signal generator presented and described in the previously published paper [1]. The generator is based on virtual instrumentation software for defining the basic signal parameters, data acquisition card NI 6343, and power amplifier for amplification of output voltage level to the nominal RMS voltage value of 230 V. Definition of basic signal parameters in LabVIEW application software is supported using Script files, which allows simple repetition of specific test signals and combination of more different test sequences in the complex composite test waveform. The basic advantage of this generator compared to the similar solutions for signal generation is the possibility for long-time test sequence generation according to predefined complex test scenarios, including various combinations of VQ disturbances defined in accordance with the European standard EN50160. Experimental verification of the presented signal generator capability is performed by testing the commercial power quality analyzer Fluke 435 Series II. In this paper are shown some characteristic complex test signals with various disturbances and logged data obtained from the tested power quality analyzer.

Fuel Competition in Power Generation and Elasticities of Substitution

EIA Publications

2012-01-01

This report analyzes the competition between coal, natural gas and petroleum used for electricity generation by estimating what is referred to by economists as the elasticity of substitution among the fuels.

Quasi-phase-matching of high-order harmonics in plasma plumes: theory and experiment.

PubMed

Strelkov, V V; Ganeev, R A

2017-09-04

We theoretically analyze the phase-matching of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in multi-jet plasmas and find the harmonic orders for which the quasi-phase-matching (QPM) is achieved depending on the parameters of the plasma and the generating beam. HHG by single- and two-color generating fields is analyzed. The QMP is studied experimentally for silver, indium and manganese plasmas using near IR and mid-IR laser fields. The theory is validated by comparison with our experimental observations, as well as published experimental data. In particular, the plasma densities and the harmonic phase coefficients reconstructed from the observed harmonic spectra using our theory agree with the corresponding parameters found using other methods. Our theory allows defining the plasma jet and the generating field properties, which can maximize the HHG efficiency due to QPM.

Die Steuerung von den Multigenerationteams in den Industriebetrieben

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vraňaková, Natália; Chlpeková, Andrea; Koltnerová, Kristína; Pračková, Petra

2017-09-01

The current workforce in industrial enterprises is formed from four generational groups. These generational groups are called Baby boomers, Generation "X", Generation "Y" and Generation "Z". Each of generational groups is specific by own characteristics, positives and negatives. The aim of the article is to refer the features of individual generational groups, to analyze their representation on labor market and to specify recommendations for the management of multigenerational teams for the practice of industrial enterprises in order to achieve the satisfaction and synergy of employees in accordance with the objectives of enterprise.

Off-design performance analysis of MHD generator channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, D. R.; Williams, T. S.

1980-01-01

A computer code for performing parametric design point calculations, and evaluating the off-design performance of MHD generators has been developed. The program is capable of analyzing Faraday, Hall, and DCW channels, including the effect of electrical shorting in the gas boundary layers and coal slag layers. Direct integration of the electrode voltage drops is included. The program can be run in either the design or off-design mode. Details of the computer code, together with results of a study of the design and off-design performance of the proposed ETF MHD generator are presented. Design point variations of pre-heat and stoichiometry were analyzed. The off-design study included variations in mass flow rate and oxygen enrichment.

Neural Network and Regression Approximations in High Speed Civil Transport Aircraft Design Optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patniak, Surya N.; Guptill, James D.; Hopkins, Dale A.; Lavelle, Thomas M.

1998-01-01

Nonlinear mathematical-programming-based design optimization can be an elegant method. However, the calculations required to generate the merit function, constraints, and their gradients, which are frequently required, can make the process computational intensive. The computational burden can be greatly reduced by using approximating analyzers derived from an original analyzer utilizing neural networks and linear regression methods. The experience gained from using both of these approximation methods in the design optimization of a high speed civil transport aircraft is the subject of this paper. The Langley Research Center's Flight Optimization System was selected for the aircraft analysis. This software was exercised to generate a set of training data with which a neural network and a regression method were trained, thereby producing the two approximating analyzers. The derived analyzers were coupled to the Lewis Research Center's CometBoards test bed to provide the optimization capability. With the combined software, both approximation methods were examined for use in aircraft design optimization, and both performed satisfactorily. The CPU time for solution of the problem, which had been measured in hours, was reduced to minutes with the neural network approximation and to seconds with the regression method. Instability encountered in the aircraft analysis software at certain design points was also eliminated. On the other hand, there were costs and difficulties associated with training the approximating analyzers. The CPU time required to generate the input-output pairs and to train the approximating analyzers was seven times that required for solution of the problem.

Notch and affinity boundaries in Drosophila.

PubMed

Herranz, Héctor; Milán, Marco

2006-02-01

Cells in multicellular organisms often do not intermingle freely with each other. Differential cell affinities can contribute to organizing cells into different tissues. Drosophila limbs and the vertebrate central nervous system are subdivided into compartments. Cells in adjacent compartments do not mix. Cell interactions mediated by Notch-family receptors have been implicated in the specification of these compartment boundaries. Two recent reports analyze the role of the Notch signaling pathway in the generation of an affinity boundary in the Drosophila wing. The first report analyzes the connection between Notch and the actin cytoskeleton. The second report analyzes the differential requirements of Notch and the transcription factor Suppressor of Hairless in generating the affinity boundary.

Instrumentation for air quality measurements.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loewenstein, M.

1973-01-01

Comparison of the new generation of air quality monitoring instruments with some more traditional methods. The first generation of air quality measurement instruments, based on the use of oxidant coulometric cells, nitrogen oxide colorimetry, carbon monoxide infrared analyzers, and other types of detectors, is compared with new techniques now coming into wide use in the air monitoring field and involving the use of chemiluminescent reactions, optical absorption detectors, a refinement of the carbon monoxide infrared analyzer, electrochemical cells based on solid electrolytes, and laser detectors.

Popular Imagination and Identity Politics: Reading the Future in "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ott, Brian L.; Aoki, Eric

2001-01-01

Analyzes the television series "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Theorizes the relationship between collective visions of the future and the identity politics of the present. Argues that "The Next Generation" invites audiences to participate in a shared sense of the future that constrains human agency and (re)produces the…

Gen Y: Who They Are and How They Learn

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Black, Alison

2010-01-01

Each generation seems to lament the characteristics of the generations that follow. Today, however, with a student population unique in traits that impact teaching and learning, differences between teacher and learner generations must be recognized, analyzed, and addressed if faculty in higher education are to meet the needs of students. In spring…

77 FR 36447 - Hazardous Waste Management System; Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-19

... the point of waste generation. C. How did ExxonMobil sample and analyze the data in this petition? To support its petition, ExxonMobil submitted: (1) Historical information on waste generation and management... North Landfarm underflow water twice during the first six months of waste generation. ExxonMobil would...

Planetary protection - some legal questions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fasan, E.

When we legally investigate the topic of Planetary Protection, we have to realise that there are primarily two very distinct parts of our juridical work: We have to study lex lata, the existing applicable Law, especially Space Law, and also lex ferenda, what should be the law. With this in mind, we have to deliberate the legal meaning of "Planetary", and of "Protection". About "Planetary": Our own Earth is the most important planet. At present only here do exist human beings, who are sensu strictu the only legal subjects. We make the law, we have to apply it, and we are to be protected as well as bound by it. Then, we have to discuss what is further meant by "Planetary": Is it planets in an astronomical sense only, the nine planets which revolve around our fixed star, namely the sun, or is it also satellites, moving around most of these planets, as our own Moon circles Earth. "The Moon and other Celestial Bodies (C.B)" are subject to Space Law, especially to International Treaties, Agreements, Resolutions of the UN etc. I propose that they and not only the planets in an strictly astronomical sense are to be protected. But I do not think that the said notion also comprises asteroids, comets, meteorites etc. although they too belong to our solar system. Our investigation comes to the result that such bodies have a different (lesser) legal quality. Also we have to ask Protection from what? From: Natural bodies - Meteorites, NEO Asteroids, Comets which could hit Earth or C.B. Artificial Objects: Space Debris threatening especially Earth and near Earth orbits. Terrestrial Life - no infection of other celestial bodies. Alien life forms which could bring about "harmful contamination" of Earth and the life, above all human life, there etc. Here, astrobiological questions have to be discussed. Special realms on C.B. which should be protected from Electronic "Noise" such as craters SAHA or Deadalus on the Moon, also taking into account the "Common Heritage" Principle. Then we have to examine: Protection where, of whom and of what: On Earth: Humans, other life forms, but also all man made things as well as air, water, soil. On Other celestial bodies: Crew of manned Space Missions, Stations on C.B., possible alien life forms, or remnants of such, water, other environment on C.B.- even if completely barren? Protection of C.B. from becoming "an area of international conflict" Finally we have to discuss overriding interests, such as deflection of Asteroids which threaten to hit Earth, then the legally permitted "Use" of C.B., also mining versus protection, and too high costs of absolutely sterile Spacecraft etc. With this we have de lege ferenda to create an order of values of protection as follows, whereby the protection of the higher category has priority over the lesser ones: 1)Human life, be it on Earth or beyond it, 2)Other terrestrial life, 3)Inanimate terrestrial environment, 4)Possible life forms or their remnants on the Moon or other C.B., 5)The natural environment of the Moon and other C.B., 6)Asteroids, Meteorites, Comets etc.

In Situ Magnetohydrodynamic Energy Generation for Planetary Entry Vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, H. K.; Braun, R. D.

2014-06-01

This work aims to study the suitability of multi-pass entry trajectories for harnessing of vehicle kinetic energy through magnetohydrodynamic power generation from the high temperature entry plasma. Potential mission configurations are analyzed.

Heat Transfer and Entropy Generation Analysis of an Intermediate Heat Exchanger in ADS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yongwei; Huai, Xiulan

2018-04-01

The intermediate heat exchanger for enhancement heat transfer is the important equipment in the usage of nuclear energy. In the present work, heat transfer and entropy generation of an intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) in the accelerator driven subcritical system (ADS) are investigated experimentally. The variation of entropy generation number with performance parameters of the IHX is analyzed, and effects of inlet conditions of the IHX on entropy generation number and heat transfer are discussed. Compared with the results at two working conditions of the constant mass flow rates of liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) and helium gas, the total pumping power all tends to reduce with the decreasing entropy generation number, but the variations of the effectiveness, number of transfer units and thermal capacity rate ratio are inconsistent, and need to analyze respectively. With the increasing inlet mass flow rate or LBE inlet temperature, the entropy generation number increases and the heat transfer is enhanced, while the opposite trend occurs with the increasing helium gas inlet temperature. The further study is necessary for obtaining the optimized operation parameters of the IHX to minimize entropy generation and enhance heat transfer.

LH750 hematology analyzers to identify malaria and dengue and distinguish them from other febrile illnesses.

PubMed

Sharma, P; Bhargava, M; Sukhachev, D; Datta, S; Wattal, C

2014-02-01

Tropical febrile illnesses such as malaria and dengue are challenging to differentiate clinically. Automated cellular indices from hematology analyzers may afford a preliminary rapid distinction. Blood count and VCS parameters from 114 malaria patients, 105 dengue patients, and 105 febrile controls without dengue or malaria were analyzed. Statistical discriminant functions were generated, and their diagnostic performances were assessed by ROC curve analysis. Three statistical functions were generated: (i) malaria-vs.-controls factor incorporating platelet count and standard deviations of lymphocyte volume and conductivity that identified malaria with 90.4% sensitivity, 88.6% specificity; (ii) dengue-vs.-controls factor incorporating platelet count, lymphocyte percentage and standard deviation of lymphocyte conductivity that identified dengue with 81.0% sensitivity and 77.1% specificity; and (iii) febrile-controls-vs.-malaria/dengue factor incorporating mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, neutrophil percentage, mean lymphocyte and monocyte volumes, and standard deviation of monocyte volume that distinguished malaria and dengue from other febrile illnesses with 85.1% sensitivity and 91.4% specificity. Leukocyte abnormalities quantitated by automated analyzers successfully identified malaria and dengue and distinguished them from other fevers. These economic discriminant functions can be rapidly calculated by analyzer software programs to generate electronic flags to trigger-specific testing. They could potentially transform diagnostic approaches to tropical febrile illnesses in cost-constrained settings. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Technical data on new engineering products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1985-02-01

New grades of permanently magnetic materials; automatic digital radiolocator; bench winder; analog induction gauge; programmable pulse generator; portable defibrillators; pipe welders; two-component electromagnetic log; sulphur content analyzer; peristaltic pumps; function generators; welding manipulator; and tonsiometer are described.

Using Open Geographic Data to Generate Natural Language Descriptions for Hydrological Sensor Networks.

PubMed

Molina, Martin; Sanchez-Soriano, Javier; Corcho, Oscar

2015-07-03

Providing descriptions of isolated sensors and sensor networks in natural language, understandable by the general public, is useful to help users find relevant sensors and analyze sensor data. In this paper, we discuss the feasibility of using geographic knowledge from public databases available on the Web (such as OpenStreetMap, Geonames, or DBpedia) to automatically construct such descriptions. We present a general method that uses such information to generate sensor descriptions in natural language. The results of the evaluation of our method in a hydrologic national sensor network showed that this approach is feasible and capable of generating adequate sensor descriptions with a lower development effort compared to other approaches. In the paper we also analyze certain problems that we found in public databases (e.g., heterogeneity, non-standard use of labels, or rigid search methods) and their impact in the generation of sensor descriptions.

