Solutions of the benchmark problems by the dispersion-relation-preserving scheme

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tam, Christopher K. W.; Shen, H.; Kurbatskii, K. A.; Auriault, L.

1995-01-01

The 7-point stencil Dispersion-Relation-Preserving scheme of Tam and Webb is used to solve all the six categories of the CAA benchmark problems. The purpose is to show that the scheme is capable of solving linear, as well as nonlinear aeroacoustics problems accurately. Nonlinearities, inevitably, lead to the generation of spurious short wave length numerical waves. Often, these spurious waves would overwhelm the entire numerical solution. In this work, the spurious waves are removed by the addition of artificial selective damping terms to the discretized equations. Category 3 problems are for testing radiation and outflow boundary conditions. In solving these problems, the radiation and outflow boundary conditions of Tam and Webb are used. These conditions are derived from the asymptotic solutions of the linearized Euler equations. Category 4 problems involved solid walls. Here, the wall boundary conditions for high-order schemes of Tam and Dong are employed. These conditions require the use of one ghost value per boundary point per physical boundary condition. In the second problem of this category, the governing equations, when written in cylindrical coordinates, are singular along the axis of the radial coordinate. The proper boundary conditions at the axis are derived by applying the limiting process of r approaches 0 to the governing equations. The Category 5 problem deals with the numerical noise issue. In the present approach, the time-independent mean flow solution is computed first. Once the residual drops to the machine noise level, the incident sound wave is turned on gradually. The solution is marched in time until a time-periodic state is reached. No exact solution is known for the Category 6 problem. Because of this, the problem is formulated in two totally different ways, first as a scattering problem then as a direct simulation problem. There is good agreement between the two numerical solutions. This offers confidence in the computed results. Both formulations are solved as initial value problems. As such, no Kutta condition is required at the trailing edge of the airfoil.

Application of computational aero-acoustics to real world problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hardin, Jay C.

1996-01-01

The application of computational aeroacoustics (CAA) to real problems is discussed in relation to the analysis performed with the aim of assessing the application of the various techniques. It is considered that the applications are limited by the inability of the computational resources to resolve the large range of scales involved in high Reynolds number flows. Possible simplifications are discussed. It is considered that problems remain to be solved in relation to the efficient use of the power of parallel computers and in the development of turbulent modeling schemes. The goal of CAA is stated as being the implementation of acoustic design studies on a computer terminal with reasonable run times.

Lattice Boltzmann for Airframe Noise Predictions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barad, Michael; Kocheemoolayil, Joseph; Kiris, Cetin

2017-01-01

Increase predictive use of High-Fidelity Computational Aero- Acoustics (CAA) capabilities for NASA's next generation aviation concepts. CFD has been utilized substantially in analysis and design for steady-state problems (RANS). Computational resources are extremely challenged for high-fidelity unsteady problems (e.g. unsteady loads, buffet boundary, jet and installation noise, fan noise, active flow control, airframe noise, etc) ü Need novel techniques for reducing the computational resources consumed by current high-fidelity CAA Need routine acoustic analysis of aircraft components at full-scale Reynolds number from first principles Need an order of magnitude reduction in wall time to solution!

CERA; Refiners can cope with CAA requirements

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

Not Available

1992-02-17

This paper reports on a study conducted for the Department of Energy which predicts initial reformulated gasoline requirements in 1995 won't pose significant technical problems for U.S. refiners. But nearly all refiners will have to make added investments. Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) prepared the study for DOE on critical issues affecting refiners and U.S. product supplies in the 1990s, particularly the effects of the 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) amendments.

Comparing the moisturizing effects of ascorbic acid and calcium ascorbate against that of tocopherol in emulsions.

PubMed

Gönüllü, U; Sensoy, D; Uner, M; Yener, G; Altinkurt, T

2006-01-01

Calcium ascorbate (CAAS), which is a hydrophilic and stable derivative of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) (AA), is commonly used in foods as an antioxidative agent. There are very limited reports on its dermatological use in the literature. In this paper, it is reported that CAAS could be used in place of ascorbic acid, which has chemical stability problems in topicals due to degradation by oxidation. The aim of this study was to investigate the skin-hydrating effect of CAAS compared to those of ascorbic acid and tocopherol (vitamin E) (T), which is a potential skin moisturizer and commonly used in dermocosmetics. Vitamins are incorporated into two kinds of base creams (o/w and w/o emulsion creams), alone and in combinations. Formulations were applied to the inner forearms of volunteers, and skin conductance was measured by using a corneometer. Data obtained were statistically evaluated. It was found that the skin-hydrating effect of CAAS was higher than that of AA and lower than that of T. However, its effect was very close to that of T.

Capillary cerebral amyloid angiopathy in Alzheimer's disease: association with allocortical/hippocampal microinfarcts and cognitive decline.

PubMed

Hecht, Moritz; Krämer, Lara Maria; von Arnim, Christine A F; Otto, Markus; Thal, Dietmar Rudolf

2018-05-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is caused by the deposition of the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in the wall of cerebral and leptomeningeal blood vessels and is related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Capillary Aβ deposition is observed in a subset of CAA cases and represents a distinct type of CAA named capillary CAA or CAA type 1. This type of CAA is strongly associated with the presence of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele. CAA type 1-associated AD cases often exhibit a more severe Aβ plaque pathology but less widespread neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) pathology. The objective of this study was to analyze whether capillary CAA and its effects on cerebral blood flow have an impact on dementia. To address this objective, we performed neuropathological evaluation of 284 autopsy cases of demented and non-demented individuals. We assessed the presence of CAA and its subtypes as well as for that of hemorrhages and infarcts. Capillary CAA and CAA severity were associated with allocortical microinfarcts, comprising the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Allocortical microinfarcts, capillary CAA and CAA severity were, thereby, associated with cognitive decline. In conclusion, allocortical microinfarcts, CAA severity, and the capillary type of CAA were associated with one another and with the development of cognitive decline. Thus, AD cases with CAA type 1 (capillary CAA) appear to develop dementia symptoms not only due to AD-related Aβ plaque and NFT pathology but also due to hippocampal microinfarcts that are associated with CAA type 1 and CAA severity, and that damage a brain region important for memory function.

The CAA repeat polymorphism in the ZFHX3 gene is associated with risk of coronary heart disease in a Chinese population.

PubMed

Sun, Shunchang; Zhang, Wenwu; Chen, Xi; Song, Huiwen

2015-04-01

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a disease resulting from the interaction between genetic variations and environmental factors. Zinc finger homeobox 3 (ZFHX3) is a transcription factor and contains a poly-glutamine tract in a compositionally biased region that is encoded by exon 9, containing a cluster of CAG and CAA triplets followed by the polymorphic CAA repeats: (CAG)2(CAA)2(CAG)3CAACAG(CAA)nGCA. Thus, nine successive glutamine residues precede the poly-glutamine tract, encoded by the polymorphic CAA repeats. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the CAA repeat polymorphism in exon 9 of the ZFHX3 gene with the risk of CHD in a Chinese population. The CAA repeat polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by DNA sequencing in 321 CHD patients. Genotype frequencies were compared using the non-parametric mood median test. Four alleles of CAG(CAA)10GCA, CAG(CAA)8GCA, CAG(CAA)9GCA, and CAG(CAA)11GCA were found in Chinese CHD patients in exon 9 of the ZFHX3 gene. The CAG(CAA)10GCA was a major allele (95.95%), and the CAG(CAA)8GCA was a minor allele (3.58%). The CAG(CAA)9GCA and CAG(CAA)11GCA were rare alleles (0.31% and 0.16%). The CAG(CAA)10GCA allele encodes a poly-glutamine tract of 19 residues. Importantly, the CHD patients homozygous for the CAG(CAA)10GCA allele had a higher risk of CHD, compared to the heterozygous patients carrying a CAG(CAA)8GCA allele. Moreover, the CAG(CAA)10GCA allele was significantly associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia (P < 0.05). Thus, the CAA repeat polymorphism in exon 9 of the ZFHX3 gene contributes to the CHD susceptibility in the Chinese population.

Significance of different carbon forms and carbonic anhydrase activity in monitoring and prediction of algal blooms in the urban section of Jialing River, Chongqing, China.

PubMed

Nie, Yudong; Zhang, Zhi; Shen, Qian; Gao, Wenjin; Li, Yingfan

2016-05-18

The Three Gorges Dam is one of the largest hydroelectric power plants worldwide; its reservoir was preliminarily impounded in 2003 and finally impounded to 175 m in 2012. The impoundment caused some environmental problems, such as algal blooms. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is an important biocatalyst in the carbon utilization by algae and plays an important role in algal blooms. CA has received considerable attention for its role in red tides in oceans, but less investigation has been focused on its role in algal blooms in fresh water. In this study, the seasonal variation of water quality parameters, different carbon forms, carbonic anhydrase activity (CAA), and the algal cell density of four sampling sites in the urban section of the Jialing River were investigated from November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2014. Results indicated that CAA exhibited a positive correlation with dissoluble organic carbon (DOC), pH, and temperature, but a negative correlation with CO2 and dissoluble inorganic carbon (DIC). Algal cell density exhibited a positive correlation with flow velocity (V), pH, particulate organic carbon (POC), and CAA, a negative correlation with CO2, and a negative partial correlation with DIC. The relationship between CAA and algal cell density for the entire year can be described as cells = 23.278CAA - 42.666POC + 139.547pH - 1057.106. The algal bloom prediction model for the key control period can be described as cells = -45.895CAA + 776.103V- 29.523DOC + 14.219PIC + 35.060POC + 19.181 (2 weeks in advance) and cells = 69.200CAA + 203.213V + 4.184CO2 + 38.911DOC + 40.770POC - 189.567 (4 weeks in advance). The findings in this study demonstrate that the carbon utilization by algae is conducted by CA and provide a new method of monitoring algal cell density and predicting algal blooms.

The Council on Aviation Accreditation. Part 2; Contemporary Issues

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prather, C. Daniel

2007-01-01

The Council on Aviation Accreditation (CAA) was established in 1988 in response to the need for formal, specialized accreditation of aviation academic programs, as expressed by institutional members of the University Aviation Association (UAA). The first aviation programs were accredited by the CAA in 1992, and today, the CAA lists 60 accredited programs at 21 institutions nationwide. Although the number of accredited programs has steadily grown, there are currently only 20 percent of UAA member institutions with CAA accredited programs. In an effort to further understand this issue, a case study of the CAA was performed, which resulted in a two-part case study report. Part one addressed the historical foundation of the organization and the current environment in which the CAA functions. Part two focuses on the following questions: (a) what are some of the costs to a program seeking CAA accreditation (b) what are some fo the benefits of being CAA accredited; (c) why do programs seek CAA accreditation; (d) why do programs choose no to seek CAA accreditation; (e) what role is the CAA playing in the international aviation academic community; and (f) what are some possible strategies the CAA may adopt to enhance the benefits of CAA accreditation and increase the number of CAA accredited programs. This second part allows for a more thorough understanding of the contemporary issued faced by the organization, as well as alternative strategies for the CAA to consider in an effort to increase the number of CAA accredited programs and more fully fulfill the role of the CAA in the collegiate aviation community.

Pathological examination of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in patients who underwent removal of lobar hemorrhages.

PubMed

Lin, Chien-Min; Arishima, Hidetaka; Kikuta, Ken-Ichiro; Naiki, Hironobu; Kitai, Ryuhei; Kodera, Toshiaki; Matsuda, Ken; Hashimoto, Norichika; Isozaki, Makoto; Tsunetoshi, Kenzo; Neishi, Hiroyuki; Higashino, Yoshifumi; Akazawa, Ayumi; Arai, Hiroshi; Yamada, Shinsuke

2018-03-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a degenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the brain microvessels. CAA is also known to contribute not only to cortical microbleeds but also lobar hemorrhages. This retrospective study examined CAA pathologically in patients who underwent direct surgeries for lobar hemorrhage. Thirty-three patients with lobar hemorrhage underwent open surgery with biopsy from 2007 to 2016 in our hospital. Cortical tissues over hematomas obtained surgically were pathologically examined using hematoxylin, eosin stain, and anti-Aβ antibody to diagnose CAA. We also investigated the advanced degree of CAA and clinical features of each patient with lobar hemorrhage. In the 33 patients, 4 yielded specimens that were insufficient to evaluate CAA pathologically. Twenty-four of the remaining 29 patients (82.8%) were pathologically diagnosed with CAA. The majority of CAA-positive patients had moderate or severe CAA based on a grading scale to estimate the advanced degree of CAA. About half of the CAA-positive patients had hypertension, and four took anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. In five patients who were not pathologically diagnosed with CAA, one had severe liver function disorder, three had uncontrollable hypertension, and one had no obvious risk factor. Our pathological findings suggest that severe CAA with vasculopathic change markedly contributes to lobar hemorrhage. The coexistence of severe CAA and risk factors such as hypertension, anticoagulants or antiplatelets may readily induce lobar hemorrhage.

77 FR 11452 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; State of Georgia; Regional Haze...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-27

... Problem B. Requirements of the CAA and EPA's Regional Haze Rule (RHR) C. Roles of Agencies in Addressing.... The Regional Haze Problem Regional haze is visibility impairment that is produced by a multitude of... of kilometers. Therefore, to effectively address the problem of visibility impairment in Class I...

Aeroacoustic simulation of a linear cascade by a prefactored compact scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghillani, Pietro

This work documents the development of a three-dimensional high-order prefactored compact finite-difference solver for computational aeroacoustics (CAA) based on the inviscid Euler equations. This time explicit scheme is applied to representative problems of sound generation by flow interacting with solid boundaries. Four aeroacoustic problems are explored and the results validated against available reference analytical solution. Selected mesh convergence studies are conducted to determine the effective order of accuracy of the complete scheme. The first test case simulates the noise emitted by a still cylinder in an oscillating field. It provides a simple validation for the CAA-compatible solid wall condition used in the remainder of the work. The following test cases are increasingly complex versions of the turbomachinery rotor-stator interaction problem taken from NASA CAA workshops. In all the cases the results are compared against the available literature. The numerical method features some appreciable contributions to computational aeroacoustics. A reduced data exchange technique for parallel computations is implemented, which requires the exchange of just two values for each boundary node, independently of the size of the zone overlap. A modified version of the non-reflecting buffer layer by Chen is used to allow aerodynamic perturbations at the through flow boundaries. The Giles subsonic boundary conditions are extended to three-dimensional curvilinear coordinates. These advances have enabled to resolve the aerodynamic noise generation and near-field propagation on a representative cascade geometry with a time-marching scheme, with accuracy similar to spectral methods..

Hemorrhage recurrence risk factors in cerebral amyloid angiopathy: Comparative analysis of the overall small vessel disease severity score versus individual neuroimaging markers.

PubMed

Boulouis, Gregoire; Charidimou, Andreas; Pasi, Marco; Roongpiboonsopit, Duangnapa; Xiong, Li; Auriel, Eitan; van Etten, Ellis S; Martinez-Ramirez, Sergi; Ayres, Alison; Vashkevich, Anastasia; Schwab, Kristin M; Rosand, Jonathan; Goldstein, Joshua N; Gurol, M Edip; Greenberg, Steven M; Viswanathan, Anand

2017-09-15

An MRI-based score of total small vessel disease burden (CAA-SVD-Score) in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) has been demonstrated to correlate with severity of pathologic changes. Evidence suggests that CAA-related intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) recurrence risk is associated with specific disease imaging manifestations rather than overall severity. We compared the correlation between the CAA-SVD-Score with the risk of recurrent CAA-related lobar ICH versus the predictive role of each of its components. Consecutive patients with CAA-related ICH from a single-center prospective cohort were analyzed. Radiological markers of CAA related SVD damage were quantified and categorized according to the CAA-SVD-Score (0-6 points). Subjects were followed prospectively for recurrent symptomatic ICH. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate associations between the CAA-SVD-Score as well as each of the individual MRI signatures of CAA and the risk of recurrent ICH. In 229 CAA patients with ICH, a total of 56 recurrent ICH events occurred during a median follow-up of 2.8years [IQR 0.9-5.4years, 781 person-years). Higher CAA-SVD-Score (HR=1.26 per additional point, 95%CI [1.04-1.52], p=0.015) and older age were independently associated with higher ICH recurrence risk. Analysis of individual markers of CAA showed that CAA-SVD-Score findings were due to the independent effect of disseminated superficial siderosis (HR for disseminated cSS vs none: 2.89, 95%CI [1.47-5.5], p=0.002) and high degree of perivascular spaces enlargement (RR=3.50-95%CI [1.04-21], p=0.042). In lobar CAA-ICH patients, higher CAA-SVD-Score does predict recurrent ICH. Amongst individual elements of the score, superficial siderosis and dilated perivascular spaces are the only markers independently associated with ICH recurrence, contributing to the evidence for distinct CAA phenotypes singled out by neuro-imaging manifestations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microbiologic Analysis of Complicated and Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis.

PubMed

García-Marín, Andrés; Pérez-López, Mercedes; Martínez-Guerrero, Elena; Rodríguez-Cazalla, Lorena; Compañ-Rosique, Antonio

2018-01-01

Microbiologic studies suggest that complicated (CAA) and uncomplicated (UAA) acute appendicitis are different entities. Routine peritoneal fluid cultures continue to be controversially related to a low positive rate, found mainly in UAA; to isolation of typical micro-organisms with expected susceptibilities; and to a community-acquired intra-abdominal infection. The aim of this study was to describe microbiologic isolates in CAA and UAA and the usefulness of peritoneal fluid cultures to determine the susceptibilities to our antibiotic therapy guidelines. This study was a retrospective review of a prospective database collected at University San Juan Hospital (Spain) between June 2014 and June 2017. Complicated acute appendicitis was defined as gangrenous or perforated, whereas UAA was defined as phegmonous or suppurative. Our antibiotic recommendations are amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and in patients with β-lactam allergies, metronidazole plus aztreonam, and an aminoglycoside (gentamicin or tobramycin). Microbiologic cultures were performed in 264 patients, 157 with a CAA and 107 with a UAA. The positive culture rate was significantly higher in CAA (59%) than in UAA (24.3%). Gram-positive cocci (51.6% CAA; 23.1% UAA), including Streptococcus constellatus (29% CAA; 3.8% UAA), and anaerobes (67.7% CAA; 42.3% UAA) were significantly more common in CAA. The rates of antibiotic resistance were amoxicillin-clavulanic acid 14% (17.2% CAA; 3.8% UAA), gentamicin or tobramycin 8.4% (9.7% CAA; 3.8% UAA), ciprofloxacin 5.9% (6.5% CAA; 3.8% UAA), and ertapenem 10.9% (14% CAA; 0 UAA). The culture-positive rate was higher in CAA, with different isolates and susceptibilities than in UAA, identifying a higher frequency of gram-positive cocci (including S. constellatus) and anaerobes. We recommend obtaining peritoneal fluid cultures in CAA, which frequently will lead to a change in the antimicrobial drug therapy guidelines, creating specific recommendations in AA.

Giant aneurysms: A gender-specific complication of Kawasaki disease?

PubMed

Dietz, Sanne M; Kuipers, Irene M; Tacke, Carline E A; Koole, Jeffrey C D; Hutten, Barbara A; Kuijpers, Taco W

2017-10-01

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a pediatric vasculitis of unknown origin. Its main complication is the development of coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) with giant CAA at the end of the spectrum. In this cohort study, we evaluated the association between patient characteristics and the development of giant CAA based on z-scores. Multivariable, multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with giant CAA. A total of 301 KD patients, comprising 216 patients without enlargement, 45 with small-sized, 19 with medium-sized, and 21 with giant CAA with all echocardiographies at our center were retrospectively included. Remarkably, 95% of patients with giant CAA were boys. In addition to 'no/late intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment', 'male gender' (OR 16.23, 95% CI 1.88-140.13), 'age<1 year' (OR 7.49, 95% CI 2.29-24.46), and 'IVIG re-treatment (9.79, 95% CI 2.79-34.37)' were significantly associated with an increased risk of giant CAA, with patients without enlargement as reference. Compared to patients with medium-sized CAA, 'IVIG re-treatment' was significantly associated with giant CAA. The majority of giant CAA continued to increase in size during the first 40 days. We identified risk factors associated with an increased risk of giant CAA. The difference in variables between the giant CAA group and the other CAA subgroups suggests a separation between patients with the treatment-resistant giant CAA and the other IVIG-responsive patients, in which gender may be factored as a most relevant genetic trait. The increase in size during the first 2 months indicates the need for repeated echocardiography. Copyright © 2017 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Council on Aviation Accreditation: Part One - Historical Foundation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prather, C. Daniel

2006-01-01

The Council on Aviation Accreditation (CAA) was established in 1988 in response to the need for formal, specialized accreditation of aviation academic programs, as expressed by institutional members of the University Aviation Association (UAA). The first aviation programs were accredited by the CAA in 1992, and today, the CAA lists 60 accredited programs at 21 institutions nationwide. Although the number of accredited programs has steadily grown, there are currently only 20 percent of UAA member institutions with CAA accredited programs. In an effort to further understand this issue, a case study of the CAA was performed, which resulted in a two-part case study report. Part one focuses on the following questions: (a) why was the CAA established and how has it evolved; (b) what is the purpose of the CAA; (c) how does a program become accredited by the CAA; and (d) what is the current environment in which the CAA operates. In answering these questions, various sources of data (such as CAA documents, magazine and journal articles, email inquiries, and an on-line survey) were utilized. Part one of this study resulted in a better understanding of the CAA, including its history, purpose, and the entire accreditation process. Part two will both examine the contemporary issues being faced by the CAA and provide recommendations to enhance the future growth of the organization.

Patterns of convexal subarachnoid haemorrhage: clinical, radiological and outcome differences between cerebral amyloid angiopathy and other causes.

PubMed

Calviere, Lionel; Raposo, Nicolas; Cuvinciuc, Victor; Cognard, Christophe; Bonneville, Fabrice; Viguier, Alain

2018-01-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common aetiology of convexal subarachnoid haemorrhage (cSAH) but little is known about its specific characteristics in comparison with cSAH from other causes. In this study we compared patients with CAA vs. non-CAA-related cSAH. Retrospective review of baseline and follow-up data of consecutive patients admitted with a symptomatic acute cSAH. Sixty-two patients were included (mean age 66.2 ± 14.1 years), of whom 31 with probable CAA. CAA patients presented more frequently with transient symptoms (83.9 vs. 19.3%; p < 0.001) usually without headache (19.0 vs. 58.1%; p = 0.002). In CAA, these were essentially positive sensory disturbance that met the criteria of transient focal neurological episodes (TFNE). CAA was more often associated with cortical superficial siderosis (cSS) (80.6 vs. 0%; p < 0.001) and lobar cerebral microbleeds (83.4 vs. 9%; p < 0.001). During a mean of 22 months of follow-up, recurrent symptomatic cSAH occurred in 4/27 (12.9%) CAA patients and in 0/27 non-CAA patients. Among 40 patients with MRI follow-up, cSAH recurrences were observed in 44% of CAA patients vs. 13.3% of other cases (p = 0.08) and extension of cSS was detected only in CAA (60%) (p < 0.001). Acute cSAH evolved to cSS in 96 and 73.3% of CAA and non-CAA patients, respectively (p = 0.06). CAA differs from other cSAH in having TFNE as a frequent clinical presentation, a high prevalence of cSS and an increased risk of recurrent subarachnoid bleeding. However, evolution from acute cSAH to focal cSS may not be specific to CAA.

Genome-wide linkage mapping of QTL for black point reaction in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

PubMed

Liu, Jindong; He, Zhonghu; Wu, Ling; Bai, Bin; Wen, Weie; Xie, Chaojie; Xia, Xianchun

2016-11-01

Nine QTL for black point resistance in wheat were identified using a RIL population derived from a Linmai 2/Zhong 892 cross and 90K SNP assay. Black point, discoloration of the embryo end of the grain, downgrades wheat grain quality leading to significant economic losses to the wheat industry. The availability of molecular markers will accelerate improvement of black point resistance in wheat breeding. The aims of this study were to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for black point resistance and tightly linked molecular markers, and to search for candidate genes using a high-density genetic linkage map of wheat. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cross Linmai 2/Zhong 892 was evaluated for black point reaction during the 2011-2012, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 cropping seasons, providing data for seven environments. A high-density linkage map was constructed by genotyping the RILs with the wheat 90K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. Composite interval mapping detected nine QTL on chromosomes 2AL, 2BL, 3AL, 3BL, 5AS, 6A, 7AL (2) and 7BS, designated as QBp.caas-2AL, QBp.caas-2BL, QBp.caas-3AL, QBp.caas-3BL, QBp.caas-5AS, QBp.caas-6A, QBp.caas-7AL.1, QBp.caas-7AL.2 and QBp.caas-7BS, respectively. All resistance alleles, except for QBp.caas-7AL.1 from Linmai 2, were contributed by Zhong 892. QBp.caas-3BL, QBp.caas-5AS, QBp.caas-7AL.1, QBp.caas-7AL.2 and QBp.caas-7BS probably represent new loci for black point resistance. Sequences of tightly linked SNPs were used to survey wheat and related cereal genomes identifying three candidate genes for black point resistance. The tightly linked SNP markers can be used in marker-assisted breeding in combination with the kompetitive allele specific PCR technique to improve black point resistance.

APOE associations with severe CAA-associated vasculopathic changes: collaborative meta-analysis.

PubMed

Rannikmäe, Kristiina; Kalaria, Rajesh N; Greenberg, Steven M; Chui, Helena C; Schmitt, Frederick A; Samarasekera, Neshika; Al-Shahi Salman, Rustam; Sudlow, Cathie L M

2014-03-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is associated with lobar intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). While only the ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is associated with the presence of CAA, both APOE-ε4 and ε2 are associated with lobar ICH. The generally accepted explanation is that APOE-ε4 promotes vascular amyloid deposition, while APOE-ε2 promotes progression to severe CAA with associated vasculopathic changes that cause vessel rupture and ICH. We assessed the evidence for these allele-specific effects. We systematically identified published studies with data on APOE genotype and histopathological assessment of postmortem brains for CAA severity. We obtained unpublished data from these for meta-analyses of the effects of ε4-containing (ε4+) and ε2-containing (ε2+) genotypes on progression to severe CAA. Of six eligible studies (543 eligible participants), data were available from 5 (497 participants, 353 with CAA). Meta-analyses showed a possible association of ε4+ genotypes with severe CAA (ε4+ vs ε4-: severe vs mild/moderate CAA, OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.5, p=0.002; severe vs moderate CAA, OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.9 to 3.1, p=0.11). For ε2+ versus ε2- genotypes, there was no significant association, but the very small number of participants with ε2+ genotypes (22) precluded reliable estimates. We found a possible association of severe CAA with APOE-ε4 but not APOE-ε2. However, our findings do not exclude a biologically meaningful association between APOE-ε2 and severe CAA. Further work is needed to elucidate fully the allele-specific associations of APOE with CAA and their mechanisms.

Amyloid Angiopathy in Brain Hemorrhage: A Postmortem Neuropathological-Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

PubMed

Guidoux, Celine; Hauw, Jean-Jacques; Klein, Isabelle F; Labreuche, Julien; Berr, Claudine; Duyckaerts, Charles; Amarenco, Pierre

2018-01-01

Risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) include hypertension and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The objective of this study was to determine the autopsy prevalence of CAA and the potential overlap with other risk factors among patients who died from ICH and also the correlation of CAA with cerebral microbleeds. We analyzed 81 consecutive autopsy brains from patients with ICH. Staining for CAA detection was performed. We used an age- and sex-matched control group of routine brain autopsies of nonneurological patients to determine the frequencies of CAA and hypertension. Postmortem 3D T2-weighted gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 1.5-T magnet was performed in 11 brains with ICH (5 with CAA and 6 without) and histological correlation was performed when microbleeds were detected. Hypertension and CAA were found in 69.1 and 24.7% of cases respectively. Among patients with CAA, 65.0% also had hypertension. The prevalence of CAA was similar among non-hypertensive cases and controls (33.3 and 23.1%; p = 0.54), whereas a significant difference was found between hypertensive cases vs. controls (28.9% vs. 0; p = 0.01). MRI documented 48 microbleeds and all 5 brains with CAA had ≥1 microbleed, compared to 3/6 brains without CAA. Among 48 microbleeds on MRI, 45 corresponded histologically to microbleeds surrounding microvessels (23 <200 µm in diameter, 19 between 200 µm and 2 mm, 3 were hemosiderin granules). Both hypertension and CAA frequently coexist in patients with ICH. MRI-detected microbleeds, proven by histological analysis, were twice as common in patients with CAA as in those with hypertensive ICH. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Capillary CAA and perivascular Aβ-deposition: two distinct features of Alzheimer's disease pathology.

PubMed

Attems, Johannes; Yamaguchi, Haruyasu; Saido, Takaomi C; Thal, Dietmar Rudolf

2010-12-15

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is frequently seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases and represents one of its histopathological hallmarks. CAA is characterized by amyloid β-protein (Aβ) deposits within vessel walls. In addition to arteries and veins capillaries can also be affected. Aβ deposition into the capillary wall is, thereby, known as capillary CAA (capCAA) and strongly associated with the apolipoprotein E APOEε4 allele as a risk factor. Aβ deposits along the pericapillary glia limitans are described as pericapillary Aβ (pericapAβ: synonymous with pericapillary CAA in other studies). Here, we studied the relationship between pericapAβ and capCAA in 58 human autopsy cases. Although pericapAβ and capCAA were more frequently found in AD cases compared to controls and although they exhibited a correlation to one another, detailed analysis revealed that there is a significant number of cases with pericapAβ lacking capCAA and vice versa. Moreover, single capillaries show either both pathologies or pericapAβ or capCAA only. There was no local association between these pathologies when analyzing multiple capillaries in each given case. Moreover, pericapAβ predominantly exhibited Aβ(42) whereas capCAA contained both Aβ(42) and Aβ(40). These differences as well as differences in the related astroglial reaction indicate that pericapAβ and capCAA are not directly linked. PericapAβ appears to represent initial Aβ accumulation along the glia limitans that is involved in the perivascular drainage of apoE and Aβ regardless of the APOE genotype whereas capCAA could be explained by a limited transendothelial clearance of apoE4-Aβ complexes compared to apoE2/3-Aβ complexes. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Increased plasma levels of competing amino acids, rather than lowered plasma tryptophan levels, are associated with a non-response to treatment in major depression.

PubMed

Ormstad, Heidi; Dahl, Johan; Verkerk, Robert; Andreassen, Ole A; Maes, Michael

2016-08-01

Lowered plasma tryptophan (TRP) and TRP/competing amino acid (CAA) ratio may be involved in the pathophysiology of major depression (MDD). Increased cortisol and immune-inflammatory mediators in MDD may affect the availability of TRP to the brain. We investigated whether baseline or post-treatment TRP, CAAs and TRP/CAA ratio are associated with a treatment response in MDD and whether these effects may be mediated by cortisol or immune biomarkers. We included 50 medication-free MDD patients with a depressive episode (DSM diagnosis) and assessed symptom severity with the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) before and after treatment as usual for 12 weeks (endpoint). Plasma levels of TRP, CAAs, the ratio, cortisol, CRP and 6 selected cytokines were assayed. The primary outcome was a 50% reduction in the IDS, while the secondary was a remission of the depressive episode. In IDS non-responders, CAAs increased and the TRP/CAA ratio decreased, while in IDS responders CAAs decreased and the TRP/CAA ratio increased from baseline to endpoint. In patients who were still depressed at endpoint TRP and CAAs levels had increased from baseline, while in remitted patients no such effects were found. Increases in CAAs were inversely correlated with changes in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist levels. The results show that increased CAA levels from baseline to endpoint are associated with a non-response to treatment in MDD patients. This suggests that the mechanism underpinning the CAA-related treatment resistance may be related to changes in immune pathways. CAA levels and amino acid metabolism may be new drug targets in depression. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.

77 FR 11022 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Alaska; Regional Haze State...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-24

.... Congress amended the visibility provisions in the CAA in 1990 to focus attention on the problem of regional... address the problem of visibility impairment in Class I areas, States need to develop strategies in... vegetation) and geogenic sources (gas/oil seeps, wind erosion, and geothermal and volcanic activity) were not...

Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 as a Predictor of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients Receiving Coronary Angiography.

PubMed

Mahler, Simon A; Register, Thomas C; Riley, Robert F; D'Agostino, Ralph B; Stopyra, Jason P; Miller, Chadwick D

2018-06-01

Animal studies suggest that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a promising biomarker for coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAA), but human studies have been inconclusive. To determine potential relationships between plasma MCP-1 and CAA in patients with acute chest pain. A secondary analysis of 150 patients enrolled in emergency department chest pain risk stratification clinical investigations was conducted. Participants with stored blood and known coronary phenotypes (determined by coronary angiography) were selected using stratified randomization such that 50 patients were included into 3 groups: (1) no angiographic evidence of CAA, (2) nonobstructive CAA, and (3) obstructive CAA (stenosis ≥ 70%). Plasma MCP-1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The association between MCP-1 and obstructive CAA or any CAA was modeled using logistic regression. Variables in the unreduced model included age, sex, race, prior diagnosis of CAA or acute coronary syndrome, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and cardiac troponin I measurement. Among the 150 participants, 65.3% (98/150) had invasive coronary angiography and 34.7% (52/150) had coronary computed tomographic angiography. Myocardial infarction occurred in 27.3% (41/150) and coronary revascularization occurred in 26% (39/150) of the participants. Each 10 pg/mL increase in MCP-1 measurement was associated with an odds ratio of 1.12 (95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.19) for obstructive CAA. MCP-1 remained a significant predictor of obstructive CAA and any CAA after adjustment for age, sex, race, traditional cardiac risk factors, and cardiac troponin I. MCP-1 is independently associated with CAA among emergency department patients with chest pain.

Demonstration Of Ultra HI-FI (UHF) Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dyson, Rodger W.

2004-01-01

Computational aero-acoustics (CAA) requires efficient, high-resolution simulation tools. Most current techniques utilize finite-difference approaches because high order accuracy is considered too difficult or expensive to achieve with finite volume or finite element methods. However, a novel finite volume approach (Ultra HI-FI or UHF) which utilizes Hermite fluxes is presented which can achieve both arbitrary accuracy and fidelity in space and time. The technique can be applied to unstructured grids with some loss of fidelity or with multi-block structured grids for maximum efficiency and resolution. In either paradigm, it is possible to resolve ultra-short waves (less than 2 PPW). This is demonstrated here by solving the 4th CAA workshop Category 1 Problem 1.

Numerical characterization of landing gear aeroacoustics using advanced simulation and analysis techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Redonnet, S.; Ben Khelil, S.; Bulté, J.; Cunha, G.

2017-09-01

With the objective of aircraft noise mitigation, we here address the numerical characterization of the aeroacoustics by a simplified nose landing gear (NLG), through the use of advanced simulation and signal processing techniques. To this end, the NLG noise physics is first simulated through an advanced hybrid approach, which relies on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational AeroAcoustics (CAA) calculations. Compared to more traditional hybrid methods (e.g. those relying on the use of an Acoustic Analogy), and although it is used here with some approximations made (e.g. design of the CFD-CAA interface), the present approach does not rely on restrictive assumptions (e.g. equivalent noise source, homogeneous propagation medium), which allows to incorporate more realism into the prediction. In a second step, the outputs coming from such CFD-CAA hybrid calculations are processed through both traditional and advanced post-processing techniques, thus offering to further investigate the NLG's noise source mechanisms. Among other things, this work highlights how advanced computational methodologies are now mature enough to not only simulate realistic problems of airframe noise emission, but also to investigate their underlying physics.

Effects of cavity dimensions, boundary layer, and temperature on cavity noise with emphasis on benchmark data to validate computational aeroacoustic codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahuja, K. K.; Mendoza, J.

1995-01-01

This report documents the results of an experimental investigation on the response of a cavity to external flowfields. The primary objective of this research was to acquire benchmark of data on the effects of cavity length, width, depth, upstream boundary layer, and flow temperature on cavity noise. These data were to be used for validation of computational aeroacoustic (CAA) codes on cavity noise. To achieve this objective, a systematic set of acoustic and flow measurements were made for subsonic turbulent flows approaching a cavity. These measurements were conducted in the research facilities of the Georgia Tech research institute. Two cavity models were designed, one for heated flow and another for unheated flow studies. Both models were designed such that the cavity length (L) could easily be varied while holding fixed the depth (D) and width (W) dimensions of the cavity. Depth and width blocks were manufactured so that these dimensions could be varied as well. A wall jet issuing from a rectangular nozzle was used to simulate flows over the cavity.

NASA's Principal Center for Review of Clean Air Act Regulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark-Ingram, Marceia

2003-01-01

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) was selected as the Principal Center for review of Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations. The CAA Principal Center is tasked to: 1) Provide centralized support to NASA/HDQ Code JE for the management and leadership of NASA's CAA regulation review process; 2) Identify potential impact from proposed CAA regulations to NASA program hardware and supporting facilities. The Shuttle Environmental Assurance Initiative, one of the responsibilities of the NASA CAA Working Group (WG), is described in part of this viewgraph presentation.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy increases susceptibility to infarction after focal cerebral ischemia in Tg2576 mice.

PubMed

Milner, Eric; Zhou, Meng-Liang; Johnson, Andrew W; Vellimana, Ananth K; Greenberg, Jacob K; Holtzman, David M; Han, Byung Hee; Zipfel, Gregory J

2014-10-01

We and others have shown that soluble amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) cause significant cerebrovascular dysfunction in mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) mice, and that these deficits are greater in aged APP mice having CAA compared with young APP mice lacking CAA. Amyloid β-peptide in young APP mice also increases infarction after focal cerebral ischemia, but the impact of CAA on ischemic brain injury is unknown. To determine this, we assessed cerebrovascular reactivity, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and extent of infarction and neurological deficits after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in aged APP mice having extensive CAA versus young APP mice lacking CAA (and aged-matched littermate controls). We found that aged APP mice have more severe cerebrovascular dysfunction that is CAA dependent, have greater CBF compromise during and immediately after middle cerebral artery occlusion, and develop larger infarctions after middle cerebral artery occlusion. These data indicate CAA induces a more severe form of cerebrovascular dysfunction than amyloid β-peptide alone, leading to intra- and postischemic CBF deficits that ultimately exacerbate cerebral infarction. Our results shed mechanistic light on human studies identifying CAA as an independent risk factor for ischemic brain injury. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy initially occurs in the meningeal vessels.

PubMed

Takeda, Shigeki; Yamazaki, Kazunori; Miyakawa, Teruo; Onda, Kiyoshi

2017-12-01

To clarify the frequency of CAA in the brain parenchyma and subarachnoid space (SAS), we counted sections of blood vessels showing positive staining for Aβ in the SAS, cerebral cortex (CC) and cerebral white matter (WM) using paraffin-embedded sections of the frontal, temporal and occipital lobes. The specimens had been taken for routine neuropathological examination from the brains of 105 Japanese patients (aged 40-95 years) selected from among 200 consecutive patients autopsied between 1989 and 2015 at our hospital. We examined the anatomical ratios of blood-vessel sections in the SAS relative to the CC in three selected CAA cases, and those of Aβ-positive blood-vessel sections in CAA cases. CAA was found in 53 of the 105 cases (50.5%), and the youngest patient affected was a 51-year-old man. The incidence of CAA increased with age. The anatomical ratio of blood vessel sections in the SAS relative to the CC was 1/3.70-1/4.37 (mean: 1/3.94). The ordinary CAA group, in which CAA was seen in both the SAS and CC, included 41 cases (77.4%). In 37 of these cases, the SAS/CC ratio of Aβ-positive blood vessels was 1/0.05-1/0.66 (mean: 1/0.26), and in the other four cases the ratio was 1/1-1/1.5. In the ordinary CAA group, the SAS/CC ratio of Aβ-positive blood vessels was smaller than the anatomical ratio. The meningeal CAA group, in which CAA was found only in the SAS, included 12 cases (22.6%). These patients ranged in age from their fifties to their nineties. There was no case in which CAA was limited only to the CC. We concluded that CAA initially develops in the meningeal blood vessels, and not in the cortical blood vessels. CAA in the WM was seen in 10 cases, not only in nine cases that were severe, but also in a mild case. © 2017 Japanese Society of Neuropathology.

The comorbidities and risk factors in children with congenital airway anomalies: A nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

PubMed

Lee, Yu-Sheng; Tsao, Pei-Chen; Jeng, Mei-Jy; Soong, Wen-Jue

2018-05-01

The comorbidities and risk factors associated with congenital airway anomalies (CAAs) in children are undecided. This study aimed to investigate the comorbidities commonly associated with CAA and to explore the prognosis and risk factors in CAA children.This nationwide, population-based cohort study was conducted between 2000 and 2011 with children aged 0 to 5 years assigned to either a CAA group (6341 patients) that diagnosed with CAA or an age- and gender-matched control group (25,159 patients) without CAA, using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Descriptive, logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression analyses were used for the investigation.Cleft lip/palate (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 7.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.49-9.59), chromosome (aOR, 6.85; 95% CI, 5.03-9.34), and congenital neurologic (aOR, 5.52; 95% CI, 4.45-6.87) anomalies were the comorbidities most highly associated with CAA. Of the 31,500 eligible study patients, 636 (399 in the CAA group and 237 in the control group) died during the follow-up period (6.3% vs 0.9%, P < .001). The mortality risk after adjusting for age, gender, and comorbidities elevated significantly among CAA patients (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 4.59; 95% CI, 3.85-5.48). The need for tracheostomy (aHR, 2.98; 95% CI, 2.15-4.15), comorbidity with congenital heart disease (CHD) (aHR, 2.52; 95% CI, 2.05-3.10), and chromosome anomaly (aHR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.70-3.23) were the independent risk factors most greatly related to CAA mortality.This study demonstrated that CAA was most highly associated with the comorbidities as cleft lip/palate, chromosome, and congenital neurologic anomalies. The CAA children had a significantly elevated mortality risk; the need for tracheostomy, CHD, and chromosome anomaly were the most related risk factors of mortality for CAA. Further studies are warranted to clarify the involved mechanisms.

Patterns and severity of vascular amyloid in Alzheimer's disease associated with duplications and missense mutations in APP gene, Down syndrome and sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Mann, David M A; Davidson, Yvonne S; Robinson, Andrew C; Allen, Nancy; Hashimoto, Tadafumi; Richardson, Anna; Jones, Matthew; Snowden, Julie S; Pendleton, Neil; Potier, Marie-Claude; Laquerrière, Annie; Prasher, Vee; Iwatsubo, Takeshi; Strydom, Andre

2018-05-16

In this study, we have compared the severity of amyloid plaque formation and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and the subtype pattern of CAA pathology itself, between APP genetic causes of AD (APPdup, APP mutations), older individuals with Down syndrome (DS) showing the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and individuals with sporadic (early and late onset) AD (sEOAD and sLOAD, respectively). The aim of this was to elucidate important group differences and to provide mechanistic insights related to clinical and neuropathological phenotypes. Since lipid and cholesterol metabolism is implicated in AD as well as vascular disease, we additionally aimed to explore the role of APOE genotype in CAA severity and subtypes. Plaque formation was greater in DS and missense APP mutations than in APPdup, sEOAD and sLOAD cases. Conversely, CAA was more severe in APPdup and missense APP mutations, and in DS, compared to sEOAD and sLOAD. When stratified by CAA subtype from 1 to 4, there were no differences in plaque scores between the groups, though in patients with APPdup, APP mutations and sEOAD, types 2 and 3 CAA were more common than type 1. Conversely, in DS, sLOAD and controls, type 1 CAA was more common than types 2 and 3. APOE ε4 allele frequency was greater in sEOAD and sLOAD compared to APPdup, missense APP mutations, DS and controls, and varied between each of the CAA phenotypes with APOE ε4 homozygosity being more commonly associated with type 3 CAA than types 1 and 2 CAA in sLOAD and sEOAD. The differing patterns in CAA within individuals of each group could be a reflection of variations in the efficiency of perivascular drainage, this being less effective in types 2 and 3 CAA leading to a greater burden of CAA in parenchymal arteries and capillaries. Alternatively, as suggested by immunostaining using carboxy-terminal specific antibodies, it may relate to the relative tissue burdens of the two major forms of Aβ, with higher levels of Aβ 40 promoting a more 'aggressive' form of CAA, and higher levels of Aβ 42(3) favouring a greater plaque burden. Possession of APOE ε4 allele, especially ε4 homozygosity, favours development of CAA generally, and as type 3 particularly, in sEOAD and sLOAD.

The use of staggered scheme and an absorbing buffer zone for computational aeroacoustics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nark, Douglas M.

1995-01-01

Various problems from those proposed for the Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA) workshop were studied using second and fourth order staggered spatial discretizations in conjunction with fourth order Runge-Kutta time integration. In addition, an absorbing buffer zone was used at the outflow boundaries. Promising results were obtained and provide a basis for application of these techniques to a wider variety of problems.

Neutron Activation and Thermoluminescent Detector Responses to a Bare Pulse of the CEA Valduc SILENE Critical Assembly

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

Miller, Thomas Martin; Celik, Cihangir; McMahan, Kimberly L.

This benchmark experiment was conducted as a joint venture between the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the French Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA). Staff at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the US and the Centre de Valduc in France planned this experiment. The experiment was conducted on October 11, 2010 in the SILENE critical assembly facility at Valduc. Several other organizations contributed to this experiment and the subsequent evaluation, including CEA Saclay, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), the Y-12 National Security Complex (NSC), Babcock International Group in the United Kingdom, and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Themore » goal of this experiment was to measure neutron activation and thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) doses from a source similar to a fissile solution critical excursion. The resulting benchmark can be used for validation of computer codes and nuclear data libraries as required when performing analysis of criticality accident alarm systems (CAASs). A secondary goal of this experiment was to qualitatively test performance of two CAAS detectors similar to those currently and formerly in use in some US DOE facilities. The detectors tested were the CIDAS MkX and the Rocky Flats NCD-91. These detectors were being evaluated to determine whether they would alarm, so they were not expected to generate benchmark quality data.« less

In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Adaptive Stress Responses to Selected Haloacetic Acid and Halobenzoquinone Water Disinfection Byproducts.

PubMed

Procházka, Erik; Escher, Beate I; Plewa, Michael J; Leusch, Frederic D L

2015-10-19

The process of disinfecting drinking water inadvertently leads to the formation of numerous disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Some of these are mutagenic, genotoxic, teratogenic, and cytotoxic, as well as potentially carcinogenic both in vivo and in vitro. We investigated the in vitro biological activity of five DBPs: three monohaloacetic acids (monoHAAs) [chloroacetic acid (CAA), bromoacetic acid (BAA), and iodoacetic acid (IAA)] and two novel halobenzoquinones (HBQs) [2,6-dichloro-p-benzoquinone (DCBQ) and 2,6-dibromo-p-benzoquinone]. We focused particularly on cytotoxicity and induction of two adaptive stress response pathways: the oxidative stress responsive Nrf2/ARE and DNA-damage responsive p53 pathways. All five DBPs were cytotoxic to the Caco-2 cell line after a 4 h exposure, and all DBPs induced both of the adaptive stress response pathways, Nrf2/ARE and p53, in the micromolar range, as measured by two β-lactamase-based reporter gene assays. The decreasing order of potency for all three endpoints for the five DBPs was IAA ∼ BAA > DCBQ ∼ DBBQ > CAA. Induction of oxidative stress was previously proposed to be the molecular initiating event (MIE) for both classes of DBPs. However, comparing the levels of activation of the two pathways uncovered that the Nrf2/ARE pathway was the more sensitive endpoint for HAAs, whereas the p53 pathway was more sensitive in the case of HBQs. Therefore, the DNA damage-responsive p53 pathway may be an important piece of information to fill in a gap in the adverse outcome pathway framework for the assessment of HBQs. Finally, we cautiously compared the potential risk of the two novel HBQs using a benchmarking approach to that of the well-studied CAA, which suggested that their relative risk may be lower than that of BAA and IAA.

Long-term treatment with chaethomellic acid A reduces glomerulosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis in a rat model of chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Nogueira, António; Vala, Helena; Vasconcelos-Nóbrega, Carmen; Faustino-Rocha, Ana Isabel; Pires, Carlos André; Colaço, Aura; Oliveira, Paula Alexandra; Pires, Maria João

2017-12-01

The high prevalence of end-stage renal disease emphasizes the failure to provide therapies to effectively prevent and/or reverse renal fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term treatment with chaethomellic acid A (CAA), which selectively blocks Ha-Ras farnesylation, on renal mass reduction-induced renal fibrosis. Male Wistar rats were sham-operated (SO) or subjected to 5/6 renal mass reduction (RMR). One week after surgery, rats were placed in four experimental groups: SO:SO rats without treatment (n=13); SO+CAA: SO rats treated with CAA (n=13); RMR:RMR rats without treatment (n=14); and RMR+CAA:RMR rats treated with CAA (n=13). CAA was intraperitoneally administered in a dose of 0.23μg/kg three times a week for six months. Renal fibrosis was evaluated by two-dimensional ultrasonography and histopathological analysis. The kidneys of the RMR animals treated with CAA showed a significantly decrease in the medullary echogenicity (p<0.05) compared with the RMR rats that received no treatment. Glomerulosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis scores were significantly lower (p<0.001) in the RMR+CAA group when compared with the RMR group. There were no significant differences in interstitial fibrosis, interstitial inflammation and tubular dilatation scores between the RMR+CAA and RMR groups. These data suggest that CAA can be a potential future drug to attenuate the progression of chronic kidney disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Can brain impermeable BACE1 inhibitors serve as anti-CAA medicine?

PubMed

Li, Jian-Ming; Huang, Li-Ling; Liu, Fei; Tang, Bei-Sha; Yan, Xiao-Xin

2017-08-25

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is characterized by the deposition of ß-amyloid peptides (Aß) in and surrounding the wall of microvasculature in the central nervous system, together with parenchymal amyloid plaques collectively referred to as cerebral amyloidosis, which occurs in the brain commonly among the elderly and more frequently in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). CAA is associated with vascular injury and may cause devastating neurological outcomes. No therapeutic approach is available for this lesion to date. ß-Secretase 1 (BACE1) is the enzyme initiating Aß production. Brain permeable BACE1 inhibitors targeting primarily at the parenchymal plaque pathology are currently evaluated in clinical trials. This article presents findings in support of a role of BACE1 elevation in the development of CAA, in addition to plaque pathogenesis. The rationale, feasibility, benefit and strategic issues for developing BACE1 inhibitors against CAA are discussed. Brain impermeable compounds are considered preferable as they might exhibit sufficient anti-CAA efficacy without causing significant neuronal/synaptic side effects. Early pharmacological intervention to the pathogenesis of CAA is expected to provide significant protection for cerebral vascular health and hence brain health. Brain impermeable BACE1 inhibitors should be optimized and tested as potential anti-CAA therapeutics.

Clinical predictors of severe cerebral amyloid angiopathy and influence of APOE genotype in persons with pathologically verified Alzheimer disease.

PubMed

Ringman, John M; Sachs, Michael C; Zhou, Yan; Monsell, Sarah E; Saver, Jeffrey L; Vinters, Harry V

2014-07-01

Although cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) has important clinical implications, our understanding of it and ability to diagnose it are limited. To determine pathological correlates and clinical factors identifiable during life that predict the presence of severe CAA in persons with pathologically confirmed Alzheimer disease (AD). We compared demographic and clinical variables at the earliest visit during life at which participants were found to have cognitive impairment and compared pathological variables between persons ultimately found to have no or severe CAA at autopsy using logistic regression. Analyses were repeated separately for carriers and noncarriers of the APOE ε4 allele. Data were obtained from the Uniform Data Set, which comprises longitudinal clinical assessments performed in the Alzheimer's Disease Centers funded by the National Institute on Aging. Participants included 193 persons with AD and severe CAA and 232 persons with AD and no CAA. All participants had cognitive impairment and met National Institute on Aging-Reagan Institute neuropathological criteria for AD. Prevalence of demographic characteristics and the APOE ε4 allele and odds ratios (ORs) of clinical variables for the prediction of severe CAA. Persons with severe CAA compared with those without CAA were more likely to carry an APOE ε4 allele (64.9% vs 42.8%, respectively; P < .001), to be Hispanic (6.8% vs 1.3%, respectively; P = .003), to have had a transient ischemic attack (12.5% vs 6.1%, respectively; OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.0-4.4), and to have lower degrees of diffuse amyloid plaque pathology (mean [SD] Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease score, 1.2 [0.5] vs 1.4 [0.8], respectively; P = .01). Those with CAA compared with those without CAA more commonly had intracerebral hemorrhage (9.3% vs 3.5%, respectively; P = .01), cortical microinfarcts (20.7% vs 12.9%, respectively; P = .03), and subcortical leukoencephalopathy (20.5% vs 12.1%, respectively; P = .02). Noncarriers of the APOE ε4 allele with severe CAA compared with those without CAA had a higher prevalence of stroke (11.1% vs 3.9%, respectively; OR = 3.8; 95% CI, 1.0-14.6) and hypercholesterolemia (50.0% vs 32.7%, respectively; OR = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.7). Being Hispanic and having had a transient ischemic attack-like episode were predictors of CAA in persons with AD. Less diffuse parenchymal amyloid pathology in persons with severe CAA suggests a difference in β-amyloid trafficking.

Genome-Wide Linkage Mapping of QTL for Adult-Plant Resistance to Stripe Rust in a Chinese Wheat Population Linmai 2 × Zhong 892

PubMed Central

Liu, Jindong; He, Zhonghu; Wu, Ling; Bai, Bin; Wen, Weie; Xie, Chaojie; Xia, Xianchun

2015-01-01

Stripe rust is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum) worldwide. Adult-plant resistance (APR) is an efficient approach to provide long-term protection of wheat from the disease. The Chinese winter wheat cultivar Zhong 892 has a moderate level of APR to stripe rust in the field. To determine the inheritance of the APR resistance in this cultivar, 273 F6 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed from a cross between Linmai 2 and Zhong 892. The RILs were evaluated for maximum disease severity (MDS) in two sites during the 2011–2012, 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 cropping seasons, providing data for five environments. Illumina 90k SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) chips were used to genotype the RILs and their parents. Composite interval mapping (CIM) detected eight QTL, namely QYr.caas-2AL, QYr.caas-2BL.3, QYr.caas-3AS, QYr.caas-3BS, QYr.caas-5DL, QYr.caas-6AL, QYr.caas-7AL and QYr.caas-7DS.1, respectively. All except QYr.caas-2BL.3 resistance alleles were contributed by Zhong 892. QYr.caas-3AS and QYr.caas-3BS conferred stable resistance to stripe rust in all environments, explaining 6.2–17.4% and 5.0–11.5% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. The genome scan of SNP sequences tightly linked to QTL for APR against annotated proteins in wheat and related cereals genomes identified two candidate genes (autophagy-related gene and disease resistance gene RGA1), significantly associated with stripe rust resistance. These QTL and their closely linked SNP markers, in combination with kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) technology, are potentially useful for improving stripe rust resistances in wheat breeding. PMID:26714310

Mapping and validation of a new QTL for adult-plant resistance to powdery mildew in Chinese elite bread wheat line Zhou8425B.

PubMed

Jia, Aolin; Ren, Yan; Gao, Fengmei; Yin, Guihong; Liu, Jindong; Guo, Lu; Zheng, Jizhou; He, Zhonghu; Xia, Xianchun

2018-05-01

Four QTLs for adult-plant resistance to powdery mildew were mapped in the Zhou8425B/Chinese Spring population, and a new QTL on chromosome 3B was validated in 103 wheat cultivars derived from Zhou8425B. Zhou8425B is an elite wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) line widely used as a parent in Chinese wheat breeding programs. Identification of genes for adult-plant resistance (APR) to powdery mildew in Zhou8425B is of high importance for continued controlling the disease. In the current study, the high-density Illumina iSelect 90K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for APR to powdery mildew in 244 recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross Zhou8425B/Chinese Spring. Inclusive composite interval mapping identified QTL on chromosomes 1B, 3B, 4B, and 7D, designated as QPm.caas-1BL.1, QPm.caas-3BS, QPm.caas-4BL.2, and QPm.caas-7DS, respectively. Resistance alleles at the QPm.caas-1BL.1, QPm.caas-3BS, and QPm.caas-4BL.2 loci were contributed by Zhou8425B, whereas that at QPm.caas-7DS was from Chinese Spring. QPm.caas-3BS, likely to be a new APR gene for powdery mildew resistance, was detected in all four environments. One SNP marker closely linked to QPm.caas-3BS was transferred into a semi-thermal asymmetric reverse PCR (STARP) marker and tested on 103 commercial wheat cultivars derived from Zhou8425B. Cultivars with the resistance allele at the QPm.caas-3BS locus had averaged maximum disease severity reduced by 5.3%. This STARP marker can be used for marker-assisted selection in improvement of the level of powdery mildew resistance in wheat breeding.

Benchmark problems for numerical implementations of phase field models

DOE PAGES

Jokisaari, A. M.; Voorhees, P. W.; Guyer, J. E.; ...

2016-10-01

Here, we present the first set of benchmark problems for phase field models that are being developed by the Center for Hierarchical Materials Design (CHiMaD) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). While many scientific research areas use a limited set of well-established software, the growing phase field community continues to develop a wide variety of codes and lacks benchmark problems to consistently evaluate the numerical performance of new implementations. Phase field modeling has become significantly more popular as computational power has increased and is now becoming mainstream, driving the need for benchmark problems to validate and verifymore » new implementations. We follow the example set by the micromagnetics community to develop an evolving set of benchmark problems that test the usability, computational resources, numerical capabilities and physical scope of phase field simulation codes. In this paper, we propose two benchmark problems that cover the physics of solute diffusion and growth and coarsening of a second phase via a simple spinodal decomposition model and a more complex Ostwald ripening model. We demonstrate the utility of benchmark problems by comparing the results of simulations performed with two different adaptive time stepping techniques, and we discuss the needs of future benchmark problems. The development of benchmark problems will enable the results of quantitative phase field models to be confidently incorporated into integrated computational materials science and engineering (ICME), an important goal of the Materials Genome Initiative.« less

CAA Annual Report, Fiscal Year 1992.

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-11-01

But, in t• -. y’s era of rapid change, there has been a burgeoning demand for quick reaction analyses. Today, CAA increasingly applies the results of...years. The graph on the right illustrates the reorientation of CAA analytical focus to meet increasing sponsor demands for QRA and the apparent...meeting the most important analysis needs of the Army while maintaining quality and preparing CAA capabilities to meet demands that will be presented

Introduction to computational aero-acoustics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hardin, Jay C.

1996-01-01

Computational aeroacoustics (CAA) is introduced, by presenting its definition, advantages, applications, and initial challenges. The effects of Mach number and Reynolds number on CAA are considered. The CAA method combines the methods of aeroacoustics and computational fluid dynamics.

[Effects of the adsorbent CAA for hemopurification on normal components of human plasma in removing methylene blue].

PubMed

Ma, Yu; Xia, Yun; Yang, Xiaolan; Yu, Ming'an

2003-06-01

Virus inactivation of plasma can be achieved by phototreatment with methylene blue (MB). Subsequently, elimination of MB may reduce the adverse effects of MB. This study examined the effects of adsorbing MB with the use of cross-linked agar bead entrapped attapulgite clay (CAA) on normal ingredients in MB-treated plasma units. The biomedical characteristics of CAA were assessed by determination of partial biochemical indexes, coagulation potency and some cationic concentration in a control sample and the MB-treated plasma eluted from CAA column. The biochemistry indexes or K+, Na+ in plasma were almost unaltered before and after CAA adsorption. In contrast, the concentrations of CA2+ and Mg2+ increased and the blood ammonium decreased obviously. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was prolonged from 42 s to 53 s, and prothrombin time (PT) from 13 s to 14 s. The result indicates that CAA as an adsorbent for hemopurification retains the most important characters of human plasma. CAA can be useful for the elimination of MB in MB-treated plasma and does not bring on harmful alteration in clinical significance.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy: diagnosis and potential therapies.

PubMed

Weber, Stewart A; Patel, Ranish K; Lutsep, Helmi L

2018-06-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is characterized by the pathologic deposition of amyloid-beta within cortical and leptomeningeal arteries, arterioles, capillaries and, in rare cases, the venules of the brain. It is often associated with the development of lobar intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) but may cause other neurologic symptoms or be asymptomatic. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics, such as lobar microbleeds, support a diagnosis of CAA and assist with hemorrhage risk assessments. Immunosuppressants are used to treat rarer inflammatory forms of CAA. For the more common forms of CAA, the use of antihypertensive medications can prevent ICH recurrence while the use of antithrombotics may increase hemorrhage risk. Anti-amyloid approaches to treatment have not yet been investigated in phase 3 trials. Areas covered: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE on the topics of imaging, biomarkers, ICH prevention and treatment trials in CAA, focusing on its current diagnosis and management and opportunities for future therapeutic approaches. Expert commentary: There is likely a significant unrecognized burden of CAA in the elderly population. Continued research efforts to discover biomarkers that allow the early diagnosis of CAA will enhance the opportunity to develop treatment interventions.

Amyloid positron emission tomography in sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy: A systematic critical update.

PubMed

Farid, Karim; Charidimou, Andreas; Baron, Jean-Claude

2017-01-01

Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a very common small vessel disease of the brain, showing preferential and progressive amyloid-βdeposition in the wall of small arterioles and capillaries of the leptomeninges and cerebral cortex. CAA now encompasses not only a specific cerebrovascular pathological trait, but also different clinical syndromes - including spontaneous lobar intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), dementia and 'amyloid spells' - an expanding spectrum of brain parenchymal MRI lesions and a set of diagnostic criteria - the Boston criteria, which have resulted in increasingly detecting CAA during life. Although currently available validated diagnostic criteria perform well in multiple lobar ICH, a formal diagnosis is currently lacking unless a brain biopsy is performed. This is partly because in practice CAA MRI biomarkers provide only indirect evidence for the disease. An accurate diagnosis of CAA in different clinical settings would have substantial impact for ICH risk stratification and antithrombotic drug use in elderly people, but also for sample homogeneity in drug trials. It has recently been demonstrated that vascular (in addition to parenchymal) amyloid-βdeposition can be detected and quantified in vivo by positron emission tomography (PET) amyloid tracers. This non-invasive approach has the potential to provide a molecular signature of CAA, and could in turn have major clinical impact. However, several issues around amyloid-PET in CAA remain unsettled and hence its diagnostic utility is limited. In this article we systematically review and critically appraise the published literature on amyloid-PET (PiB and other tracers) in sporadic CAA. We focus on two key areas: (a) the diagnostic utility of amyloid-PET in CAA and (b) the use of amyloid-PET as a window to understand pathophysiological mechanism of the disease. Key issues around amyloid-PET imaging in CAA, including relevant technical aspects are also covered in depth. A total of six small-scale studies have addressed (or reported data useful to address) the diagnostic utility of late-phase amyloid PET imaging in CAA, and one additional study dealt with early PiB images as a proxy of brain perfusion. Across these studies, amyloid PET imaging has definite diagnostic utility (currently tested only in probable CAA): it helps rule out CAA if negative, whether compared to healthy controls or to hypertensive deep ICH controls. If positive, however, differentiation from underlying incipient Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be challenging and so far, no approach (regional values, ratios, visual assessment) seems sufficient and specific enough, although early PiB data seem to hold promise. Based on the available evidence reviewed, we suggest a tentative diagnostic flow algorithm for amyloid-PET use in the clinical setting of suspected CAA, combining early- and late-phase PiB-PET images. We also identified ten mechanistic amyloid-PET studies providing early but promising proof-of-concept data on CAA pathophysiology and its various manifestations including key MRI lesions, cognitive impairment and large scale brain alterations. Key open questions that should be addressed in future studies of amyloid-PET imaging in CAA are identified and highlighted.

Computational aero-acoustics for fan duct propagation and radiation. Current status and application to turbofan liner optimisation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Astley, R. J.; Sugimoto, R.; Mustafi, P.

2011-08-01

Novel techniques are presented to reduce noise from turbofan aircraft engines by optimising the acoustic treatment in engine ducts. The application of Computational Aero-Acoustics (CAA) to predict acoustic propagation and absorption in turbofan ducts is reviewed and a critical assessment of performance indicates that validated and accurate techniques are now available for realistic engine predictions. A procedure for integrating CAA methods with state of the art optimisation techniques is proposed in the remainder of the article. This is achieved by embedding advanced computational methods for noise prediction within automated and semi-automated optimisation schemes. Two different strategies are described and applied to realistic nacelle geometries and fan sources to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach for industry scale problems.

Clinical Characterization of Canine Acanthomatous Ameloblastoma (CAA) in 263 dogs and the Influence of Postsurgical Histopathological Margin on Local Recurrence.

PubMed

Goldschmidt, Stephanie L; Bell, Cindy M; Hetzel, Scott; Soukup, Jason

2017-12-01

Canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma (CAA) has been reported to be the most common odontogenic tumor in dogs. This retrospective study evaluated 263 dogs with histopathologically confirmed CAA. Within this data set, CAA presents most commonly in the rostral mandible in adult large breed dogs, with golden retriever dogs being overrepresented. Patients with appropriate follow-up after curative intent surgery were evaluated to assess the effect of histopathological margin on local tumor recurrence. No local recurrence was noted in any patient. This study raises questions about what the recommended surgical margin should be for treatment of CAA. It also serves as a stimulus for discussion as to whether further treatment for CAA is required when inadequate surgical margins are obtained, or if medical surveillance would be an appropriate management recommendation. Prospective studies are necessary to answer these questions.

Slow release of NO by microporous titanosilicate ETS-4.

PubMed

Pinto, Moisés L; Rocha, João; Gomes, José R B; Pires, João

2011-04-27

A novel approach to designing nitric oxide (NO) storage and releasing microporous agents based on very stable, zeolite-type silicates possessing framework unsaturated transition-metal centers has been proposed. This idea has been illustrated with ETS-4 [Na(9)Si(12)Ti(5)O(38)(OH)·xH(2)O], a titanosilicate that displays excellent NO adsorption capacity and a slow releasing kinetics. The performance of these materials has been compared to the performance of titanosilicate ETS-10, [(Na,K)(2)Si(5)TiO(13)·xH(2)O], of benchmark zeolites mordenite and CaA, and of natural and pillared clays. DFT periodic calculations have shown that the presence of water in the pores of ETS-4 promotes the NO adsorption at the unsaturated (pentacoordinated) Ti(4+) framework ions.

Cluster Active Archive: lessons learnt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laakso, H. E.; Perry, C. H.; Taylor, M. G.; Escoubet, C. P.; Masson, A.

