PROMO – Real-time Prospective Motion Correction in MRI using Image-based Tracking

PubMed Central

White, Nathan; Roddey, Cooper; Shankaranarayanan, Ajit; Han, Eric; Rettmann, Dan; Santos, Juan; Kuperman, Josh; Dale, Anders

2010-01-01

Artifacts caused by patient motion during scanning remain a serious problem in most MRI applications. The prospective motion correction technique attempts to address this problem at its source by keeping the measurement coordinate system fixed with respect to the patient throughout the entire scan process. In this study, a new image-based approach for prospective motion correction is described, which utilizes three orthogonal 2D spiral navigator acquisitions (SP-Navs) along with a flexible image-based tracking method based on the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) algorithm for online motion measurement. The SP-Nav/EKF framework offers the advantages of image-domain tracking within patient-specific regions-of-interest and reduced sensitivity to off-resonance-induced corruption of rigid-body motion estimates. The performance of the method was tested using offline computer simulations and online in vivo head motion experiments. In vivo validation results covering a broad range of staged head motions indicate a steady-state error of the SP-Nav/EKF motion estimates of less than 10 % of the motion magnitude, even for large compound motions that included rotations over 15 degrees. A preliminary in vivo application in 3D inversion recovery spoiled gradient echo (IR-SPGR) and 3D fast spin echo (FSE) sequences demonstrates the effectiveness of the SP-Nav/EKF framework for correcting 3D rigid-body head motion artifacts prospectively in high-resolution 3D MRI scans. PMID:20027635

Wittgenstein and the limits of empathic understanding in psychopathology.

PubMed

Thornton, Tim

2004-08-01

The aim of this paper is three-fold. Firstly, to briefly set out how strategic choices made about theorising about intentionality or content have actions at a distance for accounting for delusion. Secondly, to investigate how successfully a general difficulty facing a broadly interpretative approach to delusions might be eased by the application of any of three Wittgensteinian interpretative tools. Thirdly, to draw a general moral about how the later Wittgenstein gives more reason to be pessimistic than optimistic about the prospects of a philosophical psychopathology aimed at empathic understanding of delusions.

Accurate and reliable prediction of relative ligand binding potency in prospective drug discovery by way of a modern free-energy calculation protocol and force field.

PubMed

Wang, Lingle; Wu, Yujie; Deng, Yuqing; Kim, Byungchan; Pierce, Levi; Krilov, Goran; Lupyan, Dmitry; Robinson, Shaughnessy; Dahlgren, Markus K; Greenwood, Jeremy; Romero, Donna L; Masse, Craig; Knight, Jennifer L; Steinbrecher, Thomas; Beuming, Thijs; Damm, Wolfgang; Harder, Ed; Sherman, Woody; Brewer, Mark; Wester, Ron; Murcko, Mark; Frye, Leah; Farid, Ramy; Lin, Teng; Mobley, David L; Jorgensen, William L; Berne, Bruce J; Friesner, Richard A; Abel, Robert

2015-02-25

Designing tight-binding ligands is a primary objective of small-molecule drug discovery. Over the past few decades, free-energy calculations have benefited from improved force fields and sampling algorithms, as well as the advent of low-cost parallel computing. However, it has proven to be challenging to reliably achieve the level of accuracy that would be needed to guide lead optimization (∼5× in binding affinity) for a wide range of ligands and protein targets. Not surprisingly, widespread commercial application of free-energy simulations has been limited due to the lack of large-scale validation coupled with the technical challenges traditionally associated with running these types of calculations. Here, we report an approach that achieves an unprecedented level of accuracy across a broad range of target classes and ligands, with retrospective results encompassing 200 ligands and a wide variety of chemical perturbations, many of which involve significant changes in ligand chemical structures. In addition, we have applied the method in prospective drug discovery projects and found a significant improvement in the quality of the compounds synthesized that have been predicted to be potent. Compounds predicted to be potent by this approach have a substantial reduction in false positives relative to compounds synthesized on the basis of other computational or medicinal chemistry approaches. Furthermore, the results are consistent with those obtained from our retrospective studies, demonstrating the robustness and broad range of applicability of this approach, which can be used to drive decisions in lead optimization.

Antimicrobial peptides with selective antitumor mechanisms: prospect for anticancer applications.

PubMed

Deslouches, Berthony; Di, Y Peter

2017-07-11

In the last several decades, there have been significant advances in anticancer therapy. However, the development of resistance to cancer drugs and the lack of specificity related to actively dividing cells leading to toxic side effects have undermined these achievements. As a result, there is considerable interest in alternative drugs with novel antitumor mechanisms. In addition to the recent approach using immunotherapy, an effective but much cheaper therapeutic option of pharmaceutical drugs would still provide the best choice for cancer patients as the first line treatment. Ribosomally synthesized cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) or host defense peptides (HDP) display broad-spectrum activity against bacteria based on electrostatic interactions with negatively charged lipids on the bacterial surface. Because of increased proportions of phosphatidylserine (negatively charged) on the surface of cancer cells compared to normal cells, cationic amphipathic peptides could be an effective source of anticancer agents that are both selective and refractory to current resistance mechanisms. We reviewed herein the prospect for AMP application to cancer treatment, with a focus on modes of action of cationic AMPs.

Antimicrobial peptides with selective antitumor mechanisms: prospect for anticancer applications

PubMed Central

Deslouches, Berthony; Di, Y. Peter

2017-01-01

In the last several decades, there have been significant advances in anticancer therapy. However, the development of resistance to cancer drugs and the lack of specificity related to actively dividing cells leading to toxic side effects have undermined these achievements. As a result, there is considerable interest in alternative drugs with novel antitumor mechanisms. In addition to the recent approach using immunotherapy, an effective but much cheaper therapeutic option of pharmaceutical drugs would still provide the best choice for cancer patients as the first line treatment. Ribosomally synthesized cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) or host defense peptides (HDP) display broad-spectrum activity against bacteria based on electrostatic interactions with negatively charged lipids on the bacterial surface. Because of increased proportions of phosphatidylserine (negatively charged) on the surface of cancer cells compared to normal cells, cationic amphipathic peptides could be an effective source of anticancer agents that are both selective and refractory to current resistance mechanisms. We reviewed herein the prospect for AMP application to cancer treatment, with a focus on modes of action of cationic AMPs. PMID:28422728

Mechanism design and optimization of a bionic kangaroo jumping robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Y. H.; Zheng, L.; Ge, W. J.; Zou, Z. H.

2018-03-01

Hopping robots have broad application prospects in the fields of military reconnaissance, field search or life rescue. However, current hopping robots still face the problems of weak jumping ability and load bearing. Inspired by the jumping of kangaroo, we design a Kangaroo hopping robot “Zbot”, which has two degrees of freedom and three joints. The geared five-bar mechanism is used to decouple the knee and ankle joints of the robot. In order to get a bionic performance, the coupling mechanism parameters are optimized. The simulation and experiments show that the robot has an excellent jumping ability and load capacity.

The wind power prediction research based on mind evolutionary algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuang, Ling; Zhao, Xinjian; Ji, Tianming; Miao, Jingwen; Cui, Haina

2018-04-01

When the wind power is connected to the power grid, its characteristics of fluctuation, intermittent and randomness will affect the stability of the power system. The wind power prediction can guarantee the power quality and reduce the operating cost of power system. There were some limitations in several traditional wind power prediction methods. On the basis, the wind power prediction method based on Mind Evolutionary Algorithm (MEA) is put forward and a prediction model is provided. The experimental results demonstrate that MEA performs efficiently in term of the wind power prediction. The MEA method has broad prospect of engineering application.

Navier-Stokes computations useful in aircraft design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holst, Terry L.

1990-01-01

Large scale Navier-Stokes computations about aircraft components as well as reasonably complete aircraft configurations are presented and discussed. Speed and memory requirements are described for various general problem classes, which in some cases are already being used in the industrial design environment. Recent computed results, with experimental comparisons when available, are included to highlight the presentation. Finally, prospects for the future are described and recommendations for areas of concentrated research are indicated. The future of Navier-Stokes computations is seen to be rapidly expanding across a broad front of applications, which includes the entire subsonic-to-hypersonic speed regime.

World food and nutrition: the scientific and technological base.

PubMed

Wortman, S

1980-07-04

Alleviation of world hunger and poverty will require the accelerated development and application in each low-income country of a broad spectrum of technologies based on advances in the biological, social, and physical sciences. They will range from improved cropping systems for farmers or small labor-intensive enterprises (small and beautiful) to nationwide transportation and communications systems, power grids, and other distribution and marketing capabilities (big and beautiful). Concerted action through a combination of commodity production campaigns, area development efforts, and overhaul of outdated national agencies offers the best prospect for overcoming both hunger and poverty.

Multi-function robots with speech interaction and emotion feedback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongyu; Lou, Guanting; Ma, Mengchao

2018-03-01

Nowadays, the service robots have been applied in many public circumstances; however, most of them still don’t have the function of speech interaction, especially the function of speech-emotion interaction feedback. To make the robot more humanoid, Arduino microcontroller was used in this study for the speech recognition module and servo motor control module to achieve the functions of the robot’s speech interaction and emotion feedback. In addition, W5100 was adopted for network connection to achieve information transmission via Internet, providing broad application prospects for the robot in the area of Internet of Things (IoT).

Prospective Environmental Risk Assessment for Sediment-Bound Organic Chemicals: A Proposal for Tiered Effect Assessment.

PubMed

Diepens, Noël J; Koelmans, Albert A; Baveco, Hans; van den Brink, Paul J; van den Heuvel-Greve, Martine J; Brock, Theo C M

A broadly accepted framework for prospective environmental risk assessment (ERA) of sediment-bound organic chemicals is currently lacking. Such a framework requires clear protection goals, evidence-based concepts that link exposure to effects and a transparent tiered-effect assessment. In this paper, we provide a tiered prospective sediment ERA procedure for organic chemicals in sediment, with a focus on the applicable European regulations and the underlying data requirements. Using the ecosystem services concept, we derived specific protection goals for ecosystem service providing units: microorganisms, benthic algae, sediment-rooted macrophytes, benthic invertebrates and benthic vertebrates. Triggers for sediment toxicity testing are discussed.We recommend a tiered approach (Tier 0 through Tier 3). Tier-0 is a cost-effective screening based on chronic water-exposure toxicity data for pelagic species and equilibrium partitioning. Tier-1 is based on spiked sediment laboratory toxicity tests with standard benthic test species and standardised test methods. If comparable chronic toxicity data for both standard and additional benthic test species are available, the Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD) approach is a more viable Tier-2 option than the geometric mean approach. This paper includes criteria for accepting results of sediment-spiked single species toxicity tests in prospective ERA, and for the application of the SSD approach. We propose micro/mesocosm experiments with spiked sediment, to study colonisation success by benthic organisms, as a Tier-3 option. Ecological effect models can be used to supplement the experimental tiers. A strategy for unifying information from various tiers by experimental work and exposure-and effect modelling is provided.

Trends in the application of high-resolution mass spectrometry for human biomonitoring: An analytical primer to studying the environmental chemical space of the human exposome.

PubMed

Andra, Syam S; Austin, Christine; Patel, Dhavalkumar; Dolios, Georgia; Awawda, Mahmoud; Arora, Manish

2017-03-01

Global profiling of xenobiotics in human matrices in an untargeted mode is gaining attention for studying the environmental chemical space of the human exposome. Defined as the study of a comprehensive inclusion of environmental influences and associated biological responses, human exposome science is currently evolving out of the metabolomics science. In analogy to the latter, the development and applications of high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has shown potential and promise to greatly expand our ability to capture the broad spectrum of environmental chemicals in exposome studies. HRMS can perform both untargeted and targeted analysis because of its capability of full- and/or tandem-mass spectrum acquisition at high mass accuracy with good sensitivity. The collected data from target, suspect and non-target screening can be used not only for the identification of environmental chemical contaminants in human matrices prospectively but also retrospectively. This review covers recent trends and advances in this field. We focus on advances and applications of HRMS in human biomonitoring studies, and data acquisition and mining. The acquired insights provide stepping stones to improve understanding of the human exposome by applying HRMS, and the challenges and prospects for future research. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prospects of Nanostructure Materials and Their Composites as Antimicrobial Agents

PubMed Central

Baranwal, Anupriya; Srivastava, Ananya; Kumar, Pradeep; Bajpai, Vivek K.; Maurya, Pawan K.; Chandra, Pranjal

2018-01-01

Nanostructured materials (NSMs) have increasingly been used as a substitute for antibiotics and additives in various products to impart microbicidal effect. In particular, use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has garnered huge researchers' attention as potent bactericidal agent due to the inherent antimicrobial property of the silver metal. Moreover, other nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene, chitosan, etc.) have also been studied for their antimicrobial effects in order ensure their application in widespread domains. The present review exclusively emphasizes on materials that possess antimicrobial activity in nanoscale range and describes their various modes of antimicrobial action. It also entails broad classification of NSMs along with their application in various fields. For instance, use of AgNPs in consumer products, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in drug delivery. Likewise, use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) as additives in consumer merchandises and nanoscale chitosan (NCH) in medical products and wastewater treatment. Furthermore, this review briefly discusses the current scenario of antimicrobial nanostructured materials (aNSMs), limitations of current research and their future prospects. To put various perceptive insights on the recent advancements of such antimicrobials, an extended table is incorporated, which describes effect of NSMs of different dimensions on test microorganisms along with their potential widespread applications. PMID:29593676

Single-site robotic cholecystectomy in a broadly inclusive patient population: a prospective study.

PubMed

Vidovszky, Tamas J; Carr, Aaron D; Farinholt, Gina N; Ho, Hung S; Smith, William H; Ali, Mohamed R

2014-07-01

To describe our initial experience with single-site robotic cholecystectomy (SSRC) and its applicability to a broad segment of patients. At the initiation of our study, there were only 3 published reports on SSRC. These initial studies had limited inclusion criteria. We present our experience with the technical aspects and patient outcomes of SSRC in a broadly inclusive patient population. Prospective cohort study from January 2012 to January 2013, in which 95 patients underwent SSRC. Procedural times, postoperative complications, delayed hospital discharges, and re-admissions were evaluated. Patients were predominantly female (71.6%) had mean age of 45.2 ± 6.1 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 30.1 ± 7.1 kg/m. Overall, mean total operative time (TOT) for all patients (n = 95) was 88.63 ± 32.0 (range: 49-220) minutes. SSRC was not completed in 8 (8.42%) patients: 6 conversions to laparoscopy, 1 conversion to open, and 1 aborted case. The group of patients who were able to complete SSRC (n = 87) had a mean TOT of 83.5 ± 24.5 minutes and mean operative robotic time (RT) of 39.6 ± 15.2 minutes. RT was longer in patients with intra-abdominal adhesions (P = 0.0139) and higher BMI (P = 0.03). A minority of patients required hospital admission (11.6%), readmission (6.3%), or reoperation (1.1%). No bile duct injury or death occurred. SSRC is safe and has a manageable learning curve. Patient factors, such as obesity, did not significantly affect conversion rates or TOTs. SSRC is a promising new technique, which can be offered to a wide array of patients.

Hollow-structured mesoporous materials: chemical synthesis, functionalization and applications.

PubMed

Li, Yongsheng; Shi, Jianlin

2014-05-28

Hollow-structured mesoporous materials (HMMs), as a kind of mesoporous material with unique morphology, have been of great interest in the past decade because of the subtle combination of the hollow architecture with the mesoporous nanostructure. Benefitting from the merits of low density, large void space, large specific surface area, and, especially, the good biocompatibility, HMMs present promising application prospects in various fields, such as adsorption and storage, confined catalysis when catalytically active species are incorporated in the core and/or shell, controlled drug release, targeted drug delivery, and simultaneous diagnosis and therapy of cancers when the surface and/or core of the HMMs are functionalized with functional ligands and/or nanoparticles, and so on. In this review, recent progress in the design, synthesis, functionalization, and applications of hollow mesoporous materials are discussed. Two main synthetic strategies, soft-templating and hard-templating routes, are broadly sorted and described in detail. Progress in the main application aspects of HMMs, such as adsorption and storage, catalysis, and biomedicine, are also discussed in detail in this article, in terms of the unique features of the combined large void space in the core and the mesoporous network in the shell. Functionalization of the core and pore/outer surfaces with functional organic groups and/or nanoparticles, and their performance, are summarized in this article. Finally, an outlook of their prospects and challenges in terms of their controlled synthesis and scaled application is presented. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

An Overview of P450 Enzymes: Opportunity and Challenges in Industrial Applications

DOE PAGES

Notonier, Sandra; Alexander, Meyers; Jayakody, Lahiru N.

2016-10-23

Cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s) containing a heme-iron center, are biocatalysts from all kingdoms, involvedin a large variety of reactions. Their potential in catalyzing a broad range of substrates makes perfect candidates for biotechnology applications and the production of high-value compounds. Biocatalytic reactions performed by P450s have a great interest in the pharmaceutical industry, fine chemicals, cosmetics, and for bioremediation procedures. However, the complex nature of this protein is still a major hurdle in the prospect of using their promising ability for expanding the number of industrial applications. Multiple approaches of protein engineering are currently conducted to improve activity, stability and/ormore » substrate specificity for a given reaction. Furthermore, in combination with the appropriate biocatalyst, a suitable bioengineering process is a key step in the implementation of P450s at the industrial scale.« less

An Overview of P450 Enzymes: Opportunity and Challenges in Industrial Applications

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

Notonier, Sandra; Alexander, Meyers; Jayakody, Lahiru N.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s) containing a heme-iron center, are biocatalysts from all kingdoms, involvedin a large variety of reactions. Their potential in catalyzing a broad range of substrates makes perfect candidates for biotechnology applications and the production of high-value compounds. Biocatalytic reactions performed by P450s have a great interest in the pharmaceutical industry, fine chemicals, cosmetics, and for bioremediation procedures. However, the complex nature of this protein is still a major hurdle in the prospect of using their promising ability for expanding the number of industrial applications. Multiple approaches of protein engineering are currently conducted to improve activity, stability and/ormore » substrate specificity for a given reaction. Furthermore, in combination with the appropriate biocatalyst, a suitable bioengineering process is a key step in the implementation of P450s at the industrial scale.« less

A novel flexible capacitive touch pad based on graphene oxide film.

PubMed

Tian, He; Yang, Yi; Xie, Dan; Ren, Tian-Ling; Shu, Yi; Zhou, Chang-Jian; Sun, Hui; Liu, Xuan; Zhang, Cang-Hai

2013-02-07

Recently, graphene oxide (GO) supercapacitors with ultra-high energy densities have received significant attention. In addition to energy storage, GO capacitors might also have broad applications in renewable energy engineering, such as vibration and sound energy harvesting. Here, we experimentally create a macroscopic flexible capacitive touch pad based on GO film. An obvious touch "ON" to "OFF" voltage ratio up to ∼60 has been observed. Moreover, we tested the capacitor structure on both flat and curved surfaces and it showed high response sensitivity under fast touch rates. Collectively, our results raise the exciting prospect that the realization of macroscopic flexible keyboards with large-area graphene based materials is technologically feasible, which may open up important applications in control and interface design for solar cells, speakers, supercapacitors, batteries and MEMS systems.

A novel flexible capacitive touch pad based on graphene oxide film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, He; Yang, Yi; Xie, Dan; Ren, Tian-Ling; Shu, Yi; Zhou, Chang-Jian; Sun, Hui; Liu, Xuan; Zhang, Cang-Hai

2013-01-01

Recently, graphene oxide (GO) supercapacitors with ultra-high energy densities have received significant attention. In addition to energy storage, GO capacitors might also have broad applications in renewable energy engineering, such as vibration and sound energy harvesting. Here, we experimentally create a macroscopic flexible capacitive touch pad based on GO film. An obvious touch ``ON'' to ``OFF'' voltage ratio up to ~60 has been observed. Moreover, we tested the capacitor structure on both flat and curved surfaces and it showed high response sensitivity under fast touch rates. Collectively, our results raise the exciting prospect that the realization of macroscopic flexible keyboards with large-area graphene based materials is technologically feasible, which may open up important applications in control and interface design for solar cells, speakers, supercapacitors, batteries and MEMS systems.

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

Wright, DA; Li, T; Yang, B

Genome editing is the practice of making predetermined and precise changes to a genome by controlling the location of DNA DSBs (double-strand breaks) and manipulating the cell's repair mechanisms. This technology results from harnessing natural processes that have taken decades and multiple lines of inquiry to understand. Through many false starts and iterative technology advances, the goal of genome editing is just now falling under the control of human hands as a routine and broadly applicable method. The present review attempts to define the technique and capture the discovery process while following its evolution from meganucleases and zinc finger nucleasesmore » to the current state of the art: TALEN (transcription-activator-like effector nuclease) technology. We also discuss factors that influence success, technical challenges, and future prospects of this quickly evolving area of study and application.« less

Recent Methods for Purification and Structure Determination of Oligonucleotides.

PubMed

Zhang, Qiulong; Lv, Huanhuan; Wang, Lili; Chen, Man; Li, Fangfei; Liang, Chao; Yu, Yuanyuan; Jiang, Feng; Lu, Aiping; Zhang, Ge

2016-12-18

Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that can interact with target molecules through specific three-dimensional structures. The excellent features, such as high specificity and affinity for target proteins, small size, chemical stability, low immunogenicity, facile chemical synthesis, versatility in structural design and engineering, and accessible for site-specific modifications with functional moieties, make aptamers attractive molecules in the fields of clinical diagnostics and biopharmaceutical therapeutics. However, difficulties in purification and structural identification of aptamers remain a major impediment to their broad clinical application. In this mini-review, we present the recently attractive developments regarding the purification and identification of aptamers. We also discuss the advantages, limitations, and prospects for the major methods applied in purifying and identifying aptamers, which could facilitate the application of aptamers.

Diagnosis of Meningococcal Meningitis by Broad-Range Bacterial PCR with Cerebrospinal Fluid

PubMed Central

Kotilainen, Pirkko; Jalava, Jari; Meurman, Olli; Lehtonen, Olli-Pekka; Rintala, Esa; Seppälä, Olli-Pekka; Eerola, Erkki; Nikkari, Simo

1998-01-01

We used broad-range bacterial PCR combined with DNA sequencing to examine prospectively cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with suspected meningitis. Fifty-six CSF samples from 46 patients were studied during the year 1995. Genes coding for bacterial 16S and/or 23S rRNA genes could be amplified from the CSF samples from five patients with a clinical picture consistent with acute bacterial meningitis. For these patients, the sequenced PCR product shared 98.3 to 100% homology with the Neisseria meningitidis sequence. For one patient, the diagnosis was initially made by PCR alone. Of the remaining 51 CSF samples, for 50 (98.0%) samples the negative PCR findings were in accordance with the negative findings by bacterial culture and Gram staining, as well as with the eventual clinical diagnosis for the patient. However, the PCR test failed to detect the bacterial rRNA gene in one CSF sample, the culture of which yielded Listeria monocytogenes. These results invite new research efforts to be focused on the application of PCR with broad-range bacterial primers to improve the etiologic diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. In a clinical setting, Gram staining and bacterial culture still remain the cornerstones of diagnosis. PMID:9665992

Beam dynamics simulations of the injector for a compact THz source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ji; Pei, Yuan-Ji; Shang, Lei; Feng, Guang-Yao; Hu, Tong-Ning; Chen, Qu-Shan; Li, Cheng-Long

2014-08-01

Terahertz radiation has broad application prospects due to its ability to penetrate deep into many organic materials without the damage caused by ionizing radiations. A free electron laser (FEL)-based THz source is the best choice to produce high-power radiation. In this paper, a 14 MeV injector is introduced for generating high-quality beam for FEL, is composed of an EC-ITC RF gun, compensating coils and a travelling-wave structure. Beam dynamics simulations have been done with ASTRA code to verify the design and to optimize parameters. Simulations of the operating mode at 6 MeV have also been executed.

3D printed porous ceramic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: a review.

PubMed

Wen, Yu; Xun, Sun; Haoye, Meng; Baichuan, Sun; Peng, Chen; Xuejian, Liu; Kaihong, Zhang; Xuan, Yang; Jiang, Peng; Shibi, Lu

2017-08-22

This study summarizes the recent research status and development of three-dimensional (3D)-printed porous ceramic scaffolds in bone tissue engineering. Recent literature on 3D-printed porous ceramic scaffolds was reviewed. Compared with traditional processing and manufacturing technologies, 3D-printed porous ceramic scaffolds have obvious advantages, such as enhancement of the controllability of the structure or improvement of the production efficiency. More sophisticated scaffolds were fabricated by 3D printing technology. 3D printed bioceramics have broad application prospects in bone tissue engineering. Through understanding the advantages and limitations of different 3D-printing approaches, new classes of bone graft substitutes can be developed.

[Advances of portable electrocardiogram monitor design].

PubMed

Ding, Shenping; Wang, Yinghai; Wu, Weirong; Deng, Lingli; Lu, Jidong

2014-06-01

Portable electrocardiogram monitor is an important equipment in the clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases due to its portable, real-time features. It has a broad application and development prospects in China. In the present review, previous researches on the portable electrocardiogram monitors have been arranged, analyzed and summarized. According to the characteristics of the electrocardiogram (ECG), this paper discusses the ergonomic design of the portable electrocardiogram monitor, including hardware and software. The circuit components and software modules were parsed from the ECG features and system functions. Finally, the development trend and reference are provided for the portable electrocardiogram monitors and for the subsequent research and product design.

[Trends of microalgal biotechnology: a view from bibliometrics].

PubMed

Yang, Xiaoqiu; Wu, Yinsong; Yan, Jinding; Song, Haigang; Fan, Jianhua; Li, Yuanguang

2015-10-01

Microalgae is a single-cell organism with the characteristics of high light energy utilization rate, fast growth rate, high-value bioactive components and high energy material content. Therefore, microalgae has broad application prospects in food, feed, bioenergy, carbon sequestration, wastewater treatment and other fields. In this article, the microalgae biotechnology development in recent years were fully consulted, through analysis from the literature and patent. The progress of microalgal biotechnology at home and abroad is compared and discussed. Furthermore, the project layout, important achievements and development bottlenecks of microalgae biotechnology in our country were also summarized. At last, future development directions of microalgae biotechnology were discussed.

Effect of calcium chloride concentration on output force in electrical actuator made of sodium alginate gel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yuda; Zhao, Gang; Wei, Chengye; Liu, Shuang; Fu, Yu; Liu, Xvxiong

2018-01-01

As a kind of artificial muscle intelligent material, the biological gel electric driver has the advantages of low driving voltage, large strain, good biological compatibility, good flexibility, low price, etc. The application prospect is broad and it has high academic value. Alginate, as a common substance in sea, has characteristics of low cost, green and pollution-free. Therefore,this paper obtains biological gel electric actuator by sodium alginate and calcium chloride. Effects on output force of the electric actuator is researched by changing the crosslinking of calcium chloride concentration and the output force enhancement mechanism is analyzed in this paper.

LWIR pupil imaging and prospects for background compensation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LeVan, Paul; Sakoglu, Ünal; Stegall, Mark; Pierce, Greg

2015-08-01

A previous paper described LWIR Pupil Imaging with a sensitive, low-flux focal plane array, and behavior of this type of system for higher flux operations as understood at the time. We continue this investigation, and report on a more detailed characterization of the system over a broad range of pixel fluxes. This characterization is then shown to enable non-uniformity correction over the flux range, using a standard approach. Since many commercial tracking platforms include a "guider port" that accepts pulse width modulation (PWM) error signals, we have also investigated a variation on the use of this port to "dither" the tracking platform in synchronization with the continuous collection of infrared images. The resulting capability has a broad range of applications that extend from generating scene motion in the laboratory for quantifying performance of "realtime, scene-based non-uniformity correction" approaches, to effectuating subtraction of bright backgrounds by alternating viewing aspect between a point source and adjacent, source-free backgrounds.

Association of Broad- vs Narrow-Spectrum Antibiotics With Treatment Failure, Adverse Events, and Quality of Life in Children With Acute Respiratory Tract Infections.

PubMed

Gerber, Jeffrey S; Ross, Rachael K; Bryan, Matthew; Localio, A Russell; Szymczak, Julia E; Wasserman, Richard; Barkman, Darlene; Odeniyi, Folasade; Conaboy, Kathryn; Bell, Louis; Zaoutis, Theoklis E; Fiks, Alexander G

2017-12-19

Acute respiratory tract infections account for the majority of antibiotic exposure in children, and broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections is increasing. It is not clear whether broad-spectrum treatment is associated with improved outcomes compared with narrow-spectrum treatment. To compare the effectiveness of broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum antibiotic treatment for acute respiratory tract infections in children. A retrospective cohort study assessing clinical outcomes and a prospective cohort study assessing patient-centered outcomes of children between the ages of 6 months and 12 years diagnosed with an acute respiratory tract infection and prescribed an oral antibiotic between January 2015 and April 2016 in a network of 31 pediatric primary care practices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Stratified and propensity score-matched analyses to account for confounding by clinician and by patient-level characteristics, respectively, were implemented for both cohorts. Broad-spectrum antibiotics vs narrow-spectrum antibiotics. In the retrospective cohort, the primary outcomes were treatment failure and adverse events 14 days after diagnosis. In the prospective cohort, the primary outcomes were quality of life, other patient-centered outcomes, and patient-reported adverse events. Of 30 159 children in the retrospective cohort (19 179 with acute otitis media; 6746, group A streptococcal pharyngitis; and 4234, acute sinusitis), 4307 (14%) were prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics including amoxicillin-clavulanate, cephalosporins, and macrolides. Broad-spectrum treatment was not associated with a lower rate of treatment failure (3.4% for broad-spectrum antibiotics vs 3.1% for narrow-spectrum antibiotics; risk difference for full matched analysis, 0.3% [95% CI, -0.4% to 0.9%]). Of 2472 children enrolled in the prospective cohort (1100 with acute otitis media; 705, group A streptococcal pharyngitis; and 667, acute sinusitis), 868 (35%) were prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were associated with a slightly worse child quality of life (score of 90.2 for broad-spectrum antibiotics vs 91.5 for narrow-spectrum antibiotics; score difference for full matched analysis, -1.4% [95% CI, -2.4% to -0.4%]) but not with other patient-centered outcomes. Broad-spectrum treatment was associated with a higher risk of adverse events documented by the clinician (3.7% for broad-spectrum antibiotics vs 2.7% for narrow-spectrum antibiotics; risk difference for full matched analysis, 1.1% [95% CI, 0.4% to 1.8%]) and reported by the patient (35.6% for broad-spectrum antibiotics vs 25.1% for narrow-spectrum antibiotics; risk difference for full matched analysis, 12.2% [95% CI, 7.3% to 17.2%]). Among children with acute respiratory tract infections, broad-spectrum antibiotics were not associated with better clinical or patient-centered outcomes compared with narrow-spectrum antibiotics, and were associated with higher rates of adverse events. These data support the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics for most children with acute respiratory tract infections.

10 CFR 33.12 - Applications for specific licenses of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Applications for specific licenses of broad scope. 33.12 Section 33.12 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.12 Applications for specific licenses of broad scope. A...

10 CFR 33.12 - Applications for specific licenses of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Applications for specific licenses of broad scope. 33.12 Section 33.12 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.12 Applications for specific licenses of broad scope. A...

10 CFR 33.12 - Applications for specific licenses of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Applications for specific licenses of broad scope. 33.12 Section 33.12 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.12 Applications for specific licenses of broad scope. A...

10 CFR 33.12 - Applications for specific licenses of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Applications for specific licenses of broad scope. 33.12 Section 33.12 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.12 Applications for specific licenses of broad scope. A...

10 CFR 33.12 - Applications for specific licenses of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Applications for specific licenses of broad scope. 33.12 Section 33.12 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.12 Applications for specific licenses of broad scope. A...

Prospects and Limits of Online Liberal Arts Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Einfeld, Aaron

2018-01-01

For centuries, educators and philosophers have explored the benefits that a broad liberal education can offer to individuals and societies. More recently, prominent educational leaders have continued to articulate the value of a liberal education in the digital age. In this article, the author presents the prospects and limits of online liberal…

Study on analysis from sources of error for Airborne LIDAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, H. C.; Yan, Q.; Liu, Z. J.; Zuo, Z. Q.; Xu, Q. Q.; Li, F. F.; Song, C.

2016-11-01

With the advancement of Aerial Photogrammetry, it appears that to obtain geo-spatial information of high spatial and temporal resolution provides a new technical means for Airborne LIDAR measurement techniques, with unique advantages and broad application prospects. Airborne LIDAR is increasingly becoming a new kind of space for earth observation technology, which is mounted by launching platform for aviation, accepting laser pulses to get high-precision, high-density three-dimensional coordinate point cloud data and intensity information. In this paper, we briefly demonstrates Airborne laser radar systems, and that some errors about Airborne LIDAR data sources are analyzed in detail, so the corresponding methods is put forwarded to avoid or eliminate it. Taking into account the practical application of engineering, some recommendations were developed for these designs, which has crucial theoretical and practical significance in Airborne LIDAR data processing fields.

Design of a new abrasive slurry jet generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, F. C.; Shi, L. L.; Guo, C. W.

2017-12-01

With the advantages of a low system working pressure, good jet convergence and high cutting quality, abrasive slurry jet (ASJ) has broad application prospects in material cutting and equipment cleaning. Considering that the generator plays a crucial role in ASJ system, the paper designed a new type ASJ generator using an electric oil pump, a separate plunger cylinder, and a spring energized seal. According to the determining of structure shape, size and seal type, a new ASJ generator has been manufactured out and tested by a series of experiments. The new generator separates the abrasive slurry from the dynamic hydraulic oil, which can improve the service life of the ASJ system. And the new ASJ system can reach 40 MPa and has good performance in jet convergence, which deserves to popularization and application in materials machining.

[Advances in microbial solar cells--A review].

PubMed

Guo, Xiaoyun; Yu, Changping; Zheng, Tianling

2015-08-04

The energy crisis has become one of the major problems hindering the development of the world. The emergence of microbial fuel cells provides a new solution to the energy crisis. Microbial solar cells, integrating photosynthetic organisms such as plants and microalgae into microbial fuel cells, can convert solar energy into electrical energy. Microbial solar cell has steady electric energy, and broad application prospects in wastewater treatment, biodiesel processing and intermediate metabolites production. Here we reviewed recent progress of microbial solar cells from the perspective of the role of photosynthetic organisms in microbial fuel cells, based on a vast amount of literature, and discussed their advantages and deficiency. At last, brief analysis of the facing problems and research needs of microbial fuel cells are undertaken. This work was expected to be beneficial for the application of the microbial solar cells technology.

Ammonia emission mitigation in food waste composting: A review.

PubMed

Wang, Shuguang; Zeng, Yang

2018-01-01

Composting is a reliable technology to treat food waste (FW) and produce high quality compost. The ammonia (NH 3 ) emission accounts for the largest nitrogen loss and leads to various environmental impacts. This review introduced the recent progresses on NH 3 mitigation in FW composting. The basic characteristics of FW from various sources were given. Seven NH 3 emission strategies proven effective in the literature were presented. The links between these strategies and the mechanisms of NH 3 production were addressed. Application of hydrothermally treated C rich substrates, biochar or struvite salts had a broad prospect in FW composting if these strategies were proven cost-effective enough. Regulation of nitrogen assimilation and nitrification using biological additive had the potential to achieve NH 3 mitigation but the existing evidence was not enough. In the end, the future prospects highlighted four research topics that needed further investigation to improve NH 3 mitigation and nitrogen conservation in FW composting. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and characterization of attosecond light vortices in the extreme ultraviolet

PubMed Central

Géneaux, R.; Camper, A.; Auguste, T.; Gobert, O.; Caillat, J.; Taïeb, R.; Ruchon, T.

2016-01-01

Infrared and visible light beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) are currently thoroughly studied for their extremely broad applicative prospects, among which are quantum information, micromachining and diagnostic tools. Here we extend these prospects, presenting a comprehensive study for the synthesis and full characterization of optical vortices carrying OAM in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) domain. We confirm the upconversion rules of a femtosecond infrared helically phased beam into its high-order harmonics, showing that each harmonic order carries the total number of OAM units absorbed in the process up to very high orders (57). This allows us to synthesize and characterize helically shaped XUV trains of attosecond pulses. To demonstrate a typical use of these new XUV light beams, we show our ability to generate and control, through photoionization, attosecond electron beams carrying OAM. These breakthroughs pave the route for the study of a series of fundamental phenomena and the development of new ultrafast diagnosis tools using either photonic or electronic vortices. PMID:27573787

Synthesis and characterization of attosecond light vortices in the extreme ultraviolet

DOE PAGES

Géneaux, R.; Camper, A.; Auguste, T.; ...

2016-08-30

Infrared and visible light beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) are currently thoroughly studied for their extremely broad applicative prospects, among which are quantum information, micromachining and diagnostic tools. Here we extend these prospects, presenting a comprehensive study for the synthesis and full characterization of optical vortices carrying OAM in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) domain. We confirm the upconversion rules of a femtosecond infrared helically phased beam into its high-order harmonics, showing that each harmonic order carries the total number of OAM units absorbed in the process up to very high orders (57). This allows us to synthesize and characterizemore » helically shaped XUV trains of attosecond pulses. To demonstrate a typical use of these new XUV light beams, we show our ability to generate and control, through photoionization, attosecond electron beams carrying OAM. Furthermore, these breakthroughs pave the route for the study of a series of fundamental phenomena and the development of new ultrafast diagnosis tools using either photonic or electronic vortices.« less

Application of genomics-assisted breeding for generation of climate resilient crops: progress and prospects

PubMed Central

Kole, Chittaranjan; Muthamilarasan, Mehanathan; Henry, Robert; Edwards, David; Sharma, Rishu; Abberton, Michael; Batley, Jacqueline; Bentley, Alison; Blakeney, Michael; Bryant, John; Cai, Hongwei; Cakir, Mehmet; Cseke, Leland J.; Cockram, James; de Oliveira, Antonio Costa; De Pace, Ciro; Dempewolf, Hannes; Ellison, Shelby; Gepts, Paul; Greenland, Andy; Hall, Anthony; Hori, Kiyosumi; Hughes, Stephen; Humphreys, Mike W.; Iorizzo, Massimo; Ismail, Abdelbagi M.; Marshall, Athole; Mayes, Sean; Nguyen, Henry T.; Ogbonnaya, Francis C.; Ortiz, Rodomiro; Paterson, Andrew H.; Simon, Philipp W.; Tohme, Joe; Tuberosa, Roberto; Valliyodan, Babu; Varshney, Rajeev K.; Wullschleger, Stan D.; Yano, Masahiro; Prasad, Manoj

2015-01-01

Climate change affects agricultural productivity worldwide. Increased prices of food commodities are the initial indication of drastic edible yield loss, which is expected to increase further due to global warming. This situation has compelled plant scientists to develop climate change-resilient crops, which can withstand broad-spectrum stresses such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, flood, submergence and pests, thus helping to deliver increased productivity. Genomics appears to be a promising tool for deciphering the stress responsiveness of crop species with adaptation traits or in wild relatives toward identifying underlying genes, alleles or quantitative trait loci. Molecular breeding approaches have proven helpful in enhancing the stress adaptation of crop plants, and recent advances in high-throughput sequencing and phenotyping platforms have transformed molecular breeding to genomics-assisted breeding (GAB). In view of this, the present review elaborates the progress and prospects of GAB for improving climate change resilience in crops, which is likely to play an ever increasing role in the effort to ensure global food security. PMID:26322050

Application of genomics-assisted breeding for generation of climate resilient crops: progress and prospects.

PubMed

Kole, Chittaranjan; Muthamilarasan, Mehanathan; Henry, Robert; Edwards, David; Sharma, Rishu; Abberton, Michael; Batley, Jacqueline; Bentley, Alison; Blakeney, Michael; Bryant, John; Cai, Hongwei; Cakir, Mehmet; Cseke, Leland J; Cockram, James; de Oliveira, Antonio Costa; De Pace, Ciro; Dempewolf, Hannes; Ellison, Shelby; Gepts, Paul; Greenland, Andy; Hall, Anthony; Hori, Kiyosumi; Hughes, Stephen; Humphreys, Mike W; Iorizzo, Massimo; Ismail, Abdelbagi M; Marshall, Athole; Mayes, Sean; Nguyen, Henry T; Ogbonnaya, Francis C; Ortiz, Rodomiro; Paterson, Andrew H; Simon, Philipp W; Tohme, Joe; Tuberosa, Roberto; Valliyodan, Babu; Varshney, Rajeev K; Wullschleger, Stan D; Yano, Masahiro; Prasad, Manoj

2015-01-01

Climate change affects agricultural productivity worldwide. Increased prices of food commodities are the initial indication of drastic edible yield loss, which is expected to increase further due to global warming. This situation has compelled plant scientists to develop climate change-resilient crops, which can withstand broad-spectrum stresses such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, flood, submergence and pests, thus helping to deliver increased productivity. Genomics appears to be a promising tool for deciphering the stress responsiveness of crop species with adaptation traits or in wild relatives toward identifying underlying genes, alleles or quantitative trait loci. Molecular breeding approaches have proven helpful in enhancing the stress adaptation of crop plants, and recent advances in high-throughput sequencing and phenotyping platforms have transformed molecular breeding to genomics-assisted breeding (GAB). In view of this, the present review elaborates the progress and prospects of GAB for improving climate change resilience in crops, which is likely to play an ever increasing role in the effort to ensure global food security.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Gymnema sylvestre: An Important Medicinal Plant

PubMed Central

Tiwari, Pragya; Mishra, B. N.; Sangwan, Neelam S.

2014-01-01

Gymnema sylvestre (Asclepiadaceae), popularly known as “gurmar” for its distinct property as sugar destroyer, is a reputed herb in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. The phytoconstituents responsible for sweet suppression activity includes triterpene saponins known as gymnemic acids, gymnemasaponins, and a polypeptide, gurmarin. The herb exhibits a broad range of therapeutic effects as an effective natural remedy for diabetes, besides being used for arthritis, diuretic, anemia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolemia, cardiopathy, asthma, constipation, microbial infections, indigestion, and anti-inflammatory. G. sylvestre has good prospects in the treatment of diabetes as it shows positive effects on blood sugar homeostasis, controls sugar cravings, and promotes regeneration of pancreas. The herbal extract is used in dietary supplements since it reduces body weight, blood cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and holds great prospects in dietary as well as pharmacological applications. This review explores the transition of a traditional therapeutic to a modern contemporary medication with an overview of phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the herb and its phytoconstituents. PMID:24511547

Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Gymnema sylvestre: an important medicinal plant.

PubMed

Tiwari, Pragya; Mishra, B N; Sangwan, Neelam S

2014-01-01

Gymnema sylvestre (Asclepiadaceae), popularly known as "gurmar" for its distinct property as sugar destroyer, is a reputed herb in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. The phytoconstituents responsible for sweet suppression activity includes triterpene saponins known as gymnemic acids, gymnemasaponins, and a polypeptide, gurmarin. The herb exhibits a broad range of therapeutic effects as an effective natural remedy for diabetes, besides being used for arthritis, diuretic, anemia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolemia, cardiopathy, asthma, constipation, microbial infections, indigestion, and anti-inflammatory. G. sylvestre has good prospects in the treatment of diabetes as it shows positive effects on blood sugar homeostasis, controls sugar cravings, and promotes regeneration of pancreas. The herbal extract is used in dietary supplements since it reduces body weight, blood cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and holds great prospects in dietary as well as pharmacological applications. This review explores the transition of a traditional therapeutic to a modern contemporary medication with an overview of phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the herb and its phytoconstituents.

Development of high sensitivity eight-element multiplexed fiber laser acoustic pressure hydrophone array and interrogation system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ming; Sun, Zhihui; Zhang, Xiaolei; Li, Shujuan; Song, Zhiqiang; Wang, Meng; Guo, Jian; Ni, Jiasheng; Wang, Chang; Peng, Gangding; Xu, Xiangang

2017-09-01

Fiber laser hydrophones have got widespread concerns due to the unique advantages and broad application prospects. In this paper, the research results of the eight-element multiplexed fiber laser acoustic pressure array and the interrogation system are introduced, containing low-noise distributed feedback fiber laser (DFB-FL) fabrication, sensitivity enhancement packaging, and interferometric signal demodulation. The frequency response range of the system is 10Hz-10kHz, the laser frequency acoustic pressure sensitivity reaches 115 dB re Hz/Pa, and the equivalent noise acoustic pressure is less than 60μPa/Hz1/2. The dynamic range of the system is greater than 120 dB.

Study of surface atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma based on ultrathin laminated electrodes in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Luxiang; Liu, Wenzheng; Li, Zhiyi; Ma, Chuanlong

2018-05-01

A method to generate large-area surface plasma in air by micro-discharge is proposed. Two ultrathin laminated electrode structures of non-insulating and insulating types were formed by using the nanoscale ITO conductive layer. The surface glow discharge in atmospheric air is realized in low discharge voltage by constructing the special electric field of two-dimensional unidirectional attenuation. In particular, the insulating electrode structure can avoid the loss of ITO electrodes so that the discharge stability can be increased, and the treated objects can be prevented from metal ion pollution caused by the electrode in the discharge. It has broad application prospects in the fields of aerodynamics and material surface treatment.

Microsystem technology as a road from macro to nanoworld.

PubMed

Grabiec, Piotr; Domański, Krzysztof; Janus, Paweł; Zaborowski, Michał; Jaroszewicz, Bogdan

2005-04-01

Tremendous progress of microelectronic technology observed within last 40 years is closely related to even more remarkable progress of technological tools. It is important to note however, that these new tools may be used for fabrication of diverse multifunctional structures as well. Such devices, called MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System) and MOEMS (Micro-Electro-Opto-Mechanical-System) integrate microelectronic and micromechanical structures in one system enabling interdisciplinary application, with most interesting and prospective being bio-medical investigations. Development of these applications requires however cooperation of multidisciplinary team of specialists, covering broad range of physics, (bio) chemistry and electronics, not mentioning medical doctors and other medical specialists. Thus, dissemination, of knowledge about existing processing capabilities is of key importance. In this paper, examples of various applications of microelectronic technology for fabrication of Microsystems which may be used for medicine and chemistry, will be presented. Besides, information concerning a design and technology potential available in poland and new, emerging opportunities will be given.

Femtosecond two-photon Rabi oscillations in excited He driven by ultrashort intense laser fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fushitani, M.; Liu, C.-N.; Matsuda, A.; Endo, T.; Toida, Y.; Nagasono, M.; Togashi, T.; Yabashi, M.; Ishikawa, T.; Hikosaka, Y.; Morishita, T.; Hishikawa, A.

2016-02-01

Coherent light-matter interaction provides powerful methods for manipulating quantum systems. Rabi oscillation is one such process. As it enables complete population transfer to a target state, it is thus routinely exploited in a variety of applications in photonics, notably quantum information processing. The extension of coherent control techniques to the multiphoton regime offers wider applicability, and access to highly excited or dipole-forbidden transition states. However, the multiphoton Rabi process is often disrupted by other competing nonlinear effects such as the a.c. Stark shift, especially at the high laser-field intensities necessary to achieve ultrafast Rabi oscillations. Here we demonstrate a new route to drive two-photon Rabi oscillations on timescales as short as tens of femtoseconds, by utilizing the strong-field phenomenon known as Freeman resonance. The scenario is not specific to atomic helium as investigated in the present study, but broadly applicable to other systems, thus opening new prospects for the ultrafast manipulation of Rydberg states.

Resistance (R) Genes: Applications and Prospects for Plant Biotechnology and Breeding.

PubMed

Pandolfi, Valesca; Neto, Jose Ribamar Costa Ferreira; da Silva, Manasses Daniel; Amorim, Lidiane Lindinalva Barbosa; Wanderley-Nogueira, Ana Carolina; de Oliveira Silva, Roberta Lane; Kido, Ederson Akio; Crovella, Sergio; Iseppon, Ana Maria Benko

2017-01-01

The discovery of novel plant resistance (R) genes (including their homologs and analogs) opened interesting possibilities for controlling plant diseases caused by several pathogens. However, due to environmental pressure and high selection operated by pathogens, several crop plants have lost specificity, broad-spectrum or durability of resistance. On the other hand, the advances in plant genome sequencing and biotechnological approaches, combined with the increasing knowledge on Rgenes have provided new insights on their applications for plant genetic breeding, allowing the identification and implementation of novel and efficient strategies that enhance or optimize their use for efficiently controlling plant diseases. The present review focuses on main perspectives of application of R-genes and its co-players for the acquisition of resistance to pathogens in cultivated plants, with emphasis on biotechnological inferences, including transgenesis, cisgenesis, directed mutagenesis and gene editing, with examples of success and challenges to be faced. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

A Survey of Bioinspired Jumping Robot: Takeoff, Air Posture Adjustment, and Landing Buffer

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

A bioinspired jumping robot has a strong ability to overcome obstacles. It can be applied to the occasion with complex and changeable environment, such as detection of planet surface, postdisaster relief, and military reconnaissance. So the bioinspired jumping robot has broad application prospect. The jumping process of the robot can be divided into three stages: takeoff, air posture adjustment, and landing buffer. The motivation of this review is to investigate the research results of the most published bioinspired jumping robots for these three stages. Then, the movement performance of the bioinspired jumping robots is analyzed and compared quantitatively. Then, the limitation of the research on bioinspired jumping robots is discussed, such as the research on the mechanism of biological motion is not thorough enough, the research method about structural design, material applications, and control are still traditional, and energy utilization is low, which make the robots far from practical applications. Finally, the development trend is summarized. This review provides a reference for further research of bioinspired jumping robots. PMID:29311756

EpiSweep: Computationally Driven Reengineering of Therapeutic Proteins to Reduce Immunogenicity While Maintaining Function.

PubMed

Choi, Yoonjoo; Verma, Deeptak; Griswold, Karl E; Bailey-Kellogg, Chris

2017-01-01

Therapeutic proteins are yielding ever more advanced and efficacious new drugs, but the biological origins of these highly effective therapeutics render them subject to immune surveillance within the patient's body. When recognized by the immune system as a foreign agent, protein drugs elicit a coordinated response that can manifest a range of clinical complications including rapid drug clearance, loss of functionality and efficacy, delayed infusion-like allergic reactions, more serious anaphylactic shock, and even induced auto-immunity. It is thus often necessary to deimmunize an exogenous protein in order to enable its clinical application; critically, the deimmunization process must also maintain the desired therapeutic activity.To meet the growing need for effective, efficient, and broadly applicable protein deimmunization technologies, we have developed the EpiSweep suite of protein design algorithms. EpiSweep seamlessly integrates computational prediction of immunogenic T cell epitopes with sequence- or structure-based assessment of the impacts of mutations on protein stability and function, in order to select combinations of mutations that make Pareto optimal trade-offs between the competing goals of low immunogenicity and high-level function. The methods are applicable both to the design of individual functionally deimmunized variants as well as the design of combinatorial libraries enriched in functionally deimmunized variants. After validating EpiSweep in a series of retrospective case studies providing comparisons to conventional approaches to T cell epitope deletion, we have experimentally demonstrated it to be highly effective in prospective application to deimmunization of a number of different therapeutic candidates. We conclude that our broadly applicable computational protein design algorithms guide the engineer towards the most promising deimmunized therapeutic candidates, and thereby have the potential to accelerate development of new protein drugs by shortening time frames and improving hit rates.

EpiSweep: Computationally-driven Reengineering of Therapeutic Proteins to Reduce immunogenicity while Maintaining Function

PubMed Central

Choi, Yoonjoo; Verma, Deeptak; Griswold, Karl E.; Bailey-Kellogg, Chris

2016-01-01

Therapeutic proteins are yielding ever more advanced and efficacious new drugs, but the biological origins of these highly effective therapeutics renders them subject to immune surveillance within the patient’s body. When recognized by the immune system as a foreign agent, protein drugs elicit a coordinated response that can manifest a range of clinical complications including rapid drug clearance, loss of functionality and efficacy, delayed infusion-like allergic reactions, more serious anaphylactic shock, and even induced auto-immunity. It is thus often necessary to deimmunize an exogenous protein in order to enable its clinical application; critically, the deimmunization process must also maintain the desired therapeutic activity. To meet the growing need for effective, efficient, and broadly applicable protein deimmunization technologies, we have developed the EpiSweep suite of protein design algorithms. EpiSweep seamlessly integrates computational prediction of immunogenic T cell epitopes with sequence- or structure- based assessment of the impacts of mutations on protein stability and function, in order to select combinations of mutations that make Pareto optimal trade-offs between the competing goals of low immunogenicity and high-level function. The methods are applicable both to the design of individual functionally deimmunized variants as well as the design of combinatorial libraries enriched in functionally deimmunized variants. After validating EpiSweep in a series of retrospective case studies providing comparisons to conventional approaches to T cell epitope deletion, we have experimentally demonstrated it to be highly effective in prospective application to deimmunization of a number of different therapeutic candidates. We conclude that our broadly applicable computational protein design algorithms guide the engineer towards the most promising deimmunized therapeutic candidates, and thereby have the potential to accelerate development of new protein drugs by shortening time frames and improving hit rates. PMID:27914063

Research and industrialization of near-net rolling technology used in shaft parts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Zhenghuan; Wang, Baoyu; Zheng, Zhenhua

2017-11-01

Shaft part rolling is an efficient and green nearnet shaping technology offering many advantages, including high production efficiency, high material utilization rate, high product quality, and excellent production environment. In this paper, the features of shaft part rolling are introduced along with the working principles of two main shaft part rolling technologies, namely, cross wedge rolling (CWR) and skew rolling (SR). In relation to this technology, some R&D achievements gained by the University of Science and Technology Beijing are summarized. Finally, the latest developments in shaft part rolling are presented, including SR steel balls, precise forming of camshaft blank by CWR, SR phosphorous copper balls at room temperature, and CWR hollow axle sleeve. Although the shaft part rolling technology has been widely used in China, it only accounts for about 15% of applicable parts at present. Nevertheless, this technology has broad application prospects.