A Review of Recent Advancement in Integrating Omics Data with Literature Mining towards Biomedical Discoveries

PubMed Central

Raja, Kalpana; Patrick, Matthew; Gao, Yilin; Madu, Desmond; Yang, Yuyang

2017-01-01

In the past decade, the volume of “omics” data generated by the different high-throughput technologies has expanded exponentially. The managing, storing, and analyzing of this big data have been a great challenge for the researchers, especially when moving towards the goal of generating testable data-driven hypotheses, which has been the promise of the high-throughput experimental techniques. Different bioinformatics approaches have been developed to streamline the downstream analyzes by providing independent information to interpret and provide biological inference. Text mining (also known as literature mining) is one of the commonly used approaches for automated generation of biological knowledge from the huge number of published articles. In this review paper, we discuss the recent advancement in approaches that integrate results from omics data and information generated from text mining approaches to uncover novel biomedical information. PMID:28331849

The Role of Nuclear Power in Reducing Risk of the Fossil Fuel Prices and Diversity of Electricity Generation in Tunisia: A Portfolio Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdelhamid, Mohamed Ben; Aloui, Chaker; Chaton, Corinne; Souissi, Jomâa

2010-04-01

This paper applies real options and mean-variance portfolio theories to analyze the electricity generation planning into presence of nuclear power plant for the Tunisian case. First, we analyze the choice between fossil fuel and nuclear production. A dynamic model is presented to illustrate the impact of fossil fuel cost uncertainty on the optimal timing to switch from gas to nuclear. Next, we use the portfolio theory to manage risk of the electricity generation portfolio and to determine the optimal fuel mix with the nuclear alternative. Based on portfolio theory, the results show that there is other optimal mix than the mix fixed for the Tunisian mix for the horizon 2010-2020, with lower cost for the same risk degree. In the presence of nuclear technology, we found that the optimal generating portfolio must include 13% of nuclear power technology share.

Using Open Geographic Data to Generate Natural Language Descriptions for Hydrological Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Molina, Martin; Sanchez-Soriano, Javier; Corcho, Oscar

2015-01-01

Providing descriptions of isolated sensors and sensor networks in natural language, understandable by the general public, is useful to help users find relevant sensors and analyze sensor data. In this paper, we discuss the feasibility of using geographic knowledge from public databases available on the Web (such as OpenStreetMap, Geonames, or DBpedia) to automatically construct such descriptions. We present a general method that uses such information to generate sensor descriptions in natural language. The results of the evaluation of our method in a hydrologic national sensor network showed that this approach is feasible and capable of generating adequate sensor descriptions with a lower development effort compared to other approaches. In the paper we also analyze certain problems that we found in public databases (e.g., heterogeneity, non-standard use of labels, or rigid search methods) and their impact in the generation of sensor descriptions. PMID:26151211

Encouragement of Enzyme Reaction Utilizing Heat Generation from Ferromagnetic Particles Subjected to an AC Magnetic Field.

PubMed

Suzuki, Masashi; Aki, Atsushi; Mizuki, Toru; Maekawa, Toru; Usami, Ron; Morimoto, Hisao

2015-01-01

We propose a method of activating an enzyme utilizing heat generation from ferromagnetic particles under an ac magnetic field. We immobilize α-amylase on the surface of ferromagnetic particles and analyze its activity. We find that when α-amylase/ferromagnetic particle hybrids, that is, ferromagnetic particles, on which α-amylase molecules are immobilized, are subjected to an ac magnetic field, the particles generate heat and as a result, α-amylase on the particles is heated up and activated. We next prepare a solution, in which α-amylase/ferromagnetic particle hybrids and free, nonimmobilized chitinase are dispersed, and analyze their activities. We find that when the solution is subjected to an ac magnetic field, the activity of α-amylase immobilized on the particles increases, whereas that of free chitinase hardly changes; in other words, only α-amylase immobilized on the particles is selectively activated due to heat generation from the particles.

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

Rosenkranz, Joshua-Benedict; Brancucci Martinez-Anido, Carlo; Hodge, Bri-Mathias

Solar power generation, unlike conventional forms of electricity generation, has higher variability and uncertainty in its output because solar plant output is strongly impacted by weather. As the penetration rate of solar capacity increases, grid operators are increasingly concerned about accommodating the increased variability and uncertainty that solar power provides. This paper illustrates the impacts of increasing solar power penetration on the ramping of conventional electricity generators by simulating the operation of the Independent System Operator -- New England power system. A production cost model was used to simulate the power system under five different scenarios, one without solar powermore » and four with increasing solar power penetrations up to 18%, in terms of annual energy. The impact of solar power is analyzed on six different temporal intervals, including hourly and multi-hourly (2- to 6-hour) ramping. The results show how the integration of solar power increases the 1- to 6-hour ramping events of the net load (electric load minus solar power). The study also analyzes the impact of solar power on the distribution of multi-hourly ramping events of fossil-fueled generators and shows increasing 1- to 6-hour ramping events for all different generators. Generators with higher ramp rates such as gas and oil turbine and internal combustion engine generators increased their ramping events by 200% to 280%. For other generator types--including gas combined-cycle generators, coal steam turbine generators, and gas and oil steam turbine generators--more and higher ramping events occurred as well for higher solar power penetration levels.« less

[Generation Y : recruitment, retention and development].

PubMed

Schmidt, C E; Möller, J; Schmidt, K; Gerbershagen, M U; Wappler, F; Limmroth, V; Padosch, S A; Bauer, M

2011-06-01

There is a significant shortage of highly qualified personnel in medicine, especially skilled doctors and nurses. This shortage of qualified labor has led to competition between hospitals. Analyzing the circumstances of the competition, nurses and doctors of the so-called generation Y are of importance. Recruitment and retention of these staff members will become a critical success factor for hospitals in the future. An internet search was conducted using the key words "generation Y and medicine, demography, personnel and hospitals". A search in Medline/pubmed for scientific studies on the topics of labor shortage was performed using the key words "personnel, shortage doctors, generation X, baby boomer, personnel and demographic changes, staff". Finally, sources from public institutions and academic medical societies were analyzed. The data were sorted by main categories and relevance for hospitals. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive measures. The analysis confirmed the heterogeneous and complex flood of information on the topic demography and generation. A comparison of the generations showed that they can be separated into baby boomers (born 1946-1964 live to work), generation X (born 1965-1980 work to live) and generation Y (born 1981 and after, live while working). Members of generation Y "live while working" are oriented to competence and less with hierarchies. They exchange information using modern communication methods and within networks. Internet and computers are part of their daily routine. Employees of generation Y challenge leadership in hospitals by increasing the demands. However, generation Y can significantly increase professionalization and competitiveness for hospitals.

Advanced Coal-Based Power Generations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robson, F. L.

1982-01-01

Advanced power-generation systems using coal-derived fuels are evaluated in two-volume report. Report considers fuel cells, combined gas- and steam-turbine cycles, and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy conversion. Presents technological status of each type of system and analyzes performance of each operating on medium-Btu fuel gas, either delivered via pipeline to powerplant or generated by coal-gasification process at plantsite.

Investigating Turkish Primary School Students' Interest in Science by Using Their Self-Generated Questions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cakmakci, Gultekin; Sevindik, Hatice; Pektas, Meryem; Uysal, Asli; Kole, Fatma; Kavak, Gamze

2012-01-01

This paper reports on an attempt to investigate Turkish primary school students' interest in science by using their self-generated questions. We investigated students' interest in science by analyzing 1704 self-generated science-related questions. Among them, 826 questions were submitted to a popular science magazine called Science and Children.…

The value of improved wind power forecasting: Grid flexibility quantification, ramp capability analysis, and impacts of electricity market operation timescales

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

Wang, Qin; Wu, Hongyu; Florita, Anthony R.

The value of improving wind power forecasting accuracy at different electricity market operation timescales was analyzed by simulating the IEEE 118-bus test system as modified to emulate the generation mixes of the Midcontinent, California, and New England independent system operator balancing authority areas. The wind power forecasting improvement methodology and error analysis for the data set were elaborated. Production cost simulation was conducted on the three emulated systems with a total of 480 scenarios, considering the impacts of different generation technologies, wind penetration levels, and wind power forecasting improvement timescales. The static operational flexibility of the three systems was comparedmore » through the diversity of generation mix, the percentage of must-run baseload generators, as well as the available ramp rate and the minimum generation levels. The dynamic operational flexibility was evaluated by the real-time upward and downward ramp capacity. Simulation results show that the generation resource mix plays a crucial role in evaluating the value of improved wind power forecasting at different timescales. In addition, the changes in annual operational electricity generation costs were mostly influenced by the dominant resource in the system. Lastly, the impacts of pumped-storage resources, generation ramp rates, and system minimum generation level requirements on the value of improved wind power forecasting were also analyzed.« less

The value of improved wind power forecasting: Grid flexibility quantification, ramp capability analysis, and impacts of electricity market operation timescales

DOE PAGES

Wang, Qin; Wu, Hongyu; Florita, Anthony R.; ...

2016-11-11

The value of improving wind power forecasting accuracy at different electricity market operation timescales was analyzed by simulating the IEEE 118-bus test system as modified to emulate the generation mixes of the Midcontinent, California, and New England independent system operator balancing authority areas. The wind power forecasting improvement methodology and error analysis for the data set were elaborated. Production cost simulation was conducted on the three emulated systems with a total of 480 scenarios, considering the impacts of different generation technologies, wind penetration levels, and wind power forecasting improvement timescales. The static operational flexibility of the three systems was comparedmore » through the diversity of generation mix, the percentage of must-run baseload generators, as well as the available ramp rate and the minimum generation levels. The dynamic operational flexibility was evaluated by the real-time upward and downward ramp capacity. Simulation results show that the generation resource mix plays a crucial role in evaluating the value of improved wind power forecasting at different timescales. In addition, the changes in annual operational electricity generation costs were mostly influenced by the dominant resource in the system. Lastly, the impacts of pumped-storage resources, generation ramp rates, and system minimum generation level requirements on the value of improved wind power forecasting were also analyzed.« less

Erratum: Correction to: The sTOF, a Favorable Geometry for a Time-of-Flight Analyzer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, Daniel M.

2018-05-01

In the article "The sTOF, a Favorable Geometry for a Time-of-Flight Analyzer", the electric sectors in the prototype analyzer used to generate the data in Figure 4 were mistakenly listed as having a radius of 165 mm. The correct size is a diameter of 165 mm.

Analyzing Contingency Contracting Purchases for Operation Iraqi Freedom (Unrestricted Version)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

that could inform such strategic purchasing decisions. 14 We used the unique contract identification number to check for cross -organization...beds, mattresses, dressers , footlockers) Other (stools, rugs, seats, cabinets, tables, folding chairs, paintings) Generators Various power generators

A coupled weather generator - rainfall-runoff approach on hourly time steps for flood risk analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winter, Benjamin; Schneeberger, Klaus; Dung Nguyen, Viet; Vorogushyn, Sergiy; Huttenlau, Matthias; Merz, Bruno; Stötter, Johann

2017-04-01

The evaluation of potential monetary damage of flooding is an essential part of flood risk management. One possibility to estimate the monetary risk is to analyze long time series of observed flood events and their corresponding damages. In reality, however, only few flood events are documented. This limitation can be overcome by the generation of a set of synthetic, physically and spatial plausible flood events and subsequently the estimation of the resulting monetary damages. In the present work, a set of synthetic flood events is generated by a continuous rainfall-runoff simulation in combination with a coupled weather generator and temporal disaggregation procedure for the study area of Vorarlberg (Austria). Most flood risk studies focus on daily time steps, however, the mesoscale alpine study area is characterized by short concentration times, leading to large differences between daily mean and daily maximum discharge. Accordingly, an hourly time step is needed for the simulations. The hourly metrological input for the rainfall-runoff model is generated in a two-step approach. A synthetic daily dataset is generated by a multivariate and multisite weather generator and subsequently disaggregated to hourly time steps with a k-Nearest-Neighbor model. Following the event generation procedure, the negative consequences of flooding are analyzed. The corresponding flood damage for each synthetic event is estimated by combining the synthetic discharge at representative points of the river network with a loss probability relation for each community in the study area. The loss probability relation is based on exposure and susceptibility analyses on a single object basis (residential buildings) for certain return periods. For these impact analyses official inundation maps of the study area are used. Finally, by analyzing the total event time series of damages, the expected annual damage or losses associated with a certain probability of occurrence can be estimated for the entire study area.

Generation of a Database of Laboratory Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Spectra and Associated Analysis Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, R. B.; Clegg, S. M.; Graff, T.; Morris, R. V.; Laura, J.

2015-06-01

We describe plans to generate a database of LIBS spectra of planetary analog materials and develop free, open-source software to enable the planetary community to analyze LIBS (and other spectral) data.

Automated Concurrent Blackboard System Generation in C++

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaplan, J. A.; McManus, J. W.; Bynum, W. L.

1999-01-01

In his 1992 Ph.D. thesis, "Design and Analysis Techniques for Concurrent Blackboard Systems", John McManus defined several performance metrics for concurrent blackboard systems and developed a suite of tools for creating and analyzing such systems. These tools allow a user to analyze a concurrent blackboard system design and predict the performance of the system before any code is written. The design can be modified until simulated performance is satisfactory. Then, the code generator can be invoked to generate automatically all of the code required for the concurrent blackboard system except for the code implementing the functionality of each knowledge source. We have completed the port of the source code generator and a simulator for a concurrent blackboard system. The source code generator generates the necessary C++ source code to implement the concurrent blackboard system using Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) running on a heterogeneous network of UNIX(trademark) workstations. The concurrent blackboard simulator uses the blackboard specification file to predict the performance of the concurrent blackboard design. The only part of the source code for the concurrent blackboard system that the user must supply is the code implementing the functionality of the knowledge sources.

Adherence to abiotic surface induces SOS response in Escherichia coli K-12 strains under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

PubMed

Costa, Suelen B; Campos, Ana Carolina C; Pereira, Ana Claudia M; de Mattos-Guaraldi, Ana Luiza; Júnior, Raphael Hirata; Rosa, Ana Cláudia P; Asad, Lídia M B O

2014-09-01

During the colonization of surfaces, Escherichia coli bacteria often encounter DNA-damaging agents and these agents can induce several defence mechanisms. Base excision repair (BER) is dedicated to the repair of oxidative DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by chemical and physical agents or by metabolism. In this work, we have evaluated whether the interaction with an abiotic surface by mutants derived from E. coli K-12 deficient in some enzymes that are part of BER causes DNA damage and associated filamentation. Moreover, we studied the role of endonuclease V (nfi gene; 1506 mutant strain) in biofilm formation. Endonuclease V is an enzyme that is involved in DNA repair of nitrosative lesions. We verified that endonuclease V is involved in biofilm formation. Our results showed more filamentation in the xthA mutant (BW9091) and triple xthA nfo nth mutant (BW535) than in the wild-type strain (AB1157). By contrast, the mutant nfi did not present filamentation in biofilm, although its wild-type strain (1466) showed rare filaments in biofilm. The filamentation of bacterial cells attaching to a surface was a consequence of SOS induction measured by the SOS chromotest. However, biofilm formation depended on the ability of the bacteria to induce the SOS response since the mutant lexA Ind(-) did not induce the SOS response and did not form any biofilm. Oxygen tension was an important factor for the interaction of the BER mutants, since these mutants exhibited decreased quantitative adherence under anaerobic conditions. However, our results showed that the presence or absence of oxygen did not affect the viability of BW9091 and BW535 strains. The nfi mutant and its wild-type did not exhibit decreased biofilm formation under anaerobic conditions. Scanning electron microscopy was also performed on the E. coli K-12 strains that had adhered to the glass, and we observed the presence of a structure similar to an extracellular matrix that depended on the oxygen tension. In conclusion, it was proven that bacterial interaction with abiotic surfaces can lead to SOS induction and associated filamentation. Moreover, we verified that endonuclease V is involved in biofilm formation. © 2014 The Authors.