2010-12-01

The ESA Cluster Active Archive (CAA) was opened to public in February 2006 after an initial three-year development phase. It provides access (both web GUI and command-line tool are available) to the calibrated full-resolution datasets of the four-satellite Cluster mission. The data archive is publicly accessible and suitable for science use and publication by the world-wide scientific community. There are more than 350 datasets from each spacecraft, including high-resolution magnetic and electric DC and AC fields as well as full 3-dimensional electron and ion distribution functions and moments from a few eV to hundreds of keV. The Cluster mission has been in operation since February 2001, and currently although the CAA can provide access to some recent observations, the ingestion of some other datasets can be delayed by a few years due to large and difficult calibration routines of aging detectors. The quality of the datasets is the central matter to the CAA. Having the same instrument on four spacecraft allows the cross-instrument comparisons and provide confidence on some of the instrumental calibration parameters. Furthermore it is highly important that many physical parameters are measured by more than one instrument which allow to perform extensive and continuous cross-calibration analyses. In addition some of the instruments can be regarded as absolute or reference measurements for other instruments. The CAA attempts to avoid as much as possible mission-specific acronyms and concepts and tends to use more generic terms in describing the datasets and their contents in order to ease the usage of the CAA data by “non-Cluster” scientists. Currently the CAA has more 1000 users and every month more than 150 different users log in the CAA for plotting and/or downloading observations. The users download about 1 TeraByte of data every month. The CAA has separated the graphical tool from the download tool because full-resolution datasets can be visualized in many ways and so there is no one-to-one correspondence between graphical products and full-resolution datasets. The CAA encourages users to contact the CAA team for all kind of issues whether it concerns the user interface, the content of the datasets, the quality of the observations or provision of new type of services. The CAA runs regular annual reviews on the data products and the user services in order to improve the quality and usability of the CAA system to the world-wide user community. The CAA is continuously being upgraded in terms of datasets and services.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy - The modified Boston criteria in clinical practice.

PubMed

Caetano, André; Ladeira, Filipa; Barbosa, Raquel; Calado, Sofia; Viana-Baptista, Miguel

2018-01-15

Early identification of patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is relevant considering the increased risk for cerebral hemorrhage. A new set of diagnostic criteria for CAA was recently proposed, which include the presence of superficial siderosis. We aimed to assess the impact of applying these criteria regarding use of antithrombotic therapy. Review of consecutive patients admitted to a Neurology Department from 2014 to 2016, with acute parenchymal or subarachnoid hemorrhage and/or atypical transient focal neurological episodes. Patients with a possible or probable CAA according to the original and modified Boston criteria were included. Information was collected regarding presentation, imaging findings and concomitant therapy. Among a total of 1436 admitted patients, 52 with acute hemorrhagic lesions or atypical TFNE were screened: 22 met criteria for CAA; 4 were deemed too young; 21 had other causes for hemorrhagic parenchymal lesions; and 5 had uncertain diagnosis. Using the modified Boston criteria, 8 patients fulfilled criteria for probable CAA and 14 for possible CAA. When we applied the original Boston criteria to the same patients, only 7 fulfilled criteria for probable CAA and 8 for possible CAA. Among the additional patients identified with the modified Boston criteria, 4 were using antithrombotic therapy. The use of the modified Boston criteria allowed for the identification of 7 additional patients, more than half of which were taking antithrombotic therapy. Systematic use of these criteria could have an important impact in clinical practice. Raising awareness on the different presentations of CAA among clinicians is of the utmost importance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sushi repeat-containing protein 1: a novel disease-associated molecule in cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

PubMed

Inoue, Yasuteru; Ueda, Mitsuharu; Tasaki, Masayoshi; Takeshima, Akari; Nagatoshi, Akihito; Masuda, Teruaki; Misumi, Yohei; Kosaka, Takayuki; Nomura, Toshiya; Mizukami, Mayumi; Matsumoto, Sayaka; Yamashita, Taro; Takahashi, Hitoshi; Kakita, Akiyoshi; Ando, Yukio

2017-10-01

Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is characterized by cerebrovascular amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits and causes cerebral hemorrhage and dementia. The exact molecules that co-accumulate with cerebrovascular Aβ deposits are still not fully known. In our study here, we performed proteomic analyses with microdissected leptomeningeal arteries and cerebral neocortical arterioles from 8 cases with severe CAA, 12 cases with mild CAA, and 10 control cases without CAA, and we determined the levels of highly expressed proteins in cerebral blood vessels in CAA. We focused on sushi repeat-containing protein 1 (SRPX1), which is specifically expressed in CAA-affected cerebral blood vessels. Because SRPX1, which is known as a tumor suppressor gene, reportedly induced apoptosis in tumor cells, we hypothesized that SRPX1 may play an important role in Aβ-induced apoptosis in CAA. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that SRPX1 co-accumulated with Aβ deposits in cerebral blood vessels of all autopsied cases with severe CAA. In contrast, no SRPX1 co-accumulated with Aβ deposits in senile plaques. Furthermore, we demonstrated that both Aβ40 and Aβ42 bound to SRPX1 in vitro and enhanced SRPX1 expression in primary cultures of cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells. SRPX1 enhanced caspase activity induced by Aβ40. Knockdown of SRPX1, in contrast, reduced the formation of Aβ40 accumulations and the activity of caspase in cultured cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells. SRPX1 may thus be a novel molecule that is up-regulated in cerebrovascular Aβ deposits and that may increase Aβ-induced cerebrovascular degeneration in CAA.

Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA)-Related Inflammation: Comparison of Inflammatory CAA and Amyloid-β-Related Angiitis.

PubMed

Chu, Shuguang; Xu, Feijia; Su, Ya; Chen, Hong; Cheng, Xin

2016-01-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) is a relatively rare syndrome of reversible encephalopathy and could be divided into two subtypes of inflammatory CAA (ICAA) and amyloid-β-related angiitis (ABRA) according to histopathology. We present a case of pathologically proved ABRA with partial seizures and headache, and a focal lesion in the right temporal lobes on magnetic resonance imaging. Summarized from previous 139 ABRA and ICAA cases, ABRA is preferred when the lesion is enhanced on MRI and requires combination drug therapy, while ICAA is highly suspected with ApoE genotype of ɛ4/ɛ4. More clinical markers for diagnosis of CAA-ri warrant further researches.

40 CFR 51.903 - How do the classification and attainment date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... attainment date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(a)? 51... date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(a)? (a) In accordance with section 181(a)(1) of the CAA, each area subject to § 51.902(a) shall be classified by...

40 CFR 51.903 - How do the classification and attainment date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... attainment date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(a)? 51... date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(a)? (a) In accordance with section 181(a)(1) of the CAA, each area subject to § 51.902(a) shall be classified by...

40 CFR 51.903 - How do the classification and attainment date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... attainment date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(a)? 51... date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(a)? (a) In accordance with section 181(a)(1) of the CAA, each area subject to § 51.902(a) shall be classified by...

40 CFR 51.903 - How do the classification and attainment date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... attainment date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(a)? 51... date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(a)? (a) In accordance with section 181(a)(1) of the CAA, each area subject to § 51.902(a) shall be classified by...

40 CFR 51.903 - How do the classification and attainment date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... attainment date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(a)? 51... date provisions in section 181 of subpart 2 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(a)? (a) In accordance with section 181(a)(1) of the CAA, each area subject to § 51.902(a) shall be classified by...

Longitudinal decrease in blood oxygenation level dependent response in cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

PubMed

Switzer, Aaron R; McCreary, Cheryl; Batool, Saima; Stafford, Randall B; Frayne, Richard; Goodyear, Bradley G; Smith, Eric E

2016-01-01

Lower blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal changes in response to a visual stimulus in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have been observed in cross-sectional studies of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and are presumed to reflect impaired vascular reactivity. We used fMRI to detect a longitudinal change in BOLD responses to a visual stimulus in CAA, and to determine any correlations between these changes and other established biomarkers of CAA progression. Data were acquired from 22 patients diagnosed with probable CAA (using the Boston Criteria) and 16 healthy controls at baseline and one year. BOLD data were generated from the 200 most active voxels of the primary visual cortex during the fMRI visual stimulus (passively viewing an alternating checkerboard pattern). In general, BOLD amplitudes were lower at one year compared to baseline in patients with CAA (p = 0.01) but were unchanged in controls (p = 0.18). The longitudinal difference in BOLD amplitudes was significantly lower in CAA compared to controls (p < 0.001). White matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes and number of cerebral microbleeds, both presumed to reflect CAA-mediated vascular injury, increased over time in CAA (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively). Longitudinal increases in WMH (rs = 0.04, p = 0.86) or cerebral microbleeds (rs = -0.18, p = 0.45) were not associated with the longitudinal decrease in BOLD amplitudes.

Imaging of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy with Bivalent 99mTc-Hydroxamamide Complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iikuni, Shimpei; Ono, Masahiro; Watanabe, Hiroyuki; Matsumura, Kenji; Yoshimura, Masashi; Kimura, Hiroyuki; Ishibashi-Ueda, Hatsue; Okamoto, Yoko; Ihara, Masafumi; Saji, Hideo

2016-05-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the deposition of amyloid aggregates in the walls of cerebral vasculature, is a major factor in intracerebral hemorrhage and vascular cognitive impairment and is also associated closely with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We previously reported 99mTc-hydroxamamide (99mTc-Ham) complexes with a bivalent amyloid ligand showing high binding affinity for β-amyloid peptide (Aβ(1-42)) aggregates present frequently in the form in AD. In this article, we applied them to CAA-specific imaging probes, and evaluated their utility for CAA-specific imaging. In vitro inhibition assay using Aβ(1-40) aggregates deposited mainly in CAA and a brain uptake study were performed for 99mTc-Ham complexes, and all 99mTc-Ham complexes with an amyloid ligand showed binding affinity for Aβ(1-40) aggregates and very low brain uptake. In vitro autoradiography of human CAA brain sections and ex vivo autoradiography of Tg2576 mice were carried out for bivalent 99mTc-Ham complexes ([99mTc]SB2A and [99mTc]BT2B), and they displayed excellent labeling of Aβ depositions in human CAA brain sections and high affinity and selectivity to CAA in transgenic mice. These results may offer new possibilities for the development of clinically useful CAA-specific imaging probes based on the 99mTc-Ham complex.

Imaging of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy with Bivalent (99m)Tc-Hydroxamamide Complexes.

PubMed

Iikuni, Shimpei; Ono, Masahiro; Watanabe, Hiroyuki; Matsumura, Kenji; Yoshimura, Masashi; Kimura, Hiroyuki; Ishibashi-Ueda, Hatsue; Okamoto, Yoko; Ihara, Masafumi; Saji, Hideo

2016-05-16

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the deposition of amyloid aggregates in the walls of cerebral vasculature, is a major factor in intracerebral hemorrhage and vascular cognitive impairment and is also associated closely with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously reported (99m)Tc-hydroxamamide ((99m)Tc-Ham) complexes with a bivalent amyloid ligand showing high binding affinity for β-amyloid peptide (Aβ(1-42)) aggregates present frequently in the form in AD. In this article, we applied them to CAA-specific imaging probes, and evaluated their utility for CAA-specific imaging. In vitro inhibition assay using Aβ(1-40) aggregates deposited mainly in CAA and a brain uptake study were performed for (99m)Tc-Ham complexes, and all (99m)Tc-Ham complexes with an amyloid ligand showed binding affinity for Aβ(1-40) aggregates and very low brain uptake. In vitro autoradiography of human CAA brain sections and ex vivo autoradiography of Tg2576 mice were carried out for bivalent (99m)Tc-Ham complexes ([(99m)Tc]SB2A and [(99m)Tc]BT2B), and they displayed excellent labeling of Aβ depositions in human CAA brain sections and high affinity and selectivity to CAA in transgenic mice. These results may offer new possibilities for the development of clinically useful CAA-specific imaging probes based on the (99m)Tc-Ham complex.

Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Closer Look at Hypertension and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.

PubMed

Roh, David; Sun, Chung-Huan; Schmidt, J Michael; Gurol, Edip; Murthy, Santosh; Park, Soojin; Agarwal, Sachin; Connolly, E Sander; Claassen, Jan

2018-03-19

Primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) studies often use hematoma location rather than ICH etiologies when assessing outcome. Characterizing ICH using hematoma location is effective/reproducible, but may miss heterogeneity among these ICH locations, particularly lobar ICH where competing primary ICH etiologies are possible. We subsequently investigated baseline characteristics/outcome differences of spontaneous, primary ICH by their etiologies: cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and hypertension. Primary ICH clinical/outcomes data were prospectively collected between 2009 and 2015. Modified Boston criteria were used to identify "probable/definite" and "possible" CAA-ICH, which were evaluated separately. SMASH-U criteria were used to identify hypertension ICH. Medication and systemic disease coagulopathy ICH were excluded. Baseline characteristics/outcomes among "probable/definite" CAA-ICH, "possible" CAA-ICH, and hypertension ICH were compared using logistic regression. Mortality models using ICH etiologies compared to hematoma location as predictor variables were assessed. Two hundred and four hypertension ICHs, 55 "probable/definite" CAA-ICHs, and 46 "possible" CAA-ICHs were identified. Despite older age and larger ICH volumes, lower hospital mortality was seen in "probable/definite" CAA-ICH versus hypertension ICH (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.05-0.8; p = 0.02) after adjusting for female gender, components of ICH score, and EVD placement. There were no mortality differences between "possible" CAA-ICH and hypertension ICH. However, lower hospital mortality was seen in "probable/definite" versus "possible" CAA-ICH (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.04-0.7; p = 0.02). When using ICH etiology rather than hematoma location, hospital mortality models significantly improved (χ 2 : [df = 2, N = 305] = 6.2; p = 0.01). Further investigation is required to confirm the mortality heterogeneity seen within our primary ICH cohort. Hematoma location may play a role for these findings, but the mortality differences seen among lobar ICH using CAA-ICH subtypes and a failure to identify mortality differences between "possible" CAA-ICH and hypertension ICH suggest the limitations of accounting for hematoma location alone.

Amyloid-PET burden and regional distribution in cerebral amyloid angiopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of biomarker performance.

PubMed

Charidimou, Andreas; Farid, Karim; Tsai, Hsin-Hsi; Tsai, Li-Kai; Yen, Rouh-Fang; Baron, Jean-Claude

2018-04-01

We performed a meta-analysis to synthesise current evidence on amyloid-positron emission tomography (PET) burden and presumed preferential occipital distribution in sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). In a PubMed systematic search, we identified case-control studies with extractable data on global and occipital-to-global amyloid-PET uptake in symptomatic patients with CAA (per Boston criteria) versus control groups (healthy participants or patients with non-CAA deep intracerebral haemorrhage) and patients with Alzheimer's disease. To circumvent PET studies' methodological variation, we generated and used 'fold change', that is, ratio of mean amyloid uptake (global and occipital-to-global) of CAA relative to comparison groups. Amyloid-PET uptake biomarker performance was then quantified by random-effects meta-analysis on the ratios of the means. A ratio >1 indicates that amyloid-PET uptake (global or occipital/global) is higher in CAA than comparison groups, and a ratio <1 indicates the reverse. Seven studies, including 106 patients with CAA (>90% with probable CAA) and 138 controls (96 healthy elderly, 42 deep intracerebral haemorrhage controls) and 72 patients with Alzheimer's disease, were included. Global amyloid-PET ratio between patients with CAA and controls was above 1, with an average effect size of 1.18 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.28; p<0.0001). Occipital-to-global amyloid-PET uptake ratio did not differ between patients with CAA versus patients with deep intracerebral haemorrhage or healthy controls. By contrast, occipital-to-global amyloid-PET uptake ratio was above 1 in patients with CAA versus those with Alzheimer's disease, with an average ratio of 1.10 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.19; p=0.009) and high statistical heterogeneity. Our analysis provides exploratory actionable data on the overall effect sizes and strength of amyloid-PET burden and distribution in patients with CAA, useful for future larger studies. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Core cerebrospinal fluid biomarker profile in cerebral amyloid angiopathy: A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Charidimou, Andreas; Friedrich, Jan O; Greenberg, Steven M; Viswanathan, Anand

2018-02-27

To perform a meta-analysis of 4 core CSF biomarkers (β-amyloid [Aβ]42, Aβ40, total tau [t-tau], and phosphorylated tau [p-tau]) to assess which of these are most altered in sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). We systematically searched PubMed for eligible studies reporting data on CSF biomarkers reflecting amyloid precursor protein metabolism (Aβ42, Aβ40), neurodegeneration (t-tau), and tangle pathology (p-tau) in symptomatic sporadic CAA cohorts vs controls and patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). Biomarker performance was assessed in random-effects meta-analysis based on ratio of mean (RoM) biomarker concentrations: (1) in patients with CAA vs healthy controls and (2) in patients with CAA vs patients with AD. RoM >1 indicates higher biomarker concentration in patients with CAA vs comparison population and RoM <1 indicates higher concentration in comparison groups. Three studies met inclusion criteria. These comprised 5 CAA patient cohorts (n = 59 patients) vs healthy controls (n = 94 cases) and AD cohorts (n = 158). Three core biomarkers differentiated CAA from controls: CSF Aβ42 (RoM 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.64, p < 0.003), Aβ40 (RoM 0.70, 95% CI 0.63-0.78, p < 0.0001), and t-tau (RoM 1.54, 95% CI 1.15-2.07, p = 0.004); p-tau was marginal (RoM 1.24, 95% CI 0.99-1.54, p = 0.062). Differentiation between CAA and AD was strong for CSF Aβ40 (RoM 0.76, 95% CI 0.69-0.83, p < 0.0001), but not Aβ42 (RoM 1.00; 95% CI 0.81-1.23, p = 0.970). For t-tau and p-tau, average CSF ratios in patients with CAA vs patients with AD were 0.63 (95% CI 0.54-0.74, p < 0.0001) and 0.60 (95% CI 0.50-0.71, p < 0.0001), respectively. Specific CSF patterns of Aβ42, Aβ40, t-tau, and p-tau might serve as molecular biomarkers of CAA, but analyses in larger CAA cohorts are needed. © 2018 American Academy of Neurology.

Validation of tsunami inundation model TUNA-RP using OAR-PMEL-135 benchmark problem set

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koh, H. L.; Teh, S. Y.; Tan, W. K.; Kh'ng, X. Y.

2017-05-01

A standard set of benchmark problems, known as OAR-PMEL-135, is developed by the US National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program for tsunami inundation model validation. Any tsunami inundation model must be tested for its accuracy and capability using this standard set of benchmark problems before it can be gainfully used for inundation simulation. The authors have previously developed an in-house tsunami inundation model known as TUNA-RP. This inundation model solves the two-dimensional nonlinear shallow water equations coupled with a wet-dry moving boundary algorithm. This paper presents the validation of TUNA-RP against the solutions provided in the OAR-PMEL-135 benchmark problem set. This benchmark validation testing shows that TUNA-RP can indeed perform inundation simulation with accuracy consistent with that in the tested benchmark problem set.

Brain hemorrhage recurrence, small vessel disease type, and cerebral microbleeds

PubMed Central

Charidimou, Andreas; Imaizumi, Toshio; Moulin, Solene; Biffi, Alexandro; Samarasekera, Neshika; Yakushiji, Yusuke; Peeters, Andre; Vandermeeren, Yves; Laloux, Patrice; Baron, Jean-Claude; Hernandez-Guillamon, Mar; Montaner, Joan; Casolla, Barbara; Gregoire, Simone M.; Kang, Dong-Wha; Kim, Jong S.; Naka, H.; Smith, Eric E.; Viswanathan, Anand; Jäger, Hans R.; Al-Shahi Salman, Rustam; Greenberg, Steven M.; Cordonnier, Charlotte

2017-01-01

Objective: We evaluated recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) risk in ICH survivors, stratified by the presence, distribution, and number of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) on MRI (i.e., the presumed causal underlying small vessel disease and its severity). Methods: This was a meta-analysis of prospective cohorts following ICH, with blood-sensitive brain MRI soon after ICH. We estimated annualized recurrent symptomatic ICH rates for each study and compared pooled odds ratios (ORs) of recurrent ICH by CMB presence/absence and presumed etiology based on CMB distribution (strictly lobar CMBs related to probable or possible cerebral amyloid angiopathy [CAA] vs non-CAA) and burden (1, 2–4, 5–10, and >10 CMBs), using random effects models. Results: We pooled data from 10 studies including 1,306 patients: 325 with CAA-related and 981 CAA-unrelated ICH. The annual recurrent ICH risk was higher in CAA-related ICH vs CAA-unrelated ICH (7.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2–12.6 vs 1.1%, 95% CI 0.5–1.7 per year, respectively; p = 0.01). In CAA-related ICH, multiple baseline CMBs (versus none) were associated with ICH recurrence during follow-up (range 1–3 years): OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.4–6.8; p = 0.006), 4.3 (95% CI 1.8–10.3; p = 0.001), and 3.4 (95% CI 1.4–8.3; p = 0.007) for 2–4, 5–10, and >10 CMBs, respectively. In CAA-unrelated ICH, only >10 CMBs (versus none) were associated with recurrent ICH (OR 5.6, 95% CI 2.1–15; p = 0.001). The presence of 1 CMB (versus none) was not associated with recurrent ICH in CAA-related or CAA-unrelated cohorts. Conclusions: CMB burden and distribution on MRI identify subgroups of ICH survivors with higher ICH recurrence risk, which may help to predict ICH prognosis with relevance for clinical practice and treatment trials. PMID:28747441

A Pre-Steady State Kinetic Analysis of the αY60W mutant of trans-3-Chloroacrylic Acid Dehalogenase: Implications for the Mechanism of the Wild-type Enzyme†

PubMed Central

Huddleston, Jamison P.; Schroeder, Gottfried K.; Johnson, Kenneth A.; Whitman, Christian P.

2012-01-01

The bacterial degradation of the nematicide 1,3-dichloropropene, an isomeric mixture, requires the action of trans- and cis-3-chloracrylic acid dehalogenase (CaaD and cis-CaaD, respectively). Both enzymes are tautomerase superfamily members and share a core catalytic mechanism for the hydrolytic dehalogenation of the respective isomer of 3-haloacrylate. The observation that cis-CaaD requires two additional residues raises the question of how CaaD carries out a comparable reaction with fewer catalytic residues. As part of an effort to determine the basis for the apparently simpler CaaD-catalyzed reaction, the kinetic mechanism was determined by stopped-flow and chemical quench techniques using a fluorescent mutant form of the enzyme, αY60W-CaaD, and trans-3-bromoacrylate as the substrate. The data from these experiments as well as bromide inhibition studies are best accommodated by a six-step model that provides individual rate constants for substrate binding, chemistry, and a proposed conformational change occurring after chemistry followed by release of malonate semialdehyde and bromide. The conformational change and product release rates are comparable and together they limit the rate of turnover. The kinetic analysis and modeling studies validate the αY60W-CaaD mutant as an accurate reporter of active site events during the course of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The kinetic mechanism for the αY60W-CaaD-catalyzed reaction is comparable to that obtained for the cis-CaaD-catalyzed reaction. The kinetic model and the validated αY60W-CaaD mutant set the stage for an analysis of active site mutants to explore the contributions of individual catalytic residues and the basis for the simplicity of the reaction. PMID:23110338

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy in Down syndrome and sporadic and autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Carmona-Iragui, María; Balasa, Mircea; Benejam, Bessy; Alcolea, Daniel; Fernández, Susana; Videla, Laura; Sala, Isabel; Sánchez-Saudinós, María Belén; Morenas-Rodriguez, Estrella; Ribosa-Nogué, Roser; Illán-Gala, Ignacio; Gonzalez-Ortiz, Sofía; Clarimón, Jordi; Schmitt, Frederick; Powell, David K; Bosch, Beatriz; Lladó, Albert; Rafii, Michael S; Head, Elizabeth; Molinuevo, José Luis; Blesa, Rafael; Videla, Sebastián; Lleó, Alberto; Sánchez-Valle, Raquel; Fortea, Juan

2017-11-01

We aimed to investigate if cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is more frequent in genetically determined than in sporadic early-onset forms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) (early-onset AD [EOAD]). Neuroimaging features of CAA, apolipoprotein (APOE), and cerebrospinal fluid amyloid β (Aβ) 40 levels were studied in subjects with Down syndrome (DS, n = 117), autosomal-dominant AD (ADAD, n = 29), sporadic EOAD (n = 42), and healthy controls (n = 68). CAA was present in 31%, 38%, and 12% of cognitively impaired DS, symptomatic ADAD, and sporadic EOAD subjects and in 13% and 4% of cognitively unimpaired DS individuals and healthy controls, respectively. APOE ε4 genotype was borderline significantly associated with CAA in sporadic EOAD (P = .06) but not with DS or ADAD. There were no differences in Aβ040 levels between groups or between subjects with and without CAA. CAA is more frequently found in genetically determined AD than in sporadic EOAD. Cerebrospinal fluid Aβ40 levels are not a useful biomarker for CAA in AD. Copyright © 2017 the Alzheimer's Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Caffeic acid ameliorates colitis in association with increased Akkermansia population in the gut microbiota of mice

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhan; Wu, Xinyue; Cao, Shuyuan; Wang, Li; Wang, Di; Yang, Hui; Feng, Yiming; Wang, Shoulin; Li, Lei

2016-01-01

Emerging evidence shows that dietary agents and phytochemicals contribute to the prevention and treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We first reported the effects of dietary caffeic acid (CaA) on murine experimental colitis and on fecal microbiota. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by administration of 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Mice were fed a control diet or diet with CaA (1 mM). Our results showed that dietary CaA exerted anti-inflammatory effects in DSS colitis mice. Moreover, CaA could significantly suppress the secretion of IL-6, TNFα, and IFNγ and the colonic infiltration of CD3+ T cells, CD177+ neutrophils and F4/80+ macrophages via inhibition of the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. Analysis of fecal microbiota showed that CaA could restore the reduction of richness and inhibit the increase of the ratio of Firmicute to Bacteroidetes in DSS colitis mice. And CaA could dramatically increase the proportion of the mucin-degrading bacterium Akkermansia in DSS colitis mice. Thus, CaA could ameliorate colonic pathology and inflammation in DSS colitis mice, and it might be associated with a proportional increase in Akkermansia. PMID:27177331

Human Factors Assessment of the UH-60M Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) Crew Station During the Limited User Evaluation (LEUE)

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-12-01

weapon system evaluation as a high-level architecture and distributed interactive simulation 6 compliant, human-in-the-loop, virtual environment...Directorate to participate in the Limited Early User Evaluation (LEUE) of the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit. ARL conducted a human...CAAS, the UH-60M PO conducted a limited early user evaluation (LEUE) to evaluate the integration of the CAAS in the UH-60M crew station. The

MARC calculations for the second WIPP structural benchmark problem

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

Morgan, H.S.

1981-05-01

This report describes calculations made with the MARC structural finite element code for the second WIPP structural benchmark problem. Specific aspects of problem implementation such as element choice, slip line modeling, creep law implementation, and thermal-mechanical coupling are discussed in detail. Also included are the computational results specified in the benchmark problem formulation.

Systems proteomic analysis reveals that clusterin and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 increase in leptomeningeal arteries affected by cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

PubMed

Manousopoulou, A; Gatherer, M; Smith, C; Nicoll, J A R; Woelk, C H; Johnson, M; Kalaria, R; Attems, J; Garbis, S D; Carare, R O

2017-10-01

Amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation in the walls of leptomeningeal arteries as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a major feature of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we used global quantitative proteomic analysis to examine the hypothesis that the leptomeningeal arteries derived from patients with CAA have a distinct endophenotypic profile compared to those from young and elderly controls. Freshly dissected leptomeningeal arteries from the Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource and Edinburgh Sudden Death Brain Bank from seven elderly (82.9 ± 7.5 years) females with severe capillary and arterial CAA, as well as seven elderly (88.3 ± 8.6 years) and five young (45.4 ± 3.9 years) females without CAA were used in this study. Arteries from four patients with CAA, two young and two elderly controls were individually analysed using quantitative proteomics. Key proteomic findings were then validated using immunohistochemistry. Bioinformatics interpretation of the results showed a significant enrichment of the immune response/classical complement and extracellular matrix remodelling pathways (P < 0.05) in arteries affected by CAA vs. those from young and elderly controls. Clusterin (apolipoprotein J) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP3), validated using immunohistochemistry, were shown to co-localize with Aβ and to be up-regulated in leptomeningeal arteries from CAA patients compared to young and elderly controls. Global proteomic profiling of brain leptomeningeal arteries revealed that clusterin and TIMP3 increase in leptomeningeal arteries affected by CAA. We propose that clusterin and TIMP3 could facilitate perivascular clearance and may serve as novel candidate therapeutic targets for CAA. © 2016 The Authors. Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Neuropathological Society.

Erratum: Development, appraisal, validation and implementation of a consensus protocol for the assessment of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in post-mortem brain tissue.

PubMed

Love, Seth; Chalmers, Katy; Ince, Paul; Esiri, Margaret; Attems, Johannes; Kalaria, Raj; Jellinger, Kurt; Yamada, Masahito; McCarron, Mark; Minett, Thais; Matthews, Fiona; Greenberg, Steven; Mann, David; Kehoe, Patrick Gavin

2015-01-01

In a collaboration involving 11 groups with research interests in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), we used a two-stage process to develop and in turn validate a new consensus protocol and scoring scheme for the assessment of CAA and associated vasculopathic abnormalities in post-mortem brain tissue. Stage one used an iterative Delphi-style survey to develop the consensus protocol. The resultant scoring scheme was tested on a series of digital images and paraffin sections that were circulated blind to a number of scorers. The scoring scheme and choice of staining methods were refined by open-forum discussion. The agreed protocol scored parenchymal and meningeal CAA on a 0-3 scale, capillary CAA as present/absent and vasculopathy on 0-2 scale, in the 4 cortical lobes that were scored separately. A further assessment involving three centres was then undertaken. Neuropathologists in three centres (Bristol, Oxford and Sheffield) independently scored sections from 75 cases (25 from each centre) and high inter-rater reliability was demonstrated. Stage two used the results of the three-centre assessment to validate the protocol by investigating previously described associations between APOE genotype (previously determined), and both CAA and vasculopathy. Association of capillary CAA with or without arteriolar CAA with APOE ε4 was confirmed. However APOE ε2 was also found to be a strong risk factor for the development of CAA, not only in AD but also in elderly non-demented controls. Further validation of this protocol and scoring scheme is encouraged, to aid its wider adoption to facilitate collaborative and replication studies of CAA.[This corrects the article on p. 19 in vol. 3, PMID: 24754000.].

Development, appraisal, validation and implementation of a consensus protocol for the assessment of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in post-mortem brain tissue

PubMed Central

Love, Seth; Chalmers, Katy; Ince, Paul; Esiri, Margaret; Attems, Johannes; Kalaria, Raj; Jellinger, Kurt; Yamada, Masahito; McCarron, Mark; Minett, Thais; Matthews, Fiona; Greenberg, Steven; Mann, David; Kehoe, Patrick Gavin

2015-01-01

In a collaboration involving 11 groups with research interests in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), we used a two-stage process to develop and in turn validate a new consensus protocol and scoring scheme for the assessment of CAA and associated vasculopathic abnormalities in post-mortem brain tissue. Stage one used an iterative Delphi-style survey to develop the consensus protocol. The resultant scoring scheme was tested on a series of digital images and paraffin sections that were circulated blind to a number of scorers. The scoring scheme and choice of staining methods were refined by open-forum discussion. The agreed protocol scored parenchymal and meningeal CAA on a 0-3 scale, capillary CAA as present/absent and vasculopathy on 0-2 scale, in the 4 cortical lobes that were scored separately. A further assessment involving three centres was then undertaken. Neuropathologists in three centres (Bristol, Oxford and Sheffield) independently scored sections from 75 cases (25 from each centre) and high inter-rater reliability was demonstrated. Stage two used the results of the three-centre assessment to validate the protocol by investigating previously described associations between APOE genotype (previously determined), and both CAA and vasculopathy. Association of capillary CAA with or without arteriolar CAA with APOE ε4 was confirmed. However APOE ε2 was also found to be a strong risk factor for the development of CAA, not only in AD but also in elderly non-demented controls. Further validation of this protocol and scoring scheme is encouraged, to aid its wider adoption to facilitate collaborative and replication studies of CAA. PMID:26807344

Development, appraisal, validation and implementation of a consensus protocol for the assessment of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in post-mortem brain tissue

PubMed Central

Love, Seth; Chalmers, Katy; Ince, Paul; Esiri, Margaret; Attems, Johannes; Jellinger, Kurt; Yamada, Masahito; McCarron, Mark; Minett, Thais; Matthews, Fiona; Greenberg, Steven; Mann, David; Kehoe, Patrick Gavin

2014-01-01

In a collaboration involving 11 groups with research interests in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), we used a two-stage process to develop and in turn validate a new consensus protocol and scoring scheme for the assessment of CAA and associated vasculopathic abnormalities in post-mortem brain tissue. Stage one used an iterative Delphi-style survey to develop the consensus protocol. The resultant scoring scheme was tested on a series of digital images and paraffin sections that were circulated blind to a number of scorers. The scoring scheme and choice of staining methods were refined by open-forum discussion. The agreed protocol scored parenchymal and meningeal CAA on a 0-3 scale, capillary CAA as present/absent and vasculopathy on 0-2 scale, in the 4 cortical lobes that were scored separately. A further assessment involving three centres was then undertaken. Neuropathologists in three centres (Bristol, Oxford and Sheffield) independently scored sections from 75 cases (25 from each centre) and high inter-rater reliability was demonstrated. Stage two used the results of the three-centre assessment to validate the protocol by investigating previously described associations between APOE genotype (previously determined), and both CAA and vasculopathy. Association of capillary CAA with or without arteriolar CAA with APOE ε4 was confirmed. However APOE ε2 was also found to be a strong risk factor for the development of CAA, not only in AD but also in elderly non-demented controls. Further validation of this protocol and scoring scheme is encouraged, to aid its wider adoption to facilitate collaborative and replication studies of CAA. PMID:24754000

MetaCAA: A clustering-aided methodology for efficient assembly of metagenomic datasets.

PubMed

Reddy, Rachamalla Maheedhar; Mohammed, Monzoorul Haque; Mande, Sharmila S

2014-01-01

A key challenge in analyzing metagenomics data pertains to assembly of sequenced DNA fragments (i.e. reads) originating from various microbes in a given environmental sample. Several existing methodologies can assemble reads originating from a single genome. However, these methodologies cannot be applied for efficient assembly of metagenomic sequence datasets. In this study, we present MetaCAA - a clustering-aided methodology which helps in improving the quality of metagenomic sequence assembly. MetaCAA initially groups sequences constituting a given metagenome into smaller clusters. Subsequently, sequences in each cluster are independently assembled using CAP3, an existing single genome assembly program. Contigs formed in each of the clusters along with the unassembled reads are then subjected to another round of assembly for generating the final set of contigs. Validation using simulated and real-world metagenomic datasets indicates that MetaCAA aids in improving the overall quality of assembly. A software implementation of MetaCAA is available at https://metagenomics.atc.tcs.com/MetaCAA. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Kawasaki Disease and Factors Associated with Coronary Artery Abnormalities in East China: Nine Years Experience

PubMed Central

Tang, Yunjia; Gao, Xiang; Shen, Jie; Sun, Ling

2016-01-01

Background: Because of the different genetic backgrounds, living environments and economic conditions, the epidemiologic, clinical characteristics and risk factors for coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) in the Chinese population may differ among different parts of China. Methods: We did a retrospective study to explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors for CAAs in east China between 2006 and 2014. Results: There were 1016 patients during the study period. Of the 1004 patients who completed echocardiographic studies, 23.9% had CAAs. Sex, serum albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) started after the 10th day of illness and IVIG non-responders were independent risk factors associated with CAA. Conclusions: East China has a lower incidence of CAAs compared with southwest and northeast China, while similar to north China. Male gender, serum albumin, ESR, MP infection, IVIG started after the 10th day of illness and IVIG non-responders were predictive of CAA. PMID:26884440

Diagnostic utility of amyloid PET in cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage

PubMed Central

Baron, Jean-Claude; Farid, Karim; Dolan, Eamon; Turc, Guillaume; Marrapu, Siva T; O'Brien, Eoin; Aigbirhio, Franklin I; Fryer, Tim D; Menon, David K; Warburton, Elizabeth A; Hong, Young T

2014-01-01

By detecting β-amyloid (Aβ) in the wall of cortical arterioles, amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging might help diagnose cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in patients with lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (l-ICH). No previous study has directly assessed the diagnostic value of 11C-Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET in probable CAA-related l-ICH against healthy controls (HCs). 11C-PiB-PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including T2* were obtained in 11 nondemented patients fulfilling the Boston criteria for probable CAA-related symptomatic l-ICH (sl-ICH) and 20 HCs without cognitive complaints or impairment. After optimal spatial normalization, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)-corrected PiB distribution volume ratios (DVRs) were obtained. There was no significant difference in whole cortex or regional DVRs between CAA patients and age-matched HCs. The whole cortex DVR was above the 95% confidence limit in 4/9 HCs and 10/11 CAA patients (sensitivity=91%, specificity=55%). Region/frontal or occipital ratios did not have better discriminative value. Similar but less accurate results were found using visual analysis. In patients with sl-ICH, 11C-PiB-PET has low specificity for CAA due to the frequent occurrence of high 11C-PiB uptake in the healthy elderly reflecting incipient Alzheimer's disease (AD), which might also be present in suspected CAA. However, a negative PiB scan rules out CAA with excellent sensitivity, which has clinical implications for prognostication and selection of candidates for drug trials. PMID:24619277

Coronary artery aneurysms in acute coronary syndrome: case series, review, and proposed management strategy.

PubMed

Boyer, Nathan; Gupta, Rajesh; Schevchuck, Alex; Hindnavis, Vindhya; Maliske, Seth; Sheldon, Mark; Drachman, Douglas; Yeghiazarians, Yerem

2014-06-01

Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is an uncommon clinical finding, with an incidence varying from 1.5%-4.9% in adults, and is usually considered a variant of coronary artery disease (CAD). CAA identified in the context of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) represents a unique management challenge, particularly if the morphology of the CAA is suspected to have provoked the acute clinical syndrome. CAA is associated with thrombus formation due to abnormal laminar flow, as well as abnormal platelet and endothelial-derived pathophysiologic factors within the CAA. Once formed, mural thrombus may potentiate the deposition of additional thrombus within aneurysmal segments. Percutaneous revascularization of CAA has been associated with complications including distal embolization of thrombus, no-reflow phenomenon, stent malapposition, dissection, and rupture. Presently, there are no formal guidelines to direct the management of CAA in patients presenting with ACS; controversies exist whether conservative, surgical, or catheter-based management should be pursued. In this manuscript, we present an extensive review of the existing literature and associated clinical guidelines, and propose a management algorithm for patients with this complex clinical scenario. Armed with this perspective, therapeutic decisions may be tailored to synthesize patient factors and preferences, individualized clinical assessment, and existing American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines for management of ACS.

Correlation of Serum and Dried Blood Spot Results for Quantitation of Schistosoma Circulating Anodic Antigen: a Proof of Principle

PubMed Central

Downs, Jennifer A.; Corstjens, Paul L.A.M.; Mngara, Julius; Lutonja, Peter; Isingo, Raphael; Urassa, Mark; Kornelis, Dieuwke; van Dam, Govert J.

2015-01-01

Circulating Anodic Antigen (CAA) testing is a powerful, increasingly-used tool for diagnosis of active schistosome infection. We sought to determine the feasibility and reliability of measuring CAA in blood spots collected on Whatman 903 Protein Saver cards, which are the predominant filter papers used worldwide for dried blood spot (DBS) research and clinical care. CAA was eluted from blood spots collected from 19 individuals onto Whatman 903 cards in Mwanza, Tanzania, and the assay was optimized to achieve CAA ratios comparable to those obtained from the spots’ corresponding serum samples. The optimized assay was then used to determine the correlation of serum samples (n=16) with DBS from cards that had been stored for 8 years at ambient temperature.Using a DBS volume equivalent to approximately four times the quantity of serum, CAA testing in DBS had a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 79% compared to CAA testing in serum. CAA testing was reliable in samples eluted from Whatman 903 cards that had been stored for 8 years at ambient temperature. The overall kappa coefficient was 0.53 (standard error 0.17, p<0.001). We conclude that CAA can be reliably and accurately measured in DBS collected onto the filter paper that is most commonly used for clinical care and research, and that can be stored for prolonged periods of time. This finding opens new avenues for future work among more than 700 million individuals living in areas worldwide in which schistosomes are endemic. PMID:26149541

MRI markers of small vessel disease in lobar and deep hemispheric intracerebral hemorrhage

PubMed Central

Smith, Eric E.; Nandigam, Kaveer R.N.; Chen, Yu-Wei; Jeng, Jed; Salat, David; Halpin, Amy; Frosch, Matthew; Wendell, Lauren; Fazen, Louis; Rosand, Jonathan; Viswanathan, Anand; Greenberg, Steven M.

2014-01-01

Background MRI evidence of small vessel disease is common in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We hypothesized that ICH caused by cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) or hypertensive vasculopathy would have different distributions of MRI T2 white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and microbleeds (MB). Methods Data were analyzed from 133 consecutive patients with primary supratentorial ICH and adequate MRI sequences. CAA was diagnosed using the Boston criteria. WMH segmentation was performed using a validated semi-automated method. WMH and MB were compared according to site of symptomatic hematoma origin (lobar vs. deep) or by pattern of hemorrhages, including both hematomas and MB, on MRI GRE sequence (grouped as lobar only--probable CAA, lobar only--possible CAA, deep hemispheric only, or mixed lobar and deep hemorrhages). Results Lobar and deep hemispheric hematoma patients had similar median nWMH volumes (19.5 cm vs. 19.9 cm3, p=0.74) and prevalence of ≥1 MB (54% vs. 52%, p=0.99). The supratentorial WMH distribution was similar according to hemorrhage location category, however the prevalence of brainstem T2 hyperintensity was lower in lobar hematoma vs. deep hematoma (54% vs. 70%, p=0.004). Mixed ICH was common (23%). Mixed ICH patients had large nWMH volumes and a posterior distribution of cortical hemorrhages similar to that seen in CAA. Conclusions WMH distribution is largely similar between CAA-related and non-CAA-related ICH. Mixed lobar and deep hemorrhages are seen on MRI GRE in up to one quarter of patients; in these patients both hypertension and CAA may be contributing to the burden of WMH. PMID:20689084

MRI markers of small vessel disease in lobar and deep hemispheric intracerebral hemorrhage.

PubMed

Smith, Eric E; Nandigam, Kaveer R N; Chen, Yu-Wei; Jeng, Jed; Salat, David; Halpin, Amy; Frosch, Matthew; Wendell, Lauren; Fazen, Louis; Rosand, Jonathan; Viswanathan, Anand; Greenberg, Steven M

2010-09-01

MRI evidence of small vessel disease is common in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We hypothesized that ICH caused by cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) or hypertensive vasculopathy would have different distributions of MRI T2 white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and microbleeds. Data were analyzed from 133 consecutive patients with primary supratentorial ICH and adequate MRI sequences. CAA was diagnosed using the Boston criteria. WMH segmentation was performed using a validated semiautomated method. WMH and microbleeds were compared according to site of symptomatic hematoma origin (lobar versus deep) or by pattern of hemorrhages, including both hematomas and microbleeds, on MRI gradient recalled echo sequence (grouped as lobar only-probable CAA, lobar only-possible CAA, deep hemispheric only, or mixed lobar and deep hemorrhages). Patients with lobar and deep hemispheric hematoma had similar median normalized WMH volumes (19.5 cm versus 19.9 cm(3), P=0.74) and prevalence of >or=1 microbleed (54% versus 52%, P=0.99). The supratentorial WMH distribution was similar according to hemorrhage location category; however, the prevalence of brain stem T2 hyperintensity was lower in lobar hematoma versus deep hematoma (54% versus 70%, P=0.004). Mixed ICH was common (23%). Patients with mixed ICH had large normalized WMH volumes and a posterior distribution of cortical hemorrhages similar to that seen in CAA. WMH distribution is largely similar between CAA-related and non-CAA-related ICH. Mixed lobar and deep hemorrhages are seen on MRI gradient recalled echo sequence in up to one fourth of patients; in these patients, both hypertension and CAA may be contributing to the burden of WMH.

Hydrocortisone selectively inhibits IgE-dependent arachidonic acid release from rat peritoneal mast cells

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

Heiman, A.S.; Crews, F.T.

Purified rat mst cells were used to study the effects of antiinflammatory steroids on the release of (1-14C)-arachidonic acid ((1-14C)AA) and metabolites. Mast cell were incubated overnight with glucocorticoids, (1-14C)AA incorporated into cellular phospholipids and the release of (1-14C)AA, and metabolites determined using a variety of secretagogues. Release of (1-14C)AA and metabolites by concanavalin A, the antigen ovalbumin and anti-immunoglobulin E antibody was markedly reduced by glucocorticoid treatment. Neither the total incorporation of (1-14C)AA nor the distribution into phospholipids was altered by hydrocortisone pretreatment. Glucocorticoid pretreatment did not alter (1-14C)AA release stimulated by somatostatin, compound 48/80, or the calcium ionophore,more » A23187. These data indicate that antiinflammatory steroids selectively inhibit immunoglobulin dependent release of arachidonic acid from rat mast cells. These findings question the role of lipomodulin and macrocortin as general phospholipase inhibitors and suggest that they may be restricted to immunoglobulin stimuli.« less

Acute convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage and cortical superficial siderosis in probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy without lobar haemorrhage.

PubMed

Charidimou, Andreas; Boulouis, Grégoire; Fotiadis, Panagiotis; Xiong, Li; Ayres, Alison M; Schwab, Kristin M; Gurol, Mahmut Edip; Rosand, Jonathan; Greenberg, Steve M; Viswanathan, Anand

2018-04-01

Acute non-traumatic convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage (cSAH) is increasingly recognised in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). We investigated: (a) the overlap between acute cSAH and cortical superficial siderosis-a new CAA haemorrhagic imaging signature and (b) whether acute cSAH presents with particular clinical symptoms in patients with probable CAA without lobar intracerebral haemorrhage. MRI scans of 130 consecutive patients meeting modified Boston criteria for probable CAA were analysed for cortical superficial siderosis (focal, ≤3 sulci; disseminated, ≥4 sulci), and key small vessel disease markers. We compared clinical, imaging and cortical superficial siderosis topographical mapping data between subjects with versus without acute cSAH, using multivariable logistic regression. We included 33 patients with probable CAA presenting with acute cSAH and 97 without cSAH at presentation. Patients with acute cSAH were more commonly presenting with transient focal neurological episodes (76% vs 34%; p<0.0001) compared with patients with CAA without cSAH. Patients with acute cSAH were also more often clinically presenting with transient focal neurological episodes compared with cortical superficial siderosis-positive, but cSAH-negative subjects with CAA (76% vs 30%; p<0.0001). Cortical superficial siderosis prevalence (but no other CAA severity markers) was higher among patients with cSAH versus those without, especially disseminated cortical superficial siderosis (49% vs 19%; p<0.0001). In multivariable logistic regression, cortical superficial siderosis burden (OR 5.53; 95% CI 2.82 to 10.8, p<0.0001) and transient focal neurological episodes (OR 11.7; 95% CI 2.70 to 50.6, p=0.001) were independently associated with acute cSAH. This probable CAA cohort provides additional evidence for distinct disease phenotypes, determined by the presence of cSAH and cortical superficial siderosis. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Prolonged diet induced obesity has minimal effects towards brain pathology in mouse model of cerebral amyloid angiopathy: implications for studying obesity-brain interactions in mice.

PubMed

Zhang, Le; Dasuri, Kalavathi; Fernandez-Kim, Sun-Ok; Bruce-Keller, Annadora J; Freeman, Linnea R; Pepping, Jennifer K; Beckett, Tina L; Murphy, M Paul; Keller, Jeffrey N

2013-09-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) occurs in nearly every individual with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Down's syndrome, and is the second largest cause of intracerebral hemorrhage. Mouse models of CAA have demonstrated evidence for increased gliosis contributing to CAA pathology. Nearly two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, with little known about the effects of obesity on the brain, although increasingly the vasculature appears to be a principle target of obesity effects on the brain. In the current study we describe for the first time whether diet induced obesity (DIO) modulates glial reactivity, amyloid levels, and inflammatory signaling in a mouse model of CAA. In these studies we identify surprisingly that DIO does not significantly increase Aβ levels, astrocyte (GFAP) or microglial (IBA-1) gliosis in the CAA mice. However, within the hippocampal gyri a localized increase in reactive microglia were increased in the CA1 and stratum oriens relative to CAA mice on a control diet. DIO was observed to selectively increase IL-6 in CAA mice, with IL-1β and TNF-α not increased in CAA mice in response to DIO. Taken together, these data show that prolonged DIO has only modest effects towards Aβ in a mouse model of CAA, but appears to elevate some localized microglial reactivity within the hippocampal gyri and selective markers of inflammatory signaling. These data are consistent with the majority of the existing literature in other models of Aβ pathology, which surprisingly show a mixed profile of DIO effects towards pathological processes in mouse models of neurodegenerative disease. The importance for considering the potential impact of ceiling effects in pathology within mouse models of Aβ pathogenesis, and the current experimental limitations for DIO in mice to fully replicate metabolic dysfunction present in human obesity, are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Animal Models of Disease. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effect of feeding higher concentrations of limiting amino acids on performance, slaughter variables and nitrogen retention in broiler chicken fed graded levels of toasted guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) meal.

PubMed

Rao, S V Rama; Raju, M V L N; Prakash, B; Rajkumar, U; Srilatha, T; Reddy, E P K

2018-06-01

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of supplementing higher concentrations (100 vs. 110%) of critical amino acids (CAA) on performance (body weight gain - BWG, feed efficiency - FE), slaughter variables and nitrogen retention in broiler chicken (1-6 weeks of age) fed graded levels of toasted guar meal (TGM) as a protein source in diets. The TGM was included at five graded concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150and200 g/kg) in iso-caloric and iso-protein diets with either the recommended concentration (100%) of CAA (lysine, total sulphur amino acids, threonine, tryptophan and valine) or at 10% higher (110%) concentration. A metabolism trial of three-day duration was conducted during sixth week of age to study nitrogen retention. The TGM levels and CAA concentration at 21 or 42 d of age did not influence BWG, FI and FE. BWG was not affected with inclusion of TGM up to 100 g/kg in starter and overall production (1 - 42 d of age) phases. The FE improved with TGM supplementation during starter phase, while at the end of experiment (42 d), FE was depressed by inclusion of TGM in dose dependant manner. All performance variables improved with increase in concentration of CAA from 100 to 110%. Breast meat weight improved and abdominal fat weight reduced with higher levels of CAA in diet. Retention of nitrogen reduced with increase in level of TGM in broiler diet. Increasing concentrations of CAA in diet improved nitrogen retention. It was concluded that TGM could be incorporated up to 100 g/kg with 100% CAA and up to 150 g/kg with 110% CAA without affecting performance. Increasing CAA concentration (110%) in diets significantly improved BWG and FE (21 and 42 d), breast meat weight and nitrogen retention in broiler chicken.

Assessing the potential of amino acid 13C patterns as a carbon source tracer in marine sediments: effects of algal growth conditions and sedimentary diagenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larsen, T.; Bach, L. T.; Salvatteci, R.; Wang, Y. V.; Andersen, N.; Ventura, M.; McCarthy, M. D.

2015-08-01

Burial of organic carbon in marine sediments has a profound influence in marine biogeochemical cycles and provides a sink for greenhouse gases such as CO2 and CH4. However, tracing organic carbon from primary production sources as well as its transformations in the sediment record remains challenging. Here we examine a novel but growing tool for tracing the biosynthetic origin of amino acid carbon skeletons, based on naturally occurring stable carbon isotope patterns in individual amino acids (δ13CAA). We focus on two important aspects for δ13CAA utility in sedimentary paleoarchives: first, the fidelity of source diagnostic of algal δ13CAA patterns across different oceanographic growth conditions, and second, the ability of δ13CAA patterns to record the degree of subsequent microbial amino acid synthesis after sedimentary burial. Using the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii, we tested under controlled conditions how δ13CAA patterns respond to changing environmental conditions, including light, salinity, temperature, and pH. Our findings show that while differing oceanic growth conditions can change macromolecular cellular composition, δ13CAA isotopic patterns remain largely invariant. These results emphasize that δ13CAA patterns should accurately record biosynthetic sources across widely disparate oceanographic conditions. We also explored how δ13CAA patterns change as a function of age, total nitrogen and organic carbon content after burial, in a marine sediment core from a coastal upwelling area off Peru. Based on the four most informative amino acids for distinguishing between diatom and bacterial sources (i.e., isoleucine, lysine, leucine and tyrosine), bacterially derived amino acids ranged from 10 to 15 % in the sediment layers from the last 5000 years, and up to 35 % during the last glacial period. The greater bacterial contributions in older sediments indicate that bacterial activity and amino acid resynthesis progressed, approximately as a function of sediment age, to a substantially larger degree than suggested by changes in total organic nitrogen and carbon content. It is uncertain whether archaea may have contributed to sedimentary δ13CAA patterns we observe, and controlled culturing studies will be needed to investigate whether δ13CAA patterns can differentiate bacterial from archeal sources. Further research efforts are also needed to understand how closely δ13CAA patterns derived from hydrolyzable amino acids represent total sedimentary proteineincous material, and more broadly sedimentary organic nitrogen. Overall, however, both our culturing and sediment studies suggest that δ13CAA patterns in sediments will represent a novel proxy for understanding both primary production sources, and the direct bacterial role in the ultimate preservation of sedimentary organic matter.

Unstructured Adaptive (UA) NAS Parallel Benchmark. Version 1.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feng, Huiyu; VanderWijngaart, Rob; Biswas, Rupak; Mavriplis, Catherine

2004-01-01

We present a complete specification of a new benchmark for measuring the performance of modern computer systems when solving scientific problems featuring irregular, dynamic memory accesses. It complements the existing NAS Parallel Benchmark suite. The benchmark involves the solution of a stylized heat transfer problem in a cubic domain, discretized on an adaptively refined, unstructured mesh.

Overcoming Geometry-Induced Stiffness with IMplicit-Explicit (IMEX) Runge-Kutta Algorithms on Unstructured Grids with Applications to CEM, CFD, and CAA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kanevsky, Alex

2004-01-01

My goal is to develop and implement efficient, accurate, and robust Implicit-Explicit Runge-Kutta (IMEX RK) methods [9] for overcoming geometry-induced stiffness with applications to computational electromagnetics (CEM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational aeroacoustics (CAA). IMEX algorithms solve the non-stiff portions of the domain using explicit methods, and isolate and solve the more expensive stiff portions using implicit methods. Current algorithms in CEM can only simulate purely harmonic (up to lOGHz plane wave) EM scattering by fighter aircraft, which are assumed to be pure metallic shells, and cannot handle the inclusion of coatings, penetration into and radiation out of the aircraft. Efficient MEX RK methods could potentially increase current CEM capabilities by 1-2 orders of magnitude, allowing scientists and engineers to attack more challenging and realistic problems.

Using Focus Groups to Investigate the Presence of Formative Feedback in CAA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Broughton, Stephen; Hernandez-Martinez, Paul; Robinson, Carol L.

2012-01-01

The aim of this project was to examine the effectiveness of feedback offered by computer-aided assessment (CAA). CAA provides practice tests for undergraduates, and feedback to help them improve their scores and mathematical understanding. However, there is a lack of evidence-based literature on the effect of formative feedback in mathematics…

75 FR 24409 - Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; California; San Joaquin Valley, South...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-05

... certain fee rules under section 185 of the CAA. A number of Indian tribes have Indian country located... CAA programs in Indian country, and the relevant Indian tribes have not applied for eligibility to... reclassification provisions of the CAA in these Indian country areas and is reclassifying these areas, except...

A web service for service composition to aid geospatial modelers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bigagli, L.; Santoro, M.; Roncella, R.; Mazzetti, P.

2012-04-01

The identification of appropriate mechanisms for process reuse, chaining and composition is considered a key enabler for the effective uptake of a global Earth Observation infrastructure, currently pursued by the international geospatial research community. In the Earth and Space Sciences, such a facility could primarily enable integrated and interoperable modeling, for what several approaches have been proposed and developed, over the last years. In fact, GEOSS is specifically tasked with the development of the so-called "Model Web". At increasing levels of abstraction and generalization, the initial stove-pipe software tools have evolved to community-wide modeling frameworks, to Component-Based Architecture solution, and, more recently, started to embrace Service-Oriented Architectures technologies, such as the OGC WPS specification and the WS-* stack of W3C standards for service composition. However, so far, the level of abstraction seems too low for implementing the Model Web vision, and far too complex technological aspects must still be addressed by both providers and users, resulting in limited usability and, eventually, difficult uptake. As by the recent ICT trend of resource virtualization, it has been suggested that users in need of a particular processing capability, required by a given modeling workflow, may benefit from outsourcing the composition activities into an external first-class service, according to the Composition as a Service (CaaS) approach. A CaaS system provides the necessary interoperability service framework for adaptation, reuse and complementation of existing processing resources (including models and geospatial services in general) in the form of executable workflows. This work introduces the architecture of a CaaS system, as a distributed information system for creating, validating, editing, storing, publishing, and executing geospatial workflows. This way, the users can be freed from the need of a composition infrastructure and alleviated from the technicalities of workflow definitions (type matching, identification of external services endpoints, binding issues, etc.) and focus on their intended application. Moreover, the user may submit an incomplete workflow definition, and leverage CaaS recommendations (that may derive from an aggregated knowledge base of user feedback, underpinned by Web 2.0 technologies) to execute it. This is of particular interest for multidisciplinary scientific contexts, where different communities may benefit of each other knowledge through model chaining. Indeed, the CaaS approach is presented as an attempt to combine the recent advances in service-oriented computing with collaborative research principles, and social network information in general. Arguably, it may be considered a fundamental capability of the Model Web. The CaaS concept is being investigated in several application scenarios identified in the FP7 UncertWeb and EuroGEOSS projects. Key aspects of the described CaaS solution are: it provides a standard WPS interface for invoking Business Processes and allows on the fly recursive compositions of Business Processes into other Composite Processes; it is designed according to the extended SOA (broker-based) and the System-of-Systems approach, to support the reuse and integration of existing resources, in compliance with the GEOSS Model Web architecture. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement n° 248488.

Effect of pH on the survival of Listeria innocua in calcium ascorbate solutions and on quality of fresh-cut apples.

PubMed

Karaibrahimoglu, Yildiz; Fan, Xuetong; Sapers, Gerald M; Sokorai, Kimberly

2004-04-01

Fresh-cut apple slices were dipped in calcium ascorbate (CaA) solution at pH values ranging from 2.5 to 7.0 to inhibit browning. After treatment, the cut apples were stored at 4 and 10 degrees C for up to 21 days. Color and texture of the apples were determined on days 1, 14, and 21. In a separate experiement, the pH of CaA solution was adjusted with acetic acid to six different pH levels, and the solution was inoculated with Listeria innocua. The survival of the bacterium and the stability of CaA were determined at 0, 20, and 96 h. The cut apples maintained fresh quality when the pH of the CaA solution was above 4.5, but slight discoloration of apple slices dipped in pH 4.5 solution was observed after 14 days at 10 degrees C. At pH 5.0, the CaA dip maintained the quality of the apples at both temperatures for at least 21 days. The L. innocua population was reduced by 4 to 5 log CFU/ml at pH 4.5 after 96 h. At pH 5, the bacterial population in the CaA solution was reduced by approximately 2 log CFU/ml during the same period. The CaA solution was stable at pH 5 for at least 96 h. Reduction of the pH to between 4.5 and 5.0 might reduce the risk of foodborne illness due to consumption of fresh-cut apples treated with a CaA solution contaminated with Listeria.

Predicting Coronary Artery Aneurysms in Kawasaki Disease at a North American Center: An Assessment of Baseline z Scores.

PubMed

Son, Mary Beth F; Gauvreau, Kimberlee; Kim, Susan; Tang, Alexander; Dedeoglu, Fatma; Fulton, David R; Lo, Mindy S; Baker, Annette L; Sundel, Robert P; Newburger, Jane W

2017-05-31

Accurate risk prediction of coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) in North American children with Kawasaki disease remains a clinical challenge. We sought to determine the predictive utility of baseline coronary dimensions adjusted for body surface area ( z scores) for future CAAs in Kawasaki disease and explored the extent to which addition of established Japanese risk scores to baseline coronary artery z scores improved discrimination for CAA development. We explored the relationships of CAA with baseline z scores; with Kobayashi, Sano, Egami, and Harada risk scores; and with the combination of baseline z scores and risk scores. We defined CAA as a maximum z score (zMax) ≥2.5 of the left anterior descending or right coronary artery at 4 to 8 weeks of illness. Of 261 patients, 77 patients (29%) had a baseline zMax ≥2.0. CAAs occurred in 15 patients (6%). CAAs were strongly associated with baseline zMax ≥2.0 versus <2.0 (12 [16%] versus 3 [2%], respectively, P <0.001). Baseline zMax ≥2.0 had a C statistic of 0.77, good sensitivity (80%), and excellent negative predictive value (98%). None of the risk scores alone had adequate discrimination. When high-risk status per the Japanese risk scores was added to models containing baseline zMax ≥2.0, none were significantly better than baseline zMax ≥2.0 alone. In a North American center, baseline zMax ≥2.0 in children with Kawasaki disease demonstrated high predictive utility for later development of CAA. Future studies should validate the utility of our findings. © 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

Cortical Superficial Siderosis in Different Types of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

PubMed

Wollenweber, Frank Arne; Baykara, Ebru; Zedde, Marialuisa; Gesierich, Benno; Achmüller, Melanie; Jouvent, Eric; Viswanathan, Anand; Ropele, Stefan; Chabriat, Hugues; Schmidt, Reinhold; Opherk, Christian; Dichgans, Martin; Linn, Jennifer; Duering, Marco

2017-05-01

Cortical superficial siderosis (cSS) has emerged as a clinically relevant imaging feature of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). However, it remains unknown whether cSS is also present in nonamyloid-associated small vessel disease and whether patients with cSS differ in terms of other small vessel disease imaging features. Three hundred sixty-four CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) patients, 372 population-based controls, and 100 CAA patients with cSS (fulfilling the modified Boston criteria for possible/probable CAA) were included. cSS and cerebral microbleeds were visually rated on T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. White matter hyperintensities were segmented on fluid-attenauted inversion recovery images, and their spatial distribution was compared between groups using colocalization analysis. Cerebral microbleeds location was determined in an observer-independent way using an atlas in standard space. cSS was absent in CADASIL and present in only 2 population-based controls (0.5%). Cerebral microbleeds were present in 64% of CAA patients with cSS, 34% of patients with CADASIL, and 12% of population-based controls. Among patients with cerebral microbleeds, lobar location was found in 95% of CAA patients with cSS, 48% of CADASIL patients, and 69% of population-based controls. The spatial distribution of white matter hyperintensities was comparable between CAA with cSS and CADASIL as indicated by high colocalization coefficients. cSS was absent in CADASIL, whereas other small vessel disease imaging features were similar to CAA patients with cSS. Our findings suggest that cSS in combination with other small vessel disease imaging markers is highly indicative of CAA. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay for assessing antioxidants, foods, and dietary supplements.

PubMed

Wolfe, Kelly L; Liu, Rui Hai

2007-10-31

A cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay for quantifying the antioxidant activity of phytochemicals, food extracts, and dietary supplements has been developed. Dichlorofluorescin is a probe that is trapped within cells and is easily oxidized to fluorescent dichlorofluorescein (DCF). The method measures the ability of compounds to prevent the formation of DCF by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (ABAP)-generated peroxyl radicals in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. The decrease in cellular fluorescence when compared to the control cells indicates the antioxidant capacity of the compounds. The antioxidant activities of selected phytochemicals and fruit extracts were evaluated using the CAA assay, and the results were expressed in micromoles of quercetin equivalents per 100 micromol of phytochemical or micromoles of quercetin equivalents per 100 g of fresh fruit. Quercetin had the highest CAA value, followed by kaempferol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), myricetin, and luteolin among the pure compounds tested. Among the selected fruits tested, blueberry had the highest CAA value, followed by cranberry > apple = red grape > green grape. The CAA assay is a more biologically relevant method than the popular chemistry antioxidant activity assays because it accounts for some aspects of uptake, metabolism, and location of antioxidant compounds within cells.

Congenital aural atresia and stenosis: surgery strategies and long-term results.

PubMed

Li, Chenlong; Zhang, Tianyu; Fu, Yaoyao; Qing, Fenghua; Chi, Fanglu

2014-07-01

To compare the patients who underwent surgery for congenital aural atresia (CAA) with congenital aural stenosis (CAS) for the stability of hearing results and complications during long-term follow-up. Retrospective review. Seventy-five CAA patients and fifty CAS patients who underwent congenital meatoplasty with canalplasty and tympanoplasty between 2007 and 2012. Paired comparison analyses detected no significant difference in preoperative ABG but significant changes in postoperative ABG, ΔABG, the number of ABG < 30 dB and ABG < 10 dB between CAA and CAS. Complications such as postoperative stenosis, bony regrowth, external aural canal (EAC) infection, EAC eczema, total deaf, and lateralization of the tympanic membrane (TM) were observed in 61.3% of patients with CAA and 20% of patients with CAS. Chi square test detected significant differences in complications between patients with CAA and CAS (χ(2) = 20.73, p < 0.01). Meatoplasty with canalplasty and tympanoplasty in individuals with CAS can yield reliable and lasting positive hearing results with a low incidence of severe complications. The existence and preoperative condition of patients' TM and EAC skin helped improve hearing results and decrease the incidence of complications. However, the final hearing results and complications required stricter indications for CAA patients.

Neutron Activation Foil and Thermoluminescent Dosimeter Responses to a Polyethylene Reflected Pulse of the CEA Valduc SILENE Critical Assembly

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

Miller, Thomas Martin; Celik, Cihangir; McMahan, Kimberly L.