Research and industrialization of near-net rolling technology used in shaft parts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Zhenghuan; Wang, Baoyu; Zheng, Zhenhua

2018-03-01

Shaft part rolling is an efficient and green nearnet shaping technology offering many advantages, including high production efficiency, high material utilization rate, high product quality, and excellent production environment. In this paper, the features of shaft part rolling are introduced along with the working principles of two main shaft part rolling technologies, namely, cross wedge rolling (CWR) and skew rolling (SR). In relation to this technology, some R&D achievements gained by the University of Science and Technology Beijing are summarized. Finally, the latest developments in shaft part rolling are presented, including SR steel balls, precise forming of camshaft blank by CWR, SR phosphorous copper balls at room temperature, and CWR hollow axle sleeve. Although the shaft part rolling technology has been widely used in China, it only accounts for about 15% of applicable parts at present. Nevertheless, this technology has broad application prospects.

Light field imaging and application analysis in THz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hongfei; Su, Bo; He, Jingsuo; Zhang, Cong; Wu, Yaxiong; Zhang, Shengbo; Zhang, Cunlin

2018-01-01

The light field includes the direction information and location information. Light field imaging can capture the whole light field by single exposure. The four-dimensional light field function model represented by two-plane parameter, which is proposed by Levoy, is adopted in the light field. Acquisition of light field is based on the microlens array, camera array and the mask. We calculate the dates of light-field to synthetize light field image. The processing techniques of light field data include technology of refocusing rendering, technology of synthetic aperture and technology of microscopic imaging. Introducing the technology of light field imaging into THz, the efficiency of 3D imaging is higher than that of conventional THz 3D imaging technology. The advantages compared with visible light field imaging include large depth of field, wide dynamic range and true three-dimensional. It has broad application prospects.

Biological Gene Delivery Vehicles: Beyond Viral Vectors

PubMed Central

Seow, Yiqi; Wood, Matthew J

2009-01-01

Gene therapy covers a broad spectrum of applications, from gene replacement and knockdown for genetic or acquired diseases such as cancer, to vaccination, each with different requirements for gene delivery. Viral vectors and synthetic liposomes have emerged as the vehicles of choice for many applications today, but both have limitations and risks, including complexity of production, limited packaging capacity, and unfavorable immunological features, which restrict gene therapy applications and hold back the potential for preventive gene therapy. While continuing to improve these vectors, it is important to investigate other options, particularly nonviral biological agents which include bacteria, bacteriophage, virus-like particles (VLPs), erythrocyte ghosts, and exosomes. Exploiting the natural properties of these biological entities for specific gene delivery applications will expand the repertoire of gene therapy vectors available for clinical use. Here, we review the prospects for nonviral biological delivery vehicles as gene therapy agents with focus on their unique evolved biological properties and respective limitations and potential applications. The potential of these nonviral biological entities to act as clinical gene therapy delivery vehicles has already been shown in clinical trials using bacteria-mediated gene transfer and with sufficient development, these entities will complement the established delivery techniques for gene therapy applications. PMID:19277019

Biological gene delivery vehicles: beyond viral vectors.

PubMed

Seow, Yiqi; Wood, Matthew J

2009-05-01

Gene therapy covers a broad spectrum of applications, from gene replacement and knockdown for genetic or acquired diseases such as cancer, to vaccination, each with different requirements for gene delivery. Viral vectors and synthetic liposomes have emerged as the vehicles of choice for many applications today, but both have limitations and risks, including complexity of production, limited packaging capacity, and unfavorable immunological features, which restrict gene therapy applications and hold back the potential for preventive gene therapy. While continuing to improve these vectors, it is important to investigate other options, particularly nonviral biological agents which include bacteria, bacteriophage, virus-like particles (VLPs), erythrocyte ghosts, and exosomes. Exploiting the natural properties of these biological entities for specific gene delivery applications will expand the repertoire of gene therapy vectors available for clinical use. Here, we review the prospects for nonviral biological delivery vehicles as gene therapy agents with focus on their unique evolved biological properties and respective limitations and potential applications. The potential of these nonviral biological entities to act as clinical gene therapy delivery vehicles has already been shown in clinical trials using bacteria-mediated gene transfer and with sufficient development, these entities will complement the established delivery techniques for gene therapy applications.

Research on water management system based on Android

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Dongjiang; Hu, Songlin

2018-04-01

With the rapid development of Smart city, Smart water is an important part of Smart city, which is paid more and more attention. It obtains and deals with urban water information through information technology. It can effectively manage urban water supply, The sale of water and other processes. At the same time, due to the popularity of Smartphones, Smartphone applications have covered every aspect of life and become an indispensable part of people's daily life. Through the Smartphone applications, the user can achieve online mobile water purchase, query the water situation, water quality and other basic situation, greatly facilitate the use of the user, for wisdom water construction is of great significance. In this paper, the water management system based on Android is designed and implemented according to the user's needs. It includes intelligent water meter terminal, monitoring center server, Smartphone application and wireless communication network. The user can use the Smartphone at any time and at any place to view the user's water information in real time providing great convenience for users. So its application prospect is very broad as an important part of smart city.

Adaptation of a hospital electronic referral system for antimicrobial stewardship prospective audit and feedback rounds.

PubMed

Rawlins, Matthew D M; Raby, Edward; Sanfilippo, Frank M; Douglass, Rae; Chambers, Jonathan; McLellan, Duncan; Dyer, John R

2018-05-04

To evaluate the impact of the adaptation of an existing electronic referral application for use in antimicrobial stewardship prospective audit and feedback rounds (antimicrobial rounds). Retrospective, single-centre observational study between March 2015 and February 2016. A new quaternary referral centre. Adults referred for antimicrobial rounds outside of the intensive care and haematology units. Adaptation of an electronic referral application used by medical and allied health staff. A questionnaire-style referral form was designed to capture patient clinical details using a combination of free text and dropdown menus. Clinical pharmacists were educated and granted access to the system. The proportion of completed electronic referrals of total round reviews by month for the 12 months after implementation. The time from request to completion of reviews. The impact on adherence to advice provided on rounds. The impact on the institutional usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics: glycopeptides, carbapenems, third and fourth generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and piperacillin/tazobactam. Over the study period, the proportion of electronic referrals of completed antimicrobial round reviews increased from 59% to 88% (P < 0.001); 75.7% of accepted electronic referrals were seen within 48 h of request. The proportion of advice ignored fell from 18% to 8.5% (P < 0.001). Piperacillin/tazobactam, fluoroquinolone and glycopeptide usage decreased. The adaptation of an electronic referral application for antimicrobial rounds was associated with increased adherence to advice and reduction in use in target antibiotics. Our model is now used at other institutions.

Application of genomics-assisted breeding for generation of climate resilient crops: Progress and prospects

DOE PAGES

Kole, Chittaranjan; Muthamiliarasan, Mehanathan; Henry, Robert; ...

2015-08-11

Climate change affects agricultural productivity worldwide. Increased prices of food commodities are the initial indication of drastic edible yield loss, which is expected to increase further due to global warming. This situation has compelled plant scientists to develop climate change-resilient crops, which can withstand broad-spectrum stresses such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, flood, submergence and pests, thus helping to deliver increased productivity. Genomics appears to be a promising tool for deciphering the stress responsiveness of crop species with adaptation traits or in wild relatives toward identifying underlying genes, alleles or quantitative trait loci. Molecular breeding approaches have proven helpful inmore » enhancing the stress adaptation of crop plants, and recent advances in high-throughput sequencing and phenotyping platforms have transformed molecular breeding to genomics-assisted breeding (GAB). In view of this, the present review elaborates the progress and prospects of GAB for improving climate change resilience in crops, which is likely to play an ever increasing role in the effort to ensure global food security.« less

Application of genomics-assisted breeding for generation of climate resilient crops: Progress and prospects

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

Kole, Chittaranjan; Muthamiliarasan, Mehanathan; Henry, Robert

Climate change affects agricultural productivity worldwide. Increased prices of food commodities are the initial indication of drastic edible yield loss, which is expected to increase further due to global warming. This situation has compelled plant scientists to develop climate change-resilient crops, which can withstand broad-spectrum stresses such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, flood, submergence and pests, thus helping to deliver increased productivity. Genomics appears to be a promising tool for deciphering the stress responsiveness of crop species with adaptation traits or in wild relatives toward identifying underlying genes, alleles or quantitative trait loci. Molecular breeding approaches have proven helpful inmore » enhancing the stress adaptation of crop plants, and recent advances in high-throughput sequencing and phenotyping platforms have transformed molecular breeding to genomics-assisted breeding (GAB). In view of this, the present review elaborates the progress and prospects of GAB for improving climate change resilience in crops, which is likely to play an ever increasing role in the effort to ensure global food security.« less

The SMS4 cryptographic system design based on dynamic partial self-reconfiguration technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jianxin; Gao, Xianwei; Li, Xiuying; Sui, Meili

2013-03-01

This paper describes SMS4 algorithm by using dynamic partial self-reconfiguration. The design is implemented on Xilinx VirtexII-Pro XC2VP30 FPGA devices. The partial self-reconfiguration encryption/decryption module data throughput is up to 50Mb/s, key expansion and encryption/decryption modules use 1606 and 1570 slices respectively, and the resource utilization ratio of the key expansion by using partial self-reconfiguration technology is less 32.03% and slices are less 757 than the non-reconfiguration technology. SMS4 implementation gets a good balance between high performance and low complexity in area. The theoretical and practical research of dynamic partial self-reconfiguration has a broad space for development and application prospect.

Applications of systems biology towards microbial fuel production.

PubMed

Gowen, Christopher M; Fong, Stephen S

2011-10-01

Harnessing the immense natural diversity of biological functions for economical production of fuel has enormous potential benefits. Inevitably, however, the native capabilities for any given organism must be modified to increase the productivity or efficiency of a biofuel bioprocess. From a broad perspective, the challenge is to sufficiently understand the details of cellular functionality to be able to prospectively predict and modify the cellular function of a microorganism. Recent advances in experimental and computational systems biology approaches can be used to better understand cellular level function and guide future experiments. With pressure to quickly develop viable, renewable biofuel processes a balance must be maintained between obtaining depth of biological knowledge and applying that knowledge. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration fundamental research program. Information utilization and evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Estes, J. E.; Eisgruber, L.

1981-01-01

In the second half of the 1980's NASA can expect to face difficult choices among alternative fundamental and applied research, and development projects that could potentially lead to improvements in the information systems used to manage renewable resources. The working group on information utilization and evaluation believes that effective choices cannot be made without a better understanding of the current and prospective problems and opportunities involved in the application of remote sensing to improve renewable research information systems. A renewable resources information system is defined in a broad context to include a flow of data/information from: acquisition through processing, storage, integration with other data, analysis, graphic presentation, decision making, and assessment of the affects of those decisions.

[Optimization theory and practical application of membrane science technology based on resource of traditional Chinese medicine residue].

PubMed

Zhu, Hua-Xu; Duan, Jin-Ao; Guo, Li-Wei; Li, Bo; Lu, Jin; Tang, Yu-Ping; Pan, Lin-Mei

2014-05-01

Resource of traditional Chinese medicine residue is an inevitable choice to form new industries characterized of modem, environmental protection and intensive in the Chinese medicine industry. Based on the analysis of source and the main chemical composition of the herb residue, and for the advantages of membrane science and technology used in the pharmaceutical industry, especially membrane separation technology used in improvement technical reserves of traditional extraction and separation process in the pharmaceutical industry, it is proposed that membrane science and technology is one of the most important choices in technological design of traditional Chinese medicine resource industrialization. Traditional Chinese medicine residue is a very complex material system in composition and character, and scientific and effective "separation" process is the key areas of technology to re-use it. Integrated process can improve the productivity of the target product, enhance the purity of the product in the separation process, and solve many tasks which conventional separation is difficult to achieve. As integrated separation technology has the advantages of simplified process and reduced consumption, which are in line with the trend of the modern pharmaceutical industry, the membrane separation technology can provide a broad platform for integrated process, and membrane separation technology with its integrated technology have broad application prospects in achieving resource and industrialization process of traditional Chinese medicine residue. We discuss the principles, methods and applications practice of effective component resources in herb residue using membrane separation and integrated technology, describe the extraction, separation, concentration and purification application of membrane technology in traditional Chinese medicine residue, and systematically discourse suitability and feasibility of membrane technology in the process of traditional Chinese medicine resource industrialization in this paper.

10 CFR 33.16 - Application for other specific licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

....16 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.16 Application for other specific licenses. An application filed pursuant to part 30 of this chapter for a specific license other than one of broad scope will be...

10 CFR 33.16 - Application for other specific licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

....16 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.16 Application for other specific licenses. An application filed pursuant to part 30 of this chapter for a specific license other than one of broad scope will be...

10 CFR 33.16 - Application for other specific licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

....16 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.16 Application for other specific licenses. An application filed pursuant to part 30 of this chapter for a specific license other than one of broad scope will be...

10 CFR 33.16 - Application for other specific licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

....16 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.16 Application for other specific licenses. An application filed pursuant to part 30 of this chapter for a specific license other than one of broad scope will be...

10 CFR 33.16 - Application for other specific licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

....16 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.16 Application for other specific licenses. An application filed pursuant to part 30 of this chapter for a specific license other than one of broad scope will be...

Contradictions and dilemmas within the practice of immigration medicine.

PubMed

Bisaillon, Laura

2013-01-08

To identify, explore and critique features of how practices associated with immigration medicine are socially organized. Specifically, how the work of designated medical practitioners (DMP) - physicians who conduct immigration medical examinations of prospective immigrants to Canada as contractors to the Canadian government department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada - is organized to occur in interactions with applicants who are diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus during the immigration medical examination. Findings from a theoretically informed empirical study using institutional and political activist ethnography inform this article. Data collection and analytic activities spanning 18 months included observational work in institutional settings, textual review, 61 interviews, and 2 focus groups in three Canadian cities. The medical examination of prospective immigrants to Canada is not organized as a therapeutic relation of care and has little to do with medicine per se. The rationale structuring the work of DMPs is actually administrative responsibilities. The work achieved by the DMP positions her/him as a key figure and important decision-maker within the Canadian immigration system. The work of doctors who practice immigration medicine gives rise to contradictions and ethical problems. These are largely unresolvable because of the way in which the labour process in which the DMP is implicated is coordinated. The social organization of immigration doctoring practices has serious consequences for prospective immigrants to Canada, for doctors themselves, and for the Canadian immigration system more broadly.

Geochemical prospecting for rare earth elements using termite mound materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horiuchi, Yu; Ohno, Tetsuji; Hoshino, Mihoko; Shin, Ki-Cheol; Murakami, Hiroyasu; Tsunematsu, Maiko; Watanabe, Yasushi

2014-12-01

The Blockspruit fluorite prospect, located in North West State of the Republic of South Africa, occurs within an actinolite rock zone that was emplaced into the Kenkelbos-type granite of Proterozoic age. There are a large number of termite mounds in the prospect. For geochemical prospecting for rare earth elements (REEs), in total, 200 samples of termite mound material were collected from actinolite rock and granite zones in the prospect. Geochemical analyses of these termite mound materials were conducted by two methods: portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Comparison of the two methods broadly indicates positive correlations of REEs (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Y), in particular Y and La having a strong correlation. As the result of modal abundance analyses, the actinolite rock at surface mainly consists of ferro-actinolite (89.89 wt%) and includes xenotime (0.26 wt%) and monazite (0.21 wt%) grains as REE minerals. Termite mound materials from actinolite rock also contain xenotime (0.27 wt%) and monazite (0.41 wt%) grains. In addition, termite mound materials from the actinolite rock zone have high hematite and Fe silicate contents compared to those from granite zone. These relationships suggest that REE minerals in termite mound materials originate form actinolite rock. Geochemical anomaly maps of Y, La, and Fe concentrations drawn based on the result of the portable XRF analyses show that high concentrations of these elements trend from SW to NE which broadly correspond to occurrences of actinolite body. These results indicate that termite mounds are an effective tool for REE geochemical prospection in the study area for both light REEs and Y, but a more detailed survey is required to establish the distribution of the actinolite rock body.

A taxonomy of prospection: introducing an organizational framework for future-oriented cognition.

PubMed

Szpunar, Karl K; Spreng, R Nathan; Schacter, Daniel L

2014-12-30

Prospection--the ability to represent what might happen in the future--is a broad concept that has been used to characterize a wide variety of future-oriented cognitions, including affective forecasting, prospective memory, temporal discounting, episodic simulation, and autobiographical planning. In this article, we propose a taxonomy of prospection to initiate the important and necessary process of teasing apart the various forms of future thinking that constitute the landscape of prospective cognition. The organizational framework that we propose delineates episodic and semantic forms of four modes of future thinking: simulation, prediction, intention, and planning. We show how this framework can be used to draw attention to the ways in which various modes of future thinking interact with one another, generate new questions about prospective cognition, and illuminate our understanding of disorders of future thinking. We conclude by considering basic cognitive processes that give rise to prospective cognitions, cognitive operations and emotional/motivational states relevant to future-oriented cognition, and the possible role of procedural or motor systems in future-oriented behavior.

Application study of Bio-FGD based on environmental safety during the coal combustion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Pin

2018-05-01

Coal combustion produces a large amount of acidic gas, which is the main cause of acid rain and other natural disasters. Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) is a necessary requirement for clean coal combustion. Compared with the traditional chemical desulfurization technology, biological desulfurization has the advantages of low operating cost, without secondary pollution, low carbon emission and the additional economic benefits. The process and structure of BioDeSOx which as one of Bio-FGD technology is introduced. The major factors that influent BioDeSOx Bio- FGD system is the pH, oxidation reduction potential (-300 MV to -400MV), electrical conductivity, the adding amount of nutrient and temperature (30°C-40°C). Taking the Bio- FGD project of Yixing xielian thermal power plant as an example, the BioDeSOx technology was applied in this project. The environmental and economic benefits of the project were greater than the traditional desulfurization technology. With the continuous improvement of environmental safety standards, Bio- FGD technology will have broad application prospects.

[Research progress of cell-scaffold complex in tendon tissue engineering].

PubMed

Zhu, Ying; Li, Min

2013-04-01

To review the research progress of cell-scaffold complex in the tendon tissue engineering. Recent literature concerning cell-scaffold complex in the tendon tissue engineering was reviewed, the research situation of the cell-scaffold complex was elaborated in the aspects of seed cells, scaffolds, cell culture, and application. In tendon tissue engineering, a cell-scaffold complex is built by appropriate seed cells and engineered scaffolds. Experiments showed that modified seed cells had better therapeutic effects. Further, scaffold functionality could be improved through surface modification, growth factor cure, mechanical stimulation, and contact guidance. Among these methods, mechanical stimulation revealed the most significant results in promoting cell proliferation and function. Through a variety of defect models, it is demonstrated that the use of cell-scaffold complex could achieve satisfactory results for tendon regeneration. The cell-scaffold complex for tendon tissue engineering is a popular research topic. Although it has not yet met the requirement of clinical use, it has broad application prospects.

[Application of natural plant pigment in hair dyes].

PubMed

Hu, Yu-Li; Luo, Jiao-Yang; Zhao, Hong-Zheng; Zhang, Shan-Shan; Yang, Shi-Hai; Yang, Mei-Hua

2016-09-01

With the development of living condition, more and more people tend to show unique personality, thus hair dyes as hair cosmetics are highly favored. By the year 2012, the global sales of hair dye had exceeded $15 billion, with a sustained growth at a rate of 8%-10% annually. However, the harm caused by long-term use of hair dyes has aroused widespread public concern, so people begin to seek non-toxic or low toxic natural plant hair dyes. The types of commonly used hair dyes and the corresponding dyeing mechanisms were summarized in this manuscript, and the representative natural botanic dyes were listed. Thereafter, their effective fractions, constituents and application status were described. In addition, the values of botanic hair dyes and their broad market prospect were discussed. Finally, the problems that exist in the research and development of plant hair dyes were issued. This review may help to provide thought for developing novel, green and ecological natural plant hair dyes. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Prospects for charge sensitive amplifiers in scaled CMOS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Connor, Paul; De Geronimo, Gianluigi

2002-03-01

Due to its low cost and flexibility for custom design, monolithic CMOS technology is being increasingly employed in charge preamplifiers across a broad range of applications, including both scientific research and commercial products. The associated detectors have capacitances ranging from a few tens of fF to several hundred pF. Applications call for pulse shaping from tens of ns to tens of μs, and constrain the available power per channel from tens of μW to tens of mW. At the same time a new technology generation, with changed device parameters, appears every 2 years or so. The optimum design of the front-end circuitry is examined taking into account submicron device characteristics, weak inversion operation, the reset system, and power supply scaling. Experimental results from recent prototypes will be presented. We will also discuss the evolution of preamplifier topologies and anticipated performance limits as CMOS technology scales down to the 0.1 μm/1.0 V generation in 2006.

Behavior analysis of video object in complicated background

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Wenting; Wang, Shigang; Liang, Chao; Wu, Wei; Lu, Yang

2016-10-01

This paper aims to achieve robust behavior recognition of video object in complicated background. Features of the video object are described and modeled according to the depth information of three-dimensional video. Multi-dimensional eigen vector are constructed and used to process high-dimensional data. Stable object tracing in complex scenes can be achieved with multi-feature based behavior analysis, so as to obtain the motion trail. Subsequently, effective behavior recognition of video object is obtained according to the decision criteria. What's more, the real-time of algorithms and accuracy of analysis are both improved greatly. The theory and method on the behavior analysis of video object in reality scenes put forward by this project have broad application prospect and important practical significance in the security, terrorism, military and many other fields.

Marine Peptides: Bioactivities and Applications

PubMed Central

Cheung, Randy Chi Fai; Ng, Tzi Bun; Wong, Jack Ho

2015-01-01

Peptides are important bioactive natural products which are present in many marine species. These marine peptides have high potential nutraceutical and medicinal values because of their broad spectra of bioactivities. Their antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidative, cardioprotective (antihypertensive, antiatherosclerotic and anticoagulant), immunomodulatory, analgesic, anxiolytic anti-diabetic, appetite suppressing and neuroprotective activities have attracted the attention of the pharmaceutical industry, which attempts to design them for use in the treatment or prevention of various diseases. Some marine peptides or their derivatives have high commercial values and had reached the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets. A large number of them are already in different phases of the clinical and preclinical pipeline. This review highlights the recent research in marine peptides and the trends and prospects for the future, with special emphasis on nutraceutical and pharmaceutical development into marketed products. PMID:26132844

Military Force and Culture Change: Systems, Narratives, and the Social Transmission of Behavior in Counter-Terrorism Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-03-01

prospects of acting upon culture with force. In particular, this thesis explores the narrative and storytelling dimensions of culture, offering a theory...narrative and storytelling dimensions of culture, offering a theory of story that can be used to drive innovative counter-terrorism strategies and... storytelling ), and limn the prospects for using military force to shape that piece. This charter is, of course, far too broad to constitute a thesis-length

Anti-inflammatory functions of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. and its compounds: A perspective on its potential role in rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Li, Jun; Zhao, Futao

2015-07-01

The aim of this review was to take a look at the anti-inflammatory functions of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HCT) that have been illustrated in the literature and to explore new fields in which HCT could be used in the future. The use of HCT has been described in broad inflammatory domains, where it has exhibited a variety of activities, including antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic and immunostimulant activity, with high efficiency, mild features and definite therapeutic effects. The numerous anti-inflammatory functions of HCT have demonstrated that HCT has wide application prospects. New uses of HCT and the full extent of its utilization await further investigation. The basic pathological change of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is synovial proliferation which leads to joint destruction in the long-term. There are types of drugs that have been used clinically for patients with RA, however, due to their side-effects or high prices their broad usage is limited. A safe and low-cost drug is urgently required to be developed for the clinical usage of patients with RA. Thus, HCT has the potential to be a good candidate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Anti-inflammatory functions of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. and its compounds: A perspective on its potential role in rheumatoid arthritis

PubMed Central

LI, JUN; ZHAO, FUTAO

2015-01-01

The aim of this review was to take a look at the anti-inflammatory functions of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HCT) that have been illustrated in the literature and to explore new fields in which HCT could be used in the future. The use of HCT has been described in broad inflammatory domains, where it has exhibited a variety of activities, including antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic and immunostimulant activity, with high efficiency, mild features and definite therapeutic effects. The numerous anti-inflammatory functions of HCT have demonstrated that HCT has wide application prospects. New uses of HCT and the full extent of its utilization await further investigation. The basic pathological change of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is synovial proliferation which leads to joint destruction in the long-term. There are types of drugs that have been used clinically for patients with RA, however, due to their side-effects or high prices their broad usage is limited. A safe and low-cost drug is urgently required to be developed for the clinical usage of patients with RA. Thus, HCT has the potential to be a good candidate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. PMID:26170903

Intelligent Transportation Systems and Truck Parking

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-02-01

The objective of this report is to provide background information and lay out the issues for prospective offerors responding to the solicitation in a Broad Agency Announcement seeking concept papers for a demonstration of a technology that conveys re...

Unification of force and substance.

PubMed

Wilczek, Frank

2016-08-28

Maxwell's mature presentation of his equations emphasized the unity of electromagnetism and mechanics, subsuming both as 'dynamical systems'. That intuition of unity has proved both fruitful, as a source of pregnant concepts, and broadly inspiring. A deep aspect of Maxwell's work is its use of redundant potentials, and the associated requirement of gauge symmetry. Those concepts have become central to our present understanding of fundamental physics, but they can appear to be rather formal and esoteric. Here I discuss two things: the physical significance of gauge invariance, in broad terms; and some tantalizing prospects for further unification, building on that concept, that are visible on the horizon today. If those prospects are realized, Maxwell's vision of the unity of field and substance will be brought to a new level.This article is part of the themed issue 'Unifying physics and technology in light of Maxwell's equations'. © 2016 The Author(s).

Reduction of Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Use in a Tertiary Children's Hospital Post Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Guideline Implementation.

PubMed

Lee, Kelley R; Bagga, Bindiya; Arnold, Sandra R

2016-03-01

The core strategies recommended for antimicrobial stewardship programs, formulary restriction with preauthorization and prospective audit and feedback, can be difficult to implement with limited resources; therefore, we took an approach of guideline development and education with the goal of reducing overall antibiotic use and unwarranted use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials. Retrospective chart review before and after intervention. Le Bonheur Children's Hospital pediatric, neonatal, and cardiac ICUs. All patients in our pediatric, neonatal, and cardiac ICUs within the time frame of the study. Baseline review in our ICUs revealed excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and inconsistency in managing common pediatric infections. Guidelines were developed and implemented using cycles of education, retrospective review, and feedback. Purchasing and antibiotic use data were obtained to assess changes before and after guideline implementation. Unit-specific days of therapy were measured using periodic chart audit. Segmented regression analysis was used to assess changes in purchasing and broad-spectrum antibiotic days of therapy. The change in median monthly purchases was assessed using 2-tail Student t test. Hospital-wide targeted broad-spectrum antibiotic days of therapy/1,000 patient-days during the preimplementation year averaged 105 per month and decreased 33% to 70 per month during the postimplementation year. The overall antibiotic days of therapy decreased 41%, 21%, and 18%, and targeted broad-spectrum antibiotic days of therapy decreased by 99%, 75%, and 61% in the cardiac, pediatric, and neonatal ICUs, respectively, after guideline implementation. Yearly purchases of our most common broad-spectrum antibiotics decreased 62% from $230,059 to $86,887 after guideline implementation. Median monthly purchases of these drugs before implementation were $19,389 and $11,043 after implementation (p < 0.001). Guideline implementation was successful in reducing targeted broad-spectrum antibiotic use and acquisition cost. Programs with very limited resources may find similar implementation of guidelines effective to provide initial success, so that putting into practice one of the more resource intensive core strategies, such as prospective audit and feedback, may be feasible.

National Academies report has broad support

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Last December, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Board of Agriculture and Natural Resources convened a Forum of Scientific Society Leaders on Genetically-Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects. Invited participants were representatives of professional scientific societies or other org...

Therapeutics incorporating blood constituents.

PubMed

Charoenphol, Phapanin; Oswalt, Katie; Bishop, Corey J

2018-04-05

Blood deficiency and dysfunctionality can result in adverse events, which can primarily be treated by transfusion of blood or the re-introduction of properly functioning sub-components. Blood constituents can be engineered on the sub-cellular (i.e., DNA recombinant technology) and cellular level (i.e., cellular hitchhiking for drug delivery) for supplementing and enhancing therapeutic efficacy, in addition to rectifying dysfunctioning mechanisms (i.e., clotting). Herein, we report the progress of blood-based therapeutics, with an emphasis on recent applications of blood transfusion, blood cell-based therapies and biomimetic carriers. Clinically translated technologies and commercial products of blood-based therapeutics are subsequently highlighted and perspectives on challenges and future prospects are discussed. Blood-based therapeutics is a burgeoning field and has advanced considerably in recent years. Blood and its constituents, with and without modification (i.e., combinatorial), have been utilized in a broad spectrum of pre-clinical and clinically-translated treatments. This review article summarizes the most up-to-date progress of blood-based therapeutics in the following contexts: synthetic blood substitutes, acellular/non-recombinant therapies, cell-based therapies, and therapeutic sub-components. The article subsequently discusses clinically-translated technologies and future prospects thereof. Copyright © 2018 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A general framework of TOPSIS method for integration of airborne geophysics, satellite imagery, geochemical and geological data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abedi, Maysam; Norouzi, Gholam-Hossain

2016-04-01

This work presents the promising application of three variants of TOPSIS method (namely the conventional, adjusted and modified versions) as a straightforward knowledge-driven technique in multi criteria decision making processes for data fusion of a broad exploratory geo-dataset in mineral potential/prospectivity mapping. The method is implemented to airborne geophysical data (e.g. potassium radiometry, aeromagnetic and frequency domain electromagnetic data), surface geological layers (fault and host rock zones), extracted alteration layers from remote sensing satellite imagery data, and five evidential attributes from stream sediment geochemical data. The central Iranian volcanic-sedimentary belt in Kerman province at the SE of Iran that is embedded in the Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Assemblage arc (UDMA) is chosen to integrate broad evidential layers in the region of prospect. The studied area has high potential of ore mineral occurrences especially porphyry copper/molybdenum and the generated mineral potential maps aim to outline new prospect zones for further investigation in future. Two evidential layers of the downward continued aeromagnetic data and its analytic signal filter are prepared to be incorporated in fusion process as geophysical plausible footprints of the porphyry type mineralization. The low values of the apparent resistivity layer calculated from the airborne frequency domain electromagnetic data are also used as an electrical criterion in this investigation. Four remote sensing evidential layers of argillic, phyllic, propylitic and hydroxyl alterations were extracted from ASTER images in order to map the altered areas associated with porphyry type deposits, whilst the ETM+ satellite imagery data were used as well to map iron oxide layer. Since potassium alteration is generally the mainstay of porphyry ore mineralization, the airborne potassium radiometry data was used. The geochemical layers of Cu/B/Pb/Zn elements and the first component of PCA analysis were considered as powerful traces to prepare final maps. The conventional, adjusted and modified variants of the TOPSIS method produced three mineral potential maps, in which the outputs indicate adequately matching of high potential zones with previous working and active mines in the region.

MPLEx: a Robust and Universal Protocol for Single-Sample Integrative Proteomic, Metabolomic, and Lipidomic Analyses

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

Nakayasu, Ernesto S.; Nicora, Carrie D.; Sims, Amy C.

2016-05-03

ABSTRACT Integrative multi-omics analyses can empower more effective investigation and complete understanding of complex biological systems. Despite recent advances in a range of omics analyses, multi-omic measurements of the same sample are still challenging and current methods have not been well evaluated in terms of reproducibility and broad applicability. Here we adapted a solvent-based method, widely applied for extracting lipids and metabolites, to add proteomics to mass spectrometry-based multi-omics measurements. Themetabolite,protein, andlipidextraction (MPLEx) protocol proved to be robust and applicable to a diverse set of sample types, including cell cultures, microbial communities, and tissues. To illustrate the utility of thismore » protocol, an integrative multi-omics analysis was performed using a lung epithelial cell line infected with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, which showed the impact of this virus on the host glycolytic pathway and also suggested a role for lipids during infection. The MPLEx method is a simple, fast, and robust protocol that can be applied for integrative multi-omic measurements from diverse sample types (e.g., environmental,in vitro, and clinical). IMPORTANCEIn systems biology studies, the integration of multiple omics measurements (i.e., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics) has been shown to provide a more complete and informative view of biological pathways. Thus, the prospect of extracting different types of molecules (e.g., DNAs, RNAs, proteins, and metabolites) and performing multiple omics measurements on single samples is very attractive, but such studies are challenging due to the fact that the extraction conditions differ according to the molecule type. Here, we adapted an organic solvent-based extraction method that demonstrated broad applicability and robustness, which enabled comprehensive proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics analyses from the same sample.« less

Comparison between pathogen directed antibiotic treatment and empirical broad spectrum antibiotic treatment in patients with community acquired pneumonia: a prospective randomised study

PubMed Central

van der Eerden, M M; Vlaspolder, F; de Graaff, C S; Groot, T; Bronsveld, W; Jansen, H; Boersma, W

2005-01-01

Background: There is much controversy about the ideal approach to the management of community acquired pneumonia (CAP). Recommendations differ from a pathogen directed approach to an empirical strategy with broad spectrum antibiotics. Methods: In a prospective randomised open study performed between 1998 and 2000, a pathogen directed treatment (PDT) approach was compared with an empirical broad spectrum antibiotic treatment (EAT) strategy according to the ATS guidelines of 1993 in 262 hospitalised patients with CAP. Clinical efficacy was primarily determined by the length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary outcome parameters for clinical efficacy were assessment of therapeutic failure on antibiotics, 30 day mortality, duration of antibiotic treatment, resolution of fever, side effects, and quality of life. Results: Three hundred and three patients were enrolled in the study; 41 were excluded, leaving 262 with results available for analysis. No significant differences were found between the two treatment groups in LOS, 30 day mortality, clinical failure, or resolution of fever. Side effects, although they did not have a significant influence on the outcome parameters, occurred more frequently in patients in the EAT group than in those in the PDT group (60% v 17%, 95% CI –0.5 to –0.3; p<0.001). Conclusions: An EAT strategy with broad spectrum antibiotics for the management of hospitalised patients with CAP has comparable clinical efficacy to a PDT approach. PMID:16061709

Antiviral Therapy by HIV-1 Broadly Neutralizing and Inhibitory Antibodies.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhiqing; Li, Shaowei; Gu, Ying; Xia, Ningshao

2016-11-18

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a global epidemic for more than three decades. HIV-1 replication is primarily controlled through antiretroviral therapy (ART) but this treatment does not cure HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, there is increasing viral resistance to ART, and side effects associated with long-term therapy. Consequently, there is a need of alternative candidates for HIV-1 prevention and therapy. Recent advances have discovered multiple broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1. In this review, we describe the key epitopes on the HIV-1 Env protein and the reciprocal broadly neutralizing antibodies, and discuss the ongoing clinical trials of broadly neutralizing and inhibitory antibody therapy as well as antibody combinations, bispecific antibodies, and methods that improve therapeutic efficacy by combining broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) with latency reversing agents. Compared with ART, HIV-1 therapeutics that incorporate these broadly neutralizing and inhibitory antibodies offer the advantage of decreasing virus load and clearing infected cells, which is a promising prospect in HIV-1 prevention and treatment.

76 FR 9777 - Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-22

... Applicable Alternative Test Methods AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: This notice announces the broadly applicable alternative test method approval decisions... technical questions about individual alternative test method decisions, refer to the contact person...

A Wavelet Neural Network Optimal Control Model for Traffic-Flow Prediction in Intelligent Transport Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Darong; Bai, Xing-Rong

Based on wavelet transform and neural network theory, a traffic-flow prediction model, which was used in optimal control of Intelligent Traffic system, is constructed. First of all, we have extracted the scale coefficient and wavelet coefficient from the online measured raw data of traffic flow via wavelet transform; Secondly, an Artificial Neural Network model of Traffic-flow Prediction was constructed and trained using the coefficient sequences as inputs and raw data as outputs; Simultaneous, we have designed the running principium of the optimal control system of traffic-flow Forecasting model, the network topological structure and the data transmitted model; Finally, a simulated example has shown that the technique is effectively and exactly. The theoretical results indicated that the wavelet neural network prediction model and algorithms have a broad prospect for practical application.

A liquid crystal microlens array with aluminum and graphene electrodes for plenoptic imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Yu; Tong, Qing; Luo, Jun; Zhang, Xinyu; Sang, Hongshi; Xie, Changsheng

2015-12-01

Currently, several semiconducting oxide materials such as typical indium tin oxide are widely used as the transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) in liquid crystal microlens arrays. In this paper, we fabricate a liquid crystal microlens array using graphene rather than semiconducting oxides as the TCE. Common optical experiments are carried out to acquire the focusing features of the graphene-based liquid crystal microlens array (GLCMLA) driven electrically. The acquired optical fields show that the GLCMLA can converge incident collimating lights efficiently. The relationship between the focal length and the applied voltage signal is presented. Then the GLCMLA is deployed in a plenoptic camera prototype and the raw images are acquired so as to verify their imaging capability. Our experiments demonstrate that graphene has already presented a broad application prospect in the area of adaptive optics.

Rahman Prize Lecture: Lattice Boltzmann simulation of complex states of flowing matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Succi, Sauro

Over the last three decades, the Lattice Boltzmann (LB) method has gained a prominent role in the numerical simulation of complex flows across an impressively broad range of scales, from fully-developed turbulence in real-life geometries, to multiphase flows in micro-fluidic devices, all the way down to biopolymer translocation in nanopores and lately, even quark-gluon plasmas. After a brief introduction to the main ideas behind the LB method and its historical developments, we shall present a few selected applications to complex flow problems at various scales of motion. Finally, we shall discuss prospects for extreme-scale LB simulations of outstanding problems in the physics of fluids and its interfaces with material sciences and biology, such as the modelling of fluid turbulence, the optimal design of nanoporous gold catalysts and protein folding/aggregation in crowded environments.

Current progress on aptamer-targeted oligonucleotide therapeutics

PubMed Central

Dassie, Justin P; Giangrande, Paloma H

2014-01-01

Exploiting the power of the RNAi pathway through the use of therapeutic siRNA drugs has remarkable potential for treating a vast array of human disease conditions. However, difficulties in delivery of these and similar nucleic acid-based pharmacological agents to appropriate organs or tissues, remains a major impediment to their broad clinical application. Synthetic nucleic acid ligands (aptamers) have emerged as effective delivery vehicles for therapeutic oligonucleotides, including siRNAs. In this review, we summarize recent attractive developments in creatively employing cell-internalizing aptamers to deliver therapeutic oligonucleotides (e.g., siRNAs, miRNAs, anti-miRs and antisense oligos) to target cells. We also discuss advancements in aptamer-siRNA chimera technology, as well as, aptamer-functionalized nanoparticles for siRNA delivery. In addition, the challenges and future prospects of aptamer-targeted oligonucleotide drugs for clinical translation are further highlighted. PMID:24304250

High Power Microwave Tubes: Basics and Trends, Volume 1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kesari, Vishal; Basu, B. N.

2018-01-01

Our aim in this book is to present a bird's-eye view of microwave tubes (MWTs) which continue to be important despite competitive incursions from solid-state devices (SSDs). We have presented a broad and introductory survey which we hope the readers would be encouraged to read rather than going through lengthier books, and subsequently explore the field of MWTs further in selected areas of relevance to their respective interests. We hope that the present book would motivate newcomers to pursue research in MWTs and apprise them as well as decision makers of the salient features and prospects of as well as the trends of progress in MWTs. The scope of ever expanding applications of MWTs in the high power and high frequency regime will sustain and intensify the research and development in MWTs in coming years.

Research on Mechanisms and Controlling Methods of Macro Defects in TC4 Alloy Fabricated by Wire Additive Manufacturing.

PubMed

Ji, Lei; Lu, Jiping; Tang, Shuiyuan; Wu, Qianru; Wang, Jiachen; Ma, Shuyuan; Fan, Hongli; Liu, Changmeng

2018-06-28

Wire feeding additive manufacturing (WFAM) has broad application prospects because of its advantages of low cost and high efficiency. However, with the mode of lateral wire feeding, including wire and laser additive manufacturing, gas tungsten arc additive manufacturing etc., it is easy to generate macro defects on the surface of the components because of the anisotropy of melted wire, which limits the promotion and application of WFAM. In this work, gas tungsten arc additive manufacturing with lateral wire feeding is proposed to investigate the mechanisms of macro defects. The results illustrate that the defect forms mainly include side spatters, collapse, poor flatness, and unmelted wire. It was found that the heat input, layer thickness, tool path, and wire curvature can have an impact on the macro defects. Side spatters are the most serious defects, mainly because the droplets cannot be transferred to the center of the molten pool in the lateral wire feeding mode. This research indicates that the macro defects can be controlled by optimizing the process parameters. Finally, block parts without macro defects were fabricated, which is meaningful for the further application of WFAM.

77 FR 8865 - Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-15

... Applicable Alternative Test Methods AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: This notice announces the broadly applicable alternative test method approval decisions... INFORMATION CONTACT: An electronic copy of each alternative test method approval document is available on the...

75 FR 7593 - Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-22

... Applicable Alternative Test Methods AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: This notice announces the broadly applicable alternative test method approval decisions... electronic copy of each alternative test method approval document is available on EPA's Web site at http...

78 FR 11174 - Recent Postings of Broadly Applicable Alternative Test Methods

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-15

... Applicable Alternative Test Methods AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: This notice announces the broadly applicable alternative test method approval decisions... INFORMATION CONTACT: An electronic copy of each alternative test method approval document is available on the...

Full Disclosure to Prospective Graduate Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wertheimer, Albert

1977-01-01

A FIPSE-sponsored National Task Force on Better Information for Student Choice identified three broad areas of information needs: costs and financial aid; academic offerings and requirements; and the outcomes or results of attendance. These are discussed in terms of graduate programs within the pharmaceutical sciences. (LBH)

Wound healing applications of biogenic colloidal silver and gold nanoparticles: recent trends and future prospects.

PubMed

Ovais, Muhammad; Ahmad, Irshad; Khalil, Ali Talha; Mukherjee, Sudip; Javed, Rabia; Ayaz, Muhammad; Raza, Abida; Shinwari, Zabta Khan

2018-05-01

Nanotechnology has emerged as a prominent scientific discipline in the technological revolution of this millennium. The scientific community has focused on the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles as compared to physical and chemical methods due to its eco-friendly nature and high efficacy. Medicinal plants have been proven as the paramount source of various phytochemicals that can be used for the biogenic synthesis of colloidal silver and gold nanoparticles as compared to other living organisms, e.g., microbes and fungi. According to various scientific reports, the biogenic nanoparticles have shown promising potential as wound healing agents. However, not a single broad review article was present that demonstrates the wound healing application of biogenic silver and gold nanoparticles. Foreseeing the overall literature published, we for the first time intended to discuss the current trends in wound healing via biogenic silver and gold nanoparticles. Furthermore, light has been shed on the mechanistic aspects of wound healing along with futuristic discussion on the faith of biogenic silver and gold nanoparticles as potential wound healing agents.

Rational design for the stability improvement of Armillariella tabescens β-mannanase MAN47 based on N-glycosylation modification.

PubMed

Hu, Weixiong; Liu, Xiaoyun; Li, Yufeng; Liu, Daling; Kuang, Zhihe; Qian, Chuiwen; Yao, Dongsheng

2017-02-01

β-Mannanase has been widely used in industries such as food and feed processing and thus has been a target enzyme for biotechnological development. In this study, we sought to improve the stability and protease resistance of a recombinant β-mannanase, MAN47 from Armillariella tabescens, through rationally designed N-glycosylation. Based on homology modeling, molecular docking, secondary structure analysis and glycosylation feasibility analysis, an enhanced aromatic sequon sequence was introduced into specific MAN47 loop regions to facilitate N-glycosylation. The mutant enzymes were expressed in Pichia pastoris SMD1168, and their thermal stability, pH stability, trypsin resistance and pepsin resistance were determined. Two mutant MAN47 enzymes, g-123 and g-347, were glycosylated as expected when expressed in yeast, and their thermal stability, pH stability, and protease resistance were significantly improved compared to the wild-type enzyme. An enzyme with multiple stability characterizations has broad prospects in practical applications, and the rational design N-glycosylation strategy may have applications in simultaneously improving several properties of other biotechnological targets. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Design of a Water Environment Monitoring System Based on Wireless Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Jiang, Peng; Xia, Hongbo; He, Zhiye; Wang, Zheming

2009-01-01

A water environmental monitoring system based on a wireless sensor network is proposed. It consists of three parts: data monitoring nodes, data base station and remote monitoring center. This system is suitable for the complex and large-scale water environment monitoring, such as for reservoirs, lakes, rivers, swamps, and shallow or deep groundwaters. This paper is devoted to the explanation and illustration for our new water environment monitoring system design. The system had successfully accomplished the online auto-monitoring of the water temperature and pH value environment of an artificial lake. The system's measurement capacity ranges from 0 to 80 °C for water temperature, with an accuracy of ±0.5 °C; from 0 to 14 on pH value, with an accuracy of ±0.05 pH units. Sensors applicable to different water quality scenarios should be installed at the nodes to meet the monitoring demands for a variety of water environments and to obtain different parameters. The monitoring system thus promises broad applicability prospects. PMID:22454592

Eucalyptus applied genomics: from gene sequences to breeding tools.

PubMed

Grattapaglia, Dario; Kirst, Matias

2008-01-01

Eucalyptus is the most widely planted hardwood crop in the tropical and subtropical world because of its superior growth, broad adaptability and multipurpose wood properties. Plantation forestry of Eucalyptus supplies high-quality woody biomass for several industrial applications while reducing the pressure on tropical forests and associated biodiversity. This review links current eucalypt breeding practices with existing and emerging genomic tools. A brief discussion provides a background to modern eucalypt breeding together with some current applications of molecular markers in support of operational breeding. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and genetical genomics are reviewed and an in-depth perspective is provided on the power of association genetics to dissect quantitative variation in this highly diverse organism. Finally, some challenges and opportunities to integrate genomic information into directional selective breeding are discussed in light of the upcoming draft of the Eucalyptus grandis genome. Given the extraordinary genetic variation that exists in the genus Eucalyptus, the ingenuity of most breeders, and the powerful genomic tools that have become available, the prospects of applied genomics in Eucalyptus forest production are encouraging.

Stent-Graft Placement with Early Debridement and Antibiotic Treatment for Femoral Pseudoaneurysms in Intravenous Drug Addicts

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

Fu, Qining, E-mail: cqmufqn@163.com; Meng, Xiyun, E-mail: 383274177@qq.com; Li, Fenghe, E-mail: lfh-cqmu@gmail.com

PurposeExplore the application of endovascular covered stent-graft (SG) placement in femoral pseudoaneurysms in intravenous drug addicts.Materials and MethodsWe evaluated a consecutive series of pseudoaneurysm in intravenous drug addicts treated with SGs from August 2010 to December 2013.Results15 patients with 16 arterial pseudoaneurysms were enrolled in this study. All were males with a mean age of 36.9 years. Hemorrhage was the most common reason (93.8 %) for seeking medical care, and 3 of these patients were in hemorrhagic shock at admission. All patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics, and debridement and drainage were implemented after SG placement. 7 of the 13 cases which had microbiologicmore » results showed mixed infections, while gram-negative bacteria were the major pathogens. Except for 2 patients, who were lost to follow-up, two new pseudoaneurysms formed due to delayed debridement, and one stent thrombosis occurred, none of the remaining cases had SG infection or developed claudication.ConclusionsSG placement controls massive hemorrhage rapidly, gives enough time for subsequent treatment for pseudoaneurysms due to intravenous drug abuse, and reduces the incidence of postoperative claudication. With appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotics and early debridement, the incidence of SG infection is relatively low. It is an effective alternative especially as temporary bridge measure for critical patients. However, the high cost, uncertain long-term prospects, high demand for medical adherence, and the risk of using the conduits for re-puncture call for a cautious selection of patients. More evidence is required for the application of this treatment.« less

The Biomedical Ethics Ontology Proposal: Excellent Aims, Questionable Methods

PubMed Central

DuBois, James M.

2010-01-01

Koepsell et al. (2009) Describe an ideal biomedical ethics committee environment with efficiencies such as electronic and universal application forms and consent templates, automated decision-trees, and broad sharing of data. However, it is unclear that a biomedical ethics ontology (BMEO) is necessary or even helpful in establishing such environment. Two features of any applied ontology are particularly problematic in establishing a useful BMEO: (1) an ontology is a description of a domain of reality; and (2) the description is subject to ongoing revision as it is developed through open processes, e.g., the use of a wiki. A BMEO would need to address two main kinds of entities, regulatory definitions and ethical concepts, and is ill-suited to both. Regulatory definitions are fiats and ought to be adopted verbatim to ensure compliance, but in such cases we do not need the assistance of ontologists, and their modes of working (constant revision within open wiki-based communities) might even be counterproductive. Ethical concepts within pluralistic societies are social constructs, not a priori concepts or biological natural kinds, and the prospects of generating intuitive definitions that enjoy broad acceptance across cultures and institutional settings are slim. In making these arguments, I draw from the writings of leading applied ontologists and Koepsell et al.’s own proof of concept. PMID:19382878

A taxonomy of prospection: Introducing an organizational framework for future-oriented cognition

PubMed Central

Szpunar, Karl K.; Spreng, R. Nathan; Schacter, Daniel L.

2014-01-01

Prospection—the ability to represent what might happen in the future—is a broad concept that has been used to characterize a wide variety of future-oriented cognitions, including affective forecasting, prospective memory, temporal discounting, episodic simulation, and autobiographical planning. In this article, we propose a taxonomy of prospection to initiate the important and necessary process of teasing apart the various forms of future thinking that constitute the landscape of prospective cognition. The organizational framework that we propose delineates episodic and semantic forms of four modes of future thinking: simulation, prediction, intention, and planning. We show how this framework can be used to draw attention to the ways in which various modes of future thinking interact with one another, generate new questions about prospective cognition, and illuminate our understanding of disorders of future thinking. We conclude by considering basic cognitive processes that give rise to prospective cognitions, cognitive operations and emotional/motivational states relevant to future-oriented cognition, and the possible role of procedural or motor systems in future-oriented behavior. PMID:25416592

10 CFR 33.13 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type A specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.13 Section 33.13 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.13 Requirements for the issuance of a Type A specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type A specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.13 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type A specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.13 Section 33.13 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.13 Requirements for the issuance of a Type A specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type A specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.14 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type B specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.14 Section 33.14 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.14 Requirements for the issuance of a Type B specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type B specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.13 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type A specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.13 Section 33.13 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.13 Requirements for the issuance of a Type A specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type A specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.14 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type B specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.14 Section 33.14 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.14 Requirements for the issuance of a Type B specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type B specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.14 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type B specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.14 Section 33.14 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.14 Requirements for the issuance of a Type B specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type B specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.14 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type B specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.14 Section 33.14 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.14 Requirements for the issuance of a Type B specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type B specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.14 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type B specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.14 Section 33.14 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.14 Requirements for the issuance of a Type B specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type B specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.15 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type C specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.15 Section 33.15 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.15 Requirements for the issuance of a Type C specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type C specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.13 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type A specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.13 Section 33.13 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.13 Requirements for the issuance of a Type A specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type A specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.15 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type C specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.15 Section 33.15 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.15 Requirements for the issuance of a Type C specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type C specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.15 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type C specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.15 Section 33.15 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.15 Requirements for the issuance of a Type C specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type C specific license of broad...

10 CFR 33.13 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type A specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... of broad scope. 33.13 Section 33.13 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SPECIFIC DOMESTIC LICENSES OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.13 Requirements for the issuance of a Type A specific license of broad scope. An application for a Type A specific license of broad...

Haematopoietic SCT in severe autoimmune diseases: updated guidelines of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

PubMed Central

Snowden, J A; Saccardi, R; Allez, M; Ardizzone, S; Arnold, R; Cervera, R; Denton, C; Hawkey, C; Labopin, M; Mancardi, G; Martin, R; Moore, J J; Passweg, J; Peters, C; Rabusin, M; Rovira, M; van Laar, J M; Farge, D

2012-01-01

In 1997, the first consensus guidelines for haematopoietic SCT (HSCT) in autoimmune diseases (ADs) were published, while an international coordinated clinical programme was launched. These guidelines provided broad principles for the field over the following decade and were accompanied by comprehensive data collection in the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) AD Registry. Subsequently, retrospective analyses and prospective phase I/II studies generated evidence to support the feasibility, safety and efficacy of HSCT in several types of severe, treatment-resistant ADs, which became the basis for larger-scale phase II and III studies. In parallel, there has also been an era of immense progress in biological therapy in ADs. The aim of this document is to provide revised and updated guidelines for both the current application and future development of HSCT in ADs in relation to the benefits, risks and health economic considerations of other modern treatments. Patient safety considerations are central to guidance on patient selection and HSCT procedural aspects within appropriately experienced and Joint Accreditation Committee of International Society for Cellular Therapy and EBMT accredited centres. A need for prospective interventional and non-interventional studies, where feasible, along with systematic data reporting, in accordance with EBMT policies and procedures, is emphasized. PMID:22002489

Fish trypsins: potential applications in biomedicine and prospects for production.

PubMed

Jesús-de la Cruz, Kristal; Álvarez-González, Carlos Alfonso; Peña, Emyr; Morales-Contreras, José Antonio; Ávila-Fernández, Ángela

2018-04-01

In fishes, trypsins are adapted to different environmental conditions, and the biochemical and kinetic properties of a broad variety of native isoforms have been studied. Proteolytic enzymes remain in high demand in the detergent, food, and feed industries; however, our analysis of the literature showed that, in the last decade, some fish trypsins have been studied for the synthesis of industrial peptides and for specific biomedical uses as antipathogenic agents against viruses and bacteria, which have been recently patented. In addition, innovative strategies of trypsin administration have been studied to ensure that trypsins retain their properties until they exert their action. Biomedical uses require the production of high-quality enzymes. In this context, the production of recombinant trypsins is an alternative. For this purpose, E. coli -based systems have been tested for the production of fish trypsins; however, P. pastoris -based systems also seem to show great potential in the production of fish trypsins with higher production quality. On the other hand, there is a lack of information regarding the specific structures, biochemical and kinetic properties, and characteristics of trypsins produced using heterologous systems. This review describes the potential uses of fish trypsins in biomedicine and the enzymatic and structural properties of native and recombinant fish trypsins obtained to date, outlining some prospects for their study.

Metabonomics Research Progress on Liver Diseases.

PubMed

Yu, Mengqian; Zhu, Ying; Cong, Qingwei; Wu, Chunyan

2017-01-01

Metabolomics as the new omics technique develops after genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics and has rapid development at present. Liver diseases are worldwide public health problems. In China, chronic hepatitis B and its secondary diseases are the common liver diseases. They can be diagnosed by the combination of history, virology, liver function, and medical imaging. However, some patients seldom have relevant physical examination, so the diagnosis may be delayed. Many other liver diseases, such as drug-induced liver injury (DILI), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and autoimmune liver diseases, still do not have definite diagnostic markers; the diagnosis consists of history, medical imaging, and the relevant score. As a result, the clinical work becomes very complex. So it has broad prospects to explore the specific and sensitive biomarkers of liver diseases with metabolomics. In this paper, there are several summaries which are related to the current research progress and application of metabolomics on biomarkers of liver diseases.

Graduate admissions in clinical neuropsychology: the importance of undergraduate training.

PubMed

Karazsia, Bryan T; Stavnezer, Amy Jo; Reeves, Jonathan W

2013-11-01

Discussions of and recommendations for the training of clinical neuropsychologists exist at the doctoral, internship, and post-doctoral level. With few exceptions, the literature on undergraduate preparations in clinical neuropsychology is sparse and lacks empirical evidence. In the present study, graduate-level faculty and current trainees completed surveys about graduate school preparations. Faculty expectations of minimum and ideal undergraduate training were highest for research methods, statistics, and assessment. Preferences for "goodness of fit" also emerged as important admissions factors. These results offer evidence for desirable undergraduate preparations for advanced study in clinical neuropsychology. Although undergraduate training in psychology is intentionally broad, results from this study suggest that students who desire advanced study in clinical neuropsychology need to tailor their experiences to be competitive in the application process. The findings have implications for prospective graduate students, faculty who train and mentor undergraduates, and faculty who serve on admissions committees.

Na-Zn liquid metal battery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Junli; Kjos, Ole Sigmund; Osen, Karen Sende; Martinez, Ana Maria; Kongstein, Ole Edvard; Haarberg, Geir Martin

2016-11-01

A new kind of membrane free liquid metal battery was developed. The battery employs liquid sodium and zinc as electrodes both in liquid state, and NaCl-CaCl2 molten salts as electrolyte. The discharge flat voltage is in the range of about 1.4 V-1.8 V, and the cycle efficiency achieved is about 90% at low discharge current densities (below 40 mA cm-2). Moreover, this battery can also be charged and discharged at high current density with good performance. The discharge flat voltage is above 1.1 V when it is discharged at 100 mA cm-2, while it is about 0.8 V with 100% cycle efficiency when it is discharged at 200 mA cm-2. Compared to other reported liquid metal battery, this battery has lower cost, which suggests broad application prospect in energy storage systems for power grid.

High-yield fabrication and properties of 1.4 nm nanodiamonds with narrow size distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stehlik, Stepan; Varga, Marian; Ledinsky, Martin; Miliaieva, Daria; Kozak, Halyna; Skakalova, Viera; Mangler, Clemens; Pennycook, Timothy J.; Meyer, Jannik C.; Kromka, Alexander; Rezek, Bohuslav

2016-12-01

Detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) with a typical size of 5 nm have attracted broad interest in science and technology. Further size reduction of DNDs would bring these nanoparticles to the molecular-size level and open new prospects for research and applications in various fields, ranging from quantum physics to biomedicine. Here we show a controllable size reduction of the DND mean size down to 1.4 nm without significant particle loss and with additional disintegration of DND core agglutinates by air annealing, leading to a significantly narrowed size distribution (±0.7 nm). This process is scalable to large quantities. Such molecular-sized DNDs keep their diamond structure and characteristic DND features as shown by Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, STEM and EELS. The size of 1 nm is identified as a limit, below which the DNDs become amorphous.

High-yield fabrication and properties of 1.4 nm nanodiamonds with narrow size distribution

PubMed Central

Stehlik, Stepan; Varga, Marian; Ledinsky, Martin; Miliaieva, Daria; Kozak, Halyna; Skakalova, Viera; Mangler, Clemens; Pennycook, Timothy J.; Meyer, Jannik C.; Kromka, Alexander; Rezek, Bohuslav

2016-01-01

Detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) with a typical size of 5 nm have attracted broad interest in science and technology. Further size reduction of DNDs would bring these nanoparticles to the molecular-size level and open new prospects for research and applications in various fields, ranging from quantum physics to biomedicine. Here we show a controllable size reduction of the DND mean size down to 1.4 nm without significant particle loss and with additional disintegration of DND core agglutinates by air annealing, leading to a significantly narrowed size distribution (±0.7 nm). This process is scalable to large quantities. Such molecular-sized DNDs keep their diamond structure and characteristic DND features as shown by Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, STEM and EELS. The size of 1 nm is identified as a limit, below which the DNDs become amorphous. PMID:27910924

Study on data acquisition system based on reconfigurable cache technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qinchuan; Li, Min; Jiang, Jun

2018-03-01

Waveform capture rate is one of the key features of digital acquisition systems, which represents the waveform processing capability of the system in a unit time. The higher the waveform capture rate is, the larger the chance to capture elusive events is and the more reliable the test result is. First, this paper analyzes the impact of several factors on the waveform capture rate of the system, then the novel technology based on reconfigurable cache is further proposed to optimize system architecture, and the simulation results show that the signal-to-noise ratio of signal, capacity, and structure of cache have significant effects on the waveform capture rate. Finally, the technology is demonstrated by the engineering practice, and the results show that the waveform capture rate of the system is improved substantially without significant increase of system's cost, and the technology proposed has a broad application prospect.

High-yield fabrication and properties of 1.4 nm nanodiamonds with narrow size distribution.

PubMed

Stehlik, Stepan; Varga, Marian; Ledinsky, Martin; Miliaieva, Daria; Kozak, Halyna; Skakalova, Viera; Mangler, Clemens; Pennycook, Timothy J; Meyer, Jannik C; Kromka, Alexander; Rezek, Bohuslav

2016-12-02

Detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) with a typical size of 5 nm have attracted broad interest in science and technology. Further size reduction of DNDs would bring these nanoparticles to the molecular-size level and open new prospects for research and applications in various fields, ranging from quantum physics to biomedicine. Here we show a controllable size reduction of the DND mean size down to 1.4 nm without significant particle loss and with additional disintegration of DND core agglutinates by air annealing, leading to a significantly narrowed size distribution (±0.7 nm). This process is scalable to large quantities. Such molecular-sized DNDs keep their diamond structure and characteristic DND features as shown by Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, STEM and EELS. The size of 1 nm is identified as a limit, below which the DNDs become amorphous.

Advances in nanosized zeolites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mintova, Svetlana; Gilson, Jean-Pierre; Valtchev, Valentin

2013-07-01

This review highlights recent developments in the synthesis of nanosized zeolites. The strategies available for their preparation (organic-template assisted, organic-template free, and alternative procedures) are discussed. Major breakthroughs achieved by the so-called zeolite crystal engineering and encompass items such as mastering and using the physicochemical properties of the precursor synthesis gel/suspension, optimizing the use of silicon and aluminium precursor sources, the rational use of organic templates and structure-directing inorganic cations, and careful adjustment of synthesis conditions (temperature, pressure, time, heating processes from conventional to microwave and sonication) are addressed. An on-going broad and deep fundamental understanding of the crystallization process, explaining the influence of all variables of this complex set of reactions, underpins an even more rational design of nanosized zeolites with exceptional properties. Finally, the advantages and limitations of these methods are addressed with particular attention to their industrial prospects and utilization in existing and advanced applications.

Development of distortion measurement system for large deployable antenna via photogrammetry in vacuum and cryogenic environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Pengsong; Jiang, Shanping; Yang, Linhua; Zhang, Bolun

2018-01-01

In order to meet the requirement of high precision thermal distortion measurement foraΦ4.2m deployable mesh antenna of satellite in vacuum and cryogenic environment, based on Digital Close-range Photogrammetry and Space Environment Test Technology of Spacecraft, a large scale antenna distortion measurement system under vacuum and cryogenic environment is developed in this paper. The antenna Distortion measurement system (ADMS) is the first domestic independently developed thermal distortion measurement system for large antenna, which has successfully solved non-contact high precision distortion measurement problem in large spacecraft structure under vacuum and cryogenic environment. The measurement accuracy of ADMS is better than 50 μm/5m, which has reached international advanced level. The experimental results show that the measurement system has great advantages in large structural measurement of spacecrafts, and also has broad application prospects in space or other related fields.

Auricular acupuncture and biomedical research--A promising Sino-Austrian research cooperation.

PubMed

Rong, Pei-Jing; Zhao, Jing-Jun; Li, Yu-Qing; Litscher, Daniela; Li, Shao-yuan; Gaischek, Ingrid; Zhai, Xu; Wang, Lu; Luo, Man; Litscher, Gerhard

2015-12-01

Treatment by auricular acupuncture has a long history. Ear-acupoint research has been advancing step by step in China and also in Europe. Auricles are rich in nerves, therefore a close relationship with different functions of the human body has been proved by the research teams of the two main authors of this article from China and Austria. In recent years, great progress has been made in the research of regulating human body functions through electroacupuncture at the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, which is part of auricular acupuncture therapy. It is well known that the auricular branch of the vagus nerve is the only peripheral pathway to the cerebral cortex. Studies of the Chinese team on hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy and depression have shown that the mechanism of auricular vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may be comparable with cervical VNS in terms of pathways. Auricular VNS has a broad clinical application prospect.

Trajectory tracking control for underactuated stratospheric airship

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Zewei; Huo, Wei; Wu, Zhe

2012-10-01

Stratospheric airship is a new kind of aerospace system which has attracted worldwide developing interests for its broad application prospects. Based on the trajectory linearization control (TLC) theory, a novel trajectory tracking control method for an underactuated stratospheric airship is presented in this paper. Firstly, the TLC theory is described sketchily, and the dynamic model of the stratospheric airship is introduced with kinematics and dynamics equations. Then, the trajectory tracking control strategy is deduced in detail. The designed control system possesses a cascaded structure which consists of desired attitude calculation, position control loop and attitude control loop. Two sub-loops are designed for the position and attitude control loops, respectively, including the kinematics control loop and dynamics control loop. Stability analysis shows that the controlled closed-loop system is exponentially stable. Finally, simulation results for the stratospheric airship to track typical trajectories are illustrated to verify effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Research on three-dimensional reconstruction method based on binocular vision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jinlin; Wang, Zhihui; Wang, Minjun

2018-03-01

As the hot and difficult issue in computer vision, binocular stereo vision is an important form of computer vision,which has a broad application prospects in many computer vision fields,such as aerial mapping,vision navigation,motion analysis and industrial inspection etc.In this paper, a research is done into binocular stereo camera calibration, image feature extraction and stereo matching. In the binocular stereo camera calibration module, the internal parameters of a single camera are obtained by using the checkerboard lattice of zhang zhengyou the field of image feature extraction and stereo matching, adopted the SURF operator in the local feature operator and the SGBM algorithm in the global matching algorithm are used respectively, and the performance are compared. After completed the feature points matching, we can build the corresponding between matching points and the 3D object points using the camera parameters which are calibrated, which means the 3D information.

A plant tendril mimic soft actuator with phototunable bending and chiral twisting motion modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Meng; Lin, Bao-Ping; Yang, Hong

2016-12-01

In nature, plant tendrils can produce two fundamental motion modes, bending and chiral twisting (helical curling) distortions, under the stimuli of sunlight, humidity, wetting or other atmospheric conditions. To date, many artificial plant-like mechanical machines have been developed. Although some previously reported materials could realize bending or chiral twisting through tailoring the samples into various ribbons along different orientations, each single ribbon could execute only one deformation mode. The challenging task is how to endow one individual plant tendril mimic material with two different, fully tunable and reversible motion modes (bending and chiral twisting). Here we show a dual-layer, dual-composition polysiloxane-based liquid crystal soft actuator strategy to synthesize a plant tendril mimic material capable of performing two different three-dimensional reversible transformations (bending versus chiral twisting) through modulation of the wavelength band of light stimuli (ultraviolet versus near-infrared). This material has broad application prospects in biomimetic control devices.

A plant tendril mimic soft actuator with phototunable bending and chiral twisting motion modes.

PubMed

Wang, Meng; Lin, Bao-Ping; Yang, Hong

2016-12-22

In nature, plant tendrils can produce two fundamental motion modes, bending and chiral twisting (helical curling) distortions, under the stimuli of sunlight, humidity, wetting or other atmospheric conditions. To date, many artificial plant-like mechanical machines have been developed. Although some previously reported materials could realize bending or chiral twisting through tailoring the samples into various ribbons along different orientations, each single ribbon could execute only one deformation mode. The challenging task is how to endow one individual plant tendril mimic material with two different, fully tunable and reversible motion modes (bending and chiral twisting). Here we show a dual-layer, dual-composition polysiloxane-based liquid crystal soft actuator strategy to synthesize a plant tendril mimic material capable of performing two different three-dimensional reversible transformations (bending versus chiral twisting) through modulation of the wavelength band of light stimuli (ultraviolet versus near-infrared). This material has broad application prospects in biomimetic control devices.

Greenhouse irrigation control system design based on ZigBee and fuzzy PID technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Bing; Yang, Qiliang; Liu, Kenan; Li, Peiqing; Zhang, Jing; Wang, Qijian

In order to achieve the water demand information accurately detect of the greenhouse crop and its precision irrigation automatic control, this article has designed a set of the irrigated control system based on ZigBee and fuzzy PID technology, which composed by the soil water potential sensor, CC2530F256 wireless microprocessor, IAR Embedded Workbench software development platform. And the time of Irrigation as the output .while the amount of soil water potential and crop growth cycle as the input. The article depended on Greenhouse-grown Jatropha to verify the object, the results show that the system can irrigate timely and appropriately according to the soil water potential and water demend of the different stages of Jatropha growth , which basically meet the design requirements. Therefore, the system has broad application prospects in the amount of greenhouse crop of fine control irrigation.

Considerations in the development of the utility of stable isotopes in science, medicine, and agriculture, and environmental studies

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

Matwiyoff, N.A.

1976-01-01

The prospects for the broad scale development of the utility of stable isotopes in science, medicine, agriculture, and environmental studies are considered with emphasis on the current status of isotope production, synthesis of isotopically labelled compounds, and analytical techniques.

Applying Geocritical Theory to the Study Abroad Learning Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walonen, Michael K.

2015-01-01

Recent studies have shown that employers are coming to increasingly value study abroad experience among prospective employees, and that study abroad may foster broad cognitive gains among its participants. In their survey of employer attitudes regarding international study, Stevan Trooboff et al. find that senior management and human resources…

Students' Attitudes toward Religion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lebedev, S. D.

2008-01-01

The problem of the study of religion in the system of secular education hinges on the "reproduction of religiousness" in the secular school and, more broadly, in Russian society space, via the process of mass education. It is the prospect of expanded reproduction of religious consciousness, of religious psychology and practices as a…

Broad-range PCR: past, present, or future of bacteriology?

PubMed

Renvoisé, A; Brossier, F; Sougakoff, W; Jarlier, V; Aubry, A

2013-08-01

PCR targeting the gene encoding 16S ribosomal RNA (commonly named broad-range PCR or 16S PCR) has been used for 20 years as a polyvalent tool to study prokaryotes. Broad-range PCR was first used as a taxonomic tool, then in clinical microbiology. We will describe the use of broad-range PCR in clinical microbiology. The first application was identification of bacterial strains obtained by culture but whose phenotypic or proteomic identification remained difficult or impossible. This changed bacterial taxonomy and allowed discovering many new species. The second application of broad-range PCR in clinical microbiology is the detection of bacterial DNA from clinical samples; we will review the clinical settings in which the technique proved useful (such as endocarditis) and those in which it did not (such as characterization of bacteria in ascites, in cirrhotic patients). This technique allowed identifying the etiological agents for several diseases, such as Whipple disease. This review is a synthesis of data concerning the applications, assets, and drawbacks of broad-range PCR in clinical microbiology. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

[Application of digital design and three-dimensional printing technique on individualized medical treatment].

PubMed

Qin, Mian; Liu, Yaxiong; He, Jiankang; Wang, Ling; Lian, Qin; Li, Dichen; Jin, Zhongmin; He, Sanhu; Li, Gang; Liu, Yanpu; Wang, Zhen

2014-03-01

To summarize the latest research development of the application of digital design and three-dimensional (3-D) printing technique on individualized medical treatment. Recent research data and clinical literature about the application of digital design and 3-D printing technique on individualized medical treatment in Xi'an Jiaotong University and its cooperation unit were summarized, reviewed, and analyzed. Digital design and 3-D printing technique can design and manufacture individualized implant based on the patient's specific disease conditions. And the implant can satisfy the needs of specific shape and function of the patient, reducing dependence on the level of experience required for the doctor. So 3-D printing technique get more and more recognition of the surgeon on the individualized repair of human tissue. Xi'an Jiaotong University is the first unit to develop the commercial 3-D printer and conduct depth research on the design and manufacture of individualized medical implant. And complete technological processes and quality standards of product have been developed. The individualized medical implant manufactured by 3-D printing technique can not only achieve personalized match but also meet the functional requirements and aesthetic requirements of patients. In addition, the individualized medical implant has the advantages of accurate positioning, stable connection, and high strength. So 3-D printing technique has broad prospects in the manufacture and application of individualized implant.

Development and application of traffic flow information collecting and analysis system based on multi-type video

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Mujie; Shang, Wenjie; Ji, Xinkai; Hua, Mingzhuang; Cheng, Kuo

2015-12-01

Nowadays, intelligent transportation system (ITS) has already become the new direction of transportation development. Traffic data, as a fundamental part of intelligent transportation system, is having a more and more crucial status. In recent years, video observation technology has been widely used in the field of traffic information collecting. Traffic flow information contained in video data has many advantages which is comprehensive and can be stored for a long time, but there are still many problems, such as low precision and high cost in the process of collecting information. This paper aiming at these problems, proposes a kind of traffic target detection method with broad applicability. Based on three different ways of getting video data, such as aerial photography, fixed camera and handheld camera, we develop a kind of intelligent analysis software which can be used to extract the macroscopic, microscopic traffic flow information in the video, and the information can be used for traffic analysis and transportation planning. For road intersections, the system uses frame difference method to extract traffic information, for freeway sections, the system uses optical flow method to track the vehicles. The system was applied in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, and the application shows that the system for extracting different types of traffic flow information has a high accuracy, it can meet the needs of traffic engineering observations and has a good application prospect.

Antibiotics with anaerobic ammonium oxidation in urban wastewater treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Ruipeng; Yang, Yuanming

2017-05-01

Biofilter process is based on biological oxidation process on the introduction of fast water filter design ideas generated by an integrated filtration, adsorption and biological role of aerobic wastewater treatment process various purification processes. By engineering example, we show that the process is an ideal sewage and industrial wastewater treatment process of low concentration. Anaerobic ammonia oxidation process because of its advantage of the high efficiency and low consumption, wastewater biological denitrification field has broad application prospects. The process in practical wastewater treatment at home and abroad has become a hot spot. In this paper, anammox bacteria habitats and species diversity, and anaerobic ammonium oxidation process in the form of diversity, and one and split the process operating conditions are compared, focusing on a review of the anammox process technology various types of wastewater laboratory research and engineering applications, including general water quality and pressure filtrate sludge digestion, landfill leachate, aquaculture wastewater, monosodium glutamate wastewater, wastewater, sewage, fecal sewage, waste water salinity wastewater characteristics, research progress and application of the obstacles. Finally, we summarize the anaerobic ammonium oxidation process potential problems during the processing of the actual waste water, and proposed future research focus on in-depth study of water quality anammox obstacle factor and its regulatory policy, and vigorously develop on this basis, and combined process optimization.

12 CFR 41.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 41.28 Section 41.28 Banks and Banking COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 41.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective...

The Internet and the Google Age: Prospects and Perils

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

James, Jonathan D., Ed.

2014-01-01

"The Internet and the Google Age" commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the Internet in March 2014 and celebrates the achievements and benefits while also pointing out the limitations and perils of the Internet. It identifies the broad characteristics of the Internet age, and includes several studies that outline the educational benefits…

A multi-analyte profile of serum proteins to screen for toxicological effects of anticholinesterase insecticides in the rat

EPA Science Inventory

The development of high throughput biochemical screens could be useful to assess the broad spectrum of physiological effects of environmental toxicants. To explore the prospect of using a screen in an in vivo exposure scenario, we applied a commercially available multianalyte pro...

Psychological Predictors of Mortality: Evidence from a 41-Year Prospective Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Graves, Pirkko L.; And Others

The Precursors Study, initiated in 1946, has focused on searching for links between psychological patterns and future disease and death. Gathering a broad spectrum of psychobiological characteristics from a large group of medical students, this study has continued year after year. This study examined the role of psychological factors on mortality,…

INTERIM REPORT, DEVELOP A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT STRATEGY: PREPARE TO IMPLEMENT A COHORT STUDY OF CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

EPA Science Inventory

Introduction

The National Children's Study (NCS) is an ambitious undertaking: a 20-year prospective cohort

study that will investigate the relationships between a broad range of environmental factors and the health

and well-being of children. Approximately 10...

Improving Open Access through Prior Learning Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yin, Shuangxu; Kawachi, Paul

2013-01-01

This paper explores and presents new data on how to improve open access in distance education through using prior learning assessments. Broadly there are three types of prior learning assessment (PLAR): Type-1 for prospective students to be allowed to register for a course; Type-2 for current students to avoid duplicating work-load to gain…

Interpersonal Relatedness and Self-Definition in Normal and Disrupted Personality Development: Retrospect and Prospect

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luyten, Patrick; Blatt, Sidney J.

2013-01-01

Two-polarities models of personality propose that personality development evolves through a dialectic synergistic interaction between two fundamental developmental psychological processes across the life span--the development of interpersonal relatedness on the one hand and of self-definition on the other. This article offers a broad review of…

Legal access to surrogate motherhood in illness that does not cause infertility.

PubMed

Jordaan, Donrich W

2016-06-17

The threshold requirement for surrogate motherhood entails that a commissioning parent or parents must be permanently unable to give birth to a child. The question of whether a commissioning mother who suffers from a permanent illness that does not cause infertility as such, but that renders pregnancy a significant health risk to such mother and/or to her prospective child in utero, has arisen in practice. In this article, I propose that the inability to give birth to a child as per the threshold requirement should not be interpreted narrowly as referring only to a commissioning parent's inherent inability to give birth to a child, but should rather be interpreted broadly as referring only to a commissioning parent's effective inability to give birth to a child - allowing consideration of the medical sequelae of pregnancy for the commissioning mother and her prospective child. I argue that such a broad interpretation of the threshold requirement is compatible with legislative intent and case law, and is demanded by our country's constitutional commitment to human rights.

MPLEx: a Robust and Universal Protocol for Single-Sample Integrative Proteomic, Metabolomic, and Lipidomic Analyses

PubMed Central

Nakayasu, Ernesto S.; Nicora, Carrie D.; Sims, Amy C.; Burnum-Johnson, Kristin E.; Kim, Young-Mo; Kyle, Jennifer E.; Matzke, Melissa M.; Shukla, Anil K.; Chu, Rosalie K.; Schepmoes, Athena A.; Jacobs, Jon M.; Baric, Ralph S.; Webb-Robertson, Bobbie-Jo; Smith, Richard D.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Integrative multi-omics analyses can empower more effective investigation and complete understanding of complex biological systems. Despite recent advances in a range of omics analyses, multi-omic measurements of the same sample are still challenging and current methods have not been well evaluated in terms of reproducibility and broad applicability. Here we adapted a solvent-based method, widely applied for extracting lipids and metabolites, to add proteomics to mass spectrometry-based multi-omics measurements. The metabolite, protein, and lipid extraction (MPLEx) protocol proved to be robust and applicable to a diverse set of sample types, including cell cultures, microbial communities, and tissues. To illustrate the utility of this protocol, an integrative multi-omics analysis was performed using a lung epithelial cell line infected with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, which showed the impact of this virus on the host glycolytic pathway and also suggested a role for lipids during infection. The MPLEx method is a simple, fast, and robust protocol that can be applied for integrative multi-omic measurements from diverse sample types (e.g., environmental, in vitro, and clinical). IMPORTANCE In systems biology studies, the integration of multiple omics measurements (i.e., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics) has been shown to provide a more complete and informative view of biological pathways. Thus, the prospect of extracting different types of molecules (e.g., DNAs, RNAs, proteins, and metabolites) and performing multiple omics measurements on single samples is very attractive, but such studies are challenging due to the fact that the extraction conditions differ according to the molecule type. Here, we adapted an organic solvent-based extraction method that demonstrated broad applicability and robustness, which enabled comprehensive proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics analyses from the same sample. Author Video: An author video summary of this article is available. PMID:27822525

How Prospective Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Trainees Rank Residency Training Programs.

PubMed

Auriemma, Michael J; Whitehair, Curtis L

2018-03-01

Since the inception of the National Resident Matching Program, multiple studies have investigated the factors applicants consider important to ranking prospective residency programs. However, only 2 previous studies focused on prospective physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) trainees, and the most recent of these studies was published in 1993. It is unknown whether these previous studies are reflective of current prospective PM&R residents. To assess various factors that contribute to prospective PM&R residents' decision making in choosing a residency program and compare these findings with previous studies. An anonymous, voluntary questionnaire. A single PM&R residency program. All applicants to a single PM&R residency program. All applicants to our PM&R residency program were invited to participate in a 44-item, 5-point Likert-based questionnaire. Applicants were asked to rate the importance of various factors as they related to constructing their residency rank list. Means and standard deviations were calculated for items included in the survey. A response rate of 26% was obtained, with the responses of 98 applicants (20%) ultimately analyzed. The highest rated factors included "perceived happiness of current residents," "opportunities for hands-on procedure training," "perceived camaraderie among current residents," "perceived camaraderie among faculty and current residents," "perceived quality of current residents," and "perceived work/life balance among current residents." Although male and female respondents demonstrated similar ranking preferences, an apparent difference was detected between how genders rated the importance of "whether the program projects a favorable environment for women" and "whether the program projects a favorable environment for minorities." As compared with previous PM&R applicants, current prospective trainees seem to place greater importance on skill acquisition over didactic teaching. Prospective PM&R residents highly value subjective perceptions of prospective PM&R training programs and the ability to obtain hands-on procedural experience. Not applicable. Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Technological advancement in electrochemical biosensor based detection of Organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos in the environment: A review of status and prospects.

PubMed

Uniyal, Shivani; Sharma, Rajesh Kumar

2018-09-30

Chlorpyrifos (CP), an organophosphate insecticide is broadly used in the agricultural and industrial sectors to control a broad-spectrum of insects of economically important crops. CP detection has been gaining prominence due to its widespread contamination in different environmental matrices, high acute toxicity, and potential to cause long-term environmental and ecological damage even at trace levels. Traditional chromatographic methods for CP detection are complex and require sample preparation and highly skilled personnel for their operation. Over the past decades, electrochemical biosensors have emerged as a promising technology for CP detection as these circumvent deficiencies associated with classical chromatographic techniques. The advantageous features such as appreciable detection limit, miniaturization, sensitivity, low-cost and onsite detection potential are the propulsive force towards sustainable growth of electrochemical biosensing platforms. Recent development in enzyme immobilization methods, novel surface modifications, nanotechnology and fabrication techniques signify a foremost possibility for the design of electrochemical biosensing platforms with improved sensitivity and selectivity. The prime objective of this review is to accentuate the recent advances in the design of biosensing platforms based on diverse biomolecules and biomimetic molecules with unique properties, which would potentially fascinate their applicability for detection of CP residues in real samples. The review also covers the sensing principle of the prime biomolecule and biomimetic molecule based electrochemical biosensors along with their analytical performance, advantages and shortcomings. Present challenges and future outlooks in the field of electrochemical biosensors based CP detection are also discussed. This deep analysis of electrochemical biosensors will provide research directions for further approaching towards commercial development of the broad range of organophosphorus compounds. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Agricultural landscapes: Can they support healthy bird populations as well as farm products?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peterjohn, B.G.

2003-01-01

At the beginning of the twentieth century, prospects for bird populations occupying farmlands were promising. Agricultural expansion and the resulting deforestation produced wholesale changes to the landscape of eastern North America (Trautman 1977, Zeranski and Baptist 1990, Nicholson 1997). Regional avifaunas were transformed as Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris), Dickcissels (Spiza americana), and other farmland birds undertook range expansions (Hurley and Franks 1976, Askins 1999). Those farmland birds became conspicuous, frequently in numbers that are hard to imagine today (Trautman 1940).One hundred years later, many of those once plentiful species experienced dramatic population declines (Askins 1993, Peterjohn and Sauer 1999). Those trends were evident for many decades, although pre-1965 trends were largely based on anecdotal accounts and were frequently attributed to changing regional landscapes due to urban expansion, farm abandonment resulting in increased forest cover, and the more intensive use of remaining agricultural fields (Trautman 1940, Herkert 1991, Askins 2000). However, numerous specific factors were implicated in local declines of individual species (Kantrud 1981, Bollinger et al. 1990, Lymn and Temple 1991, Bowen and Kruse 1993, Herkert 1994, Houston and Schmutz 1999, Blackwell and Dolbeer 2001).Understanding factors responsible for population changes can be approached at various geographic scales. Local studies identify specific factors influencing small populations, but the applicability of those results across broad geographic areas is often uncertain. Studies conducted at large geographic scales identify broad patterns of change, but those patterns frequently involve interrelated factors that may be only loosely related to the actual causes of population change. However, correlations between broad patterns of changes in bird populations and land-use characteristics provide a basis for directing future studies conducted at smaller geographic scales.

Melanin-templated rapid synthesis of silver nanostructures

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background As a potent antimicrobial agent, silver nanostructures have been used in nanosensors and nanomaterial-based assays for the detection of food relevant analytes such as organic molecules, aroma, chemical contaminants, gases and food borne pathogens. In addition silver based nanocomposites act as an antimicrobial for food packaging materials. In this prospective, the food grade melanin pigment extracted from sponge associated actinobacterium Nocardiopsis alba MSA10 and melanin mediated synthesis of silver nanostructures were studied. Based on the present findings, antimicrobial nanostructures can be developed against food pathogens for food industrial applications. Results Briefly, the sponge associated actinobacterium N. alba MSA10 was screened and fermentation conditions were optimized for the production of melanin pigment. The Plackett-Burman design followed by a Box-Behnken design was developed to optimize the concentration of most significant factors for improved melanin yield. The antioxidant potential, reductive capabilities and physiochemical properties of Nocardiopsis melanin was characterized. The optimum production of melanin was attained with pH 7.5, temperature 35°C, salinity 2.5%, sucrose 25 g/L and tyrosine 12.5 g/L under submerged fermentation conditions. A highest melanin production of 3.4 mg/ml was reached with the optimization using Box-Behnken design. The purified melanin showed rapid reduction and stabilization of silver nanostructures. The melanin mediated process produced uniform and stable silver nanostructures with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against food pathogens. Conclusions The melanin pigment produced by N. alba MSA10 can be used for environmentally benign synthesis of silver nanostructures and can be useful for food packaging materials. The characteristics of broad spectrum of activity against food pathogens of silver nanostructures gives an insight for their potential applicability in incorporation of food packaging materials and antimicrobials for stored fruits and foods. PMID:24885756

Prospective Mathematics Teachers' Opinions about Mathematical Modeling Method and Applicability of This Method

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akgün, Levent

2015-01-01

The aim of this study is to identify prospective secondary mathematics teachers' opinions about the mathematical modeling method and the applicability of this method in high schools. The case study design, which is among the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. The study was conducted with six prospective secondary mathematics…

The Application of an Army Prospective Payment Model Structured on the Standards Set Forth by the CHAMPUS Maximum Allowable Charges and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services: An Academic Approach

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-04-29

To) 29-04-2005 Final Report July 2004 to July 2005 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER The appli’eation of an army prospective payment model structured...Z39.18 Prospective Payment Model 1 The Application of an Army Prospective Payment Model Structured on the Standards Set Forth by the CHAMPUS Maximum...Health Care Administration 20060315 090 Prospective Payment Model 2 Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge my wife, Karen, who allowed me the

Solar driven electrochromic photoelectrochemical fuel cells for simultaneous energy conversion, storage and self-powered sensing.

PubMed

Wang, Yanhu; Zhang, Lina; Cui, Kang; Xu, Caixia; Li, Hao; Liu, Hong; Yu, Jinghua

2018-02-15

One solar-driven electrochromic photoelectrochemical fuel cell (PFC) with highly efficient energy conversion and storage is easily constructed to achieve quantitative self-powered sensing. Layered bismuth oxyiodide-zinc oxide nanorod arrays (ZnO@BiOI NRA) with a core/shell p-n heterostructure are fabricated as the photoanode with electrochromic Prussian blue (PB) as the cathode. The core/shell p-n heterostructure for the ZnO@BiOI photoanode can effectively boost the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance through the improvement of photon absorption and charge carrier separation. The optimal assembled PFC yields an open-circuit voltage (V OC ) of 0.48 V with the maximum power output density (P max ) as high as 155 μW cm -2 upon illumination. Benefitting from the interactive color-changing behavior of PB, the cathode not only exhibits cathodic catalytic activity in the PFC but also serves as an electrochromic display for self-powered sensing. The as-constructed PFC possesses multiple readable signal output nanochannels through the maximum power output density (P max ) of the PFC or the color change of PB. Meanwhile, the dual-signal-output makes the as-constructed self-powered sensor highly available in various operations demands with the enhanced reliability. With the advantages of high efficiency of PFCs, unique assay ability, and broad environmental suitability, the constructed self-powered platform shows broad application prospects as an integrated smart analytical device.

Geothermal Prospecting with Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System Technologies in Xilingol Volcanic Field in the Eastern Inner Mongolia, NE China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, F.; Huang, S.; Xiong, Y.; Zhao, Y.; Cheng, Y.

2013-05-01

Geothermal energy is a renewable and low-carbon energy source independent of climate change. It is most abundant in Cenozoic volcanic areas where high temperature can be obtained within a relatively shallow depth. Like other geological resources, geothermal resource prospecting and exploration require a good understanding of the host media. Remote sensing (RS) has the advantages of high spatial and temporal resolution and broad spatial coverage over the conventional geological and geophysical prospecting, while geographical information system (GIS) has intuitive, flexible, and convenient characteristics. In this study, we apply RS and GIS technics in prospecting the geothermal energy potential in Xilingol, a Cenozoic volcanic field in the eastern Inner Mongolia, NE China. Landsat TM/ETM+ multi-temporal images taken under clear-sky conditions, digital elevation model (DEM) data, and other auxiliary data including geological maps of 1:2,500,000 and 1:200,000 scales are used in this study. The land surface temperature (LST) of the study area is retrieved from the Landsat images with the single-channel algorithm on the platform of ENVI developed by ITT Visual Information Solutions. Information of linear and circular geological structure is then extracted from the LST maps and compared to the existing geological data. Several useful technologies such as principal component analysis (PCA), vegetation suppression technique, multi-temporal comparative analysis, and 3D Surface View based on DEM data are used to further enable a better visual geologic interpretation with the Landsat imagery of Xilingol. The Preliminary results show that major faults in the study area are mainly NE and NNE oriented. Several major volcanism controlling faults and Cenozoic volcanic eruption centers have been recognized from the linear and circular structures in the remote images. Seven areas have been identified as potential targets for further prospecting geothermal energy based on the visual interpretation of the geological structures. The study shows that GIS and RS have great application potential in the geothermal exploration in volcanic areas and will promote the exploration of renewable energy resources of great potential.

Application of Computational Toxicology to Prospective and Diagnostic Ecological Risk Assessment

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Application of Computational Toxicology to Prospective and Diagnostic Ecological Risk Assessment (Presented by: Dan Villeneuve, Ph.D., Research Toxicologist, US-EPA Mid-Continent Ecology Division) (1/24/2013)

Green Chemistry for Nanotechnology: Opportunities and Future Challenges

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

Preeti Nigam, Joshi, E-mail: ph.joshi@ncl.res.in

2016-01-26

Nanotechnology is a paradigm for emerging technologies and much talked about area of science. It is the technology of future and has revolutionized all fields of medicine, agriculture, environmental and electronics by providing abilities that would never have previously dreamt of. It is a unique platform of multidisciplinary approaches integrating diverse fields of engineering, biology, physics and chemistry. In recent years, nanotechnology has seen the fastest pace in its all aspects of synthesis methodologies and wide applications in all areas of medicine, agricultural, environmental, and electronics. It is the impact of nanotechnology approaches that new fields of nanomedicine, cancer nanotechnology,more » nanorobotics and nanoelectronics have been emerged and are flourishing with the advances in this expanding field. Nanotechnology holds the potential for pervasive and promising applications and getting significant attention and financial aids also. Although there are different definitions of nanotechnology, in broad prospective, nanotechnology can be described as designing or exploiting materials at nanometer dimensions (i.e., one dimension less than 100 nanometers). At nanoscale, substances have a larger surface area to volume ratio than conventional materials which is the prime reason behind their increased level of reactivity, improved and size tunable magnetic, optical and electrical properties and more toxicity also.« less

Recovery rates, enhanced oil recovery and technological limits

PubMed Central

Muggeridge, Ann; Cockin, Andrew; Webb, Kevin; Frampton, Harry; Collins, Ian; Moulds, Tim; Salino, Peter

2014-01-01

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques can significantly extend global oil reserves once oil prices are high enough to make these techniques economic. Given a broad consensus that we have entered a period of supply constraints, operators can at last plan on the assumption that the oil price is likely to remain relatively high. This, coupled with the realization that new giant fields are becoming increasingly difficult to find, is creating the conditions for extensive deployment of EOR. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the nature, status and prospects for EOR technologies. It explains why the average oil recovery factor worldwide is only between 20% and 40%, describes the factors that contribute to these low recoveries and indicates which of those factors EOR techniques can affect. The paper then summarizes the breadth of EOR processes, the history of their application and their current status. It introduces two new EOR technologies that are beginning to be deployed and which look set to enter mainstream application. Examples of existing EOR projects in the mature oil province of the North Sea are discussed. It concludes by summarizing the future opportunities for the development and deployment of EOR. PMID:24298076

3D Bioprinting for Engineering Complex Tissues

PubMed Central

Mandrycky, Christian; Wang, Zongjie; Kim, Keekyoung; Kim, Deok-Ho

2016-01-01

Bioprinting is a 3D fabrication technology used to precisely dispense cell-laden biomaterials for the construction of complex 3D functional living tissues or artificial organs. While still in its early stages, bioprinting strategies have demonstrated their potential use in regenerative medicine to generate a variety of transplantable tissues, including skin, cartilage, and bone. However, current bioprinting approaches still have technical challenges in terms of high-resolution cell deposition, controlled cell distributions, vascularization, and innervation within complex 3D tissues. While no one-size-fits-all approach to bioprinting has emerged, it remains an on-demand, versatile fabrication technique that may address the growing organ shortage as well as provide a high-throughput method for cell patterning at the micrometer scale for broad biomedical engineering applications. In this review, we introduce the basic principles, materials, integration strategies and applications of bioprinting. We also discuss the recent developments, current challenges and future prospects of 3D bioprinting for engineering complex tissues. Combined with recent advances in human pluripotent stem cell technologies, 3D-bioprinted tissue models could serve as an enabling platform for high-throughput predictive drug screening and more effective regenerative therapies. PMID:26724184

3D bioprinting for engineering complex tissues.

PubMed

Mandrycky, Christian; Wang, Zongjie; Kim, Keekyoung; Kim, Deok-Ho

2016-01-01

Bioprinting is a 3D fabrication technology used to precisely dispense cell-laden biomaterials for the construction of complex 3D functional living tissues or artificial organs. While still in its early stages, bioprinting strategies have demonstrated their potential use in regenerative medicine to generate a variety of transplantable tissues, including skin, cartilage, and bone. However, current bioprinting approaches still have technical challenges in terms of high-resolution cell deposition, controlled cell distributions, vascularization, and innervation within complex 3D tissues. While no one-size-fits-all approach to bioprinting has emerged, it remains an on-demand, versatile fabrication technique that may address the growing organ shortage as well as provide a high-throughput method for cell patterning at the micrometer scale for broad biomedical engineering applications. In this review, we introduce the basic principles, materials, integration strategies and applications of bioprinting. We also discuss the recent developments, current challenges and future prospects of 3D bioprinting for engineering complex tissues. Combined with recent advances in human pluripotent stem cell technologies, 3D-bioprinted tissue models could serve as an enabling platform for high-throughput predictive drug screening and more effective regenerative therapies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Recovery rates, enhanced oil recovery and technological limits.

PubMed

Muggeridge, Ann; Cockin, Andrew; Webb, Kevin; Frampton, Harry; Collins, Ian; Moulds, Tim; Salino, Peter

2014-01-13

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques can significantly extend global oil reserves once oil prices are high enough to make these techniques economic. Given a broad consensus that we have entered a period of supply constraints, operators can at last plan on the assumption that the oil price is likely to remain relatively high. This, coupled with the realization that new giant fields are becoming increasingly difficult to find, is creating the conditions for extensive deployment of EOR. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the nature, status and prospects for EOR technologies. It explains why the average oil recovery factor worldwide is only between 20% and 40%, describes the factors that contribute to these low recoveries and indicates which of those factors EOR techniques can affect. The paper then summarizes the breadth of EOR processes, the history of their application and their current status. It introduces two new EOR technologies that are beginning to be deployed and which look set to enter mainstream application. Examples of existing EOR projects in the mature oil province of the North Sea are discussed. It concludes by summarizing the future opportunities for the development and deployment of EOR.

Laser acceleration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tajima, T.; Nakajima, K.; Mourou, G.

2017-02-01

The fundamental idea of Laser Wakefield Acceleration (LWFA) is reviewed. An ultrafast intense laser pulse drives coherent wakefield with a relativistic amplitude robustly supported by the plasma. While the large amplitude of wakefields involves collective resonant oscillations of the eigenmode of the entire plasma electrons, the wake phase velocity ˜ c and ultrafastness of the laser pulse introduce the wake stability and rigidity. A large number of worldwide experiments show a rapid progress of this concept realization toward both the high-energy accelerator prospect and broad applications. The strong interest in this has been spurring and stimulating novel laser technologies, including the Chirped Pulse Amplification, the Thin Film Compression, the Coherent Amplification Network, and the Relativistic Mirror Compression. These in turn have created a conglomerate of novel science and technology with LWFA to form a new genre of high field science with many parameters of merit in this field increasing exponentially lately. This science has triggered a number of worldwide research centers and initiatives. Associated physics of ion acceleration, X-ray generation, and astrophysical processes of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays are reviewed. Applications such as X-ray free electron laser, cancer therapy, and radioisotope production etc. are considered. A new avenue of LWFA using nanomaterials is also emerging.

Progress and Prospects toward a Space-based Gravitational-Wave Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, John

2012-01-01

Over the last few years there has been much activity in the effort to produce a space-based gravitational-wave observatory. These efforts have enriched the understanding of the scientific capabilities of such an observatory leading to broad recognition of its value as an astronomical instrument. At the same time, rapidly developing events in the US and Europe have lead to a more complicated outlook than the baseline Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) project plan of a few years ago. I will discuss recent progress and developments resulting from the European eLISA study and the SGO study in the US and prospects looking forward.

Descriptive Analysis of Selected Data Referral Networks.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MAXIMA Corp., Silver Spring, MD.

The National Environmental Data Referral Service (NEDRES) is being developed in response to a national need to improve the awareness of and access to a broad range of environmental data files. Two studies were conducted in support of this effort: a survey of prospective users confirming the need for and willingness to pay fees for the service and…

The Development of Criminal Style in Adolescence and Young Adulthood: Separating the Lemmings from the Loners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldweber, Asha; Dmitrieva, Julia; Cauffman, Elizabeth; Piquero, Alex R.; Steinberg, Laurence

2011-01-01

Despite broad consensus that most juvenile crimes are committed with peers, many questions regarding developmental and individual differences in criminal style (i.e., co-offending vs. solo offending) remain unanswered. Using prospective 3-year longitudinal data from 937 14- to 17-year-old serious male offenders, the present study investigates…

Earth in Mind: On Education, Environment, and the Human Prospect.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Orr, David W.

This book includes 23 essays on the environmental crisis that address the failures to educate people to think broadly, to perceive systems and patterns, and to live as whole persons. Current educational reforms are driven by the belief that students must be prepared to effectively compete in a global economy. A more important reason to reform…

Development of a Test of Spoken Dutch for Prospective Immigrants

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Jong, John H. A. L.; Lennig, Matthew; Kerkhoff, Anne; Poelmans, Petra

2009-01-01

Based on a parliamentary vote with broad support, the Ministry of Justice of the Netherlands in December 2003 commissioned the development of an examination system to test the Dutch oral language skills of foreigners who want to immigrate permanently to the Netherlands for economic or family reasons. This assessment would take place in the country…

Thinking Big: A Framework for States on Scaling Up Community College Innovation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Asera, Rose; McDonnell, Rachel Pleasants; Soricone, Lisa; Anderson, Nate; Endel, Barbara

2013-01-01

It is a truism of American social policy that our nation has great success generating innovative programs that improve outcomes for participants--but that we are far less effective at moving from small, "boutique" programs into broadly applied solutions that improve the prospects of large numbers of individuals. This is certainly true in…

Embryonic stem cells and prospects for their use in regenerative medicine approaches to motor neurone disease.

PubMed

Christou, Y A; Moore, H D; Shaw, P J; Monk, P N

2007-10-01

Human embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells with the potential to differentiate into any cell type in the presence of appropriate stimulatory factors and environmental cues. Their broad developmental potential has led to valuable insights into the principles of developmental and cell biology and to the proposed use of human embryonic stem cells or their differentiated progeny in regenerative medicine. This review focuses on the prospects for the use of embryonic stem cells in cell-based therapy for motor neurone disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that specifically affects upper and lower motor neurones and leads ultimately to death from respiratory failure. Stem cell-derived motor neurones could conceivably be used to replace the degenerated cells, to provide authentic substrates for drug development and screening and for furthering our understanding of disease mechanisms. However, to reliably and accurately culture motor neurones, the complex pathways by which differentiation occurs in vivo must be understood and reiterated in vitro by embryonic stem cells. Here we discuss the need for new therapeutic strategies in the treatment of motor neurone disease, the developmental processes that result in motor neurone formation in vivo, a number of experimental approaches to motor neurone production in vitro and recent progress in the application of stem cells to the treatment and understanding of motor neurone disease.

16 CFR 680.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... REPORTING ACT AFFILIATE MARKETING § 680.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... part shall not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to...

16 CFR 680.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... REPORTING ACT AFFILIATE MARKETING § 680.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... part shall not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to...

16 CFR 680.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... REPORTING ACT AFFILIATE MARKETING § 680.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... part shall not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to...

16 CFR 680.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... REPORTING ACT AFFILIATE MARKETING § 680.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... part shall not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to...

16 CFR 680.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... REPORTING ACT AFFILIATE MARKETING § 680.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... part shall not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to...

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-based Quantitative Proteomics

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

Xie, Fang; Liu, Tao; Qian, Weijun

2011-07-22

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based quantitative proteomics has become increasingly applied for a broad range of biological applications due to growing capabilities for broad proteome coverage and good accuracy in quantification. Herein, we review the current LC-MS-based quantification methods with respect to their advantages and limitations, and highlight their potential applications.

A HUMAN RELIABILITY-CENTERED APPROACH TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF JOB AIDS FOR REVIEWERS OF MEDICAL DEVICES THAT USE RADIOLOGICAL BYPRODUCT MATERIALS.

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

COOPER, S.E.; BROWN, W.S.; WREATHALL, J.

2005-02-02

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is engaged in an initiative to risk-inform the regulation of byproduct materials. Operating experience indicates that human actions play a dominant role in most of the activities involving byproduct materials, which are radioactive materials other than those used in nuclear power plants or in weapons production, primarily for medical or industrial purposes. The overall risk of these activities is strongly influenced by human performance. Hence, an improved understanding of human error, its causes and contexts, and human reliability analysis (HRA) is important in risk-informing the regulation of these activities. The development of the humanmore » performance job aids was undertaken by stages, with frequent interaction with the prospective users. First, potentially risk significant human actions were identified based on reviews of available risk studies for byproduct material applications and of descriptions of events for byproduct materials applications that involved potentially significant human actions. Applications from the medical and the industrial domains were sampled. Next, the specific needs of the expected users of the human performance-related capabilities were determined. To do this, NRC headquarters and region staff were interviewed to identify the types of activities (e.g., license reviews, inspections, event assessments) that need HRA support and the form in which such support might best be offered. Because the range of byproduct uses regulated by NRC is so broad, it was decided that initial development of knowledge and tools would be undertaken in the context of a specific use of byproduct material, which was selected in consultation with NRC staff. Based on needs of NRC staff and the human performance related characteristics of the context chosen, knowledge resources were then compiled to support consideration of human performance issues related to the regulation of byproduct materials. Finally, with information sources and an application context identified, a set of strawman job aids was developed, which was then presented to prospective users for critique and comment. Work is currently under way to develop training materials and refine the job aids in preparation for a pilot evaluation.« less

Prospect theory on the brain? Toward a cognitive neuroscience of decision under risk.

PubMed

Trepel, Christopher; Fox, Craig R; Poldrack, Russell A

2005-04-01

Most decisions must be made without advance knowledge of their consequences. Economists and psychologists have devoted much attention to modeling decisions made under conditions of risk in which options can be characterized by a known probability distribution over possible outcomes. The descriptive shortcomings of classical economic models motivated the development of prospect theory (D. Kahneman, A. Tversky, Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 4 (1979) 263-291; A. Tversky, D. Kahneman, Advances in prospect theory: Cumulative representation of uncertainty. Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 5 (4) (1992) 297-323) the most successful behavioral model of decision under risk. In the prospect theory, subjective value is modeled by a value function that is concave for gains, convex for losses, and steeper for losses than for gains; the impact of probabilities are characterized by a weighting function that overweights low probabilities and underweights moderate to high probabilities. We outline the possible neural bases of the components of prospect theory, surveying evidence from human imaging, lesion, and neuropharmacology studies as well as animal neurophysiology studies. These results provide preliminary suggestions concerning the neural bases of prospect theory that include a broad set of brain regions and neuromodulatory systems. These data suggest that focused studies of decision making in the context of quantitative models may provide substantial leverage towards a fuller understanding of the cognitive neuroscience of decision making.

The Effects of Problem Solving Applications on the Development of Science Process Skills, Logical Thinking Skills and Perception on Problem Solving Ability in the Science Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seyhan, Hatice Güngör

2015-01-01

This study was conducted with 98 prospective science teachers, who were composed of 50 prospective teachers that had participated in problem-solving applications and 48 prospective teachers who were taught within a more researcher-oriented teaching method in science laboratories. The first aim of this study was to determine the levels of…

Research on distributed optical fiber sensing data processing method based on LabVIEW

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhonghu; Yang, Meifang; Wang, Luling; Wang, Jinming; Yan, Junhong; Zuo, Jing

2018-01-01

The pipeline leak detection and leak location problem have gotten extensive attention in the industry. In this paper, the distributed optical fiber sensing system is designed based on the heat supply pipeline. The data processing method of distributed optical fiber sensing based on LabVIEW is studied emphatically. The hardware system includes laser, sensing optical fiber, wavelength division multiplexer, photoelectric detector, data acquisition card and computer etc. The software system is developed using LabVIEW. The software system adopts wavelet denoising method to deal with the temperature information, which improved the SNR. By extracting the characteristic value of the fiber temperature information, the system can realize the functions of temperature measurement, leak location and measurement signal storage and inquiry etc. Compared with traditional negative pressure wave method or acoustic signal method, the distributed optical fiber temperature measuring system can measure several temperatures in one measurement and locate the leak point accurately. It has a broad application prospect.

The asthma mobile health study, smartphone data collected using ResearchKit.

PubMed

Chan, Yu-Feng Yvonne; Bot, Brian M; Zweig, Micol; Tignor, Nicole; Ma, Weiping; Suver, Christine; Cedeno, Rafhael; Scott, Erick R; Gregory Hershman, Steven; Schadt, Eric E; Wang, Pei

2018-05-22

Widespread adoption of smart mobile platforms coupled with a growing ecosystem of sensors including passive location tracking and the ability to leverage external data sources create an opportunity to generate an unprecedented depth of data on individuals. Mobile health technologies could be utilized for chronic disease management as well as research to advance our understanding of common diseases, such as asthma. We conducted a prospective observational asthma study to assess the feasibility of this type of approach, clinical characteristics of cohorts recruited via a mobile platform, the validity of data collected, user retention patterns, and user data sharing preferences. We describe data and descriptive statistics from the Asthma Mobile Health Study, whereby participants engaged with an iPhone application built using Apple's ResearchKit framework. Data from 6346 U.S. participants, who agreed to share their data broadly, have been made available for further research. These resources have the potential to enable the research community to work collaboratively towards improving our understanding of asthma as well as mobile health research best practices.

Introduction of a male-harming mitochondrial haplotype via 'Trojan Females' achieves population suppression in fruit flies.

PubMed

Wolff, Jonci Nikolai; Gemmell, Neil J; Tompkins, Daniel M; Dowling, Damian K

2017-05-03

Pests are a global threat to biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health. Pest control approaches are thus numerous, but their implementation costly, damaging to non-target species, and ineffective at low population densities. The Trojan Female Technique (TFT) is a prospective self-perpetuating control technique that is species-specific and predicted to be effective at low densities. The goal of the TFT is to harness naturally occurring mutations in the mitochondrial genome that impair male fertility while having no effect on females. Here, we provide proof-of-concept for the TFT, by showing that introduction of a male fertility-impairing mtDNA haplotype into replicated populations of Drosophila melanogaster causes numerical population suppression, with the magnitude of effect positively correlated with its frequency at trial inception. Further development of the TFT could lead to establishing a control strategy that overcomes limitations of conventional approaches, with broad applicability to invertebrate and vertebrate species, to control environmental and economic pests.

Nanostructure-based plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for surface analysis of materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Song-Yuan; Yi, Jun; Li, Jian-Feng; Ren, Bin; Wu, De-Yin; Panneerselvam, Rajapandiyan; Tian, Zhong-Qun

2016-06-01

Since 2000, there has been an explosion of activity in the field of plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (PERS), including surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) and shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS). In this Review, we explore the mechanism of PERS and discuss PERS hotspots — nanoscale regions with a strongly enhanced local electromagnetic field — that allow trace-molecule detection, biomolecule analysis and surface characterization of various materials. In particular, we discuss a new generation of hotspots that are generated from hybrid structures combining PERS-active nanostructures and probe materials, which feature a strong local electromagnetic field on the surface of the probe material. Enhancement of surface Raman signals up to five orders of magnitude can be obtained from materials that are weakly SERS active or SERS inactive. We provide a detailed overview of future research directions in the field of PERS, focusing on new PERS-active nanomaterials and nanostructures and the broad application prospect for materials science and technology.

Large area nanoscale metal meshes for use as transparent conductive layers.

PubMed

Jin, Yuanhao; Li, Qunqing; Chen, Mo; Li, Guanhong; Zhao, Yudan; Xiao, Xiaoyang; Wang, Jiaping; Jiang, Kaili; Fan, Shoushan

2015-10-21

We report on the experimental realization of using super-aligned carbon nanotubes (SACNTs) as etching masks for the fabrication of large area nanoscale metal meshes. This method can easily be extended to different metals on both rigid and flexible substrates. The as-fabricated metal meshes, including the ones made of gold, copper, and aluminum, are suitable for use as transparent conductive layers (TCLs). The metal meshes, which are similar to the SACNT networks in their dimensional features of tens of nanometers, exhibit compatible performance in terms of optical transmittance and sheet resistance. Moreover, because the metal meshes are fabricated as an integrated material, there is no junction resistance between the interconnected metal nanostructures, which markedly lowers their sheet resistance at high temperatures. The fabrication of such an effective etching mask involves a simple drawing process of the SACNT networks prepared and a common deposition process. This approach should be easy to extend to various research fields and has broad prospects in commercial applications.

Nuclear Radiation Fields on the Mars Surface: Risk Analysis for Long-term Living Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, Brooke M.; Clowdsley, Martha S.; Qualls, Garry D.; Nealy, John E.

2005-01-01

Mars, our nearest planet outward from the sun, has been targeted for several decades as a prospective site for expanded human habitation. Background space radiation exposures on Mars are expected to be orders of magnitude higher than on Earth. Recent risk analysis procedures based on detailed dosimetric techniques applicable to sensitive human organs have been developed along with experimental data regarding cell mutation rates resulting from exposures to a broad range of particle types and energy spectra. In this context, simulated exposure and subsequent risk for humans in residence on Mars are examined. A conceptual habitat structure, CAD-modeled with duly considered inherent shielding properties, has been implemented. Body self-shielding is evaluated using NASA standard computerized male and female models. The background environment is taken to consist not only of exposure from incident cosmic ray ions and their secondaries, but also include the contribution from secondary neutron fields produced in the tenuous atmosphere and the underlying regolith.

Single Cell Analysis: From Technology to Biology and Medicine.

PubMed

Pan, Xinghua

2014-01-01

Single-cell analysis heralds a new era that allows "omics" analysis, notably genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics and proteomics at the single-cell level. It enables the identification of the minor subpopulations that may play a critical role in a biological process of a population of cells, which conventionally are regarded as homogeneous. It provides an ultra-sensitive tool to clarify specific molecular mechanisms and pathways and reveal the nature of cell heterogeneity. It also facilitates the clinical investigation of patients when a very low quantity or a single cell is available for analysis, such as noninvasive prenatal diagnosis and cancer screening, and genetic evaluation for in vitro fertilization. Within a few short years, single-cell analysis, especially whole genomic sequencing and transcriptomic sequencing, is becoming robust and broadly accessible, although not yet a routine practice. Here, with single cell RNA-seq emphasized, an overview of the discipline, progresses, and prospects of single-cell analysis and its applications in biology and medicine are given with a series of logic and theoretical considerations.

Study on The Application of Composed TiO2-diatomite in The Removal of Phenol in Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, S.; Li, J.

2017-10-01

As an environmentally friendly pollution control technology, TiO2 photocatalytic technology has a broad prospect in the field of environmental protection. In this paper, composed nano-TiO2-diatomite were prepared by depositing TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of diatomite microparticles. The nano-TiO2/diatomite composed photocatalyst is used to remove phenol in water in a specific designed reaction box under 4 different operation factors such as different reaction time, different pollutant concentration, different UV light powers and different amount of catalytic powder. The experimental results indicate that the phenol removal percentages are influenced by the reaction time most significantly, the second is the phenol concentration, the next one is the photocatalyst amount and the UV light powers’ effect is quite limited. Tthe degradation of phenol typically slows down at the reaction time about 30 or 60 minutes. Besides that, the phenol removal kinetic removal rates were also investigated.

Role of polarizer-tilting-angle in zero-field spin-transfer nano-oscillators with perpendicular anisotropy

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

Gonzalez-Fuentes, C.; Gallardo, R. A., E-mail: rodolfo.gallardo@usm.cl; Landeros, P.

2015-10-05

An analytical model for studying the stability of a single domain ferromagnetic layer under the influence of a spin-polarized current is presented. The theory is applied to bias-field-free nano-oscillators with perpendicular anisotropy, which allows to obtain a polarizer-angle vs. current phase diagram that describes the stability of magnetic states. Explicit formulae for the critical current densities unveil the influence of the relative orientation between free and polarizer layers, allowing the emergence of precessional steady-states, and also the possibility to reduce the magnitude of the threshold current density to produce microwave oscillations. It is shown that oscillating steady-states arise in amore » broad angular region, and the dependence of their boundaries is fully specified by the model. The reliability of the analytical results has been corroborated by comparison to numerical calculations. Such structures are currently under intense research because of remarkable properties offering new prospects for microwave applications in communication technologies.« less

Research on effect of rough surface on FMCW laser radar range accuracy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Huirong

2018-03-01

The non-cooperative targets large scale measurement system based on frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) laser detection and ranging technology has broad application prospects. It is easy to automate measurement without cooperative targets. However, the complexity and diversity of the surface characteristics of the measured surface directly affects the measurement accuracy. First, the theoretical analysis of range accuracy for a FMCW laser radar was studied, the relationship between surface reflectivity and accuracy was obtained. Then, to verify the effect of surface reflectance for ranging accuracy, a standard tool ball and three standard roughness samples were measured within 7 m to 24 m. The uncertainty of each target was obtained. The results show that the measurement accuracy is found to increase as the surface reflectivity gets larger. Good agreements were obtained between theoretical analysis and measurements from rough surfaces. Otherwise, when the laser spot diameter is smaller than the surface correlation length, a multi-point averaged measurement can reduce the measurement uncertainty. The experimental results show that this method is feasible.

Prospecting Metagenomic Enzyme Subfamily Genes for DNA Family Shuffling by a Novel PCR-based Approach*

PubMed Central

Wang, Qiuyan; Wu, Huili; Wang, Anming; Du, Pengfei; Pei, Xiaolin; Li, Haifeng; Yin, Xiaopu; Huang, Lifeng; Xiong, Xiaolong

2010-01-01

DNA family shuffling is a powerful method for enzyme engineering, which utilizes recombination of naturally occurring functional diversity to accelerate laboratory-directed evolution. However, the use of this technique has been hindered by the scarcity of family genes with the required level of sequence identity in the genome database. We describe here a strategy for collecting metagenomic homologous genes for DNA shuffling from environmental samples by truncated metagenomic gene-specific PCR (TMGS-PCR). Using identified metagenomic gene-specific primers, twenty-three 921-bp truncated lipase gene fragments, which shared 64–99% identity with each other and formed a distinct subfamily of lipases, were retrieved from 60 metagenomic samples. These lipase genes were shuffled, and selected active clones were characterized. The chimeric clones show extensive functional and genetic diversity, as demonstrated by functional characterization and sequence analysis. Our results indicate that homologous sequences of genes captured by TMGS-PCR can be used as suitable genetic material for DNA family shuffling with broad applications in enzyme engineering. PMID:20962349

Tri-s-triazine-Based Crystalline Carbon Nitride Nanosheets for an Improved Hydrogen Evolution.

PubMed

Ou, Honghui; Lin, Lihua; Zheng, Yun; Yang, Pengju; Fang, Yuanxing; Wang, Xinchen

2017-06-01

Tri-s-triazine-based crystalline carbon nitride nanosheets (CCNNSs) have been successfully extracted via a conventional and cost-effective sonication-centrifugation process. These CCNNSs possess a highly defined and unambiguous structure with minimal thickness, large aspect ratios, homogeneous tri-s-triazine-based units, and high crystallinity. These tri-s-triazine-based CCNNSs show significantly enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity under visible light than g-C 3 N 4 , poly (triazine imide)/Li + Cl - , and bulk tri-s-triazine-based crystalline carbon nitrides. A highly apparent quantum efficiency of 8.57% at 420 nm for hydrogen production from aqueous methanol feedstock can be achieved from tri-s-triazine-based CCNNSs, exceeding most of the reported carbon nitride nanosheets. Benefiting from the inherent structure of 2D crystals, the ultrathin tri-s-triazine-based CCNNSs provide a broad range of application prospects in the fields of bioimaging, and energy storage and conversion. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Prospects for School Mathematics. Seventy-Five Years of Progress.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carl, Iris M., Ed.

This book offers a broad view for a varied audience of what the vision expressed in all three National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Standards documents will look like when aligned with practice and outlines ways in which desired changes can be realized. Six sections and 21 chapters in the book are: Section I--History: (1) "Paths to the…

Prospects and Pitfalls in the Coming Wave of High-frequency Environmental Data: What to Look Forward to, and Watch out for

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keller, A. A.; Adeleye, A. S.; Huang, Y.; Garner, K.

2014-12-01

The application of nanotechnology in drinking water treatment and pollution cleanup is promising, as demonstrated by a number of field-based (pilot and full scale) and bench scale studies. A number of reviews exist for these nanotechnology-based applications; but to better illustrate its importance and guide its development, a direct comparison between traditional treatment technologies and emerging approaches using nanotechnology is needed. In this review, the performances of traditional technologies and nanotechnology for water treatment and environmental remediation were compared with the goal of providing an up-to-date reference on the state of treatment techniques for researchers, industry, and policy makers. Pollutants were categorized into broad classes, and the most cost-effective techniques (traditional and nanotechnology-based) in each category reported in the literature were compared. Where information was available, cost and environmental implications of both technologies were also compared. Traditional treatment technologies were found to currently offer the most cost-effective choices for removal of several common pollutants from drinking water and polluted sites. Nano-based techniques may however become important in complicated remediation conditions and meeting increasingly stringent water quality standards, especially in removal of emerging pollutants and low levels of contaminants. We also discuss challenges facing environmental application of nanotechnology were also discussed and potential solutions.

Research on high-speed railway's vibration analysis checking based on intelligent mobile terminal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Peigang; Xie, Shulin; Zhao, Xuefeng

2017-04-01

Recently, the development of high-speed railway meets the requirement of society booming and it has gradually become the first choice for long-length journey. Since ensuring the safety and stable operation are of great importance to high-speed trains owing to its unique features, vibration analysis checking is one of main means to be adopted. Due to the popularization of Smartphone, in this research, a novel public-participating method to achieve high-speed railway's vibration analysis checking based on smartphone and an inspection application of high-speed railway line built in the intelligent mobile terminal were proposed. Utilizing the accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS and other high-performance sensors which were integrated in smartphone, the application can obtain multiple parameters like acceleration, angle, etc and pinpoint the location. Therefore, through analyzing the acceleration data in time domain and frequency domain using fast Fourier transform, the research compared much of data from monitoring tests under different measure conditions and measuring points. Furthermore, an idea of establishing a system about analysis checking was outlined in paper. It has been validated that the smartphone-based high-speed railway line inspection system is reliable and feasible on the high-speed railway lines. And it has more advantages, such as convenience, low cost and being widely used. Obviously, the research has important practical significance and broad application prospects.

Pressurized metallurgy for high performance special steels and alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Z. H.; Zhu, H. C.; Li, H. B.; Li, Y.; Liu, F. B.

2016-07-01

The pressure is one of the basic parameters which greatly influences the metallurgical reaction process and solidification of steels and alloys. In this paper the history and present situation of research and application of pressurized metallurgy, especially pressurized metallurgy for special steels and alloys have been briefly reviewed. In the following part the physical chemistry of pressurized metallurgy is summarized. It is shown that pressurizing may change the conditions of chemical reaction in thermodynamics and kinetics due to the pressure effect on gas volume, solubility of gas and volatile element in metal melt, activity or activity coefficient of components, and change the physical and chemical properties of metal melt, heat transfer coefficient between mould and ingot, thus greatly influencing phase transformation during the solidification process and the solidification structure, such as increasing the solidification nucleation rate, reducing the critical nucleation radius, accelerating the solidification speed and significant macro/micro-structure refinement, and eliminating shrinkage, porosity and segregation and other casting defects. In the third part the research works of pressured metallurgy performed by the Northeastern University including establishment of pressurized induction melting (PIM) and pressurized electroslag remelting (PESR) equipments and development of high nitrogen steels under pressure are described in detail. Finally, it is considered in the paper that application of pressurized metallurgy in manufacture of high performance special steels and alloys is a relatively new research area, and its application prospects will be very broad and bright.

Gas-phase broadband spectroscopy using active sources: progress, status, and applications

PubMed Central

Cossel, Kevin C.; Waxman, Eleanor M.; Finneran, Ian A.; Blake, Geoffrey A.; Ye, Jun; Newbury, Nathan R.

2017-01-01

Broadband spectroscopy is an invaluable tool for measuring multiple gas-phase species simultaneously. In this work we review basic techniques, implementations, and current applications for broadband spectroscopy. We discuss components of broad-band spectroscopy including light sources, absorption cells, and detection methods and then discuss specific combinations of these components in commonly-used techniques. We finish this review by discussing potential future advances in techniques and applications of broad-band spectroscopy. PMID:28630530

Implications of prospective payment under DRGs for hospital marketing.

PubMed

Folland, S; Ziegenfuss, J T; Chao, P

1988-12-01

The authors analyze the hospital marketing implications of Medicare's prospective payment system under DRGs. They take an appropriately broad view of marketing and consider related impacts on culture, structure, and management, in addition to the traditional marketing mix. The article serves to present in one place the ideas and discussions on the subject from a wide and disparate literature. The aim throughout is to identify those marketing responses warranting recommendation. The recommendations are assembled in a concluding section. Though many of the ideas are not new, they have yet to be widely adopted by hospitals. Hence they represent untapped marketing opportunities attributable to the advent of the DRG system. The authors conclude with suggestions for future research.

Fundamentals of digital filtering with applications in geophysical prospecting for oil

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

Mesko, A.

This book is a comprehensive work bringing together the important mathematical foundations and computing techniques for numerical filtering methods. The first two parts of the book introduce the techniques, fundamental theory and applications, while the third part treats specific applications in geophysical prospecting. Discussion is limited to linear filters, but takes in related fields such as correlational and spectral analysis.

[Research Progress and Prospect of Applications of Finite Element Method in Lumbar Spine Biomechanics].

PubMed

Zhang, Zhenjun; Li, Yang; Liao, Zhenhua; Liu, Weiqiang

2016-12-01

Based on the application of finite element analysis in spine biomechanics,the research progress of finite element method applied in lumbar spine mechanics is reviewed and the prospect is forecasted.The related works,including lumbar ontology modeling,clinical application research,and occupational injury and protection,are summarized.The main research areas of finite element method are as follows:new accurate modeling process,the optimized simulation method,diversified clinical effect evaluation,and the clinical application of artificial lumbar disc.According to the recent research progress,the application prospects of finite element method,such as automation and individuation of modeling process,evaluation and analysis of new operation methods and simulation of mechanical damage and dynamic response,are discussed.The purpose of this paper is to provide the theoretical reference and practical guidance for the clinical lumbar problems by reviewing the application of finite element method in the field of the lumbar spine biomechanics.

InP (Indium Phosphide): Into the future

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brandhorst, Henry W., Jr.

1989-01-01

Major industry is beginning to be devoted to indium phosphide and its potential applications. Key to these applications are high speed and radiation tolerance; however the high cost of indium phosphide may be an inhibitor to progress. The broad applicability of indium phosphide to many devices will be discussed with an emphasis on photovoltaics. Major attention is devoted to radiation tolerance and means of reducing cost of devices. Some of the approaches applicable to solar cells may also be relevant to other devices. The intent is to display the impact of visionary leadership in the field and enable the directions and broad applicability of indium phosphide.

Prevention of non-melanoma skin cancer in organ transplant patients by regular use of a sunscreen: a 24 months, prospective, case-control study.

PubMed

Ulrich, C; Jürgensen, J S; Degen, A; Hackethal, M; Ulrich, M; Patel, M J; Eberle, J; Terhorst, D; Sterry, W; Stockfleth, E

2009-11-01

Skin cancers represent a major challenge within the ever growing group of long time surviving organ transplant recipients (OTR) world wide. Especially UV-induced non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) like invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and actinic keratoses (AK), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), outnumber every other form of cancer in organ transplant recipients. Despite encouraging reports of protective effects of broad-spectrum sunscreens in immunocompetent patients, evidence for the prevention of NMSC in immunocompromised patients is still missing. To assess preventive effects of regular sun-screen use on AK, SCC and BCC in chronically immunocompromised organ transplant recipients. Hundred and twenty matched (age, sex, skin type, graft, transplant duration, previous post-transplant skin malignancies) organ transplant recipients (40 heart, 40 kidney, 40 liver grafted) were recruited for this prospective, single-center study. Both groups received equally written and oral information on sun protection measures. Sixty patients were provided with a free broad spectrum study-sunscreen (SPF>50, high-UVA absorption) for daily application of 2 mg cm(-2) to the head, neck, forearms, and hands. All 120 patients completed the 24 months study. Within this 24 month study interval 42 of the 120 patients developed 82 new AK (-102 sunscreen group vs. +82 control; P<0.01), 8 new invasive SCC (0 vs. 8; P<0.01) and 11 BCC (2 vs. 9; ns). In spite of equal numbers of AK at baseline, a marked difference in favor of the intent-to-treat sunscreen group was recorded after 24 months (89 vs. 273; P<0.01, mean difference 3.07 [1.76-4.36]) and the lesion count was significantly lower as compared to the initial visit (89 vs. 191; P<0.01, mean difference 1.7 [0.68-2.72]). With an average of 5.6 applications per week throughout the 24 months the study sunscreen was generally well tolerated. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels as marker for vitamin D status were decreased in all patients without adequate substitution and 25(OH)D was found to be lower in the sunscreen-group as compared to the control group (mean value 53 ng mL(-1) vs. 60 ng mL(-1)). Regular use of sunscreens, as part of a consequent UV-protection strategy, may prevent the development of further AK and invasive SCC and, to a lesser degree, BCC in immune-compromised organ transplant recipients.

Development of the teaching simulator based on animated film to strengthening pedagogical competencies of prospective teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fatimah, Siti; Setiawan, Wawan; Kusnendar, Jajang; Rasim, Junaeti, Enjun; Anggraeni, Ria

2017-05-01

Debriefing of pedagogical competence through both theory and practice which became a requirement for prospective teachers were through micro teaching and teaching practice program. But, some reports from the partner schools stated that the participants of teaching practice program have not well prepared on implementing the learning in the classroom because of lacking the debriefing. In line with the development of information technology, it is very possible to develop a media briefing of pedagogical competencies for prospective teachers through an application so that they can use it anytime and anywhere. This study was one answer to the problem of unpreparedness participants of the teaching practice program. This study developed a teaching simulator, which was an application for learning simulation with the animated film to enhance the professional pedagogical competence prospective teachers. By the application of this teaching simulator, students as prospective teacher could test their own pedagogic competence through learning models with different varied characteristics of students. Teaching Simulator has been equipped with features that allow users to be able to explore the quality of teaching techniques that they employ for the teaching and learning activities in the classroom. These features included the election approaches, the student's character, learning materials, questioning techniques, discussion, and evaluation. Teaching simulator application provided the ease of prospective teachers or teachers in implementing the development of lessons for practice in the classroom. Applications that have been developed to apply simulation models allow users to freely manage a lesson. Development of teaching simulator application was passed through the stages which include needs assessment, design, coding, testing, revision, improvement, grading, and packaging. The application of teaching simulator was also enriched with some real instructional video as a comparison for the user. Based on the two experts, the media expert and education expert, stated that the application of teaching simulator is feasible to be used as an instrument for the debriefing of students as potential participants of the teaching practice program. The results of the use of the application to the students as potential participants of teaching practice program, showed significant increases in the pedagogic competence. This study was presented at an international seminar and in the process of publishing in international reputated journals. Applications teaching simulator was in the process of registration to obtain the copyright of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. Debriefing for prospective teachers to use teaching simulator application could improve the mastery of pedagogy, give clear feedback, and perform repetitions at anytime.

A decade of neural networks: Practical applications and prospects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kemeny, Sabrina (Editor); Thakoor, Anil (Editor)

1994-01-01

On May 11-13, 1994, JPL's Center for Space Microelectronics Technology (CSMT) hosted a neural network workshop entitled, 'A Decade of Neural Networks: Practical Applications and Prospects,' sponsored by DOD and NASA. The past ten years of renewed activity in neural network research has brought the technology to a crossroads regarding the overall scope of its future practical applicability. The purpose of the workshop was to bring together the sponsoring agencies, active researchers, and the user community to formulate a vision for the next decade of neural network research and development prospects, with emphasis on practical applications. Of the 93 participants, roughly 15% were from government agencies, 30% were from industry, 20% were from universities, and 35% were from Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC's).

A P25/(NH4)xWO3 hybrid photocatalyst with broad spectrum photocatalytic properties under UV, visible, and near-infrared irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Linfen; Liu, Bin; Liu, Tongyao; Ma, Xinlong; Li, Hao; Yin, Shu; Sato, Tsugio; Wang, Yuhua

2017-04-01

In this study, a series of hybrid nanostructured photocatalysts P25/(NH4)xWO3 nanocomposites with the average crystallite size of P25 and (NH4)xWO3 of the sample was calculated to be about 30 nm and 130 nm, were successfully synthesized via a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The as-obtained samples was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which implies that the P25/(NH4)xWO3 nanocomposites are fabricated with favourable nanosizd interfacial. The XPS results confirmed that the obtained sample consists of mixed chemical valences of W5+ and W6+, the low-valance W5+ sites could be the origin of NIR absorption. As revealed by optical absorption results, P25/(NH4)xWO3 nanocomposites possess high optical absorption in the whole solar spectrum of 200-2500 nm. Benefiting from this unique photo-absorption property and the synergistic effect of P25 and (NH4)xWO3, broad spectrum response photocatalytic activities covering UV, visible and near infrared regions on degradation of Rhodamine B have been realized by P25/(NH4)xWO3 nanocomposites. Meanwhile, the stability of photocatalysts was examined by the XRD and XPS of the photocatalysts after the reaction. The results show that P25/(NH4)xWO3 photocatalysts has a brilliant application prospect in the energy utilization to solve deteriorating environmental issues.

A P25/(NH4)xWO3 hybrid photocatalyst with broad spectrum photocatalytic properties under UV, visible, and near-infrared irradiation

PubMed Central

Yang, Linfen; Liu, Bin; Liu, Tongyao; Ma, Xinlong; Li, Hao; Yin, Shu; Sato, Tsugio; Wang, Yuhua

2017-01-01

In this study, a series of hybrid nanostructured photocatalysts P25/(NH4)xWO3 nanocomposites with the average crystallite size of P25 and (NH4)xWO3 of the sample was calculated to be about 30 nm and 130 nm, were successfully synthesized via a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The as-obtained samples was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which implies that the P25/(NH4)xWO3 nanocomposites are fabricated with favourable nanosizd interfacial. The XPS results confirmed that the obtained sample consists of mixed chemical valences of W5+ and W6+, the low-valance W5+ sites could be the origin of NIR absorption. As revealed by optical absorption results, P25/(NH4)xWO3 nanocomposites possess high optical absorption in the whole solar spectrum of 200–2500 nm. Benefiting from this unique photo-absorption property and the synergistic effect of P25 and (NH4)xWO3, broad spectrum response photocatalytic activities covering UV, visible and near infrared regions on degradation of Rhodamine B have been realized by P25/(NH4)xWO3 nanocomposites. Meanwhile, the stability of photocatalysts was examined by the XRD and XPS of the photocatalysts after the reaction. The results show that P25/(NH4)xWO3 photocatalysts has a brilliant application prospect in the energy utilization to solve deteriorating environmental issues. PMID:28368032

A P25/(NH4)xWO3 hybrid photocatalyst with broad spectrum photocatalytic properties under UV, visible, and near-infrared irradiation.

PubMed

Yang, Linfen; Liu, Bin; Liu, Tongyao; Ma, Xinlong; Li, Hao; Yin, Shu; Sato, Tsugio; Wang, Yuhua

2017-04-03

In this study, a series of hybrid nanostructured photocatalysts P25/(NH 4 ) x WO 3 nanocomposites with the average crystallite size of P25 and (NH 4 ) x WO 3 of the sample was calculated to be about 30 nm and 130 nm, were successfully synthesized via a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The as-obtained samples was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which implies that the P25/(NH 4 ) x WO 3 nanocomposites are fabricated with favourable nanosizd interfacial. The XPS results confirmed that the obtained sample consists of mixed chemical valences of W 5+ and W 6+ , the low-valance W 5+ sites could be the origin of NIR absorption. As revealed by optical absorption results, P25/(NH 4 ) x WO 3 nanocomposites possess high optical absorption in the whole solar spectrum of 200-2500 nm. Benefiting from this unique photo-absorption property and the synergistic effect of P25 and (NH 4 ) x WO 3 , broad spectrum response photocatalytic activities covering UV, visible and near infrared regions on degradation of Rhodamine B have been realized by P25/(NH 4 ) x WO 3 nanocomposites. Meanwhile, the stability of photocatalysts was examined by the XRD and XPS of the photocatalysts after the reaction. The results show that P25/(NH 4 ) x WO 3 photocatalysts has a brilliant application prospect in the energy utilization to solve deteriorating environmental issues.

Recruiting the future public health workforce: an analysis of prospect communication among accredited Schools of Public Health.

PubMed

Purcell, Jennifer M

2009-06-01

Schools of Public Health cannot sustain the national momentum for public health justice and human rights without recruiting and training a skilled public health workforce. With growing demand for public health workers, schools must work to increase their applicant pools. This project examined prospect communication materials from accredited Schools of Public Health and found that the vast majority of schools did not capitalize on opportunities to move prospects to applicants. Whereas most responded within a reasonable time, several schools made no communication efforts at all. Recruitment materials varied widely from institution to institution and between epidemiology and health education programs. Strategic, personalized communication strategies-the 3 Cs-are recommended to increase the pools of qualified applicants nationwide and can be utilized to increase prospect pools in a wide range of health sciences.

Perceived future career prospects in general practice: quantitative results from questionnaire surveys of UK doctors

PubMed Central

Lambert, Trevor W; Smith, Fay; Goldacre, Michael J

2016-01-01

Background There are more studies of current job satisfaction among GPs than of their views about their future career prospects, although both are relevant to commitment to careers in general practice. Aim To report on the views of GPs compared with clinicians in other specialties about their future career prospects. Design and setting Questionnaire surveys were sent to UK medical doctors who graduated in selected years between 1974 and 2008. Method Questionnaires were sent to the doctors at different times after graduation, ranging from 3 to 24 years. Results Based on the latest survey of each graduation year of the 20 940 responders, 66.2% of GPs and 74.2% of hospital doctors were positive about their prospects and 9.7% and 8.3%, respectively, were negative. However, with increasing time since graduation and increasing levels of seniority, GPs became less positive about their prospects; by contrast, over time, surgeons became more positive. Three to 5 years after graduation, 86.3% of those training in general practice were positive about their prospects compared with 52.9% of surgical trainees: in surveys conducted 12–24 years after graduation, 60.2% of GPs and 76.6% of surgeons were positive about their prospects. Conclusion GPs held broadly positive views of their career prospects, as did other doctors. However, there was an increase in negativity with increasing time since graduation that was not seen in hospital doctors. Research into the causes of this negativity and policy measures to ameliorate it would contribute to the continued commitment of GPs and may help to reduce attrition. PMID:27578813

Psychological and Social Work Factors as Predictors of Mental Distress: A Prospective Study

PubMed Central

Finne, Live Bakke; Christensen, Jan Olav; Knardahl, Stein

2014-01-01

Studies exploring psychological and social work factors in relation to mental health problems (anxiety and depression) have mainly focused on a limited set of exposures. The current study investigated prospectively a broad set of specific psychological and social work factors as predictors of potentially clinically relevant mental distress (anxiety and depression), i.e. “caseness” level of distress. Employees were recruited from 48 Norwegian organizations, representing a wide variety of job types. A total of 3644 employees responded at both baseline and at follow-up two years later. Respondents were distributed across 832 departments within the 48 organizations. Nineteen work factors were measured. Two prospective designs were tested: (i) with baseline predictors and (ii) with average exposure over time ([T1+T2]/2) as predictors. Random intercept logistic regressions were conducted to account for clustering of the data. Baseline “cases” were excluded (n = 432). Age, sex, skill level, and mental distress as a continuous variable at T1 were adjusted for. Fourteen of 19 factors showed some prospective association with mental distress. The most consistent risk factor was role conflict (highest odds ratio [OR] 2.08, 99% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45–3.00). The most consistent protective factors were support from immediate superior (lowest OR 0.56, 99% CI: 0.43–0.72), fair leadership (lowest OR 0.52, 99% CI: 0.40–0.68), and positive challenge (lowest OR 0.60, 99% CI: 0.41–0.86). The present study demonstrated that a broad set of psychological and social work factors predicted mental distress of potential clinical relevance. Some of the most consistent predictors were different from those traditionally studied. This highlights the importance of expanding the range of factors beyond commonly studied concepts like the demand-control model and the effort-reward imbalance model. PMID:25048033

Gamma Ray Pulsars: Multiwavelength Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, David J.

2004-01-01

High-energy gamma rays are a valuable tool for studying particle acceleration and radiation in the magnetospheres of energetic pulsars. The seven or more pulsars seen by instruments on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) show that: the light curves usually have double-peak structures (suggesting a broad cone of emission); gamma rays are frequently the dominant component of the radiated power; and all the spectra show evidence of a high-energy turnover. For all the known gamma-ray pulsars, multiwavelength observations and theoretical models based on such observations offer the prospect of gaining a broad understanding of these rotating neutron stars. The Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST), now in planning for a launch in 2006, will provide a major advance in sensitivity, energy range, and sky coverage.

10 CFR 33.15 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type C specific license of broad scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... OF BROAD SCOPE FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL Specific Licenses of Broad Scope § 33.15 Requirements for the... this chapter; and (b) The applicant submits a statement that byproduct material will be used only by... bachelor level, or equivalent training and experience, in the physical or biological sciences or in...

BASTet: Shareable and Reproducible Analysis and Visualization of Mass Spectrometry Imaging Data via OpenMSI.

PubMed

Rubel, Oliver; Bowen, Benjamin P

2018-01-01

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a transformative imaging method that supports the untargeted, quantitative measurement of the chemical composition and spatial heterogeneity of complex samples with broad applications in life sciences, bioenergy, and health. While MSI data can be routinely collected, its broad application is currently limited by the lack of easily accessible analysis methods that can process data of the size, volume, diversity, and complexity generated by MSI experiments. The development and application of cutting-edge analytical methods is a core driver in MSI research for new scientific discoveries, medical diagnostics, and commercial-innovation. However, the lack of means to share, apply, and reproduce analyses hinders the broad application, validation, and use of novel MSI analysis methods. To address this central challenge, we introduce the Berkeley Analysis and Storage Toolkit (BASTet), a novel framework for shareable and reproducible data analysis that supports standardized data and analysis interfaces, integrated data storage, data provenance, workflow management, and a broad set of integrated tools. Based on BASTet, we describe the extension of the OpenMSI mass spectrometry imaging science gateway to enable web-based sharing, reuse, analysis, and visualization of data analyses and derived data products. We demonstrate the application of BASTet and OpenMSI in practice to identify and compare characteristic substructures in the mouse brain based on their chemical composition measured via MSI.

High Throughput Sequencing for Detection of Foodborne Pathogens

PubMed Central

Sekse, Camilla; Holst-Jensen, Arne; Dobrindt, Ulrich; Johannessen, Gro S.; Li, Weihua; Spilsberg, Bjørn; Shi, Jianxin

2017-01-01

High-throughput sequencing (HTS) is becoming the state-of-the-art technology for typing of microbial isolates, especially in clinical samples. Yet, its application is still in its infancy for monitoring and outbreak investigations of foods. Here we review the published literature, covering not only bacterial but also viral and Eukaryote food pathogens, to assess the status and potential of HTS implementation to inform stakeholders, improve food safety and reduce outbreak impacts. The developments in sequencing technology and bioinformatics have outpaced the capacity to analyze and interpret the sequence data. The influence of sample processing, nucleic acid extraction and purification, harmonized protocols for generation and interpretation of data, and properly annotated and curated reference databases including non-pathogenic “natural” strains are other major obstacles to the realization of the full potential of HTS in analytical food surveillance, epidemiological and outbreak investigations, and in complementing preventive approaches for the control and management of foodborne pathogens. Despite significant obstacles, the achieved progress in capacity and broadening of the application range over the last decade is impressive and unprecedented, as illustrated with the chosen examples from the literature. Large consortia, often with broad international participation, are making coordinated efforts to cope with many of the mentioned obstacles. Further rapid progress can therefore be prospected for the next decade. PMID:29104564

Cultural macroevolution matters

PubMed Central

Gray, Russell D.

2017-01-01

Evolutionary thinking can be applied to both cultural microevolution and macroevolution. However, much of the current literature focuses on cultural microevolution. In this article, we argue that the growing availability of large cross-cultural datasets facilitates the use of computational methods derived from evolutionary biology to answer broad-scale questions about the major transitions in human social organization. Biological methods can be extended to human cultural evolution. We illustrate this argument with examples drawn from our recent work on the roles of Big Gods and ritual human sacrifice in the evolution of large, stratified societies. These analyses show that, although the presence of Big Gods is correlated with the evolution of political complexity, in Austronesian cultures at least, they do not play a causal role in ratcheting up political complexity. In contrast, ritual human sacrifice does play a causal role in promoting and sustaining the evolution of stratified societies by maintaining and legitimizing the power of elites. We briefly discuss some common objections to the application of phylogenetic modeling to cultural evolution and argue that the use of these methods does not require a commitment to either gene-like cultural inheritance or to the view that cultures are like vertebrate species. We conclude that the careful application of these methods can substantially enhance the prospects of an evolutionary science of human history. PMID:28739960

Aerodynamic distortion propagation calculation in application of high-speed target detection by laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Yonghui; Sun, Huayan; Zhao, Yanzhong; Chen, Jianbiao

2015-10-01

Active laser detection technique has a broad application prospect in antimissile and air defense, however the aerodynamic flow field around the planes and missiles cause serious distortion effect on the detecting laser beams. There are many computational fluid dynamics(CFD) codes that can predict the air density distribution and also the density fluctuations of the flow field, it's necessary for physical optics to be used to predict the distortion properties after propagation through the complex process. Aiming at the physical process of laser propagation in "Cat-eye" lenses and aerodynamic flow field for twice, distortion propagation calculation method is researched in this paper. In the minds of dividing the whole process into two parts, and tread the aero-optical optical path difference as a phase distortion, the incidence and reflection process are calculated using Collins formula and angular spectrum diffraction theory respectively. In addition, turbulent performance of the aerodynamic flow field is estimated according to the electromagnetic propagation theory through a random medium, the rms optical path difference and Strehl ratio of the turbulent optical distortion are obtained. Finally, Computational fluid mechanics and aero-optical distortion properties of the detecting laser beams are calculated with the hemisphere-on-cylinder turret as an example, calculation results are showed and analysed.

Study on high power ultraviolet laser oil detection system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Qi; Cui, Zihao; Bi, Zongjie; Zhang, Yanchao; Tian, Zhaoshuo; Fu, Shiyou

2018-03-01

Laser Induce Fluorescence (LIF) is a widely used new telemetry technology. It obtains information about oil spill and oil film thickness by analyzing the characteristics of stimulated fluorescence and has an important application in the field of rapid analysis of water composition. A set of LIF detection system for marine oil pollution is designed in this paper, which uses 355nm high-energy pulsed laser as the excitation light source. A high-sensitivity image intensifier is used in the detector. The upper machine sends a digital signal through a serial port to achieve nanoseconds range-gated width control for image intensifier. The target fluorescence spectrum image is displayed on the image intensifier by adjusting the delay time and the width of the pulse signal. The spectral image is coupled to CCD by lens imaging to achieve spectral display and data analysis function by computer. The system is used to detect the surface of the floating oil film in the distance of 25m to obtain the fluorescence spectra of different oil products respectively. The fluorescence spectra of oil products are obvious. The experimental results show that the system can realize high-precision long-range fluorescence detection and reflect the fluorescence characteristics of the target accurately, with broad application prospects in marine oil pollution identification and oil film thickness detection.

Optical properties of thin merocyanine dye layers for photovoltaic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dikova, J.; Kitova, S.; Stoyanova, D.; Vasilev, A.; Deligeorgiev, T.; Angelova, S.

2014-05-01

The potentiality was studied of our newly synthesized push-pull type merocyanine dye, labeled A1, for use as an electron donating component in solution-processed bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells. For the purpose, a soluble n-type fullerene, (6,6)-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), which is currently and in the ear future without an alternative, was chosen as an acceptor. The optical constants (n and k) of thin films obtained by spin coating from solutions in chlorobenzene of A1 and of an A1/PCBM blend were determined by spectrophotometric measurements. Further, an optical simulation of a standard BHJ cell with an active layer of an A1dye/PCMB blend was performed using a transfer-matrix formalism. Thus, the optimum thickness of the active layer was calculated to be about 80 nm, which provides overlapping of the total absorption with the solar spectrum in the broad range 400 nm - 800 nm. Finally, the maximum current density, Jsc, was determined to be 13 mA cm2 assuming that the internal quantum efficiency, IQE, is unity. Comparing the calculated Jsc with data on some advanced small-molecule BHJ devices, the prospects for practical applications of the new merocyanine dye are discussed.

Biomimetic multifunctional surfaces inspired from animals.

PubMed

Han, Zhiwu; Mu, Zhengzhi; Yin, Wei; Li, Wen; Niu, Shichao; Zhang, Junqiu; Ren, Luquan

2016-08-01

Over millions of years, animals have evolved to a higher intelligent level for their environment. A large number of diverse surface structures on their bodies have been formed to adapt to the extremely harsh environment. Just like the structural diversity existed in plants, the same also applies true in animals. Firstly, this article provides an overview and discussion of the most common functional surface structures inspired from animals, such as drag reduction, noise reduction, anti-adhesion, anti-wear, anti-erosion, anti-fog, water capture, and optical surfaces. Then, some typical characteristics of morphologies, structures, and materials of the animal multifunctional surfaces were discussed. The adaptation of these surfaces to environmental conditions was also analyzed. It mainly focuses on the relationship between their surface functions and their surface structural characteristics. Afterwards, the multifunctional mechanisms or principles of these surfaces were discussed. Models of these structures were provided for the development of structure materials and machinery surfaces. At last, fabrication techniques and existing or potential technical applications inspired from biomimetic multifunctional surfaces in animals were also discussed. The application prospects of the biomimetic functional surfaces are very broad, such as civil field of self-cleaning textile fabrics and non-stick pots, ocean field of oil-water separation, sports field of swimming suits, space development field of lens arrays. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of a new 1,3-1,4-β-glucanase gene from Bacillus tequilensis CGX5-1.

PubMed

Wang, Jinjing; Niu, Chengtuo; Liu, Xiaoling; Chen, Xi; Li, Qi

2014-06-01

1,3-1,4-β-Glucanase received great interest due to its application in brewing and feed industries. Application of 1,3-1,4-β-glucanase in brewing industry helps make up for the defect that plant-derived β-glucanases are heat-sensitive. A new strain, CGX5-1, exhibited remarkable 1,3-1,4-β-glucanase, was isolated from Asian giant hornet nest and identified Bacillus tequilensis. Moreover, a new 1,3-1,4-β-glucanase gene from B. tequilensis was cloned and measured to be 720 bp encoding 239 amino acids, with a predicted molecular weight of 26.9 kDa. After expressed in Escherichia coli BL21, active recombinant enzyme of 24 kDa was detected in the supernatant of cell culture, with the activity of 2,978.2 U/mL. The new enzyme was stable in the pH 5.0-7.5 with the highest activity measured at pH 6.0. Moreover, it is thermostable within 45 to 60 °C. The property of the new recombinant enzyme makes this enzyme a broad prospect in brewing industry. Moreover, this is the first report on 1,3-1,4-β-glucanase produced by B. tequilensis.

Generative models for network neuroscience: prospects and promise

PubMed Central

Betzel, Richard F.

2017-01-01

Network neuroscience is the emerging discipline concerned with investigating the complex patterns of interconnections found in neural systems, and identifying principles with which to understand them. Within this discipline, one particularly powerful approach is network generative modelling, in which wiring rules are algorithmically implemented to produce synthetic network architectures with the same properties as observed in empirical network data. Successful models can highlight the principles by which a network is organized and potentially uncover the mechanisms by which it grows and develops. Here, we review the prospects and promise of generative models for network neuroscience. We begin with a primer on network generative models, with a discussion of compressibility and predictability, and utility in intuiting mechanisms, followed by a short history on their use in network science, broadly. We then discuss generative models in practice and application, paying particular attention to the critical need for cross-validation. Next, we review generative models of biological neural networks, both at the cellular and large-scale level, and across a variety of species including Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, mouse, rat, cat, macaque and human. We offer a careful treatment of a few relevant distinctions, including differences between generative models and null models, sufficiency and redundancy, inferring and claiming mechanism, and functional and structural connectivity. We close with a discussion of future directions, outlining exciting frontiers both in empirical data collection efforts as well as in method and theory development that, together, further the utility of the generative network modelling approach for network neuroscience. PMID:29187640

Alteration mineral mapping using ETM+ and hyperion remote sensing data at Bau Gold Field, Sarawak, Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pour, A. B.; Hashim, M.

2014-02-01

The area under investigation is the Bau gold mining district in the State of Sarawak, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. It has tropical climate with limited bedrock exposures. Bau is a gold field similar to Carlin style gold deposits. Geological analyses coupled with remote sensing data were used to detect hydrothermally altered rocks associated with gold mineralization. The Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper+ (ETM+) and Hyperion data were used to carry out mineral mapping of mineralized zones in the study area and surrounding terrain. Directed Principal Components Analysis (DPCA) transformation of four appropriate ETM+ band ratios were applied to produce DPC images, allowing the removal of the effects of vegetation from ETM+ data and the detection of separate mineral images at a regional scale. Linear Spectral Unmixing (LSU) was used to produce image maps of hydroxyl-bearing minerals using Hyperion data at a district scale. Results derived from the visible and near infrared and shortwave infrared bands of Hyperion represented iron oxide/hydroxide and clay minerals rich zones associated with the known gold prospects in the Bau district. The results show that the known gold prospects and potentially interesting areas are recognizable by the methods used, despite limited bedrock exposure in this region and the constraints imposed by the tropical environment. The approach used in this study can be more broadly applicable to provide an opportunity for detecting potentially interesting areas of gold mineralization using the ETM+ and Hyperion data in the tropical/sub-tropical regions.

49 CFR 260.25 - Additional information for Applicants not having a credit rating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... the following: (1) Applicant's current and prospective traffic base, including by commodity and... prospective traffic base; (3) System-wide plans to maintain equipment and rights-of-way at current or improved... flow projections; (e) Contingency plans for termination of the project before completion, if necessary...

49 CFR 260.25 - Additional information for Applicants not having a credit rating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... the following: (1) Applicant's current and prospective traffic base, including by commodity and... prospective traffic base; (3) System-wide plans to maintain equipment and rights-of-way at current or improved... flow projections; (e) Contingency plans for termination of the project before completion, if necessary...

49 CFR 260.25 - Additional information for Applicants not having a credit rating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... the following: (1) Applicant's current and prospective traffic base, including by commodity and... prospective traffic base; (3) System-wide plans to maintain equipment and rights-of-way at current or improved... flow projections; (e) Contingency plans for termination of the project before completion, if necessary...

49 CFR 260.25 - Additional information for Applicants not having a credit rating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... the following: (1) Applicant's current and prospective traffic base, including by commodity and... prospective traffic base; (3) System-wide plans to maintain equipment and rights-of-way at current or improved... flow projections; (e) Contingency plans for termination of the project before completion, if necessary...

17 CFR 248.128 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Affiliate Marketing § 248.128 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a) Effective... subpart do not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make a marketing solicitation to a consumer if you receive such information prior to January 1, 2010. For...

17 CFR 248.128 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... on Affiliate Marketing § 248.128 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a... this subpart do not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make a marketing solicitation to a consumer if you receive such information prior to January 1...

17 CFR 248.128 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... Affiliate Marketing § 248.128 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a) Effective... subpart do not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make a marketing solicitation to a consumer if you receive such information prior to January 1, 2010. For...

17 CFR 248.128 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... Affiliate Marketing § 248.128 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a) Effective... subpart do not prohibit you from using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make a marketing solicitation to a consumer if you receive such information prior to January 1, 2010. For...

17 CFR 248.128 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Affiliate Marketing § 248.128 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. (a) Effective date. This subpart is effective September 10, 2009. (b) Mandatory compliance date. Compliance with this... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Effective date, compliance...

12 CFR 222.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... prospective application. 222.28 Section 222.28 Banks and Banking FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM (CONTINUED) BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM FAIR CREDIT REPORTING (REGULATION V) Affiliate Marketing § 222.28... using eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if...

12 CFR 334.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

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12 CFR 571.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

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12 CFR 717.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 717.28 Section 717.28 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION... eligibility information when such information is placed into a common database and is accessible by you. ...

12 CFR 717.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 717.28 Section 717.28 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION... eligibility information when such information is placed into a common database and is accessible by you. ...

12 CFR 717.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

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12 CFR 717.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 717.28 Section 717.28 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION... eligibility information when such information is placed into a common database and is accessible by you. ...

12 CFR 717.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application. 717.28 Section 717.28 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION... eligibility information when such information is placed into a common database and is accessible by you. ...

An empirical broad spectrum antibiotic therapy in health-care-associated infections improves survival in patients with cirrhosis: A randomized trial.

PubMed

Merli, Manuela; Lucidi, Cristina; Di Gregorio, Vincenza; Lattanzi, Barbara; Giannelli, Valerio; Giusto, Michela; Farcomeni, Alessio; Ceccarelli, Giancarlo; Falcone, Marco; Riggio, Oliviero; Venditti, Mario

2016-05-01

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of infections in cirrhosis are crucial because of their high morbidity and mortality. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections are on the increase in health care settings. Health-care-associated (HCA) infections are still frequently treated as community-acquired with a detrimental effect on survival. We aimed to prospectively evaluate in a randomized trial the effectiveness of a broad spectrum antibiotic treatment in patients with cirrhosis with HCA infections. Consecutive patients with cirrhosis hospitalized with HCA infections were enrolled. After culture sampling, patients were promptly randomized to receive a standard or a broad spectrum antibiotic treatment (NCT01820026). The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Efficacy, side effects, and the length of hospitalization were considered. Treatment failure was followed by a change in antibiotic therapy. Ninety-six patients were randomized and 94 were included. The two groups were similar for demographic, clinical, and microbiological characteristics. The prevalence of MDR pathogens was 40% in the standard versus 46% in the broad spectrum group. In-hospital mortality showed a substantial reduction in the broad spectrum versus standard group (6% vs. 25%; P = 0.01). In a post-hoc analysis, reduction of mortality was more evident in patients with sepsis. The broad spectrum showed a lower rate of treatment failure than the standard therapy (18% vs. 51%; P = 0.001). Length of hospitalization was shorter in the broad spectrum (12.3 ± 7 days) versus standard group (18 ± 15 days; P = 0.03). Five patients in each group developed a second infection during hospitalization with a similar prevalence of MDR (50% broad spectrum vs. 60% standard). A broad spectrum antibiotic therapy as empirical treatment in HCA infections improves survival in cirrhosis. This treatment was significantly effective, safe, and cost saving. © 2015 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

An Examination of the Characteristics and Determinants of At-Risk and Non-at-Risk Students in a Texas Independent School District

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roome, Anna Kathryn

2016-01-01

The issue within education reform of high dropout rates has been an enduring problem for education in the United States (U.S.) since the 1960s. Dropping out of high school is associated with a broad range of social pathologies in adulthood, including poor job prospects, the propensity to engage in criminal behavior, out-of-wedlock births, low…

Computational prediction of ionic liquid 1-octanol/water partition coefficients.

PubMed

Kamath, Ganesh; Bhatnagar, Navendu; Baker, Gary A; Baker, Sheila N; Potoff, Jeffrey J

2012-04-07

Wet 1-octanol/water partition coefficients (log K(ow)) predicted for imidazolium-based ionic liquids using adaptive bias force-molecular dynamics (ABF-MD) simulations lie in excellent agreement with experimental values. These encouraging results suggest prospects for this computational tool in the a priori prediction of log K(ow) values of ionic liquids broadly with possible screening implications as well (e.g., prediction of CO(2)-philic ionic liquids).

JPRS Report, China, Qiushi (Seeking Truth), Number 1, 1 January 1990.

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-03-02

broad prospects and remain permanently in an invin- cible position. Correctly Understand the Market Situation, Actively Do a Good Job in Commodity...into consider- ation, the effective demand in the last two or three years was still greater than effective supply, and the market supply will remain...and actively increase supply, gradually achieving an overall balance between purchasing power and the supply of goods , the market will remain

Active choice but not too active: Public perspectives on biobank consent models

PubMed Central

Simon, Christian M.; L’Heureux, Jamie; Murray, Jeffrey C.; Winokur, Patricia; Weiner, George; Newbury, Elizabeth; Shinkunas, Laura; Zimmerman, Bridget

2013-01-01

Purpose Despite important recent work, US public attitudes toward specific biobank consent models are not well understood. Public opinion data can help shape efforts to develop ethically sound and publicly trusted mechanisms for informing and consenting prospective biobank donors. The purpose of this study was to explore public perspectives toward a range of consent models currently being used or considered for use among comprehensive US biobanks. Methods The study used an exploratory mixed-methods design, using focus groups and telephone surveys. Eligible participants were English-speaking residents in the catchment area of a comprehensive biobank being developed at the University of Iowa. Results Forty-eight participants in seven focus groups and 751 survey participants were recruited. Biobanks were unfamiliar to almost all study participants but were seen as valuable resources. Most focus group (63%) and survey (67%) participants preferred a prospective opt-in over an opt-out consent approach. Broad, research-unspecific consent was preferred over categorical and study-specific consent models for purposes of approving future research use. Conclusion Many individuals may want to make an active and informed choice at the point of being approached for biobank participation but are prepared to consent broadly to future research use and to forego additional choices as a result. PMID:21555942

Memory styles and related abilities in presentation of self.

PubMed

Sehulster, J R

1995-01-01

The notion of a person's memory style (elaborated in Sehulster, 1988) was investigated as it relates to the presentation of self. A memory style is defined as a combination of a subject's (perceived) ability in verbal memory, auto- biographical memory, and prospective memory, as measured by the Memory Scale (Sehulster, 1981b). In addition to filling out the Memory Scale, 325 subjects completed a 72-item questionnaire that tapped descriptions of abilities and experiences. The range of abilities and experiences was drawn loosely from Gardner's (1985) notion of multiple intelligences. Distinct patterns of self-report were observed for different memory styles. For instance, a love of listening to music was associated with the memory style that is high in both verbal and autobiographical memory but low in prospective memory; a love for numbers and mathematics was associated with the memory style that is high in both verbal and prospective memory but low in autobiographical memory. The results suggest broad individual differences in information processing. Gender differences are discussed in relation to memory styles.

Effectiveness of treatments for severe sepsis: a prospective, multicenter, observational study.

PubMed

Ferrer, Ricard; Artigas, Antonio; Suarez, David; Palencia, Eduardo; Levy, Mitchell M; Arenzana, Angel; Pérez, Xose Luis; Sirvent, Josep-Maria

2009-11-01

Several Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines recommendations are reevaluated. To analyze the effectiveness of treatments recommended in the sepsis guidelines. In a prospective observational study, we studied all adult patients with severe sepsis from 77 intensive care units. We recorded compliance with four therapeutic goals (central venous pressure 8 mm Hg or greater for persistent hypotension despite fluid resuscitation and/or lactate greater than 36 mg/dl, central venous oxygen saturation 70% or greater for persistent hypotension despite fluid resuscitation and/or lactate greater than 36 mg/dl, blood glucose greater than or equal to the lower limit of normal but less than 150 mg/dl, and inspiratory plateau pressure less than 30 cm H(2)O for mechanically ventilated patients) and four treatments (early broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluid challenge in the event of hypotension and/or lactate greater than 36 mg/dl, low-dose steroids for septic shock, drotrecogin alfa [activated] for multiorgan failure). The primary outcome measure was hospital mortality. The effectiveness of each treatment was estimated using propensity scores. Of 2,796 patients, 41.6% died before hospital discharge. Treatments associated with lower hospital mortality were early broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment (treatment within 1 hour vs. no treatment within first 6 hours of diagnosis; odds ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.90; P = 0.008) and drotrecogin alfa (activated) (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.84; P = 0.004). Fluid challenge and low-dose steroids showed no benefits. In severe sepsis, early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics in all patients and administration of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in the most severe patients reduce mortality.

Results of the ANSWER Trial Using the PulseRider for the Treatment of Broad-Necked, Bifurcation Aneurysms.

PubMed

Spiotta, Alejandro M; Derdeyn, Colin P; Tateshima, Satoshi; Mocco, Jay; Crowley, R Webster; Liu, Kenneth C; Jensen, Lee; Ebersole, Koji; Reeves, Alan; Lopes, Demetrius K; Hanel, Ricardo A; Sauvageau, Eric; Duckwiler, Gary; Siddiqui, Adnan; Levy, Elad; Puri, Ajit; Pride, Lee; Novakovic, Roberta; Chaudry, M Imran; Turner, Raymond D; Turk, Aquilla S

2017-07-01

The safety and probable benefit of the PulseRider (Pulsar Vascular, Los Gatos, California) for the treatment of broad-necked, bifurcation aneurysms was studied in the context of the prospective, nonrandomized, single arm clinical trial-the Adjunctive Neurovascular Support of Wide-neck aneurysm Embolization and Reconstruction (ANSWER) Trial. To present the results of the United States cases employing the PulseRider device as part of the ANSWER clinical trial. Aneurysms treated with the PulseRider device among sites enrolling in the ANSWER trial were prospectively studied and the results are summarized. Aneurysms arising at either the carotid terminus or basilar apex that were relatively broad necked were considered candidates for inclusion into the ANSWER study. Thirty-four patients were enrolled (29 female and 5 male) with a mean age of 60.9 years (27 basilar apex and 7 carotid terminus). Mean aneurysm height ranged from 2.4 to 15.9 mm with a mean neck size of 5.2 mm (range 2.3-11.6 mm). In all patients, the device was delivered and deployed. Immediate Raymond I or II occlusion was achieved in 82.4% and progressed to 87.9% at 6-month follow-up. A modified Rankin Score of 2 or less was seen in 94% of patients at 6 months. The results from the ANSWER trial demonstrate that the PulseRider device is safe and offers probable benefit as for the treatment of bifurcation aneurysms arising at the basilar apex or carotid terminus. As such, it represents a useful addition to the armamentarium of the neuroendovascular specialist. Copyright © 2017 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Three-day treatment with imipenem for unexplained fever during prolonged neutropaenia in haematology patients receiving fluoroquinolone and fluconazole prophylaxis: a prospective observational safety study.

PubMed

Slobbe, Lennert; Waal, Loes van der; Jongman, Lydia R; Lugtenburg, Pieternella J; Rijnders, Bart J A

2009-11-01

Guidelines advocate >7d of broad-spectrum antibiotics for unexplained fever (UF) during neutropaenia. However, effective antimicrobial prophylaxis reduces the incidence of gram-negative infections, which may allow shorter treatment. This study evaluates the safety of discontinuing empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics if no microbial source is documented after an initial work-up of 72 h. Prospective observational study at a tertiary-care haematology-unit in patients suffering from haematologic malignancies and treatment-induced prolonged neutropaenia of 10d. Oral fluoroquinolone and fluconazole prophylaxis was given from day 1. Fever was empirically treated with imipenem which was discontinued after 72 h if, following a standardised protocol, no infectious aetiology was documented. Duration of fever, antimicrobial therapy and overall mortality were registered. One hundred and sixty six patients were evaluated during 276 neutropaenic episodes. One hundred and thirty six patients (82.5%) experienced 1 febrile episode. A total of 317 febrile episodes were observed, of which 177 (56%) were diagnosed as UF. In 135 febrile episodes (43%), a probable/definite infectious origin was documented. Mean duration of fever in neutropaenic periods with 1 febrile episode was 5d, and mean time of treatment with imipenem was 4.7d. In patients without documented infection, mean time of imipenem treatment was only 3.7d. Overall mortality 30 d after neutrophil recovery was 3.6% (6/166); no patient died from untreated bacterial infection. Discontinuation of broad-spectrum antibiotics during neutropaenia in haematology patients on fluoroquinolone and fluconazole prophylaxis is safe, provided that no infectious aetiology is established after 72 h.

Exposing the Strategies that can Reduce the Obstacles: Improving the Science User Experience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindsay, F. E.; Brennan, J.; Behnke, J.; Lynnes, C.

2017-12-01

It is now well established that pursuing generic solutions to what seem are common problems in Earth science data access and use can often lead to disappointing results for both system developers and the intended users. This presentation focuses on real-world experience of managing a large and complex data system, NASA's Earth Science Data and Information Science System (EOSDIS), whose mission is to serve both broad user communities and those in smaller niche applications of Earth science data and services. In the talk, we focus on our experiences with known data user obstacles characterizing EOSDIS approaches, including various technological techniques, for engaging and bolstering, where possible, user experiences with EOSDIS. For improving how existing and prospective users discover and access NASA data from EOSDIS we introduce our cross-archive tool: Earthdata Search. This new search and order tool further empowers users to quickly access data sets using clever and intuitive features. The Worldview data visualization tool is also discussed highlighting how many users are now performing extensive data exploration without necessarily downloading data. Also, we explore our EOSDIS data discovery and access webinars, data recipes and short tutorials, targeted technical and data publications, user profiles and and social media as additional tools and methods used for improving our outreach and communications to a diverse user community. These efforts have paid substantial dividends for our user communities by allowing us to target discipline specific community needs. The desired take-away from this presentation will be an improved understanding of how EOSDIS has approached, and in several instances achieved, removing or lowering the barriers to data access and use. As we look ahead to more complex Earth science missions, EOSDIS will continue to focus on our user communities, both broad and specialized, so that our overall data system can continue to serve the needs of science and applications users.

Linear and Nonlinear Molecular Spectroscopy with Laser Frequency Combs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Picque, Nathalie

2013-06-01

The regular pulse train of a mode-locked femtosecond laser can give rise to a comb spectrum of millions of laser modes with a spacing precisely equal to the pulse repetition frequency. Laser frequency combs were conceived a decade ago as tools for the precision spectroscopy of atomic hydrogen. They are now becoming enabling tools for an increasing number of applications, including molecular spectroscopy. Recent experiments of multi-heterodyne frequency comb Fourier transform spectroscopy (also called dual-comb spectroscopy) have demonstrated that the precisely spaced spectral lines of a laser frequency comb can be harnessed for new techniques of linear absorption spectroscopy. The first proof-of-principle experiments have demonstrated a very exciting potential of dual-comb spectroscopy without moving parts for ultra-rapid and ultra-sensitive recording of complex broad spectral bandwidth molecular spectra. Compared to conventional Michelson-based Fourier transform spectroscopy, recording times could be shortened from seconds to microseconds, with intriguing prospects for spectroscopy of short lived transient species. The resolution improves proportionally to the measurement time. Therefore longer recordings allow high resolution spectroscopy of molecules with extreme precision, since the absolute frequency of each laser comb line can be known with the accuracy of an atomic clock. Moreover, since laser frequency combs involve intense ultrashort laser pulses, nonlinear interactions can be harnessed. Broad spectral bandwidth ultra-rapid nonlinear molecular spectroscopy and imaging with two laser frequency combs is demonstrated with coherent Raman effects and two-photon excitation. Real-time multiplex accessing of hyperspectral images may dramatically expand the range of applications of nonlinear microscopy. B. Bernhardt et al., Nature Photonics 4, 55-57 (2010); A. Schliesser et al. Nature Photonics 6, 440-449 (2012); T. Ideguchi et al. arXiv:1201.4177 (2012) T. Ideguchi et al., Optics letters 37, 4498-4500 (2012); T. Ideguchi et al. arXiv:1302.2414 (2013)

Exposing the Strategies that Can Reduce the Obstacles: Improving the Science User Experience

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindsay, Francis E.; Brennan, Jennifer; Behnke, Jeanne; Lynnes, Chris

2017-01-01

It is now well established that pursuing generic solutions to what seem are common problems in Earth science data access and use can often lead to disappointing results for both system developers and the intended users. This presentation focuses on real-world experience of managing a large and complex data system, NASAs Earth Science Data and Information Science System (EOSDIS), whose mission is to serve both broad user communities and those in smaller niche applications of Earth science data and services. In the talk, we focus on our experiences with known data user obstacles characterizing EOSDIS approaches, including various technological techniques, for engaging and bolstering, where possible, user experiences with EOSDIS. For improving how existing and prospective users discover and access NASA data from EOSDIS we introduce our cross-archive tool: Earthdata Search. This new search and order tool further empowers users to quickly access data sets using clever and intuitive features. The Worldview data visualization tool is also discussed highlighting how many users are now performing extensive data exploration without necessarily downloading data. Also, we explore our EOSDIS data discovery and access webinars, data recipes and short tutorials, targeted technical and data publications, user profiles and social media as additional tools and methods used for improving our outreach and communications to a diverse user community. These efforts have paid substantial dividends for our user communities by allowing us to target discipline specific community needs. The desired take-away from this presentation will be an improved understanding of how EOSDIS has approached, and in several instances achieved, removing or lowering the barriers to data access and use. As we look ahead to more complex Earth science missions, EOSDIS will continue to focus on our user communities, both broad and specialized, so that our overall data system can continue to serve the needs of science and applications users.

From Present Surveying to Future Prospecting of the Asteroid Belt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, P. E.; Curtis, S. A.; Rilee, M.; Cheung, C.

2004-03-01

Requirements are analyzed for application of future mission architecture, the Autonomous Nano-Technology Swarm (ANTS), to proposed in situ prospecting, of the asteroid belt, the Prospecting Asteroid Mission (PAM) as part of a NASA 2003 Revolutionary Aerospace Concept (RASC) study.

Biochemistry and biomedicine of quantum dots: from biodetection to bioimaging, drug discovery, diagnostics, and therapy.

PubMed

Yao, Jun; Li, Pingfan; Li, Lin; Yang, Mei

2018-07-01

According to recent research, nanotechnology based on quantum dots (QDs) has been widely applied in the field of bioimaging, drug delivery, and drug analysis. Therefore, it has become one of the major forces driving basic and applied research. The application of nanotechnology in bioimaging has been of concern. Through in vitro labeling, it was found that luminescent QDs possess many properties such as narrow emission, broad UV excitation, bright fluorescence, and high photostability. The QDs also show great potential in whole-body imaging. The QDs can be combined with biomolecules, and hence, they can be used for targeted drug delivery and diagnosis. The characteristics of QDs make them useful for application in pharmacy and pharmacology. This review focuses on various applications of QDs, especially in imaging, drug delivery, pharmaceutical analysis, photothermal therapy, biochips, and targeted surgery. Finally, conclusions are made by providing some critical challenges and a perspective of how this field can be expected to develop in the future. Quantum dots (QDs) is an emerging field of interdisciplinary subject that involves physics, chemistry, materialogy, biology, medicine, and so on. In addition, nanotechnology based on QDs has been applied in depth in biochemistry and biomedicine. Some forward-looking fields emphatically reflected in some extremely vital areas that possess inspiring potential applicable prospects, such as immunoassay, DNA analysis, biological monitoring, drug discovery, in vitro labelling, in vivo imaging, and tumor target are closely connected to human life and health and has been the top and forefront in science and technology to date. Furthermore, this review has not only involved the traditional biochemical detection but also particularly emphasized its potential applications in life science and biomedicine. Copyright © 2018 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

29 CFR 1630.1 - Purpose, applicability, and construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... programs. (4) Broad coverage. The primary purpose of the ADAAA is to make it easier for people with... broad scope of protection under the ADA, the definition of “disability” in this part shall be construed...

Strategies to induce broadly protective antibody responses to viral glycoproteins.

PubMed

Krammer, F

2017-05-01

Currently, several universal/broadly protective influenza virus vaccine candidates are under development. Many of these vaccines are based on strategies to induce protective antibody responses against the surface glycoproteins of antigenically and genetically diverse influenza viruses. These strategies might also be applicable to surface glycoproteins of a broad range of other important viral pathogens. Areas covered: Common strategies include sequential vaccination with divergent antigens, multivalent approaches, vaccination with glycan-modified antigens, vaccination with minimal antigens and vaccination with antigens that have centralized/optimized sequences. Here we review these strategies and the underlying concepts. Furthermore, challenges, feasibility and applicability to other viral pathogens are discussed. Expert commentary: Several broadly protective/universal influenza virus vaccine strategies will be tested in humans in the coming years. If successful in terms of safety and immunological readouts, they will move forward into efficacy trials. In the meantime, successful vaccine strategies might also be applied to other antigenically diverse viruses of concern.

Superconducting RF, the History, Challenges and Promise

ScienceCinema

Padamsee, Hasan

2018-01-01

After a short survey of on-going accelerator applications, I will discuss future applications prospects for this enabling technology, both near term and long term. A selection of technology highlights will serve as an introduction to outstanding issues for all types of applications, from pulsed high gradient to CW medium gradient. Finally I will touch upon the limits of niobium and the prospects of new materials. The talk will be targeted at a general audience.

[The application of the prospective space-time statistic in early warning of infectious disease].

PubMed

Yin, Fei; Li, Xiao-Song; Feng, Zi-Jian; Ma, Jia-Qi

2007-06-01

To investigate the application of prospective space-time scan statistic in the early stage of detecting infectious disease outbreaks. The prospective space-time scan statistic was tested by mimicking daily prospective analyses of bacillary dysentery data of Chengdu city in 2005 (3212 cases in 102 towns and villages). And the results were compared with that of purely temporal scan statistic. The prospective space-time scan statistic could give specific messages both in spatial and temporal. The results of June indicated that the prospective space-time scan statistic could timely detect the outbreaks that started from the local site, and the early warning message was powerful (P = 0.007). When the merely temporal scan statistic for detecting the outbreak was sent two days later, and the signal was less powerful (P = 0.039). The prospective space-time scan statistic could make full use of the spatial and temporal information in infectious disease data and could timely and effectively detect the outbreaks that start from the local sites. The prospective space-time scan statistic could be an important tool for local and national CDC to set up early detection surveillance systems.

Integrating HL7 RIM and ontology for unified knowledge and data representation in clinical decision support systems.

PubMed

Zhang, Yi-Fan; Tian, Yu; Zhou, Tian-Shu; Araki, Kenji; Li, Jing-Song

2016-01-01

The broad adoption of clinical decision support systems within clinical practice has been hampered mainly by the difficulty in expressing domain knowledge and patient data in a unified formalism. This paper presents a semantic-based approach to the unified representation of healthcare domain knowledge and patient data for practical clinical decision making applications. A four-phase knowledge engineering cycle is implemented to develop a semantic healthcare knowledge base based on an HL7 reference information model, including an ontology to model domain knowledge and patient data and an expression repository to encode clinical decision making rules and queries. A semantic clinical decision support system is designed to provide patient-specific healthcare recommendations based on the knowledge base and patient data. The proposed solution is evaluated in the case study of type 2 diabetes mellitus inpatient management. The knowledge base is successfully instantiated with relevant domain knowledge and testing patient data. Ontology-level evaluation confirms model validity. Application-level evaluation of diagnostic accuracy reaches a sensitivity of 97.5%, a specificity of 100%, and a precision of 98%; an acceptance rate of 97.3% is given by domain experts for the recommended care plan orders. The proposed solution has been successfully validated in the case study as providing clinical decision support at a high accuracy and acceptance rate. The evaluation results demonstrate the technical feasibility and application prospect of our approach. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cancer incidence among glyphosate-exposed pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study.

PubMed

De Roos, Anneclaire J; Blair, Aaron; Rusiecki, Jennifer A; Hoppin, Jane A; Svec, Megan; Dosemeci, Mustafa; Sandler, Dale P; Alavanja, Michael C

2005-01-01

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that is one of the most frequently applied pesticides in the world. Although there has been little consistent evidence of genotoxicity or carcinogenicity from in vitro and animal studies, a few epidemiologic reports have indicated potential health effects of glyphosate. We evaluated associations between glyphosate exposure and cancer incidence in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a prospective cohort study of 57,311 licensed pesticide applicators in Iowa and North Carolina. Detailed information on pesticide use and other factors was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire completed at time of enrollment (1993-1997). Among private and commercial applicators, 75.5% reported having ever used glyphosate, of which > 97% were men. In this analysis, glyphosate exposure was defined as a) ever personally mixed or applied products containing glyphosate; b) cumulative lifetime days of use, or "cumulative exposure days" (years of use times days/year); and c) intensity-weighted cumulative exposure days (years of use times days/year times estimated intensity level). Poisson regression was used to estimate exposure-response relations between glyphosate and incidence of all cancers combined and 12 relatively common cancer subtypes. Glyphosate exposure was not associated with cancer incidence overall or with most of the cancer subtypes we studied. There was a suggested association with multiple myeloma incidence that should be followed up as more cases occur in the AHS. Given the widespread use of glyphosate, future analyses of the AHS will allow further examination of long-term health effects, including less common cancers.

MRI of plants and foods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van As, Henk; van Duynhoven, John

2013-04-01

The importance and prospects for MRI as applied to intact plants and to foods are presented in view of one of humanity's most pressing concerns, the sustainable and healthy feeding of a worldwide increasing population. Intact plants and foods have in common that their functionality is determined by complex multiple length scale architectures. Intact plants have an additional level of complexity since they are living systems which critically depend on transport and signalling processes between and within tissues and organs. The combination of recent cutting-edge technical advances and integration of MRI accessible parameters has the perspective to contribute to breakthroughs in understanding complex regulatory plant performance mechanisms. In food science and technology MRI allows for quantitative multi-length scale structural assessment of food systems, non-invasive monitoring of heat and mass transport during shelf-life and processing, and for a unique view on food properties under shear. These MRI applications are powerful enablers of rationally (re)designed food formulations and processes. Limitations and bottlenecks of the present plant and food MRI methods are mainly related to short T2 values and susceptibility artefacts originating from small air spaces in tissues/materials. We envisage cross-fertilisation of solutions to overcome these hurdles in MRI applications in plants and foods. For both application areas we witness a development where MRI is moving from highly specialised equipment to mobile and downscaled versions to be used by a broad user base in the field, greenhouse, food laboratory or factory.

Prospect Theory and Coercive Bargaining

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Butler, Christopher K.

2007-01-01

Despite many applications of prospect theory's concepts to explain political and strategic phenomena, formal analyses of strategic problems using prospect theory are rare. Using Fearon's model of bargaining, Tversky and Kahneman's value function, and an existing probability weighting function, I construct a model that demonstrates the differences…

Impact of a Prospective Audit and Feedback Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center: A Six-Point Assessment

PubMed Central

Morrill, Haley J.; Caffrey, Aisling R.; Gaitanis, Melissa M.; LaPlante, Kerry L.

2016-01-01

Background Prospective audit and feedback is a core antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) strategy; however its impact is difficult to measure. Methods Our quasi-experimental study measured the effect of an ASP on clinical outcomes, antimicrobial use, resistance, costs, patient safety (adverse drug events [ADE] and Clostridium difficile infection [CDI]), and process metrics pre- (9/10–10/11) and post-ASP (9/12–10/13) using propensity adjusted and matched Cox proportional-hazards regression models and interrupted time series (ITS) methods. Results Among our 2,696 patients, median length of stay was 1 day shorter post-ASP (5, interquartile range [IQR] 3–8 vs. 4, IQR 2–7 days, p<0.001). Mortality was similar in both periods. Mean broad-spectrum (-11.3%), fluoroquinolone (-27.0%), and anti-pseudomonal (-15.6%) use decreased significantly (p<0.05). ITS analyses demonstrated a significant increase in monthly carbapenem use post-ASP (trend: +1.5 days of therapy/1,000 patient days [1000PD] per month; 95% CI 0.1–3.0). Total antimicrobial costs decreased 14%. Resistance rates did not change in the one-year post-ASP period. Mean CDI rates/10,000PD were low pre- and post-ASP (14.2 ± 10.4 vs. 13.8 ± 10.0, p = 0.94). Fewer patients experienced ADEs post-ASP (6.0% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.06). Conclusions Prospective audit and feedback has the potential to improve antimicrobial use and outcomes, and contain bacterial resistance. Our program demonstrated a trend towards decreased length of stay, broad-spectrum antimicrobial use, antimicrobial costs, and adverse events. PMID:26978263

Identifying Early Childhood Personality Dimensions Using the California Child Q-Set and Prospective Associations With Behavioral and Psychosocial Development.

PubMed

Wilson, Sylia; Schalet, Benjamin D; Hicks, Brian M; Zucker, Robert A

2013-08-01

The present study used an empirical, "bottom-up" approach to delineate the structure of the California Child Q-Set (CCQ), a comprehensive set of personality descriptors, in a sample of 373 preschool-aged children. This approach yielded two broad trait dimensions, Adaptive Socialization (emotional stability, compliance, intelligence) and Anxious Inhibition (emotional/behavioral introversion). Results demonstrate the value of using empirical derivation to investigate the structure of personality in young children, speak to the importance of early-evident personality traits for adaptive development, and are consistent with a growing body of evidence indicating that personality structure in young children is similar, but not identical to, that in adults, suggesting a model of broad personality dimensions in childhood that evolve into narrower traits in adulthood.

Spectral reflectance and emissivity features of broad leaf plants: Prospects for remote sensing in the thermal infrared (8.0-14.0 μm)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ribeiro da Luz, Beatriz; Crowley, James K.

2007-01-01

In contrast to visible and short-wave infrared data, thermal infrared spectra of broad leaf plants show considerable spectral diversity, suggesting that such data eventually could be utilized to map vegetation composition. However, remotely measuring the subtle emissivity features of leaves still presents major challenges. To be successful, sensors operating in the 8–14 μm atmospheric window must have high signal-to-noise and a small enough instantaneous field of view to allow measurements of only a few leaf surfaces. Methods for atmospheric compensation, temperature–emissivity separation, and spectral feature analysis also will need to be refined to allow the recognition, and perhaps, exploitation of leaf thermal infrared spectral properties.

[The present study situation and application prospect of nail analysis for abused drugs].

PubMed

Chen, Hang; Xiang, Ping; Shen, Min

2010-10-01

In forensic toxicology analysis, various types of biological samples have their own special characteristics and scope of applications. In this article, the physiological structure of nails, methods for collecting and pre-processing samples, and for analyzing some poisons and drugs in the nails are reviewed with details. This paper introduces the influence factors of drug abuse of the nails. The prospects of its further applications are concluded based on the research results. Nails, as an unconventional bio-sample without general application, show great potential and advantages in forensic toxicology.

37 CFR 10.31 - Communications concerning a practitioner's services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... practitioner's services. (a) No practitioner shall with respect to any prospective business before the Office, by word, circular, letter, or advertising, with intent to defraud in any manner, deceive, mislead, or threaten any prospective applicant or other person having immediate or prospective business before the...

The Communication of Opportunities and Barriers to Prospective Applicants: An Analysis of Interscholastic Athletic Administrative Job Announcements

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, John J.; Whisenant, Warren A.; Pedersen, Paul M.

2007-01-01

Job announcements often work to either encourage or discourage prospective applicants. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if gender bias existed within the job announcements for interscholastic athletic administrators. The study's results revealed that over a two-year period there were 301 advertisements for positions in the state…

Longitudinal falls data in Parkinson's disease: feasibility of fall diaries and effect of attrition.

PubMed

Hunter, Heather; Rochester, Lynn; Morris, Rosie; Lord, Sue

2017-06-02

Identifying causes of falls for people with Parkinson's disease has met with limited success. Prospective falls measurement using the "gold standard" approach is challenging. This paper examines the process and outcomes associated with longitudinal falls reporting in this population. Participants were recruited from ICICLE-GAIT (a collaborative study with ICICLE-PD; an incident cohort study). Monthly falls diaries were examined over 48 months for accuracy of data and rate of attrition. To further inform analysis, characteristics of participants with 36-month completed diaries were compared with those who did not complete diaries. One hundred and twenty-one participants were included at baseline. By 12 months, falls diary data had reduced to 107 participants; to 81 participants by 36 months; and to 59 participants by 48 months. Key reasons for diary attrition were withdrawal from ICICLE-gait (n = 16) (13.2%), and noncompliance (n = 11) (9.1%). The only significant difference between the completed and non-completed diary groups was age at 36 months, with older participants being more likely to send in diaries. Prospective falls data is feasible to collect over the long term. Attrition rates are high; however, participants retained in the study are overall representative of the total falls diary cohort. Implications for Rehabilitation Understanding falls evolution in Parkinson's disease through consistent, personalized monitoring of falls events is critical to inform effective management. Our study shows that it is feasible to collect longitudinal falls data using "gold standard" methodology, although significant resources are required for implementation. We anticipate that our study methodology is broadly applicable to any at-risk falls cohort including older adults and diverse neurological conditions. Researchers and clinicians collating prospective falls data must ensure that participants understand what constitutes a fall, as per the World Health Organization definition. A second key point is to ensure prompt recording of any fall event.

HBT correlations and charge ratios in multiple production of pions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bialas, A.; Zalewski, K.

1999-01-01

The influence of the HTB effect on the multiplicity distribution and charge ratios of independently produced pions is studied. It is shown that, for a wide class of models, there is a critical point, where the average number of pions becomes very large and the multiplicity distribution becomes very broad. In this regime unusual charge ratios (“centauros”, “anticentauros”) are strongly enhanced. The prospects for reaching this regime are discussed.

75 FR 29772 - Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-27

... (c)(6). Grant applications for the Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition: Prospect Studies--Building... on: Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition: Prospect Studies--Building New Clinical Infrastructure for...

Clinical evaluations of mineralized collagen in the extraction sites preservation

PubMed Central

Feng, Lu; Zhang, Liang; Cui, Yun; Song, Tian-Xi; Qiu, Zhi-Ye; Wang, Xiu-Mei; Tan, Bao-Sheng

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the different effects between biomimetic mineralized collagen (MC) and ordinary physically blended hydroxyapatite/collagen (HA/Col) composite in evaluating new bone formation and regenerated bone height in human extraction sockets. Thirty-four patients who cannot retain teeth caused by trauma or decay were randomly selected from Department of Stomatology of Dongzhimen Hospital from December 2013 to December 2014. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. After the operation of tooth extraction, 17 patients were implanted with biomimetic MC (MC group), and other 17 patients were implanted with ordinary physically blended nHA/Col composite (nHA/Col group). X-ray positioning projection by auto-photographing was taken to test the distance between the lowest position and the neighboring CEJm-CEJd immediately, 1 month and 3 months after the operation. The height of new bone formation of the MC group was significantly higher than the nHA/Col group. Biomimetic MC showed better clinical outcomes in the bone formation for extraction site preservation and would have broad application prospect in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgeries. PMID:26815224

Exploring Anomalous Polarization Dynamics in Organometallic Halide Perovskites

DOE PAGES

Ahmadi, Mahshid; Collins, Liam; Puretzky, Alexander; ...

2018-01-22

Organometallic halide perovskites (OMHPs) have attracted broad attention as prospective materials for optoelectronic applications. Among the many anomalous properties of these materials, of special interest are the ferroelectric properties including both classical and relaxor-like components, as a potential origin of slow dynamics, field enhancement, and anomalous mobilities. Here, ferroelectric properties of the three representative OMHPs are explored, including FAPb xSn 1–xI 3 (x = 0, x = 0.85) and FA 0.85MA 0.15PbI 3 using band excitation piezoresponse force microscopy and contact mode Kelvin probe force microscopy, providing insight into long- and short-range dipole and charge dynamics in these materials andmore » probing ferroelectric density of states. Furthermore, second-harmonic generation in thin films of OMHPs is observed, providing a direct information on the noncentrosymmetric polarization in such materials. Overall, the data provide strong evidence for the presence of ferroelectric domains in these systems; however, the domain dynamics is suppressed by fast ion dynamics. These materials hence present the limit of ferroelectric materials with spontaneous polarization dynamically screened by ionic and electronic carriers.« less

Active sensing of fatigue damage using embedded ultrasonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zagrai, Andrei; Kruse, Walter A.; Gigineishvili, Vlasi

2009-03-01

Embedded ultrasonics has demonstrated considerable utility in structural health monitoring of aeronautical vehicle. This active sensing approach has been widely used to detect and monitor cracks, delaminations, and disbonds in a broad spectrum of metallic and composite structures. However, application of the embedded ultrasonics for active sensing of incipient damage before fracture has received limited attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of embedded ultrasonics and nonlinear acoustic signatures for monitoring pre-crack fatigue damage in aerospace structural material. A harmonic load was applied to structural specimens in order to induce fatigue damage accumulation and growth. Specimens of simple geometry were considered and piezoelectric active sensors were employed for generation and reception of elastic waves. The elastic wave signatures were analyzed in the frequency domain using nonlinear impedance and nonlinear resonance methods. A relationship between fatigue severity and linear as well as nonlinear acoustic signatures was investigated and considered in the damage classification procedure. Practical aspects of the active sensing of the fatigue damage before fracture were discussed and prospective avenues for future research were suggested.

Study on the molecularly imprinted polymers with methyl-testosterone as the template.

PubMed

Yang, Minli; Gu, Wancheng; Sun, Li; Zhang, Feng; Ling, Yun; Chu, Xiaogang; Wang, Daning

2010-04-15

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) using methyl-testosterone as the template, methacrylic acid (MAA) as the monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as the crosslinker were prepared by precipitation polymerization. The morphology of the obtained particles was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the pore size was measured by BET. Then, the specificity and selectivity of the MIPs were evaluated using the equilibrium rebinding experiments. Besides, the MIPs were also used as the stationary phase of HPLC column and the retention behaviour to the template and analogues was confirmed using HPLC-MS-MS. Finally, the real application of the methyl-testosterone imprinted polymers was evaluated using SPE procedure with the spiked tap water and lake water. The results indicated that the prepared methyl-testosterone imprinted polymer showed specific rebinding ability to its template and could retain the template strongly compared with other structural analogues. At the same time, the MIPs could be used as SPE column to enrich methyl-testosterone in the lake water and show broad prospects in real samples. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[New advances in animal transgenic technology].

PubMed

Sun, Zhen-Hong; Miao, Xiang-Yang; Zhu, Rui-Liang

2010-06-01

Animal transgenic technology is one of the fastest growing biotechnology in the 21st century. It is used to integrate foreign genes into the animal genome by genetic engineering technology so that foreign genes can be expressed and inherited to the offspring. The transgenic efficiency and precise control of gene expression are the key limiting factors on preparation of transgenic animals. A variety of transgenic techniques are available, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages and still needs further study because of unresolved technical and safety issues. With the in-depth research, the transgenic technology will have broad application prospects in the fields of exploration of gene function, animal genetic improvement, bioreactor, animal disease models, organ transplantation and so on. This article reviews the recently developed animal gene transfer techniques, including germline stem cell mediated method to improve the efficiency, gene targeting to improve the accuracy, RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing technology, and the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) transgenic technology. The new transgenic techniques can provide a better platform for the study of trans-genic animals and promote the development of medical sciences, livestock production, and other fields.

Finite element analysis of displacement actuator based on giant magnetostrictive thin film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Shaopeng; Wang, Bowen; Zhang, Changgeng; Cui, Baozhi

2018-05-01

With the rapid development of science and technology, mechanical and electrical equipment become more and more miniature. In order to achieve precise control in less than 1cm3, the giant magnetostrictive thin film has become a research hotspot. The micro displacement actuator with planar and arc film is designed by the dynamic coupling model based on J-A model and magneto-mechanical effect method which is proposed in this paper. The different structure and thickness of films are analyzed by COMSOL Multiphysics software when the current flows through driving coil. After comparing the simulation results with the test ones, it can be seen that the coupling model is accurate and the structure is reliable. At the same time, MATLAB is used to fit the current density-displacement curve and higher order equation is obtained, and then the feasibility of design can be verified. The actuator with arc structure had advantages of small volume, fast response, high precision, easy integration, etc., which has a broad application prospect in the field of vibration control, micro positioning, robot and so on.

Regression analysis using dependent Polya trees.

PubMed

Schörgendorfer, Angela; Branscum, Adam J

2013-11-30

Many commonly used models for linear regression analysis force overly simplistic shape and scale constraints on the residual structure of data. We propose a semiparametric Bayesian model for regression analysis that produces data-driven inference by using a new type of dependent Polya tree prior to model arbitrary residual distributions that are allowed to evolve across increasing levels of an ordinal covariate (e.g., time, in repeated measurement studies). By modeling residual distributions at consecutive covariate levels or time points using separate, but dependent Polya tree priors, distributional information is pooled while allowing for broad pliability to accommodate many types of changing residual distributions. We can use the proposed dependent residual structure in a wide range of regression settings, including fixed-effects and mixed-effects linear and nonlinear models for cross-sectional, prospective, and repeated measurement data. A simulation study illustrates the flexibility of our novel semiparametric regression model to accurately capture evolving residual distributions. In an application to immune development data on immunoglobulin G antibodies in children, our new model outperforms several contemporary semiparametric regression models based on a predictive model selection criterion. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Introduction of a male-harming mitochondrial haplotype via ‘Trojan Females’ achieves population suppression in fruit flies

PubMed Central

Wolff, Jonci Nikolai; Gemmell, Neil J; Tompkins, Daniel M; Dowling, Damian K

2017-01-01

Pests are a global threat to biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health. Pest control approaches are thus numerous, but their implementation costly, damaging to non-target species, and ineffective at low population densities. The Trojan Female Technique (TFT) is a prospective self-perpetuating control technique that is species-specific and predicted to be effective at low densities. The goal of the TFT is to harness naturally occurring mutations in the mitochondrial genome that impair male fertility while having no effect on females. Here, we provide proof-of-concept for the TFT, by showing that introduction of a male fertility-impairing mtDNA haplotype into replicated populations of Drosophila melanogaster causes numerical population suppression, with the magnitude of effect positively correlated with its frequency at trial inception. Further development of the TFT could lead to establishing a control strategy that overcomes limitations of conventional approaches, with broad applicability to invertebrate and vertebrate species, to control environmental and economic pests. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23551.001 PMID:28467301

Paenibacillus larvae-Directed Bacteriophage HB10c2 and Its Application in American Foulbrood-Affected Honey Bee Larvae.

PubMed

Beims, Hannes; Wittmann, Johannes; Bunk, Boyke; Spröer, Cathrin; Rohde, Christine; Günther, Gabi; Rohde, Manfred; von der Ohe, Werner; Steinert, Michael

2015-08-15

Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), the most serious honey bee brood bacterial disease. We isolated and characterized P. larvae-directed bacteriophages and developed criteria for safe phage therapy. Whole-genome analysis of a highly lytic virus of the family Siphoviridae (HB10c2) provided a detailed safety profile and uncovered its lysogenic nature and a putative beta-lactamase-like protein. To rate its antagonistic activity against the pathogens targeted and to specify potentially harmful effects on the bee population and the environment, P. larvae genotypes ERIC I to IV, representatives of the bee gut microbiota, and a broad panel of members of the order Bacillales were analyzed for phage HB10c2-induced lysis. Breeding assays with infected bee larvae revealed that the in vitro phage activity observed was not predictive of the real-life scenario and therapeutic efficacy. On the basis of the disclosed P. larvae-bacteriophage coevolution, we discuss the future prospects of AFB phage therapy. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Triphenylamine-Based Push–Pull Molecule for Photovoltaic Applications: From Synthesis to Ultrafast Device Photophysics

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Small push–pull molecules attract much attention as prospective donor materials for organic solar cells (OSCs). By chemical engineering, it is possible to combine a number of attractive properties such as broad absorption, efficient charge separation, and vacuum and solution processabilities in a single molecule. Here we report the synthesis and early time photophysics of such a molecule, TPA-2T-DCV-Me, based on the triphenylamine (TPA) donor core and dicyanovinyl (DCV) acceptor end group connected by a thiophene bridge. Using time-resolved photoinduced absorption and photoluminescence, we demonstrate that in blends with [70]PCBM the molecule works both as an electron donor and hole acceptor, thereby allowing for two independent channels of charge generation. The charge-generation process is followed by the recombination of interfacial charge transfer states that takes place on the subnanosecond time scale as revealed by time-resolved photoluminescence and nongeminate recombination as follows from the OSC performance. Our findings demonstrate the potential of TPA-DCV-based molecules as donor materials for both solution-processed and vacuum-deposited OSCs. PMID:28413568

Structural Analysis of Biodiversity

PubMed Central

Sirovich, Lawrence; Stoeckle, Mark Y.; Zhang, Yu

2010-01-01

Large, recently-available genomic databases cover a wide range of life forms, suggesting opportunity for insights into genetic structure of biodiversity. In this study we refine our recently-described technique using indicator vectors to analyze and visualize nucleotide sequences. The indicator vector approach generates correlation matrices, dubbed Klee diagrams, which represent a novel way of assembling and viewing large genomic datasets. To explore its potential utility, here we apply the improved algorithm to a collection of almost 17000 DNA barcode sequences covering 12 widely-separated animal taxa, demonstrating that indicator vectors for classification gave correct assignment in all 11000 test cases. Indicator vector analysis revealed discontinuities corresponding to species- and higher-level taxonomic divisions, suggesting an efficient approach to classification of organisms from poorly-studied groups. As compared to standard distance metrics, indicator vectors preserve diagnostic character probabilities, enable automated classification of test sequences, and generate high-information density single-page displays. These results support application of indicator vectors for comparative analysis of large nucleotide data sets and raise prospect of gaining insight into broad-scale patterns in the genetic structure of biodiversity. PMID:20195371

Exploring Anomalous Polarization Dynamics in Organometallic Halide Perovskites

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

Ahmadi, Mahshid; Collins, Liam; Puretzky, Alexander

Organometallic halide perovskites (OMHPs) have attracted broad attention as prospective materials for optoelectronic applications. Among the many anomalous properties of these materials, of special interest are the ferroelectric properties including both classical and relaxor-like components, as a potential origin of slow dynamics, field enhancement, and anomalous mobilities. Here, ferroelectric properties of the three representative OMHPs are explored, including FAPb xSn 1–xI 3 (x = 0, x = 0.85) and FA 0.85MA 0.15PbI 3 using band excitation piezoresponse force microscopy and contact mode Kelvin probe force microscopy, providing insight into long- and short-range dipole and charge dynamics in these materials andmore » probing ferroelectric density of states. Furthermore, second-harmonic generation in thin films of OMHPs is observed, providing a direct information on the noncentrosymmetric polarization in such materials. Overall, the data provide strong evidence for the presence of ferroelectric domains in these systems; however, the domain dynamics is suppressed by fast ion dynamics. These materials hence present the limit of ferroelectric materials with spontaneous polarization dynamically screened by ionic and electronic carriers.« less

Paenibacillus larvae-Directed Bacteriophage HB10c2 and Its Application in American Foulbrood-Affected Honey Bee Larvae

PubMed Central

Beims, Hannes; Wittmann, Johannes; Bunk, Boyke; Spröer, Cathrin; Rohde, Christine; Günther, Gabi; Rohde, Manfred; von der Ohe, Werner

2015-01-01

Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), the most serious honey bee brood bacterial disease. We isolated and characterized P. larvae-directed bacteriophages and developed criteria for safe phage therapy. Whole-genome analysis of a highly lytic virus of the family Siphoviridae (HB10c2) provided a detailed safety profile and uncovered its lysogenic nature and a putative beta-lactamase-like protein. To rate its antagonistic activity against the pathogens targeted and to specify potentially harmful effects on the bee population and the environment, P. larvae genotypes ERIC I to IV, representatives of the bee gut microbiota, and a broad panel of members of the order Bacillales were analyzed for phage HB10c2-induced lysis. Breeding assays with infected bee larvae revealed that the in vitro phage activity observed was not predictive of the real-life scenario and therapeutic efficacy. On the basis of the disclosed P. larvae-bacteriophage coevolution, we discuss the future prospects of AFB phage therapy. PMID:26048941

Dynamic nonrobotic telemicroscopy via skype: A cost effective solution to teleconsultation.

PubMed

Sirintrapun, Sahussapont J; Cimic, Adela

2012-01-01

Skype is a peer to peer software application that has been historically used for voice and video calls, instant messaging, and file transfer over the Internet. Few studies are available using Skype specifically for telepathology. Our aim is to show that dynamic nonrobotic teleconsultation is possible and even effective via means of a standard microscope camera capable of live acquisition, Skype, an established broad band internet connection, and experienced pathologists. Both the consulting "sending" pathologist and consultant "receiving" pathologist are reasonably experienced general surgical pathologists at junior attending level with several years of experience in sign out. Forty-five cases were chosen encompassing a broad range of surgical pathology specimens. The cases were prospectively evaluated with the consultant diagnosis used as a preliminary pathologic impression with the final diagnosis being confirmation. Versions of Skype 5.0 and above were used along with established broadband internet connections, usually between academic medical institutions. Forty of forty-five cases (89%) were essentially concordant. In four of forty-five cases (9%), the consulting impression gave a differential, but favored an entity which did not match the final diagnosis. Only one case (2%) did the consulting impression not match the final diagnosis; a discordant opinion. The image quality via Skype screen sharing option is excellent. Essentially no lag time was seen. We have shown in our small pilot study that Skype is an effective cost-efficient means for teleconsultation, particularly in the setting of entity-related differential diagnoses in surgical pathology and when both the consulting and consultant pathologists are reasonably experienced.

The near-infrared radius-luminosity relationship for active galactic nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landt, Hermine; Bentz, Misty C.; Peterson, Bradley M.; Elvis, Martin; Ward, Martin J.; Korista, Kirk T.; Karovska, Margarita

2011-05-01

Black hole masses for samples of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are currently estimated from single-epoch optical spectra. In particular, the size of the broad-line emitting region needed to compute the black hole mass is derived from the optical or ultraviolet continuum luminosity. Here we consider the relationship between the broad-line region size, R, and the near-infrared (near-IR) AGN continuum luminosity, L, as the near-IR continuum suffers less dust extinction than at shorter wavelengths and the prospects for separating the AGN continuum from host-galaxy starlight are better in the near-IR than in the optical. For a relationship of the form R∝Lα, we obtain for a sample of 14 reverberation-mapped AGN a best-fitting slope of α= 0.5 ± 0.1, which is consistent with the slope of the relationship in the optical band and with the value of 0.5 naïvely expected from photoionization theory. Black hole masses can then be estimated from the near-IR virial product, which is calculated using the strong and unblended Paschen broad emission lines (Paα or Paβ).

7 CFR 3560.555 - Eligibility requirements for off-farm labor housing loans and grants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...) Eligibility for loans. Applicants for off-farm labor housing loans must be: (1) A broad-based nonprofit... requirements of § 3560.55, excluding § 3560.55(a)(6). A broad-based nonprofit organization is a nonprofit...

7 CFR 3560.555 - Eligibility requirements for off-farm labor housing loans and grants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

...) Eligibility for loans. Applicants for off-farm labor housing loans must be: (1) A broad-based nonprofit... requirements of § 3560.55, excluding § 3560.55(a)(6). A broad-based nonprofit organization is a nonprofit...

7 CFR 3560.555 - Eligibility requirements for off-farm labor housing loans and grants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

...) Eligibility for loans. Applicants for off-farm labor housing loans must be: (1) A broad-based nonprofit... requirements of § 3560.55, excluding § 3560.55(a)(6). A broad-based nonprofit organization is a nonprofit...

High-dose irradiated food: Current progress, applications, and prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feliciano, Chitho P.

2018-03-01

Food irradiation as an established and mature technology has gained more attention in the food industry for ensuring food safety and quality. Primarily used for phytosanitary applications, its use has been expanded for developing various food products for varied purposes (e.g. ready-to-eat & ready-to-cook foods, hospital diets, etc.). This paper summarized and analyzed the recent progress and application of high-dose irradiation and discussed its prospects in the field of food product development, its safety and quality.

Semantic Data Access Services at NASA's Atmospheric Science Data Center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huffer, E.; Hertz, J.; Kusterer, J.

2012-12-01

The corpus of Earth Science data products at the Atmospheric Science Data Center at NASA's Langley Research Center comprises a widely heterogeneous set of products, even among those whose subject matter is very similar. Two distinct data products may both contain data on the same parameter, for instance, solar irradiance; but the instruments used, and the circumstances under which the data were collected and processed, may differ significantly. Understanding the differences is critical to using the data effectively. Data distribution services must be able to provide prospective users with enough information to allow them to meaningfully compare and evaluate the data products offered. Semantic technologies - ontologies, triple stores, reasoners, linked data - offer functionality for addressing this issue. Ontologies can provide robust, high-fidelity domain models that serve as common schema for discovering, evaluating, comparing and integrating data from disparate products. Reasoning engines and triple stores can leverage ontologies to support intelligent search applications that allow users to discover, query, retrieve, and easily reformat data from a broad spectrum of sources. We argue that because of the extremely complex nature of scientific data, data distribution systems should wholeheartedly embrace semantic technologies in order to make their data accessible to a broad array of prospective end users, and to ensure that the data they provide will be clearly understood and used appropriately by consumers. Toward this end, we propose a distribution system in which formal ontological models that accurately and comprehensively represent the ASDC's data domain, and fully leverage the expressivity and inferential capabilities of first order logic, are used to generate graph-based representations of the relevant relationships among data sets, observational systems, metadata files, and geospatial, temporal and scientific parameters to help prospective data consumers navigate directly to relevant data sets and query, subset, retrieve and compare the measurement and calculation data they contain. A critical part of developing semantically-enabled data distribution capabilities is developing an ontology that adequately describes 1) the data products - their structure, their content, and any supporting documentation; 2) the data domain - the objects and processes that the products denote; and 3) the relationship between the data and the domain. The ontology, in addition, should be machine readable and capable of integrating with the larger data distribution system to provide an interactive user experience. We will demonstrate how a formal, high-fidelity, queriable ontology representing the atmospheric science domain objects and data products, together with a robust set of inference rules for generating interactive graphs, allows researchers to navigate quickly and painlessly through the large volume of data at the ASDC. Scientists will be able to discover data products that exactly meet their particular criteria, link to information about the instruments and processing methods that generated the data; and compare and contrast related products.

Health values and prospect theory.

PubMed

Treadwell, J R; Lenert, L A

1999-01-01

Health values are important components of medical decisions. Experimental data suggest that people value health in complex and dynamic ways. Prospect theory is a descriptive theory of choice that may accurately characterize how people assign values to health states. The authors first provide background on prospect theory and how it can be applied to health values. Next, they review the relevant health research and find mixed support for prospect theory. Last, they discuss implications of prospect theory for cost-effectiveness analysis. The application of prospect theory to health deserves further research because it may help clarify the link between health and values.

Recent Advances in Doping of Molybdenum Disulfide: Industrial Applications and Future Prospects.

PubMed

Pham, Viet Phuong; Yeom, Geun Young

2016-11-01

Owing to their excellent physical properties, atomically thin layers of molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) have recently attracted much attention due to their nonzero-gap property, exceptionally high electrical conductivity, good thermal stability, and excellent mechanical strength, etc. MoS 2 -based devices exhibit great potential for applications in optoelectronics and energy harvesting. Here, a comprehensive review of various doping strategies is presented, including wet doping and dry doping of atomically crystalline MoS 2 thin layers, and the progress made so far for their doping-based prospective applications is also discussed. Finally, several significant research issues for the prospects of doped-MoS 2 in industry, as a guide for 2D material community, are also provided. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Evaluation of Koontz Lake (North Indiana) Ecological Restoration Options - Comparison of Dredging and Aeration - and Broad Application to USACE Projects

DTIC Science & Technology

2018-01-01

Restoration Options – Comparison of Dredging and Aeration – and Broad Application to USACE Projects En vi ro nm en ta l L ab or at or y Victor F. Medina... Projects Victor F. Medina, Kaytee Pokrzywinski, and Edith Martinez-Guerra Environmental Laboratory U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development...Operations Technical Support Program 3909 Halls Ferry Road Vicksburg, MS 39180 Under Project No. TA2017-002, “Evaluation of Koontz Lake (Indiana

Identifying Early Childhood Personality Dimensions Using the California Child Q-Set and Prospective Associations With Behavioral and Psychosocial Development

PubMed Central

Wilson, Sylia; Schalet, Benjamin D.; Hicks, Brian M.; Zucker, Robert A.

2013-01-01

The present study used an empirical, “bottom-up” approach to delineate the structure of the California Child Q-Set (CCQ), a comprehensive set of personality descriptors, in a sample of 373 preschool-aged children. This approach yielded two broad trait dimensions, Adaptive Socialization (emotional stability, compliance, intelligence) and Anxious Inhibition (emotional/behavioral introversion). Results demonstrate the value of using empirical derivation to investigate the structure of personality in young children, speak to the importance of early-evident personality traits for adaptive development, and are consistent with a growing body of evidence indicating that personality structure in young children is similar, but not identical to, that in adults, suggesting a model of broad personality dimensions in childhood that evolve into narrower traits in adulthood. PMID:24223448

Toward extending terrestrial laser scanning applications in forestry: a case study of broad- and needle-leaf tree classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yi; Jiang, Miao

2017-01-01

Tree species information is essential for forest research and management purposes, which in turn require approaches for accurate and precise classification of tree species. One such remote sensing technology, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), has proved to be capable of characterizing detailed tree structures, such as tree stem geometry. Can TLS further differentiate between broad- and needle-leaves? If the answer is positive, TLS data can be used for classification of taxonomic tree groups by directly examining their differences in leaf morphology. An analysis was proposed to assess TLS-represented broad- and needle-leaf structures, followed by a Bayes classifier to perform the classification. Tests indicated that the proposed method can basically implement the task, with an overall accuracy of 77.78%. This study indicates a way of implementing the classification of the two major broad- and needle-leaf taxonomies measured by TLS in accordance to their literal definitions, and manifests the potential of extending TLS applications in forestry.

Brain Region-Specific Expression of Genes Mapped within Quantitative Trait Loci for Behavioral Responsiveness to Acute Stress in Fisher 344 and Wistar Kyoto Male Rats (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2018-03-12

Integrative Genomics Viewer (Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts), we iden- tified the coding sequence variations between the F344 and WKY... abnormalities and disturbances in brain metabolism resem- bling those in depressive states [74]. Ifna2 is also known to induce memory, concentration, and...Variant and Chronic Interpersonal Stress Prospectively Predicts Social Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Over Six Years. Clinical psychological science

Reefal petroleum prospects possible in Pakistan

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

Quadri, V.N.; Quadri, S.M.G.J.

1996-03-25

Carbonate buildups including reefs and banks have proven to be prolific hydrocarbon reservoirs in the US, Canada, Mexico, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Seismic interpretation, particularly of high quality marine data, and geological analyses, including petrographic studies of selected formations, reveal a broad spectrum of possible reefal prospects in formations of different ages in Pakistan. However, the region with good seismic that provides good recognition of possible reefal buildups remains to date devoid of well confirmation. Oil and Gas Development Corp. of Pakistan formed the technical services department in 1976 for a systematic scientific review of allmore » exploration data and basin analysis. In 1985 this department was renamed offshore department, with responsibility for all offshore exploration. This article is based on the department`s work in collaboration with geoscientists from Russia, the US, Norway, and Canada covering the area shown. Four major types of carbonate buildups, easily recognized from seismic interpretation, include: barrier buildups that are linear with relatively deep water on both sides during deposition; pinnacle buildups that are roughly equidimensional and were surrounded by deep water during deposition; shelf margin buildups that are linear with deep water on one side and shallow water on the other; and patch buildups that form in shallow water either in close proximity to shelf margins, or over broad shallow seas.« less

A novel method to produce armored double-stranded DNA by encapsulation of MS2 viral capsids.

PubMed

Zhang, Lei; Sun, Yu; Chang, Le; Jia, Tingting; Wang, Guojing; Zhang, Rui; Zhang, Kuo; Li, Jinming

2015-09-01

With the rapid development of molecular diagnostic techniques, there is a growing need for quality controls and standards with favorable properties to monitor the entire detection process. In this study, we describe a novel method to produce armored hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA for use in nucleic acid tests, which was confirmed to be stable, homogeneous, noninfectious, nuclease resistant, and safe for shipping. We demonstrated that MS2 bacteriophage could successfully package double-stranded DNA of 1.3-, 3-, 3.5-, and 6.5-kb length into viral capsids with high reassembly efficiency. This is the first application of RNA bacteriophage MS2 as a platform to encapsulate double-stranded DNA, forming virus-like particles (VLPs) which were indistinguishable from native MS2 capsids in size and morphology. Moreover, by analyzing the interaction mechanism of pac site and the MS2 coat protein (CP), we found that in addition to the recognized initiation signal TR-RNA, TR-DNA can also trigger spontaneous reassembly of CP dimers, providing a more convenient and feasible method of assembly. In conclusion, this straightforward and reliable manufacturing approach makes armored DNA an ideal control and standard for use in clinical laboratory tests and diagnostics, possessing prospects for broad application, especially providing a new platform for the production of quality controls for DNA viruses.

Prospects and applications near ferroelectric quantum phase transitions: a key issues review.

PubMed

Chandra, P; Lonzarich, G G; Rowley, S E; Scott, J F

2017-11-01

The emergence of complex and fascinating states of quantum matter in the neighborhood of zero temperature phase transitions suggests that such quantum phenomena should be studied in a variety of settings. Advanced technologies of the future may be fabricated from materials where the cooperative behavior of charge, spin and current can be manipulated at cryogenic temperatures. The progagating lattice dynamics of displacive ferroelectrics make them appealing for the study of quantum critical phenomena that is characterized by both space- and time-dependent quantities. In this key issues article we aim to provide a self-contained overview of ferroelectrics near quantum phase transitions. Unlike most magnetic cases, the ferroelectric quantum critical point can be tuned experimentally to reside at, above or below its upper critical dimension; this feature allows for detailed interplay between experiment and theory using both scaling and self-consistent field models. Empirically the sensitivity of the ferroelectric T c 's to external and to chemical pressure gives practical access to a broad range of temperature behavior over several hundreds of Kelvin. Additional degrees of freedom like charge and spin can be added and characterized systematically. Satellite memories, electrocaloric cooling and low-loss phased-array radar are among possible applications of low-temperature ferroelectrics. We end with open questions for future research that include textured polarization states and unusual forms of superconductivity that remain to be understood theoretically.

Research on position and orientation measurement method for roadheader based on vision/INS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jinyong; Zhang, Guanqin; Huang, Zhe; Ye, Yaozhong; Ma, Bowen; Wang, Yizhong

2018-01-01

Roadheader which is a kind of special equipment for large tunnel excavation has been widely used in Coal Mine. It is one of the main mechanical-electrical equipment for mine production and also has been regarded as the core equipment for underground tunnel driving construction. With the deep application of the rapid driving system, underground tunnel driving methods with higher automation level are required. In this respect, the real-time position and orientation measurement technique for roadheader is one of the most important research contents. For solving the problem of position and orientation measurement automatically in real time for roadheaders, this paper analyses and compares the features of several existing measuring methods. Then a new method based on the combination of monocular vision and strap down inertial navigation system (SINS) would be proposed. By realizing five degree-of-freedom (DOF) measurement of real-time position and orientation of roadheader, this method has been verified by the rapid excavation equipment in Daliuta coal mine. Experiment results show that the accuracy of orientation measurement is better than 0.1°, the standard deviation of static drift is better than 0.25° and the accuracy of position measurement is better than 1cm. It is proved that this method can be used in real-time position and orientation measurement application for roadheader which has a broad prospect in coal mine engineering.

CRISPR/Cas9 system and its applications in human hematopoietic cells.

PubMed

Hu, Xiaotang

2016-11-01

Since 2012, the CRISPR-Cas9 system has been quickly and successfully tested in a broad range of organisms and cells including hematopoietic cells. The application of CRISPR-Cas9 in human hematopoietic cells mainly involves the genes responsible for HIV infection, β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). The successful disruption of CCR5 and CXCR4 genes in T cells by CRISPR-Cas9 promotes the prospect of the technology in the functional cure of HIV. More recently, eliminating CCR5 and CXCR4 in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patients and targeting the HIV genome have been successfully carried out in several laboratories. The outcome from these approaches bring us closer to the goal of eradicating HIV infection. For hemoglobinopathies the ability to produce iPSC-derived from patients with the correction of hemoglobin (HBB) mutations by CRISPR-Cas9 has been tested in a number of laboratories. These corrected iPSCs also show the potential to differentiate into mature erythrocytes expressing high-level and normal HBB. In light of the initial success of CRESPR-Cas9 in target mutated gene(s) in the iPSCs, a combination of genomic editing and autogenetic stem cell transplantation would be the best strategy for root treatment of the diseases, which could replace traditional allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Magnetic nanoparticle-loaded electrospun polymeric nanofibers for tissue engineering.

PubMed

Zhang, Heng; Xia, JiYi; Pang, XianLun; Zhao, Ming; Wang, BiQiong; Yang, LingLin; Wan, HaiSu; Wu, JingBo; Fu, ShaoZhi

2017-04-01

Magnetic nanoparticles have been one of the most attractive nanomaterials for various biomedical applications including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diagnostic contrast enhancement, magnetic cell separation, and targeted drug delivery. Three-dimensional (3-D) fibrous scaffolds have broad application prospects in the biomedical field, such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. In this work, a novel three-dimensional composite membrane composed of the tri-block copolymer poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL, PCEC) and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) were fabricated using electrospinning technology. The physico-chemical properties of the PCEC/Fe 3 O 4 membranes were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Morphological observation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the composite fibers containing 5% Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles had a diameter of 250nm. In vitro cell culture of NIH 3T3 cells on the PCEC/Fe 3 O 4 membranes showed that the PCEC/Fe 3 O 4 fibers might be a suitable scaffold for cell adhesion. Moreover, MTT analysis also demonstrated that the membranes possessed lower cytotoxicity. Therefore, this study revealed that the magnetic PCEC/Fe 3 O 4 fibers might have great potential for using in skin tissue engineering. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Study on improving the heat storage property of Ba(OH)2·8H2O with paraffin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Kaixuan; Liu, Liqiang; Sun, Mingjie

2017-12-01

Barium hydroxide octahydrate is the crystalline hydration salt with the highest latent heat density within the phase change temperature interval of 0-120 °C and it has a broad application prospect as a phase-change material (PCM). Firstly, red copper test tube was used for the melting—solidification heat cycle experiment in this paper, which was verified by the corrosion experiment of barium hydroxide solution. After the thermogravimetric analysis, it is found that paraffin can effectively reduce the evaporation escape of barium hydroxide octahydrate crystal water within 100 °C. Repeated heat cycle experiments indicated that the paraffin with larger coverage mass fraction can reduce the inhibiting effect of barium hydroxide octahydrate crystal water more obviously. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the phase composition of the barium hydroxide octahydrate sample covered with 50 wt% paraffin nearly had no change, while the sample not covered with paraffin has the weight loss ratio of 34.67% and reacted with CO2 in the air, generating BaCO3. In summary, paraffin can not only inhibit the evaporation of crystal water, but also effectively isolate the air to prevent barium hydroxide octahydrate from denaturation. This greatly improved the practicability of barium hydroxide octahydrate as a PCM, laying a good foundation for the further application of barium hydroxide octahydrate.

Prospects and applications near ferroelectric quantum phase transitions: a key issues review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandra, P.; Lonzarich, G. G.; Rowley, S. E.; Scott, J. F.

2017-11-01

The emergence of complex and fascinating states of quantum matter in the neighborhood of zero temperature phase transitions suggests that such quantum phenomena should be studied in a variety of settings. Advanced technologies of the future may be fabricated from materials where the cooperative behavior of charge, spin and current can be manipulated at cryogenic temperatures. The progagating lattice dynamics of displacive ferroelectrics make them appealing for the study of quantum critical phenomena that is characterized by both space- and time-dependent quantities. In this key issues article we aim to provide a self-contained overview of ferroelectrics near quantum phase transitions. Unlike most magnetic cases, the ferroelectric quantum critical point can be tuned experimentally to reside at, above or below its upper critical dimension; this feature allows for detailed interplay between experiment and theory using both scaling and self-consistent field models. Empirically the sensitivity of the ferroelectric T c’s to external and to chemical pressure gives practical access to a broad range of temperature behavior over several hundreds of Kelvin. Additional degrees of freedom like charge and spin can be added and characterized systematically. Satellite memories, electrocaloric cooling and low-loss phased-array radar are among possible applications of low-temperature ferroelectrics. We end with open questions for future research that include textured polarization states and unusual forms of superconductivity that remain to be understood theoretically.

Present Status and Future Prospects in Bulk Processing of HIGH-Tc Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, S.; Chu, C. W.

The following sections are included: * INTRODUCTION * HIGH SUPERCONDUCTING TRANSITION TEMPERATURE * HIGH CRITICAL CURRENT DENSITY * Grain Boundary Weak Links * Nature of Weak Links * Possible Processing Approaches for Weak Link Problem * Processing Techniques for Texture Formation * Flux Creep in HTSC * Desirable Pinning Defects * Processing for Flux Pinning Enhancement * PROSPECTS FOR BULK APPLICATIONS * Magnetic Field Gener * Energy Storage * Magnetic Shielding * Other Applications * CONCLUDING REMARKS * ACKNOWLEDGMENT * REFERENCES

A Line in the Sand: Prospect Theory and Nash Arbitration in Resolving Territorial Disputes

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

small islands were difficult to access for centuries and they remain somewhat culturally and psychologically distant. The Kurils, despite their...with a normative view, stating, “political, social and psychological perspectives of territories and borders are more accurate than a simple geo...applicable, acceptable, and durable for territorial dispute resolution. Cross -sectional cases explore both the applicability (via prospect theory) and

Does chlorhexidine prevent dry socket?

PubMed

Richards, Derek

2012-01-01

The BBO (Bibliografia Brasileira de Odontologia), Biomed Central, Cochrane Library, Directory of Open Access Journals, LILACS, Open-J-Gate, OpenSIGLE, PubMed, Sabinet and Science-Direct databases were searched. Articles were selected for review from the search results on the basis of their compliance with the broad inclusion criteria: relevant to the review question; and prospective two-arm (or more) clinical study. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of AO reported at the patient level. Two reviewers (VY and SM) independently extracted data and assessed the quality of the accepted articles. Individual dichotomous datasets for the control and test group were extracted from each article. Where possible, missing data were calculated from information given in the text or tables. In addition, authors were contacted in order to obtain missing information. Datasets were assessed for their clinical and methodological heterogeneity following Cochrane guidelines. Meta-analysis was conducted with homogeneous datasets. Publication bias was assessed by use of a funnel plot and Egger's regression. Ten randomised trials were included; almost all involved the removal of third molars. Only two of six identified application protocols (single application of chlorhexidine 0.2% gel or multiple application of 0.12% rinse versus placebo) were found to significantly decrease the incidence of AO. Within the limitations of this review, only two of six identified application protocols were found to significantly decrease the incidence of AO. The evidence for both protocols is weak and may be challenged on the grounds of high risk of selection, detection/performance and attrition bias. This systematic review could not identify sufficient evidence supporting the use of chlorhexidine for the prevention of AO. Chlorhexidine seems not to cause any significantly higher adverse reactions than placebo. Future high-quality randomised control trials are needed to provide conclusive evidence on this topic.

An organic dye with very large Stokes-shift and broad tunability of fluorescence: Potential two-photon probe for bioimaging and ultra-sensitive solid-state gas sensor

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

He, Tingchao; Tian, Xiaoqing; Lin, Xiaodong, E-mail: linxd@szu.edu.cn, E-mail: hdsun@ntu.edu.sg

Light-emitting nonlinear optical molecules, especially those with large Stokes shifts and broad tunability of their emission wavelength, have attracted considerable attention for various applications including biomedical imaging and fluorescent sensors. However, most fluorescent chromophores have only limited potential for such applications due to small Stokes shifts, narrow tunability of fluorescence emissions, and small optical nonlinearity in highly polar solvents. In this work, we demonstrate that a two-photon absorbing stilbene chromophore exhibits a large two-photon absorption action cross-section (ηδ = 320 GM) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and shows broad fluorescence tunability (125 nm) by manipulating the polarity of the surrounding medium. Importantly, a very large Stokesmore » shift of up to 227 nm is achieved in DMSO. Thanks to these features, this chromophore can be utilized as a two-photon probe for bioimaging applications and in an ultrasensitive solid-state gas detector.« less

Design of virus-based nanomaterials for medicine, biotechnology, and energy

PubMed Central

Wen, Amy M.; Steinmetz, Nicole F.

2016-01-01

Virus-based nanomaterials are versatile materials that naturally self-assemble and have relevance for a broad range of applications including medicine, biotechnology, and energy. This review provides an overview of recent developments in “chemical virology.” Viruses, as materials, provide unique nanoscale scaffolds that have relevance in chemical biology and nanotechnology, with diverse areas of applications. Some fundamental advantages of viruses, compared to synthetically programmed materials, include the highly precise spatial arrangement of their subunits into a diverse array of shapes and sizes and many available avenues for easy and reproducible modification. Here, we will first survey the broad distribution of viruses and various methods for producing virus-based nanoparticles, as well as engineering principles used to impart new functionalities. We will then examine the broad range of applications and implications of virus-based materials, focusing on the medical, biotechnology, and energy sectors. We anticipate that this field will continue to evolve and grow, with exciting new possibilities stemming from advancements in the rational design of virus-based nanomaterials. PMID:27152673

A Haloalkane Dehalogenase from a Marine Microbial Consortium Possessing Exceptionally Broad Substrate Specificity.

PubMed

Buryska, Tomas; Babkova, Petra; Vavra, Ondrej; Damborsky, Jiri; Prokop, Zbynek

2018-01-15

The haloalkane dehalogenase enzyme DmmA was identified by marine metagenomic screening. Determination of its crystal structure revealed an unusually large active site compared to those of previously characterized haloalkane dehalogenases. Here we present a biochemical characterization of this interesting enzyme with emphasis on its structure-function relationships. DmmA exhibited an exceptionally broad substrate specificity and degraded several halogenated environmental pollutants that are resistant to other members of this enzyme family. In addition to having this unique substrate specificity, the enzyme was highly tolerant to organic cosolvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, methanol, and acetone. Its broad substrate specificity, high overexpression yield (200 mg of protein per liter of cultivation medium; 50% of total protein), good tolerance to organic cosolvents, and a broad pH range make DmmA an attractive biocatalyst for various biotechnological applications. IMPORTANCE We present a thorough biochemical characterization of the haloalkane dehalogenase DmmA from a marine metagenome. This enzyme with an unusually large active site shows remarkably broad substrate specificity, high overexpression, significant tolerance to organic cosolvents, and activity under a broad range of pH conditions. DmmA is an attractive catalyst for sustainable biotechnology applications, e.g., biocatalysis, biosensing, and biodegradation of halogenated pollutants. We also report its ability to convert multiple halogenated compounds to corresponding polyalcohols. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

28 CFR 40.5 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Applicability. 40.5 Section 40.5 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STANDARDS FOR INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES Minimum Standards for Inmate Grievance Procedures § 40.5 Applicability. The grievance procedure shall be applicable to a broad range of...

28 CFR 40.5 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Applicability. 40.5 Section 40.5 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STANDARDS FOR INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES Minimum Standards for Inmate Grievance Procedures § 40.5 Applicability. The grievance procedure shall be applicable to a broad range of...

28 CFR 40.5 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Applicability. 40.5 Section 40.5 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STANDARDS FOR INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES Minimum Standards for Inmate Grievance Procedures § 40.5 Applicability. The grievance procedure shall be applicable to a broad range of...

28 CFR 40.5 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Applicability. 40.5 Section 40.5 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STANDARDS FOR INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES Minimum Standards for Inmate Grievance Procedures § 40.5 Applicability. The grievance procedure shall be applicable to a broad range of...

28 CFR 40.5 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Applicability. 40.5 Section 40.5 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STANDARDS FOR INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES Minimum Standards for Inmate Grievance Procedures § 40.5 Applicability. The grievance procedure shall be applicable to a broad range of...

49 CFR 1018.62 - Reasons for terminating collection action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... debtor's future financial prospects, and the exemptions available to the debtor under State and Federal... applicable statute of limitations has run, and the prospects of collecting by offset, notwithstanding the bar...

Impact of Monoenergetic Photon Sources on Nonproliferation Applications Final Report

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

Geddes, Cameron; Ludewigt, Bernhard; Valentine, John

Near-monoenergetic photon sources (MPSs) have the potential to improve sensitivity at greatly reduced dose in existing applications and enable new capabilities in other applications, particularly where passive signatures do not penetrate or are insufficiently accurate. MPS advantages include the ability to select energy, energy spread, flux, and pulse structures to deliver only the photons needed for the application, while suppressing extraneous dose and background. Some MPSs also offer narrow angular divergence photon beams which can target dose and/or mitigate scattering contributions to image contrast degradation. Current bremsstrahlung photon sources (e.g., linacs and betatrons) produce photons over a broad range ofmore » energies, thus delivering unnecessary dose that in some cases also interferes with the signature to be detected and/or restricts operations. Current sources must be collimated (reducing flux) to generate narrow divergence beams. While MPSs can in principle resolve these issues, they remain at relatively low TRL status. Candidate MPS technologies for nonproliferation applications are now being developed, each of which has different properties (e.g. broad vs. narrow angular divergence). Within each technology, source parameters trade off against one another (e.g. flux vs. energy spread), representing a large operation space. This report describes a broad survey of potential applications, identification of high priority applications, and detailed simulations addressing those priority applications. Requirements were derived for each application, and analysis and simulations were conducted to define MPS parameters that deliver benefit. The results can inform targeting of MPS development to deliver strong impact relative to current systems.« less

Breast Gangrene

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Breast gangrene is rare in surgical practice. Gangrene of breast can be idiopathic or secondary to some causative factor. Antibiotics and debridement are used for management. Acute inflammatory infiltrate, severe necrosis of breast tissue, necrotizing arteritis, and venous thrombosis is observed on histopathology. The aim of was to study patients who had breast gangrene. Methods A prospective study of 10 patients who had breast gangrene over a period of 6 years were analyzed Results All the patients in the study group were female. Total of 10 patients were encountered who had breast gangrene. Six patients presented with breast gangrene on the right breast whereas four had on left breast. Out of 10 patients, three had breast abscess after teeth bite followed by gangrene, one had iatrogenic trauma by needle aspiration of erythematous area of breast under septic conditions. Four had history of application of belladonna on cutaneous breast abscess and had then gangrene. All were lactating female. Amongst the rest two were elderly, one of which was a diabetic who had gangrene of breast and had no application of belladonna. All except one had debridement under cover of broad spectrum antibiotics. Three patients had grafting to cover the raw area. Conclusion Breast gangrene occurs rarely. Etiology is variable and mutifactorial. Teeth bite while lactation and the iatrogenic trauma by needle aspiration of breast abscess under unsterlised conditions could be causative. Uncontrolled diabetes can be one more causative factor for the breast gangrene. Belladonna application as a topical agent could be inciting factor. Sometimes gangrene of breast can be idiopathic. Treatment is antibiotics and debridement. PMID:21854557

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

Shenoy, G. K.; Rohlsberger, R.; X-Ray Science Division

From the beginning of its discovery the Moessbauer effect has continued to be one of the most powerful tools with broad applications in diverse areas of science and technology. With the advent of synchrotron radiation sources such as the Advanced Photon Source (APS), the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the Super Photon Ring-8 (SPring-8), the tool has enlarged its scope and delivered new capabilities. The popular techniques most generally used in the field of materials physics, chemical physics, geoscience, and biology are hyperfine spectroscopy via elastic nuclear forward scattering (NFS), vibrational spectroscopy via nuclear inelastic scattering (NRIXS), and, tomore » a lesser extent, diffusional dynamics from quasielastic nuclear forward scattering (QNFS). As we look ahead, new storage rings with enhanced brilliance such as PETRA-III under construction at DESY, Hamburg, and PEP-III in its early design stage at SLAC, Stanford, will provide new and unique science opportunities. In the next two decades, x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs), based both on self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE-XFELs) and a seed (SXFELs), with unique time structure, coherence and a five to six orders higher average brilliance will truly revolutionize nuclear resonance applications in a major way. This overview is intended to briefly address the unique radiation characteristics of new sources on the horizon and to provide a glimpse of scientific prospects and dreams in the nuclear resonance field from the new radiation sources. We anticipate an expanded nuclear resonance research activity with applications such as spin and phonon mapping of a single nanostructure and their assemblies, interfaces, and surfaces; spin dynamics; nonequilibrium dynamics; photochemical reactions; excited-state spectroscopy; and nonlinear phenomena.« less

Thirty years through vanadium chemistry.

PubMed

Costa Pessoa, J

2015-06-01

The relevance of vanadium in biological systems is known for many years and vanadium-based catalysts have important industrial applications, however, till the beginning of the 80s research on vanadium chemistry and biochemistry did not receive much attention from the scientific community. The understanding of the broad bioinorganic implications resulting from the similarities between phosphate and vanadate(V) and the discovery of vanadium dependent enzymes gave rise to an enormous increase in interest in the chemistry and biological relevance of vanadium. Thereupon the last 30years corresponded to a period of enormous research effort in these fields, as well as in medicinal applications of vanadium and in the development of catalysts for use in fine-chemical synthesis, some of these inspired by enzymatic active sites. Since the 80s my group in collaboration with others made contributions, described throughout this text, namely in the understanding of the speciation of vanadium compounds in aqueous solution and in biological fluids, and to the transport of vanadium compounds in blood plasma and their uptake by cells. Several new types of vanadium compounds were also synthesized and characterized, with applications either as prospective therapeutic drugs or as homogeneous or heterogenized catalysts for the production of fine chemicals. The developments made are described also considering the international context of the evolution of the knowledge in the chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry of vanadium compounds during the last 30years. This article was compiled based on the Vanadis Award presentation at the 9th International Vanadium Symposium. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ten-gram scale SiC@SiO2 nanowires: high-yield synthesis towards industrialization, in situ growth mechanism and their peculiar photoluminescence and electromagnetic wave absorption properties.

PubMed

Li, Z J; Yu, H Y; Song, G Y; Zhao, J; Zhang, H; Zhang, M; Meng, A L; Li, Q D

2017-02-01

SiC@SiO 2 nanowires, as a functional nanocomposite, have attracted widespread attention due to their fascinating performance and broad application prospect. However, the low-cost, high yield preparation of large-scale SiC@SiO 2 nanowires is still a bottleneck, which hinders their industrial application. Herein, a carbothermal reduction strategy has been developed to synthesize SiC@SiO 2 nanowires, which breaks through the handicap of the traditional growth pattern that uses the aid of a substrate. Systematic characterization results illustrate that the yield of the as-obtained products greatly depends on the heating rate, and ten-gram scale SiC@SiO 2 nanowires (∼27.2 g) composed of a cubic β-SiC core and homogeneous amorphous SiO 2 coating are achieved under the optimum process parameters. The in situ mechanisms of expansion-insertion-growth and inhibition of expansion-package-obstruction are proposed to rationally interpret the growth process of SiC@SiO 2 nanowires and the effect of various heating rates, respectively. Furthermore, the SiC@SiO 2 nanowires display violet-blue photoluminescence and electromagnetic wave absorption properties. This study not only provides some beneficial suggestions for the commercial production of SiC@SiO 2 nanowires, but also reveals promising applications of SiC@SiO 2 nanowires in the optical and electromagnetic shielding fields. Moreover, the developed novel in situ growth mechanism enriches the growth theory of one-dimension nanomaterials and offers inspiration for their industrial-scale production.

Cancer Incidence among Glyphosate-Exposed Pesticide Applicators in the Agricultural Health Study

PubMed Central

De Roos, Anneclaire J.; Blair, Aaron; Rusiecki, Jennifer A.; Hoppin, Jane A.; Svec, Megan; Dosemeci, Mustafa; Sandler, Dale P.; Alavanja, Michael C.

2005-01-01

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that is one of the most frequently applied pesticides in the world. Although there has been little consistent evidence of genotoxicity or carcinogenicity from in vitro and animal studies, a few epidemiologic reports have indicated potential health effects of glyphosate. We evaluated associations between glyphosate exposure and cancer incidence in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a prospective cohort study of 57,311 licensed pesticide applicators in Iowa and North Carolina. Detailed information on pesticide use and other factors was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire completed at time of enrollment (1993–1997). Among private and commercial applicators, 75.5% reported having ever used glyphosate, of which > 97% were men. In this analysis, glyphosate exposure was defined as a) ever personally mixed or applied products containing glyphosate; b) cumulative lifetime days of use, or “cumulative exposure days” (years of use × days/year); and c) intensity-weighted cumulative exposure days (years of use × days/year × estimated intensity level). Poisson regression was used to estimate exposure–response relations between glyphosate and incidence of all cancers combined and 12 relatively common cancer subtypes. Glyphosate exposure was not associated with cancer incidence overall or with most of the cancer subtypes we studied. There was a suggested association with multiple myeloma incidence that should be followed up as more cases occur in the AHS. Given the widespread use of glyphosate, future analyses of the AHS will allow further examination of long-term health effects, including less common cancers. PMID:15626647

The 2013 Clusters, Nanocrystals & Nanostructures Gordon Research Conference/Gordon Research Seminar

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

Krauss, Todd D.

The fundamental properties of small particles and their potential for groundbreaking applications are among the most exciting areas of study in modern physics, chemistry, and materials science. The Clusters, Nanocrystals & Nanostructures Gordon ResearchConference and Gordon Research Seminar synthesize contributions from these inter-related fields that reflect the pivotal role of nano-particles at the interface between these disciplines. Size-dependent optical, electronic, magnetic and catalytic properties offer prospects for applications in many fields, and possible solutions for many of the grand challenges facing energy generation, consumption, delivery, and storage in the 21st century. The goal of the 2013 Clusters, Nanocrystals & Nanostructuresmore » Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar is to continue the historical interdisciplinary tradition of this series and discuss the most recent advances, basic scientific questions, and emerging applications of clusters, nanocrystals, and nanostructures. The Clusters, Nanocrystals & Nanostructures GRC/GRS traditionally brings together the leading scientific groups that have made significant recent advances in one or more fundamental nanoscience or nanotechnology areas. Broad interests of the DOE BES and Solar Photochemistry Program addressed by this meeting include the areas of solar energy to fuels conversion, new photovoltaic systems, fundamental characterization of nanomaterials, magnetism, catalysis, and quantum physics. The vast majority of speakers and attendees will address either directly the topic of nanotechnology for photoinduced charge transfer, charge transport, and catalysis, or will have made significant contributions to related areas that will impact these fields indirectly. These topics have direct relevance to the mission of the DOE BES since it is this cutting-edge basic science that underpins our energy future.« less

Application of Data-Driven Evidential Belief Functions to Prospectivity Mapping for Aquamarine-Bearing Pegmatites, Lundazi District, Zambia

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

Carranza, E. J. M., E-mail: carranza@itc.nl; Woldai, T.; Chikambwe, E. M.

A case application of data-driven estimation of evidential belief functions (EBFs) is demonstrated to prospectivity mapping in Lundazi district (eastern Zambia). Spatial data used to represent recognition criteria of prospectivity for aquamarine-bearing pegmatites include mapped granites, mapped faults/fractures, mapped shear zones, and radioelement concentration ratios derived from gridded airborne radiometric data. Data-driven estimates EBFs take into account not only (a) spatial association between an evidential map layer and target deposits but also (b) spatial relationships between classes of evidences in an evidential map layer. Data-driven estimates of EBFs can indicate which spatial data provide positive or negative evidence of prospectivity.more » Data-driven estimates of EBFs of only spatial data providing positive evidence of prospectivity were integrated according to Dempster's rule of combination. Map of integrated degrees of belief was used to delineate zones of relative degress of prospectivity for aquamarine-bearing pegmatites. The predictive map has at least 85% prediction rate and at least 79% success rate of delineating training and validation deposits, respectively. The results illustrate usefulness of data-driven estimation of EBFs in GIS-based predictive mapping of mineral prospectivity. The results also show usefulness of EBFs in managing uncertainties associated with evidential maps.« less

12 CFR 41.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 41.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... an affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if the bank receives such information prior to...

12 CFR 41.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 41.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... an affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if the bank receives such information prior to...

12 CFR 571.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 571.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if you receive such information prior to October 1, 2008. For...

12 CFR 41.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 41.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... an affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if the bank receives such information prior to...

12 CFR 41.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... TREASURY FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 41.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... an affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if the bank receives such information prior to...

12 CFR 571.28 - Effective date, compliance date, and prospective application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... FAIR CREDIT REPORTING Affiliate Marketing § 571.28 Effective date, compliance date, and prospective... affiliate to make solicitations to a consumer if you receive such information prior to October 1, 2008. For...

Broad-band flared horn with low sidelobes. [applicable to cosmic background radiation measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mather, J. C.

1981-01-01

A circular horn antenna flared like a trumpet is analyzed with the geometrical theory of diffraction and then tested experimentally. Sidelobes are found to be extremely low (-75 dB), in agreement with theory. Low sidelobe performance is predicted to be broad-band and to improve at higher frequencies. The full aperture of the tested horn is approximately 50 wavelengths. Suggestions for even better low sidelobe antennas are made. The applicability of this horn to the measurement of cosmic background radiation is noted.

Tricyclic GyrB/ParE (TriBE) Inhibitors: A New Class of Broad-Spectrum Dual-Targeting Antibacterial Agents

PubMed Central

Tari, Leslie W.; Li, Xiaoming; Trzoss, Michael; Bensen, Daniel C.; Chen, Zhiyong; Lam, Thanh; Zhang, Junhu; Lee, Suk Joong; Hough, Grayson; Phillipson, Doug; Akers-Rodriguez, Suzanne; Cunningham, Mark L.; Kwan, Bryan P.; Nelson, Kirk J.; Castellano, Amanda; Locke, Jeff B.; Brown-Driver, Vickie; Murphy, Timothy M.; Ong, Voon S.; Pillar, Chris M.; Shinabarger, Dean L.; Nix, Jay; Lightstone, Felice C.; Wong, Sergio E.; Nguyen, Toan B.; Shaw, Karen J.; Finn, John

2013-01-01

Increasing resistance to every major class of antibiotics and a dearth of novel classes of antibacterial agents in development pipelines has created a dwindling reservoir of treatment options for serious bacterial infections. The bacterial type IIA topoisomerases, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, are validated antibacterial drug targets with multiple prospective drug binding sites, including the catalytic site targeted by the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. However, growing resistance to fluoroquinolones, frequently mediated by mutations in the drug-binding site, is increasingly limiting the utility of this antibiotic class, prompting the search for other inhibitor classes that target different sites on the topoisomerase complexes. The highly conserved ATP-binding subunits of DNA gyrase (GyrB) and topoisomerase IV (ParE) have long been recognized as excellent candidates for the development of dual-targeting antibacterial agents with broad-spectrum potential. However, to date, no natural product or small molecule inhibitors targeting these sites have succeeded in the clinic, and no inhibitors of these enzymes have yet been reported with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity encompassing the majority of Gram-negative pathogens. Using structure-based drug design (SBDD), we have created a novel dual-targeting pyrimidoindole inhibitor series with exquisite potency against GyrB and ParE enzymes from a broad range of clinically important pathogens. Inhibitors from this series demonstrate potent, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens of clinical importance, including fluoroquinolone resistant and multidrug resistant strains. Lead compounds have been discovered with clinical potential; they are well tolerated in animals, and efficacious in Gram-negative infection models. PMID:24386374

City of Columbia, Columbia, SC

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Located in the heart of South Carolina, Columbia (population 124,818) first experienced industrial growth along the Congaree, Saluda, and Broad Rivers. Plantations, cotton mills, trains, and other industries lined the riverbanks. The City claimed numerous vacant, dilapidated structures in the neighborhoods of the Congaree region. They included industrial, railroad, and petroleum properties. Uncertainties related to contamination inhibited redevelopment efforts in the region. Brownfield assessments helped the city to resolve some of the uncertainties, and increased the marketability of the sites to prospective purchasers and developers.

Understanding medical decision making in hand surgery.

PubMed

Myers, John; McCabe, Steven J

2005-10-01

The practice of medicine takes place in an environment of uncertainty. Expected value decision making, prospect theory, and regret theory are three theories of decision making under uncertainty that may be used to help us learn how patients and physicians make decisions. These theories form the underpinnings of decision analysis and provide the opportunity to introduce the broad discipline of decision science. Because decision analysis and economic analysis are underrepresented in upper extremity surgery, the authors believe these are important areas for future research.

Advances on simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification using activated carbon irradiated by microwaves.

PubMed

Ma, Shuang-Chen; Gao, Li; Ma, Jing-Xiang; Jin, Xin; Yao, Juan-Juan; Zhao, Yi

2012-06-01

This paper describes the research background and chemistry of desulfurization and denitrification technology using microwave irradiation. Microwave-induced catalysis combined with activated carbon adsorption and reduction can reduce nitric oxide to nitrogen and sulfur dioxide to sulfur from flue gas effectively. This paper also highlights the main drawbacks of this technology and discusses future development trends. It is reported that the removal of sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide using microwave irradiation has broad prospects for development in the field of air pollution control.

Concomitant pulmonary infection with Nocardia transvalensis and Aspergillus ustus in lung transplantation.

PubMed

Cabada, Miguel M; Nishi, Shawn P; Lea, Alfred S; Schnadig, Vicki; Lombard, Gisele A; Lick, Scott D; Valentine, Vincent G

2010-08-01

Lung infections with Nocardia and Aspergillus spp in lung transplant recipients (LTRs) create diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The present case illustrates the difficulties in identifying these pathogens in LTRs. A high degree of clinical suspicion and aggressive early management are required to ensure good outcomes. Although prospective data on treating these conditions are scarce, the empiric use of combination broad-spectrum anti-microbials initially seems prudent. Copyright (c) 2010 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A new fiber sensor based on graphene coating technique for wearable equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Ensen; Zhang, Jinnan; Qiao, Min; Cao, Yanghua; Wang, Qi; Ren, Xiaomin; Zuo, Yong

2018-02-01

We propose and implement a graphene-based composite fiber sensor in this paper. The advantages of this composite fiber lie in simple and practicable fabrication, high sensitivity to tensile strain deformation, wide maximal sensing range. The experiment shows that the composite fiber can monitor small signals of the body and massive movements in conventionality condition such as human pulse and the movement of elbow. This suggests that this graphene-based composite fiber has a broad prospect in health monitoring and movement recognition.

49 CFR 1152.29 - Prospective use of rights-of-way for interim trail use and rail banking.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Prospective use of rights-of-way for interim trail... Governing Notice, Applications, Financial Assistance, Acquisition for Public Use, and Trail Use § 1152.29 Prospective use of rights-of-way for interim trail use and rail banking. (a) If any state, political...

A Relative Investigation on Purposes of Computer and Internet Use of Prospective Geography Teachers in Turkey and China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turan, Ilhan

2015-01-01

This study investigated Chinese and Turkish prospective geography teachers' use of computer and internet applications as indispensable instruments in and out of education. 292 prospective geography teachers students from Shanghai, China, and Izmir, Turkey, participated in this study. The aim of this study was to examine the use of computers and…

Large-scale, high-definition Ground Penetrating Radar prospection in archaeology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trinks, I.; Kucera, M.; Hinterleitner, A.; Löcker, K.; Nau, E.; Neubauer, W.; Zitz, T.

2012-04-01

The future demands on professional archaeological prospection will be its ability to cover large areas in a time and cost efficient manner with very high spatial resolution and accuracy. The objective of the 2010 in Vienna established Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology (LBI ArchPro) in collaboration with its eight European partner organisations is the advancement of state-of-the-art archaeological sciences. The application and specific further development of remote sensing, geophysical prospection and virtual reality applications, as well as of novel integrated interpretation approaches dedicated to non-invasive spatial archaeology combining near-surface prospection methods with advanced computer science is crucial for modern archaeology. Within the institute's research programme different areas for distinct case studies in Austria, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the UK have been selected as basis for the development and testing of new concepts for efficient and universally applicable tools for spatial, non-invasive archaeology. In terms of geophysical prospection the investigation of entire archaeological landscapes for the exploration and protection of Europe's buried cultural heritage requires new measurement devices, which are fast, accurate and precise. Therefore the further development of motorized, multichannel survey systems and advanced navigation solutions is required. The use of motorized measurement devices for archaeological prospection implicates several technological and methodological challenges. Latest multichannel Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) arrays mounted in front off, or towed behind motorized survey vehicles permit large-scale GPR prospection surveys with unprecedented spatial resolution. In particular the motorized 16 channel 400 MHz MALÅ Imaging Radar Array (MIRA) used by the LBI ArchPro in combination with latest automatic data positioning and navigation solutions permits the reliable high-definition survey of two to three hectares per day with eight centimetres GPR trace spacing, both inline and cross-line. Exact real time positioning of the motorized multichannel arrays with centimetre accuracy is of paramount importance for data quality and subsequent imaging, analysis and interpretation. Whereas traditional surveys are conducted along straight lines fixed on the ground, motorized survey systems require the use of more efficient data positioning and navigation solutions. A promising approach can be realized using real-time kinematic positioning technology based on GPS systems and robotic total-stations with centimetre accuracy. Due to the huge amount and complexity of the data unique software solutions for efficient, appropriate processing and data visualization have been developed permitting the generation of geo-referenced depth-slice images covering up to 70 hectares each. While our focus is on archaeological sites, the presented novel GPR technology and methodology are likewise applicable to Civil Engineering Applications.

Incidence and risk factors of surgical site infection in general surgery in a developing country.

PubMed

Alp, Emine; Elmali, Ferhan; Ersoy, Safiye; Kucuk, Can; Doganay, Mehmet

2014-04-01

To investigate the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) according to risk factors, etiological agents, antimicrobial resistance rates of pathogens, and antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) in a developing country. Prospective surveillance of SSIs was carried out in general surgery (GS) units between May 2005 and April 2009. SSI was diagnosed in 415 (10.8%) patients. Cefazolin was used as AMP in 780 (49%) operations, whereas broad-spectrum antibiotics were used in the remaining operations. AMP was administered for >24 h in 69 and 64% of the GS patients. The most significant risk factors for SSI after GS were total parenteral nutrition, transfusion, and a drainage catheter. The most common pathogen was Escherichia coli, but all the isolated pathogens were multiresistant. AMP is effective for reducing the risk of SSI; however, the prolonged use of AMP and broad-spectrum antibiotics may be associated with the emergence of resistant bacterial strains.

Broad-scale assessments of ecological landscapes: developing methods and applications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Carr, Natasha B.; Wood, David J. A.; Bowen, Zachary H.; Haby, Travis S.

2015-01-01

A major component of the BLM Landscape Approach is the Rapid Ecoregional Assessment (REA) program. REAs identify important ecosystems and wildlife habitats at broad spatial scales and determine where these resources are at risk from environmental stressors that can affect the integrity of ecological systems. Building on the lessons learned from completed or current REAs, the BLM, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, will perform systematic comparisons of REA methods to identify the most promising suite of landscape-level analysis tools. In addition, the BLM and USGS will develop practical applications that demonstrate how to incorporate assessment information to address existing management issues, such as cumulative effects of proposed management actions. The outcome of these efforts will be a set of comprehensive technical guidance documents for conducting and applying broad-scale assessments.

Exploring with PAM: Prospecting ANTS Missions for Solar System Surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, P. E.; Rilee, M. L.; Curtis, S. A.

2003-03-01

ANTS (Autonomous Nano Technology Swarm of hundreds of picoclass autonomous spacecraft) have many applications. A version designed for surveying and the resource potential of the asteroid belt, called PAM (Prospecting ANTS Mission), is examined here.

Every employee an owner. Really.

PubMed

Rosen, Corey; Case, John; Staubus, Martin

2005-06-01

Surveys indicate that when new rules on expensing stock options take effect, many companies are likely to limit the number of employees who can receive equity compensation. But companies that reserve equity for executives are bound to suffer in the long run. Study after study proves that broad-based ownership, when done right, leads to higher productivity, lower workforce turnover, better recruits, and bigger profits. "Done right" is the key. Here are the four most important factors in implementing a broad-based employee equity plan: A significant portion of the workforce--generally, most of the full-time people--must hold equity; employees must think the amounts they hold can significantly improve their financial prospects; managerial practices and policies must reinforce the plan; and employees must feel a true sense of company ownership. Those factors add up to an ownership culture in which employees' interests are aligned with the company's. The result is a workforce that is loyal, cooperative, and willing to go above and beyond to make the organization successful. A wide variety of companies have recorded exceptional business performance with the help of employee-ownership programs supported by management policies. The authors examine two: Science Applications International, a research and development contractor, and Scot Forge, which shapes metal and other materials for industrial machinery. At both companies, every employee with a year or so of service holds equity, and employees who stay on can accumulate a comfortable nest egg. Management's sharing of financial information reinforces workers' sense of ownership. So does the expectation that employees will accept the responsibilities of ownership. Workers with an ownership stake internalize their responsibilities and feel they have an obligation not only to management but to one another.

Dynamic nonrobotic telemicroscopy via skype: A cost effective solution to teleconsultation

PubMed Central

Sirintrapun, Sahussapont J.; Cimic, Adela

2012-01-01

Context: Skype is a peer to peer software application that has been historically used for voice and video calls, instant messaging, and file transfer over the Internet. Few studies are available using Skype specifically for telepathology. Aims: Our aim is to show that dynamic nonrobotic teleconsultation is possible and even effective via means of a standard microscope camera capable of live acquisition, Skype, an established broad band internet connection, and experienced pathologists. Settings and Design: Both the consulting “sending” pathologist and consultant “receiving” pathologist are reasonably experienced general surgical pathologists at junior attending level with several years of experience in sign out. Forty-five cases were chosen encompassing a broad range of surgical pathology specimens. The cases were prospectively evaluated with the consultant diagnosis used as a preliminary pathologic impression with the final diagnosis being confirmation. Materials and Methods: Versions of Skype 5.0 and above were used along with established broadband internet connections, usually between academic medical institutions. Results: Forty of forty-five cases (89%) were essentially concordant. In four of forty-five cases (9%), the consulting impression gave a differential, but favored an entity which did not match the final diagnosis. Only one case (2%) did the consulting impression not match the final diagnosis; a discordant opinion. Conclusions: The image quality via Skype screen sharing option is excellent. Essentially no lag time was seen. We have shown in our small pilot study that Skype is an effective cost-efficient means for teleconsultation, particularly in the setting of entity-related differential diagnoses in surgical pathology and when both the consulting and consultant pathologists are reasonably experienced. PMID:23024887

Free Energy Perturbation Calculation of Relative Binding Free Energy between Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies and the gp120 Glycoprotein of HIV-1.

PubMed

Clark, Anthony J; Gindin, Tatyana; Zhang, Baoshan; Wang, Lingle; Abel, Robert; Murret, Colleen S; Xu, Fang; Bao, Amy; Lu, Nina J; Zhou, Tongqing; Kwong, Peter D; Shapiro, Lawrence; Honig, Barry; Friesner, Richard A

2017-04-07

Direct calculation of relative binding affinities between antibodies and antigens is a long-sought goal. However, despite substantial efforts, no generally applicable computational method has been described. Here, we describe a systematic free energy perturbation (FEP) protocol and calculate the binding affinities between the gp120 envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1 and three broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) of the VRC01 class. The protocol has been adapted from successful studies of small molecules to address the challenges associated with modeling protein-protein interactions. Specifically, we built homology models of the three antibody-gp120 complexes, extended the sampling times for large bulky residues, incorporated the modeling of glycans on the surface of gp120, and utilized continuum solvent-based loop prediction protocols to improve sampling. We present three experimental surface plasmon resonance data sets, in which antibody residues in the antibody/gp120 interface were systematically mutated to alanine. The RMS error in the large set (55 total cases) of FEP tests as compared to these experiments, 0.68kcal/mol, is near experimental accuracy, and it compares favorably with the results obtained from a simpler, empirical methodology. The correlation coefficient for the combined data set including residues with glycan contacts, R 2 =0.49, should be sufficient to guide the choice of residues for antibody optimization projects, assuming that this level of accuracy can be realized in prospective prediction. More generally, these results are encouraging with regard to the possibility of using an FEP approach to calculate the magnitude of protein-protein binding affinities. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Highly broad-specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for screening sulfonamides: Assay optimization and application to milk samples

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A broad-specific and sensitive immunoassay for the detection of sulfonamides was developed by optimizing the conditions of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in regard to different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), assay format, immunoreagents, and several physicochemical factors (pH, salt, de...

Broad-specificity immunoassay for O,O-diethyl organophosphorus pesticides: Application of molecular modeling to improve assay sensitivity and study antibody recognition

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A monoclonal antibody (MAb) against 4-(diethoxyphosphorothioyloxy)benzoic acid (hapten 1) was raised and used to develop a broad-specificity competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ciELISA) for 14 O,O-diethyl organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). Computer-assisted molecular modeling was...

Micropatterned Pyramidal Ionic Gels for Sensing Broad-Range Pressures with High Sensitivity.

PubMed

Cho, Sung Hwan; Lee, Seung Won; Yu, Seunggun; Kim, Hyeohn; Chang, Sooho; Kang, Donyoung; Hwang, Ihn; Kang, Han Sol; Jeong, Beomjin; Kim, Eui Hyuk; Cho, Suk Man; Kim, Kang Lib; Lee, Hyungsuk; Shim, Wooyoung; Park, Cheolmin

2017-03-22

The development of pressure sensors that are effective over a broad range of pressures is crucial for the future development of electronic skin applicable to the detection of a wide pressure range from acoustic wave to dynamic human motion. Here, we present flexible capacitive pressure sensors that incorporate micropatterned pyramidal ionic gels to enable ultrasensitive pressure detection. Our devices show superior pressure-sensing performance, with a broad sensing range from a few pascals up to 50 kPa, with fast response times of <20 ms and a low operating voltage of 0.25 V. Since high-dielectric-constant ionic gels were employed as constituent sensing materials, an unprecedented sensitivity of 41 kPa -1 in the low-pressure regime of <400 Pa could be realized in the context of a metal-insulator-metal platform. This broad-range capacitive pressure sensor allows for the efficient detection of pressure from a variety of sources, including sound waves, a lightweight object, jugular venous pulses, radial artery pulses, and human finger touch. This platform offers a simple, robust approach to low-cost, scalable device design, enabling practical applications of electronic skin.

Comparing the usefulness of the 1997 and 2009 WHO dengue case classification: a systematic literature review.

PubMed

Horstick, Olaf; Jaenisch, Thomas; Martinez, Eric; Kroeger, Axel; See, Lucy Lum Chai; Farrar, Jeremy; Ranzinger, Silvia Runge

2014-09-01

The 1997 and 2009 WHO dengue case classifications were compared in a systematic review with 12 eligible studies (4 prospective). Ten expert opinion articles were used for discussion. For the 2009 WHO classification studies show: when determining severe dengue sensitivity ranges between 59-98% (88%/98%: prospective studies), specificity between 41-99% (99%: prospective study) - comparing the 1997 WHO classification: sensitivity 24.8-89.9% (24.8%/74%: prospective studies), specificity: 25%/100% (100%: prospective study). The application of the 2009 WHO classification is easy, however for (non-severe) dengue there may be a risk of monitoring increased case numbers. Warning signs validation studies are needed. For epidemiological/pathogenesis research use of the 2009 WHO classification, opinion papers show that ease of application, increased sensitivity (severe dengue) and international comparability are advantageous; 3 severe dengue criteria (severe plasma leakage, severe bleeding, severe organ manifestation) are useful research endpoints. The 2009 WHO classification has clear advantages for clinical use, use in epidemiology is promising and research use may at least not be a disadvantage. © The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

32 CFR 203.7 - Eligible applicants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... interests are broadly represented. The applicant must certify that the request represents the wishes of a simple majority of the community members of the RAB or TRC. Certification includes, but is not limited to...

The Potential and Limitations of Cross-Context Comparative Research on Migration

PubMed Central

Riosmena, Fernando

2017-01-01

This article is an overview of household survey approaches for the comparative study of international migration dynamics. Focusing on differences in the drivers of international mobility at different times and places, I highlight the problems of obtaining data with adequate representation across time periods and geographies, and discuss a broad constellation of prospective and retrospective approaches, paying particular attention to the migration ethnosurvey. I place this methodology within a broader constellation of prospective and retrospective data collection techniques, briefly describing the advantages and disadvantages of each and summarizing the commonalities and differences of ethnosurvey approaches adopted around the world. In particular, I discuss the potential and limitations of cross-context research and suggest post hoc case selection and other adjustments to ameliorate problems. I conclude with ideas about how case and sample selection can help to bolster migration studies in the future. PMID:29093598

Cultural diversity, democracy and the prospects of cosmopolitanism: a theory of cultural encounters.

PubMed

Delanty, Gerard

2011-12-01

The most appropriate way of theorizing cultural diversity is to situate it in the context of a broader relational theory of culture in which the key dynamic is cultural encounters. The relational conception of culture places the emphasis on the relations between social actors and the processes by which some of these relations generate enduring cultural regularities and forms. This has important implications for political community and in particular for cosmopolitanism. It is in relationships that cultural phenomena are generated and become the basis of different kinds of political community. The paper outlines a typology of six kinds of cultural encounters and discusses four major cultural trends that variously emerge from these encounters. This approach with its emphasis on cultural encounters is the broad sociological context in which questions about cultural change and the prospects of cosmopolitanism should be discussed. © London School of Economics and Political Science 2011.

Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation.

PubMed

Orellana-Barrios, Menfil A; Payne, Drew; Medrano-Juarez, Rita M; Yang, Shengping; Nugent, Kenneth

2016-10-01

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is increasing, but their use as a smoking-cessation aid is controversial. The reporting of e-cigarette studies on cessation is variable and inconsistent. To date, only 1 randomized clinical trial has included an arm with other cessation methods (nicotine patches). The cessation rates for available clinical trials are difficult to compare given differing follow-up periods and broad ranges (4% at 12 months with non-nicotine e-cigarettes to 68% at 4 weeks with concomitant nicotine e-cigarettes and other cessation methods). The average combined abstinence rate for included prospective studies was 29.1% (combination of 6-18 months׳ rates). There are few comparable clinical trials and prospective studies related to e-cigarettes use for smoking cessation, despite an increasing number of citations. Larger randomized clinical trials are essential to determine whether e-cigarettes are effective smoking-cessation devices. Copyright © 2016 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

48 CFR 2115.170 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... GROUP LIFE INSURANCE FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING... no practical application to the FEGLI Program because prospective contractors (insurance companies...

Irradiation enhancement of biomass conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, G. S.; Kiesling, H. E.; Galyean, M. L.; Bader, J. R.

The vast supply of cellulosic agricultural residues and industrial by-products that is produced each year is a prospective resource of biomass suitable for conversion to useful products such as feedstock for the chemicals industry and feedstuffs for the livestock industry. Conversions of such biomass is poor at present, and utilization is inefficient, because of physio-chemical barriers to biological degradation and (or) anti-quality components such as toxicants that restrict biological usages. Improvements in biodegradability of ligno-cellulosic materials have been accomplished by gamma-ray and electron-beam irradiation at intermediate dosage (˜ 50 Mrad; .5 MGy); but applications of the technology have been hampered by questionable interpretations of results. Recent research with organic wastes such as sewage sludge and straw suggests opportunity for important applications of irradiation technology in enhancement of biomass conversion. Data from experiments using irradiated straw as feed for ruminants are presented and discussed in relation to research on prospective usage of sewage products as feed for ruminants. Findings are discussed in regard to prospective applications in industrial fermentation processes. Possible usage of irradiation technology for destruction of toxicants in exotic plants is considered in regard to prospective new feedstuffs.

A rapid, straightforward, and print house compatible mass fabrication method for integrating 3D paper-based microfluidics.

PubMed

Xiao, Liangpin; Liu, Xianming; Zhong, Runtao; Zhang, Kaiqing; Zhang, Xiaodi; Zhou, Xiaomian; Lin, Bingcheng; Du, Yuguang

2013-11-01

Three-dimensional (3D) paper-based microfluidics, which is featured with high performance and speedy determination, promise to carry out multistep sample pretreatment and orderly chemical reaction, which have been used for medical diagnosis, cell culture, environment determination, and so on with broad market prospect. However, there are some drawbacks in the existing fabrication methods for 3D paper-based microfluidics, such as, cumbersome and time-consuming device assembly; expensive and difficult process for manufacture; contamination caused by organic reagents from their fabrication process. Here, we present a simple printing-bookbinding method for mass fabricating 3D paper-based microfluidics. This approach involves two main steps: (i) wax-printing, (ii) bookbinding. We tested the delivery capability, diffusion rate, homogeneity and demonstrated the applicability of the device to chemical analysis by nitrite colorimetric assays. The described method is rapid (<30 s), cheap, easy to manipulate, and compatible with the flat stitching method that is common in a print house, making itself an ideal scheme for large-scale production of 3D paper-based microfluidics. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Preparation of Hierarchical Highly Ordered Porous Films of Brominated Poly(phenylene oxide) and Hydrophilic SiO2/C Membrane via the Breath Figure Method

PubMed Central

Yuan, Hua; Yu, Bing; Chi, Ming; Cheng, Yuanzhe; Lv, Chunxin

2018-01-01

Porous permeable films materials have very broad prospects in the treatment of sludge-containing waste water due to their large surface area and good microfiltration. In this work, highly ordered porous membranes have been prepared successfully on ice substrates using a poly(phenylene oxide) (BPPO)-SiO2 nanoparticle (NP) mixture by the breath figure method. Based on the theory of Pickering emulsion system and capillary flow, particle assisted membrane formation was analyzed. Another two sorts of new membranes SiO2/C membrane and hierarchical porous polymer (HPP) membrane, which were obtained by modification of the BPPO-SiO2 membrane by calcination and etching, were set up in a further study. Their properties were investigated through the methods of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), ultraviolet spectrum (UV), capillary electrophoresis (CE), contact angle, and water flux tests. All these results demonstrate that both surface hydrophilicity and fouling resistance of the membrane would be improved by using SiO2 as a filler. The membranes with high permeability and antifouling properties were used for microfiltration applications. PMID:29570622

Epigenetic Modulation as a Therapeutic Prospect for Treatment of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

PubMed

Ciechomska, Marzena; O'Reilly, Steven

2016-01-01

Systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases are considered as autoimmune diseases, meaning that the balance between recognition of pathogens and avoidance of self-attack is impaired and the immune system attacks and destroys its own healthy tissue. Treatment with conventional Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) and/or Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) is often associated with various adverse reactions due to unspecific and toxic properties of those drugs. Although biologic drugs have largely improved the outcome in many patients, such drugs still pose significant problems and fail to provide a solution to all patients. Therefore, development of more effective treatments and improvements in early diagnosis of rheumatic diseases are badly needed in order to increase patient's functioning and quality of life. The reversible nature of epigenetic mechanisms offers a new class of drugs that modulate the immune system and inflammation. In fact, epigenetic drugs are already in use in some types of cancer or cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, epigenetic-based therapeutics that control autoimmunity and chronic inflammatory process have broad implications for the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of rheumatic diseases. This review summarises the latest information about potential therapeutic application of epigenetic modification in targeting immune abnormalities and inflammation of rheumatic diseases.

Nicotinamide improves sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment through suppression of inflammation and anti-apoptosis in rat

PubMed Central

Wang, Ying; Zuo, Min

2015-01-01

Nicotinamide is amide form of vitamin B3, participate in oxidation-reduction reaction, and it plays an important role in the maintenance of normal life activities in cells; it has broad application prospects in the treatment of heart blood-vessel disease, respiratory disease, type 1 diabetes and inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Thus the present study aimed to identify whether the nicotinamide improves sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment and its potential mechanisms in rat. Firstly, Male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced by 2.1% sevoflurane for 6 h. Protective function of nicotinamide on cognitive impairment was evaluated using Morris water maze test in the rats. Next, NF-κB and caspase-3 activities, and p53, Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression was executed using commercial kits and Western blot analysis, respectively. Preconditioning with nicotinamide could improve cognitive impairment in the rats. Administrate of nicotinamide suppressed the activation of NF-κB and caspase-3, reduced the protein expression of Bax, and promoted Bcl-2 protein expression in rats. The present results suggested nicotinamide improves sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment and has an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effect against sevoflrane-induced damages. PMID:26884920

Quality Evaluation of Raw Moutan Cortex Using the AHP and Gray Correlation-TOPSIS Method

PubMed Central

Zhou, Sujuan; Liu, Bo; Meng, Jiang

2017-01-01

Background: Raw Moutan cortex (RMC) is an important Chinese herbal medicine. Comprehensive and objective quality evaluation of Chinese herbal medicine has been one of the most important issues in the modern herbs development. Objective: To evaluate and compare the quality of RMC using the weighted gray correlation- Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. Materials and Methods: The percentage composition of gallic acid, catechin, oxypaeoniflorin, paeoniflorin, quercetin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, paeonol in different batches of RMC was determined, and then adopting MATLAB programming to construct the gray correlation-TOPSIS assessment model for quality evaluation of RMC. Results: The quality evaluation results of model evaluation and objective evaluation were consistent, reliable, and stable. Conclusion: The model of gray correlation-TOPSIS can be well applied to the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine with multiple components and has broad prospect in application. SUMMARY The experiment tries to construct a model to evaluate the quality of RMC using the weighted gray correlation- Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. Results show the model is reliable and provide a feasible way in evaluating quality of traditional Chinese medicine with multiple components. PMID:28839384

Prospects of Pluripotent and Adult Stem Cells for Rare Diseases.

PubMed

García-Castro, Javier; Singeç, Ilyas

2017-01-01

Rare diseases are highly diverse and complex regarding molecular underpinning and clinical manifestation and afflict millions of patients worldwide. The lack of appropriate model systems with face and construct validity and the limited availability of live tissues and cells from patients has largely hampered the understanding of underlying disease mechanisms. As a consequence, there are no adequate treatment options available for the vast majority of rare diseases. Over the last decade, remarkable progress in pluripotent and adult stem cell biology and the advent of powerful genomic technologies opened up exciting new avenues for the investigation, diagnosis, and personalized therapy of intractable human diseases. Utilizing the entire range of available stem cell types will continue to cross-fertilize different research areas and leverage the investigation of rare diseases based on evidence-based medicine. Standardized cell engineering and manufacturing from inexhaustible stem cell sources should lay the foundation for next-generation drug discovery and cell therapies that are broadly applicable in regenerative medicine. In this chapter we discuss how patient- and disease-specific iPS cells as well as adult stem cells are changing the pace of biomedical research and the translational landscape.

Prospects of nanoscience with nanocrystals

DOE PAGES

Kovalenko, Maksym V.; Manna, Liberato; Cabot, Andreu; ...

2015-01-22

Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs, i.e., crystalline nanoparticles) have become an important class of materials with great potential for applications ranging from medicine to electronic and optoelectronic devices. Today’s strong research focus on NCs has been prompted by the tremendous progress in their synthesis. Impressively narrow size distributions of just a few percent, rational shape-engineering, compositional modulation, electronic doping, and tailored surface chemistries are now feasible for a broad range of inorganic compounds. The performance of inorganic NC-based photovoltaic and light-emitting devices has become competitive to other state-of-the-art materials. Semiconductor NCs hold unique promise for near- and mid-infrared technologies, where very fewmore » semiconductor materials are available. On a purely fundamental side, new insights into NC growth, chemical transformations, and self-organization can be gained from rapidly progressing in situ characterization and direct imaging techniques. In addition, new phenomena are constantly being discovered in the photophysics of NCs and in the electronic properties of NC solids. In this Nano Focus, we review the state of the art in research on colloidal NCs focusing on the most recent works published in the last 2 years.« less

Ultrafine Pt Nanoparticles and Amorphous Nickel Supported on 3D Mesoporous Carbon Derived from Cu-Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Methanol Oxidation and Nitrophenol Reduction.

PubMed

Wu, Xue-Qian; Zhao, Jun; Wu, Ya-Pan; Dong, Wen-Wen; Li, Dong-Sheng; Li, Jian-Rong; Zhang, Qichun

2018-04-18

The development of novel strategy to produce new porous carbon materials is extremely important because these materials have wide applications in energy storage/conversion, mixture separation, and catalysis. Herein, for the first time, a novel 3D carbon substrate with hierarchical pores derived from commercially available Cu-MOF (metal-organic framework) (HKUST-1) through carbonization and chemical etching has been employed as the catalysts' support. Highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles and amorphous nickel were evenly dispersed on the surface or embedded within carbon matrix. The corresponding optimal composite catalyst exhibits a high mass-specific peak current of 1195 mA mg -1 Pt and excellent poison resistance capacity ( I F / I B = 1.58) for methanol oxidation compared to commercial Pt/C (20%). Moreover, both composite catalysts manifest outstanding properties in the reduction of nitrophenol and demonstrate diverse selectivities for 2/3/4-nitrophenol, which can be attributed to different integrated forms between active species and carbon matrix. This attractive route offers broad prospects for the usage of a large number of available MOFs in fabricating functional carbon materials as well as highly active carbon-based electrocatalysts and heterogeneous organic catalysts.

Photo-pharmaceutical therapy: features and prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zharov, Vladimir P.; Potapenko, Alexander Y.; Minenkov, Alexander A.

2001-07-01

This article is an attempt to analyze the concept, distinguishing features and possible application of photo- pharmaceutical therapy (PPT). Besides photopheresis, PUVA, and photodynamic therapy, PPT also embraces a broad spectrum of various combinations of light and drugs. PPT techniques can be classified according to the role of light in drug therapy into several groups: 1) Light activation of drugs before, during or after their administration, 2) light activation of cells of biotissue to potentiate the pharmaceutical effect of drugs, 3) light assisted drug delivery, 4) optical sensing of drug action at cellular and subcellular levels, and 5) selective photochemistry of drugs during their manufacturing. PPT seeks to describe the mechanisms of light-drug interaction, to time and sequence light-drug action, and to verify their synergetic effect. This article yields the results of developing new PPT modifications created in collaboration with some Russian scientific institutes and medical centers. The developed modifications are as follows: 1) drug pre-administration photoactivation, 2) antibody-photoconformation photoimmunotherapy, 3) photophonophoresis with a blend of photosensitizers and antibiotics, 4) photoelectrophoresis, 5) drug effect enhancement due to laser-induced blood circulation activation, 6) photoimmunization with alpha- fetoprotein, 7) photo-pharmaceutical dosimetry, and 8) a rapid drug toxicity photoassay.

Enhancement of In Situ Enzymatic Saccharification of Corn Stover by a Stepwise Sodium Hydroxide and Organic Acid Pretreatment.

PubMed

Qing, Qing; Guo, Qi; Zhou, Linlin; He, Yucai; Wang, Liqun; Zhang, Yue

2017-01-01

A stepwise pretreatment method that combines sodium hydroxide and organic acid pretreatments was proposed and investigated to maximize the recovery of main constituents of lignocellulose. The sodium hydroxide pretreatment was firstly optimized by a designed orthogonal experiment with the optimum pretreatment conditions determined as 1 wt% NaOH at 70 °C for 1 h, and 60.42 % of lignin was successfully removed during this stage. In the second stage, 0.5 % acetic acid was selected to pretreat the first-stage solid residue at 80 °C for 40 min in order to decompose hemicelluloses to soluble oligomers or monomers. Then, the whole slurry was subjected to in situ enzymatic saccharification by cellullase with a supplementation of xylanase to further degrade the xylooligosaccharides generated during the acetic acid pretreatment. The maximum reducing sugar and glucose yields achieved were 20.74 and 12.03 g/L, respectively. Furthermore, rapid ethanol fermentation and a yield of 80.3 % also testified this pretreatment method, and the in situ saccharification did not bring any negative impact on ethanol fermentation and has a broad application prospect.

In Defense of a Social Value Requirement for Clinical Research

PubMed Central

Wendler, David; Rid, Annette

2017-01-01

Many guidelines and commentators endorse the view that clinical research is ethically acceptable only when it has social value, in the sense of collecting data which might be used to improve health. A version of this social value requirement is included in the Declaration of Helsinki and the Nuremberg Code, and is codified in many national research regulations. At the same time, there have been no systematic analyses of why social value is an ethical requirement for clinical research. Recognizing this gap in the literature, recent articles by Alan Wertheimer and David Resnik argue that the extant justifications for the social value requirement are unpersuasive. Both authors conclude, contrary to almost all current guidelines and regulations, that it can be acceptable across a broad range of cases to conduct clinical research which is known prospectively to have no social value. The present paper assesses this conclusion by critically evaluating the ethical and policy considerations relevant to the claim that clinical research must have social value. This analysis supports the standard view that social value is an ethical requirement for the vast majority of clinical research studies and should be mandated by applicable guidelines and policies. PMID:28060427

In Defense of a Social Value Requirement for Clinical Research.

PubMed

Wendler, David; Rid, Annette

2017-02-01

Many guidelines and commentators endorse the view that clinical research is ethically acceptable only when it has social value, in the sense of collecting data which might be used to improve health. A version of this social value requirement is included in the Declaration of Helsinki and the Nuremberg Code, and is codified in many national research regulations. At the same time, there have been no systematic analyses of why social value is an ethical requirement for clinical research. Recognizing this gap in the literature, recent articles by Alan Wertheimer and David Resnik argue that the extant justifications for the social value requirement are unpersuasive. Both authors conclude, contrary to almost all current guidelines and regulations, that it can be acceptable across a broad range of cases to conduct clinical research which is known prospectively to have no social value. The present article assesses this conclusion by critically evaluating the ethical and policy considerations relevant to the claim that clinical research must have social value. This analysis supports the standard view that social value is an ethical requirement for the vast majority of clinical research studies and should be mandated by applicable guidelines and policies. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Emerging applications of nanoparticles for lung cancer diagnosis and therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukumar, Uday Kumar; Bhushan, Bharat; Dubey, Poornima; Matai, Ishita; Sachdev, Abhay; Packirisamy, Gopinath

2013-07-01

Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, most of them being active tobacco smokers. Non small cell lung cancer accounts for around 85% to 90% of deaths, whereas the rest is contributed by small cell lung cancer. The extreme lethality of lung cancer arises due to lack of suitable diagnostic procedures for early detection of lung cancer and ineffective conventional therapeutic strategies. In course with desperate attempts to address these issues independently, a multifunctional nanotherapeutic or diagnostic system is being sought as a favorable solution. The manifestation of physiochemical properties of such nanoscale systems is tuned favorably to come up with a versatile cancer cell targeted diagnostic and therapeutic system. Apart from this, the aspect of being at nanoscale by itself confers the system with an advantage of passive accumulation at the site of tumor. This review provides a broad perspective of three major subclasses of such nanoscale therapeutic and diagnostic systems which include polymeric nanoparticles-based approaches, metal nanoparticles-based approaches, and bio-nanoparticles-based approaches. This review work also serves the purpose of gaining an insight into the pros and cons of each of these approaches with a prospective improvement in lung cancer therapeutics and diagnostics.

Research on the detection system of liquid concentration base on birefringence light transmission method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tianze; Zhang, Xia; Hou, Luan; Jiang, Chuan

2010-10-01

The characteristics of the beam transmitting in the optical fiber and the liquid medium are analyzed in this paper. On this basis, a new type of semiconductor optical position sensitive detector is used for a receiving device, a light transmission method of birefringence is presented,and a set of opto-electrical detection system which is applied to detect liquid concentration is designed. The system is mainly composed of semiconductor lasers,optical systems, Psd signal conditioning circuit, Single-chip System, A/D conversion circuit and display circuit. Through theoretical analysis and experimental simulations, the accuracy of this system has been verified. Some main factors affecting the test results are analyzed detailedly in this paper. The experiments show that the temperature drift and the light intensity have a very small impact on this system. The system has some advantages, such as the simple structure, high sensitivity, good stability, fast response time, high degree of automation, and so on. It also can achieve the real-time detection of liquid concentration conveniently and accurately. The system can be widely applied in chemical, food, pharmacy and many other industries. It has broad prospects of application.

A Review of Current and Prospective Factors for Classification of Civil Unmanned Aircraft Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayhurst, Kelly J.; Maddalon, Jeffrey M.; Morris, A. Terry; Neogi, Natasha; Verstynen, Harry A.

2014-01-01

While progress is being made on integrating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into our national airspace on a broad scale, much work remains to establish appropriate certification standards and operational procedures, particularly with respect to routine commercial operations. This paper summarizes research to examine the extent to which today's civil aircraft taxonomy applies to UAS, and, if needed, how that taxonomy could be amended to better cover different UAS designs and operations. Factors that shape the current taxonomy, as defined in the Federal Aviation Regulations, were assessed for applicability to UAS, potential incompatibilities were identified, and additional factors were proposed that might be useful for an updated aircraft taxonomy intended to cover UAS. The results suggest the possibility of constructing new groups in the taxonomy for UAS under a restricted category that share common airworthiness standards. Establishing distinct groups for UAS and associated standards that enable low risk operations for compensation or hire could be a timely step toward full integration. Such a step would allow the civil aviation industry and regulators to gain valuable experience with UAS while carefully controlling access and potential harm to the aviation system as a whole.

The demographics of unfunded pensions.

PubMed

Keyfitz, N

1985-01-01

The performance of pay-as-you-go old-age insurance under different demographic conditions can be estimated from a metric consisting of the implicit rate of return to successive cohorts. The author shows a positive return for the prospective population over the next few years, but for cohorts born after the end of the century returns will become sharply negative. A decline in returns is typical of pay-as-you-go schemes as they mature, and a change to negative returns is typical in particular as the birth rate falls under fixed economic conditions. The return can be kept positive by greatly increased fertility or immigration. Taking labor-force participation rates into account, and supposing entitlement independent of contribution, gives much larger negative rates of return, however. The main calculations considered here are for schemes with a constant pension. If the contribution rather than the pension is kept constant then the disparities between cohorts with respect to their returns are smaller, and although the negative returns for future generations then set in earlier they are smaller. The conclusions of the paper are broadly applicable to any population that showed a baby boom after World War II and replacement-level or lower fertility subsequently.

The electrochemical performance of aqueous rechargeable battery of Zn/Na0.44MnO2 based on hybrid electrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Xianwen; Li, Yehua; Xiang, Yanhong; Liu, Zhixiong; He, Zeqiang; Wu, Xianming; Li, Youji; Xiong, Lizhi; Li, Chuanchang; Chen, Jian

2016-12-01

There is a broad application prospect for smart grid about aqueous rechargeable sodium-ion battery. In order to improve its electrochemical performance, a hybrid cationic aqueous-based rechargeable battery system based on the nanostructural Na0.44MnO2 and metallic zinc foil as the positive and negative electrodes respectively is built up. Nano rod-like Na0.44MnO2 is synthesized by sol-gel method followed by calcination at 850 °C for 9 h, and various characterization techniques including the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are used to investigate the structure and morphology of the as-prepared material. The cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge and self-discharge measurements are performed at the same time. The results show that the battery delivers a very high initial discharge capacity of 186.2 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C-rate in the range of 0.5-2.0 V, and it exhibits a discharge capacity of 113.3 mAh g-1 at high current density of 4 C-rate, indicative of excellent rate capability.

Macromolecular target prediction by self-organizing feature maps.

PubMed

Schneider, Gisbert; Schneider, Petra

2017-03-01

Rational drug discovery would greatly benefit from a more nuanced appreciation of the activity of pharmacologically active compounds against a diverse panel of macromolecular targets. Already, computational target-prediction models assist medicinal chemists in library screening, de novo molecular design, optimization of active chemical agents, drug re-purposing, in the spotting of potential undesired off-target activities, and in the 'de-orphaning' of phenotypic screening hits. The self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm has been employed successfully for these and other purposes. Areas covered: The authors recapitulate contemporary artificial neural network methods for macromolecular target prediction, and present the basic SOM algorithm at a conceptual level. Specifically, they highlight consensus target-scoring by the employment of multiple SOMs, and discuss the opportunities and limitations of this technique. Expert opinion: Self-organizing feature maps represent a straightforward approach to ligand clustering and classification. Some of the appeal lies in their conceptual simplicity and broad applicability domain. Despite known algorithmic shortcomings, this computational target prediction concept has been proven to work in prospective settings with high success rates. It represents a prototypic technique for future advances in the in silico identification of the modes of action and macromolecular targets of bioactive molecules.

Shape Sensing Techniques for Continuum Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery: A Survey.

PubMed

Shi, Chaoyang; Luo, Xiongbiao; Qi, Peng; Li, Tianliang; Song, Shuang; Najdovski, Zoran; Fukuda, Toshio; Ren, Hongliang

2017-08-01

Continuum robots provide inherent structural compliance with high dexterity to access the surgical target sites along tortuous anatomical paths under constrained environments and enable to perform complex and delicate operations through small incisions in minimally invasive surgery. These advantages enable their broad applications with minimal trauma and make challenging clinical procedures possible with miniaturized instrumentation and high curvilinear access capabilities. However, their inherent deformable designs make it difficult to realize 3-D intraoperative real-time shape sensing to accurately model their shape. Solutions to this limitation can lead themselves to further develop closely associated techniques of closed-loop control, path planning, human-robot interaction, and surgical manipulation safety concerns in minimally invasive surgery. Although extensive model-based research that relies on kinematics and mechanics has been performed, accurate shape sensing of continuum robots remains challenging, particularly in cases of unknown and dynamic payloads. This survey investigates the recent advances in alternative emerging techniques for 3-D shape sensing in this field and focuses on the following categories: fiber-optic-sensor-based, electromagnetic-tracking-based, and intraoperative imaging modality-based shape-reconstruction methods. The limitations of existing technologies and prospects of new technologies are also discussed.

Quantum optics, cavity QED, and quantum optomechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meystre, Pierre

2013-05-01

Quantum optomechanics provides a universal tool to achieve the quantum control of mechanical motion. It does that in devices spanning a vast range of parameters, with mechanical frequencies from a few Hertz to GHz, and with masses from 10-20 g to several kilos. Its underlying ideas can be traced back to the study of gravitational wave antennas, quantum optics, cavity QED and laser cooling which, when combined with the recent availability of advanced micromechanical and nanomechanical devices, opens a path to the realization of macroscopic mechanical systems that operate deep in the quantum regime. At the fundamental level this development paves the way to experiments that will lead to a more profound understanding of quantum mechanics; and from the point of view of applications, quantum optomechanical techniques will provide motion and force sensing near the fundamental limit imposed by quantum mechanics (quantum metrology) and significantly expand the toolbox of quantum information science. After a brief summary of key historical developments, the talk will give a broad overview of the current state of the art of quantum optomechanics, and comment on future prospects both in applied and in fundamental science. Work supported by NSF, ARO and the DARPA QuASAR and ORCHID programs.

An Inexpensive Co-Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxide Composite with Electron Donor-Acceptor Character for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

PubMed Central

Zheng, Shufang; Lu, Jun; Yan, Dongpeng; Qin, Yumei; Li, Hailong; Evans, David G.; Duan, Xue

2015-01-01

In this paper, the inexpensive 4,4-diaminostilbene-2,2-disulfonate (DAS) and 4,4-dinitro-stilbene-2,2- disulfonate (DNS) anions with arbitrary molar ratios were successfully co-intercalated into Zn2Al-layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The DAS(50%)-DNS/LDHs composite exhibited the broad UV-visible light absorption and fluorescence quenching, which was a direct indication of photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process between the intercalated DAS (donor) and DNS (acceptor) anions. This was confirmed by the matched HOMO/LUMO energy levels alignment of the intercalated DAS and DNS anions, which was also compatible for water splitting. The DAS(50%)-DNS/LDHs composite was fabricated as the photoanode and Pt as the cathode. Under the UV-visible light illumination, the enhanced photo-generated current (4.67 mA/cm2 at 0.8 V vs. SCE) was generated in the external circuit, and the photoelectrochemical water split was realized. Furthermore, this photoelectrochemical water splitting performance had excellent crystalline, electrochemical and optical stability. Therefore, this novel inorganic/organic hybrid photoanode exhibited potential application prospect in photoelectrochemical water splitting. PMID:26174201

Bare Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Magnetic Harvesting of Microalgae: From Interaction Behavior to Process Realization.

PubMed

Fraga-García, Paula; Kubbutat, Peter; Brammen, Markus; Schwaminger, Sebastian; Berensmeier, Sonja

2018-05-01

Microalgae continue to gain in importance as a bioresource, while their harvesting remains a major challenge at the moment. This study presents findings on microalgae separation using low-cost, easy-to-process bare iron oxide nanoparticles with the additional contribution of the upscaling demonstration of this simple, adhesion-based process. The high affinity of the cell wall for the inorganic surface enables harvesting efficiencies greater than 95% for Scenedesmus ovalternus and Chlorella vulgaris . Successful separation is possible in a broad range of environmental conditions and primarily depends on the nanoparticle-to-microalgae mass ratio, whereas the effect of pH and ionic strength are less significant when the mass ratio is chosen properly. The weakening of ionic concentration profiles at the interphase due to the successive addition of deionized water leads the microalgae to detach from the nanoparticles. The process works efficiently at the liter scale, enabling complete separation of the microalgae from their medium and the separate recovery of all materials (algae, salts, and nanoparticles). The current lack of profitable harvesting processes for microalgae demands innovative approaches to encourage further development. This application of magnetic nanoparticles is an example of the prospects that nanobiotechnology offers for biomass exploitation.

Development of CRISPR/Cas9 mediated virus resistance in agriculturally important crops.

PubMed

Khatodia, Surender; Bhatotia, Kirti; Tuteja, Narendra

2017-05-04

Clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated nuclease 9 (Cas9) system of targeted genome editing has already revolutionized the plant science research. This is a RNA guided programmable endonuclease based system composed of 2 components, the Cas9 nuclease and an engineered guide RNA targeting any DNA sequence of the form N20-NGG for novel genome editing applications. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology of targeted genome editing has been recently applied for imparting virus resistance in plants. The robustness, wide adaptability, and easy engineering of this system has proved its potential as an antiviral tool for plants. Novel DNA free genome editing by using the preassembled Cas9/gRNA ribonucleoprotein complex for development of virus resistance in any plant species have been prospected for the future. Also, in this review we have discussed the reports of CRISPR/Cas9 mediated virus resistance strategy against geminiviruses by targeting the viral genome and transgene free strategy against RNA viruses by targeting the host plant factors. In conclusion, CRISPR/Cas9 technology will provide a more durable and broad spectrum viral resistance in agriculturally important crops which will eventually lead to public acceptance and commercialization in the near future.

Prospects of nanoscience with nanocrystals

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

Kovalenko, Maksym V.; Manna, Liberato; Cabot, Andreu

Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs, i.e., crystalline nanoparticles) have become an important class of materials with great potential for applications ranging from medicine to electronic and optoelectronic devices. Today’s strong research focus on NCs has been prompted by the tremendous progress in their synthesis. Impressively narrow size distributions of just a few percent, rational shape-engineering, compositional modulation, electronic doping, and tailored surface chemistries are now feasible for a broad range of inorganic compounds. The performance of inorganic NC-based photovoltaic and light-emitting devices has become competitive to other state-of-the-art materials. Semiconductor NCs hold unique promise for near- and mid-infrared technologies, where very fewmore » semiconductor materials are available. On a purely fundamental side, new insights into NC growth, chemical transformations, and self-organization can be gained from rapidly progressing in situ characterization and direct imaging techniques. In addition, new phenomena are constantly being discovered in the photophysics of NCs and in the electronic properties of NC solids. In this Nano Focus, we review the state of the art in research on colloidal NCs focusing on the most recent works published in the last 2 years.« less

Preparation and characterizations of flame retardant polyamide 66 fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Y. Y.; Liu, K.; Xiao, R.

2017-06-01

The polyamide 66 (PA66) is one of the most important thermoplastic materials, but it has the drawback of flammability. So the flame retardant PA66 was prepared by condensation polymerization using nylon salt and DOPO-based flame retardant in this paper. Then the flame retardant PA66 fiber was manufactured via melt spinning. The properties of flame retardant PA66 and flame retardant PA66 fiber were investigated by relative viscosity, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile test, vertical burning test (UL94) and limiting oxygen index (LOI) test. Although the loading of the DOPO-based flame retardant decreased the molecular weight, the melting temperature, the crystallinity and the mechanical properties of flame retardant PA66, the flame retardancy properties improved. The flame retardant PA66 loaded with 5.5 wt% of DOPO-based flame retardant can achieve a UL94 V-0 rating with a LOI value of 32.9%. The tenacity at break decreased from 4.51 cN·dtex-1 for PA66 fiber to 2.82 cN·dtex-1 for flame retardant PA66 fiber which still satisfied the requirements for fabrics. The flame retardant PA66 fiber expanded the application of PA66 materials which had a broad developing prospect.

Silk materials--a road to sustainable high technology.

PubMed

Tao, Hu; Kaplan, David L; Omenetto, Fiorenzo G

2012-06-05

This review addresses the use of silk protein as a sustainable material in optics and photonics, electronics and optoelectronic applications. These options represent additional developments for this technology platform that compound the broad utility and impact of this material for medical needs that have been recently described in the literature. The favorable properties of the material certainly make a favorable case for the use of silk, yet serve as a broad inspiration to further develop biological foundries for both the synthesis and processing of Nature's materials for technological applications. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The therapeutic applications of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs): a patent review.

PubMed

Kang, Hee-Kyoung; Kim, Cheolmin; Seo, Chang Ho; Park, Yoonkyung

2017-01-01

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small molecules with a broad spectrum of antibiotic activities against bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and viruses and cytotoxic activity on cancer cells, in addition to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Therefore, AMPs have garnered interest as novel therapeutic agents. Because of the rapid increase in drug-resistant pathogenic microorganisms, AMPs from synthetic and natural sources have been developed using alternative antimicrobial strategies. This article presents a broad analysis of patents referring to the therapeutic applications of AMPs since 2009. The review focuses on the universal trends in the effective design, mechanism, and biological evolution of AMPs.

Saturable nonlinear dielectric waveguide with applications to broad-area semiconductor lasers.

PubMed

Mehuys, D; Mittelstein, M; Salzman, J; Yariv, A

1987-11-01

Self-focusing in a passive dielectric waveguide with a saturable nonlinearity is studied. The eigensolutions constitute a good approximation to the lateral modes of broad-area semiconductor lasers under low-duty-cycle pulsed conditions. The laser modes are predicted to consist of adjacent filaments coupled in phase, leading to a single-lobed far field, and to be stable with increased current injection above saturation intensity. The ultimate filament spacing is inversely proportional to the threshold gain, and thus wider filaments are expected in low-threshold broad-area lasers.

Characterization and application of a broad bandwidth oscillator for the HELEN laser facility

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

Andrew, J.E.; Stevenson, R.M.; Bett, T.H.

1995-12-31

Preliminary investigations of a potential broad band oscillator for the HELEN laser facility and its proposed upgrade are described. The reasons for the need of broad bandwidth and the choice of commercial technology to achieve it are discussed. The characterization of the device and the diagnostics used for the investigations are described. Small signal amplification of the bandwidth by a glass amplifier was also performed along with investigations of the effect of various bandwidths on the far field beam quality when using random phase plates.

Electrically-pumped, broad-area, single-mode photonic crystal lasers.

PubMed

Zhu, Lin; Chak, Philip; Poon, Joyce K S; DeRose, Guy A; Yariv, Amnon; Scherer, Axel

2007-05-14

Planar broad-area single-mode lasers, with modal widths of the order of tens of microns, are technologically important for high-power applications and improved coupling efficiency into optical fibers. They may also find new areas of applications in on-chip integration with devices that are of similar size scales, such as for spectroscopy in microfluidic chambers or optical signal processing with micro-electromechanical systems. An outstanding challenge is that broad-area lasers often require external means of control, such as injection-locking or a frequency/spatial filter to obtain single-mode operation. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate effective index-guided, large-area, edge-emitting photonic crystal lasers driven by pulsed electrical current injection at the optical telecommunication wavelength of 1550 nm. By suitable design of the photonic crystal lattice, our lasers operate in a single mode with a 1/e(2) modal width of 25 microm and a length of 600 microm.

Flat field concave holographic grating with broad spectral region and moderately high resolution.

PubMed

Wu, Jian Fen; Chen, Yong Yan; Wang, Tai Sheng

2012-02-01

In order to deal with the conflicts between broad spectral region and high resolution in compact spectrometers based on a flat field concave holographic grating and line array CCD, we present a simple and practical method to design a flat field concave holographic grating that is capable of imaging a broad spectral region at a moderately high resolution. First, we discuss the principle of realizing a broad spectral region and moderately high resolution. Second, we provide the practical method to realize our ideas, in which Namioka grating theory, a genetic algorithm, and ZEMAX are used to reach this purpose. Finally, a near-normal-incidence example modeled in ZEMAX is shown to verify our ideas. The results show that our work probably has a general applicability in compact spectrometers with a broad spectral region and moderately high resolution.

A Logistic Regression Analysis of Student Experience Factors for the Enhancement of Developmental Post-Secondary Retention Initiatives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shenkle, Michael Thomas

2017-01-01

In response to stagnant undergraduate completion rates and growing demands for post-secondary accountability, institutions are actively pursuing effective, broadly applicable methods for promoting student success. One notable scarcity in existing research is found in the tailoring of broad academic interventions to better meet the specific needs…

10 CFR 900.4 - Pre-Application mechanism.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Pre-Application mechanism. 900.4 Section 900.4 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY COORDINATION OF FEDERAL AUTHORIZATIONS FOR ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION FACILITIES § 900.4 Pre-Application mechanism. (a) An applicant, or prospective applicant, for a Federal authorization seeking...

Technology of short-distance wireless communication and its application based on equipment support

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Yang; Zheng, Liping; Zhu, Jianjie; Cao, Yingxiu; Hu, Bei

2018-04-01

This paper briefly introduces some common short-region wireless communication technologies, comprehensively compares the application characteristics of each technology, and summarizes the application prospect of these technologies in equipment support.

10 CFR 205.302 - Contents of application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OIL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SANCTIONS Electric Power System Permits and Reports... applicant's present and prospective electric power supply system. Applicant must explain why the proposed... knowledge of the matters set forth therein. ...

Tricyclic GyrB/ParE (TriBE) Inhibitors. A new class of broad-spectrum dual-targeting antibacterial agents

DOE PAGES

Tari, Leslie W.; Li, Xiaoming; Trzoss, Michael; ...

2013-12-26

Increasing resistance to every major class of antibiotics and a dearth of novel classes of antibacterial agents in development pipelines has created a dwindling reservoir of treatment options for serious bacterial infections. The bacterial type IIA topoisomerases, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, are validated antibacterial drug targets with multiple prospective drug binding sites, including the catalytic site targeted by the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Growing resistance to fluoroquinolones, frequently mediated by mutations in the drug-binding site, is increasingly limiting the utility of this antibiotic class, prompting the search for other inhibitor classes that target different sites on the topoisomerase complexes. The highlymore » conserved ATP-binding subunits of DNA gyrase (GyrB) and topoisomerase IV (ParE) have long been recognized as excellent candidates for the development of dual-targeting antibacterial agents with broad-spectrum potential. However, to date, no natural product or small molecule inhibitors targeting these sites have succeeded in the clinic, and no inhibitors of these enzymes have yet been reported with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity encompassing the majority of Gram-negative pathogens. Using structure-based drug design (SBDD), we have created a novel dual-targeting pyrimidoindole inhibitor series with exquisite potency against GyrB and ParE enzymes from a broad range of clinically important pathogens. Inhibitors from this series demonstrate potent, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens of clinical importance, including fluoroquinolone resistant and multidrug resistant strains. Moreover, lead compounds have been discovered with clinical potential; they are well tolerated in animals, and efficacious in Gram-negative infection models.« less

Tricyclic GyrB/ParE (TriBE) Inhibitors. A new class of broad-spectrum dual-targeting antibacterial agents

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

Tari, Leslie W.; Li, Xiaoming; Trzoss, Michael

Increasing resistance to every major class of antibiotics and a dearth of novel classes of antibacterial agents in development pipelines has created a dwindling reservoir of treatment options for serious bacterial infections. The bacterial type IIA topoisomerases, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, are validated antibacterial drug targets with multiple prospective drug binding sites, including the catalytic site targeted by the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Growing resistance to fluoroquinolones, frequently mediated by mutations in the drug-binding site, is increasingly limiting the utility of this antibiotic class, prompting the search for other inhibitor classes that target different sites on the topoisomerase complexes. The highlymore » conserved ATP-binding subunits of DNA gyrase (GyrB) and topoisomerase IV (ParE) have long been recognized as excellent candidates for the development of dual-targeting antibacterial agents with broad-spectrum potential. However, to date, no natural product or small molecule inhibitors targeting these sites have succeeded in the clinic, and no inhibitors of these enzymes have yet been reported with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity encompassing the majority of Gram-negative pathogens. Using structure-based drug design (SBDD), we have created a novel dual-targeting pyrimidoindole inhibitor series with exquisite potency against GyrB and ParE enzymes from a broad range of clinically important pathogens. Inhibitors from this series demonstrate potent, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens of clinical importance, including fluoroquinolone resistant and multidrug resistant strains. Moreover, lead compounds have been discovered with clinical potential; they are well tolerated in animals, and efficacious in Gram-negative infection models.« less

The Worldwide Marine Radiocarbon Reservoir Effect: Definitions, Mechanisms, and Prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alves, Eduardo Q.; Macario, Kita; Ascough, Philippa; Bronk Ramsey, Christopher

2018-03-01

When a carbon reservoir has a lower radiocarbon content than the atmosphere, this is referred to as a reservoir effect. This is expressed as an offset between the radiocarbon ages of samples from the two reservoirs at a single point in time. The marine reservoir effect (MRE) has been a major concern in the radiocarbon community, as it introduces an additional source of error that is often difficult to accurately quantify. For this reason, researchers are often reluctant to date marine material where they have another option. The influence of this phenomenon makes the study of the MRE important for a broad range of applications. The advent of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) has reduced sample size requirements and increased measurement precision, in turn increasing the number of studies seeking to measure marine samples. These studies rely on overcoming the influence of the MRE on marine radiocarbon dates through the worldwide quantification of the local parameter ΔR, that is, the local variation from the global average MRE. Furthermore, the strong dependence on ocean dynamics makes the MRE a useful indicator for changes in oceanic circulation, carbon exchange between reservoirs, and the fate of atmospheric CO2, all of which impact Earth's climate. This article explores data from the Marine Reservoir Database and reviews the place of natural radiocarbon in oceanic records, focusing on key questions (e.g., changes in ocean dynamics) that have been answered by MRE studies and on their application to different subjects.

Pre-operative planning and intra-operative guidance in modern neurosurgery: a review of 300 cases.

PubMed Central

Wadley, J.; Dorward, N.; Kitchen, N.; Thomas, D.

1999-01-01

Operative neurosurgery has recently entered an exciting era of image guided surgery or neuronavigation and application of this novel technology is beginning to have a significant impact in many ways in a variety of intracranial procedures. In order to fully assess the advantages of image guided techniques over conventional planning and surgery in selected cases, detailed prospective evaluation has been carried out during the advanced development of an optically tracked neuronavigation system. Over a 2-year period, 300 operative neurosurgical procedures have been performed with the assistance of interactive image guidance, as well as the development of new software applications and hardware tools. A broad range of intracranial neurosurgical procedures were seen to benefit from image guidance, including 163 craniotomies, 53 interactive stereotactic biopsies, 7 tracked neuroendoscopies and 37 complex skull base procedures. The most common pathological diagnoses were cerebral glioma in 98 cases, meningioma in 64 and metastasis in 23. Detailed analysis of a battery of postoperative questions revealed benefits in operative planning, appreciation of anatomy, lesion location, safety of surgery and greatly enhanced surgical confidence. The authors believe that image guided surgical technology, with new developments such as those described, has a significant role to play in contemporary neurosurgery and its widespread adoption in practice will be realised in the near future. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 PMID:10615186

Carbon nanotube-based multi electrode arrays for neuronal interfacing: progress and prospects

PubMed Central

Bareket-Keren, Lilach; Hanein, Yael

2013-01-01

Carbon nanotube (CNT) coatings have been demonstrated over the past several years as a promising material for neuronal interfacing applications. In particular, in the realm of neuronal implants, CNTs have major advantages owing to their unique mechanical and electrical properties. Here we review recent investigations utilizing CNTs in neuro-interfacing applications. Cell adhesion, neuronal engineering and multi electrode recordings with CNTs are described. We also highlight prospective advances in this field, in particular, progress toward flexible, bio-compatible CNT-based technology. PMID:23316141

Additive manufacturing of near-net-shape bonded magnets: Prospects and challenges

DOE PAGES

Li, Ling; Post, Brian; Kunc, Vlastimil; ...

2017-01-03

Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing is well known for producing arbitrary shaped parts without any tooling required, offering a promising alternative to the conventional injection molding method to fabricate near-net-shaped magnets. In order to determine their applicability in the fabrication of Nd-Fe-B bondedmagnets, we compare two 3D printing technologies, namely binder jetting and material extrusion. Some prospects and challenges of these state-of-the-art technologies for large-scale industrial applications will be discussed.

Biomonitoring and risk assessment on earth and during exploratory missions using AquaHab ®

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slenzka, K.; Dünne, M.; Jastorff, B.

2008-12-01

Bioregenerative closed ecological life support systems (CELSS) will be necessary in the exploration context revitalizing atmosphere, waste water and producing food for the human CELSS mates. During these long-term space travels and stays far away from Earth in an hostile environment as well as far for example from any hospital and surgery potential, it will be necessary to know much more about chemical and drug contamination in the special sense and by human's themselves in detail. Additionally, there is a strong need on Earth for more relevant standardized test systems including aquatic ones for the prospective risk assessment of chemicals and drugs in general on a laboratory scale. Current standardized test systems are mono species tests, and thus do not represent system aspects and have reduced environmental relevance. The experience gained during the last years in our research group lead to the development of a self-sustaining closed aquatic habitat/facility, called AquaHab ® which can serve regarding space exploration and Earth application. The AquaHab ® module can be the home of several fish species, snails, plants, amphipods and bacteria. The possibility to use different effect endpoints with certain beneficial characteristics is the basis for the application of AquaHab ® in different fields. Influence of drugs and chemicals can be tested on several trophic levels and ecosystem levels; guaranteeing a high relevance for aquatic systems in the real environment. Analyses of effect parameters of different complexity (e.g. general biological and water chemical parameters, activity of biotransforming enzymes) result in broad spectra of sensitivity. Combined with residual analyses (including all metabolites), this leads to an extended prospective risk assessment of a chemical on Earth and in a closed Life Support System. The possibility to measure also sensitive "online" parameters (e.g. behavior, respiration/photosynthetic activity) enables a quick and sensitive effect analysis of water contaminants in respective environments. AquaHab ® is currently under development to an early warning biomonitoring system using genetically modified fish and green algae. The implementation of biosensors/biochip in addition is also discussed.

"Still Rather Hazy at Present": Citizens' and Physicians' Views on Returning Results from Biobank Research Using Broad Consent.

PubMed

Barazzetti, Gaia; Cavalli, Samuele; Benaroyo, Lazare; Kaufmann, Alain

2017-03-01

Informed consent and return of research results are among the most debated topics in the biobank literature. We discuss ethical, social, and policy issues associated with returning results in the context of biobanks using a broad consent approach, in the light of data from a qualitative survey of citizens' and physicians' views. Data were collected through interviews and focus groups to investigate stakeholders' perspectives about a large-scale hospital-based biobank designed to foster biomedical research, including prospective genomics research, and "personalized" medicine. Both physicians and citizens considered psychosocial impacts as crucial in the assessment of benefits expected from a return of results to biobank participants. In particular, physicians highlighted the possible consequences on the patient-doctor relationship and discussed implications for the concept of "personalized" medicine. Citizens held ambivalent attitudes toward returning individual research results: they defended the "right not to know," while they also considered a sort of "responsibility to know" because of potential implications of results for family members. Moreover, physicians and citizens raised questions about the broad consent model used for inhospital biobank recruitment and expressed their needs for more training in genomics and more information on the biobank initiative. Stakeholders such as citizens and physicians, who may be concerned as potential biobank participants or as healthcare professionals involved in the management of clinically relevant research results, provide useful insights into several aspects of broad consent and return of results, related in particular to the interface between research and the clinic.

Market definition studies for photovoltaic highway applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Prospects for solar electric power in applications related to highways within the continental United States are examined. Principal prospective users are found to be the highway departments of the various states. Economic analysis is employed to demonstrate that suitable applications can occur when powering apparatus such as signs, crossing signals, or instruments which consume less than 100 watts on the average, provided they are located at least one-half mile from existing utility power. Such applications are projected to occur two or three times per state per year. Attitudes of highway officials toward possible use of solar power are sampled and described. Although falling photovoltaic cell prices are expected to have little effect on sales potential here, methods for federal stimulation of this market are discussed.

Multiple Pathways to College: A Secondary Analysis of the 2004 College Applicant Survey. ACAATO Document

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colleges Ontario, 2005

2005-01-01

The 2004 College Applicant Survey (CAS) describes the college-bound applicant pool by covering a broad range of areas including key demographics, factors influencing college selection, academic background and financial preparedness. It is the most comprehensive and the richest source of survey data to date on applicants to the Ontario Colleges of…

Empirical use of antibiotics and adjustment of empirical antibiotic therapies in a university hospital: a prospective observational study

PubMed Central

Mettler, Julian; Simcock, Mathew; Sendi, Pedram; Widmer, Andreas F; Bingisser, Roland; Battegay, Manuel; Fluckiger, Ursula; Bassetti, Stefano

2007-01-01

Background Several strategies to optimise the use of antibiotics have been developed. Most of these interventions can be classified as educational or restrictive. Restrictive measures are considered to be more effective, but the enforcement of these measures may be difficult and lead to conflicts with prescribers. Any intervention should be aimed at targets with the highest impact on antibiotic prescribing. The aim of the present study was to assess the adequacy of empirical and adjusted antibiotic therapies in a Swiss university hospital where no antibiotic use restrictions are enforced, and to identify risk factors for inadequate treatment and targets for intervention. Methods A prospective observational study was performed during 9 months. All patients admitted through the emergency department who received an antibiotic therapy within 24 hours of admission were included. Data on demographic characteristics, diagnoses, comorbidities, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) parameters, microbiological tests, and administered antibiotics were collected prospectively. Antibiotic therapy was considered adequate if spectrum, dose, application modus, and duration of therapy were appropriate according to local recommendations or published guidelines. Results 2943 admitted patients were evaluated. Of these, 572 (19.4%) received antibiotics within 24 hours and 539 (94%) were analysed in detail. Empirical antibiotic therapy was inadequate in 121 patients (22%). Initial therapy was adjusted in 168 patients (31%). This adjusted antibiotic therapy was inadequate in 46 patients (27%). The main reason for inadequacy was the use of antibiotics with unnecessarily broad spectrum (24% of inadequate empirical, and 52% of inadequate adjusted therapies). In 26% of patients with inadequate adjusted therapy, antibiotics used were either ineffective against isolated pathogenic bacteria or antibiotic therapy was continued despite negative results of microbiological investigations. Conclusion The rate of inadequate antibiotic therapies was similar to the rates reported from other institutions despite the absence of a restrictive antibiotic policy. Surprisingly, adjusted antibiotic therapies were more frequently inappropriate than empirical therapies. Interventions aiming at improving antibiotic prescribing should focus on both initial empirical therapy and streamlining and adjustment of therapy once microbiological results become available. PMID:17386104

Marine Resources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sherman, J. W., III

1975-01-01

The papers presented in the marine session may be broadly grouped into several classes: microwave region instruments compared to infrared and visible region sensors, satellite techniques compared to aircraft techniques, open ocean applications compared to coastal region applications, and basic research and understanding of ocean phenomena compared to research techniques that offer immediate applications.

The future of imaging spectroscopy - Prospective technologies and applications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schaepman, M.E.; Green, R.O.; Ungar, S.G.; Curtiss, B.; Boardman, J.; Plaza, A.J.; Gao, B.-C.; Ustin, S.; Kokaly, R.; Miller, J.R.; Jacquemoud, S.; Ben-Dor, E.; Clark, R.; Davis, C.; Dozier, J.; Goodenough, D.G.; Roberts, D.; Swayze, G.; Milton, E.J.; Goetz, A.F.H.

2006-01-01

Spectroscopy has existed for more than three centuries now. Nonetheless, significant scientific advances have been achieved. We discuss the history of spectroscopy in relation to emerging technologies and applications. Advanced focal plane arrays, optical design, and intelligent on-board logic are prime prospective technologies. Scalable approaches in pre-processing of imaging spectrometer data will receive additional focus. Finally, we focus on new applications monitoring transitional ecological zones, where human impact and disturbance have highest impact as well as in monitoring changes in our natural resources and environment We conclude that imaging spectroscopy enables mapping of biophysical and biochemical variables of the Earth's surface and atmospheric composition with unprecedented accuracy.