Natural antibodies to glycans.

PubMed

Bovin, N V

2013-07-01

A wide variety of so-called natural antibodies (nAbs), i.e. immunoglobulins generated by B-1 cells, are directed to glycans. nAbs to glycans can be divided in three groups: 1) conservative nAbs, i.e. practically the same in all healthy donors with respect to their epitope specificity and level in blood; 2) allo-antibodies to blood group antigens; 3) plastic antibodies related to the first or the second group but discussed separately because their level changes considerably during diseases and some temporary conditions, in particular inflammation and pregnancy. Antibodies from the third group proved to be prospective markers of a number of diseases, whereas their unusual level (below or above the norm) is not necessarily the consequence of disease/state. Modern microarrays allowed the determination of the human repertoire, which proved to be unexpectedly broad. It was observed that the content of some nAbs reaches about 0.1% of total immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulins of M class dominate for most nAbs, constituting up to 80-90%. Their affinity (to a monovalent glycan, in KD terms) were found to be within the range 10(-4)-10(-6) M. Antibodies to Galβ1-3GlcNAc (Le(C)), 4-HSO3Galβ1-4GalNAc (4'-O-SuLN), Fucα1-3GlcNAc, Fucα1-4GlcNAc, GalNAcα1-3Gal (Adi), Galα1-4Galβ1-4Glc (P(k)), Galα1-4Galβ1-4GlcNAc (P1), GlcNAcα-terminated glycans, and hyaluronic acid should be noted among the nAbs revealed and studied during the last decade. At the same time, a kind of "taboo" is observed for a number of glycans: antibodies to Le(X) and Le(Y), and almost all gangliosides have not been observed in healthy persons. Many of the revealed nAbs were directed to constrained inner (core) part of glycan, directly adjoined to lipid of cell membrane or protein. The biological function of these nAbs remains unclear; for anti-core antibodies, a role of surveillance on appearance of aberrant, especially cancer, antigens is supposed. The first data related to oncodiagnostics based on quantitation of anti-glycan nAbs are reported.

Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) versus laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK): study protocol for a randomized, non-inferiority trial

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Small incision lenticule extraction or SMILE is a novel form of ‘flapless’ corneal refractive surgery that was adapted from refractive lenticule extraction (ReLEx). SMILE uses only one femtosecond laser to complete the refractive surgery, potentially reducing surgical time, side effects, and cost. If successful, SMILE could potentially replace the current, widely practiced laser in-situ keratomileusis or LASIK. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether SMILE is non-inferior to LASIK in terms of refractive outcomes at 3 months post-operatively. Methods/Design Single tertiary center, parallel group, single-masked, paired-eye design, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial. Participants who are eligible for LASIK will be enrolled for study after informed consent. Each participant will be randomized to receive SMILE and LASIK in each eye. Our primary hypothesis (stated as null) in this non-inferiority trial would be that SMILE differs from LASIK in adults (>21 years old) with myopia (> −3.00 diopter (D)) at a tertiary eye center in terms of refractive predictability at 3 months post-operatively. Our secondary hypothesis (stated as null) in this non-inferiority trial would be that SMILE differs from LASIK in adults (>21 years old) with myopia (> −3.00 D) at a tertiary eye center in terms of other refractive outcomes (efficacy, safety, higher-order aberrations) at 3 months post-operatively. Our primary outcome is refractive predictability, which is one of several standard refractive outcomes, defined as the proportion of eyes achieving a postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) within ±0.50 D of the intended target. Randomization will be performed using random allocation sequence generated by a computer with no blocks or restrictions, and implemented by concealing the number-coded surgery within sealed envelopes until just before the procedure. In this single-masked trial, subjects and their caregivers will be masked to the assigned treatment in each eye. Discussion This novel trial will provide information on whether SMILE has comparable, if not superior, refractive outcomes compared to the established LASIK for myopia, thus providing evidence for translation into clinical practice. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01216475. PMID:22647480

Laser Induced Hydrogen Generation from Coal in Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seyitliyev, Dovletgeldi; Kholikov, Khomidkhodzha; Er, Ali

We report an alternative way of obtaining hydrogen using nanosecond laser pulses and various ranks of coal and coke. SEM-EDS analysis shows the atomic concentrations of elements on each of the powders which also is in good agreement with calorimeter analysis. Coal and coke powders were irradiated with 1064nm IR and 532 nm green Nd:YAG pulsed laser beam for 45 minutes. The volume of the total gas generated after irradiation of each rank was measured using the water displacement method. The amount of gas generated increased when using 532 nm compared to 1064 nm. Post-irradiation SEM images show structural differences with samples before irradiation. The amount of gas generation with respect to laser energy density shows nonlinear correlation. Generated gas concentrations were then analyzed using gas chromatography (GC). Hydrogen and carbon monoxide were the two most highly generated gases, and the efficiency of each rank of coal was determined by analyzing the hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio. The highest efficiency rank was anthracite, with hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of 1.4. GC analysis also showed that the maximum hydrogen generation occurs at 100 mJ/pulse laser energy. The efficiency of each rank of coal was observed to correlate with carbon content. American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund.

Antibacterial activity and mechanism of action of ε-poly-L-lysine

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

Ye, Ruosong; Xu, Hengyi; Wan, Cuixiang

Highlights: •Antibacterial activity and mechanism of ε-PL against E. coli O157:H7 was investigated. •Critical inhibitory factors toward the growth of E. coli O157:H7 by ε-PL was analyzed. •Cell membrane integrity and cell morphology of E. coli O157:H7 was affected by ε-PL. •A positive correlation between reactive oxygen species levels and ε-PL concentration in E. coli O157:H7 cells. •ε-PL induced the expression of different genes related to oxidative/redox stress, SOS response, virulence. -- Abstract: ε-Poly-L-lysine (ε-PL) is widely used as an antibacterial agent because of its broad antimicrobial spectrum. However, the mechanism of ε-PL against pathogens at the molecular level hasmore » not been elucidated. This study investigated the antibacterial activity and mechanism of ε-PL against Escherichia coli O157:H7 CMCC44828. Propidium monoazide-PCR test results indicated that the threshold condition of ε-PL for complete membrane lysis of E. coli O157:H7 was 10 μg/mL (90% mortality for 5 μg/mL). Further verification of the destructive effect of ε-PL on cell structure was performed by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed a positive correlation between reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and ε-PL concentration in E. coli O157:H7 cells. Moreover, the mortality of E. coli O157:H7 was reduced when antioxidant N-acetylcysteine was added. Results from real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) indicated that the expression levels of oxidative stress genes sodA and oxyR were up-regulated 4- and 16-fold, respectively, whereas virulence genes eaeA and espA were down-regulated after ε-PL treatment. Expression of DNA damage response (SOS response) regulon genes recA and lexA were also affected by ε-PL. In conclusion, the antibacterial mechanism of ε-PL against E. coli O157:H7 may be attributed to disturbance on membrane integrity, oxidative stress by ROS, and effects on various gene expressions, such as regulation of oxidative stress, SOS response, and changes in virulence.« less

Evaluation of flexural, diametral tensile, and shear bond strength of composite repairs.

PubMed

Imbery, T A; Gray, T; DeLatour, F; Boxx, C; Best, A M; Moon, P C

2014-01-01

Repairing composite restorations may be a more conservative treatment than replacing the entire restoration. The objective of this in vitro study was to determine the best repair method by measuring flexural, diametral tensile, and shear bond strength of repaired composites in which the surfaces were treated with chemical primers (Add & Bond or Silane Bond Enhancer), a bonding agent (Optibond Solo Plus [OBSP]), or mechanical retention with a bonding agent. Filtek Supreme Ultra shade B1B was placed in special molds to fabricate specimens that served to test the flexural, diametral tensile, or shear strength of the inherent resin substrate. The same molds were modified to make specimens for testing repair strength of the resin. Repairs were made immediately or after aging in deionized water at 37°C for seven days. All repair sites were finished with coarse Sof-Lex discs to simulate finishing new restorations or partially removing aged restorations. Repair surfaces were treated with one of the following: 1) phosphoric-acid etching and OBSP; 2) Add & Bond; 3) phosphoric-acid etching, Silane Bond Enhancer, and OBSP; or 4) quarter round bur, phosphoric-acid etching, and OBSP. Specimens were placed back in the original molds to fabricate specimens for diametral tensile or flexural testing or in an Ultradent jig to make specimens for shear bond testing. Composite resin in shade B5B was polymerized against the treated surfaces to make repairs. Two negative control groups for the three testing methods consisted of specimens in which repairs were made immediately or after aging without any surface treatments. Controls and experimental repairs were aged (water 37°C, 24 hours) before flexural, diametral tensile, or shear testing in an Instron Universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Experimental flexural repair strengths ranged from 26.4% to 88.6% of the inherent substrate strength. Diametral tensile repair strengths ranged from 40% to 80% of the inherent substrate strength, and shear bond strength repairs ranged from 56% to 102%. Geometric means were statistically analyzed with two-way analysis of variance on their log-transformed values. Significant differences were determined using Tukey honestly significant difference (p<0.05). Depending on the mechanical property being tested, surface treatments produced different results. OBSP produced more consistent results than chemical primers.

Potential of OFDM for next generation optical access

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fritzsche, Daniel; Weis, Erik; Breuer, Dirk

2011-01-01

This paper shows the requirements for next generation optical access (NGOA) networks and analyzes the potential of OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) for the use in such network scenarios. First, we show the motivation for NGOA systems based on the future requirements on FTTH access systems and list the advantages of OFDM in such scenarios. In the next part, the basics of OFDM and different methods to generate and detect optical OFDM signals are explained and analyzed. At the transmitter side the options include intensity modulation and the more advanced field modulation of the optical OFDM signal. At the receiver there is the choice between direct detection and coherent detection. As the result of this discussion we show our vision of the future use of OFDM in optical access networks.

Practical methods for analyzing pedestrian and bicycle use of a transportation facility.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-02-01

The objective of the project is to analyze existing technologies used for the process of generating counts of bicycles : and pedestrians in transportation facilities such as walk and bicycle bridges, urban bicycle routes, bicycle trails etc. : The ad...

Asymptotics of bivariate generating functions with algebraic singularities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greenwood, Torin

Flajolet and Odlyzko (1990) derived asymptotic formulae the coefficients of a class of uni- variate generating functions with algebraic singularities. Gao and Richmond (1992) and Hwang (1996, 1998) extended these results to classes of multivariate generating functions, in both cases by reducing to the univariate case. Pemantle and Wilson (2013) outlined new multivariate ana- lytic techniques and used them to analyze the coefficients of rational generating functions. After overviewing these methods, we use them to find asymptotic formulae for the coefficients of a broad class of bivariate generating functions with algebraic singularities. Beginning with the Cauchy integral formula, we explicity deform the contour of integration so that it hugs a set of critical points. The asymptotic contribution to the integral comes from analyzing the integrand near these points, leading to explicit asymptotic formulae. Next, we use this formula to analyze an example from current research. In the following chapter, we apply multivariate analytic techniques to quan- tum walks. Bressler and Pemantle (2007) found a (d + 1)-dimensional rational generating function whose coefficients described the amplitude of a particle at a position in the integer lattice after n steps. Here, the minimal critical points form a curve on the (d + 1)-dimensional unit torus. We find asymptotic formulae for the amplitude of a particle in a given position, normalized by the number of steps n, as n approaches infinity. Each critical point contributes to the asymptotics for a specific normalized position. Using Groebner bases in Maple again, we compute the explicit locations of peak amplitudes. In a scaling window of size the square root of n near the peaks, each amplitude is asymptotic to an Airy function.

Reliability of a new 4th generation FloTrac algorithm to track cardiac output changes in patients receiving phenylephrine.

PubMed

Ji, Fuhai; Li, Jian; Fleming, Neal; Rose, David; Liu, Hong

2015-08-01

Phenylephrine is often used to treat intra-operative hypotension. Previous studies have shown that the FloTrac cardiac monitor may overestimate cardiac output (CO) changes following phenylephrine administration. A new algorithm (4th generation) has been developed to improve performance in this setting. We performed a prospective observational study to assess the effects of phenylephrine administration on CO values measured by the 3rd and 4th generation FloTrac algorithms. 54 patients were enrolled in this study. We used the Nexfin, a pulse contour method shown to be insensitive to vasopressor administration, as the reference method. Radial arterial pressures were recorded continuously in patients undergoing surgery. Phenylephrine administration times were documented. Arterial pressure recordings were subsequently analyzed offline using three different pulse contour analysis algorithms: FloTrac 3rd generation (G3), FloTrac 4th generation (G4), and Nexfin (nf). One minute of hemodynamic measurements was analyzed immediately before phenylephrine administration and then repeated when the mean arterial pressure peaked. A total of 157 (4.6 ± 3.2 per patient, range 1-15) paired sets of hemodynamic recordings were analyzed. Phenylephrine induced a significant increase in stroke volume (SV) and CO with the FloTrac G3, but not with FloTrac G4 or Nexfin algorithms. Agreement between FloTrac G3 and Nexfin was: 0.23 ± 1.19 l/min and concordance was 51.1%. In contrast, agreement between FloTrac G4 and Nexfin was: 0.19 ± 0.86 l/min and concordance was 87.2%. In conclusion, the pulse contour method of measuring CO, as implemented in FloTrac 4th generation algorithm, has significantly improved its ability to track the changes in CO induced by phenylephrine.