This benchmark experiment was conducted as a joint venture between the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the French Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA). Staff at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the US and the Centre de Valduc in France planned this experiment. The experiment was conducted on October 19, 2010 in the SILENE critical assembly facility at Valduc. Several other organizations contributed to this experiment and the subsequent evaluation, including CEA Saclay, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), the Y-12 National Security Complex (NSC), Babcock International Group in the United Kingdom, and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Themore » goal of this experiment was to measure neutron activation and thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) doses from a source similar to a fissile solution critical excursion. The resulting benchmark can be used for validation of computer codes and nuclear data libraries as required when performing analysis of criticality accident alarm systems (CAASs). A secondary goal of this experiment was to qualitatively test performance of two CAAS detectors similar to those currently and formerly in use in some US DOE facilities. The detectors tested were the CIDAS MkX and the Rocky Flats NCD-91. The CIDAS detects gammas with a Geiger-Muller tube and the Rocky Flats detects neutrons via charged particles produced in a thin 6LiF disc depositing energy in a Si solid state detector. These detectors were being evaluated to determine whether they would alarm, so they were not expected to generate benchmark quality data.« less

Neutron Activation Foil and Thermoluminescent Dosimeter Responses to a Lead Reflected Pulse of the CEA Valduc SILENE Critical Assembly

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

Miller, Thomas Martin; Celik, Cihangir; Isbell, Kimberly McMahan

This benchmark experiment was conducted as a joint venture between the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the French Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA). Staff at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the US and the Centre de Valduc in France planned this experiment. The experiment was conducted on October 13, 2010 in the SILENE critical assembly facility at Valduc. Several other organizations contributed to this experiment and the subsequent evaluation, including CEA Saclay, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), the Y-12 National Security Complex (NSC), Babcock International Group in the United Kingdom, and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Themore » goal of this experiment was to measure neutron activation and thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) doses from a source similar to a fissile solution critical excursion. The resulting benchmark can be used for validation of computer codes and nuclear data libraries as required when performing analysis of criticality accident alarm systems (CAASs). A secondary goal of this experiment was to qualitatively test performance of two CAAS detectors similar to those currently and formerly in use in some US DOE facilities. The detectors tested were the CIDAS MkX and the Rocky Flats NCD-91. The CIDAS detects gammas with a Geiger-Muller tube, and the Rocky Flats detects neutrons via charged particles produced in a thin 6LiF disc, depositing energy in a Si solid-state detector. These detectors were being evaluated to determine whether they would alarm, so they were not expected to generate benchmark quality data.« less

Association of CAA and TATC Insertion/Deletion Genetic Polymorphisms in RTN4 3'-UTR with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk.

PubMed

Wang, NaNa; Chen, KeYu; Xu, Jia; Yuan, Fang; Li, HongYu; Deng, FengMei; Zhang, LuShun

2018-01-01

Evidence from recent researchers suggested that RTN4 is a multifunctional gene, including tumor suppression, apoptosis, vascular remodeling, and inhibition of axonal regeneration. The CAA and TATC insertion/deletion polymorphisms (CAA/TATC polymorphisms) of RTN4 3″-untranslated regions (UTRs) have been linked to cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), uterine leiomyomas (UL) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the association between these two polymorphisms sites with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) risk was not carry out before. A total of 284 HCC patients and 484 control subjects were recruited for this study. The RTN4 CAA/TATC insertion/deletion genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The ID/DD genotypes of CAA were significantly associated with an increased risk of HCC compared with the II genotype (ID vs. II: OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.10-2.04; DD vs. II: OR = 2.00, 95%CI: 1.15-3.46). Meanwhile, the frequency of D allele of CAA was significantly related with an increased risk of HCC compared with the I allele (D vs. I: OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.12-1.73). The ID genotypes of TATC was significantly associated with an increased risk of HCC compared with the DD genotype (ID vs. DD: OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.23-2.33). The present study provided evidence that RTN4 CAA/TATC polymorphisms were associated with HCC development in Chinese Han population.

Cardiac Complications in 38 Cases of Kawasaki Disease with Coronary Artery Aneurysm Diagnosed by Echocardiography.

PubMed

Wei, Ya Juan; Zhao, Xiao Lan; Liu, Bao Min; Niu, Hua; Li, Qian

2016-05-01

The long-term prognosis of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) complicated by coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the complications of KD with CAAs. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and complications of 38 KD patients with CAAs who were treated and underwent regular follow-up with echocardiography between January 1989 and May 2013. During a period of 29 days to 19 years after disease onset, complications seen included coronary stenosis and occlusion (six patients), thrombosis (17 patients), myocardial infarction (six patients), and calcification of CAAs (seven patients). Rupture of giant CAAs occurred in two patients and caused sudden death in one of these patients at 29 days and in the other patient at 5 months after disease onset. A total of seven deaths occurred, with five deaths caused by myocardial infarction. Three of these had undiagnosed incomplete KD or had not received regular treatment, while two experienced sudden death after several asymptomatic myocardial infarctions. Cardiac complications of KD with CAAs include thrombosis, coronary stenosis, myocardial infarction, sudden death, and calcification. Although rare, rupture of giant CAAs is fatal and might occur earlier after the onset of disease. Mortality occurred primarily in the earlier cases when anticoagulant therapy was insufficient and in patients who did not receive regular treatment. Echocardiography can provide reliable information for assessing the progression and prognosis of this condition. © 2015, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

2 CFR 1532.1110 - How will a CAA or CWA conviction affect my eligibility to participate in Federal contracts...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 2 Grants and Agreements 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false How will a CAA or CWA conviction affect my eligibility to participate in Federal contracts, subcontracts, assistance, loans and other benefits? 1532.1110... the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act § 1532.1110 How will a CAA or CWA conviction affect my...

78 FR 63887 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Approval and Promulgation of State Air Quality...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-25

..., revisions to the State of Iowa's State Implementation Plan (SIP), Title V program, and Clean Air Act (CAA..., subject to the requirements of sections 111(d) and 129 of the CAA, do not exist in the State; and... changes to the Title V program, pursuant to section 500 of the CAA. DATES: This rule is effective December...

Utilizing the ultrasensitive Schistosoma up-converting phosphor lateral flow circulating anodic antigen (UCP-LF CAA) assay for sample pooling-strategies.

PubMed

Corstjens, Paul L A M; Hoekstra, Pytsje T; de Dood, Claudia J; van Dam, Govert J

2017-11-01

Methodological applications of the high sensitivity genus-specific Schistosoma CAA strip test, allowing detection of single worm active infections (ultimate sensitivity), are discussed for efficient utilization in sample pooling strategies. Besides relevant cost reduction, pooling of samples rather than individual testing can provide valuable data for large scale mapping, surveillance, and monitoring. The laboratory-based CAA strip test utilizes luminescent quantitative up-converting phosphor (UCP) reporter particles and a rapid user-friendly lateral flow (LF) assay format. The test includes a sample preparation step that permits virtually unlimited sample concentration with urine, reaching ultimate sensitivity (single worm detection) at 100% specificity. This facilitates testing large urine pools from many individuals with minimal loss of sensitivity and specificity. The test determines the average CAA level of the individuals in the pool thus indicating overall worm burden and prevalence. When requiring test results at the individual level, smaller pools need to be analysed with the pool-size based on expected prevalence or when unknown, on the average CAA level of a larger group; CAA negative pools do not require individual test results and thus reduce the number of tests. Straightforward pooling strategies indicate that at sub-population level the CAA strip test is an efficient assay for general mapping, identification of hotspots, determination of stratified infection levels, and accurate monitoring of mass drug administrations (MDA). At the individual level, the number of tests can be reduced i.e. in low endemic settings as the pool size can be increased as opposed to prevalence decrease. At the sub-population level, average CAA concentrations determined in urine pools can be an appropriate measure indicating worm burden. Pooling strategies allowing this type of large scale testing are feasible with the various CAA strip test formats and do not affect sensitivity and specificity. It allows cost efficient stratified testing and monitoring of worm burden at the sub-population level, ideally for large-scale surveillance generating hard data for performance of MDA programs and strategic planning when moving towards transmission-stop and elimination.

The Diagnostic Utility of Computer-Assisted Auscultation for the Early Detection of Cardiac Murmurs of Structural Origin in the Periodic Health Evaluation

PubMed Central

Viviers, Pierre L.; Kirby, Jo-Anne H.; Viljoen, Jeandré T.; Derman, Wayne

2017-01-01

Background: Identification of the nature of cardiac murmurs during the periodic health evaluation (PHE) of athletes is challenging due to the difficulty in distinguishing between murmurs of physiological or structural origin. Previously, computer-assisted auscultation (CAA) has shown promise to support appropriate referrals in the nonathlete pediatric population. Hypothesis: CAA has the ability to accurately detect cardiac murmurs of structural origin during a PHE in collegiate athletes. Study Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 131 collegiate athletes (104 men, 28 women; mean age, 20 ± 2 years) completed a sports physician (SP)–driven PHE consisting of a cardiac history questionnaire and a physical examination. An independent CAA assessment was performed by a technician who was blinded to the SP findings. Athletes with suspected structural murmurs or other clinical reasons for concern were referred to a cardiologist for confirmatory echocardiography (EC). Results: Twenty-five athletes were referred for further investigation (17 murmurs, 6 abnormal electrocardiographs, 1 displaced apex, and 1 possible case of Marfan syndrome). EC confirmed 3 structural and 22 physiological murmurs. The SP flagged 5 individuals with possible underlying structural pathology; 2 of these murmurs were confirmed as structural in nature. Fourteen murmurs were referred by CAA; 3 of these were confirmed as structural in origin by EC. One such murmur was not detected by the SP, however, and detected by CAA. The sensitivity of CAA was 100% compared with 66.7% shown by the SP, while specificity was 50% and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusion: CAA shows potential to be a feasible adjunct for improving the identification of structural murmurs in the athlete population. Over-referral by CAA for EC requires further investigation and possible refinements to the current algorithm. Further studies are needed to determine the true sensitivity, specificity, and cost efficacy of the device among the athletic population. Clinical Relevance: CAA may be a useful cardiac screening adjunct during the PHE of athletes, particularly as it may guide appropriate referral of suspected structural murmurs for further investigation. PMID:28661830

The Diagnostic Utility of Computer-Assisted Auscultation for the Early Detection of Cardiac Murmurs of Structural Origin in the Periodic Health Evaluation.

PubMed

Viviers, Pierre L; Kirby, Jo-Anne H; Viljoen, Jeandré T; Derman, Wayne

Identification of the nature of cardiac murmurs during the periodic health evaluation (PHE) of athletes is challenging due to the difficulty in distinguishing between murmurs of physiological or structural origin. Previously, computer-assisted auscultation (CAA) has shown promise to support appropriate referrals in the nonathlete pediatric population. CAA has the ability to accurately detect cardiac murmurs of structural origin during a PHE in collegiate athletes. Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Level 3. A total of 131 collegiate athletes (104 men, 28 women; mean age, 20 ± 2 years) completed a sports physician (SP)-driven PHE consisting of a cardiac history questionnaire and a physical examination. An independent CAA assessment was performed by a technician who was blinded to the SP findings. Athletes with suspected structural murmurs or other clinical reasons for concern were referred to a cardiologist for confirmatory echocardiography (EC). Twenty-five athletes were referred for further investigation (17 murmurs, 6 abnormal electrocardiographs, 1 displaced apex, and 1 possible case of Marfan syndrome). EC confirmed 3 structural and 22 physiological murmurs. The SP flagged 5 individuals with possible underlying structural pathology; 2 of these murmurs were confirmed as structural in nature. Fourteen murmurs were referred by CAA; 3 of these were confirmed as structural in origin by EC. One such murmur was not detected by the SP, however, and detected by CAA. The sensitivity of CAA was 100% compared with 66.7% shown by the SP, while specificity was 50% and 66.7%, respectively. CAA shows potential to be a feasible adjunct for improving the identification of structural murmurs in the athlete population. Over-referral by CAA for EC requires further investigation and possible refinements to the current algorithm. Further studies are needed to determine the true sensitivity, specificity, and cost efficacy of the device among the athletic population. CAA may be a useful cardiac screening adjunct during the PHE of athletes, particularly as it may guide appropriate referral of suspected structural murmurs for further investigation.

Benchmark dataset for undirected and Mixed Capacitated Arc Routing Problems under Time restrictions with Intermediate Facilities.

PubMed

Willemse, Elias J; Joubert, Johan W

2016-09-01

In this article we present benchmark datasets for the Mixed Capacitated Arc Routing Problem under Time restrictions with Intermediate Facilities (MCARPTIF). The problem is a generalisation of the Capacitated Arc Routing Problem (CARP), and closely represents waste collection routing. Four different test sets are presented, each consisting of multiple instance files, and which can be used to benchmark different solution approaches for the MCARPTIF. An in-depth description of the datasets can be found in "Constructive heuristics for the Mixed Capacity Arc Routing Problem under Time Restrictions with Intermediate Facilities" (Willemseand Joubert, 2016) [2] and "Splitting procedures for the Mixed Capacitated Arc Routing Problem under Time restrictions with Intermediate Facilities" (Willemseand Joubert, in press) [4]. The datasets are publicly available from "Library of benchmark test sets for variants of the Capacitated Arc Routing Problem under Time restrictions with Intermediate Facilities" (Willemse and Joubert, 2016) [3].

Chromic acid anodizing of aluminum foil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dursch, H.

1988-01-01

The success of the Space Station graphite/epoxy truss structure depends on its ability to endure long-term exposure to the LEO environment, primarily the effects of atomic oxygen and the temperture cycling resulting from the 94 minute orbit. This report describes the development and evaluation of chromic acid anodized (CAA) aluminum foil as protective coatings for these composite tubes. Included are: development of solar absorptance and thermal emittance properties required of Al foil and development of CAA parameters to achieve these optical properties; developing techniques to CAA 25 ft lengths of Al foil; developing bonding processes for wrapping the Al foil to graphite/epoxy tubes; and atomic oxygen testing of the CAA Al foil. Two specifications were developed and are included in the report: Chromic Acid Anodizing of Aluminum Foil Process Specification and Bonding of Anodized Aluminum Foil to Graphite/Epoxy Tubes. Results show that CAA Al foil provides and excellent protective and thermal control coating for the Space Station truss structure.

Evaluation of high temperature structural adhesives for extended service. [supersonic cruise aircraft research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hill, S. G.

1981-01-01

Eight different Ti-6Al-4V surface treatments were investigated for each of 10 candidate resins. Primers (two for each resin) were studied for appropriate cure and thickness and initial evaluation of bond joints began using various combinations of the adhesive resins and surface treatments. Surface failure areas of bonded titanium coupons were analyzed by electron microscopy and surface chemical analysis techniques. Results of surface characterization and failure analysis are described for lap shear bond joints occurring with adhesive systems consisting of: (1) LARC-13 adhesive, Pasa jell surface treatment; (2) LARC-13 adhesive, 10 volt CAA treatment; (3) PPQ adhesive, 10 volt CAA treatment; and (4) PPQ adhesive, 5 volt CAA treatment. The failure analysis concentrated on the 10,000 hr 505K (450 F) exposed specimens which exhibited adhesive failure. Environmental exposure data being generated on the PPQ-10 volt CAA and the LARC-TPI-10 volt CAA adhesive systems is included.

40 CFR 51.126 - Determination of widespread use of ORVR and waiver of CAA section 182(b)(3) Stage II gasoline...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Determination of widespread use of ORVR and waiver of CAA section 182(b)(3) Stage II gasoline vapor recovery requirements. 51.126 Section 51... Determination of widespread use of ORVR and waiver of CAA section 182(b)(3) Stage II gasoline vapor recovery...

Coronary artery aneurysm regression after Kawasaki disease and associated risk factors: a 3-year follow-up study in East China.

PubMed

Tang, Yunjia; Yan, Wenhua; Sun, Ling; Xu, Qiuqin; Ding, Yueyue; Lv, Haitao

2018-01-12

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease due to its complicated coronary artery lesions. Up to now, few studies were focused on the status of persistent coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) in KD patients. The present study was designed to identify the coronary artery outcomes and seek the risk factors associated with the regression of CAA in KD patients. One hundred and twenty KD patients with CAA hospitalized in Children's Hospital of Soochow University from Jan 2008 to Dec 2013 were prospectively studied by a 3-year follow-up. Data regarding demographic, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic characteristics were documented and further analyzed. It was estimated that 39.2% of the patients had complete regression of CAA within 4 weeks, 59.2% within 8 weeks, and 70.0% within 16 weeks. No fatal cardiac events occurred. We found patients who aged ≤ 1 year, received initial intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment after the 10th day of illness, and IVIG non-responders were associated with the regression of persistent CAA. The relative risks were 1.55, 1.87, and 1.88, respectively. Age, initial IVIG treatment, and IVIG response were risk factors of persistent CAA, and more attention should be paid on these patients.

The cellulose synthase 3 (CesA3) gene of oomycetes: structure, phylogeny and influence on sensitivity to carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicides.

PubMed

Blum, Mathias; Gamper, Hannes A; Waldner, Maya; Sierotzki, Helge; Gisi, Ulrich

2012-04-01

Proper disease control is very important to minimize yield losses caused by oomycetes in many crops. Today, oomycete control is partially achieved by breeding for resistance, but mainly by application of single-site mode of action fungicides including the carboxylic acid amides (CAAs). Despite having mostly specific targets, fungicidal activity can differ even in species belonging to the same phylum but the underlying mechanisms are often poorly understood. In an attempt to elucidate the phylogenetic basis and underlying molecular mechanism of sensitivity and tolerance to CAAs, the cellulose synthase 3 (CesA3) gene was isolated and characterized, encoding the target site of this fungicide class. The CesA3 gene was present in all 25 species included in this study representing the orders Albuginales, Leptomitales, Peronosporales, Pythiales, Rhipidiales and Saprolegniales, and based on phylogenetic analyses, enabled good resolution of all the different taxonomic orders. Sensitivity assays using the CAA fungicide mandipropamid (MPD) demonstrated that only species belonging to the Peronosporales were inhibited by the fungicide. Molecular data provided evidence, that the observed difference in sensitivity to CAAs between Peronosporales and CAA tolerant species is most likely caused by an inherent amino acid configuration at position 1109 in CesA3 possibly affecting fungicide binding. The present study not only succeeded in linking CAA sensitivity of various oomycetes to the inherent CesA3 target site configuration, but could also relate it to the broader phylogenetic context. Copyright © 2012 The British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anatomical measurement of the ossicles in patients with congenital aural atresia and stenosis.

PubMed

Li, Jieying; Chen, Keguang; Li, Chenlong; Yin, Dongming; Zhang, Tianyu; Dai, Peidong

2017-10-01

Our aims were to measure and compare anatomical parameters of the ossicles in normal, congenital aural stenosis (CAS), and congenital aural atresia (CAA) ears. This retrospective study was performed using three-dimensional reconstructed images derived from computed tomography scans of 20 normal subjects, 20 CAS patients, and 20 CAA patients. The lengths of the malleus handle and long process of the incus were greater in normal ears than in CAS and CAA ears (all P < 0.05). The angles of the incudostapedial joint and between the short and long processes of the incus were smaller in normal ears than in CAS and CAA ears (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the positions of the malleus head and incudomalleolar joint, the size of the malleus head, the length of the short process of the incus, or the angle of the incudomalleolar joint (P > 0.05). Anatomical parameters of the lower part, but not of the upper part, of the ossicular chain in CAS and CAA ears differed from those in normal ears. Different branchial arch origins of the upper and lower parts of the ossicular chain may explain these findings. Dysplasia of the second arch, which develops into the lower part of the ossicular chain, may contribute to ossicular malformation in CAA and CAS. Accurate radiographic measurement of malformed ossicles may be useful for reconstructive surgery of CAA and CAS using the patient's native ossicular chain and for choosing an appropriate place for active middle ear implants. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Early-Phase 11C-PiB PET in Amyloid Angiopathy-Related Symptomatic Cerebral Hemorrhage: Potential Diagnostic Value?

PubMed Central

Aigbirhio, Franklin I.; Fryer, Tim D.; Menon, David K.; Warburton, Elizabeth A.; Baron, Jean-Claude

2015-01-01

Although late-phase (>35min post-administration) 11C-PiB-PET has good sensitivity in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), its specificity is poor due to frequently high uptake in healthy aged subjects. By detecting perfusion-like abnormalities, early-phase 11C-PiB-PET might add diagnostic value. Early-frame (1–6min) 11C-PiB-PET was obtained in 11 non-demented patients with probable CAA-related symptomatic lobar intracerebral haemorrhage (70±7yrs), 9 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) and 10 HCs <55yrs. There was a significant decrease in early-phase atrophy-corrected whole-cortex SUV relative to cerebellar vermis (SUVR) in the CAA vs age-matched HC group. None of the age-matched controls fell below the lower 95% confidence limit derived from the young HCs, while 6/11 CAA patients did (sensitivity = 55%, specificity = 100%). Combining both early- and late-phase 11C-PiB data did not change the sensitivity and specificity of late-phase PiB, but combined early- and late-phase positivity entails a very high suspicion of underlying Aβ-related clinical disorder, i.e., CAA or Alzheimer disease (AD). In order to clarify this ambiguity, we then show that the occipital/posterior cingulate ratio is markedly lower in CAA than in AD (N = 7). These pilot data suggest that early-phase 11C-PiB-PET may not only add to late-phase PiB-PET with respect to the unclear situation of late-phase positivity, but also help differentiate CAA from AD. PMID:26439113

Impact of canine-assisted ambulation on hospitalized chronic heart failure patients' ambulation outcomes and satisfaction: a pilot study.

PubMed

Abate, Samantha V; Zucconi, Michele; Boxer, Bruce Alan

2011-01-01

Chronic heart failure (HF) is a prevalent and costly disease process. Early ambulation has been shown to have a positive impact on patient outcomes and length of stay. Animal-assisted therapy is a novel modality that has shown to be a safe and effective adjunct to a number of traditional treatment plans. This study sought to synergistically combine ambulation and animal-assisted therapy by using canine-assisted ambulation (CAA) to improve the ambulation outcomes of HF patients. Sixty-nine hospitalized patients with a primary diagnosis of HF were approached to ambulate with a restorative aide. After recording their initial response, they were given the opportunity to participate in CAA (walking with a therapy dog). Initial ambulation refusal rate was compared with a historical population of 537 HF patients. Distance ambulated was recorded using a pedometer and compared with a randomly selected, 64-patient sample from the historical HF patient population, stratified by day of hospital stay. Patient satisfaction was assessed through a 5-item Likert scale survey. The 537-patient historical HF population had an ambulation refusal rate of 28%. When offered the chance to participate in CAA, only 7.2% of the study population refused ambulation (P = .0002). Of the 69-patient study sample, 13 initially refused ambulation then agreed when offered CAA (P = .0009). Distance ambulated increased from 120.2 steps in a randomly selected, stratified historical sample to 235.07 in the CAA study sample (P < .0001). Patients unanimously agreed that they enjoyed CAA and would like to participate in CAA again. Canine-assisted ambulation is a safe and effective adjunct to an early ambulation program for HF patients. Canine-assisted ambulation may decrease hospital length of stay and thereby decrease the costs of HF care. Additional research involving CAA's application to other disease processes in various settings is warranted.

Inactivation of Cg10062, a cis-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase homologue in Corynebacterium glutamicum, by (R)- and (S)-oxirane-2-carboxylate: analysis and implications.

PubMed

Robertson, Brooklyn A; Johnson, William H; Lo, Herng-Hsiang; Whitman, Christian P

2008-08-19

( R)- and ( S)-oxirane-2-carboxylate were determined to be active site-directed irreversible inhibitors of the cis-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase ( cis-CaaD) homologue Cg10062 found in Corynebacterium glutamicum. Kinetic analysis indicates that the ( R) enantiomer binds more tightly and is the more potent inhibitor, likely reflecting more favorable interactions with active site residues. Pro-1 is the sole site of covalent modification by the ( R) and ( S) enantiomers. Pro-1, Arg-70, Arg-73, and Glu-114, previously identified as catalytic residues in Cg10062, have also been implicated in the inactivation mechanism. Pro-1, Arg-70, and Arg-73 are essential residues for the process as indicated by the observation that the enzymes with the corresponding alanine mutations are not covalently modified by either enantiomer. The E114Q mutant slows covalent modification of Cg10062 but does not prevent it. The results are comparable to those found for the irreversible inactivation of cis-CaaD by ( R)-oxirane-2-carboxylate with two important distinctions: the alkylation of cis-CaaD is stereospecific, and Glu-114 does not take part in the cis-CaaD inactivation mechanism. Cg10062 exhibits low-level cis-CaaD and trans-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase (CaaD) activities, with the cis-CaaD activity predominating. Hence, the preference of Cg10062 for the cis isomer correlates with the observation that the ( R) enantiomer is the more potent inactivator. Moreover, the factors responsible for the relaxed substrate specificity of Cg10062 may account for the stereoselective inactivation by the enantiomeric epoxides. Delineation of these factors would provide a more complete picture of the substrate specificity determinants for cis-CaaD. This study represents an important step toward this goal by setting the stage for a crystallographic analysis of inactivated Cg10062.

Tissue microstructural changes are independently associated with cognitive impairment in cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

PubMed

Viswanathan, Anand; Patel, Pratik; Rahman, Rosanna; Nandigam, R N Kaveer; Kinnecom, Catherine; Bracoud, Luc; Rosand, Jonathan; Chabriat, Hugues; Greenberg, Steven M; Smith, Eric E

2008-07-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a major cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage and cognitive impairment and is associated with white matter hyperintensities and cerebral microbleeds. MRI diffusion tensor imaging detects microstructural tissue damage in advanced CAA even in areas that appear normal on conventional MRI. We hypothesized that higher global mean apparent diffusion coefficient (mean ADC), reflecting a higher amount of chronic tissue disruption caused by CAA, would be independently associated with CAA-related cognitive impairment. Preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment was systematically assessed using a standardized questionnaire (IQCODE) in 49 patients. Volume of white matter hyperintensities, number of microbleeds, and mean ADC were determined from MRIs obtained within 14.0+/-22.5 days of intracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment. White matter hyperintensities and mean ADC were measured in the hemisphere uninvolved by intracerebral hemorrhage to avoid confounding. Preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment was identified in 10 of 49 subjects. Mean ADC was the only variable associated with preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment and was elevated in those with preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment compared with those without (12.4x10(-4) versus 11.7x10(-4) mm(2)/s; P=0.03). Mean ADC positively correlated with age but not white matter hyperintensities or number of microbleeds. In logistic regression controlling for age and visible cerebral atrophy, mean ADC was independently associated with preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment (OR per 1x10(-4) mm(2)/s increase=2.45, 95% CI 1.11 to 5.40, P=0.04). Mean ADC is independently associated with preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment in CAA. The lack of correlation with other MRI markers of CAA suggests that mean ADC may be sensitive to distinct aspects of CAA pathology and its tissue consequences. These results suggest that global MRI diffusion changes are sensitive to clinically relevant microstructural alterations and may be useful markers of CAA-related tissue damage.

Tissue Microstructural Changes Are Independently Associated With Cognitive Impairment in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

PubMed Central

Viswanathan, Anand; Patel, Pratik; Rahman, Rosanna; Nandigam, R.N. Kaveer; Kinnecom, Catherine; Bracoud, Luc; Rosand, Jonathan; Chabriat, Hugues; Greenberg, Steven M.; Smith, Eric E.

2009-01-01

Background and Purpose Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a major cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage and cognitive impairment and is associated with white matter hyperintensities and cerebral microbleeds. MRI diffusion tensor imaging detects microstructural tissue damage in advanced CAA even in areas that appear normal on conventional MRI. We hypothesized that higher global mean apparent diffusion coefficient (mean ADC), reflecting a higher amount of chronic tissue disruption caused by CAA, would be independently associated with CAA-related cognitive impairment. Methods Preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment was systematically assessed using a standardized questionnaire (IQCODE) in 49 patients. Volume of white matter hyperintensities, number of microbleeds, and mean ADC were determined from MRIs obtained within 14.0±22.5 days of intracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment. White matter hyperintensities and mean ADC were measured in the hemisphere uninvolved by intracerebral hemorrhage to avoid confounding. Results Preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment was identified in 10 of 49 subjects. Mean ADC was the only variable associated with preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment and was elevated in those with preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment compared with those without (12.4×10-4 versus 11.7×10-4 mm2/s; P=0.03). Mean ADC positively correlated with age but not white matter hyperintensities or number of microbleeds. In logistic regression controlling for age and visible cerebral atrophy, mean ADC was independently associated with preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment (OR per 1×10-4 mm2/s increase=2.45, 95% CI 1.11 to 5.40, P=0.04). Conclusions Mean ADC is independently associated with preintracerebral hemorrhage cognitive impairment in CAA. The lack of correlation with other MRI markers of CAA suggests that mean ADC may be sensitive to distinct aspects of CAA pathology and its tissue consequences. These results suggest that global MRI diffusion changes are sensitive to clinically relevant microstructural alterations and may be useful markers of CAA-related tissue damage. PMID:18436874

Comprehensive Benchmark Suite for Simulation of Particle Laden Flows Using the Discrete Element Method with Performance Profiles from the Multiphase Flow with Interface eXchanges (MFiX) Code

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

Liu, Peiyuan; Brown, Timothy; Fullmer, William D.

Five benchmark problems are developed and simulated with the computational fluid dynamics and discrete element model code MFiX. The benchmark problems span dilute and dense regimes, consider statistically homogeneous and inhomogeneous (both clusters and bubbles) particle concentrations and a range of particle and fluid dynamic computational loads. Several variations of the benchmark problems are also discussed to extend the computational phase space to cover granular (particles only), bidisperse and heat transfer cases. A weak scaling analysis is performed for each benchmark problem and, in most cases, the scalability of the code appears reasonable up to approx. 103 cores. Profiling ofmore » the benchmark problems indicate that the most substantial computational time is being spent on particle-particle force calculations, drag force calculations and interpolating between discrete particle and continuum fields. Hardware performance analysis was also carried out showing significant Level 2 cache miss ratios and a rather low degree of vectorization. These results are intended to serve as a baseline for future developments to the code as well as a preliminary indicator of where to best focus performance optimizations.« less

40 CFR 51.1103 - Application of classification and attainment date provisions in CAA section 181 of subpart 2 to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... attainment date provisions in CAA section 181 of subpart 2 to areas subject to § 51.1102(a). 51.1103 Section... attainment date provisions in CAA section 181 of subpart 2 to areas subject to § 51.1102(a). (a) In... Ozone NAAQS (0.075 ppm) for Areas Subject to Section 51.1102(a) Area class 8-hour design value(ppm ozone...

40 CFR 51.1103 - Application of classification and attainment date provisions in CAA section 181 of subpart 2 to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... attainment date provisions in CAA section 181 of subpart 2 to areas subject to § 51.1102(a). 51.1103 Section... attainment date provisions in CAA section 181 of subpart 2 to areas subject to § 51.1102(a). (a) In... Ozone NAAQS (0.075 ppm) for Areas Subject to Section 51.1102(a) Area class 8-hour design value(ppm ozone...

40 CFR 51.1103 - Application of classification and attainment date provisions in CAA section 181 of subpart 2 to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... attainment date provisions in CAA section 181 of subpart 2 to areas subject to § 51.1102(a). 51.1103 Section... attainment date provisions in CAA section 181 of subpart 2 to areas subject to § 51.1102(a). (a) In... Ozone NAAQS (0.075 ppm) for Areas Subject to Section 51.1102(a) Area class 8-hour design value(ppm ozone...

The MCNP6 Analytic Criticality Benchmark Suite

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

Brown, Forrest B.

2016-06-16

Analytical benchmarks provide an invaluable tool for verifying computer codes used to simulate neutron transport. Several collections of analytical benchmark problems [1-4] are used routinely in the verification of production Monte Carlo codes such as MCNP® [5,6]. Verification of a computer code is a necessary prerequisite to the more complex validation process. The verification process confirms that a code performs its intended functions correctly. The validation process involves determining the absolute accuracy of code results vs. nature. In typical validations, results are computed for a set of benchmark experiments using a particular methodology (code, cross-section data with uncertainties, and modeling)more » and compared to the measured results from the set of benchmark experiments. The validation process determines bias, bias uncertainty, and possibly additional margins. Verification is generally performed by the code developers, while validation is generally performed by code users for a particular application space. The VERIFICATION_KEFF suite of criticality problems [1,2] was originally a set of 75 criticality problems found in the literature for which exact analytical solutions are available. Even though the spatial and energy detail is necessarily limited in analytical benchmarks, typically to a few regions or energy groups, the exact solutions obtained can be used to verify that the basic algorithms, mathematics, and methods used in complex production codes perform correctly. The present work has focused on revisiting this benchmark suite. A thorough review of the problems resulted in discarding some of them as not suitable for MCNP benchmarking. For the remaining problems, many of them were reformulated to permit execution in either multigroup mode or in the normal continuous-energy mode for MCNP. Execution of the benchmarks in continuous-energy mode provides a significant advance to MCNP verification methods.« less

Association of Severity of Coronary Artery Aneurysms in Patients With Kawasaki Disease and Risk of Later Coronary Events.

PubMed

Miura, Masaru; Kobayashi, Tohru; Kaneko, Tetsuji; Ayusawa, Mamoru; Fukazawa, Ryuji; Fukushima, Naoya; Fuse, Shigeto; Hamaoka, Kenji; Hirono, Keiichi; Kato, Taichi; Mitani, Yoshihide; Sato, Seiichi; Shimoyama, Shinya; Shiono, Junko; Suda, Kenji; Suzuki, Hiroshi; Maeda, Jun; Waki, Kenji; Kato, Hitoshi; Saji, Tsutomu; Yamagishi, Hiroyuki; Ozeki, Aya; Tomotsune, Masako; Yoshida, Makiko; Akazawa, Yohei; Aso, Kentaro; Doi, Shouzaburoh; Fukasawa, Yoshi; Furuno, Kenji; Hayabuchi, Yasunobu; Hayashi, Miyuki; Honda, Takafumi; Horita, Norihisa; Ikeda, Kazuyuki; Ishii, Masahiro; Iwashima, Satoru; Kamada, Masahiro; Kaneko, Masahide; Katyama, Hiroshi; Kawamura, Yoichi; Kitagawa, Atushi; Komori, Akiko; Kuraishi, Kenji; Masuda, Hiroshi; Matsuda, Shinichi; Matsuzaki, Satoshi; Mii, Sayaka; Miyamoto, Tomoyuki; Moritou, Yuji; Motoki, Noriko; Nagumo, Kiyoshi; Nakamura, Tsuneyuki; Nishihara, Eiki; Nomura, Yuichi; Ogata, Shohei; Ohashi, Hiroyuki; Okumura, Kenichi; Omori, Daisuke; Sano, Tetsuya; Suganuma, Eisuke; Takahashi, Tsutomu; Takatsuki, Shinichi; Takeda, Atsuhito; Terai, Masaru; Toyono, Manatomo; Watanabe, Kenichi; Watanabe, Makoto; Yamamoto, Masaki; Yamamura, Kenichiro

2018-05-07

Few studies with sufficient statistical power have shown the association of the z score of the coronary arterial internal diameter with coronary events (CE) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) with coronary artery aneurysms (CAA). To clarify the association of the z score with time-dependent CE occurrence in patients with KD with CAA. This multicenter, collaborative retrospective cohort study of 44 participating institutions included 1006 patients with KD younger than 19 years who received a coronary angiography between 1992 and 2011. The time-dependent occurrence of CE, including thrombosis, stenosis, obstruction, acute ischemic events, and coronary interventions, was analyzed for small (z score, <5), medium (z score, ≥5 to <10; actual internal diameter, <8 mm), and large (z score, ≥10 or ≥8 mm) CAA by the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to identify risk factors for CE after adjusting for age, sex, size, morphology, number of CAA, resistance to initial intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, and antithrombotic medications. Of 1006 patients, 714 (71%) were male, 341 (34%) received a diagnosis before age 1 year, 501 (50%) received a diagnosis between age 1 and 5 years, and 157 (16%) received a diagnosis at age 5 years or older. The 10-year event-free survival rate for CE was 100%, 94%, and 52% in men (P < .001) and 100%, 100%, and 75% in women (P < .001) for small, medium, and large CAA, respectively. The CE-free rate was 100%, 96%, and 79% in patients who were not resistant to IVIG therapy (P < .001) and 100%, 96%, and 51% in patients who were resistant to IVIG therapy (P < .001), respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed that large CAA (hazard ratio, 8.9; 95% CI, 5.1-15.4), male sex (hazard ratio, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.7-4.8), and resistance to IVIG therapy (hazard ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4-3.6) were significantly associated with CE. Classification using the internal diameter z score is useful for assessing the severity of CAA in relation to the time-dependent occurrence of CE and associated factors in patients with KD. Careful management of CE is necessary for all patients with KD with CAA, especially men and IVIG-resistant patients with a large CAA.

Assessing the potential of amino acid δ13C patterns as a carbon source tracer in marine sediments: effects of algal growth conditions and sedimentary diagenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larsen, T.; Bach, L. T.; Salvatteci, R.; Wang, Y. V.; Andersen, N.; Ventura, M.; McCarthy, M. D.

2015-01-01

Burial of organic carbon in marine sediments has a profound influence in marine biogeochemical cycles, and provides a sink for greenhouse gases such as CO2 and CH4. However, tracing organic carbon from primary production sources as well as its transformations in the sediment record remains challenging. Here we examine a novel but growing tool for tracing biosynthetic origin of amino acid carbon skeletons, based on natural occurring stable carbon isotope patterns in individual amino acids (δ13CAA). We focus on two important aspects for δ13CAA utility in sedimentary paleoarchives: first, the fidelity of source diagnostic of algal δ13CAA patterns across different oceanographic growth conditions; and second, the ability of δ13CAA patterns to record the degree of subsequent microbial amino acid synthesis after sedimentary burial. Using the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii, we tested under controlled conditions how δ13CAA patterns respond to changing environmental conditions, including light, salinity, temperature, and pH. Our findings show that while differing oceanic growth conditions can change macromolecular cellular composition, δ13CAA isotopic patterns remain largely invariant. These results underscore that δ13CAA patterns should accurately record biosynthetic sources across widely disparate oceanographic conditions. We also explored how δ13CAA patterns change as a function of age, total nitrogen and organic carbon content after burial, in a marine sediment core from a coastal upwelling area off Peru. Based on the four most informative amino acids for distinguishing between diatom and bacterial sources (i.e. isoleucine, lysine, leucine and tyrosine), bacterial derived amino acids ranged from 10-15% in the sediment layers from the last 5000 years to 35% during the last glacial period. The larger bacterial fractions in older sediments indicate that bacterial activity and amino acid resynthesis progressed, approximately as a function of sediment age, to a substantially larger degree than suggested by changes in total organic nitrogen and carbon content. Taken together, these culturing and sediment studies suggest that δ13CAA patterns in sediments represent a novel proxy for understanding both primary production sources, as well as direct bacterial role in the ultimate preservation of sedimentary organic matter.

Small vessel disease burden in cerebral amyloid angiopathy without symptomatic hemorrhage

PubMed Central

Charidimou, Andreas; Jessel, Michael J.; Xiong, Li; Roongpiboonsopit, Duangnapa; Fotiadis, Panagiotis; Pasi, Marco; Ayres, Alison; Merrill, M. Emily; Schwab, Kristin M.; Rosand, Jonathan; Gurol, M. Edip; Greenberg, Steven M.; Viswanathan, Anand

2017-01-01

Objective: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common age-related small vessel disease (SVD). Patients without intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) typically present with transient focal neurologic episodes (TFNEs) or cognitive symptoms. We sought to determine if SVD lesion burden differed between patients with CAA first presenting with TFNEs vs cognitive symptoms. Methods: A total of 647 patients presenting either to a stroke department (n = 205) or an outpatient memory clinic (n = 442) were screened for eligibility. Patients meeting modified Boston criteria for probable CAA were included and markers of SVD were quantified, including cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), perivascular spaces, cortical superficial siderosis (cSS), and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs). Patients were classified according to presentation symptoms (TFNEs vs cognitive). Total CAA-SVD burden was assessed using a validated summary score. Individual neuroimaging markers and total SVD burden were compared between groups using univariable and multivariable models. Results: There were 261 patients with probable CAA included. After adjustment for confounders, patients first seen for TFNEs (n = 97) demonstrated a higher prevalence of cSS (p < 0.0001), higher WMH volumes (p = 0.03), and a trend toward higher CMB counts (p = 0.09). The total SVD summary score was higher in patients seen for TFNEs (adjusted odds ratio per additional score point 1.46, 95% confidence interval 1.16–1.84, p = 0.013). Conclusions: Patients with probable CAA without ICH first evaluated for TFNEs bear a higher burden of structural MRI SVD-related damage compared to those first seen for cognitive symptoms. This study sheds light on neuroimaging profile differences across clinical phenotypes of patients with CAA without ICH. PMID:28130469

Diabetes self management: are Cuban Americans receiving quality health care?

PubMed

Huffman, Fatma G; Vaccaro, Joan A; Nath, Subrata; Zarini, Gustavo G

2009-01-01

We investigated the relationship among factors predicting inadequate glucose control among 182 Cuban-American adults (Females = 110, Males = 72) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (CAA). Cross-sectional study of CAA from a randomized mailing list in two counties of South Florida. Fasted blood parameters and anthropometric measures were collected during the study. BMI was calculated (kg/m2). Characteristics and diabetes care of CAA were self-reported Participants were screened by trained interviewers for heritage and diabetes status (inclusion criteria: self-reported having type 2 diabetes; age > or = 35 years, male and female; not pregnant or lactating; no thyroid disorders; no major psychiatric disorders). Participants signed informed consent form. Statistical analyses used SPSS and included descriptive statistic, multiple logistic and ordinal logistic regression models, where all CI 95%. Eighty-eight percent of CAA had BMI of > or = 25 kg/m2. Only 54% reported having a diet prescribed/told to schedule meals. We found CAA told to schedule meals were 3.62 more likely to plan meals (1.81, 7.26), p < 0.001) and given a prescribed diet, controlling for age, corresponded with following a meal plan OR 4.43 (2.52, 7.79, p < 0.001). The overall relationship for HbA1c < 8.5 to following a meal plan was OR 9.34 (2.84, 30.7. p < 0.001). The advantage of having a medical professional prescribe a diet seems to be an important environmental support factor in this sample's diabetes care, since obesity rates are well above the national average. Nearly half CAA are not given dietary guidance, yet our results indicate CAA may improve glycemic control by receiving dietary instructions.

Posterior white matter disease distribution as a predictor of amyloid angiopathy

PubMed Central

Thanprasertsuk, Sekh; Martinez-Ramirez, Sergi; Pontes-Neto, Octavio Marques; Ni, Jun; Ayres, Alison; Reed, Anne; Swords, Kyleen; Gurol, M. Edip; Greenberg, Steven M.

2014-01-01

Objectives: We sought to examine whether a posterior distribution of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) is an independent predictor of pathologically confirmed cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and whether it is associated with MRI markers of CAA, in patients without lobar intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods: We developed a quantitative method to measure anteroposterior (AP) distribution of WMH. A retrospective cohort of patients without intracerebral hemorrhage and with pathologic evaluation of CAA was examined to determine whether posterior WMH distribution was an independent predictor of CAA (n = 59). The relationship of AP distributions of WMH to strictly lobar microbleeds (MBs) (n = 259) and location of dilated perivascular spaces (DPVS) (n = 85) was examined in a separate cohort of patients evaluated in a memory clinic. Results: A more posterior WMH distribution was found to be an independent predictor of pathologic evidence of CAA (p = 0.001, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.19 [1.07–1.32]), even in the subgroup without lobar MBs (p = 0.016, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.18 [1.03–1.36]). In the memory clinic cohort, strictly lobar MBs were independently associated with more posterior WMH distribution (p = 0.009). AP distribution of WMH was also associated with location of DPVS (p = 0.001), in that patients with predominant DPVS in the white matter over the basal ganglia harbored a more posterior WMH distribution. Conclusions: Our results suggest that AP distribution of WMH may represent an additional marker of CAA, irrespective of the presence of lobar hemorrhages. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class III evidence that there is a significant association between the AP distribution of WMH on MRI with the presence of pathologically confirmed CAA pathology. PMID:25063759

Progression of Brain Network Alterations in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.

PubMed

Reijmer, Yael D; Fotiadis, Panagiotis; Riley, Grace A; Xiong, Li; Charidimou, Andreas; Boulouis, Gregoire; Ayres, Alison M; Schwab, Kristin; Rosand, Jonathan; Gurol, M Edip; Viswanathan, Anand; Greenberg, Steven M

2016-10-01

We recently showed that cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is associated with functionally relevant brain network impairments, in particular affecting posterior white matter connections. Here we examined how these brain network impairments progress over time. Thirty-three patients with probable CAA underwent multimodal brain magnetic resonance imaging at 2 time points (mean follow-up time: 1.3±0.4 years). Brain networks of the hemisphere free of intracerebral hemorrhages were reconstructed using fiber tractography and graph theory. The global efficiency of the network and mean fractional anisotropies of posterior-posterior, frontal-frontal, and posterior-frontal network connections were calculated. Patients with moderate versus severe CAA were defined based on microbleed count, dichotomized at the median (median=35). Global efficiency of the intracerebral hemorrhage-free hemispheric network declined from baseline to follow-up (-0.008±0.003; P=0.029). The decline in global efficiency was most pronounced for patients with severe CAA (group×time interaction P=0.03). The decline in global network efficiency was associated with worse executive functioning (β=0.46; P=0.03). Examination of subgroups of network connections revealed a decline in fractional anisotropies of posterior-posterior connections at both levels of CAA severity (-0.006±0.002; P=0.017; group×time interaction P=0.16). The fractional anisotropies of posterior-frontal and frontal-frontal connections declined in patients with severe but not moderate CAA (group×time interaction P=0.007 and P=0.005). Associations were independent of change in white matter hyperintensity volume. Brain network impairment in patients with CAA worsens measurably over just 1.3-year follow-up and seem to progress from posterior to frontal connections with increasing disease severity. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

Aortic Valve Disease and Vascular Mechanics: Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiographic Analysis.

PubMed

Leite, Luís; Teixeira, Rogério; Oliveira-Santos, Manuel; Barbosa, António; Martins, Rui; Castro, Graça; Gonçalves, Lino; Pego, Mariano

2016-08-01

Degenerative aortic valve disease (AVD) is a complex disorder that goes beyond valve itself, also undermining aortic wall. We aimed to assess the ascending aortic mechanics with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) and hypothesized a relationship with degree of AR. Aortic mechanics were then compared with those of similarly studied healthy controls and patients with aortic stenosis (AS); finally, we aimed to assess the prognostic significance of vascular mechanics in AVD. Overall, 73 patients with moderate-to-severe AR and 22 healthy subjects were enrolled, alongside a previously examined cohort (N = 45) with moderate-to-severe AS. Global circumferential ascending aortic strain (CAAS) and strain rate (CAASR) served as indices of aortic deformation; corrected CAAS was calculated as CAAS/pulse pressure (PP). Median clinical follow-up was 438 days. In patients with severe (vs. moderate) AR, CAASR (1.53 ± 0.29/sec vs. 1.90 ± 0.62/sec, P < 0.05) and corrected CAAS (0.14 ± 0.06%/mmHg vs. 0.19 ± 0.08%/mmHg, P < 0.05) were significantly lower, whereas CAAS did not differ significantly. Measurers of aortic mechanics (CAAS, corrected CAAS, CAASR) differed significantly (all P < 0.01) in patients with AS and AR and in healthy subjects, with lower values seen in patients with AS. In follow-up, survival rate of AVD patients with baseline CAASR >0.88/sec was significantly higher (log rank, 97.4% vs. 73.0%; P = 0.03). Quantitative measures of aortic mechanics were lower for AS patients, suggesting a more significant derangement of aortic elastic properties. In the context of AVD, vascular mechanics assessment proved useful in gauging clinical prognosis. © 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Traffic Jam at the Blood Brain Barrier Promotes Greater Accumulation of Alzheimer’s Disease Amyloid-β Proteins in the Cerebral Vasculature

PubMed Central

Agyare, Edward K.; Leonard, Sarah R.; Curran, Geoffry L.; Yu, Caroline C.; Lowe, Val J.; Paravastu, Anant K.; Poduslo, Joseph F.; Kandimalla, Karunya K.

2013-01-01

Amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the brain vasculature results in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), which occurs in about 80% of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. While Aβ42 predominates parenchymal amyloid plaques in AD brain, Aβ40 is prevalent in the cerebrovascular amyloid. Dutch mutation of Aβ40 (E22Q) promotes aggressive cerebrovascular accumulation and leads to severe CAA in the mutation carriers; knowledge of how DutchAβ40 drives this process more efficiently than Aβ40 could reveal various pathophysiological events that promote CAA. In this study we have demonstrated that DutchAβ40 show preferential accumulation in the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) endothelial cells due to its inefficient blood-to-brain transcytosis. Consequently, DutchAβ40 establishes a permeation barrier in the BBB endothelium, prevents its own clearance from the brain and promotes the formation of amyloid deposits in the cerebral microvessels. The BBB endothelial accumulation of native Aβ40 is not robust enough to exercise such a significant impact on its brain clearance. Hence, the cerebrovascular accumulation of Aβ40 is slow and may require other co-pathologies to precipitate into CAA. In conclusion, the magnitude of Aβ accumulation in the BBB endothelial cells is a critical factor that promotes CAA; hence, clearing vascular endothelium of Aβ proteins may halt or even reverse CAA. PMID:23249146

Determining Antioxidant Activities of Lactobacilli Cell-Free Supernatants by Cellular Antioxidant Assay: A Comparison with Traditional Methods

PubMed Central

Xing, Jiali; Wang, Gang; Zhang, Qiuxiang; Liu, Xiaoming; Gu, Zhennan; Zhang, Hao; Chen, Yong Q.; Chen, Wei

2015-01-01

Antioxidant activity of lactic acid bacteria is associated with multiple health-protective effects. Traditional indexes of chemical antioxidant activities poorly reflect the antioxidant effects of these bacteria in vivo. Cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay was used in this study to determine the antioxidant activity of cell-free supernatants (CFSs) of 10 Lactobacillus strains. The performance of the CAA assay was compared with that of four chemical antioxidant activity assays, namely, DPPH radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging (HRS), reducing power (RP), and inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (ILAP). Results of the CAA assay were associated with those of DPPH and ILAP assays, but not with those of RP and HRS assays. The inter- and intra-specific antioxidant activities of CFS were characterized by chemical and CAA assays. L. rhamnosus CCFM 1107 displayed a high antioxidative effect similar to positive control L. rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 in all of the assays. The CAA assay is a potential method for the detection of antioxidant activities of lactobacilli CFSs. PMID:25789875

Ischemic brain injury in cerebral amyloid angiopathy

PubMed Central

van Veluw, Susanne J; Greenberg, Steven M

2016-01-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common form of cerebral small vessel disease and an important risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage and cognitive impairment. While the majority of research has focused on the hemorrhagic manifestation of CAA, its ischemic manifestations appear to have substantial clinical relevance as well. Findings from imaging and pathologic studies indicate that ischemic lesions are common in CAA, including white-matter hyperintensities, microinfarcts, and microstructural tissue abnormalities as detected with diffusion tensor imaging. Furthermore, imaging markers of ischemic disease show a robust association with cognition, independent of age, hemorrhagic lesions, and traditional vascular risk factors. Widespread ischemic tissue injury may affect cognition by disrupting white-matter connectivity, thereby hampering communication between brain regions. Challenges are to identify imaging markers that are able to capture widespread microvascular lesion burden in vivo and to further unravel the etiology of ischemic tissue injury by linking structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities to their underlying pathophysiology and histopathology. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of ischemic brain injury in CAA will be a key step toward new interventions to improve long-term cognitive outcomes for patients with CAA. PMID:25944592

Benchmarking Strategies for Measuring the Quality of Healthcare: Problems and Prospects

PubMed Central

Lovaglio, Pietro Giorgio

2012-01-01

Over the last few years, increasing attention has been directed toward the problems inherent to measuring the quality of healthcare and implementing benchmarking strategies. Besides offering accreditation and certification processes, recent approaches measure the performance of healthcare institutions in order to evaluate their effectiveness, defined as the capacity to provide treatment that modifies and improves the patient's state of health. This paper, dealing with hospital effectiveness, focuses on research methods for effectiveness analyses within a strategy comparing different healthcare institutions. The paper, after having introduced readers to the principle debates on benchmarking strategies, which depend on the perspective and type of indicators used, focuses on the methodological problems related to performing consistent benchmarking analyses. Particularly, statistical methods suitable for controlling case-mix, analyzing aggregate data, rare events, and continuous outcomes measured with error are examined. Specific challenges of benchmarking strategies, such as the risk of risk adjustment (case-mix fallacy, underreporting, risk of comparing noncomparable hospitals), selection bias, and possible strategies for the development of consistent benchmarking analyses, are discussed. Finally, to demonstrate the feasibility of the illustrated benchmarking strategies, an application focused on determining regional benchmarks for patient satisfaction (using 2009 Lombardy Region Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire) is proposed. PMID:22666140

Benchmarking strategies for measuring the quality of healthcare: problems and prospects.

PubMed

Lovaglio, Pietro Giorgio

2012-01-01

Over the last few years, increasing attention has been directed toward the problems inherent to measuring the quality of healthcare and implementing benchmarking strategies. Besides offering accreditation and certification processes, recent approaches measure the performance of healthcare institutions in order to evaluate their effectiveness, defined as the capacity to provide treatment that modifies and improves the patient's state of health. This paper, dealing with hospital effectiveness, focuses on research methods for effectiveness analyses within a strategy comparing different healthcare institutions. The paper, after having introduced readers to the principle debates on benchmarking strategies, which depend on the perspective and type of indicators used, focuses on the methodological problems related to performing consistent benchmarking analyses. Particularly, statistical methods suitable for controlling case-mix, analyzing aggregate data, rare events, and continuous outcomes measured with error are examined. Specific challenges of benchmarking strategies, such as the risk of risk adjustment (case-mix fallacy, underreporting, risk of comparing noncomparable hospitals), selection bias, and possible strategies for the development of consistent benchmarking analyses, are discussed. Finally, to demonstrate the feasibility of the illustrated benchmarking strategies, an application focused on determining regional benchmarks for patient satisfaction (using 2009 Lombardy Region Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire) is proposed.

Within-Group Effect-Size Benchmarks for Problem-Solving Therapy for Depression in Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rubin, Allen; Yu, Miao

2017-01-01

This article provides benchmark data on within-group effect sizes from published randomized clinical trials that supported the efficacy of problem-solving therapy (PST) for depression among adults. Benchmarks are broken down by type of depression (major or minor), type of outcome measure (interview or self-report scale), whether PST was provided…

Intramolecular triple helix as a model for regular polyribonucleotide (CAA)(n).

PubMed

Efimov, Alexander V; Spirin, Alexander S

2009-10-09

The regular (CAA)(n) polyribonucleotide, as well as the omega leader sequence containing (CAA)-rich core, have recently been shown to form cooperatively melted and compact structures. In this report, we propose a structural model for the (CAA)(n) sequence in which the polyribonucleotide chain is folded upon itself, so that it forms an intramolecular triple helix. The triple helix is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between bases thus forming coplanar triads, and by stacking interactions between the base triads. A distinctive feature of the proposed triple helix is that it does not contain the canonical double-helix elements. The difference from the known triple helices is that Watson-Crick hydrogen bond pairings do not take place in the interactions between the bases within the base triads.

Phase field benchmark problems for dendritic growth and linear elasticity

DOE PAGES

Jokisaari, Andrea M.; Voorhees, P. W.; Guyer, Jonathan E.; ...

2018-03-26

We present the second set of benchmark problems for phase field models that are being jointly developed by the Center for Hierarchical Materials Design (CHiMaD) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) along with input from other members in the phase field community. As the integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) approach to materials design has gained traction, there is an increasing need for quantitative phase field results. New algorithms and numerical implementations increase computational capabilities, necessitating standard problems to evaluate their impact on simulated microstructure evolution as well as their computational performance. We propose one benchmark problem formore » solidifiication and dendritic growth in a single-component system, and one problem for linear elasticity via the shape evolution of an elastically constrained precipitate. We demonstrate the utility and sensitivity of the benchmark problems by comparing the results of 1) dendritic growth simulations performed with different time integrators and 2) elastically constrained precipitate simulations with different precipitate sizes, initial conditions, and elastic moduli. As a result, these numerical benchmark problems will provide a consistent basis for evaluating different algorithms, both existing and those to be developed in the future, for accuracy and computational efficiency when applied to simulate physics often incorporated in phase field models.« less

Phase field benchmark problems for dendritic growth and linear elasticity

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

Jokisaari, Andrea M.; Voorhees, P. W.; Guyer, Jonathan E.

We present the second set of benchmark problems for phase field models that are being jointly developed by the Center for Hierarchical Materials Design (CHiMaD) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) along with input from other members in the phase field community. As the integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) approach to materials design has gained traction, there is an increasing need for quantitative phase field results. New algorithms and numerical implementations increase computational capabilities, necessitating standard problems to evaluate their impact on simulated microstructure evolution as well as their computational performance. We propose one benchmark problem formore » solidifiication and dendritic growth in a single-component system, and one problem for linear elasticity via the shape evolution of an elastically constrained precipitate. We demonstrate the utility and sensitivity of the benchmark problems by comparing the results of 1) dendritic growth simulations performed with different time integrators and 2) elastically constrained precipitate simulations with different precipitate sizes, initial conditions, and elastic moduli. As a result, these numerical benchmark problems will provide a consistent basis for evaluating different algorithms, both existing and those to be developed in the future, for accuracy and computational efficiency when applied to simulate physics often incorporated in phase field models.« less

Combat Identification Systems COMO Integrated Air Defense Model Evaluation (CISE) Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-01

use K or IR , whichever one applies) E-6 CAA-SR-89- 3 Subroutine PDECLR 1/21/88 Before label 1000 Insert: IF (IR.GT.10) IR a 10 These changes were made...Internal Distribution: Unclassified Library 2 F-2 CAA-SR-89- 3 GLOSSARY 1. ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, AND SHORT TERMS ADM2 Air Defense Models Modification...STUDY REPORT ’ , CAA-Sn-89- 3 i , .- CD o COMBAT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS N COMO INTEGRATED AIR DEFENSE MODEL EVALUATION (CISE) STUDY FEBRUARY 1989

NASA Principal Center for Review of Clean Air Act Regulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark-Ingram, Marceia; Munafo, Paul M. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations have greatly impacted materials and processes utilized in the manufacture of aerospace hardware. Code JE/ NASA's Environmental Management Division at NASA Headquarters recognized the need for a formal, Agency-wide review process of CAA regulations. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) was selected as the 'Principal Center for Review of Clean Air Act Regulations'. This presentation describes the centralized support provided by MSFC for the management and leadership of NASA's CAA regulation review process.

Benchmarking--Measuring and Comparing for Continuous Improvement.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henczel, Sue

2002-01-01

Discussion of benchmarking focuses on the use of internal and external benchmarking by special librarians. Highlights include defining types of benchmarking; historical development; benefits, including efficiency, improved performance, increased competitiveness, and better decision making; problems, including inappropriate adaptation; developing a…

Calibration of the clock-phase biases of GNSS networks: the closure-ambiguity approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lannes, A.; Prieur, J.-L.

2013-08-01

In global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), the problem of retrieving clock-phase biases from network data has a basic rank defect. We analyse the different ways of removing this rank defect, and define a particular strategy for obtaining these phase biases in a standard form. The minimum-constrained problem to be solved in the least-squares (LS) sense depends on some integer vector which can be fixed in an arbitrary manner. We propose to solve the problem via an undifferenced approach based on the notion of closure ambiguity. We present a theoretical justification of this closure-ambiguity approach (CAA), and the main elements for a practical implementation. The links with other methods are also established. We analyse all those methods in a unified interpretative framework, and derive functional relations between the corresponding solutions and our CAA solution. This could be interesting for many GNSS applications like real-time kinematic PPP for instance. To compare the methods providing LS estimates of clock-phase biases, we define a particular solution playing the role of reference solution. For this solution, when a phase bias is estimated for the first time, its fractional part is confined to the one-cycle width interval centred on zero; the integer-ambiguity set is modified accordingly. Our theoretical study is illustrated with some simple and generic examples; it could have applications in data processing of most GNSS networks, and particularly global networks using GPS, Glonass, Galileo, or BeiDou/Compass satellites.

Effect of consecutive alternating administration (CAA) of a triple anti-enteroviral combination on Coxsackievirus B1 neuroinfection in mice.

PubMed

Stoyanova, Adelina; Nikolova, Ivanka; Galabov, Angel S

2015-09-01

Currently, clinically effective antivirals for use in the treatment of enteroviral (EV) infections do not exist. The main reason is the development of drug resistance, the principle obstacle in the development of EV infection chemotherapy, based til now on monotherapy. The most important achievement of our previous studies was the development of a novel scheme for in vivo application of a triple combination of EV inhibitors with different modes of action against Coxsackievirus B (CVB) infections in mice. It consists of consecutive alternating administration (CAA) of the substances in the combination. Here, we tested the effect of the triple combination pleconaril, guanidine-HCl, and oxoglaucine (PGO) via CAA in newborn mice infected with a neurotropic strain of CVB1 (20 LD50 per mouse). This combination manifested a considerable protective effect with pleconaril doses of 25-200mg/kg: it decreased mortality rate (protection index, PI, between 31.3% and 67.7%) and increased mean survival time (MST) by 4-6days. Pleconaril monotherapy demonstrated activity similar to that of PGO via CAA, as measured by PI values, but MST values were slightly lower. However, it also greatly suppressed growth of infected suckling mice, especially at 200mg/kg. This toxic effect was avoided with CAA of PGO at pleconaril doses of 25-100mg/kg. Pleconaril monotherapy administered every 3days was ineffective. The PGO with CAA treatment course decreased infectious virus content, whereas pleconaril monotherapy did not. Analysis of drug-sensitivity in brain samples from CVB1 infected mice, based on IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) values from cell culture experiments, showed that the CAA course counteracted the development of drug resistance to pleconaril and oxoglaucine in the triple PGO combination and increased drug sensitivity. In contrast, pleconaril and oxoglaucine monotherapies resulted in drug resistance. This data clearly proves the effectiveness of the proposed novel approach-the CAA treatment course-for combined application of EV replication inhibitors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Benefit of immediate coronary angiography after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in France: A nationwide propensity score analysis from the RéAC Registry.

PubMed

Jaeger, Déborah; Dumas, Florence; Escutnaire, Josephine; Sadoune, Sonia; Lauvray, Adrien; Elkhoury, Carlos; Bassand, Adrien; Girerd, Nicolas; Gueugniaud, Pierre Yves; Tazarourte, Karim; Hubert, Hervé; Cariou, Alain; Chouihed, Tahar

2018-05-01

The survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains extremely low, generally under 10%. Post-resuscitation care, and particularly early coronary reperfusion, may improve this outcome. The main objective of the present study was to determine whether patients with immediate coronary angiography at hospital admission (CAA) had a better outcome than patients without immediate CAA. This cohort analysis study was based on data extracted from the French National Cardiac Arrest registry (RéAC). To control for attribution bias, patients were matched using a propensity score, which included age clusters, low flow and no flow delays, initial rhythm and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The main endpoint was survival at day 30 (D30). Secondary endpoint was neurological recovery of survivors assessed by the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale, with CPC 1 and 2 at D30 considered as a favorable outcome. From July 1st, 2011 to October 1st, 2016, 63394 OHCA were registered in the database, of which 39444 were of an unknown or suspected cardiac origin. After on-site resuscitation by a mobile medical team, 7584 patients were transported to a hospital facility. Among these patients, 4046 were retained in the analysis after matching for the aforementioned factors and constituted into 2 groups: immediate coronary angiography (iCAA) group (n = 2023) and non-immediate coronary angiography (niCAA) group (n = 2023). The survival rate at D30 after matching was 43.3% in the iCAA group versus 34.5% in the niCAA group (OD = 0.66 [0.58; 0.75], p < 0.001). In the iCAA group, (n = 707) 36% of the patients at D30 were CPC 1-2 comparatively to (n = 539) 27.3% in the niCAA group (p < 0.01). Both the survival and proportion of patients with favorable neurological recovery were significantly higher in patients who underwent an immediate coronary angiography after a resuscitated OHCA. These observational results warrant further exploration of the benefit of this invasive strategy in randomized studies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Shift Verification and Validation

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

Pandya, Tara M.; Evans, Thomas M.; Davidson, Gregory G

2016-09-07

This documentation outlines the verification and validation of Shift for the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL). Five main types of problems were used for validation: small criticality benchmark problems; full-core reactor benchmarks for light water reactors; fixed-source coupled neutron-photon dosimetry benchmarks; depletion/burnup benchmarks; and full-core reactor performance benchmarks. We compared Shift results to measured data and other simulated Monte Carlo radiation transport code results, and found very good agreement in a variety of comparison measures. These include prediction of critical eigenvalue, radial and axial pin power distributions, rod worth, leakage spectra, and nuclide inventories over amore » burn cycle. Based on this validation of Shift, we are confident in Shift to provide reference results for CASL benchmarking.« less

Cryopreserved arterial allografts for in situ reconstruction of abdominal aortic native or secondary graft infection.

PubMed

Ben Ahmed, Sabrina; Louvancourt, Adrien; Daniel, Guillaume; Combe, Pierre; Duprey, Ambroise; Albertini, Jean-Noël; Favre, Jean-Pierre; Rosset, Eugenio

2018-02-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the early and long-term outcome of cryopreserved arterial allografts (CAAs) used for in situ reconstruction of abdominal aortic native or secondary graft infection and to identify predictors of mortality. We retrospectively included 71 patients (mean age, 65.2 years [range, 41-84 years]; men, 91.5%) treated for abdominal aortic native or secondary graft infection (65 prosthetic graft infections; 16 of them had secondary aortoenteric fistula, 2 venous graft infections, and 4 mycotic aneurysms) by in situ reconstruction with CAA in the university hospitals of Clermont-Ferrand and Saint-Etienne from 2000 to 2016. The cryopreservation protocol was identical in both centers (-140°C). Early (<30 days) and late (>30 days) mortality and morbidity, reinfection, and CAA patency were assessed. Computed tomography was performed in all survivors. Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analyses were performed with the log-rank test and multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model. Mean follow-up was 45 months (0-196 months). Early postoperative mortality rate was 16.9% (11/71). Early postoperative CAA-related mortality rate was 2.8% (2/71); both patients died of proximal anastomotic rupture on postoperative days 4 and 15. Early CAA-related reintervention rate was 5.6% (4/71); all had an anastomotic rupture, and two were lethal. Early postoperative reintervention rate was 15.5% (11/71). Intraoperative bacteriologic samples were positive in 56.3%, and 31% had a sole microorganism. Escherichia coli was more frequently identified in the secondary aortoenteric fistula and Staphylococcus epidermidis in the infected prosthesis. Late CAA-related mortality rate was 2.8%: septic shock at 2 months in one patient and proximal anastomosis rupture at 1 year in one patient. Survival at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was 75%, 64%, and 54%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified type 1 diabetes (hazard ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-5.88; P = .04) and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 4 (hazard ratio, 2.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-6.53; P = .035) as predictors of mortality after in situ CAA reconstruction. Reinfection rate was 4% (3/71). Late CAA-related reintervention rate was 12.7% (9/71): proximal anastomotic rupture in one, CAA branch stenosis/thrombosis in five, ureteral-CAA branch fistula in one, and distal anastomosis false aneurysm in two. Primary patency at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was 100%, 93%, and 93%, respectively. Assisted primary patency at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was 100%, 96%, and 96%, respectively. No aneurysm or dilation was observed. The prognosis of native or secondary aortic graft infections is poor. Aortic in situ reconstruction with CAA offers acceptable early and late results. Patients with type 1 diabetes and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 4 are at higher risk of mortality. Copyright © 2017 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Benchmark Problems for Spacecraft Formation Flying Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, J. Russell; Leitner, Jesse A.; Burns, Richard D.; Folta, David C.