[NDVI difference rate recognition model of deciduous broad-leaved forest based on HJ-CCD remote sensing data].

PubMed

Wang, Yan; Tian, Qing-Jiu; Huang, Yan; Wei, Hong-Wei

2013-04-01

The present paper takes Chuzhou in Anhui Province as the research area, and deciduous broad-leaved forest as the research object. Then it constructs the recognition model about deciduous broad-leaved forest was constructed using NDVI difference rate between leaf expansion and flowering and fruit-bearing, and the model was applied to HJ-CCD remote sensing image on April 1, 2012 and May 4, 2012. At last, the spatial distribution map of deciduous broad-leaved forest was extracted effectively, and the results of extraction were verified and evaluated. The result shows the validity of NDVI difference rate extraction method proposed in this paper and also verifies the applicability of using HJ-CCD data for vegetation classification and recognition.

Role of nanotechnology in HIV/AIDS vaccine development.

PubMed

Liu, Ying; Chen, Chunying

2016-08-01

HIV/AIDS is one of the worst crises affecting global health and influencing economic development and social stability. Preventing and treating HIV infection is a crucial task. However, there is still no effective HIV vaccine for clinical application. Nanotechnology has the potential to solve the problems associated with traditional HIV vaccines. At present, various nano-architectures and nanomaterials can function as potential HIV vaccine carriers or adjuvants, including inorganic nanomaterials, liposomes, micelles and polymer nanomaterials. In this review, we summarize the current progress in the use of nanotechnology for the development of an HIV/AIDS vaccine and discuss its potential to greatly improve the solubility, permeability, stability and pharmacokinetics of HIV vaccines. Although nanotechnology holds great promise for applications in HIV/AIDS vaccines, there are still many inadequacies that result in a variety of risks and challenges. The potential hazards to the human body and environment associated with some nano-carriers, and their underlying mechanisms require in-depth study. Non-toxic or low-toxic nanomaterials with adjuvant activity have been identified. However, studying the confluence of factors that affect the adjuvant activity of nanomaterials may be more important for the optimization of the dosage and immunization strategy and investigations into the exact mechanism of action. Moreover, there are no uniform standards for investigations of nanomaterials as potential vaccine adjuvants. These limitations make it harder to analyze and deduce rules from the existing data. Developing vaccine nano-carriers or adjuvants with high benefit-cost ratios is important to ensure their broad usage. Despite some shortcomings, nanomaterials have great potential and application prospects in the fields of AIDS treatment and prevention. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of Lignin as Antioxidant in Styrene Butadiene Rubber Composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Shusheng; Cheng, Xiansu

2010-11-01

Lignin isolated from enzymatic hydrolyzed cornstalks (EHL) is a renewable natural polymer, and rubber is one of the most important polymer materials. The application of EHL in rubber industry is of great significance. The influence of EHL and antioxidant RD on the vulcanizing characteristics, thermal oxidative aging stability under free condition, and water extraction resistance of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) were investigated. The effect of EHL/antioxidant D composite antioxidant on the thermal oxidative ageing of SBR was also evaluated. Results showed that the protection of SBR from thermal oxidative aging by EHL/antioxidant D composite antioxidant was superior to that of antioxidant D. This is because EHL molecules have hindered phenol group and have excellent auxiliary antioxidant role with antioxidant D. Moreover, the influence of EHL on the vulcanizing characteristics of SBR compounds was better than that of antioxidant RD, and EHL can reduce the cure rate and increase the optimum cure time. It is because that the EHL molecules have hindered phenol group and methoxy group, which can form a special structure to capture free radical and terminate the chain reaction. The retained tensile strength of SBR compounds with EHL was similar to that of the samples with antioxidant RD, while the retained elongation at break of SBR compounds with EHL was higher than that of the samples with antioxidant RD. In addition, the SBR compounds with EHL have a good water extraction resistance property, which was similar to the samples with antioxidant RD. This is because EHL have large molecular weight, good stability and low solubility in water. In conclusion, due to the low price, abundant resources, non-toxic and pollution-free, etc., EHL will have broad application prospect.

Conservation physiology of marine fishes: state of the art and prospects for policy.

PubMed

McKenzie, David J; Axelsson, Michael; Chabot, Denis; Claireaux, Guy; Cooke, Steven J; Corner, Richard A; De Boeck, Gudrun; Domenici, Paolo; Guerreiro, Pedro M; Hamer, Bojan; Jørgensen, Christian; Killen, Shaun S; Lefevre, Sjannie; Marras, Stefano; Michaelidis, Basile; Nilsson, Göran E; Peck, Myron A; Perez-Ruzafa, Angel; Rijnsdorp, Adriaan D; Shiels, Holly A; Steffensen, John F; Svendsen, Jon C; Svendsen, Morten B S; Teal, Lorna R; van der Meer, Jaap; Wang, Tobias; Wilson, Jonathan M; Wilson, Rod W; Metcalfe, Julian D

2016-01-01

The state of the art of research on the environmental physiology of marine fishes is reviewed from the perspective of how it can contribute to conservation of biodiversity and fishery resources. A major constraint to application of physiological knowledge for conservation of marine fishes is the limited knowledge base; international collaboration is needed to study the environmental physiology of a wider range of species. Multifactorial field and laboratory studies on biomarkers hold promise to relate ecophysiology directly to habitat quality and population status. The 'Fry paradigm' could have broad applications for conservation physiology research if it provides a universal mechanism to link physiological function with ecological performance and population dynamics of fishes, through effects of abiotic conditions on aerobic metabolic scope. The available data indicate, however, that the paradigm is not universal, so further research is required on a wide diversity of species. Fish physiologists should interact closely with researchers developing ecological models, in order to investigate how integrating physiological information improves confidence in projecting effects of global change; for example, with mechanistic models that define habitat suitability based upon potential for aerobic scope or outputs of a dynamic energy budget. One major challenge to upscaling from physiology of individuals to the level of species and communities is incorporating intraspecific variation, which could be a crucial component of species' resilience to global change. Understanding what fishes do in the wild is also a challenge, but techniques of biotelemetry and biologging are providing novel information towards effective conservation. Overall, fish physiologists must strive to render research outputs more applicable to management and decision-making. There are various potential avenues for information flow, in the shorter term directly through biomarker studies and in the longer term by collaborating with modellers and fishery biologists.

42 CFR 412.332 - Payment based on the hospital-specific rate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... HUMAN SERVICES MEDICARE PROGRAM PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEMS FOR INPATIENT HOSPITAL SERVICES Prospective Payment System for Inpatient Hospital Capital Costs Determination of Transition Period Payment Rates for... (f) is determined by multiplying the applicable hospital-specific rate by the DRG weighting factor...

Job Prospects for Metallurgical Engineering.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Basta, Nicholas

1985-01-01

Job prospects in mining, metal-extraction, steel, and refining industries are depressed, but technological discoveries are opening up new fields for metallurgical engineers. Enrollment/employment opportunities and salaries in these areas are discussed a well as the roles of foreign competition, plastics applications, and ceramics research and…

SATURN (Situational Awareness Tool for Urban Responder Networks)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-07-01

timeline. SATURN is applicable to a broad set of law enforcement, security, and counterterrorism missions typically addressed by urban responders...Keywords-video analytics; sensor fusion; video; urban responders I. INTRODUCTION Urban authorities have a broad set of missions . Duties vary in...both the frequency of occurrence and in the complexity of execution. They include everyday public safety missions such as traffic enforcement as

Distinctive Features of Schools in Multiple Deprived Communities in South Africa: Implications for Policy and Leadership

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maringe, Felix; Masinire, Alfred; Nkambule, Thabisile

2015-01-01

Multiple deprivation affects a large proportion of schools in South Africa. The past 20 years of democracy have tended to focus on reforming education through curricula revision and a raft of redress-directed interventions, through the application of what we call a broad-brush policy approach. The paper argues that a broad-brush policy application…

The role of rostral prefrontal cortex in prospective memory: a voxel-based lesion study.

PubMed

Volle, Emmanuelle; Gonen-Yaacovi, Gil; Costello, Angela de Lacy; Gilbert, Sam J; Burgess, Paul W

2011-07-01

Patients with lesions in rostral prefrontal cortex (PFC) often experience problems in everyday-life situations requiring multitasking. A key cognitive component that is critical in multitasking situations is prospective memory, defined as the ability to carry out an intended action after a delay period filled with unrelated activity. The few functional imaging studies investigating prospective memory have shown consistent activation in both medial and lateral rostral PFC but also in more posterior prefrontal regions and non-frontal regions. The aim of this study was to determine regions that are necessary for prospective memory performance, using the human lesion approach. We designed an experimental paradigm allowing us to assess time-based (remembering to do something at a particular time) and event-based (remembering to do something in a particular situation) prospective memory, using two types of material, words and pictures. Time estimation tasks and tasks controlling for basic attention, inhibition and multiple instructions processing were also administered. We examined brain-behaviour relationships with a voxelwise lesion method in 45 patients with focal brain lesions and 107 control subjects using this paradigm. The results showed that lesions in the right polar prefrontal region (in Brodmann area 10) were specifically associated with a deficit in time-based prospective memory tasks for both words and pictures. This deficit could not be explained by impairments in basic attention, detection, inhibition or multiple instruction processing, and there was also no deficit in event-based prospective memory conditions. In addition to their prospective memory difficulties, these polar prefrontal patients were significantly impaired in time estimation ability compared to other patients. The same region was found to be involved using both words and pictures, suggesting that right rostral PFC plays a material nonspecific role in prospective memory. This is the first lesion study showing that rostral PFC is crucial for time-based prospective memory. The findings suggest that time-based and event-based prospective memory might be supported at least in part by distinct brain regions. Two particularly plausible explanations for the deficit rest upon a possible role for polar prefrontal structures in supporting in time estimation, and/or in retrieving an intention to act. More broadly, the results are consistent with the view that the deficit of rostral patients in multitasking situations might at least in part be explained by a deficit in prospective memory. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Procedure For Evaluation Of Non-Ionizing Photocopier Emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehman, Richard; Edmunds, H. D.

1980-10-01

Recent consumer awareness of previously unquestioned devices, tne misuse of products and developments in optical technology have created a demand for a better understanding of the potentially adverse effects from intense optical sources. The commercial application of lasers and the various standards for laser product performance have also accelerated this demand for an understanding of the effects of broad band optical sources. The potential for adverse eye changes while viewing the sun during solar eclipse has been recorded since early timer and the reddening of skin and sunburn have been experienced by most people. The Biomedical studies to quantify the effects of spectral emission and dose relationship from manmade sources has recently been undertaken. It is only within the last several decades that the need for understanding the biological effects of optical radiation upon man has become of interest. Much of the early work in understanding these effects resulted from interest in therapeutic application. It is only within the last decade that research has considered the non-therapeutic effects. To our knowledge only a few organizations have thus far established exposure criteria from broad band optical sources to prevent the harmful effects of overexposure. This paper will detail the techniques used by the Xerox Corporation to evaluate broad band optical sources for use in office machines. While the specific examples will be for fluorescent lamp sources, the limits and procedures are equally valid for other broad band optical sources such as arc, flash and lamp arrays found in most industrial, commercial and military applications.

Functional analysis of concealment: a novel application of prospect and refuge theory.

PubMed

Singh, Punya; Ellard, Colin G

2012-09-01

According to prospect-refuge theory, humans prefer environments that afford protection from threat (refuge), but also provide large fields of view (prospect). Prospect-refuge theory in the past has traditionally only been applied to humans, but many of the same contingencies governing spatial preference ought to also hold true in animals. The focus of this study was to examine if this phenomena also occurs in animals. Gerbils were placed in an arena containing three dome shaped refuges that varied in prospect-refuge levels. A simulated predator was released during the trial to examine how contextual factors may influence the degree of prospect and refuge preferred. The results indicate a preference for the enclosed refuge at stimulus onset even though this was not reflective of what happened prior to predator release. The results suggest spatial preferences in animals are influenced by prospect-refuge considerations in certain contexts. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An Active Broad Area Cooling Model of a Cryogenic Propellant Tank with a Single Stage Reverse Turbo-Brayton Cycle Cryocooler

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guzik, Monica C.; Tomsik, Thomas M.

2011-01-01

As focus shifts towards long-duration space exploration missions, an increased interest in active thermal control of cryogenic propellants to achieve zero boil-off of cryogens has emerged. An active thermal control concept of considerable merit is the integration of a broad area cooling system for a cryogenic propellant tank with a combined cryocooler and circulator system that can be used to reduce or even eliminate liquid cryogen boil-off. One prospective cryocooler and circulator combination is the reverse turbo-Brayton cycle cryocooler. This system is unique in that it has the ability to both cool and circulate the coolant gas efficiently in the same loop as the broad area cooling lines, allowing for a single cooling gas loop, with the primary heat rejection occurring by way of a radiator and/or aftercooler. Currently few modeling tools exist that can size and characterize an integrated reverse turbo-Brayton cycle cryocooler in combination with a broad area cooling design. This paper addresses efforts to create such a tool to assist in gaining a broader understanding of these systems, and investigate their performance in potential space missions. The model uses conventional engineering and thermodynamic relationships to predict the preliminary design parameters, including input power requirements, pressure drops, flow rate, cycle performance, cooling lift, broad area cooler line sizing, and component operating temperatures and pressures given the cooling load operating temperature, heat rejection temperature, compressor inlet pressure, compressor rotational speed, and cryogenic tank geometry. In addition, the model allows for the preliminary design analysis of the broad area cooling tubing, to determine the effect of tube sizing on the reverse turbo-Brayton cycle system performance. At the time this paper was written, the model was verified to match existing theoretical documentation within a reasonable margin. While further experimental data is needed for full validation, this tool has already made significant steps towards giving a clearer understanding of the performance of a reverse turbo-Brayton cycle cryocooler integrated with broad area cooling technology for zero boil-off active thermal control.

Prevalence and associated factors of stress, anxiety and depression among prospective medical students.

PubMed

Yusoff, Muhamad Saiful Bahri; Abdul Rahim, Ahmad Fuad; Baba, Abdul Aziz; Ismail, Shaiful Bahari; Mat Pa, Mohamad Najib; Esa, Ab Rahman

2013-04-01

Many studies have reported that the prevalence of psychological distress among medical students during medical training was high. However, there are very few studies exploring on the psychological health of prospective medical students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors for stress, anxiety and depression symptoms among the prospective medical students. A cross-sectional study was done on two cohorts of applicants to a public medical school. A total of 839 applicants were invited to participate in the study. The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale was administered to the applicants after they completed interviews. A total of 743 (92.2%) applicants took part in the study. The prevalence of moderate to extremely severe level of stress, anxiety and depression were 3.6%, 54.5% and 1.9%, respectively. Stress was significantly associated with extra-curricular activity (p<0.001) and race (p<0.001). Anxiety was associated with extra-curricular activity (p<0.001), race (p<0.001), mother education level (p=0.002) and CGPA group (p=0.034). Depression was associated with academic performance in class (p<0.001) and race (p=0.004). Prevalence of stress and depression among entering medical students was low; however prevalence of anxiety was high which could be due to worry about the interviews to enter medical course. The associated factors of psychological distress among prospective medical students were related to academic, non-academic, parent education and cultural backgrounds. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Incorporating ecologically relevant habitat and demographic data in assessment of contaminant risk to wildlife

EPA Science Inventory

Evaluating population-level effects of contamination on wildlife requires specific information on habitat quality, species distribution, and contaminant concentration. Establishing broadly applicable thresholds for risk assessment involves an understanding of the applicability o...

REMOTE SENSING FOR BIOENGINEERED CROPS

EPA Science Inventory

Increasing interest in the responsible management of technology in the industrial and agricultural sectors of the economy has been met through the development of broadly applicable tools to assess the "sustainability" of new technologies. An arena ripe for application of such ana...

Data Aggregation Issues in the Application of the MOBILE Emissions Factor Model

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-09-01

This is one of seven studies exploring processes for developing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) architectures for regional, statewide, or commercial vehicle applications. This study was prepared for a broad-based, non-technical audience. The...

45 CFR 94.2 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Applicability. 94.2 Section 94.2 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBLE PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTORS § 94.2 Applicability. This part is applicable to each Institution that seeks PHS funding for research and, through the...

Education Interface Guide to Precollege Foundation Support.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Broderick, Barbara, Ed.

Private philanthropic foundations that fund precollege programs are described in this guidebook that is designed to help the prospective grant applicant. The introduction provides information on the following: how to identify good prospects; five steps in identifying the right foundation; five matchmaking steps; strategies for fund-raising…

42 CFR 412.529 - Special payment provision for short-stay outliers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... system DRG weighting factors. (B) Is adjusted for different area wage levels based on the geographic...-related share, using the applicable hospital inpatient prospective payment system wage index value for... share of low-income patients. (iii) Hospital inpatient prospective payment system capital Federal rate...

What’s in a drop? Correlating observations and outcomes to guide macromolecular crystallization experiments

PubMed Central

Luft, Joseph R.; Wolfley, Jennifer R.; Snell, Edward H.

2011-01-01

Observations of crystallization experiments are classified as specific outcomes and integrated through a phase diagram to visualize solubility and thereby direct subsequent experiments. Specific examples are taken from our high-throughput crystallization laboratory which provided a broad scope of data from 20 million crystallization experiments on 12,500 different biological macromolecules. The methods and rationale are broadly and generally applicable in any crystallization laboratory. Through a combination of incomplete factorial sampling of crystallization cocktails, standard outcome classifications, visualization of outcomes as they relate chemically and application of a simple phase diagram approach we demonstrate how to logically design subsequent crystallization experiments. PMID:21643490

Fish-friendly prophylaxis/disinfection in aquaculture: Low concentration of peracetic acid is stress-free to the carp (Cyprinus carpio) after repeated applications

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Application of peracetic acid (PAA) at low concentrations has been proved to be a broad functional and eco-friendly prophylaxis/disinfection method against various fish pathogens. Therefore, regular applications of low concentration PAA is sufficient to control (potential) pathogens in recirculatin...

Photoreconfigurable polymers for biomedical applications: chemistry and macromolecular engineering.

PubMed

Zhu, Congcong; Ninh, Chi; Bettinger, Christopher J

2014-10-13

Stimuli-responsive polymers play an important role in many biomedical technologies. Light responsive polymers are particularly desirable because the parameters of irradiated light and diverse photoactive chemistries produce a large number of combinations between functional materials and associated stimuli. This Review summarizes recent advances in utilizing photoactive chemistries in macromolecules for prospective use in biomedical applications. Special focus is granted to selection criterion when choosing photofunctional groups. Synthetic strategies to incorporate these functionalities into polymers and networks with different topologies are also highlighted herein. Prospective applications of these materials are discussed including programmable matrices for controlled release, dynamic scaffolds for tissue engineering, and functional coatings for medical devices. The article concludes by summarizing the state of the art in photoresponsive polymers for biomedical applications including current challenges and future opportunities.

Macrocyclic cavitands cucurbit[n]urils: prospects for application in biochemistry, medicine and nanotechnology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerasko, O. A.; Kovalenko, E. A.; Fedin, V. P.

2016-08-01

The prospects of using the organic macrocyclic cavitands cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]) and their derivatives in biochemistry, medicine and nanotechnology are considered. A combination of CB[n] characteristics, such as a rigid highly symmetrical structure, polarized hydrophilic portals, a rather large intramolecular hydrophobic cavity, as well as high resistance to thermolysis and corrosive media and low toxicity, account for a wide range of unique opportunities for the deliberate design of new functional materials, which may find application in various areas of modern chemistry and new technologies. Inclusion compounds of CB[n] with biologically active molecules demonstrate a high potential for the design of a new generation of prolonged action pharmaceuticals. The review presents the prospects for the application of CB[n] to manufacture unique materials, such as CB[n]-containing vesicles, films and surfaces, suitable for immobilization of various molecules and nanoparticles on their surface and for the separation of complex mixtures. Potential applications of CB[n]-modified electrodes and hydrogels are analyzed, and the use of CB[n] in proton-conducting materials and materials for the gas sorption and separation are discussed. The bibliography includes 164 references.

Broad- versus Narrow-Spectrum Oral Antibiotic Transition and Outcomes in Health Care-associated Pneumonia.

PubMed

Buckel, Whitney R; Stenehjem, Edward; Sorensen, Jeff; Dean, Nathan; Webb, Brandon

2017-02-01

Guidelines recommend a switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics once patients who are hospitalized with pneumonia achieve clinical stability. However, little evidence guides the selection of an oral antibiotic for patients with health care-associated pneumonia, especially where no microbiological diagnosis is made. To compare outcomes between patients who were transitioned to broad- versus narrow-spectrum oral antibiotics after initially receiving broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic coverage. We performed a secondary analysis of an existing database of adults with community-onset pneumonia admitted to seven Utah hospitals. We identified 220 inpatients with microbiology-negative health care-associated pneumonia from 2010 to 2012. After excluding inpatient deaths and treatment failures, 173 patients remained in which broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics were transitioned to an oral regimen. We classified oral regimens as broad-spectrum (fluoroquinolone) versus narrow-spectrum (usually a β-lactam). We compared demographic and clinical characteristics between groups. Using a multivariable regression model, we adjusted outcomes by severity (electronically calculated CURB-65), comorbidity (Charlson Index), time to clinical stability, and length of intravenous therapy. Age, severity, comorbidity, length of intravenous therapy, and clinical response were similar between the two groups. Observed 30-day readmission (11.9 vs. 21.4%; P = 0.26) and 30-day all-cause mortality (2.3 vs. 5.3%; P = 0.68) were also similar between the narrow and broad oral antibiotic groups. In multivariable analysis, we found no statistically significant differences for adjusted odds of 30-day readmission (adjusted odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-5.2; P = 0.61) or 30-day all-cause mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-1.6; P = 0.26) between narrow and broad oral antibiotic groups. On the basis of analysis of a limited number of patients observed retrospectively, our findings suggest that it may be safe to switch from broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic coverage to a narrow-spectrum oral antibiotic once clinical stability is achieved for hospitalized patients with health care-associated pneumonia when no microbiological diagnosis is made. A larger retrospective study with propensity matching or regression-adjusted test of equivalence or ideally a prospective comparative effectiveness study will be necessary to confirm our observations.

10 CFR 800.102 - Review by Application Evaluation Panel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... arrange for risk analysis, independent of any such analysis submitted by or on behalf of the applicant. Risk analysis shall be directed both to the loan request and to applicant's prospective performance of... risk analysis, and shall give its conclusions in writing to the Application Approving Official, with...

10 CFR 800.102 - Review by Application Evaluation Panel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... arrange for risk analysis, independent of any such analysis submitted by or on behalf of the applicant. Risk analysis shall be directed both to the loan request and to applicant's prospective performance of... risk analysis, and shall give its conclusions in writing to the Application Approving Official, with...

10 CFR 800.102 - Review by Application Evaluation Panel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... arrange for risk analysis, independent of any such analysis submitted by or on behalf of the applicant. Risk analysis shall be directed both to the loan request and to applicant's prospective performance of... risk analysis, and shall give its conclusions in writing to the Application Approving Official, with...

10 CFR 800.102 - Review by Application Evaluation Panel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... arrange for risk analysis, independent of any such analysis submitted by or on behalf of the applicant. Risk analysis shall be directed both to the loan request and to applicant's prospective performance of... risk analysis, and shall give its conclusions in writing to the Application Approving Official, with...

10 CFR 800.102 - Review by Application Evaluation Panel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... arrange for risk analysis, independent of any such analysis submitted by or on behalf of the applicant. Risk analysis shall be directed both to the loan request and to applicant's prospective performance of... risk analysis, and shall give its conclusions in writing to the Application Approving Official, with...

Forensic Applications of LIBS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hark, Richard R.; East, Lucille J.

Forensic science is broadly defined as the application of science to matters of the law. Practitioners typically use multidisciplinary scientific techniques for the analysis of physical evidence in an attempt to establish or exclude an association between a suspect and the scene of a crime.

Core–shell nanoparticles: synthesis and applications in catalysis and electrocatalysis

EPA Science Inventory

Core–shell nanoparticles (CSNs) are a class of nanostructured materials that have recently received increased attention owing to their interesting properties and broad range of applications in catalysis, biology, materials chemistry and sensors. By rationally tuning the cores as ...

Large Format Narrow-Band, Multi-Band, and Broad-Band LWIR QWIP Focal Planes for Space and Earth Science Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gunapala, S. D.; Bandara, S. V.

2004-01-01

A 640x512 pixel, long-wavelength cutoff, narrow-band (delta(lambda)/approx. 10%) quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal plane array (FPA), a four-band QWIP FPA in the 4-16 m spectral region, and a broad-band (delta(lambda)/approx. 42%) QWIP FPA having 15.4 m cutoff have been demonstrated.

Charter Schools and the Teacher Job Search

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cannata, Marisa

2011-01-01

This article examines the position of charter schools in prospective elementary teachers' job search decisions. Using a labor market segmentation framework, it explores teacher applicants' decisions to apply to charter schools. The data come from a mixed-methods longitudinal study of prospective teachers looking for their first job. This article…

76 FR 71571 - Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting on FY 2013 Applications for New Medical Services and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-18

... Payments Under the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid... and technologies under the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS). Interested parties are invited to this meeting to present their comments, recommendations, and data regarding whether the...

A prospective approach to coastal geography from satellite. [technological forecasting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Munday, J. C., Jr.

1981-01-01

A forecasting protocol termed the "prospective approach' was used to examine probable futures relative to coastal applications of satellite data. Significant variables include the energy situation, the national economy, national Earth satellite programs, and coastal zone research, commercial activity, and regulatory activity. Alternative scenarios for the period until 1986 are presented. Possible response by state/local remote sensing centers include operational applications for users, input to geo-base information systems (GIS), development of decision-making algorithms using GIS data, and long term research programs for coastal management using merged satellite and traditional data.

Emerging influenza viruses and the prospect of a universal influenza virus vaccine.

PubMed

Krammer, Florian

2015-05-01

Influenza viruses cause annual seasonal epidemics and pandemics at irregular intervals. Several cases of human infections with avian and swine influenza viruses have been detected recently, warranting enhanced surveillance and the development of more effective countermeasures to address the pandemic potential of these viruses. The most effective countermeasure against influenza virus infection is the use of prophylactic vaccines. However, vaccines that are currently in use for seasonal influenza viruses have to be re-formulated and re-administered in a cumbersome process every year due to the antigenic drift of the virus. Furthermore, current seasonal vaccines are ineffective against novel pandemic strains. This paper reviews zoonotic influenza viruses with pandemic potential and technological advances towards better vaccines that induce broad and long lasting protection from influenza virus infection. Recent efforts have focused on the development of broadly protective/universal influenza virus vaccines that can provide immunity against drifted seasonal influenza virus strains but also against potential pandemic viruses. Copyright © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The Use of a Multidimensional Measure of Dialysis Adequacy—Moving beyond Small Solute Kinetics

PubMed Central

Perl, Jeffrey; Dember, Laura M.; Bargman, Joanne M.; Browne, Teri; Charytan, David M.; Flythe, Jennifer E.; Hickson, LaTonya J.; Hung, Adriana M.; Jadoul, Michel; Lee, Timmy Chang; Meyer, Klemens B.; Moradi, Hamid; Shafi, Tariq; Teitelbaum, Isaac; Wong, Leslie P.

2017-01-01

Urea removal has become a key measure of the intensity of dialysis treatment for kidney failure. Small solute removal, exemplified by Kt/Vurea, has been broadly applied as a means to quantify the dose of thrice weekly hemodialysis. Yet, the reliance on small solute clearances alone as a measure of dialysis adequacy fails fully to quantify the intended clinical effects of dialysis therapy. This review aims to (1) understand the strengths and limitations of small solute kinetics as a surrogate marker of dialysis dose, and (2) present the prospect of a more comprehensive construct for dialysis dose, one that considers more broadly the goals of ESRD care to maximize both quality of life and survival. On behalf of the American Society of Nephrology Dialysis Advisory Group, we propose the need to ascertain the validity and utility of a multidimensional measure that moves beyond small solute kinetics alone to quantify optimal dialysis derived from both patient-reported and comprehensive clinical and dialysis-related measures. PMID:28314806

Development of vaccines against meningococcal disease.

PubMed

Jódar, Luis; Feavers, Ian M; Salisbury, David; Granoff, Dan M

2002-04-27

Neisseria meningitidis is a major cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis. Polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines for prevention of group C disease have been licensed in Europe. Such vaccines for prevention of disease caused by groups A (which is associated with the greatest disease burden worldwide), Y, and W135 are being developed. However, conventional approaches to develop a vaccine for group B strains, which are responsible for most cases in Europe and the USA, have been largely unsuccessful. Capsular polysaccharide-based vaccines can elicit autoantibodies to host polysialic acid, whereas the ability of most non-capsular antigens to elicit broad-based immunity is limited by their antigenic diversity. Many new membrane proteins have been discovered during analyses of genomic sequencing data. These antigens are highly conserved and, in mice, elicit serum bactericidal antibodies, which are the serological hallmark of protective immunity in man. Therefore, there are many promising new vaccine candidates, and improved prospects for development of a broadly protective vaccine for group B disease, and for control of all meningococcal disease.

Effects of Psychological and Social Work Factors on Self-Reported Sleep Disturbance and Difficulties Initiating Sleep.

PubMed

Vleeshouwers, Jolien; Knardahl, Stein; Christensen, Jan Olav

2016-04-01

This prospective cohort study examined previously underexplored relations between psychological/social work factors and troubled sleep in order to provide practical information about specific, modifiable factors at work. A comprehensive evaluation of a range of psychological/social work factors was obtained by several designs; i.e., cross-sectional analyses at baseline and follow-up, prospective analyses with baseline predictors (T1), prospective analyses with average exposure across waves as predictor ([T1 + T2] / 2), and prospective analyses with change in exposure from baseline to follow-up as predictor. Participants consisted of a sample of Norwegian employees from a broad spectrum of occupations, who completed a questionnaire at two points in time, approximately two years apart. Cross-sectional analyses at T1 comprised 7,459 participants, cross-sectional analyses at T2 included 6,688 participants. Prospective analyses comprised a sample 5,070 of participants who responded at both T1 and T2. Univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regressions were performed. Thirteen psychological/social work factors and two aspects of troubled sleep, namely difficulties initiating sleep and disturbed sleep, were studied. Ordinal logistic regressions revealed statistically significant associations for all psychological and social work factors in at least one of the analyses. Psychological and social work factors predicted sleep problems in the short term as well as the long term. All work factors investigated showed statistically significant associations with both sleep items, however quantitative job demands, decision control, role conflict, and support from superior were the most robust predictors and may therefore be suitable targets of interventions aimed at improving employee sleep. © 2016 Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC.

Comparison of prospective risk estimates for postoperative complications: human vs computer model.

PubMed

Glasgow, Robert E; Hawn, Mary T; Hosokawa, Patrick W; Henderson, William G; Min, Sung-Joon; Richman, Joshua S; Tomeh, Majed G; Campbell, Darrell; Neumayer, Leigh A

2014-02-01

Surgical quality improvement tools such as NSQIP are limited in their ability to prospectively affect individual patient care by the retrospective audit and feedback nature of their design. We hypothesized that statistical models using patient preoperative characteristics could prospectively provide risk estimates of postoperative adverse events comparable to risk estimates provided by experienced surgeons, and could be useful for stratifying preoperative assessment of patient risk. This was a prospective observational cohort. Using previously developed models for 30-day postoperative mortality, overall morbidity, cardiac, thromboembolic, pulmonary, renal, and surgical site infection (SSI) complications, model and surgeon estimates of risk were compared with each other and with actual 30-day outcomes. The study cohort included 1,791 general surgery patients operated on between June 2010 and January 2012. Observed outcomes were mortality (0.2%), overall morbidity (8.2%), and pulmonary (1.3%), cardiac (0.3%), thromboembolism (0.2%), renal (0.4%), and SSI (3.8%) complications. Model and surgeon risk estimates showed significant correlation (p < 0.0001) for each outcome category. When surgeons perceived patient risk for overall morbidity to be low, the model-predicted risk and observed morbidity rates were 2.8% and 4.1%, respectively, compared with 10% and 18% in perceived high risk patients. Patients in the highest quartile of model-predicted risk accounted for 75% of observed mortality and 52% of morbidity. Across a broad range of general surgical operations, we confirmed that the model risk estimates are in fairly good agreement with risk estimates of experienced surgeons. Using these models prospectively can identify patients at high risk for morbidity and mortality, who could then be targeted for intervention to reduce postoperative complications. Published by Elsevier Inc.

48 CFR 9.102 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS Responsible Prospective Contractors 9.102 Applicability. (a) This subpart applies... or its outlying areas; or (2) Elsewhere, unless application of the subpart would be inconsistent with the laws or customs where the contractor is located. (b) This subpart does not apply to proposed...

Introduction to electronic warfare

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schleher, D. C.

A broad overview of electronic warfare (EW) is given, emphasizing radar-related EW applications. A broad perspective of the EW field is first given, defining EW terms and giving methods of EW threat analysis and simulation. Electronic support measures and electronic countermeasures (ECM) systems are described, stressing their application to radar EW. Radars are comprehensively discussed from a system viewpoint with emphasis on their application in weapon systems and their electronic counter-countermeasures capabilities. Some general topics in C3 systems are described, stressing communication systems, C3I systems, and air defense systems. Performance calculations for EW and radar systems are covered, and modern EW signal processing is described from an airborne ECM perspective. Future trends and technology in the EW world are considered, discussing such topics as millimeter-wave EW, low-observable EW technology, GaAs monolithic circuits, VHSIC, and AI.

Alternatives for using multivariate regression to adjust prospective payment rates

PubMed Central

Sheingold, Steven H.

1990-01-01

Multivariate regression analysis has been used in structuring three of the adjustments to Medicare's prospective payment rates. Because the indirect-teaching adjustment, the disproportionate-share adjustment, and the adjustment for large cities are responsible for distributing approximately $3 billion in payments each year, the specification of regression models for these adjustments is of critical importance. In this article, the application of regression for adjusting Medicare's prospective rates is discussed, and the implications that differing specifications could have for these adjustments are demonstrated. PMID:10113271

Current and Perspective Applications of Dense Plasma Focus Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gribkov, V. A.

2008-04-01

Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) devices' applications, which are intended to support the main-stream large-scale nuclear fusion programs (NFP) from one side (both in fundamental problems of Dense Magnetized Plasma physics and in its engineering issues) as well as elaborated for an immediate use in a number of fields from the other one, are described. In the first direction such problems as self-generated magnetic fields, implosion stability of plasma shells having a high aspect ratio, etc. are important for the Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) programs (e.g. as NIF), whereas different problems of current disruption phenomenon, plasma turbulence, mechanisms of generation of fast particles and neutrons in magnetized plasmas are of great interest for the large devices of the Magnetic Plasma Confinement—MPC (e.g. as ITER). In a sphere of the engineering problems of NFP it is shown that in particular the radiation material sciences have DPF as a very efficient tool for radiation tests of prospect materials and for improvement of their characteristics. In the field of broad-band current applications some results obtained in the fields of radiation material sciences, radiobiology, nuclear medicine, express Neutron Activation Analysis (including a single-shot interrogation of hidden illegal objects), dynamic non-destructive quality control, X-Ray microlithography and micromachining, and micro-radiography are presented. As the examples of the potential future applications it is proposed to use DPF as a powerful high-flux neutron source to generate very powerful pulses of neutrons in the nanosecond (ns) range of its duration for innovative experiments in nuclear physics, for the goals of radiation treatment of malignant tumors, for neutron tests of materials of the first wall, blankets and NFP device's constructions (with fluences up to 1 dpa per a year term), and ns pulses of fast electrons, neutrons and hard X-Rays for brachytherapy.

Tunable magneto-optical effects in hole-doped group-IIIA metal-monochalcogenide monolayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Wanxiang; Guo, Guang-Yu; Yao, Yugui

2017-03-01

Because of unusual properties and fascinating prospects for next-generation device applications, two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted enormous attention since graphene was discovered in 2004. Among the 2D materials beyond graphene, group-IIIA metal-monochalcogenide (MX) monolayers (MLs), are receiving increasing interests because their excellent applications on electronics and optoelectronics. Recently, ferromagnetism and half-metallicity have been predicted in hole-doped GaS and GaSe MLs, which promise exciting potentials for semiconductor spintronics. Detection and measurement of spontaneous magnetization in these 2D materials will be essential for their spintronic applications. The magneto-optical (MO) effects not only are a powerful probe of magnetism in 2D materials but also have valuable applications in high-density data-storage technology. Furthermore, anomalous Hall effect is not only an ideal transport probe of itinerant magnetism but also of considerable current interest because of its topological nature. Here we perform a systematic first-principles density functional study on the MO Kerr and Faraday effects as well as such important magnetic and transport properties as magneto-crystalline anisotropy energy (MAE) and anomalous Hall conductivity (AHC) of all hole-doped MX (M = Ga, In; X = S, Se, Te) MLs. In this paper, we report the following important findings: (a) gate-tunable MO effects in MX MLs in a broad range of hole concentration; (b) large Kerr and Faraday rotation angles with Kerr angles comparable to well-known MO 3d-transition-metal multilayers and Faraday angles being among the largest ones reported; (c) tunable MAE and large AHC, making MX MLs suitable for magnetic memory devices current-driven via spin-transfer torque and also promising materials for magnetic field nanosensors with high sensitivity. Superior MO characteristics, together with the other interesting properties, would make MX MLs an excellent family of 2D materials for semiconductor MO and spintronic nanodevices.

3D Rapid Prototyping for Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: Applications in Image-Guidance, Surgical Simulation and Patient-Specific Modeling.

PubMed

Chan, Harley H L; Siewerdsen, Jeffrey H; Vescan, Allan; Daly, Michael J; Prisman, Eitan; Irish, Jonathan C

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of advanced fabrication technology across a broad spectrum of head and neck surgical procedures, including applications in endoscopic sinus surgery, skull base surgery, and maxillofacial reconstruction. The initial case studies demonstrated three applications of rapid prototyping technology are in head and neck surgery: i) a mono-material paranasal sinus phantom for endoscopy training ii) a multi-material skull base simulator and iii) 3D patient-specific mandible templates. Digital processing of these phantoms is based on real patient or cadaveric 3D images such as CT or MRI data. Three endoscopic sinus surgeons examined the realism of the endoscopist training phantom. One experienced endoscopic skull base surgeon conducted advanced sinus procedures on the high-fidelity multi-material skull base simulator. Ten patients participated in a prospective clinical study examining patient-specific modeling for mandibular reconstructive surgery. Qualitative feedback to assess the realism of the endoscopy training phantom and high-fidelity multi-material phantom was acquired. Conformance comparisons using assessments from the blinded reconstructive surgeons measured the geometric performance between intra-operative and pre-operative reconstruction mandible plates. Both the endoscopy training phantom and the high-fidelity multi-material phantom received positive feedback on the realistic structure of the phantom models. Results suggested further improvement on the soft tissue structure of the phantom models is necessary. In the patient-specific mandible template study, the pre-operative plates were judged by two blinded surgeons as providing optimal conformance in 7 out of 10 cases. No statistical differences were found in plate fabrication time and conformance, with pre-operative plating providing the advantage of reducing time spent in the operation room. The applicability of common model design and fabrication techniques across a variety of otolaryngological sub-specialties suggests an emerging role for rapid prototyping technology in surgical education, procedure simulation, and clinical practice.

3D Rapid Prototyping for Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery: Applications in Image-Guidance, Surgical Simulation and Patient-Specific Modeling

PubMed Central

Chan, Harley H. L.; Siewerdsen, Jeffrey H.; Vescan, Allan; Daly, Michael J.; Prisman, Eitan; Irish, Jonathan C.

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of advanced fabrication technology across a broad spectrum of head and neck surgical procedures, including applications in endoscopic sinus surgery, skull base surgery, and maxillofacial reconstruction. The initial case studies demonstrated three applications of rapid prototyping technology are in head and neck surgery: i) a mono-material paranasal sinus phantom for endoscopy training ii) a multi-material skull base simulator and iii) 3D patient-specific mandible templates. Digital processing of these phantoms is based on real patient or cadaveric 3D images such as CT or MRI data. Three endoscopic sinus surgeons examined the realism of the endoscopist training phantom. One experienced endoscopic skull base surgeon conducted advanced sinus procedures on the high-fidelity multi-material skull base simulator. Ten patients participated in a prospective clinical study examining patient-specific modeling for mandibular reconstructive surgery. Qualitative feedback to assess the realism of the endoscopy training phantom and high-fidelity multi-material phantom was acquired. Conformance comparisons using assessments from the blinded reconstructive surgeons measured the geometric performance between intra-operative and pre-operative reconstruction mandible plates. Both the endoscopy training phantom and the high-fidelity multi-material phantom received positive feedback on the realistic structure of the phantom models. Results suggested further improvement on the soft tissue structure of the phantom models is necessary. In the patient-specific mandible template study, the pre-operative plates were judged by two blinded surgeons as providing optimal conformance in 7 out of 10 cases. No statistical differences were found in plate fabrication time and conformance, with pre-operative plating providing the advantage of reducing time spent in the operation room. The applicability of common model design and fabrication techniques across a variety of otolaryngological sub-specialties suggests an emerging role for rapid prototyping technology in surgical education, procedure simulation, and clinical practice. PMID:26331717

Application of Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems to Ultra-High Reynolds Number Facilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Britcher, Colin P.

1996-01-01

The current status of wind tunnel magnetic suspension and balance system development is briefly reviewed. Technical work currently underway at NASA Langley Research Center is detailed, where it relates to the ultra-high Reynolds number application. The application itself is addressed, concluded to be quite feasible, and broad design recommendations given.

7 CFR 4280.172 - Application eligibility provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

...-COOPERATIVE SERVICE AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS Rural Energy for America Program General Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study Grants § 4280.172 Application.... (b) Applications must be from the prospective owner(s) of the renewable energy system for which the...

7 CFR 4280.172 - Application eligibility provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...-COOPERATIVE SERVICE AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS Rural Energy for America Program General Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study Grants § 4280.172 Application.... (b) Applications must be from the prospective owner(s) of the renewable energy system for which the...

7 CFR 4280.172 - Application eligibility provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

...-COOPERATIVE SERVICE AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS Rural Energy for America Program General Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study Grants § 4280.172 Application.... (b) Applications must be from the prospective owner(s) of the renewable energy system for which the...

Manufacturing Work Measurement System Evaluation. Reference Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-04-01

discussions with users of the MTM-MEK predetermined time system. The coranents listed below are based on these discussions and, while a broad range...discussions with users of the MTM-V predeterroined time system. The coranents listed below are based on these discussions and, while a broad range of...industries were sampled, coranents should not be considered universal and therefore may not be applicable to all manufacturing environments: 0 Easy to

Impact of the economic downturn on nursing schools.

PubMed

Terry, Allison J; Whitman, Marilyn V

2011-01-01

The challenges posed by the economic downturn on baccalaureate nursing schools in the southeast as it relates to their perceptions of changes in the number of applicants, acceptance rates, employer recruitment efforts, and student clinical and job placement were explored. Responses from deans and program directors indicated nursing schools are experiencing negative effects of the economic downturn in the form of graduates having difficulty finding employment, decreased recruitment efforts from prospective employers, difficulty locating clinical placements for students, and no change in faculty applicants despite an increase in undergraduate student applicants as well as graduate student applicants. These multiple factors combined could signal the death knell for programs that are ill-prepared to deal with such a crisis. Programs need to be aggressive in their efforts to draw health care recruiters as well as qualified faculty applicants to their campuses. Nursing schools must be able to clearly show why their graduates are superior to other programs' graduates when competing for both highly qualified faculty applicants and prospective student employers.

Combined caloric effects in a multiferroic Ni-Mn-Ga alloy with broad refrigeration temperature region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yong; Li, Zongbin; Yang, Bo; Qian, Suxin; Gan, Weimin; Gong, Yuanyuan; Li, Yang; Zhao, Dewei; Liu, Jian; Zhao, Xiang; Zuo, Liang; Wang, Dunhui; Du, Youwei

2017-04-01

Solid-state refrigeration based on the caloric effects is promising to replace the traditional vapor-compressing refrigeration technology due to environmental protection and high efficiency. However, the narrow working temperature region has hindered the application of these refrigeration technologies. In this paper, we propose a method of combined caloric, through which a broad refrigeration region can be realized in a multiferroic alloy, Ni-Mn-Ga, by combining its elastocaloric and magnetocaloric effects. Moreover, the materials' efficiency of elastocaloric effect has been greatly improved in our sample. These results illuminate a promising way to use multiferroic alloys for refrigeration with a broad refrigeration temperature region.

Charter Schools and the Teacher Job Search in Michigan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cannata, Marisa

2010-01-01

This paper examines the position of charter schools in prospective elementary teachers' job search decisions. Using a labor market segmentation framework, it explores teacher applicants' decisions to apply to charter schools. The data come from a mixed-methods longitudinal study of prospective teachers looking for their first job. This paper finds…

Variables Predicting Prospective Biology Teachers' Acceptance Perceptions Regarding Gene Technology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yilmaz, Mirac; Demirhan, Haydar

2014-01-01

The different opinions on products and applications of gene technology (GT) draw attention to the training and education activities related to GT. The purpose of this study is to review some variables predicting the acceptance perception regarding GT, and to investigate their changes at levels. The prospective teachers' subjective knowledge and…

Checklists for the Evaluation of Educational Software: Critical Review and Prospects.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tergan, Sigmar-Olaf

1998-01-01

Reviews strengths and weaknesses of check lists for the evaluation of computer software and outlines consequences for their practical application. Suggests an approach based on an instructional design model and a comprehensive framework to cope with problems of validity and predictive power of software evaluation. Discusses prospects of the…

24 CFR 884.106 - Housing assistance payments to owners.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

..., based on the owner's statement and other evidence, there is not a reasonable prospect that the project...-ASIDE FOR SECTION 515 RURAL RENTAL HOUSING PROJECTS Applicability, Scope and Basic Policies § 884.106... learning of the vacancy, has notified HUD or the PHA, as the case may be, of the vacancy or prospective...

77 FR 70163 - Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting on FY 2014 Applications for New Medical Services and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-23

... services and technologies under the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS). Interested parties are invited to this meeting to present their comments, recommendations, and data regarding whether... technologies under the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS). In addition, section 1886(d)(5)(K...

Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program Guidance for Applicants

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The following FAQs were compiled to benefit prospective applicants seeking to apply for grant s or cooperative agreement funding under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) Grant Program.

Research Grants Guidance and Policies

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

These pages are designed to assist prospective applicants as well as recent recipients by conveying key documents that describe the quality assurance, reporting requirements, forms, and FAQs for the NCER STAR grant application and implementation process.

A mixed state core for melancholia: an exploration in history, art and clinical science.

PubMed

Akiskal, H S; Akiskal, K K

2007-01-01

We argue for a mixed state core for melancholia comparing concepts of melancholia across centuries using examples from art, history and scientific literature. Literature reviews focusing on studies from Kraepelin onward, DSM-IV classification and view-points from clinical experience highlighting phenomenologic and biologic features as predictors of bipolar outcome in prospective studies of depression. Despite the implied chemical pathology in the term endogenous/melancholic depression, frequently reported glucocortical and sleep neurophysiologic abnormalities, there is little evidence that melancholia is inherited independently from more broadly defined depressions. Prospective follow-up of 'neurotic' depressions have shown melancholic outcomes in as many as a third; hypomania has also been observed in such follow-up. These findings and considerations overall do suggest that melancholia as defined today is more closely aligned with the depressive and/or mixed phase of bipolar disorder. Given the high suicidality from many of these patients the practice of treating them with antidepressant monotherapy needs re-evaluation.

Prospective mathematics teachers' understanding of the base concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horzum, Tuğba; Ertekin, Erhan

2018-02-01

The purpose of this study is to analyze what kind of conceptions prospective mathematics teachers(PMTs) have about the base concept(BC). One-hundred and thirty-nine PMTs participated in the study. In this qualitative research, data were obtained through open-ended questions, the semi-structured interviews and pictures of geometric figures drawn by PMTs. As a result, it was determined that PMTs dealt with the BC in a broad range of seven different images. It was also determined that the base perception of PMTs was limited mostly to their usage in daily life and in this context, they have position-dependent and word-dependent images. It was also determined that PMTs named the base to explain the BC or paid attention to the naming of three-dimensional geometric figures through the statement: 'objects are named according to their bases'. At the same time, it was also determined that PMTs had more than one concept imageswhich were contradicting with each other. According to these findings, potential explanations and advices were given.

Contamination in the Prospective Study of Child Maltreatment and Female Adolescent Health

PubMed Central

Noll, Jennie G.; Peugh, James L.; Griffin, Amanda M.; Bensman, Heather E.

2016-01-01

Objective To evaluate the impact of contamination, or the presence of child maltreatment in a comparison condition, when estimating the broad, longitudinal effects of child maltreatment on female health at the transition to adulthood. Methods The Female Adolescent Development Study (N = 514; age range: 14–19 years) used a prospective cohort design to examine the effects of substantiated child maltreatment on teenage births, obesity, major depression, and past-month cigarette use. Contamination was controlled via a multimethod strategy that used both adolescent self-report and Child Protective Services records to remove cases of child maltreatment from the comparison condition. Results Substantiated child maltreatment significantly predicted each outcome, relative risks = 1.47–2.95, 95% confidence intervals: 1.03–7.06, with increases in corresponding effect size magnitudes, only when contamination was controlled using the multimethod strategy. Conclusions Contamination truncates risk estimates of child maltreatment and controlling it can strengthen overall conclusions about the effects of child maltreatment on female health. PMID:25797944

Prospects for Precision Neutrino Cross Section Measurements

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

Harris, Deborah A.

2016-01-28

The need for precision cross section measurements is more urgent now than ever before, given the central role neutrino oscillation measurements play in the field of particle physics. The definition of precision is something worth considering, however. In order to build the best model for an oscillation experiment, cross section measurements should span a broad range of energies, neutrino interaction channels, and target nuclei. Precision might better be defined not in the final uncertainty associated with any one measurement but rather with the breadth of measurements that are available to constrain models. Current experience shows that models are better constrainedmore » by 10 measurements across different processes and energies with 10% uncertainties than by one measurement of one process on one nucleus with a 1% uncertainty. This article describes the current status of and future prospects for the field of precision cross section measurements considering the metric of how many processes, energies, and nuclei have been studied.« less

Applications of Tethers in Space, Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cron, A. C. (Compiler)

1985-01-01

The tethered satellite system is described including tether fundamentals. Applications of very long tethers in space to a broad spectrum of future space missions are explored. Topics covered include: science, transportation, constellations, artificial gravity, technology and test, and electrodynamic interactions. Recommendations to NASA are included.

SUSTAINABILITY OF INSECT RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR TRANSGENIC BT CORN

EPA Science Inventory

Increasing interest in the responsible management of technology in the industrial and agricultural sectors of the economy has been met through the development of broadly applicable tools to assess the "sustainability" of new technologies. An arena ripe for application of such ana...

ANALYSIS OF INSECT RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR TRANSGENIC BT CORN,

EPA Science Inventory

Increasing interest in the responsible management of technology in the industrial and agricultural sectors of the economy has been met through the development of broadly applicable tools to assess the "sustainability" of new technologies. An arena ripe for application of such ana...

Clonal and molecular analysis of the prospective anterior neural boundary in the mouse embryo

PubMed Central

Cajal, Marieke; Lawson, Kirstie A.; Hill, Bill; Moreau, Anne; Rao, Jianguo; Ross, Allyson; Collignon, Jérôme; Camus, Anne

2012-01-01

In the mouse embryo the anterior ectoderm undergoes extensive growth and morphogenesis to form the forebrain and cephalic non-neural ectoderm. We traced descendants of single ectoderm cells to study cell fate choice and cell behaviour at late gastrulation. In addition, we provide a comprehensive spatiotemporal atlas of anterior gene expression at stages crucial for anterior ectoderm regionalisation and neural plate formation. Our results show that, at late gastrulation stage, expression patterns of anterior ectoderm genes overlap significantly and correlate with areas of distinct prospective fates but do not define lineages. The fate map delineates a rostral limit to forebrain contribution. However, no early subdivision of the presumptive forebrain territory can be detected. Lineage analysis at single-cell resolution revealed that precursors of the anterior neural ridge (ANR), a signalling centre involved in forebrain development and patterning, are clonally related to neural ectoderm. The prospective ANR and the forebrain neuroectoderm arise from cells scattered within the same broad area of anterior ectoderm. This study establishes that although the segregation between non-neural and neural precursors in the anterior midline ectoderm is not complete at late gastrulation stage, this tissue already harbours elements of regionalisation that prefigure the later organisation of the head. PMID:22186731