A Vignette (User’s Guide) for “An R Package for Statistical Analysis of Chemistry, Histopathology, and Reproduction Endpoints Including Repeated Measures and Multi-Generation Studies (StatCharrms).”

EPA Science Inventory

StatCharrms is a graphical user front-end for ease of use in analyzing data generated from OCSPP 890.2200, Medaka Extended One Generation Reproduction Test (MEOGRT) and OCSPP 890.2300, Larval Amphibian Gonad Development Assay (LAGDA). The analyses StatCharrms is capable of perfor...

The Impact of Interrupted Use of a Speech Generating Device on the Communication Acts of a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neeley, Richard A.; Pulliam, Mary Hannah; Catt, Merrill; McDaniel, D. Mike

2015-01-01

This case study examined the initial and renewed impact of speech generating devices on the expressive communication behaviors of a child with autism spectrum disorder. The study spanned six years of interrupted use of two speech generating devices. The child's communication behaviors were analyzed from video recordings and included communication…

Finishing/polishing of composite and compomer restoratives: effectiveness of one-step systems.

PubMed

Yap, Adrian U J; Yap, S H; Teo, C K; Ng, J J

2004-01-01

This study investigated the surface texture of composite (Z100, 3M ESPE) and compomer (F2000, 3M ESPE) restoratives after treatment with different one-step finishing/polishing systems (One-Gloss [OG], Shofu; PoGo [PG], Dentsply; Sof-Lex Brush [SB], 3M ESPE). The surface roughness obtained was compared to that using a matrix strip [MS], a two-step rubber abrasive (CompoSite [CS], Shofu) and a graded abrasive disk (Super Snap [SS], Shofu) system. Eight specimens (3-mm long x 3-mm wide x 2-mm deep) of each material were made according to manufacturer's instructions. With exception of the MS group, all groups were roughened with 320 grit grinding paper using a lapping device prior to finishing/polishing with the different systems. The mean surface roughness (microm) was measured with a profilometer. Data was subjected to ANOVA/Scheffe's tests and independent samples t-test at significance level 0.05. Mean Ra ranged from 0.22 to 0.32 microm for Z100 and 0.45 to 0.68 for F2000. For both materials, the smoothest surfaces were obtained with MS. The roughest surfaces were observed after treatment with SS and OG for Z100 and F2000, respectively. The effectiveness of the finishing/polishing systems was material dependent. The surface finish produced by PG and SB was superior or comparable to that obtained with CS, SS and OG.

Bleaching agent action on color stability, surface roughness and microhardness of composites submitted to accelerated artificial aging.

PubMed

Rattacaso, Raphael Mendes Bezerra; da Fonseca Roberti Garcia, Lucas; Aguilar, Fabiano Gamero; Consani, Simonides; de Carvalho Panzeri Pires-de-Souza, Fernanda

2011-04-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bleaching agent action on color stability, surface roughness and microhardness of composites (Charisma, Filtek Supreme and Heliomolar - A2) submitted to accelerated artificial aging (AAA). A Teflon matrix (12 x 2 mm) was used to fabricate 18 specimens (n=6) which, after polishing (Sof-Lex), were submitted to initial color reading (ΔE), Knoop microhardness (KHN) (50 g/15 s load) and roughness (R(a)) (cut-off 0.25 mm) tests. Afterwards, the samples were submitted to AAA for 384 hours and new color, microhardness and roughness readings were performed. After this, the samples were submitted to daily application (4 weeks) of 16% Carbamide Peroxide (NiteWhite ACP) for 8 hours and kept in artificial saliva for 16 hours. New color, microhardness and roughness readings were made at the end of the cycle, and 15 days after bleaching. Comparison of the ΔE means (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni, P<.05) indicated clinically unacceptable color alteration for all composites after AAA, but without significant difference. Statistically significant increase in the KHN values after AAA was observed, but without significant alterations 15 days after bleaching. For R(a) there was no statistically significant difference after AAA and 15 days after bleaching. The alterations promoted by the bleaching agent and AAA are material dependent.

Phage Lambda P Protein: Trans-Activation, Inhibition Phenotypes and their Suppression

PubMed Central

Hayes, Sidney; Erker, Craig; Horbay, Monique A.; Marciniuk, Kristen; Wang, Wen; Hayes, Connie

2013-01-01

The initiation of bacteriophage λ replication depends upon interactions between the oriλ DNA site, phage proteins O and P, and E. coli host replication proteins. P exhibits a high affinity for DnaB, the major replicative helicase for unwinding double stranded DNA. The concept of P-lethality relates to the hypothesis that P can sequester DnaB and in turn prevent cellular replication initiation from oriC. Alternatively, it was suggested that P-lethality does not involve an interaction between P and DnaB, but is targeted to DnaA. P-lethality is assessed by examining host cells for transformation by ColE1-type plasmids that can express P, and the absence of transformants is attributed to a lethal effect of P expression. The plasmid we employed enabled conditional expression of P, where under permissive conditions, cells were efficiently transformed. We observed that ColE1 replication and plasmid establishment upon transformation is extremely sensitive to P, and distinguish this effect from P-lethality directed to cells. We show that alleles of dnaB protect the variant cells from P expression. P-dependent cellular filamentation arose in ΔrecA or lexA[Ind-] cells, defective for SOS induction. Replication propagation and restart could represent additional targets for P interference of E. coli replication, beyond the oriC-dependent initiation step. PMID:23389467

Genetic diagnosis of sex chromosome aberrations in horses based on parentage test by microsatellite DNA and analysis of X- and Y-linked markers.

PubMed

Kakoi, H; Hirota, K; Gawahara, H; Kurosawa, M; Kuwajima, M

2005-03-01

Sex chromosome aberrations are often associated with clinical signs that affect equine health and reproduction. However, abnormal manifestation with sex chromosome aberration usually appears at maturity and potential disorders may be suspected infrequently. A reliable survey at an early stage is therefore required. To detect and characterise sex chromosome aberrations in newborn foals by the parentage test and analysis using X- and Y-linked markers. We conducted a genetic diagnosis combined with a parentage test by microsatellite DNA and analysis of X- and Y-linked genetic markers in newborn light-breed foals (n = 17, 471). The minimum incidence of sex chromosome aberration in horses was estimated in the context of available population data. Eighteen cases with aberrations involving 63,XO, 65,XXY and 65,XXX were found. The XO, XXY (pure 65,XXY and/or mosaics/chimaeras) and XXX were found in 0.15, 0.02 and 0.01% of the population, respectively, based solely on detection of abnormal segregation of a single X chromosome marker, LEX003. Detection at an early age and understanding of the prevalence of sex chromosome aberrations should assist in the diagnosis and managment of horses kept for breeding. Further, the parental origin of the X chromosome of each disorder could be proved by the results of genetic analysis, thereby contributing to cytogenetic characterisation.

[Assumption of medical risks and the problem of medical liability in ancient Roman law].

PubMed

Váradi, Agnes

2008-11-02

The claim of an individual to assure his health and life, to assume and compensate the damage from diseases and accidents, had already appeared in the system of the ancient Roman law in the form of many singular legal institutions. In lack of a unified archetype of regulation, we have to analyse the damages caused in the health or corporal integrity of different personal groups: we have to mention the legal interpretation of the diseases or injuries suffered by serves, people under manus or patria potestas and free Roman citizens. The fragments from the Digest od Justinian do not only demonstrate concrete legal problems, but they can serve as a starting point for further theoretical analyses. For example: if death is the consequence of a medical failure, does the doctor have any kind of liability? Was after-care part of the healing process according to the Roman law? Examining these questions, we should not forget to talk about the complex liability system of the Roman law, the compensation of the damages caused in a contractual or delictual context and about the lex Aquilia. Although these conclusions have no direct relation with the present legal regulation of risk assumption, we have to see that analysing the examples of the Roman law can be useful for developing our view of a certain theoretical problem, like that of the modern liability concept in medicine as well.

Monoclonal antibody DS6 detects a tumor-associated sialoglycotope expressed on human serous ovarian carcinomas.

PubMed

Kearse, K P; Smith, N L; Semer, D A; Eagles, L; Finley, J L; Kazmierczak, S; Kovacs, C J; Rodriguez, A A; Kellogg-Wennerberg, A E

2000-12-15

A newly developed murine monoclonal antibody, DS6, immunohistochemically reacts with an antigen, CA6, that is expressed by human serous ovarian carcinomas but not by normal ovarian surface epithelium or mesothelium. CA6 has a limited distribution in normal adult tissues and is most characteristically detected in fallopian tube epithelium, inner urothelium and type 2 pneumocytes. Pre-treatment of tissue sections with either periodic acid or neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae abolishes immunoreactivity with DS6, indicating that CA6 is a neuraminidase-sensitive and periodic acid-sensitive sialic acid glycoconjugate ("sialoglycotope"). SDS-PAGE of OVCAR5 cell lysates has revealed that the CA6 epitope is expressed on an 80 kDa non-disulfide-linked glycoprotein containing N-linked oligosaccharides. Two-dimensional non-equilibrium pH gradient gel electrophoresis indicates an isoelectric point of approximately 6.2 to 6.5. Comparison of the immunohistochemical distribution of CA6 in human serous ovarian adenocarcinomas has revealed similarities to that of CA125; however, distinct differences and some complementarity of antigen expression were revealed by double-label, 2-color immunohistochemical studies. The DS6-detected CA6 antigen appears to be distinct from other well-characterized tumor-associated antigens, including MUC1, CA125 and the histo-blood group-related antigens sLea, sLex and sTn. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Structural Complexity of Non-acid Glycosphingolipids in Human Embryonic Stem Cells Grown under Feeder-free Conditions*

PubMed Central

Barone, Angela; Benktander, John; Ångström, Jonas; Aspegren, Anders; Björquist, Petter; Teneberg, Susann; Breimer, Michael. E.

2013-01-01

Due to their pluripotency and growth capability, there are great expectations for human embryonic stem cells, both as a resource for functional studies of early human development and as a renewable source of cells for use in regenerative medicine and transplantation. However, to bring human embryonic stem cells into clinical applications, their cell surface antigen expression and its chemical structural complexity have to be defined. In the present study, total non-acid glycosphingolipid fractions were isolated from two human embryonic stem cell lines (SA121 and SA181) originating from leftover in vitro fertilized human embryos, using large amounts of starting material (1 × 109 cells/cell line). The total non-acid glycosphingolipid fractions were characterized by antibody and lectin binding, mass spectrometry, and proton NMR. In addition to the globo-series and type 1 core chain glycosphingolipids previously described in human embryonic stem cells, a number of type 2 core chain glycosphingolipids (neo-lactotetraosylceramide, the H type 2 pentaosylceramide, the Lex pentaosylceramide, and the Ley hexaosylceramide) were identified as well as the blood group A type 1 hexaosylceramide. Finally, the mono-, di-, and triglycosylceramides were characterized as galactosylceramide, glucosylceramide, lactosylceramide, galabiaosylceramide, globotriaosylceramide, and lactotriaosylceramide. Thus, the glycan diversity of human embryonic stem cells, including cell surface immune determinants, is more complex than previously appreciated. PMID:23404501

Molecular Simulations of Carbohydrates with a Fucose-Binding Burkholderia ambifaria Lectin Suggest Modulation by Surface Residues Outside the Fucose-Binding Pocket

PubMed Central

Dingjan, Tamir; Imberty, Anne; Pérez, Serge; Yuriev, Elizabeth; Ramsland, Paul A.

2017-01-01

Burkholderia ambifaria is an opportunistic respiratory pathogen belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex, a collection of species responsible for the rapidly fatal cepacia syndrome in cystic fibrosis patients. A fucose-binding lectin identified in the B. ambifaria genome, BambL, is able to adhere to lung tissue, and may play a role in respiratory infection. X-ray crystallography has revealed the bound complex structures for four fucosylated human blood group epitopes (blood group B, H type 1, H type 2, and Lex determinants). The present study employed computational approaches, including docking and molecular dynamics (MD), to extend the structural analysis of BambL-oligosaccharide complexes to include four additional blood group saccharides (A, Lea, Leb, and Ley) and a library of blood-group-related carbohydrates. Carbohydrate recognition is dominated by interactions with fucose via a hydrogen-bonding network involving Arg15, Glu26, Ala38, and Trp79 and a stacking interaction with Trp74. Additional hydrogen bonds to non-fucose residues are formed with Asp30, Tyr35, Thr36, and Trp74. BambL recognition is dominated by interactions with fucose, but also features interactions with other parts of the ligands that may modulate specificity or affinity. The detailed computational characterization of the BambL carbohydrate-binding site provides guidelines for the future design of lectin inhibitors. PMID:28680402

Properties of a mutant recA-encoded protein reveal a possible role for Escherichia coli recF-encoded protein in genetic recombination

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

Madiraju, M.V.; Templin, A.; Clark, A.J.

A mutation partially suppressing the UV sensitivity caused by recF143 in a uvrA6 background was located at codon 37 of recA where GTG (valine) became ATG (methionine). This mutation, originally named srf-803, was renamed recA803. Little if any suppression of the recF143 defect in UV induction of a lexA regulon promoter was detected. This led to the hypothesis that a defect in recombination repair of UV damage was suppressed by recA803. The mutant RecA protein (RecA803) was purified and compared with wild-type protein (RecA+) as a catalyst of formation of joint molecules. Under suboptimal conditions, RecA803 produces both a highermore » rate of formation and a higher yield of joint molecules. The suboptimal conditions tested included addition of single-stranded DNA binding protein to single-stranded DNA prior to addition of RecA. We hypothesize that the ability of RecA803 to overcome interference by single-stranded DNA binding protein is the property that allows recA803 to suppress partially the deficiency in repair caused by recF mutations in the uvrA6 background. Implications of this hypothesis for the function of RecF protein in recombination are discussed.« less

Round-robin study of arsenic implant dose measurement in silicon by SIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simons, D.; Kim, K.; Benbalagh, R.; Bennett, J.; Chew, A.; Gehre, D.; Hasegawa, T.; Hitzman, C.; Ko, J.; Lindstrom, R.; MacDonald, B.; Magee, C.; Montgomery, N.; Peres, P.; Ronsheim, P.; Yoshikawa, S.; Schuhmacher, M.; Stockwell, W.; Sykes, D.; Tomita, M.; Toujou, F.; Won, J.