2003-01-01

To provide high-level focus to distributed space system flight dynamics and control research, several benchmark problems are suggested. These problems are not specific to any current or proposed mission, but instead are intended to capture high-level features that would be generic to many similar missions.

A proposed benchmark problem for cargo nuclear threat monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wesley Holmes, Thomas; Calderon, Adan; Peeples, Cody R.; Gardner, Robin P.

2011-10-01

There is currently a great deal of technical and political effort focused on reducing the risk of potential attacks on the United States involving radiological dispersal devices or nuclear weapons. This paper proposes a benchmark problem for gamma-ray and X-ray cargo monitoring with results calculated using MCNP5, v1.51. The primary goal is to provide a benchmark problem that will allow researchers in this area to evaluate Monte Carlo models for both speed and accuracy in both forward and inverse calculational codes and approaches for nuclear security applications. A previous benchmark problem was developed by one of the authors (RPG) for two similar oil well logging problems (Gardner and Verghese, 1991, [1]). One of those benchmarks has recently been used by at least two researchers in the nuclear threat area to evaluate the speed and accuracy of Monte Carlo codes combined with variance reduction techniques. This apparent need has prompted us to design this benchmark problem specifically for the nuclear threat researcher. This benchmark consists of conceptual design and preliminary calculational results using gamma-ray interactions on a system containing three thicknesses of three different shielding materials. A point source is placed inside the three materials lead, aluminum, and plywood. The first two materials are in right circular cylindrical form while the third is a cube. The entire system rests on a sufficiently thick lead base so as to reduce undesired scattering events. The configuration was arranged in such a manner that as gamma-ray moves from the source outward it first passes through the lead circular cylinder, then the aluminum circular cylinder, and finally the wooden cube before reaching the detector. A 2 in.×4 in.×16 in. box style NaI (Tl) detector was placed 1 m from the point source located in the center with the 4 in.×16 in. side facing the system. The two sources used in the benchmark are 137Cs and 235U.

Modification of the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay to study phenolic antioxidants in a Caco-2 cell line.

PubMed

Kellett, Mary E; Greenspan, Phillip; Pegg, Ronald B

2018-04-01

In vitro assays are widely used to analyze the antioxidant potential of compounds, but they cannot accurately predict antioxidant behavior in living systems. Cell-based assays, like the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay, are gaining importance as they provide a biological perspective. When the CAA assay was employed to study phenolic antioxidants using hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells, quercetin showed antioxidant activity in HepG2 cells; 25 and 250μM quercetin reduced fluorescence by 17.1±0.9% and 58.6±2.4%, respectively. (+)-Catechin, a phenolic antioxidant present in many foods, bestowed virtually no CAA in HepG2 cells. When Caco-2 cells were employed, more robust antioxidant activity was observed; 50μM (+)-catechin and quercetin reduced fluorescence by 54.1±1.4% and 63.6±0.9%, respectively. Based on these results, likely due to differences in active membrane transport between the cell types, the Caco-2-based CAA assay appears to be a more appropriate method for the study of certain dietary phenolics. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CFD-CAA Coupled Calculations of a Tandem Cylinder Configuration to Assess Facility Installation Effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Redonnet, Stephane; Lockard, David P.; Khorrami, Mehdi R.; Choudhari, Meelan M.

2011-01-01

This paper presents a numerical assessment of acoustic installation effects in the tandem cylinder (TC) experiments conducted in the NASA Langley Quiet Flow Facility (QFF), an open-jet, anechoic wind tunnel. Calculations that couple the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA) of the TC configuration within the QFF are conducted using the CFD simulation results previously obtained at NASA LaRC. The coupled simulations enable the assessment of installation effects associated with several specific features in the QFF facility that may have impacted the measured acoustic signature during the experiment. The CFD-CAA coupling is based on CFD data along a suitably chosen surface, and employs a technique that was recently improved to account for installed configurations involving acoustic backscatter into the CFD domain. First, a CFD-CAA calculation is conducted for an isolated TC configuration to assess the coupling approach, as well as to generate a reference solution for subsequent assessments of QFF installation effects. Direct comparisons between the CFD-CAA calculations associated with the various installed configurations allow the assessment of the effects of each component (nozzle, collector, etc.) or feature (confined vs. free jet flow, etc.) characterizing the NASA LaRC QFF facility.

Comparison of the effects of the US Clean Air Act and of smoking prevention and cessation efforts on the risk of acute myelogenous leukemia.

PubMed

Goldstein, Bernard D; Liu, Yan; Wu, Felicia; Lioy, Paul

2011-12-01

We used 2 approaches based on published information to compare the impacts on leukemia incidence and benzene exposure of the 1990 US Clean Air Act (CAA) amendments and smoking prevention and cessation efforts. We extrapolated leukemia mortality related to community air pollution levels and to cigarette smoking from data from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Surgeon General. We also estimated relative decline in total exposures to benzene (a known human leukemogen) owing to the CAA amendments and to smoking prevention and cessation efforts. We estimated that because of the CAA, there will be approximately 300 fewer leukemia deaths in the United States during the period 2000 through 2020. During the closest comparable period (1987-2007), we estimated that decline in cigarette smoking led to 7120 fewer leukemia deaths, of which 1282 to 3702 were attributable to benzene. Similarly, the decline in smoking led to about a tenfold greater decrease in total-population benzene exposure than did the 1990 CAA amendments. Both the CAA and smoking cessation activities contribute to a decrease in leukemia incidence. Smoking cessation activities have had a greater effect in the past.

Microbleeds in postmortem brains of patients with Alzheimer disease: a T2*-weighted gradient-echo 7.0 T magnetic resonance imaging study.

PubMed

De Reuck, Jacques L; Cordonnier, Charlotte; Deramecourt, Vincent; Auger, Florent; Durieux, Nicolas; Bordet, Regis; Maurage, Claude-Alain; Leys, Didier; Pasquier, Florence

2013-01-01

This study aims to determine the distribution and to quantify microbleeds (MBs) in postmortem brains of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) on T2*-weighted gradient-echo 7.0 T magnetic resonance imaging. Twenty-eight AD brains were compared with 5 controls. The AD brains were subdivided further: 18 without and 10 with additional severe cerebral amyloid angiopathy (AD-CAA). The distribution and the number of cortical focal signal intensity losses, representing MBs, were assessed on coronal sections at the frontal, the central, and the occipital level of a cerebral hemisphere. MBs prevailed in the central sections (P=0.005) of AD brains without CAA, whereas in AD-CAA brains, they were more frequent in all coronal sections (P≤0.002). They prevailed in the deep cortical layers of the AD brains and of the controls (P≤0.03). They were significantly increased in all cortical layers of the AD-CAA brains (P≤0.04), compared with the controls. MBs prevalence in brains of AD patients had a different topographic distribution according to the absence or presence of severe CAA.

Spinocerebellar ataxia 17: full phenotype in a 41 CAG/CAA repeats carrier.

PubMed

Origone, Paola; Gotta, Fabio; Lamp, Merit; Trevisan, Lucia; Geroldi, Alessandro; Massucco, Davide; Grazzini, Matteo; Massa, Federico; Ticconi, Flavia; Bauckneht, Matteo; Marchese, Roberta; Abbruzzese, Giovanni; Bellone, Emilia; Mandich, Paola

2018-01-01

Spinocerebellar ataxia 17 (SCA17) is one of the most heterogeneous forms of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias with a large clinical spectrum which can mimic other movement disorders such as Huntington disease (HD), dystonia and parkinsonism. SCA17 is caused by an expansion of CAG/CAA repeat in the Tata binding protein ( TBP ) gene. Normal alleles contain 25 to 40 CAG/CAA repeats, alleles with 50 or greater CAG/CAA repeats are pathological with full penetrance. Alleles with 43 to 49 CAG/CAA repeats were also reported and their penetrance is estimated between 50 and 80%. Recently few symptomatic individuals having 41 and 42 repeats were reported but it is still unclear whether CAG/CAA repeats of 41 or 42 are low penetrance disease-causing alleles. Thus, phenotypic variability like the disease course in subject with SCA17 locus restricted expansions remains to be fully understood. The patients was a 63-year-old woman who, at 54 years, showed personality changes and increased frequency of falls. At 55 years of age neuropsychological tests showed executive attention and visuospatial deficit. At the age of 59 the patient developed dysarthria and a progressive cognitive deficit. The neurological examination showed moderate gait ataxia, dysdiadochokinesia and dysmetria, dysphagia, dysarthria and abnormal saccadic pursuit, severe axial asynergy during postural changes, choreiform dyskinesias. Molecular analysis of the TBP gene demonstrated an allele with 41 repeat suggesting that 41 CAG/CCG TBP repeats could be an allele associated with the full clinical spectrum of SCA17. The described case with the other similar cases described in the literature suggests that 41 CAG/CAA trinucleotides should be considered as critical threshold in SCA17. We suggest that SCA17 diagnosis should be suspected in patients presenting with movement disorders associated with other neurodegenerative signs and symptoms.

Comparative studies on the interaction of caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid with bovine serum albumin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shuang; Huang, Kelong; Zhong, Ming; Guo, Jun; Wang, Wei-zheng; Zhu, Ronghua

2010-10-01

The substitution of the hydrogen on aromatic and esterification of carboxyl group of the phenol compounds plays an important role in their bio-activities. In this paper, caffeic acid (CaA), chlorogenic acid (ChA) and ferulic acid (FA) were selected to investigate the binding to bovine serum albumin (BSA) using UV absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. It was found that the methoxyl group substituting for the 3-hydroxyl group of CaA decreased the affinity for BSA and the esterification of carboxyl group of CaA with quinic acid increased the affinities. The affinities of ChA and FA with BSA were more sensitive to the temperature than that of CaA with BSA. Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and time-resolved fluorescence indicated that the Stern-Volmer plots largely deviated from linearity at high concentrations and were caused by complete quenching of the tyrosine fluorescence of BSA.

Merton's problem for an investor with a benchmark in a Barndorff-Nielsen and Shephard market.

PubMed

Lennartsson, Jan; Lindberg, Carl

2015-01-01

To try to outperform an externally given benchmark with known weights is the most common equity mandate in the financial industry. For quantitative investors, this task is predominantly approached by optimizing their portfolios consecutively over short time horizons with one-period models. We seek in this paper to provide a theoretical justification to this practice when the underlying market is of Barndorff-Nielsen and Shephard type. This is done by verifying that an investor who seeks to maximize her expected terminal exponential utility of wealth in excess of her benchmark will in fact use an optimal portfolio equivalent to the one-period Markowitz mean-variance problem in continuum under the corresponding Black-Scholes market. Further, we can represent the solution to the optimization problem as in Feynman-Kac form. Hence, the problem, and its solution, is analogous to Merton's classical portfolio problem, with the main difference that Merton maximizes expected utility of terminal wealth, not wealth in excess of a benchmark.

75 FR 31843 - Identification of Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials That Are Solid Waste

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-04

...On January 2, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit comment on which non-hazardous secondary materials that are used as fuels or ingredients in combustion units are solid wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The meaning of ``solid waste'' as defined under RCRA is of particular importance since it will determine whether a combustion unit is required to meet emissions standards for solid waste incineration units issued under section 129 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) or emissions standards for commercial, industrial, and institutional boilers issued under CAA section 112. CAA section 129 states that the term ``solid waste'' shall have the meaning ``established by the Administrator pursuant to [RCRA].'' EPA is proposing a definition of non-hazardous solid waste that would be used to identify whether non-hazardous secondary materials burned as fuels or used as ingredients in combustion units are solid waste. EPA is also proposing that non-hazardous secondary materials that have been discarded, and are therefore solid wastes, may be rendered products after they have been processed (altered chemically or physically) into a fuel or ingredient product. This proposed rule is necessary to identify units for the purpose of developing certain standards under sections 112 and 129 of the CAA. In addition to this proposed rule, EPA is concurrently proposing air emission requirements under CAA section 112 for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers and process heaters, as well as air emission requirements under CAA section 129 for commercial and industrial solid waste incineration units.

PMLB: a large benchmark suite for machine learning evaluation and comparison.

PubMed

Olson, Randal S; La Cava, William; Orzechowski, Patryk; Urbanowicz, Ryan J; Moore, Jason H

2017-01-01

The selection, development, or comparison of machine learning methods in data mining can be a difficult task based on the target problem and goals of a particular study. Numerous publicly available real-world and simulated benchmark datasets have emerged from different sources, but their organization and adoption as standards have been inconsistent. As such, selecting and curating specific benchmarks remains an unnecessary burden on machine learning practitioners and data scientists. The present study introduces an accessible, curated, and developing public benchmark resource to facilitate identification of the strengths and weaknesses of different machine learning methodologies. We compare meta-features among the current set of benchmark datasets in this resource to characterize the diversity of available data. Finally, we apply a number of established machine learning methods to the entire benchmark suite and analyze how datasets and algorithms cluster in terms of performance. From this study, we find that existing benchmarks lack the diversity to properly benchmark machine learning algorithms, and there are several gaps in benchmarking problems that still need to be considered. This work represents another important step towards understanding the limitations of popular benchmarking suites and developing a resource that connects existing benchmarking standards to more diverse and efficient standards in the future.

NAS Grid Benchmarks. 1.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanderWijngaart, Rob; Frumkin, Michael; Biegel, Bryan A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

We provide a paper-and-pencil specification of a benchmark suite for computational grids. It is based on the NAS (NASA Advanced Supercomputing) Parallel Benchmarks (NPB) and is called the NAS Grid Benchmarks (NGB). NGB problems are presented as data flow graphs encapsulating an instance of a slightly modified NPB task in each graph node, which communicates with other nodes by sending/receiving initialization data. Like NPB, NGB specifies several different classes (problem sizes). In this report we describe classes S, W, and A, and provide verification values for each. The implementor has the freedom to choose any language, grid environment, security model, fault tolerance/error correction mechanism, etc., as long as the resulting implementation passes the verification test and reports the turnaround time of the benchmark.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

Viewed from the 274-foot level mobile launcher (ML), the Orion crew access arm (CAA) is beign installed on the tower. The CAA will support the Space launch System (SLS) rocket at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System, or SLS, rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

Viewed from the 274-foot level mobile launcher (ML), a technician begins installation of the Orion crew access arm (CAA) to the tower. The CAA will support the Space launch System (SLS) rocket at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System, or SLS, rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Rocky Flats CAAS System Recalibrated, Retested, and Analyzed to Install in the Criticality Experiments Facility at the Nevada Test Site

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

Kim, S; Heinrichs, D; Biswas, D

2009-05-27

Neutron detectors and control panels transferred from the Rocky Flats Plant (RFP) were recalibrated and retested for redeployment to the CEF. Testing and calibration were successful with no failure to any equipment. Detector sensitivity was tested at a TRIGA reactor, and the response to thermal neutron flux was satisfactory. MCNP calculated minimum fission yield ({approx} 2 x 10{sup 15} fissions) was applied to determine the thermal flux at selected detector positions at the CEF. Thermal flux levels were greater than 6.39 x 10{sup 6} (n/cm{sup 2}-sec), which was about four orders of magnitude greater than the minimum alarm flux. Calculationsmore » of detector survivable distances indicate that, to be out of lethal area, a detector needs to be placed greater than 15 ft away from a maximum credible source. MCNP calculated flux/dose results were independently verified by COG. CAAS calibration and the testing confirmed that the RFP CAAS system is performing its functions as expected. New criteria for the CAAS detector placement and 12-rad zone boundaries at the CEF are established. All of the CAAS related documents and hardware have been transferred from LLNL to NSTec for installation at the CEF high bay areas.« less

Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy: An Important Differential Diagnosis of Stroke in the Elderly

PubMed Central

AZMIN, Shahrul; OSMAN, Syazarina Sharis; MUKARI, Shahizon; SAHATHEVAN, Ramesh

2015-01-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) accounts for approximately 10–20% of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). This figure is thought to be higher in the elderly population. With the increasing life expectancy of our population, we anticipate that the prevalence of CAA- related ICH will increase in tandem. Although CAA-related ICH and hypertension-related ICH are distinct entities based on histopathology and imaging, the clinical presentation of the two conditions is similar. The use of brain computed tomography (CT) scans remain the ICH imaging modality of choice in Malaysia due to its availability, cost, and sensitivity in detecting acute bleeds. On the other hand, the use of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) sequencing enables the clinician to determine the presence of chronic blood products in the brain, especially clinically silent microbleeds associated with CAA. However, the use of brain MRI scans in our country is limited and leads to a blurring of lines when differentiating between hypertension-related ICH and CAA-related ICH. How this misrepresentation affects the management of these conditions is unclear. In this study, we present two cases of ICH to illustrate this point and to serve as a springboard to question current practice and promote discussion. PMID:25892953

Lobar intracerebral haematomas: Neuropathological and 7.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging evaluation.

PubMed

De Reuck, Jacques; Cordonnier, Charlotte; Deramecourt, Vincent; Auger, Florent; Durieux, Nicolas; Leys, Didier; Pasquier, Florence; Maurage, Claude-Alain; Bordet, Regis

2016-10-15

The Boston criteria for cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) need validation by neuropathological examination in patients with lobar cerebral haematomas (LCHs). In "vivo" 1.5-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unreliable to detect the age-related signal changes in LCHs. This post-mortem study investigates the validity of the Boston criteria in brains with LCHs and the signal changes during their time course with 7.0-tesla MRI. Seventeen CAA brains including 26 LCHs were compared to 13 non-CAA brains with 14 LCHs. The evolution of the signal changes with time was examined in 25 LCHs with T2 and T2* 7.0-tesla MRI. In the CAA group LCHs were predominantly located in the parieto-occipital lobes. Also white matter changes were more severe with more cortical microinfarcts and cortical microbleeds. On MRI there was a progressive shift of the intensity of the hyposignal from the haematoma core in the acute stage to the boundaries later on. During the residual stage the hyposignal mildly decreased in the boundaries with an increase of the superficial siderosis and haematoma core collapse. Our post-mortem study of LCHs confirms the validity of the Boston criteria for CAA. Also 7.0-tesla MRI allows staging the age of the LCHs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of the Effects of the US Clean Air Act and of Smoking Prevention and Cessation Efforts on the Risk of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

PubMed Central

Liu, Yan; Wu, Felicia; Lioy, Paul

2011-01-01

Objectives. We used 2 approaches based on published information to compare the impacts on leukemia incidence and benzene exposure of the 1990 US Clean Air Act (CAA) amendments and smoking prevention and cessation efforts. Methods. We extrapolated leukemia mortality related to community air pollution levels and to cigarette smoking from data from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Surgeon General. We also estimated relative decline in total exposures to benzene (a known human leukemogen) owing to the CAA amendments and to smoking prevention and cessation efforts. Results. We estimated that because of the CAA, there will be approximately 300 fewer leukemia deaths in the United States during the period 2000 through 2020. During the closest comparable period (1987–2007), we estimated that decline in cigarette smoking led to 7120 fewer leukemia deaths, of which 1282 to 3702 were attributable to benzene. Similarly, the decline in smoking led to about a tenfold greater decrease in total-population benzene exposure than did the 1990 CAA amendments. Conclusions. Both the CAA and smoking cessation activities contribute to a decrease in leukemia incidence. Smoking cessation activities have had a greater effect in the past. PMID:22021318

A Computer-Aided Analysis Method of SPECT Brain Images for Quantitative Treatment Monitoring: Performance Evaluations and Clinical Applications.

PubMed

Zheng, Xiujuan; Wei, Wentao; Huang, Qiu; Song, Shaoli; Wan, Jieqing; Huang, Gang

2017-01-01

The objective and quantitative analysis of longitudinal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images are significant for the treatment monitoring of brain disorders. Therefore, a computer aided analysis (CAA) method is introduced to extract a change-rate map (CRM) as a parametric image for quantifying the changes of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in longitudinal SPECT brain images. The performances of the CAA-CRM approach in treatment monitoring are evaluated by the computer simulations and clinical applications. The results of computer simulations show that the derived CRMs have high similarities with their ground truths when the lesion size is larger than system spatial resolution and the change rate is higher than 20%. In clinical applications, the CAA-CRM approach is used to assess the treatment of 50 patients with brain ischemia. The results demonstrate that CAA-CRM approach has a 93.4% accuracy of recovered region's localization. Moreover, the quantitative indexes of recovered regions derived from CRM are all significantly different among the groups and highly correlated with the experienced clinical diagnosis. In conclusion, the proposed CAA-CRM approach provides a convenient solution to generate a parametric image and derive the quantitative indexes from the longitudinal SPECT brain images for treatment monitoring.

Benchmarking on Tsunami Currents with ComMIT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharghi vand, N.; Kanoglu, U.

2015-12-01

There were no standards for the validation and verification of tsunami numerical models before 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Even, number of numerical models has been used for inundation mapping effort, evaluation of critical structures, etc. without validation and verification. After 2004, NOAA Center for Tsunami Research (NCTR) established standards for the validation and verification of tsunami numerical models (Synolakis et al. 2008 Pure Appl. Geophys. 165, 2197-2228), which will be used evaluation of critical structures such as nuclear power plants against tsunami attack. NCTR presented analytical, experimental and field benchmark problems aimed to estimate maximum runup and accepted widely by the community. Recently, benchmark problems were suggested by the US National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program Mapping & Modeling Benchmarking Workshop: Tsunami Currents on February 9-10, 2015 at Portland, Oregon, USA (http://nws.weather.gov/nthmp/index.html). These benchmark problems concentrated toward validation and verification of tsunami numerical models on tsunami currents. Three of the benchmark problems were: current measurement of the Japan 2011 tsunami in Hilo Harbor, Hawaii, USA and in Tauranga Harbor, New Zealand, and single long-period wave propagating onto a small-scale experimental model of the town of Seaside, Oregon, USA. These benchmark problems were implemented in the Community Modeling Interface for Tsunamis (ComMIT) (Titov et al. 2011 Pure Appl. Geophys. 168, 2121-2131), which is a user-friendly interface to the validated and verified Method of Splitting Tsunami (MOST) (Titov and Synolakis 1995 J. Waterw. Port Coastal Ocean Eng. 121, 308-316) model and is developed by NCTR. The modeling results are compared with the required benchmark data, providing good agreements and results are discussed. Acknowledgment: The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no 603839 (Project ASTARTE - Assessment, Strategy and Risk Reduction for Tsunamis in Europe)

Combined alkali and acid pretreatment of spent mushroom substrate for reducing sugar and biofertilizer production.

PubMed

Zhu, Hong-Ji; Liu, Jia-Heng; Sun, Li-Fan; Hu, Zong-Fu; Qiao, Jian-Jun

2013-05-01

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was pretreated with alkaline reagents including potassium hydroxide, lime and ammonia to enhance enzymatic saccharification. Under the best pretreatment conditions (1M KOH, 80 °C, 90 min; 1M lime, 80 °C, 120 min; 10 M ammonia, 70 °C, 120 min), the total reducing sugar (TRS) yield reached 258.6, 204.2 and 251.2 mg/g raw SMS, which were respectively 6.15, 4.86, and 5.98 times of untreated SMS. The effects of pretreatment by above alkaline reagents and sulfuric acid on the composition and structure of SMS were evaluated to provide comparative performance data. A new process, combined alkali and acid (CAA) pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis, was innovatively proposed to improve the cost-effectiveness and avoid environmental problems. The SMS residue after CAA pretreatment-enzymatic hydrolysis process was converted to biofertilizer with Pichia farinose FL7 and a cell density of 3.0×10(8) cfu/g in biomass was attained. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Category 3: Sound Generation by Interacting with a Gust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scott, James R.

2004-01-01

The cascade-gust interaction problem is solved employing a time-domain approach. The purpose of this problem is to test the ability of a CFD/CAA code to accurately predict the unsteady aerodynamic and aeroacoustic response of a single airfoil to a two-dimensional, periodic vortical gust.Nonlinear time dependent Euler equations are solved using higher order spatial differencing and time marching techniques. The solutions indicate the generation and propagation of expected mode orders for the given configuration and flow conditions. The blade passing frequency (BPF) is cut off for this cascade while higher harmonic, 2BPF and 3BPF, modes are cut on.

A suite of benchmark and challenge problems for enhanced geothermal systems

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

White, Mark; Fu, Pengcheng; McClure, Mark

A diverse suite of numerical simulators is currently being applied to predict or understand the performance of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). To build confidence and identify critical development needs for these analytical tools, the United States Department of Energy, Geothermal Technologies Office sponsored a Code Comparison Study (GTO-CCS), with participants from universities, industry, and national laboratories. A principal objective for the study was to create a community forum for improvement and verification of numerical simulators for EGS modeling. Teams participating in the study were those representing U.S. national laboratories, universities, and industries, and each team brought unique numerical simulation capabilitiesmore » to bear on the problems. Two classes of problems were developed during the study, benchmark problems and challenge problems. The benchmark problems were structured to test the ability of the collection of numerical simulators to solve various combinations of coupled thermal, hydrologic, geomechanical, and geochemical processes. This class of problems was strictly defined in terms of properties, driving forces, initial conditions, and boundary conditions. The challenge problems were based on the enhanced geothermal systems research conducted at Fenton Hill, near Los Alamos, New Mexico, between 1974 and 1995. The problems involved two phases of research, stimulation, development, and circulation in two separate reservoirs. The challenge problems had specific questions to be answered via numerical simulation in three topical areas: 1) reservoir creation/stimulation, 2) reactive and passive transport, and 3) thermal recovery. Whereas the benchmark class of problems were designed to test capabilities for modeling coupled processes under strictly specified conditions, the stated objective for the challenge class of problems was to demonstrate what new understanding of the Fenton Hill experiments could be realized via the application of modern numerical simulation tools by recognized expert practitioners. We present the suite of benchmark and challenge problems developed for the GTO-CCS, providing problem descriptions and sample solutions.« less

2 CFR 1532.1600 - What definitions apply specifically to actions under this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., floating craft, location or site of operations that gives rise to a CAA or CWA conviction, and is a... transactions may be performed. If a site of operations giving rise to a CAA or CWA conviction contains or...

Cross-talk between Aβ and endothelial SSAO/VAP-1 accelerates vascular damage and Aβ aggregation related to CAA-AD.

PubMed

Solé, Montse; Miñano-Molina, Alfredo J; Unzeta, Mercedes

2015-02-01

An association between semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been largely postulated. Increased SSAO activity and expression have been detected in cerebrovascular tissue and plasma of AD patients, colocalizing with cerebrovascular amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposits. As an enzyme, SSAO metabolizes primary amines generating hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and aldehydes. The ability of these products to generate oxidative stress, to enhance the advanced glycation end-product generation, to promote the Aβ aggregation in vitro, and to induce apoptosis supports its role in CAA-related vascular pathology. However, whether the SSAO increase constitutes a cause or it is a consequence of the pathologic process has not been elucidated so far. To set up the nature of this relationship, vascular cell models expressing SSAO were treated with different Aβ forms, simulating the CAA conditions in vitro. It was found that the presence of the vasculotropic Dutch-mutated Aβ1-40 increases (Aβ1-40 D) the SSAO-dependent toxicity, which is accompanied by an increase of SSAO protein availability in endothelial cell membranes. In addition, SSAO enhances Aβ1-40 D and Aβ1-42 deposition on vascular cells by both activity-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Thus, we provide evidences indicating that Aβ itself could be one of the factors inducing SSAO increase in AD, enhancing its toxic effect, and inducing the vascular dysfunction and, in turn, that SSAO stimulates Aβ deposition on the vascular walls, thereby contributing to the CAA-AD progression. Therefore, molecules inhibiting SSAO could provide an alternative treatment for preventing/delaying the progress of CAA-AD-associated vasculopathy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Atrioventricular depolarization differences identify coronary artery anomalies in Kawasaki disease.

PubMed

Cortez, Daniel; Sharma, Nandita; Jone, Pei-Ni

2017-03-01

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Signal average electrocardiogram changes in patients during the acute phase of KD with coronary artery anomalies (CAA) include depolarization changes. We set out to determine if 12-lead-derived atrioventricular depolarization differences can identify CAA in patients with KD. A blinded, retrospective case-control study of patients with KD was performed. Deep Q waves, corrected QT-intervals (QTc), spatial QRS-T angles, T-wave vector magnitudes (RMS-T), and a novel parameter for assessment of atrioventricular depolarization difference (the spatial PR angle) and a two dimensional PR angle were assessed. Comparisons between groups were performed to test for significant differences. One hundred one patients with KD were evaluated, with 68 having CAA (67.3%, mean age 3.6 ± 3.0 years, 82.6% male), and 32 without CAA (31.7%, mean age 2.7 ± 3.2 years, 70.4% male). The spatial PR angle significantly discriminated KD patients with CAA from those without, 59.7° ± 31.1° versus 41.6° ± 11.5° (p < .001). A spatial PR angle cutoff value of 56.9° gave positive/negative predictive values and odds ratios of 93.8%, 43.5%, and 11.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6-52.2). The two dimensional PR angle either below 7° or above 92° gave positive/negative predictive values and odds ratios of 100.0%, 38.8%, and 21.1% (95% CI 1.2-362.8). No other parameters significantly differentiated the groups. Atrioventricular depolarization differences, measured by the spatial or two dimensional PR angle differentiate KD patients with CAA versus those without. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation with epilepsy mimicking a presentation of brain tumor: A case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Kusakabe, Kosuke; Inoue, Akihiro; Matsumoto, Shirabe; Kurata, Mie; Kitazawa, Riko; Watanabe, Hideaki; Kunieda, Takeharu

2018-05-29

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri), a rare and treatable variant of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, lacks specific imaging and clinical features, and requires invasive brain biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. We report the case of a patient with nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) caused by CAA-ri in the right occipital lobe. A 78-year-old man with a history of hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis was admitted to our hospital following an episode of seizures. CT scan showed a low-attenuating subcortical lesion in the right occipital lobe. MRI revealed the lesion as hypointense on T1-weighted imaging (WI) and hyperintense on T2-WI, showing no enhancement on T1-WI contrast-enhanced with gadolinium. In addition, T2*-weighted gradient-recalled echo (T2*-GRE) and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) revealed extensive cortical microbleeds. Biopsy to determine the exact diagnosis revealed histological findings of reactive changes and perivascular inflammatory infiltration associated with amyloid deposition in vessel walls. These findings were consistent with CAA-ri. Corticosteroid therapy with dexamethasone was initiated for a short period as a diagnostic and therapeutic maneuver, resulting in marked reductions in the lesion. CAA is generally associated with intracerebral hemorrhage, dementia, and small cerebral infarctions in the elderly population, but in a small proportion of cases is related to inflammatory responses to vascular deposits of Aβ, as so-called CAA-ri. CAA-ri should be considered among the differential diagnoses for causes of unprovoked seizure onset in elderly individuals, when associated with petechial hemorrhages on T2*-GRE and SWI sequences on MRI. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Immune function of peripheral T cells in patients with venous thromboembolism or coronary artery atherosclerosis.

PubMed

Zhou, Lin; Song, Haoming; Xu, Wenjun; Xu, Jiahong; Jiang, Jinfa; Gong, Zhu; Liu, Yang; Yan, Wenwen; Wang, Lemin

2014-06-01

Recent studies have shown that the major risk factors for arterial thrombotic diseases are closely associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study aimed to investigate the expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 in T lymphocytes, the CD4/CD8 ratio and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in patients with VTE, coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAA) and healthy subjects. A total of 82 healthy subjects, 51 VTE patients and 114 CAA patients were recruited, and the expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 in T lymphocytes and the CD4/CD8 ratio were determined. Serum hs-CRP was also measured. Compared to healthy subjects, VTE patients had significantly reduced CD3 expression (p=0.019), comparable CD4 expression (p=0.868), significantly reduced CD8 expression (p<0.001) and increased CD4/CD8 ratio (p=0.044). However, VTE patients had comparable expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratio to CAA patients. In addition, among patients with VTE or CAA, the proportion of patients with reduced CD3+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes or increased CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher than in healthy subjects. In addition, hs-CRP in both VTE and CAA groups was significantly higher than in healthy subjects. The antigen recognition and signal transduction activation of T cells is significantly reduced in patients with VTE or CAA, and the killing effect of T cells on pathogens, including viruses, is also significantly compromised. In addition, inflammatory and immune mechanisms are involved in the occurrence and development of venous and arterial thrombosis. Copyright © 2013 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Minocycline Reduces Spontaneous Hemorrhage in Mouse Models of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

PubMed Central

Liao, Fan; Xiao, Qingli; Kraft, Andrew; Gonzales, Ernie; Perez, Ron; Greenberg, Steven M.; Holtzman, David; Lee, Jin-Moo

2015-01-01

Background and Purpose Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA) is a common cause of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the elderly. Previous studies have shown that CAA induces inflammation and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (gelatinases) in amyloid-laden vessels. Here, we inhibited both using minocycline in CAA mouse models to determine if spontaneous ICH could be reduced. Methods Tg2576 (n=16) and 5×FAD/ApoE4 knock-in mice (n=16), aged to 17 and 12 months, respectively, were treated with minocycline (50 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline every other day for two months. Brains were extracted and stained with X-34 (to quantify amyloid), Perl’s blue (to quantify hemorrhage), and immunostained to examined Aβ load, gliosis (GFAP, Iba-1), and vascular markers of blood-brain-barrier integrity (ZO-1 and collagen IV). Brain extracts were used to quantify mRNA for a variety of inflammatory genes. Results Minocycline treatment significantly reduced hemorrhage frequency in the brains of Tg2576 and 5×FAD/ApoE4 mice relative to the saline-treated mice, without affecting CAA load. Gliosis (GFAP and Iba-1 immunostaining), gelatinase activity, and expression of a variety of inflammatory genes (MMP-9, Nox4, CD45, S-100b, Iba-1) were also significantly reduced. Higher levels of microvascular tight junction and basal lamina proteins were found in the brains of minocycline-treated Tg2576 mice relative to saline-treated controls. Conclusions Minocycline reduced gliosis, inflammatory gene expression, gelatinase activity, and spontaneous hemorrhage in two different mouse models of CAA, supporting the importance of MMP-related and inflammatory pathways in ICH pathogenesis. As an FDA-approved drug, minocycline might be considered for clinical trials to test efficacy in preventing CAA-related ICH. PMID:25944329

Dominant behaviours in the expression of human carbonic anhydrase hCA I activity.

PubMed

Abdelrahim, M Yahia M; Tanc, Muhammet; Winum, Jean-Yves; Supuran, Claudiu T; Barboiu, Mihail

2014-07-28

Here we describe the screening via Dynamic Deconvolution of DCLs of inhibitors (CAIs) and activators (CAAs) of hCA I. The inhibitory effects dominate over the activating ones, while the CAAs may be identified in the absence of CAIs.

Verification and benchmark testing of the NUFT computer code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, K. H.; Nitao, J. J.; Kulshrestha, A.

1993-10-01

This interim report presents results of work completed in the ongoing verification and benchmark testing of the NUFT (Nonisothermal Unsaturated-saturated Flow and Transport) computer code. NUFT is a suite of multiphase, multicomponent models for numerical solution of thermal and isothermal flow and transport in porous media, with application to subsurface contaminant transport problems. The code simulates the coupled transport of heat, fluids, and chemical components, including volatile organic compounds. Grid systems may be cartesian or cylindrical, with one-, two-, or fully three-dimensional configurations possible. In this initial phase of testing, the NUFT code was used to solve seven one-dimensional unsaturated flow and heat transfer problems. Three verification and four benchmarking problems were solved. In the verification testing, excellent agreement was observed between NUFT results and the analytical or quasianalytical solutions. In the benchmark testing, results of code intercomparison were very satisfactory. From these testing results, it is concluded that the NUFT code is ready for application to field and laboratory problems similar to those addressed here. Multidimensional problems, including those dealing with chemical transport, will be addressed in a subsequent report.

In Vitro Expansion of CAG, CAA, and Mixed CAG/CAA Repeats.

PubMed

Figura, Grzegorz; Koscianska, Edyta; Krzyzosiak, Wlodzimierz J

2015-08-11

Polyglutamine diseases, including Huntington's disease and a number of spinocerebellar ataxias, are caused by expanded CAG repeats that are located in translated sequences of individual, functionally-unrelated genes. Only mutant proteins containing polyglutamine expansions have long been thought to be pathogenic, but recent evidence has implicated mutant transcripts containing long CAG repeats in pathogenic processes. The presence of two pathogenic factors prompted us to attempt to distinguish the effects triggered by mutant protein from those caused by mutant RNA in cellular models of polyglutamine diseases. We used the SLIP (Synthesis of Long Iterative Polynucleotide) method to generate plasmids expressing long CAG repeats (forming a hairpin structure), CAA-interrupted CAG repeats (forming multiple unstable hairpins) or pure CAA repeats (not forming any secondary structure). We successfully modified the original SLIP protocol to generate repeats of desired length starting from constructs containing short repeat tracts. We demonstrated that the SLIP method is a time- and cost-effective approach to manipulate the lengths of expanded repeat sequences.

Multidentate (18)F-polypegylated styrylpyridines as imaging agents for Aβ plaques in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA).

PubMed

Zha, Zhihao; Choi, Seok Rye; Ploessl, Karl; Lieberman, Brian P; Qu, Wenchao; Hefti, Franz; Mintun, Mark; Skovronsky, Daniel; Kung, Hank F

2011-12-08

β-Amyloid plaques (Aβ plaques) in the brain are associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Imaging agents that could target the Aβ plaques in the living human brain would be potentially valuable as biomarkers in patients with CAA. A new series of (18)F styrylpyridine derivatives with high molecular weights for selectively targeting Aβ plaques in the blood vessels of the brain but excluded from the brain parenchyma is reported. The styrylpyridine derivatives, 8a-c, display high binding affinities and specificity to Aβ plaques (K(i) = 2.87, 3.24, and 7.71 nM, respectively). In vitro autoradiography of [(18)F]8a shows labeling of β-amyloid plaques associated with blood vessel walls in human brain sections of subjects with CAA and also in the tissue of AD brain sections. The results suggest that [(18)F]8a may be a useful PET imaging agent for selectively detecting Aβ plaques associated with cerebral vessels in the living human brain.

A Caco-2 cell-based quantitative antioxidant activity assay for antioxidants.

PubMed

Wan, Hongxia; Liu, Dong; Yu, Xiangying; Sun, Haiyan; Li, Yan

2015-05-15

A Caco-2 cell-based antioxidant activity (CAA) assay for quantitative evaluation of antioxidants was developed by optimizing seeding density and culture time of Caco-2 cells, incubation time and concentration of fluorescent probe (2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, DCFH-DA), incubation way and incubation time of antioxidants (pure phytochemicals) and DCFH-DA with cells, and detection time of fluorescence. Results showed that the CAA assay was of good reproducibility and could be used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of antioxidants at the following conditions: seeding density of 5 × 10(4)/well, cell culture time of 24h, co-incubation of 60 μM DCFH-DA and pure phytochemicals with Caco-2 cells for 20 min and fluorescence recorded for 90 min. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between CAA values and rat plasma ORAC values following the intake of antioxidants for selected pure phytochemicals (R(2) = 0.815, p < 0.01), demonstrating the good biological relevance of CAA assay. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Seven-days-ahead forecasting of childhood asthma admissions using artificial neural networks in Athens, Greece.

PubMed

Moustris, Kostas P; Douros, Konstantinos; Nastos, Panagiotis T; Larissi, Ioanna K; Anthracopoulos, Michael B; Paliatsos, Athanasios G; Priftis, Kostas N

2012-01-01

Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models were developed and applied in order to predict the total weekly number of Childhood Asthma Admission (CAA) at the greater Athens area (GAA) in Greece. Hourly meteorological data from the National Observatory of Athens and ambient air pollution data from seven different areas within the GAA for the period 2001-2004 were used. Asthma admissions for the same period were obtained from hospital registries of the three main Children's Hospitals of Athens. Three different ANN models were developed and trained in order to forecast the CAA for the subgroups of 0-4, 5-14-year olds, and for the whole study population. The results of this work have shown that ANNs could give an adequate forecast of the total weekly number of CAA in relation to the bioclimatic and air pollution conditions. The forecasted numbers are in very good agreement with the observed real total weekly numbers of CAA.

Cardiolipin deficiency causes a dissociation of the b 6 c:caa 3 megacomplex in B. subtilis membranes.

PubMed

García Montes de Oca, Led Yered Jafet; Cabellos Avelar, Tecilli; Picón Garrido, Gerardo Ignacio; Chagoya-López, Alicia; González de la Vara, Luis; Delgado Buenrostro, Norma Laura; Chirino-López, Yolanda Irasema; Gómez-Lojero, Carlos; Gutiérrez-Cirlos, Emma Berta

2016-08-01

The associations among respiratory complexes in energy-transducing membranes have been established. In fact, it is known that the Gram-negative bacteria Paracoccus denitrificans and Escherichia coli have respiratory supercomplexes in their membranes. These supercomplexes are important for channeling substrates between enzymes in a metabolic pathway, and the assembly of these supercomplexes depends on the protein subunits and membrane lipids, mainly cardiolipin, which is present in both the mitochondrial inner membrane and bacterial membranes. The Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis has a branched respiratory chain, in which some complexes generate proton motive force whereas others constitute an escape valve of excess reducing power. Some peculiarities of this respiratory chain are the following: a type II NADH dehydrogenase, a unique b 6 c complex that has a b 6 type cytochrome with a covalently bound heme, and a c-type heme attached to the third subunit, which is similar to subunit IV of the photosynthetic b 6 f complex. Cytochrome c oxygen reductase (caa 3 ) contains a c-type cytochrome on subunit I. We previously showed that the b 6 c and the caa 3 complexes form a supercomplex. Both the b 6 c and the caa 3 together with the quinol oxygen reductase aa 3 generate the proton motive force in B. subtilis. In order to seek proof that this supercomplex is important for bacterial growth in aerobic conditions we compared the b 6 c: caa 3 supercomplex from wild type membranes with membranes from two mutants lacking cardiolipin. Both mutant complexes were found to have similar activity and heme content as the wild type. Clear native electrophoresis showed that mutants lacking cardiolipin had b 6 c:caa 3 supercomplexes of lower mass or even individual complexes after membrane solubilization with digitonin. The use of dodecyl maltoside revealed a more evident difference between wild-type and mutant supercomplexes. Here we provide evidence showing that cardiolipin plays a role in the stability of the b 6 c:caa 3 supercomplex in B. subtilis.

Theoretical Study of Electron Transfer Properties of Squaraine Dyes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juwita, Ratna; Tsai, Hui-Hsu Gavin

2018-01-01

The environmental issues and high cost of Ru create many scientists to explore cheaper and safer sensitizer as alternative for dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Dyes play an important role in solar energy conversion efficiency. The squaraine (SQ) dyes has good spectral match with the solar spectra, therefore, SQ dyes have great potential for the applications in DSCs. SQ01_CA is an unsymmetrical SQ dye, reported by Grätzel and colleagues in 2007, featuring a D-π-spacer-A framework and has a carboxylic acid anchoring group. The electron donating ability of indolium in SQ01_CA and SQ01_CAA dyes is relatively weak, better performance may be achieved by introducing an additional donor moiety into indolium [1]. In this study, we investigate six unsymmetrical SQ dyes adsorbed on a (TiO2)38 cluster [2] using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT to study electron transfer properties of squaraine dyes on their photophysical. SQ01_CA, WH-SQ01_CA, and WH-SQ02_CA use a carboxylic acid group as its electron acceptor. Furthermore, SQ01_CAA, WH-SQ01_CAA, and WH-SQ02_CAA use a cyanoacrylic acid group as its electron acceptor. WH-SQ01_CA and WH-SQ01_CAA have an alkyl, while WH-SQ02_CA and WH-SQ02_CAA have alkoxyl substituted diarylamines to the indolium donor of sensitizer SQ01_CA. Our calculations show with additional diarylamines in donor tail of WH-SQ02_CAA, the SQ dyes have red-shifted absorption and have slightly larger probability of electron density transferred to TiO2 moiety. Furthermore, an additional -CN group as electron a withdrawing group in the acceptor exhibits red-shifted absorption and enhances the electron density transferred to TiO2 and anchoring moiety after photo-excitation. The tendency of calculated probabilities of electron density being delocalized into TiO2 and driving force for excited-state electron injection of these studied SQ dyes is compatible with their experimentally observed.

Sensitivity Analysis of OECD Benchmark Tests in BISON

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

Swiler, Laura Painton; Gamble, Kyle; Schmidt, Rodney C.

2015-09-01

This report summarizes a NEAMS (Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation) project focused on sensitivity analysis of a fuels performance benchmark problem. The benchmark problem was defined by the Uncertainty Analysis in Modeling working group of the Nuclear Science Committee, part of the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD ). The benchmark problem involv ed steady - state behavior of a fuel pin in a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). The problem was created in the BISON Fuels Performance code. Dakota was used to generate and analyze 300 samples of 17 input parameters defining coremore » boundary conditions, manuf acturing tolerances , and fuel properties. There were 24 responses of interest, including fuel centerline temperatures at a variety of locations and burnup levels, fission gas released, axial elongation of the fuel pin, etc. Pearson and Spearman correlatio n coefficients and Sobol' variance - based indices were used to perform the sensitivity analysis. This report summarizes the process and presents results from this study.« less

Analyzing the BBOB results by means of benchmarking concepts.

PubMed

Mersmann, O; Preuss, M; Trautmann, H; Bischl, B; Weihs, C

2015-01-01

We present methods to answer two basic questions that arise when benchmarking optimization algorithms. The first one is: which algorithm is the "best" one? and the second one is: which algorithm should I use for my real-world problem? Both are connected and neither is easy to answer. We present a theoretical framework for designing and analyzing the raw data of such benchmark experiments. This represents a first step in answering the aforementioned questions. The 2009 and 2010 BBOB benchmark results are analyzed by means of this framework and we derive insight regarding the answers to the two questions. Furthermore, we discuss how to properly aggregate rankings from algorithm evaluations on individual problems into a consensus, its theoretical background and which common pitfalls should be avoided. Finally, we address the grouping of test problems into sets with similar optimizer rankings and investigate whether these are reflected by already proposed test problem characteristics, finding that this is not always the case.

Spatial Relation between Microbleeds and Amyloid Deposits in Amyloid Angiopathy

PubMed Central

Dierksen, Gregory A; Skehan, Maureen E; Khan, Muhammad A; Jeng, Jed; Nandigam, RN Kaveer; Becker, John A; Kumar, Ashok; Neal, Krista L; Betensky, Rebecca A; Frosch, Matthew P; Rosand, Jonathan; Johnson, Keith A; Viswanathan, Anand; Salat, David H; Greenberg, Steven M

2010-01-01

Advanced cerebrovascular β-amyloid deposition (cerebral amyloid angiopathy, CAA) is associated with cerebral microbleeds, but the precise relationship between CAA burden and microbleeds is undefined. We used T2*-weighted MRI and noninvasive amyloid imaging with Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) to analyze the spatial relationship between CAA and microbleeds. On co-registered PET and MRI images, PiB retention was increased at microbleed sites compared to simulated control lesions (p=0.002) and declined with increasing distance from the microbleed (p<0.0001). These findings indicate that microbleeds occur preferentially in local regions of concentrated amyloid and support therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing vascular amyloid deposition. PMID:20865701

Detection of Isolated Cerebrovascular β-Amyloid with Pittsburgh Compound B

PubMed Central

Greenberg, SM; Grabowski; Gurol, ME; Skehan, ME; Nandigam, RNK; Becker, JA; Garcia-Alloza, M; Prada, C; Frosch, MP; Rosand, J; Viswanathan, A; Smith, EE; Johnson, KA

2008-01-01

Imaging of cerebrovascular β-amyloid (cerebral amyloid angiopathy, CAA) is complicated by this pathology’s nearly universal overlap with Alzheimer pathology. We performed PET imaging with Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) on 42-year old man with early manifestations of Iowa-type hereditary CAA, a form of the disorder with little or no plaque deposits of fibrillar β-amyloid. The results demonstrated elevated PiB retention selectively in occipital cortex, sparing regions typically labeled in Alzheimer disease. These results offer compelling evidence that PiB-PET can noninvasively detect isolated CAA prior to overt signs of tissue damage such as hemorrhage or white matter lesions. PMID:19067370

Perceptions of University Students regarding Computer Assisted Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jamil, Mubashrah

2012-01-01

Computer assisted assessment (CAA) is a common technique of assessment in higher educational institutions in Western countries, but a relatively new concept for students and teachers in Pakistan. It was therefore interesting to investigate students' perceptions about CAA practices from different universities of Pakistan. Information was collected…

THE CHALLENGES OF AIR POLLUTION AND RESIDUAL RISK ASSESSMENT (EDITORIAL)

EPA Science Inventory

The Clean Air Act (CAA), a comprehensive federal law that regulates air pollution from stationary and mobile sources, was first passed in 1963. The act has provided the primary framework for protecting human health and the environment. The CAA divides air pollutants into "criteri...

Army Task Force on Behavioral Health: Corrective Action Plan

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

Veterans Affairs Legal Section KNOWLEDGE MGMT SECTION • KMO • CAA Analyst Figure I-1. Task Force Organization. ACRONYM Key ASA(M&RA): Assistant...Army Audit Agency OTIG: Office of the Inspector General OTSG: Office of the Surgeon General KMO : Knowledge Management Officer CAA: Center for

The extent of inferior displacement of the mastoid tegmen is related to the severity of congenital aural atresia.

PubMed

Ju, Young-Ho; Park, Euyhyun; Park, Sangheon; Jung, Kwangjin; Lee, Kijeong; Im, Gi Jung

2014-03-01

The extent of inferior displacement of the mastoid tegmen is related to the severity of congenital aural atresia (CAA). To analyze anatomic variations observed on high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) in patients with CAA, the extent of inferior displacement of the mastoid tegmen and the size of the incudo-stapedial (IS) joint angle were compared with surgical parameters for atresiaplasty, such as Jahrsdoerfer score and hearing acuity. Sixty-one patients with unilateral CAA underwent high-resolution TBCT and hearing tests. We evaluated TBCTs in terms of Jahrsdoerfer criteria and analyzed the relationships among the inferior displacement of the mastoid tegmen, size of the IS joint angle, hearing acuity, and the Jahrsdoerfer score on the atretic side. IS joint angle on the atretic side was found to be 120.6 ± 11°, which was significantly greater than the corresponding value of 103.4 ± 5.4° on the normal side. Cholesteatoma occurred significantly more often in CAA patients with narrow external auditory canals (EACs) (9/27; 33.3%), compared with CAA patients with no EAC opening (2/34; 5.9%). There was a significant relation between the extent of inferior displacement of the mastoid tegmen (28.9% in the atretic side and 17.3% in the normal side) and the Jahrsdoerfer score (p < 0.0001).

Coronary artery aneurysm combined with other multiple aneurysms at multiple locations: A case report and systematic review.

PubMed

Jiang, Li-Cheng; Cao, Jia-Yu; Chen, Mao

2017-12-01

Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) with concomitant aneurysms at multiple sites is quite unusual and rare. The characteristics and the etiology of this phenomenon are unknown. Herein, we present a case with right coronary aneurysm with concomitant abdominal aorta as well as right renal artery aneurysm. A systematic review of the literatures regarding CAA with other coexisting aneurysms at multiple locations was also conducted on Medline and Embase databases. A total of 76 patients (male gender: 58; age: 37.4 ± 26.5) including the present case were included in the final study. The most common etiology of CAA with multiple aneurysms was Kawasaki (43.3%) and atherosclerotic disease (16.4%). CAA was the most frequently found at the right coronary artery (62.7%), following, left anterior descending (51%), left main (43.1%), and left circumflex (35.3%). The most common concomitant aneurysms were abdominal aorta (52.6%) and iliac artery (50%). In addition, 60.5% of the patients had an involved bilateral peripheral artery. CAA with coexisting systemic aneurysms in multiple sites is quite rare. And it usually involves multiple aneurysms at the coronary and bilateral peripheral arteries simultaneously. Currently, there are no general consensus regarding the clinical characteristics, diagnostic method, and treatment of these cases. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Edinburgh CT and genetic diagnostic criteria for lobar intracerebral haemorrhage associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy: model development and diagnostic test accuracy study.

PubMed

Rodrigues, Mark A; Samarasekera, Neshika; Lerpiniere, Christine; Humphreys, Catherine; McCarron, Mark O; White, Philip M; Nicoll, James A R; Sudlow, Cathie L M; Cordonnier, Charlotte; Wardlaw, Joanna M; Smith, Colin; Al-Shahi Salman, Rustam

2018-03-01

Identification of lobar spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is important because it is associated with a higher risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage than arteriolosclerosis-associated intracerebral haemorrhage. We aimed to develop a prediction model for the identification of CAA-associated lobar intracerebral haemorrhage using CT features and genotype. We identified adults with first-ever intracerebral haemorrhage diagnosed by CT, who died and underwent research autopsy as part of the Lothian IntraCerebral Haemorrhage, Pathology, Imaging and Neurological Outcome (LINCHPIN) study, a prospective, population-based, inception cohort. We determined APOE genotype and radiologists rated CT imaging appearances. Radiologists were not aware of clinical, genetic, and histopathological features. A neuropathologist rated brain tissue for small vessel diseases, including CAA, and was masked to clinical, radiographic, and genetic features. We used CT and APOE genotype data in a logistic regression model, which we internally validated using bootstrapping, to predict the risk of CAA-associated lobar intracerebral haemorrhage, derive diagnostic criteria, and estimate diagnostic accuracy. Among 110 adults (median age 83 years [IQR 76-87], 49 [45%] men) included in the LINCHPIN study between June 1, 2010 and Feb 10, 2016, intracerebral haemorrhage was lobar in 62 (56%) participants, deep in 41 (37%), and infratentorial in seven (6%). Of the 62 participants with lobar intracerebral haemorrhage, 36 (58%) were associated with moderate or severe CAA compared with 26 (42%) that were associated with absent or mild CAA, and were independently associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage (32 [89%] of 36 vs 11 [42%] of 26; p=0·014), intracerebral haemorrhage with finger-like projections (14 [39%] of 36 vs 0; p=0·043), and APOE ɛ4 possession (18 [50%] of 36 vs 2 [8%] of 26; p=0·0020). A prediction model for CAA-associated lobar intracerebral haemorrhage using these three variables had excellent discrimination (c statistic 0·92, 95% CI 0·86-0·98), confirmed by internal validation. For the rule-out criteria, neither subarachnoid haemorrhage nor APOE ɛ4 possession had 100% sensitivity (95% CI 88-100). For the rule-in criteria, subarachnoid haemorrhage and either APOE ɛ4 possession or finger-like projections had 96% specificity (95% CI 78-100). The CT and APOE genotype prediction model for CAA-associated lobar intracerebral haemorrhage shows excellent discrimination in this cohort, but requires external validation. The Edinburgh rule-in and rule-out diagnostic criteria might inform prognostic and therapeutic decisions that depend on identification of CAA-associated lobar intracerebral haemorrhage. UK Medical Research Council, The Stroke Association, and The Wellcome Trust. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

76 FR 40258 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of NE

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-08

... the CAA and EPA's policies addressing such excess emissions (``SSM''); and (ii) existing provisions... believes that some states may have existing SIP approved SSM provisions that are contrary to the CAA and... State provisions with regard to excess emissions during SSM of operations at facilities.'' EPA further...

METHANOL: THE CURRENT STATUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

EPA Science Inventory

Methanol has been a topic of interest both as an environmental pollutant and as a fuel. The Clean Air Act (CAA) includes methanol in a list of 189 toxic air pollutants that the U.S. Congress identified for special consideration in the 1990 CAA Amendments. In addition, growing i...

Understanding the Relationships between Air Pollution Levels and Human Health Outcomes

EPA Science Inventory

As mandated by the CAA, EPA established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants and conducts periodic review of the NAAQS to assess if they need to be revised. The CAA then provides for implementation of the NAAQS based on a combination of local con...

Aircraft Engine Gas Path Diagnostic Methods: Public Benchmarking Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Donald L.; Borguet, Sebastien; Leonard, Olivier; Zhang, Xiaodong (Frank)

2013-01-01

Recent technology reviews have identified the need for objective assessments of aircraft engine health management (EHM) technologies. To help address this issue, a gas path diagnostic benchmark problem has been created and made publicly available. This software tool, referred to as the Propulsion Diagnostic Method Evaluation Strategy (ProDiMES), has been constructed based on feedback provided by the aircraft EHM community. It provides a standard benchmark problem enabling users to develop, evaluate and compare diagnostic methods. This paper will present an overview of ProDiMES along with a description of four gas path diagnostic methods developed and applied to the problem. These methods, which include analytical and empirical diagnostic techniques, will be described and associated blind-test-case metric results will be presented and compared. Lessons learned along with recommendations for improving the public benchmarking processes will also be presented and discussed.

Striking similarities in temporal changes to spring sea ice occurrence across the central Canadian Arctic Archipelago over the last 7000 years

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belt, Simon T.; Vare, Lindsay L.; Massé, Guillaume; Manners, Hayley R.; Price, John C.; MacLachlan, Suzanne E.; Andrews, John T.; Schmidt, Sabine

2010-12-01

A 7000 year spring sea ice record for Victoria Strait (ARC-4) and Dease Strait (ARC-5) in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA) has been determined by quantification of the sea ice diatom-derived biomarker IP 25 in two marine sediment piston cores obtained in 2005. The chronologies of the ARC-4 and ARC-5 cores were determined using a combination of 14C AMS dates obtained from macrobenthic fossils and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The ages of the tops of the piston cores were estimated by matching chemical and physical parameters with those obtained from corresponding box cores. These analyses revealed that, while the top of the ARC-4 piston core was estimated to be essentially modern (ca. 60 cal yr BP), a few hundred years of sediment appeared to be absent from the ARC-5 piston core. Downcore changes to IP 25 fluxes for both cores were interpreted in terms of variations in spring sea ice occurrence, and correlations between the individual IP 25 flux profiles for Victoria Strait, Dease Strait and Barrow Strait (reported previously) were shown to be statistically significant at both 50 and 100-year resolutions. The IP 25 data indicate lower spring sea ice occurrences during the early part of the record (ca. 7.0-3.0 cal kyr BP) and for parts of the late Holocene (ca. 1.5-0.8 cal kyr BP), especially for the two lower latitude study locations. In contrast, higher spring sea ice occurrences existed during ca. 3.0-1.5 cal kyr BP and after ca. 800 cal yr BP. The observation of, consecutively, lower and higher spring sea ice occurrence during two periods of the late Holocene, coincides broadly with the Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age epochs, respectively. The IP 25 data are complemented by particle size and mineralogical data, although these may alternatively reflect changes in sea level at the study sites. The IP 25 data are also compared to previous proxy-based determinations of palaeo sea ice and palaeoclimate for the CAA, including those based on bowhead whale remains and dinocyst assemblages. The spatial consistency in the proxy data which, most notably, indicates an increase in spring sea ice occurrence around 3 cal kyr BP, provides a potentially useful benchmark for the termination of the Holocene Thermal Maximum for the central CAA.

Memory-Intensive Benchmarks: IRAM vs. Cache-Based Machines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biswas, Rupak; Gaeke, Brian R.; Husbands, Parry; Li, Xiaoye S.; Oliker, Leonid; Yelick, Katherine A.; Biegel, Bryan (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The increasing gap between processor and memory performance has lead to new architectural models for memory-intensive applications. In this paper, we explore the performance of a set of memory-intensive benchmarks and use them to compare the performance of conventional cache-based microprocessors to a mixed logic and DRAM processor called VIRAM. The benchmarks are based on problem statements, rather than specific implementations, and in each case we explore the fundamental hardware requirements of the problem, as well as alternative algorithms and data structures that can help expose fine-grained parallelism or simplify memory access patterns. The benchmarks are characterized by their memory access patterns, their basic control structures, and the ratio of computation to memory operation.

Radiation Detection Computational Benchmark Scenarios

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

Shaver, Mark W.; Casella, Andrew M.; Wittman, Richard S.

2013-09-24

Modeling forms an important component of radiation detection development, allowing for testing of new detector designs, evaluation of existing equipment against a wide variety of potential threat sources, and assessing operation performance of radiation detection systems. This can, however, result in large and complex scenarios which are time consuming to model. A variety of approaches to radiation transport modeling exist with complementary strengths and weaknesses for different problems. This variety of approaches, and the development of promising new tools (such as ORNL’s ADVANTG) which combine benefits of multiple approaches, illustrates the need for a means of evaluating or comparing differentmore » techniques for radiation detection problems. This report presents a set of 9 benchmark problems for comparing different types of radiation transport calculations, identifying appropriate tools for classes of problems, and testing and guiding the development of new methods. The benchmarks were drawn primarily from existing or previous calculations with a preference for scenarios which include experimental data, or otherwise have results with a high level of confidence, are non-sensitive, and represent problem sets of interest to NA-22. From a technical perspective, the benchmarks were chosen to span a range of difficulty and to include gamma transport, neutron transport, or both and represent different important physical processes and a range of sensitivity to angular or energy fidelity. Following benchmark identification, existing information about geometry, measurements, and previous calculations were assembled. Monte Carlo results (MCNP decks) were reviewed or created and re-run in order to attain accurate computational times and to verify agreement with experimental data, when present. Benchmark information was then conveyed to ORNL in order to guide testing and development of hybrid calculations. The results of those ADVANTG calculations were then sent to PNNL for compilation. This is a report describing the details of the selected Benchmarks and results from various transport codes.« less

Model Prediction Results for 2007 Ultrasonic Benchmark Problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hak-Joon; Song, Sung-Jin

2008-02-01

The World Federation of NDE Centers (WFNDEC) has addressed two types of problems for the 2007 ultrasonic benchmark problems: prediction of side-drilled hole responses with 45° and 60° refracted shear waves, and effects of surface curvatures on the ultrasonic responses of flat-bottomed hole. To solve this year's ultrasonic benchmark problems, we applied multi-Gaussian beam models for calculation of ultrasonic beam fields and the Kirchhoff approximation and the separation of variables method for calculation of far-field scattering amplitudes of flat-bottomed holes and side-drilled holes respectively In this paper, we present comparison results of model predictions to experiments for side-drilled holes and discuss effect of interface curvatures on ultrasonic responses by comparison of peak-to-peak amplitudes of flat-bottomed hole responses with different sizes and interface curvatures.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the Grey-backed Shrike, Lanius tephronotus (Aves: Passeriformes): the first representative of the family Laniidae with a novel CAA stop codon at the end of cox2 gene.

PubMed

Qian, Chaoju; Yan, Xia; Guo, Zhichun; Wang, Yuanxiu; Li, Xixi; Yang, Jianke; Kan, Xianzhao

2013-08-01

The complete Grey-backed Shrike mitochondrial genome has been sequenced to be 16,820 bp in length, consisting of 37 encode genes: 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. In addition, a single control region was also observed. Compared with other reported Passeriformes mtgenome sequences, three bases CAA were detected at the end of Lanius tephronotus cox2 gene with the downstream adjacent base T. The first base of CAA probably occurred C to U transcript editing event resulting in a normal stop codon UAA.

Spatial relation between microbleeds and amyloid deposits in amyloid angiopathy.

PubMed

Dierksen, Gregory A; Skehan, Maureen E; Khan, Muhammad A; Jeng, Jed; Nandigam, R N Kaveer; Becker, John A; Kumar, Ashok; Neal, Krista L; Betensky, Rebecca A; Frosch, Matthew P; Rosand, Jonathan; Johnson, Keith A; Viswanathan, Anand; Salat, David H; Greenberg, Steven M

2010-10-01

Advanced cerebrovascular β-amyloid deposition (cerebral amyloid angiopathy, CAA) is associated with cerebral microbleeds, but the precise relationship between CAA burden and microbleeds is undefined. We used T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and noninvasive amyloid imaging with Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) to analyze the spatial relationship between CAA and microbleeds. On coregistered positron emission tomography (PET) and MRI images, PiB retention was increased at microbleed sites compared to simulated control lesions (p = 0.002) and declined with increasing distance from the microbleed (p < 0.0001). These findings indicate that microbleeds occur preferentially in local regions of concentrated amyloid and support therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing vascular amyloid deposition.

A Benchmarking Initiative for Reactive Transport Modeling Applied to Subsurface Environmental Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steefel, C. I.

2015-12-01

Over the last 20 years, we have seen the evolution of multicomponent reactive transport modeling and the expanding range and increasing complexity of subsurface environmental applications it is being used to address. Reactive transport modeling is being asked to provide accurate assessments of engineering performance and risk for important issues with far-reaching consequences. As a result, the complexity and detail of subsurface processes, properties, and conditions that can be simulated have significantly expanded. Closed form solutions are necessary and useful, but limited to situations that are far simpler than typical applications that combine many physical and chemical processes, in many cases in coupled form. In the absence of closed form and yet realistic solutions for complex applications, numerical benchmark problems with an accepted set of results will be indispensable to qualifying codes for various environmental applications. The intent of this benchmarking exercise, now underway for more than five years, is to develop and publish a set of well-described benchmark problems that can be used to demonstrate simulator conformance with norms established by the subsurface science and engineering community. The objective is not to verify this or that specific code--the reactive transport codes play a supporting role in this regard—but rather to use the codes to verify that a common solution of the problem can be achieved. Thus, the objective of each of the manuscripts is to present an environmentally-relevant benchmark problem that tests the conceptual model capabilities, numerical implementation, process coupling, and accuracy. The benchmark problems developed to date include 1) microbially-mediated reactions, 2) isotopes, 3) multi-component diffusion, 4) uranium fate and transport, 5) metal mobility in mining affected systems, and 6) waste repositories and related aspects.

Towards Computational Fronesis: Verifying Contextual Appropriateness of Emotions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ptaszynski, Michal; Dybala, Pawel; Mazur, Michal; Rzepka, Rafal; Araki, Kenji; Momouchi, Yoshio

2013-01-01

This paper presents research in Contextual Affect Analysis (CAA) for the need of future application in intelligent agents, such as conversational agents or artificial tutors. The authors propose a new term, Computational Fronesis (CF), to embrace the tasks included in CAA applied to development of conversational agents such as artificial tutors.…

Promoting Creativity through Assessment: A Formative Computer-Assisted Assessment Tool for Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cropley, David; Cropley, Arthur

2016-01-01

Computer-assisted assessment (CAA) is problematic when it comes to fostering creativity, because in educational thinking the essence of creativity is not finding the correct answer but generating novelty. The idea of "functional" creativity provides rubrics that can serve as the basis for forms of CAA leading to either formative or…

76 FR 11963 - Updating Cross-References for the Oklahoma State Implementation Plan

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-04

... material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the... (CAA), among other things, further provides that CAA subsection 307(d) does not apply when EPA has made...

Effective Computer-Aided Assessment of Mathematics; Principles, Practice and Results

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greenhow, Martin

2015-01-01

This article outlines some key issues for writing effective computer-aided assessment (CAA) questions in subjects with substantial mathematical or statistical content, especially the importance of control of random parameters and the encoding of wrong methods of solution (mal-rules) commonly used by students. The pros and cons of using CAA and…

75 FR 15348 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Texas; Revision To Control...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-29

.... What Is a SIP? Section 110 of the CAA requires states to develop air pollution regulations and control... air pollution regulations, control strategies, other means or techniques, and technical analyses... provisions of the CAA. A SIP protects air quality primarily by addressing air pollution at its point of...

Career Adapt-Abilities Scale-USA Form: Psychometric Properties and Relation to Vocational Identity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porfeli, Erik J.; Savickas, Mark L.

2012-01-01

This article reports construction and initial validation of the United States form of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS). The CAAS consists of four scales, each with six items, which measure concern, control, curiosity, and confidence as psychosocial resources for managing occupational transitions, developmental tasks, and work traumas.…

77 FR 32493 - Approval of Air Quality Implementation Plans; California; San Joaquin Valley Unified Air...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-01

... permit program for pre- construction review of certain new and modified major stationary sources in... program as required by section 165 of the CAA for certain new and modified major stationary sources... the CAA requires states to adopt a pre-construction permitting program for certain new and modified...

A modular Human Exposure Model (HEM) framework to characterize near-field chemical exposure in LCIA and CAA

EPA Science Inventory

Life Cycle Impact Analysis (LCIA) has proven to be a valuable tool for systematically comparing processes and products, and has been proposed for use in Chemical Alternatives Analysis (CAA). The exposure assessment portion of the human health impact scores of LCIA has historicall...

Assessing Elementary Algebra with STACK

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sangwin, Christopher J.

2007-01-01

This paper concerns computer aided assessment (CAA) of mathematics in which a computer algebra system (CAS) is used to help assess students' responses to elementary algebra questions. Using a methodology of documentary analysis, we examine what is taught in elementary algebra. The STACK CAA system, http://www.stack.bham.ac.uk/, which uses the CAS…

Career Adapt-Abilities Scale--Taiwan Form: Psychometric Properties and Construct Validity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tien, Hsiu-Lan Shelley; Wang, Yu-Chen; Chu, Hui-Chuang; Huang, Tsu-Lun

2012-01-01

The present study tested the reliability and validity of the Career Adapt-Ability Scale--Taiwan Form (CAAS-Taiwan Form). The CAAS consists of four scales, each with six items, which measure concern, control, curiosity, and confidence as psychosocial resources for managing occupational transitions, developmental tasks, and work traumas. Internal…

Computer-Assisted Assessment in Higher Education. Staff and Educational Development Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Sally, Ed.; Race, Phil, Ed.; Bull, Joanna, Ed.

This book profiles how computer-assisted assessment can help both staff and students by drawing on the experience and expertise of practitioners, in the United Kingdom and internationally, who are already using computer-assisted assessment. The publication is organized into three main sections--"Pragmatics and Practicalities of CAA,""Using CAA for…

75 FR 12087 - Determination of Attainment, Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Indiana

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-12

... the Clean Air Act (CAA) affecting the Indiana portion (Lake and Porter Counties) of the Chicago-Gary... Oxides (NO X ) in Lake and Porter Counties from CAA Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT... Lake and Porter Counties, also published in today's Federal Register, the Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL...

Making Benchmark Testing Work

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herman, Joan L.; Baker, Eva L.

2005-01-01

Many schools are moving to develop benchmark tests to monitor their students' progress toward state standards throughout the academic year. Benchmark tests can provide the ongoing information that schools need to guide instructional programs and to address student learning problems. The authors discuss six criteria that educators can use to…

Modifying the Human-Machine Interface Based on Quantitative Measurements of the Level of Awareness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freund, Louis E.; Knapp, Benjamin

1999-01-01

This project got underway without funding approved during the summer of 1998. The initial project steps were to identify previously published work in the fields of error classification systems, physiological measurements of awareness, and related topics. This agenda was modified at the request of NASA Ames in August, 1998 to include supporting the new Cargo Air Association (CAA) evaluation of the Human Factors related to the ADS-B technology. Additional funding was promised to fully support both efforts. Work on library research ended in the late Fall, 1998 when the SJSU project directors were informed that NASA would not be adding to the initial funding of the research project as had been initially committed. However, NASA did provide additional funding for the CAA project activity. NASA elected to leave the research grant in place to provide a pathway for the CAA project funding to SJSU (San Jose State University) to support Dr. Freund's work on the CAA tasks. Dr. Knapp essentially terminated his involvement with the project at this time.

78 FR 21281 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Missouri; Infrastructure SIP...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-10

...EPA is proposing action on four Missouri State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions. First, EPA is proposing to approve portions of two SIP submissions from the State of Missouri addressing the applicable requirements of Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 1997 and 2006 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP to support implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each new or revised NAAQS promulgated by EPA. These SIPs are commonly referred to as ``infrastructure'' SIPs. The infrastructure requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of each state's air quality management program are adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA. EPA is also proposing to approve two additional SIP submissions from Missouri, one addressing the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program in Missouri, and another addressing the requirements applicable to any board or body which approves permits or enforcement orders of the CAA, both of which support requirements associated with infrastructure SIPs.

Generalizable open source urban water portfolio simulation framework demonstrated using a multi-objective risk-based planning benchmark problem.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trindade, B. C.; Reed, P. M.

2017-12-01

The growing access and reduced cost for computing power in recent years has promoted rapid development and application of multi-objective water supply portfolio planning. As this trend continues there is a pressing need for flexible risk-based simulation frameworks and improved algorithm benchmarking for emerging classes of water supply planning and management problems. This work contributes the Water Utilities Management and Planning (WUMP) model: a generalizable and open source simulation framework designed to capture how water utilities can minimize operational and financial risks by regionally coordinating planning and management choices, i.e. making more efficient and coordinated use of restrictions, water transfers and financial hedging combined with possible construction of new infrastructure. We introduce the WUMP simulation framework as part of a new multi-objective benchmark problem for planning and management of regionally integrated water utility companies. In this problem, a group of fictitious water utilities seek to balance the use of the mentioned reliability driven actions (e.g., restrictions, water transfers and infrastructure pathways) and their inherent financial risks. Several traits of this problem make it ideal for a benchmark problem, namely the presence of (1) strong non-linearities and discontinuities in the Pareto front caused by the step-wise nature of the decision making formulation and by the abrupt addition of storage through infrastructure construction, (2) noise due to the stochastic nature of the streamflows and water demands, and (3) non-separability resulting from the cooperative formulation of the problem, in which decisions made by stakeholder may substantially impact others. Both the open source WUMP simulation framework and its demonstration in a challenging benchmarking example hold value for promoting broader advances in urban water supply portfolio planning for regions confronting change.

Morphological Characteristics of Round Window Niche in Congenital Aural Atresia and Stenosis Patients.

PubMed

Chen, Keguang; Lyu, Huiying; Xie, Youzhou; Yang, Lin; Zhang, Tianyu; Dai, Peidong

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to measure the round window niche (RWN) among congenital aural atresia (CAA), congenital aural stenosis (CAS) and control groups and to analyze whether differences exist between them. Computed tomography images of 10 normal subjects (20 ears), 27 CAS patients (30 ears) and 25 CAA patients (30 ears) were analyzed. We measured RWN on the basis of 3-dimensional reconstruction. The anterior wall length and the depth of RWN were smaller in control group than those in the CAS group; furthermore, the anterior wall length and the depth of RWN in CAS group were smaller than those in CAA group (P < 0.05). The posterior wall length of RWN was found smaller in the control group than that in both hCAS and CAA groups (P < 0.05). The superior and inferior wall lengths of RWN were found smaller in control group than those in the CAA group (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the sizes of the round window membrane and niche opening or the angle between the plane of the RWN opening and the round window membrane plane among all groups. The RWN walls lengths and its depth tended to be longer with the aggravation of the aural malformations. Our calculation results may provide some information for a better design and a safer implantation of the floating mass transducer in the area of RWN.

Structure at 1.3 A resolution of Rhodothermus marinus caa(3) cytochrome c domain.

PubMed

Srinivasan, Vasundara; Rajendran, Chitra; Sousa, Filipa L; Melo, Ana M P; Saraiva, Lígia M; Pereira, Manuela M; Santana, Margarida; Teixeira, Miguel; Michel, Hartmut

2005-02-04

The cytochrome c domain of subunit II from the Rhodothermus marinus caa(3) HiPIP:oxygen oxidoreductase, a member of the superfamily of heme-copper-containing terminal oxidases, was produced in Escherichia coli and characterised. The recombinant protein, which shows the same optical absorption and redox properties as the corresponding domain in the holo enzyme, was crystallized and its structure was determined to a resolution of 1.3 A by the multiwavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) technique using the anomalous dispersion of the heme iron atom. The model was refined to final R(cryst) and R(free) values of 13.9% and 16.7%, respectively. The structure reveals the insertion of two short antiparallel beta-strands forming a small beta-sheet, an interesting variation of the classical all alpha-helical cytochrome c fold. This modification appears to be common to all known caa(3)-type terminal oxidases, as judged by comparative modelling and by analyses of the available amino acid sequences for these enzymes. This is the first high-resolution crystal structure reported for a cytochrome c domain of a caa(3)-type terminal oxidase. The R.marinus caa(3) uses HiPIP as the redox partner. The calculation of the electrostatic potential at the molecular surface of this extra C-terminal domain provides insights into the binding to its redox partner on one side and its interaction with the remaining subunit II on the other side.

Dementia incidence and predictors in cerebral amyloid angiopathy patients without intracerebral hemorrhage.

PubMed

Xiong, Li; Boulouis, Gregoire; Charidimou, Andreas; Roongpiboonsopit, Duangnapa; Jessel, Michael J; Pasi, Marco; Reijmer, Yael D; Fotiadis, Panagiotis; Ayres, Alison; Merrill, Emily; Schwab, Kristin; Blacker, Deborah; Gurol, M Edip; Greenberg, Steven M; Viswanathan, Anand

2018-02-01

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common cause of cognitive impairment in older individuals. This study aimed to investigate predictors of dementia in CAA patients without intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A total of 158 non-demented patients from the Stroke Service or the Memory Clinic who met the modified Boston Criteria for probable CAA were included. At baseline, neuroimaging markers, including lobar microbleeds (cerebral microbleeds (CMBs)), white matter hyperintensities (WMH), cortical superficial siderosis (cSS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-visible centrum semiovale perivascular spaces (CSO-PVS), lacunes, and medial temporal atrophy (MTA) were assessed. The overall burden of small vessel disease (SVD) for CAA was calculated by a cumulative score based on CMB number, WMH severity, cSS presence and extent and CSO-PVS severity. The estimated cumulative dementia incidence at 1 year was 14% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5%-23%), and 5 years 73% (95% CI: 55%, 84%). Age (hazard ratio (HR) 1.05 per year, 95% CI: 1.01-1.08, p = 0.007), presence of MCI status (HR 3.40, 95% CI: 1.97-6.92, p < 0.001), MTA (HR 1.71 per point, 95% CI: 1.26-2.32, p = 0.001), and SVD score (HR 1.23 per point, 95% CI: 1.20-1.48, p = 0.030) at baseline were independent predictors for dementia conversion in these patients. Cognitive deterioration of CAA patients appears attributable to cumulative changes, from both vasculopathic and neurodegenerative lesions.

Effect of dissolved oxygen concentration on iron efficiency: Removal of three chloroacetic acids.

PubMed

Tang, Shun; Wang, Xiao-mao; Mao, Yu-qin; Zhao, Yu; Yang, Hong-wei; Xie, Yuefeng F

2015-04-15

The monochloroacetic, dichloroacetic and trichloroacetic acid (MCAA, DCAA and TCAA) removed by metallic iron under controlled dissolved oxygen conditions (0, 0.75, 1.52, 2.59, 3.47 or 7.09 mg/L DO) was investigated in well-mixed batch systems. The removal of CAAs increased first and then decreased with increasing DO concentration. Compared with anoxic condition, the reduction of MCAA and DCAA was substantially enhanced in the presence of O2, while TCAA reduction was significantly inhibited above 2.59 mg/L. The 1.52 mg/L DO was optimum for the formation of final product, acetic acid. Chlorine mass balances were 69-102%, and carbon mass balances were 92-105%. With sufficient mass transfer from bulk to the particle surface, the degradation of CAAs was limited by their reduction or migration rate within iron particles, which were dependent on the change of reducing agents and corrosion coatings. Under anoxic conditions, the reduction of CAAs was mainly inhibited by the available reducing agents in the conductive layer. Under low oxic conditions, the increasing reducing agents and thin lepidocrocite layer were favorable for CAA dechlorination. Under high oxic conditions, the redundant oxygen competing for reducing agents and significant lepidocrocite growth became the major restricting factors. Various CAA removal mechanisms could be potentially applied to explaining the effect of DO concentration on iron efficiency for contaminant reduction in water and wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of the specificity of monoclonal antibodies against Schistosoma mansoni CAA glycoprotein antigen using neoglycoconjugate variants.

PubMed

Carvalho de Souza, Adriana; van Remoortere, Alexandra; Hokke, Cornelis H; Deelder, André M; Vliegenthart, Johannes F G; Kamerling, Johannis P

2005-09-01

The immunogenic O-glycan of circulating anodic antigen (CAA) is a high-molecular-mass polysaccharide with the unique -->6)-[beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1--> repeating unit. To obtain information at the molecular level about the specificity of monoclonal antibodies against CAA, the immunoreactivity of two series of bovine serum albumin-coupled synthetic oligosaccharides related to the CAA O-glycan was monitored using ELISA and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The importance of the axial hydroxyl group of beta-D-GalpNAc for antibody binding was investigated using the following series of analogues: beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->O); beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->6)-[beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->O); and beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->6)-[beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->O). In the second series of analogues, beta-D-Glcp6S-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->O), beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->6)-[beta-D-Glcp6S-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->O), and beta-D-Glcp6S-(1-->3)-beta-D-Gal-pNAc-(1-->6)-[beta-D-Glcp6S-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->O), the native beta-D-GlcpA moiety was replaced by beta-D-Glcp6S to evaluate the influence of the nature of the charge on antibody recognition. Comparison of the immunoreactivity of these series with that measured for conjugates containing corresponding synthetic CAA fragments showed that the antibody binding levels can be correlated to the antibody specificity to CAA fragments. For the most reactive antibodies, the structural changes chosen (beta-D-GalpNAc replaced by beta-D-GlcpNAc, and beta-D-GlcpA replaced by beta-D-Glcp6S) completely eradicated the binding.

The Correlation Between Pre and Postoperative Hearing Level with High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) Findings in Congenital Canal Atresia (CAA) Patients.

PubMed

Asma, A; Abdul Fatah, A W; Hamzaini, A H; Mazita, A

2013-12-01

In managing patient with congenital congenital aural atresia (CAA), preoperative high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan and hearing assessment are important. A grading system based on HRCT findings was first introduced by Jahrsdoefer in order to select appropriate candidates for operation and to predict the postoperative hearing outcome in CAA patients. The score of eight and more was considered as a good prognostic factor for hearing reconstruction surgery. However previously in our center this score was not used as the criteria for surgical procedure. This study was conducted at Center A to evaluate the correlation between pre and postoperative hearing level with HRCT based on a Jahrsdoefer grading system in patients with CAA. All records and HRCT films with CAA from January 1997 until December 2007 at Center A were evaluated. The demographic data, operative records, pre and post operative hearing levels and HRCT findings were analyzed. Hearing level in this study was based on a pure tone average of air-bone gap at 500 Hz, 1 kHz and 2 kHz or hearing level obtained from auditory brainstem response eudiometry. This study was approved by Research Ethics Committee (code number, FF-197-2008). Thirty-two ears were retrospectively evaluated. The postoperative hearing level of 30 dB and less was considered as successful hearing result postoperatively. Of the six ears which underwent canalplasty, three had achieved successful hearing result. However, there was no significant correlation between preoperative hearing level (HL) with HRCT score and postoperative HL with HRCT score at 0.05 significant levels (correlation coefficient = -0.292, P = 0.105 and correlation coefficient = -0.127, P = 0.810) respectively. Hearing evaluation and HRCT temporal bone are two independent evaluations for the patients with CAA before going for hearing reconstructive surgery.

Benchmarking: A Process for Improvement.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peischl, Thomas M.

One problem with the outcome-based measures used in higher education is that they measure quantity but not quality. Benchmarking, or the use of some external standard of quality to measure tasks, processes, and outputs, is partially solving that difficulty. Benchmarking allows for the establishment of a systematic process to indicate if outputs…

Solution of the neutronics code dynamic benchmark by finite element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avvakumov, A. V.; Vabishchevich, P. N.; Vasilev, A. O.; Strizhov, V. F.

2016-10-01

The objective is to analyze the dynamic benchmark developed by Atomic Energy Research for the verification of best-estimate neutronics codes. The benchmark scenario includes asymmetrical ejection of a control rod in a water-type hexagonal reactor at hot zero power. A simple Doppler feedback mechanism assuming adiabatic fuel temperature heating is proposed. The finite element method on triangular calculation grids is used to solve the three-dimensional neutron kinetics problem. The software has been developed using the engineering and scientific calculation library FEniCS. The matrix spectral problem is solved using the scalable and flexible toolkit SLEPc. The solution accuracy of the dynamic benchmark is analyzed by condensing calculation grid and varying degree of finite elements.

A Methodology for Benchmarking Relational Database Machines,

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-01-01

user benchmarks is to compare the multiple users to the best-case performance The data for each query classification coll and the performance...called a benchmark. The term benchmark originates from the markers used by sur - veyors in establishing common reference points for their measure...formatted databases. In order to further simplify the problem, we restrict our study to those DBMs which support the relational model. A sur - vey

Creation of problem-dependent Doppler-broadened cross sections in the KENO Monte Carlo code

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

Hart, Shane W. D.; Celik, Cihangir; Maldonado, G. Ivan

2015-11-06

In this paper, we introduce a quick method for improving the accuracy of Monte Carlo simulations by generating one- and two-dimensional cross sections at a user-defined temperature before performing transport calculations. A finite difference method is used to Doppler-broaden cross sections to the desired temperature, and unit-base interpolation is done to generate the probability distributions for double differential two-dimensional thermal moderator cross sections at any arbitrarily user-defined temperature. The accuracy of these methods is tested using a variety of contrived problems. In addition, various benchmarks at elevated temperatures are modeled, and results are compared with benchmark results. Lastly, the problem-dependentmore » cross sections are observed to produce eigenvalue estimates that are closer to the benchmark results than those without the problem-dependent cross sections.« less

State Implementation Plans; General Preamble & Lead (Pb) Addendum for the Implementation of Title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1990 (57 FR 13498 & 58 FR 67748)

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page contains a copy of the 1993 & 1993 Federal Register publications of the State Implementation Plans (SIPs); General Preamble & Lead (Pb) Addendum for the Implementation of Title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1990.

76 FR 20853 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Kentucky; Approval of Section 110...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-14

... NAAQS through the year 2020 for the Four Kentucky Areas. These maintenance plans meet applicable... period of 10 years after redesignation, consistent with the CAA section 175A(a). EPA approved Kentucky's... attainment areas) were required to submit 10-year maintenance plans pursuant to section 110(a)(1) of the CAA...

A historical overview of the development of manganese (Mn) pharmacokinetic data under Section 211(b) of the Clean Air Act (CAA)

EPA Science Inventory

Abstract for Manganese 2016A historical overview of the development of manganese (Mn) pharmacokinetic data under Section 211(b) of the Clean Air Act (CAA)William K BoyesBackground. In the 1990’s, the use of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) as an octane-enh...

The Relations of Employability Skills to Career Adaptability among Technical School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Guzman, Allan B.; Choi, Kyoung Ok

2013-01-01

This two pronged study reports the initial validation of the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) in the context of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the investigation of the relationship between employability skills and career adaptability. Results of the study revealed that CAAS can be a valid and…

2 CFR 1532.1600 - What definitions apply specifically to actions under this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

..., partnership, association, state, municipality, commission, or political subdivision of a state, or any..., floating craft, location or site of operations that gives rise to a CAA or CWA conviction, and is a... transactions may be performed. If a site of operations giving rise to a CAA or CWA conviction contains or...

40 CFR 51.902 - Which classification and nonattainment area planning provisions of the CAA shall apply to areas...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... area planning provisions of the CAA shall apply to areas designated nonattainment for the 8-hour NAAQS? 51.902 Section 51.902 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR... Implementation of 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard § 51.902 Which classification and...

40 CFR 51.902 - Which classification and nonattainment area planning provisions of the CAA shall apply to areas...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... area planning provisions of the CAA shall apply to areas designated nonattainment for the 1997 8-hour NAAQS? 51.902 Section 51.902 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR... Implementation of 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard § 51.902 Which classification and...

40 CFR 51.902 - Which classification and nonattainment area planning provisions of the CAA shall apply to areas...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... area planning provisions of the CAA shall apply to areas designated nonattainment for the 1997 8-hour NAAQS? 51.902 Section 51.902 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR... Implementation of 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard § 51.902 Which classification and...

40 CFR 51.902 - Which classification and nonattainment area planning provisions of the CAA shall apply to areas...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... area planning provisions of the CAA shall apply to areas designated nonattainment for the 1997 8-hour NAAQS? 51.902 Section 51.902 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR... Implementation of 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard § 51.902 Which classification and...

40 CFR 51.902 - Which classification and nonattainment area planning provisions of the CAA shall apply to areas...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... area planning provisions of the CAA shall apply to areas designated nonattainment for the 8-hour NAAQS? 51.902 Section 51.902 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR... Implementation of 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard § 51.902 Which classification and...

40 CFR 69.11 - New exemptions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... shall be fired in Cabras Power Plant Units Nos. 1 through 3 and in Piti Power Plant Units Nos. 4 and 5... conditionally exempts Piti Power Plant Units No. 8 and No. 9 from certain CAA requirements. (2) A waiver of the... Administrator of EPA conditionally exempts Guam Power Authority (“GPA”) from certain CAA requirements. (1) A...

2009 Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research. NIH Publication No. 09-7465

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, 2009

2009-01-01

In response to the heightened societal concern over autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Congress passed the Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 (P.L. 109-416). Through this Act, Congress intended to rapidly increase, accelerate the pace and improve coordination of scientific discovery in ASD research. The CAA requires the Interagency Autism…

Staff Report to the Senior Department Official on Recognition Compliance Issues. Recommendation Page: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

US Department of Education, 2010

2010-01-01

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) is a national accrediting agency of graduate education programs in audiology or speech-language pathology. The CAA currently accredits or or preaccredits 319 programs (247 in speech-language pathology and 72 in…

Structure of caa(3) cytochrome c oxidase--a nature-made enzyme-substrate complex.

PubMed

Noor, Mohamed Radzi; Soulimane, Tewfik

2013-05-01

Aerobic respiration, the energetically most favorable metabolic reaction, depends on the action of terminal oxidases that include cytochrome c oxidases. The latter forms a part of the heme-copper oxidase superfamily and consists of three different families (A, B, and C types). The crystal structures of all families have now been determined, allowing a detailed structural comparison from evolutionary and functional perspectives. The A2-type oxidase, exemplified by the Thermus thermophilus caa(3) oxidase, contains the substrate cytochrome c covalently bound to the enzyme complex. In this article, we highlight the various features of caa(3) enzyme and provide a discussion of their importance, including the variations in the proton and electron transfer pathways.

Multiple Spontaneous Cerebral Microbleeds and Leukoencephalopathy in PSEN1-Associated Familial Alzheimer's Disease: Mirror of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy?

PubMed

Floris, Gianluca; Di Stefano, Francesca; Cherchi, Maria Valeria; Costa, Gianna; Marrosu, Francesco; Marrosu, Maria Giovanna

2015-01-01

Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) might reflect specific underlying vascular pathologies like cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). In the present study we report the gradient-echo MRI pattern of two siblings with P284S PSEN1 mutation. T2* gradient-echo images of the two subjects demonstrated multiple microbleeds in lobar regions. The role and causes of CMB in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have not been clearly established and useful contributions could derive from familial AD studies. Furthermore, since CAA is a potential risk factor for developing adverse events in AD immunization trials, the identification in vivo of CAA through non-invasive MRI methods could be useful to monitoring side effects.

Benchmarking a Visual-Basic based multi-component one-dimensional reactive transport modeling tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torlapati, Jagadish; Prabhakar Clement, T.

2013-01-01

We present the details of a comprehensive numerical modeling tool, RT1D, which can be used for simulating biochemical and geochemical reactive transport problems. The code can be run within the standard Microsoft EXCEL Visual Basic platform, and it does not require any additional software tools. The code can be easily adapted by others for simulating different types of laboratory-scale reactive transport experiments. We illustrate the capabilities of the tool by solving five benchmark problems with varying levels of reaction complexity. These literature-derived benchmarks are used to highlight the versatility of the code for solving a variety of practical reactive transport problems. The benchmarks are described in detail to provide a comprehensive database, which can be used by model developers to test other numerical codes. The VBA code presented in the study is a practical tool that can be used by laboratory researchers for analyzing both batch and column datasets within an EXCEL platform.

Annual Report of the Chief, National Guard Bureau for the Fiscal Year 1971

DTIC Science & Technology

1971-06-30

caaBKinan nicnaKs «a as $mm KI K oriiiims m nriiws liflSIW KI 00 msoHii imsM •» o» 13 J Army CHAMPS Team Handball In January 1971 the Army CHAMPS...the sport of team handball in the United States which would provide a talent base from which to draw players for the U.S. Olympic Team. These... handball . Domestic Action National Guard Domestic Action programs, designed to alleviate social problems within communities throughout the United States

Introduction to the IWA task group on biofilm modeling.

PubMed

Noguera, D R; Morgenroth, E

2004-01-01

An International Water Association (IWA) Task Group on Biofilm Modeling was created with the purpose of comparatively evaluating different biofilm modeling approaches. The task group developed three benchmark problems for this comparison, and used a diversity of modeling techniques that included analytical, pseudo-analytical, and numerical solutions to the biofilm problems. Models in one, two, and three dimensional domains were also compared. The first benchmark problem (BM1) described a monospecies biofilm growing in a completely mixed reactor environment and had the purpose of comparing the ability of the models to predict substrate fluxes and concentrations for a biofilm system of fixed total biomass and fixed biomass density. The second problem (BM2) represented a situation in which substrate mass transport by convection was influenced by the hydrodynamic conditions of the liquid in contact with the biofilm. The third problem (BM3) was designed to compare the ability of the models to simulate multispecies and multisubstrate biofilms. These three benchmark problems allowed identification of the specific advantages and disadvantages of each modeling approach. A detailed presentation of the comparative analyses for each problem is provided elsewhere in these proceedings.

Benchmark Problems for Space Mission Formation Flying

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, J. Russell; Leitner, Jesse A.; Folta, David C.; Burns, Richard

2003-01-01

To provide a high-level focus to distributed space system flight dynamics and control research, several benchmark problems are suggested for space mission formation flying. The problems cover formation flying in low altitude, near-circular Earth orbit, high altitude, highly elliptical Earth orbits, and large amplitude lissajous trajectories about co-linear libration points of the Sun-Earth/Moon system. These problems are not specific to any current or proposed mission, but instead are intended to capture high-level features that would be generic to many similar missions that are of interest to various agencies.

Simplified Numerical Analysis of ECT Probe - Eddy Current Benchmark Problem 3

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

Sikora, R.; Chady, T.; Gratkowski, S.

2005-04-09

In this paper a third eddy current benchmark problem is considered. The objective of the benchmark is to determine optimal operating frequency and size of the pancake coil designated for testing tubes made of Inconel. It can be achieved by maximization of the change in impedance of the coil due to a flaw. Approximation functions of the probe (coil) characteristic were developed and used in order to reduce number of required calculations. It results in significant speed up of the optimization process. An optimal testing frequency and size of the probe were achieved as a final result of the calculation.

Benchmarking Gas Path Diagnostic Methods: A Public Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Donald L.; Bird, Jeff; Davison, Craig; Volponi, Al; Iverson, R. Eugene

2008-01-01

Recent technology reviews have identified the need for objective assessments of engine health management (EHM) technology. The need is two-fold: technology developers require relevant data and problems to design and validate new algorithms and techniques while engine system integrators and operators need practical tools to direct development and then evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solutions. This paper presents a publicly available gas path diagnostic benchmark problem that has been developed by the Propulsion and Power Systems Panel of The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) to help address these needs. The problem is coded in MATLAB (The MathWorks, Inc.) and coupled with a non-linear turbofan engine simulation to produce "snap-shot" measurements, with relevant noise levels, as if collected from a fleet of engines over their lifetime of use. Each engine within the fleet will experience unique operating and deterioration profiles, and may encounter randomly occurring relevant gas path faults including sensor, actuator and component faults. The challenge to the EHM community is to develop gas path diagnostic algorithms to reliably perform fault detection and isolation. An example solution to the benchmark problem is provided along with associated evaluation metrics. A plan is presented to disseminate this benchmark problem to the engine health management technical community and invite technology solutions.

Time-resolved single-turnover of caa(3) oxidase from Thermus thermophilus. Fifth electron of the fully reduced enzyme converts O(H) into E(H) state.

PubMed

Siletsky, Sergey A; Belevich, Ilya; Belevich, Nikolai P; Soulimane, Tewfik; Verkhovsky, Michael I

2011-09-01

The oxidative part of the catalytic cycle of the caa(3)-type cytochrome c oxidase from Thermus thermophilus was followed by time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Rate constants, chemical nature and the spectral properties of the catalytic cycle intermediates (Compounds A, P, F) reproduce generally the features typical for the aa(3)-type oxidases with some distinctive peculiarities caused by the presence of an additional 5-th redox-center-a heme center of the covalently bound cytochrome c. Compound A was formed with significantly smaller yield compared to aa(3) oxidases in general and to ba(3) oxidase from the same organism. Two electrons, equilibrated between three input redox-centers: heme a, Cu(A) and heme c are transferred in a single transition to the binuclear center during reduction of the compound F, converting the binuclear center through the highly reactive O(H) state into the final product of the reaction-E(H) (one-electron reduced) state of the catalytic site. In contrast to previous works on the caa(3)-type enzymes, we concluded that the finally produced E(H) state of caa(3) oxidase is characterized by the localization of the fifth electron in the binuclear center, similar to the O(H)→E(H) transition of the aa(3)-type oxidases. So, the fully-reduced caa(3) oxidase is competent in rapid electron transfer from the input redox-centers into the catalytic heme-copper site. 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Relation of the Allelic Variants of Multidrug Resistance Gene to Agranulocytosis Associated With Clozapine.

PubMed

Anıl Yağcioğlu, A Elif; Yoca, Gökhan; Ayhan, Yavuz; Karaca, R Özgür; Çevik, Lokman; Müderrisoğlu, Ahmet; Göktaş, Mustafa T; Eni, Nurhayat; Yazıcı, M Kâzım; Bozkurt, Atilla; Babaoğlu, Melih O

2016-06-01

Clozapine use is associated with leukopenia and more rarely agranulocytosis, which may be lethal. The drug and its metabolites are proposed to interact with the multidrug resistance transporter (ABCB1/MDR1) gene product, P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Among various P-glycoprotein genetic polymorphisms, nucleotide changes in exons 26 (C3435T), 21 (G2677T), and 12 (C1236T) have been implicated for changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of many substrate drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between these specific ABCB1 polymorphisms and clozapine-associated agranulocytosis (CAA). Ten patients with a history of CAA and 91 control patients without a history of CAA, despite 10 years of continuous clozapine use, were included. Patient recruitment and blood sample collection were conducted at the Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, in collaboration with the members of the Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders Section of the Psychiatric Association of Turkey, working in various psychiatry clinics. After DNA extraction from peripheral blood lymphocytes, genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction and endonuclease digestion. Patients with CAA had shorter duration of clozapine use but did not show any significant difference in other clinical, sociodemographic characteristics and in genotypic or allelic distributions of ABCB1 variants and haplotypes compared with control patients. Among the 10 patients with CAA, none carried the ABCB1 all-variant haplotype (TT-TT-TT), whereas the frequency of this haplotype was approximately 12% among the controls. Larger sample size studies and thorough genetic analyses may reveal both genetic risk and protective factors for this serious adverse event.

75 FR 50711 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Ohio; Final Approval and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-17

... conditional approval of portions of OAC rule 3745-21-09. You can learn more information about the rule...). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Under section 110(k)(3) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA is disapproving an...) of the CAA, we are also conditionally approving a revision of paragraph (BBB)(1) of OAC 3745-21-09...

Career Adapt-Abilities Scale--Italian Form: Psychometric Properties and Relationships to Breadth of Interests, Quality of Life, and Perceived Barriers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soresi, Salvatore; Nota, Laura; Ferrari, Lea

2012-01-01

The Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS)-Italian Form consists of four 6-item scales, which measure concern, control, curiosity, and confidence as psychosocial resources for managing occupational transitions, developmental tasks, and work traumas. The 24-item CAAS-Italian Form is identical to the International Form 2.0. The factor structure was…

Design of cinnamaldehyde amino acid Schiff base compounds based on the quantitative structure–activity relationship

Treesearch

Hui Wang; Mingyue Jiang; Shujun Li; Chung-Yun Hse; Chunde Jin; Fangli Sun; Zhuo Li

2017-01-01

Cinnamaldehyde amino acid Schiff base (CAAS) is a new class of safe, bioactive compounds which could be developed as potential antifungal agents for fungal infections. To design new cinnamaldehyde amino acid Schiff base compounds with high bioactivity, the quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSARs) for CAAS compounds against Aspergillus niger (A. niger) and...

75 FR 22047 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans and Designation of Areas for Air Quality...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-27

... your concerns, and suggest alternatives. 7. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use... demonstration requirements of sections 172(c)(2) and (6) of the CAA, and the requirement for contingency... implemented pursuant to section 172(c)(9) or 182(c)(9) of the CAA, on the contingency of an area not making...

[Chromosome abnormalities associated with Phl and acturial survivorship curve in chronic myeloid leukemia. Probabilistic interpretation of blastic transformation of CML].

PubMed

Coutris, G

1981-12-01

Sixty-six patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia, all with Philadelphia chromosome, have been studied for chromosomic abnormalities associated (CAA) to Ph', as well as for actuarial curve of survivorship. Patients dying from another disease were excluded from this study. Frequency of cells with CAA was measured and appeared strongly higher after blastic transformation than during myelocytic state; probability to be a blastic transformation is closely correlated with this frequency. On the other hand, actuarial curve of survivorship is very well represented by an exponential curve. This suggests a constant rate of death during disease evolution, for these patients without intercurrent disease. As a mean survivance after blastic transformation is very shorter than myelocytic duration, a constant rate of blastic transformation could be advanced: it explains possible occurrence of transformation as soon as preclinic state of a chronic myelogenous leukemia. Even if CAA frequency increases after blastic transformation, CAA can occur a long time before it and do not explain it: submicroscopic origin should be searched for the constant rate of blastic transformation would express the risk of a genic transformation at a constant rate during myelocytic state.

The PAC-MAN model: Benchmark case for linear acoustics in computational physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziegelwanger, Harald; Reiter, Paul

2017-10-01

Benchmark cases in the field of computational physics, on the one hand, have to contain a certain complexity to test numerical edge cases and, on the other hand, require the existence of an analytical solution, because an analytical solution allows the exact quantification of the accuracy of a numerical simulation method. This dilemma causes a need for analytical sound field formulations of complex acoustic problems. A well known example for such a benchmark case for harmonic linear acoustics is the ;Cat's Eye model;, which describes the three-dimensional sound field radiated from a sphere with a missing octant analytically. In this paper, a benchmark case for two-dimensional (2D) harmonic linear acoustic problems, viz., the ;PAC-MAN model;, is proposed. The PAC-MAN model describes the radiated and scattered sound field around an infinitely long cylinder with a cut out sector of variable angular width. While the analytical calculation of the 2D sound field allows different angular cut-out widths and arbitrarily positioned line sources, the computational cost associated with the solution of this problem is similar to a 1D problem because of a modal formulation of the sound field in the PAC-MAN model.

An evaluation of alternative cleaning methods for removing an organic contaminant from a stainless steel part

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

Boyd, J.L.

1996-08-01

As of December 1995, the manufacture of Freon, along with many other chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), was prohibited by the Clean Air Act of 1990 (CAA). The ban of CFC solvents has forced manufacturers across the country to search for alternative metal cleaning techniques. The objective of this study was to develop a thorough, scientific based approach for resolving one specific manufacturer`s problem of removing organic contamination from a stainless steel part. This objective was accomplished with an approach that involved: (1) defining the problem, (2) identifying the process constraints, (3) researching alternate cleaning methods, (4) researching applicable government regulations, (5) performingmore » a scientific evaluation and (6) drawing conclusions.« less

White paper: A plan for cooperation between NASA and DARPA to establish a center for advanced architectures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Denning, P. J.; Adams, G. B., III; Brown, R. L.; Kanerva, P.; Leiner, B. M.; Raugh, M. R.

1986-01-01

Large, complex computer systems require many years of development. It is recognized that large scale systems are unlikely to be delivered in useful condition unless users are intimately involved throughout the design process. A mechanism is described that will involve users in the design of advanced computing systems and will accelerate the insertion of new systems into scientific research. This mechanism is embodied in a facility called the Center for Advanced Architectures (CAA). CAA would be a division of RIACS (Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science) and would receive its technical direction from a Scientific Advisory Board established by RIACS. The CAA described here is a possible implementation of a center envisaged in a proposed cooperation between NASA and DARPA.

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Between NASA Headquarters and MSFC (Marshall Space Flight Center) for NASA Principal Center for Review of Clean Air Regulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caruso, Salvadore V.; Clark-Ingram, Marceia A.

2000-01-01

This paper presents a memorandum of agreement on Clean Air Regulations. NASA headquarters (code JE and code M) has asked MSFC to serve as principle center for review of Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations. The purpose of the principle center is to provide centralized support to NASA headquarters for the management and leadership of NASA's CAA regulation review process and to identify the potential impact of proposed CAA reguations on NASA program hardware and supporting facilities. The materials and processes utilized in the manufacture of NASA's programmatic hardware contain HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants), VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), and ODC (Ozone Depleting Chemicals). This paper is presented in viewgraph form.

Implementing Cognitive Strategy Instruction across the School: The Benchmark Manual for Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gaskins, Irene; Elliot, Thorne

Improving reading instruction has been the primary focus at the Benchmark School in Media, Pennsylvania. This book describes the various phases of Benchmark's development of a program to create strategic learners, thinkers, and problem solvers across the curriculum. The goal is to provide teachers and administrators with a handbook that can be…

Adaptive unified continuum FEM modeling of a 3D FSI benchmark problem.

PubMed

Jansson, Johan; Degirmenci, Niyazi Cem; Hoffman, Johan

2017-09-01

In this paper, we address a 3D fluid-structure interaction benchmark problem that represents important characteristics of biomedical modeling. We present a goal-oriented adaptive finite element methodology for incompressible fluid-structure interaction based on a streamline diffusion-type stabilization of the balance equations for mass and momentum for the entire continuum in the domain, which is implemented in the Unicorn/FEniCS software framework. A phase marker function and its corresponding transport equation are introduced to select the constitutive law, where the mesh tracks the discontinuous fluid-structure interface. This results in a unified simulation method for fluids and structures. We present detailed results for the benchmark problem compared with experiments, together with a mesh convergence study. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric study of protonated and alkali- cationized α/ε-hybrid peptides: differentiation of a pair of dipeptide positional isomers.

PubMed

Ramesh Babu, A; Raju, G; Purna Chander, C; Shoban Babu, B; Srinivas, R; Sharma, G V M

A new class of Boc-N-protected hybrid peptides derived from L- Ala and ε 6 -Caa (L-Ala = L-Alanine, Caa = C-linked carboamino acid derived from D-xylose) have been studied by positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI) ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). MS n spectra of protonated and alkali-cationized hybrid peptides produce characteristic fragmentation involving the peptide backbone, the tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) group, and the side chain. The dipeptide positional isomers are differentiated by the collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the protonated and alkali-cationized peptides. The CID of [M + H] + ion of Boc-NH-L-Ala-ε-Caa- OCH 3 (1) shows a prominent [M + H - C 4 H 8 ] + ion, which is totally absent for its positional isomer Boc-NH-ε-Caa-L-Ala-OCH 3 (6), which instead shows significant loss of t-butanol. The formation of the [M + Cat - C 4 H 8 ] + ion is totally absent and [M + Cat - Boc + H] + is prominent in the CID of the [M + Cat] + ion of Boc-NH-L-Ala-ε-Caa- OCH 3 (1), whereas the former is highly abundant and the latter is of low abundance for its positional isomer Boc-NH-ε-Caa-L-Ala-OCH 3 (6). It is observed that 'b' ions are abundant when oxazolone structures are formed through a five-membered cyclic transition state in tetra-, penta-, and hexapeptides and the cyclization process for larger 'b' ions led to an insignificant abundance. However, the significant 'b' ion is formed in ε,α-dipeptide, which may have a seven-membered substituted 2-oxoazepanium ion structure. The MS n spectra of [M + Cat - Boc + H] + ions of these peptides are found to be significantly different to those of [M + H - Boc + H] + ions. The CID spectra of [M + Cat - Boc + H] + ions of peptide acids containing L-Ala at the C-terminus show an abundant N-terminal rearrangement ion, [b n  + 17 + Cat] + , which is absent for the peptide acids containing ε-Caa at the C-terminus. Thus, the results of these hybrid peptides provide sequencing information, the structure of the cyclic intermediate involved in the formation of the rearrangement ion, and distinguish a pair of dipeptide positional isomers.

Unstructured Adaptive Meshes: Bad for Your Memory?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biswas, Rupak; Feng, Hui-Yu; VanderWijngaart, Rob

2003-01-01

This viewgraph presentation explores the need for a NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) parallel benchmark for problems with irregular dynamical memory access. This benchmark is important and necessary because: 1) Problems with localized error source benefit from adaptive nonuniform meshes; 2) Certain machines perform poorly on such problems; 3) Parallel implementation may provide further performance improvement but is difficult. Some examples of problems which use irregular dynamical memory access include: 1) Heat transfer problem; 2) Heat source term; 3) Spectral element method; 4) Base functions; 5) Elemental discrete equations; 6) Global discrete equations. Nonconforming Mesh and Mortar Element Method are covered in greater detail in this presentation.

Career Adapt-Abilities Scale in a French-Speaking Swiss Sample: Psychometric Properties and Relationships to Personality and Work Engagement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rossier, Jerome; Zecca, Gregory; Stauffer, Sarah D.; Maggiori, Christian; Dauwalder, Jean-Pierre

2012-01-01

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) in a French-speaking Swiss sample and its relationship with personality dimensions and work engagement. The heterogeneous sample of 391 participants (M[subscript age] = 39.59, SD = 12.30) completed the CAAS-International and a short version…

The Army Study Program Fiscal Year 1993 Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-11-16

results of the PERFORMER: CAA Ardennes campaign and, if necessary, to recommend modifications to CEM. PROJECT TITLE: Economic Analysis Of HODA Automation...DCSOPS PERFORMER: CAA PROJECT TITLE: Wartime Requirements, FY 99 PUIC: CSCAMNO15 To assist HODA in determining conventional munition requirements...STUDY WILL ATTEMPT TO DEVELOP A MULTIPLE CRITERIA OPTIMIZATION MODEL DTIC NUMBER: TO AID IN THE PROGRAMMING OF ARMY ACQUISITION FUNDS AT HODA . THE

78 FR 23149 - Air Quality: Revision to Definition of Volatile Organic Compounds-Exclusion of trans 1-chloro-3,3...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-18

... contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. Because EPA received one adverse comment, we are withdrawing the... air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone under title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The direct final... of preparing SIPs to attain the NAAQS for ozone under title I of the CAA. If it had become effective...

Ruminal and Abomasal Starch Hydrolysate Infusions Selectively Decrease the Expression of Cationic Amino Acid Transporter mRNA by Small Intestinal Epithelia of Forage-fed Beef Steers

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Although cationic amino acids (CAA) are consid-ered essential to maximize optimal growth of cattle, transporters responsible for CAA absorption by bovine small intestinal epithelia have not been described. This study was conducted to test 2 hypotheses: 1) the duo¬denal, jejunal, and ileal epithelia ...

75 FR 71125 - Proposed Consent Decree, Clean Air Act Citizen Suit

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-22

... public comment. SUMMARY: In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (``CAA'' or the ``Act''), 42 U.S.C. 7413(g), notice is hereby given of a proposed consent decree to address a... section 110(k)(2) of the CAA, 42 U.S.C. 7410(k)(2), to take timely final action on a submission entitled...

Colonic prolapse after intersphincteric resection for very low rectal cancer: a report of 12 cases.

PubMed

Chau, A; Frasson, M; Debove, C; Maggiori, L; Panis, Y

2016-10-01

There are no published data concerning management of patients with exteriorized colonic prolapse (CP) after intersphincteric rectal resection (ISR) and side-to-end coloanal manual anastomosis (CAA) for very low rectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to report our experience in 12 consecutive cases of CP following ISR with CAA. From 2006 to 2014, all patients with very low rectal cancer who developed CP after ISR and CAA were reviewed. Demographic and surgical data, prolapse symptoms and treatment were recorded. Postoperative morbidity, functional outcomes and results after prolapse surgery were recorded. Twelve out of 143 patients (8 %) who underwent ISR with side-to-end CAA for low rectal cancer presented CP: 7/107 ISR (7 %) with partial resection of the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and 5/36 ISR (14 %) with subtotal or total resection of the IAS (NS). CP was diagnosed after a median of 6 months (range 2-72 months) after ISR. All patients with CP suffered from pain and fecal incontinence. Median Wexner fecal incontinence score before surgery was 16.5 (range 12-20). Three patients refused reoperation. Nine patients underwent transanal surgery with prolapse resection (including colonic stump and side-to-end anastomosis) and new end-to-end CAA (with posterior myorraphy in 4 cases). After a median follow-up of 30 months (range 8-87 months), 3/9 patients (33 %) had CP recurrence: One with very poor function was treated by abdominoperineal resection and definitive stoma. The 2 others were successfully reoperated on transanally. Median Wexner fecal incontinence score after CP surgery was 9 (range 0-20). No CP recurrence was noted for the 6 other patients, and function improved in all cases. Thus, at the end of follow-up, 8/9 patients (89 %) had no recurrence after surgery. We believe surgery must be attempted in these patients who develop CP after ISR with CAA for very low rectal cancer in order to improve function and symptoms. A transanal approach with CP resection and new end-to-end anastomosis appeared to be safe and effective. Larger studies are needed to confirm our results.

Thermodynamic and dynamic ice thickness contributions in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago in NEMO-LIM2 numerical simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Xianmin; Sun, Jingfan; Chan, Ting On; Myers, Paul G.

2018-04-01

Sea ice thickness evolution within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA) is of great interest to science, as well as local communities and their economy. In this study, based on the NEMO numerical framework including the LIM2 sea ice module, simulations at both 1/4 and 1/12° horizontal resolution were conducted from 2002 to 2016. The model captures well the general spatial distribution of ice thickness in the CAA region, with very thick sea ice (˜ 4 m and thicker) in the northern CAA, thick sea ice (2.5 to 3 m) in the west-central Parry Channel and M'Clintock Channel, and thin ( < 2 m) ice (in winter months) on the east side of CAA (e.g., eastern Parry Channel, Baffin Island coast) and in the channels in southern areas. Even though the configurations still have resolution limitations in resolving the exact observation sites, simulated ice thickness compares reasonably (seasonal cycle and amplitudes) with weekly Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) New Ice Thickness Program data at first-year landfast ice sites except at the northern sites with high concentration of old ice. At 1/4 to 1/12° scale, model resolution does not play a significant role in the sea ice simulation except to improve local dynamics because of better coastline representation. Sea ice growth is decomposed into thermodynamic and dynamic (including all non-thermodynamic processes in the model) contributions to study the ice thickness evolution. Relatively smaller thermodynamic contribution to ice growth between December and the following April is found in the thick and very thick ice regions, with larger contributions in the thin ice-covered region. No significant trend in winter maximum ice volume is found in the northern CAA and Baffin Bay while a decline (r2 ≈ 0.6, p < 0.01) is simulated in Parry Channel region. The two main contributors (thermodynamic growth and lateral transport) have high interannual variabilities which largely balance each other, so that maximum ice volume can vary interannually by ±12 % in the northern CAA, ±15 % in Parry Channel, and ±9 % in Baffin Bay. Further quantitative evaluation is required.

Dynamic vehicle routing with time windows in theory and practice.

PubMed

Yang, Zhiwei; van Osta, Jan-Paul; van Veen, Barry; van Krevelen, Rick; van Klaveren, Richard; Stam, Andries; Kok, Joost; Bäck, Thomas; Emmerich, Michael

2017-01-01

The vehicle routing problem is a classical combinatorial optimization problem. This work is about a variant of the vehicle routing problem with dynamically changing orders and time windows. In real-world applications often the demands change during operation time. New orders occur and others are canceled. In this case new schedules need to be generated on-the-fly. Online optimization algorithms for dynamical vehicle routing address this problem but so far they do not consider time windows. Moreover, to match the scenarios found in real-world problems adaptations of benchmarks are required. In this paper, a practical problem is modeled based on the procedure of daily routing of a delivery company. New orders by customers are introduced dynamically during the working day and need to be integrated into the schedule. A multiple ant colony algorithm combined with powerful local search procedures is proposed to solve the dynamic vehicle routing problem with time windows. The performance is tested on a new benchmark based on simulations of a working day. The problems are taken from Solomon's benchmarks but a certain percentage of the orders are only revealed to the algorithm during operation time. Different versions of the MACS algorithm are tested and a high performing variant is identified. Finally, the algorithm is tested in situ: In a field study, the algorithm schedules a fleet of cars for a surveillance company. We compare the performance of the algorithm to that of the procedure used by the company and we summarize insights gained from the implementation of the real-world study. The results show that the multiple ant colony algorithm can get a much better solution on the academic benchmark problem and also can be integrated in a real-world environment.

Issues in Benchmark Metric Selection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crolotte, Alain

It is true that a metric can influence a benchmark but will esoteric metrics create more problems than they will solve? We answer this question affirmatively by examining the case of the TPC-D metric which used the much debated geometric mean for the single-stream test. We will show how a simple choice influenced the benchmark and its conduct and, to some extent, DBMS development. After examining other alternatives our conclusion is that the “real” measure for a decision-support benchmark is the arithmetic mean.

Piping benchmark problems. Volume 1. Dynamic analysis uniform support motion response spectrum method

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

Bezler, P.; Hartzman, M.; Reich, M.

1980-08-01

A set of benchmark problems and solutions have been developed for verifying the adequacy of computer programs used for dynamic analysis and design of nuclear piping systems by the Response Spectrum Method. The problems range from simple to complex configurations which are assumed to experience linear elastic behavior. The dynamic loading is represented by uniform support motion, assumed to be induced by seismic excitation in three spatial directions. The solutions consist of frequencies, participation factors, nodal displacement components and internal force and moment components. Solutions to associated anchor point motion static problems are not included.

ACB-PCR measurement of spontaneous and furan-induced H-ras codon 61 CAA to CTA and CAA to AAA mutation in B6C3F1 mouse liver.

PubMed

Banda, Malathi; Recio, Leslie; Parsons, Barbara L

2013-10-01

Furan is a rodent liver carcinogen, but the mode of action for furan hepatocarcinogenicity is unclear. H-ras codon 61 mutations have been detected in spontaneous liver tumors of B6C3F1 mice, and the fraction of liver tumors carrying H-ras codon 61 CAA to AAA mutation increased in furan-treated mice. Allele-specific competitive blocker PCR (ACB-PCR) has been used previously to quantify early, carcinogen-induced increases in tumor-associated mutations. The present pilot study investigated whether furan drives clonal expansion of pre-existing H-ras mutant cells in B6C3F1 mouse liver. H-ras codon 61 CAA to CTA and CAA to AAA mutations were measured in DNA isolated from liver tissue of female mice treated with 0, 1, 2, 4, or 8 mg furan/kg body weight, five days per week for three weeks, using five mice per treatment group. Spontaneous levels of mutation were low, with two of five control mice having an H-ras codon 61 CTA or AAA mutant fraction (MF) greater than 10(-5) . Several furan-treated mice had H-ras codon 61 AAA or CTA MFs greater than those measured in control mice and lower bound estimates of induced MF were calculated. However, no statistically-significant differences were observed between treatment groups. Therefore, while sustained exposure to furan is carcinogenic, at the early stage of carcinogenesis examined in this study (three weeks), there was not a significant expansion of H-ras mutant cells. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The positional relationship between facial nerve and round window niche in patients with congenital aural atresia and stenosis.

PubMed

Chen, Keguang; Lyu, Huiying; Xie, Youzhou; Yang, Lin; Zhang, Tianyu; Dai, Peidong

2016-03-01

To investigate whether differences existing in the distance between facial nerve (FN) and round window niche opening among congenital aural atresia (CAA), congenital aural stenosis (CAS) and a normal control group and to assess its effect on the round window implantation of vibrant soundbridge, CT images of 10 normal subjects (20 ears), 27 CAS patients (30 ears) and 25 CAA patients (30 ears) were analyzed. The distances from the central point of round window niche opening to the terminal point of the horizontal segment, the salient point of pyramidal segment, the beginning point of the vertical segment, and the vertical segment of the facial nerve (abbreviate as OA, OB, OC, OE, respectively) were calculated based on three-dimensional reconstruction using mimics software. The results suggested that the pyramidal segment of the FN was positioned more closely to round window niche opening in patients with both CAA and CAS groups than that in control group, whereas there was no significant difference between CAA and CAS group (P < 0.05). The vertical portion of the FN was positioned more closely to round window niche opening in the CAA group than those in both the CAS and control groups with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the vertical portion of the FN was positioned more closely to round window niche opening in the CAS group than that in control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the dislocation between facial nerve and round window niche in patients with congenital auditory canal malformations could have significant effects on the round window implantation of vibrant soundbridge. Moreover, three-dimensional measurements and assessments before surgery might be helpful for a safer surgical approach and implantation of vibrant soundbridge.

Association of the GGCX (CAA)16/17 repeat polymorphism with higher warfarin dose requirements in African Americans.

PubMed

Cavallari, Larisa H; Perera, Minoli; Wadelius, Mia; Deloukas, Panos; Taube, Gelson; Patel, Shitalben R; Aquino-Michaels, Keston; Viana, Marlos A G; Shapiro, Nancy L; Nutescu, Edith A

2012-02-01

Little is known about genetic contributors to higher than usual warfarin dose requirements, particularly for African Americans. This study tested the hypothesis that the γ-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX) genotype contributes to warfarin dose requirements greater than 7.5 mg/day in an African American population. A total of 338 African Americans on a stable dose of warfarin were enrolled. The GGCX rs10654848 (CAA)n, rs12714145 (G>A), and rs699664 (p.R325Q); VKORC1 c.-1639G>A and rs61162043; and CYP2C9*2, *3, *5, *8, *11, and rs7089580 genotypes were tested for their association with dose requirements greater than 7.5 mg/day alone and in the context of other variables known to influence dose variability. The GGCX rs10654848 (CAA)16 or 17 repeat occurred at a frequency of 2.6% in African Americans and was overrepresented among patients requiring greater than 7.5 mg/day versus those who required lower doses (12 vs. 3%, P=0.003; odds ratio 4.0, 95% confidence interval, 1.5-10.5). The GGCX rs10654848 genotype remained associated with high dose requirements on regression analysis including age, body size, and VKORC1 genotype. On linear regression, the GGCX rs10654848 genotype explained 2% of the overall variability in warfarin dose in African Americans. An examination of the GGCX rs10654848 genotype in warfarin-treated Caucasians revealed a (CAA)16 repeat frequency of only 0.27% (P=0.008 compared with African Americans). These data support the GGCX rs10654848 genotype as a predictor of higher than usual warfarin doses in African Americans, who have a 10-fold higher frequency of the (CAA)16/17 repeat compared with Caucasians.

MMP-7 and TIMP-1, new targets in predicting poor wound healing in apical periodontitis.

PubMed

Letra, Ariadne; Ghaneh, Ghazaleh; Zhao, Min; Ray, Herbert; Francisconi, Carolina Favaro; Garlet, Gustavo Pompermaier; Silva, Renato Menezes

2013-09-01

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are strongly associated with tissue destruction because of inflammation. In this study, we investigated the expression of MMPs and TIMPs messenger RNA and protein levels in apical periodontitis lesions. Tissue samples from patients presenting clinical signs of chronic apical abscess (CAA) or asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP) were collected postoperatively and used for gene expression analysis of MMP-2, -3, -7, -9, -14, -16, and -25; TIMP-1; and TIMP-2 in real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was also performed to detect the expression of MMP-7 and TIMP-1 proteins. Lastly, U-937 cells were induced to terminal differentiation into macrophages, infected with purified Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, and assessed for the expression of MMP-7 and TIMP-1 using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. Significantly higher messenger RNA levels were found for all genes in AAP and CAA samples when compared with healthy control samples (P < .001). AAP cases exhibited significantly higher TIMP-1 when compared with CAA cases, whereas CAA cases showed higher MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 messenger RNA levels (P < .05). We also detected positive the expression of MMP-7 and TIMP-1 proteins in the tissue samples. The expression of both MMP-7 and TIMP-1 were increased in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells compared with nonstimulated cells and appear to colocalize in the Golgi apparatus. MMPs appear to have an influential role in CAA cases in which ongoing tissue destruction is observed. TIMPs are preferentially associated with AAP, perhaps as a subsequent defense mechanism against excessive destruction. Taken together, our findings implicate MMP and TIMP molecules in the dynamics of inflammatory periapical lesion development. Copyright © 2013 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

76 FR 31263 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of California; Interstate Transport of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-31

...EPA is proposing a limited approval and limited disapproval of a State Implementation Plan (``SIP'') revision submitted by the State of California on November 17, 2007, for the purpose of addressing the ``transport SIP'' provisions of Clean Air Act (``CAA'') section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or standards) and the 1997 fine particulate matter (``PM2.5'') NAAQS. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the CAA requires that each SIP contain adequate provisions to prohibit emissions that adversely affect air quality in other States through interstate transport. EPA is proposing a limited approval and limited disapproval of California's SIP revision for the 1997 8-hour ozone and 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS with respect to the requirement in CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) that each SIP contain adequate measures prohibiting emissions of air pollutants in amounts which will interfere with other States' measures required under title I, part C of the CAA to prevent significant deterioration of air quality. Specifically, EPA is proposing to approve California's SIP revision with respect to those Districts in California that implement SIP-approved permit programs meeting the approval criteria under CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i), as discussed in this proposal. EPA is simultaneously proposing to disapprove California's SIP revision with respect to those Districts in California that do not implement SIP-approved permit programs meeting these approval criteria. For any District for which we finalize a disapproval, EPA intends to simultaneously promulgate a limited Federal Implementation Plan (``FIP''), as discussed in this proposal, unless the relevant area is already subject to a FIP.

Finite element analysis for transverse carpal ligament tensile strain and carpal arch area.

PubMed

Yao, Yifei; Erdemir, Ahmet; Li, Zong-Ming

2018-05-17

Mechanics of carpal tunnel soft tissue, such as fat, muscle and transverse carpal ligament (TCL), around the median nerve may render the median nerve vulnerable to compression neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to understand the roles of carpal tunnel soft tissue mechanical properties and intratunnel pressure on the TCL tensile strain and carpal arch area (CAA) using finite element analysis (FEA). Manual segmentation of the thenar muscles, skin, fat, TCL, hamate bone, and trapezium bone in the transverse plane at distal carpal tunnel were obtained from B-mode ultrasound images of one cadaveric hand. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the dependence of TCL tensile strain and CAA on TCL elastic modulus (0.125-10 MPa volar-dorsally; 1.375-110 MPa transversely), skin-fat and thenar muscle initial shear modulus (1.6-160 kPa for skin-fat; 0.425-42.5 kPa for muscle), and intratunnel pressure (60-480 mmHg). Predictions of TCL tensile strain under different intratunnel pressures were validated with the experimental data obtained on the same cadaveric hand. Results showed that skin, fat and muscles had little effect on the TCL tensile strain and CAA changes. However, TCL tensile strain and CAA increased with decreased elastic modulus of TCL and increased intratunnel pressure. The TCL tensile strain and CAA increased linearly with increased pressure while increased exponentially with decreased elastic modulus of TCL. Softening the TCL by decreasing the elastic modulus may be an alternative clinical approach to carpal tunnel expansion to accommodate elevated intratunnel pressure and alleviate median nerve compression neuropathy. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Upper thermal tolerance plasticity in tropical amphibian species from contrasting habitats: implications for warming impact prediction.

PubMed

Simon, Monique Nouailhetas; Ribeiro, Pedro Leite; Navas, Carlos Arturo

2015-02-01

Tropical ectothermic species are currently depicted as more vulnerable to increasing temperatures because of the proximity between their upper thermal limits and environmental temperatures. Yet, the acclimatory capacity of thermal limits has rarely been measured in tropical species, even though they are generally predicted to be smaller than in temperate species. We compared critical thermal maximum (CTmax) and warming tolerance (WT: the difference between CTmax and maximum temperature, Tmax), as well as CTmax acclimatory capacity of toad species from the Atlantic forest (AF) and the Brazilian Caatinga (CAA), a semi-arid habitat with high temperatures. Acclimation temperatures represented the mean temperatures of AF and CAA habitats, making estimates of CTmax and WT more ecologically realistic. CAA species mean CTmax was higher compared to AF species in both acclimation treatments. Clutches within species, as well as between AF and CAA species, differed in CTmax plasticity and we discuss the potential biological meaning of these findings. We did not find a trade-off between absolute CTmax and CTmax plasticity, indicating that species can have both high CTmax and high CTmax plasticity. Although CTmax was highly correlated to Tmax, CTmax plasticity was not related to Tmax or Tmax coefficients of variation. CAA species mean WT was lower than for AF species, but still very high for all species, diverging from other studies with tropical species. This might be partially related to over-estimation of vulnerability due to under-appreciation of realistic acclimation treatments in CTmax estimation. Thus, some tropical species might not be as vulnerable to warming as previously predicted if CTmax is considered as a shifting population parameter. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fine specificities of natural regulatory T cells after IVIG therapy in patients with Kawasaki disease

PubMed Central

Burns, Jane C.; Touma, Ranim; Song, Yali; Padilla, Robert L.; Tremoulet, Adriana H.; Sidney, John; Sette, Alessandro; Franco, Alessandra

2016-01-01

The activation of natural regulatory T cells (nTreg) recognizing the heavy constant region (Fc) of IgG is an important mechanism of action of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in Kawasaki disease (KD). Lack of circulating Fc-specific nTreg in the sub-acute phase of KD is correlated with the development of coronary artery abnormalities (CAA). Here, we characterize the fine specificity of nTreg in sub-acute (2- to 8-week post-IVIG) and convalescent (1- to 10-year post-IVIG) KD subjects by testing the immunogenicity of 64 peptides, 15 amino acids in length with a 10 amino acid-overlap spanning the entire Fc protein. About 12 Fc peptides (6 pools of 2 consecutive peptides) were recognized by nTreg in the cohorts studied, including two patients with CAA. To test whether IVIG expands the same nTreg populations that maintain vascular homeostasis in healthy subjects, we compared these results with results obtained in healthy adult controls. Similar nTreg fine specificities were observed in KD patients after IVIG and in healthy donors. These results suggest that T cell fitness rather than T cell clonal deletion or anergy is responsible for the lack of Fc-specific nTreg in KD patients who develop CAA. Furthermore, we found that adolescents and adults who had KD during childhood without developing CAA did not respond to the Fc protein in vitro, suggesting that the nTreg response induced by IVIG in KD patients is short-lived. Our results support the concept that peptide epitopes may be a viable therapeutic approach to expand Fc-specific nTreg and more effectively prevent CAA in KD patients. PMID:25822882

Molecular cloning, expression and single nucleotide polymorphisms of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) in mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi).

PubMed

Cheng, Xiao-Yan; He, Shan; Liang, Xu-Fang; Song, Yi; Yuan, Xiao-Chen; Li, Ling; Wen, Zheng-Yong; Cai, Wen-Jing; Tao, Ya-Xiong

2015-11-01

In the wild, mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) only feed on live prey fish, refusing dead prey. When reared in ponds, training will result in some mandarin fish accepting artificial diets. However, little is currently known about the molecular mechanism of the individual difference. Serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is a suppressor of learning and long-term memory (LTM) in mammals. In the present study, the relationship between PP1 and the individual difference in acceptance of artificial diets in mandarin fish was investigated. The complete CDS (coding sequence) of four PP1 isoforms (PP1caa, PP1cab, PP1cb and PP1cc) were cloned in mandarin fish. The amino acid sequences of these PP1 isoforms are highly conserved in different species. The mRNA expressions of PP1caa and PP1cb in brain of artificial diet feeders were significantly higher than those in nonfeeders, suggesting the deficiency in the maintenance of long-term memory of its natural food habit (live prey fish). The SNP loci in PP1caa and PP1cb were also found to be associated with the individual difference in acceptance of artificial diets in mandarin fish. These SNPs of PP1caa and PP1cb genes could be useful markers for gene-associated breeding of mandarin fish, which could accept artificial diets. In conclusion, different mRNA expression and SNPs of PP1caa and PP1cb genes in feeders and nonfeeders of artificial diets might contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of individual difference in acceptance of artificial diets in mandarin fish. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Renal cytochrome P450 omega-hydroxylase and epoxygenase activity are differentially modified by nitric oxide and sodium chloride.

PubMed

Oyekan, A O; Youseff, T; Fulton, D; Quilley, J; McGiff, J C

1999-10-01

Renal function is perturbed by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). To probe the basis of this effect, we characterized the effects of nitric oxide (NO), a known suppressor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, on metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA), the expression of omega-hydroxylase, and the efflux of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) from the isolated kidney. The capacity to convert [(14)C]AA to HETEs and epoxides (EETs) was greater in cortical microsomes than in medullary microsomes. Sodium nitroprusside (10-100 microM), an NO donor, inhibited renal microsomal conversion of [(14)C]AA to HETEs and EETs in a dose-dependent manner. 8-bromo cGMP (100 microM), the cell-permeable analogue of cGMP, did not affect conversion of [(14)C]AA. Inhibition of NOS with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) significantly increased conversion of [(14)C]AA to HETE and greatly increased the expression of omega-hydroxylase protein, but this treatment had only a modest effect on epoxygenase activity. L-NAME induced a 4-fold increase in renal efflux of 20-HETE, as did L-nitroarginine. Oral treatment with 2% sodium chloride (NaCl) for 7 days increased renal epoxygenase activity, both in the cortex and the medulla. In contrast, cortical omega-hydroxylase activity was reduced by treatment with 2% NaCl. Coadministration of L-NAME and 2% NaCl decreased conversion of [(14)C]AA to HETEs without affecting epoxygenase activity. Thus, inhibition of NOS increased omega-hydroxylase activity, CYP4A expression, and renal efflux of 20-HETE, whereas 2% NaCl stimulated epoxygenase activity.

Characterization of CAA0225, a novel inhibitor specific for cathepsin L, as a probe for autophagic proteolysis.

PubMed

Takahashi, Katsuyuki; Ueno, Takashi; Tanida, Isei; Minematsu-Ikeguchi, Naoko; Murata, Mitsuo; Kominami, Eiki

2009-03-01

We screened a series of new epoxysuccinyl peptides for the development of a lysosomal cathepsin L-specific inhibitor. Among the compounds tested, (2S,3S)-oxirane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid 2-[((S)-1-benzylcarbamoyl-2-phenyl-ethyl)-amide] 3-{[2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-amide} (compound CAA0225) was the most potent inhibitor of cathepsin L. CAA0225 inhibited rat liver cathepsin L with IC50 values of 1.9 nM, but not rat liver cathepsin B (IC50, >1000-5000 nM). To assess the contribution of cathepsin L to lysosomal proteolysis, we evaluated autophagy, which is the process of lysosomal self-degradation of cell constituents. In HeLa and Huh-7 cells cultured under nutrient-deprived conditions CAA0225 significantly inhibited degradation of long-lived proteins; however, the magnitude of inhibition was comparable to that in the presence of CA-074-OMe, which is a cathepsin B-specific inhibitor. Thus the contributions of cathepsin L and cathepsin B to autophagic protein degradation of cytoplasmic proteins are nearly equal. During autophagy, microtubule-associated protein IA/IB light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (A) receptor-associated protein (GABARAP)-II, which are specific markers of autophagosomal membranes that engulf cytoplasmic components, also undergo degradation upon fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes. CAA0225 effectively inhibited degradation of LC3-II and GABARAP, whereas CA-074-OMe had only a marginal effect on their levels. Therefore we conclude that cathepsin L does not play a general role in the degradation of proteins in the lumen of autophagosomes, but rather is involved specifically in the degradation of autophagosomal membrane markers.

Higher Education Ranking and Leagues Tables: Lessons Learned from Benchmarking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Proulx, Roland

2007-01-01

The paper intends to contribute to the debate on ranking and league tables by adopting a critical approach to ranking methodologies from the point of view of a university benchmarking exercise. The absence of a strict benchmarking exercise in the ranking process has been, in the opinion of the author, one of the major problems encountered in the…

Verification of cardiac mechanics software: benchmark problems and solutions for testing active and passive material behaviour.

PubMed

Land, Sander; Gurev, Viatcheslav; Arens, Sander; Augustin, Christoph M; Baron, Lukas; Blake, Robert; Bradley, Chris; Castro, Sebastian; Crozier, Andrew; Favino, Marco; Fastl, Thomas E; Fritz, Thomas; Gao, Hao; Gizzi, Alessio; Griffith, Boyce E; Hurtado, Daniel E; Krause, Rolf; Luo, Xiaoyu; Nash, Martyn P; Pezzuto, Simone; Plank, Gernot; Rossi, Simone; Ruprecht, Daniel; Seemann, Gunnar; Smith, Nicolas P; Sundnes, Joakim; Rice, J Jeremy; Trayanova, Natalia; Wang, Dafang; Jenny Wang, Zhinuo; Niederer, Steven A

2015-12-08

Models of cardiac mechanics are increasingly used to investigate cardiac physiology. These models are characterized by a high level of complexity, including the particular anisotropic material properties of biological tissue and the actively contracting material. A large number of independent simulation codes have been developed, but a consistent way of verifying the accuracy and replicability of simulations is lacking. To aid in the verification of current and future cardiac mechanics solvers, this study provides three benchmark problems for cardiac mechanics. These benchmark problems test the ability to accurately simulate pressure-type forces that depend on the deformed objects geometry, anisotropic and spatially varying material properties similar to those seen in the left ventricle and active contractile forces. The benchmark was solved by 11 different groups to generate consensus solutions, with typical differences in higher-resolution solutions at approximately 0.5%, and consistent results between linear, quadratic and cubic finite elements as well as different approaches to simulating incompressible materials. Online tools and solutions are made available to allow these tests to be effectively used in verification of future cardiac mechanics software.

Sustainable aggregate production planning in the chemical process industry - A benchmark problem and dataset.

PubMed

Brandenburg, Marcus; Hahn, Gerd J

2018-06-01

Process industries typically involve complex manufacturing operations and thus require adequate decision support for aggregate production planning (APP). The need for powerful and efficient approaches to solve complex APP problems persists. Problem-specific solution approaches are advantageous compared to standardized approaches that are designed to provide basic decision support for a broad range of planning problems but inadequate to optimize under consideration of specific settings. This in turn calls for methods to compare different approaches regarding their computational performance and solution quality. In this paper, we present a benchmarking problem for APP in the chemical process industry. The presented problem focuses on (i) sustainable operations planning involving multiple alternative production modes/routings with specific production-related carbon emission and the social dimension of varying operating rates and (ii) integrated campaign planning with production mix/volume on the operational level. The mutual trade-offs between economic, environmental and social factors can be considered as externalized factors (production-related carbon emission and overtime working hours) as well as internalized ones (resulting costs). We provide data for all problem parameters in addition to a detailed verbal problem statement. We refer to Hahn and Brandenburg [1] for a first numerical analysis based on and for future research perspectives arising from this benchmarking problem.

KSC-2012-6229

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Orion spacecraft crew access arm, or CAA, seal prototype is being checked out at the Launch Equipment Test Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tests will use a mockup of the vehicle Outer Mold Line and CAA white room to test the performance of the seal while simulating vehicle to CAA white room excursions. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry crews to space beyond low Earth orbit. It will provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket and in 2017 on a Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2012-6225

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Orion spacecraft crew access arm, or CAA, seal prototype is being checked out at the Launch Equipment Test Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tests will use a mockup of the vehicle Outer Mold Line and CAA white room to test the performance of the seal while simulating vehicle to CAA white room excursions. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry crews to space beyond low Earth orbit. It will provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket and in 2017 on a Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2012-6231

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Orion spacecraft crew access arm, or CAA, seal prototype is being checked out at the Launch Equipment Test Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tests will use a mockup of the vehicle Outer Mold Line and CAA white room to test the performance of the seal while simulating vehicle to CAA white room excursions. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry crews to space beyond low Earth orbit. It will provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket and in 2017 on a Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2012-6226

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Orion spacecraft crew access arm, or CAA, seal prototype is being checked out at the Launch Equipment Test Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tests will use a mockup of the vehicle Outer Mold Line and CAA white room to test the performance of the seal while simulating vehicle to CAA white room excursions. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry crews to space beyond low Earth orbit. It will provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket and in 2017 on a Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2012-6230

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Orion spacecraft crew access arm, or CAA, seal prototype is being checked by technicians and engineers at the Launch Equipment Test Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tests will use a mockup of the vehicle Outer Mold Line and CAA white room to assess the performance of the seal while simulating vehicle to CAA white room excursions. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry crews to space beyond low Earth orbit. It will provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket and in 2017 on a Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2012-6228

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Orion spacecraft crew access arm, or CAA, seal prototype is being checked by technicians and engineers at the Launch Equipment Test Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tests will use a mockup of the vehicle Outer Mold Line and CAA white room to assess the performance of the seal while simulating vehicle to CAA white room excursions. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry crews to space beyond low Earth orbit. It will provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket and in 2017 on a Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

[Sporadic Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy: An Overview with Clinical Cases].

PubMed

Schöberl, F; Eren, O E; Wollenweber, F A; Kraus, T; Kellert, L

2016-09-01

Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a cerebral small vessel disease in the elderly. Neuropathologically, it is characterized by deposition of amyloid-ß (Aß) in the wall of small to medium-sized arteries, capillaries and venules of the cerebral cortex and leptomeninges. Over the last years it was recognized as an important cause of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and cognitive deficits in the elderly. The clinical and radiological manifestations are diverse ranging from acute onset focal neurological deficits due to intracerebral lobar hemorrhage to subacute progressive cognitive impairment due to Aß-mediated inflammation confluent subcortical edema. The wide clinico-radiological spectrum of CAA is a major challenge for the neurologist and stroke physician. This review provides a structured and detailed look at recent developments in CAA, and is illustrated with case studies. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

High-Accuracy Finite Element Method: Benchmark Calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gusev, Alexander; Vinitsky, Sergue; Chuluunbaatar, Ochbadrakh; Chuluunbaatar, Galmandakh; Gerdt, Vladimir; Derbov, Vladimir; Góźdź, Andrzej; Krassovitskiy, Pavel

2018-02-01

We describe a new high-accuracy finite element scheme with simplex elements for solving the elliptic boundary-value problems and show its efficiency on benchmark solutions of the Helmholtz equation for the triangle membrane and hypercube.

78 FR 45922 - Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; New...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-30

... confidential in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 40 CFR Parts 2 and 1042, and class... Section 206(a) of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7521) and 40 CFR Part 1042. Certification reporting is mandatory under Section 206(a) of CAA (42 U.S.C. 7521) and 40 CFR Part 1042, Subpart C. PLT reporting is mandatory...

Community Organization Efforts, Political and Institutional Change, and the Diffusion of Change Produced by Community Action Programs. Final Report on Phase I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vanecko, James J.; And Others

The first part of a two phase project, this was an evaluation of characteristics of community action agencies (CAAs) which make them more or less effective in influencing other institutions to be more responseive to the needs and demands of the poor. CAA board members, representatives of the poor and other segments of the community, and…

Fire Fighting Task Force (FIRE)

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-04-01

and fdenify by block number) ~’This study is part of ~a contining effort to develop soldier data and performance algorithms (pergorithus) needed to...similar to combat, results will be useful in developing algorithms and data for use in US Army Concepts Analysis Agency (CAA) combat models. THE...dimensions. The US Army Concepts Analysis Agency (CAA) is committed to adding the soldier variables and algorithms that are necessary to fully represent

The development of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in cerebral vessels. A review with illustrations based upon own investigated post mortem cases.

PubMed

Mendel, T A; Wierzba-Bobrowicz, T; Lewandowska, E; Stępień, T; Szpak, G M

2013-12-01

The process of β-amyloid accumulation in cerebral vessels is presented. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) was confirmed during an autopsy. It was diagnosed according to the Boston criteria. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy can involve all kinds of cerebral vessels (cortical and leptomeningeal arterioles, capillaries and veins). The development of CAA is a progressive process. β-amyloid appears first in the tunica media, surrounding smooth muscle cells, and in the adventitia. β-amyloid is progressively accumulated, causing a gradual loss of smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall and finally replacing them. Then, the detachment and delamination of the outer part of the tunica media results in the "double barrel" appearance, fibrinoid necrosis, and microaneurysm formation. Microbleeding with perivascular deposition of erythrocytes and blood breakdown products can also occur. β-amyloid can also be deposited in the surrounding of the affected vessels of the brain parenchyma, known as "dysphoric CAA". Ultrastructurally, when deposits of amyloid fibers were localized in or outside the arteriolar wall, the degenerating vascular smooth muscle cells were observed. In the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology the study was carried out in a group of 48 patients who died due to intracerebral hemorrhage caused by sporadic CAA.

Metabolic and microbial signatures in rat hepatocellular carcinoma treated with caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhan; Wang, Di; Qiao, Shanlei; Wu, Xinyue; Cao, Shuyuan; Wang, Li; Su, Xiaojian; Li, Lei

2017-07-03

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment remains lack of effective chemopreventive agents, therefore it is very attractive and urgent to discover novel anti-HCC drugs. In the present study, the effects of chlorogenic acid (ChA) and caffeic acid (CaA) on HCC induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) were evaluated. ChA or CaA could reduce the histopathological changes and liver injury markers, such as alanine transarninase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bile acid, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. The underlying mechanisms were investigated by a data integration strategy based on correlation analyses of metabonomics data and 16 S rRNA gene sequencing data. ChA or CaA could inhibit the increase of Rumincoccaceae UCG-004 and reduction of Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis, and Prevotella 9 in HCC rats. The principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis were applied to reveal the metabolic differences among these groups. 28 different metabolites showed a trend to return to normal in both CaA and ChA treatment. Among them, Bilirubin, L-Tyrosine, L-Methionine and Ethanolamine were correlated increased Rumincoccaceae UCG-004 and decreased of Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis and Prevotella 9. These correlations could be identified as metabolic and microbial signatures of HCC onset and potential therapeutic targets.

Hemodynamic Based Coronary Artery Aneurysm Thrombosis Risk Stratification in Kawasaki Disease Patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grande Gutierrez, Noelia; Mathew, M.; McCrindle, B.; Kahn, A.; Burns, J.; Marsden, A.

2017-11-01

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) as a result of Kawasaki Disease (KD) put patients at risk for thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Current AHA guidelines recommend CAA diameter >8 mm or Z-score >10 as the criterion for initiating systemic anticoagulation. Our hypothesis is that hemodynamic data derived from computational blood flow simulations is a better predictor of thrombosis than aneurysm diameter alone. Patient-specific coronary models were constructed from CMRI for a cohort of 10 KD patients (5 confirmed thrombosis cases) and simulations with fluid structure interaction were performed using the stabilized finite element Navier-Stokes solver available in SimVascular. We used a closed-loop lumped parameter network (LPN) to model the heart and vascular boundary conditions coupled numerically to the flow solver. An automated parameter estimation method was used to match LPN values to clinical data for each patient. Hemodynamic data analysis resulted in low correlation between Wall Shear Stress (WSS)/ Particle Residence Time (PRT) and CAA diameter but demonstrates the positive correlation between hemodynamics and adverse patient outcomes. Our results suggest that quantifying WSS and PRT should enable identification of regions at higher risk of thrombosis. We propose a quantitative method to non-invasively assess the abnormal flow in CAA following KD that could potentially improve clinical decision-making regarding anticoagulation therapy.

Hybrid CFD/CAA Modeling for Liftoff Acoustic Predictions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strutzenberg, Louise L.; Liever, Peter A.

2011-01-01

This paper presents development efforts at the NASA Marshall Space flight Center to establish a hybrid Computational Fluid Dynamics and Computational Aero-Acoustics (CFD/CAA) simulation system for launch vehicle liftoff acoustics environment analysis. Acoustic prediction engineering tools based on empirical jet acoustic strength and directivity models or scaled historical measurements are of limited value in efforts to proactively design and optimize launch vehicles and launch facility configurations for liftoff acoustics. CFD based modeling approaches are now able to capture the important details of vehicle specific plume flow environment, identifY the noise generation sources, and allow assessment of the influence of launch pad geometric details and sound mitigation measures such as water injection. However, CFD methodologies are numerically too dissipative to accurately capture the propagation of the acoustic waves in the large CFD models. The hybrid CFD/CAA approach combines the high-fidelity CFD analysis capable of identifYing the acoustic sources with a fast and efficient Boundary Element Method (BEM) that accurately propagates the acoustic field from the source locations. The BEM approach was chosen for its ability to properly account for reflections and scattering of acoustic waves from launch pad structures. The paper will present an overview of the technology components of the CFD/CAA framework and discuss plans for demonstration and validation against test data.

75 FR 48880 - Approval and Promulgation of Gila River Indian Community's Tribal Implementation Plan

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-12

...The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the Gila River Indian Community's (GRIC or the Tribe) Tribal Implementation Plan (TIP) under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to regulate air pollution within the exterior boundaries of the Tribe's reservation. The proposed TIP is one of four CAA regulatory programs that comprise the Tribe's Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP). EPA approved the Tribe for treatment in the same manner as a State (Treatment as State or TAS) for purposes of administering the AQMP and other CAA authorities on October 21, 2009. In this action we propose to act only on those portions of the AQMP that constitute a TIP containing severable elements of an implementation plan under CAA section 110(a). The proposed TIP includes general and emergency authorities, ambient air quality standards, permitting requirements for minor sources of air pollution, enforcement authorities, procedures for administrative appeals and judicial review in Tribal court, requirements for area sources of fugitive dust and fugitive particulate matter, general prohibitory rules, and source category-specific emission limitations. The purpose of the proposed TIP is to implement, maintain, and enforce the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in the GRIC reservation. The intended effect of today's proposed action is to make the GRIC TIP federally enforceable.

Robotics Technology Crosscutting Program. Technology summary

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

NONE

The Robotics Technology Development Program (RTDP) is a needs-driven effort. A length series of presentations and discussions at DOE sites considered critical to DOE`s Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (EM) Programs resulted in a clear understanding of needed robotics applications toward resolving definitive problems at the sites. A detailed analysis of the resulting robotics needs assessment revealed several common threads running through the sites: Tank Waste Retrieval (TWR), Contaminant Analysis Automation (CAA), Mixed Waste Operations (MWO), and Decontamination and Dismantlement (D and D). The RTDP Group also realized that some of the technology development in these four areas had commonmore » (Cross Cutting-CC) needs, for example, computer control and sensor interface protocols. Further, the OTD approach to the Research, Development, Demonstration, Testing, and Evaluation (RDDT and E) process urged an additional organizational breakdown between short-term (1--3 years) and long-term (3--5 years) efforts (Advanced Technology-AT). These factors lead to the formation of the fifth application area for Crosscutting and Advanced Technology (CC and AT) development. The RTDP is thus organized around these application areas -- TWR, CAA, MWO, D and D, and CC and AT -- with the first four developing short-term applied robotics. An RTDP Five-Year Plan was developed for organizing the Program to meet the needs in these application areas.« less

Investigation of dispersion-relation-preserving scheme and spectral analysis methods for acoustic waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanel, Florence O.; Baysal, Oktay

1995-01-01

Important characteristics of the aeroacoustic wave propagation are mostly encoded in their dispersion relations. Hence, a computational aeroacoustic (CAA) algorithm, which reasonably preserves these relations, was investigated. It was derived using an optimization procedure to ensure, that the numerical derivatives preserved the wave number and angular frequency of the differential terms in the linearized, 2-D Euler equations. Then, simulations were performed to validate the scheme and a compatible set of discretized boundary conditions. The computational results were found to agree favorably with the exact solutions. The boundary conditions were transparent to the outgoing waves, except when the disturbance source was close to a boundary. The time-domain data generated by such CAA solutions were often intractable until their spectra was analyzed. Therefore, the relative merits of three different methods were included in the study. For simple, periodic waves, the periodogram method produced better estimates of the steep-sloped spectra than the Blackman-Tukey method. Also, for this problem, the Hanning window was more effective when used with the weighted-overlapped-segment-averaging and Blackman-Tukey methods gave better results than the periodogram method. Finally, it was demonstrated that the representation of time domain-data was significantly dependent on the particular spectral analysis method employed.

Auditing a court assessment and advice service for defendants with mental health difficulties: utilizing electronic patient records.

PubMed

Gough, Karen; Magness, Laura; Winstanley, Julia

2012-07-01

This study is an audit of the Somerset Court Advice and Assessment Service (CAAS) throughout its first year of implementation. It reports that the service successfully met the six desired objectives as set out in its Service Level Agreement. Further to this, it reports that the use of National Health Service electronic patient records within a court setting facilitated the provision of apposite and timely information to the court. Specific findings were that deliberate self-harm/suicidal ideation and mood disorders were the primary reasons for a person requiring CAAS involvement. Violence against the person, breach of orders and theft were the most prevalent categories of offending within this referred group. The prevalence of previous psychiatric history was significantly higher than found in comparable audits. It is likely that this is due to the efficacy of proactive and in vivo utilization of electronic patient records. Conclusions include the need to work in partnership with drug and alcohol agencies and the importance of recognizing that these services have significant clinical benefits for defendants with mental health problems, and the court system in terms of financial savings. We suggest ongoing audit is necessary to guide the development of other schemes in this pioneering service area.

Performance of Multi-chaotic PSO on a shifted benchmark functions set

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

Pluhacek, Michal; Senkerik, Roman; Zelinka, Ivan

2015-03-10

In this paper the performance of Multi-chaotic PSO algorithm is investigated using two shifted benchmark functions. The purpose of shifted benchmark functions is to simulate the time-variant real-world problems. The results of chaotic PSO are compared with canonical version of the algorithm. It is concluded that using the multi-chaotic approach can lead to better results in optimization of shifted functions.

Benchmarking image fusion system design parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howell, Christopher L.

2013-06-01

A clear and absolute method for discriminating between image fusion algorithm performances is presented. This method can effectively be used to assist in the design and modeling of image fusion systems. Specifically, it is postulated that quantifying human task performance using image fusion should be benchmarked to whether the fusion algorithm, at a minimum, retained the performance benefit achievable by each independent spectral band being fused. The established benchmark would then clearly represent the threshold that a fusion system should surpass to be considered beneficial to a particular task. A genetic algorithm is employed to characterize the fused system parameters using a Matlab® implementation of NVThermIP as the objective function. By setting the problem up as a mixed-integer constraint optimization problem, one can effectively look backwards through the image acquisition process: optimizing fused system parameters by minimizing the difference between modeled task difficulty measure and the benchmark task difficulty measure. The results of an identification perception experiment are presented, where human observers were asked to identify a standard set of military targets, and used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the benchmarking process.

Bin packing problem solution through a deterministic weighted finite automaton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zavala-Díaz, J. C.; Pérez-Ortega, J.; Martínez-Rebollar, A.; Almanza-Ortega, N. N.; Hidalgo-Reyes, M.

2016-06-01

In this article the solution of Bin Packing problem of one dimension through a weighted finite automaton is presented. Construction of the automaton and its application to solve three different instances, one synthetic data and two benchmarks are presented: N1C1W1_A.BPP belonging to data set Set_1; and BPP13.BPP belonging to hard28. The optimal solution of synthetic data is obtained. In the first benchmark the solution obtained is one more container than the ideal number of containers and in the second benchmark the solution is two more containers than the ideal solution (approximately 2.5%). The runtime in all three cases was less than one second.

Towards unbiased benchmarking of evolutionary and hybrid algorithms for real-valued optimisation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacNish, Cara

2007-12-01

Randomised population-based algorithms, such as evolutionary, genetic and swarm-based algorithms, and their hybrids with traditional search techniques, have proven successful and robust on many difficult real-valued optimisation problems. This success, along with the readily applicable nature of these techniques, has led to an explosion in the number of algorithms and variants proposed. In order for the field to advance it is necessary to carry out effective comparative evaluations of these algorithms, and thereby better identify and understand those properties that lead to better performance. This paper discusses the difficulties of providing benchmarking of evolutionary and allied algorithms that is both meaningful and logistically viable. To be meaningful the benchmarking test must give a fair comparison that is free, as far as possible, from biases that favour one style of algorithm over another. To be logistically viable it must overcome the need for pairwise comparison between all the proposed algorithms. To address the first problem, we begin by attempting to identify the biases that are inherent in commonly used benchmarking functions. We then describe a suite of test problems, generated recursively as self-similar or fractal landscapes, designed to overcome these biases. For the second, we describe a server that uses web services to allow researchers to 'plug in' their algorithms, running on their local machines, to a central benchmarking repository.

Summary of comparison and analysis of results from exercises 1 and 2 of the OECD PBMR coupled neutronics/thermal hydraulics transient benchmark

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

Mkhabela, P.; Han, J.; Tyobeka, B.

2006-07-01

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has accepted, through the Nuclear Science Committee (NSC), the inclusion of the Pebble-Bed Modular Reactor 400 MW design (PBMR-400) coupled neutronics/thermal hydraulics transient benchmark problem as part of their official activities. The scope of the benchmark is to establish a well-defined problem, based on a common given library of cross sections, to compare methods and tools in core simulation and thermal hydraulics analysis with a specific focus on transient events through a set of multi-dimensional computational test problems. The benchmark includes three steady state exercises andmore » six transient exercises. This paper describes the first two steady state exercises, their objectives and the international participation in terms of organization, country and computer code utilized. This description is followed by a comparison and analysis of the participants' results submitted for these two exercises. The comparison of results from different codes allows for an assessment of the sensitivity of a result to the method employed and can thus help to focus the development efforts on the most critical areas. The two first exercises also allow for removing of user-related modeling errors and prepare core neutronics and thermal-hydraulics models of the different codes for the rest of the exercises in the benchmark. (authors)« less

SeSBench - An initiative to benchmark reactive transport models for environmental subsurface processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacques, Diederik

2017-04-01

As soil functions are governed by a multitude of interacting hydrological, geochemical and biological processes, simulation tools coupling mathematical models for interacting processes are needed. Coupled reactive transport models are a typical example of such coupled tools mainly focusing on hydrological and geochemical coupling (see e.g. Steefel et al., 2015). Mathematical and numerical complexity for both the tool itself or of the specific conceptual model can increase rapidly. Therefore, numerical verification of such type of models is a prerequisite for guaranteeing reliability and confidence and qualifying simulation tools and approaches for any further model application. In 2011, a first SeSBench -Subsurface Environmental Simulation Benchmarking- workshop was held in Berkeley (USA) followed by four other ones. The objective is to benchmark subsurface environmental simulation models and methods with a current focus on reactive transport processes. The final outcome was a special issue in Computational Geosciences (2015, issue 3 - Reactive transport benchmarks for subsurface environmental simulation) with a collection of 11 benchmarks. Benchmarks, proposed by the participants of the workshops, should be relevant for environmental or geo-engineering applications; the latter were mostly related to radioactive waste disposal issues - excluding benchmarks defined for pure mathematical reasons. Another important feature is the tiered approach within a benchmark with the definition of a single principle problem and different sub problems. The latter typically benchmarked individual or simplified processes (e.g. inert solute transport, simplified geochemical conceptual model) or geometries (e.g. batch or one-dimensional, homogeneous). Finally, three codes should be involved into a benchmark. The SeSBench initiative contributes to confidence building for applying reactive transport codes. Furthermore, it illustrates the use of those type of models for different environmental and geo-engineering applications. SeSBench will organize new workshops to add new benchmarks in a new special issue. Steefel, C. I., et al. (2015). "Reactive transport codes for subsurface environmental simulation." Computational Geosciences 19: 445-478.

40 CFR 51.904 - How do the classification and attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(b... attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(b)? (a) Classification. The Administrator may classify an area subject to § 51.902(b) as an overwhelming...

40 CFR 51.904 - How do the classification and attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(b... attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(b)? (a) Classification. The Administrator may classify an area subject to § 51.902(b) as an overwhelming...

40 CFR 51.904 - How do the classification and attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(b... attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(b)? (a) Classification. The Administrator may classify an area subject to § 51.902(b) as an overwhelming...

40 CFR 51.904 - How do the classification and attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(b... attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(b)? (a) Classification. The Administrator may classify an area subject to § 51.902(b) as an overwhelming...

40 CFR 51.904 - How do the classification and attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(b... attainment date provisions in section 172(a) of subpart 1 of the CAA apply to areas subject to § 51.902(b)? (a) Classification. The Administrator may classify an area subject to § 51.902(b) as an overwhelming...

Green Cloud on the Horizon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Mufajjul

This paper proposes a Green Cloud model for mobile Cloud computing. The proposed model leverage on the current trend of IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service) and SaaS (Software as a Service), and look at new paradigm called "Network as a Service" (NaaS). The Green Cloud model proposes various Telco's revenue generating streams and services with the CaaS (Cloud as a Service) for the near future.

Factors associated with ATXN2 CAG/CAA repeat intergenerational instability in Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 2.

PubMed

Almaguer-Mederos, L E; Mesa, J M L; González-Zaldívar, Y; Almaguer-Gotay, D; Cuello-Almarales, D; Aguilera-Rodríguez, R; Falcón, N S; Gispert, S; Auburger, G; Velázquez-Pérez, L

2018-05-14

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the unstable expansion of a CAG/CAA repeat in the ATXN2 gene, which normally encodes 22 glutamines (Q22). A large study was conducted to characterize the CAG/CAA repeat intergenerational instability in SCA2 families. Large normal alleles (LNA, Q24-31) were significantly more unstable upon maternal transmissions. In contrast, expanded alleles (EA, Q32-750) were significantly more unstable during paternal transmissions, in correlation with repeat length. Significant correlations were found between the instability and the age at conception in paternal transmissions. In conclusion, intergenerational instability at ATXN2 locus is influenced by the sex, repeat length and age at conception of the transmitting parent. These results have profound implications for genetic counseling services. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Computational Aeroacoustics: An Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tam, Christopher K. W.

2003-01-01

An overview of recent advances in computational aeroacoustics (CAA) is presented. CAA algorithms must not be dispersive and dissipative. It should propagate waves supported by the Euler equations with the correct group velocities. Computation domains are inevitably finite in size. To avoid the reflection of acoustic and other outgoing waves at the boundaries of the computation domain, it is required that special boundary conditions be imposed at the boundary region. These boundary conditions either absorb all the outgoing waves without reflection or allow the waves to exit smoothly. High-order schemes, invariably, supports spurious short waves. These spurious waves tend to pollute the numerical solution. They must be selectively damped or filtered out. All these issues and relevant computation methods are briefly reviewed. Jet screech tones are known to have caused structural fatigue in military combat aircrafts. Numerical simulation of the jet screech phenomenon is presented as an example of a successful application of CAA.

Corrective Action Decision Document/Corrective Action Plan for the 92-Acre Area and Corrective Action Unit 111: Area 5 WMD Retired Mixed Waste Pits, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada

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

NSTec Environmental Restoration

This Corrective Action Decision Document/Corrective Action Plan (CADD/CAP) has been prepared for the 92-Acre Area, the southeast quadrant of the Radioactive Waste Management Site, located in Area 5 of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). The 92-Acre Area includes Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 111, 'Area 5 WMD Retired Mixed Waste Pits.' Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) were developed for the 92-Acre Area, which includes CAU 111. The result of the DQO process was that the 92-Acre Area is sufficiently characterized to provide the input data necessary to evaluate corrective action alternatives (CAAs) without the collection of additional data. The DQOs aremore » included as Appendix A of this document. This CADD/CAP identifies and provides the rationale for the recommended CAA for the 92-Acre Area, provides the plan for implementing the CAA, and details the post-closure plan. When approved, this CADD/CAP will supersede the existing Pit 3 (P03) Closure Plan, which was developed in accordance with Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 265, 'Interim Status Standards for Owners and Operators of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities.' This document will also serve as the Closure Plan and the Post-Closure Plan, which are required by 40 CFR 265, for the 92-Acre Area. After closure activities are complete, a request for the modification of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Permit that governs waste management activities at the NNSS will be submitted to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection to incorporate the requirements for post-closure monitoring. Four CAAs, ranging from No Further Action to Clean Closure, were evaluated for the 92-Acre Area. The CAAs were evaluated on technical merit focusing on performance, reliability, feasibility, safety, and cost. Based on the evaluation of the data used to develop the conceptual site model; a review of past, current, and future operations at the site; and the detailed and comparative analysis of the potential CAAs, Closure in Place with Administrative Controls is the preferred CAA for the 92-Acre Area. Closure activities will include the following: (1) Constructing an engineered evapotranspiration cover over the 92-Acre Area; (2) Installing use restriction (UR) warning signs, concrete monuments, and subsidence survey monuments; (3) Establishing vegetation on the cover; (4) Implementing a UR; and (5) Implementing post-closure inspections and monitoring. The Closure in Place with Administrative Controls alternative meets all requirements for the technical components evaluated, fulfills all applicable federal and state regulations for closure of the site, and will minimize potential future exposure pathways to the buried waste at the site.« less

Corrective Action Decision Document/Corrective Action Plan for the 92-Acre Area and Corrective Action Unit 111: Area 5 WMD Retired Mixed Waste Pits, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

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

NSTec Environmental Restoration

2009-07-31

This Corrective Action Decision Document/Corrective Action Plan (CADD/CAP) has been prepared for the 92-Acre Area, the southeast quadrant of the Radioactive Waste Management Site, located in Area 5 of the Nevada Test Site (NTS). The 92-Acre Area includes Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 111, 'Area 5 WMD Retired Mixed Waste Pits.' Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) were developed for the 92-Acre Area, which includes CAU 111. The result of the DQO process was that the 92-Acre Area is sufficiently characterized to provide the input data necessary to evaluate corrective action alternatives (CAAs) without the collection of additional data. The DQOs are includedmore » as Appendix A of this document. This CADD/CAP identifies and provides the rationale for the recommended CAA for the 92-Acre Area, provides the plan for implementing the CAA, and details the post-closure plan. When approved, this CADD/CAP will supersede the existing Pit 3 (P03) Closure Plan, which was developed in accordance with Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 265, 'Interim Status Standards for Owners and Operators of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities.' This document will also serve as the Closure Plan and the Post-Closure Plan, which are required by 40 CFR 265, for the 92-Acre Area. After closure activities are complete, a request for the modification of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Permit that governs waste management activities at the NTS will be submitted to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection to incorporate the requirements for post-closure monitoring. Four CAAs, ranging from No Further Action to Clean Closure, were evaluated for the 92-Acre Area. The CAAs were evaluated on technical merit focusing on performance, reliability, feasibility, safety, and cost. Based on the evaluation of the data used to develop the conceptual site model; a review of past, current, and future operations at the site; and the detailed and comparative analysis of the potential CAAs, Closure in Place with Administrative Controls is the preferred CAA for the 92-Acre Area. Closure activities will include the following: (1) Constructing an engineered evapotranspiration cover over the 92-Acre Area; (2) Installing use restriction (UR) warning signs, concrete monuments, and subsidence survey monuments; (3) Establishing vegetation on the cover; (4) Implementing a UR; and (5) Implementing post-closure inspections and monitoring. The Closure in Place with Administrative Controls alternative meets all requirements for the technical components evaluated, fulfills all applicable federal and state regulations for closure of the site, and will minimize potential future exposure pathways to the buried waste at the site.« less

Revisiting Yasinsky and Henry`s benchmark using modern nodal codes

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

Feltus, M.A.; Becker, M.W.

1995-12-31

The numerical experiments analyzed by Yasinsky and Henry are quite trivial by comparison with today`s standards because they used the finite difference code WIGLE for their benchmark. Also, this problem is a simple slab (one-dimensional) case with no feedback mechanisms. This research attempts to obtain STAR (Ref. 2) and NEM (Ref. 3) code results in order to produce a more modern kinetics benchmark with results comparable WIGLE.

[Diagnostic of ascites due to portal hypertension: accuracy of the serum-ascites albumin gradient and protein analises in ascitic fluid].

PubMed

Rodríguez Vargas, Brainy Omar; Monge Salgado, Eduardo; Montes Teves, Pedro; Salazar Ventura, Sonia; Guzmán Calderón, Edson

2014-01-01

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient (GASA), Protein Concentration in the Ascitic Fluid (PTLA), Albumin Concentration in the ascitic fluid (CAA) and the Protein Ascites/Serum Ratio (IPAS) for the diagnosis of ascites due to portal hypertension. it was an observational and retrospective study of validation of diagnostic tests. The study population was patients from a National Public Health Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrion of Callao, Peru, during the period January to December of 2012, patients over 15 years old with a diagnosis of ascites which samples were taken for study by paracentesis with an standard technique, it was analyzed total protein and albumin, as well as study of total protein and albumin in blood. We obtained the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient (GASA), Protein Concentration in the Ascitic Fluid (PTLA), Albumin Concentration in the ascitic fluid (CAA) and the Protein Ascites/Serum Ratio (IPAS) for the diagnosis of ascites due to portal hypertension. To determine ascites by HTP as diagnostic tests we took into account: GASA >= 1.1, PTLA <2.5, CAA <1.1 or IPAS< 0.5. There were 126 patients diagnosed with ascites, 10 patients was excluded for having incomplete data. Of the 116 patients, the average age was 53.03 +/- 15.73 years old, male 65 (56%) and female 51 (44%). 61 (52%) had ascites due to portal hypertension from liver cirrhosis, and 55 (48%) of ascites due to NO HTP. The sensitivity and specificity for GASA was 93% and 47% respectively, for PTLA was 80% and 89% respectively, for CAA was 85% and 87% respectively and for the IPAS was 83% and 80% respectively. The área under the ROC curve for GASA was 0.70, ATPL was 0.84, IPAS was 0.81 and CAA was 0.86, we found statistically significant differences between GASA compared to the other three parameters (p<0.01 ). The diagnostic accuracy of CAA, ATPL and IPAS is higher than the GASA to discriminate between ascites due to HTP or NO HTP, so that they could be used in clinical practice alone or together to achieve a diagnostic approach more successful.

Possible reduced penetrance of expansion of 44 to 47 CAG/CAA repeats in the TATA-binding protein gene in spinocerebellar ataxia type 17.

PubMed

Oda, Masaya; Maruyama, Hirofumi; Komure, Osamu; Morino, Hiroyuki; Terasawa, Hideo; Izumi, Yuishin; Imamura, Tohru; Yasuda, Minoru; Ichikawa, Keiji; Ogawa, Masafumi; Matsumoto, Masayasu; Kawakami, Hideshi

2004-02-01

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17) is an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia caused by expansion of CAG/CAA trinucleotide repeats in the TATA-binding protein (TBP) gene. Because the number of triplets in patients with SCA17 in previous studies ranged from 43 to 63, the normal number of trinucleotide units has been considered to be 42 or less. However, some healthy subjects in SCA17 pedigrees carry alleles with the same number of expanded repeats as patients with SCA17. To investigate the minimum number of CAG/CAA repeats in the TBP gene that causes SCA17. We amplified the region of the TBP gene containing the CAG/CAA repeat by means of polymerase chain reaction and performed fragment and sequence analyses. The subjects included 734 patients with SCA (480 patients with sporadic SCA and 254 patients with familial SCA) without CAG repeat expansions at the SCA1, SCA2, Machado-Joseph disease, SCA6, SCA7, or dentatorubral-pallidolluysian atrophy loci, with 162 healthy subjects, 216 patients with Parkinson disease, and 195 with Alzheimer disease as control subjects. Eight patients with SCA possessed an allele with more than 43 CAG/CAA repeats. Among the non-SCA groups, alleles with 43 to 45 repeats were seen in 3 healthy subjects and 2 with Parkinson disease. In 1 SCA pedigree, a patient with possible SCA17 and her healthy sister had alleles with 45 repeats. A 34-year-old man carrying alleles with 47 and 44 repeats (47/44) had developed progressive cerebellar ataxia and myoclonus at 25 years of age, and he exhibited dementia and pyramidal signs. He was the only affected person in his pedigree, although his father and mother carried alleles with mildly expanded repeats (44/36 and 47/36, respectively). In another pedigree, 1 patient carried a 43-repeat allele, whereas another patient had 2 normal alleles, indicating that the 43-repeat allele may not be pathologic in this family. We estimate that 44 CAG/CAA repeats is the minimum number required to cause SCA17. However, the existence of unaffected subjects with mildly expanded triplets suggests that the TBP gene mutation may not penetrate fully. Homozygosity of alleles with mildly expanded triplet repeats in the TBP gene might contribute to the pathologic phenotype.

Benchmarks for target tracking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dunham, Darin T.; West, Philip D.

2011-09-01

The term benchmark originates from the chiseled horizontal marks that surveyors made, into which an angle-iron could be placed to bracket ("bench") a leveling rod, thus ensuring that the leveling rod can be repositioned in exactly the same place in the future. A benchmark in computer terms is the result of running a computer program, or a set of programs, in order to assess the relative performance of an object by running a number of standard tests and trials against it. This paper will discuss the history of simulation benchmarks that are being used by multiple branches of the military and agencies of the US government. These benchmarks range from missile defense applications to chemical biological situations. Typically, a benchmark is used with Monte Carlo runs in order to tease out how algorithms deal with variability and the range of possible inputs. We will also describe problems that can be solved by a benchmark.

Insights into the molecular mechanism of tolerance to carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicides in Pythium aphanidermatum.

PubMed

Blum, Mathias; Gisi, Ulrich

2012-08-01

Tolerance to the oomycete-specific carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicides is a poorly understood mechanism in Pythium species. The root-rot and damping-off causative agent Pythium aphanidermatum and the CAA fungicide mandipropamid (MPD) were used to investigate the molecular basis of CAA tolerance. Five genes putatively involved in carbohydrate synthesis were identified and characterised: one chitin synthase gene, PaChs, and four cellulose synthase genes PaCesA1 to PaCesA4, of which PaCesA3 encodes the MPD target enzyme. These genes were differentially expressed throughout the life cycle of P. aphanidermatum. Mycelium treated with MPD concentrations slightly affecting mycelial growth did not cause a change in PaCesA3 expression nor a strong upregulation of PaCesA homologues. The high tolerance level of P. aphanidermatum and the lack of PaCesA upregulation imply that MPD tolerance is the result of a specific amino acid configuration in the cellulose synthase 3 (CesA3) target enzyme. Indeed, P. aphanidermatum displays the amino acid L1109 which is also associated with MPD resistance in artificial mutants of Phytophthora species. It is concluded that MPD tolerance in P. aphanidermatum is not caused by compensatory mechanisms but most likely by an inherent target-site configuration in PaCesA3 that hinders MPD binding to the enzyme pocket. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry.

Instability of expanded CAG/CAA repeats in spinocerebellar ataxia type 17.

PubMed

Gao, Rui; Matsuura, Tohru; Coolbaugh, Mary; Zühlke, Christine; Nakamura, Koichiro; Rasmussen, Astrid; Siciliano, Michael J; Ashizawa, Tetsuo; Lin, Xi

2008-02-01

Trinucleotide repeat expansions are dynamic mutations causing many neurological disorders, and their instability is influenced by multiple factors. Repeat configuration seems particularly important, and pure repeats are thought to be more unstable than interrupted repeats. But direct evidence is still lacking. Here, we presented strong support for this hypothesis from our studies on spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17). SCA17 is a typical polyglutamine disease caused by CAG repeat expansion in TBP (TATA binding protein), and is unique in that the pure expanded polyglutamine tract is coded by either a simple configuration with long stretches of pure CAGs or a complex configuration containing CAA interruptions. By small pool PCR (SP-PCR) analysis of blood DNA from SCA17 patients of distinct racial backgrounds, we quantitatively assessed the instability of these two types of expanded alleles coding similar length of polyglutamine expansion. Mutation frequency in patients harboring pure CAG repeats is 2-3 folds of those with CAA interruptions. Interestingly, the pure CAG repeats showed both expansion and deletion while the interrupted repeats exhibited mostly deletion at a significantly lower frequency. These data strongly suggest that repeat configuration is a critical determinant for instability, and CAA interruptions might serve as a limiting element for further expansion of CAG repeats in SCA17 locus, suggesting a molecular basis for lack of anticipation in SCA17 families with interrupted CAG expansion.

Combined effect of loss of the caa3 oxidase and Crp regulation drives Shewanella to thrive in redox-stratified environments.

PubMed

Zhou, Guangqi; Yin, Jianhua; Chen, Haijiang; Hua, Yijie; Sun, Linlin; Gao, Haichun

2013-09-01

Shewanella species are a group of facultative Gram-negative microorganisms with remarkable respiration abilities that allow the use of a diverse array of terminal electron acceptors (EA). Like most bacteria, S. oneidensis possesses multiple terminal oxidases, including two heme-copper oxidases (caa3- and cbb3-type) and a bd-type quinol oxidase. As aerobic respiration is energetically favored, mechanisms underlying the fact that these microorganisms thrive in redox-stratified environments remain vastly unexplored. In this work, we discovered that the cbb3-type oxidase is the predominant system for respiration of oxygen (O2), especially when O2 is abundant. Under microaerobic conditions, the bd-type quinol oxidase has a significant role in addition to the cbb3-type oxidase. In contrast, multiple lines of evidence suggest that under test conditions the caa3-type oxidase, an analog to the mitochondrial enzyme, has no physiological significance, likely because of its extremely low expression. In addition, expression of both cbb3- and bd-type oxidases is under direct control of Crp (cAMP receptor protein) but not the well-established redox regulator Fnr (fumarate nitrate regulator) of canonical systems typified in Escherichia coli. These data, collectively, suggest that adaptation of S. oneidensis to redox-stratified environments is likely due to functional loss of the caa3-type oxidase and switch of the regulatory system for respiration.

Mechanical sea-ice strength parameterized as a function of ice temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hata, Yukie; Tremblay, Bruno

2016-04-01

Mechanical sea-ice strength is key for a better simulation of the timing of landlock ice onset and break-up in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA). We estimate the mechanical strength of sea ice in the CAA by analyzing the position record measured by the several buoys deployed in the CAA between 2008 and 2013, and wind data from the Canadian Meteorological Centre's Global Deterministic Prediction System (CMC_GDPS) REforecasts (CGRF). First, we calculate the total force acting on the ice using the wind data. Next, we estimate upper (lower) bounds on the sea-ice strength by identifying cases when the sea ice deforms (does not deform) under the action of a given total force. Results from this analysis show that the ice strength of landlock sea ice in the CAA is approximately 40 kN/m on the landfast ice onset (in ice growth season). Additionally, it becomes approximately 10 kN/m on the landfast ice break-up (in melting season). The ice strength decreases with ice temperature increase, which is in accord with results from Johnston [2006]. We also include this new parametrization of sea-ice strength as a function of ice temperature in a coupled slab ocean sea ice model. The results from the model with and without the new parametrization are compared with the buoy data from the International Arctic Buoy Program (IABP).

Neuropathology of Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer Disease in the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center Database.

PubMed

Ringman, John M; Monsell, Sarah; Ng, Denise W; Zhou, Yan; Nguyen, Andy; Coppola, Giovanni; Van Berlo, Victoria; Mendez, Mario F; Tung, Spencer; Weintraub, Sandra; Mesulam, Marek-Marsel; Bigio, Eileen H; Gitelman, Darren R; Fisher-Hubbard, Amanda O; Albin, Roger L; Vinters, Harry V

2016-03-01

Alzheimer disease (AD) represents a genetically heterogeneous entity. To elucidate neuropathologic features of autosomal dominant AD ([ADAD] due to PSEN1, APP, or PSEN2 mutations), we compared hallmark AD pathologic findings in 60 cases of ADAD and 120 cases of sporadic AD matched for sex, race, ethnicity, and disease duration. Greater degrees of neuritic plaque and neurofibrillary tangle formation and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) were found in ADAD (p values < 0.01). Moderate to severe CAA was more prevalent in ADAD (63.3% vs. 39.2%, p = 0.003), and persons with PSEN1 mutations beyond codon 200 had higher average Braak scores and severity and prevalence of CAA than those with mutations before codon 200. Lewy body pathology was less extensive in ADAD but was present in 27.1% of cases. We also describe a novel pathogenic PSEN1 mutation (P267A). The finding of more severe neurofibrillary pathology and CAA in ADAD, particularly in carriers of PSEN1 mutations beyond codon 200, warrants consideration when designing trials to treat or prevent ADAD. The finding of Lewy body pathology in a substantial minority of ADAD cases supports the assertion that development of Lewy bodies may be in part driven by abnormal β-amyloid protein precursor processing. © 2016 American Association of Neuropathologists, Inc. All rights reserved.

Benchmarking the Collocation Stand-Alone Library and Toolkit (CSALT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, Steven; Knittel, Jeremy; Shoan, Wendy; Kim, Youngkwang; Conway, Claire; Conway, Darrel J.

2017-01-01

This paper describes the processes and results of Verification and Validation (VV) efforts for the Collocation Stand Alone Library and Toolkit (CSALT). We describe the test program and environments, the tools used for independent test data, and comparison results. The VV effort employs classical problems with known analytic solutions, solutions from other available software tools, and comparisons to benchmarking data available in the public literature. Presenting all test results are beyond the scope of a single paper. Here we present high-level test results for a broad range of problems, and detailed comparisons for selected problems.

Benchmarking the Collocation Stand-Alone Library and Toolkit (CSALT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, Steven; Knittel, Jeremy; Shoan, Wendy (Compiler); Kim, Youngkwang; Conway, Claire (Compiler); Conway, Darrel

2017-01-01

This paper describes the processes and results of Verification and Validation (V&V) efforts for the Collocation Stand Alone Library and Toolkit (CSALT). We describe the test program and environments, the tools used for independent test data, and comparison results. The V&V effort employs classical problems with known analytic solutions, solutions from other available software tools, and comparisons to benchmarking data available in the public literature. Presenting all test results are beyond the scope of a single paper. Here we present high-level test results for a broad range of problems, and detailed comparisons for selected problems.

PFLOTRAN Verification: Development of a Testing Suite to Ensure Software Quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammond, G. E.; Frederick, J. M.

2016-12-01

In scientific computing, code verification ensures the reliability and numerical accuracy of a model simulation by comparing the simulation results to experimental data or known analytical solutions. The model is typically defined by a set of partial differential equations with initial and boundary conditions, and verification ensures whether the mathematical model is solved correctly by the software. Code verification is especially important if the software is used to model high-consequence systems which cannot be physically tested in a fully representative environment [Oberkampf and Trucano (2007)]. Justified confidence in a particular computational tool requires clarity in the exercised physics and transparency in its verification process with proper documentation. We present a quality assurance (QA) testing suite developed by Sandia National Laboratories that performs code verification for PFLOTRAN, an open source, massively-parallel subsurface simulator. PFLOTRAN solves systems of generally nonlinear partial differential equations describing multiphase, multicomponent and multiscale reactive flow and transport processes in porous media. PFLOTRAN's QA test suite compares the numerical solutions of benchmark problems in heat and mass transport against known, closed-form, analytical solutions, including documentation of the exercised physical process models implemented in each PFLOTRAN benchmark simulation. The QA test suite development strives to follow the recommendations given by Oberkampf and Trucano (2007), which describes four essential elements in high-quality verification benchmark construction: (1) conceptual description, (2) mathematical description, (3) accuracy assessment, and (4) additional documentation and user information. Several QA tests within the suite will be presented, including details of the benchmark problems and their closed-form analytical solutions, implementation of benchmark problems in PFLOTRAN simulations, and the criteria used to assess PFLOTRAN's performance in the code verification procedure. References Oberkampf, W. L., and T. G. Trucano (2007), Verification and Validation Benchmarks, SAND2007-0853, 67 pgs., Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM.

White matter hyperintensity patterns in cerebral amyloid angiopathy and hypertensive arteriopathy.

PubMed

Charidimou, Andreas; Boulouis, Gregoire; Haley, Kellen; Auriel, Eitan; van Etten, Ellis S; Fotiadis, Panagiotis; Reijmer, Yael; Ayres, Alison; Vashkevich, Anastasia; Dipucchio, Zora Y; Schwab, Kristin M; Martinez-Ramirez, Sergi; Rosand, Jonathan; Viswanathan, Anand; Greenberg, Steven M; Gurol, M Edip

2016-02-09

To identify different white matter hyperintensity (WMH) patterns between 2 hemorrhage-prone cerebral small vessel diseases (SVD): cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and hypertensive arteriopathy (HA). Consecutive patients with SVD-related intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) from a single-center prospective cohort were analyzed. Four predefined subcortical WMH patterns were compared between the CAA and HA groups. These WMH patterns were (1) multiple subcortical spots; (2) peri-basal ganglia (BG); (3) large posterior subcortical patches; and (4) anterior subcortical patches. Their associations with other imaging (cerebral microbleeds [CMBs], enlarged perivascular spaces [EPVS]) and clinical markers of SVD were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. The cohort included 319 patients with CAA and 137 patients with HA. Multiple subcortical spots prevalence was higher in the CAA compared to the HA group (29.8% vs 16.8%; p = 0.004). Peri-BG WMH pattern was more common in the HA- vs the CAA-ICH group (19% vs 7.8%; p = 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression, presence of multiple subcortical spots was associated with lobar CMBs (odds ratio [OR] 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.50, p = 0.039) and high degree of centrum semiovale EPVS (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.56-3.80, p < 0.0001). By contrast, age (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.02-1.09, p = 0.002), deep CMBs (OR 2.46; 95% CI 1.44-4.20, p = 0.001), total WMH volume (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.04, p = 0.002), and high BG EPVS degree (OR 8.81; 95% CI 3.37-23.02, p < 0.0001) were predictors of peri-BG WMH pattern. Different patterns of subcortical leukoaraiosis visually identified on MRI might provide insights into the dominant underlying microangiopathy type as well as mechanisms of tissue injury in patients with ICH. © 2016 American Academy of Neurology.

Will the circle be unbroken: a history of the U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

PubMed

Bachmann, John

2007-06-01

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Air & Waste Management Association, this review examines the history of air quality management (AQM) in the United States over the last century, with an emphasis on the ambient standards programs established by the landmark 1970 Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments. The current CAA system is a hybrid of several distinct air pollution control philosophies, including the recursive or circular system driven by ambient standards. Although this evolving system has resulted in tremendous improvements in air quality, it has been far from perfect in terms of timeliness and effectiveness. The paper looks at several periods in the history of the U.S. program, including: (1) 1900-1970, spanning the early smoke abatement and smog control programs, the first federal involvement, and the development of a hybrid AQM approach in the 1970 CAA; (2) 1971-1976, when the first National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) were set and implemented; (3) 1977-1993, a period of the first revisions to the standards, new CAA Amendments, delays in implementation and decision-making, and key science/policy/legislative developments that would alter both the focus and scale of air pollution programs and how they are implemented; and (4) 1993-2006, the second and third wave of NAAQS revisions and their implementation in the context of the 1990 CAA. This discussion examines where NAAQS have helped drive implementation programs and how improvements in both effects and air quality/control sciences influenced policy and legislation to enhance the effectiveness of the system over time. The review concludes with a look toward the future of AQM, emphasizing challenges and ways to meet them. The most significant of these is the need to make more efficient progress toward air quality goals, while adjusting the system to address the growing intersections between air quality management and climate change.

Evolutionary Optimization of a Geometrically Refined Truss

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hull, P. V.; Tinker, M. L.; Dozier, G. V.

2007-01-01

Structural optimization is a field of research that has experienced noteworthy growth for many years. Researchers in this area have developed optimization tools to successfully design and model structures, typically minimizing mass while maintaining certain deflection and stress constraints. Numerous optimization studies have been performed to minimize mass, deflection, and stress on a benchmark cantilever truss problem. Predominantly traditional optimization theory is applied to this problem. The cross-sectional area of each member is optimized to minimize the aforementioned objectives. This Technical Publication (TP) presents a structural optimization technique that has been previously applied to compliant mechanism design. This technique demonstrates a method that combines topology optimization, geometric refinement, finite element analysis, and two forms of evolutionary computation: genetic algorithms and differential evolution to successfully optimize a benchmark structural optimization problem. A nontraditional solution to the benchmark problem is presented in this TP, specifically a geometrically refined topological solution. The design process begins with an alternate control mesh formulation, multilevel geometric smoothing operation, and an elastostatic structural analysis. The design process is wrapped in an evolutionary computing optimization toolset.

Benchmarking FEniCS for mantle convection simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vynnytska, L.; Rognes, M. E.; Clark, S. R.

2013-01-01

This paper evaluates the usability of the FEniCS Project for mantle convection simulations by numerical comparison to three established benchmarks. The benchmark problems all concern convection processes in an incompressible fluid induced by temperature or composition variations, and cover three cases: (i) steady-state convection with depth- and temperature-dependent viscosity, (ii) time-dependent convection with constant viscosity and internal heating, and (iii) a Rayleigh-Taylor instability. These problems are modeled by the Stokes equations for the fluid and advection-diffusion equations for the temperature and composition. The FEniCS Project provides a novel platform for the automated solution of differential equations by finite element methods. In particular, it offers a significant flexibility with regard to modeling and numerical discretization choices; we have here used a discontinuous Galerkin method for the numerical solution of the advection-diffusion equations. Our numerical results are in agreement with the benchmarks, and demonstrate the applicability of both the discontinuous Galerkin method and FEniCS for such applications.

Measures of Effectiveness-CONUS Reorganization 1973 (As Pertains to FORSCOM, TRADOC, HSC, OTEA and CAA). Volume I. Executive Summary

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-11-01

obvioun that they were’ dkep]y corncented a d halrd at work in &,tvrloping meaw to masure their rmT effectiveness . This proposed eval- tiatiot plIn wilt be...AD/A-002 532 MEASURES OF EFFECTIVENESS -CONUS REORCAN- IZATION 1973 (AS PERTAINS TO FORSCOM. TRADOC, HSC, OTEA AND CAA). VOLUME I.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY M...resulting Interaction organizational objective goal effectiveness imovati ye chanuge vrasurement are a The study provider, an evaluatinn plan, "ased

Independent Verification and Validation of the Global Deployment Analysis System (GDAS). Phase 2 Summary

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-28

and examined various models as possible alternatives to TRANSMO. None of the candidate models met all CAA’s requirements, so a major TERP recommendation...will simulate the mobilization of U.S. forces, deployment of forces and supplies across an intertheater network, and deployment of forces and... supplies to the combat zone. 1.2 Phase !1 IV&V Summary Potomac Systems Engineering, Inc. (PSE), is providing IV&V support to CAA during the GDAS development

Implementation of Change (IC).

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-30

4- co C\\J t ) t r) - 1 )C CC :r E 4-’ c) C- co cn a, ko r- co0 :3 -~ a)~ -D V) 0:3 4-2 CAA-SR-80-5 4-5. SUMMARY. The above discussion suggests that...MTOE documents frequently cost the Army resources; e.g., changes to components of sets, kits and outfits ( SKO ). On the other hand, failure to implement...either retraineo tn recruited to meet the qudlification requiremient. F-13 CAA-SR- KO -5 a. Central Assignment Procedures System (CAP III). Personnel

Personnel Attrition Rates in Historical Land Combat Operations: Susceptibility and Vulnerability of Major Anatomical Regions

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-08-01

effectiveness , estimate personnel attr;i"on, perform studies and analyses. or assess protective equipment for personnel. i II CAA-RP-93-3 DEPARTMENT OF THE...weapons or weapons effects that are difficult to localize are excluded from the 1-1 CAA-RP-93-3 scope of this paper Some examples of the types of weapons...or weapon effects excluded atr" .;i,nical weapons (encompassing war gases and other toxic substances, flame weapons. and biological agents), nuclear

Total Army Requirements Program - Phase I (TARP-I).

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-07-07

PUTY CHITF OF STAFF FOR OPERATIONS AND PLANS WASHINGTON, D.C. A0316 ,,, TO DAHO -RQR 5 E 1980 A’T’ YIO orP SUBJECT: Study Directive - Total Army...ATTN: DAMO-RQR. 6. STUDY AGENCY. US Army Concepts Analysis Agency. B-1 CAA-SR-81-14 DAHO -RQR SUBJECT: Study Directive - Total Army Requirements...copy of report. (5) May 1981 - SAG Meeting, present report findings. (6) June 1981 - Publish report. B-3 CAA-SR-81-14 DAHO -RQR SUBJECT: Study

Identifying Molecular Regulators of Neuronal Functions Affected in the Movement Disorder Dystonia

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-01

GC-3’ (forward), 5’-CGT GTG GCT GTT GGG GTT GTT GCT GAG GTA-3’ (reverse) for the 498-bp amplicon, 5’-CAC CCT ATC AGG GGA GGA CAA CTT TCG-3’ (forward...3’ (reverse) for the 983- bp amplicon, and 5’-CAC CCT ATC AGG GGA GGA CAA CTT TCG-3’ (forward), 5’-ACA GTG TAG TAA GGC AAA GCA AGG AG-3’ (reverse) for

TRUST. I. A 3D externally illuminated slab benchmark for dust radiative transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordon, K. D.; Baes, M.; Bianchi, S.; Camps, P.; Juvela, M.; Kuiper, R.; Lunttila, T.; Misselt, K. A.; Natale, G.; Robitaille, T.; Steinacker, J.

2017-07-01

Context. The radiative transport of photons through arbitrary three-dimensional (3D) structures of dust is a challenging problem due to the anisotropic scattering of dust grains and strong coupling between different spatial regions. The radiative transfer problem in 3D is solved using Monte Carlo or Ray Tracing techniques as no full analytic solution exists for the true 3D structures. Aims: We provide the first 3D dust radiative transfer benchmark composed of a slab of dust with uniform density externally illuminated by a star. This simple 3D benchmark is explicitly formulated to provide tests of the different components of the radiative transfer problem including dust absorption, scattering, and emission. Methods: The details of the external star, the slab itself, and the dust properties are provided. This benchmark includes models with a range of dust optical depths fully probing cases that are optically thin at all wavelengths to optically thick at most wavelengths. The dust properties adopted are characteristic of the diffuse Milky Way interstellar medium. This benchmark includes solutions for the full dust emission including single photon (stochastic) heating as well as two simplifying approximations: One where all grains are considered in equilibrium with the radiation field and one where the emission is from a single effective grain with size-distribution-averaged properties. A total of six Monte Carlo codes and one Ray Tracing code provide solutions to this benchmark. Results: The solution to this benchmark is given as global spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and images at select diagnostic wavelengths from the ultraviolet through the infrared. Comparison of the results revealed that the global SEDs are consistent on average to a few percent for all but the scattered stellar flux at very high optical depths. The image results are consistent within 10%, again except for the stellar scattered flux at very high optical depths. The lack of agreement between different codes of the scattered flux at high optical depths is quantified for the first time. Convergence tests using one of the Monte Carlo codes illustrate the sensitivity of the solutions to various model parameters. Conclusions: We provide the first 3D dust radiative transfer benchmark and validate the accuracy of this benchmark through comparisons between multiple independent codes and detailed convergence tests.

NAS Grid Benchmarks: A Tool for Grid Space Exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frumkin, Michael; VanderWijngaart, Rob F.; Biegel, Bryan (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

We present an approach for benchmarking services provided by computational Grids. It is based on the NAS Parallel Benchmarks (NPB) and is called NAS Grid Benchmark (NGB) in this paper. We present NGB as a data flow graph encapsulating an instance of an NPB code in each graph node, which communicates with other nodes by sending/receiving initialization data. These nodes may be mapped to the same or different Grid machines. Like NPB, NGB will specify several different classes (problem sizes). NGB also specifies the generic Grid services sufficient for running the bench-mark. The implementor has the freedom to choose any specific Grid environment. However, we describe a reference implementation in Java, and present some scenarios for using NGB.

NAS Parallel Benchmarks. 2.4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanderWijngaart, Rob; Biegel, Bryan A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

We describe a new problem size, called Class D, for the NAS Parallel Benchmarks (NPB), whose MPI source code implementation is being released as NPB 2.4. A brief rationale is given for how the new class is derived. We also describe the modifications made to the MPI (Message Passing Interface) implementation to allow the new class to be run on systems with 32-bit integers, and with moderate amounts of memory. Finally, we give the verification values for the new problem size.

Strictly stable high order difference approximations for computational aeroacoustics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller, Bernhard; Johansson, Stefan

2005-09-01

High order finite difference approximations with improved accuracy and stability properties have been developed for computational aeroacoustics (CAA). One of our new difference operators corresponds to Tam and Webb's DRP scheme in the interior, but is modified near the boundaries to be strictly stable. A unified formulation of the nonlinear and linearized Euler equations is used, which can be extended to the Navier-Stokes equations. The approach has been verified for 1D, 2D and axisymmetric test problems. We have simulated the sound propagation from a rocket launch before lift-off. To cite this article: B. Müller, S. Johansson, C. R. Mecanique 333 (2005).

Development of a multiplex allele-specific primer PCR assay for simultaneous detection of QoI and CAA fungicide resistance alleles in Plasmopara viticola populations.

PubMed

Aoki, Yoshinao; Hada, Yosuke; Suzuki, Shunji

2013-02-01

DNA-based diagnosis has become a common tool for the evaluation of fungicide resistance in obligate phytopathogenic fungus Plasmopara viticola. A multiplex allele-specific primer PCR assay has been developed for the rapid detection of fungicide resistance in P. viticola populations. With this assay, a glycine-to-alanine substitution at codon 143 of the P. viticola cytochrome b gene, which conferred QoI fungicide resistance, and a glycine-to-serine substitution at codon 1105 of the P. viticola cellulose synthase gene PvCesA3, which conferred CAA fungicide resistance, were detected simultaneously. It is suggested that the present assay is a reliable tool for the rapid and simultaneous detection of QoI and CAA fungicide resistance alleles in P. viticola populations. The assay required only 2 h from the sampling of symptoms to the detection of resistance alleles to both fungicides. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cerebral vascular amyloid seeds drive amyloid β-protein fibril assembly with a distinct anti-parallel structure

PubMed Central

Xu, Feng; Fu, Ziao; Dass, Sharmila; Kotarba, AnnMarie E.; Davis, Judianne; Smith, Steven O.; Van Nostrand, William E.

2016-01-01

Cerebrovascular accumulation of amyloid β-protein (Aβ), a condition known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), is a common pathological feature of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Familial Aβ mutations, such as Dutch-E22Q and Iowa-D23N, can cause severe cerebrovascular accumulation of amyloid that serves as a potent driver of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. The distinctive features of vascular amyloid that underlie its unique pathological properties remain unknown. Here, we use transgenic mouse models producing CAA mutants (Tg-SwDI) or overproducing human wild-type Aβ (Tg2576) to demonstrate that CAA-mutant vascular amyloid influences wild-type Aβ deposition in brain. We also show isolated microvascular amyloid seeds from Tg-SwDI mice drive assembly of human wild-type Aβ into distinct anti-parallel β-sheet fibrils. These findings indicate that cerebrovascular amyloid can serve as an effective scaffold to promote rapid assembly and strong deposition of Aβ into a unique structure that likely contributes to its distinctive pathology. PMID:27869115

KSC-2012-6227

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Orion spacecraft crew access arm, or CAA, seal prototype is being checked out at the Launch Equipment Test Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Monitoring the activity, from the left are Kent Bachelor, Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies lead, Kelli Maloney, NASA lead and Clayton Gvasse, Nelson Engineering lead. The tests will use a mockup of the vehicle Outer Mold Line and CAA white room to test the performance of the seal while simulating vehicle to CAA white room excursions. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry crews to space beyond low Earth orbit. It will provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of the Orion is scheduled to launch in 2014 atop a Delta IV rocket and in 2017 on a Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Corrective Action Investigation Plan for Corrective Action Unit 568: Area 3 Plutonium Dispersion Sites Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Matthews, Patrick

2014-01-01

CAU 568 is a grouping of sites where there has been a suspected release of contamination associated with nuclear testing. This document describes the planned investigation of CAU 568, which comprises the following corrective action sites (CASs): • 03-23-17, S-3I Contamination Area • 03-23-19, T-3U Contamination Area • 03-23-20, Otero Contamination Area • 03-23-22, Platypus Contamination Area • 03-23-23, San Juan Contamination Area • 03-23-26, Shrew/Wolverine Contamination Area These sites are being investigated because existing information on the nature and extent of potential contamination is insufficient to evaluate and recommend corrective action alternatives (CAAs). Additional information will be obtained bymore » conducting a corrective action investigation before evaluating CAAs and selecting the appropriate corrective action for each CAS. The results of the field investigation will support a defensible evaluation of viable CAAs that will be presented in the investigation report.« less

76 FR 19292 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Oregon; Interstate Transport of Pollution...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-07

...EPA is proposing to approve a portion of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Oregon for the purpose of addressing the interstate transport provisions of Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) for the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or standards) and the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the CAA requires that each State have adequate provisions to prohibit air emissions from adversely affecting air quality in other States through interstate transport. EPA is proposing to approve Oregon's SIP revision for the 1997 8-hour ozone and 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS as meeting the requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(I) to prohibit emissions that will contribute significantly to nonattainment of the these standards in any other State and to prohibit emissions that will interfere with maintenance of these standards by any other State.

Coffee phenolic phytochemicals suppress colon cancer metastasis by targeting MEK and TOPK.

PubMed

Kang, Nam Joo; Lee, Ki Won; Kim, Bo Hyun; Bode, Ann M; Lee, Hyo-Jeong; Heo, Yong-Seok; Boardman, Lisa; Limburg, Paul; Lee, Hyong Joo; Dong, Zigang

2011-06-01

Epidemiological studies suggest that coffee consumption reduces the risk of cancers, including colon cancer, but the molecular mechanisms and target(s) underlying the chemopreventive effects of coffee and its active ingredient(s) remain unknown. Based on serving size or daily units, coffee contains larger amounts of phenolic phytochemicals than tea or red wine. Coffee or chlorogenic acid inhibited CT-26 colon cancer cell-induced lung metastasis by blocking phosphorylation of ERKs. Coffee or caffeic acid (CaA) strongly suppressed mitogen-activated MEK1 and TOPK activities and bound directly to either MEK1 or TOPK in an ATP-noncompetitive manner. Coffee or CaA, but not caffeine, inhibited ERKs phosphorylation, AP-1 and NF-κB transactivation and subsequently inhibited TPA-, EGF- and H-Ras-induced neoplastic transformation of JB6 P+ cells. Coffee consumption was also associated with a significant attenuation of ERKs phosphorylation in colon cancer patients. These results suggest that coffee and CaA target MEK1 and TOPK to suppress colon cancer metastasis and neoplastic cell transformation.

Benchmark solutions for the galactic ion transport equations: Energy and spatially dependent problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ganapol, Barry D.; Townsend, Lawrence W.; Wilson, John W.

1989-01-01

Nontrivial benchmark solutions are developed for the galactic ion transport (GIT) equations in the straight-ahead approximation. These equations are used to predict potential radiation hazards in the upper atmosphere and in space. Two levels of difficulty are considered: (1) energy independent, and (2) spatially independent. The analysis emphasizes analytical methods never before applied to the GIT equations. Most of the representations derived have been numerically implemented and compared to more approximate calculations. Accurate ion fluxes are obtained (3 to 5 digits) for nontrivial sources. For monoenergetic beams, both accurate doses and fluxes are found. The benchmarks presented are useful in assessing the accuracy of transport algorithms designed to accommodate more complex radiation protection problems. In addition, these solutions can provide fast and accurate assessments of relatively simple shield configurations.

A novel discrete PSO algorithm for solving job shop scheduling problem to minimize makespan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rameshkumar, K.; Rajendran, C.

2018-02-01

In this work, a discrete version of PSO algorithm is proposed to minimize the makespan of a job-shop. A novel schedule builder has been utilized to generate active schedules. The discrete PSO is tested using well known benchmark problems available in the literature. The solution produced by the proposed algorithms is compared with best known solution published in the literature and also compared with hybrid particle swarm algorithm and variable neighborhood search PSO algorithm. The solution construction methodology adopted in this study is found to be effective in producing good quality solutions for the various benchmark job-shop scheduling problems.

Finite Element Modeling of the World Federation's Second MFL Benchmark Problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Zhiwei; Tian, Yong; Udpa, Satish; Udpa, Lalita

2004-02-01

This paper presents results obtained by simulating the second magnetic flux leakage benchmark problem proposed by the World Federation of NDE Centers. The geometry consists of notches machined on the internal and external surfaces of a rotating steel pipe that is placed between two yokes that are part of a magnetic circuit energized by an electromagnet. The model calculates the radial component of the leaked field at specific positions. The nonlinear material property of the ferromagnetic pipe is taken into account in simulating the problem. The velocity effect caused by the rotation of the pipe is, however, ignored for reasons of simplicity.

Aβ-related angiitis: comparison with CAA without inflammation and primary CNS vasculitis.

PubMed

Salvarani, Carlo; Hunder, Gene G; Morris, Jonathan M; Brown, Robert D; Christianson, Teresa; Giannini, Caterina

2013-10-29

To analyze the clinical findings, response to therapy, and outcomes of patients with cerebral vascular amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition with and without inflammatory vascular infiltration. We report 78 consecutive patients with cerebral vascular Aβ deposition examined at Mayo Clinic Rochester over 25 years (1987 through 2011). Specimens reviewed by a neuropathologist showed 40 with vascular Aβ peptide without inflammation (cerebral amyloid angiopathy [CAA]), 28 with granulomatous vasculitis (Aβ-related angiitis or ABRA), and 10 with perivascular CAA-related inflammation. We also matched findings in 118 consecutive patients with primary CNS vasculitis (PCNSV) without Aβ seen over 25 years (1983 through 2007). Compared to the 40 with CAA, the 28 with ABRA were younger at diagnosis (p = 0.05), had less altered cognition (p = 0.02), fewer neurologic deficits (p = 0.02), and fewer intracranial hemorrhages (<0.001), but increased gadolinium leptomeningeal enhancement (p = 0.01) at presentation, and less mortality and disability at last follow-up (p < 0.001). Compared with PCNSV, the 28 patients with ABRA were older at diagnosis (p < 0.001), had a higher frequency of altered cognition (p = 0.05), seizures/spells (p = 0.006), gadolinium leptomeningeal enhancement (p < 0.001), and intracerebral hemorrhage (p = 0.02), lower frequency of hemiparesis (p = 0.01), visual symptoms (p = 0.04), and MRI evidence of cerebral infarction (p = 0.003), but higher CSF protein levels (p = 0.03). Results of treatment and outcomes in ABRA and PCNSV were similar. ABRA appears to represent a distinct subset of PCNSV.

Vibrant soundbridge in aural atresia: does severity matter?

PubMed

McKinnon, B J; Dumon, T; Hagen, R; Lesinskas, E; Mlynski, R; Profant, M; Spindel, J; Van Beek-King, J; Zernotti, M

2014-07-01

Congenital aural atresia (CAA) poses significant challenges to surgical remediation. Both bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) and the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) have been considered as alternatives or adjuncts to conventional atresiaplasty. A consensus statement on VSB implantation in children and adolescents recommended against implantation when the Jahrsdoerfer score was less than 8. More recent publications suggest that patients with Jahrsdoerfer scores between three and seven may benefit from VSB implantation. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the outcomes of VSB implantation in CAA. The study was a multi-center, retrospective review. A retrospective review of data (patient's demographic, clinical, implant and audiological information) from four collaborating centers that have performed VSB implantation in CAA was performed. Outcomes based on severity of the atresia using the Jahrsdoerfer and Yellon-Branstetter scoring systems were also evaluated. Data from 28 patients from the four centers revealed no iatrogenic facial nerve injuries or change in bone thresholds. Post-operative speech threshold and speech recognition was, respectively, 39 dB and 94%. Jahrsdoerfer and Yellon scores ranged from 4 to 9 and 4 to 12, respectively. The scores did not correlate to or predict outcomes. Three individual elements of the scores did correlate to initial, but not long-term outcomes. Atresiaplasty and BAHA in the management of CAA are not complete solutions. VSB may offer an alternative in these surgically complex patients for achieving amplification, though better metrics for patient selection need to be developed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE : IV.

Candida albicans C3d receptor, isolated by using a monoclonal antibody.

PubMed Central

Linehan, L; Wadsworth, E; Calderone, R

1988-01-01

Pseudohyphae of Candida albicans possess a receptor for C3d, a fragment of the complement component C3. This receptor was partially purified by using a monoclonal antibody (CA-A) that previously had been shown to inhibit the binding of C3d to C. albicans pseudohyphae. Purified immunoglobulin G from ascites fluid (CA-A) was coupled to a cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose column, and an affinity-purified fraction (A2) from C. albicans pseudohyphae was obtained. This fraction inhibited rosetting of the EAC3d receptor by pseudohyphae and appeared to contain glycoprotein, since receptor activity could be removed when A2 was incubated with lectins specific for mannose and glucose. A2 was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and two polypeptides of approximately 60 and 70 kilodaltons (kDa) were consistently identified in reducing gels. The 60-kDa protein was identified as a glycoprotein by concanavalin A binding. A2 was further analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Of three fractions obtained by HPLC, one containing the 60-kDa protein was found to have receptor activity. When analyzed by HPLC, this protein was found to contain mannose and glucose in approximately equal amounts. Both immunofluorescence and electron microscopy of pseudohyphae treated with CA-A identified A2 as a surface moiety. Thus, the C3d receptor of C. albicans, isolated with CA-A, is a glycoprotein of approximately 60 kDa. Images PMID:2969374

RNA editing in the anticodon of tRNA Leu (CAA) occurs before group I intron splicing in plastids of a moss Takakia lepidozioides S. Hatt. & Inoue.

PubMed

Miyata, Y; Sugita, C; Maruyama, K; Sugita, M

2008-03-01

RNA editing of cytidine (C) to uridine (U) transitions occurs in plastids and mitochondria of most land plants. In this study, we amplified and sequenced the group I intron-containing tRNA Leu gene, trnL-CAA, from Takakia lepidozioides, a moss. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the T. lepidozioides tRNA Leu gene consisted of a 35-bp 5' exon, a 469-bp group I intron and a 50-bp 3' exon. The intron was inserted between the first and second position of the tRNA Leu anticodon. In general, plastid tRNA Leu genes with a group I intron code for a TAA anticodon in most land plants. This strongly suggests that the first nucleotide of the CAA anticodon could be edited in T. lepidozioides plastids. To investigate this possibility, we analysed cDNAs derived from the trnL-CAA transcripts. We demonstrated that the first nucleotide C of the anticodon was edited to create a canonical UAA anticodon in T. lepidozioides plastids. cDNA sequencing analyses of the spliced or unspliced tRNA Leu transcripts revealed that, while the spliced tRNA was completely edited, editing in the unspliced tRNAs were only partial. This is the first experimental evidence that the anticodon editing of tRNA occurs before RNA splicing in plastids. This suggests that this editing is a prerequisite to splicing of pre-tRNA Leu.

The round window diameter in congenital aural atresia and comparison with sensorineural hearing loss and control group.

PubMed

Saylisoy, Suzan; Incesulu, Armagan; Kaya, Ercan; Pinarbasli, Ozgur; Adapinar, Baki

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to measure round window (RW) diameters in patients with congenital aural atresia (CAA) or sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and a normal control group and to analyze whether differences exist between these groups. Temporal bone computed tomographic scans of 12 patients with CAA (5 males, 7 females) aged 1 to 50 years (median age, 6 years), 12 patients with SNHL (8 males, 4 females) aged 2 to 32 years (median age, 5 years), and 11 patients (3 males, 7 females) aged 2 months to 53 years (median age, 8 years) randomly selected from a pool of patients with unilateral chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma were reviewed. We measured RW diameter on oblique reconstruction planes. To prevent possible individual differences, skull width was measured. There were no statistically significant differences between all groups for skull width. Both RW diameter and RW membrane width were found smaller in the CAA group than both SNHL group and control group with statistical significance, whereas there were no statistically significant differences between the SNHL group and the control group. We found that both the RW diameter and RW membrane width in CAA were smaller than those in the control group. If this finding is supported in future studies, the production of floating mass transducer with different sizes may be useful. We suggest that RW diameter should be measured in each patient before operation and thus a floating mass transducer with the appropriate caliber should be chosen.

Degradation of hydroxycinnamic acid mixtures in aqueous sucrose solutions by the Fenton process.

PubMed

Nguyen, Danny M T; Zhang, Zhanying; Doherty, William O S

2015-02-11

The degradation efficiencies and behaviors of caffeic acid (CaA), p-coumaric acid (pCoA), and ferulic acid (FeA) in aqueous sucrose solutions containing the mixture of these hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) were studied by the Fenton oxidation process. Central composite design and multiresponse surface methodology were used to evaluate and optimize the interactive effects of process parameters. Four quadratic polynomial models were developed for the degradation of each individual acid in the mixture and the total HCAs degraded. Sucrose was the most influential parameter that significantly affected the total amount of HCA degraded. Under the conditions studied there was a <0.01% loss of sucrose in all reactions. The optimal values of the process parameters for a 200 mg/L HCA mixture in water (pH 4.73, 25.15 °C) and sucrose solution (13 mass %, pH 5.39, 35.98 °C) were 77% and 57%, respectively. Regression analysis showed goodness of fit between the experimental results and the predicted values. The degradation behavior of CaA differed from those of pCoA and FeA, where further CaA degradation is observed at increasing sucrose and decreasing solution pH. The differences (established using UV/vis and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy) were because, unlike the other acids, CaA formed a complex with Fe(III) or with Fe(III) hydrogen-bonded to sucrose and coprecipitated with lepidocrocite, an iron oxyhydroxide.

Efficiency of three diets for larval development in mass rearing Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae).

PubMed

Puggioli, Arianna; Balestrino, F; Damiens, D; Lees, R S; Soliban, S M; Madakacherry, O; Dindo, M L; Bellini, R; Gilles, J R L

2013-07-01

A fundamental step in establishing a mass production system is the development of a larval diet that promotes high adult performance at a reasonable cost. To identify a suitable larval diet for Aedes albopictus (Skuse), three diets were compared: a standard laboratory diet used at the Centro Agricoltura Ambiente, Italy (CAA) and two diets developed specifically for mosquito mass rearing at the FAO/IAEA Laboratory, Austria. The two IAEA diets, without affecting survival to the pupal stage, resulted in a shorter time to pupation and to emergence when compared with the CAA diet. At 24 h from pupation onset, 50 and 90% of the male pupae produced on the CAA and IAEA diets, respectively, had formed and could be collected. The diet received during the larval stage affected the longevity of adult males with access to water only, with best results observed when using the CAA larval diet. However, similar longevity among diet treatments was observed when males were supplied with sucrose solution. No differences were observed in the effects of larval diet on adult male size or female fecundity and fertility. Considering these results, along with the relative costs of the three diets, the IAEA 2 diet is found to be the preferred choice for mass rearing of Aedes albopictus, particularly if a sugar meal can be given to adult males before release, to ensure their teneral reserves are sufficient for survival, dispersal, and mating in the field.

Duration of high-dose aspirin therapy does not affect long-term coronary artery outcomes in Kawasaki disease.

PubMed

Migally, Karl; Braunlin, Elizabeth A; Zhang, Lei; Binstadt, Bryce A

2018-05-02

BackgroundHigh-dose aspirin (HDA) is used with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in Kawasaki disease (KD). Practice regarding HDA varies, and it is unclear whether HDA duration affects the long-term course.MethodsWe retrospectively studied KD patients at our hospital for over 10 years. Patients were categorized as having received HDA for 0, 1-7, or >7 days. Primary outcome was the maximum coronary Z-score at diagnosis and follow-up; secondary outcomes included inflammatory markers.ResultsOne hundred and three patients had HDA duration documented, of which 35 patients had coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) at diagnosis. There was no difference in demographics or inflammatory markers between the HDA groups, and no difference in HDA duration between patients with or without CAAs. Seventeen patients received no HDA; they had longer illness and defervescence duration before diagnosis, and were less likely to receive IVIg. For CAAs, multivariate regression revealed that HDA duration did not predict the coronary Z-score at 9-15 months. Higher Z-score at diagnosis was associated with higher Z-score at 9-15 months.ConclusionThe only factor associated with coronary Z-score at 9-15 months was the Z-score at diagnosis. At our institution, longer illness and defervescence duration and the lack of IVIg administration were associated with not administering HDA. HDA duration did not affect the clinically relevant outcomes, particularly CAA persistence.Pediatric Research advance online publication, 2 May 2018; doi:10.1038/pr.2018.44.

Is Vasomotion in Cerebral Arteries Impaired in Alzheimer's Disease?

PubMed

Di Marco, Luigi Yuri; Farkas, Eszter; Martin, Chris; Venneri, Annalena; Frangi, Alejandro F

2015-01-01

A substantial body of evidence supports the hypothesis of a vascular component in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cerebral hypoperfusion and blood-brain barrier dysfunction have been indicated as key elements of this pathway. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a cerebrovascular disorder, frequent in AD, characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in cerebral blood vessel walls. CAA is associated with loss of vascular integrity, resulting in impaired regulation of cerebral circulation, and increased susceptibility to cerebral ischemia, microhemorrhages, and white matter damage. Vasomotion- the spontaneous rhythmic modulation of arterial diameter, typically observed in arteries/arterioles in various vascular beds including the brain- is thought to participate in tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery regulation. Vasomotion is impaired in adverse conditions such as hypoperfusion and hypoxia. The perivascular and glymphatic pathways of Aβ clearance are thought to be driven by the systolic pulse. Vasomotion produces diameter changes of comparable amplitude, however at lower rates, and could contribute to these mechanisms of Aβ clearance. In spite of potential clinical interest, studies addressing cerebral vasomotion in the context of AD/CAA are limited. This study reviews the current literature on vasomotion, and hypothesizes potential paths implicating impaired cerebral vasomotion in AD/CAA. Aβ and oxidative stress cause vascular tone dysregulation through direct effects on vascular cells, and indirect effects mediated by impaired neurovascular coupling. Vascular tone dysregulation is further aggravated by cholinergic deficit and results in depressed cerebrovascular reactivity and (possibly) impaired vasomotion, aggravating regional hypoperfusion and promoting further Aβ and oxidative stress accumulation.

Clear, Complete, and Justified Problem Formulations for Aquatic Life Benchmark Values: Specifying the Dimensions

EPA Science Inventory

Nations that develop water quality benchmark values have relied primarily on standard data and methods. However, experience with chemicals such as Se, ammonia, and tributyltin has shown that standard methods do not adequately address some taxa, modes of exposure and effects. Deve...

CLEAR, COMPLETE, AND JUSTIFIED PROBLEM FORMULATIONS FOR AQUATIC LIFE BENCHMARK VALUES: SPECIFYING THE DIMENSIONS

EPA Science Inventory

Nations that develop water quality benchmark values have relied primarily on standard data and methods. However, experience with chemicals such as Se, ammonia, and tributyltin has shown that standard methods do not adequately address some taxa, modes of exposure and effects. Deve...

Benchmark Problems of the Geothermal Technologies Office Code Comparison Study

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

White, Mark D.; Podgorney, Robert; Kelkar, Sharad M.

A diverse suite of numerical simulators is currently being applied to predict or understand the performance of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). To build confidence and identify critical development needs for these analytical tools, the United States Department of Energy, Geothermal Technologies Office has sponsored a Code Comparison Study (GTO-CCS), with participants from universities, industry, and national laboratories. A principal objective for the study was to create a community forum for improvement and verification of numerical simulators for EGS modeling. Teams participating in the study were those representing U.S. national laboratories, universities, and industries, and each team brought unique numerical simulationmore » capabilities to bear on the problems. Two classes of problems were developed during the study, benchmark problems and challenge problems. The benchmark problems were structured to test the ability of the collection of numerical simulators to solve various combinations of coupled thermal, hydrologic, geomechanical, and geochemical processes. This class of problems was strictly defined in terms of properties, driving forces, initial conditions, and boundary conditions. Study participants submitted solutions to problems for which their simulation tools were deemed capable or nearly capable. Some participating codes were originally developed for EGS applications whereas some others were designed for different applications but can simulate processes similar to those in EGS. Solution submissions from both were encouraged. In some cases, participants made small incremental changes to their numerical simulation codes to address specific elements of the problem, and in other cases participants submitted solutions with existing simulation tools, acknowledging the limitations of the code. The challenge problems were based on the enhanced geothermal systems research conducted at Fenton Hill, near Los Alamos, New Mexico, between 1974 and 1995. The problems involved two phases of research, stimulation, development, and circulation in two separate reservoirs. The challenge problems had specific questions to be answered via numerical simulation in three topical areas: 1) reservoir creation/stimulation, 2) reactive and passive transport, and 3) thermal recovery. Whereas the benchmark class of problems were designed to test capabilities for modeling coupled processes under strictly specified conditions, the stated objective for the challenge class of problems was to demonstrate what new understanding of the Fenton Hill experiments could be realized via the application of modern numerical simulation tools by recognized expert practitioners.« less

BioPreDyn-bench: a suite of benchmark problems for dynamic modelling in systems biology.

PubMed

Villaverde, Alejandro F; Henriques, David; Smallbone, Kieran; Bongard, Sophia; Schmid, Joachim; Cicin-Sain, Damjan; Crombach, Anton; Saez-Rodriguez, Julio; Mauch, Klaus; Balsa-Canto, Eva; Mendes, Pedro; Jaeger, Johannes; Banga, Julio R

2015-02-20

Dynamic modelling is one of the cornerstones of systems biology. Many research efforts are currently being invested in the development and exploitation of large-scale kinetic models. The associated problems of parameter estimation (model calibration) and optimal experimental design are particularly challenging. The community has already developed many methods and software packages which aim to facilitate these tasks. However, there is a lack of suitable benchmark problems which allow a fair and systematic evaluation and comparison of these contributions. Here we present BioPreDyn-bench, a set of challenging parameter estimation problems which aspire to serve as reference test cases in this area. This set comprises six problems including medium and large-scale kinetic models of the bacterium E. coli, baker's yeast S. cerevisiae, the vinegar fly D. melanogaster, Chinese Hamster Ovary cells, and a generic signal transduction network. The level of description includes metabolism, transcription, signal transduction, and development. For each problem we provide (i) a basic description and formulation, (ii) implementations ready-to-run in several formats, (iii) computational results obtained with specific solvers, (iv) a basic analysis and interpretation. This suite of benchmark problems can be readily used to evaluate and compare parameter estimation methods. Further, it can also be used to build test problems for sensitivity and identifiability analysis, model reduction and optimal experimental design methods. The suite, including codes and documentation, can be freely downloaded from the BioPreDyn-bench website, https://sites.google.com/site/biopredynbenchmarks/ .

Corrective Action Decision Document/Corrective Action Plan for Corrective Action Unit 413: Clean Slate II Plutonium Dispersion (TTR) Tonopah Test Range, Nevada. Revision 0

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

Matthews, Patrick

This Corrective Action Decision Document/Corrective Action Plan provides the rationale and supporting information for the selection and implementation of corrective actions at Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 413, Clean Slate II Plutonium Dispersion (TTR). CAU 413 is located on the Tonopah Test Range and includes one corrective action site, TA-23-02CS. CAU 413 consists of the release of radionuclides to the surface and shallow subsurface from the Clean Slate II (CSII) storage–transportation test conducted on May 31, 1963. The CSII test was a non-nuclear detonation of a nuclear device located inside a concrete bunker covered with 2 feet of soil. To facilitatemore » site investigation and the evaluation of data quality objectives decisions, the releases at CAU 413 were divided into seven study groups: 1 Undisturbed Areas 2 Disturbed Areas 3 Sedimentation Areas 4 Former Staging Area 5 Buried Debris 6 Potential Source Material 7 Soil Mounds Corrective action investigation (CAI) activities, as set forth in the CAU 413 Corrective Action Investigation Plan, were performed from June 2015 through May 2016. Radionuclides detected in samples collected during the CAI were used to estimate total effective dose using the Construction Worker exposure scenario. Corrective action was required for areas where total effective dose exceeded, or was assumed to exceed, the radiological final action level (FAL) of 25 millirem per year. The results of the CAI and the assumptions made in the data quality objectives resulted in the following conclusions: The FAL is exceeded in surface soil in SG1, Undisturbed Areas; The FAL is assumed to be exceeded in SG5, Buried Debris, where contaminated debris and soil were buried after the CSII test; The FAL is not exceeded at SG2, SG3, SG4, SG6, or SG7. Because the FAL is exceeded at CAU 413, corrective action is required and corrective action alternatives (CAAs) must be evaluated. For CAU 413, three CAAs were evaluated: no further action, clean closure, and closure in place. The CAAs were evaluated on technical merit focusing on performance, reliability, feasibility, safety, and cost. Based on the evaluation of analytical data from the CAI, review of future and current operations at CAU 413, and the detailed and comparative analysis of CAAs, clean closure was selected as the preferred CAA for CAU 413 by the U.S. Air Force, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and U.S. Department of Energy at the CAA meeting held on August 24, 2016.« less

The Pliocene High Arctic terrestrial palaeoenvironmental record and the development of the western Canadian Arctic coastal plain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rybczynski, N.; Braschi, L.; Gosse, J. C.; Kennedy, C.; Fraser, D.; Lakeman, T.

2013-12-01

The Pliocene fossil record of the High Arctic is represented by a collection of sites that occur across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA), with deposits in the west comprising a 1200 km-long dissected clastic wedge (Beaufort Formation) and those in the east represented by high terrace gravel deposits. Fossil material from these sites is often very well preserved and provides evidence of a boreal-type forest. In the eastern Arctic our research sites includes the Fyles Leaf Bed (FLB) and the Beaver Pond (BP) sites, on west central Ellesmere Island. These are about 10 km apart and preserve evidence of forest and peatlands. The BP fossil site preserves the remains of fossil vertebrates including fish, frog, horse, beaver, deerlet, and black bear, consistent with a boreal type forest habitat. The FLB site has recently yielded the first fossil evidence for a High Arctic camel, identified with the help of collagen fingerprinting from a fragmentary limb bone (tibia). Although modern camels live in open habitats, biogeographic and comparative dental evidence, in combination, suggest that the North American Arctic camels were browsers, and therefore forest-dwelling. Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Ellesmere sites has yielded a Mean Annual Temperature of between 14 to 22 degrees Celsius warmer than today. Minimum cosmogenic nuclide burial ages of 3.4 and 3.8 Ma obtained for the BP and FLB sites, respectively, are consistent with vertebrate and floral biostratigraphic evidence. The Beaufort Formation, located in the Western CAA, was formed by a regional northwesterly flowing braided fluvial system. The Beaufort Formation appears to have filled at least the western portions of the 100 km-wide channels that currently separate the islands of the CAA. Intervals of Pliocene continental-shelf progradation are recorded in the lower Iperk Formation, which is situated offshore and includes complex sigmoid-oblique clinoforms indicative of high-energy, coarse-clastic, deltaic sedimentation. A key objective of our research is to derive new age estimates and improved correlations between the eastern Arctic deposits, Beaufort and Iperk Formations in order to test different hypotheses to explain the nature of the dramatic landscape changes that were responsible for deposition of the Beaufort Formation and infilling of the CAA channels. For example, if the channels of the modern CAA function as a heat source during winter months and a heat sink during summer months, infilling of the CAA channels in the Pliocene by the Beaufort Formation may have functioned to shut down this radiative process, resulting in increased continentality.

Comparison of sodium naphthenate and air-ionization corona discharge as surface treatments for the ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene polymer (ETFE) to improve adhesion between ETFE and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer (ABS) in the presence of a cyanoacrylate adhesive (CAA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucía Johanning-Solís, Ana; Stradi-Granados, Benito A.

2014-09-01

This study compares two ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) surface activation treatments, namely chemical attack with a solution of sodium naphthenate and plasma erosion via air-ionization corona discharge in order to improve the adhesive properties of the ETFE. An experimental design was prepared for both treatments in order to assess the effect of the treatment characteristics on the tensile load needed to break the bond between the ETFE and the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer (ABS) formed with a cyanoacrylate adhesive (CAA) applied between them. The reason for the selection of this problem is that both polymers are frequently used in the biomedical industry for their properties, and they need to be joined firmly in biomedical devices, and the cyanoacrylate adhesive is the adhesive traditionally used for fluoropolymers, in this case the ETFE, and the same CAA has also shown good adhesion with ABS. However, the strength of the bond for the triplet ETFE-CAA-ABS has not been reported and the improvement of the strength of the bond with surface treatments is not found in scholarly journals for modern medical devices such as stents and snares. Both treatments were compared based on the aforementioned design of experiments. The case where ETFE receives no surface treatment serves as the reference. The results indicated that the three factors evaluated (initial drying of the material, temperature of the chemical bath, and immersion time), and their interactions have no significant effect over the tensile load at failure (tensile strength) of the adhesive bond being evaluated. For the air-ionization corona discharge treatment, two factors were evaluated: discharge exposition time and air pressure. The results obtained from this experimental design indicate that there is no significant difference between the levels of the factors evaluated. These results were unexpected as the ranges used were representative of the maximum ranges permissible in manufacturing operations. As for the comparison of the treatments, it was determined that the treatments have statistically significant differences. It was also determined that there is a significant statistical difference between the processes where a surface treatment is performed and the process where no surface treatment is applied to the ETFE. The chemical treatment results in a higher tensile load at failure (tensile strength) of 276.6 N on average, the air ionization treatment has an average of 248.4 N, and the process with no treatment has the lower ultimate tensile strength average of 53 N. This comparison has demonstrated that the best treatment is the chemical treatment with sodium naphthenate under the conditions tested.

Clomp

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

Gylenhaal, J.; Bronevetsky, G.

2007-05-25

CLOMP is the C version of the Livermore OpenMP benchmark deeloped to measure OpenMP overheads and other performance impacts due to threading (like NUMA memory layouts, memory contention, cache effects, etc.) in order to influence future system design. Current best-in-class implementations of OpenMP have overheads at least ten times larger than is required by many of our applications for effective use of OpenMP. This benchmark shows the significant negative performance impact of these relatively large overheads and of other thread effects. The CLOMP benchmark highly configurable to allow a variety of problem sizes and threading effects to be studied andmore » it carefully checks its results to catch many common threading errors. This benchmark is expected to be included as part of the Sequoia Benchmark suite for the Sequoia procurement.« less

Building Bridges Between Geoscience and Data Science through Benchmark Data Sets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, D. R.; Ebert-Uphoff, I.; Demir, I.; Gel, Y.; Hill, M. C.; Karpatne, A.; Güereque, M.; Kumar, V.; Cabral, E.; Smyth, P.

2017-12-01

The changing nature of observational field data demands richer and more meaningful collaboration between data scientists and geoscientists. Thus, among other efforts, the Working Group on Case Studies of the NSF-funded RCN on Intelligent Systems Research To Support Geosciences (IS-GEO) is developing a framework to strengthen such collaborations through the creation of benchmark datasets. Benchmark datasets provide an interface between disciplines without requiring extensive background knowledge. The goals are to create (1) a means for two-way communication between geoscience and data science researchers; (2) new collaborations, which may lead to new approaches for data analysis in the geosciences; and (3) a public, permanent repository of complex data sets, representative of geoscience problems, useful to coordinate efforts in research and education. The group identified 10 key elements and characteristics for ideal benchmarks. High impact: A problem with high potential impact. Active research area: A group of geoscientists should be eager to continue working on the topic. Challenge: The problem should be challenging for data scientists. Data science generality and versatility: It should stimulate development of new general and versatile data science methods. Rich information content: Ideally the data set provides stimulus for analysis at many different levels. Hierarchical problem statement: A hierarchy of suggested analysis tasks, from relatively straightforward to open-ended tasks. Means for evaluating success: Data scientists and geoscientists need means to evaluate whether the algorithms are successful and achieve intended purpose. Quick start guide: Introduction for data scientists on how to easily read the data to enable rapid initial data exploration. Geoscience context: Summary for data scientists of the specific data collection process, instruments used, any pre-processing and the science questions to be answered. Citability: A suitable identifier to facilitate tracking the use of the benchmark later on, e.g. allowing search engines to find all research papers using it. A first sample benchmark developed in collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) deals with the automatic analysis of imaging spectrometer data to detect significant methane sources in the atmosphere.

An impatient evolutionary algorithm with probabilistic tabu search for unified solution of some NP-hard problems in graph and set theory via clique finding.

PubMed

Guturu, Parthasarathy; Dantu, Ram

2008-06-01

Many graph- and set-theoretic problems, because of their tremendous application potential and theoretical appeal, have been well investigated by the researchers in complexity theory and were found to be NP-hard. Since the combinatorial complexity of these problems does not permit exhaustive searches for optimal solutions, only near-optimal solutions can be explored using either various problem-specific heuristic strategies or metaheuristic global-optimization methods, such as simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, etc. In this paper, we propose a unified evolutionary algorithm (EA) to the problems of maximum clique finding, maximum independent set, minimum vertex cover, subgraph and double subgraph isomorphism, set packing, set partitioning, and set cover. In the proposed approach, we first map these problems onto the maximum clique-finding problem (MCP), which is later solved using an evolutionary strategy. The proposed impatient EA with probabilistic tabu search (IEA-PTS) for the MCP integrates the best features of earlier successful approaches with a number of new heuristics that we developed to yield a performance that advances the state of the art in EAs for the exploration of the maximum cliques in a graph. Results of experimentation with the 37 DIMACS benchmark graphs and comparative analyses with six state-of-the-art algorithms, including two from the smaller EA community and four from the larger metaheuristics community, indicate that the IEA-PTS outperforms the EAs with respect to a Pareto-lexicographic ranking criterion and offers competitive performance on some graph instances when individually compared to the other heuristic algorithms. It has also successfully set a new benchmark on one graph instance. On another benchmark suite called Benchmarks with Hidden Optimal Solutions, IEA-PTS ranks second, after a very recent algorithm called COVER, among its peers that have experimented with this suite.

Benchmarking in national health service procurement in Scotland.

PubMed

Walker, Scott; Masson, Ron; Telford, Ronnie; White, David

2007-11-01

The paper reports the results of a study on benchmarking activities undertaken by the procurement organization within the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland, namely National Procurement (previously Scottish Healthcare Supplies Contracts Branch). NHS performance is of course politically important, and benchmarking is increasingly seen as a means to improve performance, so the study was carried out to determine if the current benchmarking approaches could be enhanced. A review of the benchmarking activities used by the private sector, local government and NHS organizations was carried out to establish a framework of the motivations, benefits, problems and costs associated with benchmarking. This framework was used to carry out the research through case studies and a questionnaire survey of NHS procurement organizations both in Scotland and other parts of the UK. Nine of the 16 Scottish Health Boards surveyed reported carrying out benchmarking during the last three years. The findings of the research were that there were similarities in approaches between local government and NHS Scotland Health, but differences between NHS Scotland and other UK NHS procurement organizations. Benefits were seen as significant and it was recommended that National Procurement should pursue the formation of a benchmarking group with members drawn from NHS Scotland and external benchmarking bodies to establish measures to be used in benchmarking across the whole of NHS Scotland.

Microbially Mediated Kinetic Sulfur Isotope Fractionation: Reactive Transport Modeling Benchmark

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wanner, C.; Druhan, J. L.; Cheng, Y.; Amos, R. T.; Steefel, C. I.; Ajo Franklin, J. B.

2014-12-01

Microbially mediated sulfate reduction is a ubiquitous process in many subsurface systems. Isotopic fractionation is characteristic of this anaerobic process, since sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) favor the reduction of the lighter sulfate isotopologue (S32O42-) over the heavier isotopologue (S34O42-). Detection of isotopic shifts have been utilized as a proxy for the onset of sulfate reduction in subsurface systems such as oil reservoirs and aquifers undergoing uranium bioremediation. Reactive transport modeling (RTM) of kinetic sulfur isotope fractionation has been applied to field and laboratory studies. These RTM approaches employ different mathematical formulations in the representation of kinetic sulfur isotope fractionation. In order to test the various formulations, we propose a benchmark problem set for the simulation of kinetic sulfur isotope fractionation during microbially mediated sulfate reduction. The benchmark problem set is comprised of four problem levels and is based on a recent laboratory column experimental study of sulfur isotope fractionation. Pertinent processes impacting sulfur isotopic composition such as microbial sulfate reduction and dispersion are included in the problem set. To date, participating RTM codes are: CRUNCHTOPE, TOUGHREACT, MIN3P and THE GEOCHEMIST'S WORKBENCH. Preliminary results from various codes show reasonable agreement for the problem levels simulating sulfur isotope fractionation in 1D.

Self-assembling cyclic tetrapeptide from alternating C-linked carbo-beta-amino acid [(S)-beta-Caa] and alpha-aminoxy acid [(R)-Ama]: a selective chloride ion receptor.

PubMed

Sharma, Gangavaram V M; Manohar, Vennampalli; Dutta, Samit Kumar; Sridhar, Bojja; Ramesh, Venna; Srinivas, Ragampeta; Kunwar, Ajit C

2010-02-19

A cyclic tetrapeptide is prepared from alternating (S)-beta-Caa (C-linked carbo-beta-amino acid) and (R)-Ama (alpha-aminoxy acid). Extensive NMR (in CDCl(3) solution) and mass spectral (MS) studies show its halide binding capacity, with a special affinity to the chloride ion. At higher concentration it was found to form molecular aggregates as evidenced from transmission electron microscopic and atomic force microscopic analysis, confirming the formation of nanorods.

Detection of Hb Constant Spring [α142, Term→Gln, TAA>CAA (α2)] in heterozygotes combined with β-thalassemia.

PubMed

Li, You-Qiong; Li, Ru; Li, Dong-Zhi

2013-01-01

Hb Constant Spring [Hb CS, α142, Term→Gln, TAA>CAA (α2)] is a nondeletional form of α-thalassemia (α-thal) that is most prevalent in Southern Chinese and Southeast Asian populations. We previously found that Hb CS trait could efficiently be screened using Sebia Capillarys2. In this study, we report that Hb CS heterozygotes combined with β-thal could not be detected by the Sebia Capillarys2 method due to the very small amount of Hb CS.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

With a control panel visible in the foreground, a technician begins installation of the Orion crew access arm (CAA) to the mobile launcher (ML) tower at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System, or SLS, rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

Viewed from the 274-foot level mobile launcher (ML), technicians help install the Orion crew access arm (CAA) to the tower at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System (SLS), rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Phenothiazine-based CaaX competitive inhibitors of human farnesyltransferase bearing a cysteine, methionine, serine or valine moiety as a new family of antitumoral compounds.

PubMed

Dumitriu, Gina-Mirabela; Bîcu, Elena; Belei, Dalila; Rigo, Benoît; Dubois, Joëlle; Farce, Amaury; Ghinet, Alina

2015-10-15

A new family of CaaX competitive inhibitors of human farnesyltransferase based on phenothiazine and carbazole skeleton bearing a l-cysteine, l-methionine, l-serine or l-valine moiety was designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated. Phenothiazine derivatives proved to be more active than carbazole-based compounds. Phenothiazine 1b with cysteine residue was the most promising inhibitor of human farnesyltransferase in the current study. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New Synthetic and Assembly Methodology for Guiding Nanomaterial Assembly with High Fidelity into 1D Clusters and 3D Crystals Using Biomimetic Interactions

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-26

sequences Type Sequence (* = Phosphorothioate bases) Tm S/S𔃻/S𔃼 (°C) U T*T*T* T*T*T TTT TTA CTC ACC TAT ATC A 16.5 U𔃻 GTG AGT A U...27 T𔃻 GTC GTG A T𔃼 CAA AGT GT T𔃽 CAA AGT GTG TCG TGA 27% 25% 48% F re qu en cy ( % ) 0 20 40 60 80 100 0-30° 31-60° 61-90° (b) (i) (ii

NAS Parallel Benchmark Results 11-96. 1.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bailey, David H.; Bailey, David; Chancellor, Marisa K. (Technical Monitor)

1997-01-01

The NAS Parallel Benchmarks have been developed at NASA Ames Research Center to study the performance of parallel supercomputers. The eight benchmark problems are specified in a "pencil and paper" fashion. In other words, the complete details of the problem to be solved are given in a technical document, and except for a few restrictions, benchmarkers are free to select the language constructs and implementation techniques best suited for a particular system. These results represent the best results that have been reported to us by the vendors for the specific 3 systems listed. In this report, we present new NPB (Version 1.0) performance results for the following systems: DEC Alpha Server 8400 5/440, Fujitsu VPP Series (VX, VPP300, and VPP700), HP/Convex Exemplar SPP2000, IBM RS/6000 SP P2SC node (120 MHz), NEC SX-4/32, SGI/CRAY T3E, SGI Origin200, and SGI Origin2000. We also report High Performance Fortran (HPF) based NPB results for IBM SP2 Wide Nodes, HP/Convex Exemplar SPP2000, and SGI/CRAY T3D. These results have been submitted by Applied Parallel Research (APR) and Portland Group Inc. (PGI). We also present sustained performance per dollar for Class B LU, SP and BT benchmarks.

Particle swarm optimization with recombination and dynamic linkage discovery.

PubMed

Chen, Ying-Ping; Peng, Wen-Chih; Jian, Ming-Chung

2007-12-01

In this paper, we try to improve the performance of the particle swarm optimizer by incorporating the linkage concept, which is an essential mechanism in genetic algorithms, and design a new linkage identification technique called dynamic linkage discovery to address the linkage problem in real-parameter optimization problems. Dynamic linkage discovery is a costless and effective linkage recognition technique that adapts the linkage configuration by employing only the selection operator without extra judging criteria irrelevant to the objective function. Moreover, a recombination operator that utilizes the discovered linkage configuration to promote the cooperation of particle swarm optimizer and dynamic linkage discovery is accordingly developed. By integrating the particle swarm optimizer, dynamic linkage discovery, and recombination operator, we propose a new hybridization of optimization methodologies called particle swarm optimization with recombination and dynamic linkage discovery (PSO-RDL). In order to study the capability of PSO-RDL, numerical experiments were conducted on a set of benchmark functions as well as on an important real-world application. The benchmark functions used in this paper were proposed in the 2005 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Congress on Evolutionary Computation. The experimental results on the benchmark functions indicate that PSO-RDL can provide a level of performance comparable to that given by other advanced optimization techniques. In addition to the benchmark, PSO-RDL was also used to solve the economic dispatch (ED) problem for power systems, which is a real-world problem and highly constrained. The results indicate that PSO-RDL can successfully solve the ED problem for the three-unit power system and obtain the currently known best solution for the 40-unit system.

Benchmarking and Threshold Standards in Higher Education. Staff and Educational Development Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Helen, Ed.; Armstrong, Michael, Ed.; Brown, Sally, Ed.

This book explores the issues involved in developing standards in higher education, examining the practical issues involved in benchmarking and offering a critical analysis of the problems associated with this developmental tool. The book focuses primarily on experience in the United Kingdom (UK), but looks also at international activity in this…

Improving Federal Education Programs through an Integrated Performance and Benchmarking System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Department of Education, Washington, DC. Office of the Under Secretary.

This document highlights the problems with current federal education program data collection activities and lists several factors that make movement toward a possible solution, then discusses the vision for the Integrated Performance and Benchmarking System (IPBS), a vision of an Internet-based system for harvesting information from states about…

A Critical Thinking Benchmark for a Department of Agricultural Education and Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perry, Dustin K.; Retallick, Michael S.; Paulsen, Thomas H.

2014-01-01

Due to an ever changing world where technology seemingly provides endless answers, today's higher education students must master a new skill set reflecting an emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving, and communications. The purpose of this study was to establish a departmental benchmark for critical thinking abilities of students majoring…

Benchmarking NNWSI flow and transport codes: COVE 1 results

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

Hayden, N.K.

1985-06-01

The code verification (COVE) activity of the Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations (NNWSI) Project is the first step in certification of flow and transport codes used for NNWSI performance assessments of a geologic repository for disposing of high-level radioactive wastes. The goals of the COVE activity are (1) to demonstrate and compare the numerical accuracy and sensitivity of certain codes, (2) to identify and resolve problems in running typical NNWSI performance assessment calculations, and (3) to evaluate computer requirements for running the codes. This report describes the work done for COVE 1, the first step in benchmarking some of themore » codes. Isothermal calculations for the COVE 1 benchmarking have been completed using the hydrologic flow codes SAGUARO, TRUST, and GWVIP; the radionuclide transport codes FEMTRAN and TRUMP; and the coupled flow and transport code TRACR3D. This report presents the results of three cases of the benchmarking problem solved for COVE 1, a comparison of the results, questions raised regarding sensitivities to modeling techniques, and conclusions drawn regarding the status and numerical sensitivities of the codes. 30 refs.« less

Augmented neural networks and problem structure-based heuristics for the bin-packing problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasap, Nihat; Agarwal, Anurag

2012-08-01

In this article, we report on a research project where we applied augmented-neural-networks (AugNNs) approach for solving the classical bin-packing problem (BPP). AugNN is a metaheuristic that combines a priority rule heuristic with the iterative search approach of neural networks to generate good solutions fast. This is the first time this approach has been applied to the BPP. We also propose a decomposition approach for solving harder BPP, in which subproblems are solved using a combination of AugNN approach and heuristics that exploit the problem structure. We discuss the characteristics of problems on which such problem structure-based heuristics could be applied. We empirically show the effectiveness of the AugNN and the decomposition approach on many benchmark problems in the literature. For the 1210 benchmark problems tested, 917 problems were solved to optimality and the average gap between the obtained solution and the upper bound for all the problems was reduced to under 0.66% and computation time averaged below 33 s per problem. We also discuss the computational complexity of our approach.

Dynamic Inertia Weight Binary Bat Algorithm with Neighborhood Search

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Binary bat algorithm (BBA) is a binary version of the bat algorithm (BA). It has been proven that BBA is competitive compared to other binary heuristic algorithms. Since the update processes of velocity in the algorithm are consistent with BA, in some cases, this algorithm also faces the premature convergence problem. This paper proposes an improved binary bat algorithm (IBBA) to solve this problem. To evaluate the performance of IBBA, standard benchmark functions and zero-one knapsack problems have been employed. The numeric results obtained by benchmark functions experiment prove that the proposed approach greatly outperforms the original BBA and binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO). Compared with several other heuristic algorithms on zero-one knapsack problems, it also verifies that the proposed algorithm is more able to avoid local minima. PMID:28634487

Dynamic Inertia Weight Binary Bat Algorithm with Neighborhood Search.

PubMed

Huang, Xingwang; Zeng, Xuewen; Han, Rui

2017-01-01

Binary bat algorithm (BBA) is a binary version of the bat algorithm (BA). It has been proven that BBA is competitive compared to other binary heuristic algorithms. Since the update processes of velocity in the algorithm are consistent with BA, in some cases, this algorithm also faces the premature convergence problem. This paper proposes an improved binary bat algorithm (IBBA) to solve this problem. To evaluate the performance of IBBA, standard benchmark functions and zero-one knapsack problems have been employed. The numeric results obtained by benchmark functions experiment prove that the proposed approach greatly outperforms the original BBA and binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO). Compared with several other heuristic algorithms on zero-one knapsack problems, it also verifies that the proposed algorithm is more able to avoid local minima.

Implementation and verification of global optimization benchmark problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Posypkin, Mikhail; Usov, Alexander

2017-12-01

The paper considers the implementation and verification of a test suite containing 150 benchmarks for global deterministic box-constrained optimization. A C++ library for describing standard mathematical expressions was developed for this purpose. The library automate the process of generating the value of a function and its' gradient at a given point and the interval estimates of a function and its' gradient on a given box using a single description. Based on this functionality, we have developed a collection of tests for an automatic verification of the proposed benchmarks. The verification has shown that literary sources contain mistakes in the benchmarks description. The library and the test suite are available for download and can be used freely.

Benchmarking optimization software with COPS 3.0.

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

Dolan, E. D.; More, J. J.; Munson, T. S.

2004-05-24

The authors describe version 3.0 of the COPS set of nonlinearly constrained optimization problems. They have added new problems, as well as streamlined and improved most of the problems. They also provide a comparison of the FILTER, KNITRO, LOQO, MINOS, and SNOPT solvers on these problems.

ATXN2 with intermediate-length CAG/CAA repeats does not seem to be a risk factor in hereditary spastic paraplegia.

PubMed

Nielsen, Troels Tolstrup; Svenstrup, Kirsten; Budtz-Jørgensen, Esben; Eiberg, Hans; Hasholt, Lis; Nielsen, Jørgen E

2012-10-15

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) confines a group of heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive spasticity and lower limb weakness. Age of onset is highly variable even in familial cases with known mutations suggesting that the disease is modulated by other yet unknown parameters. Although progressive gait disturbances, lower limb spasticity and extensor plantar responses are hallmarks of HSP these characteristics are also found in other neurodegenerative disorders, e.g. amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). HSP has been linked to ALS and frontotemporal degeneration with motor neuron disease (FTD-MND), since TDP-43 positive inclusions have recently been found in an HSP subtype, and TDP-43 are found in abundance in pathological inclusions of both ALS and FTD-MND. Furthermore, ataxin-2 (encoded by the gene ATXN2), a polyglutamine containing protein elongated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2, has been shown to be a modulator of TDP-43 induced toxicity in ALS animal and cell models. Finally, it has been shown that ATXN2 with non-pathogenic intermediate-length CAG/CAA repeat elongations (encoding the polyglutamine tract) is a genetic risk factor of ALS. Considering the similarities in the disease phenotype and the neuropathological link between ALS and HSP we hypothesized that intermediate-length CAG/CAA repeats in ATXN2 could be a modulator of HSP. We show that in a cohort of 181 HSP patients 4.9 % of the patients had intermediate-length CAG/CAA repeats in ATXN2 which was not significantly different from the frequencies in a Danish control cohort or in American and European control populations. However, the mean age of onset was significantly lower in HSP patients with intermediate-length CAG/CAA repeats in ATXN2 compared to patients with normal length repeats. Based on these results we conclude that ATXN2 is most likely not a risk factor of HSP, whereas it might serve as a modulator of age of onset. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of novel and standard diagnostic tools for the detection of Schistosoma mekongi infection in Lao People's Democratic Republic and Cambodia.

PubMed

Vonghachack, Youthanavanh; Sayasone, Somphou; Khieu, Virak; Bergquist, Robert; van Dam, Govert J; Hoekstra, Pytsje T; Corstjens, Paul L A M; Nickel, Beatrice; Marti, Hanspeter; Utzinger, Jürg; Muth, Sinuon; Odermatt, Peter

2017-08-10

Given the restricted distribution of Schistosoma mekongi in one province in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and two provinces in Cambodia, together with progress of the national control programmes aimed at reducing morbidity and infection prevalence, the elimination of schistosomiasis mekongi seems feasible. However, sensitive diagnostic tools will be required to determine whether elimination has been achieved. We compared several standard and novel diagnostic tools in S. mekongi-endemic areas. The prevalence and infection intensity of S. mekongi were evaluated in 377 study participants from four villages in the endemic areas in Lao PDR and Cambodia using Kato-Katz stool examination, antibody detection based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and schistosome circulating antigen detection by lateral-flow tests. Two highly sensitive test systems for the detection of cathodic and anodic circulating antigens (CCA, CAA) in urine and serum were utilized. Stool microscopy revealed an overall prevalence of S. mekongi of 6.4% (one case in Cambodia and 23 cases in Lao PDR), while that of Opisthorchis viverrini, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and Taenia spp. were 50.4%, 28.1%, 3.5%, 0.3% and 1.9%, respectively. In the urine samples, the tests for CCA and CAA detected S. mekongi infections in 21.0% and 38.7% of the study participants, respectively. In the serum samples, the CAA assay revealed a prevalence of 32.4%, while a combination of the CAA assay in serum and in urine revealed a prevalence of 43.2%. There was a difference between the two study locations with a higher prevalence reached in the samples from Lao PDR. The CCA, CAA and ELISA results showed substantially higher prevalence estimates for S. mekongi compared to Kato-Katz thick smears. Active schistosomiasis mekongi in Lao PDR and Cambodia might thus have been considerably underestimated previously. Hence, sustained control efforts are still needed to break transmission of S. mekongi. The pivotal role of highly sensitive diagnostic assays in areas targeting elimination cannot be overemphasised.

Validation and Comparison of 2D and 3D Codes for Nearshore Motion of Long Waves Using Benchmark Problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velioǧlu, Deniz; Cevdet Yalçıner, Ahmet; Zaytsev, Andrey

2016-04-01

Tsunamis are huge waves with long wave periods and wave lengths that can cause great devastation and loss of life when they strike a coast. The interest in experimental and numerical modeling of tsunami propagation and inundation increased considerably after the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake. In this study, two numerical codes, FLOW 3D and NAMI DANCE, that analyze tsunami propagation and inundation patterns are considered. Flow 3D simulates linear and nonlinear propagating surface waves as well as long waves by solving three-dimensional Navier-Stokes (3D-NS) equations. NAMI DANCE uses finite difference computational method to solve 2D depth-averaged linear and nonlinear forms of shallow water equations (NSWE) in long wave problems, specifically tsunamis. In order to validate these two codes and analyze the differences between 3D-NS and 2D depth-averaged NSWE equations, two benchmark problems are applied. One benchmark problem investigates the runup of long waves over a complex 3D beach. The experimental setup is a 1:400 scale model of Monai Valley located on the west coast of Okushiri Island, Japan. Other benchmark problem is discussed in 2015 National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP) Annual meeting in Portland, USA. It is a field dataset, recording the Japan 2011 tsunami in Hilo Harbor, Hawaii. The computed water surface elevation and velocity data are compared with the measured data. The comparisons showed that both codes are in fairly good agreement with each other and benchmark data. The differences between 3D-NS and 2D depth-averaged NSWE equations are highlighted. All results are presented with discussions and comparisons. Acknowledgements: Partial support by Japan-Turkey Joint Research Project by JICA on earthquakes and tsunamis in Marmara Region (JICA SATREPS - MarDiM Project), 603839 ASTARTE Project of EU, UDAP-C-12-14 project of AFAD Turkey, 108Y227, 113M556 and 213M534 projects of TUBITAK Turkey, RAPSODI (CONCERT_Dis-021) of CONCERT-Japan Joint Call and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality are all acknowledged.

PolyQ repeat expansions in ATXN2 associated with ALS are CAA interrupted repeats.

PubMed

Yu, Zhenming; Zhu, Yongqing; Chen-Plotkin, Alice S; Clay-Falcone, Dana; McCluskey, Leo; Elman, Lauren; Kalb, Robert G; Trojanowski, John Q; Lee, Virginia M-Y; Van Deerlin, Vivianna M; Gitler, Aaron D; Bonini, Nancy M

2011-03-29

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating, rapidly progressive disease leading to paralysis and death. Recently, intermediate length polyglutamine (polyQ) repeats of 27-33 in ATAXIN-2 (ATXN2), encoding the ATXN2 protein, were found to increase risk for ALS. In ATXN2, polyQ expansions of ≥ 34, which are pure CAG repeat expansions, cause spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. However, similar length expansions that are interrupted with other codons, can present atypically with parkinsonism, suggesting that configuration of the repeat sequence plays an important role in disease manifestation in ATXN2 polyQ expansion diseases. Here we determined whether the expansions in ATXN2 associated with ALS were pure or interrupted CAG repeats, and defined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs695871 and rs695872 in exon 1 of the gene, to assess haplotype association. We found that the expanded repeat alleles of 40 ALS patients and 9 long-repeat length controls were all interrupted, bearing 1-3 CAA codons within the CAG repeat. 21/21 expanded ALS chromosomes with 3CAA interruptions arose from one haplotype (GT), while 18/19 expanded ALS chromosomes with <3CAA interruptions arose from a different haplotype (CC). Moreover, age of disease onset was significantly earlier in patients bearing 3 interruptions vs fewer, and was distinct between haplotypes. These results indicate that CAG repeat expansions in ATXN2 associated with ALS are uniformly interrupted repeats and that the nature of the repeat sequence and haplotype, as well as length of polyQ repeat, may play a role in the neurological effect conferred by expansions in ATXN2.

Is Vasomotion in Cerebral Arteries Impaired in Alzheimer’s Disease?

PubMed Central

Di Marco, Luigi Yuri; Farkas, Eszter; Martin, Chris; Venneri, Annalena; Frangi, Alejandro F.

2015-01-01

Abstract A substantial body of evidence supports the hypothesis of a vascular component in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Cerebral hypoperfusion and blood-brain barrier dysfunction have been indicated as key elements of this pathway. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a cerebrovascular disorder, frequent in AD, characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in cerebral blood vessel walls. CAA is associated with loss of vascular integrity, resulting in impaired regulation of cerebral circulation, and increased susceptibility to cerebral ischemia, microhemorrhages, and white matter damage. Vasomotion— the spontaneous rhythmic modulation of arterial diameter, typically observed in arteries/arterioles in various vascular beds including the brain— is thought to participate in tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery regulation. Vasomotion is impaired in adverse conditions such as hypoperfusion and hypoxia. The perivascular and glymphatic pathways of Aβ clearance are thought to be driven by the systolic pulse. Vasomotion produces diameter changes of comparable amplitude, however at lower rates, and could contribute to these mechanisms of Aβ clearance. In spite of potential clinical interest, studies addressing cerebral vasomotion in the context of AD/CAA are limited. This study reviews the current literature on vasomotion, and hypothesizes potential paths implicating impaired cerebral vasomotion in AD/CAA. Aβ and oxidative stress cause vascular tone dysregulation through direct effects on vascular cells, and indirect effects mediated by impaired neurovascular coupling. Vascular tone dysregulation is further aggravated by cholinergic deficit and results in depressed cerebrovascular reactivity and (possibly) impaired vasomotion, aggravating regional hypoperfusion and promoting further Aβ and oxidative stress accumulation. PMID:25720414

76 FR 81727 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Oklahoma; Federal Implementation Plan for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-28

...EPA is partially approving and partially disapproving a revision to the Oklahoma State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Oklahoma through the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality on February 19, 2010, intended to address the regional haze requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA). In addition, EPA is partially approving and partially disapproving a portion of a revision to the Oklahoma SIP submitted by the State of Oklahoma on May 10, 2007 and supplemented on December 10, 2007 to address the requirements of CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) as it applies to visibility for the 1997 8- hour ozone and 1997 fine particulate matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards. This CAA requirement is intended to prevent emissions from one state from interfering with the visibility programs in another state. EPA is approving certain core elements of the SIP including Oklahoma's: determination of baseline and natural visibility conditions; coordinating regional haze and reasonably attributable visibility impairment; monitoring strategy and other implementation requirements; coordination with states and Federal Land Managers; and a number of NOX, SO2, and PM BART determinations. EPA is finding that Oklahoma's regional haze SIP did not address the sulfur dioxide Best Available Retrofit Technology requirements for six units in Oklahoma in accordance with the Regional Haze requirements, or the requirement to prevent interference with other states' visibility programs. EPA is promulgating a Federal Implementation Plan to address these deficiencies by requiring emissions to be reduced at these six units. This action is being taken under section 110 and part C of the CAA.

Test One to Test Many: A Unified Approach to Quantum Benchmarks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Ge; Chiribella, Giulio

2018-04-01

Quantum benchmarks are routinely used to validate the experimental demonstration of quantum information protocols. Many relevant protocols, however, involve an infinite set of input states, of which only a finite subset can be used to test the quality of the implementation. This is a problem, because the benchmark for the finitely many states used in the test can be higher than the original benchmark calculated for infinitely many states. This situation arises in the teleportation and storage of coherent states, for which the benchmark of 50% fidelity is commonly used in experiments, although finite sets of coherent states normally lead to higher benchmarks. Here, we show that the average fidelity over all coherent states can be indirectly probed with a single setup, requiring only two-mode squeezing, a 50-50 beam splitter, and homodyne detection. Our setup enables a rigorous experimental validation of quantum teleportation, storage, amplification, attenuation, and purification of noisy coherent states. More generally, we prove that every quantum benchmark can be tested by preparing a single entangled state and measuring a single observable.

Optimally Stopped Optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vinci, Walter; Lidar, Daniel A.

2016-11-01

We combine the fields of heuristic optimization and optimal stopping. We propose a strategy for benchmarking randomized optimization algorithms that minimizes the expected total cost for obtaining a good solution with an optimal number of calls to the solver. To do so, rather than letting the objective function alone define a cost to be minimized, we introduce a further cost-per-call of the algorithm. We show that this problem can be formulated using optimal stopping theory. The expected cost is a flexible figure of merit for benchmarking probabilistic solvers that can be computed when the optimal solution is not known and that avoids the biases and arbitrariness that affect other measures. The optimal stopping formulation of benchmarking directly leads to a real-time optimal-utilization strategy for probabilistic optimizers with practical impact. We apply our formulation to benchmark simulated annealing on a class of maximum-2-satisfiability (MAX2SAT) problems. We also compare the performance of a D-Wave 2X quantum annealer to the Hamze-Freitas-Selby (HFS) solver, a specialized classical heuristic algorithm designed for low-tree-width graphs. On a set of frustrated-loop instances with planted solutions defined on up to N =1098 variables, the D-Wave device is 2 orders of magnitude faster than the HFS solver, and, modulo known caveats related to suboptimal annealing times, exhibits identical scaling with problem size.

Benchmarking, benchmarks, or best practices? Applying quality improvement principles to decrease surgical turnaround time.

PubMed

Mitchell, L

1996-01-01

The processes of benchmarking, benchmark data comparative analysis, and study of best practices are distinctly different. The study of best practices is explained with an example based on the Arthur Andersen & Co. 1992 "Study of Best Practices in Ambulatory Surgery". The results of a national best practices study in ambulatory surgery were used to provide our quality improvement team with the goal of improving the turnaround time between surgical cases. The team used a seven-step quality improvement problem-solving process to improve the surgical turnaround time. The national benchmark for turnaround times between surgical cases in 1992 was 13.5 minutes. The initial turnaround time at St. Joseph's Medical Center was 19.9 minutes. After the team implemented solutions, the time was reduced to an average of 16.3 minutes, an 18% improvement. Cost-benefit analysis showed a potential enhanced revenue of approximately $300,000, or a potential savings of $10,119. Applying quality improvement principles to benchmarking, benchmarks, or best practices can improve process performance. Understanding which form of benchmarking the institution wishes to embark on will help focus a team and use appropriate resources. Communicating with professional organizations that have experience in benchmarking will save time and money and help achieve the desired results.

Theoretical and experimental studies on alpha/epsilon-hybrid peptides: design of a 14/12-helix from peptides with alternating (S)-C-linked carbo-epsilon-amino acid [(S)-epsilon-Caa((x))] and L-ala.

PubMed

Sharma, Gangavaram V M; Babu, Bommagani Shoban; Chatterjee, Deepak; Ramakrishna, Kallaganti V S; Kunwar, Ajit C; Schramm, Peter; Hofmann, Hans-Jörg

2009-09-04

An (S)-C-linked carbo-epsilon-amino acid [(S)-epsilon-Caa((x))] was prepared from the known (S)-delta-Caa. This monomer was utilized together with l-Ala to give novel alpha/epsilon-hybrid peptides in 1:1 alternation. Conformational analysis on penta- and hexapeptides by NMR (in CDCl(3)), CD, and MD studies led to the identification of robust 14/12-mixed helices. This is in agreement with the data from a theoretical conformational analysis on the basis of ab initio MO theory providing a complete overview on all formally possible hydrogen-bonded helix patterns of alpha/epsilon-hybrid peptides with 1:1 backbone alternation. The "new motif" of a mixed 14/12-helix was predicted as most stable in vacuum. Obviously, the formation of ordered secondary structures is also possible in peptide foldamers with amino acid constituents of considerable backbone lengths. Thus, alpha/epsilon-hybrid peptides expand the domain of foldamers and allow the introduction of desired functionalities via the alpha-amino acid constituents.

76 FR 48002 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; State of California; Interstate...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-08

...EPA is finalizing a limited approval and limited disapproval of a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of California on November 17, 2007, to address the ``transport SIP'' provisions of Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) for the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS or standards) and the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS. Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the CAA requires that each SIP contain, among other things, adequate measures prohibiting emissions of air pollutants in amounts which will interfere with any other State's measures required under title I, part C of the CAA to prevent significant deterioration of air quality. EPA is approving California's SIP revision with respect to those Districts that implement SIP- approved permit programs meeting the approval criteria and simultaneously disapproving California's SIP revision with respect to those Districts that do not implement SIP-approved permit programs meeting the approval criteria, as discussed in our May 31, 2011 proposed rule (76 FR 31263).

Coffee phenolic phytochemicals suppress colon cancer metastasis by targeting MEK and TOPK

PubMed Central

Kang, Nam Joo; Lee, Ki Won; Kim, Bo Hyun; Bode, Ann M.; Lee, Hyo-Jeong; Heo, Yong-Seok; Boardman, Lisa; Limburg, Paul; Lee, Hyong Joo; Dong, Zigang

2011-01-01

Epidemiological studies suggest that coffee consumption reduces the risk of cancers, including colon cancer, but the molecular mechanisms and target(s) underlying the chemopreventive effects of coffee and its active ingredient(s) remain unknown. Based on serving size or daily units, coffee contains larger amounts of phenolic phytochemicals than tea or red wine. Coffee or chlorogenic acid inhibited CT-26 colon cancer cell-induced lung metastasis by blocking phosphorylation of ERKs. Coffee or caffeic acid (CaA) strongly suppressed mitogen-activated MEK1 and TOPK activities and bound directly to either MEK1 or TOPK in an ATP-noncompetitive manner. Coffee or CaA, but not caffeine, inhibited ERKs phosphorylation, AP-1 and NF-κB transactivation and subsequently inhibited TPA-, EGF- and H-Ras-induced neoplastic transformation of JB6 P+ cells. Coffee consumption was also associated with a significant attenuation of ERKs phosphorylation in colon cancer patients. These results suggest that coffee and CaA target MEK1 and TOPK to suppress colon cancer metastasis and neoplastic cell transformation. PMID:21317303

Microwave-based medical diagnosis using particle swarm optimization algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Modiri, Arezoo

This dissertation proposes and investigates a novel architecture intended for microwave-based medical diagnosis (MBMD). Furthermore, this investigation proposes novel modifications of particle swarm optimization algorithm for achieving enhanced convergence performance. MBMD has been investigated through a variety of innovative techniques in the literature since the 1990's and has shown significant promise in early detection of some specific health threats. In comparison to the X-ray- and gamma-ray-based diagnostic tools, MBMD does not expose patients to ionizing radiation; and due to the maturity of microwave technology, it lends itself to miniaturization of the supporting systems. This modality has been shown to be effective in detecting breast malignancy, and hence, this study focuses on the same modality. A novel radiator device and detection technique is proposed and investigated in this dissertation. As expected, hardware design and implementation are of paramount importance in such a study, and a good deal of research, analysis, and evaluation has been done in this regard which will be reported in ensuing chapters of this dissertation. It is noteworthy that an important element of any detection system is the algorithm used for extracting signatures. Herein, the strong intrinsic potential of the swarm-intelligence-based algorithms in solving complicated electromagnetic problems is brought to bear. This task is accomplished through addressing both mathematical and electromagnetic problems. These problems are called benchmark problems throughout this dissertation, since they have known answers. After evaluating the performance of the algorithm for the chosen benchmark problems, the algorithm is applied to MBMD tumor detection problem. The chosen benchmark problems have already been tackled by solution techniques other than particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, the results of which can be found in the literature. However, due to the relatively high level of complexity and randomness inherent to the selection of electromagnetic benchmark problems, a trend to resort to oversimplification in order to arrive at reasonable solutions has been taken in literature when utilizing analytical techniques. Here, an attempt has been made to avoid oversimplification when using the proposed swarm-based optimization algorithms.

There is no one-size-fits-all product for InSAR; on the inclusion of contextual information for geodetically-proof InSAR data products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanssen, R. F.

2017-12-01

In traditional geodesy, one is interested in determining the coordinates, or the change in coordinates, of predefined benchmarks. These benchmarks are clearly identifiable and are especially established to be representative of the signal of interest. This holds, e.g., for leveling benchmarks, for triangulation/trilateration benchmarks, and for GNSS benchmarks. The desired coordinates are not identical to the basic measurements, and need to be estimated using robust estimation procedures, where the stochastic nature of the measurements is taken into account. For InSAR, however, the `benchmarks' are not predefined. In fact, usually we do not know where an effective benchmark is located, even though we can determine its dynamic behavior pretty well. This poses several significant problems. First, we cannot describe the quality of the measurements, unless we already know the dynamic behavior of the benchmark. Second, if we don't know the quality of the measurements, we cannot compute the quality of the estimated parameters. Third, rather harsh assumptions need to be made to produce a result. These (usually implicit) assumptions differ between processing operators and the used software, and are severely affected by the amount of available data. Fourth, the `relative' nature of the final estimates is usually not explicitly stated, which is particularly problematic for non-expert users. Finally, whereas conventional geodesy applies rigorous testing to check for measurement or model errors, this is hardly ever done in InSAR-geodesy. These problems make it rather impossible to provide a precise, reliable, repeatable, and `universal' InSAR product or service. Here we evaluate the requirements and challenges to move towards InSAR as a geodetically-proof product. In particular this involves the explicit inclusion of contextual information, as well as InSAR procedures, standards and a technical protocol, supported by the International Association of Geodesy and the international scientific community.

How Much Debt Is Too Much? Defining Benchmarks for Manageable Student Debt

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baum, Sandy; Schwartz, Saul

2006-01-01

Many discussions of student loan repayment focus on those students for whom repayment is a problem and conclude that the reliance on debt to finance postsecondary education is excessive. However, from both a pragmatic perspective and a logical perspective, a more appropriate approach is to develop different benchmarks for students in different…

A novel hybrid meta-heuristic technique applied to the well-known benchmark optimization problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abtahi, Amir-Reza; Bijari, Afsane

2017-03-01

In this paper, a hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm, based on imperialistic competition algorithm (ICA), harmony search (HS), and simulated annealing (SA) is presented. The body of the proposed hybrid algorithm is based on ICA. The proposed hybrid algorithm inherits the advantages of the process of harmony creation in HS algorithm to improve the exploitation phase of the ICA algorithm. In addition, the proposed hybrid algorithm uses SA to make a balance between exploration and exploitation phases. The proposed hybrid algorithm is compared with several meta-heuristic methods, including genetic algorithm (GA), HS, and ICA on several well-known benchmark instances. The comprehensive experiments and statistical analysis on standard benchmark functions certify the superiority of the proposed method over the other algorithms. The efficacy of the proposed hybrid algorithm is promising and can be used in several real-life engineering and management problems.

A Bayesian approach to traffic light detection and mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosseinyalamdary, Siavash; Yilmaz, Alper

2017-03-01

Automatic traffic light detection and mapping is an open research problem. The traffic lights vary in color, shape, geolocation, activation pattern, and installation which complicate their automated detection. In addition, the image of the traffic lights may be noisy, overexposed, underexposed, or occluded. In order to address this problem, we propose a Bayesian inference framework to detect and map traffic lights. In addition to the spatio-temporal consistency constraint, traffic light characteristics such as color, shape and height is shown to further improve the accuracy of the proposed approach. The proposed approach has been evaluated on two benchmark datasets and has been shown to outperform earlier studies. The results show that the precision and recall rates for the KITTI benchmark are 95.78 % and 92.95 % respectively and the precision and recall rates for the LARA benchmark are 98.66 % and 94.65 % .

Evaluation of Neutron Response of Criticality Accident Alarm System Detector to Quasi-Monoenergetic 24 keV Neutrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsujimura, Norio; Yoshida, Tadayoshi; Yashima, Hiroshi

The criticality accident alarm system (CAAS), which was recently developed and installed at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency's Tokai Reprocessing Plant, consists of a plastic scintillator combined with a cadmium-lined polyethylene moderator and thereby responds to both neutrons and gamma rays. To evaluate the neutron absorbed dose rate response of the CAAS detector, a 24 keV quasi-monoenergetic neutron irradiation experiment was performed at the B-1 facility of the Kyoto University Research Reactor. The detector's evaluated neutron response was confirmed to agree reasonably well with prior computer-predicted responses.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-24

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Orion crew access arm (CAA) is lifted and attached to the Mobile Launcher (ML). The arm is installed at about the 274-foot level on the ML tower. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System (SLS), rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Crew Access Arm Install on Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-24

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Orion crew access arm (CAA) is lifted and attached to the Mobile Launcher (ML). The arm is installed at about the 274-foot level on the ML tower. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System (SLS), rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane positions the Orion crew access arm (CAA) so it can be attached to the mobile launcher (ML). The arm will be installed at about the 274-foot level on the ML tower. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System (SLS), rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane lifts the Orion crew access arm (CAA) so it can be attached to the mobile launcher (ML). The arm will be installed at about the 274-foot level on the ML tower. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System (SLS), rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane begins lifting the Orion crew access arm (CAA) so it can be attached to the mobile launcher (ML). The arm will be installed at about the 274-foot level on the ML tower. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System (SLS), rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

Viewed from the 274-foot level mobile launcher (ML), a crane positions the Orion crew access arm (CAA) so it can be attached to the tower that will support the Space launch System (SLS) rocket at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the SLS, rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Summary of the Tandem Cylinder Solutions from the Benchmark Problems for Airframe Noise Computations-I Workshop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lockard, David P.

2011-01-01

Fifteen submissions in the tandem cylinders category of the First Workshop on Benchmark problems for Airframe Noise Computations are summarized. Although the geometry is relatively simple, the problem involves complex physics. Researchers employed various block-structured, overset, unstructured and embedded Cartesian grid techniques and considerable computational resources to simulate the flow. The solutions are compared against each other and experimental data from 2 facilities. Overall, the simulations captured the gross features of the flow, but resolving all the details which would be necessary to compute the noise remains challenging. In particular, how to best simulate the effects of the experimental transition strip, and the associated high Reynolds number effects, was unclear. Furthermore, capturing the spanwise variation proved difficult.

Novel probabilistic neuroclassifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Jiang; Serpen, Gursel

2003-09-01

A novel probabilistic potential function neural network classifier algorithm to deal with classes which are multi-modally distributed and formed from sets of disjoint pattern clusters is proposed in this paper. The proposed classifier has a number of desirable properties which distinguish it from other neural network classifiers. A complete description of the algorithm in terms of its architecture and the pseudocode is presented. Simulation analysis of the newly proposed neuro-classifier algorithm on a set of benchmark problems is presented. Benchmark problems tested include IRIS, Sonar, Vowel Recognition, Two-Spiral, Wisconsin Breast Cancer, Cleveland Heart Disease and Thyroid Gland Disease. Simulation results indicate that the proposed neuro-classifier performs consistently better for a subset of problems for which other neural classifiers perform relatively poorly.

High-resolution Self-Organizing Maps for advanced visualization and dimension reduction.

PubMed

Saraswati, Ayu; Nguyen, Van Tuc; Hagenbuchner, Markus; Tsoi, Ah Chung

2018-05-04

Kohonen's Self Organizing feature Map (SOM) provides an effective way to project high dimensional input features onto a low dimensional display space while preserving the topological relationships among the input features. Recent advances in algorithms that take advantages of modern computing hardware introduced the concept of high resolution SOMs (HRSOMs). This paper investigates the capabilities and applicability of the HRSOM as a visualization tool for cluster analysis and its suitabilities to serve as a pre-processor in ensemble learning models. The evaluation is conducted on a number of established benchmarks and real-world learning problems, namely, the policeman benchmark, two web spam detection problems, a network intrusion detection problem, and a malware detection problem. It is found that the visualization resulted from an HRSOM provides new insights concerning these learning problems. It is furthermore shown empirically that broad benefits from the use of HRSOMs in both clustering and classification problems can be expected. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

I/O-Efficient Scientific Computation Using TPIE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vengroff, Darren Erik; Vitter, Jeffrey Scott

1996-01-01

In recent years, input/output (I/O)-efficient algorithms for a wide variety of problems have appeared in the literature. However, systems specifically designed to assist programmers in implementing such algorithms have remained scarce. TPIE is a system designed to support I/O-efficient paradigms for problems from a variety of domains, including computational geometry, graph algorithms, and scientific computation. The TPIE interface frees programmers from having to deal not only with explicit read and write calls, but also the complex memory management that must be performed for I/O-efficient computation. In this paper we discuss applications of TPIE to problems in scientific computation. We discuss algorithmic issues underlying the design and implementation of the relevant components of TPIE and present performance results of programs written to solve a series of benchmark problems using our current TPIE prototype. Some of the benchmarks we present are based on the NAS parallel benchmarks while others are of our own creation. We demonstrate that the central processing unit (CPU) overhead required to manage I/O is small and that even with just a single disk, the I/O overhead of I/O-efficient computation ranges from negligible to the same order of magnitude as CPU time. We conjecture that if we use a number of disks in parallel this overhead can be all but eliminated.

Hospital-affiliated practices reduce 'red ink'.

PubMed

Bohlmann, R C

1998-01-01

Many complain that hospital-group practice affiliations are a failed model and should be abandoned. The author argues for a less rash approach, saying the goal should be to understand the problems precisely, then fix them. Benchmarking is a good place to start. The article outlines the basic definition and ground rules of bench-marking and explains what resources help accomplish the task.

Fast ice in the Canadian Arctic: Climatology, Atmospheric Forcing and Relation to Bathymetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galley, R. J.; Barber, D. G.

2010-12-01

Mobile sea ice in the northern hemisphere has experienced significant reductions in both extent and thickness over the last thirty years, and global climate models agree that these decreases will continue. However, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA) creates a much different icescape than in the central Arctic Ocean due to its distinctive topographic, bathymetric and climatological conditions. Of particular interest is the continued viability of landfast sea ice as a means of transportation and platform for transportation and hunting for the Canadian Inuit that reside in the region, as is the possibility of the Northwest Passage becoming a viable shipping lane in the future. Here we determine the climatological average landfast ice conditions in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago over the last 27 years, we investigate variability and trends in these landfast ice conditions, and we attempt to elucidate the physical parameters conducive to landfast sea ice formation in sub-regions of the CAA during different times of the year. We use the Canadian Ice Service digital sea ice charts between 1983 and 2009 on a 2x2km grid to determine the sea ice concentration-by-type and whether the sea ice in a grid cell was landfast on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis depending on the time of year. North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) atmospheric data were used in this work, including air temperature, surface level pressure and wind speed and direction. The bathymetric data employed was from the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean. Results indicate that the CAA sea ice regime is not climatologically analogous to the mobile sea ice of the central Arctic Ocean. The sea ice and the atmospheric and bathymetric properties that control the amount and timing of landfast sea ice within the CAA are regionally variable.

Cortical superficial siderosis and first-ever cerebral hemorrhage in cerebral amyloid angiopathy

PubMed Central

Boulouis, Gregoire; Xiong, Li; Jessel, Michel J.; Roongpiboonsopit, Duangnapa; Ayres, Alison; Schwab, Kristin M.; Rosand, Jonathan; Gurol, M. Edip; Greenberg, Steven M.; Viswanathan, Anand

2017-01-01

Objective: To investigate whether cortical superficial siderosis (cSS) is associated with increased risk of future first-ever symptomatic lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) presenting with neurologic symptoms and without ICH. Methods: Consecutive patients meeting modified Boston criteria for probable CAA in the absence of ICH from a single-center cohort were analyzed. cSS and other small vessel disease MRI markers were assessed according to recent consensus recommendations. Patients were followed prospectively for future incident symptomatic lobar ICH. Prespecified Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate cSS and first-ever lobar ICH risk adjusting for potential confounders. Results: The cohort included 236 patients with probable CAA without lobar ICH at baseline. cSS prevalence was 34%. During a median follow-up of 3.26 years (interquartile range 1.42–5.50 years), 27 of 236 patients (11.4%) experienced a first-ever symptomatic lobar ICH. cSS was a predictor of time until first ICH (p = 0.0007, log-rank test). The risk of symptomatic ICH at 5 years of follow-up was 19% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11%–32%) for patients with cSS at baseline vs 6% (95% CI 3%–12%) for patients without cSS. In multivariable Cox regression models, cSS presence was the only independent predictor of increased symptomatic ICH risk during follow-up (HR 4.04; 95% CI 1.73–9.44, p = 0.001), after adjusting for age, lobar cerebral microbleeds burden, and white matter hyperintensities. Conclusions: cSS is consistently associated with an increased risk of future lobar ICH in CAA with potentially important clinical implications for patient care decisions such as antithrombotic use. PMID:28356458

Corrective Action Decision Document/Corrective Action Plan for Corrective Action Unit 573: Alpha Contaminated Sites Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Matthews, Patrick

CAU 573 comprises the following corrective action sites (CASs): • 05-23-02, GMX Alpha Contaminated Area • 05-45-01, Atmospheric Test Site - Hamilton These two CASs include the release at the Hamilton weapons-related tower test and a series of 29 atmospheric experiments conducted at GMX. The two CASs are located in two distinctly separate areas within Area 5. To facilitate site investigation and data quality objective (DQO) decisions, all identified releases (i.e., CAS components) were organized into study groups. The reporting of investigation results and the evaluation of DQO decisions are at the release level. The corrective action alternatives (CAAs) weremore » evaluated at the FFACO CAS level. The purpose of this CADD/CAP is to evaluate potential CAAs, provide the rationale for the selection of recommended CAAs, and provide the plan for implementation of the recommended CAA for CAU 573. Corrective action investigation (CAI) activities were performed from January 2015 through November 2015, as set forth in the CAU 573 Corrective Action Investigation Plan (CAIP). Analytes detected during the CAI were evaluated against appropriate final action levels (FALs) to identify the contaminants of concern. Assessment of the data generated from investigation activities conducted at CAU 573 revealed the following: • Radiological contamination within CAU 573 does not exceed the FALs (based on the Occasional Use Area exposure scenario). • Chemical contamination within CAU 573 does not exceed the FALs. • Potential source material—including lead plates, lead bricks, and lead-shielded cables—was removed during the investigation and requires no additional corrective action.« less

A proteome analysis of the response of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa oxyR mutant to iron limitation.

PubMed

Vinckx, Tiffany; Wei, Qing; Matthijs, Sandra; Noben, Jean-Paul; Daniels, Ruth; Cornelis, Pierre

2011-06-01

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa the response to oxidative stress is orchestrated by the LysR regulator OxyR by activation of the transcription of two catalase genes (katA and katB), of the alkyl-hydroxyperoxidases ahpCF and ahpB. Next to the expected high sensitivity to oxidative stress generated by reactive oxygen species (ROS: H(2)O(2), O(2)(-)), the oxyR mutant shows a defective growth under conditions of iron limitation (Vinckx et al. 2008). Although production and uptake of the siderophore pyoverdine is not affected by the absence of oxyR, the mutant is unable to satisfy its need for iron when grown under iron limiting conditions. In order to get a better insight into the effects caused by iron limitation on the physiological response of the oxyR mutant we decided to compare the proteomes of the wild type and the mutant grown in the iron-poor casamino acids medium (CAA), in CAA plus H(2)O(2), and in CAA plus the strong iron chelator ethylenediamine-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) (EDDHA). Especially in the presence of hydrogen peroxide the oxyR cells increase the production of stress proteins (Dps and IbpA). The superoxide dismutase SodM is produced in higher amounts in the oxyR mutant grown in CAA plus H(2)O(2). The PchB protein, a isochorismate-pyruvate lyase involved in the siderophore pyochelin biosynthesis is not detectable in the extracts from the oxyR mutant grown in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. When cells were grown in the presence of EDDHA, we observed a reduction of the ferric uptake regulator (Fur), and an increase in the two subunits of the succinyl-CoA synthetase and the fumarase FumC1.

Benchmarking the Multidimensional Stellar Implicit Code MUSIC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goffrey, T.; Pratt, J.; Viallet, M.; Baraffe, I.; Popov, M. V.; Walder, R.; Folini, D.; Geroux, C.; Constantino, T.

2017-04-01

We present the results of a numerical benchmark study for the MUltidimensional Stellar Implicit Code (MUSIC) based on widely applicable two- and three-dimensional compressible hydrodynamics problems relevant to stellar interiors. MUSIC is an implicit large eddy simulation code that uses implicit time integration, implemented as a Jacobian-free Newton Krylov method. A physics based preconditioning technique which can be adjusted to target varying physics is used to improve the performance of the solver. The problems used for this benchmark study include the Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, and the decay of the Taylor-Green vortex. Additionally we show a test of hydrostatic equilibrium, in a stellar environment which is dominated by radiative effects. In this setting the flexibility of the preconditioning technique is demonstrated. This work aims to bridge the gap between the hydrodynamic test problems typically used during development of numerical methods and the complex flows of stellar interiors. A series of multidimensional tests were performed and analysed. Each of these test cases was analysed with a simple, scalar diagnostic, with the aim of enabling direct code comparisons. As the tests performed do not have analytic solutions, we verify MUSIC by comparing it to established codes including ATHENA and the PENCIL code. MUSIC is able to both reproduce behaviour from established and widely-used codes as well as results expected from theoretical predictions. This benchmarking study concludes a series of papers describing the development of the MUSIC code and provides confidence in future applications.

Accurate ω-ψ Spectral Solution of the Singular Driven Cavity Problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auteri, F.; Quartapelle, L.; Vigevano, L.

2002-08-01

This article provides accurate spectral solutions of the driven cavity problem, calculated in the vorticity-stream function representation without smoothing the corner singularities—a prima facie impossible task. As in a recent benchmark spectral calculation by primitive variables of Botella and Peyret, closed-form contributions of the singular solution for both zero and finite Reynolds numbers are subtracted from the unknown of the problem tackled here numerically in biharmonic form. The method employed is based on a split approach to the vorticity and stream function equations, a Galerkin-Legendre approximation of the problem for the perturbation, and an evaluation of the nonlinear terms by Gauss-Legendre numerical integration. Results computed for Re=0, 100, and 1000 compare well with the benchmark steady solutions provided by the aforementioned collocation-Chebyshev projection method. The validity of the proposed singularity subtraction scheme for computing time-dependent solutions is also established.

Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 568: Area 3 Plutonium Dispersion Sites Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, Revision 1

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

Matthews, Patrick

The purpose of this CR is to provide documentation and justification that no further corrective action is needed for the closure of CAU 568 based on the implementation of corrective actions. This includes a description of closure activities that were performed and an evaluation of the verification data. The CAP (NNSA/NFO, 2016a) and ROTC-1 (NNSA/NFO, 2016c) provide information relating to the selection of CAAs and the reasoning behind their selection. The CADD (NNSA/NFO, 2015) identifies the release sites that require additional corrective action and presents information supporting the selection of CAAs.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-24

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane is prepared to lift the Orion crew access arm (CAA) so it can be attached to the mobile launcher (ML). The arm will be installed at about the 274-foot level on the ML tower. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System, or SLS, rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

Under the watchful eye of technicians and engineers, a crane begins lifting the Orion crew access arm (CAA) so it can be attached to the mobile launcher (ML) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The arm will be installed at about the 274-foot level on the ML tower. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System (SLS), rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians assist as a crane lifts the Orion crew access arm (CAA) so it can be attached to the mobile launcher (ML). The arm will be installed at about the 274-foot level on the ML tower. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System (SLS), rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Heterogeneous histopathology of cortical microbleeds in cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

PubMed

van Veluw, Susanne J; Biessels, Geert Jan; Klijn, Catharina J M; Rozemuller, Annemieke J M

2016-03-01

To investigate the histopathologic substrate of microbleeds detected on 7T postmortem MRI in autopsy cases with severe cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and Alzheimer pathology. Five decedents (mean age at death 79.6 ± 5.7 years) with documented severe CAA and Alzheimer pathology on standard neuropathologic examination were selected from a local database. Formalin-fixed coronal brain slices were scanned at 7T MRI, including high-resolution T2- and T2*-weighted sequences. Representative microbleeds from each case were sampled for histopathologic analysis, including the presence of blood, blood breakdown products, and markers of ischemic tissue injury. On MRI, we identified >300 cortical and 4 subcortical microbleeds. Two out of 15 sampled cortical microbleeds corresponded histologically to erythrocytes (suggestive of recent hemorrhages), 4 to vasculopathies (fibrinoid necrosis in 3 and a cavernoma) without substantial parenchymal tissue injury, and 9 to accumulations of iron-positive siderophages without erythrocytes (suggestive of old hemorrhages) combined with mild to moderate degrees of chronic ischemic tissue injury. This study provides evidence for heterogeneous pathologic substrates and possibly different pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying MRI-observed cortical microbleeds in the context of advanced CAA and Alzheimer disease. © 2016 American Academy of Neurology.

Design and acceptability of the Aviation Laser Exposure Self-Assessment (ALESA).

PubMed

Waggel, Stephanie E; Hutchison, Ewan J

2013-03-01

There is an increase in reports of aircraft exposed to lasers directed from the ground. Approximately 2300 cases were reported to the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) in 2011. While the likelihood of injuries directly resulting from such exposure is currently low, this may increase with the increasing power of lasers. A project was undertaken to develop a rapid self-assessment tool that would assist pilots in determining whether permanent injury has occurred after eye exposure to a laser and whether professional assessment should be sought. Laser incidents reported to the UK CAA were analyzed. With the aid of expert advice, the Aviation Laser Exposure Self-Assessment (ALESA) tool was produced using key aspects of illumination needed to determine the risk of harm. There were 25 pilots and flight crewmembers who have experienced aviation laser exposure who were given the tool and their response was assessed with a questionnaire. There was a favorable response to five of the six measured aspects of the ALESA. The ALESA is considered a useful tool for pilots following laser exposure during flight. The UK CAA is making the tool available through its website.

Validation of High-Fidelity CFD/CAA Framework for Launch Vehicle Acoustic Environment Simulation against Scale Model Test Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liever, Peter A.; West, Jeffrey S.

2016-01-01

A hybrid Computational Fluid Dynamics and Computational Aero-Acoustics (CFD/CAA) modeling framework has been developed for launch vehicle liftoff acoustic environment predictions. The framework couples the existing highly-scalable NASA production CFD code, Loci/CHEM, with a high-order accurate discontinuous Galerkin solver developed in the same production framework, Loci/THRUST, to accurately resolve and propagate acoustic physics across the entire launch environment. Time-accurate, Hybrid RANS/LES CFD modeling is applied for predicting the acoustic generation physics at the plume source, and a high-order accurate unstructured discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method is employed to propagate acoustic waves away from the source across large distances using high-order accurate schemes. The DG solver is capable of solving 2nd, 3rd, and 4th order Euler solutions for non-linear, conservative acoustic field propagation. Initial application testing and validation has been carried out against high resolution acoustic data from the Ares Scale Model Acoustic Test (ASMAT) series to evaluate the capabilities and production readiness of the CFD/CAA system to resolve the observed spectrum of acoustic frequency content. This paper presents results from this validation and outlines efforts to mature and improve the computational simulation framework.

Assessment Of Coronary Artery Aneurysms Using Transluminal Attenuation Gradient And Computational Modeling In Kawasaki Disease Patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grande Gutierrez, Noelia; Kahn, Andrew; Shirinsky, Olga; Gagarina, Nina; Lyskina, Galina; Fukazawa, Ryuji; Owaga, Shunichi; Burns, Jane; Marsden, Alison

2015-11-01

Kawasaki Disease (KD) can result in coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) in up to 25% of patients, putting them at risk of thrombus formation, myocardial infarction and sudden death. Clinical guidelines recommend CAA diameter >8 mm as the arbitrary criterion for initiating systemic anticoagulation. KD patient specific modeling and flow simulations suggest that hemodynamic data can predict regions at increased risk of thrombosis. Transluminal Attenuation Gradient (TAG) is determined from the change in radiological attenuation per vessel length and has been proposed as a non-invasive method for characterizing coronary stenosis from CT Angiography. We hypothesized that CAA abnormal flow could be quantified using TAG. We computed hemodynamics for patient specific coronary models using a stabilized finite element method, coupled numerically to a lumped parameter network to model the heart and vascular boundary conditions. TAG was quantified in the major coronary arteries. We compared TAG for aneurysmal and normal arteries and we analyzed TAG correlation with hemodynamic and geometrical parameters. Our results suggest that TAG may provide hemodynamic data not available from anatomy alone. TAG represents a possible extension to standard CTA that could help to better evaluate the risk of thrombus formation in KD.

The method of space-time conservation element and solution element-applications to one-dimensional and two-dimensional time-marching flow problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chang, Sin-Chung; Wang, Xiao-Yen; Chow, Chuen-Yen

1995-01-01

A nontraditional numerical method for solving conservation laws is being developed. The new method is designed from a physicist's perspective, i.e., its development is based more on physics than numerics. Even though it uses only the simplest approximation techniques, a 2D time-marching Euler solver developed recently using the new method is capable of generating nearly perfect solutions for a 2D shock reflection problem used by Helen Yee and others. Moreover, a recent application of this solver to computational aeroacoustics (CAA) problems reveals that: (1) accuracy of its results is comparable to that of a 6th order compact difference scheme even though nominally the current solver is only of 2nd-order accuracy; (2) generally, the non-reflecting boundary condition can be implemented in a simple way without involving characteristic variables; and (3) most importantly, the current solver is capable of handling both continuous and discontinuous flows very well and thus provides a unique numerical tool for solving those flow problems where the interactions between sound waves and shocks are important, such as the noise field around a supersonic over- or under-expansion jet.

Benchmarking the D-Wave Two

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Job, Joshua; Wang, Zhihui; Rønnow, Troels; Troyer, Matthias; Lidar, Daniel

2014-03-01

We report on experimental work benchmarking the performance of the D-Wave Two programmable annealer on its native Ising problem, and a comparison to available classical algorithms. In this talk we will focus on the comparison with an algorithm originally proposed and implemented by Alex Selby. This algorithm uses dynamic programming to repeatedly optimize over randomly selected maximal induced trees of the problem graph starting from a random initial state. If one is looking for a quantum advantage over classical algorithms, one should compare to classical algorithms which are designed and optimized to maximally take advantage of the structure of the type of problem one is using for the comparison. In that light, this classical algorithm should serve as a good gauge for any potential quantum speedup for the D-Wave Two.

(U) Analytic First and Second Derivatives of the Uncollided Leakage for a Homogeneous Sphere

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

Favorite, Jeffrey A.

2017-04-26

The second-order adjoint sensitivity analysis methodology (2nd-ASAM), developed by Cacuci, has been applied by Cacuci to derive second derivatives of a response with respect to input parameters for uncollided particles in an inhomogeneous transport problem. In this memo, we present an analytic benchmark for verifying the derivatives of the 2nd-ASAM. The problem is a homogeneous sphere, and the response is the uncollided total leakage. This memo does not repeat the formulas given in Ref. 2. We are preparing a journal article that will include the derivation of Ref. 2 and the benchmark of this memo.

A Study of Fixed-Order Mixed Norm Designs for a Benchmark Problem in Structural Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whorton, Mark S.; Calise, Anthony J.; Hsu, C. C.

1998-01-01

This study investigates the use of H2, p-synthesis, and mixed H2/mu methods to construct full-order controllers and optimized controllers of fixed dimensions. The benchmark problem definition is first extended to include uncertainty within the controller bandwidth in the form of parametric uncertainty representative of uncertainty in the natural frequencies of the design model. The sensitivity of H2 design to unmodelled dynamics and parametric uncertainty is evaluated for a range of controller levels of authority. Next, mu-synthesis methods are applied to design full-order compensators that are robust to both unmodelled dynamics and to parametric uncertainty. Finally, a set of mixed H2/mu compensators are designed which are optimized for a fixed compensator dimension. These mixed norm designs recover the H, design performance levels while providing the same levels of robust stability as the u designs. It is shown that designing with the mixed norm approach permits higher levels of controller authority for which the H, designs are destabilizing. The benchmark problem is that of an active tendon system. The controller designs are all based on the use of acceleration feedback.

Integrated Sensing Processor, Phase 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-12-01

performance analysis for several baseline classifiers including neural nets, linear classifiers, and kNN classifiers. Use of CCDR as a preprocessing step...below the level of the benchmark non-linear classifier for this problem ( kNN ). Furthermore, the CCDR preconditioned kNN achieved a 10% improvement over...the benchmark kNN without CCDR. Finally, we found an important connection between intrinsic dimension estimation via entropic graphs and the optimal

Numerical Boundary Conditions for Computational Aeroacoustics Benchmark Problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tam, Chritsopher K. W.; Kurbatskii, Konstantin A.; Fang, Jun

1997-01-01

Category 1, Problems 1 and 2, Category 2, Problem 2, and Category 3, Problem 2 are solved computationally using the Dispersion-Relation-Preserving (DRP) scheme. All these problems are governed by the linearized Euler equations. The resolution requirements of the DRP scheme for maintaining low numerical dispersion and dissipation as well as accurate wave speeds in solving the linearized Euler equations are now well understood. As long as 8 or more mesh points per wavelength is employed in the numerical computation, high quality results are assured. For the first three categories of benchmark problems, therefore, the real challenge is to develop high quality numerical boundary conditions. For Category 1, Problems 1 and 2, it is the curved wall boundary conditions. For Category 2, Problem 2, it is the internal radiation boundary conditions inside the duct. For Category 3, Problem 2, they are the inflow and outflow boundary conditions upstream and downstream of the blade row. These are the foci of the present investigation. Special nonhomogeneous radiation boundary conditions that generate the incoming disturbances and at the same time allow the outgoing reflected or scattered acoustic disturbances to leave the computation domain without significant reflection are developed. Numerical results based on these boundary conditions are provided.

Supply network configuration—A benchmarking problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandenburg, Marcus

2018-03-01

Managing supply networks is a highly relevant task that strongly influences the competitiveness of firms from various industries. Designing supply networks is a strategic process that considerably affects the structure of the whole network. In contrast, supply networks for new products are configured without major adaptations of the existing structure, but the network has to be configured before the new product is actually launched in the marketplace. Due to dynamics and uncertainties, the resulting planning problem is highly complex. However, formal models and solution approaches that support supply network configuration decisions for new products are scant. The paper at hand aims at stimulating related model-based research. To formulate mathematical models and solution procedures, a benchmarking problem is introduced which is derived from a case study of a cosmetics manufacturer. Tasks, objectives, and constraints of the problem are described in great detail and numerical values and ranges of all problem parameters are given. In addition, several directions for future research are suggested.

Mathematical model and metaheuristics for simultaneous balancing and sequencing of a robotic mixed-model assembly line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zixiang; Janardhanan, Mukund Nilakantan; Tang, Qiuhua; Nielsen, Peter

2018-05-01

This article presents the first method to simultaneously balance and sequence robotic mixed-model assembly lines (RMALB/S), which involves three sub-problems: task assignment, model sequencing and robot allocation. A new mixed-integer programming model is developed to minimize makespan and, using CPLEX solver, small-size problems are solved for optimality. Two metaheuristics, the restarted simulated annealing algorithm and co-evolutionary algorithm, are developed and improved to address this NP-hard problem. The restarted simulated annealing method replaces the current temperature with a new temperature to restart the search process. The co-evolutionary method uses a restart mechanism to generate a new population by modifying several vectors simultaneously. The proposed algorithms are tested on a set of benchmark problems and compared with five other high-performing metaheuristics. The proposed algorithms outperform their original editions and the benchmarked methods. The proposed algorithms are able to solve the balancing and sequencing problem of a robotic mixed-model assembly line effectively and efficiently.

The rotating movement of three immiscible fluids - A benchmark problem

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bakker, M.; Oude, Essink G.H.P.; Langevin, C.D.

2004-01-01

A benchmark problem involving the rotating movement of three immiscible fluids is proposed for verifying the density-dependent flow component of groundwater flow codes. The problem consists of a two-dimensional strip in the vertical plane filled with three fluids of different densities separated by interfaces. Initially, the interfaces between the fluids make a 45??angle with the horizontal. Over time, the fluids rotate to the stable position whereby the interfaces are horizontal; all flow is caused by density differences. Two cases of the problem are presented, one resulting in a symmetric flow field and one resulting in an asymmetric flow field. An exact analytical solution for the initial flow field is presented by application of the vortex theory and complex variables. Numerical results are obtained using three variable-density groundwater flow codes (SWI, MOCDENS3D, and SEAWAT). Initial horizontal velocities of the interfaces, as simulated by the three codes, compare well with the exact solution. The three codes are used to simulate the positions of the interfaces at two times; the three codes produce nearly identical results. The agreement between the results is evidence that the specific rotational behavior predicted by the models is correct. It also shows that the proposed problem may be used to benchmark variable-density codes. It is concluded that the three models can be used to model accurately the movement of interfaces between immiscible fluids, and have little or no numerical dispersion. ?? 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A new numerical benchmark for variably saturated variable-density flow and transport in porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guevara, Carlos; Graf, Thomas

2016-04-01

In subsurface hydrological systems, spatial and temporal variations in solute concentration and/or temperature may affect fluid density and viscosity. These variations could lead to potentially unstable situations, in which a dense fluid overlies a less dense fluid. These situations could produce instabilities that appear as dense plume fingers migrating downwards counteracted by vertical upwards flow of freshwater (Simmons et al., Transp. Porous Medium, 2002). As a result of unstable variable-density flow, solute transport rates are increased over large distances and times as compared to constant-density flow. The numerical simulation of variable-density flow in saturated and unsaturated media requires corresponding benchmark problems against which a computer model is validated (Diersch and Kolditz, Adv. Water Resour, 2002). Recorded data from a laboratory-scale experiment of variable-density flow and solute transport in saturated and unsaturated porous media (Simmons et al., Transp. Porous Medium, 2002) is used to define a new numerical benchmark. The HydroGeoSphere code (Therrien et al., 2004) coupled with PEST (www.pesthomepage.org) are used to obtain an optimized parameter set capable of adequately representing the data set by Simmons et al., (2002). Fingering in the numerical model is triggered using random hydraulic conductivity fields. Due to the inherent randomness, a large number of simulations were conducted in this study. The optimized benchmark model adequately predicts the plume behavior and the fate of solutes. This benchmark is useful for model verification of variable-density flow problems in saturated and/or unsaturated media.

Using GTO-Velo to Facilitate Communication and Sharing of Simulation Results in Support of the Geothermal Technologies Office Code Comparison Study

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

White, Signe K.; Purohit, Sumit; Boyd, Lauren W.

The Geothermal Technologies Office Code Comparison Study (GTO-CCS) aims to support the DOE Geothermal Technologies Office in organizing and executing a model comparison activity. This project is directed at testing, diagnosing differences, and demonstrating modeling capabilities of a worldwide collection of numerical simulators for evaluating geothermal technologies. Teams of researchers are collaborating in this code comparison effort, and it is important to be able to share results in a forum where technical discussions can easily take place without requiring teams to travel to a common location. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed an open-source, flexible framework called Velo that providesmore » a knowledge management infrastructure and tools to support modeling and simulation for a variety of types of projects in a number of scientific domains. GTO-Velo is a customized version of the Velo Framework that is being used as the collaborative tool in support of the GTO-CCS project. Velo is designed around a novel integration of a collaborative Web-based environment and a scalable enterprise Content Management System (CMS). The underlying framework provides a flexible and unstructured data storage system that allows for easy upload of files that can be in any format. Data files are organized in hierarchical folders and each folder and each file has a corresponding wiki page for metadata. The user interacts with Velo through a web browser based wiki technology, providing the benefit of familiarity and ease of use. High-level folders have been defined in GTO-Velo for the benchmark problem descriptions, descriptions of simulator/code capabilities, a project notebook, and folders for participating teams. Each team has a subfolder with write access limited only to the team members, where they can upload their simulation results. The GTO-CCS participants are charged with defining the benchmark problems for the study, and as each GTO-CCS Benchmark problem is defined, the problem creator can provide a description using a template on the metadata page corresponding to the benchmark problem folder. Project documents, references and videos of the weekly online meetings are shared via GTO-Velo. A results comparison tool allows users to plot their uploaded simulation results on the fly, along with those of other teams, to facilitate weekly discussions of the benchmark problem results being generated by the teams. GTO-Velo is an invaluable tool providing the project coordinators and team members with a framework for collaboration among geographically dispersed organizations.« less

A Pliocene chronostratigraphy for the Canadian western and high Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gosse, John; Braschi, Lea; Rybczynski, Natalia; Lakeman, Thomas; Zimmerman, Susan; Finkel, Robert; Barendregt, Rene; Matthews, John

2014-05-01

The Beaufort Formation comprises an extensive (1200 km long, more than 1 km thick) clastic wedge that formed during the Pliocene along the western Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA). In the western Arctic, the Ballast Brook (BB) site on Banks Is. exposes more than 20 km of section through the sandy and pebble sandy braided stream deposits with detrital organic beds. Farther north, Beaufort Fm fluvial and estuarine facies have been examined on Meighen Is. In the high Arctic, high terrace gravels (450 m high surface) at the Fyles Leaf Bed (FLB) and Beaver Pond (BP) sites on Ellesmere Is. are not considered part of the Beaufort Fm but have similar paleoenvironmental records. Fossil plant and faunal material from these sediments is often very well preserved and provides evidence of a boreal-type forest and peatlands. The BP fossil site preserves the remains of fossil vertebrates including fish, frog, horse, beaver, deerlet, and black bear, consistent with a boreal type forest habitat. The FLB site has recently yielded the first fossil evidence for a High Arctic camel, identified with the help of collagen fingerprinting from a fragmentary limb bone (tibia). Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Ellesmere sites has yielded a Mean Annual Temperature of between 14 to 22 degrees Celsius warmer than today. Minimum cosmogenic nuclide burial ages of 3.4 and 3.8 Ma obtained for the BP and FLB sites, respectively, are consistent with vertebrate and floral biostratigraphic evidence. The paleoenvironmental records from the Beaufort Fm in the western CAA sites have revealed a similar ecosystem with noteworthy differences in MAT and perhaps seasonality. New burial ages from Meighen Is. indicate a maximum age of 6.1 Ma, consistent with yet much older than previous age estimates, but supportive of paleomagnetic and biostratigraphy at the same location. The age differences may account for some of the interpreted variations in paleoenvironments, in addition to spatial differences in climate. The Beaufort Fm. appears to have filled at least the western portions of the ca. 100 km-wide channels that currently separate the islands of the CAA. Intervals of Pliocene continental-shelf progradation are recorded in the lower Iperk Fm, which is situated offshore and includes complex sigmoid-oblique clinoforms indicative of high-energy, coarse-clastic, deltaic sedimentation. A key objective of our research is to derive new age estimates and improved correlations among the Beaufort and Iperk Formations and high terrace gravels in order to test hypotheses to explain the nature of the dramatic landscape changes responsible for their deposition and the infilling of the CAA channels. If the channels of the modern CAA function as a heat source during winter months and a heat sink during summer months, infilling of the CAA channels and development of a broad coastal plain in the Pliocene may have shut down this radiative process, resulting in increased seasonality and continentality.

SPACE PROPULSION SYSTEM PHASED-MISSION PROBABILITY ANALYSIS USING CONVENTIONAL PRA METHODS

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

Curtis Smith; James Knudsen

As part of a series of papers on the topic of advance probabilistic methods, a benchmark phased-mission problem has been suggested. This problem consists of modeling a space mission using an ion propulsion system, where the mission consists of seven mission phases. The mission requires that the propulsion operate for several phases, where the configuration changes as a function of phase. The ion propulsion system itself consists of five thruster assemblies and a single propellant supply, where each thruster assembly has one propulsion power unit and two ion engines. In this paper, we evaluate the probability of mission failure usingmore » the conventional methodology of event tree/fault tree analysis. The event tree and fault trees are developed and analyzed using Systems Analysis Programs for Hands-on Integrated Reliability Evaluations (SAPHIRE). While the benchmark problem is nominally a "dynamic" problem, in our analysis the mission phases are modeled in a single event tree to show the progression from one phase to the next. The propulsion system is modeled in fault trees to account for the operation; or in this case, the failure of the system. Specifically, the propulsion system is decomposed into each of the five thruster assemblies and fed into the appropriate N-out-of-M gate to evaluate mission failure. A separate fault tree for the propulsion system is developed to account for the different success criteria of each mission phase. Common-cause failure modeling is treated using traditional (i.e., parametrically) methods. As part of this paper, we discuss the overall results in addition to the positive and negative aspects of modeling dynamic situations with non-dynamic modeling techniques. One insight from the use of this conventional method for analyzing the benchmark problem is that it requires significant manual manipulation to the fault trees and how they are linked into the event tree. The conventional method also requires editing the resultant cut sets to obtain the correct results. While conventional methods may be used to evaluate a dynamic system like that in the benchmark, the level of effort required may preclude its use on real-world problems.« less

Standardised Benchmarking in the Quest for Orthologs

PubMed Central

Altenhoff, Adrian M.; Boeckmann, Brigitte; Capella-Gutierrez, Salvador; Dalquen, Daniel A.; DeLuca, Todd; Forslund, Kristoffer; Huerta-Cepas, Jaime; Linard, Benjamin; Pereira, Cécile; Pryszcz, Leszek P.; Schreiber, Fabian; Sousa da Silva, Alan; Szklarczyk, Damian; Train, Clément-Marie; Bork, Peer; Lecompte, Odile; von Mering, Christian; Xenarios, Ioannis; Sjölander, Kimmen; Juhl Jensen, Lars; Martin, Maria J.; Muffato, Matthieu; Gabaldón, Toni; Lewis, Suzanna E.; Thomas, Paul D.; Sonnhammer, Erik; Dessimoz, Christophe

2016-01-01

The identification of evolutionarily related genes across different species—orthologs in particular—forms the backbone of many comparative, evolutionary, and functional genomic analyses. Achieving high accuracy in orthology inference is thus essential. Yet the true evolutionary history of genes, required to ascertain orthology, is generally unknown. Furthermore, orthologs are used for very different applications across different phyla, with different requirements in terms of the precision-recall trade-off. As a result, assessing the performance of orthology inference methods remains difficult for both users and method developers. Here, we present a community effort to establish standards in orthology benchmarking and facilitate orthology benchmarking through an automated web-based service (http://orthology.benchmarkservice.org). Using this new service, we characterise the performance of 15 well-established orthology inference methods and resources on a battery of 20 different benchmarks. Standardised benchmarking provides a way for users to identify the most effective methods for the problem at hand, sets a minimal requirement for new tools and resources, and guides the development of more accurate orthology inference methods. PMID:27043882

Algorithm and Architecture Independent Benchmarking with SEAK

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

Tallent, Nathan R.; Manzano Franco, Joseph B.; Gawande, Nitin A.

2016-05-23

Many applications of high performance embedded computing are limited by performance or power bottlenecks. We have designed the Suite for Embedded Applications & Kernels (SEAK), a new benchmark suite, (a) to capture these bottlenecks in a way that encourages creative solutions; and (b) to facilitate rigorous, objective, end-user evaluation for their solutions. To avoid biasing solutions toward existing algorithms, SEAK benchmarks use a mission-centric (abstracted from a particular algorithm) and goal-oriented (functional) specification. To encourage solutions that are any combination of software or hardware, we use an end-user black-box evaluation that can capture tradeoffs between performance, power, accuracy, size, andmore » weight. The tradeoffs are especially informative for procurement decisions. We call our benchmarks future proof because each mission-centric interface and evaluation remains useful despite shifting algorithmic preferences. It is challenging to create both concise and precise goal-oriented specifications for mission-centric problems. This paper describes the SEAK benchmark suite and presents an evaluation of sample solutions that highlights power and performance tradeoffs.« less

Benchmarking Problems Used in Second Year Level Organic Chemistry Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Raker, Jeffrey R.; Towns, Marcy H.

2010-01-01

Investigations of the problem types used in college-level general chemistry examinations have been reported in this Journal and were first reported in the "Journal of Chemical Education" in 1924. This study extends the findings from general chemistry to the problems of four college-level organic chemistry courses. Three problem…

Performance Comparison of NAMI DANCE and FLOW-3D® Models in Tsunami Propagation, Inundation and Currents using NTHMP Benchmark Problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velioglu Sogut, Deniz; Yalciner, Ahmet Cevdet

2018-06-01

Field observations provide valuable data regarding nearshore tsunami impact, yet only in inundation areas where tsunami waves have already flooded. Therefore, tsunami modeling is essential to understand tsunami behavior and prepare for tsunami inundation. It is necessary that all numerical models used in tsunami emergency planning be subject to benchmark tests for validation and verification. This study focuses on two numerical codes, NAMI DANCE and FLOW-3D®, for validation and performance comparison. NAMI DANCE is an in-house tsunami numerical model developed by the Ocean Engineering Research Center of Middle East Technical University, Turkey and Laboratory of Special Research Bureau for Automation of Marine Research, Russia. FLOW-3D® is a general purpose computational fluid dynamics software, which was developed by scientists who pioneered in the design of the Volume-of-Fluid technique. The codes are validated and their performances are compared via analytical, experimental and field benchmark problems, which are documented in the ``Proceedings and Results of the 2011 National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP) Model Benchmarking Workshop'' and the ``Proceedings and Results of the NTHMP 2015 Tsunami Current Modeling Workshop". The variations between the numerical solutions of these two models are evaluated through statistical error analysis.

Nonlinear model updating applied to the IMAC XXXII Round Robin benchmark system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurt, Mehmet; Moore, Keegan J.; Eriten, Melih; McFarland, D. Michael; Bergman, Lawrence A.; Vakakis, Alexander F.

2017-05-01

We consider the application of a new nonlinear model updating strategy to a computational benchmark system. The approach relies on analyzing system response time series in the frequency-energy domain by constructing both Hamiltonian and forced and damped frequency-energy plots (FEPs). The system parameters are then characterized and updated by matching the backbone branches of the FEPs with the frequency-energy wavelet transforms of experimental and/or computational time series. The main advantage of this method is that no nonlinearity model is assumed a priori, and the system model is updated solely based on simulation and/or experimental measured time series. By matching the frequency-energy plots of the benchmark system and its reduced-order model, we show that we are able to retrieve the global strongly nonlinear dynamics in the frequency and energy ranges of interest, identify bifurcations, characterize local nonlinearities, and accurately reconstruct time series. We apply the proposed methodology to a benchmark problem, which was posed to the system identification community prior to the IMAC XXXII (2014) and XXXIII (2015) Conferences as a "Round Robin Exercise on Nonlinear System Identification". We show that we are able to identify the parameters of the non-linear element in the problem with a priori knowledge about its position.

Benchmark results in the 2D lattice Thirring model with a chemical potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayyar, Venkitesh; Chandrasekharan, Shailesh; Rantaharju, Jarno

2018-03-01

We study the two-dimensional lattice Thirring model in the presence of a fermion chemical potential. Our model is asymptotically free and contains massive fermions that mimic a baryon and light bosons that mimic pions. Hence, it is a useful toy model for QCD, especially since it, too, suffers from a sign problem in the auxiliary field formulation in the presence of a fermion chemical potential. In this work, we formulate the model in both the world line and fermion-bag representations and show that the sign problem can be completely eliminated with open boundary conditions when the fermions are massless. Hence, we are able accurately compute a variety of interesting quantities in the model, and these results could provide benchmarks for other methods that are being developed to solve the sign problem in QCD.

Demonstration of a tool for automatic learning and re-use of knowledge in the activated sludge process.

PubMed

Comas, J; Rodríguez-Roda, I; Poch, M; Gernaey, K V; Rosen, C; Jeppsson, U

2006-01-01

Wastewater treatment plant operators encounter complex operational problems related to the activated sludge process and usually respond to these by applying their own intuition and by taking advantage of what they have learnt from past experiences of similar problems. However, previous process experiences are not easy to integrate in numerical control, and new tools must be developed to enable re-use of plant operating experience. The aim of this paper is to investigate the usefulness of a case-based reasoning (CBR) approach to apply learning and re-use of knowledge gained during past incidents to confront actual complex problems through the IWA/COST Benchmark protocol. A case study shows that the proposed CBR system achieves a significant improvement of the benchmark plant performance when facing a high-flow event disturbance.

Verification of a Viscous Computational Aeroacoustics Code using External Verification Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ingraham, Daniel; Hixon, Ray

2015-01-01

The External Verification Analysis approach to code verification is extended to solve the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations with constant properties, and is used to verify a high-order computational aeroacoustics (CAA) code. After a brief review of the relevant literature, the details of the EVA approach are presented and compared to the similar Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS). Pseudocode representations of EVA's algorithms are included, along with the recurrence relations needed to construct the EVA solution. The code verification results show that EVA was able to convincingly verify a high-order, viscous CAA code without the addition of MMS-style source terms, or any other modifications to the code.

Verification of a Viscous Computational Aeroacoustics Code Using External Verification Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ingraham, Daniel; Hixon, Ray

2015-01-01

The External Verification Analysis approach to code verification is extended to solve the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations with constant properties, and is used to verify a high-order computational aeroacoustics (CAA) code. After a brief review of the relevant literature, the details of the EVA approach are presented and compared to the similar Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS). Pseudocode representations of EVA's algorithms are included, along with the recurrence relations needed to construct the EVA solution. The code verification results show that EVA was able to convincingly verify a high-order, viscous CAA code without the addition of MMS-style source terms, or any other modifications to the code.

Experimental hypertension increases spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages in a mouse model of cerebral amyloidosis

PubMed Central

Passos, Giselle F; Kilday, Kelley; Gillen, Daniel L; Vasilevko, Vitaly

2015-01-01

Hypertension and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) are major risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH); however the mechanisms of interplay between the two are not fully understood. We investigated the effect of hypertension in a transgenic mouse model with Alzheimer’s-like pathology (Tg2576) treating them with angiontensin II and L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester. A similar increase in systolic blood pressure was observed in both Tg2576 and control mice; however Tg2576 mice developed signs of stroke with a markedly shorter latency. Cerebral deposition of amyloid beta promotes the hypertension-induced ICH, thus supporting the notion that hypertension is a risk factor for ICH among patients with CAA. PMID:26661173

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-24

Under the watchful eye of technicians and engineers, a crane is prepared to lift the Orion crew access arm (CAA) so it can be attached to the mobile launcher (ML) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The arm will be installed at about the 274-foot level on the ML tower. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System, or SLS, rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

Crew Access Arm Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-26

Seen to the right of the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane positions the Orion crew access arm (CAA) so it can be attached to the mobile launcher (ML). The arm will be installed at about the 274-foot level on the ML tower. NASA's Exploration Ground Systems organization has been overseeing installation of umbilicals and other launch accessories on the 380-foot-tall ML in preparation for stacking the first launch of the Space launch System (SLS), rocket with an Orion spacecraft. The CAA is designed to rotate from its retracted position and line up with Orion's crew hatch providing entry for astronauts and technicians.

A Benchmark Problem for Development of Autonomous Structural Modal Identification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pappa, Richard S.; Woodard, Stanley E.; Juang, Jer-Nan

1996-01-01

This paper summarizes modal identification results obtained using an autonomous version of the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm on a dynamically complex, laboratory structure. The benchmark problem uses 48 of 768 free-decay responses measured in a complete modal survey test. The true modal parameters of the structure are well known from two previous, independent investigations. Without user involvement, the autonomous data analysis identified 24 to 33 structural modes with good to excellent accuracy in 62 seconds of CPU time (on a DEC Alpha 4000 computer). The modal identification technique described in the paper is the baseline algorithm for NASA's Autonomous Dynamics Determination (ADD) experiment scheduled to fly on International Space Station assembly flights in 1997-1999.

Developing a benchmark for emotional analysis of music

PubMed Central

Yang, Yi-Hsuan; Soleymani, Mohammad

2017-01-01

Music emotion recognition (MER) field rapidly expanded in the last decade. Many new methods and new audio features are developed to improve the performance of MER algorithms. However, it is very difficult to compare the performance of the new methods because of the data representation diversity and scarcity of publicly available data. In this paper, we address these problems by creating a data set and a benchmark for MER. The data set that we release, a MediaEval Database for Emotional Analysis in Music (DEAM), is the largest available data set of dynamic annotations (valence and arousal annotations for 1,802 songs and song excerpts licensed under Creative Commons with 2Hz time resolution). Using DEAM, we organized the ‘Emotion in Music’ task at MediaEval Multimedia Evaluation Campaign from 2013 to 2015. The benchmark attracted, in total, 21 active teams to participate in the challenge. We analyze the results of the benchmark: the winning algorithms and feature-sets. We also describe the design of the benchmark, the evaluation procedures and the data cleaning and transformations that we suggest. The results from the benchmark suggest that the recurrent neural network based approaches combined with large feature-sets work best for dynamic MER. PMID:28282400

Developing a benchmark for emotional analysis of music.

PubMed

Aljanaki, Anna; Yang, Yi-Hsuan; Soleymani, Mohammad

2017-01-01

Music emotion recognition (MER) field rapidly expanded in the last decade. Many new methods and new audio features are developed to improve the performance of MER algorithms. However, it is very difficult to compare the performance of the new methods because of the data representation diversity and scarcity of publicly available data. In this paper, we address these problems by creating a data set and a benchmark for MER. The data set that we release, a MediaEval Database for Emotional Analysis in Music (DEAM), is the largest available data set of dynamic annotations (valence and arousal annotations for 1,802 songs and song excerpts licensed under Creative Commons with 2Hz time resolution). Using DEAM, we organized the 'Emotion in Music' task at MediaEval Multimedia Evaluation Campaign from 2013 to 2015. The benchmark attracted, in total, 21 active teams to participate in the challenge. We analyze the results of the benchmark: the winning algorithms and feature-sets. We also describe the design of the benchmark, the evaluation procedures and the data cleaning and transformations that we suggest. The results from the benchmark suggest that the recurrent neural network based approaches combined with large feature-sets work best for dynamic MER.

A large-scale benchmark of gene prioritization methods.

PubMed

Guala, Dimitri; Sonnhammer, Erik L L

2017-04-21

In order to maximize the use of results from high-throughput experimental studies, e.g. GWAS, for identification and diagnostics of new disease-associated genes, it is important to have properly analyzed and benchmarked gene prioritization tools. While prospective benchmarks are underpowered to provide statistically significant results in their attempt to differentiate the performance of gene prioritization tools, a strategy for retrospective benchmarking has been missing, and new tools usually only provide internal validations. The Gene Ontology(GO) contains genes clustered around annotation terms. This intrinsic property of GO can be utilized in construction of robust benchmarks, objective to the problem domain. We demonstrate how this can be achieved for network-based gene prioritization tools, utilizing the FunCoup network. We use cross-validation and a set of appropriate performance measures to compare state-of-the-art gene prioritization algorithms: three based on network diffusion, NetRank and two implementations of Random Walk with Restart, and MaxLink that utilizes network neighborhood. Our benchmark suite provides a systematic and objective way to compare the multitude of available and future gene prioritization tools, enabling researchers to select the best gene prioritization tool for the task at hand, and helping to guide the development of more accurate methods.

A hybrid heuristic for the multiple choice multidimensional knapsack problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mansi, Raïd; Alves, Cláudio; Valério de Carvalho, J. M.; Hanafi, Saïd

2013-08-01

In this article, a new solution approach for the multiple choice multidimensional knapsack problem is described. The problem is a variant of the multidimensional knapsack problem where items are divided into classes, and exactly one item per class has to be chosen. Both problems are NP-hard. However, the multiple choice multidimensional knapsack problem appears to be more difficult to solve in part because of its choice constraints. Many real applications lead to very large scale multiple choice multidimensional knapsack problems that can hardly be addressed using exact algorithms. A new hybrid heuristic is proposed that embeds several new procedures for this problem. The approach is based on the resolution of linear programming relaxations of the problem and reduced problems that are obtained by fixing some variables of the problem. The solutions of these problems are used to update the global lower and upper bounds for the optimal solution value. A new strategy for defining the reduced problems is explored, together with a new family of cuts and a reformulation procedure that is used at each iteration to improve the performance of the heuristic. An extensive set of computational experiments is reported for benchmark instances from the literature and for a large set of hard instances generated randomly. The results show that the approach outperforms other state-of-the-art methods described so far, providing the best known solution for a significant number of benchmark instances.

Validation of High-Fidelity CFD/CAA Framework for Launch Vehicle Acoustic Environment Simulation against Scale Model Test Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liever, Peter A.; West, Jeffrey S.; Harris, Robert E.

2016-01-01

A hybrid Computational Fluid Dynamics and Computational Aero-Acoustics (CFD/CAA) modeling framework has been developed for launch vehicle liftoff acoustic environment predictions. The framework couples the existing highly-scalable NASA production CFD code, Loci/CHEM, with a high-order accurate Discontinuous Galerkin solver developed in the same production framework, Loci/THRUST, to accurately resolve and propagate acoustic physics across the entire launch environment. Time-accurate, Hybrid RANS/LES CFD modeling is applied for predicting the acoustic generation physics at the plume source, and a high-order accurate unstructured mesh Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method is employed to propagate acoustic waves away from the source across large distances using high-order accurate schemes. The DG solver is capable of solving 2nd, 3rd, and 4th order Euler solutions for non-linear, conservative acoustic field propagation. Initial application testing and validation has been carried out against high resolution acoustic data from the Ares Scale Model Acoustic Test (ASMAT) series to evaluate the capabilities and production readiness of the CFD/CAA system to resolve the observed spectrum of acoustic frequency content. This paper presents results from this validation and outlines efforts to mature and improve the computational simulation framework.

Tracing Carbon Sources through Aquatic and Terrestrial Food Webs Using Amino Acid Stable Isotope Fingerprinting

PubMed Central

Larsen, Thomas; Ventura, Marc; Andersen, Nils; O’Brien, Diane M.; Piatkowski, Uwe; McCarthy, Matthew D.

2013-01-01

Tracing the origin of nutrients is a fundamental goal of food web research but methodological issues associated with current research techniques such as using stable isotope ratios of bulk tissue can lead to confounding results. We investigated whether naturally occurring δ13C patterns among amino acids (δ13CAA) could distinguish between multiple aquatic and terrestrial primary production sources. We found that δ13CAA patterns in contrast to bulk δ13C values distinguished between carbon derived from algae, seagrass, terrestrial plants, bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, we showed for two aquatic producers that their δ13CAA patterns were largely unaffected by different environmental conditions despite substantial shifts in bulk δ13C values. The potential of assessing the major carbon sources at the base of the food web was demonstrated for freshwater, pelagic, and estuarine consumers; consumer δ13C patterns of essential amino acids largely matched those of the dominant primary producers in each system. Since amino acids make up about half of organismal carbon, source diagnostic isotope fingerprints can be used as a new complementary approach to overcome some of the limitations of variable source bulk isotope values commonly encountered in estuarine areas and other complex environments with mixed aquatic and terrestrial inputs. PMID:24069196

Intestinal Permeability and Cellular Antioxidant Activity of Phenolic Compounds from Mango (Mangifera indica cv. Ataulfo) Peels.

PubMed

Pacheco-Ordaz, Ramón; Antunes-Ricardo, Marilena; Gutiérrez-Uribe, Janet A; González-Aguilar, Gustavo A

2018-02-08

Mango ( Mangifera indica cv. Ataulfo) peel contains bound phenolics that may be released by alkaline or acid hydrolysis and may be converted into less complex molecules. Free phenolics from mango cv. Ataulfo peel were obtained using a methanolic extraction, and their cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) and permeability were compared to those obtained for bound phenolics released by alkaline or acid hydrolysis. Gallic acid was found as a simple phenolic acid after alkaline hydrolysis along with mangiferin isomers and quercetin as aglycone and glycosides. Only gallic acid, ethyl gallate, mangiferin, and quercetin were identified in the acid fraction. The acid and alkaline fractions showed the highest CAA (60.5% and 51.5%) when tested at 125 µg/mL. The value of the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) across the Caco-2/HT-29 monolayer of gallic acid from the alkaline fraction was higher (2.61 × 10 -6 cm/s) than in the other fractions and similar to that obtained when tested pure (2.48 × 10 -6 cm/s). In conclusion, mango peels contain bound phenolic compounds that, after their release, have permeability similar to pure compounds and exert an important CAA. This finding can be applied in the development of nutraceuticals using this important by-product from the mango processing industry.

Corrective Action Investigation Plan for Corrective Action Unit 576: Miscellaneous Radiological Sites and Debris Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, Revision 0

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

Matthews, Patrick

Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 576 is located in Areas 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9 of the Nevada National Security Site, which is approximately 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. CAU 576 is a grouping of sites where there has been a suspected release of contamination associated with nuclear testing. This document describes the planned investigation of CAU 576, which comprises the following corrective action sites (CASs): 00-99-01, Potential Source Material; 02-99-12, U-2af (Kennebec) Surface Rad-Chem Piping; 03-99-20, Area 3 Subsurface Rad-Chem Piping; 05-19-04, Frenchman Flat Rad Waste Dump ; 09-99-08, U-9x (Allegheny) Subsurface Rad-Chem Piping; 09-99-09, U-9its u24more » (Avens-Alkermes) Surface Contaminated Flex Line These sites are being investigated because existing information on the nature and extent of potential contamination is insufficient to evaluate and recommend corrective action alternatives (CAAs). Additional information will be obtained by conducting a corrective action investigation before evaluating CAAs and selecting the appropriate corrective action for each CAS. The results of the field investigation will support a defensible evaluation of viable CAAs that will be presented in the Corrective Action Decision Document (CADD).« less

Tracing carbon sources through aquatic and terrestrial food webs using amino acid stable isotope fingerprinting.

PubMed

Larsen, Thomas; Ventura, Marc; Andersen, Nils; O'Brien, Diane M; Piatkowski, Uwe; McCarthy, Matthew D

2013-01-01

Tracing the origin of nutrients is a fundamental goal of food web research but methodological issues associated with current research techniques such as using stable isotope ratios of bulk tissue can lead to confounding results. We investigated whether naturally occurring δ(13)C patterns among amino acids (δ(13)CAA) could distinguish between multiple aquatic and terrestrial primary production sources. We found that δ(13)CAA patterns in contrast to bulk δ(13)C values distinguished between carbon derived from algae, seagrass, terrestrial plants, bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, we showed for two aquatic producers that their δ(13)CAA patterns were largely unaffected by different environmental conditions despite substantial shifts in bulk δ(13)C values. The potential of assessing the major carbon sources at the base of the food web was demonstrated for freshwater, pelagic, and estuarine consumers; consumer δ(13)C patterns of essential amino acids largely matched those of the dominant primary producers in each system. Since amino acids make up about half of organismal carbon, source diagnostic isotope fingerprints can be used as a new complementary approach to overcome some of the limitations of variable source bulk isotope values commonly encountered in estuarine areas and other complex environments with mixed aquatic and terrestrial inputs.

Analysis of the interphase of a polyamide bonded to chromic acid anodized Ti-6AL-4V

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

Guinta, R.K.; Kander, R.G.

2000-01-06

Structural adhesive joints, when tested as made, typically fail cohesively through the centerline of the adhesive. However, in any study of adhesive joint durability, failure near the adhesive/substrate interface becomes an important consideration. In the current study, an interfacially debonding adhesive test, the notched coating adhesion (NCA) test, was applied to LaRC(trademark) PETI-5 adhesive bonded to chronic acid anodized (CAA) Ti-6Al-4V. Post-failure analysis of the interphase region included X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Mechanical interlocking between an adhesive and a substrate occurs when the liquid adhesivemore » flows into interstices of the substrate, solidifies, and becomes locked in place. Mechanical interlocking is believed to significantly contribute to the adhesion of substrates that exhibit microroughness, such as metal surfaces treated with chromic acid anodization or sodium hydroxide anodization. Filbey and Wightman found that an epoxy penetrated the pores of CAA Ti-6Al-4V, one of the limited number of pore penetration studies that have been reported. In the current study, the penetration of PETI-5 into the pores of CAA Ti-6Al-4V is investigated through analysis of adhesive/substrate failure surfaces.« less

Recurrent Kawasaki disease: USA and Japan.

PubMed

Maddox, Ryan A; Holman, Robert C; Uehara, Ritei; Callinan, Laura S; Guest, Jodie L; Schonberger, Lawrence B; Nakamura, Yosikazu; Yashiro, Mayumi; Belay, Ermias D

2015-12-01

Descriptive epidemiologic studies of recurrent and non-recurrent Kawasaki disease (KD) may identify other potentially important differences between these illnesses. Data from the USA and Japan, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national KD surveillance(1984-2008) and the 17th Japanese nationwide survey (2001-2002), respectively, were analyzed to examine recurrent KD patients <18 years of age meeting the CDC KD case or atypical KD case definition. These patients were compared with non-recurrent KD patients. Of the 5557 US KD patients <18 years of age during 1984-2008, 97 (1.7%) were identified as having had recurrent KD. Among the US Asian/Pacific Islander KD patients, 3.5% had recurrent KD, which was similar to the percentage identified among KD patients (3.5%) in the Japanese survey. Compared with non-recurrent KD patients, KD patients [with recurrent KD] were more likely to be older, fulfill the atypical KD case definition, and have coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) despite i.v. immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Differences in the age, race, and frequency of CAA exist between recurrent and non-recurrent KD patients. The increased association of CAA with recurrent KD suggests that more aggressive treatment strategies in conjunction with IVIG may be indicated for the second episode of KD. © 2015 Japan Pediatric Society.

Recurrent Kawasaki disease, United States and Japan

PubMed Central

Maddox, Ryan A.; Holman, Robert C.; Uehara, Ritei; Callinan, Laura S.; Guest, Jodie L.; Schonberger, Lawrence B.; Nakamura, Yosikazu; Yashiro, Mayumi; Belay, Ermias D.

2015-01-01

Background Descriptive epidemiologic studies of recurrent and non-recurrent Kawasaki disease (KD) may identify other potentially important differences between these illnesses. Methods Data from the United States and Japan, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national KD surveillance (1984–2008) and the 17th Japanese nationwide survey (2001–2002), respectively, were analyzed to examine recurrent KD patients <18 years of age meeting the CDC KD case or atypical KD case definition. These patients were compared to non-recurrent KD patients. Results Of the 5557 US KD patients <18 years of age during 1984–2008, 97 (1.7%) were identified as having had recurrent KD. Among the US Asian/Pacific Islander KD patients, 3.5% had recurrent KD, which was similar to the percentage identified among KD patients (3.5%) in the Japanese survey. Compared to non-recurrent KD patients, KD patients experiencing a recurrent KD episode were more likely to be older, fulfill the atypical KD case definition, and have coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) despite IVIG treatment. Conclusions Differences in the age, race, and frequency of CAA exist between recurrent and non-recurrent KD patients. The increased association of CAA with recurrent KD suggests that more aggressive treatment strategies in conjunction with IVIG may be indicated for the second episode of KD. PMID:26096590