Defect-induced wetting on BaF 2(111) and CaF 2(111) at ambient conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardellach, M.; Verdaguer, A.; Fraxedas, J.

2011-12-01

The interaction of water with freshly cleaved (111) surfaces of isostructural BaF2 and CaF2 single crystals at ambient conditions (room temperature and under controlled humidity) has been studied using scanning force microscopy in different operation modes and optical microscopy. Such surfaces exhibit contrasting behaviors for both materials: while on BaF2(111) two-dimensional water layers are formed after accumulation at step edges, CaF2(111) does not promote the formation of such layers. We attribute such opposed behavior to lattice match (mismatch) between hexagonal water ice and the hexagonal (111) surfaces of BaF2(CaF2). Optical microscope images reveal that this behavior also determines the way the surfaces become wetted at a macroscopic level.

Versatile fluoride substrates for Fe-based superconducting thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurth, F.; Reich, E.; Hänisch, J.; Ichinose, A.; Tsukada, I.; Hühne, R.; Trommler, S.; Engelmann, J.; Schultz, L.; Holzapfel, B.; Iida, K.

2013-04-01

We demonstrate the growth of Co-doped BaFe2As2 (Ba-122) thin films on CaF2 (001), SrF2 (001), and BaF2 (001) single crystal substrates using pulsed laser deposition. All films are grown epitaxially despite of a large misfit of -10.6% for BaF2 substrate. For all films, a reaction layer is formed at the interface confirmed by X-ray diffraction and for the films grown on CaF2 and BaF2 additionally by transmission electron microscopy. The superconducting transition temperature of the film on CaF2 is around 27 K, whereas the corresponding values of the films on SrF2 and BaF2 are around 22 K and 21 K, respectively. The Ba-122 on CaF2 shows almost identical crystalline quality and superconducting properties as films on Fe-buffered MgO.

Effect of high-energy electron irradiation in an electron microscope column on fluorides of alkaline earth elements (CaF2, SrF2, and BaF2)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikolaichik, V. I.; Sobolev, B. P.; Zaporozhets, M. A.; Avilov, A. S.

2012-03-01

The effect of high-energy (150 eV) electron irradiation in an electron microscope column on crystals of fluorides of alkaline earth elements CaF2, SrF2, and BaF2 is studied. During structural investigations by electron diffraction and electron microscopy, the electron irradiation causes chemical changes in MF2 crystals such as the desorption of fluorine and the accumulation of oxygen in the irradiated area with the formation of oxide MO. The fluorine desorption rate increases significantly when the electron-beam density exceeds the threshold value of ˜2 × 103 pA/cm2). In BaF2 samples, the transformation of BaO into Ba(OH)2 was observed when irradiation stopped. The renewal of irradiation is accompanied by the inverse transformation of Ba(OH)2 into BaO. In the initial stage of irradiation of all MF2 compounds, the oxide phase is in the single-crystal state with a lattice highly matched with the MF2 matrix. When the irradiation dose is increased, the oxide phase passes to the polycrystalline phase. Gaseous products of MF2 destruction (in the form of bubbles several nanometers in diameter) form a rectangular array with a period of ˜20 nm in the sample.

Particle Size Effects on Flow Properties of PS304 Plasma Spray Feedstock Powder Blend

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stanford, Malcolm K.; DellaCorte, Christopher; Eylon, Daniel

2002-01-01

The effects of BaF2-CaF2 particle size and size distribution on PS304 feedstock powder flowability have been investigated. Angular BaF2-CaF2 eutectic powders were produced by comminution and classified by screening to obtain 38 to 45 microns 45 to 106 microns, 63 to 106 microns, 45 to 53 microns, 63 to 75 microns, and 90 to 106 microns particle size distributions. The fluorides were added incrementally from 0 to 10 wt% to the other powder constituents of the PS304 feedstock: nichrome, chromia, and silver powders. The flow rate of the powder blends decreased linearly with increasing concentration of the fluorides. Flow was degraded with decreasing BaF2-CaF2 particle size and with increasing BaF2-CaF2 particle size distribution. A semiempirical relationship is offered to describe the PS304 powder blend flow behavior. The Hausner Ratio confirmed the funnel flow test results, but was slightly less sensitive to differences in BaF2-CaF2 particle size and size distribution. These findings may have applicability to other powders that do not flow easily, such as ceramic powders.

Biologically active filters - An advanced water treatment process for contaminants of emerging concern.

PubMed

Zhang, Shuangyi; Gitungo, Stephen W; Axe, Lisa; Raczko, Robert F; Dyksen, John E

2017-05-01

With the increasing concern of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in source water, this study examines the hypothesis that existing filters in water treatment plants can be converted to biologically active filters (BAFs) to treat these compounds. Removals through bench-scale BAFs were evaluated as a function of media, granular activated carbon (GAC) and dual media, empty bed contact time (EBCT), and pre-ozonation. For GAC BAFs, greater oxygen consumption, increased pH drop, and greater dissolved organic carbon removal normalized to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were observed indicating increased microbial activity as compared to anthracite/sand dual media BAFs. ATP concentrations in the upper portion of the BAFs were as much as four times greater than the middle and lower portions of the dual media and 1.5 times greater in GAC. Sixteen CECs were spiked in the source water. At an EBCT of 18 min (min), GAC BAFs were highly effective with overall removals greater than 80% without pre-ozonation; exceptions included tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate and iopromide. With a 10 min EBCT, the degree of CECs removal was reduced with less than half of the compounds removed at greater than 80%. The dual media BAFs showed limited CECs removal with only four compounds removed at greater than 80%, and 10 compounds were reduced by less than 50% with either EBCT. This study demonstrated that GAC BAFs with and without pre-ozonation are an effective and advanced technology for treating emerging contaminants. On the other hand, pre-ozonation is needed for dual media BAFs to remove CECs. The most cost effective operating conditions for dual media BAFs were a 10 min EBCT with the application of pre-ozonation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

BAF180 regulates cellular senescence and hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis through p21

PubMed Central

Lee, Hyemin; Dai, Fangyan; Zhuang, Li; Xiao, Zhen-Dong; Kim, Jongchan; Zhang, Yilei; Ma, Li; You, M. James; Wang, Zhong; Gan, Boyi

2016-01-01

BAF180 (also called PBRM1), a subunit of the SWI/SNF complex, plays critical roles in the regulation of chromatin remodeling and gene transcription, and is frequently mutated in several human cancers. However, the role of mammalian BAF180 in tumor suppression and tissue maintenance in vivo remains largely unknown. Here, using a conditional somatic knockout approach, we explored the cellular and organismal functions of BAF180 in mouse. BAF180 deletion in primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) triggers profound cell cycle arrest, premature cellular senescence, without affecting DNA damage response or chromosomal integrity. While somatic deletion of BAF180 in adult mice does not provoke tumor development, BAF180 deficient mice exhibit defects in hematopoietic system characterized by progressive reduction of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), defective long-term repopulating potential, and hematopoietic lineage developmental aberrations. BAF180 deletion results in elevated p21 expression in both MEFs and HSCs. Mechanistically, we showed that BAF180 binds to p21 promoter, and BAF180 deletion enhances the binding of modified histones associated with transcriptional activation on p21 promoter. Deletion of p21 rescues cell cycle arrest and premature senescence in BAF180 deficient MEFs, and partially rescues hematopoietic defects in BAF180 deficient mice. Together, our study identifies BAF180 as a critical regulator of cellular senescence and HSC homeostasis, which is at least partially regulated through BAF180-mediated suppression of p21 expression. Our results also suggest that senescence triggered by BAF180 inactivation may serve as a failsafe mechanism to restrain BAF180 deficiency-associated tumor development, providing a conceptual framework to further understand BAF180 function in tumor biology. PMID:26992241

Risk and Prognosis of Bacteremia and Fungemia Among Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

PubMed

Dalgaard, Lars Skov; Nørgaard, Mette; Povlsen, Johan Vestergaard; Jespersen, Bente; Jensen-Fangel, Søren; Ellermann-Eriksen, Svend; Østergaard, Lars; Schønheyder, Henrik Carl; Søgaard, Ole Schmeltz

♦ BACKGROUND: The incidence of bacteremia and fungemia (BAF) is largely unknown in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients initiating peritoneal dialysis (PD). ♦ OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to estimate and compare incidence rates of first episodes of BAF in incident PD patients and a comparison cohort. A secondary objective was to compare causative agents and 30-day post-BAF mortality between PD patients and the comparison cohort. ♦ METHODS: Design: Observational cohort study. Central and North Denmark regions. patients who initiated PD during 1995 - 2010. For each patient we sampled up to 10 controls from the general population matched on age, sex, and municipality. ♦ MAIN OUTCOME: Data on positive blood cultures were retrieved from electronic microbiology databases covering the 2 regions. We calculated incidence rates (IRs) of first-time BAF for PD patients and population controls. Incidence-rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare these rates. Thirty-day mortality was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. ♦ RESULTS: Among 1,024 PD patients and 10,215 population controls, we identified 75 and 282 episodes of BAF, respectively. Incidence rates of BAF were 4.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.8 - 5.9) per 100 person-years of follow-up (PYFU) in PD patients and 0.5 (95% CI, 0.4 - 0.5) per 100 PYFU in population controls (IRR = 10.4; 95% CI, 8.1 - 13.5). In PD patients, the most frequent microorganisms were Escherichia coli (18.7%) and Staphylococcus aureus (13.3%). Escherichia coli (27.3%) also ranked first among population controls. Thirty-day mortality following BAF was 20.8% (95% CI, 12.6 - 31.0) and 20.7% (95% CI, 16.3 - 25.9) among PD patients and population controls, respectively. ♦ CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal dialysis patients are at markedly higher risk of BAF than population controls. Causative agents and the 30-day post-BAF mortality were similar in the 2 cohorts. Copyright © 2016 International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis.

Clock distribution for BaF2 readout electronics at CSNS-WNS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Bing; Cao, Ping; Zhang, De-Liang; Wang, Qi; Zhang, Ya-Xi; Qi, Xin-Cheng; An, Qi

2017-01-01

A BaF2 (Barium Fluoride) detector array is designed to precisely measure the (n, γ) cross section at the CSNS-WNS (white neutron source at China Spallation Neutron Source). It is a 4π solid angle-shaped detector array consisting of 92 BaF2 crystal elements. To discriminate signals from the BaF2 detector, a pulse shape discrimination method is used, supported by a waveform digitization technique. There are 92 channels for digitizing. The precision and synchronization of clock distribution restricts the performance of waveform digitizing. In this paper, a clock prototype for the BaF2 readout electronics at CSNS-WNS is introduced. It is based on the PXIe platform and has a twin-stage tree topology. In the first stage, clock is synchronously distributed from the tree root to each PXIe crate through a coaxial cable over a long distance, while in the second stage, the clock is further distributed to each electronic module through a PXIe dedicated differential star bus. With the help of this topology, each tree node can fan out up to 20 clocks with 3U size. Test results show the clock jitter is less than 20 ps, which meets the requirements of the BaF2 readout electronics. Besides, this clock system has the advantages of high density, simplicity, scalability and cost saving, so it can be useful for other clock distribution applications. Supported by National Research and Development plan (2016 YFA0401602) NSAF (U1530111) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (11005107)

The Neuron-specific Chromatin Regulatory Subunit BAF53b is Necessary for Synaptic Plasticity and Memory

PubMed Central

Vogel-Ciernia, Annie; Matheos, Dina P.; Barrett, Ruth M.; Kramár, Enikö; Azzawi, Soraya; Chen, Yuncai; Magnan, Christophe N.; Zeller, Michael; Sylvain, Angelina; Haettig, Jakob; Jia, Yousheng; Tran, Anthony; Dang, Richard; Post, Rebecca J.; Chabrier, Meredith; Babayan, Alex; Wu, Jiang I.; Crabtree, Gerald R.; Baldi, Pierre; Baram, Tallie Z.; Lynch, Gary; Wood, Marcelo A.

2013-01-01

Recent exome sequencing studies have implicated polymorphic BAF complexes (mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes) in several human intellectual disabilities and cognitive disorders. However, it is currently unknown how mutations in BAF complexes result in impaired cognitive function. Post mitotic neurons express a neuron specific assembly, nBAF, characterized by the neuron-specific subunit BAF53b. Mice harboring selective genetic manipulations of BAF53b have severe defects in longterm memory and long-lasting forms of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. We rescued memory impairments in BAF53b mutant mice by reintroducing BAF53b in the adult hippocampus, indicating a role for BAF53b beyond neuronal development. The defects in BAF53b mutant mice appear to derive from alterations in gene expression that produce abnormal postsynaptic components, such as spine structure and function, and ultimately lead to deficits in synaptic plasticity. Our studies provide new insight into the role of dominant mutations in subunits of BAF complexes in human intellectual and cognitive disorders. PMID:23525042

Toxic metal tolerance in native plant species grown in a vanadium mining area.

PubMed

Aihemaiti, Aikelaimu; Jiang, Jianguo; Li, De'an; Li, Tianran; Zhang, Wenjie; Ding, Xutong

2017-12-01

Vanadium (V) has been extensively mined in China and caused soil pollution in mining area. It has toxic effects on plants, animals and humans, posing potential health risks to communities that farm and graze cattle adjacent to the mining area. To evaluate in situ phytoremediation potentials of native plants, V, chromium, copper and zinc concentrations in roots and shoots were measured and the bioaccumulation (BAF) and translocation (TF) efficiencies were calculated. The results showed that Setaria viridis accumulated greater than 1000 mg kg -1 V in its shoots and exhibited TF > 1 for V, Cr, Zn and BAF > 1 for Cu. The V accumulation amount in the roots of Kochia scoparia also surpassed 1000 mg kg -1 and showed TF > 1 for Zn. Chenopodium album had BAF > 1 for V and Zn and Daucus carota showed TF > 1 for Cu. Eleusine indica presented strong tolerance and high metal accumulations. S. viridis is practical for in situ phytoextractions of V, Cr and Zn and phytostabilisation of Cu in V mining area. Other species had low potential use as phytoremediation plant at multi-metal polluted sites, but showed relatively strong resistance to V, Cr, Cu and Zn toxicity, can be used to vegetate the contaminated soils and stabilise toxic metals in V mining area.

Proteomic-based identification of Apg-2 as a therapeutic target for chronic myeloid leukemia.

PubMed

Li, Yajuan; Chen, Xi; Shi, Meng; Wang, Haixia; Cao, Weixi; Wang, Xiaozhong; Li, Chunli; Feng, Wenli

2013-12-01

The oncogenic BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase induces constitutive enhanced "spontaneous" DNA damage and unfaithful repair in Philadelphia chromosome positive leukemia cells. Here, we investigated the changes of protein profile in H2O2-induced DNA damage/repair in BaF3-MIGR1 and BaF3-BCR/ABL cells through a proteomic strategy consisting of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. In total, 41 spots were differentially expressed and 13 proteins were identified with further MS analysis. Two essential proteins, Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase ABL1 (c-ABL) and Heat shock 70kDa protein 4 (Apg-2), were confirmed by Western blot and showed consistent changes with proteomic results. Moreover, functional analysis demonstrated that inhibition of Apg-2 not only decreased cell proliferation, but also induced cell apoptosis in BCR/ABL positive cells (BaF3-BCR/ABL, BaF3-BCR/ABL(T315I)). We also proved that Apg-2 inhibition aggravated H2O2 induced damage in BCR/ABL positive cells, and enhanced the sensitivity of BaF3-BCR/ABL(T315I) to STI571. Taken together, the findings in this work provide us with some clues to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying BCR/ABL in the DNA damage/repair processes and demonstrated that Apg-2 would be a valid target for anti-leukemia drug development. © 2013.

Élimination du bore du silicium par plasma inductif sous champ électrique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Combes, R.; Morvan, D.; Picard, G.; Amouroux, J.

1993-05-01

We analyzed purification mechanisms of silicon by inductive plasma with a fluoride slag. The aim is to study boron elimination from doped electronic grade silicon in function of the nature of the slag to obtain a photovoltaic grade silicon. The steady began with the calculation and the comparison of the stability diagram of boron compounds in presence of CaF2, BaF2 and MgF2. This study led us to conclude that BaF2 is the better slag for silicon purification. This has been confirmed by experience. In a second time, we made purifications under electric bias to enhance slag efficiency. We noticed that BaF2 is more sensitive to electric bias than other slags. Nous avons analysé le mécanisme de purification du silicium sous plasma inductif en présence d'un laitier fluoré. L'objectif principal est d'étudier l'élimination du bore du silicium électronique dopé en fonction de la nature du fluorure pour obtenir un silicium de qualité photovoltaïque. L'étude a commencé par l'établissement et la comparaison de diagrammes des composés du bore en présence de CaF2, de MgF2 et de BaF2. Nous avons déduit de cette première étude que BaF2 est le meilleur laitier pour la purification du silicium. Ceci a été corroboré par l'expérience. Nous avons ensuite opéré en présence d'un champ électrique dans le but d'améliorer encore l'efficacité des laitiers. Nous avons constaté que BaF2 est plus sensible au champ électrique que les deux autres laitiers utilisés.

Oxygen transfer in a full-depth biological aerated filter.

PubMed

Stenstrom, Michael K; Rosso, Diego; Melcer, Henryk; Appleton, Ron; Occiano, Victor; Langworthy, Alan; Wong, Pete

2008-07-01

The City of San Diego, California, evaluated the performance capabilities of biological aerated filters (BAFs) at the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City conducted a 1-year pilot-plant evaluation of BAF technology supplied by two BAF manufacturers. This paper reports on the first independent oxygen-transfer test of BAFs at full depth using the offgas method. The tests showed process-water oxygen-transfer efficiencies of 1.6 to 5.8%/m (0.5 to 1.8%/ft) and 3.9 to 7.9%/m (1.2 to 2.4%/ft) for the two different pilot plants, at their nominal design conditions. Mass balances using chemical oxygen demand and dissolved organic carbon corroborated the transfer rates. Rates are higher than expected from fine-pore diffusers for similar process conditions and depths and clean-water conditions for the same column and are mostly attributed to extended bubble retention time resulting from interactions with the media and biofilm.

Excitons emissions and Raman scattering of ZnO nanoparticles embedded in BaF2 matrices by reactive magnetron sputtering.

PubMed

Zang, C H; Su, J F; Liu, Y C; Tang, C J; Fang, S J; Zhang, D M; Zhang, Y S

2011-11-01

ZnO nanoparticles embedded in BaF2 matrix were fabricated by rf magnetic sputtering technology. The optical properties of high quality ZnO nanoparticles, thermally post treated in a N2 atmosphere, were investigated by temperature-dependence photoluminescence measurement. Free exciton and localized exciton were observed at the low temperature. Free exciton peak was at 3.374 eV and localized exciton peak was at 3.420 eV, dominating the PL spectrum at 77 K. Free exciton transition was observed at 3.310 eV at room temperature, whereas the localized exciton transition was at 3.378 eV. The multiple-phonon Raman scattering spectrum showed that ZnO nanoparticles embedded in BaF2 matrix had a large deformation energy originated from lattice mismatch between ZnO and BaF2 matrix. Analysis of the fitting results from the temperature dependence of FWHM of ZnO exciton illustrated that the large value of gamma(ph) was good qualitative agreement with the large deformation potential.

Laser cooling of BaF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bo, Yan; Bu, Wenhao; Chen, Tao; Lv, Guitao

2017-04-01

In this poster, we report our recently experimental progresses in laser cooling of BaF molecule. Our theoretic calculation shows BaF is a good candidate for laser cooling: quasi-cycling transitions, good wavelengths (around 900nm) for the main transitions. We have built a 4K cryogenic machine, laser ablate the target to make BaF molecules. The precise spectroscopy of BaF is measured and the laser cooling related transitions are identified. The collision between BaF and 4K He is carefully characterized. The quasi-cycling transition is demonstrated. And laser cooling experiment is going on.

Vacuum ultraviolet thin films. I - Optical constants of BaF2, CaF2, LaF3, MgF2, Al2O3, HfO2, and SiO2 thin films. II - Vacuum ultraviolet all-dielectric narrowband filters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zukic, Muamer; Torr, Douglas G.; Spann, James F.; Torr, Marsha R.

1990-01-01

An iteration process matching calculated and measured reflectance and transmittance values in the 120-230 nm VUV region is presently used to ascertain the optical constants of bulk MgF2, as well as films of BaF2, CaF2, LaF3, MgF2, Al2O3, HfO2, and SiO2 deposited on MgF2 substrates. In the second part of this work, a design concept is demonstrated for two filters, employing rapidly changing extinction coefficients, centered at 135 nm for BaF2 and 141 nm for SiO2. These filters are shown to yield excellent narrowband spectral performance in combination with narrowband reflection filters.

[Strategy of development, use and evaluation of the efficiency of biologically active food supplements].

PubMed

Tutel'ian, V A

1996-01-01

Analytical reviews discussed of theoretical bases and principal problems in creation, usage and evaluation of biological active food supplements (BAFS)-nutriceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Need of use the BAFS by population is grounded by data on dietary intake showing deficiency of some nutrients. Treatment and prevention of chronic diseases are other important points of BAFS using. Classification of BAFS are presented taking into consideration the resources and regulative effects. Wide using of BAFS among population is grounded by decreasing of food consumption and nutrient intake in dietary intake of modern population. Importance of BAFS in nutrition of generations of XXI century is discussed.

Expression analysis of Baf60c during heart regeneration in axolotls and neonatal mice.

PubMed

Nakamura, Ryo; Koshiba-Takeuchi, Kazuko; Tsuchiya, Megumi; Kojima, Mizuyo; Miyazawa, Asuka; Ito, Kohei; Ogawa, Hidesato; Takeuchi, Jun K

2016-05-01

Some organisms, such as zebrafish, urodele amphibians, and newborn mice, have a capacity for heart regeneration following injury. However, adult mammals fail to regenerate their hearts. To know why newborn mice can regenerate their hearts, we focused on epigenetic factors, which are involved in cell differentiation in many tissues. Baf60c (BRG1/BRM-associated factor 60c), a component of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes, has an essential role for cardiomyocyte differentiation at the early heart development. To address the function of Baf60c in postnatal heart homeostasis and regeneration, we examined the detailed expression/localization patterns of Baf60c in both mice and axolotls. In the mouse heart development, Baf60c was highly expressed in the entire heart at the early stages, but gradually downregulated at the postnatal stages. During heart regeneration in neonatal mice and axolotls, Baf60c expression was strongly upregulated after resection. Interestingly, the timing of Baf60c upregulation after resection was consistent with the temporal dynamics of cardiomyocyte proliferation. Moreover, knockdown of Baf60c downregulated proliferation of neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes. These data suggested that Baf60c plays an important role in cardiomyocyte proliferation in heart development and regeneration. This is the first study indicating that Baf60c contributes to the heart regeneration in vertebrates. © 2016 Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists.

Molecular characterization of the host defense activity of the barrier to autointegration factor against vaccinia virus.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Nouhou; Wicklund, April; Wiebe, Matthew S

2011-11-01

The barrier to autointegration factor (BAF) is an essential cellular protein with functions in mitotic nuclear reassembly, retroviral preintegration complex stability, and transcriptional regulation. Molecular properties of BAF include the ability to bind double-stranded DNA in a sequence-independent manner, homodimerize, and bind proteins containing a LEM domain. These capabilities allow BAF to compact DNA and assemble higher-order nucleoprotein complexes, the nature of which is poorly understood. Recently, it was revealed that BAF also acts as a potent host defense against poxviral DNA replication in the cytoplasm. Here, we extend these observations by examining the molecular mechanism through which BAF acts as a host defense against vaccinia virus replication and cytoplasmic DNA in general. Interestingly, BAF rapidly relocalizes to transfected DNA from a variety of sources, demonstrating that BAF's activity as a host defense factor is not limited to poxviral infection. BAF's relocalization to cytoplasmic foreign DNA is highly dependent upon its DNA binding and dimerization properties but does not appear to require its LEM domain binding activity. However, the LEM domain protein emerin is recruited to cytoplasmic DNA in a BAF-dependent manner during both transfection and vaccinia virus infection. Finally, we demonstrate that the DNA binding and dimerization capabilities of BAF are essential for its function as an antipoxviral effector, while the presence of emerin is not required. Together, these data provide further mechanistic insight into which of BAF's molecular properties are employed by cells to impair the replication of poxviruses or respond to foreign DNA in general.

Investigation on evaluation criteria of backwashing effects for a pilot-scale BAF treating petrochemical wastewater.

PubMed

Fu, Liya; Wu, Changyong; Zhou, Yuexi; Zuo, Jiane; Ding, Yan

2017-10-01

Parameters for evaluation criteria of air-water backwashing effects of a pilot-scale biological aerated filter (BAF) treating petrochemical wastewater were investigated. The parameters included the suspended solids (SS) and specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) of the backwashing effluent, recovery of the BAF after backwashing, and the removal of the biomass/bioactivity attached on the filter media after backwashing. Results showed that the weight of the total sludge produced in the backwashing effluent increased with the increase in water-backwashing intensity, while the total SOUR of backwashing effluent rose notably with the increase of air-backwashing intensity. The optimal backwashing intensity of 14 L/(m 2 · s) for air and 4 L/(m 2 · s) for water were obtained. When the BAF was backwashed on this condition, the BAF recovered with high average removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen [Formula: see text] of 14.3% and 50.3%, respectively. High amount of biomass removal at 15.8% and low level of bioactivity removal at 8.8% attached on the filter media were also found. Concentrations of the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and (o-, m-, p-) xylenes (BTEX) and phenol in the backwashed sludge were analyzed, showing that the backwashing was essential to remove some aromatic compounds adsorbed in the microorganisms.

Knockdown Brm and Baf170, components of chromatin remodeling complex, facilitates reprogramming of somatic cells

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The SWI/SNF (SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable or BAF, Brg/Brahma-associated factors) complexes are epigenetic modifiers of chromatin structure and undergo progressive changes in subunit composition during cellular differentiation. For example, in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) esBAF contains Brg1 and Baf...

Positron annihilation study on ZnO-based scintillating glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, Jiaxiang; Yu, Runsheng; Wang, Baoyi; Ou, Yuwen; Zhong, Yurong; Xia, Fang; Chen, Guorong

2009-04-01

Positron lifetime of ZnO-based scintillating glasses (55 - x)SiO 2-45ZnO- xBaF 2 ( x = 5, 10, 15 mol%) were measured with a conventional fast-fast spectrometer. Three positron lifetime components τ1, τ 2, and τ3 are ˜0.23 ns, ˜0.45 ns, and ˜1.6 ns, respectively. All the three positron lifetime components first increase with increasing BaF 2 concentration from 5 mol% to 10 mol%, then decreases as BaF 2 further increases to 15 mol%. The result suggests that the glass sample with 10 mol% BaF 2 contains the highest defect density, and is in excellent agreement with glass chemistry, glass density, thermal properties, and calculated crystallinity. Therefore, positron annihilation lifetime measurement is an effective tool for analyzing defects in ZnO-based scintillating glasses.

The improved scintillation crystal lead tungstate scintillation for PET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Youbao; WU, Rurong; Xiao, Linrong; Zhang, Jianxin; Yang, Peizhi; Yan, Hui

2009-07-01

As a valuable material for the detecting of γ-ray, PbWO4 and BaF2:PbWO4 crystals were grown by a novel multi-crucible temperature gradient system developed by ourselves. Utilizing a topical partial heating method, this system can form a topical partial high temperature in its hearth. Thus this system could melt raw materials in step by step as requirement. The advantage of this method is that there would be solid obstruct left on the melt in the procedure of the crystal growing up. The left obstruct could prevent the volatilization of the component in the melt. Hence it is helpful for the composition homogenization in the crystal. The system also offers a sustaining device for multi-crucibles and thus it can grow many crystals simultaneity. The optical properties and scintillation properties of the crystals were studied. The results reveal that the ions doping improves the scintillation properties of the crystal. The transmittance spectra show that the transmittance of BaF2:PbWO4 crystals are better than that of PbWO4 crystals. For the PbWO4 crystals, their absorption edge is at 325nm, and their maximum transmittance is 68%. For the BaF2:PbWO4 crystals, their absorption edge is at 325nm and their maximum transmittance is upto76%. The X-ray excited luminescence spectra shows that the luminescence peak is at 420nm for the samples of PbWO4 crystal while the peak is at 430nm for the samples of BaF2:PbWO4 crystal respectively. The luminescence intensity of the samples of BaF2:PbWO4 crystal is about two times than that of PbWO4 crystal. And their peak shape is different for the two kind of crystal. The light yield of BaF2:PbWO4 crystals is about 2.9 times than that of PbWO4 crystal Analyzing these scintillation properties, we find that the VPb 3+ and VO- defects do harm for the optical properties of the crystal. Ions doping method could reduce the defect concentration and improving its illumination performance of the crystal. Specially, the doped F- ions in O2- site can induce the aberrance of the [WO4]2- tetrahedron and form [WO3F]- tetrahedron which has more active blue light yield, thus improve the light yield of the crystal. The improved light yield of BaF2:PbWO4 crystals is valuable for the medical diagnosing instrument PET and CT with high resolving power

Nanocrystallization in Fluorochlorozirconate Glass-Ceramics.

PubMed

Alvarez, Carlos J; Liu, Yuzi; Leonard, Russell L; Johnson, Jacqueline A; Petford-Long, Amanda K

2013-11-01

Heat treating fluorochlorozirconate (FCZ) glasses nucleates nanocrystals in the glass matrix, resulting in a nanocomposite glass-ceramic that has optical properties suitable for use as a medical imaging plate. Understanding the way in which the nanocrystal nucleation proceeds is critical to controlling the optical behavior. The nucleation and growth of nanocrystals in FCZ glass-ceramics was investigated with in situ transmission electron microscopy heating experiments. The experiments showed the nucleation and growth of previously unreported BaF 2 nanocrystals in addition to the expected BaCl 2 nanocrystals. Chemical analysis of the BaF 2 nanocrystals shows an association with the optically active dopant previously thought only to interact with BaCl 2 nanocrystals. The association of the dopant with BaF 2 crystals suggests that it plays a role in the photoluminescent (PL) properties of FCZ glass-ceramics.

Iron regulatory protein 1 is not required for the modulation of ferritin and transferrin receptor expression by iron in a murine pro-B lymphocyte cell line

PubMed Central

Schalinske, Kevin L.; Blemings, Kenneth P.; Steffen, Daniel W.; Chen, Opal S.; Eisenstein, Richard S.

1997-01-01

Iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) are cytoplasmic RNA binding proteins that are central components of a sensory and regulatory network that modulates vertebrate iron homeostasis. IRPs regulate iron metabolism by binding to iron responsive element(s) (IREs) in the 5′ or 3′ untranslated region of ferritin or transferrin receptor (TfR) mRNAs. Two IRPs, IRP1 and IRP2, have been identified previously. IRP1 exhibits two mutually exclusive functions as an RNA binding protein or as the cytosolic isoform of aconitase. We demonstrate that the Ba/F3 family of murine pro-B lymphocytes represents the first example of a mammalian cell line that fails to express IRP1 protein or mRNA. First, all of the IRE binding activity in Ba/F3-gp55 cells is attributable to IRP2. Second, synthesis of IRP2, but not of IRP1, is detectable in Ba/F3-gp55 cells. Third, the Ba/F3 family of cells express IRP2 mRNA at a level similar to other murine cell lines, but IRP1 mRNA is not detectable. In the Ba/F3 family of cells, alterations in iron status modulated ferritin biosynthesis and TfR mRNA level over as much as a 20- and 14-fold range, respectively. We conclude that IRP1 is not essential for regulation of ferritin or TfR expression by iron and that IRP2 can act as the sole IRE-dependent mediator of cellular iron homeostasis. PMID:9380695

The selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator BAF312 redirects lymphocyte distribution and has species-specific effects on heart rate

PubMed Central

Gergely, P; Nuesslein-Hildesheim, B; Guerini, D; Brinkmann, V; Traebert, M; Bruns, C; Pan, S; Gray, NS; Hinterding, K; Cooke, NG; Groenewegen, A; Vitaliti, A; Sing, T; Luttringer, O; Yang, J; Gardin, A; Wang, N; Crumb, WJ; Saltzman, M; Rosenberg, M; Wallström, E

2012-01-01

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE BAF312 is a next-generation sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, selective for S1P1 and S1P5 receptors. S1P1 receptors are essential for lymphocyte egress from lymph nodes and a drug target in immune-mediated diseases. Here, we have characterized the immunomodulatory potential of BAF312 and the S1P receptor-mediated effects on heart rate using preclinical and human data. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH BAF312 was tested in a rat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. Electrophysiological recordings of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels were carried out in human atrial myocytes. A Phase I multiple-dose trial studied the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of BAF312 in 48 healthy subjects. KEY RESULTS BAF312 effectively suppressed EAE in rats by internalizing S1P1 receptors, rendering them insensitive to the egress signal from lymph nodes. In healthy volunteers, BAF312 caused preferential decreases in CD4+ T cells, Tnaïve, Tcentral memory and B cells within 4–6 h. Cell counts returned to normal ranges within a week after stopping treatment, in line with the elimination half-life of BAF312. Despite sparing S1P3 receptors (associated with bradycardia in mice), BAF312 induced rapid, transient (day 1 only) bradycardia in humans. BAF312-mediated activation of GIRK channels in human atrial myocytes can fully explain the bradycardia. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS This study illustrates species-specific differences in S1P receptor specificity for first-dose cardiac effects. Based on its profound but rapidly reversible inhibition of lymphocyte trafficking, BAF312 may have potential as a treatment for immune-mediated diseases. PMID:22646698

The clinicopathologic significance of the loss of BAF250a (ARID1A) expression in endometrial carcinoma.

PubMed

Zhang, Zheng-mao; Xiao, Shuang; Sun, Guang-yu; Liu, Yue-ping; Zhang, Feng-hua; Yang, Hong-fang; Li, Jia; Qiu, Hong-bing; Liu, Yang; Zhang, Chao; Kang, Shan; Shan, Bao-en

2014-03-01

AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) is a tumor suppressor gene that encodes the BAF250a protein. Recent studies have shown the loss of ARID1A expression in several types of tumors. We aimed to investigate the clinical and pathologic role of BAF250a in endometrial carcinoma. We examined the expression of BAF250a and its correlation with the expression of p53, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, glucocorticoid receptor, hypoxiainduciblefactor-1α, and vascular endothelial growth factor in normal and various malignant endometrial tissues. The expression of BAF250 was significantly down-regulated in endometrial carcinoma when compared with normal endometrial tissues. The loss of BAF250a expression was found in 25% of endometrial carcinoma samples but not in normal endometrial tissues, complex endometrial hyperplasia, and atypical endometrial hyperplasia samples. Subtypes of endometrial carcinoma, especially uterine endometrioid carcinoma and uterine clear cell carcinoma, had higher frequency of loss of BAF250a expression. In addition, the expression of BAF250a was positively correlated with estrogen receptor and negatively correlated with p53 in poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the expression of BAF250a was significantly associated with the differentiation status of endometrial carcinoma but not associated with clinical stage, the depth of myometrial invasion, lymph node metastasis, and overall survival of patients with endometrial carcinoma. Our data showed that loss of BAF250a is frequently found in high-grade endometrioid and clear cell carcinomas but not in other types of endometrial carcinoma. The loss of BAF250a expression does not have prognostic value for endometrial carcinoma.

Complex refractive index measurements for BaF 2 and CaF 2 via single-angle infrared reflectance spectroscopy

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

Kelly-Gorham, Molly Rose K.; DeVetter, Brent M.; Brauer, Carolyn S.

We have re-investigated the optical constants n and k for the homologous series of inorganic salts barium fluoride (BaF2) and calcium fluoride (CaF2) using a single-angle near-normal incidence reflectance device in combination with a calibrated Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Our results are in good qualitative agreement with most previous works. However, certain features of the previously published data near the reststrahlen band exhibit distinct differences in spectral characteristics. Notably, our measurements of BaF2 do not include a spectral feature in the ~250 cm-1 reststrahlen band that was previously published. Additionally, CaF2 exhibits a distinct wavelength shift relative to themore » model derived from previously published data. We confirmed our results with recently published works that use significantly more modern instrumentation and data reduction techniques« less

Parametric analysis of lava dome-collapse events and pyroclastic deposits at Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka, using visible and infrared satellite data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krippner, Janine B.; Belousov, Alexander B.; Belousova, Marina G.; Ramsey, Michael S.

2018-04-01

For the years 2001 to 2013 of the ongoing eruption of Shiveluch volcano, a combination of different satellite remote sensing data are used to investigate the dome-collapse events and the resulting pyroclastic deposits. Shiveluch volcano in Kamchatka, Russia, is one of the world's most active dome-building volcanoes, which has produced some of the largest known historical block-and-ash flows (BAFs). Globally, quantitative data for deposits resulting from such large and long-lived dome-forming eruptions, especially like those at Shiveluch, are scarce. We use Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) thermal infrared (TIR), shortwave infrared (SWIR), and visible-near infrared (VNIR) data to analyze the dome-collapse scars and BAF deposits that were formed during eruptions and collapse events in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and two events in 2013. These events produced flows with runout distances of as far as 19 km from the dome, and with aerial extents of as much as 22.3 km2. Over the 12 years of this period of investigation, there is no trend in deposit area or runout distances of the flows through time. However, two potentially predictive features are apparent in our data set: 1) the largest dome-collapse events occurred when the dome exceeded a relative height (from dome base to top) of 500 m; 2) collapses were preceded by thermal anomalies in six of the cases in which ASTER data were available, although the areal extent of these precursory thermal areas did not generally match the size of the collapse events as indicated by scar area (volumes are available for three collapse events). Linking the deposit distribution to the area, location, and temperature profiles of the dome-collapse scars provides a basis for determining similar future hazards at Shiveluch and at other dome-forming volcanoes. Because of these factors, we suggest that volcanic hazard analysis and mitigation at volcanoes with similar BAF emplacement behavior may be improved with detailed, synoptic studies, especially when it is possible to access and interpret appropriate remote sensing data in near-real time.

The interactions of metal concentrations and soil properties on toxic metal accumulation of native plants in vanadium mining area.

PubMed

Aihemaiti, Aikelaimu; Jiang, Jianguo; Li, De'an; Liu, Nuo; Yang, Meng; Meng, Yuan; Zou, Quan

2018-05-29

High demand of Vanadium (V) in high-strength steel and battery manufacturing industry led to extensive V mining activity in China, and caused multi-metal pollution of soil around V mining area. To understand the phytoremediation potentials of native plants grown in V mining area, and the effect of soil properties and soil metal concentrations on toxic metal accumulations of native plants. Setaria viridis, Kochia scoparia and Chenopodium album were sampled from different sites in V mining area, soil properties, soil metal concentrations and metal accumulation amount of investigated plants were measured, bioaccumulation (BAF) and translocation (TF) efficiencies were calculated. Soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and available phosphorous (P) can significantly affect V and copper (Cu) uptake in the shoots of Setaria viridis while soil metal contents were lower than the permissible limits. Soil pH can significantly affect V accumulations in the roots and shoots of Kochia scoparia grown in slightly V polluted soils. Setaria viridis exhibited TF > 1 for moderately V and slightly chromium (Cr) polluted soils, and BAF>1 for slightly Cu contaminated soils respectively. Kochia scoparia and Chenopodium album showed TF > 1 and BAF>1 for slightly V polluted soils, respectively. Setaria viridis was practical for in situ phytoextractions of moderately V and slightly Cr polluted soils, and phytostabilization of slightly Cu contaminated soils. Kochia scoparia and Chenopodium album could be used as phytoextractor and phytostablizer in slightly V polluted soils in V mining area. Metal uptake of native plants grown in slightly multi-metal contaminated sites in V mining area can be manipulated by altering soil properties. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Chromatin Remodeling BAF (SWI/SNF) Complexes in Neural Development and Disorders

PubMed Central

Sokpor, Godwin; Xie, Yuanbin; Rosenbusch, Joachim; Tuoc, Tran

2017-01-01

The ATP-dependent BRG1/BRM associated factor (BAF) chromatin remodeling complexes are crucial in regulating gene expression by controlling chromatin dynamics. Over the last decade, it has become increasingly clear that during neural development in mammals, distinct ontogenetic stage-specific BAF complexes derived from combinatorial assembly of their subunits are formed in neural progenitors and post-mitotic neural cells. Proper functioning of the BAF complexes plays critical roles in neural development, including the establishment and maintenance of neural fates and functionality. Indeed, recent human exome sequencing and genome-wide association studies have revealed that mutations in BAF complex subunits are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Coffin-Siris syndrome, Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome, Kleefstra's syndrome spectrum, Hirschsprung's disease, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia. In this review, we focus on the latest insights into the functions of BAF complexes during neural development and the plausible mechanistic basis of how mutations in known BAF subunits are associated with certain neurodevelopmental disorders. PMID:28824374

Chromatin Remodeling BAF (SWI/SNF) Complexes in Neural Development and Disorders.

PubMed

Sokpor, Godwin; Xie, Yuanbin; Rosenbusch, Joachim; Tuoc, Tran

2017-01-01

The ATP-dependent BRG1/BRM associated factor (BAF) chromatin remodeling complexes are crucial in regulating gene expression by controlling chromatin dynamics. Over the last decade, it has become increasingly clear that during neural development in mammals, distinct ontogenetic stage-specific BAF complexes derived from combinatorial assembly of their subunits are formed in neural progenitors and post-mitotic neural cells. Proper functioning of the BAF complexes plays critical roles in neural development, including the establishment and maintenance of neural fates and functionality. Indeed, recent human exome sequencing and genome-wide association studies have revealed that mutations in BAF complex subunits are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Coffin-Siris syndrome, Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome, Kleefstra's syndrome spectrum, Hirschsprung's disease, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia. In this review, we focus on the latest insights into the functions of BAF complexes during neural development and the plausible mechanistic basis of how mutations in known BAF subunits are associated with certain neurodevelopmental disorders.

Thermal Effects on a Low Cr Modification of PS304 Solid Lubricant Coating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stanford, Malcolm K.; Yanke, Anne M.; DellaCorte, Christopher

2004-01-01

PS304 is a high temperature composite solid lubricant coating composed of Ni-Cr, Cr2O3, BaF2-CaF2 and Ag. The effect of reducing chromium content on the formation of voids in the Ni-Cr particles after heat treatment in PS304 coating was investigated. Coatings were prepared with Ni-20Cr or Ni-10Cr powder and in various combinations with the other constituents of PS304 (i.e., chromia, silver and eutectic BaF2-CaF2 powders) and deposited on metal substrates by plasma spray. Specimens were exposed to 650 C for 24 hr or 1090 C for 15 hr and then examined for changes in thickness, coating microstructure and adhesion strength. Specimens with Ni-10Cr generally had less thickness increase than specimens with Ni-20Cr, but there was great variance in the data. Reduction of chromium concentration in Ni-Cr powder tended to reduce the appearance of voids in the Ni-Cr phase after heat exposure. The presence of BaF2-CaF2 resulted in a significant increase in coating adhesion strength after heat treatment, while coatings without BaF2-CaF2 had no significant change. Chemical composition analysis suggested that the void formation was due to oxidation of chromium in the Ni-Cr constituent.

Pressure-induced photoluminescence in Mn2+-doped BaF2 and SrF2 fluorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernández, Ignacio; Rodríguez, Fernando

2003-01-01

This work reports an effective way for inducing room temperature photoluminescence (PL) in Mn2+-doped BaF2 and SrF2 using high-pressure techniques. The aim is to understand the surprising PL behavior exhibited by Mn2+ at the cubal site of the fluorite structure. While Mn2+-doped CaF2 shows a green PL with quantum yield close to 1 at room temperature, Mn2+-doped MF2 (M=Ba,Sr) is not PL either at room temperature (SrF2) or at any temperature (BaF2) at ambient pressure. We associate the loss of Mn2+ PL on passing from CaF2 to SrF2 or BaF2 with nonradiative multiphonon relaxation whose thermal activation energy decreases along the series CaF2→SrF2→BaF2. A salient feature of this work deals with the increase of activation energy induced by pressure. It leads to a quantum yield enhancement, which favors PL recovery. Furthermore, the activation energy mainly depends on the crystal volume per molecule irrespective of the crystal structure or the local symmetry around the impurity. In this way, the relevance of the fluorite-to-cotunnite phase transition is analyzed in connection with the PL properties of the investigated compounds. The PL spectrum and the corresponding lifetime are reported for both structural phases as a function of pressure.

BAF53b, a Neuron-Specific Nucleosome Remodeling Factor, Is Induced after Learning and Facilitates Long-Term Memory Consolidation.

PubMed

Yoo, Miran; Choi, Kwang-Yeon; Kim, Jieun; Kim, Mujun; Shim, Jaehoon; Choi, Jun-Hyeok; Cho, Hye-Yeon; Oh, Jung-Pyo; Kim, Hyung-Su; Kaang, Bong-Kiun; Han, Jin-Hee

2017-03-29

Although epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression regulation have recently been implicated in memory consolidation and persistence, the role of nucleosome-remodeling is largely unexplored. Recent studies show that the functional loss of BAF53b, a postmitotic neuron-specific subunit of the BAF nucleosome-remodeling complex, results in the deficit of consolidation of hippocampus-dependent memory and cocaine-associated memory in the rodent brain. However, it is unclear whether BAF53b expression is regulated during memory formation and how BAF53b regulates fear memory in the amygdala, a key brain site for fear memory encoding and storage. To address these questions, we used viral vector approaches to either decrease or increase BAF53b function specifically in the lateral amygdala of adult mice in auditory fear conditioning paradigm. Knockdown of Baf53b before training disrupted long-term memory formation with no effect on short-term memory, basal synaptic transmission, and spine structures. We observed in our qPCR analysis that BAF53b was induced in the lateral amygdala neurons at the late consolidation phase after fear conditioning. Moreover, transient BAF53b overexpression led to persistently enhanced memory formation, which was accompanied by increase in thin-type spine density. Together, our results provide the evidence that BAF53b is induced after learning, and show that such increase of BAF53b level facilitates memory consolidation likely by regulating learning-related spine structural plasticity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Recent works in the rodent brain begin to link nucleosome remodeling-dependent epigenetic mechanism to memory consolidation. Here we show that BAF53b, an epigenetic factor involved in nucleosome remodeling, is induced in the lateral amygdala neurons at the late phase of consolidation after fear conditioning. Using specific gene knockdown or overexpression approaches, we identify the critical role of BAF53b in the lateral amygdala neurons for memory consolidation during long-term memory formation. Our results thus provide an idea about how nucleosome remodeling can be regulated during long-term memory formation and contributes to the permanent storage of associative fear memory in the lateral amygdala, which is relevant to fear and anxiety-related mental disorders. Copyright © 2017 the authors 0270-6474/17/373686-12$15.00/0.

Formation of metal nanoparticles in MgF2, CaF2 and BaF2 crystals under the electron beam irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bochkareva, Elizaveta S.; Sidorov, Alexander I.; Yurina, Uliana V.; Podsvirov, Oleg A.

2017-07-01

It is shown experimentally that electron beam action with electrons energies of 50 and 70 keV on MgF2, CaF2 and BaF2 crystals results in local formation in the crystal near-surface layer of Mg, Ca or Ba nanoparticles which possess plasmon resonance. In the case of MgF2 spheroidal nanoparticles are formed, in the cases of CaF2 and BaF2 - spherical. The formation of metal nanoparticles is confirmed by computer simulation in dipole quasistatic approximation. The dependence of absorption via electron irradiation dose is non-linear. It is caused by the increase of nanoparticles concentration and by the increase of nanoparticles sizes during irradiation. In the irradiated zones of MgF2 crystals, for irradiation doses less than 80 mC/cm2, the intense luminescence in a visible range appears. The practical application of fabricated composite materials for multilevel optical information recording is discussed.

Optical characterization of Tm(3+) doped Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glasses in absence and presence of BaF2.

PubMed

Han, Kexuan; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Shunbin; Guo, Yanyan; Zhou, Dechun; Yu, Fengxia

2016-08-10

In this paper, Two new Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glasses (one presence of BaF2) doped with 1mol% Tm2O3 were prepared by melt-quenching technique. Differential thermal analysis (DTA), the absorption, Raman, IR spectra and fluorescence spectra were measured. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, emission cross section, absorption cross section, and gain coefficient of Tm(3+) ions were comparatively investigated. After the BaF2 introduced, the glass showed a better thermal stability, lower phonon energy and weaker OH(-) absorption coefficient, meanwhile, a larger ~1.8 μm emission cross section σem (7.56 × 10(-21) cm(2)) and a longer fluorescence lifetime τmea (2.25 ms) corresponding to the Tm(3+): (4)F3 → (3)H6 transition were obtained, which is due to the addition of fluoride in glass could reduce the quenching rate of hydroxyls and raise the cross-relaxation ((3)H6 + (3)H4 → (3)F4 + (3)F4) rate. Our results suggest that the Tm(3+) doped Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glass with BaF2 might be potential to the application in efficient ~1.8 μm lasers system.

Optical characterization of Tm3+ doped Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glasses in absence and presence of BaF2

PubMed Central

Han, Kexuan; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Shunbin; Guo, Yanyan; Zhou, Dechun; Yu, Fengxia

2016-01-01

In this paper, Two new Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glasses (one presence of BaF2) doped with 1mol% Tm2O3 were prepared by melt-quenching technique. Differential thermal analysis (DTA), the absorption, Raman, IR spectra and fluorescence spectra were measured. The Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters, emission cross section, absorption cross section, and gain coefficient of Tm3+ ions were comparatively investigated. After the BaF2 introduced, the glass showed a better thermal stability, lower phonon energy and weaker OH− absorption coefficient, meanwhile, a larger ~1.8 μm emission cross section σem (7.56 × 10−21 cm2) and a longer fluorescence lifetime τmea (2.25 ms) corresponding to the Tm3+: 4F3 → 3H6 transition were obtained, which is due to the addition of fluoride in glass could reduce the quenching rate of hydroxyls and raise the cross-relaxation (3H6 + 3H4 → 3F4 + 3F4) rate. Our results suggest that the Tm3+ doped Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glass with BaF2 might be potential to the application in efficient ~1.8 μm lasers system. PMID:27506152

Organic amendments for risk mitigation of organochlorine pesticide residues in old orchard soils.

PubMed

Centofanti, Tiziana; McConnell, Laura L; Chaney, Rufus L; Beyer, W Nelson; Andrade, Natasha A; Hapeman, Cathleen J; Torrents, Alba; Nguyen, Anh; Anderson, Marya O; Novak, Jeffrey M; Jackson, Dana

2016-03-01

Performance of compost and biochar amendments for in situ risk mitigation of aged DDT, DDE and dieldrin residues in an old orchard soil was examined. The change in bioavailability of pesticide residues to Lumbricus terrestris L. relative to the unamended control soil was assessed using 4-L soil microcosms with and without plant cover in a 48-day experiment. The use of aged dairy manure compost and biosolids compost was found to be effective, especially in the planted treatments, at lowering the bioavailability factor (BAF) by 18-39%; however, BAF results for DDT in the unplanted soil treatments were unaffected or increased. The pine chip biochar utilized in this experiment was ineffective at lower the BAF of pesticides in the soil. The US EPA Soil Screening Level approach was used with our measured values. Addition of 10% of the aged dairy manure compost reduced the average hazard quotient values to below 1.0 for DDT + DDE and dieldrin. Results indicate this sustainable approach is appropriate to minimize risks to wildlife in areas of marginal organochlorine pesticide contamination. Application of this remediation approach has potential for use internationally in areas where historical pesticide contamination of soils remains a threat to wildlife populations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Organic amendments for risk mitigation of organochlorine pesticide residues in old orchard soils

USGS Publications Warehouse

Centofantia, Tiziana; McConnell, Laura L.; Chaney, Rufus L.; Beyer, W. Nelson; Andradea, Natasha A.; Hapeman, Cathleen J.; Torrents, Alba; Nguyen, Anh; Anderson, Marya O.; Novak, J. M.; Jackson, Dana

2015-01-01

Performance of compost and biochar amendments for in situ risk mitigation of aged DDT, DDE and dieldrin residues in an old orchard soil was examined. The change in bioavailability of pesticide residues to Lumbricus terrestris L. relative to the unamended control soil was assessed using 4-L soil microcosms with and without plant cover in a 48-day experiment. The use of aged dairy manure compost and biosolids compost was found to be effective, especially in the planted treatments, at lowering the bioavailability factor (BAF) by 18–39%; however, BAF results for DDT in the unplanted soil treatments were unaffected or increased. The pine chip biochar utilized in this experiment was ineffective at lower the BAF of pesticides in the soil. The US EPA Soil Screening Level approach was used with our measured values. Addition of 10% of the aged dairy manure compost reduced the average hazard quotient values to below 1.0 for DDT + DDE and dieldrin. Results indicate this sustainable approach is appropriate to minimize risks to wildlife in areas of marginal organochlorine pesticide contamination. Application of this remediation approach has potential for use internationally in areas where historical pesticide contamination of soils remains a threat to wildlife populations.

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial studies of new bispyrazolines linked via 3-aryl ring with aliphatic chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusuf, Mohamad; Jain, Payal

2012-10-01

The bispyrazolines 4a(a'-f') and 4b(a'-f') built around the aliphatic chains of varying lengths have been prepared by refluxing bischalcones 3a(a'-f') and 3b(a'-f') with phenyl hydrazine in alcoholic medium. The reactions of chalcones 2a and 2b with suitable 1,ω-dibromoalkanes in the presence of anhydrous K2CO3/dry acetone and Bu4N+I- (PTC) provided 3a(a'-f') and 3b(a'-f'), respectively. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated against five bacterial and four fungal strains. The compounds 3ba', 3bc', 3bd', 3be', 3af', 4aa' and 4ba' showed better MIC (μg/mL) against the tested microorganisms.

Verification of threshold activation detection (TAD) technique in prompt fission neutron detection using scintillators containing 19F

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sibczynski, P.; Kownacki, J.; Moszyński, M.; Iwanowska-Hanke, J.; Syntfeld-Każuch, A.; Gójska, A.; Gierlik, M.; Kaźmierczak, Ł.; Jakubowska, E.; Kędzierski, G.; Kujawiński, Ł.; Wojnarowicz, J.; Carrel, F.; Ledieu, M.; Lainé, F.

2015-09-01

In the present study ⌀ 5''× 3'' and ⌀ 2''× 2'' EJ-313 liquid fluorocarbon as well as ⌀ 2'' × 3'' BaF2 scintillators were exposed to neutrons from a 252Cf neutron source and a Sodern Genie 16GT deuterium-tritium (D+T) neutron generator. The scintillators responses to β- particles with maximum endpoint energy of 10.4 MeV from the n+19F reactions were studied. Response of a ⌀ 5'' × 3'' BC-408 plastic scintillator was also studied as a reference. The β- particles are the products of interaction of fast neutrons with 19F which is a component of the EJ-313 and BaF2 scintillators. The method of fast neutron detection via fluorine activation is already known as Threshold Activation Detection (TAD) and was proposed for photofission prompt neutron detection from fissionable and Special Nuclear Materials (SNM) in the field of Homeland Security and Border Monitoring. Measurements of the number of counts between 6.0 and 10.5 MeV with a 252Cf source showed that the relative neutron detection efficiency ratio, defined as epsilonBaF2 / epsilonEJ-313-5'', is 32.0% ± 2.3% and 44.6% ± 3.4% for front-on and side-on orientation of the BaF2, respectively. Moreover, the ⌀ 5'' EJ-313 and side-on oriented BaF2 were also exposed to neutrons from the D+T neutron generator, and the relative efficiency epsilonBaF2 / epsilonEJ-313-5'' was estimated to be 39.3%. Measurements of prompt photofission neutrons with the BaF2 detector by means of data acquisition after irradiation (out-of-beam) of nuclear material and between the beam pulses (beam-off) techniques were also conducted on the 9 MeV LINAC of the SAPHIR facility.

Dose titration of BAF312 attenuates the initial heart rate reducing effect in healthy subjects

PubMed Central

Legangneux, Eric; Gardin, Anne; Johns, Donald

2013-01-01

Aim Previous studies have shown transient decreases in heart rate (HR) following administration of sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators including BAF312. This study was conducted to determine whether dose titration of BAF312 reduces or eliminates these effects. Methods Fifty‐six healthy subjects were randomized 1:1:1:1 to receive BAF312 in one of two dose titration (DT) regimens (DT1 and DT2: 0.25–10 mg over 9–10 days), no titration (10 mg starting dose) or placebo. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed. Results Neither DT1 nor DT2 resulted in clinically significant bradycardia or atrioventricular conduction effects. Both titration regimens showed a favourable difference on each of days 1–12 vs. the non‐titration regimen on day 1 for HR effects (P < 0.0001). On day 1, the geometric mean ratio of the fraction from the previous day in minimum daily HR between DT1 and non‐titration was 1.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13, 1.23) and 1.14 (95% CI 1.09, 1.18) for DT2 (both P < 0.05) with significant differences noted through to day 12. Non‐titration HRs showed considerable separation from placebo throughout the study. There was no statistically significant reduction in HR vs. placebo on day 1 in either titration regimen. On days 3–7 subjects in DT1 and DT2 experienced minor reductions in HR vs. placebo (approximately 5 beats min−1; P ≤ 0.0001). From days 9–12, HRs in both titration regimens were comparable with placebo. Conclusion Both titration regimens effectively attenuated the initial bradyarrhythmia observed on day 1 of treatment with BAF312 10 mg. PMID:22845008

Dysregulation of chromatin remodelling complexes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

PubMed

Tibshirani, Michael; Zhao, Beibei; Gentil, Benoit J; Minotti, Sandra; Marques, Christine; Keith, Julia; Rogaeva, Ekaterina; Zinman, Lorne; Rouaux, Caroline; Robertson, Janice; Durham, Heather D

2017-11-01

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with paralysis resulting from dysfunction and loss of motor neurons. A common neuropathological finding is attrition of motor neuron dendrites, which make central connections vital to motor control. The chromatin remodelling complex, neuronal Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1)-associated factor complex (nBAF), is critical for neuronal differentiation, dendritic extension and synaptic function. We have identified loss of the crucial nBAF subunits Brg1, Brg1-associated factor 53b and calcium responsive transactivator in cultured motor neurons expressing FUS or TAR-DNA Binding Protein 43 (TDP-43) mutants linked to familial ALS. When plasmids encoding wild-type or mutant human FUS or TDP-43 were expressed in motor neurons of dissociated spinal cord cultures prepared from E13 mice, mutant proteins in particular accumulated in the cytoplasm. Immunolabelling of nBAF subunits was reduced in proportion to loss of nuclear FUS or TDP-43 and depletion of Brg1 was associated with nuclear retention of Brg1 mRNA. Dendritic attrition (loss of intermediate and terminal dendritic branches) occurred in motor neurons expressing mutant, but not wild-type, FUS or TDP-43. This attrition was delayed by ectopic over-expression of Brg1 and was reproduced by inhibiting Brg1 activity either through genetic manipulation or treatment with the chemical inhibitor, (E)-1-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-3-((1R, 4R)-5-(pyridin-2-yl)-2, 5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, demonstrating the importance of Brg1 to maintenance of dendritic architecture. Loss of nBAF subunits was also documented in spinal motor neurons in autopsy tissue from familial amyotrophic sclerosis (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 with G4C2 nucleotide expansion) and from sporadic cases with no identified mutation, pointing to dysfunction of nBAF chromatin remodelling in multiple forms of ALS. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Performances and nitrification properties of biological aerated filters with zeolite, ceramic particle and carbonate media.

PubMed

Qiu, Liping; Zhang, Shoubin; Wang, Guangwei; Du, Mao'an

2010-10-01

The performance and nitrification properties of three BAFs, with ceramic, zeolite and carbonate media, respectively, were investigated to evaluate the feasibility of employing these materials as biological aerated filter media. All three BAFs shown a promising COD and SS removal performance, while influent pH was 6.5-8.1, air-liquid ratio was 5:1 and HRT was 1.25-2.5 h, respectively. Ammonia removal in BAFs was inhibited when organic and ammonia nitrogen loading were increased, but promoted effectively with the increase pH value. Zeolite and carbonate were more suitable for nitrification than ceramic particle when influent pH below 6.5. It is feasible to employ these media in BAF and adequate bed volume has to be supplied to satisfy the requirement of removal COD, SS and ammonia nitrogen simultaneously in a biofilter. The carbonate with a strong buffer capacity is more suitable to treat the wastewater with variable or lower pH. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Suppression of HPV E6 and E7 expression by BAF53 depletion in cervical cancer cells

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

Lee, Kiwon; Lee, Ah-Young; Kwon, Yunhee Kim

Highlights: {yields} Integration of HPV into host genome critical for activation of E6 and E7 oncogenes. {yields} BAF53 is essential for higher-order chromatin structure. {yields} BAF53 knockdown suppresses E6 and E7 from HPV integrants, but not from episomal HPVs. {yields} BAF53 knockdown decreases H3K9Ac and H4K12Ac on P105 promoter of integrated HPV 18. {yields} BAF53 knockdown restores the p53-dependent signaling pathway in HeLa and SiHa cells. -- Abstract: Deregulation of the expression of human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenes E6 and E7 plays a pivotal role in cervical carcinogenesis because the E6 and E7 proteins neutralize p53 and Rb tumor suppressor pathways,more » respectively. In approximately 90% of all cervical carcinomas, HPVs are found to be integrated into the host genome. Following integration, the core-enhancer element and P105 promoter that control expression of E6 and E7 adopt a chromatin structure that is different from that of episomal HPV, and this has been proposed to contribute to activation of E6 and E7 expression. However, the molecular basis underlying this chromatin structural change remains unknown. Previously, BAF53 has been shown to be essential for the integrity of higher-order chromatin structure and interchromosomal interactions. Here, we examined whether BAF53 is required for activated expression of E6 and E7 genes. We found that BAF53 knockdown led to suppression of expression of E6 and E7 genes from HPV integrants in cervical carcinoma cell lines HeLa and SiHa. Conversely, expression of transiently transfected HPV18-LCR-Luciferase was not suppressed by BAF53 knockdown. The level of the active histone marks H3K9Ac and H4K12Ac on the P105 promoter of integrated HPV 18 was decreased in BAF53 knockdown cells. BAF53 knockdown restored the p53-dependent signaling pathway in HeLa and SiHa cells. These results suggest that activated expression of the E6 and E7 genes of integrated HPV is dependent on BAF53-dependent higher-order chromatin structure or nuclear motor activity.« less

Targeting glutamine metabolism in myeloproliferative neoplasms

PubMed Central

Zhan, Huichun; Ciano, Kristen; Dong, Katherine; Zucker, Stanley

2016-01-01

JAK2V617F mutation can be detected in the majority of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients. The JAK2 inhibitor Ruxolitinib is the first FDA-approved treatment for MPNs. However, its use is limited by various dose related toxicities. Here, we studied the metabolic state and glutamine metabolism of BaF3-hEPOR-JAK2V617F and BaF3-hEPOR-JAK2WT cells. We found that the JAK2V617F-mutant cells were associated with increased oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate than the JAK2WT cells and there was an increased glutamine metabolism in JAK2V617F-mutant cells compared to wild-type cells. Glutaminase (GLS), the key enzyme in gluta-mine metabolism, was upregulated in the JAK2V617F-mutant BaF3 cells compared to the JAK2WT BaF3 cells. In MPN patient peripheral blood CD34+ cells, GLS expression was increased in JAK2V617F-mutant progenitor cells compared to JAK2 wild-type progenitor cells from the same patients and GLS levels were increased at the time of disease progression compared to at earlier time points. Moreover, GLS inhibitor increased the growth inhibitory effect of Ruxolitinib in both JAK2V617F-mutant cell lines and peripheral blood CD34+ cells from MPN patients. Therefore, GLS inhibitor should be further explored to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of JAK2 inhibitor and allow the administration of lower doses of the drug to avoid its toxicity. PMID:26227854

DESIGN OF FIELD STUDIES FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF BAFS AND BSAFS.

EPA Science Inventory

Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for aquatic organisms are necessary parameters for assessing the ecological risks of nonpolar organic chemicals in aquatic ecosystems. In designing a field study to measure BAFs and/or BSAFs, one of th...

CYT387, a selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor: in vitro assessment of kinase selectivity and preclinical studies using cell lines and primary cells from polycythemia vera patients.

PubMed

Pardanani, A; Lasho, T; Smith, G; Burns, C J; Fantino, E; Tefferi, A

2009-08-01

Somatic mutations in Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), including JAK2V617F, result in dysregulated JAK-signal transducer and activator transcription (STAT) signaling, which is implicated in myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) pathogenesis. CYT387 is an ATP-competitive small molecule that potently inhibits JAK1/JAK2 kinases (IC(50)=11 and 18 nM, respectively), with significantly less activity against other kinases, including JAK3 (IC(50)=155 nM). CYT387 inhibits growth of Ba/F3-JAK2V617F and human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells (IC(50) approximately 1500 nM) or Ba/F3-MPLW515L cells (IC(50)=200 nM), but has considerably less activity against BCR-ABL harboring K562 cells (IC=58 000 nM). Cell lines harboring mutated JAK2 alleles (CHRF-288-11 or Ba/F3-TEL-JAK2) were inhibited more potently than the corresponding pair harboring mutated JAK3 alleles (CMK or Ba/F3-TEL-JAK3), and STAT-5 phosphorylation was inhibited in HEL cells with an IC(50)=400 nM. Furthermore, CYT387 selectively suppressed the in vitro growth of erythroid colonies harboring JAK2V617F from polycythemia vera (PV) patients, an effect that was attenuated by exogenous erythropoietin. Overall, our data indicate that the JAK1/JAK2 selective inhibitor CYT387 has potential for efficacious treatment of MPN harboring mutated JAK2 and MPL alleles.

Structural and mechanical properties of evaporated pure and mixed MgF2-BaF2 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thielsch, Roland; Pommies, Matthieu; Heber, Joerg; Kaiser, Norbert; Ullmann, Jens

1999-09-01

To grow dense and hard MgF2 films substrate temperatures of about 300 degrees C are required, which unfortunately leads to high tensile film stress and the ability of crack formation. Lowering tensile stress in MgF2 films can be achieved by admixture a second fluoride material of higher cation radius than Mg2+. While former investigation were performed with non-heated films the purpose of the present work was to verify the behavior of mixed films when deposited at elevated substrate temperatures. One of the promising add material is BaF2 which enables evaporation of appropriate pre-mixed materials from a single source. The BaF2 content in the mixed films was varied from 3 to 55 mol percent in the MgF2 host. Optical, mechanical, and structural properties of samples deposited at different substrate temperatures have been studied by spectral photometry, IR spectroscopy, ex situ measurement of mechanical stress, x-ray diffraction, and -reflectometry, RBS, as well as investigation of surface morphology.

Seasonal variation of bacterial community in biological aerated filter for ammonia removal in drinking water treatment.

PubMed

Liu, Hongyuan; Zhu, Liying; Tian, Xiaohe; Yin, Yeshi

2017-10-15

Biological aerated filter (BAF) is widely used in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and shows potential application of micropolluted drinking water sources with a higher NH 4 + -N removal efficiency during short warm seasons. Here we adopted a pilot lava-based BAF setup as a pretreatment unit of drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) and achieved a great performance of ammonia removal over a two-year operation using natural river water. We respectively observed 92.62% of NH 4 + -N removal efficiency, 97.88% of NO 2 - -N removal efficiency in summer, and 77.52% NH 4 + -N removal efficiency in winter down to 5 °C. Based on DGGE analysis, AOB, NOB, as well as heterotrophic bacteria including genus Flavobacterium and Sphingomonas are responsible for the performance. Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira are found to be the dominant AOB and NOB in the BAF microbiota. The compositions of AOB including Nitrosomonas communis and Nitrosomonas oligotropha are different from the strains previously reported in BAF of WWTPs but similar to the observations in DWPTs. We observed seasonal bacterial shifts between summer and winter groups involved in AOB, NOB and heterotrophic genus Flavobacterium, which may be responsible for the seasonal performance fluctuation. The psychrophilic AOB belonging to Nitrosomonas likely contribute to the recovered NH 4 + -N removal efficiency when temperature is below 7 °C. Lack of nitrification functional psychrophilic or psychrotolerant NOB may be in charge of the severe nitrite accumulation below 7 °C. Our analysis suggests that the colonization of psychrophilic nitrifying bacteria in BAF needs at least two-year of natural acclimatization and is necessary for all-weather BAF in DWTPs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The First Four Years: A Synopsis of the Global Effort. Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP)

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

prevalence esti- mates of approximately 2% in the general population. The Benin Armed Forces (BAF) is composed of approximately 7500 mem - bers, and HIV...Campaigns DHAPP funding sponsored 2 public awareness events for the BAF mem - bers who were deploying to Côte d’Ivoire. Additionally, 38 public awareness...and training programs for service mem - bers, establishing a counseling and testing (CT) program, and improved HIV surveillance and treatment. The

Transmission and reflection studies of thin films in the vacuum ultraviolet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peterson, Lennart R.

1989-01-01

Both the transmittance and reflectance of 2 mm thick MgF2 substrates and of thin films of BaF2, CaF2, LaF3, MgF2, Al2O3, HfO2, and SiO2 deposited on these substrates were measured for the wavelength range 120 nm to 230 nm. Results for BaF2, LaF2 and MgF2 show promise as being good materials from which interference filters can be made. The software and related hardware needed to take large amounts of data automatically in future measurements of the transmittance and reflectance was developed.

Purification and biochemical heterogeneity of the mammalian SWI-SNF complex.

PubMed Central

Wang, W; Côté, J; Xue, Y; Zhou, S; Khavari, P A; Biggar, S R; Muchardt, C; Kalpana, G V; Goff, S P; Yaniv, M; Workman, J L; Crabtree, G R

1996-01-01

We have purified distinct complexes of nine to 12 proteins [referred to as BRG1-associated factors (BAFs)] from several mammalian cell lines using an antibody to the SWI2-SNF2 homolog BRG1. Microsequencing revealed that the 47 kDa BAF is identical to INI1. Previously INI1 has been shown to interact with and activate human immunodeficiency virus integrase and to be homologous to the yeast SNF5 gene. A group of BAF47-associated proteins were affinity purified with antibodies against INI1/BAF47 and were found to be identical to those co-purified with BRG1, strongly indicating that this group of proteins associates tightly and is likely to be the mammalian equivalent of the yeast SWI-SNF complex. Complexes containing BRG1 can disrupt nucleosomes and facilitate the binding of GAL4-VP16 to a nucleosomal template similar to the yeast SWI-SNF complex. Purification of the complex from several cell lines demonstrates that it is heterogeneous with respect to subunit composition. The two SWI-SNF2 homologs, BRG1 and hbrm, were found in separate complexes. Certain cell lines completely lack BRG1 and hbrm, indicating that they are not essential for cell viability and that the mammalian SWI-SNF complex may be tailored to the needs of a differentiated cell type. Images PMID:8895581

Dose titration of BAF312 attenuates the initial heart rate reducing effect in healthy subjects.

PubMed

Legangneux, Eric; Gardin, Anne; Johns, Donald

2013-03-01

Previous studies have shown transient decreases in heart rate (HR) following administration of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators including BAF312. This study was conducted to determine whether dose titration of BAF312 reduces or eliminates these effects. Fifty-six healthy subjects were randomized 1:1:1:1 to receive BAF312 in one of two dose titration (DT) regimens (DT1 and DT2: 0.25-10 mg over 9-10 days), no titration (10 mg starting dose) or placebo. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed. Neither DT1 nor DT2 resulted in clinically significant bradycardia or atrioventricular conduction effects. Both titration regimens showed a favourable difference on each of days 1-12 vs. the non-titration regimen on day 1 for HR effects (P < 0.0001). On day 1, the geometric mean ratio of the fraction from the previous day in minimum daily HR between DT1 and non-titration was 1.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13, 1.23) and 1.14 (95% CI 1.09, 1.18) for DT2 (both P < 0.05) with significant differences noted through to day 12. Non-titration HRs showed considerable separation from placebo throughout the study. There was no statistically significant reduction in HR vs. placebo on day 1 in either titration regimen. On days 3-7 subjects in DT1 and DT2 experienced minor reductions in HR vs. placebo (approximately 5 beats min⁻¹; P ≤ 0.0001). From days 9-12, HRs in both titration regimens were comparable with placebo. Both titration regimens effectively attenuated the initial bradyarrhythmia observed on day 1 of treatment with BAF312 10 mg. © 2012 Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBIR). British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society.

Experimental Study on the Treatment of low C/N ratio disposal of sewage with BAF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, W. J.; Ma, T.; Cheng, W.

2010-03-01

The Biological Aerated Filter (BAF) is a simple, high-efficient, low-consumptive for new biological membrane method correspond to the situation of china, will be one of the main technical measures to solve the progressive deterioration of water environment problem faced china especially medium and small towns. This paper focuses on the experimental study and mechanism analysis in which the up flow, cocurrent gas-water, single-stage BAF was adopted on treatment domestic wastewater, the results showed that BAF has good performance in treating domestic sewage, and it had steady treatment effect with different pollution loads.

Birth of cloned calves from vitrified-warmed zona-free buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryos produced by hand-made cloning.

PubMed

Saha, Ambikaprasanna; Panda, Sudeepta K; Chauhan, Manmohan S; Manik, Radhey S; Palta, Prabhat; Singla, Suresh K

2013-01-01

The availability of techniques for the vitrification of cloned blastocysts can improve their effective use. The present study compared the developmental competence of buffalo cloned embryos derived from adult (BAF), newborn (BNF) and fetal fibroblast (BFF) before and after vitrification. Despite similar cleavage rates among the three groups, the blastocyst rate was lower for BAF- than BNF- and BFF-derived embryos (30.2±2.2% vs 41.7±1.7% and 39.1±2.1%, respectively; P<0.01). The total cell number of BNF-derived blastocysts was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that of BFF-derived blastocysts, which, in turn, was higher (P<0.01) than that of BAF-derived blastocysts. Following transfer of vitrified-warmed blastocysts to recipients, no pregnancy was obtained with fresh (n=8) or vitrified-warmed (n=18) BAF-derived blastocysts, whereas transfer of fresh BNF- (n=53) and BFF-derived (n=32) blastocysts resulted in four and three pregnancies, respectively, which aborted within 90 days of gestation. The transfer of vitrified-warmed BNF-derived blastocysts (n=39) resulted in the live birth of a calf weighing 41kg, which is now 23 months old and has no apparent abnormality, whereas the transfer of vitrified-warmed BFF-derived blastocysts (n=18) resulted in one live birth of a calf that died within 6h. These results demonstrate that cloned buffalo embryos cryopreserved by vitrification can be used to obtain live offspring.

A functional bioassay to determine the activity of anti-VEGF antibody therapy in blood of patients with cancer.

PubMed

Wentink, Madelon Q; Broxterman, Henk J; Lam, Siu W; Boven, Epie; Walraven, Maudy; Griffioen, Arjan W; Pili, Roberto; van der Vliet, Hans J; de Gruijl, Tanja D; Verheul, Henk M W

2016-10-11

Only a small proportion of patients respond to anti-VEGF therapy, pressing the need for a reliable biomarker that can identify patients who will benefit. We studied the biological activity of anti-VEGF antibodies in patients' blood during anti-VEGF therapy by using the Ba/F3-VEGFR2 cell line, which is dependent on VEGF for its growth. Serum samples from 22 patients with cancer before and during treatment with bevacizumab were tested for their effect on proliferation of Ba/F3-VEGFR2 cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor as well as bevacizumab concentrations in serum samples from these patients were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The hVEGF-driven cell proliferation was effectively blocked by bevacizumab (IC 50 3.7 μg ml -1 ; 95% CI 1.7-8.3 μg ml -1 ). Cell proliferation was significantly reduced when patients' serum during treatment with bevacizumab was added (22-103% inhibition compared with pre-treatment). Although bevacizumab levels were not related, on-treatment serum VEGF levels were correlated with Ba/F3-VEGFR2 cell proliferation. We found that the neutralising effect of anti-VEGF antibody therapy on the biological activity of circulating VEGF can be accurately determined with a Ba/F3-VEGFR2 bioassay. The value of this bioassay to predict clinical benefit of anti-VEGF antibody therapy needs further clinical evaluation in a larger randomised cohort.

Mutation of Neuron-Specific Chromatin Remodeling Subunit BAF53b: Rescue of Plasticity and Memory by Manipulating Actin Remodeling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ciernia, Annie Vogel; Kramár, Enikö A.; Matheos, Dina P.; Havekes, Robbert; Hemstedt, Thekla J.; Magnan, Christophe N.; Sakata, Keith; Tran, Ashley; Azzawi, Soraya; Lopez, Alberto; Dang, Richard; Wang, Weisheng; Trieu, Brian; Tong, Joyce; Barrett, Ruth M.; Post, Rebecca J.; Baldi, Pierre; Abel, Ted; Lynch, Gary; Wood, Marcelo A.

2017-01-01

Recent human exome-sequencing studies have implicated polymorphic Brg1-associated factor (BAF) complexes (mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes) in several intellectual disabilities and cognitive disorders, including autism. However, it remains unclear how mutations in BAF complexes result in impaired cognitive function. Post-mitotic…

Application of novel Modified Biological Aerated Filter (MBAF) as a promising post-treatment for water reuse: Modification in configuration and backwashing process.

PubMed

Nikoonahad, Ali; Ghaneian, Mohammad Taghi; Mahvi, Amir Hossein; Ehrampoush, Mohammad Hassan; Ebrahimi, Ali Asghar; Lotfi, Mohammad Hassan; Salamehnejad, Sima

2017-12-01

Biological Aerated Filter (BAF) reactors due to their plentiful biomass, high shockability, high efficiency, good filtration, availability and lack of need for large land areas, are enjoying from great importance in advanced wastewater treatment. Therefore, in this study, Polystyrene Coated by Sand (PCS) was produced as a novel media and its application in a modified down-flow BAF structure for advanced wastewater treatment was assessed in two steps. In step one, the backwash effluent did not return to the system, while in step two backwash effluent returned to increase the water reuse efficiency. The backwash process was also studied through three methods of Top Backwashing (TB), Bottom Backwashing (BB), as well as Top and Bottom Backwashing Simultaneously (TBBS). The results showed that return of backwash effluent had no significant effect on the BAF effluent quality. In the second step similar to the first one with slight differences, the residual average concentrations of TSS, BOD 5 , and COD at the effluent were about 2.5, 8.2, and 25.5 mg/L, respectively. Additionally, in step two, the mean volume of disposal sludge/volume of treated water (v ds /v tw ) decreased a large extent to about 0.088%. In other words, the water reuse has increased to more than 99.91%. The backwash time in methods of TB and BB were 65 and 35 min, respectively; however, it decreased in TBBS methods to 25 min. The concentrations of most effluent parameters in this system are in concordance with the 2012 EPA Agriculture Standards, even for irrigation of Non-processed agricultural crops and livestock water consumption. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of geophysical mass flow models using the 2006 block-and-ash flows of Merapi Volcano, Java, Indonesia: Towards a short-term hazard assessment tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charbonnier, S. J.; Gertisser, R.

2012-06-01

The dynamics and depositional processes associated with block-and-ash flows (BAFs) are most commonly inferred to be a function of granular or inertial grain flow, similar to debris flows and cold rock avalanches. Existing geophysical mass flow models are either based on frictional (Mohr-Coulomb) behavior (the Titan2D model developed at the State University of New York at Buffalo, USA) or another rheological law (i.e., a constant retarding stress), eventually adding some viscous and turbulent components (the VolcFlow model developed at the Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, Clermont-Ferrand, France). The 2006 BAFs of Merapi present a rare opportunity to test these two well-established models against a well-constrained field example. Integration of high-resolution field-based data into numerical simulations allows the validity of these models to be tested and rapid quantification of best-fit input parameters. We first show that with the incorporation of spatially varying bed friction angles, Titan2D is capable of reproducing the paths, runout distances, areas covered and deposited volumes of the 2006 Merapi flows over highly complex topography. However, some discrepancies with field data are noted and the velocity and travel time of the flows do not match entirely. Using a single free parameter (a constant retarding stress), simulations obtained with the VolcFlow model also reproduce the morphology and distribution of the natural deposits as well as the time of emplacement and velocities of the flows. The results suggest that the performance of these models in simulating actual events is critically dependent on: (1) the calibration of the model by using extensive field-based data such as deposit distribution, and processes of flow generation, transport and deposition; (2) the incorporation of a suitable numerical topographic dataset (i.e., high-resolution digital elevation model), and (3) the choice of input parameters, such as location and volume of the initial pile of material and source characteristics (single or multiple dome-collapse, dome-collapse duration and total volume of collapsed material). Sensitivity analyses and inundation maps based on the probability of impact were used to produce a suite of potentially inundated areas from future gravitational dome-collapse events affecting the Gendol valley and adjacent areas on the southern flank of the volcano. Our results provide the basis for defining hazard zonations of key areas at risk from BAFs which will be generated during future comparable eruptions at Merapi.

Uptake of perfluoroalkyl acids into edible crops via land ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The presence of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in biosolids destined for use in agriculture has raised concerns about their potential to enter the terrestrial food chain via bioaccumulation in edible plants. Uptake of PFAAs by greenhouse lettuce ( Lactuca sativa) and tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum ) grown in an industrially impacted biosolids-amended soil, a municipal biosolids-amended soil, and a control soil was measured. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were calculated for the edible portions of both lettuce and tomato. Dry weight concentrations observed in lettuce grown in a soil amended (biosolids:soil dry weight ratio of 1:10) with PFAA industrially contaminated biosolids were up to 266 and 236 ng/g for perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), respectively, and reached 56 and 211 ng/g for PFBA and PFPeA in tomato, respectively. BAFs for many PFAAs were well above unity, with PFBA having the highest BAF in lettuce (56.8) and PFPeA the highest in tomato (17.1). In addition, the BAFs for PFAAs in greenhouse lettuce decreased approximately 0.3 log units per CF2 group. A limited-scale field study was conducted to verify greenhouse findings. The greatest accumulation was seen for PFBA and PFPeA in both field-grown lettuce and tomato; BAFs for PFBA were highest in both crops. PFAA levels measured in lettuce and tomato grown in field soil amended with only a single application of biosolids (at an agronomic rate for nitrogen) were predomina

Recruitment by the Repressor Freud-1 of Histone Deacetylase-Brg1 Chromatin Remodeling Complexes to Strengthen HTR1A Gene Repression.

PubMed

Souslova, Tatiana; Mirédin, Kim; Millar, Anne M; Albert, Paul R

2017-12-01

Five-prime repressor element under dual repression binding protein-1 (Freud-1)/CC2D1A is genetically linked to intellectual disability and implicated in neuronal development. Freud-1 represses the serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptor gene HTR1A by histone deacetylase (HDAC)-dependent or HDAC-independent mechanisms in 5-HT1A-negative (e.g., HEK-293) or 5-HT1A-expressing cells (SK-N-SH), respectively. To identify the underlying mechanisms, Freud-1-associated proteins were affinity-purified from HEK-293 nuclear extracts and members of the Brg1/SMARCCA chromatin remodeling and Sin3A-HDAC corepressor complexes were identified. Pull-down assays using recombinant proteins showed that Freud-1 interacts directly with the Brg1 carboxyl-terminal domain; interaction with Brg1 required the carboxyl-terminal of Freud-1. Freud-1 complexes in HEK-293 and SK-N-SH cells differed, with low levels of BAF170/SMARCC2 and BAF57/SMARCE1 in HEK-293 cells and low-undetectable BAF155/SMARCC1, Sin3A, and HDAC1/2 in SK-N-SH cells. Similarly, by quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation, Brg1-BAF170/57 and Sin3A-HDAC complexes were observed at the HTR1A promoter in HEK-293 cells, whereas in SK-N-SH cells, Sin3A-HDAC proteins were not detected. Quantifying 5-HT1A receptor mRNA levels in cells treated with siRNA to Freud-1, Brg1, or both RNAs addressed the functional role of the Freud-1-Brg1 complex. In HEK-293 cells, 5-HT1A receptor mRNA levels were increased only when both Freud-1 and Brg1 were depleted, but in SK-N-SH cells, depletion of either protein upregulated 5-HT1A receptor RNA. Thus, recruitment by Freud-1 of Brg1, BAF155, and Sin3A-HDAC complexes appears to strengthen repression of the HTR1A gene to prevent its expression inappropriate cell types, while recruitment of the Brg1-BAF170/57 complex is permissive to 5-HT1A receptor expression. Alterations in Freud-1-Brg1 interactions in mutants associated with intellectual disability could impair gene repression leading to altered neuronal development.

Recruitment by the Repressor Freud-1 of Histone Deacetylase-Brg1 Chromatin Remodeling Complexes to Strengthen HTR1A Gene Repression

PubMed Central

Souslova, Tatiana; Mirédin, Kim; Millar, Anne M.

2017-01-01

Five-prime repressor element under dual repression binding protein-1 (Freud-1)/CC2D1A is genetically linked to intellectual disability and implicated in neuronal development. Freud-1 represses the serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptor gene HTR1A by histone deacetylase (HDAC)-dependent or HDAC-independent mechanisms in 5-HT1A-negative (e.g., HEK-293) or 5-HT1A-expressing cells (SK-N-SH), respectively. To identify the underlying mechanisms, Freud-1-associated proteins were affinity-purified from HEK-293 nuclear extracts and members of the Brg1/SMARCCA chromatin remodeling and Sin3A-HDAC corepressor complexes were identified. Pull-down assays using recombinant proteins showed that Freud-1 interacts directly with the Brg1 carboxyl-terminal domain; interaction with Brg1 required the carboxyl-terminal of Freud-1. Freud-1 complexes in HEK-293 and SK-N-SH cells differed, with low levels of BAF170/SMARCC2 and BAF57/SMARCE1 in HEK-293 cells and low-undetectable BAF155/SMARCC1, Sin3A, and HDAC1/2 in SK-N-SH cells. Similarly, by quantitative chromatin immuno-precipitation, Brg1-BAF170/57 and Sin3A-HDAC complexes were observed at the HTR1A promoter in HEK-293 cells, whereas in SK-N-SH cells, Sin3A-HDAC proteins were not detected. Quantifying 5-HT1A receptor mRNA levels in cells treated with siRNA to Freud-1, Brg1, or both RNAs addressed the functional role of the Freud-1-Brg1 complex. In HEK-293 cells, 5-HT1A receptor mRNA levels were increased only when both Freud-1 and Brg1 were depleted, but in SK-N-SH cells, depletion of either protein upregulated 5-HT1A receptor RNA. Thus, recruitment by Freud-1 of Brg1, BAF155, and Sin3A-HDAC complexes appears to strengthen repression of the HTR1A gene to prevent its expression inappropriate cell types, while recruitment of the Brg1-BAF170/57 complex is permissive to 5-HT1A receptor expression. Alterations in Freud-1-Brg1 interactions in mutants associated with intellectual disability could impair gene repression leading to altered neuronal development. PMID:27914010

Water Atomization of Barium Fluoride: Calcium Fluoride for Enhanced Flow Characteristics of PS304 Feedstock Powder Blend

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stanford, Malcolm K.; DellaCorte, Christopher

2003-01-01

PS304 is a plasma spray deposited solid lubricant coating with feedstock composed of NiCr, Cr2O3, Ag, and BaF2-CaF2 powders. The effects of rounded BaF2-CaF2 particles on the gravity-fed flow characteristics of PS304 feedstock have been investigated. The BaF2-CaF2 powder was fabricated by water atomization using four sets of process parameters. Each of these powders was then characterized by microscopy and classified by screening to obtain 45 to 106 micron particles and added incrementally from 0 to 10 wt% to the other constituents of the PS304 feedstock, namely nichrome, chromia, and silver powders. The relationship between feedstock flow rate, measured with the Hall flowmeter, and concentration of fluorides was found to be linear in each case. The slopes of the lines were between those of the linear relationships previously reported using angular and spherical fluorides and were closer to the relationship predicted using the rule of mixtures. The results offer a fluoride fabrication technique potentially more cost-effective than gas atomization processes or traditional comminution processes.

Extended Abstracts. International Symposium on Halide Glasses (2nd), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA, 2-5 August 1983.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-08-02

Research and Development in ’" T. Miyashita and i.. . nabe 34 "Environmental Effects on the Strength of Fluoride Glass Fibers" A. Nakata, J. Lau, and J...continuous optical window. Ujnfortunately YVP3 ony permit’s thin samiples (1 mm) to be synthesized. Vitrco&us domnain ina the ternary sys ~tem TIT "Zni - YbF 4...synthesis methods, quenched glasses have been obtained in the CdF2-ZnF 2-BaF2 and CdF2-MnF2-BaF 2 ternary sys - tems. Binary glasses (Cd0 .5Ba0 .5 )F2 have

LICHENS' B-OLIGOSACCHARIDES IN THE CORRECTION OF METABOLIC DISORDERS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS.

PubMed

Kershengolts, B M; Sydykova, L A; Sharoyko, V V; Anshakova, V V; Stepanova, A V; Varfolomeeva, N A

2015-01-01

Lichens of the genus Cladonia are used as medicinal plants in folk medicine. Biologically active food supplement (BAFS) on the basis of lichens p. Cladonia was derived by mechanical-chemical biotechnology in the Educational-Research-Engineering Laboratory "Mechanical-Chemical Biotechnology" of the North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU). As a result of biotech impact, the solid β-glycoside bonds are destructed on β-oligosaccharide molecules, and other groups of lichen BAS is mobilized. The content of hydrolysable carbohydrates in samples of lichen increased 8 times after mechanical activation. The aim of investigation was to study the effects of BAFS "Yagel-Detox" in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM 2). The 150 patients (group 1--100 patients receiving "Yagel-Detox", group 2--50 patients receiving placebo) with a diagnosis DM 2 were examined. The research included: general clinical and instrumental examination, biochemical and clinical blood tests. "Yagel-Detox" was used 1 capsule 3 times a day, the rate of admission was 3 months. Clinical trials have shown that 3-month intake of BAFS "Yagel-Detox" reduces the concentration of blood glucose 1.3 1.6 times (in the control group--1.2 ÷ 1.4 times), glycosylated hemoglobin--from 9.8 ÷ 11.4% to 7.6% (in the control group--1.0%). The concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) reduced on 1.3% through 6 months. Patients of both groups were on the similar tablet glucose-lowering therapy (randomized treatment), which have not been adjusted. The obtained results allow us to recommend BAFS "Yagel-Detox" as an additional remedy to normalize blood glucose concentration in patients with DM 2.

Apoptosis of haematopoietic cells upon thymidylate synthase inhibition is independent of p53 accumulation and CD95-CD95 ligand interaction.

PubMed Central

Muñoz-Pinedo, C; Oliver, F J; López-Rivas, A

2001-01-01

Treatment of haematopoietic BA/F3 cells with the thymidylate synthase inhibitor 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUdR) activated apoptosis through a mechanism that required continuous protein synthesis and was inhibited by Bcl-2 over-expression. Analysis of p53 levels in cells treated with FUdR indicated a marked accumulation of this protein. Accumulation of p53 was also observed in cells over-expressing Bcl-2. In BA/F3 cells transfected with a cDNA coding for the human papilloma virus protein E6, p53 accumulation after FUdR treatment was inhibited markedly. However, apoptosis was induced in both control and E6 cells to a similar extent. The role of the CD95/CD95 ligand (CD95L) system in FUdR-induced apoptosis was also assessed. As determined by reverse transcriptase PCR, BA/F3 expressed a low constitutive level of CD95L mRNA, which decreased following FUdR treatment. Moreover, blocking CD95-CD95L interactions with antagonistic CD95 monoclonal antibody did not prevent drug-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, analysis of caspase involvement showed important differences in apoptosis induced by CD95-triggering or FUdR treatment. In summary, these results suggest that apoptosis induced by thymineless stress in haematopoietic BA/F3 cells occurs by a mechanism that does not require accumulation of p53 and which is independent of CD95-CD95L interactions. PMID:11115403

Process of nitrogen transformation and microbial community structure in the Fe(0)-carbon-based bio-carrier filled in biological aerated filter.

PubMed

Deng, Shihai; Li, Desheng; Yang, Xue; Zhu, Shanbin; Li, Jinlong

2016-04-01

Nitrogen pollutants in low-organic carbon wastewater are difficult to biodegrade. Therefore, the Fe(0)-carbon-based bio-carrier (FCBC) was firstly used as hydrogen producer in a biological-aerated filter (BAF) to make up for the lack of organic carbon in biological nitrogen removal. Physical and chemical properties of FCBC were detected and compared in this study. The nitrogen removal rate for low COD/TN ratio wastewater, nitrogen transformation process, and microbial communities in the FCBC filled in BAF were investigated. Results showed that the nitrogen removal rates was 0.38-0.41 kg N m(-3) day(-1) in the FCBC filled BAF and reached 0.62 kg N m(-3) day(-1) within the filter depth of 60-80 cm, under the conditions of the dissolved oxygen 3.5 ± 0.2 mg L(-1) and the inlet pH 7.2 ± 0.1. Hydrogenophaga (using hydrogen as electron donor), Sphaerotilus (absorbing [Fe(3+)]), Nitrospira (nitrificaion), and Nitrosomonas (ammonia oxidation) were found to be the predominant genera in the reactor. The reaction schemes in the FCBC filled in BAF was calculated: hydrogen and [Fe(3+)] were produced by Fe(0)-C galvanic cells in the FCBC, ammonia was oxidized into nitrate by Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira genera, hydrogen was used as electron donors by Hydrogenophaga genus to reduce nitrate into N2, and [Fe(3+)] was partly absorbed by Sphaerotilus and diverted via sludge discharging.

Responses of Middle-Frequency Modulations in Vocal Fundamental Frequency to Different Vocal Intensities and Auditory Feedback.

PubMed

Lee, Shao-Hsuan; Fang, Tuan-Jen; Yu, Jen-Fang; Lee, Guo-She

2017-09-01

Auditory feedback can make reflexive responses on sustained vocalizations. Among them, the middle-frequency power of F0 (MFP) may provide a sensitive index to access the subtle changes in different auditory feedback conditions. Phonatory airflow temperature was obtained from 20 healthy adults at two vocal intensity ranges under four auditory feedback conditions: (1) natural auditory feedback (NO); (2) binaural speech noise masking (SN); (3) bone-conducted feedback of self-generated voice (BAF); and (4) SN and BAF simultaneously. The modulations of F0 in low-frequency (0.2 Hz-3 Hz), middle-frequency (3 Hz-8 Hz), and high-frequency (8 Hz-25 Hz) bands were acquired using power spectral analysis of F0. Acoustic and aerodynamic analyses were used to acquire vocal intensity, maximum phonation time (MPT), phonatory airflow, and MFP-based vocal efficiency (MBVE). SN and high vocal intensity decreased MFP and raised MBVE and MPT significantly. BAF showed no effect on MFP but significantly lowered MBVE. Moreover, BAF significantly increased the perception of voice feedback and the sensation of vocal effort. Altered auditory feedback significantly changed the middle-frequency modulations of F0. MFP and MBVE could well detect these subtle responses of audio-vocal feedback. Copyright © 2017 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The synthetic α-bromo-2',3,4,4'-tetramethoxychalcone (α-Br-TMC) inhibits the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

PubMed

Pinz, Sophia; Unser, Samy; Brueggemann, Susanne; Besl, Elisabeth; Al-Rifai, Nafisah; Petkes, Hermina; Amslinger, Sabine; Rascle, Anne

2014-01-01

Signal transducer and activator of transcription STAT5 and its upstream activating kinase JAK2 are essential mediators of cytokine signaling. Their activity is normally tightly regulated and transient. However, constitutive activation of STAT5 is found in numerous cancers and a driving force for malignant transformation. We describe here the identification of the synthetic chalcone α-Br-2',3,4,4'-tetramethoxychalcone (α-Br-TMC) as a novel JAK/STAT inhibitor. Using the non-transformed IL-3-dependent B cell line Ba/F3 and its oncogenic derivative Ba/F3-1*6 expressing constitutively activated STAT5, we show that α-Br-TMC targets the JAK/STAT pathway at multiple levels, inhibiting both JAK2 and STAT5 phosphorylation. Moreover, α-Br-TMC alters the mobility of STAT5A/B proteins in SDS-PAGE, indicating a change in their post-translational modification state. These alterations correlate with a decreased association of STAT5 and RNA polymerase II with STAT5 target genes in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Interestingly, expression of STAT5 target genes such as Cis and c-Myc was differentially regulated by α-Br-TMC in normal and cancer cells. While both genes were inhibited in IL-3-stimulated Ba/F3 cells, expression of the oncogene c-Myc was down-regulated and that of the tumor suppressor gene Cis was up-regulated in transformed Ba/F3-1*6 cells. The synthetic chalcone α-Br-TMC might therefore represent a promising novel anticancer agent for therapeutic intervention in STAT5-associated malignancies.

Optical transitions of Ho(3+) in oxyfluoride glasses and upconversion luminescence of Ho(3+)/Yb(3+)-codoped oxyfluoride glasses.

PubMed

Feng, Li; Wu, Yinsu

2015-05-05

Optical properties of Ho(3+)-doped SiO2-BaF2-ZnF2 glasses have been investigated on the basis of the Judd-Ofelt theory. Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, radiative transition probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios and radiative lifetimes have been calculated for different glass compositions. Upconversion emissions were observed in Ho(3+)/Yb(3+)-codoped SiO2-BaF2-ZnF2 glasses under 980nm excitation. The effects of composition, concentration of the doping ions, and excitation pump power on the upconversion emissions were also systematically studied. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optical transitions of Tm3+ in oxyfluoride glasses and compositional and thermal effect on upconversion luminescence of Tm3+/Yb3+-codoped oxyfluoride glasses.

PubMed

Feng, Li; Wu, Yinsu; Liu, Zhuo; Guo, Tao

2014-01-24

Optical properties of Tm(3+)-doped SiO2-BaF2-ZnF2 glasses have been investigated on the basis of the Judd-Ofelt theory. Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, radiative transition probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios and radiative lifetimes have been calculated for different glass compositions. Upconversion emissions were observed in Tm(3+)/Yb(3+)-codoped SiO2-BaF2-ZnF2 glasses under 980 nm excitation. The effects of composition, concentration of the doping ions, temperature, and excitation pump power on the upconversion emissions were also systematically studied. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The BAF60 Subunit of the SWI/SNF Chromatin-Remodeling Complex Directly Controls the Formation of a Gene Loop at FLOWERING LOCUS C in Arabidopsis[W

PubMed Central

Jégu, Teddy; Latrasse, David; Delarue, Marianne; Hirt, Heribert; Domenichini, Séverine; Ariel, Federico; Crespi, Martin; Bergounioux, Catherine; Raynaud, Cécile; Benhamed, Moussa

2014-01-01

SWI/SNF complexes mediate ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling to regulate gene expression. Many components of these complexes are evolutionarily conserved, and several subunits of Arabidopsis thaliana SWI/SNF complexes are involved in the control of flowering, a process that depends on the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). BAF60 is a SWI/SNF subunit, and in this work, we show that BAF60, via a direct targeting of the floral repressor FLC, induces a change at the high-order chromatin level and represses the photoperiod flowering pathway in Arabidopsis. BAF60 accumulates in the nucleus and controls the formation of the FLC gene loop by modulation of histone density, composition, and posttranslational modification. Physiological analysis of BAF60 RNA interference mutant lines allowed us to propose that this chromatin-remodeling protein creates a repressive chromatin configuration at the FLC locus. PMID:24510722

Enhanced biofiltration of O&G produced water comparing granular activated carbon and nutrients.

PubMed

Riley, Stephanie M; Ahoor, Danika C; Cath, Tzahi Y

2018-05-31

Large volumes of water are required for the development of unconventional oil and gas (O&G) wells. Water scarcity coupled with seismicity induced by deep-well disposal promote new O&G wastewater management strategies, specifically treatment and reuse. One technology that has been proven effective for removal of organic matter and solids is biologically active filtration (BAF) with granular active carbon (GAC); however, further optimization is needed to enhance BAF performance. This study evaluated three GAC media (one spent and two new) and two nutrient-mix supplements for enhanced removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Biofilm development was also monitored and correlated to BAF performance. The spent GAC with extant biofilm quickly acclimated to PW and demonstrated up to 92% DOC removal (81% COD) in 24h, while little impact by nutrient addition was observed. In addition, virgin GAC was slow to establish a biofilm, indicating that appropriate GAC selection and pre-developed biofilm is critical for efficient BAF performance. Furthermore, the production of high quality BAF effluent (less than 20mg/L DOC) presents the opportunity to apply BAF as a pretreatment for subsequent desalination-expanding the potential for reuse applications of PW. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Noise characteristics of barium ferrite particulate rigid disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodama, Naoki; Inoue, Hitoshi; Spratt, Geoffrey; Uesaka, Yasutaro; Katsumoto, Masayuki

1991-04-01

This paper discusses the relationship between the noise characteristics and magnetic properties of longitudinal barium ferrite (Ba-F) rigid disks with different switching field distributions (SFD). The magnetomotive force dependencies of reverse dc-erase (RDC) noise are measured and compared with SFD values. Coated disks with acicular magnetic particles have dips and thin-film disks peaks in the RDC. In Ba-F disks, both cases are observed depending on the SFD values, though the depths or heights of the RDC noise are much smaller than those of coated disks with acicular particles or thin-film disks. Disks with small SFD values have peaks, and disks with large SFD values have dips. In order to find the relationship between noise properties and magnetic properties, interparticle interactions in Ba-F disks are investigated. Reverse dc remanence Id(H) and ac-demagnetized isothermal remanence Ir(H) are measured. Both are normalized by the saturation remanence. The deviation from the noninteracting system, ΔM = Id(H) - [1ΔM=Id(H)-[1- 2Ir(H)] and an interaction field factor (IFF) given by (H'r - Hr)/Hc, are derived from these remanent properties. Here, H'r is the field corresponding to 50% of the remanent magnetization, Hr is remanence coercivity. In Ba-F disks, ΔM shows positive interactions, and the peak heights of ΔM increase and IFF decrease with decreasing SFD values. Positive interactions between Ba-F particles seem to be caused by particle stacking. Therefore, particle stacking results in small SFD values and peak-type RDC noise.

BAF is a cytosolic DNA sensor that leads to exogenous DNA avoiding autophagy

PubMed Central

Kobayashi, Shouhei; Koujin, Takako; Kojidani, Tomoko; Osakada, Hiroko; Mori, Chie; Hiraoka, Yasushi; Haraguchi, Tokuko

2015-01-01

Knowledge of the mechanisms by which a cell detects exogenous DNA is important for controlling pathogen infection, because most pathogens entail the presence of exogenous DNA in the cytosol, as well as for understanding the cell’s response to artificially transfected DNA. The cellular response to pathogen invasion has been well studied. However, spatiotemporal information of the cellular response immediately after exogenous double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) appears in the cytosol is lacking, in part because of difficulties in monitoring when exogenous dsDNA enters the cytosol of the cell. We have recently developed a method to monitor endosome breakdown around exogenous materials using transfection reagent-coated polystyrene beads incorporated into living human cells as the objective for microscopic observations. In the present study, using dsDNA-coated polystyrene beads (DNA-beads) incorporated into living cells, we show that barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) bound to exogenous dsDNA immediately after its appearance in the cytosol at endosome breakdown. The BAF+ DNA-beads then assembled a nuclear envelope (NE)-like membrane and avoided autophagy that targeted the remnants of the endosome membranes. Knockdown of BAF caused a significant decrease in the assembly of NE-like membranes and increased the formation of autophagic membranes around the DNA-beads, suggesting that BAF-mediated assembly of NE-like membranes was required for the DNA-beads to evade autophagy. Importantly, BAF-bound beads without dsDNA also assembled NE-like membranes and avoided autophagy. We propose a new role for BAF: remodeling intracellular membranes upon detection of dsDNA in mammalian cells. PMID:25991860

BAF is a cytosolic DNA sensor that leads to exogenous DNA avoiding autophagy.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Shouhei; Koujin, Takako; Kojidani, Tomoko; Osakada, Hiroko; Mori, Chie; Hiraoka, Yasushi; Haraguchi, Tokuko

2015-06-02

Knowledge of the mechanisms by which a cell detects exogenous DNA is important for controlling pathogen infection, because most pathogens entail the presence of exogenous DNA in the cytosol, as well as for understanding the cell's response to artificially transfected DNA. The cellular response to pathogen invasion has been well studied. However, spatiotemporal information of the cellular response immediately after exogenous double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) appears in the cytosol is lacking, in part because of difficulties in monitoring when exogenous dsDNA enters the cytosol of the cell. We have recently developed a method to monitor endosome breakdown around exogenous materials using transfection reagent-coated polystyrene beads incorporated into living human cells as the objective for microscopic observations. In the present study, using dsDNA-coated polystyrene beads (DNA-beads) incorporated into living cells, we show that barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) bound to exogenous dsDNA immediately after its appearance in the cytosol at endosome breakdown. The BAF(+) DNA-beads then assembled a nuclear envelope (NE)-like membrane and avoided autophagy that targeted the remnants of the endosome membranes. Knockdown of BAF caused a significant decrease in the assembly of NE-like membranes and increased the formation of autophagic membranes around the DNA-beads, suggesting that BAF-mediated assembly of NE-like membranes was required for the DNA-beads to evade autophagy. Importantly, BAF-bound beads without dsDNA also assembled NE-like membranes and avoided autophagy. We propose a new role for BAF: remodeling intracellular membranes upon detection of dsDNA in mammalian cells.

Divalent europium doped CaF 2 and BaF 2 nanocrystals from ionic liquids

DOE PAGES

Anghel, Sergiu; Golbert, Sebastian; Meijerink, Andries; ...

2016-10-11

A new, facile and quick synthesis method for Eu 2+ doped the alkaline earth fluorides was developed using ionic liquids as solvent, precursor and capping agent. Reductive atmosphere and very high temperatures were avoided, while still attaining the desired structure, small particle sizes and divalent oxidation state of the lanthanide. Here, this opens the door for the development of new Ln 2+ doped nanomaterials. Here, the successful Eu 2+ incorporation was proven by optical spectroscopic measurements which showed the spin and parity allowed f-d transitions of Eu 2+ in CaF 2:Eu 2+/BaF 2:Eu 2+. 4f 7-4f 7 transitions could bemore » observed at low temperatures (7 K).« less

Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer analysis of Tm3+-doped BaF2-Ga2O3-GeO2-La2O3 glass.

PubMed

Yu, Shenglei; Yang, Zhongmin; Xu, Shanhui

2010-05-01

This paper reports on the spectroscopic properties and energy transfer analysis of Tm(3+)-doped BaF(2)-Ga(2)O(3)-GeO(2)-La(2)O(3) glasses with different Tm(2)O(3) doping concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 3.5, 4.0 wt%). Mid-IR fluorescence intensities in the range of 1,300 nm-2,200 nm have been measured when excited under an 808 nm LD for all the samples with the same pump power. Energy level structure and Judd-Ofelt parameters have been calculated based on the absorption spectra of Tm(3+), cross-relaxation rates and multi-phonon relaxation rates have been estimated with different Tm(2)O(3) doping concentrations. The maximum fluorescence intensity at around 1.8 mum has been obtained in Tm(2)O(3)-3 wt% sample and the maximum value of calculated stimulated emission cross-section of Tm(3+) in this sample is about 0.48 x 10(-20) cm(2) at 1,793 nm, and there is not any crystallization peak in the DSC curve of this sample, which indicate the potential utility of Tm(3+)-doped BaF(2)-Ga(2)O(3)-GeO(2)- La(2)O(3) glass for 2.0-microm optical fiber laser.

A LANGUAGE FOR MODULAR SPATIO-TEMPORAL SIMULATION (R824766)

EPA Science Inventory

Creating an effective environment for collaborative spatio-temporal model development will require computational systems that provide support for the user in three key areas: (1) Support for modular, hierarchical model construction and archiving/linking of simulation modules; (2)...

The Synthetic α-Bromo-2′,3,4,4′-Tetramethoxychalcone (α-Br-TMC) Inhibits the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway

PubMed Central

Brueggemann, Susanne; Besl, Elisabeth; Al-Rifai, Nafisah; Petkes, Hermina; Amslinger, Sabine; Rascle, Anne

2014-01-01

Signal transducer and activator of transcription STAT5 and its upstream activating kinase JAK2 are essential mediators of cytokine signaling. Their activity is normally tightly regulated and transient. However, constitutive activation of STAT5 is found in numerous cancers and a driving force for malignant transformation. We describe here the identification of the synthetic chalcone α-Br-2′,3,4,4′-tetramethoxychalcone (α-Br-TMC) as a novel JAK/STAT inhibitor. Using the non-transformed IL-3-dependent B cell line Ba/F3 and its oncogenic derivative Ba/F3-1*6 expressing constitutively activated STAT5, we show that α-Br-TMC targets the JAK/STAT pathway at multiple levels, inhibiting both JAK2 and STAT5 phosphorylation. Moreover, α-Br-TMC alters the mobility of STAT5A/B proteins in SDS-PAGE, indicating a change in their post-translational modification state. These alterations correlate with a decreased association of STAT5 and RNA polymerase II with STAT5 target genes in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Interestingly, expression of STAT5 target genes such as Cis and c-Myc was differentially regulated by α-Br-TMC in normal and cancer cells. While both genes were inhibited in IL-3-stimulated Ba/F3 cells, expression of the oncogene c-Myc was down-regulated and that of the tumor suppressor gene Cis was up-regulated in transformed Ba/F3-1*6 cells. The synthetic chalcone α-Br-TMC might therefore represent a promising novel anticancer agent for therapeutic intervention in STAT5-associated malignancies. PMID:24595334

Contract Oversight for Redistribution Property Assistance Team Operations in Afghanistan Needs Improvement

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-18

Aircraft Systems ( SUAS ) Project Office, located in Huntsville, AL, for reset. For return to the SUAS Project Office, 401st AFSB officials stated, the...representatives from SUAS Project Office contacted the 401st AFSB COR at BAF to state that the systems arrived in Huntsville, AL. However, prior to SUAS ...circumstances behind the loss. AC First’s research identified that AC First shipped the systems to SUAS officials at BAF instead of the BAF RPAT

Comparison of denitrifier communities in the biofilms of bioaugmented and non-augmented zeolite-biological aerated filters.

PubMed

Bai, Yaohui; Sun, Qinghua; Sun, Renhua; Wen, Donghui; Tang, Xiaoyan

2012-09-01

The denitrifier communities of a bioaugmented and non-augmented zeolite-biological aerated filter (Z-BAFs) were investigated and compared because the bioaugmented Z-BAF provided better and more stable treatment efficiency for nitrate and nitrite removal. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and reverse transcription T-RFLP (RT-T-RFLP) were applied to analyse the denitrifier community diversity in the biofilm collected from each Z-BAF. The results showed that the bioaugmentation technology favourably changed the indigenous denitrifier community and enhanced denitrification under nitrogen loading shocks. The cDNA clone libraries were developed to explore the active denitrifier community structures of both filters. The results showed that the active denitrifiers in both the bioaugmented and non-bioaugmented Z-BAF belonged to alpha-, beta- and gamma-proteobacteria. However, the sequence of the introduced denitrifier (Paracoccus sp. BW001) was not found in the clone library of the bioaugmented filter, which implied that the removal of nitrate and nitrite was attributed mainly to the indigenous denitrifiers in the adjusted bacterial community in the bioaugmented Z-BAF.

Preparation and properties of banana fiber-reinforced composites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE)/Nylon-6 blends.

PubMed

Liu, H; Wu, Q; Zhang, Q

2009-12-01

Banana fiber (BaF)-filled composites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE)/Nylon-6 blends were prepared via a two-step extrusion method. Maleic anhydride grafted styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene triblock polymer (SEBS-g-MA) and maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA) were used to enhance impact performance and interfacial bonding between BaF and the resins. Mechanical, crystallization/melting, thermal stability, water absorption, and morphological properties of the composites were investigated. In the presence of SEBS-g-MA, better strengths and moduli were found for HDPE/Nylon-6 based composites compared with corresponding HDPE based composites. At a fixed weight ratio of PE-g-MA to BaF, an increase of BaF loading up to 48.2 wt.% led to a continuous improvement in moduli and flexural strength of final composites, while impact toughness was lowered gradually. Predicted tensile modulus by the Hones-Paul model for three-dimensional random fiber orientation agreed well with experimental data at the BaF loading of 29.3 wt.%. However, the randomly-oriented fiber models underestimated experimental data at higher fiber levels. It was found that the presence of SEBS-g-MA had a positive influence on reinforcing effect of the Nylon-6 component in the composites. Thermal analysis results showed that fractionated crystallization of the Nylon-6 component in the composites was induced by the addition of both SEBS-g-MA and PE-g-MA. Thermal stability of both composite systems differed slightly, except an additional decomposition peak related to the minor Nylon-6 for the composites from the HDPE/Nylon-6 blends. In the presence of SEBS-g-MA, the addition of Nylon-6 and increased BaF loading level led to an increase in the water absorption value of the composites.

Assisted phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil from a mined site with Typha latifolia and Chrysopogon zizanioides.

PubMed

Anning, Alexander Kofi; Akoto, Ruth

2018-02-01

Chemically assisted phytoremediation is fast gaining attention as a biotechnology to accelerate heavy metal removal from contaminated substrates, but how different chemical amendments affect the process remains an important research question. Here, bioaccumulation factor (BAF), translocation factor (TF), removal efficiency (RE) and uptake of Hg, As, Pb, Cu and Zn by cattail (Typha latifolia) and vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) were quantified in a potted experiment to determine the effects of amendments on the phytoremediation success. Baseline concentrations of heavy metals within the studied mined site were determined. The experiment involved three soil treatments (each comprising 16 samples amended with 0.05mol/L ethylene di-aminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 3g of aluminum sulfate [Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ], and unamended control) transplanted with equal numbers of vetiver and cattail. Growth performance (height) of plant species was monitored every two weeks. Sixteen weeks after transplanting, heavy metal levels in plant and soil samples were quantified following standard protocols, and the biomass and root length measured for each plant species. Results indicated strong negative impact of mining activities on heavy metal levels of soil in the study area. Soil amendment considerably enhanced the BAF, TF, RE and uptake but the effect varied with plant species and heavy metal in question. The amendment also stimulated strong positive correlation between RE and BAF, TF and metal uptake, and generally did not show any negative effects on plant growth performance. In general, soil amendment aided the accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in the plant species studied, and could be explored for cleaning up contaminated sites. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

BAF57 Modulation of Androgen Receptor Action and Prostate Cancer Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-01

mapped the AR binding site on BAF57 to the N-terminus (proline-rich region). Furthermore, the DBD and hinge region of AR also appear to play a...Accomplishments of Task 1: BAF57 binds to DNA binding domain ( DBD ) and hinge region of AR As outlined in the initial proposal, the first task...the above construct are the well-characterized zinc finger DNA binding domain ( DBD ) and the hinge region. Given the significant role of these two

BAF57 Modulation of Androgen Receptor Action and Prostate Cancer Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

has fine mapped the AR binding site on BAF57 to the N-terminus (proline-rich region). Furthermore, the DBD and hinge region of AR also appear to...Accomplishments of Task 1: BAF57 binds to DNA binding domain ( DBD ) and hinge region of AR As outlined in the initial proposal, the first task was to...construct are the well-characterized zinc finger DNA binding domain ( DBD ) and the hinge region. Given the significant role of these two domains in AR

Readout concepts for the suppression of the slow component of BaF2 for the upgrade of the TAPS spectrometer at ELSA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diehl, Stefan; Novotny, Rainer W.; Wohlfahrt, Benjamin; Beck, Reinhard

2015-02-01

For the measurement at extremely high interaction rates with fast scintillators, pile-up of consecutive events is a limiting factor. With a decay time of 600 ps of the fast crossluminescence component, Barium Fluoride (BaF2) is one of the fastest inorganic scintillators known today. However, the dominating slow component with a 3 orders of magnitude longer decay time of 630 ns limits the rate capability. To circumvent this limit, different approaches have been made in the past. The slow component can be suppressed for example by doping the crystals with rare earth ions like La3+. The paper will give an overview over the various concepts investigated in the past and present the suppression via optical band pass filters. This method has been chosen for the upgrade of the BaF2 crystals in the most forward region of the TAPS-spectrometer at ELSA in Bonn. It allows to reuse the existing crystals and to achieve a high degree of suppression of the slow component. The focus of the paper will be on the selection of the filters, the achievable rate capability and the energy resolution of the fast component.

Stimulation effect of electric current density (ECD) on microbial community of a three dimensional particle electrode coupled with biological aerated filter reactor (TDE-BAF).

PubMed

Feng, Yan; Li, Xing; Song, Ting; Yu, Yanzhen; Qi, Jingyao

2017-11-01

Improving the stimulation effect of electric current density (ECD) on microbial community is critical in designing and operating TDE-BAF. This study investigated the effect of ECD at 0.00, 4.08, 6.12, 12.20, 14.25, 16.30 and 20.20A·m -2 on the removal performance, diversity and structure of microbial community in TDE-BAF. Results indicated that the ECD of 14.25A·m -2 exhibited the highest COD, TOC and NH 4 + -N average removal rates with 93.33%, 91.26% and 93.87%, respectively; Under high ECD, especially exceeding 14.25A·m -2 , the inhibition of growth and activity because of plasmatorrhexis was in agreement with the sharp biomass decline; there was no significant relation between community richness and diversity and removal efficiency below optimum ECD, while above optimal ECD, it was just the opposite; Microbial communities mainly including Hydrogenophaga, Saprospiraceae_uncultured, Delftia, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, and Nitrosospira and physicochemical properties well explained the excellent removal performance at the optimum ECD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of C/N ratio on nitrous oxide production from nitrification in a laboratory-scale biological aerated filter reactor.

PubMed

He, Qiang; Zhu, Yinying; Fan, Leilei; Ai, Hainan; Huangfu, Xiaoliu; Chen, Mei

2017-03-01

Emission of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) during biological wastewater treatment is of growing concern. This paper reports findings of the effects of carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio on N 2 O production rates in a laboratory-scale biological aerated filter (BAF) reactor, focusing on the biofilm during nitrification. Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and microelectrode technology were utilized to evaluate the mechanisms associated with N 2 O production during wastewater treatment using BAF. Results indicated that the ability of N 2 O emission in biofilm at C/N ratio of 2 was much stronger than at C/N ratios of 5 and 8. PCR-DGGE analysis showed that the microbial community structures differed completely after the acclimatization at tested C/N ratios (i.e., 2, 5, and 8). Measurements of critical parameters including dissolved oxygen, oxidation reduction potential, NH 4 + -N, NO 3 - -N, and NO 2 - -N also demonstrated that the internal micro-environment of the biofilm benefit N 2 O production. DNA analysis showed that Proteobacteria comprised the majority of the bacteria, which might mainly result in N 2 O emission. Based on these results, C/N ratio is one of the parameters that play an important role in the N 2 O emission from the BAF reactors during nitrification.

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

Sturza, Mihai; Allred, Jared M.; Malliakas, Christos D.

Effecting and controlling ferromagnetic-like properties hi senticonductors has proven to be a complex problem, especially when approaching room temperature. Here, we demonstrate the important role of defects in the magnetic properties of semiconductors by reporting the structures and properties of the iron chalcogenides (BaF)(2)Fe2-x Q(3) (Q= S, Se), which exhibit anomalous Magnetic properties that are correlated' with detects in the Fe-sublattice, The compounds form in both long-range ordered and disordered polytypes of a new structure typified by the alternate stacking of fluorite (BaF)(2)(2+) and (Fe(2-x)Q(3))(2-) layers. The latter layers exhibit an ordered array of strong Pe-Pe dimers in edge-Sharing tetrahedra.more » Given the strong Fe-Fe interaction, it is expected that the Fe-Fe dimer is,antiferromagnetically coupled, yet crystals exhibit a Weak ferromagnetic moment that orders at relatively-high temperature: below 280-315 K and 240275 K for the sulfide and selenide analogues, respectively. This transition temperature positively correlates with the concentration of defect in the Fe-sublattice, as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Our results indicate that internal defects in Fe(2-x)Q(3) layers play an important role in dictating the magnetic properties of newly discovered (BaF)2Fe(2),Q-3, (Q= 5-, Se), which can yield switchable ferromagnetically ordered mother-its at or above room temperature.« less

Spectral properties and anti-Stokes luminescence of TeO2-BaF2:Ho3+, Ho3+/Yb3+ ceramics and glass excited by 1.9-μm radiation of a Tm:LiYF4 laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savikin, A. P.; Egorov, A. S.; Budruev, A. V.; Perunin, I. Yu.; Krasheninnikova, O. V.; Grishin, I. A.

2017-07-01

We demonstrate the up-conversion of Tm:LiYF4 infrared (IR) laser radiation with 1908-nm wavelength into visible light with a spectral maximum at 650 nm by ceramics with a composition of (100 - x)TeO2- xBaF2 - 1 wt % HoF3- yYbF3, where x = 20, 30, or 40 mol % and y = 0 or 0.5 wt %. The samples of 60TeO2-40BaF2 - 1 wt % HoF3 - 0.5 wt % YbF3 exhibited anti-Stokes luminescence at a threshold radiation power density of 1.0-1.5 W cm-2.

The modular socket system in a rural setting in Indonesia.

PubMed

Giesberts, Bob; Ennion, Liezel; Hjelmstrom, Olle; Karma, Agusni; Lechler, Knut; Hekman, Edsko; Bergsma, Arjen

2018-06-01

Prosthetic services are inaccessible to people living in rural areas. Systems like the modular socket system have the potential to be fabricated outside of the prosthetic workshop. This study aimed to evaluate the patient's performance and satisfaction with the use of the modular socket system, and the technical feasibility of its implementation in a rural setting. A quantitative longitudinal descriptive study design was followed. A total of 15 persons with a lower limb amputation were fitted with the modular socket system and followed over 4-6 months. Performance was measured using a 2-min walk test, 10-m walk test and mobility and function questionnaire. Satisfaction was measured by the Socket Fit Comfort Score, Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire and EuroQoL 5 Dimensions 5 Levels. Notes on technical feasibility were taken at the moment of fitting ( t 0 ), at 1-3 months post fitting ( t 1 ) and at the end evaluation at 4-6 months post fitting ( t 2 ). Performance did not change between t 0 and t 2 . The comfort of the socket fit reduced between t 0 and t 2 . Satisfaction with prosthesis and general health status stayed constant over time. The average fitting-time for the modular socket system was 6.4 h. The modular socket system can be considered a useful alternative for use in rural settings. Clinical relevance The use of the modular socket system is feasible and can improve accessibility to prosthetic technology in rural areas. Experienced prosthetic users were satisfied with the performance and the device. The shorter manufacturing time and use of only hand-held tools makes it an ideal alternative for use in remote and rural settings.

Composition of 298 Baptistina: Implications for the K/T impactor link

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reddy, V.; Emery, J. P.; Gaffey, M. J.; Bottke, W. F.; Cramer, A.; Kelley, M. S.

2009-01-01

Bottke et al. (2007) suggested that the breakup of the Baptistina asteroid family (BAF) 160+30 /-20 Myr ago produced an “asteroid shower” that increased by a factor of 2-3 the impact flux of kilometer-sized and larger asteroids striking the Earth over the last ~120 Myr. This result led them to propose that the impactor that produced the Cretaceous/Tertiary (K/T) mass extinction event 65 Myr ago also may have come from the BAF. This putative link was based both on collisional/dynamical modeling work and on physical evidence. For the latter, the available broadband color and spectroscopic data on BAF members indicate many are likely to be dark, low albedo asteroids. This is consistent with the carbonaceous chondrite-like nature of a 65 Myr old fossil meteorite (Kyte 1998)and with chromium from K/T boundary sediments with an isotopic signature similar to that from CM2 carbonaceous chondrites. To test elements of this scenario, we obtained near-IR and thermal IR spectroscopic data of asteroid 298 Baptistina using the NASA IRTF in order to determine surface mineralogy and estimate its albedo. We found that the asteroid has moderately strong absorption features due to the presence of olivine and pyroxene, and a moderately high albedo (~20%). These combined properties strongly suggest that the asteroid is more like an S-type rather than Xc-type (Mothé-Diniz et al. 2005). This weakens the case for 298 Baptistina being a CM2 carbonaceous chondrite and its link to the K/T impactor. We also observed several bright (V Mag. ≤16.8) BAF members to determine their composition.

Analysis of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex during early heart development and BAF250a repression cardiac gene transcription during P19 cell differentiation

PubMed Central

Singh, Ajeet Pratap; Archer, Trevor K.

2014-01-01

The regulatory networks of differentiation programs and the molecular mechanisms of lineage-specific gene regulation in mammalian embryos remain only partially defined. We document differential expression and temporal switching of BRG1-associated factor (BAF) subunits, core pluripotency factors and cardiac-specific genes during post-implantation development and subsequent early organogenesis. Using affinity purification of BRG1 ATPase coupled to mass spectrometry, we characterized the cardiac-enriched remodeling complexes present in E8.5 mouse embryos. The relative abundance and combinatorial assembly of the BAF subunits provides functional specificity to Switch/Sucrose NonFermentable (SWI/SNF) complexes resulting in a unique gene expression profile in the developing heart. Remarkably, the specific depletion of the BAF250a subunit demonstrated differential effects on cardiac-specific gene expression and resulted in arrhythmic contracting cardiomyocytes in vitro. Indeed, the BAF250a physically interacts and functionally cooperates with Nucleosome Remodeling and Histone Deacetylase (NURD) complex subunits to repressively regulate chromatin structure of the cardiac genes by switching open and poised chromatin marks associated with active and repressed gene expression. Finally, BAF250a expression modulates BRG1 occupancy at the loci of cardiac genes regulatory regions in P19 cell differentiation. These findings reveal specialized and novel cardiac-enriched SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complexes, which are required for heart formation and critical for cardiac gene expression regulation at the early stages of heart development. PMID:24335282

An approach for fixed coefficient RNS-based FIR filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivasa Reddy, Kotha; Sahoo, Subhendu Kumar

2017-08-01

In this work, an efficient new modular multiplication method for {2k-1, 2k, 2k+1-1} moduli set is proposed to implement a residue number system (RNS)-based fixed coefficient finite impulse response filter. The new multiplication approach reduces the number of partial products by using pre-loaded product block. The reduction in partial products with the proposed modular multiplication improves the clock frequency and reduces the area and power as compared with the conventional modular multiplication. Further, the present approach eliminates a binary number to residue number converter circuit, which is usually needed at the front end of RNS-based system. In this work, two fixed coefficient filter architectures with the new modular multiplication approach are proposed. The filters are implemented using Verilog hardware description language. The United Microelectronics Corporation 90 nm technology library has been used for synthesis and the results area, power and delay are obtained with the help of Cadence register transfer level compiler. The power delay product (PDP) is also considered for performance comparison among the proposed filters. One of the proposed architecture is found to improve PDP gain by 60.83% as compared with the filter implemented with conventional modular multiplier. The filters functionality is validated with the help of Altera DSP Builder.

Repressive LTR Nucleosome Positioning by the BAF Complex Is Required for HIV Latency

PubMed Central

Hakre, Shweta; Moshkin, Yuri; Verdin, Eric; Mahmoudi, Tokameh

2011-01-01

Persistence of a reservoir of latently infected memory T cells provides a barrier to HIV eradication in treated patients. Several reports have implicated the involvement of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes in restricting early steps in HIV infection, in coupling the processes of integration and remodeling, and in promoter/LTR transcription activation and repression. However, the mechanism behind the seemingly contradictory involvement of SWI/SNF in the HIV life cycle remains unclear. Here we addressed the role of SWI/SNF in regulation of the latent HIV LTR before and after transcriptional activation. We determined the predicted nucleosome affinity of the LTR sequence and found a striking reverse correlation when compared to the strictly positioned in vivo LTR nucleosomal structure; sequences encompassing the DNase hypersensitive regions displayed the highest nucleosome affinity, while the strictly positioned nucleosomes displayed lower affinity for nucleosome formation. To examine the mechanism behind this reverse correlation, we used a combinatorial approach to determine DNA accessibility, histone occupancy, and the unique recruitment and requirement of BAF and PBAF, two functionally distinct subclasses of SWI/SNF at the LTR of HIV-infected cells before and after activation. We find that establishment and maintenance of HIV latency requires BAF, which removes a preferred nucleosome from DHS1 to position the repressive nucleosome-1 over energetically sub-optimal sequences. Depletion of BAF resulted in de-repression of HIV latency concomitant with a dramatic alteration in the LTR nucleosome profile as determined by high resolution MNase nucleosomal mapping. Upon activation, BAF was lost from the HIV promoter, while PBAF was selectively recruited by acetylated Tat to facilitate LTR transcription. Thus BAF and PBAF, recruited during different stages of the HIV life cycle, display opposing function on the HIV promoter. Our data point to the ATP-dependent BRG1 component of BAF as a putative therapeutic target to deplete the latent reservoir in patients. PMID:22140357

Repressive LTR nucleosome positioning by the BAF complex is required for HIV latency.

PubMed

Rafati, Haleh; Parra, Maribel; Hakre, Shweta; Moshkin, Yuri; Verdin, Eric; Mahmoudi, Tokameh

2011-11-01

Persistence of a reservoir of latently infected memory T cells provides a barrier to HIV eradication in treated patients. Several reports have implicated the involvement of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes in restricting early steps in HIV infection, in coupling the processes of integration and remodeling, and in promoter/LTR transcription activation and repression. However, the mechanism behind the seemingly contradictory involvement of SWI/SNF in the HIV life cycle remains unclear. Here we addressed the role of SWI/SNF in regulation of the latent HIV LTR before and after transcriptional activation. We determined the predicted nucleosome affinity of the LTR sequence and found a striking reverse correlation when compared to the strictly positioned in vivo LTR nucleosomal structure; sequences encompassing the DNase hypersensitive regions displayed the highest nucleosome affinity, while the strictly positioned nucleosomes displayed lower affinity for nucleosome formation. To examine the mechanism behind this reverse correlation, we used a combinatorial approach to determine DNA accessibility, histone occupancy, and the unique recruitment and requirement of BAF and PBAF, two functionally distinct subclasses of SWI/SNF at the LTR of HIV-infected cells before and after activation. We find that establishment and maintenance of HIV latency requires BAF, which removes a preferred nucleosome from DHS1 to position the repressive nucleosome-1 over energetically sub-optimal sequences. Depletion of BAF resulted in de-repression of HIV latency concomitant with a dramatic alteration in the LTR nucleosome profile as determined by high resolution MNase nucleosomal mapping. Upon activation, BAF was lost from the HIV promoter, while PBAF was selectively recruited by acetylated Tat to facilitate LTR transcription. Thus BAF and PBAF, recruited during different stages of the HIV life cycle, display opposing function on the HIV promoter. Our data point to the ATP-dependent BRG1 component of BAF as a putative therapeutic target to deplete the latent reservoir in patients.

Removal of antibiotics from piggery wastewater by biological aerated filter system: Treatment efficiency and biodegradation kinetics.

PubMed

Chen, Jun; Liu, You-Sheng; Zhang, Jin-Na; Yang, Yong-Qiang; Hu, Li-Xin; Yang, Yuan-Yuan; Zhao, Jian-Liang; Chen, Fan-Rong; Ying, Guang-Guo

2017-08-01

This study aimed to investigate the removal efficiency and mechanism for antibiotics in swine wastewater by a biological aerated filter system (BAF system) in combination with laboratory aerobic and anaerobic incubation experiments. Nine antibiotics including sulfamonomethoxine, sulfachloropyridazine, sulfamethazine, trimethoprim, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, lincomycin, leucomycin and oxytetracycline were detected in the wastewater with concentrations up to 192,000ng/L. The results from this pilot study showed efficient removals (>82%) of the conventional wastewater pollutants (BOD 5 , COD, TN and NH 3 -N) and the detected nine antibiotics by the BAF system. Laboratory simulation experiment showed first-order dissipation kinetics for the nine antibiotics in the wastewater under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The biodegradation kinetic parameters successfully predicted the fate of the nine antibiotics in the BAF system. This suggests that biodegradation was the dominant process for antibiotic removal in the BAF system. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Swift heavy-ions induced sputtering in BaF2 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, Ratnesh K.; Kumar, Manvendra; Singh, Udai B.; Khan, Saif A.; Avasthi, D. K.; Pandey, Avinash C.

2013-11-01

In our present experiment a series of barium fluoride thin films of different thicknesses have been deposited by electron beam evaporation technique at room temperature on silicon substrates. The effect of film thickness on the electronic sputter yield of polycrystalline BaF2 thin films has been reported in the present work. Power law for sputtered species collected on catcher grids has also been reported for film of lowest thickness. Sputtering has been performed by 100 MeV Au+28 ions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been done to check the surface morphology of pristine samples. Glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD) measurements show that the pristine films are polycrystalline in nature and the grain size increases with increase in film thickness. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) of pristine as well as irradiated films was done to determine the areal concentration of Ba and F atoms in the films. A reduction in the sputter yield of BaF2 films with the increase in film thickness has been observed from RBS results. The thickness dependence sputtering is explained on the basis of thermal spike and the energy confinement of the ions in the smaller grains. Also transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the catchers shows a size distribution of sputtered species with values of power law exponent 1/2 and 3/2 for two fluences 5 × 1011 and 1 × 1012 ions/cm2, respectively.

Manganese Vanadate Chemistry in Hydrothermal BaF 2 Brines: Ba 3 Mn 2 (V 2 O 7 ) 2 F 2 and Ba 7 Mn 8 O 2 (VO 4 ) 2 F 23

DOE PAGES

Sanjeewa, Liurukara D.; McMillen, Colin D.; McGuire, Michael A.; ...

2016-12-05

We synthesized manganese vanadate fluorides using high-temperature hydrothermal techniques with BaF 2 as a mineralizer. Ba 3Mn 2(V 2O 7) 2F 2 crystallizes in space group C2/c and consists of dimers built from edge-sharing MnO 4F 2 trigonal prisms with linking V 2O 7 groups. Ba 7Mn 8O 2(VO 4) 2F 23 crystallizes in space group Cmmm, with a manganese oxyfluoride network built from edge- and corner-sharing Mn 2+/3+(O,F) 6 octahedra. The resulting octahedra form alternating Mn 2+ and Mn 2+/3+ layers separated by VO 4 tetrahedra. This latter compound exhibits a canted antiferromagnetic order below TN = 25 K.

Accumulation of heavy metal in scalp hair of people exposed in Beijing sewage discharge channel sewage irrigation area in Tianjin, China.

PubMed

Wang, Zuwei; Yu, Xiaoman; Geng, Mingshuo; Wang, Zilu; Wang, Qianqian; Zeng, Xiangfeng

2017-05-01

Heavy metal concentrations in soil, wheat, and scalp hair exposed to Beijing sewage discharge channel sewage irrigation area (BSIA) in Tianjin were studied to evaluate the influence of sewage irrigation. Results showed that the continuous application of wastewater has led to an accumulation of heavy metals in the soil, with 55.2 and 8.62% of soil samples accumulating Cd and Zn, respectively, at concentrations exceeding the permissible limits in China. Concentrations of heavy metals in wheat grain from BSIA were higher than these from the clean water irrigation area by 63.2% for Cd, 3.8% for Cu, 100% for Pb, 6.6% for Zn, and 326.7% for Cr. The heavy metal bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of wheat/soil in BSIA showed the following order: Zn > Cd > Cu > Pb > Cr. Interestingly, these accumulation of heavy metals in soil after sewage irrigation could increase the migration ability of heavy metals (particularly Zn and Cd) from soil to wheat. Mean concentrations of heavy metals in the hair of residents followed the decreasing trend of Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd, which were higher than the control area by 110.0% for Cd, 20.0% for Cu, 55.9% for Zn, 36.6% for Pb, and 64.6% for Cr. Concentrations of heavy metals in male human hair in BSIA were higher than those of females. And the concentrations of heavy metals except for Pb in human hair increased with their increasing ages. The heavy metal BAF values of wheat/soil in BSIA showed the trend of Zn (98.0057) > Pb (7.0162) > Cr (5.5788) > Cu (5.4853) > Cd (3.5584); heavy metals had obvious biological amplification from wheat to human hair. These results indicated that local population health was potentially exposed to the heavy metal risk via wheat consumption.

Epigenetic remodeling and modification to preserve skeletogenesis in vivo.

PubMed

Godfrey, Tanner C; Wildman, Benjamin J; Javed, Amjad; Lengner, Christopher J; Hassan, Mohammad Quamarul

2018-12-01

Current studies offer little insight on how epigenetic remodeling of bone-specific chromatin maintains bone mass in vivo. Understanding this gap and precise mechanism is pivotal for future therapeutic innovation to prevent bone loss. Recently, we found that low bone mass is associated with decreased H3K27 acetylation (activating histone modification) of bone specific gene promoters. Here, we aim to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms by which a miRNA cluster controls bone synthesis and homeostasis by regulating chromatin accessibility and H3K27 acetylation. In order to decipher the epigenetic axis that regulates osteogenesis, we studied a drug inducible anti-miR-23a cluster (miR-23a Cl ZIP ) knockdown mouse model. MiR-23a cluster knockdown (heterozygous) mice developed high bone mass. These mice displayed increased expression of Runx2 and Baf45a, essential factors for skeletogenesis; and decreased expression of Ezh2, a chromatin repressor indispensable for skeletogenesis. ChIP assays using miR-23a Cl knockdown calvarial cells revealed a BAF45A-EZH2 epigenetic antagonistic mechanism that maintains bone formation. Together, our findings support that the miR-23a Cl connection with tissue-specific RUNX2-BAF45A-EZH2 function is a novel molecular epigenetic axis through which a miRNA cluster orchestrates chromatin modification to elicit major effects on osteogenesis in vivo.

Optimizing Stream Water Mercury Sampling for Calculation of Fish Bioaccumulation Factors

EPA Science Inventory

Mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for game fishes are widely employed for monitoring, assessment, and regulatory purposes. Mercury BAFs are calculated as the fish Hg concentration (Hgfish) divided by the water Hg concentration (Hgwater) and, consequently, are sensitive ...

Novel synthetic lethality screening method identifies TIP60-dependent radiation sensitivity in the absence of BAF180.

PubMed

Hopkins, Suzanna R; McGregor, Grant A; Murray, Johanne M; Downs, Jessica A; Savic, Velibor

2016-10-01

In recent years, research into synthetic lethality and how it can be exploited in cancer treatments has emerged as major focus in cancer research. However, the lack of a simple to use, sensitive and standardised assay to test for synthetic interactions has been slowing the efforts. Here we present a novel approach to synthetic lethality screening based on co-culturing two syngeneic cell lines containing individual fluorescent tags. By associating shRNAs for a target gene or control to individual fluorescence labels, we can easily follow individual cell fates upon siRNA treatment and high content imaging. We have demonstrated that the system can recapitulate the functional defects of the target gene depletion and is capable of discovering novel synthetic interactors and phenotypes. In a trial screen, we show that TIP60 exhibits synthetic lethality interaction with BAF180, and that in the absence of TIP60, there is an increase micronuclei dependent on the level of BAF180 loss, significantly above levels seen with BAF180 present. Moreover, the severity of the interactions correlates with proxy measurements of BAF180 knockdown efficacy, which may expand its usefulness to addressing synthetic interactions through titratable hypomorphic gene expression. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Suppressing dengue-2 infection by chemical inhibition of Aedes aegypti host factors.

PubMed

Kang, Seokyoung; Shields, Alicia R; Jupatanakul, Natapong; Dimopoulos, George

2014-08-01

Dengue virus host factors (DENV HFs) that are essential for the completion of the infection cycle in the mosquito vector and vertebrate host represent potent targets for transmission blocking. Here we investigated whether known mammalian DENV HF inhibitors could influence virus infection in the arthropod vector A. aegypti. We evaluated the potency of bafilomycin (BAF; inhibitor of vacuolar H+-ATPase (vATPase)), mycophenolic acid (MPA; inhibitor of inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH)), castanospermine (CAS; inhibitor of glucosidase), and deoxynojirimycin (DNJ; inhibitor of glucosidase) in blocking DENV infection of the mosquito midgut, using various treatment methods that included direct injection, ingestion by sugar feeding or blood feeding, and silencing of target genes by RNA interference (RNAi). Injection of BAF (5 µM) and MPA (25 µM) prior to feeding on virus-infected blood inhibited DENV titers in the midgut at 7 days post-infection by 56% and 60%, and in the salivary gland at 14 days post-infection by 90% and 83%, respectively, while treatment of mosquitoes with CAS or DNJ did not affect susceptibility to the virus. Ingestion of BAF and MPA through a sugar meal or together with an infectious blood meal also resulted in various degrees of virus inhibition. RNAi-mediated silencing of several vATPase subunit genes and the IMPDH gene resulted in a reduced DENV infection, thereby indicating that BAF- and MPA-mediated virus inhibition in adult mosquitoes most likely occurred through the inhibition of these DENV HFs. The route and timing of BAF and MPA administration was essential, and treatment after exposure to the virus diminished the antiviral effect of these compounds. Here we provide proof-of-principle that chemical inhibition or RNAi-mediated depletion of the DENV HFs vATPase and IMPDH can be used to suppress DENV infection of adult A. aegypti mosquitoes, which may translate to a reduction in DENV transmission.

1887 nm lasing in Tm3+-doped TeO2-BaF2-Y2O3 glass microstructured fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shunbin; Yao, Chuanfei; Jia, Zhixu; Qin, Guanshi; Qin, Weiping

2017-04-01

In this paper, we demonstrate ∼2 μm lasing in Tm3+-doped fluorotellurite microstructured fibers. The Tm3+-doped fibers are based on TeO2-BaF2-Y2O3 glasses and fabricated by using a rod-in-tube method. Under the pump of a 1570 nm Er3+-doped fiber laser, lasing at 1887 nm is obtained in a ∼42.5 cm long Tm3+-doped fiber with a threshold pump power of 94 mW. As the pump power increases to 780 mW, the obtained maximum unsaturated power reaches up to ∼408 mW with a slop efficiency of ∼58.1%. This result indicates that the Tm3+-doped fluorotellurite fibers are promising gain media for ∼2 μm fiber lasers.

O-Linked β-N-Acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) Regulates Emerin Binding to Barrier to Autointegration Factor (BAF) in a Chromatin- and Lamin B-enriched “Niche”*

PubMed Central

Berk, Jason M.; Maitra, Sushmit; Dawdy, Andrew W.; Shabanowitz, Jeffrey; Hunt, Donald F.; Wilson, Katherine L.

2013-01-01

Emerin, a membrane component of nuclear “lamina” networks with lamins and barrier to autointegration factor (BAF), is highly O-GlcNAc-modified (“O-GlcNAcylated”) in mammalian cells. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed eight sites of O-GlcNAcylation, including Ser-53, Ser-54, Ser-87, Ser-171, and Ser-173. Emerin O-GlcNAcylation was reduced ∼50% by S53A or S54A mutation in vitro and in vivo. O-GlcNAcylation was reduced ∼66% by the triple S52A/S53A/S54A mutant, and S173A reduced O-GlcNAcylation of the S52A/S53A/S54A mutant by ∼30%, in vivo. We separated two populations of emerin, A-type lamins and BAF; one population solubilized easily, and the other required sonication and included histones and B-type lamins. Emerin and BAF associated only in histone- and lamin-B-containing fractions. The S173D mutation specifically and selectively reduced GFP-emerin association with BAF by 58% and also increased GFP-emerin hyper-phosphorylation. We conclude that β-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, an essential enzyme, controls two regions in emerin. The first region, defined by residues Ser-53 and Ser-54, flanks the LEM domain. O-GlcNAc modification at Ser-173, in the second region, is proposed to promote emerin association with BAF in the chromatin/lamin B “niche.” These results reveal direct control of a conserved LEM domain nuclear lamina component by β-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, a nutrient sensor that regulates cell stress responses, mitosis, and epigenetics. PMID:24014020

From neural development to cognition: unexpected roles for chromatin

PubMed Central

Ronan, Jehnna L.; Wu, Wei

2014-01-01

Recent genome-sequencing studies in human neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders have uncovered mutations in many chromatin regulators. These human genetic studies, along with studies in model organisms, are providing insight into chromatin regulatory mechanisms in neural development and how alterations to these mechanisms can cause cognitive deficits, such as intellectual disability. We discuss several implicated chromatin regulators, including BAF (also known as SWI/SNF) and CHD8 chromatin remodellers, HDAC4 and the Polycomb component EZH2. Interestingly, mutations in EZH2 and certain BAF complex components have roles in both neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer, and overlapping point mutations are suggesting functionally important residues and domains. We speculate on the contribution of these similar mutations to disparate disorders. PMID:23568486

A SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodelling Protein Controls Cytokinin Production through the Regulation of Chromatin Architecture

PubMed Central

Jégu, Teddy; Domenichini, Séverine; Blein, Thomas; Ariel, Federico; Christ, Aurélie; Kim, Soon-Kap; Crespi, Martin; Boutet-Mercey, Stéphanie; Mouille, Grégory; Bourge, Mickaël; Hirt, Heribert; Bergounioux, Catherine; Raynaud, Cécile; Benhamed, Moussa

2015-01-01

Chromatin architecture determines transcriptional accessibility to DNA and consequently gene expression levels in response to developmental and environmental stimuli. Recently, chromatin remodelers such as SWI/SNF complexes have been recognized as key regulators of chromatin architecture. To gain insight into the function of these complexes during root development, we have analyzed Arabidopsis knock-down lines for one sub-unit of SWI/SNF complexes: BAF60. Here, we show that BAF60 is a positive regulator of root development and cell cycle progression in the root meristem via its ability to down-regulate cytokinin production. By opposing both the deposition of active histone marks and the formation of a chromatin regulatory loop, BAF60 negatively regulates two crucial target genes for cytokinin biosynthesis (IPT3 and IPT7) and one cell cycle inhibitor (KRP7). Our results demonstrate that SWI/SNF complexes containing BAF60 are key factors governing the equilibrium between formation and dissociation of a chromatin loop controlling phytohormone production and cell cycle progression. PMID:26457678

Novel and easy access to highly luminescent Eu and Tb doped ultra-small CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2 nanoparticles - structure and luminescence.

PubMed

Ritter, Benjamin; Haida, Philipp; Fink, Friedrich; Krahl, Thoralf; Gawlitza, Kornelia; Rurack, Knut; Scholz, Gudrun; Kemnitz, Erhard

2017-02-28

A universal fast and easy access at room temperature to transparent sols of nanoscopic Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ doped CaF 2 , SrF 2 and BaF 2 particles via the fluorolytic sol-gel synthesis route is presented. Monodisperse quasi-spherical nanoparticles with sizes of 3-20 nm are obtained with up to 40% rare earth doping showing red or green luminescence. In the beginning luminescence quenching effects are only observed for the highest content, which demonstrates the unique and outstanding properties of these materials. From CaF 2 :Eu10 via SrF 2 :Eu10 to BaF 2 :Eu10 a steady increase of the luminescence intensity and lifetime occurs by a factor of ≈2; the photoluminescence quantum yield increases by 29 to 35% due to the lower phonon energy of the matrix. The fast formation process of the particles within fractions of seconds is clearly visualized by exploiting appropriate luminescence processes during the synthesis. Multiply doped particles are also available by this method. Fine tuning of the luminescence properties is achieved by variation of the Ca-to-Sr ratio. Co-doping with Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ results in a huge increase (>50 times) of the green luminescence intensity due to energy transfer Ce 3+ → Tb 3+ . In this case, the luminescence intensity is higher for CaF 2 than for SrF 2 , due to a lower spatial distance of the rare earth ions.

Chemical Interaction between High-Tc Superconducting Oxides and Alkaline Earth Fluorides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashimoto, Takuya; Asakawa, Toshiaki; Shiraishi, Tadashi; Yoshida, Tsutomu; Yoshimoto, Mamoru; Koinuma, Hideomi

1989-07-01

Reactions of high-Tc superconductors and MF2 (M: Ca, Sr, Ba) were investigated by means of ac susceptibility, X-ray diffraction, and TG-DTA measurements. The superconducting transition temperature (Tconset) of Ba2YCu3O7-δ powder mixed with MF2 powder decreased as a result of heat treatment at 600°C in air, whereas it did not decrease by the heat treatment under carefully dried conditions. In contrast, neither of the heat-treatment conditions decreased the Tconset of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox mixed with MF2 powder. Heating with MF2 at temperatures higher than 700°C reduced volume fractions of these superconductors even in dry atmosphere and the reactivity increased in the order of BaF2

Fibroblast Growth Factor-based Signaling through Synthetic Heparan Sulfate Blocks Copolymers Studied Using High Cell Density Three-dimensional Cell Printing*

PubMed Central

Sterner, Eric; Masuko, Sayaka; Li, Guoyun; Li, Lingyun; Green, Dixy E.; Otto, Nigel J.; Xu, Yongmei; DeAngelis, Paul L.; Liu, Jian; Dordick, Jonathan S.; Linhardt, Robert J.

2014-01-01

Four well-defined heparan sulfate (HS) block copolymers containing S-domains (high sulfo group content) placed adjacent to N-domains (low sulfo group content) were chemoenzymatically synthesized and characterized. The domain lengths in these HS block co-polymers were ∼40 saccharide units. Microtiter 96-well and three-dimensional cell-based microarray assays utilizing murine immortalized bone marrow (BaF3) cells were developed to evaluate the activity of these HS block co-polymers. Each recombinant BaF3 cell line expresses only a single type of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) but produces neither HS nor fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). In the presence of different FGFs, BaF3 cell proliferation showed clear differences for the four HS block co-polymers examined. These data were used to examine the two proposed signaling models, the symmetric FGF2-HS2-FGFR2 ternary complex model and the asymmetric FGF2-HS1-FGFR2 ternary complex model. In the symmetric FGF2-HS2-FGFR2 model, two acidic HS chains bind in a basic canyon located on the top face of the FGF2-FGFR2 protein complex. In this model the S-domains at the non-reducing ends of the two HS proteoglycan chains are proposed to interact with the FGF2-FGFR2 protein complex. In contrast, in the asymmetric FGF2-HS1-FGFR2 model, a single HS chain interacts with the FGF2-FGFR2 protein complex through a single S-domain that can be located at any position within an HS chain. Our data comparing a series of synthetically prepared HS block copolymers support a preference for the symmetric FGF2-HS2-FGFR2 ternary complex model. PMID:24563485

Bioabsorption and Bioaccumulation of Cadmium in the Straw and Grain of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Growing Soils Contaminated with Cadmium in Different Environment.

PubMed

Retamal-Salgado, Jorge; Hirzel, Juan; Walter, Ingrid; Matus, Iván

2017-11-16

There is a worldwide increase of heavy metal or potentially toxic element (PTE), contamination in agricultural soils caused mainly by human and industrial action, which leads to food contamination in crops such as in maize. Cadmium (Cd) is a PTE often found in soils and it is ingested through food. It is necessary to determine the bioabsorption, distribution, and accumulation levels in maize to reduce or prevent food chain contamination. Cadmium absorption and accumulation in three maize cultivars were evaluated in three agricultural environments in Chile by increasing CdCl₂ rates (0, 1, and 2 mg·kg -1 ). Evaluation included Cd accumulation and distribution in different plant tissues, bioaccumulation factor (BAF), bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), and tolerance index (TI). Cadmium whole-plant uptake was only affected by the CdCl₂ rate; the highest uptake was obtained with 2 mg·kg -1 CdCl₂ (34.4 g·ha -1 ) ( p < 0.05). Cadmium distribution in the maize plant usually exhibited the highest accumulation in the straw ( p < 0.05), independently of the environment, Cd rate, and evaluated cultivar. Given the results for TF (TF > 2) and BAF (BAF > 1), the Los Tilos and Chillán environments were classified as having a high capacity to contaminate the food chain for all evaluated cultivars.

Crystal growth of YBCO coated conductors by TFA MOD method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshizumi, M.; Nakanishi, T.; Matsuda, J.; Nakaoka, K.; Sutoh, Y.; Izumi, T.; Shiohara, Y.

2008-09-01

The crystal growth mechanism of TFA (trifluoroacetates)-MOD (metal organic deposition) derived YBa 2Cu 3O y has been investigated to understand the process for higher production rates of the conversion process. YBCO films were prepared by TFA-MOD on CeO 2/Gd 2Zr 2O 7/Hastelloy C276 substrates. The growth rates of YBCO derived from Y:Ba:Cu = 1:2:3 and 1:1.5:3 starting solutions were investigated by XRD and TEM analyses. YBCO growth proceeds in two steps of the epitaxial one from the substrate and solid state reaction. The overall growth rate estimated from the residual amounts of BaF 2 with time measured by XRD is proportional to a square root of P(H 2O). The trend was independent of the composition of starting solutions, however, the growth rate obtained from the 1:1.5:3 starting solutions was high as twice as that of 1:2:3, which could not be explained by the composition of BaF 2 included in the precursor films. On the other hand, the growth rate measured from the thickness of the YBCO quenched film at the same process time showed no difference between the samples of 1:2:3 and 1:1.5:3. The epitaxial growth rate of 1:1.5:3 was also the same as the overall growth rate of that, which means there was no solid state reaction to form YBCO after the epitaxial growth. The YBCO growth mechanism was found to be as follows; YBCO crystals nucleate at the surface of the substrate and epitaxially grow into the precursor by layer-by-layer by a manner with trapping unreacted particles. The amounts of YBCO and the unreacted particles trapped in the YBCO film are independent of the composition of the starting solution in this step. Unreacted particles react with each other to form YBCO and pores by solid state reaction as long as there is BaF 2 left in the film. The Ba-poor starting solution gives little BaF 2 left in the film and so the solid state reaction is completed within a short time, resulting in the fast overall growth rate.

Crystallization of heavy metal fluoride glasses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.; Bruce, Allan J.; Doremus, R. H.; Moynihan, C. T.

1984-01-01

The kinetics of crystallization of a number of fluorozirconate glasses were studied using isothermal and dynamic differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The addition of the fluorides LiF, NaF, AlF3, LaF3 to a base glass composition of ZrF4-BaF2 reduced the tendency to crystallize, probably by modifying the viscosity-temperature relation. ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF glass was the most stable against devitrification and perhaps is the best composition for optical fibers with low scattering loss. Some glasses first crystallize out into metastable beta-BaZr2F10 and beta-BaZrF6 phases, which transform into the most stable alpha-phases when heated to higher temperatures. The size of the crystallites was estimated to be about 600 A from X-ray diffraction.

Earthworm bioassays and seedling emergence for monitoring toxicity, aging and bioaccumulation of anthropogenic waste indicator compounds in biosolids-amended soil

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kinney, Chad A.; Campbell, Bryan R.; Thompson, Regina; Furlong, Edward T.; Kolpin, Dana W.; Burkhardt, Mark R.; Zaugg, Steven D.; Werner, Stephen L.; Hay, Anthony G.

2012-01-01

Land application of biosolids (treated sewage sludge) can be an important route for introducing xenobiotic compounds into terrestrial environments. There is a paucity of available information on the effects of biosolids amendment on terrestrial organisms. In this study, the influence of biosolids and biosolids aging on earthworm (Eisenia fetida) reproduction and survival and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seedling emergence was investigated. Earthworms were exposed to soils amended with varying quantities of biosolids (0, 1, 2, 3, or 4% dry mass). To investigate the influence of biosolids aging, the biosolids used in the study were aged for differing lengths of time (2 or 8 weeks) prior to exposure. All of the adult earthworms survived in the biosolids–amended soils at all concentrations that were aged for 2 weeks; however, only 20% of the adults survived in the soil amended with the highest concentration of biosolids and aged for 8 weeks. Reproduction as measured by mean number of juveniles and unhatched cocoons produced per treatment correlated inversely with biosolids concentration, although the effects were generally more pronounced in the 8-week aged biosolids–soil samples. Latent seedling emergence and reduced seedling fitness correlated inversely with biosolids concentration, but these effects were tempered in the 8-week aged versus the 2-week aged soil–biosolids mixtures. Anthropogenic waste indicator compounds (AWIs) were measured in the biosolids, biosolids–soil mixtures, and earthworm samples. Where possible, bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were calculated or estimated. A wide variety of AWIs were detected in the biosolids (51 AWIs) and earthworm samples (≤ 19 AWI). The earthworms exposed to the 8-week aged biosolids–soil mixtures tended to accumulate greater quantities of AWIs compared to the 2-week aged mixture, suggesting that the bioavailability of some AWIs was enhanced with aging. The BAFs for a given AWI varied with treatment. Notably large BAFs were determined for some AWIs. For example, the maximum BAF determined for para-cresol, methyl salicylate, bisphenol-A, and cholesterol was greater than 100 in some treatments.

Transforming properties of the Huntingtin interacting protein 1/ platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor fusion protein.

PubMed

Ross, T S; Gilliland, D G

1999-08-06

We have previously reported that the Huntingtin interacting protein 1 (HIP1) gene is fused to the platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor (PDGFbetaR) gene in a patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. We now show that HIP1/PDGFbetaR oligomerizes, is constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated, and transforms the murine hematopoietic cell line, Ba/F3, to interleukin-3-independent growth. A kinase-inactive mutant is neither tyrosine-phosphorylated nor able to transform Ba/F3 cells. Oligomerization and kinase activation required the 55-amino acid carboxyl-terminal TALIN homology region but not the leucine zipper domain. Tyrosine phosphorylation of a 130-kDa protein and STAT5 correlates with transformation in cells expressing HIP1/PDGFbetaR and related mutants. A deletion mutant fusion protein that contains only the TALIN homology region of HIP1 fused to PDGFbetaR is incapable of transforming Ba/F3 cells and does not tyrosine-phosphorylate p130 or STAT5, although it is itself constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated. We have also analyzed cells expressing Tyr --> Phe mutants of HIP1/PDGFbetaR in the known PDGFbetaR SH2 docking sites and report that none of these sites are necessary for STAT5 activation, p130 phosphorylation, or Ba/F3 transformation. The correlation of factor-independent growth of hematopoietic cells with p130 and STAT5 phosphorylation/activation in both the HIP1/PDGFbetaR Tyr --> Phe and deletion mutational variants suggests that both STAT5 and p130 are important for transformation mediated by HIP1/PDGFbetaR.

BNL accelerator-based radiobiology facilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lowenstein, D. I.

2001-01-01

For the past several years, the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (USA) has provided ions of iron, silicon and gold, at energies from 600 MeV/nucleon to 10 GeV/nucleon, for the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) radiobiology research program. NASA has recently funded the construction of a new dedicated ion facility, the Booster Applications Facility (BAF). The Booster synchrotron will supply ion beams ranging from protons to gold, in an energy range from 40-3000 MeV/nucleon with maximum beam intensities of 10(10) to 10(11) ions per pulse. The BAF Project will be described and the future AGS and BAF operation plans will be presented.

BNL accelerator-based radiobiology facilities.

PubMed

Lowenstein, D I

2001-01-01

For the past several years, the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (USA) has provided ions of iron, silicon and gold, at energies from 600 MeV/nucleon to 10 GeV/nucleon, for the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) radiobiology research program. NASA has recently funded the construction of a new dedicated ion facility, the Booster Applications Facility (BAF). The Booster synchrotron will supply ion beams ranging from protons to gold, in an energy range from 40-3000 MeV/nucleon with maximum beam intensities of 10(10) to 10(11) ions per pulse. The BAF Project will be described and the future AGS and BAF operation plans will be presented.

In-situ integrated processing and characterization of thin films of high temperature superconductors, dielectrics and semiconductors by MOCVD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, R.; Sinha, S.; Hsu, N. J.; Thakur, R. P. S.; Chou, P.; Kumar, A.; Narayan, J.

1990-01-01

In this strategy of depositing the basic building blocks of superconductors, semiconductors, and dielectric having common elements, researchers deposited superconducting films of Y-Ba-Cu-O, semiconductor films of Cu2O, and dielectric films of BaF2 and Y2O3 by metal oxide chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). By switching source materials entering the chamber, and by using direct writting capability, complex device structures like three-terminal hybrid semiconductors/superconductors transistors can be fabricated. The Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting thin films on BaF2/YSZ substrates show a T(sub c) of 80 K and are textured with most of the grains having their c-axis or a-axis perpendicular to the substrate. Electrical characteristics as well as structural characteristics of superconductors and related materials obtained by x-ray defraction, electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray analysis are discussed.

In-situ integrated processing and characterization of thin films of high temperature superconductors, dielectrics and semiconductors by MOCVD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, R.; Sinha, S.; Hsu, N. J.; Thakur, R. P. S.; Chou, P.; Kumar, A.; Narayan, J.

1991-01-01

In this strategy of depositing the basic building blocks of superconductors, semiconductors, and dielectrics having common elements, researchers deposited superconducting films of Y-Ba-Cu-O, semiconductor films of Cu2O, and dielectric films of BaF2 and Y2O3 by metal oxide chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). By switching source materials entering the chamber, and by using direct writing capability, complex device structures like three terminal hybrid semiconductor/superconductor transistors can be fabricated. The Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting thin films on BaF2/YSZ substrates show a T(sub c) of 80 K and are textured with most of the grains having their c-axis or a-axis perpendicular to the substrate. Electrical characteristics as well as structural characteristics of superconductors and related materials obtained by x-ray deffraction, electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray analysis are discussed.

Heterozygous variants in ACTL6A, encoding a component of the BAF complex, are associated with intellectual disability.

PubMed

Marom, Ronit; Jain, Mahim; Burrage, Lindsay C; Song, I-Wen; Graham, Brett H; Brown, Chester W; Stevens, Servi J C; Stegmann, Alexander P A; Gunter, Andrew T; Kaplan, Julie D; Gavrilova, Ralitza H; Shinawi, Marwan; Rosenfeld, Jill A; Bae, Yangjin; Tran, Alyssa A; Chen, Yuqing; Lu, James T; Gibbs, Richard A; Eng, Christine; Yang, Yaping; Rousseau, Justine; de Vries, Bert B A; Campeau, Philippe M; Lee, Brendan

2017-10-01

Pathogenic variants in genes encoding components of the BRG1-associated factor (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex have been associated with intellectual disability syndromes. We identified heterozygous, novel variants in ACTL6A, a gene encoding a component of the BAF complex, in three subjects with varying degrees of intellectual disability. Two subjects have missense variants affecting highly conserved amino acid residues within the actin-like domain. Missense mutations in the homologous region in yeast actin were previously reported to be dominant lethal and were associated with impaired binding of the human ACTL6A to β-actin and BRG1. A third subject has a splicing variant that creates an in-frame deletion. Our findings suggest that the variants identified in our subjects may have a deleterious effect on the function of the protein by disturbing the integrity of the BAF complex. Thus, ACTL6A gene mutation analysis should be considered in patients with intellectual disability, learning disabilities, or developmental language disorder. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Conditions and timescales for welding block-and-ash flow deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heap, M. J.; Kolzenburg, S.; Russell, J. K.; Campbell, M. E.; Welles, J.; Farquharson, J. I.; Ryan, A.

2014-12-01

Welding of pyroclastic deposits to reform a coherent rock mass is a common phenomenon, especially for pumiceous pyroclastic density current deposits (i.e., ignimbrites). However, and despite the pervasive abundance of block-and-ash flow (BAF) deposits in the geological and modern record, instances of strongly welded BAF deposits are few. Here, we present a series of high-temperature (800-900 °C) compaction experiments designed to map the conditions (deposit thickness/stress and temperature/viscosity) and timescales that permit or inhibit the welding of BAF deposits. Our experiments were performed on unconsolidated aggregates (containing an ash and lapilli component) derived from crushed and sieved lava blocks (containing 25% crystals) taken from the well-documented welded BAF deposit at Mount Meager volcano (British Columbia, Canada). The experiments demonstrate that welding efficiency increases with increasing time and temperature. Progressive welding is expressed by increasing axial strain, porosity loss, and bulk density. The rate of change of each of these physical properties reduces as welding progresses. Microstructural analysis of the experimental products shows that the loss of interclast porosity during welding results from the progressive sintering and amalgamation of vitric fragments, and that the pore shape changes from sub-equant pores to stretched lenses sandwiched between vitric and crystal fragments. The coincidence between the microstructure and rock physical properties of the natural and experimental samples highlight that we have successfully reproduced welded BAF in the laboratory. Furthermore, our permeability measurements highlight a hysteresis in the return journey of the "there-and-back-again" volcanic permeability cycle (expressed by an increase in permeability due to vesiculation and fragmentation followed by a decrease due to welding). This hysteresis cannot be described by a single porosity-permeability power law relationship and reflects the change in pore shape and connectivity during welding. Finally, we show that a simple model for welding can accurately forecast the welding timescales of the BAF deposit at Mount Meager (as reconstructed from the collapse of the Lillooet River valley dam) using our experimental data. We use this validation as a platform to provide a universal window for the welding of BAF deposits, also applicable for comparable welded deposits (e.g., welded autobreccias in block-lavas and lava domes), for a broad range of deposit thickness (or stress) and effective viscosity.

Computer aided design of nano-structured materials with tailored ionic conductivities.

PubMed

Sayle, Dean C; Doig, James A; Parker, Stephen C; Watson, Graeme W; Sayle, Thi X T

2005-01-07

We show, using simulation techniques, that the high ionic conductivity in BaF2/CaF2 heterolayers is because the interfaces reduce the activation energy barriers to mobility and increase the number of charge carriers.

Removal of surfactants nonylphenol ethoxylates from municipal sewage-comparison of an A/O process and biological aerated filters.

PubMed

Gao, Dawen; Li, Zhe; Guan, Junxue; Li, Yifan; Ren, Nanqi

2014-02-01

The concentrations of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPnEO, n=1 to 2) and nonylphenol (NP) in water and sludge samples were measured from a full scale sewage treatment plant (STP) with an Anaerobic/Oxic (A/O) and a Biological Aerated Filter (BAF) process. The A/O process was found to exhibit improved performance in comparison to the BAF process. Mean values of NP, NP1EO and NP2EO concentrations in influents from the STP were similar, ranging from 1.8 to 2.0×10(3)ngL(-1). In the A/O process, the removal efficiency of NP, NP1EO and NP2EO from the aqueous phase was 78%, 84%, and 89%, respectively. In contrast, the removal efficiencies of NP, NP1EO, and NP2EO were relatively lower for the BAF process, at 55%, 76%, and 79%, respectively. High concentrations of NP, NP1EO and NP2EO detected in the sludge samples had a maximum value of 2.7μgg(-1) dw, which indicates that improvement in the overall elimination of NP, NP1EO and NP2EO may be associated with adsorption by the sludge. To further investigate the fate of NP, NP1EO and NP2EO in the STP, our research assessed the degradation characteristics of NP by calculating its transformational loss in the STP. The results demonstrate that the quantity of NP measured in the effluent from the oxic unit increased by 32%, which indicates that NP1EO and NP2EO may undergo degradation in the oxic conditions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of siderophore produced by Pseudomonas syringae BAF.1 and its inhibitory effects on spore germination and mycelium morphology of Fusarium oxysporum.

PubMed

Yu, Sumei; Teng, Chunying; Liang, Jinsong; Song, Tao; Dong, Liying; Bai, Xin; Jin, Yu; Qu, Juanjuan

2017-11-01

In this study, an antagonistic bacterium against Fusarium oxysporum was identified and designated as Pseudomonas syringae strain BAF.1 on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence analysis and physiological-biochemical characteristics. It produced catechol-species siderophore at a molecular weight of 488.59 Da and a maximum amount of 55.27 μg/ml with glucose as a carbon source and asparagine as a nitrogen source at a C/N ratio of 10:1, 30°C and pH 7. The siderophore exhibited prominent antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum with a maximum inhibition rate of 95.24% and had also suppressive effects on other kinds of 11 phytopathogenic fungi in the absence of FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O. Spore germination was completely inhibited by 50 μl of the siderophorecontaining solution, and the ultrastructures of mycelia and spores were also considerably suppressed by siderophore treatment as established by electron microscopy observation. These results indicate that the siderophore produced by Pseudomonas syringae BAF.1 could be potentially used for biocontrol of pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum.

Mid-infrared ultra-high-Q resonators based on fluoride crystalline materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lecaplain, C.; Javerzac-Galy, C.; Gorodetsky, M. L.; Kippenberg, T. J.

2016-11-01

The unavailability of highly transparent materials in the mid-infrared has been the main limitation in the development of ultra-sensitive molecular sensors or cavity-based spectroscopy applications. Whispering gallery mode microresonators have attained ultra-high-quality (Q) factor resonances in the near-infrared and visible. Here we report ultra-high Q factors in the mid-infrared using polished alkaline earth metal fluoride crystals. Using an uncoated chalcogenide tapered fibre as a high-ideality coupler in the mid-infrared, we study via cavity ringdown technique the losses of BaF2, CaF2, MgF2 and SrF2 microresonators. We show that MgF2 is limited by multiphonon absorption by studying the temperature dependence of the Q factor. In contrast, in SrF2 and BaF2 the lower multiphonon absorption leads to ultra-high Q factors at 4.5 μm. These values correspond to an optical finesse of , the highest value achieved for any type of mid-infrared resonator to date.

Temperature-dependent optical constants of highly transparent solids determined by the combined double optical pathlength transmission-ellipsometry method.

PubMed

Li, X C; Wang, C C; Zhao, J M; Liu, L H

2018-02-10

The optical constants of five highly transparent substrates (polycrystalline BaF 2 , CaF 2 , MgF 2 , ZnSe, and ZnS) were experimentally determined based on a combined technique using both the double optical pathlength transmission method and the ellipsometry method within temperature range 20°C-350°C in the ultraviolet-infrared region (0.2-20 μm). The results show that the refractive index spectra of polycrystalline BaF 2 , CaF 2 , and MgF 2 are similar, but differ from that of polycrystalline ZnSe and ZnS. The thermo-optic coefficient of these highly transparent substrates increases with increasing temperature. The absorption indices show a significant temperature-dependent behavior, which increases with increasing temperature from 20°C to 350°C over the transparent region. For the sake of application, the fitted formulas of the refractive index of the five highly transparent substrates as a function of wavelength and temperature are presented.

Mid-infrared ultra-high-Q resonators based on fluoride crystalline materials

PubMed Central

Lecaplain, C.; Javerzac-Galy, C.; Gorodetsky, M. L.; Kippenberg, T. J.

2016-01-01

The unavailability of highly transparent materials in the mid-infrared has been the main limitation in the development of ultra-sensitive molecular sensors or cavity-based spectroscopy applications. Whispering gallery mode microresonators have attained ultra-high-quality (Q) factor resonances in the near-infrared and visible. Here we report ultra-high Q factors in the mid-infrared using polished alkaline earth metal fluoride crystals. Using an uncoated chalcogenide tapered fibre as a high-ideality coupler in the mid-infrared, we study via cavity ringdown technique the losses of BaF2, CaF2, MgF2 and SrF2 microresonators. We show that MgF2 is limited by multiphonon absorption by studying the temperature dependence of the Q factor. In contrast, in SrF2 and BaF2 the lower multiphonon absorption leads to ultra-high Q factors at 4.5 μm. These values correspond to an optical finesse of , the highest value achieved for any type of mid-infrared resonator to date. PMID:27869119

Mid-infrared ultra-high-Q resonators based on fluoride crystalline materials.

PubMed

Lecaplain, C; Javerzac-Galy, C; Gorodetsky, M L; Kippenberg, T J

2016-11-21

The unavailability of highly transparent materials in the mid-infrared has been the main limitation in the development of ultra-sensitive molecular sensors or cavity-based spectroscopy applications. Whispering gallery mode microresonators have attained ultra-high-quality (Q) factor resonances in the near-infrared and visible. Here we report ultra-high Q factors in the mid-infrared using polished alkaline earth metal fluoride crystals. Using an uncoated chalcogenide tapered fibre as a high-ideality coupler in the mid-infrared, we study via cavity ringdown technique the losses of BaF 2 , CaF 2 , MgF 2 and SrF 2 microresonators. We show that MgF 2 is limited by multiphonon absorption by studying the temperature dependence of the Q factor. In contrast, in SrF 2 and BaF 2 the lower multiphonon absorption leads to ultra-high Q factors at 4.5 μm. These values correspond to an optical finesse of , the highest value achieved for any type of mid-infrared resonator to date.

40 CFR Appendix B to Part 132 - Great Lakes Water Quality Initiative

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... requirements shall be met for field-measured BAFs: 1. The field studies used shall be limited to those... field study should not be so unique that the BAF cannot be extrapolated to other locations where the... quality assurance requirements shall be met for field-measured BSAFs: 1. The field studies used shall be...

40 CFR Appendix B to Part 132 - Great Lakes Water Quality Initiative

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... requirements shall be met for field-measured BAFs: 1. The field studies used shall be limited to those... field study should not be so unique that the BAF cannot be extrapolated to other locations where the... quality assurance requirements shall be met for field-measured BSAFs: 1. The field studies used shall be...

Environmental behaviour of short-chain chlorinated paraffins in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of Ny-Ålesund and London Island, Svalbard, in the Arctic.

PubMed

Li, Huijuan; Fu, Jianjie; Pan, Wenxiao; Wang, Pu; Li, Yingming; Zhang, Qinghua; Wang, Yawei; Zhang, Aiqian; Liang, Yong; Jiang, Guibin

2017-07-15

The environmental behaviour of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) was investigated in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the Arctic. The mean concentrations of SCCPs in the aquatic and terrestrial samples were 178.9ng/g dry weight (dw) and 157.2ng/g dw, respectively. Short carbon chain (C 10 ) and less-chlorinated (Cl 6 ) congener groups were predominant in the Arctic samples, accounting for 48.6% and 34.8% of the total SCCPs, respectively. The enrichment of lighter SCCP congener groups (i.e., fewer chlorine atoms with shorter carbon chain lengths) indicated that the fractionation process occurred during long-range transport. The biomagnification factor (BMF) was 0.46 from gammarid to cod, which indicated that the SCCPs did not biomagnify between these two species. The soil-vegetation bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of SCCPs was 29.9, and C 13 and Cl 7, 8 congener groups tended to accumulate in the terrestrial vegetation. Regression analysis (BAFs=10.9×#C+5.6×#Cl-125.2, R=0.53, P<0.01) showed that the number of carbon and chlorine atoms influenced the bioaccumulative behaviour of SCCPs and suggested that the number of carbon atoms had a greater influence on the BAFs of SCCPs in the terrestrial ecosystem than did the number of chlorine atoms. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Detection of a cyclic perfluorinated acid, perfluoroethylcyclohexane sulfonate, in the Great Lakes of North America.

PubMed

De Silva, Amila O; Spencer, Christine; Scott, Brian F; Backus, Sean; Muir, Derek C G

2011-10-01

Perfluoroethylcyclohexanesulfonate (PFECHS) is a cyclic perfluorinated acid (PFA) mainly used as an erosion inhibitor in aircraft hydraulic fluids. It is expected to be as recalcitrant to environmental degradation as aliphatic PFAs including perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). For the first time, PFECHS is reported in top predator fish (

Bioavailability to grains of rice of aged and fresh DDD and DDE in soils.

PubMed

Yao, Fenxia; Yu, Guifen; Bian, Yongrong; Yang, Xinglun; Wang, Fang; Jiang, Xin

2007-05-01

DDT had been widely used around the world before 1980s and is still under production and use for non-agricultural purposes in China. Because of their special physicochemical properties, p,p'-DDT and its main metabolites, p,p'-DDD and p,p'-DDE, accumulated and persisted in the environment, presenting potential menace on biota. A green-house study was conducted to determine the bioavailability of p,p'-DDD and p,p'-DDE to grains of rice and the influences of traditional Chinese farming practices on their bioaccumulation. Paddy rice and dry rice were grown in submerged paddy soils and non-submerged upland soils, respectively. Two types of soil, Hydragric Anthrosols (An) and Hydragric Acrisols (Ac), were employed. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of DDE ranged from 0.67 for rice grown in non-submerged An to 0.84 in submerged An in the control group, whilst BAFs were all below 0.04 in experimental groups. BAFs of DDD varied from 1.39 for submerged An to 2.26 for submerged Ac in original soils. In contrast, BAFs were between 0.05 for non-submerged Ac and 0.08 for submerged An in DDD-contaminated soils. Flooding seemed to have two contradictory effects on the DDE/DDD accumulation by rice: on one hand, it made the pollutants more mobile and bioavailable; while on the other hand, it enhanced the degradation and binding of POPs. Adding rice straw to the soils protected DDE from being taken up yet promoted DDD accumulation by rice. Furthermore, the distinct inorganic component of the soils might also play an important role in the environmental activities of POPs.

Prevalence of fenestrated basilar artery with magnetic resonance angiography: a transversal study.

PubMed

Arráez-Aybar, L A; Villar-Martin, A; Poyatos-Ruiperez, C; Rodriguez-Boto, G; Arrazola-Garcia, J

2013-08-01

Fenestration of the basilar artery (BA) is a rare anatomical variation in comparison to those of the other intracranial arteries constituting the cerebral arterial circle. The incidence is difficult to ascertain and data vary according to type of series and modalities of detection. Basilar artery fenestration (BAF) has been reported in association with arteriovenous malformations, vascular variants, other developmental anomalies and neurovascular conflicts as a consequence of relations between the arterial branches of the BA and the nerves and other structures in the posterior cranial fossa. However, the real clinical interest of BAF is due to the possible formation of an aneurysm at the junction of the fenestrated segment and less frequently to the thrombosis of the vessels. With the aim to establish the prevalence of BAF in our population, we made a transversal pilot study of the first 200 MR angiographies performed on patients attending for the first time to control their base pathology (vascular or not). We have described three patients with this condition (representing a prevalence of 1.5 % on MR angiography) to shed additional light on this anomaly, two cases located at 1/3 proximal end (type 1-BAF) and one case located at joint 1/3 medium-1/3 distal end, locating distal to the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (type 4-BAF). In neither case was any other lesion found (i.e. aneurysm, infarctions, ischemia or thromboembolism). The pertinent clinical anatomy and embryological basis for this variation are reviewed, and the possible clinical implications and associated findings are discussed.

Mutations in the BAF-Complex Subunit DPF2 Are Associated with Coffin-Siris Syndrome.

PubMed

Vasileiou, Georgia; Vergarajauregui, Silvia; Endele, Sabine; Popp, Bernt; Büttner, Christian; Ekici, Arif B; Gerard, Marion; Bramswig, Nuria C; Albrecht, Beate; Clayton-Smith, Jill; Morton, Jenny; Tomkins, Susan; Low, Karen; Weber, Astrid; Wenzel, Maren; Altmüller, Janine; Li, Yun; Wollnik, Bernd; Hoganson, George; Plona, Maria-Renée; Cho, Megan T; Thiel, Christian T; Lüdecke, Hermann-Josef; Strom, Tim M; Calpena, Eduardo; Wilkie, Andrew O M; Wieczorek, Dagmar; Engel, Felix B; Reis, André

2018-03-01

Variants affecting the function of different subunits of the BAF chromatin-remodelling complex lead to various neurodevelopmental syndromes, including Coffin-Siris syndrome. Furthermore, variants in proteins containing PHD fingers, motifs recognizing specific histone tail modifications, have been associated with several neurological and developmental-delay disorders. Here, we report eight heterozygous de novo variants (one frameshift, two splice site, and five missense) in the gene encoding the BAF complex subunit double plant homeodomain finger 2 (DPF2). Affected individuals share common clinical features described in individuals with Coffin-Siris syndrome, including coarse facial features, global developmental delay, intellectual disability, speech impairment, and hypoplasia of fingernails and toenails. All variants occur within the highly conserved PHD1 and PHD2 motifs. Moreover, missense variants are situated close to zinc binding sites and are predicted to disrupt these sites. Pull-down assays of recombinant proteins and histone peptides revealed that a subset of the identified missense variants abolish or impaire DPF2 binding to unmodified and modified H3 histone tails. These results suggest an impairment of PHD finger structural integrity and cohesion and most likely an aberrant recognition of histone modifications. Furthermore, the overexpression of these variants in HEK293 and COS7 cell lines was associated with the formation of nuclear aggregates and the recruitment of both wild-type DPF2 and BRG1 to these aggregates. Expression analysis of truncating variants found in the affected individuals indicated that the aberrant transcripts escape nonsense-mediated decay. Altogether, we provide compelling evidence that de novo variants in DPF2 cause Coffin-Siris syndrome and propose a dominant-negative mechanism of pathogenicity. Copyright © 2018 American Society of Human Genetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fluorine Kα X-Ray Emission Spectra of MgF2, CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugiura, Chikara; Konishi, Wataru; Shoji, Shizuko; Kojima, Shinjiro

1990-11-01

The fluorine Kα emission spectra in fluorescence from a series of alkaline-earth fluorides MF2 (M=Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) are measured with a high-resolution two-crystal vacuum spectrometer. An anomalously low intensity of the K1L1 satellite peak arising from 1s-1(2s2p)-1 initial states is observed for SrF2. The measured emission spectra are presented along with the UPS spectra of the F- 2p valence bands obtained by Poole et al. and the fluorine K absorption-edge spectra by Oizumi et al. By using these spectra, the first peak or shoulder in the fluorine K absorption-edge spectra is identified as being due to a core exciton which is formed below the bottom of the conduction band. The binding energy of the exciton is estimated to be 1.3(± 0.3), 1.1(± 0.2), 1.0(± 0.2) and 1.7(± 0.2) eV for MgF2, CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2, respectively.

Mercury in fish from Norwegian lakes: The complex influence of aqueous organic carbon.

PubMed

Braaten, Hans Fredrik Veiteberg; de Wit, Heleen A; Larssen, Thorjørn; Poste, Amanda E

2018-06-15

Mercury (Hg) concentrations in water and biota are often positively correlated to organic matter (OM), typically measured as total or dissolved organic carbon (TOC/DOC). However, recent evidence suggests that higher OM concentrations inhibit bioaccumulation of Hg. Here, we test how TOC impacts the Hg accumulation in fish in a synoptic study of Methyl-Hg (MeHg) in water and total Hg (THg) in perch (Perca fluviatilis) in 34 boreal lakes in southern Norway. We found that aqueous MeHg (r 2  = 0.49, p < 0.0001) and THg (r 2  = 0.69, p < 0.0001), and fish THg (r 2  = 0.26, p < 0.01) were all positively related with TOC. However, we found declining MeHg bioaccumulation factors (BAF MeHg ) for fish with increasing TOC concentrations. The significant correlation between fish THg concentrations and aqueous TOC suggests that elevated fish Hg levels in boreal regions are associated with humic lakes. The declining BAF MeHg with increasing TOC suggest that increased OM promotes increased aqueous Hg concentrations, but lowers relative MeHg bioaccumulation. A mechanistic understanding of the response from OM on BAF MeHg might be found in the metal-complexation properties of OM, where OM complexation of metals reduces their bioavailability. Hence, suggesting that MeHg bioaccumulation becomes less effective at higher TOC, which is particularly relevant when assessing potential responses of fish Hg to predicted future changes in OM inputs to boreal ecosystems. Increased browning of waters may affect fish Hg in opposite directions: an increase of food web exposure to aqueous Hg, and reduced bioavailability of Hg species. However, the negative relationship between BAF MeHg and TOC is challenging to interpret, and carries a great deal of uncertainty, since this relationship may be driven by the underlying correlation between TOC and MeHg (i.e. spurious correlations). Our results suggest that the trade-off between Hg exposure and accumulation will have important implications for the effects of lake browning on Hg transport, bioavailability, and trophodynamics. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modular Organization of Dynamic Camouflage Body Patterning in Cuttlefish

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-28

Final 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) 28 Feb 13 – 19 Sept 14 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Modular organization of dynamic camouflage body...responsive areas are positively correlated with increasing voltages and depths of the electrode in the medulla of the optic lobe, and (2) the island- like...aim of using the dynamically changing visual background to study the spatiotemporal expression of body patterns was not successful, we discovered

TeV electron measurement with CREST experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Nahee; Anderson, T.; Bower, C.; Coutu, S.; Gennaro, J.; Geske, M.; Muller, D.; Musser, J.; Nutter, S.

CREST, the Cosmic Ray Electron Synchrotron Telescope is a balloon-borne experiment de-signed to measure the spectrum of multi-TeV electrons by the detection of the x-ray synchrotron photons generated in the magnetic field of the Earth. Electrons in the TeV range are expected to reflect the properties of local sources because fluxes from remote locations are suppressed by radiative losses during propagation. Since CREST needs to intersect only a portion of the kilometers-long trail of photons generated by the high-energy electron, the method yields a larger effective area than the physical size of the detector, boosting detection areas. The in-strument is composed of an array of 1024 BaF2 crystals and a set of scintillating veto counters. A long duration balloon flight in Antarctica is currently planned for the 2010-11 season.

Two coarse pyroclastic flow deposits, northern Mono-Inyo Craters, CA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dennen, R. L.; Bursik, M. I.; Stokes, P. J.; Lagamba, M.; Fontanella, N.; Hintz, A. R.; Jayko, A. S.

2010-12-01

The ~1350 A.D., rhyolitic North Mono eruption, Mono-Inyo Craters, CA, included the extrusion and destruction of Panum Dome and associated clastic deposits. Overlying the tephras of the North Mono sequence, the Panum deposits include a block-and-ash flow (BAF) deposit, covering ~3.5 km2. Blocks within the deposit are typically lithic rhyolite and banded gray micro-vesicular glass, showing white, almost powdery marks ranging from circular to linear in shape. These marks are interpreted as friction marks resulting from collisions between clasts. The deposit also contains bread-crusted obsidians with pressed-in clasts as well as reticulite with a bread-crusted surface texture. Near the centerline of the deposit is a ridge-topping train of jigsaw fractured blocks, often with reddish-orange alteration. One house sized jigsaw block sits upstream of a long, thinning pile of reddish orange debris; this “flow shadow” indicates that the block remained relatively stationary while the block and ash flow continued to propagate around it. The bread-crusted reticulite is most common at proximal localities. It is proposed that the dome destruction included a debris avalanche emplacing the train of jigsaw fractured blocks and creating a topographic high, the block-and-ash flow (the farthest reaching deposit from this event) which flowed around the debris avalanche deposits, and a final “lateral expansion” of a magma foam, creating the reticulite seen concentrated at proximal locations. Another coarse pyroclastic flow (here termed the “lower blast deposit”) underlies the North Mono tephra. It is more obsidian rich and finer grained than the Panum BAF. The lower blast deposit may have originated from Pumice Pit vent, which is now capped with an older dome ~0.5 km southeast of Panum. The lower blast deposit extends farther from the Panum vent than does the Panum BAF deposit, and apparently was mistaken for the Panum BAF deposit by previous workers. Hence the run-out distance of the Panum BAF is smaller than previously reported. Thus, there are multiple, coarse pyroclastic flow-like deposits at the northern end of the Mono-Inyo Craters, reflecting multiple phases of dome destruction. The lower blast deposit is proposed to be a blast event predating the Panum eruption, possibly originating from Pumice Pit. The Panum BAF consists of three main facies, formed by three separate, sequential events. A debris avalanche deposited a train of jigsaw clasts along a narrow path, followed by a block and ash flow that spread material over a wider region. Finally, molten rhyolite was exposed by the earlier events, resulting in rapid foam expansion and creation of a bread crusted reticulite-bearing facies.

Photon-induced positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy using ultrashort laser-Compton-scattered gamma-ray pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taira, Y.; Toyokawa, H.; Kuroda, R.; Yamamoto, N.; Adachi, M.; Tanaka, S.; Katoh, M.

2013-05-01

High-energy ultrashort gamma-ray pulses can be generated via laser Compton scattering with 90° collisions at the UVSOR-II electron storage ring. As an applied study of ultrashort gamma-ray pulses, a new photon-induced positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy approach has been developed. Ultrashort gamma-ray pulses with a maximum energy of 6.6 MeV and pulse width of 2.2 ps created positrons throughout bulk lead via pair production. Annihilation gamma rays were detected by a BaF2 scintillator mounted on a photomultiplier tube. A positron lifetime spectrum was obtained by measuring the time difference between the RF frequency of the electron storage ring and the detection time of the annihilation gamma rays. We calculated the response of the BaF2 scintillator and the time jitter caused by the variation in the total path length of the ultrashort gamma-ray pulses, annihilation gamma rays, and scintillation light using a Monte Carlo simulation code. The positron lifetime for bulk lead was successfully measured.

Materials Data on BaF2 (SG:225) by Materials Project

DOE Data Explorer

Kristin Persson

2014-11-02

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

Two-dimensional wetting: the role of atomic steps on the nucleation of thin water films on BaF2(111) at ambient conditions.

PubMed

Cardellach, M; Verdaguer, A; Santiso, J; Fraxedas, J

2010-06-21

The interaction of water with freshly cleaved BaF(2)(111) surfaces at ambient conditions (room temperature and under controlled humidity) has been studied using scanning force microscopy in different operation modes. The images strongly suggest a high surface diffusion of water molecules on the surface indicated by the accumulation of water at step edges forming two-dimensional bilayered structures. Steps running along the 110 crystallographic directions show a high degree of hydrophilicity, as evidenced by small step-film contact angles, while steps running along other directions exhibiting a higher degree of kinks surprisingly behave in a quite opposite way. Our results prove that morphological defects such as steps can be crucial in improving two-dimensional monolayer wetting and stabilization of multilayer grown on surfaces that show good lattice mismatch with hexagonal ice.

7SK-BAF axis controls pervasive transcription at enhancers

PubMed Central

Flynn, Ryan A.; Do, Brian T.; Rubin, Adam J.; Calo, Eliezer; Lee, Byron; Kuchelmeister, Hannes; Rale, Michael; Chu, Ci; Kool, Eric T.; Wysocka, Joanna; Khavari, Paul A.

2016-01-01

RNA functions at enhancers remain mysterious. Here we show that the 7SK small nuclear RNA (snRNA) inhibits enhancer transcription by modulating nucleosome position. 7SK occupies enhancers and super enhancers genome-wide in mouse and human cells, and 7SK is required to limit eRNA initiation and synthesis in a manner distinct from promoter pausing. Clustered elements at super enhancers uniquely require 7SK to prevent convergent transcription and DNA damage signaling. 7SK physically interacts with the BAF chromatin remodeling complex, recruit BAF to enhancers, and inhibits enhancer transcription by modulating chromatin structure. In turn, 7SK occupancy at enhancers coincides with Brd4 and is exquisitely sensitive to the bromodomain inhibitor JQ1. Thus, 7SK employs distinct mechanisms to counteract diverse consequences of pervasive transcription that distinguish super enhancers, enhancers, and promoters. PMID:26878240

Defective Autophagosome Formation in p53-Null Colorectal Cancer Reinforces Crocin-Induced Apoptosis

PubMed Central

Amin, Amr; Bajbouj, Khuloud; Koch, Adrian; Gandesiri, Muktheshwar; Schneider-Stock, Regine

2015-01-01

Crocin, a bioactive molecule of saffron, inhibited proliferation of both HCT116 wild-type and HCT116 p53−/− cell lines at a concentration of 10 mM. Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle distribution revealed that there was an accumulation of HCT116 wild-type cells in G1 (55.9%, 56.1%) compared to the control (30.4%) after 24 and 48 h of crocin treatment, respectively. However, crocin induced only mild G2 arrest in HCT116 p53−/− after 24 h. Crocin induced inefficient autophagy in HCT116 p53−/− cells, where crocin induced the formation of LC3-II, which was combined with a decrease in the protein levels of Beclin 1 and Atg7 and no clear p62 degradation. Autophagosome formation was not detected in HCT116 p53−/− after crocin treatment predicting a nonfunctional autophagosome formation. There was a significant increase of p62 after treating the cells with Bafilomycin A1 (Baf) and crocin compared to crocin exposure alone. Annexin V staining showed that Baf-pretreatment enhanced the induction of apoptosis in HCT116 wild-type cells. Baf-exposed HCT116 p53−/− cells did not, however, show any enhancement of apoptosis induction despite an increase in the DNA damage-sensor accumulation, γH2AX indicating that crocin induced an autophagy-independent classical programmed cell death. PMID:25584615

Monte Carlo simulation studies on scintillation detectors and image reconstruction of brain-phantom tumors in TOFPET

PubMed Central

Mondal, Nagendra Nath

2009-01-01

This study presents Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) results of detection efficiencies, spatial resolutions and resolving powers of a time-of-flight (TOF) PET detector systems. Cerium activated Lutetium Oxyorthosilicate (Lu2SiO5: Ce in short LSO), Barium Fluoride (BaF2) and BriLanCe 380 (Cerium doped Lanthanum tri-Bromide, in short LaBr3) scintillation crystals are studied in view of their good time and energy resolutions and shorter decay times. The results of MCS based on GEANT show that spatial resolution, detection efficiency and resolving power of LSO are better than those of BaF2 and LaBr3, although it possesses inferior time and energy resolutions. Instead of the conventional position reconstruction method, newly established image reconstruction (talked about in the previous work) method is applied to produce high-tech images. Validation is a momentous step to ensure that this imaging method fulfills all purposes of motivation discussed by reconstructing images of two tumors in a brain phantom. PMID:20098551

Microstructures and properties of superconducting Y-ErBaCuO thin films obtained from disordered Y-ErBaF2Cu films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cikmach, P.; Diociaiuti, M.; Fontana, A.; Giovannella, C.; Iannuzzi, M.; Lucchini, C.; Merlo, V.; Messi, R.; Paoluzi, L.; Scopa, L.

1991-01-01

The preparation procedure used to obtain superconducting thin films by radio frequency magnetron sputtering of a single mosaic target is described in detail. The single mosaic target is composed of (Y-Er), BaF2, and Cu.

Feasibility of Nuclear Power on U.S. Military Installations. 2nd Revision

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

Small Modular Reactor , Military Installation Energy, Energy Assurance 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: a. REPORT I b. ABSTRACT U c. THIS PAGE i; 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT SAR 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 98 19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON Knowledge Center/Rhea Stone 19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code) 703-824-2110 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8/98) Prescribed bv ANSI Sid 239.18 Contents Preliminary note: Development and commercial deployment of small modular reactors

Effects of Fragmentation and Sea-Level Changes upon Frog Communities of Land-Bridge Islands off the Southeastern Coast of Brazil

PubMed Central

Bittencourt-Silva, Gabriela B.; Silva, Hélio R.

2014-01-01

We investigate the composition of anuran communities of land-bridge islands off the southeastern coast of Brazil. These islands provide natural long-term experiments on the effects of fragmentation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF). We hypothesize that Pleistocene sea-level changes, in combination with other abiotic variables such as area and habitat diversity, has affected anuran species richness and community composition on these islands. Data from the literature and collections databases were used to produce species lists for eight land-bridge islands and for the mainland adjacent to the islands. We assess the effects of area, number of breeding habitats and distance to the mainland upon anuran species richness on land-bridge islands. Additionally we use nestedness analysis to quantify the extent to which the species on smaller and less habitat-diverse islands correspond to subsets of those on larger and more diverse ones. We found that area has both direct and indirect effects on anuran species richness on land-bridge islands, irrespective of distance to the mainland. However, on islands with comparable sizes, differences in species richness can be attributed to the number and quality of breeding habitats. Anuran communities on these islands display a nested pattern, possibly caused by selective extinction related to habitat loss. Common lowland pond-breeders were conspicuous by their absence. In the BAF, the conservation of fragments with a high diversity of breeding habitats could compensate for the generally negative effect of small area upon species richness. We suggest that sea-level changes have an important role in shaping composition of anuran species on coastal communities. PMID:25068643

Optical materials characterization final technical report february 1, 1978-september 30, 1978. Technical note

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

Feldman, A.; Horowitz, D.; Waxter, R.M.

1979-02-01

Data obtained as part of the Optical Materials Characterization Program are summarized in this report. Room temperature values of refractive index as a function of wavelength are presented for the following materials: commercially grown KCl, reactive atmosphere processed (RAP) KCl, KCl nominally doped with 1.5% KI, hot forged CaF2, fusion cast CaF2, CaF2 doped with Er (0.001% to 3% Er), SrF2, chemical vapor deposited (CVD) ZnSe (2 specimens), and ZnS (CVD, 2 specimens). Data for the thermo-optic constant (dn/dT) and the linear thermal expansion coefficient are given for the following materials over the temperature range -180 degrees C to 200more » degrees C: Al2O3, BaF2, CaF2, CdF2, KBr, KCl, LiF, MgF2, NaCl, NaF, SrF2, ZnS (CVD), and ZnSe (CVD). The piezo-optic constants of the following materials are presented: As2S3 glass, CaF2, BaF2, Ge, KCl, fused SiO2, SrF2, a chalcogenide glass (Ge 33%, As 12%, Se 55%) and ZnSe (CVD).« less

Stochastic genome-nuclear lamina interactions: modulating roles of Lamin A and BAF.

PubMed

Kind, Jop; van Steensel, Bas

2014-01-01

The nuclear lamina (NL) is thought to aid in the spatial organization of interphase chromosomes by providing an anchoring platform for hundreds of large genomic regions named lamina associated domains (LADs). Recently, a new live-cell imaging approach demonstrated directly that LAD-NL interactions are dynamic and in part stochastic. Here we discuss implications of these new findings and introduce Lamin A and BAF as potential modulators of stochastic LAD positioning.

Optimizing fish sampling for fish - mercury bioaccumulation factors

USGS Publications Warehouse

Scudder Eikenberry, Barbara C.; Riva-Murray, Karen; Knightes, Christopher D.; Journey, Celeste A.; Chasar, Lia C.; Brigham, Mark E.; Bradley, Paul M.

2015-01-01

Fish Bioaccumulation Factors (BAFs; ratios of mercury (Hg) in fish (Hgfish) and water (Hgwater)) are used to develop Total Maximum Daily Load and water quality criteria for Hg-impaired waters. Both applications require representative Hgfish estimates and, thus, are sensitive to sampling and data-treatment methods. Data collected by fixed protocol from 11 streams in 5 states distributed across the US were used to assess the effects of Hgfish normalization/standardization methods and fish sample numbers on BAF estimates. Fish length, followed by weight, was most correlated to adult top-predator Hgfish. Site-specific BAFs based on length-normalized and standardized Hgfish estimates demonstrated up to 50% less variability than those based on non-normalized Hgfish. Permutation analysis indicated that length-normalized and standardized Hgfish estimates based on at least 8 trout or 5 bass resulted in mean Hgfish coefficients of variation less than 20%. These results are intended to support regulatory mercury monitoring and load-reduction program improvements.

Investigation of the Environmental Durability of a Powder Metallurgy Material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ward, LaNita D.

2004-01-01

PM304 is a NASA-developed composite powder metallurgy material that is being developed for high temperature applications such as bushings in high temperature industrial furnace conveyor systems. My goal this summer was to analyze and evaluate the effects that heat exposure had on the PM304 material at 500 C and 650 C. The material is composed of Ni-Cr, Ag, Cr2O3, and eutectic BaF2-CaF2. PM304 is designed to eliminate the need for oil based lubricants in high temperature applications, while reducing friction and wear. However, further investigation was needed to thoroughly examine the properties of PM304. The effects of heat exposure on PM304 bushings were investigated. This investigation was necessary due to the high temperatures that the material would be exposed to in a typical application. Each bushing was cut into eight sections. The specimens were heated to 500 C or 650 C for time intervals from 1 hr to 5,000 hrs. Control specimens were kept at room temperature. Weight and thickness measurements were taken before and after the bushing sections were exposed to heat. Then the heat treated specimens were mounted and polished side by side with the control specimens. This enabled optical examination of the material's microstructure using a metallograph. The specimens were also examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The microstructures were compared to observe the effects of the heat exposure. Chemical analysis was done to investigate the interactions between Ni-Cr and BaF2-CaF2 and between Cr2O3 and BaF2-CaF2 at high temperature. To observe this, the two compounds that were being analyzed were mixed in a crucible in varied weight percentages and heated to 1100 C in a furnace for approximately two hours. Then the product was allowed to cool and was then analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Interpretation of the results is in progress.

Involvement of transcription factor encoded by the mouse mi locus (MITF) in apoptosis of cultured mast cells induced by removal of interleukin-3.

PubMed Central

Tsujimura, T.; Hashimoto, K.; Morii, E.; Tunio, G. M.; Tsujino, K.; Kondo, T.; Kanakura, Y.; Kitamura, Y.

1997-01-01

Mast cells develop when spleen cells of mice are cultured in the medium containing interleukin (IL)-3. Cultured mast cells (CMCs) show apoptosis when they are incubated in the medium without IL-3. We obtained CMCs from tg/tg mice that did not express the transcription factor encoded by the mi gene (MITF) due to the integration of a transgene at its 5' flanking region. MITF is a member of the basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-Zip) protein family of transcription factors. We investigated the effect of MITF on the apoptosis of CMCs after removal of IL-3. When cDNA encoding normal MITF ((+)-MITF) was introduced into tg/tg CMCs with the retroviral vector, the apoptosis of tg/tg CMCs was significantly accelerated. The mutant mi allele represents a deletion of an arginine at the basic domain of MITF. The apoptosis of tg/tg CMCs was not accelerated by the introduction of cDNA encoding mi-MITF. The overexpression of (+)-MITF was not prerequisite to the acceleration of the apoptosis, as the apoptotic process proceeded faster in +/+ CMCs than in mi/mi CMCs. The Ba/F3 lymphoid cell line is also dependent on IL-3, and Ba/F3 cells show apoptosis after removal of IL-3. The c-myc gene encodes another transcription factor of the bHLH-Zip family, and the overexpression of the c-myc gene accelerated the apoptosis of Ba/F3 cells. However, the overexpression of (+)-MITF did not accelerate the apoptosis of Ba/F3 cells. The (+)-MITF appeared to play some roles for the acceleration of the apoptosis specifically in the mast cell lineage. Images Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 PMID:9327738

Bioaccumulation of Zn and Ag Nanoparticles in the Earthworms (Eisenia fetida)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ha, Lee Seung; Sung-Dae, Kim; Yi, Yang Song; Byeong-Gweon, Lee

2014-05-01

Many studies are carried out to evaluate environmental effects of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). Most of the previous studies primarily focused on the effects of nanoparticles into the aquatic environment and human. Model studies predict that ENPs released into environment would transferred primarily to the soil of the terrestrial environment. Despite this prediction, biogeochemical behavior of ENPs in soil environment as well as bioavailability of ENPs to soil-dwelling organisms such as earthworm, springtail, isopod and nematodes are poorly understood. The main goal of this study was to compare the bioaccumulation factor (BAFs) and subcellular partitioning of nanoparticles in the soil-dwelling earthworm (Eisenia fetida) from ENP (ZnO and Ag nanoparticles) or ionic metal (Zn2+, Ag+) contaminated soil. And the sequential extraction was also used to determine the mobility of metals in soil which could be used as to predict bioavailability and compare that with bioaccumulation factor. The radiotracer method was employed to trace the transfer of ENPs and ionic metal among different environmental media and animals. Radiolabeled 65ZnO, 110mAgNPs coated with PVP or citrate were synthesized in the laboratory and their chemical and biological behavior was compared to ionic 65Zn and 110mAg. The BAFs of Zn and Ag in the earthworms were determined after animals exposed to the contaminated soils. After the 7 days of elimination phase, subcellular partitioning of metals were also obtained. BAF for ZnO(0.06) was 31 times lower than that for Zn ion (1.86), suggesting that ZnO was less bioavailable than its ionic form from contaminated soil. On the other hands, BAFs for AgNPs coated with PVP (0.12) or with citrate (0.11) were comparable to those for Ag ion (0.17), indicating that Ag from contaminated soil was bioavailable in a similar rate regardless of chemical forms. The subcellular partitioning results showed that bioaccumulated Zn from Zn ion and ZnO contaminated soil were present mainly in HSP (heat-sensitive protein) while cellullar Ag from Ag ion and AgNPs (Ag/PVP, Ag/citrate) treatments were found mostly in cellular debris. No statistical difference in partitioning of metals among different subcelluar pools was found between the metal forms. Zn from ZnO contaminated solis was found largely in carbonate fraction (41%), while Zn from Zn ion treatment was found in Fe-Mn Oxide (29%). Association of Zn to mobile fractions (ZnO; 65%, Zn ion; 35%) suggest that Zn from ZnO contaminated soil would be more bioavailable than that from Zn ion treatment. However, the BAFs for Zn in the animals did not follow this prediction. Majority of Ag from AgNPs or Ag ion contaminated soil was bound mainly to biologically inert fractions mainly in organic matter, surphide fractions, and residual fractions. Consistent with these findings, the BAFs of Ag in the worms exposed to Ag contaminated soils were generally lower than those for Zn treatments.

Analysis of the Use of Frame Construction and Modular Additions in City Centre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milwicz, Roman; Milwicz, Natalia; Dubas, Sebastian

2017-10-01

The living urban fabric can be characterized by the continuous introduction of changes and additions. The city centre is subject to specific restrictions due to the conservation protection and high demand on aesthetics aspect, thermal insulation, construction cost and the ratio of usable area of the building area. This article presents a comparative analysis of traditional construction with light frame and modular construction for the above-mentioned issues. Timber frame structure technology was suggested as effective, economic and innovative solutions for modular additions on buildings in city centres.

The Effect of Microplastic on the Uptake of Chemicals by the Lugworm Arenicola marina (L.) under Environmentally Relevant Exposure Conditions

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

It has been hypothesized that ingestion of microplastic increases exposure of aquatic organisms to hydrophobic contaminants. To date, most laboratory studies investigated chemical transfer from ingested microplastic without taking other exposure pathways into account. Therefore, we studied the effect of polyethylene (PE) microplastic in sediment on PCB uptake by Arenicola marina as a model species, quantifying uptake fluxes from all natural exposure pathways. PCB concentrations in sediment, biota lipids (Clip) and porewater measured with passive samplers were used to derive lipid-normalized bioaccumulation metrics Clip, Biota sediment accumulation factor (BSAF), Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and the Biota plastic accumulation factor (BPAF). Small effects of PE addition were detected suggesting slightly increased or decreased bioaccumulation. However, the differences decreased in magnitude dependent on the metric used to assess bioaccumulation, in the order: Clip > BSAF > BPAF > BAF, and were nonsignificant for BAF. The fact that BAF, that is, normalization of Clip on porewater concentration, largely removed all effects of PE, shows that PE did not act as a measurable vector of PCBs. Biodynamic model analysis confirmed that PE ingestion contributed marginally to bioaccumulation. This work confirmed model-based predictions on the limited relevance of microplastic for bioaccumulation under environmentally realistic conditions, and illustrated the importance of assessing exposure through all media in microplastic bioaccumulation studies. PMID:28682597

The Effect of Microplastic on the Uptake of Chemicals by the Lugworm Arenicola marina (L.) under Environmentally Relevant Exposure Conditions.

PubMed

Besseling, Ellen; Foekema, Edwin M; van den Heuvel-Greve, Martine J; Koelmans, Albert A

2017-08-01

It has been hypothesized that ingestion of microplastic increases exposure of aquatic organisms to hydrophobic contaminants. To date, most laboratory studies investigated chemical transfer from ingested microplastic without taking other exposure pathways into account. Therefore, we studied the effect of polyethylene (PE) microplastic in sediment on PCB uptake by Arenicola marina as a model species, quantifying uptake fluxes from all natural exposure pathways. PCB concentrations in sediment, biota lipids (C lip ) and porewater measured with passive samplers were used to derive lipid-normalized bioaccumulation metrics C lip , Biota sediment accumulation factor (BSAF), Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and the Biota plastic accumulation factor (BPAF). Small effects of PE addition were detected suggesting slightly increased or decreased bioaccumulation. However, the differences decreased in magnitude dependent on the metric used to assess bioaccumulation, in the order: C lip > BSAF > BPAF > BAF, and were nonsignificant for BAF. The fact that BAF, that is, normalization of C lip on porewater concentration, largely removed all effects of PE, shows that PE did not act as a measurable vector of PCBs. Biodynamic model analysis confirmed that PE ingestion contributed marginally to bioaccumulation. This work confirmed model-based predictions on the limited relevance of microplastic for bioaccumulation under environmentally realistic conditions, and illustrated the importance of assessing exposure through all media in microplastic bioaccumulation studies.

Measurement of U-235 Fission Neutron Spectra Using a Multiple Gamma Coincidence Technique

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

Ji Chuncheng; Kegel, G.H.R.; Egan, J.J.

2005-05-24

The Los Alamos Model of Madland and Nix predicts the shape of the fission neutron energy spectrum for incident primary neutrons of different energies. Verifications of the model normally are limited to measurements of the fission neutron spectra for energies higher than that of the primary neutrons because the low-energy spectrum is distorted by the admixture of elastically and inelastically scattered neutrons. This situation can be remedied by using a measuring technique that separates fission from scattering events. One solution consists of using a fissile sample so thin that fission fragments can be observed indicating the occurrence of a fissionmore » event. A different approach is considered in this paper. It has been established that a fission event is accompanied by the emission of between seven and eight gamma rays, while in a scattering interaction, between zero and two gammas are emitted, so that a gamma multiplicity detector should supply a datum to distinguish a fission event from a scattering event. We proceed as follows: A subnanosecond pulsed and bunched proton beam from the UML Van de Graaff generates nearly mono-energetic neutrons by irradiating a thin metallic lithium target. The neutrons irradiate a 235U sample. Emerging neutron energies are measured with a time-of-flight spectrometer. A set of four BaF2 detectors is located close to the 235U sample. These detectors together with their electronic components identify five different events for each neutron detected, i.e., whether four, three, two, one, or none of the BaF2 detectors received one (or more) gamma rays. We present work, preliminary to the final measurements, involving feasibility considerations based on gamma-ray coincidence measurements with four BaF2 detectors, and the design of a Fission-Scattering Discriminator under construction.« less

Bioaccumulation and biotransformation of the beta-blocker propranolol in multigenerational exposure to Daphnia magna.

PubMed

Jeong, Tae-Yong; Kim, Tae-Hun; Kim, Sang Don

2016-09-01

Multigenerational bioaccumulation and biotransformation activity and short-term kinetics (e.g., uptake and depuration) of propranolol in Daphnia magna were investigated at environmental concentration. The body burden and the major metabolite, desisopropyl propranolol (DIP), of propranolol were quantified using LC-MS/MS at the end of each generation after exposure for 11 generations. The accumulation of propranolol in D. magna at an environmental concentration of 0.2 μg/L was not much different between the parent (F0) and the eleventh filial (F10) generation. However, at 28 μg/L, its accumulation was 1.6 times higher-up to 18.9 μg/g-in the F10 generation relative to the F0. In contrast to propranolol, DIP intensity gradually increased from F0 to F10 at 0.2 μg/L, reflecting an increase in detoxification load and biotransformation performance; no increasing trend was observed at 28 μg/L. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) showed higher values with a lower concentration and longer period of exposure. The average values of the BAF for 21 days of long-term exposure in successive 11 generations were 440.4 ± 119.7 and 1026.5 ± 208.6 L/kg for 28 μg/L and 0.2 μg/L, respectively. These are comparable to the BAF of 192 for the short-term 72-h exposure at 28 μg/L in the parent generation. It is also recommended that future studies for pharmaceutical ingredients be conducted on drug-drug interaction and structural characteristics on the prediction of biotransformation activity and bioaccumulation rate. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Integral recycling of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash fines (0-2mm) and industrial powder wastes by cold-bonding pelletization.

PubMed

Tang, P; Brouwers, H J H

2017-04-01

The cold-bonding pelletizing technique is applied in this study as an integrated method to recycle municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash fines (BAF, 0-2mm) and several other industrial powder wastes. Artificial lightweight aggregates are produced successfully based on the combination of these solid wastes, and the properties of these artificial aggregates are investigated and then compared with others' results reported in literature. Additionally, methods for improving the aggregate properties are suggested, and the corresponding experimental results show that increasing the BAF amount, higher binder content and addition of polypropylene fibres can improve the pellet properties (bulk density, crushing resistance, etc.). The mechanisms regarding to the improvement of the pellet properties are discussed. Furthermore, the leaching behaviours of contaminants from the produced aggregates are investigated and compared with Dutch environmental legislation. The application of these produced artificial lightweight aggregates are proposed according to their properties. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Advanced Solid Lubricant Coatings for Foil Air Bearings Operating at 25 and 500 C

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DellaCorte, Christopher; Fellenstein, James A.; Benoy, Patricia A.

1998-01-01

The tribological properties of one chrome oxide and one chrome carbide based solid lubricant coating were evaluated in a partial-arc foil bearing at 25 and 500 C. Start/stop bearing operation up to 20,000 cycles were run under 10 kPa (1.5 psi) static deadweight load. Bearing friction (torque) was measured during the test. Specimen wear and SEM/EDS surface analyses were conducted after testing to understand and elucidate the tribological characteristics observed. The chrome oxide coating which contains both (Ag) and (BaF2/CaF2) for low and high temperature lubrication, exhibited low friction in sliding against Al2O3 coated foils at 25 and 500 C. The chrome carbide coating, which lacked a low temperature lubricant but contained BaF2/CaF2 as a high temperature lubricant, exhibited high friction at 25 C and low friction at 500 C against both bare and Al2O3 coated superalloy foil surfaces. Post test surface analyses suggest that improved tribological performance is exhibited when a lubricant film from the coating transfers to the foil surface.

[Numerical simulation and operation optimization of biological filter].

PubMed

Zou, Zong-Sen; Shi, Han-Chang; Chen, Xiang-Qiang; Xie, Xiao-Qing

2014-12-01

BioWin software and two sensitivity analysis methods were used to simulate the Denitrification Biological Filter (DNBF) + Biological Aerated Filter (BAF) process in Yuandang Wastewater Treatment Plant. Based on the BioWin model of DNBF + BAF process, the operation data of September 2013 were used for sensitivity analysis and model calibration, and the operation data of October 2013 were used for model validation. The results indicated that the calibrated model could accurately simulate practical DNBF + BAF processes, and the most sensitive parameters were the parameters related to biofilm, OHOs and aeration. After the validation and calibration of model, it was used for process optimization with simulating operation results under different conditions. The results showed that, the best operation condition for discharge standard B was: reflux ratio = 50%, ceasing methanol addition, influent C/N = 4.43; while the best operation condition for discharge standard A was: reflux ratio = 50%, influent COD = 155 mg x L(-1) after methanol addition, influent C/N = 5.10.

Modular structure of functional networks in olfactory memory.

PubMed

Meunier, David; Fonlupt, Pierre; Saive, Anne-Lise; Plailly, Jane; Ravel, Nadine; Royet, Jean-Pierre

2014-07-15

Graph theory enables the study of systems by describing those systems as a set of nodes and edges. Graph theory has been widely applied to characterize the overall structure of data sets in the social, technological, and biological sciences, including neuroscience. Modular structure decomposition enables the definition of sub-networks whose components are gathered in the same module and work together closely, while working weakly with components from other modules. This processing is of interest for studying memory, a cognitive process that is widely distributed. We propose a new method to identify modular structure in task-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) networks. The modular structure was obtained directly from correlation coefficients and thus retained information about both signs and weights. The method was applied to functional data acquired during a yes-no odor recognition memory task performed by young and elderly adults. Four response categories were explored: correct (Hit) and incorrect (False alarm, FA) recognition and correct and incorrect rejection. We extracted time series data for 36 areas as a function of response categories and age groups and calculated condition-based weighted correlation matrices. Overall, condition-based modular partitions were more homogeneous in young than elderly subjects. Using partition similarity-based statistics and a posteriori statistical analyses, we demonstrated that several areas, including the hippocampus, caudate nucleus, and anterior cingulate gyrus, belonged to the same module more frequently during Hit than during all other conditions. Modularity values were negatively correlated with memory scores in the Hit condition and positively correlated with bias scores (liberal/conservative attitude) in the Hit and FA conditions. We further demonstrated that the proportion of positive and negative links between areas of different modules (i.e., the proportion of correlated and anti-correlated areas) accounted for most of the observed differences in signed modularity. Taken together, our results provided some evidence that the neural networks involved in odor recognition memory are organized into modules and that these modular partitions are linked to behavioral performance and individual strategies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Buffer Gas Cooled Molecule Source for Cpmmw Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Yan; Grimes, David; Barnum, Timothy J.; Klein, Ethan; Field, Robert W.

2014-06-01

We have built a new molecular beam source that implements 20 K Neon buffer gas cooling for the study of the spectra of small molecules. In particular, laser ablation of BaF2 pellets has been optimized to produce a molecular beam of BaF with a number density more than 100 times greater than what we have previously obtained from a typical Smalley-type photoablation supersonic beam source. Moreover, the forward beam velocity of 150 m/s in our apparatus represents an approximate 10-fold reduction, improving spectroscopic resolution from 500 kHz to better than 50 kHz at 100 GHz in a chirped-pulse millimeter-wave experiment in which resolution is limited by Doppler broadening. Novel improvements in our buffer gas source and advantages for CPmmW spectroscopy studies will be discussed. We thank David Patterson, John Barry, John Doyle, and David DeMille for help in the design of our source.

Bioavailability of five hydrophobic organic compounds to earthworms from sterile and non-sterile artificial soils.

PubMed

Šmídová, Klára; Kim, Sooyeon; Hofman, Jakub

2017-07-01

Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of organic pollutants to soil biota, often required by risk assessment, are mostly obtained in non-sterile laboratory-contaminated artificial soils. However, microbial degradation has been indicated by many authors to influence the fate of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) in soils. A question arises if the microbial community of peat which is used for artificial soil preparation affects the measured values of BAFs. In this study the effect of soil microorganisms on bioavailability of HOCs was studied and a portion of each soil was sterilized by gamma irradiation. Results indicated that the sterilization process significantly affected the fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; phenanthrene and pyrene) and increased bioavailability of these compounds to earthworms with BAFs several times higher in the sterile soils compared to their non-sterile variants. This suggests that sterilization of soils can be used as the "worst-case scenario" for laboratory tests of toxicity or bioaccumulation of biodegradable HOCs such as PAHs. It represents a situation of limited microbial degradation resulting in higher bioavailable fractions to other organisms (e.g. invertebrates). This may be the case in soils where microbial communities face stresses caused by contamination or land management. The bioavailability of chlorinated HOCs (lindane, 4,4'-DDT and PCB 153) was not affected by sterilization, as their BAFs were similar in the sterile and non-sterile soils during the experiment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

17 CFR 232.501 - Modular submissions and segmented filings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

...) One or more electronic format documents may be submitted for storage in the non-public EDGAR data... data storage area at any time, not to exceed a total of one megabyte of digital information. If an...-public EDGAR data storage area for assembly as a segmented filing. (2) Segments shall be submitted no...

17 CFR 232.501 - Modular submissions and segmented filings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...) One or more electronic format documents may be submitted for storage in the non-public EDGAR data... data storage area at any time, not to exceed a total of one megabyte of digital information. If an...-public EDGAR data storage area for assembly as a segmented filing. (2) Segments shall be submitted no...

17 CFR 232.501 - Modular submissions and segmented filings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) One or more electronic format documents may be submitted for storage in the non-public EDGAR data... data storage area at any time, not to exceed a total of one megabyte of digital information. If an...-public EDGAR data storage area for assembly as a segmented filing. (2) Segments shall be submitted no...

17 CFR 232.501 - Modular submissions and segmented filings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...) One or more electronic format documents may be submitted for storage in the non-public EDGAR data... data storage area at any time, not to exceed a total of one megabyte of digital information. If an...-public EDGAR data storage area for assembly as a segmented filing. (2) Segments shall be submitted no...

17 CFR 232.501 - Modular submissions and segmented filings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...) One or more electronic format documents may be submitted for storage in the non-public EDGAR data... data storage area at any time, not to exceed a total of one megabyte of digital information. If an...-public EDGAR data storage area for assembly as a segmented filing. (2) Segments shall be submitted no...

Experimental validation of finite element modelling of a modular metal-on-polyethylene total hip replacement.

PubMed

Hua, Xijin; Wang, Ling; Al-Hajjar, Mazen; Jin, Zhongmin; Wilcox, Ruth K; Fisher, John

2014-07-01

Finite element models are becoming increasingly useful tools to conduct parametric analysis, design optimisation and pre-clinical testing for hip joint replacements. However, the verification of the finite element model is critically important. The purposes of this study were to develop a three-dimensional anatomic finite element model for a modular metal-on-polyethylene total hip replacement for predicting its contact mechanics and to conduct experimental validation for a simple finite element model which was simplified from the anatomic finite element model. An anatomic modular metal-on-polyethylene total hip replacement model (anatomic model) was first developed and then simplified with reasonable accuracy to a simple modular total hip replacement model (simplified model) for validation. The contact areas on the articulating surface of three polyethylene liners of modular metal-on-polyethylene total hip replacement bearings with different clearances were measured experimentally in the Leeds ProSim hip joint simulator under a series of loading conditions and different cup inclination angles. The contact areas predicted from the simplified model were then compared with that measured experimentally under the same conditions. The results showed that the simplification made for the anatomic model did not change the predictions of contact mechanics of the modular metal-on-polyethylene total hip replacement substantially (less than 12% for contact stresses and contact areas). Good agreements of contact areas between the finite element predictions from the simplified model and experimental measurements were obtained, with maximum difference of 14% across all conditions considered. This indicated that the simplification and assumptions made in the anatomic model were reasonable and the finite element predictions from the simplified model were valid. © IMechE 2014.

Comparison of Laboratory Measured BCFs, BMFs, and BSAFs to Field Measured BAFs, BMFs, and BSAFs

EPA Science Inventory

A series of workshops on bioaccumulation science and issues have been held since 2005, and the foci of these past workshops were1) Bioaccumulation Data Sources, 2) In Vitro/ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) in Bioaccumulation Assessments, and 3) Bioaccumu...

Field and laboratory fish tissue accumulation of the anti-convulsant drug carbamazepine.

PubMed

Garcia, Santos N; Foster, Michael; Constantine, Lisa A; Huggett, Duane B

2012-10-01

Understanding the potential for human and veterinary pharmaceuticals to accumulate in the tissues of biota is a topic of increasing importance in the pharmaceutical risk assessment process. However, few data are available in the literature that compare the ability of laboratory bioconcentration studies to predict field tissue concentrations. To begin to address this data gap, bioconcentration factors (BCF) for carbamazepine (CBZ), a human anticonvulsant that modulates Na+ channels, were determined using laboratory experiments with Pimephales notatus and Ictalurus punctatus. These data were compared to field derived bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for Oreochromis niloticus from the Denton, Texas Wastewater Treatment Plant. The 42 d kinetic BCFs (BCFk) for white muscle and liver of P. notatus were 1.9 and 4.6, respectively, while the white muscle, liver, brain, and plasma BCFk's of I. punctatus were 1.8, 1.5, 1.6, and 7.1, respectively. Field derived BAF values (2.5-3.8) for O. niloticus were similar to those derived in laboratory studies. Partitioning values between blood plasma and individual tissues were calculated for I. punctatus and O. niloticus, with the values indicating that tissue levels of carbamazepine are similar or slightly higher than plasma concentrations. Collectively these data suggest that the fish laboratory BCF and field derived BCF/BAF values for carbamazepine are similar and much lower than the European Union regulatory threshold of 2000 for designation of a "B" substance. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Combination of ozonation, activated carbon, and biological aerated filter for advanced treatment of dyeing wastewater for reuse.

PubMed

Zou, Xiao-Ling

2015-06-01

Laboratorial scale experiments were performed to investigate and evaluate the performance and removal characteristics of organics, color, and genotoxicity by an integrated process including ozonation, activated carbon (AC), and biological aerated filter (BAF) for recycling biotreated dyeing wastewater (BTDW) collected from a cotton textile factory. Influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the range of 156 - 252 mg/L, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) of 13.5 - 21.7 mg/L, and color of 58 - 76° were observed during the 20-day continuous operation. Outflows with average COD of 43 mg/L, BOD5 of 6.6 mg/L, and color of 5.6° were obtained after being decontaminated by the hybrid system with ozone dosage of 0.25 mg O3applied/mg COD0, 40 min ozonation contact time, 30 min hydraulic retention time (HRT) for AC treatment, and 2.5 h HRT for BAF treatment. More than 82 % of the genotoxicity of BTDW was eliminated in the ozonation unit. The genotoxicity of the BAF effluent was less than 1.33 μg 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide/L. Ozonation could change the organics molecular structures, destroy chromophores, increase the biodegradability, and obviously reduce the genotoxicity of BTDW. Results showed that the combined process could guarantee water reuse with high quality.

Bioaccumulation of decamethylcyclopentasiloxane in perch in Swedish lakes.

PubMed

Kierkegaard, Amelie; Bignert, Anders; McLachlan, Michael S

2013-10-01

Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), a high production volume chemical used in personal care products, enters the environment both via air and sewage treatment plant (STP) recipients. It has been found in fish, and there is concern that it may be a bioaccumulative substance. In this work D5 was analyzed in perch from six Swedish lakes that did not receive STP effluent, and in perch and sediment from six lakes that received STP effluent. In the lakes receiving the STP effluent, the D5 concentrations in sediment varied over three orders of magnitude and were correlated with the number of persons connected to the STP normalized to the surface area of the receiving body. In the lakes not receiving effluent, the D5 levels in perch were all below the LOQ, while D5 was above the LOQ in almost all perch from lakes that received effluent. The D5 concentrations in perch and sediment from the lakes receiving STP effluent were correlated. This shows that STP effluent is a much more important source of D5 to aquatic ecosystems than atmospheric deposition, and that the risk of adverse effects of D5 on aquatic life will be greatest in small recipients receiving large amounts of STP effluent. The bioaccumulation of D5 was compared to that of PCB 180 on the basis of multimedia bioaccumulation factors (mmBAFs), which describe the fraction of the contaminant present in the whole aquatic environment (i.e. water and surface sediment) that is transferred to the fish. In four of the six lakes the mmBAF of D5 was >0.3 of the mmBAF of PCB 180. Given that PCB 180 is a known highly bioaccumulative chemical, this indicates that the bioaccumulation of D5 in perch is considerable. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cooperation between STAT5 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in the IL-3-dependent survival of a bone marrow derived cell line.

PubMed

Rosa Santos, S C; Dumon, S; Mayeux, P; Gisselbrecht, S; Gouilleux, F

2000-02-24

Cytokine-dependent activation of distinct signaling pathways is a common scheme thought to be required for the subsequent programmation into cell proliferation and survival. The PI 3-kinase/Akt, Ras/MAP kinase, Ras/NFIL3 and JAK/STAT pathways have been shown to participate in cytokine mediated suppression of apoptosis in various cell types. However the relative importance of these signaling pathways seems to depend on the cellular context. In several cases, individual inhibition of each pathway is not sufficient to completely abrogate cytokine mediated cell survival suggesting that cooperation between these pathways is required. Here we showed that individual inhibition of STAT5, PI 3-kinase or MEK activities did not or weakly affected the IL-3 dependent survival of the bone marrow derived Ba/F3 cell line. However, the simultaneous inhibition of STAT5 and PI 3-kinase activities but not that of STAT5 and MEK reduced the IL-3 dependent survival of Ba/F3. Analysis of the expression of the Bcl-2 members indicated that phosphorylation of Bad and Bcl-x expression which are respectively regulated by the PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway and STAT5 probably explain this cooperation. Furthermore, we showed by co-immunoprecipitation studies and pull down experiments with fusion proteins encoding the GST-SH2 domains of p85 that STAT5 in its phosphorylated form interacts with the p85 subunit of the PI 3-kinase. These results indicate that the activations of STAT5 and the PI 3-kinase by IL-3 in Ba/F3 cells are tightly connected and cooperate to mediate IL-3-dependent suppression of apoptosis by modulating Bad phosphorylation and Bcl-x expression.

X-ray optics for the LAMAR facility, an overview. [Large Area Modular Array of Reflectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gorenstein, P.

1979-01-01

The paper surveys the Large Area Modular Array of Reflectors (LAMAR), the concept of which is based on meeting two major requirements in X-ray astronomy, large collecting area and moderately good or better angular resolution for avoiding source confusion and imaging source fields. It is shown that the LAMAR provides the same sensitivity and signal to noise in imaging as a single large telescope having the same area and angular resolution but is a great deal less costly to develop, construct, and integrate into a space mission. Attention is also given to the LAMAR modular nature which will allow for an evolutionary development from a modest size array on Spacelab to a Shuttle launched free flyer. Finally, consideration is given to manufacturing methods which show promise of making LAMAR meet the criteria of good angular resolution, relatively low cost, and capability for fast volume production.

Measurement of Cosmic-Ray TeV Electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schubnell, Michael; Anderson, T.; Bower, C.; Coutu, S.; Gennaro, J.; Geske, M.; Mueller, D.; Musser, J.; Nutter, S.; Park, N.; Tarle, G.; Wakely, S.

2011-09-01

The Cosmic Ray Electron Synchrotron Telescope (CREST) high-altitude balloon experiment is a pathfinding effort to detect for the first time multi-TeV cosmic-ray electrons. At these energies distant sources will not contribute to the local electron spectrum due to the strong energy losses of the electrons and thus TeV observations will reflect the distribution and abundance of nearby acceleration sites. CREST will detect electrons indirectly by measuring the characteristic synchrotron photons generated in the Earth's magnetic field. The instrument consist of an array of 1024 BaF2 crystals viewed by photomultiplier tubes surrounded by a hermetic scintillator shield. Since the primary electron itself need not traverse the payload, an effective detection area is achieved that is several times the nominal 6.4 m2 instrument. CREST is scheduled to fly in a long duration circumpolar orbit over Antarctica during the 2011-12 season.

Searching for TeV cosmic electrons with the CREST experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coutu, S.; Anderson, T.; Bower, C.; Gennaro, J.; Geske, M.; Müller, D.; Musser, J.; Nutter, S.; Park, N. H.; Schubnell, M.; Tarlé, G.; Wakely, S.; Yagi, A.

2011-06-01

The Cosmic Ray Electron Synchrotron Telescope (CREST) high-altitude balloon experiment is a pathfinding effort to detect for the first time multi-TeV cosmic-ray electrons. Such would be the markers of nearby cosmic accelerators, as energetic electrons from distant Galactic sources are expected to be depleted by radiative losses during interstellar transport. Electrons will be detected indirectly by the characteristic signature of their geomagnetic synchrotron losses, in the form of a burst of coaligned x-ray photons intersecting the plane of the instrument. Since the primary electron itself need not traverse the payload, an effective detection area is achieved that is several times the nominal 6.4 m2 instrument. The payload is composed of an array of 1024 BaF2 crystals surrounded by a set of veto scintillator detectors. A long-duration balloon flight in Antarctica is planned for the 2011-12 season.

SWI/SNF Subunits SMARCA4, SMARCD2 and DPF2 Collaborate in MLL-Rearranged Leukaemia Maintenance.

PubMed

Cruickshank, V Adam; Sroczynska, Patrycja; Sankar, Aditya; Miyagi, Satoru; Rundsten, Carsten Friis; Johansen, Jens Vilstrup; Helin, Kristian

2015-01-01

Alterations in chromatin structure caused by deregulated epigenetic mechanisms collaborate with underlying genetic lesions to promote cancer. SMARCA4/BRG1, a core component of the SWI/SNF ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling complex, has been implicated by its mutational spectrum as exerting a tumour-suppressor function in many solid tumours; recently however, it has been reported to sustain leukaemogenic transformation in MLL-rearranged leukaemia in mice. Here we further explore the role of SMARCA4 and the two SWI/SNF subunits SMARCD2/BAF60B and DPF2/BAF45D in leukaemia. We observed the selective requirement for these proteins for leukaemic cell expansion and self-renewal in-vitro as well as in leukaemia. Gene expression profiling in human cells of each of these three factors suggests that they have overlapping functions in leukaemia. The gene expression changes induced by loss of the three proteins demonstrate that they are required for the expression of haematopoietic stem cell associated genes but in contrast to previous results obtained in mouse cells, the three proteins are not required for the expression of c-MYC regulated genes.

Internal Tandem Duplication in FLT3 Attenuates Proliferation and Regulates Resistance to the FLT3 Inhibitor AC220 by Modulating p21Cdkn1a and Pbx1 in Hematopoietic Cells

PubMed Central

Abe, Mariko; Pelus, Louis M.; Singh, Pratibha; Hirade, Tomohiro; Onishi, Chie; Purevsuren, Jamiyan; Taketani, Takeshi; Yamaguchi, Seiji; Fukuda, Seiji

2016-01-01

Internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations in the Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene (FLT3-ITD) are associated with poor prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Due to the development of drug resistance, few FLT3-ITD inhibitors are effective against FLT3-ITD+ AML. In this study, we show that FLT3-ITD activates a novel pathway involving p21Cdkn1a (p21) and pre-B cell leukemia transcription factor 1 (Pbx1) that attenuates FLT3-ITD cell proliferation and is involved in the development of drug resistance. FLT3-ITD up-regulated p21 expression in both mouse bone marrow c-kit+-Sca-1+-Lin- (KSL) cells and Ba/F3 cells. The loss of p21 expression enhanced growth factor-independent proliferation and sensitivity to cytarabine as a consequence of concomitantly enriching the S+G2/M phase population and significantly increasing the expression of Pbx1, but not Evi-1, in FLT3-ITD+ cells. This enhanced cell proliferation following the loss of p21 was partially abrogated when Pbx1 expression was silenced in FLT3-ITD+ primary bone marrow colony-forming cells and Ba/F3 cells. When FLT3-ITD was antagonized with AC220, a selective inhibitor of FLT3-ITD, p21 expression was decreased coincident with Pbx1 mRNA up-regulation and a rapid decline in the number of viable FLT3-ITD+ Ba/F3 cells; however, the cells eventually became refractory to AC220. Overexpressing p21 in FLT3-ITD+ Ba/F3 cells delayed the emergence of cells that were refractory to AC220, whereas p21 silencing accelerated their development. These data indicate that FLT3-ITD is capable of inhibiting FLT3-ITD+ cell proliferation through the p21/Pbx1 axis and that treatments that antagonize FLT3-ITD contribute to the subsequent development of cells that are refractory to a FLT3-ITD inhibitor by disrupting p21 expression. PMID:27387666

Anisotropy of the Seebeck and Nernst coefficients in parent compounds of the iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matusiak, Marcin; Babij, Michał; Wolf, Thomas

2018-03-01

In-plane longitudinal and transverse thermoelectric phenomena in two parent compounds of iron-based superconductors are studied. Namely, the Seebeck (S ) and Nernst (ν) coefficients were measured in the temperature range 10-300 K for BaF e2A s2 and CaF e2A s2 single crystals that were detwinned in situ. The thermoelectric response shows sizable anisotropy in the spin density wave (SDW) state for both compounds, while some dissimilarities in the vicinity of the SDW transition can be attributed to the different nature of the phase change in BaF e2A s2 and CaF e2A s2 . Temperature dependences of S and ν can be described within a two-band model that contains a contribution from highly mobile, probably Dirac, electrons. The Dirac band seems to be rather isotropic, whereas most of the anisotropy in the transport phenomena could be attributed to "regular" holelike charge carriers. We also observe that the off-diagonal element of the Peltier tensor αx y is not the same for the a and b orthorhombic axes, which indicates that the widely used Mott formula is not applicable to the SDW state of iron-based superconductors.

Optical properties of (50-X)BaO-X(YF2)-50P2O5 glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narayanan, Manoj Kumar; Shashikala, H. D.

2018-05-01

Glasses with composition (50-X)BaO-X(YF2)-50P2O5 (Y - Ca, Ba, X = 0, 10, 20 mol%) were prepared using conventional melt-quenching technique. Optical parameters of prepared samples such as optical band gap energy increased, while Urbach energy and refractive index decreased with partial substitution of BaO with CaF2 or BaF2 in the glass batch.

Impact of Substratum Surface on Microbial Community Structure and Treatment Performance in Biological Aerated Filters

PubMed Central

Kim, Lavane; Pagaling, Eulyn; Zuo, Yi Y.

2014-01-01

The impact of substratum surface property change on biofilm community structure was investigated using laboratory biological aerated filter (BAF) reactors and molecular microbial community analysis. Two substratum surfaces that differed in surface properties were created via surface coating and used to develop biofilms in test (modified surface) and control (original surface) BAF reactors. Microbial community analysis by 16S rRNA gene-based PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that the surface property change consistently resulted in distinct profiles of microbial populations during replicate reactor start-ups. Pyrosequencing of the bar-coded 16S rRNA gene amplicons surveyed more than 90% of the microbial diversity in the microbial communities and identified 72 unique bacterial species within 19 bacterial orders. Among the 19 orders of bacteria detected, Burkholderiales and Rhodocyclales of the Betaproteobacteria class were numerically dominant and accounted for 90.5 to 97.4% of the sequence reads, and their relative abundances in the test and control BAF reactors were different in consistent patterns during the two reactor start-ups. Three of the five dominant bacterial species also showed consistent relative abundance changes between the test and control BAF reactors. The different biofilm microbial communities led to different treatment efficiencies, with consistently higher total organic carbon (TOC) removal in the test reactor than in the control reactor. Further understanding of how surface properties affect biofilm microbial communities and functional performance would enable the rational design of new generations of substrata for the improvement of biofilm-based biological treatment processes. PMID:24141134

Production of cloned and transgenic embryos using buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryonic stem cell-like cells isolated from in vitro fertilized and cloned blastocysts.

PubMed

George, Aman; Sharma, Ruchi; Singh, Karn P; Panda, Sudeepta K; Singla, Suresh K; Palta, Prabhat; Manik, Radhaysham; Chauhan, Manmohan S

2011-06-01

Here, we report the isolation and characterization of embryonic stem (ES) cell-like cells from cloned blastocysts, generated using fibroblasts derived from an adult buffalo (BAF). These nuclear transfer embryonic stem cell-like cells (NT-ES) grew in well-defined and dome-shaped colonies. The expression pattern of pluripotency marker genes was similar in both NT-ES and in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo-derived embryonic stem cell-like cells (F-ES). Upon spontaneous differentiation via embryoid body formation, cells of different morphology were observed, among which predominant were endodermal-like and epithelial-like cell types. The ES cell-like cells could be passaged only mechanically and did not form colonies when plated as single cell suspension at different concentrations. When F-ES cell-like, NT-ES cell-like, and BAF cells of same genotype were used for hand-made cloning (HMC), no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in cleavage and blastocyst rate. Following transfer of HMC embryos to synchronized recipients, pregnancies were established only with F-ES cell-like and BAF cell-derived embryos, and one live calf was born from F-ES cell-like cells. Further, when transfected NT-ES cell-like cells and BAF were used for HMC, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed between cleavage and blastocyst rate. In conclusion, here we report for the first time the derivation of ES cell-like cells from an adult buffalo, and its genetic modification. We also report the birth of a live cloned calf from buffalo ES cell-like cells.

Timing Performance of TlBr Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hitomi, Keitaro; Tada, Tsutomu; Onodera, Toshiyuki; Shoji, Tadayoshi; Kim, Seong-Yun; Xu, Yuanlai; Ishii, Keizo

2013-08-01

The timing performance of TlBr detectors was evaluated at room temperature (22 °C). 0.5-mm-thick planar TlBr detectors with Tl circular electrodes with a diameter of 3 mm were fabricated from TlBr crystals grown by the traveling molten zone method using a zone-purified material. The pulse rise time of the TlBr detector was measured using a digital oscilloscope as the cathode surface of the device was irradiated with a 22Na gamma-ray source. Coincidence timing spectra were obtained between the TlBr detector and a BaF2 scintillation detector when both detectors were irradiated with 511 keV positron annihilation gamma-rays. The timing resolution of the TlBr detector was found to be inversely proportional to the applied bias voltage. The TlBr detector, in coincidence with the BaF2 detector, exhibited timing resolutions characterized by a 6.5 ns full width at half maximum (FWHM) and an 8.5 ns FWHM with and without an energy window of 350 keV-560 keV, respectively.

Palm oil mill effluent treatment using a two-stage microbial fuel cells system integrated with immobilized biological aerated filters.

PubMed

Cheng, Jia; Zhu, Xiuping; Ni, Jinren; Borthwick, Alistair

2010-04-01

An integrated system of two-stage microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and immobilized biological aerated filters (I-BAFs) was used to treat palm oil mill effluent (POME) at laboratory scale. By replacing the conventional two-stage up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) with a newly proposed upflow membrane-less microbial fuel cell (UML-MFC) in the integrated system, significant improvements on NH(3)-N removal were observed and direct electricity generation implemented in both MFC1 and MFC2. Moreover, the coupled iron-carbon micro-electrolysis in the cathode of MFC2 further enhanced treatment efficiency of organic compounds. The I-BAFs played a major role in further removal of NH(3)-N and COD. For influent COD and NH(3)-N of 10,000 and 125 mg/L, respectively, the final effluents COD and NH(3)-N were below 350 and 8 mg/L, with removal rates higher than 96.5% and 93.6%. The GC-MS analysis indicated that most of the contaminants were satisfactorily biodegraded by the integrated system. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparing cost and process performance of activated sludge (AS) and biological aerated filters (BAF) over ten years of full sale operation.

PubMed

Hansen, R; Thogersen, T; Rogalla, F

2007-01-01

In the early 1990s, the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) of Frederikshavn, Denmark, was extended to meet new requirements for nutrient removal (8 mg/L TN, 1.5 mg TP/L) as well as to increase its average daily flow to 16,500 m(3)/d (4.5 MGD). As the most economical upgrade of the existing activated sludge (AS) plant, a parallel biological aerated filter (BAF) was selected, and started up in 1995. Running two full scale processes in parallel for over ten years on the same wastewater and treatment objectives enabled a direct comparison in relation to operating performance, costs and experience. Common pretreatment consists of screening, an aerated grit and grease removal and three primary settlers with chemical addition. The effluent is then pumped to the two parallel biological treatment stages, AS with recirculation and an upflow BAF with floating media. The wastewater is a mixture of industrial and domestic wastewater, with a dominant discharge of fish processing effluent which can amount to 50% of the flow. The maximum hydraulic load on the pretreatment section as a whole is 1,530 m(3)/h. Approximately 60% of the sewer system is combined with a total of 32 overflow structures. To avoid the direct discharge of combined sewer overflows into the receiving waters, the total hydraulic wet weather capacity of the plant is increased to 4,330 m(3)/h, or 6 times average flow. During rain, some of the raw sewage can be directed through a stormwater bypass to the BAF, which can be modified in its operation to accommodate various treatment needs: either using simultaneous nitrification/denitrification in all filters with recirculation introducing bottom aeration with full nitrification in some filters for storm treatment and/or post-denitrification in one filter. After treatment, the wastewater is discharged to the Baltic Sea through a 500 m outfall. The BAF backwash sludge, approximately 1,900 m(3) per 24 h in dry weather, is redirected to the AS plant. Primary settler sludge and the combined biosolids from the AS plant are anaerobically digested, with methane gas being used for generation of heat and power. On-line measurements for the parameters NO3, NO2, NH4, temperature as well as dissolved oxygen (DO) are used for control of aeration and external carbon source (methanol). Dosing of flocculants for P-removal is carried out based on laboratory analysis and jar tests. This paper discusses the experience gained from the plant operation during the last ten years, compiling comparative performance and cost data of the two processes, as well as their optimisation.

Characterization of soluble microbial products in a drinking water biological aerated filter.

PubMed

Kang, Jia; Ma, Teng-Fei; Zhang, Peng; Gao, Xu; Chen, You-Peng

2016-05-01

Utilization-associated products (UAPs) and biomass-associated products (BAPs) were quantified separately in this study to characterize soluble microbial products (SMPs) in a drinking water lab-scale biological aerated filter (BAF), and their basic characteristics were explored using gel filtration chromatography and three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) spectrophotometry with fluorescence regional integration analysis and parallel factor model. UAPs were observed increased with the increase of filter media depth and accumulated after BAF treatment, whereas BAPs were basically constant. 3D-EEM spectroscopy analysis result showed that tryptophan and protein-like compounds were the main components of UAPs and BAPs, and fulvic-acid-like substance was a major component of BAPs, rather than UAPs. In terms of molecular weight (MW) distribution, UAP MW presented a bimodal distribution in the range of 1-5 and >10 kDa, while BAP MW exhibited unimodal distribution with MW >20 kDa fraction accounting for more than 90 %. The macromolecules of UAPs accumulated after BAF treatment. This study provides theoretical support for in-depth study of SMP characteristics.

The performance of biological anaerobic filters packed with sludge-fly ash ceramic particles (SFCP) and commercial ceramic particles (CCP) during the restart period: effect of the C/N ratios and filter media.

PubMed

Yue, Qinyan; Han, Shuxin; Yue, Min; Gao, Baoyu; Li, Qian; Yu, Hui; Zhao, Yaqin; Qi, Yuanfeng

2009-11-01

Two lab-scale upflow biological anaerobic filters (BAF) packed with sludge-fly ash ceramic particles (SFCP) and commercial ceramic particles (CCP) were employed to investigate effects of the C/N ratios and filter media on the BAF performance during the restart period. The results indicated that BAF could be restarted normally after one-month cease. The C/N ratio of 4.0 was the thresholds of nitrate removal and nitrite accumulation. TN removal and phosphate uptake reached the maximum value at the same C/N ratio of 5.5. Ammonia formation was also found and excreted a negative influence on TN removal, especially when higher C/N ratios were applied. Nutrients were mainly degraded within the height of 25 cm from the bottom. In addition, SFCP, as novel filter media manufactured by wastes-dewatered sludge and fly ash, represented a better potential in inhibiting nitrite accumulation, TN removal and phosphate uptake due to their special characteristics in comparison with CCP.

Investigation of digital timing resolution and further improvement by using constant fraction signal time marker slope for fast scintillator detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Kundan; Siwal, Davinder

2018-04-01

A digital timing algorithm is explored for fast scintillator detectors, viz. LaBr3, BaF2, and BC501A. Signals were collected with CAEN 250 mega samples per second (MSPS) and 500 MSPS digitizers. The zero crossing time markers (TM) were obtained with a standard digital constant fraction timing (DCF) method. Accurate timing information is obtained using cubic spline interpolation of a DCF transient region sample points. To get the best time-of-flight (TOF) resolution, an optimization of DCF parameters is performed (delay and constant fraction) for each pair of detectors: (BaF2-LaBr3), (BaF2-BC501A), and (LaBr3-BC501A). In addition, the slope information of an interpolated DCF signal is extracted at TM position. This information gives a new insight to understand the broadening in TOF, obtained for a given detector pair. For a pair of signals having small relative slope and interpolation deviations at TM, leads to minimum time broadening. However, the tailing in TOF spectra is dictated by the interplay between the interpolation error and slope variations. Best TOF resolution achieved at the optimum DCF parameters, can be further improved by using slope parameter. Guided by the relative slope parameter, events selection can be imposed which leads to reduction in TOF broadening. While the method sets a trade-off between timing response and coincidence efficiency, it provides an improvement in TOF. With the proposed method, the improved TOF resolution (FWHM) for the aforementioned detector pairs are; 25% (0.69 ns), 40% (0.74 ns), 53% (0.6 ns) respectively, obtained with 250 MSPS, and corresponds to 12% (0.37 ns), 33% (0.72 ns), 35% (0.69 ns) respectively with 500 MSPS digitizers. For the same detector pair, event survival probabilities are; 57%, 58%, 51% respectively with 250 MSPS and becomes 63%, 57%, 68% using 500 MSPS digitizers.

Lettuce irrigated with contaminated water: Photosynthetic effects, antioxidative response and bioaccumulation of microcystin congeners.

PubMed

Bittencourt-Oliveira, Maria do Carmo; Cordeiro-Araújo, Micheline Kézia; Chia, Mathias Ahii; Arruda-Neto, João Dias de Toledo; de Oliveira, Ênio Tiago; dos Santos, Flávio

2016-06-01

The use of microcystins (MCs) contaminated water to irrigate crop plants represents a human health risk due to their bioaccumulation potential. In addition, MCs cause oxidative stress and negatively influence photosynthetic activities in plants. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of MCs on photosynthetic parameters and antioxidative response of lettuce. Furthermore, the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of total MCs, MC-LR and MC-RR in the vegetable after irrigation with contaminated water was determined. Lettuce crops were irrigated for 15 days with water containing cyanobacterial crude extracts (Microcystis aeruginosa) with MC-LR (0.0, 0.5, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 µg L(-1)), MC-RR (0.0, 0.15, 0.5, 1.5 and 3.0 µg L(-1)) and total MCs (0.0, 0.65, 2.5, 6.5 and 13.0 µg L(-1)). Increased net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, leaf tissue transpiration and intercellular CO2 concentration were recorded in lettuce exposed to different MCs concentrations. Antioxidant response showed that glutathione S-transferase activity was down-regulated in the presence of MCs. On the other hand, superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase activities were upregulated with increasing MCs concentrations. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of total MCs and MC-LR was highest at 6.50 and 5.00 µg L(-1), respectively, while for MC-RR, the highest BAF was recorded at 1.50 µg L(-1) concentration. The amount of total MCs, MC-LR and MC-RR bioacumulated in lettuce was highest at the highest exposure concentrations. However, at the lowest exposure concentration, there were no detectable levels of MC-LR, MC-RR and total MCs in lettuce. Thus, the bioaccumulation of MCs in lettuce varies according to the exposure concentration. In addition, the extent of physiological response of lettuce to the toxins relies on exposure concentrations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

First direct landscape-scale measurement of tropical rain forest Leaf Area Index, a key driver of global primary productivity

Treesearch

David B. Clark; Paulo C. Olivas; Steven F. Oberbauer; Deborah A. Clark; Michael G. Ryan

2008-01-01

Leaf Area Index (leaf area per unit ground area, LAI) is a key driver of forest productivity but has never previously been measured directly at the landscape scale in tropical rain forest (TRF). We used a modular tower and stratified random sampling to harvest all foliage from forest floor to canopy top in 55 vertical transects (4.6 m2) across 500 ha of old growth in...

White up-conversion emission in Ho3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ tri-doped glass ceramics embedding BaF2 nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chenxia; Xu, Shiqing; Ye, Rengguang; Deng, Degang; Hua, Youjie; Zhao, Shilong; Zhuang, Songlin

2011-04-01

Ho3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ tri-doped glass ceramics with white light emitting have been developed and demonstrated. Pumped by 980 nm laser diode (LD), intensive red, green and blue up-conversions (UC) were obtained. The green emission is assigned to Ho3+ ion and the blue emission is assigned to Tm3+ ion, whereas the red emission is the combination contribution of the Ho3+ and Tm3+ ions. The RGB intensities could be adjusted by tuning the rare-earth ion concentration and pump power intensity. Thus, multicolor of the luminescence, including perfect white light with CIE-X=0.329 and CIE-Y=0.342 in the 1931 CIE chromaticity diagram can be obtained in 0.15 Ho3+/0.2Tm3+/3Yb3+ tri-doped glass ceramics embedding BaF2 nanocrystals pumped by a single infrared laser diode source of 980 nm at 500 mW. The up-conversion luminescence mechanism of Yb3+ sensitize Ho3+ and Tm3+ ions and the energy transfer from Ho3+ to Tm3+ in oxy-fluoride silicate glass ceramics were analyzed.

Nuclear localization of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex-E2 (PDC-E2), a mitochondrial enzyme, and its role in signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5)-dependent gene transcription.

PubMed

Chueh, Fu-Yu; Leong, King-Fu; Cronk, Robert J; Venkitachalam, Srividya; Pabich, Samantha; Yu, Chao-Lan

2011-07-01

STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins play a critical role in cellular response to a wide variety of cytokines and growth factors by regulating specific nuclear genes. STAT-dependent gene transcription can be finely tuned through the association with co-factors in the nucleus. We showed previously that STAT5 (including 5a and 5b) specifically interacts with a mitochondrial enzyme PDC-E2 (E2 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex) in both leukemic T cells and cytokine-stimulated cells. However, the functional significance of this novel association remains largely unknown. Here we report that PDC-E2 may function as a co-activator in STAT5-dependent nuclear gene expression. Subcellular fractionation analysis revealed that a substantial amount of PDC-E2 was constitutively present in the nucleus of BaF3, an interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line. IL-3-induced tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT5 associated with nuclear PDC-E2 in co-immunoprecipitation analysis. These findings were confirmed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy showing constant nuclear localization of PDC-E2 and its co-localization with STAT5 after IL-3 stimulation. Similar to mitochondrial PDC-E2, nuclear PDC-E2 was lipoylated and associated with PDC-E1. Overexpression of PDC-E2 in BaF3 cells augmented IL-3-induced STAT5 activity as measured by reporter assay with consensus STAT5-binding sites. Consistent with the reporter data, PDC-E2 overexpression in BaF3 cells led to elevated mRNA levels of endogenous SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signaling 3) gene, a known STAT5 target. We further identified two functional STAT5-binding sites in the SOCS3 gene promoter important for its IL-3-inducibility. The observation that both cis-acting elements were essential to detect the stimulatory effect by PDC-E2 strongly supports the role of PDC-E2 in up-regulating the transactivating ability of STAT5. All together, our results reveal a novel function of PDC-E2 in the nucleus. It also raises the possibility of nuclear-mitochondrial crosstalk through the interaction between STAT5 and PDC-E2. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nuclear localization of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex-E2 (PDC-E2), a mitochondrial enzyme, and its role in signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5)-dependent gene transcription

PubMed Central

Chueh, Fu-Yu; Leong, King-Fu; Cronk, Robert J.; Venkitachalam, Srividya; Pabich, Samantha; Yu, Chao-Lan

2011-01-01

STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins play a critical role in cellular response to a wide variety of cytokines and growth factors by regulating specific nuclear genes. STAT-dependent gene transcription can be finely tuned through the association with cofactors in the nucleus. We showed previously that STAT5 (including 5a and 5b) specifically interacts with a mitochondrial enzyme PDC-E2 (E2 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex) in both leukemic T cells and cytokine-stimulated cells. However, the functional significance of this novel association remains largely unknown. Here we report that PDC-E2 may function as a co-activator in STAT5-dependent nuclear gene expression. Subcellular fractionation analysis revealed that a substantial amount of PDC-E2 was constitutively present in the nucleus of BaF3, an interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line. IL-3-induced tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT5 associated with nuclear PDC-E2 in co-immunoprecipitation analysis. These findings were confirmed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy showing constant nuclear localization of PDC-E2 and its co-localization with STAT5 after IL-3 stimulation. Similar to mitochondrial PDC-E2, nuclear PDC-E2 was lipoylated and associated with PDC-E1. Overexpression of PDC-E2 in BaF3 cells augmented IL-3-induced STAT5 activity as measured by reporter assay with consensus STAT5-binding sites. Consistent with the reporter data, PDC-E2 overexpression in BaF3 cells led to elevated mRNA levels of endogenous SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signaling 3) gene, a known STAT5 target. We further identified two functional STAT5-binding sites in the SOCS3 gene promoter important for its IL-3-inducibility. The observation that both cis-acting elements were essential to detect the stimulatory effect by PDC-E2 strongly supports the role of PDC-E2 in up-regulating the transactivating ability of STAT5. All together, our results reveal a novel function of PDC-E2 in the nucleus. It also raises the possibility of nuclear-mitochondrial crosstalk through the interaction between STAT5 and PDC-E2. PMID:21397011

The Challenges of Modularization.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Sally; Saunders, Danny

1995-01-01

Discusses the movement towards credit accumulation and transfer in higher education institutions based on experiences at two universities in the United Kingdom, the University of Northumbria and the University of Glamorgan. Modularization, or unitization, and semesterization are considered, and three key areas are addressed: management, student…

DD 21A-A Capable, Affordable, Modular 21st Century Destroyer

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-12-01

1 1.000 2 0.OOOOE+00 3 0.OOOOE+00 4 1.000 5 1.000 ARRANGEMENT OPERATION SEP SS GEN OP ARRAY = ( 2X 1) 1 2.000 2 2.000 ARRANGEMENT CG MACHY KG IND... GEN SIZE IND = GIVEN SEP SS GEN KW = 2000.00 KW SS ENGINES SS ENG SELECT IND = GIVEN SS ENG MODEL IND = DDA-501-K17 SS ENG TYPE IND = GT SS ENG SIZE...1733.6 PROPELLERS: 2 - CP - 17.0 FT DIA AREA SUMMARY - FT2 SEP GEN : 3 CT 0 2000.0 KW HULL AREA - 55529.2 SUPERSTRUCTURE AREA - 21232.1 24 HR LOAD 1858.1

A Grey Wolf Optimizer for Modular Granular Neural Networks for Human Recognition

PubMed Central

Sánchez, Daniela; Melin, Patricia

2017-01-01

A grey wolf optimizer for modular neural network (MNN) with a granular approach is proposed. The proposed method performs optimal granulation of data and design of modular neural networks architectures to perform human recognition, and to prove its effectiveness benchmark databases of ear, iris, and face biometric measures are used to perform tests and comparisons against other works. The design of a modular granular neural network (MGNN) consists in finding optimal parameters of its architecture; these parameters are the number of subgranules, percentage of data for the training phase, learning algorithm, goal error, number of hidden layers, and their number of neurons. Nowadays, there is a great variety of approaches and new techniques within the evolutionary computing area, and these approaches and techniques have emerged to help find optimal solutions to problems or models and bioinspired algorithms are part of this area. In this work a grey wolf optimizer is proposed for the design of modular granular neural networks, and the results are compared against a genetic algorithm and a firefly algorithm in order to know which of these techniques provides better results when applied to human recognition. PMID:28894461

A Grey Wolf Optimizer for Modular Granular Neural Networks for Human Recognition.

PubMed

Sánchez, Daniela; Melin, Patricia; Castillo, Oscar

2017-01-01

A grey wolf optimizer for modular neural network (MNN) with a granular approach is proposed. The proposed method performs optimal granulation of data and design of modular neural networks architectures to perform human recognition, and to prove its effectiveness benchmark databases of ear, iris, and face biometric measures are used to perform tests and comparisons against other works. The design of a modular granular neural network (MGNN) consists in finding optimal parameters of its architecture; these parameters are the number of subgranules, percentage of data for the training phase, learning algorithm, goal error, number of hidden layers, and their number of neurons. Nowadays, there is a great variety of approaches and new techniques within the evolutionary computing area, and these approaches and techniques have emerged to help find optimal solutions to problems or models and bioinspired algorithms are part of this area. In this work a grey wolf optimizer is proposed for the design of modular granular neural networks, and the results are compared against a genetic algorithm and a firefly algorithm in order to know which of these techniques provides better results when applied to human recognition.

Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) Overexpression in BaF3 Cells Contributes to Cell Proliferation Promotion, Apoptosis Resistance and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production.

PubMed

Wang, Qian; Yan, Chao; Xin, Miaomiao; Han, Li; Zhang, Yunqing; Sun, Mingshu

2017-03-27

BACKGROUND B lymphocyte hyperactivity is a main characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and B lymphocytes play a prominent pathogenic role in the development and progression of SLE. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) in B lymphocytes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Mouse B lymphocytes BaF3 was transfected with Sirt1 vector or shRNA against Sirt1. Then the transfected cells viability and apoptosis were respectively determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry. In addition, the mRNA levels of three pro-inflammatory cytokines and p53 were detected by RT-PCR. Furthermore, the expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway proteins were measured by Western blot. RESULTS Overexpression of Sirt1 significantly increased cell proliferation (p<0.05 or p<0.01) and significantly suppressed apoptosis (p<0.05). The mRNA level expressions of interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly upregulated (p<0.05 or p<0.01), whereas p53 was significantly downregulated (p<0.05) by Sirt1 overexpression. In addition, the inhibitory subunit of NF-κB (IκBα) and p65 were significantly activated and phosphorylated (p<0.01 or p<0.001), and B-Cell CLL/Lymphoma 3 (Bcl-3) was significantly upregulated (p<0.05) by Sirt1 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that Sirt1 overexpression could promote BaF3 cell proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, and upregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines. The NF-κB pathway might be involved in these effects of Sirt1 on BaF3 cells, and Sirt1 might be a potential risk factor of SLE.

E3 ligase FLRF (Rnf41) regulates differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors by governing steady-state levels of cytokine and retinoic acid receptors

PubMed Central

Jing, Xin; Infante, Jorge; Nachtman, Ronald G.; Jurecic, Roland

2008-01-01

Objective FLRF (Rnf41) gene was identified through screening of subtracted cDNA libraries form murine hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors. Subsequent work has revealed that FLRF acts as E3 ubiquitin ligase, and that it regulates steady-state levels of neuregulin receptor ErbB3, and participates in degradation of IAP protein BRUCE and parkin. The objective of this study was to start exploring the role of FLRF during hematopoiesis. Methods FLRF was over-expressed in a murine multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cell line EML, which can differentiate into almost all blood cell lineages, and in pro-B progenitor cell line BaF3. The impact of FLRF over-expression on EML cell differentiation into myelo-erythroid lineages was studied using hematopoietic colony-forming assays. The interaction of FLRF with cytokine receptors and receptor levels in control cells and EML and BaF3 cells over-expressing FLRF were examined with Western and immunoprecipitation. Results Remarkably, over-expression of FLRF significantly attenuated erythroid and myeloid differentiation of EML cells in response to cytokines Epo and IL-3, and retinoic acid (RA), and resulted in significant and constitutive decrease of steady-state levels of IL-3, Epo and RA receptor RARα in EML and BaF3 cells. Immunoprecipitation has revealed that FLRF interacts with IL-3, Epo and RARα receptors in EML and BaF3 cells, and that FLRF-mediated down-regulation of these receptors is ligand binding-independent. Conclusions The results of this study have revealed new FLRF-mediated pathway for ligand-independent receptor level regulation, and support the notion that through maintaining basal levels of cytokine receptors, FLRF is involved in the control of hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation into myelo-erythroid lineages. PMID:18495327

E3 ligase FLRF (Rnf41) regulates differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors by governing steady-state levels of cytokine and retinoic acid receptors.

PubMed

Jing, Xin; Infante, Jorge; Nachtman, Ronald G; Jurecic, Roland

2008-09-01

FLRF (Rnf41) gene was identified through screening of subtracted cDNA libraries form murine hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors. Subsequent work has revealed that FLRF acts as E3 ubiquitin ligase, and that it regulates steady-state levels of neuregulin receptor ErbB3 and participates in degradation of IAP protein BRUCE and parkin. The objective of this study was to start exploring the role of FLRF during hematopoiesis. FLRF was overexpressed in a murine multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cell line EML, which can differentiate into almost all blood cell lineages, and in pro-B progenitor cell line BaF3. The impact of FLRF overexpression on EML cell differentiation into myeloerythroid lineages was studied using hematopoietic colony-forming assays. The interaction of FLRF with cytokine receptors and receptor levels in control cells and EML and BaF3 cells overexpressing FLRF were examined with Western and immunoprecipitation. Remarkably, overexpression of FLRF significantly attenuated erythroid and myeloid differentiation of EML cells in response to cytokines erythropoietin (EPO) and interleukin-3 (IL-3), and retinoic acid (RA), and resulted in significant and constitutive decrease of steady-state levels of IL-3, EPO, and RA receptor-alpha (RARalpha) in EML and BaF3 cells. Immunoprecipitation has revealed that FLRF interacts with IL-3, EPO, and RARalpha receptors in EML and BaF3 cells, and that FLRF-mediated downregulation of these receptors is ligand binding-independent. The results of this study have revealed new FLRF-mediated pathway for ligand-independent receptor level regulation, and support the notion that through maintaining basal levels of cytokine receptors, FLRF is involved in the control of hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation into myeloerythroid lineages.

The Current Status of Modular Coordination. A Research Correlation Conference of Building Research Institute, Division of Engineering and Industrial Research (Fall 1959).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, Washington, DC.

Publication of conference presentations include--(1) a brief review of current modular standard development, (2) the statistical status of modular practice, (3) availability of modular products, and (4) educational programs on modular coordination. Included are--(1) explanatory diagrams, (2) text of an open panel discussion, and (3) a list of…

New observations on the pressure dependence of luminescence from Eu2+-doped MF2 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) fluorides.

PubMed

Su, Fu Hai; Chen, Wei; Ding, Kun; Li, Guo Hua

2008-05-29

The luminescence from Eu(2+) ions in MF2 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) fluorides has been investigated under the pressure range of 0-8 GPa. The emission band originating from the 4f(6)5d(1) --> 4f(7) transition of Eu(2+) ions in CaF2 and SrF2 shows the red-shift as increasing pressure with pressure coefficients of -17 meV/GPa for CaF2 and -18 meV/GPa for SrF2. At atmospheric pressure, the emission spectrum of BaF2:Eu(2+) comprises two peaks at 2.20 and 2.75 eV from the impurity trapped exciton (ITE) and the self-trapped exciton (STE), respectively. As the pressure is increased, both emission peaks shift to higher energies, and the shifting rate is slowed by the phase transition from the cubic to orthorhombic phase at 4 GPa. Due to the phase transition at 4-5 GPa pressure, the ITE emission disappears gradually, and the STE emission is gradually replaced by the 4f(6)5d(1) --> 4f(7) transition of Eu(2+). Above 5 GPa, the pressure behavior of the 4f(6)5d(1) --> 4f(7) transition of Eu(2+) in BaF2:Eu(2+) is the same as the normal emission of Eu(2+) in CaF2 and SrF2 phosphors.

Bioaccumulation of organic contaminants by benthic invertebrates of the Chesapeake Bay

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

Kimbrough, K.; Dickhut, R.

1995-12-31

In situ partitioning of PCBs and PAHs between benthic invertebrates and the environment has been compared to previously obtained laboratory bioaccumulation results. Previous laboratory studies show a characteristic nonlinear plot when bioaccumulation factors (BAF) are plotted against octanol-water partition coefficients (K{sub ow}), on a log-log scale. This phenomena can be explained by desorption and elimination kinetics. However preliminary in situ studies show a different relationship between field BAFs and K{sub ow} which may be explained by other biogeochemical factors. In situ and laboratory PAH and PCB partitioning measurements will be used to determine major mechanisms affecting contaminant bioaccumulation.

Tests of bioaccumulation models for polychlorinated biphenyl compounds: a study of young-of-the-year bluefish in the Hudson River estuary, USA.

PubMed

Leblanc, Lawrence A; Buckel, Jeffrey A; Conover, David O; Brownawell, Bruce J

2006-08-01

A field-based study regarding uptake of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) by young-of-the-year (YOY) bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) was initiated to test a steady-state model of bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in a rapidly growing fish. Determination of prey composition as well as size-dependent growth and specific consumption rates for YOY bluefish from separate field and laboratory studies enabled the input of these species-specific parameters into the model. Furthermore, the time and duration of the exposure of YOY bluefish to dissolved PCBs from a well-characterized system (Hudson River, USA) was well known. Patterns of accumulation of individual PCB congeners differed relative to the accumulation of total PCBs, with the greatest net accumulation occurring for the higher-molecular-weight congeners. Comparison of lipid-normalized bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) with the octanol-water partition coefficients of individual PCB congeners revealed bluefish to be above the BAFs predicted by lipid-based equilibrium partitioning, suggesting that uptake from food is an important source of PCBs in YOY bluefish. Comparison of measured BAFs with values predicted by a steady-state, food-chain model showed good first-order agreement.

Effect of the addition of MgF2 and NaF on the thermal, optical and magnetic properties of fluoride glasses for sensing applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yujie; Wang, Shuangbao; Deng, Saifu; Liu, Jianting; Zhang, Jiahui

2017-10-01

Optical glass was very important for the development of optical fiber sensor. In this paper, a new type fluoride glass of ZrF4-BaF2-AlF3-NaF-MgF2(ZBANM) was synthesized for sensing application which has low loss and high magneto-optical coefficient, and it was found that the glass system had at least 60% transmittance from 3.5 μm to 7 μm and smallest verdet constant of 4.628E-5/(rad A-1) at 632.8 nm. The relationship among the compositions of sample glass with its thermal property, optical absorptivity and magnetic-optical coefficients was respectively studied with Thermal Gravimetric-Differential Thermal Analyzer, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and a home-made magneto optical bench. The study indicated that transmittance of fluoride glass structure had been obviously improved after moderate content of Mg2+ and Na+ was doped. Simultaneously, with the molar ratio of alkaline-earth ions Mg increased, the Verdet constant of fluoride glass was increased. And the glass structure with composition of 48%ZrF4-24%BaF2-6%AlF3-8%NaF-14%MgF2 exhibited a small molar absorptivity and the largest Verdet constant of 2.853E-4/(rad A-1).

Developing Modular and Adaptable Courseware Using TeachML.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wehner, Frank; Lorz, Alexander

This paper presents the use of an XML grammar for two complementary projects--CHAMELEON (Cooperative Hypermedia Adaptive MultimEdia Learning Objects) and EIT (Enabling Informal Teamwork). Areas of applications are modular courseware documents and the collaborative authoring process of didactical units. A number of requirements for a suitable…

7 CFR Exhibit B to Subpart A of... - Requirements for Modular/Panelized Housing Units

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... Regional Letters of Acceptance (RLA), Truss Connector Bulletins (TCB): and, Mechanical Engineering... issued by HUD include: Structural Engineering Bulletins (SEB) on a national basis, Area Letters of... Category III housing (modular/panelized housing that does not have to have a Structural Engineering...

7 CFR Exhibit B to Subpart A of... - Requirements for Modular/Panelized Housing Units

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Regional Letters of Acceptance (RLA), Truss Connector Bulletins (TCB): and, Mechanical Engineering... issued by HUD include: Structural Engineering Bulletins (SEB) on a national basis, Area Letters of... Category III housing (modular/panelized housing that does not have to have a Structural Engineering...

7 CFR Exhibit B to Subpart A of... - Requirements for Modular/Panelized Housing Units

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... Regional Letters of Acceptance (RLA), Truss Connector Bulletins (TCB): and, Mechanical Engineering... issued by HUD include: Structural Engineering Bulletins (SEB) on a national basis, Area Letters of... Category III housing (modular/panelized housing that does not have to have a Structural Engineering...

Derivation of ecological criteria for copper in land-applied biosolids and biosolid-amended agricultural soils.

PubMed

Lu, Tao; Li, Jumei; Wang, Xiaoqing; Ma, Yibing; Smolders, Erik; Zhu, Nanwen

2016-12-01

The difference in availability between soil metals added via biosolids and soluble salts was not taken into account in deriving the current land-applied biosolids standards. In the present study, a biosolids availability factor (BAF) approach was adopted to investigate the ecological thresholds for copper (Cu) in land-applied biosolids and biosolid-amended agricultural soils. First, the soil property-specific values of HC5 add (the added hazardous concentration for 5% of species) for Cu 2+ salt amended were collected with due attention to data for organisms and soils relevant to China. Second, a BAF representing the difference in availability between soil Cu added via biosolids and soluble salts was estimated based on long-term biosolid-amended soils, including soils from China. Third, biosolids Cu HC5 input values (the input hazardous concentration for 5% of species of Cu from biosolids to soil) as a function of soil properties were derived using the BAF approach. The average potential availability of Cu in agricultural soils amended with biosolids accounted for 53% of that for the same soils spiked with same amount of soluble Cu salts and with a similar aging time. The cation exchange capacity was the main factor affecting the biosolids Cu HC5 input values, while soil pH and organic carbon only explained 24.2 and 1.5% of the variation, respectively. The biosolids Cu HC5 input values can be accurately predicted by regression models developed based on 2-3 soil properties with coefficients of determination (R 2 ) of 0.889 and 0.945. Compared with model predicted biosolids Cu HC5 input values, current standards (GB4284-84) are most likely to be less protective in acidic and neutral soil, but conservative in alkaline non-calcareous soil. Recommendations on ecological criteria for Cu in land-applied biosolids and biosolid-amended agriculture soils may be helpful to fill the gaps existing between science and regulations, and can be useful for Cu risk assessments in soils amended with biosolids. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bioavailability and bioaccumulation of heavy metals of several soils and sediments (from industrialized urban areas) for Eisenia fetida.

PubMed

Coelho, C; Foret, C; Bazin, C; Leduc, L; Hammada, M; Inácio, M; Bedell, J P

2018-09-01

Soils and sediments are susceptible to anthropogenic contamination with Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs) and it can present some risks to ecosystems and human health. The levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn were assessed in soils (C, G, K, L) from Estarreja (Portugal) and sediments from a stormwater basin in Lyon (DJG), a harbour (LDB) and a Rhône river site (TRS) (France). An ecotoxicological study was performed with Eisenia fetida (E. fetida) to infer about potential transfer risks to the soil invertebrates. To assess risks associated with MTEs contamination, it is important to know their total concentrations, fractionation and the potential available fractions. CaCl 2 , DTPA and NaOAc extractions were performed to assess the extractable and available MTEs fractions. The studied sediments were much more contaminated than the soils for all the MTEs analysed. The trace elements fraction linked with DTPA extraction shows higher values when compared with the NaOAc and the CaCl 2 pools. Low mortality effects were recorded in the tests with E. fetida. The MTEs levels in soils and sediments and the concentrations bioaccumulated in adult earthworms contributed to a reduction in the number of juveniles produced. E. fetida adults and juveniles accumulated ETMs as follows: Cd > Cu = Zn > Ni > Pb > Fe. Determined BAFs were mostly lower than 1 with some higher values for Cd, Cu and Zn. Calculated SET and ERITME indexes allowed to classify the samples from the most to the less toxic for E. fetida as: LDB > DJG > L > G > C > K > TRS. Despite this order of toxicity, the earthworms exposed to the sediment TRS presented the lowest reproduction rate. The combination of "chemical" measurements with the calculation of BAFs, but especially SET and ERITME indexes can be a useful tool in risk assessment. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical elements in pearl oysters (Paxyodon ponderosus), phytoplankton and estuarine sediments from eastern Amazon (Northern Brazil): Bioaccumulation factors and trophic transfer factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilhena, Maria P. S. P.; Costa, Marcondes L.; Berrêdo, José F.; Paiva, Rosildo S.; Souza, Crisvaldo C. S.

2016-04-01

The current study was conducted near Barcarena County, which is a mid-sized urban center where aluminum ore processing industries (bauxite) and Vila do Conde cargo terminal are located. It aims to discuss the bioaccumulation factors as well as factors related to the trophic transfer of chemical elements in water, oyster, phytoplankton and bottom sediments from an estuary in the Brazilian Northern coast. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF), trophic transfer factor (TTF) and biota-sediment-water were used to correlate the contents of chemical elements found in organisms. The sediment, surface water, phytoplankton and pearl oysters chemical composition was analyzed by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Pearl oysters showed K, Ca, Mg, P, Mn, Fe, Zn, Al, Ba and Pb accumulation, which concentration increase is associated with their diet (phytoplankton). Al concentrations are 14 times higher in pearl oysters (Paxyodon ponderosus), assuming that they are associated with wastewater emissions and with industrialization processes in the area. BAF and BSAF values are 1000 times higher than the metal concentrations in water and bioavailable fraction concentrations. The oyster-phytoplankton trophic transfer factor indicates that P, Ba, Ca, Na, Cd and Zn showed the largest transfers (from 5 to 19). These trophic transfers may be sufficient to cause significant ecotoxicological effects on the region biota.

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (UT-MDACC): Systematic Functional Annotation of Somatic Mutations in Cancer | Office of Cancer Genomics

Cancer.gov

The CTD2 Center at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center utilized a functional annotation of mutations and fusions found in human cancers using two cell models, Ba/F3 (murine pro-B suspension cells) and MCF10A (human non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells). Read the abstract

Influence of laser radiation polarisation on small-scale self-focusing in isotropic crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ginzburg, V. N.; Kochetkov, A. A.; Kuz'mina, M. S.; Burdonov, K. F.; Shaykin, A. A.; Khazanov, E. A.

2017-04-01

The gain of spatial noise in the field of an intense linearly polarised wave, propagating in a BaF2 cubic crystal with orientation [001], is directly measured. The previously predicted strong dependence of the evolution of small-scale self-focusing on the angle between the radiation polarisation vector and the crystallographic axis of crystal is demonstrated.

DNA Lesions in MEDKA (O. Latipes): Development of a Micro-Method for Tissue Analysis Using GC-MS

DTIC Science & Technology

1995-08-15

Perkin-Elmer Corp., Norwalk, CT) equipped with an IR microscope and a wide range mercury -cadmium-telluride detector. The DNA was placed on a BaF2 plate in...Randerath K. Postlabeling methods - an historical review. IARC Sci Publ 1993; 124:305-14. 46. Ketterer B. Detoxication reactions of glutathione and

40 CFR Appendix B to Part 132 - Great Lakes Water Quality Initiative

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... for field-measured BAFs: 1. The field studies used shall be limited to those conducted in the Great...). 2. The trophic level of the fish species shall be determined. 3. The site of the field study should... shall be met for field-measured BSAFs: 1. The field studies used shall be limited to those conducted in...

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Systematic Functional Annotation of Somatic Mutations in Cancer | Office of Cancer Genomics

Cancer.gov

The CTD2 Center at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center utilized a functional annotation of mutations and fusions found in human cancers using two cell models, Ba/F3 (murine pro-B suspension cells) and MCF10A (human non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells). Read the abstract

Resonant nature of intrinsic defect energy levels in PbTe revealed by infrared photoreflectance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Bingpo; Cai, Chunfeng; Jin, Shuqiang; Ye, Zhenyu; Wu, Huizhen; Qi, Zhen

2014-07-01

Step-scan Fourier-transform infrared photoreflectance and modulated photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to characterize the optical transitions of the epitaxial PbTe thin film grown by molecular beam epitaxy on BaF2 (111) substrate in the vicinity of energy gap of lead telluride at 77 K. It is found that the intrinsic defect energy levels in the electronic structure are of resonant nature. The Te-vacancy energy level is located above the conduction band minimum by 29.1 meV. Another defect (VX) energy level situated below valance band maximum by 18.1 meV is also revealed. Whether it is associated with the Pb vacancy is still not clear. It might also be related to the misfit dislocations stemming from the lattice mismatch between PbTe and BaF2 substrate. The experimental results support the theory prediction (N. J. Parada and G. W. Pratt, Jr., Phys. Rev. Lett. 22, 180 (1969), N. J. Parada, Phys. Rev. B 3, 2042 (1971)) and are consistent with the reported Hall experimental results (G. Bauer, H. Burkhard, H. Heinrich, and A. Lopez-Otero, J. Appl. Phys. 47, 1721 (1976)).

Zinc bioaccumulation in a terrestrial invertebrate fed a diet treated with particulate ZnO or ZnCl2 solution.

PubMed

Pipan-Tkalec, Ziva; Drobne, Damjana; Jemec, Anita; Romih, Tea; Zidar, Primoz; Bele, Marjan

2010-03-10

A number of reports on potential toxicity of nanoparticles are available, but there is still a lack of knowledge concerning bioaccumulation. The aim of this work was to investigate how different sources of zinc, such as uncoated and unmodified ZnO nanoparticles, ZnCl(2) in solution, and macropowder ZnO influence the bioaccumulation of this metal in the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber. After exposure to different sources of Zn in the diet, the amount of assimilated Zn in whole body, the efficiency of zinc assimilation, and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were assessed. The bioaccumulation potential of Zn was found to be the same regardless of Zn source. The amount of assimilated Zn and BAF were dose-dependent, and Zn assimilation efficiency was independent of exposure concentrations. The Zn assimilation capacity was found to be up to 16% of ingested Zn. It is known that as much as approximately 20% of Zn can be accreted from ZnO particles by dissolution. We conclude that bioaccumulation of Zn in isopods exposed to particulate ZnO depends most probably on Zn dissolution from ZnO particles and not on bioaccumulation of particulate ZnO.

Unique and shared functions of nuclear lamina LEM domain proteins in Drosophila.

PubMed

Barton, Lacy J; Wilmington, Shameika R; Martin, Melinda J; Skopec, Hannah M; Lovander, Kaylee E; Pinto, Belinda S; Geyer, Pamela K

2014-06-01

The nuclear lamina is an extensive protein network that contributes to nuclear structure and function. LEM domain (LAP2, emerin, MAN1 domain, LEM-D) proteins are components of the nuclear lamina, identified by a shared ∼45-amino-acid motif that binds Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF), a chromatin-interacting protein. Drosophila melanogaster has three nuclear lamina LEM-D proteins, named Otefin (Ote), Bocksbeutel (Bocks), and dMAN1. Although these LEM-D proteins are globally expressed, loss of either Ote or dMAN1 causes tissue-specific defects in adult flies that differ from each other. The reason for such distinct tissue-restricted defects is unknown. Here, we generated null alleles of bocks, finding that loss of Bocks causes no overt adult phenotypes. Next, we defined phenotypes associated with lem-d double mutants. Although the absence of individual LEM-D proteins does not affect viability, loss of any two proteins causes lethality. Mutant phenotypes displayed by lem-d double mutants differ from baf mutants, suggesting that BAF function is retained in animals with a single nuclear lamina LEM-D protein. Interestingly, lem-d double mutants displayed distinct developmental and cellular mutant phenotypes, suggesting that Drosophila LEM-D proteins have developmental functions that are differentially shared with other LEM-D family members. This conclusion is supported by studies showing that ectopically produced LEM-D proteins have distinct capacities to rescue the tissue-specific phenotypes found in single lem-d mutants. Our findings predict that cell-specific mutant phenotypes caused by loss of LEM-D proteins reflect both the constellation of LEM-D proteins within the nuclear lamina and the capacity of functional compensation of the remaining LEM-D proteins. Copyright © 2014 by the Genetics Society of America.

Unique and Shared Functions of Nuclear Lamina LEM Domain Proteins in Drosophila

PubMed Central

Barton, Lacy J.; Wilmington, Shameika R.; Martin, Melinda J.; Skopec, Hannah M.; Lovander, Kaylee E.; Pinto, Belinda S.; Geyer, Pamela K.

2014-01-01

The nuclear lamina is an extensive protein network that contributes to nuclear structure and function. LEM domain (LAP2, emerin, MAN1 domain, LEM-D) proteins are components of the nuclear lamina, identified by a shared ∼45-amino-acid motif that binds Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF), a chromatin-interacting protein. Drosophila melanogaster has three nuclear lamina LEM-D proteins, named Otefin (Ote), Bocksbeutel (Bocks), and dMAN1. Although these LEM-D proteins are globally expressed, loss of either Ote or dMAN1 causes tissue-specific defects in adult flies that differ from each other. The reason for such distinct tissue-restricted defects is unknown. Here, we generated null alleles of bocks, finding that loss of Bocks causes no overt adult phenotypes. Next, we defined phenotypes associated with lem-d double mutants. Although the absence of individual LEM-D proteins does not affect viability, loss of any two proteins causes lethality. Mutant phenotypes displayed by lem-d double mutants differ from baf mutants, suggesting that BAF function is retained in animals with a single nuclear lamina LEM-D protein. Interestingly, lem-d double mutants displayed distinct developmental and cellular mutant phenotypes, suggesting that Drosophila LEM-D proteins have developmental functions that are differentially shared with other LEM-D family members. This conclusion is supported by studies showing that ectopically produced LEM-D proteins have distinct capacities to rescue the tissue-specific phenotypes found in single lem-d mutants. Our findings predict that cell-specific mutant phenotypes caused by loss of LEM-D proteins reflect both the constellation of LEM-D proteins within the nuclear lamina and the capacity of functional compensation of the remaining LEM-D proteins. PMID:24700158

[Leaching characteristics of heavy metals and utilization of filter media in BAF].

PubMed

Zou, Jin-long; Dai, Ying

2007-10-01

A series of leaching tests were conducted to study the solidification of heavy metals in biological filter media made with dried sludge as an additive. The maximum leaching contents of Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb are obtained when pH is 1; leaching contents of heavy metals have an obvious decrease as pH is greater than or equal to 3; and it can be concluded from the results that pH has a significant influence on the leaching characteristic of heavy metals at leaching time of either 24 h or 30 d. X-ray diffraction analysis performed on filter media reveal the main compounds of the 4 heavy metals are Pb2O(CrO4), CdSiO3 and CuO, and the heavy metals are solidified in the mesh structure of Si--O. Heavy metals (such as Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb) can be solidified in filter media through a series of crystalline phase changes and chemical reaction after high temperature sintering. The new filter media (obtained in test) were used in biological aerated filter (BAF) to treat wastewater (C/N about 11.5 and 25.5) in a simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) system. Based on the mechanism of SND, the average removal efficienciesof NH4(+)-N and TN filled with the new filter media (obtained in test) are about 85.5%, 90.3%, 46.6% and 49.6%, respectively, and it is higher than those of other 3 medias (Jiangxi ceramsite, Guangzhou ceramsite and Shanxi activated carbon). The results provide a better understanding of factors that may affect the immobilization and leaching characteristics of heavy metals in ceramsite, which promotes the extensive use of filter media in BAF.

Progress status for the Mu2e calorimeter system

DOE PAGES

Pezzullo, Gianantonio; Budagov, J.; Carosi, R.; ...

2015-02-13

The Mu2e experiment at FNAL aims to measure the charged-lepton flavor violating neutrinoless conversion of a negative muon into an electron. The conversion results in a monochromatic electron with an energy slightly below the muon rest mass (104.97 MeV). The calorimeter should confirm that the candidates reconstructed by the extremely precise tracker system are indeed conversion electrons while performing a powerfulmore » $$\\mu/e$$ particle identification. Moreover, it should also provide a high level trigger for the experiment independently from the tracker system. The calorimeter should also be able to keep functionality in an environment where the background delivers a dose of ~ 10 krad/year in the hottest area and to work in the presence of 1 T axial magnetic field. These requirements translate in the design of a calorimeter with large acceptance, good energy resolution O(5%) and a reasonable position (time) resolution of ~<1 cm (<0.5ns). The baseline version of the calorimeter is composed by two disks of inner (outer) radius of 351 (660) mm filled by 1860 hexagonal $$BaF_2$$ crystals of 20 cm length. Each crystal is readout by two large area APD's. In this study, we summarize the experimental tests done so far as well as the simulation studies in the Mu2e environment.« less

Detection of hidden explosives by using tagged neutron beams: Status and perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viesti, Giuseppe; Pesente, Silvia; Nebbia, Giancarlo; Lunardon, Marcello; Sudac, Davorin; Nađ, Karlo; Blagus, Sasha; Valković, Vladivoj

2005-12-01

Non-destructive inspections have been simulated in laboratory conditions by using our tagged neutron inspection system (TNIS), using YAP:Ce scintillators to tag the neutron beam and an array of BaF2 crystals to detect the γ-rays. The system has been operated up to 2 × 108 neutron/s. Further developments of the TNIS concept are discussed in the light of our current projects for cargo container inspections.

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

Sullivan, Kevin; Anasti, William; Fang, Yichuan

The main purpose of this project is to look at technologies and philosophies that would help reduce the costs of an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant, increase its availability or do both. GE’s approach to this problem is to consider options in three different areas: 1) technology evaluations and development; 2) constructability approaches; and 3) design and operation methodologies. Five separate tasks were identified that fall under the three areas: Task 2 – Integrated Operations Philosophy; Task 3 – Slip Forming of IGCC Components; Task 4 – Modularization of IGCC Components; Task 5 – Fouling Removal; and Task 6more » – Improved Slag Handling. Overall, this project produced results on many fronts. Some of the ideas could be utilized immediately by those seeking to build an IGCC plant in the near future. These include the considerations from the Integrated Operations Philosophy task and the different construction techniques of Slip Forming and Modularization (especially if the proposed site is in a remote location or has a lack of a skilled workforce). Other results include ideas for promising technologies that require further development and testing to realize their full potential and be available for commercial operation. In both areas GE considers this project to be a success in identifying areas outside the core IGCC plant systems that are ripe for cost reduction and ity improvement opportunities.« less

An overview of DANCE: a 4II BaF[2] detector for neutron capture measurements at LANSCE.

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

Ullmann, J. L.

2004-01-01

The Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture experiments (DANCE) is a 162-element, 4{pi} BaF{sub 2} array designed to make neutron capture cross-section measurements on rare or radioactive targets with masses as little as 1 mg. Accurate capture cross sections are needed in many research areas, including stellar nucleosynthesis, advanced nuclear fuel cycles, waste transmutation, and other applied programs. These cross sections are difficult to calculate accurately and must be measured. Up to now, except for a few long-lived nuclides there are essentially no differential capture measurements on radioactive nuclei. The DANCE array is located at the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center atmore » LANSCE, which is a continuous-spectrum neutron source with useable energies from below thermal to about 100 keV. Data acquisition is done with 320 fast waveform digitizers. The design and initial performance results, including background minimization, will be discussed.« less

Persistent magnetism in silver-doped BaF e 2 A s 2 crystals

DOE PAGES

Li, Li; Cao, Huibo; Parker, David S.; ...

2016-10-12

Here, we investigate the thermodynamic and transport properties of silver-substituted BaF e 2 A s 2 (122) crystals up to ~ 4.5 % . Similar to other transition-metal substitutions in 122, Ag diminishes the antiferromagnetic ( T N ) and structural ( T S ) transition temperatures, but unlike other electron-doped 122s, T N and T S coincide without splitting. Though magnetism drops precipitously to T N = 84 K at doping x = 0.029 , it only weakly changes above this x , settling at T N = 80 K at x = 0.045 . Compared to this persistentmore » magnetism in Ag-122, doping other group 11 elements of either Cu or Au in 122 diminished T N and induced superconductivity near T c = 2 K at x = 0.044 or 0.031, respectively. Ag-122 crystals show reflective surfaces with surprising thicker cross sections for x ≥ 0.019 , the appearance that is in contrast to the typical thin stacked layered feature seen in all other flux-grown x-122 and lower Ag-122. We found that this physical trait may be a manifest of intrinsic weak changes in c lattice and T N . Our theoretical calculations suggest that Ag doping produces strong electronic scattering and yet a relatively small disruption of the magnetic state, both of which preclude superconductivity in this system.« less

Biochemist-Tree: Using Modular Origami to Understand the Integration of Intermediary Metabolism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharp, Duncan

2013-01-01

Intermediary metabolism can be a complex area to study due to the inherent modularity of the catabolic biochemical processes. This article outlines a novel, cost-effective, and universally applicable teaching activity to enhance students understanding of the inter-relationship between the key processes of intermediary metabolism. A simple origami…

Effect of microgravity on crystallization of ZBLAN fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tucker, Dennis S.

1994-01-01

ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AIF3-NaF (ZBLAN) optical fiber was flown on board the NASA's KC-135 microgravity aircraft to determine the effects of microgravity on crystal growth in this material. Fiber samples were placed in evacuated quartz ampoules and heated to the crystallization temperature in 0g, 1g, and 2g. The 1g and 2g samples were observed to slump and crystallize. The 0g samples showed no evidence of crystallization.

Recent Research with the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (dance) at the LOS Alamos Neutron Science Center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullmann, J. L.

2014-09-01

The DANCE detector at Los Alamos is a 160 element, nearly 4π BaF2 detector array designed to make measurements of neutron capture on rare or radioactive nuclides. It has also been used to make measurements of gamma-ray multiplicity following capture and gamma-ray output from fission. Several examples of measurements are briefly discussed.

Cyclic volatile methylsiloxane bioaccumulation in flounder and ragworm in the Humber Estuary.

PubMed

Kierkegaard, Amelie; van Egmond, Roger; McLachlan, Michael S

2011-07-15

Cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes are being subjected to regulatory scrutiny as possible PBT chemicals. The investigation of bioaccumulation has yielded apparently contradictory results, with high laboratory fish bioconcentration factors on the one hand and low field trophic magnification factors on the other. In this study, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) were studied along with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments, ragworm, and flounder from six sites in the Humber Estuary. Bioaccumulation was evaluated using multimedia bioaccumulation factors (mmBAFs) which quantified the fraction of the contaminant present in the aquatic environment that is transferred to the biota. PCB 180, a known strongly bioaccumulative chemical, was used as a benchmark. The mean mmBAF of D5 was about twice that of PCB 180 in both polycheates and flounder, while for D4 it was 6 and 14 times higher, respectively. The mmBAF of D6 was a factor 5-10 lower than that of PCB180. The comparatively strong multimedia bioaccumulation of D4 and D5, even in the absence of biomagnification, was explained by both compounds having a >100 times stronger tendency to partition into lipid rather than into organic carbon, while PCB 180 partitions to a similar extent into both matrices.

Uptake Kinetics and Trophic Transfer of Tungsten from Cabbage to a Herbivorous Animal Model

DOE PAGES

Lindsay, James H.; Kennedy, Alan J.; Seiter-Moser, Jennifer M.; ...

2017-10-20

This paper builds on previous studies on military-relevant tungsten (W) to more thoroughly explore environmental pathways and bioaccumulation kinetics during direct soil exposure versus trophic transfer and elucidate its relative accumulation and speciation in different snail organs. The modeled steady-state concentration and bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of W from soil into cabbage were 302 mg/kg and 0.55, respectively. Steady-state concentrations (34 mg/kg) and BAF values (0.05) obtained for the snail directly exposed to contaminated soil were lower than trophic transfer by consumption of W-contaminated cabbage (tissue concentration of 86 mg/kg; BAF of 0.36). Thus, consumption of contaminated food is the mostmore » important pathway for W mobility in this food chain. The highest concentrations of W compartmentalization were in the snail’s hepatopancreas based on wet chemistry and synchrotron-based investigations. Chemical speciation via inductively couple plasma mass spectrometry showed a higher degree of polytungstate partitioning in the hepatopancreas relative to the rest of the body. Based on synchrotron analysis, W was incorporated into the shell matrix during exposure, particularly during the regeneration of damaged shell. Finally, this offers the potential for application of the shell as a longer-term biomonitoring and forensics tool for historic exposure.« less

Effect of biological and coagulation pre-treatments to control organic and biofouling potential components of ultrafiltration membrane in the treatment of lake water.

PubMed

Pramanik, Biplob Kumar; Kajol, Annaduzzaman; Suja, Fatihah; Md Zain, Shahrom

2017-03-01

Biological aerated filter (BAF), sand filtration (SF), alum and Moringa oleifera coagulation were investigated as a pre-treatment for reducing the organic and biofouling potential component of an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane in the treatment of lake water. The carbohydrate content was mainly responsible for reversible fouling of the UF membrane compared to protein or dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content. All pre-treatment could effectively reduce these contents and led to improve the UF filterability. Both BAF and SF markedly led to improvement in flux than coagulation processes, and alum gave greater flux than M. oleifera. This was attributed to the effective removal and/or breakdown of high molecular weight (MW) organics by biofilters. BAF led to greater improvement in flux than SF, due to greater breakdown of high MW organics, and this was also confirmed by the attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Coagulation processes were ineffective in removing biofouling potential components, whereas both biofilters were very effective as shown by the reduction of low MW organics, biodegradable dissolved organic carbon and assimilable organic carbon contents. This study demonstrated the potential of biological pre-treatments for reducing organic and biofouling potential component and thus improving flux for the UF of lake water treatment.

Uptake Kinetics and Trophic Transfer of Tungsten from Cabbage to a Herbivorous Animal Model

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

Lindsay, James H.; Kennedy, Alan J.; Seiter-Moser, Jennifer M.

This paper builds on previous studies on military-relevant tungsten (W) to more thoroughly explore environmental pathways and bioaccumulation kinetics during direct soil exposure versus trophic transfer and elucidate its relative accumulation and speciation in different snail organs. The modeled steady-state concentration and bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of W from soil into cabbage were 302 mg/kg and 0.55, respectively. Steady-state concentrations (34 mg/kg) and BAF values (0.05) obtained for the snail directly exposed to contaminated soil were lower than trophic transfer by consumption of W-contaminated cabbage (tissue concentration of 86 mg/kg; BAF of 0.36). Thus, consumption of contaminated food is the mostmore » important pathway for W mobility in this food chain. The highest concentrations of W compartmentalization were in the snail’s hepatopancreas based on wet chemistry and synchrotron-based investigations. Chemical speciation via inductively couple plasma mass spectrometry showed a higher degree of polytungstate partitioning in the hepatopancreas relative to the rest of the body. Based on synchrotron analysis, W was incorporated into the shell matrix during exposure, particularly during the regeneration of damaged shell. Finally, this offers the potential for application of the shell as a longer-term biomonitoring and forensics tool for historic exposure.« less

Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer parameters of Er3+-doped fluorozirconate and oxyfluoroaluminate glasses.

PubMed

Huang, Feifei; Liu, Xueqiang; Hu, Lili; Chen, Danping

2014-05-23

Er3+-doped fluorozirconate (ZrF4-BaF2-YF3-AlF3) and oxyfluoroaluminate glasses are successfully prepared here. These glasses exhibit significant superiority compared with traditional fluorozirconate glass (ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF) because of their higher temperature of glass transition and better resistance to water corrosion. Judd-Ofelt (J-O) intensity parameters are evaluated and used to compute the radiative properties based on the VIS-NIR absorption spectra. Broad emission bands located at 1535 and 2708 nm are observed, and large calculated emission sections are obtained. The intensity of 2708 nm emission closely relates to the phonon energy of host glass. A lower phonon energy leads to a more intensive 2708 nm emission. The energy transfer processes of Er3+ ions are discussed and lifetime of Er3+:4I13/2 is measured. It is the first time to observe that a longer lifetime of the 4I13/2 level leads to a less intensive 1535 nm emission, because the lifetime is long enough to generate excited state absorption (ESA) and energy transfer (ET) processes. These results indicate that the novel glasses possess better chemical and thermal properties as well as excellent optical properties compared with ZBLAN glass. These Er3+-doped ZBYA and oxyfluoroaluminate glasses have potential applications as laser materials.

Radiation damage effects in far-ultraviolet filters, thin films, and substrates.

PubMed

Keffer, C E; Torr, M R; Zukic, M; Spann, J F; Torr, D G; Kim, J

1994-09-01

Advances in vacuum ultraviolet thin-film filter technology have been made through the use of filter designs with multilayers of materials such as Al(2)O(3), BaF(2), CaF(2), HfO(2), LaF(3), MgF(2), and SiO(2). Our immediate application for these filters will be in an imaging system to be flown on a satellite where a 2 × 9 R(E) orbit will expose the instrument to approximately 250 krad of radiation. Because to our knowledge no previous studies have been made on the potential radiation damage of these materials in the thin-film format, we report on such an assessment here. Transmittances and reflectances of BaF(2), CaF(2), HfO(2), MgF(2), and SiO(2) thin films on MgF(2) substrates, Al(2)O(3) thin films on fused-silica substrates, uncoated fused silica and MgF(2), and four multilayer filters made from these materials were measured from 120 to 180 nm beforeand after irradiation by 250 krad from a (60)Co gamma radiation source. No radiation-induced losses in transmittance or reflectance occurred in this wavelength range. Additional postradiation measurements from 160 to 300 nm indicates 2-5% radiation-induced absorption near 260 nm in some of the samples with MgF(2) substrates. From these measurements we conclude that far-ultraviolet filters made from the materials tested should experience less than 5% change from exposure to up to 250 krad of high-energy radiation in space applications.

Development of a new modular aerial spray system and night application capability for the U.S. Air Force

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The U.S. Air Force maintains a capability with the C130 aircraft to conduct aerial spray operations over large areas for controlling insects of medical importance. The current modular aerial spray system (MASS) is custom designed to support a variety of configurations from ultralow volume space spra...

Space station (modular) mission analysis. Volume 1: Mission analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

The mission analysis on the modular space station considers experimental requirements and options characterized by low initial cost and incremental manning. Features that affect initial development and early operating costs are identified and their impacts on the program are assessed. Considered are the areas of experiment, mission, operations, information management, and long life and safety analyses.

Yield, quality, and concentration of seven heavy metals in cabbage and broccoli grown in sewage sludge and chicken manure amended soil.

PubMed

Antonious, George F; Kochhar, Tejinder S; Coolong, Timothy

2012-01-01

The mobility of heavy metals from soil into the food chain and their subsequent bioaccumulation has increased the attention they receive as major environmental pollutants. The objectives of this investigation were to: i) study the impact of mixing native agricultural soil with municipal sewage sludge (SS) or chicken manure (CM) on yield and quality of cabbage and broccoli, ii) quantify the concentration of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Mo, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni) in soil amended with SS or CM, and iii) determine bioavailability of heavy metals to cabbage leaves and broccoli heads at harvest. Analysis of the two soil amendments used in this investigation indicated that Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Pb, and organic matter content were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in premixed sewage sludge than premixed chicken manure. Total cabbage and broccoli yields obtained from SS and CM mixed soil were both greater than those obtained from no-mulch (bare) soil. Concentration of Ni in cabbage leaves of plants grown in soil amended with CM was low compared to plants grown in no-mulch soil. No significant differences were found in Cd and Pb accumulation between cabbage and broccoli. Concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mo were greater in broccoli than cabbage. Total metals and plant available metals were also determined in the native and amended soils. Results indicated that the concentration of heavy metals in soils did not necessary reflect metals available to plants. Regardless of soil amendments, the overall bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of seven heavy metals in cabbage leaves and broccoli heads revealed that cabbage and broccoli were poor accumulators of Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, and Pb (BAF <1), while BAF values were >1 for Zn and Mo. Elevated Ni and Mo bioaccumulation factor (BAF >1) of cabbage grown in chicken manure mixed soil is a characteristic that would be less favorable when cabbage is grown on sites having high concentrations of these two metals.

A probabilistic model for deriving soil quality criteria based on secondary poisoning of top predators. I. Model description and uncertainty analysis.

PubMed

Traas, T P; Luttik, R; Jongbloed, R H

1996-08-01

In previous studies, the risk of toxicant accumulation in food chains was used to calculate quality criteria for surface water and soil. A simple algorithm was used to calculate maximum permissable concentrations [MPC = no-observed-effect concentration/bioconcentration factor(NOEC/BCF)]. These studies were limited to simple food chains. This study presents a method to calculate MPCs for more complex food webs of predators. The previous method is expanded. First, toxicity data (NOECs) for several compounds were corrected for differences between laboratory animals and animals in the wild. Second, for each compound, it was assumed these NOECs were a sample of a log-logistic distribution of mammalian and avian NOECs. Third, bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for major food items of predators were collected and were assumed to derive from different log-logistic distributions of BAFs. Fourth, MPCs for each compound were calculated using Monte Carlo sampling from NOEC and BAF distributions. An uncertainty analysis for cadmium was performed to identify the most uncertain parameters of the model. Model analysis indicated that most of the prediction uncertainty of the model can be ascribed to uncertainty of species sensitivity as expressed by NOECs. A very small proportion of model uncertainty is contributed by BAFs from food webs. Correction factors for the conversion of NOECs from laboratory conditions to the field have some influence on the final value of MPC5, but the total prediction uncertainty of the MPC is quite large. It is concluded that the uncertainty in species sensitivity is quite large. To avoid unethical toxicity testing with mammalian or avian predators, it cannot be avoided to use this uncertainty in the method proposed to calculate MPC distributions. The fifth percentile of the MPC is suggested as a safe value for top predators.

Radiation Damage Effects in Far Ultraviolet Filters and Substrates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keffer, Charles E.; Torr, Marsha R.; Zukic, Muamer; Spann, James F.; Torr, Douglas G.; Kim, Jongmin

1993-01-01

New advances in VUV thin film filter technology have been made using filter designs with multilayers of materials such as Al2O3, BaF2, CaF2, HfO2, LaF3, MgF2, and SiO2. Our immediate application for these filters will be in an imaging system to be flown on a satellite where a 2 X 9 R(sub E) orbit will expose the instrument to approximately 275 krads of radiation. In view of the fact that no previous studies have been made on potential radiation damage of these materials in the thin film format, we report on such an assessment here. Transmittances and reflectances of BaF2, CaF2, HfO2, LaF3, MgF2, and SiO2 thin films on MgF2 substrates, Al2O3 thin films on fused silica substrates, uncoated fused silica and MgF2, and four multilayer filters made from these materials were measured from 120 nm to 180 nm before and after irradiation by 250 krads from a Co-60 gamma radiation source. No radiation-induced losses in transmittance or reflectance occurred in this wavelength range. Additional postradiation measurements from 160 nm to 300 nm indicated a 3 - 5% radiation-induced absorption near 260 nm in some of the samples with MgF2 substrates. From these measurements it is concluded that far ultraviolet filters made from the materials tested should experience less that 5% change from exposure to up to 250 krads of high energy radiation in space applications.

Dyslexia and Inclusion: Assessment and Support in Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farmer, Marian; Riddick, Barbara; Sterling, Christopher

This book addresses issues in the inclusion of students with dyslexia in programs of higher education in the United Kingdom. Chapter 1 examines debates around assessing students with dyslexia and urges a "modular" approach. Chapter 2 looks at assessment of areas of impairment traditionally considered to be dyslexic. Chapter 3 considers…

Stretching Your Food Dollar: A Learning Module.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monroe, Sarah D.; And Others

This manual is designed to assist those helping professionals responsible for developing consumer education programs for older adults on the topic of food purchasing and costs. In a modular presentation format, the materials focus on the follwing areas of concern: (1) information on food buying; (2) planning the food budget; (3) shopping for good…

Formation of H a - hydrogen centers upon additive coloration of alkaline-earth fluoride crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radzhabov, E. A.; Egranov, A. V.; Shendrik, R. Yu.

2017-06-01

The mechanism of coloration of alkaline-earth fluoride crystals CaF2, SrF2, and BaF2 in calcium vapors in an autoclave with a cold zone is studied. It was found that the pressure in the autoclave upon constant evacuation by a vacuum pump within the temperature range of 500-800°C increases due to evaporation of metal calcium. In addition to the optical-absorption bands of color centers in the additively colored undoped crystals or to the bands of divalent ions in the crystals doped with rare-earth Sm, Yb, and Tm elements, there appear intense bands in the vacuum ultraviolet region at 7.7, 7.0, and 6.025 eV in CaF2, SrF2, and BaF2, respectively. These bands belong to the Ha - hydrogen centers. The formation of hydrogen centers is also confirmed by the appearance of the EPR signal of interstitial hydrogen atoms after X-ray irradiation of the additively colored crystals. Grinding of the outer edges of the colored crystals leads to a decrease in the hydrogen absorption-band intensity with depth to complete disappearance. The rate of hydrogen penetration inside the crystal is lower than the corresponding rate of color centers (anion vacancies) by a factor of tens. The visible color density of the outer regions of the hydrogen-containing crystals is several times lower than that of the inner region due to the competition between the color centers and hydrogen centers.

Tribological and microstructural comparison of HIPped PM212 and PM212/Au self-lubricating composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bogdanski, Michael S.; Sliney, Harold E.; Dellacorte, Christopher

1992-01-01

The feasibility of replacing the silver with the volumetric equivalent of gold in the chromium carbide-based self-lubricating composite PM212 (70 wt. percent NiCo-Cr3C2, 15 percent BaF2/CaF2 eutectic) was studied. The new composite, PM212/Au has the following composition: 62 wt. percent NiCo-Cr3C2, 25 percent Au, 13 percent BaF2/CaF2 eutectic. The silver was replaced with gold to minimize the potential reactivity of the composite with possible environmental contaminants such as sulfur. The composites were fabricated by hot isostatic pressing (HIPping) and machined into pin specimens. The pins were slid against nickel-based superalloy disks. Sliding velocities ranged from 0.27 to 10.0 m/s and temperatures from 25 to 900 C. Friction coefficients ranged from 0.25 to 0.40 and wear factors for the pin and disk were typically low 10(exp -5) cu mm/N-m. HIPped PM212 measured fully dense, whereas PM212/Au had 15 percent residual porosity. Examination of the microstructures with optical and scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of pores in PM212/Au that were not present in PM212. Though the exact reason for the residual porosity in PM212/Au was not determined, it may be due to particle morphology differences between the gold and silver and their effect on powder metallurgy processing.

Modularity in the Organization of Mouse Primary Visual Cortex

PubMed Central

Ji, Weiqing; Gămănuţ, Răzvan; Bista, Pawan; D’Souza, Rinaldo D.; Wang, Quanxin; Burkhalter, Andreas

2015-01-01

SUMMARY Layer 1 (L1) of primary visual cortex (V1) is the target of projections from many brain regions outside of V1. We found that inputs to the non-columnar mouse V1 from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and feedback projections from multiple higher cortical areas to L1 are patchy. The patches are matched to a pattern of M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor expression at fixed locations of mouse, rat and monkey V1. Neurons in L2/3 aligned with M2-rich patches have high spatial acuity whereas cells in M2-poor zones exhibited high temporal acuity. Together M2+ and M2− zones form constant-size domains that are repeated across V1. Domains map subregions of the receptive field, such that multiple copies are contained within the point image. The results suggest that the modular network in mouse V1 selects spatiotemporally distinct clusters of neurons within the point image for top-down control and differential routing of inputs to cortical streams. PMID:26247867

200 deg C Operation of a DC-DC Converter with SiC Power Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-01

1 2 3 4 5 6 0 50 100 150 200 250 Temperature (oC) V C E o r V B E ( V) VBE VCE V C E o r V B E ( V...display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. 1 . REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YY) 2 . REPORT TYPE 3...design is 3.5 to account for converter losses. The primary number of turns was calculated using ( 2 ) max maxmin, BAf DV N es in p = ( 2

Pre-Construction Biogeochemical Analysis of Mercury in Wetlands Bordering the Hamilton Army Airfield (HAAF) Wetlands Restoration Site. Part 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-01

2004). Hydrophobic organic contaminants ( petroleum hydrocarbons , polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons , and polychlorinated biphenyls) dissolved in the...Effect of 3.4% GAC contact on the 56-d bioaccumulation of THg and MeHg in Nereis virens...wetland restoration project. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) values were greater for MeHg than for THg. The THg and MeHg body burdens of Nereis

Discovery of 3-[2-(imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-3-yl)ethynyl]-4-methyl-N-{4-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl}benzamide (AP24534), a potent, orally active pan-inhibitor of breakpoint cluster region-abelson (BCR-ABL) kinase including the T315I gatekeeper mutant.

PubMed

Huang, Wei-Sheng; Metcalf, Chester A; Sundaramoorthi, Raji; Wang, Yihan; Zou, Dong; Thomas, R Mathew; Zhu, Xiaotian; Cai, Lisi; Wen, David; Liu, Shuangying; Romero, Jan; Qi, Jiwei; Chen, Ingrid; Banda, Geetha; Lentini, Scott P; Das, Sasmita; Xu, Qihong; Keats, Jeff; Wang, Frank; Wardwell, Scott; Ning, Yaoyu; Snodgrass, Joseph T; Broudy, Marc I; Russian, Karin; Zhou, Tianjun; Commodore, Lois; Narasimhan, Narayana I; Mohemmad, Qurish K; Iuliucci, John; Rivera, Victor M; Dalgarno, David C; Sawyer, Tomi K; Clackson, Tim; Shakespeare, William C

2010-06-24

In the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors, the T315I gatekeeper mutant has emerged as resistant to all currently approved agents. This report describes the structure-guided design of a novel series of potent pan-inhibitors of BCR-ABL, including the T315I mutation. A key structural feature is the carbon-carbon triple bond linker which skirts the increased bulk of Ile315 side chain. Extensive SAR studies led to the discovery of development candidate 20g (AP24534), which inhibited the kinase activity of both native BCR-ABL and the T315I mutant with low nM IC(50)s, and potently inhibited proliferation of corresponding Ba/F3-derived cell lines. Daily oral administration of 20g significantly prolonged survival of mice injected intravenously with BCR-ABL(T315I) expressing Ba/F3 cells. These data, coupled with a favorable ADME profile, support the potential of 20g to be an effective treatment for CML, including patients refractory to all currently approved therapies.

Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of emerging bisphenol analogues in aquatic organisms from Taihu Lake, China.

PubMed

Wang, Qiang; Chen, Meng; Shan, Guoqiang; Chen, Pengyu; Cui, Shuo; Yi, Shujun; Zhu, Lingyan

2017-11-15

Due to regulations on bisphenol A (BPA) in many countries, a variety of bisphenol analogues are being widely manufactured and applied. However, there is a big knowledge gap on bioaccumulation and biomagnification of these emerging bisphenols in aquatic organisms. The bioaccumulation and magnification of nine bisphenol analogues in aquatic organisms at different trophic levels collected from Taihu Lake, China, were evaluated. The total concentrations of the nine bisphenols in the lake waters were in the range of 49.7-3480ng/L (mean, 389ng/L). BPA, bisphenol AF (BPAF) and bisphenol S (BPS) were the most predominant analogues in the water. The mean natural logarithm bioaccumulation factor (log BAFs) of BPAF, bisphenol C (BPC), bisphenol Z (BPZ) and bisphenol E (BPE) were greater than BPA, and there was a significantly positive correlation between log BAFs of the biphenols and their octanol-water partition coefficients (log K ow ). The trophic magnification factors of BPAF, BPC and BPZ were 2.52, 2.69 and 1.71, respectively, suggesting that they had the potential to biomagnify in the food web. The results of this study call for further investigations on risk assessment of these emerging pollutants in the environment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Identification, Tissue Distribution, and Bioaccumulation Potential of Cyclic Perfluorinated Sulfonic Acids Isomers in an Airport Impacted Ecosystem.

PubMed

Wang, Yuan; Vestergren, Robin; Shi, Yali; Cao, Dong; Xu, Lin; Cai, Yaqi; Zhao, Xiaoli; Wu, Fengchang

2016-10-18

The use of cyclic perfluoroalkyl acids as anticorrosive agents in hydraulic fluids remains a poorly characterized source of organofluorine compounds to the environment. Here, we investigated the presence of perfluoroethylenecyclohexanesulfonate (PFECHS) isomers in environmental samples for the first time using a combination of high resolution and tandem mass spectrometry. Five distinct peaks attributed to different isomers of PFECHS and perfluoropropylcyclopentanesulfonate (PFPCPeS) were identified in environmental samples. The sum of PFECHS and PFPCPeS isomers displayed logarithmically decreasing spatial trends in water (1.04-324 ng/L) and sediment samples (

Modular assembly of a photovoltaic solar energy receiver

DOEpatents

Graven, Robert M.; Gorski, Anthony J.; Schertz, William W.; Graae, Johan E. A.

1978-01-01

There is provided a modular assembly of a solar energy concentrator having a photovoltaic energy receiver with passive cooling. Solar cell means are fixedly coupled to a radiant energy concentrator. Tension means bias a large area heat sink against the cell thereby allowing the cell to expand or contract with respect to the heat sink due to differential heat expansion.

HVAC [Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning] subsystem design description: 4 x 350 MW(t) Modular HTGR [High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor] Plant

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

NONE

1986-06-01

The HVAC system is a subsystem within the Mechanical Services Group (MSG). The HVAC system for the 4 x 350 MW(t) Modular HTGR Plant presently consists of ten, nonsafety-related subsystems located in the Nuclear Island (NI) and Energy Conversion Area (ECA) of the plant.

Image Intensifier Modules For Use With Commercially Available Solid State Cameras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, Howard; Tyler, Al; Lake, Donald W.

1989-04-01

A modular approach to design has contributed greatly to the success of the family of machine vision video equipment produced by EG&G Reticon during the past several years. Internal modularity allows high-performance area (matrix) and line scan cameras to be assembled with two or three electronic subassemblies with very low labor costs, and permits camera control and interface circuitry to be realized by assemblages of various modules suiting the needs of specific applications. Product modularity benefits equipment users in several ways. Modular matrix and line scan cameras are available in identical enclosures (Fig. 1), which allows enclosure components to be purchased in volume for economies of scale and allows field replacement or exchange of cameras within a customer-designed system to be easily accomplished. The cameras are optically aligned (boresighted) at final test; modularity permits optical adjustments to be made with the same precise test equipment for all camera varieties. The modular cameras contain two, or sometimes three, hybrid microelectronic packages (Fig. 2). These rugged and reliable "submodules" perform all of the electronic operations internal to the camera except for the job of image acquisition performed by the monolithic image sensor. Heat produced by electrical power dissipation in the electronic modules is conducted through low resistance paths to the camera case by the metal plates, which results in a thermally efficient and environmentally tolerant camera with low manufacturing costs. A modular approach has also been followed in design of the camera control, video processor, and computer interface accessory called the Formatter (Fig. 3). This unit can be attached directly onto either a line scan or matrix modular camera to form a self-contained units, or connected via a cable to retain the advantages inherent to a small, light weight, and rugged image sensing component. Available modules permit the bus-structured Formatter to be configured as required by a specific camera application. Modular line and matrix scan cameras incorporating sensors with fiber optic faceplates (Fig 4) are also available. These units retain the advantages of interchangeability, simple construction, ruggedness, and optical precision offered by the more common lens input units. Fiber optic faceplate cameras are used for a wide variety of applications. A common usage involves mating of the Reticon-supplied camera to a customer-supplied intensifier tube for low light level and/or short exposure time situations.

Correlating Meteorological, Satellite, and Ground Sampling Data to Determine Source of PM2.5 at Bagram Airfield (BAF), Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-08

Bethesda, MD 20814 D!SSERT A TION APPROVAL FOR THE MASTER IN SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEAL TH DISSERTATION IN THE PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND BIOMETRICS...such as asthma, bronchitis, cardiopulmonary disease, cancer , and premature death. One source of PM2.5 is open burning (i.e. burn pits), which is...combat zones encounter many different types of environmental hazards that are associated with adverse health outcomes (e.g. cancer and respiratory

[Modular enteral nutrition in pediatrics].

PubMed

Murillo Sanchís, S; Prenafeta Ferré, M T; Sempere Luque, M D

1991-01-01

Modular Enteral Nutrition may be a substitute for Parenteral Nutrition in children with different pathologies. Study of 4 children with different pathologies selected from a group of 40 admitted to the Maternal-Childrens Hospital "Valle de Hebrón" in Barcelona, who received modular enteral nutrition. They were monitored on a daily basis by the Dietician Service. Modular enteral nutrition consists of modules of proteins, peptides, lipids, glucids and mineral salts-vitamins. 1.--Craneo-encephalic traumatisms with loss of consciousness, Feeding with a combination of parenteral nutrition and modular enteral nutrition for 7 days. In view of the tolerance and good results of the modular enteral nutrition, the parenteral nutrition was suspended and modular enteral nutrition alone used up to a total of 43 days. 2.--55% burns with 36 days of hyperproteic modular enteral nutrition together with normal feeding. A more rapid recovery was achieved with an increase in total proteins and albumin. 3.--Persistent diarrhoea with 31 days of modular enteral nutrition, 5 days on parenteral nutrition alone and 8 days on combined parenteral nutrition and modular enteral nutrition. In view of the tolerance and good results of the modular enteral nutrition, the parenteral nutrition was suspended. 4.--Mucoviscidosis with a total of 19 days on modular enteral nutrition, 12 of which were exclusively on modular enteral nutrition and 7 as a night supplement to normal feeding. We administered proteic intakes of up to 20% of the total calorific intake and in concentrations of up to 1.2 calories/ml of the final preparation, always with a good tolerance. Modular enteral nutrition can and should be used as a substitute for parenteral nutrition in children with different pathologies, thus preventing the complications inherent in parenteral nutrition.

Epitaxy versus oriented heterogeneous nucleation of organic crystals on ionic substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarma, K. R.; Shlichta, P. J.; Wilcox, W. R.; Lefever, R. A.

1997-04-01

It is plausible to assume that epitaxy is a special case of heterogeneous nucleation in which a restrictive crystallographic relationship exists between substrate and deposit orientations. This would mean that epitaxial substrates should always induce a perceptible reduction in the critical supercooling for nucleation of the deposit. To test this hypothesis, the critical supercoolings of six organic compounds were measured on glass and 11 single-crystal cleaved substrates including (0001) graphite, (001) mica, (111) BaF 2, SrF 2, and CaF 2, and (100) KCl, KBr, KI, NaCl, NaF, and LiF. Reductions in supercooling (with reference to glass substrates) were checked many times for repeatability and reproducibility and shown in almost all cases to have a standard deviation of 1 C or less. Acetanilide, benzoic acid, and p-bromochlorobenzene showed a wide range of supercooling reductions and were oriented on all crystalline substrates. Naphthalene and p-dibromobenzene showed only slight supercooling reductions but were oriented on all substrates, including glass. Benzil showed strong supercooling reductions only for mica and KI but was oriented not only in these cases but also with KI, BaF 2, CaF 2, and graphite. There was little correlation between degree of lattice match and either supercooling reduction or degree of preferred orientation. These results suggest that, for the systems and geometry studied, forces such as molecular dipole binding and growth anisotropy had a stronger effect than lattice match.

[Distribution of Mercury in Plants at Water-Level-Fluctuating Zone in the Three Gorges Reservoir].

PubMed

Liang, Li; Wang, Yong-min; Li, Xian-yuan; Tang, Zhen-ya; Zhang, Xiang; Zhang, Cheng; WANG, Ding-yong

2015-11-01

The mercury (Hg) distribution and storage in plants at water-level-fluctuating zone (WLFZ) in the Three Gorges Reservoir were investigated by analyzing the total mercury(THg) and methylmercury ( MeHg) levels in different parts of plants collected from three typical sites including Shibaozhai, Zhenxi and Hanfeng Lake in WLFZ. The results indicated that THg and MeHg concentrations in plants ranged from (1.62 ± 0.57) to (49.42 ± 3.93) μg x kg(-1) and from (15.27 ± 7.09) to (1 974.67 ± 946.10) ng x kg(-1), respectively. In addition, THg levels in different plant parts followed the trend: root > leaf > stem, and similar trend for MeHg was observed with the highest level in root. An obvious spatial distribution was also found with the THg and MeHg levels in plants in Hanfeng higher than those in the same plants in the other two sampling sites (Shibaozhai and Zhenxi), and there was a difference of THg and MeHg storage in plants in various attitudes. The corresponding THg and MeHg storages were 145.3, 166.4, 124.3 and 88.2 mg x hm(-2), and 1.9, 2.7, 3.6 and 3.2 mg x hm(-2) in 145-150, 150-160, 160-170 and 170-175 m attitudes. The accumulation ability of dominant plants in WLFZ for THg (bioaccumulation factor, BAF < 1) was weaker than that for MeHg (BAF > 1).

Hierarchical organization of brain functional networks during visual tasks.

PubMed

Zhuo, Zhao; Cai, Shi-Min; Fu, Zhong-Qian; Zhang, Jie

2011-09-01

The functional network of the brain is known to demonstrate modular structure over different hierarchical scales. In this paper, we systematically investigated the hierarchical modular organizations of the brain functional networks that are derived from the extent of phase synchronization among high-resolution EEG time series during a visual task. In particular, we compare the modular structure of the functional network from EEG channels with that of the anatomical parcellation of the brain cortex. Our results show that the modular architectures of brain functional networks correspond well to those from the anatomical structures over different levels of hierarchy. Most importantly, we find that the consistency between the modular structures of the functional network and the anatomical network becomes more pronounced in terms of vision, sensory, vision-temporal, motor cortices during the visual task, which implies that the strong modularity in these areas forms the functional basis for the visual task. The structure-function relationship further reveals that the phase synchronization of EEG time series in the same anatomical group is much stronger than that of EEG time series from different anatomical groups during the task and that the hierarchical organization of functional brain network may be a consequence of functional segmentation of the brain cortex.

Development potential of the Dauin geothermal prospect, Negros Oriental, Philippines

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

Bayrante, L.F.; Hermoso, D.Z.; Candelaria, M.R.

1997-12-31

The Dauin geothermal prospect, situated 5 km southeast of the Palinpinon I and II sectors, was drilled between 1982 and 1983 to test its viability for development. Drilling results indicated that DN-1 was drilled closer to the source region than DN-2 where permeability, temperature, and alteration mineralogy were generally unpromising. DN-1 encountered temperatures of at least 240{degrees}C and a neutral-pH fluid with reservoir chloride of 3000 mg/kg. In particular, the presence of sulphur in the DN-1 discharge provoked debates and many speculation on the nature of the fluid in the area. The area was re-evaluated in 1996 for the followingmore » reasons: (1) Renewed interests on other geothermal prospects within Negros Island from an economic point of view and the success of modular plant developments are Pal II and other areas in the Philippines; (2) Reinterpretation of the genesis of sulphur contained in the DN-1 discharge fluid; (3) Encouraging temperature, permeability and neutral-pH alterations at depth and the neutral character of DN-1 discharge fluid; and (4) Reinterpretation of the hydrological model from a geochemical and geological point of view. The study indicates good potential for modular power development.« less

Research relative to high energy astrophysics. [large area modular array of reflectors, X-ray spectroscopy, and thermal control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gorenstein, P.

1984-01-01

Various parameters which affect the design of the proposed large area modular array of reflectors (LAMAR) are considered, including thermal control, high resolution X-ray spectroscopy, pointing control, and mirror performance. The LAMAR instrument is to be a shuttle-launched X-ray observatory to carry out cosmic X-ray investigations. The capabilities of LAMAR are enumerated. Angular resolution performance of the mirror module prototype was measured to be 30 sec of ARC for 50% of the power. The LAMAR thermal pre-collimator design concepts and test configurations are discussed in detail.

Catalog of infrared and cryo-optical properties for selected materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heaney, James B.; Alley, Phillip W.; Bradley, Scott E.

1991-01-01

This report will describe the status of an effort to catalog the refractive index, absorption, reflectance and transmittance of selected IR transmitting materials over the wavelength range from 1 to 1000 microns, and at temperatures from 300 to about 2 K. Data are presented for LiF, CaF2, BaF2, KBr, and TlBr, as well as for KRS-5 (TlBr-I) and KRS-6 (TlBr-Cl). A cryooptical measurements facility at NASA-Goddard, which has been used to generate some of the cataloged data, is also described.

Joint NOSC/NRL (Naval Ocean Systems Center/Naval Research Laboratory) InP Microwave/Millimeter Wave Technology Workshop Held in San Diego, California on 25-26 January 1989

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-12-01

A 11A Novel Applications of InP Based Technology: Neurocomputing ........... Aw ru Millimeter-Wave InAlAs/InGaAs/InP Lattice -Matched...Dielectrics) * II-A FLUORIDES (CaF2, BaF2 , SrF2 and their mixtures) e LATTICE MATCH TO MOST IMPORTANT SEMICON- DUCTORS (Slight mismatch can be used for...strained super lattice approach) e COMPARED TO AMORPHOUS DIELECTRICS ORDERED SEMICONDUCTOR-DIELECTRIC INTERFACE (I) Improved carrier transport (high

Transposon-mediated generation of BCR-ABL1-expressing transgenic cell lines for unbiased sensitivity testing of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

PubMed

Byrgazov, Konstantin; Lucini, Chantal Blanche; Berkowitsch, Bettina; Koenig, Margit; Haas, Oskar A; Hoermann, Gregor; Valent, Peter; Lion, Thomas

2016-11-22

Point mutations in the ABL1 kinase domain are an important mechanism of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in BCR-ABL1-positive and, as recently shown, BCR-ABL1-like leukemias. The cell line Ba/F3 lentivirally transduced with mutant BCR-ABL1 constructs is widely used for in vitro sensitivity testing and response prediction to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The transposon-based Sleeping Beauty system presented offers several advantages over lentiviral transduction including the absence of biosafety issues, faster generation of transgenic cell lines, and greater efficacy in introducing large gene constructs. Nevertheless, both methods can mediate multiple insertions in the genome. Here we show that multiple BCR-ABL1 insertions result in elevated IC50 levels for individual TKIs, thus overestimating the actual resistance of mutant subclones. We have therefore established flow-sorting-based fractionation of BCR-ABL1-transformed Ba/F3 cells facilitating efficient enrichment of cells carrying single-site insertions, as demonstrated by FISH-analysis. Fractions of unselected Ba/F3 cells not only showed a greater number of BCR-ABL1 hybridization signals, but also revealed higher IC50 values for the TKIs tested. The data presented highlight the need to carefully select transfected cells by flow-sorting, and to control the insertion numbers by FISH and real-time PCR to permit unbiased in vitro testing of drug resistance.

Emergence of CTNNB1 mutation at acquired resistance to KIT inhibitor in metastatic melanoma.

PubMed

Cho, J; Kim, S Y; Kim, Y J; Sim, M H; Kim, S T; Kim, N K D; Kim, K; Park, W; Kim, J H; Jang, K-T; Lee, J

2017-10-01

The KIT inhibitor, imatinib, has shown promising efficacy in patients with KIT-mutated melanoma; however, acquisition of resistance to imatinib occurs rapidly in the majority of patients. The mechanisms of acquired resistance to imatinib in melanoma remain unclear. We analyzed biopsy samples from paired baseline and post-treatment tumor lesions in one patient with KIT-mutated melanoma who had had an initial objective tumor regression in response to imatinib treatment followed by disease progression 8 months later. Targeted deep sequencing from post-treatment biopsy samples detected an additional mutation in CTNNB1 (S33C) with original KIT L576P mutation. We examined the functional role of the additional CTNNB1 S33C mutation in resistance to imatinib indirectly using the Ba/F3 cell model. Ba/F3 cell lines transfected with both the L576P KIT mutation and the CTNNB1 S33C mutation demonstrated no growth inhibition despite imatinib treatment, whereas growth inhibition was observed in the Ba/F3 cell line transfected with the L576 KIT mutation alone. We report the first identification of the emergence of a CTNNB1 mutation that can confer acquired resistance to imatinib. Further investigation into the causes of acquired resistance to imatinib will be essential to improve the prognosis for patients with KIT-mutated melanoma.

Development of MBE grown Pb-salt semiconductor lasers for the 8.0 to 15.0 micrometer spectral region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, M. D.

1981-01-01

Diodes lasers are fabricated using multiple source molecular beam expitaxial growth of (PbSn)Te on BaF2 substrates. Methods for crystal growth, crystal transfer, and device fabrication by photolithographic techniques were developed. The lasers operate in the spectra range from 10 microns to 14 microns and at temperatures from 12K to 60K continuous wave and to 95 K pulsed.

A novel MPL point mutation resulting in thrombopoietin-independent activation.

PubMed

Abe, M; Suzuki, K; Inagaki, O; Sassa, S; Shikama, H

2002-08-01

Thrombopoietin (TPO) and its receptor (MPL) are important regulators of megakaryopoiesis. MPL belongs to a cytokine receptor superfamily. To date, all constitutively active MPL mutants have been artificially constructed with amino acid substitutions in the transmembrane domain or extracellular domain of the protein, and they activate signal transduction pathways in Ba/F3 cells that can also be activated by the normal MPL. In this paper, we report a novel spontaneously occurring mutation of MPL, with an amino acid substitution of Trp(508) to Ser(508) in the intracellular domain of MPL, that induces the factor-independent growth of Ba/F3 cells. Examination of intracellular signaling pathways demonstrated that the mutant MPL protein constitutively activates three distinct signaling pathways, SHC-Ras-Raf-MAPK/JNK, JAK-STAT, and PI3K-Akt-Bad.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship study of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines as tyrosine kinase RET inhibitors.

PubMed

Wang, Chengyan; Liu, Hongchun; Song, Zilan; Ji, Yinchun; Xing, Li; Peng, Xia; Wang, Xisheng; Ai, Jing; Geng, Meiyu; Zhang, Ao

2017-06-01

Three series of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as RET kinase inhibitors. Compounds 23a and 23c were identified to show significant activity both in the biochemical and the BaF3/CCDC6-RET cell assays. Compound 23c was found to significantly inhibit RET phosphorylation and down-stream signaling in BaF3/CCDC6-RET cells, confirming its potent cellular RET-targeting profile. Different from other RET inhibitors with equal potency against KDR that associated with severe toxicity, 23c did not show significant KDR-inhibition even at the concentration of 1μM. These results demonstrated that 23c is a potent and selective RET inhibitor. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Targeted Deletion of Autophagy Genes Atg5 or Atg7 in the Chondrocytes Promotes Caspase-Dependent Cell Death and Leads to Mild Growth Retardation.

PubMed

Vuppalapati, Karuna K; Bouderlique, Thibault; Newton, Phillip T; Kaminskyy, Vitaliy O; Wehtje, Henrik; Ohlsson, Claes; Zhivotovsky, Boris; Chagin, Andrei S

2015-12-01

Longitudinal bone growth takes place in epiphyseal growth plates located in the ends of long bones. The growth plate consists of chondrocytes traversing from the undifferentiated (resting zone) to the terminally differentiated (hypertrophic zone) stage. Autophagy is an intracellular catabolic process of lysosome-dependent recycling of intracellular organelles and protein complexes. Autophagy is activated during nutritionally depleted or hypoxic conditions in order to facilitate cell survival. Chondrocytes in the middle of the growth plate are hypoxic and nutritionally depleted owing to the avascular nature of the growth plate. Accordingly, autophagy may facilitate their survival. To explore the role of autophagy in chondrocyte survival and constitutional bone growth, we generated mice with cartilage-specific ablation of either Atg5 (Atg5cKO) or Atg7 (Atg7cKO) by crossing Atg5 or Atg7 floxed mice with cartilage-specific collagen type 2 promoter-driven Cre. Both Atg5cKO and Atg7cKO mice showed growth retardation associated with enhanced chondrocyte cell death and decreased cell proliferation. Similarly, inhibition of autophagy by Bafilomycin A1 (Baf) or 3-methyladenine (3MA) promoted cell death in cultured slices of human growth plate tissue. To delineate the underlying mechanisms we employed ex vivo cultures of mouse metatarsal bones and RCJ3.IC5.18 rat chondrogenic cell line. Baf or 3MA impaired metatarsal bone growth associated with processing of caspase-3 and massive cell death. Similarly, treatment of RCJ3.IC5.18 chondrogenic cells by Baf also showed massive cell death and caspase-3 cleavage. This was associated with activation of caspase-9 and cytochrome C release. Altogether, our data suggest that autophagy is important for chondrocyte survival, and inhibition of this process leads to stunted growth and caspase-dependent death of chondrocytes. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Thermal performance of a modularized replaceable multilayer insulation system for a cryogenic stage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knoll, R. H.

1977-01-01

A rugged modularized MLI system for a 2.23-meter-diameter (87.6-in.-diam) liquid hydrogen tank was designed, fabricated, and tested under simulated near-earth and deep-space environments. The two blankets of the system were each composed of 17 double-aluminized Mylar radiation shields separated by silk net. The unit area weight of the installed system was 1.54 kg/sqm (0.32 lb/sq ft). The overall average heat transferred into the insulated tank was 22.7 and 0.98 watts (77.4 and 3.3 Btu/hr) during simulated near-earth and deep-space testing, respectively. The near-earth result was only 2.6 times that predicted for an undisturbed insulation system (i.e., no seams or penetrations). Tests indicate that this insulation concept could be useful for a cryogenic space tug or orbit transfer vehicle application.

Spectroscopic properties and energy transfer parameters of Er3+- doped fluorozirconate and oxyfluoroaluminate glasses

PubMed Central

Huang, Feifei; Liu, Xueqiang; Hu, Lili; Chen, Danping

2014-01-01

Er3+- doped fluorozirconate (ZrF4-BaF2-YF3-AlF3) and oxyfluoroaluminate glasses are successfully prepared here. These glasses exhibit significant superiority compared with traditional fluorozirconate glass (ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF) because of their higher temperature of glass transition and better resistance to water corrosion. Judd-Ofelt (J-O) intensity parameters are evaluated and used to compute the radiative properties based on the VIS-NIR absorption spectra. Broad emission bands located at 1535 and 2708 nm are observed, and large calculated emission sections are obtained. The intensity of 2708 nm emission closely relates to the phonon energy of host glass. A lower phonon energy leads to a more intensive 2708 nm emission. The energy transfer processes of Er3+ ions are discussed and lifetime of Er3+: 4I13/2 is measured. It is the first time to observe that a longer lifetime of the 4I13/2 level leads to a less intensive 1535 nm emission, because the lifetime is long enough to generate excited state absorption (ESA) and energy transfer (ET) processes. These results indicate that the novel glasses possess better chemical and thermal properties as well as excellent optical properties compared with ZBLAN glass. These Er3+- doped ZBYA and oxyfluoroaluminate glasses have potential applications as laser materials. PMID:24852112

Bioaccumulation and tissue distribution of antibiotics in wild marine fish from Laizhou Bay, North China.

PubMed

Liu, Sisi; Bekele, Tadiyose-Girma; Zhao, Hongxia; Cai, Xiyun; Chen, Jingwen

2018-08-01

Information about bioaccumulation and tissue distribution of antibiotics in wild marine fish is still limited. In the present study, tissue levels, bioaccumulation and distribution patterns of 9 sulfonamide (SA), trimethoprim (TMP), 5 fluoroquinolone (FQ), and 4 macrolide (ML) antibiotics were investigated in gill, muscle, kidney, and liver tissues of seven wild fish species collected from Laizhou Bay, North China in 2016. All the 19 antibiotics were detected in these fish tissues with the total concentrations ranging from 22ng/g dry weight (dw) to 500ng/g dw. The mean values of logarithm bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) in the gills, muscles, kidneys, and livers ranged from 2.2 to 4.8, 1.9 to 4.0, 2.5 to 4.9, and 2.5 to 5.4, respectively. Log BAFs of antibiotics in these tissues significantly increased (r=0.61-0.77, p<0.001) with their logarithm values of liposome-water distribution coefficient (D lipw ) except in the muscles, suggesting that D lipw can well assess the bioaccumulation potentials of antibiotics in phospholipid-rich tissues. In general, the SAs, TMP, and FQs were primarily accumulated in the muscles and the MLs were primarily in the livers, which may be related to their toxicokinetic processes of these marine fish. The present study for the first time reported the tissue distribution patterns of antibiotics in wild marine fish. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Hyper-X Antenna Radiation Pattern Tests and Radio Frequency System Redesign

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hodge, Mark W.; Kelley, John W.

2006-01-01

Testing was performed to determine the antenna radiation pattern measurements of the Hyper-X, X-43 ship 2 aircraft. One test was conducted at the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) Benefield Anechoic Facility (BAF) on January 24-January 27, 2000. A second test was done at MicroCraft in Tullahoma Tennessee by the Naval Air Weapons Center (NAWC) China Lake, California on September 8, 2001. The overall test objective was to gather qualitative antenna radiation pattern data from installed antennas on the HXRV. This objective was accomplished by collecting antenna radiation patterns at selected elevations of the HXRV. The test data was used to identify areas of RF coverage and assist in positioning the P-3 aircraft for best RF reception. The antenna pattern data presented nulls and possible low RF reception areas around the aircraft. This led to a redesign of the RF system. The redesigned system provided redundancy in case a telemetry transmitter should fail. The redesign provided more complete RF coverage within the antenna's capabilities. A second look at the flight path and necessary data collection led to a change in the beacon transponder system.

Combined toxicity of mercury and plastic wastes to crustacean and gastropod inhabiting the waters in Kuwait.

PubMed

Bu-Olayan, A H; Thomas, B V

2015-11-01

The present study determined total mercury (T-Hg) in crustacean Portunus pelagicus (blue crab) and mollusc Tapes sulcarius (Furrowed Venus: Cockle) following suspected rise in beach plastic wastes and their effect on marine organisms. Live samples were collected from beaches representing six Kuwait Governorate areas and exposed to toxicity (96hr) and bio accumulation tests for 180 d with inclusion of plastic wastes and environmental conditions simulated in laboratory. Results revealed high T-Hg concentrations in T sulcarius (1.44ng l(-1)) compared to P. pelagicus (1.03ng l(-1)) during winter than summer, with bio accumulation factor (BAF) > 1 labelled these species as hyper-accumulators. Significantly, combination of T-Hg concentrations from plastic wastes and in seawater validated the possibilities of detrimental effects of other marine lives besides deteriorating the aesthetic values of scenic beaches and likelihood of invasive species in such coastal areas.

Multiple D3-Instantons and Mock Modular Forms II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrov, Sergei; Banerjee, Sibasish; Manschot, Jan; Pioline, Boris

2018-03-01

We analyze the modular properties of D3-brane instanton corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli space in type IIB string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau threefold. In Part I, we found a necessary condition for the existence of an isometric action of S-duality on this moduli space: the generating function of DT invariants in the large volume attractor chamber must be a vector-valued mock modular form with specified modular properties. In this work, we prove that this condition is also sufficient at two-instanton order. This is achieved by producing a holomorphic action of {SL(2,Z)} on the twistor space which preserves the holomorphic contact structure. The key step is to cancel the anomalous modular variation of the Darboux coordinates by a local holomorphic contact transformation, which is generated by a suitable indefinite theta series. For this purpose we introduce a new family of theta series of signature (2, n - 2), find their modular completion, and conjecture sufficient conditions for their convergence, which may be of independent mathematical interest.

The Design of a Power System for the PETSAT Modular Small Spacecraft Bus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, C. S.; Lopez Mazarias, A.; Kobayashi, C.; Nakasuka, S.

2008-08-01

There is considerable interest in the benefits of having a modular spacecraft where it is possible to construct a satellite using a number of modules with identical mechanical and electrical interfaces, but with each performing a specific function to achieve the required platform specification. In recent years, steps have been made towards modular spacecraft becoming a reality and the concept is due to be demonstrated in-orbit later this year with the first flight of the PETSAT spacecraft concept on the mission, SOHLA-2. This paper describes the approach to the design of the SOHLA-2 power system. The approach is significant; PETSAT is an excellent example of a modular approach to spacecraft design. The PETSAT concept consists of a number of 'Panel Modules', roughly the same size as a pizza box. The panels stack together in stowed configuration for launch, and unfold once in orbit. Apart from being a very novel approach to spacecraft design and construction, this concept offers advantages in power generation as, once unfolded, there is significant surface area on which to mount solar cells for power generation. The power system for PETSAT has been designed such that each Panel Module contains a power system that can either operate in isolation for the purpose of unit testing, or as part of a larger spacecraft power system once connected to other Panel Modules. When connected together, the power systems on each module share the energy from the solar arrays and the batteries. The approach to the design of the system has provided a simple solution to difficult problem.

Comparison of the Abbott Architect i2000 assay, the Roche Modular Analytics E170 assay, and an immunoradiometric assay for serum hepatitis B virus markers.

PubMed

Kim, Hyunjung; Oh, Eun-Jee; Kang, Mi-Sook; Kim, Sung Hoon; Park, Yeon-Joon

2007-01-01

Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers are the most important data for epidemiological screening and clinical diagnosis of HBV infection, especially in endemic areas. We compared the results of the Roche Modular Analytics E170 assay, the Abbott Architect i2000 assay, and an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs), HBV e antigen (HBeAg), and anti-HBV e antigen (anti-HBe). A number of serum samples (264, 263, 224, and 202 for HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, and anti-HBe, respectively) were studied. For samples giving discrepant results for HBeAg between methods, real-time PCR assays were performed. The concordance rates among the three methods were high for HBsAg (100%) and HBeAg (94.6), but low for anti-HBs (91.6%) and anti-HBe (82.2%). For anti-HBs, which could be measured quantitatively by the Modular E170 and Architect i2000 procedures, discrepant results were observed at low levels of anti-HBs. For anti-HBe, the positive rate was highest with Modular E170 (60.9%) followed by the IRMA kit (54.1%) and Architect i2000 (51.0%). This study shows substantial differences between the assay results by the three methods, which should be taken into account in determinations of serum HBV markers.

Levels of some polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants along the Dutch coast as derived from their accumulation in SPMDs and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis).

PubMed

Booij, Kees; Zegers, Bart N; Boon, Jan P

2002-02-01

Aqueous concentrations of individual brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) were determined for five stations in the Scheldt estuary and the North Sea along the Dutch coast using passive sampling by semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). Values of 0.1-5 pg l(-1) were observed. The highest levels were found in the Scheldt estuary. Concentration differences between February and October were a factor of 4-8 for BDE209, and were smaller than a factor of 2 for the other BDEs. Bioaccumulation was studied for native mussels and for mussels that were transplanted from an uncontaminated area into the Scheldt estuary for 6 weeks. Concentrations in native mussels were higher by a factor of 10 and 2 for BDEs and PCBs, respectively. Field based bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were higher for BDEs than for PCBs by a factor of 10. Depuration experiments showed that the larger part of the BDE209 content in mussels was associated with ingested particles, whereas no such effect was observed for the other BDEs or PCBs.

Crest: A Balloon-borne Instrument to Measure Cosmic-ray Electrons above TeV Energies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nutter, S.; Anderson, T.; Coutu, S.; Geske, M.; Bower, C.; Musser, J.; Muller, D.; Park, N.; Wakely, S.; Schubnell, M.; Tarle, G.; Yagi, A.

2009-05-01

The flux of high-energy (>1 TeV) electrons provides information about the spatial distribution and abundance of nearby cosmic ray sources. CREST, a balloon-borne array of 1024 BaF2 crystals viewed by PMTs, will measure the spectrum of multi-TeV electrons through detection of the x-ray synchrotron photons generated as the electrons traverse the Earth's magnetic field. This method naturally discriminates against the proton and gamma ray backgrounds, and achieves very large detector apertures, since the instrument need only intersect a portion of the kilometers-long line of photons and not the electron itself. Thus CREST's acceptance is several times its geometric area up to energies of 50 TeV, ˜10 times higher in energy than ground based techniques can reach. This measurement will overlap the recent HESS results and extend to higher energies. CREST is scheduled to fly in a long duration circumpolar orbit over Antarctica in 2010. An overview of the detector design and status will be presented.

PTERA - Modular Aircraft Flight Test

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-01-13

Aerospace testing can be costly and time consuming but a new modular, subscale remotely piloted aircraft offers NASA researchers more affordable options for developing a wide range of cutting edge aviation and space technologies. The Prototype-Technology Evaluation and Research Aircraft (PTERA), developed by Area-I, Inc., of Kennesaw, Georgia, is an extremely versatile and high quality, yet inexpensive, flying laboratory bridging the gap between wind tunnels and crewed flight testing.

Constructing Social Networks From Secondary Storage With Bulk Analysis Tools

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

that classic measures of centrality are effective for identifying important nodes and close associates, and that further study of modularity classes...which ground truth was determined by interviews with the owners, and which can be used for future study in this area. Two objectives motivated this thesis...tifying important nodes and close associates, and that further study of modularity classes may be a promising method of partitioning complex components

Design of a modular digital computer system, CDRL no. D001, final design plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Easton, R. A.

1975-01-01

The engineering breadboard implementation for the CDRL no. D001 modular digital computer system developed during design of the logic system was documented. This effort followed the architecture study completed and documented previously, and was intended to verify the concepts of a fault tolerant, automatically reconfigurable, modular version of the computer system conceived during the architecture study. The system has a microprogrammed 32 bit word length, general register architecture and an instruction set consisting of a subset of the IBM System 360 instruction set plus additional fault tolerance firmware. The following areas were covered: breadboard packaging, central control element, central processing element, memory, input/output processor, and maintenance/status panel and electronics.

EPR study of electron bombarded alkali- and alkaline-earth halide crystal surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fryburg, G. C.; Lad, R. A.

1975-01-01

An EPR study of electron bombarded LiF, NaCl, KCl, CaF2 and BaF2 polycrystalline surfaces has shown that small metal particles are formed on the surfaces of the crystals. Identification was made from CESR signals. The symmetric line-shape of the signals, even at 77 K, indicated that the particles were less than 0.5 micron in diameter. Signals due to F centers were observed in LiF but not in the other halides. Implications to metal deposition are considered.

Water Quality Criteria for Colored Smokes: 1,4-Diamino-2,3- Dihydroanthraquinone

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-01-01

overprotection or underprotection. It is not enough that a criterion be the best estimate obtainable using available data; it is equally important that a...acceptable BAF can be used in place of a BCF, 3. If a maximum permissible tissue concentration is available for a substance (e.g, parent material or... parent material plus metabolite), the tissue concentration used in BCF calculations should be for the same substance, Otherwise the tissue concentration

Resonant Laser Ignition Study of HAN-HEHN Propellant Mixture (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-17

results to larger samples can be predicted by the adaptation of modeling 4 formalism previously reported for solid propellant laser ignition (15-17...The inclusion of a chemical heat release term in the form of an Arrhenius expression within a heat conduction model can also give valuable...the face of the pressure transducer. In this case the BaF2 cell entrance window failed quietly at 30 µs following the initial shock sequence. The

Effects of Gravity on ZBLAN Glass Crystallization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tucker, Dennis S.; Ethridge, Edwin C.; Smith, G. A.; Workman, G.

2003-01-01

The effects of gravity on the crystallization of ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3- NaF glasses have been studied utilizing NASA's KC135 and a sounding rocket, Fibers and cylinders of ZBLAN glass were heated to the crystallization temperature in unit and reduced gravity. When processed in unit gravity the glass crystallized, but when processed in reduced gravity, crystallization was suppressed. A possible explanation involving shear thinning is presented to explain these results.

Effects of Gravity on ZBLAN Glass Crystallization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tucker, Dennis S.; Ethridge, Edwin C.; Smith, Guy A.; Workman, Gary

2004-01-01

The effects of gravity on the crystallization of ZrF(4)-BaF(2)-LaF(3)-AIF(3)-NaF glasses have been studied using the NASA KC-135 and a sounding rocket. Fibers and cylinders of ZBLAN glass were heated to the crystallization temperature in unit and reduced gravity. When processed in unit gravity the glass crystallized, but when processed in reduced gravity, crystallization was suppressed. A possible explanation involving shear thinning is presented to explain these results.

Removal of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr from Yangtze Estuary Using the Phragmites australis Artificial Floating Wetlands

PubMed Central

Zhao, Feng; Yu, Gao; Song, Chao; Geng, Zhi

2017-01-01

Contamination of heavy metals would threaten the water and soil resources; phytoremediation can be potentially used to remediate metal contaminated sites. We constructed the Phragmites australis artificial floating wetlands outside the Qingcaosha Reservoir in the Yangtze Estuary. Water characteristic variables were measured in situ by using YSI Professional Pro Meter. Four heavy metals (copper, zinc, lead, and chromium) in both water and plant tissues were determined. Four heavy metals in estuary water were as follows: 0.03 mg/Kg, 0.016 mg/Kg, 0.0015 mg/Kg, and 0.004 mg/Kg. These heavy metals were largely retained in the belowground tissues of P. australis. The bioaccumulation (BAF) and translation factor (TF) value of four heavy metals were affected by the salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. The highest BAF of each metal calculated was as follows: Cr (0.091 in winter) > Cu (0.054 in autumn) > Pb (0.016 in summer) > Zn (0.011 in summer). Highest root-rhizome TF values were recorded for four metals: 6.450 for Cu in autumn, 2.895 for Zn in summer, 7.031 for Pb in autumn, and 2.012 for Cr in autumn. This indicates that the P. australis AFW has potential to be used to protect the water of Qingcaosha Reservoir from heavy metal contamination. PMID:28717650

High-resolution imaging of expertise reveals reliable object selectivity in the fusiform face area related to perceptual performance

PubMed Central

McGugin, Rankin Williams; Gatenby, J. Christopher; Gore, John C.; Gauthier, Isabel

2012-01-01

The fusiform face area (FFA) is a region of human cortex that responds selectively to faces, but whether it supports a more general function relevant for perceptual expertise is debated. Although both faces and objects of expertise engage many brain areas, the FFA remains the focus of the strongest modular claims and the clearest predictions about expertise. Functional MRI studies at standard-resolution (SR-fMRI) have found responses in the FFA for nonface objects of expertise, but high-resolution fMRI (HR-fMRI) in the FFA [Grill-Spector K, et al. (2006) Nat Neurosci 9:1177–1185] and neurophysiology in face patches in the monkey brain [Tsao DY, et al. (2006) Science 311:670–674] reveal no reliable selectivity for objects. It is thus possible that FFA responses to objects with SR-fMRI are a result of spatial blurring of responses from nonface-selective areas, potentially driven by attention to objects of expertise. Using HR-fMRI in two experiments, we provide evidence of reliable responses to cars in the FFA that correlate with behavioral car expertise. Effects of expertise in the FFA for nonface objects cannot be attributed to spatial blurring beyond the scale at which modular claims have been made, and within the lateral fusiform gyrus, they are restricted to a small area (200 mm2 on the right and 50 mm2 on the left) centered on the peak of face selectivity. Experience with a category may be sufficient to explain the spatially clustered face selectivity observed in this region. PMID:23027970

High-resolution imaging of expertise reveals reliable object selectivity in the fusiform face area related to perceptual performance.

PubMed

McGugin, Rankin Williams; Gatenby, J Christopher; Gore, John C; Gauthier, Isabel

2012-10-16

The fusiform face area (FFA) is a region of human cortex that responds selectively to faces, but whether it supports a more general function relevant for perceptual expertise is debated. Although both faces and objects of expertise engage many brain areas, the FFA remains the focus of the strongest modular claims and the clearest predictions about expertise. Functional MRI studies at standard-resolution (SR-fMRI) have found responses in the FFA for nonface objects of expertise, but high-resolution fMRI (HR-fMRI) in the FFA [Grill-Spector K, et al. (2006) Nat Neurosci 9:1177-1185] and neurophysiology in face patches in the monkey brain [Tsao DY, et al. (2006) Science 311:670-674] reveal no reliable selectivity for objects. It is thus possible that FFA responses to objects with SR-fMRI are a result of spatial blurring of responses from nonface-selective areas, potentially driven by attention to objects of expertise. Using HR-fMRI in two experiments, we provide evidence of reliable responses to cars in the FFA that correlate with behavioral car expertise. Effects of expertise in the FFA for nonface objects cannot be attributed to spatial blurring beyond the scale at which modular claims have been made, and within the lateral fusiform gyrus, they are restricted to a small area (200 mm(2) on the right and 50 mm(2) on the left) centered on the peak of face selectivity. Experience with a category may be sufficient to explain the spatially clustered face selectivity observed in this region.

Mismatch in cation size causes rapid anion dynamics in solid electrolytes: the role of the Arrhenius pre-factor.

PubMed

Breuer, Stefan; Wilkening, Martin

2018-03-28

Crystalline ion conductors exhibiting fast ion dynamics are of utmost importance for the development of, e.g., sensors or rechargeable batteries. In some layer-structured or nanostructured compounds fluorine ions participate in remarkably fast self-diffusion processes. As has been shown earlier, F ion dynamics in nanocrystalline, defect-rich BaF 2 is much higher than that in the coarse-grained counterpart BaF 2 . The thermally metastable fluoride (Ba,Ca)F 2 , which can be prepared by joint high-energy ball milling of the binary fluorides, exhibits even better ion transport properties. While long-range ion dynamics has been studied recently, less information is known about local ion hopping processes to which 19 F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin-lattice relaxation is sensitive. The present paper aims at understanding ion dynamics in metastable, nanocrystalline (Ba,Ca)F 2 by correlating short-range ion hopping with long-range transport properties. Variable-temperature NMR line shapes clearly indicate fast and slow F spin reservoirs. Surprisingly, from an atomic-scale point of view increased ion dynamics at intermediate values of composition is reflected by increased absolute spin-lattice relaxation rates rather than by a distinct minimum in activation energy. Hence, the pre-factor of the underlying Arrhenius relation, which is determined by the number of mobile spins, the attempt frequency and entropy effects, is identified as the parameter that directly enhances short-range ion dynamics in metastable (Ba,Ca)F 2 . Concerted ion migration could also play an important role to explain the anomalies seen in NMR spin-lattice relaxation.

SMEX-Lite Modular Solar Array Architecture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyons, John

2002-01-01

For the most part, Goddard solar arrays have been custom designs that are unique to each mission. The solar panel design has been frozen prior to issuing an RFP for their procurement. There has typically been 6-9 months between RFP release and contract award, followed by an additional 24 months for performance of the contract. For Small Explorer (SMEX) missions, with three years between mission definition and launch, this has been a significant problem. The SMEX solar panels have been sufficiently small that the contract performance period has been reduced to 12-15 months. The bulk of this time is used up in the final design definition and fabrication of flight solar cell assemblies. Even so, it has been virtually impossible to have the spacecraft design at a level of maturity sufficient to freeze the solar panel geometry and release the RFP in time to avoid schedule problems with integrating the solar panels to the spacecraft. With that in mind, the SMEX-Lite project team developed a modular architecture for the assembly of solar arrays to greatly reduce the cost and schedule associated with the development of a mission- specific solar array. In the modular architecture, solar cells are fabricated onto small substrate panels. This modular panel (approximately 8.5" x 17" in this case) becomes the building block for constructing solar arrays for multiple missions with varying power requirements and geometrical arrangements. The mechanical framework that holds these modules together as a solar array is the only mission-unique design, changing in size and shape as required for each mission. There are several advantages to this approach. First, the typical solar array development cycle requires a mission unique design, procurement, and qualification including a custom qualification panel. With the modular architecture, a single qualification of the SMEX-Lite modules and the associated mechanical framework in a typical configuration provided a qualification by similarity to multiple missions. It then becomes possible to procure solar array modules in advance of mission definition and respond quickly and inexpensively to a selected mission's unique requirements. The solar array modular architecture allows the procurement of solar array modules before the array geometry has been frozen. This reduces the effect of procurement lead-time on the mission integration and test flow by as much as 50%. Second, by spreading the non-recurring costs over multiple missions, the cost per unit area is also reduced. In the case of the SMEX-Lite procurement, this reduction was by about one third of the cost per unit area compared to previous SMEX mission-unique procurements. Third, the modular architecture greatly facilitates the infusion of new solar cell technologies into flight programs as these technologies become available. New solar cell technologies need only be fabricated onto a standard-sized module to be incorporated into the next available mission. The modular solar array can be flown in a mixed configuration with some new and some standard cell technologies. Since each module has its own wiring terminals, the array can be arranged as desired electrically with little impact to cost and schedule. The solar array modular architecture does impose some additional constraints on systems and subsystem engineers. First, they must work with discrete solar array modules rather than size the array to fit exactly within an available envelope. The array area is constrained to an integer multiple of the module area. Second, the modular design is optimized for space radiation and thermal environments not greatly different from a typical SMEX LEO environment. For example, a mission with a highly elliptical orbit (e.g., Polar, SMEX/FAST) would require thicker coverglasses to protect the solar cells from the more intense radiation environment.

SNF5 Is an Essential Executor of Epigenetic Regulation during Differentiation

PubMed Central

You, Jueng Soo; De Carvalho, Daniel D.; Dai, Chao; Liu, Minmin; Pandiyan, Kurinji; Zhou, Xianghong J.; Liang, Gangning; Jones, Peter A.

2013-01-01

Nucleosome occupancy controls the accessibility of the transcription machinery to DNA regulatory regions and serves an instructive role for gene expression. Chromatin remodelers, such as the BAF complexes, are responsible for establishing nucleosome occupancy patterns, which are key to epigenetic regulation along with DNA methylation and histone modifications. Some reports have assessed the roles of the BAF complex subunits and stemness in murine embryonic stem cells. However, the details of the relationships between remodelers and transcription factors in altering chromatin configuration, which ultimately affects gene expression during cell differentiation, remain unclear. Here for the first time we demonstrate that SNF5, a core subunit of the BAF complex, negatively regulates OCT4 levels in pluripotent cells and is essential for cell survival during differentiation. SNF5 is responsible for generating nucleosome-depleted regions (NDRs) at the regulatory sites of OCT4 repressed target genes such as PAX6 and NEUROG1, which are crucial for cell fate determination. Concurrently, SNF5 closes the NDRs at the regulatory regions of OCT4-activated target genes such as OCT4 itself and NANOG. Furthermore, using loss- and gain-of-function experiments followed by extensive genome-wide analyses including gene expression microarrays and ChIP-sequencing, we highlight that SNF5 plays dual roles during differentiation by antagonizing the expression of genes that were either activated or repressed by OCT4, respectively. Together, we demonstrate that SNF5 executes the switch between pluripotency and differentiation. PMID:23637628

SNF5 is an essential executor of epigenetic regulation during differentiation.

PubMed

You, Jueng Soo; De Carvalho, Daniel D; Dai, Chao; Liu, Minmin; Pandiyan, Kurinji; Zhou, Xianghong J; Liang, Gangning; Jones, Peter A

2013-04-01

Nucleosome occupancy controls the accessibility of the transcription machinery to DNA regulatory regions and serves an instructive role for gene expression. Chromatin remodelers, such as the BAF complexes, are responsible for establishing nucleosome occupancy patterns, which are key to epigenetic regulation along with DNA methylation and histone modifications. Some reports have assessed the roles of the BAF complex subunits and stemness in murine embryonic stem cells. However, the details of the relationships between remodelers and transcription factors in altering chromatin configuration, which ultimately affects gene expression during cell differentiation, remain unclear. Here for the first time we demonstrate that SNF5, a core subunit of the BAF complex, negatively regulates OCT4 levels in pluripotent cells and is essential for cell survival during differentiation. SNF5 is responsible for generating nucleosome-depleted regions (NDRs) at the regulatory sites of OCT4 repressed target genes such as PAX6 and NEUROG1, which are crucial for cell fate determination. Concurrently, SNF5 closes the NDRs at the regulatory regions of OCT4-activated target genes such as OCT4 itself and NANOG. Furthermore, using loss- and gain-of-function experiments followed by extensive genome-wide analyses including gene expression microarrays and ChIP-sequencing, we highlight that SNF5 plays dual roles during differentiation by antagonizing the expression of genes that were either activated or repressed by OCT4, respectively. Together, we demonstrate that SNF5 executes the switch between pluripotency and differentiation.

Transposon-mediated generation of BCR-ABL1-expressing transgenic cell lines for unbiased sensitivity testing of tyrosine kinase inhibitors

PubMed Central

Berkowitsch, Bettina; Koenig, Margit; Haas, Oskar A.; Hoermann, Gregor; Valent, Peter; Lion, Thomas

2016-01-01

Point mutations in the ABL1 kinase domain are an important mechanism of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in BCR-ABL1-positive and, as recently shown, BCR-ABL1-like leukemias. The cell line Ba/F3 lentivirally transduced with mutant BCR-ABL1 constructs is widely used for in vitro sensitivity testing and response prediction to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The transposon-based Sleeping Beauty system presented offers several advantages over lentiviral transduction including the absence of biosafety issues, faster generation of transgenic cell lines, and greater efficacy in introducing large gene constructs. Nevertheless, both methods can mediate multiple insertions in the genome. Here we show that multiple BCR-ABL1 insertions result in elevated IC50 levels for individual TKIs, thus overestimating the actual resistance of mutant subclones. We have therefore established flow-sorting-based fractionation of BCR-ABL1-transformed Ba/F3 cells facilitating efficient enrichment of cells carrying single-site insertions, as demonstrated by FISH-analysis. Fractions of unselected Ba/F3 cells not only showed a greater number of BCR-ABL1 hybridization signals, but also revealed higher IC50 values for the TKIs tested. The data presented highlight the need to carefully select transfected cells by flow-sorting, and to control the insertion numbers by FISH and real-time PCR to permit unbiased in vitro testing of drug resistance. PMID:27801667

Distinct effects of thrombopoietin depending on a threshold level of activated Mpl in BaF-3 cells.

PubMed

Millot, Gaël A; Vainchenker, William; Duménil, Dominique; Svinarchuk, Fédor

2002-06-01

Thrombopoietin (TPO) plays a critical role in megakaryopoiesis through binding to its receptor Mpl. This involves activation of various intracellular signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Their precise role in TPO-mediated proliferation, survival and differentiation is not fully understood. In the present study, we show that TPO induces different biological responses in Mpl-transduced BaF-3 cells, depending on the cell surface density of Mpl and the resulting activation level of signaling pathways. TPO mediates cell proliferation in cells expressing high levels of Mpl but only mediates survival without proliferation in cells expressing low levels of the receptor. By using the kinase inhibitors PD98059 and LY294002, we further showed that the activation level of the PI3K and MAPK p42/44 pathways is a determining factor for the proliferative effect. In cells expressing low levels of Mpl, the survival effect was strongly dependent on the activation level of the PI3K/AKT, but not the MAPK p42/44 pathway. Moreover, this effect was correlated with the phosphorylation level of BAD but not with the expression level of Bcl-X(L). However, PI3K pathway inhibition did not increase apoptosis when BaF-3 cells proliferated in response to TPO, indicating a compensating mechanism from other Mpl signaling pathways in this case.

Toxicity and bioaccumulation of a mixture of heavy metals in Chironomus tentans (Diptera: Chironomidae) in synthetic sediment

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

Harrahy, E.A.; Clements, W.H.

1997-02-01

This research investigated toxicity and bioaccumulation of a mixture of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in Chironomus tentans in synthetic sediment, and compared predicted to measured steady-state bioaccumulation factors (BAFs). In a toxicity test, C. tentans were exposed to various dilutions of a base concentration (1.0 X) of a mixture of the four metals (5 {micro}g/g Cd. 10 {micro}g/g Cu. 70 {micro}g/g Pb, and 300 {micro}g/g Zn) in synthetic sediment. Mortality ranged from 17 to 100%. To measure bioaccumulation of the metals, C. tentans were exposed to 0.35 X the base concentration for a period of up to 14 dmore » in two uptake tests. Bioaccumulation of all four metals increased over the 14-d uptake phases. Concentrations of metals in chironomids were significantly correlated with exposure time in the uptake phases. Only concentrations of copper approached background levels after 7 d depuration. Uptake rate coefficients and elimination rate constants were determined for each metal. Bioaccumulation factors were highest for Cd and lowest for Pb. With the exception of Pb, steady-state BAFs were within a factor of about two of those calculated using the first-order kinetic model. The high BAFs calculated may indicate greater bioavailability in synthetic sediment. Studies comparing toxicity and bioaccumulation of natural and synthetic sediments are necessary before the use of synthetic sediments is widely adopted.« less

Modular Heat Dissipation Technique for a CubeSat

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-28

Model TVAC Thermal Vacuum Chamber System xv U.S. United States UV Ultraviolet VUV Vacuum Ultraviolet xvi 1 MODULAR HEAT...failure percentage approaches to 50% in university- led missions [Swartwout, 2013]. It can also be deduced from the analysis that on-orbit failures of...simulator is designed to achieve one sun equivalent illumination with three-degree collimation over a 12 in x 12 in area. A 1.6 kW lamp is used for the

Preliminary development of an advanced modular pressure relief cushion: Testing and user evaluation.

PubMed

Freeto, Tyler; Mitchell, Steven J; Bogie, Kath M

2018-02-01

Effective pressure relief cushions are identified as a core assistive technology need by the World Health Organization Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology. High quality affordable wheelchair cushions could provide effective pressure relief for many individuals with limited access to advanced assistive technology. Value driven engineering (VdE) principles were employed to develop a prototype modular cushion. Low cost dynamically responsive gel balls were arranged in a close packed array and seated in bilayer foam for containment and support. Two modular cushions, one with high compliance balls and one with moderate compliance balls were compared with High Profile and Low Profile Roho ® and Jay ® Medical 2 cushions. ISO 16480-2 biomechanical standardized tests were applied to assess cushion performance. A preliminary materials cost analysis was carried out. A prototype modular cushion was evaluated by 12 participants who reported satisfaction using a questionnaire based on the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) instrument. Overall the modular cushions performed better than, or on par with, the most widely prescribed commercially available cushions under ISO 16480-2 testing. Users rated the modular cushion highly for overall appearance, size and dimensions, comfort, safety, stability, ease of adjustment and general ease of use. Cost-analysis indicated that every modular cushion component a could be replaced several times and still maintain cost-efficacy over the complete cushion lifecycle. A VdE modular cushion has the potential provide effective pressure relief for many users at a low lifetime cost. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Pyroclastic density currents associated with the 2008-2009 eruption of Chaitén Volcano (Chile): forest disturbances, deposits, and dynamics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Major, Jon J.; Pierson, Thomas C.; Hoblitt, Richard P.; Moreno, Hugo

2013-01-01

Explosive activity at Chaitén Volcano in May 2008 and subsequent dome collapses over the following nine months triggered multiple, small-volume pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). The explosive activity triggered PDCs to the north and northeast, which felled modest patches of forest as far as 2 km from the caldera rim. Felled trees pointing in the down-current direction dominate the disturbance zones. The PDC on the north flank of Chaitén left a decimeters-thick, bipartite deposit having a basal layer of poorly sorted, fines-depleted pumice-and-lithic coarse ash and lapilli, which transitions abruptly to fines-enriched pumice-and-lithic coarse ash. The deposit contains fragments of mostly uncharred organics near its base; vegetation protruding above the deposit is uncharred. The nature of the forest disturbance and deposit characteristics suggest the PDC was dilute, of relatively low temperature (-1. It was formed by directionally focused explosions throughout the volcano's prehistoric, intracaldera lava dome. Dilute, low-temperature PDCs that exited the caldera over a low point on the east-southeast caldera rim deposited meters-thick fill of stratified beds of pumice-and-lithic coarse ash and lapilli. They did not fell large trees more than a few hundred of meters from the caldera rim and were thus less energetic than those on the north and northeast flanks. They likely formed by partial collapses of the margins of vertical eruption columns. In the Chaitén River valley south of the volcano, several-meter-thick deposits of two block-and-ash flow (BAF) PDCs are preserved. Both have a coarse ash matrix that supports blocks and lapilli predominantly of lithic rhyolite dome rock, minor obsidian, and local bedrock. One deposit was emplaced by a BAF that traveled an undetermined distance downvalley between June and November 2008, apparently triggered by partial collapse of a newly effused lava dome on that started growing on 12 May. A second, and larger, BAF related to another collapse of the new lava dome on 19 February 2009 traveled to within 3 km of the village of Chaitén, 10 km downstream of the volcano. It deposited as much as 8-10 m of diamict having sedimentary characteristics very similar to the previous BAF deposit. Charred trees locally encased within the BAD deposits suggest that the flows were of moderate temperature, perhaps as much as 300°C. Erosion of the BAD deposits filling the Chaitén River channel has delivered substantial sediment loads downstream, contributing to channel instability and challenged river management.

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

Sanjeewa, Liurukara D.; McMillen, Colin D.; McGuire, Michael A.

We synthesized manganese vanadate fluorides using high-temperature hydrothermal techniques with BaF 2 as a mineralizer. Ba 3Mn 2(V 2O 7) 2F 2 crystallizes in space group C2/c and consists of dimers built from edge-sharing MnO 4F 2 trigonal prisms with linking V 2O 7 groups. Ba 7Mn 8O 2(VO 4) 2F 23 crystallizes in space group Cmmm, with a manganese oxyfluoride network built from edge- and corner-sharing Mn 2+/3+(O,F) 6 octahedra. The resulting octahedra form alternating Mn 2+ and Mn 2+/3+ layers separated by VO 4 tetrahedra. This latter compound exhibits a canted antiferromagnetic order below TN = 25 K.

Flight Test of a Technology Transparent Light Concentration Panel on SMEX/WIRE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stern, Theodore G.; Lyons, John

2000-01-01

A flight experiment has demonstrated a modular solar concentrator that can be used as a direct substitute replacement for planar photovoltaic panels in spacecraft solar arrays. The Light Concentrating Panel (LCP) uses an orthogrid arrangement of composite mirror strips to form an array of rectangular mirror troughs that reflect light onto standard, high-efficiency solar cells at a concentration ratio of approximately 3:1. The panel area, mass, thickness, and pointing tolerance has been shown to be similar to a planar array using the same cells. Concentration reduces the panel's cell area by 2/3, which significantly reduces the cost of the panel. An opportunity for a flight experiment module arose on NASA's Small Explorer / Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (SMEX/WIRE) spacecraft, which uses modular solar panel modules integrated into a solar panel frame structure. The design and analysis that supported implementation of the LCP as a flight experiment module is described. Easy integration into the existing SMEX-LITE wing demonstrated the benefits of technology transparency. Flight data shows the stability of the LCP module after nearly one year in Low Earth Orbit.

Evaluation of the Painful Dual Taper Modular Neck Stem Total Hip Arthroplasty: Do They All Require Revision?

PubMed

Kwon, Young-Min

2016-07-01

Although dual taper modular-neck total hip arthroplasty (THA) design with additional neck-stem modularity has the potential to optimize hip biomechanical parameters by facilitating adjustments of leg length, femoral neck version and offset, there is increasing concern regarding this stem design as a result of the growing numbers of adverse local tissue reactions due to fretting and corrosion at the neck-stem taper junction. Implant factors such as taper cone angle, taper surface roughness, taper contact area, modular neck taper metallurgy, and femoral head size play important roles in influencing extent of taper corrosion. There should be a low threshold to conduct a systematic clinical evaluation of patients with dual-taper modular-neck stem THA using systematic risk stratification algorithms as early recognition and diagnosis will ensure prompt and appropriate treatment. Although specialized tests such as metal ion analysis and cross-sectional imaging modalities such as metal artifact reduction sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MARS MRI) are useful in optimizing clinical decision-making, overreliance on any single investigative tool in the clinical decision-making process for revision surgery should be avoided. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Modular Rocket Engine Control Software (MRECS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tarrant, Charlie; Crook, Jerry

1997-01-01

The Modular Rocket Engine Control Software (MRECS) Program is a technology demonstration effort designed to advance the state-of-the-art in launch vehicle propulsion systems. Its emphasis is on developing and demonstrating a modular software architecture for a generic, advanced engine control system that will result in lower software maintenance (operations) costs. It effectively accommodates software requirements changes that occur due to hardware. technology upgrades and engine development testing. Ground rules directed by MSFC were to optimize modularity and implement the software in the Ada programming language. MRECS system software and the software development environment utilize Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) products. This paper presents the objectives and benefits of the program. The software architecture, design, and development environment are described. MRECS tasks are defined and timing relationships given. Major accomplishment are listed. MRECS offers benefits to a wide variety of advanced technology programs in the areas of modular software, architecture, reuse software, and reduced software reverification time related to software changes. Currently, the program is focused on supporting MSFC in accomplishing a Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) hot-fire test at Stennis Space Center and the Low Cost Boost Technology (LCBT) Program.

Modular, Reconfigurable, and Rapid Response Space Systems: The Remote Sensing Advanced Technology Microsatellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Esper, Jaime; Andary, Jim; Oberright, John; So, Maria; Wegner, Peter; Hauser, Joe

2004-01-01

Modular, Reconfigurable, and Rapid-response (MR(sup 2)) space systems represent a paradigm shift in the way space assets of all sizes are designed, manufactured, integrated, tested, and flown. This paper will describe the MR(sup 2) paradigm in detail, and will include guidelines for its implementation. The Remote Sensing Advanced Technology microsatellite (RSAT) is a proposed flight system test-bed used for developing and implementing principles and best practices for MR(sup 2) spacecraft, and their supporting infrastructure. The initial goal of this test-bed application is to produce a lightweight (approx. 100 kg), production-minded, cost-effective, and scalable remote sensing micro-satellite capable of high performance and broad applicability. Such applications range from future distributed space systems, to sensor-webs, and rapid-response satellite systems. Architectures will be explored that strike a balance between modularity and integration while preserving the MR(sup 2) paradigm. Modularity versus integration has always been a point of contention when approaching a design: whereas one-of-a-kind missions may require close integration resulting in performance optimization, multiple and flexible application spacecraft benefit &om modularity, resulting in maximum flexibility. The process of building spacecraft rapidly (< 7 days), requires a concerted and methodical look at system integration and test processes and pitfalls. Although the concept of modularity is not new and was first developed in the 1970s by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (Multi-Mission Modular Spacecraft), it was never modernized and was eventually abandoned. Such concepts as the Rapid Spacecraft Development Office (RSDO) became the preferred method for acquiring satellites. Notwithstanding, over the past 30 years technology has advanced considerably, and the time is ripe to reconsider modularity in its own right, as enabler of R(sup 2), and as a key element of transformational systems. The MR2 architecture provides a competitive advantage over the old modular approach in its rapid response to market needs that are difficult to predict both from the perspectives of evolving technology, as well as mission and application requirements.

The modular endoprosthesis for mandibular body replacement. Part 2: finite element analysis of endoprosthesis reconstruction of the mandible.

PubMed

Wong, Raymond C W; Tideman, Henk; Merkx, Matthias A W; Jansen, John; Goh, Suk Ming

2012-12-01

Problems with loosening of the modules for the modular endoprosthesis were encountered in animal studies for mandibular body replacement. We performed a finite element analysis to look at the stress distribution and areas of stress concentration in a human sized mandible. Variations were made to the stem and defect length to look at how the forces changed. The hypothesis was: (1) reconstruction with a modular endoprosthesis did not lead to areas of stress concentration beyond the material strength of cortical bone and titanium alloy; (2) changes in dimensions of the endoprosthesis did not cause a corresponding linear increase to the stresses. The endoprosthesis was modelled to create a male, female part with stems and a connection screw (Case I). The stem length was halved (Case II) and defect length doubled (Case III). Geometric data of a human sized mandible were obtained, a continuity defect created digitally at the right molar area and the models combined. Boundary conditions were set and the model loaded to get a bite force of 300 N at the incisor region. An intact mandible was used as a control. The right side of the reconstructed mandible became less rigid and flexed more. The highest stresses were within the endoprosthesis at two areas of stress concentration: (1) shear stress at the superior surface of the stems close to the junction of the stem and the module body; (2) compressive stresses at the bottom bevel of the dove-tailed connection. The stress distribution for Case I and II did not differ much except for the magnitude which was slightly higher for Case II. There was a tendency for outward bending at the module connection for Case III which potentially might cause loosening of the module connection. Displacements of the mandible were less than 1 mm throughout. The endoprosthesis with its present dimensions would be expected to perform adequately at a bite force of 300 N. An increase in defect length caused a tendency for bending at the stem and the module connection. With a decrease in stem length, there were little differences except a slight increase in magnitude. Copyright © 2012 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Does Choice of Head Size and Neck Geometry Affect Stem Migration in Modular Large-Diameter Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty? A Preliminary Analysis

PubMed Central

Georgiou, CS; Evangelou, KG; Theodorou, EG; Provatidis, CG; Megas, PD

2012-01-01

Due to their theoretical advantages, hip systems combining modular necks and large diameter femoral heads have gradually gained popularity. However, among others, concerns regarding changes in the load transfer patterns were raised. Recent stress analyses have indeed shown that the use of modular necks and big femoral heads causes significant changes in the strain distribution along the femur. Our original hypothesis was that these changes may affect early distal migration of a modular stem. We examined the effect of head diameter and neck geometry on migration at two years of follow-up in a case series of 116 patients (125 hips), who have undergone primary Metal-on-Metal total hip arthroplasty with the modular grit-blasted Profemur®E stem combined with large-diameter heads (>36 mm). We found that choice of neck geometry and head diameter has no effect on stem migration. A multivariate regression analysis including the potential confounding variables of the body mass index, bone quality, canal fill and stem positioning revealed only a negative correlation between subsidence and canal fill in midstem area. Statistical analysis, despite its limitations, did not confirm our hypothesis that choice of neck geometry and/or head diameter affects early distal migration of a modular stem. However, the importance of correct stem sizing was revealed. PMID:23284597

Does Choice of Head Size and Neck Geometry Affect Stem Migration in Modular Large-Diameter Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty? A Preliminary Analysis.

PubMed

Georgiou, Cs; Evangelou, Kg; Theodorou, Eg; Provatidis, Cg; Megas, Pd

2012-01-01

Due to their theoretical advantages, hip systems combining modular necks and large diameter femoral heads have gradually gained popularity. However, among others, concerns regarding changes in the load transfer patterns were raised. Recent stress analyses have indeed shown that the use of modular necks and big femoral heads causes significant changes in the strain distribution along the femur. Our original hypothesis was that these changes may affect early distal migration of a modular stem. We examined the effect of head diameter and neck geometry on migration at two years of follow-up in a case series of 116 patients (125 hips), who have undergone primary Metal-on-Metal total hip arthroplasty with the modular grit-blasted Profemur®E stem combined with large-diameter heads (>36 mm). We found that choice of neck geometry and head diameter has no effect on stem migration. A multivariate regression analysis including the potential confounding variables of the body mass index, bone quality, canal fill and stem positioning revealed only a negative correlation between subsidence and canal fill in midstem area. Statistical analysis, despite its limitations, did not confirm our hypothesis that choice of neck geometry and/or head diameter affects early distal migration of a modular stem. However, the importance of correct stem sizing was revealed.

Multimission image processing and science data visualization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, William B.

1993-01-01

The Operational Science Analysis (OSA) Functional area supports science instrument data display, analysis, visualization and photo processing in support of flight operations of planetary spacecraft managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This paper describes the data products generated by the OSA functional area, and the current computer system used to generate these data products. The objectives on a system upgrade now in process are described. The design approach to development of the new system are reviewed, including use of the Unix operating system and X-Window display standards to provide platform independence, portability, and modularity within the new system, is reviewed. The new system should provide a modular and scaleable capability supporting a variety of future missions at JPL.

Sustained Activity in Hierarchical Modular Neural Networks: Self-Organized Criticality and Oscillations

PubMed Central

Wang, Sheng-Jun; Hilgetag, Claus C.; Zhou, Changsong

2010-01-01

Cerebral cortical brain networks possess a number of conspicuous features of structure and dynamics. First, these networks have an intricate, non-random organization. In particular, they are structured in a hierarchical modular fashion, from large-scale regions of the whole brain, via cortical areas and area subcompartments organized as structural and functional maps to cortical columns, and finally circuits made up of individual neurons. Second, the networks display self-organized sustained activity, which is persistent in the absence of external stimuli. At the systems level, such activity is characterized by complex rhythmical oscillations over a broadband background, while at the cellular level, neuronal discharges have been observed to display avalanches, indicating that cortical networks are at the state of self-organized criticality (SOC). We explored the relationship between hierarchical neural network organization and sustained dynamics using large-scale network modeling. Previously, it was shown that sparse random networks with balanced excitation and inhibition can sustain neural activity without external stimulation. We found that a hierarchical modular architecture can generate sustained activity better than random networks. Moreover, the system can simultaneously support rhythmical oscillations and SOC, which are not present in the respective random networks. The mechanism underlying the sustained activity is that each dense module cannot sustain activity on its own, but displays SOC in the presence of weak perturbations. Therefore, the hierarchical modular networks provide the coupling among subsystems with SOC. These results imply that the hierarchical modular architecture of cortical networks plays an important role in shaping the ongoing spontaneous activity of the brain, potentially allowing the system to take advantage of both the sensitivity of critical states and the predictability and timing of oscillations for efficient information processing. PMID:21852971

Carbamazepine and naproxen: fate in wetland mesocosms planted with Scirpus validus.

PubMed

Zhang, Dong Qing; Hua, Tao; Gersberg, Richard M; Zhu, Junfei; Ng, Wun Jern; Tan, Soon Keat

2013-03-01

Scirpus validus was grown hydroponically and exposed to the pharmaceuticals, carbamazepine and naproxen at concentrations of 0.5-2.0 mg L(-1) for an exposure duration of up to 21 d. By the end of experiment, carbamazepine elimination from the nutrient solution reached to 74%, while nearly complete removal (>98%) was observed for naproxen. Photodegradation and biodegradation played only minor roles for carbamazepine elimination, while naproxen showed a high potential for both photodegradation and biodegradation. Levels of carbamazepine ranged from 3.3 to19.0 μg g(-1) (fresh weight) in the roots and 0.3-0.7 μg g(-1) (fresh weight) in the shoots, while naproxen concentrations were 0.2-2.4 μg g(-1) (fresh weight) in the roots and 0.2-2.8 μg g(-1) (fresh weight) in the shoots. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for carbamazepine ranged from 5.5 to 13.0 for roots and 0.3-1.0 for shoots, and uptake by S. validus accounted for up to 22% of the total mass loss of carbamazepine in the nutrient solutions. All BAFs for naproxen were less than 4.2 and plant uptake accounted for less than 5% of the total mass loss of naproxen, implying that plant uptake was not significant in naproxen elimination. The rather limited plant uptake of naproxen was not surprising despite the fact that its log K(ow) is close to the optimal range (1.8-3.1) for maximal potential for plant uptake. Apparently, for ionizable compounds such as naproxen, the effects of pK(a) and pH partitioning might be more important than lipophilicity. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advanced treatment of biologically pretreated coal gasification wastewater by a novel integration of heterogeneous Fenton oxidation and biological process.

PubMed

Xu, Peng; Han, Hongjun; Zhuang, Haifeng; Hou, Baolin; Jia, Shengyong; Xu, Chunyan; Wang, Dexin

2015-04-01

Laboratorial scale experiments were conducted in order to investigate a novel system integrating heterogeneous Fenton oxidation (HFO) with anoxic moving bed biofilm reactor (ANMBBR) and biological aerated filter (BAF) process on advanced treatment of biologically pretreated coal gasification wastewater (CGW). The results indicated that HFO with the prepared catalyst (FeOx/SBAC, sewage sludge based activated carbon (SBAC) which loaded Fe oxides) played a key role in eliminating COD and COLOR as well as in improving the biodegradability of raw wastewater. The surface reaction and hydroxyl radicals (OH) oxidation were the mechanisms for FeOx/SBAC catalytic reaction. Compared with ANMBBR-BAF process, the integrated system was more effective in abating COD, BOD5, total phenols (TPs), total nitrogen (TN) and COLOR and could shorten the retention time. Therefore, the integrated system was a promising technology for engineering applications. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advanced treatment of biologically pretreated coal gasification wastewater by a novel integration of heterogeneous catalytic ozonation and biological process.

PubMed

Zhuang, Haifeng; Han, Hongjun; Jia, Shengyong; Hou, Baolin; Zhao, Qian

2014-08-01

Advanced treatment of biologically pretreated coal gasification wastewater (CGW) was investigated employing heterogeneous catalytic ozonation integrated with anoxic moving bed biofilm reactor (ANMBBR) and biological aerated filter (BAF) process. The results indicated that catalytic ozonation with the prepared catalyst (i.e. MnOx/SBAC, sewage sludge was converted into sludge based activated carbon (SBAC) which loaded manganese oxides) significantly enhanced performance of pollutants removal by generated hydroxyl radicals. The effluent of catalytic ozonation process was more biodegradable and less toxic than that in ozonation alone. Meanwhile, ANMBBR-BAF showed efficient capacity of pollutants removal in treatment of the effluent of catalytic ozonation at a shorter reaction time, allowing the discharge limits to be met. Therefore, the integrated process with efficient, economical and sustainable advantages was suitable for advanced treatment of real biologically pretreated CGW. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of eutrophication on metal bioaccumulation and oral bioavailability in oysters, Crassostrea angulata.

PubMed

Li, Shun-Xing; Chen, Li-Hui; Zheng, Feng-Ying; Huang, Xu-Guang

2014-07-23

Oysters (Crassostrea angulata) are often exposed to eutrophication. However, how these exposures influence metal bioaccumulation and oral bioavailability (OBA) in oysters is unknown. After a four month field experimental cultivation, bioaccumulation factors (BAF) of metals (Fe, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb) from seawater to oysters and metal oral bioavailability in oysters by bionic gastrointestinal tract were determined. A positive effect of macronutrient (nitrate N and total P) concentration in seawater on BAF of Cd in oysters was observed, but such an effect was not significant for Fe, Cu, Pb, and As. Only OBA of As was significantly positively correlated to N and P contents. For Fe, OBA was negatively correlated with N. The regular variation of the OBA of Fe and As may be due to the effect of eutrophication on the synthesis of metal granules and heat-stable protein in oysters, respectively.

Modular properties of 6d (DELL) systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aminov, G.; Mironov, A.; Morozov, A.

2017-11-01

If super-Yang-Mills theory possesses the exact conformal invariance, there is an additional modular invariance under the change of the complex bare charge [InlineMediaObject not available: see fulltext.]. The low-energy Seiberg-Witten prepotential ℱ( a), however, is not explicitly invariant, because the flat moduli also change a - → a D = ∂ℱ/∂ a. In result, the prepotential is not a modular form and depends also on the anomalous Eisenstein series E 2. This dependence is usually described by the universal MNW modular anomaly equation. We demonstrate that, in the 6 d SU( N) theory with two independent modular parameters τ and \\widehat{τ} , the modular anomaly equation changes, because the modular transform of τ is accompanied by an ( N -dependent!) shift of \\widehat{τ} and vice versa. This is a new peculiarity of double-elliptic systems, which deserves further investigation.

Cross-cultural consistency and diversity in intrinsic functional organization of Broca's Region.

PubMed

Zhang, Yu; Fan, Lingzhong; Caspers, Svenja; Heim, Stefan; Song, Ming; Liu, Cirong; Mo, Yin; Eickhoff, Simon B; Amunts, Katrin; Jiang, Tianzi

2017-04-15

As a core language area, Broca's region was consistently activated in a variety of language studies even across different language systems. Moreover, a high degree of structural and functional heterogeneity in Broca's region has been reported in many studies. This raised the issue of how the intrinsic organization of Broca's region effects by different language experiences in light of its subdivisions. To address this question, we used multi-center resting-state fMRI data to explore the cross-cultural consistency and diversity of Broca's region in terms of its subdivisions, connectivity patterns and modularity organization in Chinese and German speakers. A consistent topological organization of the 13 subdivisions within the extended Broca's region was revealed on the basis of a new in-vivo parcellation map, which corresponded well to the previously reported receptorarchitectonic map. Based on this parcellation map, consistent functional connectivity patterns and modularity organization of these subdivisions were found. Some cultural difference in the functional connectivity patterns was also found, for instance stronger connectivity in Chinese subjects between area 6v2 and the motor hand area, as well as higher correlations between area 45p and middle frontal gyrus. Our study suggests that a generally invariant organization of Broca's region, together with certain regulations of different language experiences on functional connectivity, might exists to support language processing in human brain. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The second visual area in the marmoset monkey: visuotopic organisation, magnification factors, architectonical boundaries, and modularity.

PubMed

Rosa, M G; Fritsches, K A; Elston, G N

1997-11-03

The organisation of the second visual area (V2) in marmoset monkeys was studied by means of extracellular recordings of responses to visual stimulation and examination of myelin- and cytochrome oxidase-stained sections. Area V2 forms a continuous cortical belt of variable width (1-2 mm adjacent to the foveal representation of V1, and 3-3.5 mm near the midline and on the tentorial surface) bordering V1 on the lateral, dorsal, medial, and tentorial surfaces of the occipital lobe. The total surface area of V2 is approximately 100 mm2, or about 50% of the surface area of V1 in the same individuals. In each hemisphere, the receptive fields of V2 neurones cover the entire contralateral visual hemifield, forming an ordered visuotopic representation. As in other simians, the dorsal and ventral halves of V2 represent the lower and upper contralateral quadrants, respectively, with little invasion of the ipsilateral hemifield. The representation of the vertical meridian forms the caudal border of V2, with V1, whereas a field discontinuity approximately coincident with the horizontal meridian forms the rostral border of V2, with other visually responsive areas. The bridge of cortex connecting dorsal and ventral V2 contains neurones with receptive fields centred within 1 degree of the centre of the fovea. The visuotopy, size, shape and location of V2 show little variation among individuals. Analysis of cortical magnification factor (CMF) revealed that the V2 map of the visual field is highly anisotropic: for any given eccentricity, the CMF is approximately twice as large in the dimension parallel to the V1/V2 border as it is perpendicular to this border. Moreover, comparison of V2 and V1 in the same individuals demonstrated that the representation of the central visual field is emphasised in V2, relative to V1. Approximately half of the surface area of V2 is dedicated to the representation of the central 5 degrees of the visual field. Calculations based on the CMF, receptive field scatter, and receptive field size revealed that the point-image size measured parallel to the V1/V2 border (2-3 mm) equals the width of a full cycle of cytochrome oxidase stripes in V2, suggesting a close correspondence between physiological and anatomical estimates of the dimensions of modular components in this area.

Polyethylene wear debris in modular acetabular prostheses.

PubMed

Chen, P C; Mead, E H; Pinto, J G; Colwell, C W

1995-08-01

The longevity of total hip arthroplasty has brought forth the recognition of aseptic loosening of prosthetic components as the leading cause of implant failure. Modularity of implants, although a significant improvement in versatility, may increase debris formation, a recognized cause of implant failure. This study was designed to measure the relative motion, and to assess the polyethylene wear debris production at the interface between the metal acetabular shell and the back side of the polyethylene liner, in modular hip prostheses. Five models from 4 manufacturers with different locking mechanisms and acetabular shell surface treatments were tested under long-term simultaneous sinusoidal and static loading (10(7) cycles at 3 Hz with +/- 2.5 Nmeter and 220 N static load). Results showed that there were marked differences in the security of the acetabular shell and polyethylene liner locking mechanism, wear pattern, damage sites, and amount of polyethylene debris on the acetabular shell and polyethylene liner surfaces. The range of polyethylene liner motion observed among the 5 models during 1 cycle of testing varied from an average of 0.96 degrees to movement too small to be detected by the test machines. Image and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed different wear patterns and a wide range in the average polyethylene liner surface wear area (0.26 cm2-4.61 cm2). In general, a stable locking mechanism and a smooth acetabular shell surface are essential in minimizing polyethylene liner wear and polyethylene debris production.

Modular Representation of Luminance Polarity In the Superficial Layers Of Primary Visual Cortex

PubMed Central

Smith, Gordon B.; Whitney, David E.; Fitzpatrick, David

2016-01-01

Summary The spatial arrangement of luminance increments (ON) and decrements (OFF) falling on the retina provides a wealth of information used by central visual pathways to construct coherent representations of visual scenes. But how the polarity of luminance change is represented in the activity of cortical circuits remains unclear. Using wide-field epifluorescence and two-photon imaging we demonstrate a robust modular representation of luminance polarity (ON or OFF) in the superficial layers of ferret primary visual cortex. Polarity-specific domains are found with both uniform changes in luminance and single light/dark edges, and include neurons selective for orientation and direction of motion. The integration of orientation and polarity preference is evident in the selectivity and discrimination capabilities of most layer 2/3 neurons. We conclude that polarity selectivity is an integral feature of layer 2/3 neurons, ensuring that the distinction between light and dark stimuli is available for further processing in downstream extrastriate areas. PMID:26590348

Defense Acquisition Research Journal. Volume 23, Number 1, Issue 76, January 2016

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-21

January 2016 Vol. 23 No. 1 | ISSUE 76 The Method MATTERS Article List ARJ Extra Survey of Modular Military Vehicles: Benefits and Burdens Jean M...15 years. p. 2 Survey of Modular Military Vehicles: Benefits and Burdens Jean M. Dasch and David J. Gorsich Military vehicles can be designed from a... modular standpoint to maximize cost savings and/or adapt- ability. This article surveys vehicle modularity from a historical viewpoint and considers

Holmium-doped fluorotellurite microstructured fibers for 2.1 μm lasing.

PubMed

Yao, Chuanfei; He, Chunfeng; Jia, Zhixu; Wang, Shunbin; Qin, Guanshi; Ohishi, Yasutake; Qin, Weiping

2015-10-15

Holmium (Ho3+)-doped fluorotellurite microstructured fibers based on TeO2-BaF2-Y2O3 glasses are fabricated by using a rod-in-tube method. By using a 1.992 μm fiber laser as the pump source, lasing at 2.077 μm is obtained from a 27 cm long Ho3+-doped fluorotellurite microstructured fiber. The maximum unsaturated power is about 161 mW and the corresponding slope efficiency is up to 67.4%. The influence of fiber length on lasing at 2.1 μm is also investigated. Our results show that Ho3+-doped fluorotellurite microstructured fibers are promising gain media for 2.1 μm laser applications.

Modular Classification of Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Approaches to Sellar Region: Anatomic Quantitative Study.

PubMed

Belotti, Francesco; Doglietto, Francesco; Schreiber, Alberto; Ravanelli, Marco; Ferrari, Marco; Lancini, Davide; Rampinelli, Vittorio; Hirtler, Lena; Buffoli, Barbara; Bolzoni Villaret, Andrea; Maroldi, Roberto; Rodella, Luigi Fabrizio; Nicolai, Piero; Fontanella, Marco Maria

2018-01-01

Endoscopic visualization does not necessarily correspond to an adequate working space. The need for balancing invasiveness and adequacy of sellar tumor exposure has recently led to the description of multiple endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches. Comparative anatomic data on these variants are lacking. We sought to quantitatively compare endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches to the sella and parasellar region, using the concept of "surgical pyramid." Four endoscopic transsphenoidal approaches were performed in 10 injected specimens: 1) hemisphenoidotomy; 2) transrostral; 3) extended transrostral (with superior turbinectomy); and 4) extended transrostral with posterior ethmoidectomy. ApproachViewer software (part of GTx-Eyes II, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada) with a dedicated navigation system was used to quantify the surgical pyramid volume, as well as exposure of sellar and parasellar areas. Statistical analyses were performed with Friedman's tests and Nemenyi's procedure. Hemisphenoidotomy provided limited exposure of the sellar area and a small working volume. A transrostral approach was necessary to expose the entire sella. Exposure of lateral parasellar areas required superior turbinectomy or posterior ethmoidectomy. The differences between each of the modules was statistically significant. The present study validates, from an anatomic point of view, a modular classification of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches to the sellar region. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Strong Functional Connectivity among Homotopic Brain Areas Is Vital for Motor Control in Unilateral Limb Movement.

PubMed

Wei, Pengxu; Zhang, Zuting; Lv, Zeping; Jing, Bin

2017-01-01

The mechanism underlying brain region organization for motor control in humans remains poorly understood. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, right-handed volunteers were tasked to maintain unilateral foot movements on the right and left sides as consistently as possible. We aimed to identify the similarities and differences between brain motor networks of the two conditions. We recruited 18 right-handed healthy volunteers aged 25 ± 2.3 years and used a whole-body 3T system for magnetic resonance (MR) scanning. Image analysis was performed using SPM8, Conn toolbox and Brain Connectivity Toolbox. We determined a craniocaudally distributed, mirror-symmetrical modular structure. The functional connectivity between homotopic brain areas was generally stronger than the intrahemispheric connections, and such strong connectivity led to the abovementioned modular structure. Our findings indicated that the interhemispheric functional interaction between homotopic brain areas is more intensive than the interaction along the conventional top-down and bottom-up pathways within the brain during unilateral limb movement. The detected strong interhemispheric horizontal functional interaction is an important aspect of motor control but often neglected or underestimated. The strong interhemispheric connectivity may explain the physiological phenomena and effects of promising therapeutic approaches. Further accurate and effective therapeutic methods may be developed on the basis of our findings.

New Approach to Road Construction in Oil-Producing Regions of Western Siberia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piirainen, V. Y.; Estrin, Y.

2017-10-01

This article presents, as a polemic exercise, a new approach to road construction in marshland areas of oil and gas producing regions of Western Siberia. The approach is based on the use of novel modular elements that can be assembled into an integral structure by means of topological interlocking. The use of modern superlight concrete in conjunction with the new design systems based on the modular principle opens up new avenues to solving problems of road construction in regions with unstable, boggy soils.

Preparation of ceramic filler from reusing sewage sludge and application in biological aerated filter for soy protein secondary wastewater treatment.

PubMed

Wu, Suqing; Qi, Yuanfeng; Yue, Qinyan; Gao, Baoyu; Gao, Yue; Fan, Chunzhen; He, Shengbing

2015-01-01

Dehydrated sewage sludge (DSS) and clay used as raw materials for preparation of novel media-sludge ceramic filler (SCF) and SCF employed in a lab-scale up-flow biological aerated filter (BAF) were investigated for soy protein secondary wastewater treatment. Single factor experiments were designed to investigate the preparation of SCF, and the characteristics (microstructure properties, toxic metal leaching property and other physical properties) of SCF prepared under the optimum conditions were examined. The influences of media height, hydraulic retention time (HRT) and air-liquid ratio (A/L) on chemical oxygen demand (CODcr) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4(+)-N) removal rate were studied. The results showed that the optimum addition of DSS was approximately 25.0 wt% according to the physical properties of SCF (expansion ratio of 53.0%, v/v, water absorption of 8.24 wt%, bulk density of 350.4 kg m(-3) and grain density of 931.5 kg m(-3)), and the optimum conditions of BAF system were media height of 75.0 cm, HRT of 10.0 h and A/L of 15:1 in terms of CODcr and NH4(+)-N removal rate (91.02% and 90.48%, respectively). Additionally, CODcr and NH4(+)-N (81.6 and 15.3 mg L(-1), respectively) in the final effluent of BAF system met the national standard (CODcr ≤ 100 mg L(-1), NH4(+)-N ≤ 25.0 mg L(-1), GB 18918-2002, secondary standard). Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The LAMAR: A high throughput X-ray astronomy facility for a moderate cost mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gorenstein, P.; Schwartz, D.

1981-01-01

The performance of a large area modular array of reflectors (LAMAR) is considered in several hypothetical observations relevant to: (1) cosmology, the X-ray background, and large scale structure of the universe; (2) clusters of galaxies and their evolution; (3) quasars and other active galactic nuclei; (4) compact objects in our galaxy; (5) stellar coronae; and (6) energy input to the interstellar medium.

Modular space station Phase B extension preliminary performance specification. Volume 2: Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

The four systems of the modular space station project are described, and the interfaces between this project and the shuttle project, the tracking and data relay satellite project, and an arbitrarily defined experiment project are defined. The experiment project was synthesized from internal experiments, detached research and application modules, and attached research and application modules to derive a set of interface requirements which will support multiple combinations of these elements expected during the modular space station mission. The modular space station project element defines a 6-man orbital program capable of growth to a 12-man orbital program capability. The modular space station project element specification defines the modular space station system, the premission operations support system, the mission operations support system, and the cargo module system and their interfaces.

Simultaneous Expression from Both the Sense and Antisense Strand of the Erythropoietin Receptor Gene Mitigates Acute Lung Injury

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-09-01

Toronto) which immunoprecipitates EpoR but works poorly in immunoblots and not at in immunohistochemistry (Hu et al., Kidney Int. 2013 Sep;84(3):468-81...DAPI EpoR/GFP/DAPIGFP/DAPI C.. Ba/F32EpoR2Flag2GFP.cells 9 Figure 4. Screening the new MAbs to human RopE. Human embryonic kidney -293 (HEK-293) cells...ontogeny of EpoR and RopE expression Figure 7. Concordant RopE and EpoR expression was observed in the lung (left) and the kidney (right) that increase

Activated STAT5 proteins induce activation of the PI 3-kinase/Akt and Ras/MAPK pathways via the Gab2 scaffolding adapter.

PubMed

Nyga, Rémy; Pecquet, Christian; Harir, Noria; Gu, Haihua; Dhennin-Duthille, Isabelle; Régnier, Aline; Gouilleux-Gruart, Valérie; Lassoued, Kaïss; Gouilleux, Fabrice

2005-08-15

The active forms of STAT5A (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A) and STAT5B are able to relieve the cytokine dependence of haematopoietic cells and to induce leukaemia in mice. We have demonstrated previously that activation of the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) signalling cascade plays a major role in cell growth and survival induced by these proteins. Interaction between STAT5 and p85, the regulatory subunit of the PI3K, has been suggested to be required for this activation. We show in the present study that the scaffolding protein Gab2 [Grb2 (growth-factor-receptor-bound protein 2)-associated binder-2] is an essential component of this interaction. Gab2 is persistently tyrosine-phosphorylated in Ba/F3 cells expressing caSTAT5 (constitutively activated STAT5), independent of JAK2 (Janus kinase 2) activation where it interacts with STAT5, p85 and Grb2, but not with Shp2 [SH2 (Src homology 2)-domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase] proteins. Interaction of STAT5 with Gab2 was also observed in Ba/F3 cells stimulated with interleukin-3 or expressing the oncogenic fusion protein Tel-JAK2. The MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) ERK1 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1) and ERK2 were constitutively activated in the caSTAT5-expressing cells and were found to be required for caSTAT5-induced cell proliferation. Overexpression of Gab2-3YF, a mutant of Gab2 incapable of binding PI3K, inhibited the proliferation and survival of caSTAT5-expressing cells as well as ERK1/2 and Akt/protein kinase B phosphorylation. Taken together, our results indicate that Gab2 is required for caSTAT5-induced cell proliferation by regulating both the PI3K/Akt and the Ras/MAPK pathways.

Activated STAT5 proteins induce activation of the PI 3-kinase/Akt and Ras/MAPK pathways via the Gab2 scaffolding adapter

PubMed Central

2005-01-01

The active forms of STAT5A (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A) and STAT5B are able to relieve the cytokine dependence of haematopoietic cells and to induce leukaemia in mice. We have demonstrated previously that activation of the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) signalling cascade plays a major role in cell growth and survival induced by these proteins. Interaction between STAT5 and p85, the regulatory subunit of the PI3K, has been suggested to be required for this activation. We show in the present study that the scaffolding protein Gab2 [Grb2 (growth-factor-receptor-bound protein 2)-associated binder-2] is an essential component of this interaction. Gab2 is persistently tyrosine-phosphorylated in Ba/F3 cells expressing caSTAT5 (constitutively activated STAT5), independent of JAK2 (Janus kinase 2) activation where it interacts with STAT5, p85 and Grb2, but not with Shp2 [SH2 (Src homology 2)-domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase] proteins. Interaction of STAT5 with Gab2 was also observed in Ba/F3 cells stimulated with interleukin-3 or expressing the oncogenic fusion protein Tel–JAK2. The MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) ERK1 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1) and ERK2 were constitutively activated in the caSTAT5-expressing cells and were found to be required for caSTAT5-induced cell proliferation. Overexpression of Gab2-3YF, a mutant of Gab2 incapable of binding PI3K, inhibited the proliferation and survival of caSTAT5-expressing cells as well as ERK1/2 and Akt/protein kinase B phosphorylation. Taken together, our results indicate that Gab2 is required for caSTAT5-induced cell proliferation by regulating both the PI3K/Akt and the Ras/MAPK pathways. PMID:15833084

Embryonal Central Nervous System Neoplasms Arising in Infants: A Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium Study

PubMed Central

McLendon, Roger E.; Adekunle, Adesina; Rajaram, Veena; Kocak, Mehmet; Blaney, Susan M.

2013-01-01

Context Medulloblastomas (MBs) and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) can be difficult to distinguish; however, histologic characterization is prognostically important. Objective To determine histologic and phenotypic markers associated with utility progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in children under 3 years of age with MBs and AT/RTs. Design We undertook a histologic and immunophenotypic study of MBs and AT/RTs arising in infants treated on a Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium study. The 41 girls and 55 boys (aged 2 to 36 months at enrollment) exhibited 42 MBs, 26 AT/RTs and 28 other tumors. Median follow-up was 17.2 months from diagnosis (range: 1.4–93 months). Results Infants with AT/RT exhibited shorter PFS and OS when compared to infants with MBs (P=.0003 and P=.0005, respectively). A lack of nuclear BAF47 immunohistochemical reactivity (IHC) proved reliable in identifying AT/RTs. Among MBs, our data demonstrate that anaplasia correlated with OTX2 reactivity and both OTX2 and moderate to severe anaplasia correlated with PFS but not OS. “Nodularity” may be a positive prognostic factor. Conclusion Distinguishing AT/RT from MBs is clinically important. The diagnoses of AT/RT and MB can be reliably made from H&E stains in the majority of cases. However certain rare small cell variants of AT/RT can be confused with MB. IHC for BAF47 is clinically useful in diagnosing AT/RTs, particularly certain small cell AT/RTs. Among MBs, “nodularity”, absent or mild anaplasia, and lack of OTX2 expression may be important prognostic factors for improved PFS and OS in infants. PMID:21809989

A regenerative fuel cell system for modular space station integrated electrical power.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wynveen, R. A.; Schubert, F. H.

1973-01-01

A regenerative fuel cell system (RFCS) for energy storage aboard the Modular Space Station (MSS) was selected over the battery technique because of lower cost, lower launch weight, lower required solar array area, and its ability to be integrated into the station's reaction control and environmental control and life support subsystems in addition to the electrical power subsystem. The total MSS energy storage requirement was met by dividing it into four equal modular RFCSs, each made up of a fuel cell subsystem, a water electrolysis subsystem, a gas accumulator subassembly, and a water tank subassembly. The weight of each of the four RFCSs varied from 4000 to 7000 lb with the latter being a more maintainable design. The specific energy ranged between 5.6 to 9.4 watt-hr/lb.

A modular approach for automated sample preparation and chemical analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, Michael L.; Turner, Terry D.; Klingler, Kerry M.; Pacetti, Randolph

1994-01-01

Changes in international relations, especially within the past several years, have dramatically affected the programmatic thrusts of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE now is addressing the environmental cleanup required as a result of 50 years of nuclear arms research and production. One major obstacle in the remediation of these areas is the chemical determination of potentially contaminated material using currently acceptable practices. Process bottlenecks and exposure to hazardous conditions pose problems for the DOE. One proposed solution is the application of modular automated chemistry using Standard Laboratory Modules (SLM) to perform Standard Analysis Methods (SAM). The Contaminant Analysis Automation (CAA) Program has developed standards and prototype equipment that will accelerate the development of modular chemistry technology and is transferring this technology to private industry.

Bioaccumulation factors and the steady state assumption for cesium isotopes in aquatic foodwebs near nuclear facilities.

PubMed

Rowan, D J

2013-07-01

Steady state approaches, such as transfer coefficients or bioaccumulation factors, are commonly used to model the bioaccumulation of (137)Cs in aquatic foodwebs from routine operations and releases from nuclear generating stations and other nuclear facilities. Routine releases from nuclear generating stations and facilities, however, often consist of pulses as liquid waste is stored, analyzed to ensure regulatory compliance and then released. The effect of repeated pulse releases on the steady state assumption inherent in the bioaccumulation factor approach has not been evaluated. In this study, I examine the steady state assumption for aquatic biota by analyzing data for two cesium isotopes in the same biota, one isotope in steady state (stable (133)Cs) from geologic sources and the other released in pulses ((137)Cs) from reactor operations. I also compare (137)Cs bioaccumulation factors for similar upstream populations from the same system exposed solely to weapon test (137)Cs, and assumed to be in steady state. The steady state assumption appears to be valid for small organisms at lower trophic levels (zooplankton, rainbow smelt and 0+ yellow perch) but not for older and larger fish at higher trophic levels (walleye). Attempts to account for previous exposure and retention through a biokinetics approach had a similar effect on steady state, upstream and non-steady state, downstream populations of walleye, but were ineffective in explaining the more or less constant deviation between fish with steady state exposures and non-steady state exposures of about 2-fold for all age classes of walleye. These results suggest that for large, piscivorous fish, repeated exposure to short duration, pulse releases leads to much higher (137)Cs BAFs than expected from (133)Cs BAFs for the same fish or (137)Cs BAFs for similar populations in the same system not impacted by reactor releases. These results suggest that the steady state approach should be used with caution in any situation where reactor releases are episodic or pulse in nature, even if the magnitude of these releases is small. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Nonlinear polarization rotation and orthogonal polarization generation experienced in a single-beam configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minkovski, N.; Petrov, G. I.; Saltiel, S. M.; Albert, O.; Etchepare, J.

2004-09-01

Nonlinear polarization rotation and generation of a polarization component orthogonal to the input beam were observed along fourfold axes of YVO4 and BaF2 crystals. We demonstrate experimentally that in both crystals the angle of rotation is proportional, at low intensities, to the square of the product of the input intensity and the crystal length and is the result of simultaneous action of two third-order processes. This type of nonlinear polarization rotation is driven by the real part of the cubic susceptibility. The recorded energy exchange between the two orthogonal components can exceed 10%. It is to our knowledge the highest energy-conversion efficiency achieved in a single beam nonresonant χ(3) interaction. A simple theoretical model is elaborated to describe the dependence of nonlinear polarization rotation and orthogonal polarization generation on the intensity of the input beam at both low- and high-intensity levels. It reveals the potential contributions from the real and the imaginary parts of the susceptibility tensor. Moreover, this kind of measurement is designed to permit the determination of the magnitude and the sign of the anisotropy of the real part of third-order nonlinearity in crystals with cubic or tetragonal symmetry on the basis of polarization-rotation measurements. The χxxxx(3) component of the third-order susceptibility tensor and its anisotropy sign and amplitude value for BaF2 and YVO4 crystals are estimated and discussed.

Elliptic CY3folds and non-perturbative modular transformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iqbal, Amer; Shabbir, Khurram

2016-03-01

We study the refined topological string partition function of a class of toric elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau threefolds. These Calabi-Yau threefolds give rise to five dimensional quiver gauge theories and are dual to configurations of M5-M2-branes. We determine the Gopakumar-Vafa invariants for these threefolds and show that the genus g free energy is given by the weight 2 g Eisenstein series. We also show that although the free energy at all genera are modular invariant, the full partition function satisfies the non-perturbative modular transformation property discussed by Lockhart and Vafa in arXiv:1210.5909 and therefore the modularity of free energy is up to non-perturbative corrections.

"Fly-by-Wireless" Vehicles and Evaluations of ISA 100 Applications to Space-Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Studor, George F.

2009-01-01

"Fly-by-Wireless" (What is it?) Vision: To minimize cables and connectors and increase functionality across the aerospace industry by providing reliable, lower cost, modular, and higher performance alternatives to wired data connectivity to benefit the entire vehicle/program life-cycle. Focus Areas: 1. System Engineering and Integration to reduce cables and connectors. 2. Provisions for modularity and accessibility in the vehicle architecture. 3. Develop Alternatives to wired connectivity (the "tool box").NASA and Aerospace depend more and more on cost-effective solutions that can meet our requirements. ISA-100.11 a is a promising new standard and NASA wants to evaluate it. NASA should be involved in understanding and contributing to other ISA-100 efforts that contribute to "Fly-by-Wireless" and it's objectives. ISA can engage other aerospace groups that are working on similar goals and obtain more aerospace industry perspective.

Flat-panel video resolution LED display system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wareberg, P. G.; Kennedy, D. I.

The system consists of a 128 x 128 element X-Y addressable LED array fabricated from green-emitting gallium phosphide. The LED array is interfaced with a 128 x 128 matrix TV camera. Associated electronics provides for seven levels of grey scale above zero with a grey scale ratio of square root of 2. Picture elements are on 0.008 inch centers resulting in a resolution of 125 lines-per-inch and a display area of approximately 1 sq. in. The LED array concept lends itself to modular construction, permitting assembly of a flat panel screen of any desired size from 1 x 1 inch building blocks without loss of resolution. A wide range of prospective aerospace applications exist extending from helmet-mounted systems involving small dedicated arrays to multimode cockpit displays constructed as modular screens. High-resolution LED arrays are already used as CRT replacements in military film-marking reconnaissance applications.

Transmittance of optical materials from 0.17 micro to 3.0 micro.

PubMed

McCarthy, D E

1967-11-01

The transmittance of thirty-one optical materials is given from 0.17, micro to 3.0 micro. Included are NaCl, KBr, CsBr, CsI, CaF(2), BaF(2), NaF, TlBr, TICL, KRS-5, KRS-6, T-12, KC, CuC, T O(2), ADP, KDP, SrTiO(3), GaP, CaCO(3), CdSe, As(2)S(3), ruby, Al(2)O(3), Irtran 1-6, and quartz. All are synthetic with the exception of CaCO(3). In many cases, the short wavelength cutoff of the synthetic materials is less than that which has been reported for naturally occurring materials.

Modular Rocket Engine Control Software (MRECS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tarrant, C.; Crook, J.

1998-01-01

The Modular Rocket Engine Control Software (MRECS) Program is a technology demonstration effort designed to advance the state-of-the-art in launch vehicle propulsion systems. Its emphasis is on developing and demonstrating a modular software architecture for advanced engine control systems that will result in lower software maintenance (operations) costs. It effectively accommodates software requirement changes that occur due to hardware technology upgrades and engine development testing. Ground rules directed by MSFC were to optimize modularity and implement the software in the Ada programming language. MRECS system software and the software development environment utilize Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) products. This paper presents the objectives, benefits, and status of the program. The software architecture, design, and development environment are described. MRECS tasks are defined and timing relationships given. Major accomplishments are listed. MRECS offers benefits to a wide variety of advanced technology programs in the areas of modular software architecture, reuse software, and reduced software reverification time related to software changes. MRECS was recently modified to support a Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) hot-fire test. Cold Flow and Flight Readiness Testing were completed before the test was cancelled. Currently, the program is focused on supporting NASA MSFC in accomplishing development testing of the Fastrac Engine, part of NASA's Low Cost Technologies (LCT) Program. MRECS will be used for all engine development testing.

Distribution and bioaccumulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals in water, sediment and fishes in a shallow Chinese freshwater lake: Implications for ecological and human health risks.

PubMed

Dan Liu; Wu, Shengmin; Xu, Huaizhou; Zhang, Qin; Zhang, Shenghu; Shi, Lili; Yao, Cheng; Liu, Yanhua; Cheng, Jie

2017-06-01

The occurrence, distribution and bioaccumulation of six endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) were investigated in water, sediment and biota samples from Luoma Lake, a shallow Chinese freshwater lake. Total concentrations of ∑phenolic EDCs were much higher than ∑estrogens EDCs in both waters and sediments. There were not obvious differences on the concentrations of target compounds [except nonylphenol (NP)] in upstream, lake and downstream locations, these may be suggested that they were mainly affected by non-point discharges in this area. However, the high concentration of NP in water may be associated with the discharge of rural domestic wastewater without thorough treatment. Furthermore, concentrations of NP were about 2-3 order magnitude higher than those of OP in both water and sediment compartments. Relatively higher bioaccumulation factors (BAF) were obtained for DES and EE2. Ecological risk assessment revealed greater risk of NP in surface water, which may pose a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. The estrogen equivalent concentration (EEQ) of male were higher than those in female, and occurred in the order of city >rural-urban>countryside. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Recruitment of the Adaptor Protein Grb2 to EGFR Tetramers

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Adaptor protein Grb2 binds phosphotyrosines in the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) and thereby links receptor activation to intracellular signaling cascades. Here, we investigated how recruitment of Grb2 to EGFR is affected by the spatial organization and quaternary state of activated EGFR. We used the techniques of image correlation spectroscopy (ICS) and lifetime-detected Förster resonance energy transfer (also known as FLIM-based FRET or FLIM–FRET) to measure ligand-induced receptor clustering and Grb2 binding to activated EGFR in BaF/3 cells. BaF/3 cells were stably transfected with fluorescently labeled forms of Grb2 (Grb2–mRFP) and EGFR (EGFR–eGFP). Following stimulation of the cells with EGF, we detected nanometer-scale association of Grb2–mRFP with EGFR–eGFP clusters, which contained, on average, 4 ± 1 copies of EGFR–eGFP per cluster. In contrast, the pool of EGFR–eGFP without Grb2–mRFP had an average cluster size of 1 ± 0.3 EGFR molecules per punctum. In the absence of EGF, there was no association between EGFR–eGFP and Grb2–mRFP. To interpret these data, we extended our recently developed model for EGFR activation, which considers EGFR oligomerization up to tetramers, to include recruitment of Grb2 to phosphorylated EGFR. The extended model, with adjustment of one new parameter (the ratio of the Grb2 and EGFR copy numbers), is consistent with a cluster size distribution where 2% of EGFR monomers, 5% of EGFR dimers, <1% of EGFR trimers, and 94% of EGFR tetramers are associated with Grb2. Together, our experimental and modeling results further implicate tetrameric EGFR as the key signaling unit and call into question the widely held view that dimeric EGFR is the predominant signaling unit. PMID:24697349

Crest - A Balloon-borne Instrument To Measure Cosmic-ray Electrons Above TeV Energies.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schubnell, Michael; Anderson, T.; Bower, C.; Coutu, S.; Geske, M.; Müller, D.; Musser, J.; Nutter, S.; Park, N.; Tarlé, G.; Wakely, S.; Yagi, A.

2009-01-01

The observation of high energy (E > 1 TeV) electrons in the cosmic radiation provides important information on the distribution and energetics of local cosmic-ray sources. Galactic cosmic-ray electrons are thought to be shock accelerated in supernova remnants as evident from observations of non-thermal X-rays and TeV gamma rays. Their locally observed energy spectrum above 1 TeV is expected to reflect the distribution and abundance of nearby acceleration sites. However, the rates at these energies are low and the direct detection would require unfeasibly large balloons or satellite born detectors. CREST, a balloon-borne detector array of 1024 BaF2 crystals, overcomes this hurdle: it will measure the intensity and spectrum of multi-TeV electrons by detecting synchrotron photons emitted from electrons passing through the earth's magnetic field. Thus CREST's acceptance is several times its geometric area providing sensitivity up to about 50 TeV. Following an engineering flight in spring of 2009, CREST will be flown in a circumpolar orbit on an upcoming Antarctic long-duration balloon flight. This work is supported by NASA and CSBF.

Determination of cell cycle phases in live B16 melanoma cells using IRMS.

PubMed

Bedolla, Diana E; Kenig, Saša; Mitri, Elisa; Ferraris, Paolo; Marcello, Alessandro; Grenci, Gianluca; Vaccari, Lisa

2013-07-21

The knowledge of cell cycle phase distribution is of paramount importance for understanding cellular behaviour under normal and stressed growth conditions. This task is usually assessed using Flow Cytometry (FC) or immunohistochemistry. Here we report on the use of FTIR microspectroscopy in Microfluidic Devices (MD-IRMS) as an alternative technique for studying cell cycle distribution in live cells. Asynchronous, S- and G0-synchronized B16 mouse melanoma cells were studied by running parallel experiments based on MD-IRMS and FC using Propidium Iodide (PI) staining. MD-IRMS experiments have been done using silicon-modified BaF2 devices, where the thin silicon layer prevents BaF2 dissolution without affecting the transparency of the material and therefore enabling a better assessment of the Phosphate I (PhI) and II (PhII) bands. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) of cellular microspectra in the 1300-1000 cm(-1) region pointed out a distribution of cells among clusters, which is in good agreement with FC results among G0/G1, S and G2/M phases. The differentiation is mostly driven by the intensity of PhI and PhII bands. In particular, PhI almost doubles from the G0/G1 to G2/M phase, in agreement with the trend followed by nucleic acids during cellular progression. MD-IRMS is then proposed as a powerful method for the in situ determination of the cell cycle stage of an individual cell, without any labelling or staining, which gives the advantage of possibly monitoring specific cellular responses to several types of stimuli by clearly separating the spectral signatures related to the cellular response from those of cells that are normally progressing.

Toxicokinetics of Zn and Cd in the earthworm Eisenia andrei exposed to metal-contaminated soils under different combinations of air temperature and soil moisture content.

PubMed

González-Alcaraz, M Nazaret; Loureiro, Susana; van Gestel, Cornelis A M

2018-04-01

This study evaluated how different combinations of air temperature (20 °C and 25 °C) and soil moisture content (50% and 30% of the soil water holding capacity, WHC), reflecting realistic climate change scenarios, affect the bioaccumulation kinetics of Zn and Cd in the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Earthworms were exposed for 21 d to two metal-contaminated soils (uptake phase), followed by 21 d incubation in non-contaminated soil (elimination phase). Body Zn and Cd concentrations were checked in time and metal uptake (k 1 ) and elimination (k 2 ) rate constants determined; metal bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated as k 1 /k 2 . Earthworms showed extremely fast uptake and elimination of Zn, regardless of the exposure level. Climate conditions had no major impacts on the bioaccumulation kinetics of Zn, although a tendency towards lower k 1 and k 2 values was observed at 25 °C + 30% WHC. Earthworm Cd concentrations gradually increased with time upon exposure to metal-contaminated soils, especially at 50% WHC, and remained constant or slowly decreased following transfer to non-contaminated soil. Different combinations of air temperature and soil moisture content changed the bioaccumulation kinetics of Cd, leading to higher k 1 and k 2 values for earthworms incubated at 25 °C + 50% WHC and slower Cd kinetics at 25 °C + 30% WHC. This resulted in greater BAFs for Cd at warmer and drier environments which could imply higher toxicity risks but also of transfer of Cd within the food chain under the current global warming perspective. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fusion of Huntingtin interacting protein 1 to platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor (PDGFbetaR) in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia with t(5;7)(q33;q11.2).

PubMed

Ross, T S; Bernard, O A; Berger, R; Gilliland, D G

1998-06-15

We report the fusion of the Huntingtin interactin protein 1 (HIP1) gene to the platelet-derived growth factor betareceptor (PDGFbetaR) gene in a patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) with a t(5;7)(q33;q11.2) translocation. Southern blot analysis of patient bone marrow cells with a PDGFbetaR gene probe demonstrated rearrangement of the PDGFbetaR gene. Anchored polymerase chain reaction using PDGFbetaR primers identified a chimeric transcript containing the HIP1 gene located at 7q11.2 fused to the PDGFbetaR gene on 5q33. HIP1 is a 116-kD protein recently cloned by yeast two-hybrid screening for proteins that interact with Huntingtin, the mutated protein in Huntington's disease. The consequence of t(5;7)(q33;q11.2) is an HIP1/PDGFbetaR fusion gene that encodes amino acids 1 to 950 of HIP1 joined in-frame to the transmembrane and tyrosine kinase domains of the PDGFbetaR. The reciprocal PDGFbetaR/HIP1 transcript is not expressed. HIP1/PDGFbetaR is a 180-kD protein when expressed in the murine hematopoietic cell line, Ba/F3, and is constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated. Furthermore, HIP1/PDGFbetaR transforms the Ba/F3 cells to interleukin-3-independent growth. These data are consistent with an alternative mechanism for activation of PDGFbetaR tyrosine kinase activity by fusion with HIP1, leading to transformation of hematopoietic cells, and may implicate Huntingtin or HIP1 in the pathogenesis of hematopoietic malignancies.

Supervisory Control System Architecture for Advanced Small Modular Reactors

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

Cetiner, Sacit M; Cole, Daniel L; Fugate, David L

2013-08-01

This technical report was generated as a product of the Supervisory Control for Multi-Modular SMR Plants project within the Instrumentation, Control and Human-Machine Interface technology area under the Advanced Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Research and Development Program of the U.S. Department of Energy. The report documents the definition of strategies, functional elements, and the structural architecture of a supervisory control system for multi-modular advanced SMR (AdvSMR) plants. This research activity advances the state-of-the art by incorporating decision making into the supervisory control system architectural layers through the introduction of a tiered-plant system approach. The report provides a brief history ofmore » hierarchical functional architectures and the current state-of-the-art, describes a reference AdvSMR to show the dependencies between systems, presents a hierarchical structure for supervisory control, indicates the importance of understanding trip setpoints, applies a new theoretic approach for comparing architectures, identifies cyber security controls that should be addressed early in system design, and describes ongoing work to develop system requirements and hardware/software configurations.« less

Fuel Cycle Performance of Thermal Spectrum Small Modular Reactors

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

Worrall, Andrew; Todosow, Michael

2016-01-01

Small modular reactors may offer potential benefits, such as enhanced operational flexibility. However, it is vital to understand the holistic impact of small modular reactors on the nuclear fuel cycle and fuel cycle performance. The focus of this paper is on the fuel cycle impacts of light water small modular reactors in a once-through fuel cycle with low-enriched uranium fuel. A key objective of this paper is to describe preliminary reactor core physics and fuel cycle analyses conducted in support of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. Challenges with small modular reactors include:more » increased neutron leakage, fewer assemblies in the core (and therefore fewer degrees of freedom in the core design), complex enrichment and burnable absorber loadings, full power operation with inserted control rods, the potential for frequent load-following operation, and shortened core height. Each of these will impact the achievable discharge burn-up in the reactor and the fuel cycle performance. This paper summarizes the results of an expert elicitation focused on developing a list of the factors relevant to small modular reactor fuel, core, and operation that will impact fuel cycle performance. Preliminary scoping analyses were performed using a regulatory-grade reactor core simulator. The hypothetical light water small modular reactor considered in these preliminary scoping studies is a cartridge type one-batch core with 4.9% enrichment. Some core parameters, such as the size of the reactor and general assembly layout, are similar to an example small modular reactor concept from industry. The high-level issues identified and preliminary scoping calculations in this paper are intended to inform on potential fuel cycle impacts of one-batch thermal spectrum SMRs. In particular, this paper highlights the impact of increased neutron leakage and reduced number of batches on the achievable burn-up of the reactor. Fuel cycle performance metrics for a small modular reactor are compared to a conventional three-batch light water reactor in the following areas: nuclear waste management, environmental impact, and resource utilization. Metrics performance for a small modular reactor are degraded for mass of spent nuclear fuel and high level waste disposed, mass of depleted uranium disposed, land use per energy generated, and carbon emission per energy generated« less

Fluorescence and phosphorescence of photomultiplier window materials under electron irradiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Viehmann, W.; Eubanks, A. G.; Bredekamp, J. H.

1974-01-01

The fluorescence and phosphorescence of photomultiplier window materials under electron irradiation were investigated using a Sr-90/Y-90 beta emitter as the electron source. Spectral emission curves of UV grade, optical grade, and electron-irradiated samples of MGF2 and LiF, CaF2, BaF2, sapphire, fused silica, and UV transmitting glasses were obtained over the spectral range of 200 nm to 650 nm. Fluorescence yields, expressed as the number of counts in a solid angle of 2 pi steradian per 1MeV of incident electron energy deposited, were determined on these materials utilizing photomultiplier tubes with cesium telluride, bialkali, and trialkali (S-20) photocathodes, respectively.

Climatic response variability and machine learning: development of a modular technology framework for predicting bio-climatic change in pacific northwest ecosystems"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seamon, E.; Gessler, P. E.; Flathers, E.

2015-12-01

The creation and use of large amounts of data in scientific investigations has become common practice. Data collection and analysis for large scientific computing efforts are not only increasing in volume as well as number, the methods and analysis procedures are evolving toward greater complexity (Bell, 2009, Clarke, 2009, Maimon, 2010). In addition, the growth of diverse data-intensive scientific computing efforts (Soni, 2011, Turner, 2014, Wu, 2008) has demonstrated the value of supporting scientific data integration. Efforts to bridge this gap between the above perspectives have been attempted, in varying degrees, with modular scientific computing analysis regimes implemented with a modest amount of success (Perez, 2009). This constellation of effects - 1) an increasing growth in the volume and amount of data, 2) a growing data-intensive science base that has challenging needs, and 3) disparate data organization and integration efforts - has created a critical gap. Namely, systems of scientific data organization and management typically do not effectively enable integrated data collaboration or data-intensive science-based communications. Our research efforts attempt to address this gap by developing a modular technology framework for data science integration efforts - with climate variation as the focus. The intention is that this model, if successful, could be generalized to other application areas. Our research aim focused on the design and implementation of a modular, deployable technology architecture for data integration. Developed using aspects of R, interactive python, SciDB, THREDDS, Javascript, and varied data mining and machine learning techniques, the Modular Data Response Framework (MDRF) was implemented to explore case scenarios for bio-climatic variation as they relate to pacific northwest ecosystem regions. Our preliminary results, using historical NETCDF climate data for calibration purposes across the inland pacific northwest region (Abatzoglou, Brown, 2011), show clear ecosystems shifting over a ten-year period (2001-2011), based on multiple supervised classifier methods for bioclimatic indicators.

Optimizing fish sampling for fish–mercury bioaccumulation factors

EPA Science Inventory

Fish Bioaccumulation Factors (BAFs; ratios of mercury (Hg) in fish (Hgfish) and water (Hgwater)) are used to develop total maximum daily load and water quality criteria for Hg-impaired waters. Both applications require representative Hgfish estimates and, thus, are sensitive to s...

EVALUATION OF TWO METHODS FOR PREDICTION OF BIOACCUMULATION FACTORS

EPA Science Inventory

Two methods for deriving bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in development of water quality criteria were evaluated using polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) data from the Hudson River and Green Bay ecosystems. Greater than 90% of th...

THE RELATIONSHIP OF BIOACCUMULATIVE CHEMICALS IN WATER AND SEDIMENT TO RESIDUES IN FISH: A VISUALIZATION APPROACH

EPA Science Inventory

A visualization approach is developed and presented for depicting and interpreting bioaccumulation relationships and data, i.e., bioaccumulation factors (BAFs), biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) and chemical residues in fish, using water-sediment chemical concentration ...

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DESIGN OF BIOACCUMULATION FACTOR AND BIOTA-SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION FACTOR FIELD STUDIES

EPA Science Inventory

A series of modeling simulations were performed to develop an understanding of the underlying factors and principles involved in developing field sampling designs for measuring bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs. These simulations reveal...

Projective invariant biplanar registration of a compact modular orthopaedic robot.

PubMed

Luan, Sheng; Sun, Lei; Hu, Lei; Hao, Aimin; Li, Changsheng; Tang, Peifu; Zhang, Lihai; Du, Hailong

2014-01-01

This paper presents a compact orthopedic robot designed with modular concept. The layout of the modular configuration is adaptive to various conditions such as surgical workspace and targeting path. A biplanar algorithm is adopted for the mapping from the fluoroscopic image to the robot, while the former affine based method is satisfactory only when the projection rays are basically perpendicular to the reference coordinate planes. This paper introduces the area cross-ratio as a projective invariant to improve the registration accuracy for non-orthogonal orientations, so that the robotic system could be applied to more orthopedic procedures under various C-Arm orientation conditions. The system configurations for femoral neck screw and sacroiliac screw fixation are presented. The accuracy of the robotic system and its efficacy for the two typical applications are validated by experiments.

Multimission Modular Spacecraft Ground Support Software System (MMS/GSSS) state-of-the-art computer systems/ compatibility study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

The compatibility of the Multimission Modular Spacecraft (MMS) Ground Support Software System (GSSS), currently operational on a ModComp IV/35, with the VAX 11/780 system is discussed. The compatibility is examined in various key areas of the GSSS through the results of in depth testing performed on the VAX 11/780 and ModComp IV/35 systems. The compatibility of the GSSS with the ModComp CLASSIC is presented based upon projections from ModComp supplied literature.

Prototype of the Modular Equipment Transporter (MET)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1970-01-01

A prototype of the Modular Equipment Transporter (MET), nicknamed the 'Rickshaw' after its shape and method of propulsion. This equipment was used by the Apollo 14 astronauts during their geological and lunar surface simulation training in the Pinacate volcanic area of northwestern Sonora, Mexico. The Apollo 14 crew will be the first one to use the MET. It will be a portable workbench with a place for the lunar handtools and their carrier, three cameras, two sample container bags, a Special Environmental Sample Container, spare film magazines, and a Lunar Surface Penetrometer.

Fly-by-Wireless Update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Studor, George

2010-01-01

The presentation reviews what is meant by the term 'fly-by-wireless', common problems and motivation, provides recent examples, and examines NASA's future and basis for collaboration. The vision is to minimize cables and connectors and increase functionality across the aerospace industry by providing reliable, lower cost, modular, and higher performance alternatives to wired data connectivity to benefit the entire vehicle/program life-cycle. Focus areas are system engineering and integration methods to reduce cables and connectors, vehicle provisions for modularity and accessibility, and a 'tool box' of alternatives to wired connectivity.

Chelyabinsk meteorite explains unusual spectral properties of Baptistina Asteroid Family

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reddy, Vishnu; Sanchez, Juan A.; Bottke, William F.; Cloutis, Edward A.; Izawa, Matthew R. M.; O'Brien, David P.; Mann, Paul; Cuddy, Matthew; Le Corre, Lucille; Gaffey, Michael J.; Fujihara, Gary

2014-07-01

We investigated the spectral and compositional properties of Chelyabinsk meteorite to identify its possible parent body in the main asteroid belt. Our analysis shows that the meteorite contains two spectrally distinct but compositionally indistinguishable components of LL5 chondrite and shock blackened/impact melt material. Our X-ray diffraction analysis confirms that the two lithologies of the Chelyabinsk meteorite are extremely similar in modal mineralogy. The meteorite is compositionally similar to LL chondrite and its most probable parent asteroid in the main belt is a member of the Flora family. Our work confirms previous studies (e.g., Vernazza et al. [2008]. Nature 454, 858-860; de León, J., Licandro, J., Serra-Ricart, M., Pinilla-Alonso, N., Campins, H. [2010]. Astron. Astrophys. 517, A23; Dunn, T.L., Burbine, T.H., Bottke, W.F., Clark, J.P. [2013]. Icarus 222, 273-282), linking LL chondrites to the Flora family. Intimate mixture of LL5 chondrite and shock blackened/impact melt material from Chelyabinsk provides a spectral match with (8) Flora, the largest asteroid in the Flora family. The Baptistina family and Flora family overlap each other in dynamical space. Mineralogical analysis of (298) Baptistina and 11 small family members shows that their surface compositions are similar to LL chondrites, although their absorption bands are subdued and albedos lower when compared to typical S-type asteroids. A range of intimate mixtures of LL5 chondrite and shock blackened/impact melt material from Chelyabinsk provides spectral matches for all these BAF members. We suggest that the presence of a significant shock/impact melt component in the surface regolith of BAF members could be the cause of lower albedo and subdued absorption bands. The conceptual problem with part of this scenario is that impact melts are very rare within ordinary chondrites. Of the ∼42,000 ordinary chondrites, less than 0.5% (203) of them contain impact melts. A major reason that impact melts are rare in meteorites is that high impact velocities (V > 10 km/s) are needed to generate the necessary shock pressures and temperatures (e.g., Pierazzo, E., Melosh, H.J. [1998]. Hydrocode modeling of oblique impacts: The fate of the projectile. In: Origin of the Earth and Moon, Proceedings of the Conference. LPI Contribution No. 957) unless the target material is highly porous. Nearly all asteroid impacts within the main belt are at ∼5 km/s (Bottke, W.F., Nolan, M.C., Greenberg, R., Kolvoord, R.A. [1994]. Collisional lifetimes and impact statistics of near-Earth asteroids. In: Tucson, Gehrels T. (Ed.), Hazards Due to Comets and Asteroids. The University of Arizona Press, Arizona, pp. 337-357), which prevents them from producing much impact melt unless they are highly porous. However, shock darkening is an equally efficient process that takes place at much lower impact velocities (∼2 km/s) and can cause the observed spectral effects. Spectral effects of shock darkening and impact melt are identical. The parent asteroid of BAF was either a member of the Flora family or had the same basic composition as the Floras (LL Chondrite). The shock pressures produced during the impact event generated enough impact melt or shock blackening to alter the spectral properties of BAF, but keep the BAF composition largely unchanged. Collisional mixing of shock blackened/impact melt and LL5 chondritic material could have created the Baptistina Asteroid Family with composition identical to those of the Floras, but with subdued absorption bands. Shock darkening and impact melt play an important role in altering the spectral and albedo properties of ordinary chondrites and our work confirms earlier work by Britt and Pieters (Britt, D.T., Pieters, C.M. [1994]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 58, 3905-3919).

Frequency of convergence and accommodative disorders in a clinical population of Mashhad, Iran.

PubMed

Hoseini-Yazdi, Seyed Hosein; Yekta, AbbasAli; Nouri, Hosein; Heravian, Javad; Ostadimoghaddam, Hadi; Khabazkhoob, Mehdi

2015-01-01

To investigate the frequency of convergence and accommodation anomalies in an optometric clinical setting in Mashhad, Iran, and to determine tests with highest accuracy in diagnosing these anomalies. From 261 patients who came to the optometric clinics of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during a month, 83 of them were included in the study based on the inclusion criteria. Near point of convergence (NPC), near and distance heterophoria, monocular and binocular accommodative facility (MAF and BAF, respectively), lag of accommodation, positive and negative fusional vergences (PFV and NFV, respectively), AC/A ratio, relative accommodation, and amplitude of accommodation (AA) were measured to diagnose the convergence and accommodation anomalies. The results were also compared between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The accuracy of these tests was explored using sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+, LR-). Mean age of the patients was 21.3 ± 3.5 years and 14.5% of them had specific binocular and accommodative symptoms. Convergence and accommodative anomalies were found in 19.3% of the patients; accommodative excess (4.8%) and convergence insufficiency (3.6%) were the most common accommodative and convergence disorders, respectively. Symptomatic patients showed lower values for BAF (p = .003), MAF (p = .001), as well as AA (p = .001) compared with asymptomatic patients. Moreover, BAF (S = 75%, Sp = 62%) and MAF (S = 62%, Sp = 89%) were the most accurate tests for detecting accommodative and convergence disorders in terms of both sensitivity and specificity. Convergence and accommodative anomalies are the most common binocular disorders in optometric patients. Including tests of monocular and binocular accommodative facility in routine eye examinations as accurate tests to diagnose these anomalies requires further investigation.

Ascorbate/menadione-induced oxidative stress kills cancer cells that express normal or mutated forms of the oncogenic protein Bcr-Abl. An in vitro and in vivo mechanistic study.

PubMed

Beck, Raphaël; Pedrosa, Rozangela Curi; Dejeans, Nicolas; Glorieux, Christophe; Levêque, Philippe; Gallez, Bernard; Taper, Henryk; Eeckhoudt, Stéphane; Knoops, Laurent; Calderon, Pedro Buc; Verrax, Julien

2011-10-01

Numerous studies suggest that generation of oxidative stress could be useful in cancer treatment. In this study, we evaluated, in vitro and in vivo, the antitumor potential of oxidative stress induced by ascorbate/menadione (asc/men). This combination of a reducing agent (ascorbate) and a redox active quinone (menadione) generates redox cycling leading to formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Asc/men was tested in several cell types including K562 cells (a stable human-derived leukemia cell line), freshly isolated leukocytes from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, BaF3 cells (a murine pro-B cell line) transfected with Bcr-Abl and peripheral blood leukocytes derived from healthy donors. Although these latter cells were resistant to asc/men, survival of all the other cell lines was markedly reduced, including the BaF3 cells expressing either wild-type or mutated Bcr-Abl. In a standard in vivo model of subcutaneous tumor transplantation, asc/men provoked a significant delay in the proliferation of K562 and BaF3 cells expressing the T315I mutated form of Bcr-Abl. No effect of asc/men was observed when these latter cells were injected into blood of mice most probably because of the high antioxidant potential of red blood cells, as shown by in vitro experiments. We postulate that cancer cells are more sensitive to asc/men than healthy cells because of their lack of antioxidant enzymes, mainly catalase. The mechanism underlying this cytotoxicity involves the oxidative cleavage of Hsp90 with a subsequent loss of its chaperone function thus leading to degradation of wild-type and mutated Bcr-Abl protein.

Development of a new knock-in mouse model and evaluation of pharmacological activities of lusutrombopag, a novel, nonpeptidyl small-molecule agonist of the human thrombopoietin receptor c-Mpl.

PubMed

Yoshida, Hiroshi; Yamada, Hajime; Nogami, Wataru; Dohi, Keiji; Kurino-Yamada, Tomomi; Sugiyama, Koji; Takahashi, Koji; Gahara, Yoshinari; Kitaura, Motoji; Hasegawa, Minoru; Oshima, Itsuki; Kuwabara, Kenji

2018-03-01

Lusutrombopag (S-888711), an oral small-molecule thrombopoietin receptor (TPOR) agonist, has gained first approval as a drug to treat thrombocytopenia of chronic liver disease in patients undergoing elective invasive procedures in Japan. Preclinical studies were performed to evaluate its efficacy against megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis. To investigate the proliferative activity and efficacy of megakaryocytic colony formation via human TPOR, lusutrombopag was applied to cultured human c-Mpl-expressing Ba/F3 (Ba/F3-hMpl) cells and human bone marrow-derived CD34-positive cells, respectively. Lusutrombopag caused a robust increase in Ba/F3-hMpl cells by activating pathways in a manner similar to that of thrombopoietin and induced colony-forming units-megakaryocyte and polyploid megakaryocytes in human CD34-positive cells. Because lusutrombopag has high species specificity for human TPOR, there was no suitable experimental animal model for drug evaluation, except for immunodeficient mouse-based xenograft models. Therefore, a novel genetically modified knock-in mouse, TPOR-Ki/Shi, was developed by replacing mouse Mpl with human-mouse chimera Mpl. In TPOR-Ki/Shi mice, lusutrombopag significantly increased circulating platelets in a dose-dependent manner during 21-day repeated oral administration. Histopathological study of the TPOR-Ki/Shi mice on day 22 also revealed a significant increase in megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. These results indicate that lusutrombopag acts on human TPOR to upregulate differentiation and proliferation of megakaryocytic cells, leading to platelet production. Copyright © 2018 ISEH – Society for Hematology and Stem Cells. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Occurrence and fate of benzotriazoles UV filters in a typical residential wastewater treatment plant in Harbin, China.

PubMed

Zhao, Xue; Zhang, Zi-Feng; Xu, Lei; Liu, Li-Yan; Song, Wei-Wei; Zhu, Fu-Jie; Li, Yi-Fan; Ma, Wan-Li

2017-08-01

Benzotriazoles (BTs) UV filters are widely used as ultraviolet absorbents for our daily products, which received increasing attention in the past decades. Residential wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is both an important sink for wastewater and a key pollution source for receiving water for these chemicals. In this study, pretreatment and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis method were developed to determine the occurrence and fate of 9 BTs UV filters in wastewater and sludge from the WWTP with anaerobic-oxic treatment process (A/O) and biological aerated filter treatment process (BAF). Totally, 81 wastewater samples and 11 sludge samples were collected in four seasons. In wastewater, UV-326 and UV-329 were frequently detected, while the highest mean concentrations were detected for UV-234 and UV-329. The concentrations were in the range of 85% in A/O process and 60-77% in BAF process except for UV-350, which was more difficult to remove with lower removal efficiencies of 33.3% for both A/O and BAF. All the target chemicals except for UV-320 were detected in sludge samples with the mean concentration ranging from 0.90 ng/g to 303.39 ng/g. There was no significant difference with concentrations and removal efficiency among different seasons. Higher detection frequency and concentration of BTs UV filters in downstream of the receiving water system indicated the contribution of effluent of the WWTP. Compared with other rivers, the lower concentrations in surface water in the Songhua River indicated light pollution status with of BTs UV filters. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

What influences heavy metals accumulation in arctic lichen Cetrariella delisei in Svalbard?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Węgrzyn, Michał; Wietrzyk, Paulina; Lisowska, Maja; Klimek, Beata; Nicia, Paweł

2016-12-01

The main aim of this study was to identify variations in heavy metal concentrations in Cetrariella delisei along a transect from a High Arctic glacier forehead to the shoreline as well as determine the main environmental factors influencing the deposition of heavy metals in arctic lichens. The macrolichen Cetrariella delisei appears to be an interesting alternative to those lichen species used in the past (e.g. Flavocetraria nivalis, Cladonia sp.) for heavy metal biomonitoring purposes in the Arctic: it is widely distributed, easy to identify and reluctantly grazed by reindeer. Fieldwork was conducted in the summer of 2012 in the Kaffiøyra Plain, Oskar II Land, NW Spitsbergen. C. delisei and soil samples were collected from 5 localities. Concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd were measured in each sample. A bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated for all the analyzed elements. The BAFs for Cu, Mn, and Ni showed a relatively low accumulation level in lichen thalli. On the other hand, the BAFs for Cr, Pb, and Zn, revealed an increased accumulation level in C. delisei. The Cd content in lichen is almost equal to its level in the soil. The statistical analyses covered three environmental factors: soil pH, substrate type and distance from the shoreline. The data were examined using the Kruskal-Wallis test, canonical correspondence analysis and a permutation test. The results show that distance from the shoreline had the greatest influence on the majority of the heavy metal concentrations in the lichen thalli and the soil. However, the level of Mn accumulated in the soil is determined by its source in the glacier. Moreover, the soil pH had the greatest effect on the Cd accumulated in the soil and the Mn accumulated in the lichen thalli.

Efficacy of ponatinib against ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant leukemia cells

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

Okabe, Seiichi, E-mail: okabe@tokyo-med.ac.jp; Tauchi, Tetsuzo; Tanaka, Yuko

2013-06-07

Highlights: •Efficacy of ponatinib against ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant leukemia cells okabe et al. •Imatinib or nilotinib resistance was involved Src family kinase. •The BCR-ABL point mutation (E334V) was highly resistant to imatinib or nilotinib. •Ponatinib was a powerful strategy against imatinib or nilotinib resistant Ph-positive cells. -- Abstract: Because a substantial number of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia acquire resistance to ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), their management remains a challenge. Ponatinib, also known as AP24534, is an oral multi-targeted TKI. Ponatinib is currently being investigated in a pivotal phase 2 clinical trial. In the present study, we analyzedmore » the molecular and functional consequences of ponatinib against imatinib- or nilotinib-resistant (R) K562 and Ba/F3 cells. The proliferation of imatinib- or nilotinib-resistant K562 cells did not decrease after treatment with imatinib or nilotinib. Src family kinase Lyn was activated. Point mutation Ba/F3 cells (E334 V) were also highly resistant to imatinib and nilotinib. Treatment with ponatinib for 72 h inhibited the growth of imatinib- and nilotinib-resistant cells. The phosphorylation of BCR-ABL, Lyn, and Crk-L was reduced. This study demonstrates that ponatinib has an anti-leukemia effect by reducing ABL and Lyn kinase activity and this information may be of therapeutic relevance.« less

KABAM Version 1.0 User's Guide and Technical Documentation - Appendix A - Description of Bioaccumulation Model

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The purpose of this model is to estimate chemical concentrations (CB) and BCF and BAF values for aquatic ecosystems. KABAM is a simulation model used to predict pesticide concentrations in aquatic regions for use in exposure assessments.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DESIGN OF BIOACCUMULATION FACTOR AND BIOTA-SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION FACTOR FIELD STUDIES

EPA Science Inventory

General guidance for designing field studies to measure bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) is not available. To develop such guidance, a series of modeling simulations were performed to evaluate the underlying factors and principles th...

Adverse Local Tissue Reaction Arising from Corrosion at the Femoral Neck-Body Junction in a Dual-Taper Stem with a Cobalt-Chromium Modular Neck

PubMed Central

Cooper, H. John; Urban, Robert M.; Wixson, Richard L.; Meneghini, R. Michael; Jacobs, Joshua J.

2013-01-01

Background: Femoral stems with dual-taper modularity were introduced to allow additional options for hip-center restoration independent of femoral fixation in total hip arthroplasty. Despite the increasing availability and use of these femoral stems, concerns exist about potential complications arising from the modular neck-body junction. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective case series of twelve hips (eleven patients) with adverse local tissue reactions secondary to corrosion at the modular neck-body junction. The cohort included eight women and three men who together had an average age of 60.1 years (range, forty-three to seventy-seven years); all hips were implanted with a titanium-alloy stem and cobalt-chromium-alloy neck. Patients presented with new-onset and increasing pain at a mean of 7.9 months (range, five to thirteen months) following total hip arthroplasty. After serum metal-ion studies and metal artifact reduction sequence (MARS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormal results, the patients underwent hip revision at a mean of 15.2 months (range, ten to twenty-three months). Tissue specimens were examined by a single histopathologist, and the retrieved implants were studied with use of light and scanning electron microscopy. Results: Serum metal levels demonstrated greater elevation of cobalt (mean, 6.0 ng/mL) than chromium (mean, 0.6 ng/mL) or titanium (mean, 3.4 ng/mL). MRI with use of MARS demonstrated adverse tissue reactions in eight of nine patients in which it was performed. All hips showed large soft-tissue masses and surrounding tissue damage with visible corrosion at the modular femoral neck-body junction. Available histology demonstrated large areas of tissue necrosis in seven of ten cases, while remaining viable capsular tissue showed a dense lymphocytic infiltrate. Microscopic analysis was consistent with fretting and crevice corrosion at the modular neck-body interface. Conclusions: Corrosion at the modular neck-body junction in dual-tapered stems with a modular cobalt-chromium-alloy femoral neck can lead to release of metal ions and debris resulting in local soft-tissue destruction. Adverse local tissue reaction should be considered as a potential cause for new-onset pain in patients with these components, and early revision should be considered given the potentially destructive nature of these reactions. A workup including serologic studies (erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein), serum metal levels, and MARS MRI can be helpful in establishing this diagnosis. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. PMID:23677352

Research on sludge-fly ash ceramic particles (SFCP) for synthetic and municipal wastewater treatment in biological aerated filter (BAF).

PubMed

Zhao, Yaqin; Yue, Qinyan; Li, Renbo; Yue, Min; Han, Shuxin; Gao, Baoyu; Li, Qian; Yu, Hui

2009-11-01

Sludge-fly ash ceramic particles (SFCP) and clay ceramic particles (CCP) were employed in two lab-scale up-flow biological aerated filters (BAF) for wastewater treatment to investigate the availability of SFCP used as biofilm support compared with CCP. For synthetic wastewater, under the selected hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 1.5, 0.75 and 0.37 h, respectively, the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD(Cr)) and ammonium nitrogen (NH(4)(+)-N) in SFCP reactor were all higher than those of CCP reactor all through the media height. Moreover, better capabilities responding to loading shock and faster recovery after short intermittence were observed in the SFCP reactor compared with the CCP reactor. For municipal wastewater treatment, which was carried out under HRT of 0.75 h, air-liquid ratio of 7.5 and backwashing period of 48 h, the SFCP reactor also performed better than the CCP reactor, especially for the removal of NH(4)(+)-N.

pH-programmable DNA logic arrays powered by modular DNAzyme libraries.

PubMed

Elbaz, Johann; Wang, Fuan; Remacle, Francoise; Willner, Itamar

2012-12-12

Nature performs complex information processing circuits, such the programmed transformations of versatile stem cells into targeted functional cells. Man-made molecular circuits are, however, unable to mimic such sophisticated biomachineries. To reach these goals, it is essential to construct programmable modular components that can be triggered by environmental stimuli to perform different logic circuits. We report on the unprecedented design of artificial pH-programmable DNA logic arrays, constructed by modular libraries of Mg(2+)- and UO(2)(2+)-dependent DNAzyme subunits and their substrates. By the appropriate modular design of the DNA computation units, pH-programmable logic arrays of various complexities are realized, and the arrays can be erased, reused, and/or reprogrammed. Such systems may be implemented in the near future for nanomedical applications by pH-controlled regulation of cellular functions or may be used to control biotransformations stimulated by bacteria.

Large Diameter Femoral Heads Impose Significant Alterations on the Strains Developed on Femoral Component and Bone: A Finite Element Analysis

PubMed Central

Theodorou, E.G; Provatidis, C.G; Babis, G.C; Georgiou, C.S; Megas, P.D

2011-01-01

Total Hip Arthroplasty aims at fully recreating a functional hip joint. Over the past years modular implant systems have become common practice and are widely used, due to the surgical options they provide. In addition Big Femoral Heads have also been implemented in the process, providing more flexibility for the surgeon. The current study aims at investigating the effects that femoral heads of bigger diameter may impose on the mechanical behavior of the bone-implant assembly. Using data acquired by Computed Tomographies and a Coordinate Measurement Machine, a cadaveric femur and a Profemur-E modular stem were fully digitized, leading to a three dimensional finite element model in ANSYS Workbench. Strains and stresses were then calculated, focusing on areas of clinical interest, based on Gruen zones: the calcar and the corresponding below the greater trochanter area in the proximal femur, the stem tip region and a profile line along linea aspera. The performed finite elements analysis revealed that the use of large diameter heads produces significant changes in strain development within the bone volume, especially in the lateral side. The application of Frost’s law in bone remodeling, validated the hypothesis that for all diameters normal bone growth occurs. However, in the calcar area lower strain values were recorded, when comparing with the reference model featuring a 28mm femoral head. Along line aspera and for the stem tip area, higher values were recorded. Finally, stresses calculated on the modular neck revealed increased values, but without reaching the yield strength of the titanium alloy used. PMID:21792381

Large diameter femoral heads impose significant alterations on the strains developed on femoral component and bone: a finite element analysis.

PubMed

Theodorou, E G; Provatidis, C G; Babis, G C; Georgiou, C S; Megas, P D

2011-01-01

Total Hip Arthroplasty aims at fully recreating a functional hip joint. Over the past years modular implant systems have become common practice and are widely used, due to the surgical options they provide. In addition Big Femoral Heads have also been implemented in the process, providing more flexibility for the surgeon. The current study aims at investigating the effects that femoral heads of bigger diameter may impose on the mechanical behavior of the bone-implant assembly. Using data acquired by Computed Tomographies and a Coordinate Measurement Machine, a cadaveric femur and a Profemur-E modular stem were fully digitized, leading to a three dimensional finite element model in ANSYS Workbench. Strains and stresses were then calculated, focusing on areas of clinical interest, based on Gruen zones: the calcar and the corresponding below the greater trochanter area in the proximal femur, the stem tip region and a profile line along linea aspera. The performed finite elements analysis revealed that the use of large diameter heads produces significant changes in strain development within the bone volume, especially in the lateral side. The application of Frost's law in bone remodeling, validated the hypothesis that for all diameters normal bone growth occurs. However, in the calcar area lower strain values were recorded, when comparing with the reference model featuring a 28mm femoral head. Along line aspera and for the stem tip area, higher values were recorded. Finally, stresses calculated on the modular neck revealed increased values, but without reaching the yield strength of the titanium alloy used.

A proposal of optimal sampling design using a modularity strategy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simone, A.; Giustolisi, O.; Laucelli, D. B.

2016-08-01

In real water distribution networks (WDNs) are present thousands nodes and optimal placement of pressure and flow observations is a relevant issue for different management tasks. The planning of pressure observations in terms of spatial distribution and number is named sampling design and it was faced considering model calibration. Nowadays, the design of system monitoring is a relevant issue for water utilities e.g., in order to manage background leakages, to detect anomalies and bursts, to guarantee service quality, etc. In recent years, the optimal location of flow observations related to design of optimal district metering areas (DMAs) and leakage management purposes has been faced considering optimal network segmentation and the modularity index using a multiobjective strategy. Optimal network segmentation is the basis to identify network modules by means of optimal conceptual cuts, which are the candidate locations of closed gates or flow meters creating the DMAs. Starting from the WDN-oriented modularity index, as a metric for WDN segmentation, this paper proposes a new way to perform the sampling design, i.e., the optimal location of pressure meters, using newly developed sampling-oriented modularity index. The strategy optimizes the pressure monitoring system mainly based on network topology and weights assigned to pipes according to the specific technical tasks. A multiobjective optimization minimizes the cost of pressure meters while maximizing the sampling-oriented modularity index. The methodology is presented and discussed using the Apulian and Exnet networks.

Modular construction, magnetic property, and luminescent sensing of 3D Mn(II) and Cd(II) coordination polymers based on p-terphenyl-2,2″,5″,5‴-tetracarboxylate acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Liming; Zhang, Yujuan; Wang, Jiang; Zhao, Li; Wang, Xiaoqing; Hu, Tuoping; Zhang, Xiutang

2018-04-01

Two 3D modular designed coordination polymers, namely, {[H2N(CH3)2]2[Mn(TPT)]}n (1), and {[Cd(TPT)0.5(bib)]·0.5H2O}n (2) (H4TPT = p-terphenyl-2,2″,5″,5‴-tetracarboxylate acid, and bib = 1,3-bis((imidazol-1-yl) benzene) have been synthesized and structural characterized by EA, IR, TG, PXRD. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that complex 1 is a 3D 4-connected {42.63.8}-sra net with the tiling modular being [42.62.82] = [4a.4b.62.8a.8b] (transitivity is 2451). While complex 2 is a 3D (4,4)-connected {64.82}{66}2-bbf net with tiling modular is [6.82]+[63.8] = [6 c.8a.8b]+[6a.6b.6 c.8a] (transitivity is 2352). The variable-temperature susceptibility of 1 has been investigated. Besides, complex 2 exhibits highly sensitive sensing of FeIII ions in DMF solution.

A truly Lego®-like modular microfluidics platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vittayarukskul, Kevin; Lee, Abraham Phillip

2017-03-01

Ideally, a modular microfluidics platform should be simple to assemble and support 3D configurations for increased versatility. The modular building blocks should also be mass producible like electrical components. These are fundamental features of world-renowned Legos® and why Legos® inspire many existing modular microfluidics platforms. In this paper, a truly Lego®-like microfluidics platform is introduced, and its basic feasibility is demonstrated. Here, PDMS building blocks resembling 2  ×  2 Lego® bricks are cast from 3D-printed master molds. The blocks are pegged and stacked on a traditional Lego® plate to create simple, 3D microfluidic networks, such as a single basket weave. Characteristics of the platform, including reversible sealing and automatic alignment of channels, are also analyzed and discussed in detail.

Development of Advanced Computational Aeroelasticity Tools at NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bartels, R. E.

2008-01-01

NASA Langley Research Center has continued to develop its long standing computational tools to address new challenges in aircraft and launch vehicle design. This paper discusses the application and development of those computational aeroelastic tools. Four topic areas will be discussed: 1) Modeling structural and flow field nonlinearities; 2) Integrated and modular approaches to nonlinear multidisciplinary analysis; 3) Simulating flight dynamics of flexible vehicles; and 4) Applications that support both aeronautics and space exploration.

Metal contamination of soils and crops affected by the Chenzhou lead/zinc mine spill (Hunan, China).

PubMed

Liu, Hongyu; Probst, Anne; Liao, Bohan

2005-03-01

In 1985, the collapse of the tailing dam in Chenzhou lead/zinc mine (Hunan, southern China) led to the spread of mining waste spills on the farmland along the Dong River. After the accident, an urgent soil cleaning up was carried out in some places. Seventeen years later, cereal (rice, maize, and sorghum), pulses (soybean, Adzuki bean, mung bean and peanut), vegetables (ipomoea, capsicum, taro and string bean) and the rooted soils were sampled at four sites: (1) the mining area (SZY), (2) the area still covered with the mining tailing spills (GYB), (3) the cleaned area from mining tailing spills (JTC), and (4) a background site (REF). Metal concentrations in the crops and soils were analyzed to evaluate the long-term effects of the spilled waste on the soil and the potential human exposure through food chains. The results showed that the physical-chemical properties of the soils obviously changed due to the different farming styles used by each individual farmer. Leaching effects and plant extraction of metals from some soils were quite weak. Certain soils were still heavily polluted with As, Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu. The contamination levels were in the order of GYB>SZY>JTC showing that the clean-up treatment was effective. The maximum allowable concentration (MAC) levels for Chinese agricultural soils were still highly exceeded, particularly for As and Cd (followed by Zn, Pb and Cu), with mean concentrations of 709 and 7.6 mg kg(-1), respectively. These concentrations exceed the MAC levels by 24 times for As and 13 times for Cd at GYB. Generally, the edible leaves or stems of crops were more heavily contaminated than seeds or fruits. Ipomoea was the most severely contaminated crop. The concentrations of Cd and Pb were 3.30 and 76.9 mg kg(-1) in ipomoea leaves at GYB, which exceeded the maximum permit levels (0.5 mg kg(-1) for Cd and 9 mg kg(-1) for Pb) by 6.6 and 8.5 times, respectively. Taro (+skin) could accumulate high concentrations of Zn and Cd in the edible stem, and rice and capsicum had high Cd concentration in the edible parts. However, the toxic element concentrations in maize, sorghum, Adzuki bean, soybean and mung bean remained lower than the threshold levels. The bio-accumulation factors (BAFs) of crops were in the order: Cd>Zn>Cu>Pb>As. BAF was typically lower in the edible seeds or fruits than in stems and leaves. The accumulation effect strongly depends on the crop's physiological properties, the mobility, of the metals, and the availability of metals in soils but not entirely on the total element concentrations in the soils. Even so, the estimated daily intake amount of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb from the crops grown in the affected three sites and arsenic at SZY and GYB exceeded the RDA (Recommended dietary allowance) levels. Subsequently, the crops grown in Chenzhou Pb/Zn mine waste affected area might have a hazardous effect on the consumer's health. This area still needs effective measures to cure the As, Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu contamination.

French Modular Impoundment: Final Cost and Performance Evaluation

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

Drown, Peter; French, Bill

This report comprises the Final Cost and Performance Report for the Department of Energy Award # EE0007244, the French Modular Impoundment (aka the “French Dam”.) The French Dam is a system of applying precast modular construction to water control structures. The “French Dam” is a term used to cover the construction means/methods used to construct or rehabilitate dams, diversion structures, powerhouses, and other hydraulic structures which impound water and are covered under FDE’s existing IP (Patents # US8414223B2; US9103084B2.)

Modularity, quaternion-Kähler spaces, and mirror symmetry

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

Alexandrov, Sergei; Banerjee, Sibasish

2013-10-15

We provide an explicit twistorial construction of quaternion-Kähler manifolds obtained by deformation of c-map spaces and carrying an isometric action of the modular group SL(2,Z). The deformation is not assumed to preserve any continuous isometry and therefore this construction presents a general framework for describing NS5-brane instanton effects in string compactifications with N= 2 supersymmetry. In this context the modular invariant parametrization of twistor lines found in this work yields the complete non-perturbative mirror map between type IIA and type IIB physical fields.

Shoot development in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is affected by the modular branching pattern of the stem and intra- and inter-shoot trophic competition.

PubMed

Lebon, Eric; Pellegrino, Anne; Tardieu, Francois; Lecoeur, Jeremie

2004-03-01

Shoot architecture variability in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) was analysed using a generic modelling approach based on thermal time developed for annual herbaceous species. The analysis of shoot architecture was based on various levels of shoot organization, including pre-existing and newly formed parts of the stem, and on the modular structure of the stem, which consists of a repeated succession of three phytomers (P0-P1-P2). Four experiments were carried out using the cultivar 'Grenache N': two on potted vines (one of which was carried out in a glasshouse) and two on mature vines in a vineyard. These experiments resulted in a broad diversity of environmental conditions, but none of the plants experienced soil water deficit. Development of the main axis was highly dependent on air temperature, being linearly related to thermal time for all stages of leaf development from budbreak to veraison. The stable progression of developmental stages along the main stem resulted in a thermal-time based programme of leaf development. Leaf expansion rate varied with trophic competition (shoot and cluster loads) and environmental conditions (solar radiation, VPD), accounting for differences in final leaf area. Branching pattern was highly variable. Classification of the branches according to ternary modular structure increased the accuracy of the quantitative analysis of branch development. The rate and duration of leaf production were higher for branches derived from P0 phytomers than for branches derived from P1 or P2 phytomers. Rates of leaf production, expressed as a -function of thermal time, were not stable and depended on trophic competition and environmental conditions such as solar radiation or VPD. The application to grapevine of a generic model developed in annual plants made it possible to identify constants in main stem development and to determine the hierarchical structure of branches with respect to the modular structure of the stem in response to intra- and inter-shoot trophic competition.

Development of a Cost-Effective Modular Pixelated NaI(Tl) Detector for Clinical SPECT Applications

PubMed Central

Rozler, Mike; Liang, Haoning; Chang, Wei

2013-01-01

A new pixelated detector for high-resolution clinical SPECT applications was designed and tested. The modular detector is based on a scintillator block comprised of 2.75×2.75×10 mm3 NaI(Tl) pixels and decoded by an array of 51 mm diameter single-anode PMTs. Several configurations, utilizing two types of PMTs, were evaluated using a collimated beam source to measure positioning accuracy directly. Good pixel separation was observed, with correct pixel identification ranging from 60 to 72% averaged over the entire area of the modules, depending on the PMT type and configuration. This translates to a significant improvement in positioning accuracy compared to continuous slab detectors of the same thickness, along with effective reduction of “dead” space at the edges. The observed 10% average energy resolution compares well to continuous slab detectors. The combined performance demonstrates the suitability of pixelated detectors decoded with a relatively small number of medium-sized PMTs as a cost-effective approach for high resolution clinical SPECT applications, in particular those involving curved detector geometries. PMID:24146436

VLSI design of an RSA encryption/decryption chip using systolic array based architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Chi-Chia; Lin, Bor-Shing; Jan, Gene Eu; Lin, Jheng-Yi

2016-09-01

This article presents the VLSI design of a configurable RSA public key cryptosystem supporting the 512-bit, 1024-bit and 2048-bit based on Montgomery algorithm achieving comparable clock cycles of current relevant works but with smaller die size. We use binary method for the modular exponentiation and adopt Montgomery algorithm for the modular multiplication to simplify computational complexity, which, together with the systolic array concept for electric circuit designs effectively, lower the die size. The main architecture of the chip consists of four functional blocks, namely input/output modules, registers module, arithmetic module and control module. We applied the concept of systolic array to design the RSA encryption/decryption chip by using VHDL hardware language and verified using the TSMC/CIC 0.35 m 1P4 M technology. The die area of the 2048-bit RSA chip without the DFT is 3.9 × 3.9 mm2 (4.58 × 4.58 mm2 with DFT). Its average baud rate can reach 10.84 kbps under a 100 MHz clock.

Chthamalus montagui as biomonitor of metal contamination in the northwest coast of Portugal.

PubMed

Reis, Pedro A; Salgado, Maria Antónia; Vasconcelos, Vitor

2012-09-01

The concentrations of seven metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn) were determined in coastal seawaters and soft and hard tissues of the barnacle Chthamalus montagui from the northwest coast of Portugal to assess the potential use of C. montagui as biomonitor of metal contamination. The results of this study showed that C. montagui soft tissues can be used for monitoring metal bioavailabilities in these coastal seawaters: (1) there were significant correlations (p < 0.05) between the metal concentrations in soft tissues and their concentrations in seawaters and (2) barnacle soft tissues were sensitive to spatial variation of metal bioavailabilities, accumulating different amounts of metals in different locations. The range of concentrations in tissues were: 0.59-1.7 mg Cd kg(-1), 0.5-3.2 mg Cr kg(-1), 0.72-3.0 mg Ni kg(-1), 1.2-6.7 mg Cu kg(-1), 9-26 mg Mn kg(-1), 214-785 mg Fe kg(-1) and 178-956 mg Zn kg(-1); (3) mean logarithmic bioaccumulation factors (log BAF) of Fe, Cr and Cd were higher, 5.49, 4.93 and 4.46, respectively, than mean log BAFs of Mn, Zn, Cu and Ni, 4.03, 3.97, 3.74 and 3.61, respectively. In contrary, C. montagui shell plates were not a good matrix to monitor metal bioavailability in these coastal seawaters, with no significant correlations (p < 0.05) between metal concentrations in the shell and in seawater. Regarding the high Zn concentrations obtained in the coastal seawaters and C. montagui soft tissues, all seawaters from northwest coast of Portugal should be classified as "moderately/remarkably polluted".

Value at 2 of the L-function of an elliptic curve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunault, Francois

2006-02-01

We study the special value at 2 of L-functions of modular forms of weight 2 on congruence subgroups of the modular group. We prove an explicit version of Beilinson's theorem for the modular curve X_1(N). When N is prime, we deduce that the target space of Beilinson's regulator map is generated by the images of Milnor symbols associated to modular units of X_1(N). We also suggest a reformulation of Zagier's conjecture on L(E,2) for the jacobian J_1(N) of X_1(N), where E is an elliptic curve of conductor N. In this direction we define an analogue of the elliptic dilogarithm for any jacobian J : it is a function R_J from the complex points of J to a finite-dimensional vector space. In the case J=J_1(N), we establish a link between the aforementioned L-values and the function R_J evaluated at Q-rational points of the cuspidal subgroup of J.

Coffin-Siris syndrome and the BAF complex: genotype-phenotype study in 63 patients.

PubMed

Santen, Gijs W E; Aten, Emmelien; Vulto-van Silfhout, Anneke T; Pottinger, Caroline; van Bon, Bregje W M; van Minderhout, Ivonne J H M; Snowdowne, Ronelle; van der Lans, Christian A C; Boogaard, Merel; Linssen, Margot M L; Vijfhuizen, Linda; van der Wielen, Michiel J R; Vollebregt, M J Ellen; Breuning, Martijn H; Kriek, Marjolein; van Haeringen, Arie; den Dunnen, Johan T; Hoischen, Alexander; Clayton-Smith, Jill; de Vries, Bert B A; Hennekam, Raoul C M; van Belzen, Martine J

2013-11-01

De novo germline variants in several components of the SWI/SNF-like BAF complex can cause Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS), Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome (NCBRS), and nonsyndromic intellectual disability. We screened 63 patients with a clinical diagnosis of CSS for these genes (ARID1A, ARID1B, SMARCA2, SMARCA4, SMARCB1, and SMARCE1) and identified pathogenic variants in 45 (71%) patients. We found a high proportion of variants in ARID1B (68%). All four pathogenic variants in ARID1A appeared to be mosaic. By using all variants from the Exome Variant Server as test data, we were able to classify variants in ARID1A, ARID1B, and SMARCB1 reliably as being pathogenic or nonpathogenic. For SMARCA2, SMARCA4, and SMARCE1 several variants in the EVS remained unclassified, underlining the importance of parental testing. We have entered all variant and clinical information in LOVD-powered databases to facilitate further genotype-phenotype correlations, as these will become increasingly important because of the uptake of targeted and untargeted next generation sequencing in diagnostics. The emerging phenotype-genotype correlation is that SMARCB1 patients have the most marked physical phenotype and severe cognitive and growth delay. The variability in phenotype seems most marked in ARID1A and ARID1B patients. Distal limbs anomalies are most marked in ARID1A patients and least in SMARCB1 patients. Numbers are small however, and larger series are needed to confirm this correlation. © 2013 WILEY PERIODICALS, INC.

Bioavailability assessments following biochar and activated carbon amendment in DDT-contaminated soil.

PubMed

Denyes, Mackenzie J; Rutter, Allison; Zeeb, Barbara A

2016-02-01

The effects of 2.8% w/w granulated activated carbon (GAC) and two types of biochar (Burt's and BlueLeaf) on DDT bioavailability in soil (39 μg/g) were investigated using invertebrates (Eisenia fetida), plants (Cucurbita pepo spp. pepo) and a polyoxymethylene (POM) passive sampler method. Biochar significantly reduced DDT accumulation in E. fetida (49%) and showed no detrimental effects to invertebrate health. In contrast, addition of GAC caused significant toxic effects (invertebrate avoidance and decreased weight) and did not significantly reduce the accumulation of DDT into invertebrate tissue. None of the carbon amendments reduced plant uptake of DDT. Bioaccumulation of 4,4'DDT and 4,4'-DDE in plants (C. pepo spp. pepo) and invertebrates (E. fetida) was assessed using bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and compared to predicted bioavailability using the freely-dissolved porewater obtained from a polyoxymethylene (POM) equilibrium biomimetic method. The bioavailable fraction predicted by the POM samplers correlated well with measured invertebrate uptake (<50% variability), but was different from plant root uptake by 134%. A literature review of C. pepo BAFs across DDT soil contamination levels and the inclusion of field data from a 2.5 μg/g DDT-contaminated site found that these plants exhibit a concentration threshold effect at [DDT](soil) > 10 μg/g. The results of these studies illustrate the importance of including plants in bioavailability studies as the use of carbon materials for in situ contaminant sorption moves from predominantly sediment to soil remediation technologies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modular Extensions of Unitary Braided Fusion Categories and 2+1D Topological/SPT Orders with Symmetries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Tian; Kong, Liang; Wen, Xiao-Gang

2017-04-01

A finite bosonic or fermionic symmetry can be described uniquely by a symmetric fusion category E. In this work, we propose that 2+1D topological/SPT orders with a fixed finite symmetry E are classified, up to {E_8} quantum Hall states, by the unitary modular tensor categories C over E and the modular extensions of each C. In the case C=E, we prove that the set M_{ext}(E) of all modular extensions of E has a natural structure of a finite abelian group. We also prove that the set M_{ext}(C) of all modular extensions of E, if not empty, is equipped with a natural M_{ext}(C)-action that is free and transitive. Namely, the set M_{ext}(C) is an M_{ext}(E)-torsor. As special cases, we explain in detail how the group M_{ext}(E) recovers the well-known group-cohomology classification of the 2+1D bosonic SPT orders and Kitaev's 16 fold ways. We also discuss briefly the behavior of the group M_{ext}(E) under the symmetry-breaking processes and its relation to Witt groups.

SMEX-Lite Modular Solar Array Architecture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyons, John W.; Day, John (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The NASA Small Explorer (SMEX) missions have typically had three years between mission definition and launch. This short schedule has posed significant challenges with respect to solar array design and procurement. Typically, the solar panel geometry is frozen prior to going out with a procurement. However, with the SMEX schedule, it has been virtually impossible to freeze the geometry in time to avoid scheduling problems with integrating the solar panels to the spacecraft. A modular solar array architecture was developed to alleviate this problem. This approach involves procuring sufficient modules for multiple missions and assembling the modules onto a solar array framework that is unique to each mission. The modular approach removes the solar array from the critical path of the SMEX integration and testing schedule. It also reduces the cost per unit area of the solar arrays and facilitates the inclusion of experiments involving new solar cell or panel technologies in the SMEX missions.

Shape Optimization and Modular Discretization for the Development of a Morphing Wingtip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morley, Joshua

Better knowledge in the areas of aerodynamics and optimization has allowed designers to develop efficient wingtip structures in recent years. However, the requirements faced by wingtip devices can be considerably different amongst an aircraft's flight regimes. Traditional static wingtip devices are then a compromise between conflicting requirements, resulting in less than optimal performance within each regime. Alternatively, a morphing wingtip can reconfigure leading to improved performance over a range of dissimilar flight conditions. Developed within this thesis, is a modular morphing wingtip concept that centers on the use of variable geometry truss mechanisms to permit morphing. A conceptual design framework is established to aid in the development of the concept. The framework uses a metaheuristic optimization procedure to determine optimal continuous wingtip configurations. The configurations are then discretized for the modular concept. The functionality of the framework is demonstrated through a design study on a hypothetical wing/winglet within the thesis.

Bioaccessibility of U, Th and Pb in particulate matter from an abandoned uranium mine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Millward, Geoffrey; Foulkes, Michael; Henderson, Sam; Blake, William

2016-04-01

Currently, there are approximately 150 uranium mines in Europe at various stages of either operation, development, decommissioning, restoration or abandonment (wise-uranium.com). The particulate matter comprising the mounds of waste rock and mill tailings poses a risk to human health through the inadvertent ingestion of particles contaminated with uranium and thorium, and their decay products, which exposes recipients to the dual toxicity of heavy elements and their radioactive emissions. We investigated the bioaccessibility of 238U, 232Th and 206,214,210Pb in particulate samples taken from a contaminated, abandoned uranium mine in South West England. Sampling included a mine shaft, dressing floor and waste heap, as well as soils from a field used for grazing. The contaminants were extracted using the in-vitro Unified Bioaccessibility Research Group of Europe Method (UBM) in order to mimic the digestion processes in the human stomach (STOM) and the combined stomach and gastrointestinal tract (STOM+INT). Analyses of concentrations of U, Th and Pb in the extracts were by ICP-MS and the activity concentrations of radionuclides were determined on the same particles, before and after extraction, using gamma spectroscopy. 'Total' concentrations of U, Th and Pb for all samples were in the range 57 to 16,200, 0.28 to 3.8 and 69 to 4750 mg kg-1, respectively. For U and Pb the concentrations in the STOM fraction were lower than the total and STOM+INT fractions were even lower. However, for Th the STOM+INT fractions were higher than the STOM due to the presence of Th carbonate species within the gastrointestinal fluid. Activity concentrations for 214Pb and 210Pb, including total, STOM and STOM+INT, were in the range 180 to <1 Bq g-1 for the dressing floor and waste heap and 18 to <1 Bq g-1 for the grazing land. Estimates of the bioaccessible fractions (BAFs) of 238U in the most contaminated samples were 39% and 8% in the STOM and STOM+INT, respectively, whereas the respective BAFs for 232Th were 3% and 9%. For stable 206Pb the STOM and STOM+INT BAFs were 16% and 3% for the most contaminated samples, whereas those from the field had 44% in the STOM fraction and 17% in the STOM+INT fraction. The BAFs for 214Pb and 210Pb were the same as 206Pb. Dose estimates were made for the contaminants together with radioactive doses in order to assess potential risk to human health.

On the definition and K-theory realization of a modular functor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kriz, Igor; Lai, Luhang

We present a definition of a (super)-modular functor which includes certain interesting cases that previous definitions do not allow. We also introduce a notion of topological twisting of a modular functor, and construct formally a realization by a 2-dimensional topological field theory valued in twisted K-modules. We discuss, among other things, the N = 1-supersymmetric minimal models from the point of view of this formalism.

Development and Field Testing of Individualized and Modularized Instructional Materials for Vocational Education. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Briscoe, Melissa

The project reported here was done in Kentucky to develop, field test, evaluate, and revise 300 competency-based vocational education (CBVE) instructional modules in five occupational areas. These areas are automobile mechanics, air-conditioning and refrigeration, court and conference reporter, alterationist, and gardening and groundskeeping. This…

49 CFR 218.5 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... sufficiently lighted so as to make the blue signal clearly distinguishable. Camp car means any on-track vehicle, including outfit, camp, or bunk cars or modular homes mounted on flat cars used to house rail employees. It does not include wreck trains. Car shop repair track area means one or more tracks within an area in...

49 CFR 218.5 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... sufficiently lighted so as to make the blue signal clearly distinguishable. Camp car means any on-track vehicle, including outfit, camp, or bunk cars or modular homes mounted on flat cars used to house rail employees. It does not include wreck trains. Car shop repair track area means one or more tracks within an area in...

49 CFR 218.5 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... sufficiently lighted so as to make the blue signal clearly distinguishable. Camp car means any on-track vehicle, including outfit, camp, or bunk cars or modular homes mounted on flat cars used to house rail employees. It does not include wreck trains. Car shop repair track area means one or more tracks within an area in...

Modularized and water-cooled photo-catalyst cleaning devices for aquaponics based on ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Henglong; Lung, Louis; Wei, Yu-Chien; Huang, Yi-Bo; Chen, Zi-Yu; Chou, Yu-Yang; Lin, Anne-Chin

2017-08-01

The feasibility of applying ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LED's) as triggering sources of photo-catalyst based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) nano-coating specifically for water-cleaning process in an aquaponics system was designed and proposed. The aquaponics system is a modern farming system to integrate aquaculture and hydroponics into a single system to establish an environmental-friendly and lower-cost method for farming fish and vegetable all together in urban area. Water treatment in an aquaponics system is crucial to avoid mutual contamination. we proposed a modularized watercleaning device composed of all commercially available components and parts to eliminate organic contaminants by using UV-LED's for TiO2 photo-catalyst reaction. This water-cleaning module consisted of two coaxial hollowed cylindrical pipes can be submerged completely in water for water treatment and cooling UV-LED's. The temperature of the UV-LED after proper thermal management can be reduced about 16% to maintain the optimal operation condition. Our preliminary experimental result by using Methylene Blue solution to simulate organic contaminants indicated that TiO2 photo-catalyst triggered by UV-LED's can effectively decompose organic compound and decolor Methylene Blue solution.

The Dichotomy in Degree Correlation of Biological Networks

PubMed Central

Hao, Dapeng; Li, Chuanxing

2011-01-01

Most complex networks from different areas such as biology, sociology or technology, show a correlation on node degree where the possibility of a link between two nodes depends on their connectivity. It is widely believed that complex networks are either disassortative (links between hubs are systematically suppressed) or assortative (links between hubs are enhanced). In this paper, we analyze a variety of biological networks and find that they generally show a dichotomous degree correlation. We find that many properties of biological networks can be explained by this dichotomy in degree correlation, including the neighborhood connectivity, the sickle-shaped clustering coefficient distribution and the modularity structure. This dichotomy distinguishes biological networks from real disassortative networks or assortative networks such as the Internet and social networks. We suggest that the modular structure of networks accounts for the dichotomy in degree correlation and vice versa, shedding light on the source of modularity in biological networks. We further show that a robust and well connected network necessitates the dichotomy of degree correlation, suggestive of an evolutionary motivation for its existence. Finally, we suggest that a dichotomous degree correlation favors a centrally connected modular network, by which the integrity of network and specificity of modules might be reconciled. PMID:22164269

Deinterlacing using modular neural network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woo, Dong H.; Eom, Il K.; Kim, Yoo S.

2004-05-01

Deinterlacing is the conversion process from the interlaced scan to progressive one. While many previous algorithms that are based on weighted-sum cause blurring in edge region, deinterlacing using neural network can reduce the blurring through recovering of high frequency component by learning process, and is found robust to noise. In proposed algorithm, input image is divided into edge and smooth region, and then, to each region, one neural network is assigned. Through this process, each neural network learns only patterns that are similar, therefore it makes learning more effective and estimation more accurate. But even within each region, there are various patterns such as long edge and texture in edge region. To solve this problem, modular neural network is proposed. In proposed modular neural network, two modules are combined in output node. One is for low frequency feature of local area of input image, and the other is for high frequency feature. With this structure, each modular neural network can learn different patterns with compensating for drawback of counterpart. Therefore it can adapt to various patterns within each region effectively. In simulation, the proposed algorithm shows better performance compared with conventional deinterlacing methods and single neural network method.

Modular packaging concept for MEMS and MOEMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stenchly, Vanessa; Reinert, Wolfgang; Quenzer, Hans-Joachim

2017-11-01

Wherever technical systems detect objects in their environment or interact with people, optical devices may play an important role. Light can be relatively easily produced and spatially and temporally modulated. Laser can project sharp images over long distances or cut materials in short distances. Depending on the wavelength an invisible scanning in near infrared for gesture recognition is possible as well as a projection of brilliant colour images. For several years, the Fraunhofer ISIT develops Opto-Packaging processes based on the viscous reshaping of glass wafers: First, hermetically sealed laser micro-mirror scanners WLP with inclined windows deflect in the central light reflex of the window out of the image area. Second, housing with lateral light exit permits hermetic sealing of edge-emitting lasers for highest reliability and durability. Such systems are currently experiencing an extremely high interest of the industry in all segments, from consumer to automotive through to materials processing. Our modular Opto-Packaging platform enables fast product developments. Housing for opto mechanical MEMS devices are equipped with inclined windows to minimize distortion, stray light and reflection losses. The hot viscous glass forming technology is also applied to functionalized substrate wafers which possess areas with high heat dissipation in addition to thermally insulating areas. Electrical contacts may be realized with metal filled vias or TGV (Through Glass Vias). The modular system reduces the development times for new, miniaturized optical systems so that manufacturers can focus on the essentials in their development, namely their product functionalities.

Modular assembly for supporting, straining, and directing flow to a core in a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Pennell, William E.

1977-01-01

A reactor core support arrangement for supporting, straining, and providing fluid flow to the core and periphery of a nuclear reactor during normal operation. A plurality of removable inlet modular units are contained within permanent liners in the lower supporting plate of the reactor vessel lower internals. During normal operation (1) each inlet modular unit directs main coolant flow to a plurality of core assemblies, the latter being removably supported in receptacles in the upper portion of the modular unit and (2) each inlet modular unit may direct bypass flow to a low pressure annular region of the reactor vessel. Each inlet modular unit may include special fluid seals interposed between mating surfaces of the inlet modular units and the core assemblies and between the inlet modular units and the liners, to minimize leakage and achieve an hydraulic balance. Utilizing the hydraulic balance, the modular units are held in the liners and the assemblies are held in the modular unit receptacles by their own respective weight. Included as part of the permanent liners below the horizontal support plate are generally hexagonal axial debris barriers. The axial debris barriers collectively form a bottom boundary of a secondary high pressure plenum, the upper boundary of which is the bottom surface of the horizontal support plate. Peripheral liners include radial debris barriers which collectively form a barrier against debris entry radially. During normal operation primary coolant inlet openings in the liner, below the axial debris barriers, pass a large amount of coolant into the inlet modular units, and secondary coolant inlet openings in the portion of the liners within the secondary plenum pass a small amount of coolant into the inlet modular units. The secondary coolant inlet openings also provide alternative coolant inlet flow paths in the unlikely event of blockage of the primary inlet openings. The primary inlet openings have characteristics which limit the entry of debris and minimize the potential for debris entering the primary inlets blocking the secondary inlets from inside the modular unit.

Development of a space universal modular architecture (SUMO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collins, Bernie F.

This concept paper proposes that the space community should develop and implement a universal standard for spacecraft modularity - to improve interoperability of spacecraft components. Pursuing a global industry consensus standard for open and modular spacecraft architecture will encourage trade, remove standards-related market barriers, and in the long run increase both value provided to customers and profitability of the space industrial sector. This concept paper sets out: (1) the goals for a SUMO standard and how it will benefit the space community; (2) background on spacecraft modularity and existing related standards; (3) the proposed technical scope of the current standardization effort; and (4) an approach for creating a SUMO standard.

[Results transferability on RXL, ARX, X-Pand, BN2 (Dade Behring) and modular DP (Roche Diagnostics) analysers: application to component assays of fibrotest and Actitest].

PubMed

Imbert-Bismut, F; Messous, D; Raoult, A; Poynard, T; Bertrand, J J; Marie, P A; Louis, V; Audy, C; Thouy, J M; Hainque, B; Piton, A

2005-01-01

The follow up of patients with chronic liver diseases and the data from multicentric clinical studies are affected by the variability of assay results for the same parameter between the different laboratories. Today, the main objective in clinical chemistry throughout the world is to harmonise the assay results between the laboratories after the confirmation of their traceability, in relation to defined reference systems. In this context, the purpose of our study was to verify the homogeneity of haptoglobin, apolipoprotein A1, total bilirubin, GGT activity, ALAT activity results, which are combined in Fibrotest and Actitest, between Dimension Analysers RXL, ARX and X-PAND (Dade Behring Society). Moreover, we verified the transferability of Fibrotest and Actitest results between the RXL, and either the BN2 (haptoglobin and apolipoprotein A1) or the Modular DP (total bilirubin, GGT and ALAT activity concentrations). The serum samples from 150 hospitalised patients were analysed on the different analysers. Specific protein assays were calibrated using solutions standardised against reference material on Dimension and BN2 analysers. Total bilirubin assays were performed by a diazoreaction on Dimension and Modular DP analysers. The GGT and ALAT activity measurements on the Dimension analysers were performed in accordance with the reference methods defined by the International Federation of Clinical Chemisty and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). On the Modular, enzyme activity measurements were performed according to the Szasz method (L-gamma- glutamyl-4-nitroanilide as substrate) modified by Persijn and van der Slik (L-gamma- glutamyl-3-carboxy- 4-nitroanilide as substrat) for GGT and according to the IFCC specifications for ALAT. The methods of enzymatic activity measurement were calibrated on the Modular only. Liver fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity indices were determined using calculation algorithms, after having adjusted each component's result of Fibrotest and Actitest for gender and age. Our study has shown, for each parameter, harmonious results between the Dimension analysers and between RXL and BN2- Modular DP. Disregarding alpha-2 macroglobulin which cannot be assayed on RXL, the results of Fibrotest and Actitest were similar as performed on BN2- Modular DP and RXL.

Functional modularity in lake-dwelling characin fishes of Mexico

PubMed Central

Bautista, Amando; Herder, Fabian; Doadrio, Ignacio

2017-01-01

Modular evolution promotes evolutionary change, allowing independent variation across morphological units. Recent studies have shown that under contrasting ecological pressures, patterns of modularity could be related to divergent evolution. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the presence of modular evolution in two sister lacustrine species, Astyanax aeneus and A. caballeroi, which are differentiated by their trophic habits. Two different datasets were analyzed: (1) skull X-rays from 73 specimens (35 A. aeneus and 38 A. caballeroi) to characterize skull variation patterns, considering both species and sex effects. For this dataset, three different modularity hypotheses were tested, previously supported in other lacustrine divergent species; (2) a complete body shape dataset was also tested for four modularity hypotheses, which included a total of 196 individuals (110 Astyanax aeneus and 86 A. caballeroi). Skull shape showed significant differences among species and sex (P < 0.001), where Astyanax caballeroi species showed an upwardly projected mandible and larger preorbital region. For the skull dataset, the modularity hypothesis ranked first included three partitioning modules. While for the complete body dataset the best ranked hypothesis included two modules (head vs the rest of the body), being significant only for A. caballeroi. PMID:28951817

Functional modularity in lake-dwelling characin fishes of Mexico.

PubMed

Ornelas-García, Claudia Patricia; Bautista, Amando; Herder, Fabian; Doadrio, Ignacio

2017-01-01

Modular evolution promotes evolutionary change, allowing independent variation across morphological units. Recent studies have shown that under contrasting ecological pressures, patterns of modularity could be related to divergent evolution. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the presence of modular evolution in two sister lacustrine species, Astyanax aeneus and A. caballeroi , which are differentiated by their trophic habits. Two different datasets were analyzed: (1) skull X-rays from 73 specimens (35 A. aeneus and 38 A. caballeroi ) to characterize skull variation patterns, considering both species and sex effects. For this dataset, three different modularity hypotheses were tested, previously supported in other lacustrine divergent species; (2) a complete body shape dataset was also tested for four modularity hypotheses, which included a total of 196 individuals (110 Astyanax aeneus and 86 A. caballeroi ). Skull shape showed significant differences among species and sex ( P  < 0.001), where Astyanax caballeroi species showed an upwardly projected mandible and larger preorbital region. For the skull dataset, the modularity hypothesis ranked first included three partitioning modules. While for the complete body dataset the best ranked hypothesis included two modules (head vs the rest of the body), being significant only for A. caballeroi .

Brain anatomical networks in early human brain development.

PubMed

Fan, Yong; Shi, Feng; Smith, Jeffrey Keith; Lin, Weili; Gilmore, John H; Shen, Dinggang

2011-02-01

Recent neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that human brain networks have economic small-world topology and modular organization, enabling efficient information transfer among brain regions. However, it remains largely unknown how the small-world topology and modular organization of human brain networks emerge and develop. Using longitudinal MRI data of 28 healthy pediatric subjects, collected at their ages of 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years, we analyzed development patterns of brain anatomical networks derived from morphological correlations of brain regional volumes. The results show that the brain network of 1-month-olds has the characteristically economic small-world topology and nonrandom modular organization. The network's cost efficiency increases with the brain development to 1 year and 2 years, so does the modularity, providing supportive evidence for the hypothesis that the small-world topology and the modular organization of brain networks are established during early brain development to support rapid synchronization and information transfer with minimal rewiring cost, as well as to balance between local processing and global integration of information. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Modular space station, phase B extension. Information management advanced development. Volume 2: Communications terminal breadboard

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerber, C. R.

1972-01-01

The design and development of the communications terminal breadboard for the modular space station are discussed. The subjects presented are: (1) history of communications terminal breadboard, (2) requirements analysis, (3) technology goals in terminal design, and (4) communications terminal board integration tests.

KABAM Version 1.0 User's Guide and Technical Documentation - Appendix F -Description of Equations Used to Calculate the BCF, BAF, BMF, and BSAF Values

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Describes equations for bioconcentration, bioaccumulation, biomagnification and biota-sediment accumulation factors used in KABAM V1.0. KABAM is a simulation model used to predict pesticide concentrations in aquatic regions for use in exposure assessments.

VALIDATION OF AMBIENT WATER QUALITY CRITERIA (AWQC) BIOACCUMULATION METHODOLOGY USING FIELD DATA FROM GREEN BAY AND THE HUDSON RIVER

EPA Science Inventory

In 1998, EPA published its draft revision to the methodology for deriving ambient water quality criteria to protect human health. Four methods were proposed to determine lipid-normalized bioaccumulation factors based on freely-dissolved water concentrations (BAFs) for nonpolar or...

MODFLOW-2005, The U.S. Geological Survey Modular Ground-Water Model - Documentation of the Multiple-Refined-Areas Capability of Local Grid Refinement (LGR) and the Boundary Flow and Head (BFH) Package

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mehl, Steffen W.; Hill, Mary C.

2007-01-01

This report documents the addition of the multiple-refined-areas capability to shared node Local Grid Refinement (LGR) and Boundary Flow and Head (BFH) Package of MODFLOW-2005, the U.S. Geological Survey modular, three-dimensional, finite-difference ground-water flow model. LGR now provides the capability to simulate ground-water flow by using one or more block-shaped, higher resolution local grids (child model) within a coarser grid (parent model). LGR accomplishes this by iteratively coupling separate MODFLOW-2005 models such that heads and fluxes are balanced across the shared interfacing boundaries. The ability to have multiple, nonoverlapping areas of refinement is important in situations where there is more than one area of concern within a regional model. In this circumstance, LGR can be used to simulate these distinct areas with higher resolution grids. LGR can be used in two-and three-dimensional, steady-state and transient simulations and for simulations of confined and unconfined ground-water systems. The BFH Package can be used to simulate these situations by using either the parent or child models independently.

Low-power cryptographic coprocessor for autonomous wireless sensor networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olszyna, Jakub; Winiecki, Wiesław

2013-10-01

The concept of autonomous wireless sensor networks involves energy harvesting, as well as effective management of system resources. Public-key cryptography (PKC) offers the advantage of elegant key agreement schemes with which a secret key can be securely established over unsecure channels. In addition to solving the key management problem, the other major application of PKC is digital signatures, with which non-repudiation of messages exchanges can be achieved. The motivation for studying low-power and area efficient modular arithmetic algorithms comes from enabling public-key security for low-power devices that can perform under constrained environment like autonomous wireless sensor networks. This paper presents a cryptographic coprocessor tailored to the autonomous wireless sensor networks constraints. Such hardware circuit is aimed to support the implementation of different public-key cryptosystems based on modular arithmetic in GF(p) and GF(2m). Key components of the coprocessor are described as GEZEL models and can be easily transformed to VHDL and implemented in hardware.

Functional imaging of the human brain using a modular, fibre-less, high-density diffuse optical tomography system.

PubMed

Chitnis, Danial; Cooper, Robert J; Dempsey, Laura; Powell, Samuel; Quaggia, Simone; Highton, David; Elwell, Clare; Hebden, Jeremy C; Everdell, Nicholas L

2016-10-01

We present the first three-dimensional, functional images of the human brain to be obtained using a fibre-less, high-density diffuse optical tomography system. Our technology consists of independent, miniaturized, silicone-encapsulated DOT modules that can be placed directly on the scalp. Four of these modules were arranged to provide up to 128, dual-wavelength measurement channels over a scalp area of approximately 60 × 65 mm 2 . Using a series of motor-cortex stimulation experiments, we demonstrate that this system can obtain high-quality, continuous-wave measurements at source-detector separations ranging from 14 to 55 mm in adults, in the presence of hair. We identify robust haemodynamic response functions in 5 out of 5 subjects, and present diffuse optical tomography images that depict functional haemodynamic responses that are well-localized in all three dimensions at both the individual and group levels. This prototype modular system paves the way for a new generation of wearable, wireless, high-density optical neuroimaging technologies.

Environmental Systems Test Stand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barta, D.; Young, J.; Ewert, M.; Lee, S.; Wells, P.; Fortson, R.; Castillo, J.

A test stand has been developed for the evaluation of prototype lighting, environmental control and crop cultivation technologies for plant production within an advanced life support system. Design of the test stand was based on preliminary designs of the center growth bay of the Biomass Production Chamber, one of several modules of the Bioregenerative Planetary Life Support Systems Test Complex (BIO- Plex). It consists of two controlled-environment shelves, each with 4.7 m2 of area for crop growth (150 cm width, 315 cm length). There are two chilled water loops, one for operation at conventional temperatures (5-10C) for air temperature and humidity control and one for operation at higher temperatures (15-50C) for waste heat acquisition and heating. Modular light boxes, utilizing either air-cooled or water- jacketed HPS lamps, have been developed. This modular design will allow for easy replacement of new lighting technologies within the light banks. An advanced data acquisition and control system has been developed utilizing localized, networked- based data acquisition modules and programmed with object-based control software.

JAK2V617F influences epigenomic changes in myeloproliferative neoplasms.

PubMed

Chen, Chih-Cheng; Chiu, Chia-Chen; Lee, Kuan-Der; Hsu, Chia-Chen; Chen, Hong-Chi; Huang, Tim H-M; Hsiao, Shu-Huei; Leu, Yu-Wei

2017-12-16

Negative valine (V) to phenylalanine (F) switch at the Janus kinase (JAK2) 617 codon (V617F) is the dominant driver mutation in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). JAK2V617F was proved to be sufficient for cell transformation; however, independent mutations might influence the following epigenomic modifications. To assess the JAK2V617F-induced downstream epigenomic changes without interferences, we profiled the epigenomic changes in ectopically expressed JAK2V617F in Ba/F3 cells. Antibodies against phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) were used for chromatin-immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) to detect the downstream epigenomic targets in the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway. To confirm the JAK2V617F-induced epigenetic changes in vivo, DNA methylation changes in the target loci in patients with MPNs were detected through methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and were clustered against the changes within controls. We found that ectopically expressed JAK2V617F in Ba/F3 cells reduced the binding specificity; it was associated with cis-regulatory elements and recognized DNA motifs in both pSTAT3-downstream and EZH2-associated targets. Overlapping target loci between the control and JAK2V617F were <3% and 0.4%, respectively, as identified through pSTAT3 and EZH2 ChIP-seq. Furthermore, the methylation changes in the direct target loci (FOXH1, HOXC9, and SRF) were clustered independently from the control locus (L1TD1) and other mutation genes (HMGA2 and Lin28A) in the analyzed MPN samples. Therefore, JAK2V617F influences target binding in both pSTAT3 and EZH2. Without mutations in epigenetic regulators, JAK2V617F can induce downstream epigenomic modifications. Thus, epigenetic changes in JAK2 downstream targets might be trackable in vivo. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Design and implementation of modular home security system with short messaging system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budijono, Santoso; Andrianto, Jeffri; Axis Novradin Noor, Muhammad

2014-03-01

Today we are living in 21st century where crime become increasing and everyone wants to secure they asset at their home. In that situation user must have system with advance technology so person do not worry when getting away from his home. It is therefore the purpose of this design to provide home security device, which send fast information to user GSM (Global System for Mobile) mobile device using SMS (Short Messaging System) and also activate - deactivate system by SMS. The Modular design of this Home Security System make expandable their capability by add more sensors on that system. Hardware of this system has been designed using microcontroller AT Mega 328, PIR (Passive Infra Red) motion sensor as the primary sensor for motion detection, camera for capturing images, GSM module for sending and receiving SMS and buzzer for alarm. For software this system using Arduino IDE for Arduino and Putty for testing connection programming in GSM module. This Home Security System can monitor home area that surrounding by PIR sensor and sending SMS, save images capture by camera, and make people panic by turn on the buzzer when trespassing surrounding area that detected by PIR sensor. The Modular Home Security System has been tested and succeed detect human movement.

The Effects of a Magnetic Field on the Crystallization of a Fluorozirconate Glass

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tucker, Dennis S.; Lapointe, Michael R.; Jia, Zhiyong

2006-01-01

An axial magnetic field of 0.1T was applied to ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN) fibers during heating to the glass crystallization temperature. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction were used to identify crystal phases. It was shown that fibers exposed to the magnetic field did not crystallize while fibers not exposed to the field did crystallize. A hypothesis based on magnetic work was proposed to explain the results and tested by measuring the magnetic susceptibilities of the glass and crystal.

[Development of X-ray excited fluorescence spectrometer].

PubMed

Ni, Chen; Gu, Mu; Di, Wang; Cao, Dun-Hua; Liu, Xiao-Lin; Huang, Shi-Ming

2009-08-01

An X-ray excited fluorescence spectrometer was developed with an X-ray tube and a spectrometer. The X-ray tube, spectrometer, autocontrol method and data processing selected were roundly evaluated. The wavelength and detecting efficiency of the apparatus were calibrated with the mercury and tungsten bromine standard lamps, and the X-ray excited emission spectra of BaF2, Cs I (Tl) crystals were measured. The results indicate that the apparatus has advantages of good wavelength resolution, high stability, easy to operation and good radioprotection. It is a wery effective tool for exploration of new scintillation materials.

The manipulated left-handedness in a rare-earth-ion-doped optical fiber by the incoherent pumping field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Shun-Cai; Guo, Hong-Wei; Wei, Xiao-Jing

2017-10-01

The left-handedness was demonstrated by the simulation with a three-level quantum system in an Er3+ -dopped ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3- AlF3-NaF (ZBLAFN) optical fiber. And the left-handedness can be regulated by the incoherent pumping field. Our scheme may provide a solid candidate other than the coherent atomic vapor for left-handedness, and may extend the application of the rare-earth-ion-doped optical fiber in metamaterials and of the incoherent pumping light field in quantum optics.

Ho3+ doped fluoroaluminate glass fibers for 2.9 µm lasing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, S. J.; Jia, Z. X.; Yao, C. F.; Wang, S. B.; Jiang, H. W.; Zhang, L.; Feng, Y.; Qin, G. S.; Ohishi, Y.; Qin, W. P.

2018-01-01

Ho3+ doped fluoroaluminate glass fibers based on chemically durable AlF3-BaF2-YF3-PbF2-MgF2-CaF2 glasses are fabricated by using a rod-in-tube method. By using an 84 cm long Ho3+-doped fluoroaluminate glass fiber as the gain medium and a 1120 nm fiber laser as the pump source, lasing at 2868 nm is obtained, the maximum unsaturated power is about 57 mW for a pump power of 1224 mW, and the corresponding slope efficiency is ~5.1%. The effect of the fiber length on lasing at 2868 nm is also investigated. Our results show that Ho3+-doped fluoroaluminate glass fibers are promising gain media for 2.9 µm laser applications.

Threat assessment and sensor management in a modular architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Page, S. F.; Oldfield, J. P.; Islip, S.; Benfold, B.; Brandon, R.; Thomas, P. A.; Stubbins, D. J.

2016-10-01

Many existing asset/area protection systems, for example those deployed to protect critical national infrastructure, are comprised of multiple sensors such as EO/IR, radar, and Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS), loosely integrated with a central Command and Control (C2) system. Whilst some sensors provide automatic event detection and C2 systems commonly provide rudimentary multi-sensor rule based alerting, the performance of such systems is limited by the lack of deep integration and autonomy. As a result, these systems have a high degree of operator burden. To address these challenges, an architectural concept termed "SAPIENT" was conceived. SAPIENT is based on multiple Autonomous Sensor Modules (ASMs) connected to a High-Level Decision Making Module (HLDMM) that provides data fusion, situational awareness, alerting, and sensor management capability. The aim of the SAPIENT concept is to allow for the creation of a surveillance system, in a modular plug-and-play manner, that provides high levels of autonomy, threat detection performance, and reduced operator burden. This paper considers the challenges associated with developing an HLDMM aligned with the SAPIENT concept, through the discussion of the design of a realised HLDMM. Particular focus is drawn to how high levels of system level performance can be achieved whilst retaining modularity and flexibility. A number of key aspects of our HLDMM are presented, including an integrated threat assessment and sensor management framework, threat sequence matching, and ASM trust modelling. The results of real-world testing of the HLDMM, in conjunction with multiple Laser, Radar, and EO/IR sensors, in representative semi-urban environments, are discussed.

A modular optical sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conklin, John Albert

This dissertation presents the design of a modular, fiber-optic sensor and the results obtained from testing the modular sensor. The modular fiber-optic sensor is constructed in such manner that the sensor diaphragm can be replaced with different configurations to detect numerous physical phenomena. Additionally, different fiber-optic detection systems can be attached to the sensor. Initially, the modular sensor was developed to be used by university of students to investigate realistic optical sensors and detection systems to prepare for advance studies of micro-optical mechanical systems (MOMS). The design accomplishes this by doing two things. First, the design significantly lowers the costs associated with studying optical sensors by modularizing the sensor design. Second, the sensor broadens the number of physical phenomena that students can apply optical sensing techniques to in a fiber optics sensor course. The dissertation is divided into seven chapters covering the historical development of fiber-optic sensors, a theoretical overview of fiber-optic sensors, the design, fabrication, and the testing of the modular sensor developed in the course of this work. Chapter 1 discusses, in detail, how this dissertation is organized and states the purpose of the dissertation. Chapter 2 presents an historical overview of the development of optical fibers, optical pressure sensors, and fibers, optical pressure sensors, and optical microphones. Chapter 3 reviews the theory of multi-fiber optic detection systems, optical microphones, and pressure sensors. Chapter 4 presents the design details of the modular, optical sensor. Chapter 5 delves into how the modular sensor is fabricated and how the detection systems are constructed. Chapter 6 presents the data collected from the microphone and pressure sensor configurations of the modular sensor. Finally, Chapter 7 discusses the data collected and draws conclusions about the design based on the data collected. Chapter 7 also presents future work needed to expand the functionality and utility of the modular sensor.

Spatial distribution and bioaccumulation patterns in three clam populations from a low contaminated ecosystem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velez, Cátia; Figueira, Etelvina; Soares, Amadeu; Freitas, Rosa

2015-03-01

When consuming bivalves, special concern should be taken to the total element burden. In order to assess this issue the present study aimed to measure the element levels in the sediments of different harvesting areas and relate them with clam accumulation; to assess the elements body burden, their availability for trophic transfer and relate it with total accumulation in clams, comparing the native (Ruditapes decussatus and Venerupis corrugata) and the invasive (Ruditapes philippinarum) species; to evaluate the human risk associated with the consumption of different clam species. The results showed that the element burden in clams does not reflect the sediment contamination and BAF values were higher in the less contaminated areas. Comparison of Maximum Levels (MLs) from international organizations with the concentration of elements in clams showed that As exceeded standard levels. The ingestion of less than 1 Kg per week of clams would result in exceeding the PTWI threshold for As. Furthermore, the results showed that, when comparing to other elements, As and Hg are more easily available to be transferred trophically.

A cascade structure made by two types of gratings for simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Qi; Liu, Weiliang; Duan, Shujie; Sun, Cuiting; Zhang, Shuo; Han, Zhihang; Jin, Xiren; Zhao, Lei; Geng, Tao; Sun, Weimin; Yuan, Libo

2018-05-01

In this paper, a new cascade structure is presented to measure temperature and strain simultaneously. It is made of a CO2-laser-notched long-period fiber grating (CO2-LFPG) and a modular LFPG. Experiments prove that the temperature sensitivity of the modular LPFG is about 5 times lower than that of the CO2-LFPG. Before and after connecting the modular LPFG and the CO2-LPFG together, the experimental results indicate that the temperature and the strain sensitivities of them almost have no change and are retained. The temperature and the strain sensitivities of modular LPFG (resonance wavelength at 1258 nm) are -15.4 pm/°C and -1.2 pm/με, respectively. And the temperature and the strain sensitivities of CO2-LPFG (resonance wavelength at 1356 nm) are 58.3 pm/°C and -0.5 pm/με, respectively. Through the experiments, the feasibility of using the proposed sensor to measure strain and temperature simultaneously has been verified. Therefore, it is strongly believed that the proposed sensor can be used to achieve simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature.

Fluoride glass starting materials - Characterization and effects of thermal treatment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, William; Dunn, Bruce; Shlichta, Paul; Neilson, George F.; Weinberg, Michael C.

1987-01-01

The production of heavy metal fluoride (HMF) glasses, and the effects of thermal treatments on the HMF glasses are investigated. ZrF4, BaF2, AlF3, LaF3, and NaF were utilized in the synthesis of zirconium-barium-lanthanum-aluminum-sodium fluoride glass. The purity of these starting materials, in particular ZrF4, is evaluated using XRD analysis. The data reveal that low temperature heating of ZrF4-H2O is effective in removing the water of hydration, but causes the production of ZrF4 and oxyfluorides; however, dehydration followed by sublimation results in the production of monoclinic ZrFe without water or oxyfluoride contaminants.

Large-scale modular biofiltration system for effective odor removal in a composting facility.

PubMed

Lin, Yueh-Hsien; Chen, Yu-Pei; Ho, Kuo-Ling; Lee, Tsung-Yih; Tseng, Ching-Ping

2013-01-01

Several different foul odors such as nitrogen-containing groups, sulfur-containing groups, and short-chain fatty-acids commonly emitted from composting facilities. In this study, an experimental laboratory-scale bioreactor was scaled up to build a large-scale modular biofiltration system that can process 34 m(3)min(-1)waste gases. This modular reactor system was proven effective in eliminating odors, with a 97% removal efficiency for 96 ppm ammonia, a 98% removal efficiency for 220 ppm amines, and a 100% removal efficiency of other odorous substances. The results of operational parameters indicate that this modular biofiltration system offers long-term operational stability. Specifically, a low pressure drop (<45 mmH2O m(-1)) was observed, indicating that the packing carrier in bioreactor units does not require frequent replacement. Thus, this modular biofiltration system can be used in field applications to eliminate various odors with compact working volume.

Quantum Superalgebras at Roots of Unity and Topological Invariants of Three-manifolds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blumen, Sacha C.

2006-01-01

The general method of Reshetikhin and Turaev is followed to develop topological invariants of closed, connected, orientable 3-manifolds from a new class of algebras called pseudo-modular Hopf algebras. Pseudo-modular Hopf algebras are a class of Z_2-graded ribbon Hopf algebras that generalise the concept of a modular Hopf algebra. The quantum superalgebra U_q(osp(1|2n)) over C is considered with q a primitive N^th root of unity for all integers N >= 3. For such a q, a certain left ideal I of U_q(osp(1|2n)) is also a two-sided Hopf ideal, and the quotient algebra U_q^(N)(osp(1|2n)) = U_q(osp(1|2n)) / I is a Z_2-graded ribbon Hopf algebra. For all n and all N >= 3, a finite collection of finite dimensional representations of U_q^(N)(osp(1|2n)) is defined. Each such representation of U_q^(N)(osp(1|2n)) is labelled by an integral dominant weight belonging to the truncated dominant Weyl chamber. Properties of these representations are considered: the quantum superdimension of each representation is calculated, each representation is shown to be self-dual, and more importantly, the decomposition of the tensor product of an arbitrary number of such representations is obtained for even N. It is proved that the quotient algebra U_q^(N)(osp(1|2n)), together with the set of finite dimensional representations discussed above, form a pseudo-modular Hopf algebra when N >= 6 is twice an odd number. Using this pseudo-modular Hopf algebra, we construct a topological invariant of 3-manifolds. This invariant is shown to be different to the topological invariants of 3-manifolds arising from quantum so(2n+1) at roots of unity.

Short Stat5-Interacting Peptide Derived from Phospholipase C-β3 Inhibits Hematopoietic Cell Proliferation and Myeloid Differentiation

PubMed Central

Yasudo, Hiroki; Ando, Tomoaki; Xiao, Wenbin; Kawakami, Yuko; Kawakami, Toshiaki

2011-01-01

Constitutive activation of the transcription factor Stat5 in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells leads to various hematopoietic malignancies including myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). Our recent study found that phospholipase C (PLC)-β3 is a novel tumor suppressor involved in MPN, lymphoma and other tumors. Stat5 activity is negatively regulated by the SH2 domain-containing protein phosphatase SHP-1 in a PLC-β3-dependent manner. PLC-β3 can form the multimolecular SPS complex together with SHP-1 and Stat5. The close physical proximity of SHP-1 and Stat5 brought about by interacting with the C-terminal segment of PLC-β3 (PLC-β3-CT) accelerates SHP-1-mediated dephosphorylation of Stat5. Here we identify the minimal sequences within PLC-β3-CT required for its tumor suppressor function. Two of the three Stat5-binding noncontiguous regions, one of which also binds SHP-1, substantially inhibited in vitro proliferation of Ba/F3 cells. Surprisingly, an 11-residue Stat5-binding peptide (residues 988-998) suppressed Stat5 activity in Ba/F3 cells and in vivo proliferation and myeloid differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Therefore, this study further defines PLC-β3-CT as the Stat5- and SHP-1-binding domain by identifying minimal functional sequences of PLC-β3 for its tumor suppressor function and implies their potential utility in the control of hematopoietic malignancies. PMID:21949826

Forecasting fish biomasses, densities, productions, and bioaccumulation potentials of mid-atlantic wadeable streams.

PubMed

Barber, M Craig; Rashleigh, Brenda; Cyterski, Michael J

2016-01-01

Regional fishery conditions of Mid-Atlantic wadeable streams in the eastern United States are estimated using the Bioaccumulation and Aquatic System Simulator (BASS) bioaccumulation and fish community model and data collected by the US Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP). Average annual biomasses and population densities and annual productions are estimated for 352 randomly selected streams. Realized bioaccumulation factors (BAF) and biomagnification factors (BMF), which are dependent on these forecasted biomasses, population densities, and productions, are also estimated by assuming constant water exposures to methylmercury and tetra-, penta-, hexa-, and hepta-chlorinated biphenyls. Using observed biomasses, observed densities, and estimated annual productions of total fish from 3 regions assumed to support healthy fisheries as benchmarks (eastern Tennessee and Catskill Mountain trout streams and Ozark Mountains smallmouth bass streams), 58% of the region's wadeable streams are estimated to be in marginal or poor condition (i.e., not healthy). Using simulated BAFs and EMAP Hg fish concentrations, we also estimate that approximately 24% of the game fish and subsistence fishing species that are found in streams having detectable Hg concentrations would exceed an acceptable human consumption criterion of 0.185 μg/g wet wt. Importantly, such streams have been estimated to represent 78.2% to 84.4% of the Mid-Atlantic's wadeable stream lengths. Our results demonstrate how a dynamic simulation model can support regional assessment and trends analysis for fisheries. © 2015 SETAC.

Phosphorylation of the chromatin remodeling factor DPF3a induces cardiac hypertrophy through releasing HEY repressors from DNA.

PubMed

Cui, Huanhuan; Schlesinger, Jenny; Schoenhals, Sophia; Tönjes, Martje; Dunkel, Ilona; Meierhofer, David; Cano, Elena; Schulz, Kerstin; Berger, Michael F; Haack, Timm; Abdelilah-Seyfried, Salim; Bulyk, Martha L; Sauer, Sascha; Sperling, Silke R

2016-04-07

DPF3 (BAF45c) is a member of the BAF chromatin remodeling complex. Two isoforms have been described, namely DPF3a and DPF3b. The latter binds to acetylated and methylated lysine residues of histones. Here, we elaborate on the role of DPF3a and describe a novel pathway of cardiac gene transcription leading to pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Upon hypertrophic stimuli, casein kinase 2 phosphorylates DPF3a at serine 348. This initiates the interaction of DPF3a with the transcriptional repressors HEY, followed by the release of HEY from the DNA. Moreover, BRG1 is bound by DPF3a, and is thus recruited to HEY genomic targets upon interaction of the two components. Consequently, the transcription of downstream targets such as NPPA and GATA4 is initiated and pathological cardiac hypertrophy is established. In human, DPF3a is significantly up-regulated in hypertrophic hearts of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or aortic stenosis. Taken together, we show that activation of DPF3a upon hypertrophic stimuli switches cardiac fetal gene expression from being silenced by HEY to being activated by BRG1. Thus, we present a novel pathway for pathological cardiac hypertrophy, whose inhibition is a long-term therapeutic goal for the treatment of the course of heart failure. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Potential human health risk by 234,238U and 210Po due to consumption of fish from the "Luis L. Leon" reservoir (Northern Mexico)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luna-Porres, M. Y.; Rodríguez-Villa, M. A.; Herrera-Peraza, E.; Cabral-Lares, M.; Renteria-Villalobos, M.; Montero-Cabrera, M. E.

2014-07-01

The Conchos River is one of the most important in northern Mexico and the main surface waterway in the arid state of Chihuahua. The Luis L. Leon dam produces the Luis L. Leon Reservoir, which is the last major reservoir before the Conchos River enters the Rio Grande at the Texas-Chihuahua border. Activity concentrations (AC) of 234,238U and 210Po in fillet and liver of three stocked fish species (Lepomis cyanellus, Cyprinus carpio and Ictalurus furcatus), as well as in water from the Luis L. Leon reservoir were determined. 238U and 234U ACs in fillet samples showed values of 0.007-0.014 and 0.01-0.02 Bq kg-1 wet weight (ww), respectively. Liver samples for Lepomis cyanellus, Cyprinus carpio and Ictalurus furcatus species, present 210Po AC of 1.16-3.26 0.70-1.13 and 0.93-1.37 Bqṡkg-1 ww. The elemental Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) for fish tissues respect to their concentrations in water was determined. Lepomis cyanellus species showed the highest BAF for total uranium in fillet, with value 1.5. The annual effective dose for uranium in adults by fish consumption in this work ranged from 4.46×10-3 to 3.68×10-2 μSvṡyear-1. The difference in concentrations of uranium in fillet among the studied species is likely primarily due to their differences in diet and habitat.

Tapered fluorotellurite microstructured fibers for broadband supercontinuum generation.

PubMed

Wang, Fang; Wang, Kangkang; Yao, Chuanfei; Jia, Zhixu; Wang, Shunbin; Wu, Changfeng; Qin, Guanshi; Ohishi, Yasutake; Qin, Weiping

2016-02-01

Fluorotellurite microstructured fibers (MFs) based on TeO2-BaF2-Y2O3 glasses are fabricated by using a rod-in-tube method. Tapered fluorotellurite MFs with varied transition region lengths are prepared by employing an elongation machine. By using a tapered fluorotellurite MF with a transition region length of ∼3.3  cm as the nonlinear medium and a 1560 nm femtosecond fiber laser as the pump source, broadband supercontinuum generation covering from 470 to 2770 nm is obtained. The effects of the transition region length of the tapered fluorotellurite MF on supercontinuum generation are also investigated. Our results show that tapered fluorotellurite MFs are promising nonlinear media for generating broadband supercontinuum light expanding from visible to mid-infrared spectral region.

Modular solar food dryers for farm use

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

Wagner, C.J. Jr.; Coleman, R.L.; Berry, R.E.

1981-01-01

Several solar food dryer modules have been constructed. Their design has been based on a low-cost, small-scale solar dryer using a unique parabolic reflector construction to increase radiation on the drying surface. Each module has a drying surface of 1.1 M/sup 2/ and a parabolic reflector area of 3.3 M/sup 2/. Some modules are being used to dry mango slices (a potential new food product) for market testing, while others are used for experiments to improve drying efficiency. A description is given of the operating conditions of the modules drying mango slices and the most effective modifications.

AN INTEGRATION OF COPEPOD-BASED BAFS, LIFECYCLE TOXICITY TESTING, AND ENDOCRINE DISRUPTION METHODOLOGIES FOR RAPID POPULATION-LEVEL RISK ASSESSMENT OF PERSISTENT BIOACCUMULATIVE TOXICANTS

EPA Science Inventory

Extensive multi-generational microplate culturing (copepod hatching stage through two broods) experiments were completed with the POPs lindane, DDD and fipronil sulfide.  Identical tandem microplate experiments were run concurrently to yield sufficient copepod biomass for li...

Recognizing Emotions: Testing an Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richard, Donna Abely; More, William; Joy, Stephen P.

2015-01-01

A severely impaired capacity for social interaction is one of the characteristics of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Deficits in facial emotional recognition processing may be associated with this limitation. The Build-a-Face (BAF) art therapy intervention was developed to assist with emotional recognition through the viewing and…

The modular approach enables a fully ab initio simulation of the contacts between 3D and 2D materials.

PubMed

Fediai, Artem; Ryndyk, Dmitry A; Cuniberti, Gianaurelio

2016-10-05

Up to now, the electrical properties of the contacts between 3D metals and 2D materials have never been computed at a fully ab initio level due to the huge number of atomic orbitals involved in a current path from an electrode to a pristine 2D material. As a result, there are still numerous open questions and controversial theories on the electrical properties of systems with 3D/2D interfaces-for example, the current path and the contact length scalability. Our work provides a first-principles solution to this long-standing problem with the use of the modular approach, a method which rigorously combines a Green function formalism with the density functional theory (DFT) for this particular contact type. The modular approach is a general approach valid for any 3D/2D contact. As an example, we apply it to the most investigated among 3D/2D contacts-metal/graphene contacts-and show its abilities and consistency by comparison with existing experimental data. As it is applicable to any 3D/2D interface, the modular approach allows the engineering of 3D/2D contacts with the pre-defined electrical properties.

A bioinformatics analysis of Lamin-A regulatory network: a perspective on epigenetic involvement in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

PubMed

Arancio, Walter

2012-04-01

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare human genetic disease that leads to premature aging. HGPS is caused by mutation in the Lamin-A (LMNA) gene that leads, in affected young individuals, to the accumulation of the progerin protein, usually present only in aging differentiated cells. Bioinformatics analyses of the network of interactions of the LMNA gene and transcripts are presented. The LMNA gene network has been analyzed using the BioGRID database (http://thebiogrid.org/) and related analysis tools such as Osprey (http://biodata.mshri.on.ca/osprey/servlet/Index) and GeneMANIA ( http://genemania.org/). The network of interaction of LMNA transcripts has been further analyzed following the competing endogenous (ceRNA) hypotheses (RNA cross-talk via microRNAs [miRNAs]) and using the miRWalk database and tools (www.ma.uni-heidelberg.de/apps/zmf/mirwalk/). These analyses suggest particular relevance of epigenetic modifiers (via acetylase complexes and specifically HTATIP histone acetylase) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent chromatin remodelers (via pBAF, BAF, and SWI/SNF complexes).

A novel pathway to detect and cope with exogenous dsDNA.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Shouhei; Haraguchi, Tokuko

2015-01-01

How a living cell responds to exogenous materials is one of the fundamental questions in the life sciences. In particular, understanding the mechanisms by which a cell recognizes exogenous double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is important for immunology research because it will facilitate the control of pathogen infections that entail the presence of exogenous dsDNA in the cytoplasm of host cells. Several cytosolic dsDNA sensor proteins that trigger innate immune responses have been identified and the downstream signaling pathways have been investigated. However, the events that occur at the site of exogenous dsDNA when it is exposed to the cytosol of the host cell remain unknown. Using dsDNA-coated polystyrene beads incorporated into living cells, we recently found that barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) binds to the exogenous dsDNA immediately after its appearance in the cytosol and plays a role in DNA avoidance of autophagy. Our findings reveal a novel pathway in which BAF plays a key role in the detection of and response to exogenous dsDNA.

Bioaccumulation and uptake routes of perfluoroalkyl acids in Daphnia magna.

PubMed

Dai, Zhineng; Xia, Xinghui; Guo, Jia; Jiang, Xiaoman

2013-02-01

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAs), one kind of emerging contaminants, have attracted great attentions in recent years. However, the study about their bioaccumulation mechanism remains scarce. In this research, the bioaccumulation of six kinds of PFAs in water flea Daphnia magna was studied. The uptake rates of PFAs in D. magna ranged from 178 to 1338 L kg(-1) d(-1), and they increased with increasing perfluoroalkyl chain length; the elimination rates ranged from 0.98 to 2.82 d(-1). The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of PFAs ranged from 91 to 380 L kg(-1) in wet weight after 25 d exposure; they increased with increasing perfluoroalkyl chain length and had a significant positive correlation with the n-octanol/water partition coefficients (logK(ow)) of PFAs (p<0.05). This indicated that the hydrophobicity of PFAs plays an important role in their bioaccumulation. The BAFs almost kept constant when the PFA concentrations in aqueous phase increased from 1 to 10 μg L(-1). Scenedesmus subspicatus, as the food of D. magna, did not significantly affect the bioaccumulation of PFAs by D. magna. Furthermore, the body burden of PFAs in the dead D. magna was 1.08-2.52 times higher than that in the living ones, inferring that the body surface sorption is a main uptake route of PFAs in D. magna. This study suggested that the bioaccumulation of PFAs in D. magna is mainly controlled by their partition between organisms and water; further research should be conducted to study the intrinsic mechanisms, especially the roles of protein and lipid in organisms. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Personal care products in wild fish in two main Chinese rivers: Bioaccumulation potential and human health risks.

PubMed

Yao, Li; Zhao, Jian-Liang; Liu, You-Sheng; Zhang, Qian-Qian; Jiang, Yu-Xia; Liu, Shan; Liu, Wang-Rong; Yang, Yuan-Yuan; Ying, Guang-Guo

2018-04-15

Personal care products (PCPs) are widely applied in our daily life, however, little is known about their occurrence in wild fish. We investigated the bioaccumulation and potential risks of 24 PCPs in muscle and liver tissues of wild fish collected from two large rivers of Pearl and Yangtze Rivers in China. The results showed the detection of a total of 13 PCPs including 9 biocides, 2 synthetic musks and 2 benzotriazoles in at least one type of fish tissue from 12 fish species. The compounds with high detection frequencies (>50%) in fish muscle or liver tissues were N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, carbendazim, climbazole, miconazole (MCZ), methylparaben, propylparaben, triclosan (TCS), tonalide, galaxolide (HHCB) and 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole (5-TT). Among biocides, synthetic musks and benzotriazoles, TCS, HHCB and benzotriazole showed the maximum concentrations of 79.5ng/g wet weight (ww), 299ng/g ww and 3.14ng/g ww, respectively, in muscle tissue, while MCZ, HHCB and 5-TT showed the maximum concentrations of 432ng/g ww, 2619ng/g ww and 54.5ng/g ww, respectively, in liver tissue. The median values of logarithm of bioaccumulation factors (BAF) for the detected 13 PCPs were ranged 0.8-3.35 in muscle and 0.85-4.58 in liver. The log BAF values of the PCPs displayed good linear relationships with log K ow and log D ow (pH-dependent K ow ). The health hazard assessment of 10 detected PCPs in the muscle indicated no appreciable risk to human via consumption of the wild fish. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crew appliance computer program manual, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, D. J.

1975-01-01

Trade studies of numerous appliance concepts for advanced spacecraft galley, personal hygiene, housekeeping, and other areas were made to determine which best satisfy the space shuttle orbiter and modular space station mission requirements. Analytical models of selected appliance concepts not currently included in the G-189A Generalized Environmental/Thermal Control and Life Support Systems (ETCLSS) Computer Program subroutine library were developed. The new appliance subroutines are given along with complete analytical model descriptions, solution methods, user's input instructions, and validation run results. The appliance components modeled were integrated with G-189A ETCLSS models for shuttle orbiter and modular space station, and results from computer runs of these systems are presented.

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

Not Available

The possible need to develop a solid waste management/resource recovery facility in Christian County, Kentucky is assessed. The present solid waste management operations are described and an outline of options available in the area of resource recovery and cost estimates for waste management alternatives are given. The construction of a transfer station to handle wastes hauled from a distance is discussed. Specific incineration waste heat recovery systems discussed briefly are: modular controlled air incinerators, modular refractory incinerators, rotary waterwall combustor-boiler, and waterwall incineration - unprocessed waste units. Environmental impacts are considered. An investigation was conducted on separating the raw refusemore » into its major components and recycling materials of value. (MCW)« less

Theory for the Emergence of Modularity in Complex Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deem, Michael; Park, Jeong-Man

2013-03-01

Biological systems are modular, and this modularity evolves over time and in different environments. A number of observations have been made of increased modularity in biological systems under increased environmental pressure. We here develop a theory for the dynamics of modularity in these systems. We find a principle of least action for the evolved modularity at long times. In addition, we find a fluctuation dissipation relation for the rate of change of modularity at short times. We discuss a number of biological and social systems that can be understood with this framework. The modularity of the protein-protein interaction network increases when yeast are exposed to heat shock, and the modularity of the protein-protein networks in both yeast and E. coli appears to have increased over evolutionary time. Food webs in low-energy, stressful environments are more modular than those in plentiful environments, arid ecologies are more modular during droughts, and foraging of sea otters is more modular when food is limiting. The modularity of social networks changes over time: stock brokers instant messaging networks are more modular under stressful market conditions, criminal networks are more modular under increased police pressure, and world trade network modularity has decreased

Entropy, extremality, euclidean variations, and the equations of motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Xi; Lewkowycz, Aitor

2018-01-01

We study the Euclidean gravitational path integral computing the Rényi entropy and analyze its behavior under small variations. We argue that, in Einstein gravity, the extremality condition can be understood from the variational principle at the level of the action, without having to solve explicitly the equations of motion. This set-up is then generalized to arbitrary theories of gravity, where we show that the respective entanglement entropy functional needs to be extremized. We also extend this result to all orders in Newton's constant G N , providing a derivation of quantum extremality. Understanding quantum extremality for mixtures of states provides a generalization of the dual of the boundary modular Hamiltonian which is given by the bulk modular Hamiltonian plus the area operator, evaluated on the so-called modular extremal surface. This gives a bulk prescription for computing the relative entropies to all orders in G N . We also comment on how these ideas can be used to derive an integrated version of the equations of motion, linearized around arbitrary states.

Identification of Mutation Accumulation as Resistance Mechanism Emerging in First-Line Osimertinib Treatment.

PubMed

Uchibori, Ken; Inase, Naohiko; Nishio, Makoto; Fujita, Naoya; Katayama, Ryohei

2018-04-24

The survival of patients with EGFR mutation-positive lung cancer has dramatically improved since the introduction of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Recently, osimertinib showed significantly prolonged progression-free survival than first-generation EGFR-TKI in first-line treatment, suggesting that a paradigm change that would move osimetinib to first-line treatment is indicated. We performed N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis screening to uncover the resistant mechanism in first- and second-line osimertinib treatment. Ba/F3 cells harboring EGFR activating-mutation with or without secondary resistant mutation were exposed to ENU for 24 hours to introduce random mutations and selected with gefitinib, afatinib, or osimertinib. Mutations of emerging resistant cells were assessed. The resistance of T790M and C797S to gefitinib and osimertinib, respectively, was prevalent in the mutagenesis screening with the Ba/F3 cells harboring activating-mutation alone. From C797S/activating-mutation expressing Ba/F3, the additional T790M was a major resistant mechanism in gefitinib and afatinib selection and the additional T854A and L792H were minor resistance mechanisms only in afatinib selection. However, the additional T854A or L792H mediated resistance to all classes of EGFR-TKI. Surprisingly, no resistant clone due to secondary mutation emerged from activating-mutation alone in the gefitinib + osimertinib selection. We showed the resistance mechanism to EGFR-TKI focusing on first- and second-line osimertinib using ENU mutagenesis screening. Additional T854A and L792H on C797S/activating-mutation were found as afatinib resistance and not as gefitinib resistance. Thus, compared to afatinib, the first-generation EGFR-TKI might be preferable as second-line treatment to C797S/activating-mutation emerging after first-line osimertinib treatment. Copyright © 2018 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Modulation of metallothionein and metal partitioning in liver and kidney of Solea senegalensis after long-term acclimation to two environmental temperatures

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

Siscar, R.; Torreblanca, A.; Ramo, J. del

Juveniles of Solea senegalensis were fed with commercial pellets under controlled conditions at two environmental Mediterranean temperatures (15 and 20 °C) for two months. After this period, the accumulation of essential and non-essential metals and metallothionein (MT) levels was measured in liver and kidney by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and pulse polarography, respectively. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) for selected metals in both tissues was calculated in relation to levels present in the feed. Tissue partitioning (liver/kidney) and molar ratios, considering the metal protective mechanisms: MT and Selenium (Se), were included for evaluating the detoxification capacity of each tissue.more » Ag, Cd, Cu and Mn were preferentially accumulated in the liver whereas Co, Fe, Hg, Se and Zn were found in larger concentrations in the kidney, and higher temperature enhanced the accumulation of some of them, but not all. MT content in liver, but not in kidney, was also influenced by temperature changes and by length of exposure. The BAF revealed that Cu was taken up mainly by the liver whereas Se was efficiently taken up by both tissues. The high molar ratios of MT and most metals denoted the kidney's remarkable spare capacity for metal detoxification through MT binding. Moreover, the potential protective role of Se was also more evident in kidney as a higher Se:Cd and Se:Ag molar ratios were reached in this organ. In contrast to other fish, the storage of Cd in kidney was particularly low. - Highlights: • Long-term increases in temperature entailed changes in MT and metal content in liver. • The liver is the preferred storage organ for most metals. • Se assimilation from feed results in a high BAF in the liver and kidney. • MT/metal and Se/metal are higher in kidney than in liver for most metals, except Cd.« less

Potential human health risk by metal(loid)s, 234,238U and 210Po due to consumption of fish from the "Luis L. Leon" Reservoir (Northern México).

PubMed

Luna-Porres, Mayra Y; Rodríguez-Villa, Marco A; Herrera-Peraza, Eduardo F; Renteria-Villalobos, Marusia; Montero-Cabrera, María E

2014-06-25

Concentrations of As, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb and Zn and activity concentrations from 234,238U and 210Po in water, fillet, liver and gills were determined in three stocked fish species from the Luis L. Leon reservoir, located in Northern Mexico. The considered species were Lepomis cyanellus, Cyprinus carpio and Ictalurus furcatus. 238U and 234U activity concentration (AC) in fillet samples showed values of 0.007-0.014 and 0.01-0.02 Bq∙kg-1 wet weight (ww), respectively. Liver samples for L. cyanellus, C. carpio and I. furcatus present 210Po AC of 1.16-3.26, 0.70-1.13 and 0.93-1.37 Bq∙kg-1 ww. Arsenic, mercury and lead concentration intervals in fillet samples were 0.13-0.39, 0.005-0.126 and 0.009-0.08 mg∙kg-1 ww, respectively, while in gill samples they were 0.11-0.43, 0.002-0.039 and 0.02-0.26 mg∙kg-1 ww. The elemental Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) for fish tissues with respect to their concentrations in water was determined. L. cyanellus showed the highest BAF values for As and total U, being BAFAs = 37 and 40 L∙kg-1 in fillet and gills, respectively, and BAFU total = 1.5 L∙kg-1 in fillet. I. furcatus showed the highest BAF values for Hg and Pb, being BAFHg = 40 and 13 L∙kg-1 in fillet and gills, and BAFPb = 6.5 and 22 L∙kg-1 in fillet and gills, respectively. Some metal(loid) concentrations are slightly higher than European regulations for fish fillets. The difference in concentrations of metal(loid)s in fillet among the studied species is probably due to their differences in diet and habitat.

Potential Human Health Risk by Metal(loid)s, 234,238U and 210Po due to Consumption of Fish from the “Luis L. Leon” Reservoir (Northern México)

PubMed Central

Luna-Porres, Mayra Y.; Rodríguez-Villa, Marco A.; Herrera-Peraza, Eduardo F.; Renteria-Villalobos, Marusia; Montero-Cabrera, María E.

2014-01-01

Concentrations of As, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb and Zn and activity concentrations from 234,238U and 210Po in water, fillet, liver and gills were determined in three stocked fish species from the Luis L. Leon reservoir, located in Northern Mexico. The considered species were Lepomis cyanellus, Cyprinus carpio and Ictalurus furcatus. 238U and 234U activity concentration (AC) in fillet samples showed values of 0.007–0.014 and 0.01–0.02 Bq∙kg−1 wet weight (ww), respectively. Liver samples for L. cyanellus, C. carpio and I. furcatus present 210Po AC of 1.16–3.26, 0.70–1.13 and 0.93–1.37 Bq∙kg−1 ww. Arsenic, mercury and lead concentration intervals in fillet samples were 0.13–0.39, 0.005–0.126 and 0.009–0.08 mg∙kg−1 ww, respectively, while in gill samples they were 0.11–0.43, 0.002–0.039 and 0.02–0.26 mg∙kg−1 ww. The elemental Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) for fish tissues with respect to their concentrations in water was determined. L. cyanellus showed the highest BAF values for As and total U, being BAFAs = 37 and 40 L∙kg−1 in fillet and gills, respectively, and BAFU total = 1.5 L∙kg−1 in fillet. I. furcatus showed the highest BAF values for Hg and Pb, being BAFHg = 40 and 13 L∙kg−1 in fillet and gills, and BAFPb = 6.5 and 22 L∙kg−1 in fillet and gills, respectively. Some metal(loid) concentrations are slightly higher than European regulations for fish fillets. The difference in concentrations of metal(loid)s in fillet among the studied species is probably due to their differences in diet and habitat. PMID:24968208

Brain Network Modularity Predicts Exercise-Related Executive Function Gains in Older Adults

PubMed Central

Baniqued, Pauline L.; Gallen, Courtney L.; Voss, Michelle W.; Burzynska, Agnieszka Z.; Wong, Chelsea N.; Cooke, Gillian E.; Duffy, Kristin; Fanning, Jason; Ehlers, Diane K.; Salerno, Elizabeth A.; Aguiñaga, Susan; McAuley, Edward; Kramer, Arthur F.; D'Esposito, Mark

2018-01-01

Recent work suggests that the brain can be conceptualized as a network comprised of groups of sub-networks or modules. The extent of segregation between modules can be quantified with a modularity metric, where networks with high modularity have dense connections within modules and sparser connections between modules. Previous work has shown that higher modularity predicts greater improvements after cognitive training in patients with traumatic brain injury and in healthy older and young adults. It is not known, however, whether modularity can also predict cognitive gains after a physical exercise intervention. Here, we quantified modularity in older adults (N = 128, mean age = 64.74) who underwent one of the following interventions for 6 months (NCT01472744 on ClinicalTrials.gov): (1) aerobic exercise in the form of brisk walking (Walk), (2) aerobic exercise in the form of brisk walking plus nutritional supplement (Walk+), (3) stretching, strengthening and stability (SSS), or (4) dance instruction. After the intervention, the Walk, Walk+ and SSS groups showed gains in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), with larger effects in both walking groups compared to the SSS and Dance groups. The Walk, Walk+ and SSS groups also improved in executive function (EF) as measured by reasoning, working memory, and task-switching tests. In the Walk, Walk+, and SSS groups that improved in EF, higher baseline modularity was positively related to EF gains, even after controlling for age, in-scanner motion and baseline EF. No relationship between modularity and EF gains was observed in the Dance group, which did not show training-related gains in CRF or EF control. These results are consistent with previous studies demonstrating that individuals with a more modular brain network organization are more responsive to cognitive training. These findings suggest that the predictive power of modularity may be generalizable across interventions aimed to enhance aspects of cognition and that, especially in low-performing individuals, global network properties can capture individual differences in neuroplasticity. PMID:29354050

Space station executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An executive summary of the modular space station study is presented. The subjects discussed are: (1) design characteristics, (2) experiment program, (3) operations, (4) program description, and (5) research implications. The modular space station is considered a candidate payload for the low cost shuttle transportation system.

Construction concepts and validation of the 3D printed UST_2 modular stellarator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Queral, V.

2015-03-01

High accuracy, geometric complexity and thus high cost of stellarators tend to hinder the advance of stellarator research. Nowadays, new manufacturing methods might be developed for the production of small and middle-size stellarators. The methods should demonstrate advantages with respect common fabrication methods, like casting, cutting, forging and welding, for the construction of advanced highly convoluted modular stellarators. UST2 is a small modular three period quasi-isodynamic stellarator of major radius 0.26 m and plasma volume 10 litres being currently built to validate additive manufacturing (3D printing) for stellarator construction. The modular coils are wound in grooves defined on six 3D printed half period frames designed as light truss structures filled by a strong filler. A geometrically simple assembling configuration has been concocted for UST2 so as to try to lower the cost of the device while keeping the positioning accuracy of the different elements. The paper summarizes the construction and assembling concepts developed, the devised positioning methodology, the design of the coil frames and positioning elements and, an initial validation of the assembling of the components.

Improvements in SMR Modular Construction through Supply Chain Optimization and Lessons Learned

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

White III, Chelsea C.; Petrovic, Bojan

Affordable energy is a critical societal need. Capital construction cost is a significant portion of nuclear energy cost. By controlling and reducing cost, companies can build more competitive nuclear power plants and hence provide access to more affordable energy. Modular construction provides an opportunity to reduce the cost of construction, and as projects scale up in number, the cost of each unit can be further reduced. The objective of this project was to advance design and construction methods for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and in particular to improve modular construction techniques and develop best practices for designing and operatingmore » supply chains that take advantage of these techniques. The overarching objectives were to accelerate the construction schedule and reduce its variability, reduce the cost of construction, reduce interest costs accrued during construction (IDC), and thus enhance the economic attractiveness of SMRs. Our fundamental measure of merit was total capital investment cost (TCIC). To achieve these objectives, this project developed a decision support system, EVAL, to support identifying, addressing, and resolving or ameliorating challenges and deficiencies in the current modular construction approach. The results of this effort were consistent with the facts that the cost of a construction activity is often smallest when accomplished in the factory, greatest when accomplished at the construction site, and at an intermediate level when accomplished at an assembly area close to the construction site. Further, EVAL can aid in providing insight into ways to reduce waste, improve quality, efficiency, and throughput and reflects the fact that the more done early in the construction process, i.e., in the factory, the more upfront funding is required and hence the more IDC will be accrued. The analysis has lead to a better understanding of circumstances under which modular construction performed mainly in the factory will result in lower expected total cost, relative to more traditional, on-site construction procedures. Further, we anticipate that EVAL can be used to gain insight regarding what role standardization can play in order for modularization to be most effectively defined. Such results would ultimately benefit all (small and large) new nuclear construction.« less

Development and comparison of Bayesian modularization method in uncertainty assessment of hydrological models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, L.; Xu, C.-Y.; Engeland, K.

2012-04-01

With respect to model calibration, parameter estimation and analysis of uncertainty sources, different approaches have been used in hydrological models. Bayesian method is one of the most widely used methods for uncertainty assessment of hydrological models, which incorporates different sources of information into a single analysis through Bayesian theorem. However, none of these applications can well treat the uncertainty in extreme flows of hydrological models' simulations. This study proposes a Bayesian modularization method approach in uncertainty assessment of conceptual hydrological models by considering the extreme flows. It includes a comprehensive comparison and evaluation of uncertainty assessments by a new Bayesian modularization method approach and traditional Bayesian models using the Metropolis Hasting (MH) algorithm with the daily hydrological model WASMOD. Three likelihood functions are used in combination with traditional Bayesian: the AR (1) plus Normal and time period independent model (Model 1), the AR (1) plus Normal and time period dependent model (Model 2) and the AR (1) plus multi-normal model (Model 3). The results reveal that (1) the simulations derived from Bayesian modularization method are more accurate with the highest Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency value, and (2) the Bayesian modularization method performs best in uncertainty estimates of entire flows and in terms of the application and computational efficiency. The study thus introduces a new approach for reducing the extreme flow's effect on the discharge uncertainty assessment of hydrological models via Bayesian. Keywords: extreme flow, uncertainty assessment, Bayesian modularization, hydrological model, WASMOD

[A study on the concentration quenching of Tm3+ upconversion luminescence].

PubMed

Chen, B; Wang, H; Huang, S

2001-06-01

In this work, we have a designation and preparation of MFT glasses for upconversion, the glasses consisted of TeO2 and fluoride: PbF2, AlF3, BaF2, NaF and the impurity Tm2O3. In this glass system the oxide improve forming ability, the fluorides improve the microscopic environment around RE ions in glasses. In this glass host the content of Tm2O3 achieves to 4% mol and crystallization no occurred. A detail study on the concentration quenching of upconversion luminescence for 1G4-->3H6 and 1D2-->3H4 transitions was completed. The experimental results directed that the quenching concentration was 0.6 mol.% and higher 3 times than in other glasses materials. The cross relaxation and mechanism of concentration quenching were discussed.

Optomechanical Design of Ten Modular Cameras for the Mars Exploration Rovers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ford, Virginia G.; Karlmann, Paul; Hagerott, Ed; Scherr, Larry

2003-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the design and fabrication of the modular cameras for the Mars Exploration Rovers. In the 2003 mission there were to be 2 landers and 2 rovers, each were to have 10 cameras each. Views of the camera design, the lens design, the lens interface with the detector assembly, the detector assembly, the electronics assembly are shown.

Multiple D3-Instantons and Mock Modular Forms I

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrov, Sergei; Banerjee, Sibasish; Manschot, Jan; Pioline, Boris

2017-07-01

We study D3-instanton corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli space in type IIB string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau threefold. In a previous work, consistency of D3-instantons with S-duality was established at first order in the instanton expansion, using the modular properties of the M5-brane elliptic genus. We extend this analysis to the two-instanton level, where wall-crossing phenomena start playing a role. We focus on the contact potential, an analogue of the Kähler potential which must transform as a modular form under S-duality. We show that it can be expressed in terms of a suitable modification of the partition function of D4-D2-D0 BPS black holes, constructed out of the generating function of MSW invariants (the latter coincide with Donaldson-Thomas invariants in a particular chamber). Modular invariance of the contact potential then requires that, in the case where the D3-brane wraps a reducible divisor, the generating function of MSW invariants must transform as a vector-valued mock modular form, with a specific modular completion built from the MSW invariants of the constituents. Physically, this gives a powerful constraint on the degeneracies of BPS black holes. Mathematically, our result gives a universal prediction for the modular properties of Donaldson-Thomas invariants of pure two-dimensional sheaves.

Modular Flooring System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thate, Robert

2012-01-01

The modular flooring system (MFS) was developed to provide a portable, modular, durable carpeting solution for NASA fs Robotics Alliance Project fs (RAP) outreach efforts. It was also designed to improve and replace a modular flooring system that was too heavy for safe use and transportation. The MFS was developed for use as the flooring for various robotics competitions that RAP utilizes to meet its mission goals. One of these competitions, the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), currently uses two massive rolls of broadloom carpet for the foundation of the arena in which the robots are contained during the competition. The area of the arena is approximately 30 by 72 ft (approximately 9 by 22 m). This carpet is very cumbersome and requires large-capacity vehicles, and handling equipment and personnel to transport and deploy. The broadloom carpet sustains severe abuse from the robots during a regular three-day competition, and as a result, the carpet is not used again for competition. Similarly, broadloom carpets used for trade shows at convention centers around the world are typically discarded after only one use. This innovation provides a green solution to this wasteful practice. Each of the flooring modules in the previous system weighed 44 lb (.20 kg). The improvements in the overall design of the system reduce the weight of each module by approximately 22 lb (.10 kg) (50 %), and utilize an improved "module-to-module" connection method that is superior to the previous system. The MFS comprises 4-by-4-ft (.1.2-by- 1.2-m) carpet module assemblies that utilize commercially available carpet tiles that are bonded to a lightweight substrate. The substrate surface opposite from the carpeted surface has a module-to-module connecting interface that allows for the modules to be connected, one to the other, as the modules are constructed. This connection is hidden underneath the modules, creating a smooth, co-planar flooring surface. The modules are stacked and strapped onto durable, commercially available drywall carts for storage and/or transportation. This method of storage and transportation makes it very convenient and safe when handling large quantities of modules.

Titanium-titanium modular neck for primary THA. Result of a prospective series of 170 cemented THA with a minimum follow-up of 5 years.

PubMed

Ollivier, M; Parratte, S; Galland, A; Lunebourg, A; Flecher, X; Argenson, J-N

2015-04-01

Although they have been in use since the end of the 1980s, modular titanium neck components are associated with a risk of wear or fracture, and their safety has recently become a subject of debate and has never been evaluated in a consecutive series of patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate: revision-free survival of these implants after a minimum follow-up of 5 years; clinical and radiographic results; and the potential complications associated with the use of modular titanium neck components. The use of titanium modular neck on cemented titanium THA is safe at a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Between January 2006 and December 2008, we prospectively followed 170 patients (170 hips) who underwent primary anatomical THA with a modular cemented titanium stem design implant. The indications were unilateral THA for primary (n=160) or secondary (n=10) hip osteoarthritis (aseptic osteonecrosis of the femoral head or hip dysplasia). Mean age of patients was 75.4±5.8 years old (52-85), and mean BMI was 26.1±4.5 kg/m(2) (16.6-42.1). Patients were operated on by a modified Watson-Jones anterolateral approach based on preoperative 2D planning. All patients underwent annual clinical and radiological follow-up by an independent observer. At a mean follow-up of 71±8 months (60-84), 5 patients died and 7 were lost to follow-up. There was no revision of THA after a maximum follow-up of 84 months. The Harris score improved significantly from 50.4±11.3 (0-76) preoperatively to 84.5±15.2 (14-100) at the final follow-up. There was no difference in postoperative femoral offset or the position of the center of rotation compared to the opposite side. On the other hand, the neck-shaft angle (NSA) and limb length were corrected (2±5° [-11 to +14°] and 2.16±3.6 mm [-7.4 to +12.7 mm]) respectively. Fifteen patients (9%) had limb length discrepancies of more than 5 mm and 4 patients (2%) of more than 10 mm. There were no complications due to the modular implant design. Our study suggests that the use of cemented titanium implants with a modular titanium stem is safe at a follow-up of 5 years. The modular design does not prevent limb length discrepancies but restores femoral offset. IV: prospective, non-comparative study. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Poor short term outcome with a metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty.

PubMed

Levy, Yadin D; Ezzet, Kace A

2013-08-01

Metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings for total hip arthroplasty (THA) have come under scrutiny with reports of high failure rates. Clinical outcome studies with several commercially available MoM THA bearings remain unreported. We evaluated 78 consecutive MoM THAs from a single manufacturer in 68 patients. Sixty-six received cobalt-chrome (CoCr) monoblock and 12 received modular titanium acetabular cups with internal CoCr liners. Femoral components were titanium with modular necks. At average 2.1 years postoperatively, 12 THAs (15.4%) demonstrated aseptic failure (10 revisions, 2 revision recommended). All revised hips demonstrated capsular necrosis with positive histology reaction for aseptic lymphocytic vasculitis-associated lesions/adverse local tissue reactions. Prosthetic instability following revision surgery was relatively common. Female gender was a strong risk factor for failure, though smaller cups were not. Both monoblock and modular components fared poorly. Corrosion was frequently observed around the proximal and distal end of the modular femoral necks. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An Economic Basis for Littoral Land-Based Production of Low Carbon Fuel from Renewable Electrical Energy and Seawater for Naval Use: Diego Garcia Evaluation

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-13

installed is $1.54 billion. Table 3 provides the cost breakdown of the various major components ( solar PV arrays, the carbon/hydrogen production units...barges or modular floats made from high density polymer HDP (Jet Dock and Versa Dock). These floats could support the entire solar PV array process...the restricted area is reached. Since the capital cost of the wind turbines is half that of the solar PV per Watt ($2.40/watt), the total cost

Validation of FMTV Modular VHP/mVHP System and Fumigation Decontamination Process in a C-141B Starlifter Aircraft

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-08-01

each location was aseptically transferred to 5 mL Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) and incubated at 55 ’C. Coupons were observed the following day. If...Samples were then serially diluted in buffered peptone water and pour plated (1 mL per plate) using Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA). Plates were gently swirled in...1260 area. aft surface inside of hydraulic oil box 19 39 Starboard - 750. 59 On V2 79 On platform, 99 Aft, overhead in on oxygen box overhead, forward

Superlattices and Semiconductor/Semiconductor Interfaces.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-01-17

the electron effective ’J. N. Schulman and T. C. Mc"il AppI. Phys. Lett 34. 66311979). masse in the snuff band-gap alloys, suggesting reducedp- 3.P...et al. " have made DLTS measurements on n-type, , lead to the loss of electrically active indium through the for- indium doped CdTe films grown on BaF

Deleting HDAC3 Rescues Long-Term Memory Impairments Induced by Disruption of the Neuron-Specific Chromatin Remodeling Subunit BAF53b

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shu, Guanhua; Kramár, Enikö A.; López, Alberto J.; Huynh, Grace; Wood, Marcelo A.; Kwapis, Janine L.

2018-01-01

Multiple epigenetic mechanisms, including histone acetylation and nucleosome remodeling, are known to be involved in long-term memory formation. Enhancing histone acetylation by deleting histone deacetylases, like HDAC3, typically enhances long-term memory formation. In contrast, disrupting nucleosome remodeling by blocking the neuron-specific…

Barriers and facilitators to following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans reported by rural, Northern Plains American-Indian children

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Objective: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) promotes healthy dietary choices for all Americans ages two years and older; however, the majority of Americans do not meet recommendations. The goal of this study was to identify both barriers and facilitators (BAFs) to adherence to DGA recomme...

Critical 2-D Percolation: Crossing Probabilities, Modular Forms and Factorization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kleban, Peter

2007-03-01

We first consider crossing probabilities in critical 2-D percolation in rectangular geometries, derived via conformal field theory. These quantities are shown to exhibit interesting modular behavior [1], although the physical meaning of modular transformations in this context is not clear. We show that in many cases these functions are completely characterized by very simple transformation properties. In particular, Cardy's function for the percolation crossing probability (including the conformal dimension 1/3), follows from a simple modular argument. We next consider the probability of crossing between various points for percolation in the upper half-plane. For two points, with the point x an edge of the system, the probability is P(x,z)= k 1y^5/48 φ(x,z)^1/3 where φ is the potential at z of a 2-D dipole located at x, and k is a non-universal constant. For three points, one finds the exact and universal factorization [2,3] P(x1,x2,z)= C ; √P(x1,z)P(x2,z)P(x1,x2) with C= 8 √2; &5/2circ;3^3/4 ; γ(1/3)^9/2. These results are calculated by use of conformal field theory. Computer simulations verify them very precisely. Furthermore, simulations show that the same factorization holds asymptotically, with the same value of C, when one or both of the points xi are moved from the edge into the bulk.1.) Peter Kleban and Don Zagier, Crossing probabilities and modular forms, J. Stat. Phys. 113, 431-454 (2003) [arXiv: math-ph/0209023].2.) Peter Kleban, Jacob J. H. Simmons, and Robert M. Ziff, Anchored critical percolation clusters and 2-d electrostatics, Phys. Rev. Letters 97,115702 (2006) [arXiv: cond-mat/0605120].3.) Jacob J. H. Simmons and Peter Kleban, in preparation.

Survey of Modular Military Vehicles: Benefits and Burdens

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-01

Survey of Modular Military Vehicles: BENEFITS and BURDENS Jean M. Dasch and David J. Gorsich Modularity in military vehicle design is generally...considered a positive attribute that promotes adaptability, resilience, and cost savings. The benefits and burdens of modularity are considered by...Engineering Center, vehicles were considered based on horizontal modularity , vertical modularity , and distributed modularity . Examples were given for each

Quantification of the Contact Area at the Head-Stem Taper Interface of Modular Hip Prostheses.

PubMed

Witt, Florian; Gührs, Julian; Morlock, Michael M; Bishop, Nicholas E

2015-01-01

Corrosion of modular taper junctions of hip implants may be associated with clinical failure. Taper design parameters, as well as the intraoperatively applied assembly forces, have been proposed to affect corrosion. Fretting corrosion is related to relative interface shear motion and fluid ingress, which may vary with contact force and area. It was hypothesised in this study that assembly forces modify the extent and distribution of the surface contact area at the taper interface between a cobalt chrome head and titanium stem taper with a standard threaded surface profile. Local abrasion of a thin gold coating applied to the stem taper prior to assembly was used to determine the contact area after disassembly. Profilometry was then used to assess permanent deformation of the stem taper surface profile. With increasing assembly force (500 N, 2000 N, 4000 N and 8000 N) the number of stem taper surface profile ridges in contact with the head taper was found to increase (9.2±9.3%, 65.4±10.8%, 92.8±6.0% and 100%) and the overall taper area in contact was also found to increase (0.6±0.7%, 5.5±1.0%, 9.9±1.1% and 16.1±0.9%). Contact was inconsistently distributed over the length of the taper. An increase in plastic radial deformation of the surface ridges (-0.05±0.14 μm, 0.1±0.14 μm, 0.21±0.22 μm and 0.96±0.25 μm) was also observed with increasing assembly force. The limited contact of the taper surface ridges at lower assembly forces may influence corrosion rates, suggesting that the magnitude of the assembly force may affect clinical outcome. The method presented provides a simple and practical assessment of the contact area at the taper interface.

Quantification of the Contact Area at the Head-Stem Taper Interface of Modular Hip Prostheses

PubMed Central

Witt, Florian; Gührs, Julian; Morlock, Michael M.; Bishop, Nicholas E.

2015-01-01

Corrosion of modular taper junctions of hip implants may be associated with clinical failure. Taper design parameters, as well as the intraoperatively applied assembly forces, have been proposed to affect corrosion. Fretting corrosion is related to relative interface shear motion and fluid ingress, which may vary with contact force and area. It was hypothesised in this study that assembly forces modify the extent and distribution of the surface contact area at the taper interface between a cobalt chrome head and titanium stem taper with a standard threaded surface profile. Local abrasion of a thin gold coating applied to the stem taper prior to assembly was used to determine the contact area after disassembly. Profilometry was then used to assess permanent deformation of the stem taper surface profile. With increasing assembly force (500 N, 2000 N, 4000 N and 8000 N) the number of stem taper surface profile ridges in contact with the head taper was found to increase (9.2±9.3%, 65.4±10.8%, 92.8±6.0% and 100%) and the overall taper area in contact was also found to increase (0.6±0.7%, 5.5±1.0%, 9.9±1.1% and 16.1±0.9%). Contact was inconsistently distributed over the length of the taper. An increase in plastic radial deformation of the surface ridges (-0.05±0.14 μm, 0.1±0.14 μm, 0.21±0.22 μm and 0.96±0.25 μm) was also observed with increasing assembly force. The limited contact of the taper surface ridges at lower assembly forces may influence corrosion rates, suggesting that the magnitude of the assembly force may affect clinical outcome. The method presented provides a simple and practical assessment of the contact area at the taper interface. PMID:26280914

Quantitative determination of BAF312, a S1P-R modulator, in human urine by LC-MS/MS: prevention and recovery of lost analyte due to container surface adsorption.

PubMed

Li, Wenkui; Luo, Suyi; Smith, Harold T; Tse, Francis L S

2010-02-15

Analyte loss due to non-specific binding, especially container surface adsorption, is not uncommon in the quantitative analysis of urine samples. In developing a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the determination of a drug candidate, BAF312, in human urine, a simple procedure was outlined for identification, confirmation and prevention of analyte non-specific binding to a container surface and to recover the 'non-specific loss' of an analyte, if no transfer has occurred to the original urine samples. Non-specific binding or container surface adsorption can be quickly identified by using freshly spiked urine calibration standards and pre-pooled QC samples during a LC-MS/MS feasibility run. The resulting low recovery of an analyte in urine samples can be prevented through the use of additives, such as the non-ionic surfactant Tween-80, CHAPS and others, to the container prior to urine sample collection. If the urine samples have not been transferred from the bulk container, the 'non-specific binding' of an analyte to the container surface can be reversed by the addition of a specified amount of CHAPS, Tween-80 or bovine serum albumin, followed by appropriate mixing. Among the above agents, Tween-80 is the most cost-effective. beta-cyclodextrin may be suitable in stabilizing the analyte of interest in urine via pre-treating the matrix with the agent. However, post-addition of beta-cyclodextrin to untreated urine samples does not recover the 'lost' analyte due to non-specific binding or container surface adsorption. In the case of BAF312, a dynamic range of 0.0200-20.0 ng/ml in human urine was validated with an overall accuracy and precision for QC sample results ranging from -3.2 to 5.1% (bias) and 3.9 to 10.2% (CV), respectively. Pre- and post-addition of 0.5% (v/v) Tween-80 to the container provided excellent overall analyte recovery and minimal MS signal suppression when a liquid-liquid extraction in combination with an isocratic LC separation was employed. The compound was stable in 0.5% Tween-80 treated human urine QC samples for at least 24 h at room temperature, after three freeze/thaw cycles with storage at < or =-60 degrees C and for at least 3 months when stored at < or =-60 degrees C. The current work could serve as a simple example in trouble shooting non-specific binding or container surface adsorption in quantitative analysis of urine samples. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Evidence of Mott physics in iron pnictides from x-ray spectroscopy

DOE PAGES

Lafuerza, S.; Gretarsson, H.; Hardy, F.; ...

2017-07-24

The existence of large instantaneous local magnetic moments in paramagnetic phases is a direct signature of Mott localization. In order to track the doping evolution of fluctuating local moments in iron-based superconductors, we jointly use two fast probes, x-ray emission and absorption spectroscopies. Exploring K- and Cr-hole-doped BaF e 2 A s 2 , we also find a systematic increase in the local moment with hole-doping, in contrast with inelastic neutron scattering measurements, which suggest an opposite trend. The results support the theoretical scenario in which a Mott insulating state that would be realized for half-filled conduction bands has anmore » influence throughout the phase diagram of these iron pnictides.« less

Accelerator Facilities for Radiation Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cucinotta, Francis A.

1999-01-01

HSRP Goals in Accelerator Use and Development are: 1.Need for ground-based heavy ion and proton facility to understand space radiation effects discussed most recently by NAS/NRC Report (1996). 2. Strategic Program Goals in facility usage and development: -(1) operation of AGS for approximately 600 beam hours/year; (2) operation of Loma Linda University (LLU) proton facility for approximately 400 beam hours/year; (3) construction of BAF facility; and (4) collaborative research at HIMAC in Japan and with other existing or potential international facilities. 3. MOA with LLU has been established to provide proton beams with energies of 40-250 important for trapped protons and solar proton events. 4. Limited number of beam hours available at Brookhaven National Laboratory's (BNL) Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS).

Neutron Detection in the A2 Collaboration Experiment on Neutral Pion Photo-production on Neutron

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

Bulychjov, S. A.; Kudryavtsev, A. E.; Kulikov, V. V.

Neutron detection is of crucial importance for the neutral pion photo-production study on a neutron target that now is in progress at MAMI. Two electro-magnetic calorimeters, based on NaI and BaF 2 crystals, are used in the A2 experiment. While these calorimeters are optimized for pion decay photon detection, they have a reason able efficiency for neutron detection also. The paper describes the method, which has been used to measure this efficiency using the same data taken for pion photo-production study on deuterium target with tagged photon been of 800 MeV maximal energy. As a result, the detection efficiency ismore » a rising function of neutron momentum that reaches 40% near 1 GeV/c.« less

Neutron Detection in the A2 Collaboration Experiment on Neutral Pion Photo-production on Neutron

DOE PAGES

Bulychjov, S. A.; Kudryavtsev, A. E.; Kulikov, V. V.; ...

2018-04-09

Neutron detection is of crucial importance for the neutral pion photo-production study on a neutron target that now is in progress at MAMI. Two electro-magnetic calorimeters, based on NaI and BaF 2 crystals, are used in the A2 experiment. While these calorimeters are optimized for pion decay photon detection, they have a reason able efficiency for neutron detection also. The paper describes the method, which has been used to measure this efficiency using the same data taken for pion photo-production study on deuterium target with tagged photon been of 800 MeV maximal energy. As a result, the detection efficiency ismore » a rising function of neutron momentum that reaches 40% near 1 GeV/c.« less

Supercontinuum generation from 437 to 2850 nm in a tapered fluorotellurite microstructured fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, F.; Jia, Z. X.; Yao, C. F.; Wang, S. B.; Hu, M. L.; Wu, C. F.; Ohishi, Y.; Qin, W. P.; Qin, G. S.

2016-12-01

We demonstrated supercontinuum (SC) generation in a tapered fluorotellurite microstructured fiber (MF) with a sub-micrometer core diameter. Fluorotellurite MFs based on TeO2-BaF2-Y2O3 glasses were fabricated by using a rod-in-tube method and a tapered fluorotellurite MF with a minimum core diameter of ~0.65 µm was prepared by employing a tapering system. A 1560 nm femtosecond fiber laser was used as the pumping source. With increasing the peak power of the launched pump laser to ~11 kW, SC light expanding from 437 to 2850 nm was generated in the tapered fluorotellurite MF. In addition, relatively strong blue-shifted dispersive wave at ~489 nm was also observed from the tapered fluorotellurite MF.