2006-07-01

An international round-robin study was undertaken under the auspices of ISO TC201/SC6 to determine the best analytical conditions and the level of interlaboratory agreement for the determination of the implantation dose of arsenic in silicon by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Fifteen SIMS laboratories, as well as two laboratories that performed low energy electron-induced X-ray emission spectrometry (LEXES) and one that made measurements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) were asked to determine the implanted arsenic doses in three unknown samples using as a comparator NIST Standard Reference Material ® 2134. The use of a common reference material by all laboratories resulted in better interlaboratory agreement than was seen in a previous round-robin that lacked a common comparator. The relative standard deviation among laboratories was less than 4% for the medium-dose sample, but several percent larger for the low- and high-dose samples. The high-dose sample showed a significant difference between point-by-point and average matrix normalization because the matrix signal decreased in the vicinity of the implant peak, as observed in a previous study. The dose from point-by-point normalization was in close agreement with that determined by INAA. No clear difference in measurement repeatability was seen when comparing Si 2- and Si 3- as matrix references with AsSi -.

Two programmed cell death systems in Escherichia coli: an apoptotic-like death is inhibited by the mazEF-mediated death pathway.

PubMed

Erental, Ariel; Sharon, Idith; Engelberg-Kulka, Hanna

2012-01-01

In eukaryotes, the classical form of programmed cell death (PCD) is apoptosis, which has as its specific characteristics DNA fragmentation and membrane depolarization. In Escherichia coli a different PCD system has been reported. It is mediated by the toxin-antitoxin system module mazEF. The E. coli mazEF module is one of the most thoroughly studied toxin-antitoxin systems. mazF encodes a stable toxin, MazF, and mazE encodes a labile antitoxin, MazE, which prevents the lethal effect of MazF. mazEF-mediated cell death is a population phenomenon requiring the quorum-sensing pentapeptide NNWNN designated Extracellular Death Factor (EDF). mazEF is triggered by several stressful conditions, including severe damage to the DNA. Here, using confocal microscopy and FACS analysis, we show that under conditions of severe DNA damage, the triggered mazEF-mediated cell death pathway leads to the inhibition of a second cell death pathway. The latter is an apoptotic-like death (ALD); ALD is mediated by recA and lexA. The mazEF-mediated pathway reduces recA mRNA levels. Based on these results, we offer a molecular model for the maintenance of an altruistic characteristic in cell populations. In our model, the ALD pathway is inhibited by the altruistic EDF-mazEF-mediated death pathway.

The PSO4 gene is responsible for an error-prone recombinational DNA repair pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

de Andrade, H H; Marques, E K; Schenberg, A C; Henriques, J A

1989-06-01

The induction of mitotic gene conversion and crossing-over in Saccharomyces cerevisiae diploid cells homozygous for the pso4-1 mutation was examined in comparison to the corresponding wild-type strain. The pso4-1 mutant strain was found to be completely blocked in mitotic recombination induced by photoaddition of mono- and bifunctional psoralen derivatives as well as by mono- (HN1) and bifunctional (HN2) nitrogen mustards or 254 nm UV radiation in both stationary and exponential phases of growth. Concerning the lethal effect, diploids homozygous for the pso4-1 mutation are more sensitive to all agents tested in any growth phase. However, this effect is more pronounced in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. These results imply that the ploidy effect and the resistance of budding cells are under the control of the PSO4 gene. On the other hand, the pso4-1 mutant is mutationally defective for all agents used. Therefore, the pso4-1 mutant has a generalized block in both recombination and mutation ability. This indicates that the PSO4 gene is involved in an error-prone repair pathway which relies on a recombinational mechanism, strongly suggesting an analogy between the pso4-1 mutation and the RecA or LexA mutation of Escherichia coli.

Effects of water-emulsified fuel on a diesel engine generator's thermal efficiency and exhaust.

PubMed

Syu, Jin-Yuan; Chang, Yuan-Yi; Tseng, Chao-Heng; Yan, Yeou-Lih; Chang, Yu-Min; Chen, Chih-Chieh; Lin, Wen-Yinn

2014-08-01

Water-emulsified diesel has proven itself as a technically sufficient improvement fuel to improve diesel engine fuel combustion emissions and engine performance. However, it has seldom been used in light-duty diesel engines. Therefore, this paper focuses on an investigation into the thermal efficiency and pollution emission analysis of a light-duty diesel engine generator fueled with different water content emulsified diesel fuels (WD, including WD-0, WD-5, WD-10, and WD-15). In this study, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide were analyzed by a vehicle emission gas analyzer and the particle size and number concentration were measured by an electrical low-pressure impactor. In addition, engine loading and fuel consumption were also measured to calculate the thermal efficiency. Measurement results suggested that water-emulsified diesel was useful to improve the thermal efficiency and the exhaust emission of a diesel engine. Obviously, the thermal efficiency was increased about 1.2 to 19.9%. In addition, water-emulsified diesel leads to a significant reduction of nitric oxide emission (less by about 18.3 to 45.4%). However the particle number concentration emission might be increased if the loading of the generator becomes lower than or equal to 1800 W. In addition, exhaust particle size distributions were shifted toward larger particles at high loading. The consequence of this research proposed that the water-emulsified diesel was useful to improve the engine performance and some of exhaust emissions, especially the NO emission reduction. Implications: The accumulated test results provide a good basis to resolve the corresponding pollutants emitted from a light-duty diesel engine generator. By measuring and analyzing transforms of exhaust pollutant from this engine generator, the effects of water-emulsified diesel fuel and loading on emission characteristics might be more clear. Understanding reduction of pollutant emissions during the use of water-emulsified diesel helps improve the effectiveness of the testing program. The analyzed consequences provide useful information to the government for setting policies to curb pollutant emissions from a light-duty diesel engine generator more effectively.

Using Automatic Code Generation in the Attitude Control Flight Software Engineering Process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McComas, David; O'Donnell, James R., Jr.; Andrews, Stephen F.

1999-01-01

This paper presents an overview of the attitude control subsystem flight software development process, identifies how the process has changed due to automatic code generation, analyzes each software development phase in detail, and concludes with a summary of our lessons learned.

Improved trip generation data for Texas using work place and special generator survey data.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-05-01

Travel estimates from models and manuals developed from trip attraction rates having high variances due to few : survey observations can reduce confidence and accuracy in estimates. This project compiled and analyzed data from : more than a decade of...

Boundary Negotiating Artifacts in Personal Informatics: Patient-Provider Collaboration with Patient-Generated Data

PubMed Central

Chung, Chia-Fang; Dew, Kristin; Cole, Allison; Zia, Jasmine; Fogarty, James; Kientz, Julie A.; Munson, Sean A.

2017-01-01

Patient-generated data is increasingly common in chronic disease care management. Smartphone applications and wearable sensors help patients more easily collect health information. However, current commercial tools often do not effectively support patients and providers in collaboration surrounding these data. This paper examines patient expectations and current collaboration practices around patient-generated data. We survey 211 patients, interview 18 patients, and re-analyze a dataset of 21 provider interviews. We find that collaboration occurs in every stage of self-tracking and that patients and providers create boundary negotiating artifacts to support the collaboration. Building upon current practices with patient-generated data, we use these theories of patient and provider collaboration to analyze misunderstandings and privacy concerns as well as identify opportunities to better support these collaborations. We reflect on the social nature of patient-provider collaboration to suggest future development of the stage-based model of personal informatics and the theory of boundary negotiating artifacts. PMID:28516171

Encouragement of Enzyme Reaction Utilizing Heat Generation from Ferromagnetic Particles Subjected to an AC Magnetic Field

PubMed Central

Suzuki, Masashi; Aki, Atsushi; Mizuki, Toru; Maekawa, Toru; Usami, Ron; Morimoto, Hisao

2015-01-01

We propose a method of activating an enzyme utilizing heat generation from ferromagnetic particles under an ac magnetic field. We immobilize α-amylase on the surface of ferromagnetic particles and analyze its activity. We find that when α-amylase/ferromagnetic particle hybrids, that is, ferromagnetic particles, on which α-amylase molecules are immobilized, are subjected to an ac magnetic field, the particles generate heat and as a result, α-amylase on the particles is heated up and activated. We next prepare a solution, in which α-amylase/ferromagnetic particle hybrids and free, nonimmobilized chitinase are dispersed, and analyze their activities. We find that when the solution is subjected to an ac magnetic field, the activity of α-amylase immobilized on the particles increases, whereas that of free chitinase hardly changes; in other words, only α-amylase immobilized on the particles is selectively activated due to heat generation from the particles. PMID:25993268

Studying Reliability Using Identical Handheld Lactate Analyzers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stewart, Mark T.; Stavrianeas, Stasinos

2008-01-01

Accusport analyzers were used to generate lactate performance curves in an investigative laboratory activity emphasizing the importance of reliable instrumentation. Both the calibration and testing phases of the exercise provided students with a hands-on opportunity to use laboratory-grade instrumentation while allowing for meaningful connections…

Systems and methods for sample analysis

DOEpatents

Cooks, Robert Graham; Li, Guangtao; Li, Xin; Ouyang, Zheng

2015-01-13

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for sample analysis. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes a probe including a material connected to a high voltage source, a device for generating a heated gas, and a mass analyzer.

Computer program analyzes and monitors electrical power systems (POSIMO)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaeger, K.

1972-01-01

Requirements to monitor and/or simulate electric power distribution, power balance, and charge budget are discussed. Computer program to analyze power system and generate set of characteristic power system data is described. Application to status indicators to denote different exclusive conditions is presented.

AIRSLUG: A fortran program for the computation of type curves to estimate transmissivity and storativity from prematurely terminated air-pressurized slug tests

USGS Publications Warehouse

Greene, E.A.; Shapiro, A.M.

1998-01-01

The Fortran code AIRSLUG can be used to generate the type curves needed to analyze the recovery data from prematurely terminated air-pressurized slug tests. These type curves, when used with a graphical software package, enable the engineer or scientist to analyze field tests to estimate transmissivity and storativity. Prematurely terminating the slug test can significantly reduce the overall time needed to conduct the test, especially at low-permeability sites, thus saving time and money.The Fortran code AIRSLUG can be used to generate the type curves needed to analyze the recovery data from prematurely terminated air-pressurized slug tests. These type curves, when used with a graphical software package, enable the engineer or scientist to analyze field tests to estimate transmissivity and storativity. Prematurely terminating the slug test can significantly reduce the overall time needed to conduct the test, especially at low-permeability sites, thus saving time and money.

Discussion on the Modelling and Processing of Signals fom an Acousto-Optic Spectrum Analyzer.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-06-01

AD-AIBS 639 DISCUSSION ON THE MODELLING AND PROCESSIN OF SIGNALS 1/1 FOR RN ACOUSTO - OPTIC SPECTRUM ANALYZER(U)G DFENCE RESERCH ESTABGLISHMENT OTTANA...8217’~ AV - I National DefenseI Defence nationale DISCUSSION ON THE MODELLING AND PROCESSING OF SIGNALS FROM AN ACOUSTO - OPTIC SPECTRUM ANALYZER by Guy...signals generated by an Acousto - Optic Spectrum Analyzer (AOSA). It also shows how this calculation can be related to pulse modu- lated signals. In its

Analysis on Voltage Profile of Distribution Network with Distributed Generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Hua; Shi, Yujie; Yuan, Jianpu; An, Jiakun; Yang, Jianhua

2018-02-01

Penetration of distributed generation has some impacts on a distribution network in load flow, voltage profile, reliability, power loss and so on. After the impacts and the typical structures of the grid-connected distributed generation are analyzed, the back/forward sweep method of the load flow calculation of the distribution network is modelled including distributed generation. The voltage profiles of the distribution network affected by the installation location and the capacity of distributed generation are thoroughly investigated and simulated. The impacts on the voltage profiles are summarized and some suggestions to the installation location and the capacity of distributed generation are given correspondingly.

[Design of a high-voltage insulation testing system of X-ray high frequency generators].

PubMed

Huang, Yong; Mo, Guo-Ming; Wang, Yan; Wang, Hong-Zhi; Yu, Jie-Ying; Dai, Shu-Guang

2007-09-01

In this paper, we analyze the transformer of X-ray high-voltage high-frequency generators and, have designed and implemented a high-voltage insulation testing system for its oil tank using full-bridge series resonant soft switching PFM DC-DC converter.

Educating the Next Generation of Agricultural Scientists.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, Washington, DC. Board on Agriculture.

The Committee on Evaluation of Trends in Agricultural Research at the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Level was established to analyze issues related to the next generation of agricultural scientists. This report contains the findings, conclusions, and recommendations regarding the status and future needs of agricultural scientists. This report focuses…

Investigation of estimators of probability density functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Speed, F. M.

1972-01-01

Four research projects are summarized which include: (1) the generation of random numbers on the IBM 360/44, (2) statistical tests used to check out random number generators, (3) Specht density estimators, and (4) use of estimators of probability density functions in analyzing large amounts of data.

Analysis of dynamic behavior of multiple-stage planetary gear train used in wind driven generator.

PubMed

Wang, Jungang; Wang, Yong; Huo, Zhipu

2014-01-01

A dynamic model of multiple-stage planetary gear train composed of a two-stage planetary gear train and a one-stage parallel axis gear is proposed to be used in wind driven generator to analyze the influence of revolution speed and mesh error on dynamic load sharing characteristic based on the lumped parameter theory. Dynamic equation of the model is solved using numerical method to analyze the uniform load distribution of the system. It is shown that the load sharing property of the system is significantly affected by mesh error and rotational speed; load sharing coefficient and change rate of internal and external meshing of the system are of obvious difference from each other. The study provides useful theoretical guideline for the design of the multiple-stage planetary gear train of wind driven generator.

Forecasting generation of urban solid waste in developing countries--a case study in Mexico.

PubMed

Buenrostro, O; Bocco, G; Vence, J

2001-01-01

Based on a study of the composition of urban solid waste (USW) and of socioeconomic variables in Morelia, Mexico, generation rates were estimated. In addition, the generation of residential solid waste (RSW) and nonresidential solid waste (NRSW) was forecasted by means of a multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis. For residential sources, the independent variables analyzed were monthly wages, persons per dwelling, age, and educational level of the heads of the household. For nonresidential sources, variables analyzed were number of employees, area of facilities, number of working days, and working hours per day. The forecasted values for residential waste were similar to those observed. This approach may be applied to areas in which available data are scarce, and in which there is an urgent need for the planning of adequate management of USW.

Analysis of Dynamic Behavior of Multiple-Stage Planetary Gear Train Used in Wind Driven Generator

PubMed Central

Wang, Jungang; Wang, Yong; Huo, Zhipu

2014-01-01

A dynamic model of multiple-stage planetary gear train composed of a two-stage planetary gear train and a one-stage parallel axis gear is proposed to be used in wind driven generator to analyze the influence of revolution speed and mesh error on dynamic load sharing characteristic based on the lumped parameter theory. Dynamic equation of the model is solved using numerical method to analyze the uniform load distribution of the system. It is shown that the load sharing property of the system is significantly affected by mesh error and rotational speed; load sharing coefficient and change rate of internal and external meshing of the system are of obvious difference from each other. The study provides useful theoretical guideline for the design of the multiple-stage planetary gear train of wind driven generator. PMID:24511295

Network Simulation solution of free convective flow from a vertical cone with combined effect of non- uniform surface heat flux and heat generation or absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Immanuel, Y.; Pullepu, Bapuji; Sambath, P.

2018-04-01

A two dimensional mathematical model is formulated for the transitive laminar free convective, incompressible viscous fluid flow over vertical cone with variable surface heat flux combined with the effects of heat generation and absorption is considered . using a powerful computational method based on thermoelectric analogy called Network Simulation Method (NSM0, the solutions of governing nondimensionl coupled, unsteady and nonlinear partial differential conservation equations of the flow that are obtained. The numerical technique is always stable and convergent which establish high efficiency and accuracy by employing network simulator computer code Pspice. The effects of velocity and temperature profiles have been analyzed for various factors, namely Prandtl number Pr, heat flux power law exponent n and heat generation/absorption parameter Δ are analyzed graphically.

Significant consequences of heat generation/absorption and homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions in second grade fluid due to rotating disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayat, Tasawar; Qayyum, Sumaira; Alsaedi, Ahmed; Ahmad, Bashir

2018-03-01

Flow of second grade fluid by a rotating disk with heat and mass transfer is discussed. Additional effects of heat generation/absorption are also analyzed. Flow is also subjected to homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions. The convergence of computed solution is assured through appropriate choices of initial guesses and auxiliary parameters. Investigation is made for the effects of involved parameters on velocities (radial, axial, tangential), temperature and concentration. Skin friction and Nusselt number are also analyzed. Graphical results depict that an increase in viscoelastic parameter enhances the axial, radial and tangential velocities. Opposite behavior of temperature is observed for larger values of viscoelastic and heat generation/absorption parameters. Concentration profile is increasing function of Schmidt number, viscoelastic parameter and heterogeneous reaction parameter. Magnitude of skin friction and Nusselt number are enhanced for larger viscoelastic parameter.

Analysis of enamel development using murine model systems: approaches and limitations

PubMed Central

Pugach, Megan K.; Gibson, Carolyn W.

2014-01-01

A primary goal of enamel research is to understand and potentially treat or prevent enamel defects related to amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). Rodents are ideal models to assist our understanding of how enamel is formed because they are easily genetically modified, and their continuously erupting incisors display all stages of enamel development and mineralization. While numerous methods have been developed to generate and analyze genetically modified rodent enamel, it is crucial to understand the limitations and challenges associated with these methods in order to draw appropriate conclusions that can be applied translationally, to AI patient care. We have highlighted methods involved in generating and analyzing rodent enamel and potential approaches to overcoming limitations of these methods: (1) generating transgenic, knockout, and knockin mouse models, and (2) analyzing rodent enamel mineral density and functional properties (structure and mechanics) of mature enamel. There is a need for a standardized workflow to analyze enamel phenotypes in rodent models so that investigators can compare data from different studies. These methods include analyses of gene and protein expression, developing enamel histology, enamel pigment, degree of mineralization, enamel structure, and mechanical properties. Standardization of these methods with regard to stage of enamel development and sample preparation is crucial, and ideally investigators can use correlative and complementary techniques with the understanding that developing mouse enamel is dynamic and complex. PMID:25278900

Analyzing Item Generation with Natural Language Processing Tools for the "TOEIC"® Listening Test. Research Report. ETS RR-17-52

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yoon, Su-Youn; Lee, Chong Min; Houghton, Patrick; Lopez, Melissa; Sakano, Jennifer; Loukina, Anastasia; Krovetz, Bob; Lu, Chi; Madani, Nitin

2017-01-01

In this study, we developed assistive tools and resources to support TOEIC® Listening test item generation. There has recently been an increased need for a large pool of items for these tests. This need has, in turn, inspired efforts to increase the efficiency of item generation while maintaining the quality of the created items. We aimed to…

Liquid propellant gas generators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The design of gas generators intended to provide hot gases for turbine drive is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the design and operation of bipropellant gas generators because of their wider use. Problems and limitations involved in turbine operation due to temperature effects are analyzed. Methods of temperature control of gas turbines and combustion products are examined. Drawings of critical sections of gas turbines to show their operation and areas of stress are included.

Electricity market design for generator revenue sufficiency with increased variable generation

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

Levin, Todd; Botterud, Audun

Here, we present a computationally efficient mixed-integer program (MIP) that determines optimal generator expansion decisions, and hourly unit commitment and dispatch in a power system. The impact of increasing wind power capacity on the optimal generation mix and generator profitability is analyzed for a test case that approximates the electricity market in Texas (ERCOT). We analyze three market policies that may support resource adequacy: Operating Reserve Demand Curves (ORDC), Fixed Reserve Scarcity Prices (FRSP) and fixed capacity payments (CP). Optimal expansion plans are comparable between the ORDC and FRSP implementations, while capacity payments may result in additional new capacity. Themore » FRSP policy leads to frequent reserves scarcity events and corresponding price spikes, while the ORDC implementation results in more continuous energy prices. Average energy prices decrease with increasing wind penetration under all policies, as do revenues for baseload and wind generators. Intermediate and peak load plants benefit from higher reserve prices and are less exposed to reduced energy prices. All else equal, an ORDC approach may be preferred to FRSP as it results in similar expansion and revenues with less extreme energy prices. A fixed CP leads to additional new flexible NGCT units, but lower profits for other technologies.« less

Electricity market design for generator revenue sufficiency with increased variable generation

DOE PAGES

Levin, Todd; Botterud, Audun

2015-10-01

Here, we present a computationally efficient mixed-integer program (MIP) that determines optimal generator expansion decisions, and hourly unit commitment and dispatch in a power system. The impact of increasing wind power capacity on the optimal generation mix and generator profitability is analyzed for a test case that approximates the electricity market in Texas (ERCOT). We analyze three market policies that may support resource adequacy: Operating Reserve Demand Curves (ORDC), Fixed Reserve Scarcity Prices (FRSP) and fixed capacity payments (CP). Optimal expansion plans are comparable between the ORDC and FRSP implementations, while capacity payments may result in additional new capacity. Themore » FRSP policy leads to frequent reserves scarcity events and corresponding price spikes, while the ORDC implementation results in more continuous energy prices. Average energy prices decrease with increasing wind penetration under all policies, as do revenues for baseload and wind generators. Intermediate and peak load plants benefit from higher reserve prices and are less exposed to reduced energy prices. All else equal, an ORDC approach may be preferred to FRSP as it results in similar expansion and revenues with less extreme energy prices. A fixed CP leads to additional new flexible NGCT units, but lower profits for other technologies.« less

The Effects of Data Collection Method and Monitoring of Workers’ Behavior on the Generation of Demolition Waste

PubMed Central

Cha, Gi-Wook; Kim, Young-Chan; Moon, Hyeun Jun; Hong, Won-Hwa

2017-01-01

The roles of both the data collection method (including proper classification) and the behavior of workers on the generation of demolition waste (DW) are important. By analyzing the effect of the data collection method used to estimate DW, and by investigating how workers’ behavior can affect the total amount of DW generated during an actual demolition process, it was possible to identify strategies that could improve the prediction of DW. Therefore, this study surveyed demolition waste generation rates (DWGRs) for different types of building by conducting on-site surveys immediately before demolition in order to collect adequate and reliable data. In addition, the effects of DW management strategies and of monitoring the behavior of workers on the actual generation of DW were analyzed. The results showed that when monitoring was implemented, the estimates of DW obtained from the DWGRs that were surveyed immediately before demolition and the actual quantities of DW reported by the demolition contractors had an error rate of 0.63% when the results were compared. Therefore, this study has shown that the proper data collection method (i.e., data were collected immediately before demolition) applied in this paper and monitoring on the demolition site have a significant impact on waste generation. PMID:29023378

Language Evolution by Iterated Learning with Bayesian Agents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griffiths, Thomas L.; Kalish, Michael L.

2007-01-01

Languages are transmitted from person to person and generation to generation via a process of iterated learning: people learn a language from other people who once learned that language themselves. We analyze the consequences of iterated learning for learning algorithms based on the principles of Bayesian inference, assuming that learners compute…

An Examination of the Utility of Non-Linear Dynamics Techniques for Analyzing Human Information Behaviors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Snyder, Herbert; Kurtze, Douglas

1992-01-01

Discusses the use of chaos, or nonlinear dynamics, for investigating computer-mediated communication. A comparison between real, human-generated data from a computer network and similarly constructed random-generated data is made, and mathematical procedures for determining chaos are described. (seven references) (LRW)

Investigation of the usefulness of the smoke generator Draeger model MK V for fire services exercises onboard ships

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaaijk, J.

1983-01-01

The chemical composition and the combustibility of the fog produced by a smoke generator were analyzed. Aliphatic hydrocarbons, including the n-alkanes C15-C21 are found. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are not detected. The smoke can not be ignited.

Computer Simulation of Classic Studies in Psychology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bradley, Drake R.

This paper describes DATASIM, a comprehensive software package which generates simulated data for actual or hypothetical research designs. DATASIM is primarily intended for use in statistics and research methods courses, where it is used to generate "individualized" datasets for students to analyze, and later to correct their answers.…

Preventing Second-Generation Child Abuse: Applying Chaos Theory to Reframe Interventions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

VanderVen, Karen

1994-01-01

Describes needs and characteristics of abused and neglected children; ideologies and interventions guiding the current human services system and contributing to second-generation child abuse; the linear thinking underlying these approaches; concepts of chaos theory that can provide a new framework for analyzing intervention issues; and…

Verb Errors of Bilingual and Monolingual Basic Writers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griswold, Olga

2017-01-01

This study analyzed the grammatical control of verbs exercised by 145 monolingual English and Generation 1.5 bilingual developmental writers in narrative essays using quantitative and qualitative methods. Generation 1.5 students made more errors than their monolingual peers in each category investigated, albeit in only 2 categories was the…

40 CFR 60.46c - Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units § 60.46c Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... the inlet to the steam generating unit and analyzed for sulfur content and heat content according the...

40 CFR 60.46c - Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 7 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units § 60.46c Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... the inlet to the steam generating unit and analyzed for sulfur content and heat content according the...

40 CFR 60.46c - Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 7 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units § 60.46c Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... the inlet to the steam generating unit and analyzed for sulfur content and heat content according the...

40 CFR 60.46c - Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 7 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units § 60.46c Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... the inlet to the steam generating unit and analyzed for sulfur content and heat content according the...

The Social Dimension of Distance Learning by Interactive Television: A Qualitative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhao, Liang

2011-01-01

This qualitative study examined instructors' and students' perceptions of social relationship in distance learning. Interview and observational data were collected and analyzed to generate theories. Convenient sampling was used. Factors influencing a sense of distance were analyzed. Findings revealed greater difficulty establishing a social…

40 CFR 1065.309 - Continuous gas analyzer system-response and updating-recording verification-for gas analyzers...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... change the system response. (b) Measurement principles. This procedure verifies that the updating and... gas detectors used to generate a continuously combined/compensated concentration measurement signal... verifies that the measurement system meets a minimum response time. For this procedure, ensure that all...

Analyzing Ligand Depletion in a Saturation Equilibrium Binding Experiment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Claro, Enrique

2006-01-01

I present a proposal for a laboratory practice to generate and analyze data from a saturation equilibrium binding experiment addressed to advanced undergraduate students. [[superscript 3]H]Quinuclidinyl benzilate is a nonselective muscarinic ligand with very high affinity and very low nonspecific binding to brain membranes, which contain a high…

Preparing and Analyzing Iced Airfoils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vickerman, Mary B.; Baez, Marivell; Braun, Donald C.; Cotton, Barbara J.; Choo, Yung K.; Coroneos, Rula M.; Pennline, James A.; Hackenberg, Anthony W.; Schilling, Herbert W.; Slater, John W.;

Relationship Between the Parameters of the Linear and Nonlinear Wave Generation Stages in a Magnetospheric Cyclotron Maser in the Backward-Wave Oscillator Regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demekhov, A. G.

2017-03-01

By using numerical simulations we generalize certain relationships between the parameters of quasimonochromatic whistler-mode waves generated at the linear and nonlinear stages of the cyclotron instability in the backward-wave oscillator regime. One of these relationships is between the wave amplitude at the nonlinear stage and the linear growth rate of the cyclotron instability. It was obtained analytically by V.Yu.Trakhtengerts (1984) for a uniform medium under the assumption of constant frequency and amplitude of the generated wave. We show that a similar relationship also holds for the signals generated in a nonuniform magnetic field and having a discrete structure in the form of short wave packets (elements) with fast frequency drift inside each element. We also generalize the formula for the linear growth rate of absolute cyclotron instability in a nonuniform medium and analyze the relationship between the frequency drift rate in the discrete elements and the wave amplitude. These relationships are important for analyzing the links between the parameters of chorus emissions in the Earth's and planetary magnetospheres and the characteristics of the energetic charged particles generating these signals.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Hybrid System for Distributed Power Generation

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

David Deangelis; Rich Depuy; Debashis Dey

2004-09-30

This report summarizes the work performed by Hybrid Power Generation Systems, LLC (HPGS) during the April to October 2004 reporting period in Task 2.3 (SOFC Scaleup for Hybrid and Fuel Cell Systems) under Cooperative Agreement DE-FC26-01NT40779 for the U. S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE/NETL), entitled ''Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Hybrid System for Distributed Power Generation''. This study analyzes the performance and economics of power generation systems for central power generation application based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology and fueled by natural gas. The main objective of this task is to develop credible scale upmore » strategies for large solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine systems. System concepts that integrate a SOFC with a gas turbine were developed and analyzed for plant sizes in excess of 20 MW. A 25 MW plant configuration was selected with projected system efficiency of over 65% and a factory cost of under $400/kW. The plant design is modular and can be scaled to both higher and lower plant power ratings. Technology gaps and required engineering development efforts were identified and evaluated.« less

Single photon imaging and timing array sensor apparatus and method

DOEpatents

Smith, R. Clayton

2003-06-24

An apparatus and method are disclosed for generating a three-dimension image of an object or target. The apparatus is comprised of a photon source for emitting a photon at a target. The emitted photons are received by a photon receiver for receiving the photon when reflected from the target. The photon receiver determines a reflection time of the photon and further determines an arrival position of the photon on the photon receiver. An analyzer is communicatively coupled to the photon receiver, wherein the analyzer generates a three-dimensional image of the object based upon the reflection time and the arrival position.

Analysis Results for Lunar Soil Simulant Using a Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boothe, R. E.

2006-01-01

Lunar soil will potentially be used for oxygen generation, water generation, and as filler for building blocks during habitation missions on the Moon. NASA s in situ fabrication and repair program is evaluating portable technologies that can assess the chemistry of lunar soil and lunar soil simulants. This Technical Memorandum summarizes the results of the JSC 1 lunar soil simulant analysis using the TRACeR III IV handheld x-ray fluorescence analyzer, manufactured by KeyMaster Technologies, Inc. The focus of the evaluation was to determine how well the current instrument configuration would detect and quantify the components of JSC-1.

HPLC analysis of functionalized poly(amidoamine) dendrimers and the interaction between a folate-dendrimer conjugate and folate binding protein.

PubMed

Shi, Xiangyang; Bi, Xiangdong; Ganser, T Rose; Hong, Seungpyo; Myc, Lukasz A; Desai, Ankur; Holl, Mark M Banaszak; Baker, James R

2006-07-01

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers of different generations with carboxyl, acetyl, and hydroxyl terminal groups and a folic acid (FA)-dendrimer conjugate were separated and analyzed using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Analysis of both the individual PAMAM derivatives and the separation of mixed generations can be achieved using a linear gradient 0-50% acetonitrile (ACN) (balance water) within 40 min. We also show that PAMAMs with defined acetylation and carboxylation degrees can be analyzed using HPLC. Furthermore, a generation 5 dendrimer-FA conjugate (G5.75Ac-FA4; Ac denotes acetyl) was analyzed and its specific binding with a bovine folic acid binding protein (FBP) was monitored. The HPLC and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) results indicate the formation of three complexes after the binding of G5.75Ac-FA4 with FBP. Dendrimers with FA moieties show much higher specific binding capability with FBP than those without FA moieties. Findings from this study indicate that HPLC is an effective technique not only for characterization and separation of functionalized PAMAM dendrimers and conjugates but also for investigation of the interaction between dendrimers and biomolecules.

CEQer: a graphical tool for copy number and allelic imbalance detection from whole-exome sequencing data.

PubMed

Piazza, Rocco; Magistroni, Vera; Pirola, Alessandra; Redaelli, Sara; Spinelli, Roberta; Redaelli, Serena; Galbiati, Marta; Valletta, Simona; Giudici, Giovanni; Cazzaniga, Giovanni; Gambacorti-Passerini, Carlo

2013-01-01

Copy number alterations (CNA) are common events occurring in leukaemias and solid tumors. Comparative Genome Hybridization (CGH) is actually the gold standard technique to analyze CNAs; however, CGH analysis requires dedicated instruments and is able to perform only low resolution Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH) analyses. Here we present CEQer (Comparative Exome Quantification analyzer), a new graphical, event-driven tool for CNA/allelic-imbalance (AI) coupled analysis of exome sequencing data. By using case-control matched exome data, CEQer performs a comparative digital exonic quantification to generate CNA data and couples this information with exome-wide LOH and allelic imbalance detection. This data is used to build mixed statistical/heuristic models allowing the identification of CNA/AI events. To test our tool, we initially used in silico generated data, then we performed whole-exome sequencing from 20 leukemic specimens and corresponding matched controls and we analyzed the results using CEQer. Taken globally, these analyses showed that the combined use of comparative digital exon quantification and LOH/AI allows generating very accurate CNA data. Therefore, we propose CEQer as an efficient, robust and user-friendly graphical tool for the identification of CNA/AI in the context of whole-exome sequencing data.

An exact analysis of a rectangular plate piezoelectric generator.

PubMed

Yang, Jiashi; Chen, Ziguang; Hu, Yuantai

2007-01-01

We study thickness-twist vibration of a finite, piezoelectric plate of polarized ceramics or 6-mm crystals driven by surface mechanical loads. An exact solution from the three-dimensional equations of piezoelectricity is obtained. The plate is properly electroded and connected to a circuit such that an electric output is generated. The structure analyzed represents a piezoelectric generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy. Analytical expressions for the output voltage, current, power, efficiency, and power density are given. The basic behaviors of the generator are shown by numerical results.

Modeling and Simulation of U-tube Steam Generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Mingming; Fu, Zhongguang; Li, Jinyao; Wang, Mingfei

2018-03-01

The U-tube natural circulation steam generator was mainly researched with modeling and simulation in this article. The research is based on simuworks system simulation software platform. By analyzing the structural characteristics and the operating principle of U-tube steam generator, there are 14 control volumes in the model, including primary side, secondary side, down channel and steam plenum, etc. The model depends completely on conservation laws, and it is applied to make some simulation tests. The results show that the model is capable of simulating properly the dynamic response of U-tube steam generator.

Method and apparatus for analyzing the fill characteristics of a packaging container

DOEpatents

Rodriguez, J.G.

1998-10-13

A system is described for analyzing the fill characteristics of a container. A container having a filling material therein is positioned adjacent a sound generator. Sound waves from the generator are applied to the container, causing it to vibrate. A vibration detector is used to determine the amount of container vibration. A preferred vibration detector involves a laser vibrometer which applies a reference laser beam to the vibrating container. The reference beam is reflected off of the container to generate a reflected laser beam. The reflected beam experiences a Doppler frequency shift compared with the reference beam which is caused by container vibration. The Doppler shift of the reflected beam is then compared with standardized Doppler shift data from a control container. Repeated Doppler shift measurements may also be undertaken which are converted into a vibration profile that is compared with a standardized vibration profile from a control container. 4 figs.

Method and apparatus for analyzing the fill characteristics of a packaging container

DOEpatents

Rodriguez, Julio G.

1998-01-01

A system for analyzing the fill characteristics of a container. A container having a filling material therein is positioned adjacent a sound generator. Sound waves from the generator are applied to the container, causing it to vibrate. A vibration detector is used to determine the amount of container vibration. A preferred vibration detector involves a laser vibrometer which applies a reference laser beam to the vibrating container. The reference beam is reflected off of the container to generate a reflected laser beam. The reflected beam experiences a Doppler frequency shift compared with the reference beam which is caused by container vibration. The Doppler shift of the reflected beam is then compared with standardized Doppler shift data from a control container. Repeated Doppler shift measurements may also be undertaken which are converted into a vibration profile that is compared with a standardized vibration profile from a control container.

Implications of a electroweak triplet scalar leptoquark on the ultra-high energy neutrino events at IceCube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mileo, Nicolas; de la Puente, Alejandro; Szynkman, Alejandro

2016-11-01

We study the production of scalar leptoquarks at IceCube, in particular, a particle transforming as a triplet under the weak interaction. The existence of electroweak-triplet scalars is highly motivated by models of grand unification and also within radiative seesaw models for neutrino mass generation. In our framework, we extend the Standard Model by a single colored electroweak-triplet scalar leptoquark and analyze its implications on the excess of ultra-high energy neutrino events observed by the IceCube collaboration. We consider only couplings between the leptoquark to first generation of quarks and first and second generations of leptons, and carry out a statistical analysis to determine the parameters that best describe the IceCube data as well as set 95% CL upper bounds. We analyze whether this study is still consistent with most up-to-date LHC data and various low energy observables.

Use of magnetic sails for advanced exploration missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrews, Dana G.; Zubrin, Robert M.

1990-01-01

The magnetic sail, or magsail, is a field effect device which interacts with the ambient solar wind or interstellar medium over a considerable volume of space to generate drag and lift forces. Two theories describing the method of thrust generation are analyzed and data results are presented. The techniques for maintaining superconductor temperatures in interplanetary space are analyzed and low risk options presented. Comparisons are presented showing mission performance differences between currently proposed spacecraft using chemical and electric propulsion systems, and a Magsail propelled spacecraft capable of generating an average thrust of 250 Newtons at a radius of one A.U. The magsail also provides unique capabilities for interstellar missions, in that at relativistic speeds the magnetic field would ionize and deflect the interstellar medium producing a large drag force. This would make it an ideal brake for decelerating a spacecraft from relativistic speeds and then maneuvering within the target star system.

Second-harmonic patterned polarization-analyzed reflection confocal microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okoro, Chukwuemeka; Toussaint, Kimani C.

2017-08-01

We introduce the second-harmonic patterned polarization-analyzed reflection confocal (SPPARC) microscope-a multimodal imaging platform that integrates Mueller matrix polarimetry with reflection confocal and second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. SPPARC microscopy provides label-free three-dimensional (3-D), SHG-patterned confocal images that lend themselves to spatially dependent, linear polarimetric analysis for extraction of rich polarization information based on the Mueller calculus. To demonstrate its capabilities, we use SPPARC microscopy to analyze both porcine tendon and ligament samples and find differences in both circular degree-of-polarization and depolarization parameters. Moreover, using the collagen-generated SHG signal as an endogenous counterstain, we show that the technique can be used to provide 3-D polarimetric information of the surrounding extrafibrillar matrix plus cells or EFMC region. The unique characteristics of SPPARC microscopy holds strong potential for it to more accurately and quantitatively describe microstructural changes in collagen-rich samples in three spatial dimensions.

BETA: Behavioral testability analyzer and its application to high-level test generation and synthesis for testability. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Chung-Hsing

1992-01-01

In this thesis, a behavioral-level testability analysis approach is presented. This approach is based on analyzing the circuit behavioral description (similar to a C program) to estimate its testability by identifying controllable and observable circuit nodes. This information can be used by a test generator to gain better access to internal circuit nodes and to reduce its search space. The results of the testability analyzer can also be used to select test points or partial scan flip-flops in the early design phase. Based on selection criteria, a novel Synthesis for Testability approach call Test Statement Insertion (TSI) is proposed, which modifies the circuit behavioral description directly. Test Statement Insertion can also be used to modify circuit structural description to improve its testability. As a result, Synthesis for Testability methodology can be combined with an existing behavioral synthesis tool to produce more testable circuits.

Significant Others in the Lives of Latino First-Generation College Students: How Social Capital Aids Persistence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beard, Trista

2016-01-01

This study examines how successful Latino first-generation college students (LFGCS), all seniors at a large, highly-selective research university, integrated into chosen communities and built unique social networks to support their persistence in college. Utilizing integration and social capital frameworks, and analyzing the college life histories…

Generator Coordinate Method Analysis of Xe and Ba Isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higashiyama, Koji; Yoshinaga, Naotaka; Teruya, Eri

Nuclear structure of Xe and Ba isotopes is studied in terms of the quantum-number projected generator coordinate method (GCM). The GCM reproduces well the energy levels of high-spin states as well as low-lying states. The structure of the low-lying states is analyzed through the GCM wave functions.

ICT for Children of Immigrants: Indirect and Total Effects via Self-Efficacy on Math Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Sunha

2018-01-01

This study compared the direct, indirect, and total effects of information, communication, and technology (ICT) variables on math achievement for second-generation immigrant, first-generation immigrant, and nonimmigrant students. A path model was used to analyze U.S. nationally representative data from the Program for International Student…

Choices and Enrollments in French Secondary and Higher Education: Repercussions for Second-Generation Immigrants

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brinbaum, Yael; Guegnard, Christine

2013-01-01

In France, the proportion of second-generation immigrants enrolling in tertiary education has increased as education has undergone a process of "democratization." This article analyzes their postsecondary choices, access to tertiary programs, dropout, and transition to the labor market, compared to those of students of French origin.…

Alleviating Search Uncertainty through Concept Associations: Automatic Indexing, Co-Occurrence Analysis, and Parallel Computing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Hsinchun; Martinez, Joanne; Kirchhoff, Amy; Ng, Tobun D.; Schatz, Bruce R.

1998-01-01

Grounded on object filtering, automatic indexing, and co-occurrence analysis, an experiment was performed using a parallel supercomputer to analyze over 400,000 abstracts in an INSPEC computer engineering collection. A user evaluation revealed that system-generated thesauri were better than the human-generated INSPEC subject thesaurus in concept…

Sustainability in Science Education? How the Next Generation Science Standards Approach Sustainability, and Why It Matters

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Feinstein, Noah Weeth; Kirchgasler, Kathryn L.

2015-01-01

In this essay, we explore how sustainability is embodied in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), analyzing how the NGSS explicitly define and implicitly characterize sustainability. We identify three themes (universalism, scientism, and technocentrism) that are common in scientific discourse around sustainability and show how they appear…

Generation and detection of 80-Gbit/s return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Möller, Lothar; Su, Yikai; Xie, Chongjin; Liu, Xiang; Leuthold, Juerg; Gill, Douglas; Wei, Xing

2003-12-01

Nonlinear polarization rotation between a pump and a probe signal in a highly nonlinear fiber is used as a modulation process to generate 80-Gbit/s return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying signals. Its performance is analyzed and compared with a conventional on-off keying modulated signal.

40 CFR 60.47b - Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 6 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units § 60.47b Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... generating unit and analyzing them for sulfur and heat content according to Method 19 of appendix A of this...

40 CFR 60.47b - Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 6 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units § 60.47b Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... generating unit and analyzing them for sulfur and heat content according to Method 19 of appendix A of this...

40 CFR 60.47b - Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 7 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units § 60.47b Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... generating unit and analyzing them for sulfur and heat content according to Method 19 of appendix A of this...

40 CFR 60.47b - Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 7 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units § 60.47b Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... generating unit and analyzing them for sulfur and heat content according to Method 19 of appendix A of this...

40 CFR 60.47b - Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 7 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units § 60.47b Emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide... generating unit and analyzing them for sulfur and heat content according to Method 19 of appendix A of this...

Two general models that generate long range correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gan, Xiaocong; Han, Zhangang

2012-06-01

In this paper we study two models that generate sequences with LRC (long range correlation). For the IFT (inverse Fourier transform) model, our conclusion is the low frequency part leads to LRC, while the high frequency part tends to eliminate it. Therefore, a typical method to generate a sequence with LRC is multiplying the spectrum of a white noise sequence by a decaying function. A special case is analyzed: the linear combination of a smooth curve and a white noise sequence, in which the DFA plot consists of two line segments. For the patch model, our conclusion is long subsequences leads to LRC, while short subsequences tend to eliminate it. Therefore, we can generate a sequence with LRC by using a fat-tailed PDF (probability distribution function) of the length of the subsequences. A special case is also analyzed: if a patch model with long subsequences is mixed with a white noise sequence, the DFA plot will consist of two line segments. We have checked known models and actual data, and found they are all consistent with this study.

New generation high performance in situ polarized 3He system for time-of-flight beam at spallation sources.

PubMed

Jiang, C Y; Tong, X; Brown, D R; Glavic, A; Ambaye, H; Goyette, R; Hoffmann, M; Parizzi, A A; Robertson, L; Lauter, V

2017-02-01

Modern spallation neutron sources generate high intensity neutron beams with a broad wavelength band applied to exploring new nano- and meso-scale materials from a few atomic monolayers thick to complicated prototype device-like systems with multiple buried interfaces. The availability of high performance neutron polarizers and analyzers in neutron scattering experiments is vital for understanding magnetism in systems with novel functionalities. We report the development of a new generation of the in situ polarized 3 He neutron polarization analyzer for the Magnetism Reflectometer at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. With a new optical layout and laser system, the 3 He polarization reached and maintained 84% as compared to 76% in the first-generation system. The polarization improvement allows achieving the transmission function varying from 50% to 15% for the polarized neutron beam with the wavelength band of 2-9 Angstroms. This achievement brings a new class of experiments with optimal performance in sensitivity to very small magnetic moments in nano systems and opens up the horizon for its applications.

In-situ analysis of hydrazine decomposition products

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Curran, Francis M.; Whalen, Margaret V.

1987-01-01

A gas analyzer utilizing a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) detection system was used to monitor the ammonia and water vapor content of the products of a previously unused hydrazine gas generator. This provided an in-situ measurement of the generator's efficiency difficult to obtain by other means. The analyzer was easily installed in both the calibration and hydrazine systems, required no maintenance other than periodic zero adjustments, and performed well for extended periods in the operating range tested. The catalyst bed operated smoothly and repeatably during the 28 hr of testing. No major transients were observed on startup or during steady state operation. The amount of ammonia in the output stream of the gas generator was found to be a strong function of temperature at catalyst bed temperatures below 450 C. At temperatures above this, the efficiency remained nearly constant. On startup the gas generator efficiency was found to decrease with time until a steady state value was attained. Elevated catalyst bed temperatures in the periods before steady state operation was found to be responsible for this phenomenon.

Teaching Politics in Secondary Education: Analyzing Instructional Methods from the 2008 Presidential Election

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Journell, Wayne

2011-01-01

This article describes the instructional methods of four high school government teachers during their coverage of the 2008 presidential election. By analyzing the ways in which these teachers attempted to generate interest in the election and further their students' conceptualization of politics, the author seeks to better understand political…

POWERFUL NEW TOOLS FOR ANALYZING ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION: MASS PEAK PROFILING FROM SELECTED-ION RECORDING DATA AND A PROFILE GENERATION MODEL

EPA Science Inventory

Capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection is the most commonly used technique for analyzing samples from Superfund sites. While the U.S. EPA has developed target lists of compounds for which library mass spectra are available on most mass spectrometer data s...

Generating Multiple Imputations for Matrix Sampling Data Analyzed with Item Response Models.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Neal; Gan, Nianci

1997-01-01

Describes and assesses missing data methods currently used to analyze data from matrix sampling designs implemented by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Several improved methods are developed, and these models are evaluated using an EM algorithm to obtain maximum likelihood estimates followed by multiple imputation of complete data…

Validation of Student Generated Data for Assessment of Groundwater Quality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peckenham, John M.; Thornton, Teresa; Peckenham, Phoebe

2012-01-01

As part of a research project to evaluate the effects of sand and gravel mining on water quality, students were trained to analyze their own drinking water for simple quality indicators. Indicators analyzed were pH, conductivity, hardness, nitrate, chloride, and dissolved iron. Approximately 523 analyses were completed by students between 2006 and…

Hockey, iPads, and Projectile Motion in a Physics Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hechter, Richard P.

2013-01-01

With the increased availability of modern technology and handheld probeware for classrooms, the iPad and the Video Physics application developed by Vernier are used to capture and analyze the motion of an ice hockey puck within secondary-level physics education. Students collect, analyze, and generate digital modes of representation of physics…

PULSE AMPLITUDE ANALYZER

DOEpatents

Gray, G.W.; Jensen, A.S.

1957-10-22

A pulse-height analyzer system of improved design for sorting and counting a series of pulses, such as provided by a scintillation detector in nuclear radiation measurements, is described. The analyzer comprises a main transmission line, a cathode-ray tube for each section of the line with its deflection plates acting as the line capacitance; means to bias the respective cathode ray tubes so that the beam strikes a target only when a prearranged pulse amplitude is applied, with each tube progressively biased to respond to smaller amplitudes; pulse generating and counting means associated with each tube to respond when the beam is deflected; a control transmission line having the same time constant as the first line per section with pulse generating means for each tube for initiating a pulse on the second transmission line when a pulse triggers the tube of corresponding amplitude response, the former pulse acting to prevent successive tubes from responding to the pulse under test. This arrangement permits greater deflection sensitivity in the cathode ray tube and overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art pulse-height analyzer circuits.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Portuguese version of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment.

PubMed

Duarte Bonini Campos, J A; Dias do Prado, C

2012-01-01

The cross-cultural adaptation of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment is important so it can be used with confidence in Portuguese language. To perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the Portuguese version of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment and to estimate its intrarater reliability. This is a validation study. Face Validity was classified by 17 health professionals and 10 Portuguese language specialists. Idiomatic, semantic, cultural and conceptual equivalences were analyzed. The questionnaire was completed by 20 patients of the Amaral Carvalho Hospital (Jaú, São Paulo, Brazil) in order to verify the Comprehension Index of each item. Therefore, 27 committee members classified each item into "essential", "useful, but not essential" and "not necessary", in order to calculate the Content Validity Ratio. After, this version of the questionnaire was applied twice to 62 patients of the hospital cited above. The intrarater reliability of the nutritional status analyzed by Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment was estimated by Kappa statistics. The Portuguese version of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment presented 10 incomprehensible expressions. The items "a year ago weight" and "dry mouth symptom" presented the lowest Content Validity Ratio. Substantial intrarater reliability (k = 0.78, p = 0.001) was observed. The cross-cultural adaptation of the Portuguese version of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment became simple and understandable for Brazilian patients. Thus, this version of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment was considered a valid and a reliable method.

Clonal differences in generation times of GPK epithelial cells in monolayer culture.

PubMed

Riley, P A; Hola, M

1980-01-01

Pedigrees of cells in eight clones of guinea pig keratocyte (GPK) cells in monolayer culture were analyzed from a time-lapse film. The generation times and the position in the field of observation were recorded up to the sixth generation when the cultures were still subconfluent. Statistical analysis of the results indicates that the position in the culture has less significance than the clonal origin of the cell in determining the interval between successive mitoses.

A nonparametric method to generate synthetic populations to adjust for complex sampling design features.

PubMed

Dong, Qi; Elliott, Michael R; Raghunathan, Trivellore E

2014-06-01

Outside of the survey sampling literature, samples are often assumed to be generated by a simple random sampling process that produces independent and identically distributed (IID) samples. Many statistical methods are developed largely in this IID world. Application of these methods to data from complex sample surveys without making allowance for the survey design features can lead to erroneous inferences. Hence, much time and effort have been devoted to develop the statistical methods to analyze complex survey data and account for the sample design. This issue is particularly important when generating synthetic populations using finite population Bayesian inference, as is often done in missing data or disclosure risk settings, or when combining data from multiple surveys. By extending previous work in finite population Bayesian bootstrap literature, we propose a method to generate synthetic populations from a posterior predictive distribution in a fashion inverts the complex sampling design features and generates simple random samples from a superpopulation point of view, making adjustment on the complex data so that they can be analyzed as simple random samples. We consider a simulation study with a stratified, clustered unequal-probability of selection sample design, and use the proposed nonparametric method to generate synthetic populations for the 2006 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), which are stratified, clustered unequal-probability of selection sample designs.

A nonparametric method to generate synthetic populations to adjust for complex sampling design features

PubMed Central

Dong, Qi; Elliott, Michael R.; Raghunathan, Trivellore E.

2017-01-01

Outside of the survey sampling literature, samples are often assumed to be generated by a simple random sampling process that produces independent and identically distributed (IID) samples. Many statistical methods are developed largely in this IID world. Application of these methods to data from complex sample surveys without making allowance for the survey design features can lead to erroneous inferences. Hence, much time and effort have been devoted to develop the statistical methods to analyze complex survey data and account for the sample design. This issue is particularly important when generating synthetic populations using finite population Bayesian inference, as is often done in missing data or disclosure risk settings, or when combining data from multiple surveys. By extending previous work in finite population Bayesian bootstrap literature, we propose a method to generate synthetic populations from a posterior predictive distribution in a fashion inverts the complex sampling design features and generates simple random samples from a superpopulation point of view, making adjustment on the complex data so that they can be analyzed as simple random samples. We consider a simulation study with a stratified, clustered unequal-probability of selection sample design, and use the proposed nonparametric method to generate synthetic populations for the 2006 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), which are stratified, clustered unequal-probability of selection sample designs. PMID:29200608

Structural integrity of power generating speed bumps made of concrete foam composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syam, B.; Muttaqin, M.; Hastrino, D.; Sebayang, A.; Basuki, W. S.; Sabri, M.; Abda, S.

2018-02-01

In this paper concrete foam composite speed bumps were designed to generate electrical power by utilizing the movements of commuting vehicles on highways, streets, parking gates, and drive-thru station of fast food restaurants. The speed bumps were subjected to loadings generated by vehicles pass over the power generating mechanical system. In this paper, we mainly focus our discussion on the structural integrity of the speed bumps and discuss the electrical power generating speed bumps in another paper. One aspect of structural integrity is its ability to support designed loads without breaking and includes the study of past structural failures in order to prevent failures in future designs. The concrete foam composites were used for the speed bumps; the reinforcement materials are selected from empty fruit bunch of oil palm. In this study, the speed bump materials and structure were subjected to various tests to obtain its physical and mechanical properties. To analyze the structure stability of the speed bumps some models were produced and tested in our speed bump test station. We also conduct a FEM-based computer simulation to analyze stress responses of the speed bump structures. It was found that speed bump type 1 significantly reduced the radial voltage. In addition, the speed bump is equipped with a steel casing is also suitable for use as a component component in generating electrical energy.

Generation, Analysis and Characterization of Anisotropic Engineered Meta Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trifale, Ninad T.

A methodology for a systematic generation of highly anisotropic micro-lattice structures was investigated. Multiple algorithms for generation and validation of engineered structures are developed and evaluated. Set of all possible permutations of structures for an 8-node cubic unit cell were considered and the degree of anisotropy of meta-properties in heat transport and mechanical elasticity were evaluated. Feasibility checks were performed to ensure that the generated unit cell network was repeatable and a continuous lattice structure. Four different strategies for generating permutations of the structures are discussed. Analytical models were developed to predict effective thermal, mechanical and permeability characteristics of these cellular structures.Experimentation and numerical modeling techniques were used to validate the models that are developed. A self-consistent mechanical elasticity model was developed which connects the meso-scale properties to stiffness of individual struts. A three dimensional thermal resistance network analogy was used to evaluate the effective thermal conductivity of the structures. The struts were modeled as a network of one dimensional thermal resistive elements and effective conductivity evaluated. Models were validated against numerical simulations and experimental measurements on 3D printed samples. Model was developed to predict effective permeability of these engineered structures based on Darcy's law. Drag coefficients were evaluated for individual connections in transverse and longitudinal directions and an interaction term was calibrated from the experimental data in literature in order to predict permeability. Generic optimization framework coupled to finite element solver is developed for analyzing any application involving use of porous structures. An objective functions were generated structure to address frequently observed trade-off between the stiffness, thermal conductivity, permeability and porosity. Three application were analyzed for potential use of engineered materials. Heat spreader application involving thermal and mechanical constraints, artificial bone grafts application involving mechanical and permeability constraints and structural materials applications involving mechanical, thermal and porosity constraints is analyzed. Recommendations for optimum topologies for specific operating conditions are provided.

Modified quadrupole mass analyzer RGA-100 for beam plasma research in forevacuum pressure range

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

Zolotukhin, D. B.; Tyunkov, A. V.; Yushkov, Yu. G., E-mail: yuyushkov@gmail.com

2015-12-15

The industrial quadrupole RGA-100 residual gas analyzer was modified for the research of electron beam-generated plasma at forevacuum pressure range. The standard ionizer of the RGA-100 was replaced by three electrode extracting unit. We made the optimization of operation parameters in order to provide the maximum values of measured currents of any ion species. The modified analyzer was successfully tested with beam plasma of argon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrocarbons.