Low-damage high-throughput grazing-angle sputter deposition on graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, C.-T.; Casu, E. A.; Gajek, M.; Raoux, S.

2013-07-01

Despite the prevalence of sputter deposition in the microelectronics industry, it has seen very limited applications for graphene electronics. In this letter, we report systematic investigation of the sputtering induced damages in graphene and identify the energetic sputtering gas neutrals as the primary cause of graphene disorder. We further demonstrate a grazing-incidence sputtering configuration that strongly suppresses fast neutral bombardment and retains graphene structure integrity, creating considerably lower damage than electron-beam evaporation. Such sputtering technique yields fully covered, smooth thin dielectric films, highlighting its potential for contact metals, gate oxides, and tunnel barriers fabrication in graphene device applications.

43 CFR 46.30 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... is sometimes uncertain. Bureau means bureau, office, service, or survey within the Department of the... identified in a record of decision (ROD), that causes the least damage to the biological and physical... activity under consideration. It includes the bureau's exercise of discretion over a non-Federal entity's...

43 CFR 46.30 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... is sometimes uncertain. Bureau means bureau, office, service, or survey within the Department of the... identified in a record of decision (ROD), that causes the least damage to the biological and physical... activity under consideration. It includes the bureau's exercise of discretion over a non-Federal entity's...

Operation Crossroads. Atomic Bomb Tests. Volume 6, Part 1, Appendix IX. Final report of Army ground group

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

Jordan, L.P.

1946-09-30

Most of the damage caused by an atomic bomb burst in air is due to its heat wave and concussion effects, although within a few hundred yards some radioactivity, usually soon dissipated, is acquired by various types of material. When the burst takes place beneath the surface of the water, damage due to concussion and wave effects is limited to installations within close range, and a major consideration is the wide dispersal of persistent radioactivity.

Low dose radiation adaptive protection to control neurodegenerative diseases.

PubMed

Doss, Mohan

2014-05-01

Concerns have been expressed recently regarding the observed increased DNA damage from activities such as thinking and exercise. Such concerns have arisen from an incomplete accounting of the full effects of the increased oxidative damage. When the effects of the induced adaptive protective responses such as increased antioxidants and DNA repair enzymes are taken into consideration, there would be less endogenous DNA damage during the subsequent period of enhanced defenses, resulting in improved health from the thinking and exercise activities. Low dose radiation (LDR), which causes oxidative stress and increased DNA damage, upregulates adaptive protection systems that may decrease diseases in an analogous manner. Though there are ongoing debates regarding LDR's carcinogenicity, with two recent advisory committee reports coming to opposite conclusions, data published since the time of the reports have overwhelmingly ruled out its carcinogenicity, paving the way for consideration of its potential use for disease reduction. LDR adaptive protection is a promising approach to control neurodegenerative diseases, for which there are no methods of prevention or cure. Preparation of a compelling ethics case would pave the way for LDR clinical studies and progress in dealing with neurodegenerative diseases.

Rhabdomyolysis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment

PubMed Central

Torres, Patrick A.; Helmstetter, John A.; Kaye, Adam M.; Kaye, Alan David

2015-01-01

Background Rhabdomyolysis is a complex medical condition involving the rapid dissolution of damaged or injured skeletal muscle. Methods This review focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, causes, presentation, diagnosis, complications, management, and anesthetic considerations related to rhabdomyolysis. Results Any form of muscle damage––and by extension any entity that causes muscle damage––can initiate rhabdomyolysis. One of the most important treatment goals when rhabdomyolysis is suspected is avoiding acute kidney injury. Conclusion All clinicians should be aware of common causes, diagnosis, and treatment options. PMID:25829882

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

Van Ootegem, Luc; SHERPPA — Ghent University; Verhofstadt, Elsy

Depth–damage-functions, relating the monetary flood damage to the depth of the inundation, are commonly used in the case of fluvial floods (floods caused by a river overflowing). We construct four multivariate damage models for pluvial floods (caused by extreme rainfall) by differentiating on the one hand between ground floor floods and basement floods and on the other hand between damage to residential buildings and damage to housing contents. We do not only take into account the effect of flood-depth on damage, but also incorporate the effects of non-hazard indicators (building characteristics, behavioural indicators and socio-economic variables). By using a Tobit-estimationmore » technique on identified victims of pluvial floods in Flanders (Belgium), we take into account the effect of cases of reported zero damage. Our results show that the flood depth is an important predictor of damage, but with a diverging impact between ground floor floods and basement floods. Also non-hazard indicators are important. For example being aware of the risk just before the water enters the building reduces content damage considerably, underlining the importance of warning systems and policy in this case of pluvial floods. - Highlights: • Prediction of damage of pluvial floods using also non-hazard information • We include ‘no damage cases’ using a Tobit model. • The damage of flood depth is stronger for ground floor than for basement floods. • Non-hazard indicators are especially important for content damage. • Potential gain of policies that increase awareness of flood risks.« less

Chronic Broca's Aphasia Is Caused by Damage to Broca's and Wernicke's Areas.

PubMed

Fridriksson, Julius; Fillmore, Paul; Guo, Dazhou; Rorden, Chris

2015-12-01

Despite being perhaps the most studied form of aphasia, the critical lesion location for Broca's aphasia has long been debated, and in chronic patients, cortical damage often extends far beyond Broca's area. In a group of 70 patients, we examined brain damage associated with Broca's aphasia using voxel-wise lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM). We found that damage to the posterior portion of Broca's area, the pars opercularis, is associated with Broca's aphasia. However, several individuals with other aphasic patterns had considerable damage to pars opercularis, suggesting that involvement of this region is not sufficient to cause Broca's aphasia. When examining only individuals with pars opercularis damage, we found that patients with Broca's aphasia had greater damage in the left superior temporal gyrus (STG; roughly Wernicke's area) than those with other aphasia types. Using discriminant function analysis and logistic regression, based on proportional damage to the pars opercularis and Wernicke's area, to predict whether individuals had Broca's or another types of aphasia, over 95% were classified correctly. Our findings suggest that persons with Broca's aphasia have damage to both Broca's and Wernicke's areas, a conclusion that is incongruent with classical neuropsychology, which has rarely considered the effects of damage to both areas. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

3 CFR 8531 - Proclamation 8531 of May 28, 2010. National Oceans Month, 2010

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... considerable strain from pollution, overfishing, climate change, and other human activity. Last year, I... we continue our relentless efforts to stop and contain the oil spill threatening the Gulf Coast region. The oil spill has already caused substantial damage to our coastline and its natural habitats...

Genomics of compositae weeds: EST libraries, microarrays, and evidence of introgression

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

• Premise of Study: Weeds cause considerable environmental and economic damage. However, genomic characterization of weeds has lagged behind that of model plants and crop species. Here we report on the development of genomic tools and resources for 11 weeds from the Compositae family that can serve ...

Media Incitement: The "Born Innocent" Case.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stevens, George E.

1979-01-01

Concludes from a review of court cases that recovery of damages from a mass medium for an alleged incitement of antisocial behavior is unlikely under traditional negligence rules, even without a consideration of constitutional questions. Notes that the expense of litigation may cause the media to avoid potentially provocative communication. (GT)

"Happiness Education": A Pedagogical-Political Commitment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guilherme, Alex; Souza de Freitas, Ana Lucia

2017-01-01

The topic of "happiness education" has received considerable attention in recent years in educational discourse, not just in academia but also in the public sphere. This movement understands that there is a "widespread incidence of psychological harm caused by damage to the child's sense of self-worth" (Smith (2008) "The…

Emerald ash borer modeling methods for future forest projections

Treesearch

Ryan D. Desantis; W. Keith Moser; Robert J. Jr. Hugett; Ruhong Li; David N. Wear; Patrick D. Miles

2012-01-01

The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; EAB) is a nonnative invasive insect that has caused considerable damage to ash (Fraxinus spp.) in North America. Unlike invasive organisms that can be mitigated, contained, controlled, or even eradicated, EAB continues to spread across North America. The loss of the North...

Susceptibility of Australian plant species to Phytophthora ramorum

Treesearch

Kylie Ireland; Daniel H& uuml; berli; Bernard Dell; Ian Smith; David Rizzo; Giles Hardy

2010-01-01

Phytophthora ramorum is an invasive plant pathogen causing considerable and widespread damage in nurseries, gardens, and natural woodland ecosystems of the United States and Europe, and is classified as a Category 1 pest in Australia. It is of particular interest to Australian plant biosecurity as, like P. cinnamomi; it has...

A Review: Some biological effects of high LET radiations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wiley, A., Jr.

1972-01-01

There are qualitative and quantitative differences in the biological damage observed after exposure to high LET radiation as compared to that caused by low LET radiations. This review is concerned with these differences, which are ultimately reflected at the biochemical, cellular and even whole animal levels. In general, high LET radiations seem to produce biochemical damage which is more severe and possibly less repairable. Experimental data for those effects are presented in terms of biochemical RBE's with consideration of both early and late manifestations. An LET independent process by which significant biochemical damage may result from protons, neutrons and negative pion mesons is discussed.

Combined use of transcranial magnetic stimulation and metal electrode implants: a theoretical assessment of safety considerations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golestanirad, Laleh; Rouhani, Hossein; Elahi, Behzad; Shahim, Kamal; Chen, Robert; Mosig, Juan R.; Pollo, Claudio; Graham, Simon J.

2012-12-01

This paper provides a theoretical assessment of the safety considerations encountered in the simultaneous use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and neurological interventions involving implanted metallic electrodes, such as electrocorticography. Metal implants are subject to magnetic forces due to fast alternating magnetic fields produced by the TMS coil. The question of whether the mechanical movement of the implants leads to irreversible damage of brain tissue is addressed by an electromagnetic simulation which quantifies the magnitude of imposed magnetic forces. The assessment is followed by a careful mechanical analysis determining the maximum tolerable force which does not cause irreversible tissue damage. Results of this investigation provide useful information on the range of TMS stimulator output powers which can be safely used in patients having metallic implants. It is shown that conventional TMS applications can be considered safe when applied on patients with typical electrode implants as the induced stress in the brain tissue remains well below the limit of tissue damage.

Using mitogenomic and nuclear ribosomal sequence data to investigate the phylogeny of the Xiphinema americanum species complex

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Nematodes within the Xiphinema americanum species complex are economically important because they vector nepoviruses which cause considerable damage to a variety of agricultural crops. The taxonomy of X. americanum is controversial, with the number of putative species being the subject of debate. Ac...

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) drones survive oxidative stress due to increased tolerance instead of avoidance or repair of oxidative damage

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Oxidative stress can lead to premature aging symptoms and cause acute mortality at higher doses in a range of organisms. Oxidative stress resistance and longevity are mechanistically and phenotypically linked: considerable variation in oxidative stress resistance exists among and within species and ...

Using hierarchical clustering of secreted protein families to classify and rank candidate effectors of rust fungi

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Rust fungi are obligate biotrophic pathogens causing considerable damage on crop plants. P. graminis f. sp. tritici, the causal agent of wheat stem rust, and M. larici-populina, the poplar rust pathogen, have strong deleterious impact on wheat and poplar wood production, respectively. The recently r...

Sorghum pathology and biotechnology - A fungal disease perspective: Part II. Anthracnose, stalk rot, and downy mildew

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Foliar diseases and stalk rots are among the most damaging diseases of sorghum in terms of lost production potential, thus commanding considerable research time and expenditure. This review will focus on anthracnose, a fungal disease that causes both foliar symptoms and stalk rots along with the st...

Earthquakes, September-October 1978

USGS Publications Warehouse

Person, W.J.

1979-01-01

The months of September and October were somewhat quiet seismically speaking. One major earthquake, magnitude (M) 7.7 occurred in Iran on September 16. In Germany, a magntidue 5.0 earthquake caused damage and considerable alarm to many people in parts of that country. In the United States, the largest earthquake occurred along the California-Nevada border region. 

Wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene against damaged and undamaged stainless steel and diamond-like carbon-coated counterfaces.

PubMed

Firkins, P; Hailey, J L; Fisher, J; Lettington, A H; Butter, R

1998-10-01

The wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in artificial joints and the resulting wear debris-induced osteolysis remains a major clinical concern in the orthopaedic sector. Third-body damage of metallic femoral heads is often cited as a cause of accelerated polyethylene wear, and the use of ceramic femoral heads in the hip is gaining increasing favour. In the knee prostheses and for smaller diameter femoral heads, the application of hard surface coatings, such as diamond-like carbon, is receiving considerable attention. However, to date, there has been little or no investigation of the tribology of these coatings in simulated biological environments. In this study, diamond-like carbon (DLC) has been compared to stainless steel in its undamaged form and following simulated third-body damage. The wear of UHMWPE was found to be similar when sliding against undamaged DLC and stainless steel counterfaces. DLC was found to be much more damage resistant than DLC. Under test conditions that simulate third-body damage to the femoral head, the wear of UHMWPE was seven times lower against DLC than against stainless steel (P < 0.05). The study shows DLC has considerable potential as a femoral bearing surface in artificial joints.

The Study of the Relationship between Probabilistic Design and Axiomatic Design Methodology. Volume 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Onwubiko, Chin-Yere; Onyebueke, Landon

1996-01-01

Structural failure is rarely a "sudden death" type of event, such sudden failures may occur only under abnormal loadings like bomb or gas explosions and very strong earthquakes. In most cases, structures fail due to damage accumulated under normal loadings such as wind loads, dead and live loads. The consequence of cumulative damage will affect the reliability of surviving components and finally causes collapse of the system. The cumulative damage effects on system reliability under time-invariant loadings are of practical interest in structural design and therefore will be investigated in this study. The scope of this study is, however, restricted to the consideration of damage accumulation as the increase in the number of failed components due to the violation of their strength limits.

Damage tolerance in filament-wound graphite/epoxy pressure vessels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, William E.; Ngueyen, Vinh D.; Chenna, Ravi K.

1995-01-01

Graphite/epoxy composites are extensively used in the aerospace and sporting goods industries due to their superior engineering properties compared to those of metals. However, graphite/epoxy is extremely susceptible to impact damage which can cause considerable and sometimes undetected reduction in strength. An inelastic impact model was developed to predict damage due to low-velocity impact. A transient dynamic finite element formulation was used in conjunction with the 3D Tsai-Wu failure criterion to determine and incorporate failure in the materials during impact. Material degradation can be adjusted from no degradation to partial degradation to full degradation. The developed software is based on an object-oriented implementation framework called Extensible Implementation Framework for Finite Elements (EIFFE).

Spatiotemporal dynamics of DNA repair proteins following laser microbeam induced DNA damage – When is a DSB not a DSB?☆

PubMed Central

Reynolds, Pamela; Botchway, Stanley W.; Parker, Anthony W.; O’Neill, Peter

2013-01-01

The formation of DNA lesions poses a constant threat to cellular stability. Repair of endogenously and exogenously produced lesions has therefore been extensively studied, although the spatiotemporal dynamics of the repair processes has yet to be fully understood. One of the most recent advances to study the kinetics of DNA repair has been the development of laser microbeams to induce and visualize recruitment and loss of repair proteins to base damage in live mammalian cells. However, a number of studies have produced contradictory results that are likely caused by the different laser systems used reflecting in part the wavelength dependence of the damage induced. Additionally, the repair kinetics of laser microbeam induced DNA lesions have generally lacked consideration of the structural and chemical complexity of the DNA damage sites, which are known to greatly influence their reparability. In this review, we highlight the key considerations when embarking on laser microbeam experiments and interpreting the real time data from laser microbeam irradiations. We compare the repair kinetics from live cell imaging with biochemical and direct quantitative cellular measurements for DNA repair. PMID:23688615

Summary of floods in the United States during 1960

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rostvedt, J.O.

1965-01-01

This report describes the most outstanding floods in the United States during 1960. No major floods occurred during the year, although two floods caused severe damage the first in March and April in eastern Nebraska and adjacent areas, and the second in September in Puerto Rico.Unseasonal rains in mid-March caused extensive flooding in north-central Florida. Several thousand persons were evacuated from their homes, and damage to homes, roads, and crops was extensive.The most widespread flooding ever known in Nebraska occurred late in March and early in April as a result of rapid melting of a heavy snow cover. Most of the flood damage, estimated at about $3 million, was to roads and bridges. The flood area extended into South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin.Snowmelt in April supplemented by rains and later heavy rains in early May caused severe flooding in northern Wisconsin and in Michigan Upper Peninsula.The most destructive flood of the year was in eastern Puerto Rico as the result of hurricane Donna. More than one hundred persons died, and considerably more than one hundred persons were injured; property damage was f.bout $7 million. Hurricane Donna also caused severe flooding as it passed over Florida and along the Atlantic coastline.In addition to these floods mentioned, 31 others of lesser magnitude were significant enough to report in this annual summary.

Example Building Damage Caused by Mining Exploitation in Disturbed Rock Mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Florkowska, Lucyna

2013-06-01

Issues concerning protection of buildings against the impact of underground coal mining pose significant scientific and engineering challenges. In Poland, where mining is a potent and prominent industry assuring domestic energy security, regions within reach of mining influences are plenty. Moreover, due to their industrial character they are also densely built-up areas. Because minerals have been extracted on an industrial scale in majority of those areas for many years, the rock mass structure has been significantly disturbed. Hence, exploitation of successive layers of multi-seam deposits might cause considerable damage - both in terms of surface and existing infrastructure networks. In the light of those facts, the means of mining and building prevention have to be improved on a regular basis. Moreover, they have to be underpinned by reliable analyses holistically capturing the comprehensive picture of the mining, geotechnical and constructional situation of structures. Scientific research conducted based on observations and measurements of mining-induced strain in buildings is deployed to do just that. Presented in this paper examples of damage sustained by buildings armed with protection against mining influences give an account of impact the mining exploitation in disturbed rock mass can have. This paper is based on analyses of mining damage to church and Nursing Home owned by Evangelical Augsburg Parish in Bytom-Miechowice. Neighbouring buildings differ in the date they were built, construction, building technology, geometry of the building body and fitted protection against mining damage. Both the buildings, however, have sustained lately significant deformation and damage caused by repeated mining exploitation. Selected damage has been discussed hereunder. The structures have been characterised, their current situation and mining history have been outlined, which have taken their toll on character and magnitude of damage. Description has been supplemented with photographic documentation.

Injury to plants from rapidly dropping temperature in Washington and northern Idaho

Treesearch

R. Daubenmire

1957-01-01

In nearly 70 years of recorded weather history, Washington and northern Idaho have on three occasions experienced exceptionally sharp freezes in late autumn or early winter that caused considerable damage to plants. A brief review of these events is warranted since the records are consistent enough to permit the drawing of significant conclusions.

Modeling the effects of emerald ash borer on forest composition in the Midwest and Northeast United States

Treesearch

Ryan D. DeSantis; W. Keith Moser; Robert J. Huggett; Ruhong Li; David N. Wear; Patrick D. Miles

2013-01-01

The nonnative invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; EAB) has caused considerable damage to the ash (Fraxinus spp.) resource in North America. While there are methods to mitigate, contain, control, or even eradicate some nonnative invasive insects, EAB continues to spread across North America. Considering strong...

Will the 1990’s be a decade of increasingly destructive natural disasters?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Boulle, P. L.

1990-01-01

Today, there is a considerable body of knowledge about natural hazards that laso enables us to devise effective means to limit the damage they cause. Yet, the reality of the situation is that disasters are increasing in number worldwide, and their social and economic impacts are becoming more nad more difficult to hear. 

Prescribed burning with spot fires in the Georgia Coastal Plain

Treesearch

R. W. Johansen

1984-01-01

The use of prescribed fire in the management of pine forests is common throughout much of the South, but one recurring problem that worries the forest landowner is not having enough suitable burning weather to satisfactorily complete all scheduled fires. Being able to burn areas considerably faster, without causing undue damage, could be a solution.

Oak Wilt

Treesearch

Charles O. Rexrode; Daniel Brown

1983-01-01

Oak wilt, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum (Bretz) Hunt, kills oak trees. It has been found in 21 States, with considerable damage occurring in the Midwest. It was first recognized as an important disease in 1944 in Wisconsin where, in localized areas (less than 100 acres (40.4 ha)), over half the oaks have been killed. Surveys in eight Wisconsin counties...

Expression of bovine genes associated with a local and systemic immune response to infestation by the Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum, causes considerable production losses to the Southern U.S. cattle industry due to reduced weight, infertility, secondary infections at bite wounds, damaged hides, and potentially death, as these ticks tend to infest livestock in large numbers. Chemical resid...

ECG CHANGES AFTER X-RAY IRRADIATION OF THE HEART REGION (in German)

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

Gral, T.; Gral, J.

1963-03-01

The problem of radioinduced damage of the myocardium after irradiation of the heart region for mammary carcinoma or intrathoracic tumors is discussed. Analysis of patient material, including 34 cases with mammary carcinomas on the left side and 14 cases with intrathoracic tumors, showed considerable ECG-changes (ECG = electrocardiogram) in 18 and in 6 cases, respectively. Because of these results, it is assumed that damage of the myocardium caused by irradiation is possible during tangential irradiation of mammary carcinomas on the left side. This could be of importance in the future wellbeing of the patients. (auth)

Early intervention reduces morbidity in extravasation injuries from 'lighter fuel' injection.

PubMed

Thaha, M A; McKinnell, T H; Graham, K E; Naasan, A N

2007-01-01

Injection of 'lighter fuel' with suicidal intent is rare. Extravasation of the chemical may rarely cause systemic toxicity, but usually it results in extensive soft tissue damage. Such injuries when managed by the traditional expectant policy are associated with considerable morbidity. Early aggressive surgical management using 'saline flush out' limits the tissue damage by stopping the natural progression of the chemical mediated injury and the subsequent inflammatory response, thereby allowing better skin preservation and functional outcome in these cases. We report a case of 'lighter fuel' subcutaneous extravasation injury managed by 'saline flush out' technique soon after presentation.

Considerations for ultrasonic testing application for on-orbit NDE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koshti, Ajay M.

2015-04-01

The paper addresses some on-orbit nondestructive evaluation (NDE) needs of NASA for International Space Station (ISS). The presentation gives NDE requirements for inspecting suspect damage due to micro-meteoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) impact on the pressure wall of the ISS. This inspection is meant to be conducted from inside of the ISS module. The metallic wall of the module has a fixed wall thickness but also has integral orthogrid ribs for reinforcement. Typically, a single MMOD hit causes localized damage in a small area causing loss of material similar to pitting corrosion, but cracks may be present too. The impact may cause bulging of the wall. Results of the ultrasonic and eddy current demonstration scans on test samples are provided. The ultrasonic technique uses shear wave scans to interrogate the localized damage area from the surrounding undamaged area. The scanning protocol results in multiple scans, each with multiple "vee" paths. A superimposition and mosaic of the three-dimensional ultrasonic data from individual scans is desired to create C-scan images of the damage. This is a new data reduction process which is not currently implemented in state-of-art ultrasonic instruments. Results of ultrasonic scans on the simulated MMOD damage test plates are provided. The individual C-scans are superimposed manually creating mosaic of the inspection. The resulting image is compared with visibly detected damage boundaries, X-ray images, and localized ultrasonic and eddy current scans for locating crack tips to assess effectiveness of the ultrasonic scanning. The paper also discusses developments needed in improving ergonomics of the ultrasonic testing for on-orbit applications.

Photoinhibition and photoinhibition-like damage to the photosynthetic apparatus in tobacco leaves induced by pseudomonas syringae pv. Tabaci under light and dark conditions.

PubMed

Cheng, Dan-Dan; Zhang, Zi-Shan; Sun, Xing-Bin; Zhao, Min; Sun, Guang-Yu; Chow, Wah Soon

2016-01-25

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci (Pst), which is the pathogen responsible for tobacco wildfire disease, has received considerable attention in recent years. The objective of this study was to clarify the responses of photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) to Pst infection in tobacco leaves. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and carboxylation efficiency (CE) were inhibited by Pst infection. The normalized relative variable fluorescence at the K step (W k) and the relative variable fluorescence at the J step (V J) increased while the maximal quantum yield of PSII (F v/F m) and the density of Q A-reducing PSII reaction centers per cross section (RC/CSm) decreased, indicating that the reaction centers, and the donor and acceptor sides of PSII were all severely damaged after Pst infection. The PSI activity decreased as the infection progressed. Furthermore, we observed a considerable overall degradation of PsbO, D1, PsaA proteins and an over-accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Photoinhibition and photoinhibition-like damage were observed under light and dark conditions, respectively, after Pst infection of tobacco leaves. The damage was greater in the dark. ROS over-accumulation was not the primary cause of the photoinhibition and photoinhibition-like damage. The PsbO, D1 and PsaA proteins appear to be the targets during Pst infection under light and dark conditions.

Positive Approaches to Sexuality and New Normative Frames: Strands of Research and Action in China and the USA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jolly, Susie

2016-01-01

There used to be talk about pleasure being silenced in public health and international development discourses on sexuality, and the damage this silence caused. The exclusion of pleasure continues in some domains, for example, mainstream sexuality education programmes in schools in China and the USA. However, despite considerable challenges to…

Molecular detection of aster yellows phytoplasma and 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' in carrots affected by the psyllid Trioza apicalis (Hemiptera: triozidae) in Finland

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Carrot psyllid (Trioza apicalis Förster) causes considerable damage to carrot (Daucus carota L.) in many parts of Europe. It was recently established that the new bacterium “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” is associated with carrot psyllid and plants affected by this insect pest. No other path...

76 FR 30399 - Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, Oconee Nuclear Station, Units 1, 2, and 3, Notice of Consideration of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-25

... the use of fiber reinforced polymer on masonry walls for uniform pressure loads resulting from a... fail as a result of damage caused by natural phenomena. The in-fill masonry walls to be strengthened... system on existing Auxiliary Building masonry walls will allow them to resist uniform pressure loads...

Effects of prescribed fire in a central Appalachian oak-hickory stand

Treesearch

G.W. Wendel; H. Clay Smith; H. Clay Smith

1986-01-01

A prescribed fire in a central Appalachian mixed hardwood stand caused considerable damage to the butt logs of many overstory trees. Although there were increases in the abundance and distribution of several species of hardwoods, advanced red and chestnut oaks were poorly distributed 5-years after burning. An abundance of striped maple and other shrubs in the...

Image-guided surgery in resection of benign cervicothoracic spinal tumors: a report of two cases.

PubMed

Moore, Timothy; McLain, Robert F

2005-01-01

Osseous spinal tumors are an uncommon cause of persistent axial pain and muscle spasm, but even benign lesions may grow to cause deformity or neurological signs. Traditional treatment approaches to resection can be debilitating even when the tumor is benign. Emerging technologies allow surgeons to diagnose and treat osseous neoplasms while minimizing the collateral damage caused by surgical exposure and tumor excision. Technical considerations are presented through two cases of benign osseous neoplasm occurring in the cervicothoracic spine of competitive athletes, demonstrating the meth-ods used to provide effective treatment while maintaining maximal functional capacity. Stereotactic imaging and intraoperative guidance was used as an adjunct to tumor care in these patients. Used in combination with minimally invasive, microsurgical techniques,stereotactic guidance localized and verified excision margins of benign vertebral lesions, minimizing soft tissue trauma and collateral damage. Computer-assisted stereotactic localization allowed us to successfully ablate these lesions from their anatomically challenging locations, without disrupting the shoulder girdle or neck musculature, and without extensive bony resection. Image guidance can accurately localize and guide excision of benign vertebral lesions while minimizing soft tissue trauma and collateral damage, allowing patients a rapid and complete return to high-demand function.

The assessment of environmentally sensitive forest road construction in Calabrian pine forest areas of Turkey.

PubMed

Tunay, Metin

2006-07-01

Forest road construction by bulldozers in Calabrian Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) forests on mountainous terrain of Turkey causes considerable damage to the environment and the forest standing alongside the road. This situation obliges a study of environmentally sound road construction in Turkey. This study was carried out in 4 sample sites of Antalya Forest Directorate in steep (34-50% gradient) and very steep terrain (51-70% gradient) conditions with bulldozer and excavator machine and direct damages to forest during road construction was determined, including forest area losses and damages to downhill trees in mountainous areas. It was determined that in steep terrain when excavators were used, less forest area (22.16%) was destroyed compared to bulldozers and 26.54% less area in very steep terrain. The proportion of damage on trees where bulldozer worked was nearly twofold higher than excavator was used. The results of this research show that the environmentally sensitive techniques applied for the road construction projects are considerably superior to the traditional use of bulldozers on steep slopes. The environmentally sound forest road construction by use of excavator must be considered an appropriate and reliable solution for mountainous terrain where areas of sensitive forest ecosystems are to be opened up.

Subsidence problems related to the development of siliciclastic karst on the Citronelle Formation of southwestern Alabama

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

Isphording, W.C.; Flowers, G.C.

1985-01-01

The irreversible transformation of kaolinite to gibbsite and the concomitant negative volume change associated with the reaction has resulted in residential structural damage in Mobile, Alabama. Failure of the insurance company to honor damage resulting from a sinkhole collapse clause resulted in litigation. The main points of contention in the trial were: (1) were the small depressions in the owner's yard caused by dissolution of material, resulting in the formation of subteranean voids., (2) does the language used in the policy, i.e., We cover for damages caused by sinkhole collapse due to the dissolution of limestone or similar rock formations,more » mean that because the Citronelle Sand is a rock formation that the resident should recover for damage to his house. Evidence introduced for the plaintiff included x-ray diffractograms, SEM photographs and grain size analyses. A summary of literature on the development of karst in non-carbonate terranes was also produced x-ray diffractograms indicated that gibbsite was being formed in the vadose zone; SEM photographs clearly revealed the presence of euhedral gibbsite crystals on both quartz grains and kaolinite. Size analyses were offered to disprove the allegation that the subsidence was a piping effect caused solely by removal of the silt component. Mass-balance equations and chemical analyses of groundwater were used to demonstrate that not only was kaolinite altering to gibbsite, causing loss of volume, but that some quartz was also being taken into solution. After consideration of the evidence, the jury found in favor of the plaintiff and the resident was compensated for damage.« less

How do I manage an acute injury to the facial nerve?

PubMed

Colbert, Serryth; Coombes, Daryl; Godden, Daryl; Cascarini, Luke; Kerawala, Cyrus; Brennan, Peter A

2014-01-01

Paralysis of the facial nerve is a cause of considerable functional and aesthetic disfigurement. Damage to the upper trunk can result in eye complications with the risk of exposure keratitis. Numerous factors influence the therapeutic strategy: the cause of the injury, the time elapsed since injury, functional impairment, and the likelihood of recovery. We discuss the management of an acute injury to the facial nerve and focus on the surgical options. Copyright © 2013 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ultrasonic Evaluation of Fatigue Damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayer, P.; Singher, L.; Notea, A.

2004-02-01

Despite the fact that most engineers and designers are aware of fatigue, many severe breakdowns of industrial plant and machinery still occur due to fatigue. In effect, it's been estimated that fatigue causes at least 80% of the failures in modern engineering components. From an operational point of view, the detection of fatigue damage, preferably at a very early stage, is a critically important consideration in order to prevent possible catastrophic equipment failure and associated losses. This paper describes the investigation involving the use of ultrasonic waves as a potential tool for early detection of fatigue damage. The parameters investigated were the ultrasonic wave velocities (longitudinal and transverse waves) and attenuation coefficient before fatigue damage and after progressive stages of fatigue. Although comparatively small uncertainties were observed, the feasibility of utilizing the velocity of ultrasonic waves as a fatigue monitor was barely substantiated within actual research conditions. However, careful measurements of the ultrasonic attenuation parameter had demonstrated its potential to provide an early assessment of damage during fatigue.

Technical considerations in harvesting and sawing defective hardwood butts

Treesearch

Thomas W., Jr. Church; Thomas W. Church

1971-01-01

How important are butt defects in hardwoods? We have no reliable estimate of the volume or value of timber lost through basal injuries. However, butt defects will be almost as important in future timber harvests as they are at present. Why? Because most butt defects are due to two causes: fire and logging. Damage from both these agents may be reduced, but it certainly...

Blast induced mild traumatic brain injury/concussion: A physical analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kucherov, Yan; Hubler, Graham K.; DePalma, Ralph G.

2012-11-01

Currently, a consensus exists that low intensity non-impact blast wave exposure leads to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Considerable interest in this "invisible injury" has developed in the past few years but a disconnect remains between the biomedical outcomes and possible physical mechanisms causing mTBI. Here, we show that a shock wave travelling through the brain excites a phonon continuum that decays into specific acoustic waves with intensity exceeding brain tissue strength. Damage may occur within the period of the phonon wave, measured in tens to hundreds of nanometers, which makes the damage difficult to detect using conventional modalities.

An unusual case of intraorbital foreign body and its management

PubMed Central

Mukherjee, Bipasha; Goel, Shubhra; Subramanian, Nirmala

2011-01-01

Intraorbital foreign bodies are usually the result of accidental trauma and can lead to considerable morbidity. We report an unusual case of an industrial injury in a plastic manufacuring unit wherein hot molten plastic splashed and solidified inside the orbit. The resultant increased intraorbital pressure led to loss of vision in that eye. The extreme temperature of the foreign body caused extensive thermal damage to the surrounding adnexal structures. Staged reconstructive surgery was undertaken to repair the damage, with an acceptable final cosmetic outcome. Employment of protective eye wear to prevent such accidents in high-risk occupations should be made mandatory. PMID:21157077

Assessment of concrete damage and strength degradation caused by reinforcement corrosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nepal, Jaya; Chen, Hua-Peng

2015-07-01

Structural performance deterioration of reinforced concrete structures has been extensively investigated, but very limited studies have been carried out to investigate the effect of reinforcement corrosion on time-dependent reliability with consideration of the influence of mechanical characteristics of the bond interface due to corrosion. This paper deals with how corrosion in reinforcement creates different types of defects in concrete structure and how they are responsible for the structural capacity deterioration of corrosion affected reinforced concrete structures during their service life. Cracking in cover concrete due to reinforcement corrosion is investigated by using rebar-concrete model and realistic concrete properties. The flexural strength deterioration is analytically predicted on the basis of bond strength evolution due to reinforcement corrosion, which is examined by the experimental data available. The time-dependent reliability analysis is undertaken to calculate the life time structural reliability of corrosion damaged concrete structures by stochastic deterioration modelling of reinforced concrete. The results from the numerical example show that the proposed approach is capable of evaluating the damage caused by reinforcement corrosion and also predicting the structural reliability of concrete structures during their lifecycle.

Proceedings of the International Symposium on Air Pollution and Climate Change Effects on Forest Ecosystems

Treesearch

Andrzej Bytnerowicz; Michael J. Arbaugh; Susan L. Schilling

1998-01-01

Industrial air pollution has been identified as one of the primary causes of severe damage to forests of central Europe in the past 30 to 40 years. The mountain forest ecosystems have been affected considerably, resulting in extensive areas of severely deteriorated forest stands (e.g., the Krusne Hory of the Czech Republic or the Izerske and Sudety Mountains along the...

Damage Assessment of Two-Way Bending RC Slabs Subjected to Blast Loadings

PubMed Central

Jia, Haokai; Wu, Guiying

2014-01-01

Terrorist attacks on vulnerable structures and their individual structural members may cause considerable damage and loss of life. However, the research work on response and damage analysis of single structural components, for example, a slab to blast loadings, is limited in the literature and this is necessary for assessing its vulnerability. This study investigates the blast response and damage assessment of a two-way bending reinforced concrete (RC) slab subjected to blast loadings. Numerical modeling and analysis are carried out using the commercial finite element code LS-DYNA 971. A damage assessment criterion for the two-way bending RC slab is defined based on the original and residual uniformly distributed load-carrying capacity. Parametric studies are carried out to investigate the effects of explosive weight and explosive position on the damage mode of the two-way RC slab. Some design parameters, such as the boundary conditions and the negative reinforcement steel bar length, are also discussed. The illustrated results show that the proposed criterion can apply to all failure modes. The damage assessment results are more accurate than the ones due to the conventional deformation criterion. PMID:25121134

Assessment of mean annual flood damage using simple hydraulic modeling and Monte Carlo simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oubennaceur, K.; Agili, H.; Chokmani, K.; Poulin, J.; Marceau, P.

2016-12-01

Floods are the most frequent and the most damaging natural disaster in Canada. The issue of assessing and managing the risk related to this disaster has become increasingly crucial for both local and national authorities. Brigham, a municipality located in southern Quebec Province, is one of the heavily affected regions by this disaster because of frequent overflows of the Yamaska River reaching two to three times per year. Since Irene Hurricane which struck the region in 2011, causing considerable socio-economic damage, the implementation of mitigation measures has become a major priority for this municipality. To do this, a preliminary study to evaluate the risk to which this region is exposed is essential. Conventionally, approaches only based on the characterization of the hazard (e.g. floodplains extensive, flood depth) are generally adopted to study the risk of flooding. In order to improve the knowledge of this risk, a Monte Carlo simulation approach combining information on the hazard with vulnerability-related aspects has been developed. This approach integrates three main components: (1) hydrologic modelling aiming to establish a probability-discharge function which associate each measured discharge to its probability of occurrence (2) hydraulic modeling that aims to establish the relationship between the discharge and the water stage at each building (3) damage study that aims to assess the buildings damage using damage functions. The damage is estimated according to the water depth defined as the difference between the water level and the elevation of the building's first floor. The application of the proposed approach allows estimating the annual average cost of damage caused by floods on buildings. The obtained results will be useful for authorities to support their decisions on risk management and prevention against this disaster.

Severe accident skyshine radiation analysis by MCNP

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

Eurajoki, T.

1994-12-31

If a severe accident with a considerable core damage occurs at a nuclear power plant whose containment top is remarkably thin compared with the walls, the radiation transported through the top and scattered in air may cause high dose rates at the power plant area. Noble gases and other fission products released to the containment act as sources. The dose rates caused by skyshine have been calculated by MCNP3A for the Loviisa nuclear power plant (two-unit, 445-MW VVER) for the outside area and inside some buildings, taking the attenuation in the roofs of the buildings into account.

Interactions between low energy electrons and DNA: a perspective from first-principles simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohanoff, Jorge; McAllister, Maeve; Tribello, Gareth A.; Gu, Bin

2017-09-01

DNA damage caused by irradiation has been studied for many decades. Such studies allow us to better assess the dangers posed by radiation, and to increase the efficiency of the radiotherapies that are used to combat cancer. A full description of the irradiation process involves multiple size and time scales. It starts with the interaction of radiation—either photons or swift ions—and the biological medium, which causes electronic excitation and ionisation. The two main products of ionising radiation are thus electrons and radicals. Both of these species can cause damage to biological molecules, in particular DNA. In the long run, this molecular level damage can prevent cells from replicating and can hence lead to cell death. For a long time it was assumed that the main actors in the damage process were the radicals. However, experiments in a seminal paper by the group of Leon Sanche in 2000 showed that low-energy electrons (LEE), such as those generated when ionising biological targets, can also cause bond breaks in biomolecules, and strand breaks in plasmid DNA in particular (Boudaiffa et al 2000 Science 287 1658-60). These results prompted a significant amount of experimental and theoretical work aimed at elucidating the role played by LEE in DNA damage. In this Topical Review we provide a general overview of the problem. We discuss experimental findings and theoretical results hand in hand with the aim of describing the physics and chemistry that occurs during the process of radiation damage, from the initial stages of electronic excitation, through the inelastic propagation of electrons in the medium, the interaction of electrons with DNA, and the chemical end-point effects on DNA. A very important aspect of this discussion is the consideration of a realistic, physiological environment. The role played by the aqueous solution and the amino acids from the histones in chromatin must be considered. Moreover, thermal fluctuations must be incorporated when studying these phenomena. Hence, a special place in this Topical Review is occupied by our recent first-principles molecular dynamics simulations that address the issue of how the environment favours or prevents LEEs from causing damage to DNA. We finish by summarising the conclusions achieved so far, and by suggesting a number of possible directions for further study.

Interactions between low energy electrons and DNA: a perspective from first-principles simulations.

PubMed

Kohanoff, Jorge; McAllister, Maeve; Tribello, Gareth A; Gu, Bin

2017-09-27

DNA damage caused by irradiation has been studied for many decades. Such studies allow us to better assess the dangers posed by radiation, and to increase the efficiency of the radiotherapies that are used to combat cancer. A full description of the irradiation process involves multiple size and time scales. It starts with the interaction of radiation-either photons or swift ions-and the biological medium, which causes electronic excitation and ionisation. The two main products of ionising radiation are thus electrons and radicals. Both of these species can cause damage to biological molecules, in particular DNA. In the long run, this molecular level damage can prevent cells from replicating and can hence lead to cell death. For a long time it was assumed that the main actors in the damage process were the radicals. However, experiments in a seminal paper by the group of Leon Sanche in 2000 showed that low-energy electrons (LEE), such as those generated when ionising biological targets, can also cause bond breaks in biomolecules, and strand breaks in plasmid DNA in particular (Boudaiffa et al 2000 Science 287 1658-60). These results prompted a significant amount of experimental and theoretical work aimed at elucidating the role played by LEE in DNA damage. In this Topical Review we provide a general overview of the problem. We discuss experimental findings and theoretical results hand in hand with the aim of describing the physics and chemistry that occurs during the process of radiation damage, from the initial stages of electronic excitation, through the inelastic propagation of electrons in the medium, the interaction of electrons with DNA, and the chemical end-point effects on DNA. A very important aspect of this discussion is the consideration of a realistic, physiological environment. The role played by the aqueous solution and the amino acids from the histones in chromatin must be considered. Moreover, thermal fluctuations must be incorporated when studying these phenomena. Hence, a special place in this Topical Review is occupied by our recent first-principles molecular dynamics simulations that address the issue of how the environment favours or prevents LEEs from causing damage to DNA. We finish by summarising the conclusions achieved so far, and by suggesting a number of possible directions for further study.

Impacts of tropical cyclones on Fiji and Samoa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuleshov, Yuriy; Prakash, Bipendra; Atalifo, Terry; Waqaicelua, Alipate; Seuseu, Sunny; Ausetalia Titimaea, Mulipola

2013-04-01

Weather and climate hazards have significant impacts on Pacific Island Countries. Costs of hazards such as tropical cyclones can be astronomical making enormous negative economic impacts on developing countries. We highlight examples of extreme weather events which have occurred in Fiji and Samoa in the last few decades and have caused major economic and social disruption in the countries. Destructive winds and torrential rain associated with tropical cyclones can bring the most damaging weather conditions to the region causing economic and social hardship, affecting agricultural productivity, infrastructure and economic development which can persist for many years after the initial impact. Analysing historical data, we describe the impacts of tropical cyclones Bebe and Kina on Fiji. Cyclone Bebe (October 1972) affected the whole Fiji especially the Yasawa Islands, Viti Levu and Kadavu where hurricane force winds have been recorded. Nineteen deaths were reported and damage costs caused by cyclone Bebe were estimated as exceeding F20 million (F 1972). Tropical cyclone Kina passed between Fiji's two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and directly over Levuka on the night of 2 January 1993 with hurricane force winds causing extensive damage. Twenty three deaths have been reported making Kina one of the deadliest hurricanes in Fiji's recent history. Severe flooding on Viti Levu, combined with high tide and heavy seas led to destruction of the Sigatoka and Ba bridges, as well as almost complete loss of crops in Sigatoka and Navua deltas. Overall, damage caused by cyclone Kina was estimated as F170 million. In Samoa, we describe devastation to the country caused by tropical cyclones Ofa (February 1990) and Val (December 1991) which were considered to be the worst cyclones to affect the Samoan islands since the 1889 Apia cyclone. In Samoa, seven people were killed due to cyclone Ofa, thousands of people were left homeless and entire villages were destroyed. Damage on Samoa totalled to US130 million. Cyclone Val caused damage and destruction to 95% of houses in Samoa and severe crop damage; total damage was estimated as US200 million. Recently, severe tropical cyclone Evan affected Samoa and Fiji (December 2012). Significant progress in operational tropical cyclone forecasting has been achieved over the past few decades which resulted in improving early warning system but death toll attributed to cyclones is still high - at least 14 deaths in Samoa are related to cyclone Evan (luckily, no death reports in Fiji). Cyclone-related economic losses also remain very high making significant negative impact on economies of the countries. Preliminary assessment of damage caused by cyclone Evan in Fiji indicates loses of about 75.29 million. By the end of this century projections suggest decreasing numbers of tropical cyclones but a possible shift towards more intense categories. In addition, geographic shifts in distribution of tropical cyclone occurrences caused by warming of the atmospheric and oceanic environment are possible. This should be taken in consideration by authorities of the Pacific Island Countries when developing adaptation strategies to increasing tropical cyclone risk due to climate change.

Noise and Sonic Boom Impact Technology. Sonic Boom Damage to Conventional Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-01

Pallant (21) reported on tests on leaded glass windows conducted in England. Tests were conducted to investigate the effect of repeated booms and to...changes can cause considerable deflections in the window due to the thermal expansion of the lead. However, Pallant also found that these...RD-775-118, July , 1975. 10. Abiassi, J.J., "The Strength of Weathered Window Glass Using Surface Characteristics," Institute For Disaster Research

Electric injury, Part II: Specific injuries.

PubMed

Fish, R M

2000-01-01

Electric injury can cause disruption of cardiac rhythm and breathing, burns, fractures, dislocations, rhabdomyolysis, eye and ear injury, oral and gastrointestinal injury, vascular damage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, peripheral and spinal cord injury, and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Secondary trauma from falls, fires, flying debris, and inhalation injury can complicate the clinical picture. Diagnostic and treatment considerations for electric injuries are described in this article, which is the second part of a three-part series on electric injuries.

Immunology of Cryptococcal Infections: Developing a Rational Approach to Patient Therapy

PubMed Central

Elsegeiny, Waleed; Marr, Kieren A.; Williamson, Peter R.

2018-01-01

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is responsible for upwards of 15% of HIV-related deaths worldwide and is currently the most common cause of non-viral meningitis in the US, affecting both previously healthy and people with immune suppression caused by cancer chemotherapy, transplantation, and biologic therapies. Despite a continued 30–50% attributable mortality, recommended therapeutic strategies have remained largely unchanged since the 1950s. Recent murine models and human studies examining the role of the immune system in both susceptibility to the infection as well as host damage have begun to influence patient care decisions. The Damage Framework Response, originally proposed in 1999, was recently used to discuss dichotomous etiologies of host damage in cryptococcal disease. These include patients suffering microbiological damage with low host immunity (especially those immunosuppressed with HIV) and those having low (live) microbiological burden but high immune-mediated damage (HIV-related immune reconstitution syndrome and non-HIV-related postinfectious inflammatory response syndrome). Cryptococcal disease in previously healthy hosts, albeit rare, has been known for a long time. Immunophenotyping and dendritic cell-T cell signaling studies on cerebral spinal fluid of these rare patients reveal immune capacity for recognition and T-cell activation pathways including increased levels of HLA-DR and CD56. However, despite effective T-cell signals, brain biopsy and autopsy specimens demonstrated an M2 alternative macrophage polarization and poor phagocytosis of fungal cells. These studies expand the paradigm for cryptococcal disease susceptibility to include a prominent role for immune-mediated damage and suggest a need for careful individual consideration of immune activation during therapy of cryptococcal disease in diverse hosts. PMID:29670625

Immunology of Cryptococcal Infections: Developing a Rational Approach to Patient Therapy.

PubMed

Elsegeiny, Waleed; Marr, Kieren A; Williamson, Peter R

2018-01-01

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is responsible for upwards of 15% of HIV-related deaths worldwide and is currently the most common cause of non-viral meningitis in the US, affecting both previously healthy and people with immune suppression caused by cancer chemotherapy, transplantation, and biologic therapies. Despite a continued 30-50% attributable mortality, recommended therapeutic strategies have remained largely unchanged since the 1950s. Recent murine models and human studies examining the role of the immune system in both susceptibility to the infection as well as host damage have begun to influence patient care decisions. The Damage Framework Response, originally proposed in 1999, was recently used to discuss dichotomous etiologies of host damage in cryptococcal disease. These include patients suffering microbiological damage with low host immunity (especially those immunosuppressed with HIV) and those having low (live) microbiological burden but high immune-mediated damage (HIV-related immune reconstitution syndrome and non-HIV-related postinfectious inflammatory response syndrome). Cryptococcal disease in previously healthy hosts, albeit rare, has been known for a long time. Immunophenotyping and dendritic cell-T cell signaling studies on cerebral spinal fluid of these rare patients reveal immune capacity for recognition and T-cell activation pathways including increased levels of HLA-DR and CD56. However, despite effective T-cell signals, brain biopsy and autopsy specimens demonstrated an M2 alternative macrophage polarization and poor phagocytosis of fungal cells. These studies expand the paradigm for cryptococcal disease susceptibility to include a prominent role for immune-mediated damage and suggest a need for careful individual consideration of immune activation during therapy of cryptococcal disease in diverse hosts.

In vitro and in vivo models of colorectal cancer: antigenotoxic activity of berries.

PubMed

Brown, Emma M; Latimer, Cheryl; Allsopp, Philip; Ternan, Nigel G; McMullan, Geoffery; McDougall, Gordon J; Stewart, Derek; Crozier, Alan; Rowland, Ian; Gill, Chris I R

2014-05-07

The etiology of colorectal cancer (CRC), a common cause of cancer-related mortality globally, has strong associations with diet. There is considerable epidemiological evidence that fruits and vegetables are associated with reduced risk of CRC. This paper reviews the extensive evidence, both from in vitro studies and animal models, that components of berry fruits can modulate biomarkers of DNA damage and that these effects may be potentially chemoprotective, given the likely role that oxidative damage plays in mutation rate and cancer risk. Human intervention trials with berries are generally consistent in indicating a capacity to significantly decrease oxidative damage to DNA, but represent limited evidence for anticarcinogenicity, relying as they do on surrogate risk markers. To understand the effects of berry consumption on colorectal cancer risk, future studies will need to be well controlled, with defined berry extracts, using suitable and clinically relevant end points and considering the importance of the gut microbiota.

Effects of cortical damage on binocular depth perception.

PubMed

Bridge, Holly

2016-06-19

Stereoscopic depth perception requires considerable neural computation, including the initial correspondence of the two retinal images, comparison across the local regions of the visual field and integration with other cues to depth. The most common cause for loss of stereoscopic vision is amblyopia, in which one eye has failed to form an adequate input to the visual cortex, usually due to strabismus (deviating eye) or anisometropia. However, the significant cortical processing required to produce the percept of depth means that, even when the retinal input is intact from both eyes, brain damage or dysfunction can interfere with stereoscopic vision. In this review, I examine the evidence for impairment of binocular vision and depth perception that can result from insults to the brain, including both discrete damage, temporal lobectomy and more systemic diseases such as posterior cortical atrophy.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in our three-dimensional world'. © 2016 The Authors.

Effects of cortical damage on binocular depth perception

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Stereoscopic depth perception requires considerable neural computation, including the initial correspondence of the two retinal images, comparison across the local regions of the visual field and integration with other cues to depth. The most common cause for loss of stereoscopic vision is amblyopia, in which one eye has failed to form an adequate input to the visual cortex, usually due to strabismus (deviating eye) or anisometropia. However, the significant cortical processing required to produce the percept of depth means that, even when the retinal input is intact from both eyes, brain damage or dysfunction can interfere with stereoscopic vision. In this review, I examine the evidence for impairment of binocular vision and depth perception that can result from insults to the brain, including both discrete damage, temporal lobectomy and more systemic diseases such as posterior cortical atrophy. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Vision in our three-dimensional world’. PMID:27269597

Histological evaluation of the equine larynx after unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy.

PubMed

Robinson, P; Williams, K J; Sullins, K E; Arnoczky, S P; Stick, J A; Robinson, N E; de Feijter-Rupp, H; Derksen, F J

2007-05-01

Trans-endoscopic laser surgery, such as unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy (LVC), has gained popularity in the treatment of RLN because a laryngotomy incision or general anaesthesia are not required. However, removal of the vocal fold and ventricle takes considerable laser energy and could cause collateral tissue damage, including injury to the adjacent laryngeal cartilages. To document the histological effects of laser surgery on laryngeal tissues in horses that have undergone LVC for the treatment of laryngeal hemiplegia (LH). Six horses were used: 4 with experimentally induced LH that had subsequently undergone LVC 6 months prior to euthanasia; and, 2 horses were used as controls. One of the control horses with naturally occurring LH was used to study the effect of neuropathy alone, whereas the other was subjected to euthanasia immediately following LVC to evaluate the acute effect of laser surgery. Using a band saw, each larynx was sectioned transversely at 5 mm intervals and evaluated histologically. Acutely, LVC caused thermal damage to adjacent soft tissues but did not affect the histology of the laryngeal cartilages. Six months after LVC, laryngeal cartilages were histologically normal and there was squamous metaplasia of the repaired laryngeal mucosa, resulting in restitution of the mucosal integrity. Using a diode laser in contact fashion at 20 W, LVC can be used to remove the laryngeal vocal fold and ventricle without causing laryngeal cartilage damage. Laryngeal chondritis is an unlikely consequence of LVC.

Childhood cerebellar ataxia.

PubMed

Fogel, Brent L

2012-09-01

Childhood presentations of ataxia, an impairment of balance and coordination caused by damage to or dysfunction of the cerebellum, can often be challenging to diagnose. Presentations tend to be clinically heterogeneous, but key considerations may vary based on the child's age at onset, the course of illness, and subtle differences in phenotype. Systematic investigation is recommended for efficient diagnosis. In this review, we outline common etiologies and describe a comprehensive approach to the evaluation of both acquired and genetic cerebellar ataxia in children.

Decision tree analysis of factors influencing rainfall-related building damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spekkers, M. H.; Kok, M.; Clemens, F. H. L. R.; ten Veldhuis, J. A. E.

2014-04-01

Flood damage prediction models are essential building blocks in flood risk assessments. Little research has been dedicated so far to damage of small-scale urban floods caused by heavy rainfall, while there is a need for reliable damage models for this flood type among insurers and water authorities. The aim of this paper is to investigate a wide range of damage-influencing factors and their relationships with rainfall-related damage, using decision tree analysis. For this, district-aggregated claim data from private property insurance companies in the Netherlands were analysed, for the period of 1998-2011. The databases include claims of water-related damage, for example, damages related to rainwater intrusion through roofs and pluvial flood water entering buildings at ground floor. Response variables being modelled are average claim size and claim frequency, per district per day. The set of predictors include rainfall-related variables derived from weather radar images, topographic variables from a digital terrain model, building-related variables and socioeconomic indicators of households. Analyses were made separately for property and content damage claim data. Results of decision tree analysis show that claim frequency is most strongly associated with maximum hourly rainfall intensity, followed by real estate value, ground floor area, household income, season (property data only), buildings age (property data only), ownership structure (content data only) and fraction of low-rise buildings (content data only). It was not possible to develop statistically acceptable trees for average claim size, which suggest that variability in average claim size is related to explanatory variables that cannot be defined at the district scale. Cross-validation results show that decision trees were able to predict 22-26% of variance in claim frequency, which is considerably better compared to results from global multiple regression models (11-18% of variance explained). Still, a large part of the variance in claim frequency is left unexplained, which is likely to be caused by variations in data at subdistrict scale and missing explanatory variables.

Phytoconstituents as photoprotective novel cosmetic formulations

PubMed Central

Saraf, S.; Kaur, C. D.

2010-01-01

Phytoconstituents are gaining popularity as ingredients in cosmetic formulations as they can protect the skin against exogenous and endogenous harmful agents and can help remedy many skin conditions. Exposure of skin to sunlight and other atmospheric conditions causes the production of reactive oxygen species, which can react with DNA, proteins, and fatty acids, causing oxidative damage and impairment of antioxidant system. Such injuries damage regulation pathways of skin and lead to photoaging and skin cancer development. The effects of aging include wrinkles, roughness, appearance of fine lines, lack of elasticity, and de- or hyperpigmentation marks. Herbal extracts act on these areas and produce healing, softening, rejuvenating, and sunscreen effects. We have selected a few photoprotective phytoconstituents, such as curcumin, resveratrol, tea polyphenols, silymarin, quercetin and ascorbic acid, and have discussed the considerations to be undertaken for the development of herbal cosmetic formulations that could reduce the occurrence of skin cancer and delay the process of photoaging. This article is aimed at providing specific and compiled knowledge for the successful preparation of photoprotective herbal cosmetic formulations. PMID:22228936

Quantitative Study of Vulnerability / Damage Curves in South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pule, Tebogo

2014-05-01

Southern Africa is considered a stable continental region in spite of several cases of reported earthquakes, which caused considerable damage and casualties particularly in the mining industry. Most buildings and structures in South Africa are not designed to resist any intensity of earthquake and most architects, engineers and builders in the country do not consider seismic resistance as a design requirement. This is mainly because the region has not experienced any large and serious destructive earthquake in recent years. The most destructive earthquake recorded in South Africa is the Ceres earthquake of 1969. The earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 occurred on September 29, 1969 in the Ceres-Tulbagh region of the Western Cape Province about 100 km northeast of Cape Town. Serious damage occurred to certain buildings in the area (amounting to a total of U.S. 24 million). The structural damage varied from almost total destruction of old and poorly constructed buildings to large cracks in the better-built ones, twelve people were killed and many more were injured. Another event that caused severe damage to infrastructure occurred on March 9, 2005 at Stilfontein near Klerksdorp. It is known that up to 40 or more tremors are recorded monthly in Southern Africa, the locations are predominantly in the places surrounding the gold mining areas with many events around the Carletonville and Klerksdorp areas. Recent years have seen at least four mining induced tremors causing significant damage (Welkom 1976, Klerksdorp 1977, Welkom 1989 and Carletonville 1992). Such events show that it is very necessary to take seismic events into account in the design of any infrastructure. Assessing and understanding the risk facing the South African cities as a result of major seismic activity has been paid little attention. The main focus of this study is to use results of a deterministic hazard assessment to develop the most suitable damage curves for twelve of the most common building classes in four of the major cities in South Africa, namely, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

RADIOACTIVE IODINE IN THE LYMPH LEAVING THE THYROID GLAND

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

Daniel, R.M.; Gale, M.M.; Pratt, O.E.

1963-04-01

Very high levels of I/sup 131/ were found in lymph of vessels draining the thyroid gland of animals injected with the isotope. The lymph was collected from the draining lymphatics 2-6 days after subcutaneous injection of 50-100 mu C in rabbits and cats and 200 mu C in sheep. Thyroid lymph contained a concentration of radioactivity considerably higher than that in either thyroid venous plasma or systemic blood plasma. This was found in all three species both before and after giving thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Almost all the radioactivity in the lymph was due to organic I/sup 131/. When tie thyroidmore » gland was excised postmortem, a count showed that the proportion of I/sup 131/ which had been injected and which rernained in the gland at the end of the experiment varied considerably. Estimates of the radiation dose varied between 30 and 200 rad. There was no obvious relation between this dose the lymph/plasma I/sup 131/ ratio, which indicates that the radiation dose was not so high as to produce damage to the gland. The radiation dose to the thyroid in these experiments was not greater than is customarily given in studies of hormone release from the thyroid and the dosage used gives a lower level of radiation than that thought to cause radiation damage to the gland. Since, therefore, damage to the thyroid can be discounted as a cause for the release of iodinated protein, it seems likely that a significart proportion of organic iodine leaves the gland under normal conditions via the lymphatic pathway both before and after the administration of TSH and that this pathway should be taken into account in all studies of thyroid secretion. Gentle massage of the gland, which increases the flow of lymph, did not lead to an increase in the output of radioactivity. Movement of lymph in the thyroid vessels is relatively rapid and since the concentration of I/sup 131/ in thyroid lymph is high, the amount of thyroid hormones leaving the gland by this pathway must be considerable. (BBB)« less

Childhood Cerebellar Ataxia

PubMed Central

Fogel, Brent L.

2012-01-01

Childhood presentations of ataxia, an impairment of balance and coordination caused by damage to or dysfunction of the cerebellum, can often be challenging to diagnose. Presentations tend to be clinically heterogeneous but key considerations may vary based on the child's age at onset, the course of illness, and subtle differences in phenotype. Systematic investigation is recommended for efficient diagnosis. In this review, we outline common etiologies and describe a comprehensive approach to the evaluation of both acquired and genetic cerebellar ataxia in children. PMID:22764177

Inhibitory effect and possible mechanism of a Pseudomonas strain QBA5 against gray mold on tomato leaves and fruits caused by Botrytis cinerea

PubMed Central

Gao, Pan; Qin, Jiaxing; Li, Delong

2018-01-01

The fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea causes gray mold disease on various hosts, which results in serious economic losses. Over the past several decades, many kinds of fungicides have been used to successfully control the disease. Meanwhile, the uses of fungicides lead to environmental pollution as well as a potential threat to the human health by the chemical residues in tomato fruit. Also, the gray mold disease is difficult to control with fungicides. Therefore, exploring alternative measures such as biological controls could be the best choice to control the disease and alleviate damages caused by fungicides. In this study, we isolated and identified a novel Pseudomonas strain termed as QBA5 from healthy tomato plant based on the morphological, biochemical characteristics and molecular detection. The antifungal activity assays revealed that, in the presence of QBA5, conidia germination, germ tube elongation and mycelial growth of B. cinerea were significantly inhibited. Most importantly, QBA5 exerted a significant preventive effectiveness against gray mold on tomato fruits and plants. The possible mechanism of QBA5 involved in the inhibition of B. cinerea was investigated. It revealed that the conidia plasma membrane of B. cinerea was severely damaged by QBA5. Further, four different antifungal compounds in the supernatant of QBA5 were separated by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (PHPLC). Overall, the data indicate that there is a considerable potential for QBA5 to reduce the damage caused by gray mold disease on tomato. PMID:29320571

Inhibitory effect and possible mechanism of a Pseudomonas strain QBA5 against gray mold on tomato leaves and fruits caused by Botrytis cinerea.

PubMed

Gao, Pan; Qin, Jiaxing; Li, Delong; Zhou, Shanyue

2018-01-01

The fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea causes gray mold disease on various hosts, which results in serious economic losses. Over the past several decades, many kinds of fungicides have been used to successfully control the disease. Meanwhile, the uses of fungicides lead to environmental pollution as well as a potential threat to the human health by the chemical residues in tomato fruit. Also, the gray mold disease is difficult to control with fungicides. Therefore, exploring alternative measures such as biological controls could be the best choice to control the disease and alleviate damages caused by fungicides. In this study, we isolated and identified a novel Pseudomonas strain termed as QBA5 from healthy tomato plant based on the morphological, biochemical characteristics and molecular detection. The antifungal activity assays revealed that, in the presence of QBA5, conidia germination, germ tube elongation and mycelial growth of B. cinerea were significantly inhibited. Most importantly, QBA5 exerted a significant preventive effectiveness against gray mold on tomato fruits and plants. The possible mechanism of QBA5 involved in the inhibition of B. cinerea was investigated. It revealed that the conidia plasma membrane of B. cinerea was severely damaged by QBA5. Further, four different antifungal compounds in the supernatant of QBA5 were separated by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (PHPLC). Overall, the data indicate that there is a considerable potential for QBA5 to reduce the damage caused by gray mold disease on tomato.

Strength Restoration of Cracked Sandstone and Coal under a Uniaxial Compression Test and Correlated Damage Source Location Based on Acoustic Emissions.

PubMed

Feng, Xiaowei; Zhang, Nong; Zheng, Xigui; Pan, Dongjiang

2015-01-01

Underground rock masses have shown a general trend of natural balance over billions of years of ground movement. Nonetheless, man-made underground constructions disturb this balance and cause rock stability failure. Fractured rock masses are frequently encountered in underground constructions, and this study aims to restore the strength of rock masses that have experienced considerable fracturing under uniaxial compression. Coal and sandstone from a deep-buried coal mine were chosen as experimental subjects; they were crushed by uniaxial compression and then carefully restored by a chemical adhesive called MEYCO 364 with an innovative self-made device. Finally, the restored specimens were crushed once again by uniaxial compression. Axial stress, axial strain, circumferential strain, and volumetric strain data for the entire process were fully captured and are discussed here. An acoustic emission (AE) testing system was adopted to cooperate with the uniaxial compression system to provide better definitions for crack closure thresholds, crack initiation thresholds, crack damage thresholds, and three-dimensional damage source locations in intact and restored specimens. Several remarkable findings were obtained. The restoration effects of coal are considerably better than those of sandstone because the strength recovery coefficient of the former is 1.20, whereas that of the latter is 0.33, which indicates that MEYCO 364 is particularly valid for fractured rocks whose initial intact peak stress is less than that of MEYCO 364. Secondary cracked traces of restored sandstone almost follow the cracked traces of the initial intact sandstone, and the final failure is mainly caused by decoupling between the adhesive and the rock mass. However, cracked traces of restored coal only partially follow the traces of intact coal, with the final failure of the restored coal being caused by both bonding interface decoupling and self-breakage in coal. Three-dimensional damage source locations manifest such that AE events are highly correlated with a strength recovery coefficient; the AE events show a decreasing tendency when the coefficient is larger than 1, and vice versa. This study provides a feasible scheme for the reinforcement of fractured rock masses in underground constructions and reveals an internal mechanism of the crushing process for restored rock masses, which has certain instructive significance.

Strength Restoration of Cracked Sandstone and Coal under a Uniaxial Compression Test and Correlated Damage Source Location Based on Acoustic Emissions

PubMed Central

Feng, Xiaowei; Zhang, Nong; Zheng, Xigui; Pan, Dongjiang

2015-01-01

Underground rock masses have shown a general trend of natural balance over billions of years of ground movement. Nonetheless, man-made underground constructions disturb this balance and cause rock stability failure. Fractured rock masses are frequently encountered in underground constructions, and this study aims to restore the strength of rock masses that have experienced considerable fracturing under uniaxial compression. Coal and sandstone from a deep-buried coal mine were chosen as experimental subjects; they were crushed by uniaxial compression and then carefully restored by a chemical adhesive called MEYCO 364 with an innovative self-made device. Finally, the restored specimens were crushed once again by uniaxial compression. Axial stress, axial strain, circumferential strain, and volumetric strain data for the entire process were fully captured and are discussed here. An acoustic emission (AE) testing system was adopted to cooperate with the uniaxial compression system to provide better definitions for crack closure thresholds, crack initiation thresholds, crack damage thresholds, and three-dimensional damage source locations in intact and restored specimens. Several remarkable findings were obtained. The restoration effects of coal are considerably better than those of sandstone because the strength recovery coefficient of the former is 1.20, whereas that of the latter is 0.33, which indicates that MEYCO 364 is particularly valid for fractured rocks whose initial intact peak stress is less than that of MEYCO 364. Secondary cracked traces of restored sandstone almost follow the cracked traces of the initial intact sandstone, and the final failure is mainly caused by decoupling between the adhesive and the rock mass. However, cracked traces of restored coal only partially follow the traces of intact coal, with the final failure of the restored coal being caused by both bonding interface decoupling and self-breakage in coal. Three-dimensional damage source locations manifest such that AE events are highly correlated with a strength recovery coefficient; the AE events show a decreasing tendency when the coefficient is larger than 1, and vice versa. This study provides a feasible scheme for the reinforcement of fractured rock masses in underground constructions and reveals an internal mechanism of the crushing process for restored rock masses, which has certain instructive significance. PMID:26714324

Damage assessment of composite plate structures with material and measurement uncertainty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandrashekhar, M.; Ganguli, Ranjan

2016-06-01

Composite materials are very useful in structural engineering particularly in weight sensitive applications. Two different test models of the same structure made from composite materials can display very different dynamic behavior due to large uncertainties associated with composite material properties. Also, composite structures can suffer from pre-existing imperfections like delaminations, voids or cracks during fabrication. In this paper, we show that modeling and material uncertainties in composite structures can cause considerable problem in damage assessment. A recently developed C0 shear deformable locking free refined composite plate element is employed in the numerical simulations to alleviate modeling uncertainty. A qualitative estimate of the impact of modeling uncertainty on the damage detection problem is made. A robust Fuzzy Logic System (FLS) with sliding window defuzzifier is used for delamination damage detection in composite plate type structures. The FLS is designed using variations in modal frequencies due to randomness in material properties. Probabilistic analysis is performed using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) on a composite plate finite element model. It is demonstrated that the FLS shows excellent robustness in delamination detection at very high levels of randomness in input data.

Water vapour emission in vegetable fuel: absorption cell measurements and detection limits of our CO II Dial system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellecci, C.; De Leo, L.; Gaudio, P.; Gelfusa, M.; Lo Feudo, T.; Martellucci, S.; Richetta, M.

2006-09-01

Forest fires can be the cause of serious environmental and economic damages. For this reason a considerable effort has been directed toward the forest protection and fire fighting. In the early forest fire detection, Lidar technique present considerable advantages compared to the passive detection methods based on infrared cameras currently in common use, due its higher sensitivity and ability to accurately locate the fire. The combustion phase of the vegetable matter causes a great amount of water vapour emission, thus the water molecule behaviour will be studied to obtain a fire detection system ready and efficient also before the flame propagation. A first evaluation of increment of the water vapour concentration compared to standard one will be estimated by a numerical simulation. These results will be compared with the experimental measurements carried out into a cell with a CO II Dial system, burning different kinds of vegetable fuel. Our results and their comparison will be reported in this paper.

Acoustic fatigue and sound transmission characteristics of a ram composite panel design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cockburn, J. A.; Chang, K. Y.; Kao, G. C.

1972-01-01

An experimental study to determine the acoustic fatigue characteristics of a flat multi-layered structural panel is described. The test panel represented a proposed design for the outer skin of a research application module to be housed within the space shuttle orbiter vehicle. The test specimen was mounted in one wall of the Wyle 100,000 cu ft reverberation room and exposed to a broadband acoustic environment having an overall level of 145 db. The test panel was exposed to nine separate applications of the acoustic environment, each application consisting of 250 seconds duration. Upon completion of the ninth test run, the specimen was exposed to a simulated micrometeoroid impact near the panel center. One additional test run of 250 seconds duration was then performed to complete the overall simulation of 50 flight missions. The experimental results show that no significant fatigue damage occurred until the test specimen was exposed to a simulated micrometeoroid impact. The intermediate foam layer forming the core of the test specimen suffered considerable damage due to this impact, causing a marked variation in the dynamic characteristics of the overall test panel. During the final application of the acoustic environment, the strain and acceleration response spectra showed considerable variation from those spectra obtained prior to impact of the panel. Fatigue damage from acoustic loading however, was limited to partial de-bonding around the edges of the composite panel.

ER stress and subsequent activated calpain play a pivotal role in skeletal muscle wasting after severe burn injury

PubMed Central

Shen, Chuanan; Li, Dawei; Wang, Xiaoteng

2017-01-01

Severe burns are typically followed by hypermetabolism characterized by significant muscle wasting, which causes considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to explore the underlying mechanisms of skeletal muscle damage/wasting post-burn. Rats were randomized to the sham, sham+4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA, a pharmacological chaperone promoting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) folding/trafficking, commonly considered as an inhibitor of ER), burn (30% total body surface area), and burn+4-PBA groups; and sacrificed at 1, 4, 7, 14 days after the burn injury. Tibial anterior muscle was harvested for transmission electron microscopy, calcium imaging, gene expression and protein analysis of ER stress / ubiquitin-proteasome system / autophagy, and calpain activity measurement. The results showed that ER stress markers were increased in the burn group compared with the sham group, especially at post-burn days 4 and 7, which might consequently elevate cytoplasmic calcium concentration, promote calpain production as well as activation, and cause skeletal muscle damage/wasting of TA muscle after severe burn injury. Interestingly, treatment with 4-PBA prevented burn-induced ER swelling and altered protein expression of ER stress markers and calcium release, attenuating calpain activation and skeletal muscle damage/wasting after severe burn injury. Atrogin-1 and LC3-II/LC3-I ratio were also increased in the burn group compared with the sham group, while MuRF-1 remained unchanged; 4-PBA decreased atrogin-1 in the burn group. Taken together, these findings suggested that severe burn injury induces ER stress, which in turns causes calpain activation. ER stress and subsequent activated calpain play a critical role in skeletal muscle damage/wasting in burned rats. PMID:29028830

Biological Activities of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species: Oxidative Stress versus Signal Transduction

PubMed Central

Weidinger, Adelheid; Kozlov, Andrey V.

2015-01-01

In the past, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) were shown to cause oxidative damage to biomolecules, contributing to the development of a variety of diseases. However, recent evidence has suggested that intracellular RONS are an important component of intracellular signaling cascades. The aim of this review was to consolidate old and new ideas on the chemical, physiological and pathological role of RONS for a better understanding of their properties and specific activities. Critical consideration of the literature reveals that deleterious effects do not appear if only one primary species (superoxide radical, nitric oxide) is present in a biological system, even at high concentrations. The prerequisite of deleterious effects is the formation of highly reactive secondary species (hydroxyl radical, peroxynitrite), emerging exclusively upon reaction with another primary species or a transition metal. The secondary species are toxic, not well controlled, causing irreversible damage to all classes of biomolecules. In contrast, primary RONS are well controlled (superoxide dismutase, catalase), and their reactions with biomolecules are reversible, making them ideal for physiological/pathophysiological intracellular signaling. We assume that whether RONS have a signal transducing or damaging effect is primarily defined by their quality, being primary or secondary RONS, and only secondly by their quantity. PMID:25884116

The health care reform in Mexico: before and after the 1985 earthquakes.

PubMed Central

Soberón, G; Frenk, J; Sepúlveda, J

1986-01-01

The earthquakes that hit Mexico City in September 1985 caused considerable damage both to the population and to important medical facilities. The disaster took place while the country was undertaking a profound reform of its health care system. This reform had introduced a new principle for allocating and distributing the benefits of health care, namely, the principle of citizenship. Operationally, the reform includes an effort to decentralize the decision-making authority, to modernize the administration, to achieve greater coordination within the health sector and among sectors, and to extend coverage to the entire population through an ambitious primary care program. This paper examines the health context in which the reform was taking place when the September earthquakes hit. After presenting the damages caused by the quakes, the paper analyzes the characteristics of the immediate response by the health system. Since many facilities within the system were severely damaged, a series of options for reconstruction are posited. The main lesson to be learned from the Mexican case is that cuts in health care programs are not the inevitable response to economic or natural crises. On the contrary, it is precisely when the majority of the population is undergoing difficulties that a universal and equitable health system becomes most necessary. PMID:3706595

The health care reform in Mexico: before and after the 1985 earthquakes.

PubMed

Soberón, G; Frenk, J; Sepúlveda, J

1986-06-01

The earthquakes that hit Mexico City in September 1985 caused considerable damage both to the population and to important medical facilities. The disaster took place while the country was undertaking a profound reform of its health care system. This reform had introduced a new principle for allocating and distributing the benefits of health care, namely, the principle of citizenship. Operationally, the reform includes an effort to decentralize the decision-making authority, to modernize the administration, to achieve greater coordination within the health sector and among sectors, and to extend coverage to the entire population through an ambitious primary care program. This paper examines the health context in which the reform was taking place when the September earthquakes hit. After presenting the damages caused by the quakes, the paper analyzes the characteristics of the immediate response by the health system. Since many facilities within the system were severely damaged, a series of options for reconstruction are posited. The main lesson to be learned from the Mexican case is that cuts in health care programs are not the inevitable response to economic or natural crises. On the contrary, it is precisely when the majority of the population is undergoing difficulties that a universal and equitable health system becomes most necessary.

Motor cortex stimulation does not lead to functional recovery after experimental cortical injury in rats.

PubMed

Schönfeld, Lisa-Maria; Jahanshahi, Ali; Lemmens, Evi; Bauwens, Matthias; Hescham, Sarah-Anna; Schipper, Sandra; Lagiere, Melanie; Hendrix, Sven; Temel, Yasin

2017-01-01

Motor impairments are among the major complications that develop after cortical damage caused by either stroke or traumatic brain injury. Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) can improve motor functions in animal models of stroke by inducing neuroplasticity. In the current study, the therapeutic effect of chronic MCS was assessed in a rat model of severe cortical damage. A controlled cortical impact (CCI) was applied to the forelimb area of the motor cortex followed by implantation of a flat electrode covering the lesioned area. Forelimb function was assessed using the Montoya staircase test and the cylinder test before and after a period of chronic MCS. Furthermore, the effect of MCS on tissue metabolism and lesion size was measured using [18F]-fluorodesoxyglucose (FDG) μPET scanning. CCI caused a considerable lesion at the level of the motor cortex and dorsal striatum together with a long-lasting behavioral phenotype of forelimb impairment. However, MCS applied to the CCI lesion did not lead to any improvement in limb functioning when compared to non-stimulated control rats. Also, MCS neither changed lesion size nor distribution of FDG. The use of MCS as a standalone treatment did not improve motor impairments in a rat model of severe cortical damage using our specific treatment modalities.

Binder of Sperm Proteins protect ram spermatozoa from freeze-thaw damage.

PubMed

Pini, Taylor; Farmer, Kiri; Druart, Xavier; Teixeira-Gomes, Ana Paula; Tsikis, Guillaume; Labas, Valerie; Leahy, Tamara; de Graaf, Simon P

2018-06-01

Cryopreservation causes sub-lethal damage which limits the fertility of frozen thawed spermatozoa. Seminal plasma has been investigated as a cryoprotectant, but has yielded inconsistent results due to considerable variation in its constituents. Individual seminal plasma proteins offer an ideal alternative to whole seminal plasma, and several have been correlated with freezing success. Binder of Sperm Proteins (BSPs) are abundant ram seminal plasma proteins which have been suggested to have significant protective effects on ram spermatozoa during cold shock. This is in direct opposition to bull spermatozoa, where BSPs cause sperm deterioration during in vitro handling. We investigated the potential of BSP1 and BSP5 to prevent freezing associated damage to important functional parameters of ram spermatozoa. BSPs purified by size exclusion chromatography improved post thaw motility and penetration through artificial mucus. Highly purified BSP1 and BSP5, isolated by gelatin affinity and RP-HPLC, improved motility and membrane integrity, and reduced post thaw protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Exposure to BSP5 before freezing increased the amount of phosphatidylethanolamine on the sperm surface after thawing. Neither BSP1 nor BSP5 prevented freezing associated changes in membrane lipid disorder. These results suggest that BSPs may significantly improve freezing outcomes of ram spermatozoa. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Current and future flood risk to railway infrastructure in Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bubeck, Philip; Kellermann, Patric; Alfieri, Lorenzo; Feyen, Luc; Dillenardt, Lisa; Thieken, Annegret H.

2017-04-01

Railway infrastructure plays an important role in the transportation of freight and passengers across the European Union. According to Eurostat, more than four billion passenger-kilometres were travelled on national and international railway lines of the EU28 in 2014. To further strengthen transport infrastructure in Europe, the European Commission will invest another € 24.05 billion in the transnational transport network until 2020 as part of its new transport infrastructure policy (TEN-T), including railway infrastructure. Floods pose a significant risk to infrastructure elements. Damage data of recent flood events in Europe show that infrastructure losses can make up a considerable share of overall losses. For example, damage to state and municipal infrastructure in the federal state of Saxony (Germany) accounted for nearly 60% of overall losses during the large-scale event in June 2013. Especially in mountainous areas with little usable space available, roads and railway lines often follow floodplains or are located along steep and unsteady slopes. In Austria, for instance, the flood of 2013 caused € 75 million of direct damage to railway infrastructure. Despite the importance of railway infrastructure and its exposure to flooding, assessments of potential damage and risk (i.e. probability * damage) are still in its infancy compared with other sectors, such as the residential or industrial sector. Infrastructure-specific assessments at the regional scale are largely lacking. Regional assessment of potential damage to railway infrastructure has been hampered by a lack of infrastructure-specific damage models and data availability. The few available regional approaches have used damage models that assess damage to various infrastructure elements (e.g. roads, railway, airports and harbours) using one aggregated damage function and cost estimate. Moreover, infrastructure elements are often considerably underrepresented in regional land cover data, such as CORINE, due to their line shapes. To assess current and future damage and risk to railway infrastructure in Europe, we apply the damage model RAIL -' RAilway Infrastructure Loss' that was specifically developed for railway infrastructure using empirical damage data. To adequately and comprehensively capture the line-shaped features of railway infrastructure, the assessment makes use of the open-access data set of openrailway.org. Current and future flood hazard in Europe is obtained with the LISFLOOD-based pan-European flood hazard mapping procedure combined with ensemble projections of extreme streamflow for the current century based on EURO-CORDEX RCP 8.5 climate scenarios. The presentation shows first results of the combination of the hazard data and the model RAIL for Europe.

Radiation Effect on Human Tissue

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richmond, Robert C.; Cruz, Angela; Bors, Karen; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Predicting the occurrence of human cancer following exposure of an epidemiologic population to any agent causing genetic damage is a difficult task. To an approximation, this is because the uncertainty of uniform exposure to the damaging agent, and the uncertainty of uniform processing of that damage within a complex set of biological variables, degrade the confidence of predicting the delayed expression of cancer as a relatively rare event within clinically normal individuals. This situation begs the need for alternate controlled experimental models that are predictive for the development of human cancer following exposures to agents causing genetic damage. Such models historically have not been of substantial proven value. It is more recently encouraging, however, that developments in molecular and cell biology have led to an expanded knowledge of human carcinogenesis, and of molecular markers associated with that process. It is therefore appropriate to consider new laboratory models developed to accomodate that expanded knowledge in order to assess the cancer risks associated with exposures to genotoxic agents. When ionizing radiation of space is the genotoxic agent, then a series of additional considerations for human cancer risk assessment must also be applied. These include the dose of radiation absorbed by tissue at different locations in the body, the quality of the absorbed radiation, the rate at which absorbed dose accumulates in tissue, the way in which absorbed dose is measured and calculated, and the alterations in incident radiation caused by shielding materials. It is clear that human cancer risk assessment for damage caused by ionizing radiation is a multidisciplinary responsibility, and that within this responsibility no single discipline can hold disproportionate sway if a risk assessment model of radiation-induced human cancer is to be developed that has proven value. Biomolecular and cellular markers from the work reported here are considered for use in assessing human cancer risk related to exposure to space radiation. This potential use must be integrated within the specified multidisciplinary context in order to create a new tool of molecular epidemiology that can hopefully then realistically assess this cancer risk.

Three-Dimensional Geometric Nonlinear Contact Stress Analysis of Riveted Joints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shivakumar, Kunigal N.; Ramanujapuram, Vivek

1998-01-01

The problems associated with fatigue were brought into the forefront of research by the explosive decompression and structural failure of the Aloha Airlines Flight 243 in 1988. The structural failure of this airplane has been attributed to debonding and multiple cracking along the longitudinal lap splice riveted joint in the fuselage. This crash created what may be termed as a minor "Structural Integrity Revolution" in the commercial transport industry. Major steps have been taken by the manufacturers, operators and authorities to improve the structural airworthiness of the aging fleet of airplanes. Notwithstanding, this considerable effort there are still outstanding issues and concerns related to the formulation of Widespread Fatigue Damage which is believed to have been a contributing factor in the probable cause of the Aloha accident. The lesson from this accident was that Multiple-Site Damage (MSD) in "aging" aircraft can lead to extensive aircraft damage. A strong candidate in which MSD is highly probable to occur is the riveted lap joint.

Cold adaptation recorded in tree rings highlights risks associated with climate change and assisted migration.

PubMed

Montwé, David; Isaac-Renton, Miriam; Hamann, Andreas; Spiecker, Heinrich

2018-04-23

With lengthening growing seasons but increased temperature variability under climate change, frost damage to plants may remain a risk and could be exacerbated by poleward planting of warm-adapted seed sources. Here, we study cold adaptation of tree populations in a wide-ranging coniferous species in western North America to inform limits to seed transfer. Using tree-ring signatures of cold damage from common garden trials designed to study genetic population differentiation, we find opposing geographic clines for spring frost and fall frost damage. Provenances from northern regions are sensitive to spring frosts, while the more productive provenances from central and southern regions are more susceptible to fall frosts. Transferring the southern, warm-adapted genotypes northward causes a significant loss of growth and a permanent rank change after a spring frost event. We conclude that cold adaptation should remain an important consideration when implementing seed transfers designed to mitigate harmful effects of climate change.

Treatment of subgingival implant surfaces with Teflon-coated sonic and ultrasonic scaler tips and various implant curettes. An in vitro study.

PubMed

Rühling, A; Kocher, T; Kreusch, J; Plagmann, H C

1994-03-01

Removal of plaque and calculus by means of sonic and ultrasonic scalers causes considerable damage to implants. With a view to avoiding the aggressive effects of these instruments, an experimental study was carried out for which conventional sonic and ultrasonic scalers were coated with Teflon. The effects of these instruments on implant surfaces was then compared with that of plastic and metal implant curettes. Stereo-microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and surface profilometry were used to detect and record damage to implant surfaces and changes in surface roughness. Generation and propagation of heat in subgingival simulation of use of sonic and ultrasonic scalers were also recorded by means of temperature measurements at the implant surface. The results revealed that no discernible damage was caused by Teflon-coated sonic and ultrasonic scalers or implant curettes made of plastic on smooth titanium surfaces. Instrument material residues were found on rough implant surfaces. It was not the intention of this study to provide an analysis of the prerequisites for the cleaning of rough implant surfaces, but rather to determine what type of damage is to be expected when contact is made with smooth and rough surfaces unintentionally. Temperature measurements during the subgingival use of sonic and ultrasonic scalers indicated satisfactory functioning of the cooling system. Coating of sonic and ultrasonic scaler tips with Teflon thus facilitates the use of high-frequency instruments to achieve professional cleaning of implants.

Contribution of insurance data to cost assessment of coastal flood damage to residential buildings: insights gained from Johanna (2008) and Xynthia (2010) storm events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

André, C.; Monfort, D.; Bouzit, M.; Vinchon, C.

2013-08-01

There are a number of methodological issues involved in assessing damage caused by natural hazards. The first is the lack of data, due to the rarity of events and the widely different circumstances in which they occur. Thus, historical data, albeit scarce, should not be neglected when seeking to build ex-ante risk management models. This article analyses the input of insurance data for two recent severe coastal storm events, to examine what causal relationships may exist between hazard characteristics and the level of damage incurred by residential buildings. To do so, data was collected at two levels: from lists of about 4000 damage records, 358 loss adjustment reports were consulted, constituting a detailed damage database. The results show that for flooded residential buildings, over 75% of reconstruction costs are associated with interior elements, with damage to structural components remaining very localised and negligible. Further analysis revealed a high scatter between costs and water depth, suggesting that uncertainty remains high in drawing up damage functions with insurance data alone. Due to the paper format of the loss adjustment reports, and the lack of harmonisation between their contents, the collection stage called for a considerable amount of work. For future events, establishing a standardised process for archiving damage information could significantly contribute to the production of such empirical damage functions. Nevertheless, complementary sources of data on hazards and asset vulnerability parameters will definitely still be necessary for damage modelling; multivariate approaches, crossing insurance data with external material, should also be investigated more deeply.

Contribution of insurance data to cost assessment of coastal flood damage to residential buildings: insights gained from Johanna (2008) and Xynthia (2010) storm events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

André, C.; Monfort, D.; Bouzit, M.; Vinchon, C.

2013-03-01

There are a number of methodological issues involved in assessing damage caused by natural hazards. The first is the lack of data, due to the rarity of events and the widely different circumstances in which they occur. Thus, historical data, albeit scarce, should not be neglected when seeking to build ex-ante risk management models. This article analyses the input of insurance data for two recent severe coastal storm events, to examine what causal relationships may exist between hazard characteristics and the level of damage incurred by residential buildings. To do so, data was collected at two levels: from lists of about 4000 damage records, 358 loss adjustment reports were consulted, constituting a detailed damage database. The results show that for flooded residential buildings, over 75% of reconstruction costs are associated with interior elements, damage to structural components remaining very localised and negligible. Further analysis revealed a high scatter between costs and water depth, suggesting that uncertainty remains high in drawing up damage functions with insurance data alone. Due to the paper format of the loss adjustment reports and the lack of harmonisation between their contents, the collection stage called for a considerable amount of work. For future events, establishing a standardised process for archiving damage information could significantly contribute to the production of such empirical damage functions. Nevertheless, complementary sources of data on hazards and asset vulnerability parameters, will definitely still be necessary for damage modelling and multivariate approaches, crossing insurance data with external material, should also be deeper investigated.

Increasing Flood Risk due to Run-off Outflow near Estuarine City during Storm Event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Son, S.; Lee, C.; Do, K.; Jung, T.

2017-12-01

Tropical cyclone easily causes inundation damage to low-lying coastal area and the damage may be amplified due to tide motion, sea-level rise, riverine discharges. Specifically, typhoons are accompanied by intensive rainfall, which will of course raise the river water level and thus enhance the flooding damages. If the tidal cycle coincides the high water, flooding will be even aggravated. In the present study, we simulated storm surge motions at the coastal area considering combined effects of tidal and river discharge with aim to improve the accuracy of flooding prediction. The quasi 3-dimension ocean circulation model, Delf3D was used which solves the unsteady shallow water equation in the 2D and 3D. Since Delft3D is much applicable to accommodate the indirect flooding factors such as riverine discharge and short waves, outer-coupled modeling system was established to account for combined tide-surge-riverine discharge effects. In such integrated system, 11 tidal constituents were input as open boundary condition using TPXO 7.2 model, while the water level per unit time was preliminary calculated by HEC-HMS model and input as the upstream boundary conditions for river inside the domain. Typhoon MAEMI which attacked Masan city located at southern coast of South Korea and caused severe inundation damages in 2003 was selected for the study event. Basic information for typhoon such as path, wind speed, atmospheric pressure every 3 hours was provided by the Korea Meteorological Agency and was adopted. The simulation was implemented with tide and storm surge boundary conditions focusing on the target area, Masan, while the additional consideration on the discharge of the river inside the domain was also made. Simulated water level at the fixed location was compared to the observation for its verification and the extent of inundation areas of Masan were compared between observed and calculated. The marginal contribution of riverine discharge on the flooding area(or depth) was assessed by comparing tide-surge with tide-surge-riverine discharge simulations. Finally, the importance of the specific consideration on the riverine discharge during storm surge modeling can be addressed.

Mitigating the Impact of Bats in Historic Churches: The Response of Natterer’s Bats Myotis nattereri to Artificial Roosts and Deterrence

PubMed Central

Zeale, Matt R. K.; Bennitt, Emily; Newson, Stuart E.; Packman, Charlotte; Browne, William J.; Harris, Stephen; Jones, Gareth; Stone, Emma

2016-01-01

Bats frequently roost in historic churches, and these colonies are of considerable conservation value. Inside churches, bat droppings and urine can cause damage to the historic fabric of the building and to items of cultural significance. In extreme cases, large quantities of droppings can restrict the use of a church for worship and/or other community functions. In the United Kingdom, bats and their roosts are protected by law, and striking a balance between conserving the natural and cultural heritage can be a significant challenge. We investigated mitigation strategies that could be employed in churches and other historic buildings to alleviate problems caused by bats without adversely affecting their welfare or conservation status. We used a combination of artificial roost provision and deterrence at churches in Norfolk, England, where significant maternity colonies of Natterer’s bats Myotis nattereri damage church features. Radio-tracking data and population modelling showed that excluding M. nattereri from churches is likely to have a negative impact on their welfare and conservation status, but that judicious use of deterrents, especially high intensity ultrasound, can mitigate problems caused by bats. We show that deterrence can be used to move bats humanely from specific roosting sites within a church and limit the spread of droppings and urine so that problems to congregations and damage to cultural heritage can be much reduced. In addition, construction of bespoke roost spaces within churches can allow bats to continue to roost within the fabric of the building without flying in the church interior. We highlight that deterrence has the potential to cause serious harm to M. nattereri populations if not used judiciously, and so the effects of deterrents will need careful monitoring, and their use needs strict regulation. PMID:26771548

The structure of interfibrillar proteoglycan bridges (‘shape modules’) in extracellular matrix of fibrous connective tissues and their stability in various chemical environments

PubMed Central

SCOTT, JOHN E.; THOMLINSON, ALISON M.

1998-01-01

Collagen fibrils in extracellular matrices of connective tissues (tendon, cornea, etc.) are bridged and linked by the anionic glycosaminoglycans (AGAGs) of the small proteoglycans (decoron, etc.). It was proposed that these bridges and ties maintain the collagen fibril dispositions in relation to each other, helping to define tissue shape, and hence called shape modules. This investigation describes chemical and physicochemical conditions in which these structures are stable and what treatments cause their disruption. The effects on fixed and unfixed sections of tendon, cornea, lung and ear from rat, mouse and rabbit of pH, electrolyte concentration, EDTA, mercaptoethanol, hydrogen peroxide, free radicals, periodate, acetylation, urea, nonionic detergent and organic solvents were assessed by staining with Cupromeronic blue or Alcec blue in CEC techniques to localise AGAG bridges or their disintegration products. Ca2+ was not involved in the structures, oxidation/reduction had no effect and Triton X100, a nonionic detergent did not damage them. They were stable between pH 4.5 and 9.5. Periodate as a glycol-cleaving reagent did not affect them. High concentrations of urea (>2.0 m) and MgCl2 (0.5 m) disrupted the tissues. The combination of Triton and urea at concentrations too low to cause damage separately was disruptive. Free radicals in periodate solutions were damaging. Organic solvents caused collapse and rearrangements of the AGAG filaments. Acetylation caused considerable disruption of shape modules. Dermochondan but not keratan sulphate AGAGs were removed by treatment with NaOH. After fixing with glutaraldehyde only free radical and NaOH treatments were severely disruptive of shape modules. The results are compatible with a previously proposed structure for the shape modules, stabilised by hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding. PMID:9688505

Earthquakes in Mississippi and vicinity 1811-2010

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dart, Richard L.; Bograd, Michael B.E.

2011-01-01

This map summarizes two centuries of earthquake activity in Mississippi. Work on the Mississippi map was done in collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Geology. The earthquake data plotted on the map are from several sources: the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the Center for Earthquake Research and Information, the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, and the Arkansas Geological Survey. In addition to earthquake locations, other materials include seismic hazard and isoseismal maps and related text. Earthquakes are a legitimate concern in Mississippi and parts of adjacent States. Mississippi has undergone a number of felt earthquakes since 1811. At least two of these events caused property damage: a magnitude 4.7 earthquake in 1931, and a magnitude 4.3 earthquake in 1967. The map shows all historical and instrumentally located earthquakes in Mississippi and vicinity between 1811 and 2010. The largest historic earthquake in the vicinity of the State was an intensity XI event, on December 16, 1811; the first earthquake in the New Madrid sequence. This violent event and the earthquakes that followed caused considerable damage to the then sparsely settled region.

Uric acid, an important antioxidant contributing to survival in termites

PubMed Central

Tasaki, Eisuke; Sakurai, Hiroki; Nitao, Masaru; Matsuura, Kenji; Iuchi, Yoshihito

2017-01-01

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated spontaneously in all organisms and cause oxidative damage to biomolecules when present in excess. Accumulated oxidative damage accelerates aging; enhanced antioxidant capacity may be a positive factor for longevity. Recently, numerous studies of aging and longevity have been performed using short-lived animals, however, longevity mechanisms remain unknown. Here we show that a termite Reticulitermes speratus that is thought to be long-lived eusocial insect than other solitary insects uses large quantities of uric acid as an antioxidant against ROS. We demonstrated that the accumulation of uric acid considerably increases the free radical-scavenging activity and resistance against ultraviolet-induced oxidative stress in laboratory-maintained termites. In addition, we found that externally administered uric acid aided termite survival under highly oxidative conditions. The present data demonstrates that in addition to nutritional and metabolic roles, uric acid is an essential antioxidant for survival and contributes significantly to longevity. Uric acid also plays important roles in primates but causes gout when present in excess in humans. Further longevity studies of long-lived organisms may provide important breakthroughs with human health applications. PMID:28609463

Fire hazard considerations for composites in vehicle design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, Rex B.

1994-01-01

Military ground vehicles fires are a significant cause of system loss, equipment damage, and crew injury in both combat and non-combat situations. During combat, the ability to successfully fight an internal fire, without losing fighting and mobility capabilities, is often the key to crew survival and mission success. In addition to enemy hits in combat, vehicle fires are initiated by electrical system failures, fuel line leaks, munitions mishaps and improper personnel actions. If not controlled, such fires can spread to other areas of the vehicle, causing extensive damage and the potential for personnel injury and death. The inherent fire safety characteristics (i.e. ignitability, compartments of these vehicles play a major roll in determining rather a newly started fire becomes a fizzle or a catastrophe. This paper addresses a systems approach to assuring optimum vehicle fire safety during the design phase of complex vehicle systems utilizing extensive uses of composites, plastic and related materials. It provides practical means for defining the potential fire hazard risks during a conceptual design phase, and criteria for the selection of composite materials based on its fire safety characteristics.

Effects of Deadly California Debris Flows Seen in Before/After Images from NASA's UAVSAR

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-12

Extreme winter rains in January 2018 following the Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties caused severe debris flows, resulting in significant loss of life and considerable property damage in the town on Montecito, just east of Santa Barbara. NASA's Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) airborne radar platform detected changes caused by the debris flows between two images acquired on Nov. 2, 2017, and Feb. 5, 2018. An enhanced image pair (top left) shows disturbed areas in orange. In areas of severe surface disruption from the fire scar and debris flows the two image pairs can't be matched and decorrelate (top right). In the middle panels, the radar images are overlaid on the structure damage map produced by the County of Santa Barbara. The fire scars and damage correspond well with the risk map (lower left) and damage map (lower right). With an operational system, products such as these have the potential to augment information available for search and rescue, and for damage assessment for government agencies or the insurance industry. Radar has the advantage of being available in all weather conditions, as it can image through clouds. NASA's Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR), developed and managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, can record changes on the ground beneath the aircraft that occur between multiple flights, which take exactly the same flight path. The instrument is used to monitor how volcanoes, earthquakes, and other natural hazards are changing Earth. The JPL UAVSAR team collected and processed the imagery for Principal Investigator Andrea Donnellan who performed the analysis. She has been conducting ground change research using UAVSAR in this and other regions of California since 2009. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22243

Spatio-temporal trends in crop damage inform recent climate-mediated expansion of a large boreal herbivore into an agro-ecosystem.

PubMed

Laforge, Michel P; Michel, Nicole L; Brook, Ryan K

2017-11-09

Large-scale climatic fluctuations have caused species range shifts. Moose (Alces alces) have expanded their range southward into agricultural areas previously not considered moose habitat. We found that moose expansion into agro-ecosystems is mediated by broad-scale climatic factors and access to high-quality forage (i.e., crops). We used crop damage records to quantify moose presence across the Canadian Prairies. We regressed latitude of crop damage against North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and crop area to test the hypotheses that NAO-mediated wetland recharge and occurrence of more nutritious crop types would result in more frequent occurrences of crop damage by moose at southerly latitudes. We examined local-scale land use by generating a habitat selection model to test our hypothesis that moose selected for areas of high crop cover in agro-ecosystems. We found that crop damage by moose occurred farther south during dry winters and in years with greater coverage of oilseeds. The results of our analyses support our hypothesis that moose movement into cropland is mediated by high-protein crops, but not by thermoregulatory habitat at the scale examined. We conclude that broad-scale climate combined with changing land-use regimes are causal factors in species' range shifts and are important considerations when studying changing animal distributions.

Nutritional Considerations for Dogs and Cats with Liver Disease.

PubMed

Norton, Rebecca D; Lenox, Catherine E; Manino, Paul; Vulgamott, James C

2016-01-01

The goals of nutritional management of liver disease in the dog and cat are directed at treating the clinical manifestations as opposed to treating the underlying cause. Specifically, the clinician strives to avoid overwhelming the remaining metabolic capacities of the damaged liver while providing sufficient nutrients for regeneration. A brief overview of liver diseases and associated clinical signs encountered in the dog and cat and a review of specific nutrients are discussed as well as amounts and sources of nutrients recommended to meet nutritional goals in the diseased liver.

Space Debris Surfaces - Probability of no penetration versus impact velocity and obliquity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elfer, N.; Meibaum, R.; Olsen, G.

1992-01-01

A collection of computer codes called Space Debris Surfaces (SD-SURF), have been developed to assist in the design and analysis of space debris protection systems. An SD-SURF analysis will show which obliquities and velocities are most likely to cause a penetration to help the analyst select a shield design best suited to the predominant penetration mechanism. Examples of the interaction between space vehicle geometry, the space debris environment, and the penetration and critical damage ballistic limit surfaces of the shield under consideration are presented.

Tree-based flood damage modeling of companies: Damage processes and model performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sieg, Tobias; Vogel, Kristin; Merz, Bruno; Kreibich, Heidi

2017-07-01

Reliable flood risk analyses, including the estimation of damage, are an important prerequisite for efficient risk management. However, not much is known about flood damage processes affecting companies. Thus, we conduct a flood damage assessment of companies in Germany with regard to two aspects. First, we identify relevant damage-influencing variables. Second, we assess the prediction performance of the developed damage models with respect to the gain by using an increasing amount of training data and a sector-specific evaluation of the data. Random forests are trained with data from two postevent surveys after flood events occurring in the years 2002 and 2013. For a sector-specific consideration, the data set is split into four subsets corresponding to the manufacturing, commercial, financial, and service sectors. Further, separate models are derived for three different company assets: buildings, equipment, and goods and stock. Calculated variable importance values reveal different variable sets relevant for the damage estimation, indicating significant differences in the damage process for various company sectors and assets. With an increasing number of data used to build the models, prediction errors decrease. Yet the effect is rather small and seems to saturate for a data set size of several hundred observations. In contrast, the prediction improvement achieved by a sector-specific consideration is more distinct, especially for damage to equipment and goods and stock. Consequently, sector-specific data acquisition and a consideration of sector-specific company characteristics in future flood damage assessments is expected to improve the model performance more than a mere increase in data.

An Improved Spectral Analysis Method for Fatigue Damage Assessment of Details in Liquid Cargo Tanks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Peng-yuan; Huang, Xiao-ping

2018-03-01

Errors will be caused in calculating the fatigue damages of details in liquid cargo tanks by using the traditional spectral analysis method which is based on linear system, for the nonlinear relationship between the dynamic stress and the ship acceleration. An improved spectral analysis method for the assessment of the fatigue damage in detail of a liquid cargo tank is proposed in this paper. Based on assumptions that the wave process can be simulated by summing the sinusoidal waves in different frequencies and the stress process can be simulated by summing the stress processes induced by these sinusoidal waves, the stress power spectral density (PSD) is calculated by expanding the stress processes induced by the sinusoidal waves into Fourier series and adding the amplitudes of each harmonic component with the same frequency. This analysis method can take the nonlinear relationship into consideration and the fatigue damage is then calculated based on the PSD of stress. Take an independent tank in an LNG carrier for example, the accuracy of the improved spectral analysis method is proved much better than that of the traditional spectral analysis method by comparing the calculated damage results with the results calculated by the time domain method. The proposed spectral analysis method is more accurate in calculating the fatigue damages in detail of ship liquid cargo tanks.

Oxidative shielding and the cost of reproduction.

PubMed

Blount, Jonathan D; Vitikainen, Emma I K; Stott, Iain; Cant, Michael A

2016-05-01

Life-history theory assumes that reproduction and lifespan are constrained by trade-offs which prevent their simultaneous increase. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the possibility that this cost of reproduction is mediated by oxidative stress. However, empirical tests of this theory have yielded equivocal support. We carried out a meta-analysis to examine associations between reproduction and oxidative damage across markers and tissues. We show that oxidative damage is positively associated with reproductive effort across females of various species. Yet paradoxically, categorical comparisons of breeders versus non-breeders reveal that transition to the reproductive state is associated with a step-change reduction in oxidative damage in certain tissues and markers. Developing offspring may be particularly sensitive to harm caused by oxidative damage in mothers. Therefore, such reductions could potentially function to shield reproducing mothers, gametes and developing offspring from oxidative insults that inevitably increase as a consequence of reproductive effort. According to this perspective, we hypothesise that the cost of reproduction is mediated by dual impacts of maternally-derived oxidative damage on mothers and offspring, and that mothers may be selected to diminish such damage. Such oxidative shielding may explain why many existing studies have concluded that reproduction has little or no oxidative cost. Future advance in life-history theory therefore needs to take account of potential transgenerational impacts of the mechanisms underlying life-history trade-offs. © 2015 Cambridge Philosophical Society.

[What is a "Considerable Damage to One's Health" in the Sense of German Guardianship Law?

PubMed

Steinert, Tilman; Heinz, Andreas; Hohl-Radke, Felix; Koller, Manfred; Müller, Jürgen; Müller, Sabine; Zinkler, Martin

2016-10-01

The term of a "considerable damage to one's health" is central in German guardianship law with respect to judge's decisions on involuntary commitment and coercive treatment. A legal definition has not been provided, and up to now no explanations from the part of medicine have been available what a "considerable damage to one's health" is in the case of mental illness and how it can be determined. A consensus paper of the German Association of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (DGPPN) explains four possible scenarios of manifestation of such kind of damage, corresponding to somatic illnesses: evidence of structural brain lesions (rare), subjective suffering (sufficient, but not necessary), impairment of functioning in important areas of life, and severe impairment of social participation (e. g. by dangerous behaviour against others). This view corresponds with the WHO's bio-psycho-social concept of health. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System beyond Blood Pressure Regulation: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Involved in End-Organ Damage during Arterial Hypertension

PubMed Central

Muñoz-Durango, Natalia; Fuentes, Cristóbal A.; Castillo, Andrés E.; González-Gómez, Luis Martín; Vecchiola, Andrea; Fardella, Carlos E.; Kalergis, Alexis M.

2016-01-01

Arterial hypertension is a common condition worldwide and an important predictor of several complicated diseases. Arterial hypertension can be triggered by many factors, including physiological, genetic, and lifestyle causes. Specifically, molecules of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system not only play important roles in the control of blood pressure, but they are also associated with the genesis of arterial hypertension, thus constituting a need for pharmacological interventions. Chronic high pressure generates mechanical damage along the vascular system, heart, and kidneys, which are the principal organs affected in this condition. In addition to mechanical stress, hypertension-induced oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and the activation of reparative mechanisms lead to end-organ damage, mainly due to fibrosis. Clinical trials have demonstrated that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system intervention in hypertensive patients lowers morbidity/mortality and inflammatory marker levels as compared to placebo patients, evidencing that this system controls more than blood pressure. This review emphasizes the detrimental effects that a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) imbalance has on health considerations above and beyond high blood pressure, such as fibrotic end-organ damage. PMID:27347925

Role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System beyond Blood Pressure Regulation: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Involved in End-Organ Damage during Arterial Hypertension.

PubMed

Muñoz-Durango, Natalia; Fuentes, Cristóbal A; Castillo, Andrés E; González-Gómez, Luis Martín; Vecchiola, Andrea; Fardella, Carlos E; Kalergis, Alexis M

2016-06-23

Arterial hypertension is a common condition worldwide and an important predictor of several complicated diseases. Arterial hypertension can be triggered by many factors, including physiological, genetic, and lifestyle causes. Specifically, molecules of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system not only play important roles in the control of blood pressure, but they are also associated with the genesis of arterial hypertension, thus constituting a need for pharmacological interventions. Chronic high pressure generates mechanical damage along the vascular system, heart, and kidneys, which are the principal organs affected in this condition. In addition to mechanical stress, hypertension-induced oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and the activation of reparative mechanisms lead to end-organ damage, mainly due to fibrosis. Clinical trials have demonstrated that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system intervention in hypertensive patients lowers morbidity/mortality and inflammatory marker levels as compared to placebo patients, evidencing that this system controls more than blood pressure. This review emphasizes the detrimental effects that a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) imbalance has on health considerations above and beyond high blood pressure, such as fibrotic end-organ damage.

Ion beam modification of single crystalline BiVO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wendler, Elke; Bischoff, Marie; Schmidt, Emanuel; Schrempel, F.; Ellmer, Klaus; Kanis, Michael; van de Krol, Roel

2017-10-01

A single crystalline BiVO4 sample was investigated. Angular resolved Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (arRBS) was performed as a function of two orthogonal angles perpendicular to the surface. The crystal planes appearing in the angular charts are compared with the crystal structure of monoclinic BiVO4. By this comparison the crystal axis being almost normal to the surface was identified to be 〈0 0 1〉. These measurements support the control of orientation and quality of the grown BiVO4 crystal. Additionally it is found that during prolonged analysis the He ions produce a considerable amount of damage. As the nuclear energy loss of the He ions is negligibly low within the corresponding depth region, the damage is mainly caused by the electronic energy loss of the ions. For studying radiation resistance and damage formation, the BiVO4 single crystal was implanted with 200 keV Ar ions. The damage production in the Bi sublattice was analysed by RBS applying 1.8 MeV He ions in channelling configuration. The damage profiles determined from the channelling RBS spectra can be well represented by the electronic energy loss of the implanted Ar ions. From this it is concluded that, in agreement with the finding mentioned above, this energy mainly triggers damage formation in ion irradiated BiVO4. The energy for producing one displaced Bi atom as seen by RBS decreases with increasing damage concentration and varies between 33 and 3.4 eV.

Antimicrobial role of human meibomian lipids at the ocular surface.

PubMed

Mudgil, Poonam

2014-10-14

Human meibomian lipids form the outermost lipid layer of the tear film and serve many important functions to maintain its integrity. Although not investigated earlier, these lipids may have antimicrobial properties that help in strengthening the innate host defense of tears at the ocular surface. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial role of human meibomian lipids. Ocular pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus 31, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 19, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 20, and Serratia marcescens 35, were grown in the presence and absence of human meibomian lipids in an artificial tear solution at the physiological temperature. Viable counts were obtained to note the number of bacteria surviving the treatment with meibomian lipids. Bacterial cells were imaged using scanning electron microscopy to observe the damages caused by meibomian lipids. Viable count results showed that in the presence of meibomian lipids, growth of all bacteria was considerably lower. Scanning electron microscopy showed that meibomian lipids caused extensive cellular damage to bacteria as manifested in smaller size, loss of aggregation, abnormal phenotype, cellular distortion, damaged cell wall, and cell lysis. This is the first-ever report of the antimicrobial role of human meibomian lipids. These lipids possess antimicrobial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and are involved in the innate host defense of tears in protecting the ocular surface against microbial pathogens. Copyright 2014 The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.

Towards a Fuzzy Bayesian Network Based Approach for Safety Risk Analysis of Tunnel-Induced Pipeline Damage.

PubMed

Zhang, Limao; Wu, Xianguo; Qin, Yawei; Skibniewski, Miroslaw J; Liu, Wenli

2016-02-01

Tunneling excavation is bound to produce significant disturbances to surrounding environments, and the tunnel-induced damage to adjacent underground buried pipelines is of considerable importance for geotechnical practice. A fuzzy Bayesian networks (FBNs) based approach for safety risk analysis is developed in this article with detailed step-by-step procedures, consisting of risk mechanism analysis, the FBN model establishment, fuzzification, FBN-based inference, defuzzification, and decision making. In accordance with the failure mechanism analysis, a tunnel-induced pipeline damage model is proposed to reveal the cause-effect relationships between the pipeline damage and its influential variables. In terms of the fuzzification process, an expert confidence indicator is proposed to reveal the reliability of the data when determining the fuzzy probability of occurrence of basic events, with both the judgment ability level and the subjectivity reliability level taken into account. By means of the fuzzy Bayesian inference, the approach proposed in this article is capable of calculating the probability distribution of potential safety risks and identifying the most likely potential causes of accidents under both prior knowledge and given evidence circumstances. A case concerning the safety analysis of underground buried pipelines adjacent to the construction of the Wuhan Yangtze River Tunnel is presented. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed FBN approach and its application potential. The proposed approach can be used as a decision tool to provide support for safety assurance and management in tunnel construction, and thus increase the likelihood of a successful project in a complex project environment. © 2015 Society for Risk Analysis.

Endotoxemia severely affects circulation during normoxia and asphyxia in immature fetal sheep.

PubMed

Garnier, Y; Coumans, A; Berger, R; Jensen, A; Hasaart, T H

2001-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides, LPS) affect the fetal cardiovascular system in a way likely to cause brain damage. Thirteen fetal sheep were chronically instrumented at a mean gestational age of 107 +/- 1 days. After control measurements of organ blood flow (microsphere method), blood gases, and acid base balance were obtained, seven of 13 fetuses received LPS (53 +/- 3 microg/kg fetal weight) intravenously. Sixty minutes later, asphyxia was induced by occlusion of the maternal aorta for 2 minutes. Measurements of organ blood flows were made at -60, -1, +2, +4, +30, and +60 minutes. Unlike in the control group, after LPS infusion there was a significant decrease in arterial oxygen saturation (-46%; P <.001) and pH (P <.001). In LPS-treated fetuses the portion of combined ventricular output directed to the placenta decreased significantly (-76%; P <.001), whereas output to the fetal body (+60%; P <.001), heart (+167%; P <.05), and adrenals (+229%; P <.01) increased. Furthermore, during asphyxia circulatory centralization was impaired considerably in LPS-treated fetuses, and there was clear evidence of circulatory decentralization. This decentralization caused a severe decrease in cerebral oxygen delivery by 70%. Within 30 minutes after induction of asphyxia five of seven LPS-treated fetuses died, whereas all control fetuses recovered completely. Endotoxemia severely impaired fetal cardiovascular control during normoxia and asphyxia, resulting in a considerable decrease in cerebral oxygen delivery. These effects might have important effects in the development of fetal brain damage associated with intrauterine infection.

Mega Tsunamis of the World Ocean and Their Implication for the Tsunami Hazard Assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gusiakov, V. K.

2014-12-01

Mega tsunamis are the strongest tsunamigenic events of tectonic origin that are characterized by run-up heights up to 40-50 m measured along a considerable part of the coastline (up to 1000 km). One of the most important features of mega-tsunamis is their ability to cross the entire oceanic basin and to cause an essential damage to its opposite coast. Another important feature is their ability to penetrate into the marginal seas (like the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea) and cause dangerous water level oscillations along the parts of the coast, which are largely protected by island arcs against the impact of the strongest regional tsunamis. Among all known historical tsunamis (nearly 2250 events during the last 4000 years) they represent only a small fraction (less than 1%) however they are responsible for more than half the total tsunami fatalities and a considerable part of the overall tsunami damage. The source of all known mega tsunamis is subduction submarine earthquakes with magnitude 9.0 or higher having a return period from 200-300 years to 1000-1200 years. The paper presents a list of 15 mega tsunami events identified so far in historical catalogs with their basic source parameters, near-field and far-field impact effects and their generation and propagation features. The far-field impact of mega tsunamis is largely controlled by location and orientation of their earthquake source as well as by deep ocean bathymetry features. We also discuss the problem of the long-term tsunami hazard assessment when the occurrence of mega tsunamis is taken into account.

Development of Micro and Nanostructured Materials for Interfacial Self-Healing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blaiszik, Benjamin James

2009-01-01

Damage in polymeric coatings, adhesives, microelectronic components, and composites spans many length scales. For small scale damage, autonomic self-healing can repair multiple damage modes without manual intervention. In autonomic self-healing materials, a healing response is triggered by damage to the material. Size scale considerations, such as…

Perimortem fractures in Lucy suggest mortality from fall out of tall tree.

PubMed

Kappelman, John; Ketcham, Richard A; Pearce, Stephen; Todd, Lawrence; Akins, Wiley; Colbert, Matthew W; Feseha, Mulugeta; Maisano, Jessica A; Witzel, Adrienne

2016-09-22

The Pliocene fossil 'Lucy' (Australopithecus afarensis) was discovered in the Afar region of Ethiopia in 1974 and is among the oldest and most complete fossil hominin skeletons discovered. Here we propose, on the basis of close study of her skeleton, that her cause of death was a vertical deceleration event or impact following a fall from considerable height that produced compressive and hinge (greenstick) fractures in multiple skeletal elements. Impacts that are so severe as to cause concomitant fractures usually also damage internal organs; together, these injuries are hypothesized to have caused her death. Lucy has been at the centre of a vigorous debate about the role, if any, of arboreal locomotion in early human evolution. It is therefore ironic that her death can be attributed to injuries resulting from a fall, probably out of a tall tree, thus offering unusual evidence for the presence of arborealism in this species.

Pitting and Repair of the Space Shuttle's Inconel(Registered TradeMark) Honeycomb Conical Seal Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerman, Frank R.; Gentz, Steven J.; Miller, James B.; MacKay, Rebecca A.; Bright, Mark L.

2006-01-01

During return to flight servicing of the rudder speed brake (RSB) for each Space Shuttle Orbiter, inspectors discovered numerous small pits on the surface of the #4 right hand side honeycomb panel that covers the rudder speed brake actuators. Shortly after detection of the problem, concurrent investigations were initiated to determine the extent of damage, the root cause, and to develop a repair plan, since fabrication of a replacement panel is impractical for cost, schedule, and sourcing considerations. This paper describes the approach, findings, conclusions and recommendations associated with the investigation of the conical seal pitting. It documents the cause and contributing factors of the pitting, the means used to isolate each contributor, and the supporting evidence for the primary cause of the pitting. Finally, the selection, development and verification of the repair procedure used to restore the conical seal panel is described with supporting process and metallurgical rationale for selection.

Development of Real-Time System for Urban Flooding by Surcharge of Storm Drainge and River Inundation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shim, J. B.; Won, C. Y.; Park, J.; Lee, K.

2017-12-01

Korea experiences frequent flood disasters, which cause considerable economic losses and damages to towns and farms. Especially, a regional torrential storm is about 98.5mm/hr on September 21, 2010 in Seoul. The storm exceeds the capacity of urban drainage system of 75mm/hr, and 9,419 houses. How to monitor and control the urban flood disasters is an important issue in Korea. To mitigate the flood damage, a customizing system was developed to estimate urban floods and inundation using by integrating drainage system data and river information database which are managed by local governments and national agencies. In the case of Korean urban city, there are a lot of detention ponds and drainage pumping stations on end of drainage system and flow is going into river. The drainage pumping station, it is very important hydraulic facility for flood control between river and drainage system. So, it is possible to occur different patterns of flood inundation according to operation rule of drainage pumping station. A flood disaster is different damage as how to operate drainage pumping station and plan operation rule.

Assessing the Economic Cost of Landslide Damage in Low-Relief Regions: Case Study Evidence from the Flemish Ardennes (Belgium)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vranken, L.; Van Turnhout, P.; Van Den Eeckhaut, M.; Vandekerckhove, L.; Vantilt, G.; Poesen, J.

2012-04-01

Several regions around the globe are at risk to incur damage from landslides. These landslides cause significant structural and functional damage to public and private buildings and infrastructure. Numerous studies investigated how natural factors and human activities control the (re-)activation of landslides. However, few studies have concentrated on a quantitative estimate of the overall damage caused by landslides at a regional scale. This study therefore starts with a quantitative economic assessment of the direct and indirect damage caused by landslides in the Flemish Ardennes (Belgium), a low-relief region (area=ca. 700 km2) susceptible to landslides. Based on focus interviews as well as on semi-structured interviews with homeowners, civil servants (e.g. from the technical services from the various towns), or with the owners and providers of lifelines such as electricity and sewage, we have quantitatively estimated the direct and indirect damage induced by landsliding and this for a 10 to 30 year period (depending on the type of infrastructure or buildings). Economic damage to public infrastructure and buildings was estimated for the entire region, while for private damage 10 cases with severe to small damage were quantified. For example, in the last 10 year, costs of road repair augmented to 814 560 €. Costs to repair damaged roads that have not yet been repaired, were estimated at 669 318 €. In the past 30 years, costs of measures to prevent road damage augmented to at least 14 872 380 €. More than 90% of this budget for preventive measures was spent 30 years ago, when an important freeway was damaged and had to be repaired. These preventive measures (building a grout wall and improving the drainage system) were effective as no further damage has been reported until present. To repair and prevent damage to waterworks and sewage systems, expenditures amounted to 551 044 € and this for the last 30 years. In the past 10 years, a new railway line connecting two important Belgian cities has been built and within that one project, the cost to prevent damage to railroads augmented already to at least 4 567 822 €. The value of real estate located in regions affected by landslides decreased with 15% to 35%. All these damage costs were then used to made potential damage maps. Based on the inventory of landslides, frequency of landslides' re-activation and land use, we categorized regions that are affected by landslides according to their temporal probability of landslide re-activation. This allowed us to produce a (semi-) qualitative risk map for regions that were affected by landslides in the past. This paper shows that, though generally not spectacular, landsliding in low-relief regions susceptible to landslides is a slow but continuously operating process with considerable damage allowing one to identify several medium to high landslide risk zones. As such this study provides important information for government officials, especially those in charge of spatial planning and of town and environmental planning, as it clearly informs about the costs associated with certain land use types in landslide prone areas. This information can be particularly useful for regions in which increasing demand for building land pressures government officials and (local) political leaders to expand the built environment.

Computational Reduction of Specimen Noise to Enable Improved Thermography Characterization of Flaws in Graphite Polymer Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winfree, William P.; Howell, Patricia A.; Zalameda, Joseph N.

2014-01-01

Flaw detection and characterization with thermographic techniques in graphite polymer composites are often limited by localized variations in the thermographic response. Variations in properties such as acceptable porosity, fiber volume content and surface polymer thickness result in variations in the thermal response that in general cause significant variations in the initial thermal response. These result in a "noise" floor that increases the difficulty of detecting and characterizing deeper flaws. A method is presented for computationally removing a significant amount of the "noise" from near surface porosity by diffusing the early time response, then subtracting it from subsequent responses. Simulations of the thermal response of a composite are utilized in defining the limitations of the technique. This method for reducing the data is shown to give considerable improvement characterizing both the size and depth of damage. Examples are shown for data acquired on specimens with fabricated delaminations and impact damage.

The Landers earthquake; preliminary instrumental results

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jones, L.; Mori, J.; Hauksson, E.

1992-01-01

Early on the morning of June 28, 1992, millions of people in southern California were awakened by the largest earthquake to occur in the western United States in the past 40 yrs. At 4:58 a.m PDT (local time), faulting associated with the magnitude 7.3 earthquake broke through to earth's surface near the town of Landers, California. the surface rupture then propagated 70km (45 mi) to the north and northwest along a band of faults passing through the middle of the Mojave Desert. Fortunately, the strongest shaking occurred in uninhabited regions of the Mojave Desert. Still one child was killed in Yucca Valley, and about 400 people were injured in the surrounding area. the desert communities of Landers, Yucca Valley, and Joshua Tree in San Bernardino Country suffered considerable damage to buildings and roads. Damage to water and power lines caused problems in many areas. 

Computational reduction of specimen noise to enable improved thermography characterization of flaws in graphite polymer composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winfree, William P.; Howell, Patricia A.; Zalameda, Joseph N.

2014-05-01

Flaw detection and characterization with thermographic techniques in graphite polymer composites are often limited by localized variations in the thermographic response. Variations in properties such as acceptable porosity, fiber volume content and surface polymer thickness result in variations in the thermal response that in general cause significant variations in the initial thermal response. These result in a "noise" floor that increases the difficulty of detecting and characterizing deeper flaws. A method is presented for computationally removing a significant amount of the "noise" from near surface porosity by diffusing the early time response, then subtracting it from subsequent responses. Simulations of the thermal response of a composite are utilized in defining the limitations of the technique. This method for reducing the data is shown to give considerable improvement characterizing both the size and depth of damage. Examples are shown for data acquired on specimens with fabricated delaminations and impact damage.

Management of complications of cosmetic iris implants in a phakic eye: a case report and literature review.

PubMed

Bore, Millicent; Choudhari, Nikhil; Chaurasia, Sunita

2018-03-21

To report the intricacies of managing complications that arose out of cosmetic iris implants (BrightOcular) placement. Interventional case report. A thirty-year-old gentleman presented with complaint of progressive loss of vision after having cosmetic iris implant surgery to change his eye colour. He then developed raised intraocular pressures and had a right eye trabeculectomy conducted with the implants in situ. Subsequently, he had implant removal surgery because of persistent implant-associated complications. The vision was impaired due to progressive corneal oedema and glaucoma. Various considerations were taken while planning for surgical intervention because of the extensive structural damage to the anterior segment of the eye. This case report highlights that cosmetic iris implants are dangerous intraocular devices and management of the associated complications is also challenging. As these devices cause irreversible structural and functional damage, their use should be discouraged in normal eyes.

Tensile strength of composite sheets with unidirectional stringers and crack-like damage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poe, C. C., Jr.

1984-01-01

The damage tolerance characteristics of metal tension panels with riveted and bonded stringers are well known. The stringers arrest unstable cracks and retard propagation of fatigue cracks. Residual strengths and fatigue lives are considerably greater than those of unstiffened or integrally stiffened sheets. The damage tolerance of composite sheets with bonded composite stringers loaded in tension was determined. Cracks in composites do not readily propagate in fatigue, at least not through fibers. Moreover, the residual strength of notched composites is sometimes even increased by fatigue loading. Therefore, the residual strength aspect of damage tolerance, and not fatigue crack propagation, was investigated. About 50 graphite/epoxy composite panels were made with two sheet layups and several stringer configurations. Crack-like slots were cut in the middle of the panels to simulate damage. The panels were instrumented and monotonically loaded in tension to failure. The tests indicate that the composite panels have considerable damage tolerance, much like metal panels. The stringers arrested cracks that ran from the crack-like slots, and the residual strengths were considerably greater than those of unstiffened composite sheets. A stress intensity factor analysis was developed to predict the failing strains of the stiffened panels. Using the analysis, a single design curve was produced for composite sheets with bonded stringers of any configuration.

Using insurance data to learn more about damages to buildings caused by surface runoff

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernet, Daniel; Roethlisberger, Veronika; Prasuhn, Volker; Weingartner, Rolf

2015-04-01

In Switzerland, almost forty percent of total insurance loss due to natural hazards in the last two decades was caused by flooding. Those flood damages occurred not only within known inundation zones of water courses. Practitioners expect that roughly half of all flood damages lie outside of known inundation zones. In urban areas such damages may simply be caused by drainage system overload for instance. However, as several case studies show, natural and agricultural land play a major role in surface runoff formation leading to damages in rural and peri-urban areas. Although many damages are caused by surface runoff, the whole process chain including surface runoff formation, propagation through the landscape and damages to buildings is not well understood. Therefore, within the framework of a project, we focus our research on this relevant process. As such flash flood events have a very short response time and occur rather diffusely in the landscape, this process is very difficult to observe directly. Therefore indirect data sources with the potential to indicate spatial and temporal distributions of the process have to be used. For that matter, post-flood damage data may be a profitable source. Namely, insurance companies' damage claim records could provide a good picture about the spatial and temporal distributions of damages caused by surface runoff and, thus, about the process itself. In our research we analyze insurance data records of flood damage claims systematically to infer main drivers and influencing factors of surface runoff causing damages to buildings. To demonstrate the potential and drawbacks of using data from insurance companies in relation to damages caused by surface runoff, a case study is presented. A well-documented event with data from a public as well as a private insurance company is selected. The case study focuses on the differences of the datasets as well as the associated problems and advantages respectively. Furthermore, the analysis of the data, especially the crucial identification of damages caused by surface runoff opposed to damages caused by other processes such as riverine flooding, drainage system surcharges etc. are discussed.

Widespread fatigue damage monitoring: Issues and concerns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swift, T.

1994-01-01

This paper is intended to illustrate the considerable effect that small in-service undetectable multi-site-damage (MSD) can have on the residual strength capability of aging aircraft structures. In general, very few people in the industry believe that tiny cracks of undetectable size are a problem because they know that many aircraft have been able to survive much larger damage. In fact they have been certified for this large damage capability. However, this is not the issue. The real issue is the effect the tiny cracks, at multiple sites, have on the large damage capability which the industry has become accustomed to expect and which the aircraft have been certified to sustain. The concern is that this message does not appear to be fully understood by many people outside the fracture community. The prime purpose of this paper, therefore, has been to convey this message by describing in simple terms the net section yielding phenomenon in ductile materials which causes loss in lead crack residual strength in the presence of MSD. The explanation continues with a number of examples on complex stiffened structures, using the results of previous finite element analyses, which illustrate that the effect of MSD is extremely sensitive to structural configuration. It is hoped that those members of the aviation community who believe that tiny cracks are not a problem will read this paper very carefully.

Most Common Foodborne Pathogens and Mycotoxins on Fresh Produce: A Review of Recent Outbreaks.

PubMed

Yeni, F; Yavaş, S; Alpas, H; Soyer, Y

2016-07-03

Every year millions of people are affected and thousands of them die due to infections and intoxication as a result of foodborne outbreaks, which also cause billions of dollars' worth of damage, public health problems, and agricultural product loss. A considerable portion of these outbreaks is related to fresh produce and caused by foodborne pathogens on fresh produce and mycotoxins. Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak, occurred in Germany in 2011, has attracted a great attention on foodborne outbreaks caused by contaminated fresh produce, and especially the vulnerability and gaps in the early warning and notification networks in the surveillance systems in all around the world. In the frame of this paper, we reviewed the most common foodborne pathogens on fresh produce, traceback investigations of the outbreaks caused by these pathogens, and lastly international early warning and notification systems, including PulseNet International and Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, aiming to detect foodborne outbreaks.

[Oxygen-dependent processes in the blood cells from children with arterial hypertension concomitant with biliary dyskinesia].

PubMed

Mikashinovich, Z I; Nagornaia, G Iu; Kovalenko, T D; Zvereva, E A

2011-02-01

Age individuality is characterized by an imbalance of the molecular mechanisms of antioxidant defense in adolescents with arterial hypertension and biliary dyskinesia, as documented by an enzyme imbalance of the first line of antioxidant defense and H2O, accumulation, by a substantial increase in glutathione peroxidase activity, and by inhibition of the activity of glutathione-dependent enzymes. The considerable rise of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate suggests tissue hypoxia. With this, enhanced neutrophil elastase activity causes damage to the structural components of vascular wall connective tissue, resulting in the development of endothelial dysfunction.

The evaluation of serum total sialic acid and lipid-bound sialic acid levels in chronically exposed rats to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and fluoride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oto, Gokhan; Ekin, Suat; Uyar, Hasan; Ozdemir, Hulya; Yıldız, Damla; Karakuş, Yagmur

2017-04-01

In this study, changes in serum total sialic acid (TSA) and lipid-bound sialic acid (LSA) levels were examined in chronically exposed rats to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and fluoride. This study demonstrated that the TSA, LSA levels increased more in DMBA-treated groups compared to the fluoride treated groups. The result obtained has shown that the harmful effect of DMBA which is also causing more cell membrane damage on human and animal health should be taken into consideration.

Crash test of a liquid hydrogen automobile

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finegold, J. G.; Van Vorst, W. D.

1976-01-01

Details of the conversion of a U.S. Postal Service mail truck to hydrogen-fueled operation are given. Specific reference is made to design safety considerations. A traffic accident is described that caused the mail truck (mounted on a trailer) to turn on its side at approximately 20 mph and to finally slide to a stop and turn upside down. No one was injured, and there was essentially no damage to the liquid hydrogen fuel system. The mail truck was driven away from the scene of the accident. Suggestions to insure the safety of hydrogen-fueled experimental vehicles are made.

Fault Tolerant State Machines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burke, Gary R.; Taft, Stephanie

2004-01-01

State machines are commonly used to control sequential logic in FPGAs and ASKS. An errant state machine can cause considerable damage to the device it is controlling. For example in space applications, the FPGA might be controlling Pyros, which when fired at the wrong time will cause a mission failure. Even a well designed state machine can be subject to random errors us a result of SEUs from the radiation environment in space. There are various ways to encode the states of a state machine, and the type of encoding makes a large difference in the susceptibility of the state machine to radiation. In this paper we compare 4 methods of state machine encoding and find which method gives the best fault tolerance, as well as determining the resources needed for each method.

Bioremediation of adverse impact of cadmium toxicity on Cassia italica Mill by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

PubMed Central

Hashem, Abeer; Abd_Allah, E.F.; Alqarawi, A.A.; Egamberdieva, Dilfuza

2015-01-01

Cassia italica Mill is an important medicinal plant within the family Fabaceae. Pot experiment was conducted to evaluate cadmium stress induced changes in physiological and biochemical attributes in C. italica with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Cadmium stressed plant showed reduced chlorophyll pigment and protein content while AMF inoculation enhanced the chlorophyll and protein content considerably. AMF also ameliorated the cadmium stress induced reduction in total chlorophyll and protein contents by 19.30% and 38.29%, respectively. Cadmium stress enhanced lipid peroxidation while AMF inoculation reduced lipid peroxidation considerably. Increase in proline and phenol content was observed due to cadmium stress and AMF inoculation caused a further increase in proline and phenol content ensuring better growth under stressed conditions. AMF alone also enhanced proline and phenol content. Activity of antioxidant enzymes enhanced under cadmium treatment and AMF inoculation further enhanced their activity thereby strengthening the antioxidant system. Enhanced activities of antioxidants and increased accumulation of osmolytes help plants to avoid damaging impact of oxidative damage. The research has shown that AMF inoculation mitigated the negative impact of stress by reducing the lipid peroxidation and enhancing the antioxidant activity. The present study strongly supports employing AMF as the biological mean for enhancing the cadmium stress tolerance of C. italica. PMID:26858537

Influence of precipitation and crop germination on resource selection by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in southwest Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Carrollo, Emily M.; Johnson, Heather E.; Fischer, Justin W.; Hammond, Matthew; Dorsey, Patricia D.; Anderson, Charles; Vercauteren, Kurt C.; Walter, W. David

2017-01-01

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations in the western United States provide many benefits to local economies but can also cause considerable damage to agriculture, particularly damage to lucrative crops. Limited information exists to understand resource selection of mule deer in response to annual variation in crop rotation and climatic conditions. We tested the hypothesis that mule deer select certain crops, and in particular sunflower, based on annual climatic variability. Our objective was to use movements, estimates of home range, and resource selection analysis to identify resources selected by mule deer. We used annually-derived crop-specific datasets along with Global Positioning System collars to monitor 14 mule deer in an agricultural area near public lands in southwestern Colorado, USA. We estimated home ranges for two winter seasons that ranged between 7.68 and 9.88 km2, and for two summer seasons that ranged between 5.51 and 6.24 km2. Mule deer selected areas closer to forest and alfalfa for most periods during 2012, but selected areas closer to sunflower in a majority of periods during 2013. Considerable annual variation in climate patterns and precipitation levels appeared to influence selection by mule deer because of variability in crop rotation and success of germination of specific crops.

Depression and sickness behavior are Janus-faced responses to shared inflammatory pathways

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

It is of considerable translational importance whether depression is a form or a consequence of sickness behavior. Sickness behavior is a behavioral complex induced by infections and immune trauma and mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is an adaptive response that enhances recovery by conserving energy to combat acute inflammation. There are considerable phenomenological similarities between sickness behavior and depression, for example, behavioral inhibition, anorexia and weight loss, and melancholic (anhedonia), physio-somatic (fatigue, hyperalgesia, malaise), anxiety and neurocognitive symptoms. In clinical depression, however, a transition occurs to sensitization of immuno-inflammatory pathways, progressive damage by oxidative and nitrosative stress to lipids, proteins, and DNA, and autoimmune responses directed against self-epitopes. The latter mechanisms are the substrate of a neuroprogressive process, whereby multiple depressive episodes cause neural tissue damage and consequent functional and cognitive sequelae. Thus, shared immuno-inflammatory pathways underpin the physiology of sickness behavior and the pathophysiology of clinical depression explaining their partially overlapping phenomenology. Inflammation may provoke a Janus-faced response with a good, acute side, generating protective inflammation through sickness behavior and a bad, chronic side, for example, clinical depression, a lifelong disorder with positive feedback loops between (neuro)inflammation and (neuro)degenerative processes following less well defined triggers. PMID:22747645

Influence of Precipitation and Crop Germination on Resource Selection by Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Southwest Colorado.

PubMed

Carrollo, Emily M; Johnson, Heather E; Fischer, Justin W; Hammond, Matthew; Dorsey, Patricia D; Anderson, Charles; Vercauteren, Kurt C; Walter, W David

2017-11-09

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations in the western United States provide many benefits to local economies but can also cause considerable damage to agriculture, particularly damage to lucrative crops. Limited information exists to understand resource selection of mule deer in response to annual variation in crop rotation and climatic conditions. We tested the hypothesis that mule deer select certain crops, and in particular sunflower, based on annual climatic variability. Our objective was to use movements, estimates of home range, and resource selection analysis to identify resources selected by mule deer. We used annually-derived crop-specific datasets along with Global Positioning System collars to monitor 14 mule deer in an agricultural area near public lands in southwestern Colorado, USA. We estimated home ranges for two winter seasons that ranged between 7.68 and 9.88 km 2 , and for two summer seasons that ranged between 5.51 and 6.24 km 2 . Mule deer selected areas closer to forest and alfalfa for most periods during 2012, but selected areas closer to sunflower in a majority of periods during 2013. Considerable annual variation in climate patterns and precipitation levels appeared to influence selection by mule deer because of variability in crop rotation and success of germination of specific crops.

Effects of Low Earth Orbit on Docking Seal Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Imka, Emily C.; Asmar, Olivia C.; deGroh, Henry C., III; Banks, Bruce A.

2014-01-01

Spacecraft docking seals are typically made of silicone elastomers. When such seals are exposed to low Earth orbit (LEO) conditions, they can suffer damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation and atomic oxygen (AO, or monoatomic oxygen, the predominant oxygen species in LEO). An experiment flew on the International Space Station (ISS) to measure the effects of LEO on seal materials S0383-70 and ELA-SA-401 and various mating counterface materials which included anodized aluminum. Samples flown in different orientations received different amounts of UV and AO. The hypotheses were that most of the damage would be from UV, and 10 days or more of exposure in LEO would badly damage the seals. Eighteen seals were exposed for 543 days in ram (windward), zenith (away from Earth), or wake (leeward) orientations, and 15 control samples (not flown) provided undamaged baseline leakage. To determine post-flight leak rates, each of the 33 seals were placed in an O-ring groove of a leak test fixture and pressure tested over time. Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), pressure transducers, and LabVIEW (National Instruments) programs were used to measure and analyze the temperature and pressure and calculate leakage. Average leakage of control samples was 2.6 x 10(exp -7) lbs/day. LEO exposure did not considerably damage ELA-SA-401. The S0383-70 flight samples leaked at least 10 times more than ELA-SA-401 in all cases except one, demonstrating that ELA-SA-401 may be a more suitable sealing material in LEO. AO caused greater damage than UV; samples in ram orientation (receiving an AO fluence of 4.3 x 10(exp 21) atoms/(sq cm) and in wake (2.9x 10(exp 20) atoms/(sq cm)) leaked more than those in zenith orientation (1.58 x 10(exp 20) atoms/(sq cm)), whereas variations in UV exposure did not seem to affect the samples. Exposure to LEO did less damage to the seals than hypothesized, and the data did not support the conjecture that UV causes more damage than AO.

Damage Caused by the Rogue Trustee

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Banion, Terry

2009-01-01

Fifty-nine community college presidents and chancellors in 16 states report on the damage caused by rogue trustees. While the damage to presidents, other trustees, and faculty and staff is alarming, the damage these trustees cause the college suggests that the rogue trustee may be the single most destructive force ever to plague an educational…

The Biology and Control of the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella.

PubMed

Kwadha, Charles A; Ong'amo, George O; Ndegwa, Paul N; Raina, Suresh K; Fombong, Ayuka T

2017-06-09

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella Linnaeus , is a ubiquitous pest of the honeybee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus, and Apis cerana Fabricius . The greater wax moth larvae burrow into the edge of unsealed cells with pollen, bee brood, and honey through to the midrib of honeybee comb. Burrowing larvae leave behind masses of webs which causes galleriasis and later absconding of colonies. The damage caused by G. mellonella larvae is severe in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and is believed to be one of the contributing factors to the decline in both feral and wild honeybee populations. Previously, the pest was considered a nuisance in honeybee colonies, therefore, most studies have focused on the pest as a model for in vivo studies of toxicology and pathogenicity. It is currently widespread, especially in Africa, and the potential of transmitting honeybee viruses has raised legitimate concern, thus, there is need for more studies to find sustainable integrated management strategies. However, our knowledge of this pest is limited. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on the biology, distribution, economic damage, and management options. In addition, we provide prospects that need consideration for better understanding and management of the pest.

Earthquakes in Arkansas and vicinity 1699-2010

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dart, Richard L.; Ausbrooks, Scott M.

2011-01-01

This map summarizes approximately 300 years of earthquake activity in Arkansas. It is one in a series of similar State earthquake history maps. Work on the Arkansas map was done in collaboration with the Arkansas Geological Survey. The earthquake data plotted on the map are from several sources: the Arkansas Geological Survey, the Center for Earthquake Research and Information, the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. In addition to earthquake locations, other materials presented include seismic hazard and isoseismal maps and related text. Earthquakes are a legitimate concern in Arkansas and parts of adjacent states. Arkansas has undergone a number of significant felt earthquakes since 1811. At least two of these events caused property damage: a magnitude 4.7 earthquake in 1931, and a magnitude 4.3 earthquake in 1967. The map shows all historical and instrumentally located earthquakes in Arkansas and vicinity between 1811 and 2010. The largest historic earthquake in the vicinity of the State was an intensity XI event, on December 16, 1811; the first earthquake in the New Madrid sequence. This violent event and the earthquakes that followed caused considerable damage to the then sparsely settled region.

The Biology and Control of the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella

PubMed Central

Kwadha, Charles A.; Ong’amo, George O.; Ndegwa, Paul N.; Raina, Suresh K.; Fombong, Ayuka T.

2017-01-01

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella Linnaeus, is a ubiquitous pest of the honeybee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus, and Apis cerana Fabricius. The greater wax moth larvae burrow into the edge of unsealed cells with pollen, bee brood, and honey through to the midrib of honeybee comb. Burrowing larvae leave behind masses of webs which causes galleriasis and later absconding of colonies. The damage caused by G. mellonella larvae is severe in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and is believed to be one of the contributing factors to the decline in both feral and wild honeybee populations. Previously, the pest was considered a nuisance in honeybee colonies, therefore, most studies have focused on the pest as a model for in vivo studies of toxicology and pathogenicity. It is currently widespread, especially in Africa, and the potential of transmitting honeybee viruses has raised legitimate concern, thus, there is need for more studies to find sustainable integrated management strategies. However, our knowledge of this pest is limited. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on the biology, distribution, economic damage, and management options. In addition, we provide prospects that need consideration for better understanding and management of the pest. PMID:28598383

On the geoethical implications of wind erosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Károly, Tatárvári

2016-04-01

Human activities exerts an ever growing impact on our environment, and this is undeniably the responsibility of mankind. In spite of this fact there is almost no process in our environment that can be described exactly with complete exactness, and the working of which is known in full extent. Wind erosion is such a process. Although water erosion is mentioned ever more often in scientific circles as a from of erosion, its effect is restrained to a certain region, although it may cause perceptibly damage of a greater extent in short time. Wind erosion, apart from the fact that it may have global impact, may play an important role in the warming of our climate according to recent studies. First of all, wind erosion may cause damage far from its origin in human health, nutrition, or in the environment in general. Today several surveys have proved, that erosion caused by wind significantly contributes to the air pollution of cities, the fine dust carried as drift by the wind may cause severe environmental damage in accumulation zones. Microbes, toxic material may attach themselves to the dust carried this way and carried on and by the wings of the wind they may cause health issues in humans animals and plants as well. In spite of these facts there are almost no measures against wind erosion employed in arable land, although our ever doughtier climate and changes would make these necessary. Reduction of organic matter content presents a great problem in a large part of cultivated land, so the risk of the production of high quality food raises questions of more and more ethical nature. Who is responsible? The fact, that the chemicals used in a growing extent by agriculture may reach many people causing considerable damage to the environment also raises serious ethical questions. More and more periods with extreme weather conditions are experienced in Hungary and Europe as the effect of climate change. Drought periods are longer and more frequent as the intensity of precipitation changes, this also increases the occurrence of bush-fires, and the growing extent of uncovered soil surface shall intensify wind erosion as well accelerating the negative effects described above. Who will be held responsible for this? Who should bear the larger cost of production in agriculture that is caused by the cost of research necessary to uncover the methods of prevention of irreversible damages caused in nature and environment? Because the field of research requires an interdisciplinary approach, research and innovation requires huge funds, the different approaches to the problem in every single field, and different reasoning methods represent a hurdle as well. In search for possible solutions it is necessary that political decision-makers adopt regulations which have solid scientific fundamentals, and also the cooperation of mankind active in science and economy is crucial. This is the only way of finding sustainable and long term solutions to the problem.

Evaluation and Education of Children with Brain Damage.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bortner, Morton, Ed.

Ten papers consider brain damaged children. Brain damage is considered as an educational category, and the following aspects of evaluation are treated: disorders of oral communication, hearing impairment, psychological deficit, psychiatric factors, and neurological considerations. Educational strategies discussed include the educational methods of…

Forest insects and climate change: long-term trends in herbivore damage.

PubMed

Klapwijk, Maartje J; Csóka, György; Hirka, Anikó; Björkman, Christer

2013-10-01

Long-term data sets, covering several decades, could help to reveal the effects of observed climate change on herbivore damage to plants. However, sufficiently long time series in ecology are scarce. The research presented here analyzes a long-term data set collected by the Hungarian Forest Research Institute over the period 1961-2009. The number of hectares with visible defoliation was estimated and documented for several forest insect pest species. This resulted in a unique time series that provides us with the opportunity to compare insect damage trends with trends in weather patterns. Data were analyzed for six lepidopteran species: Thaumetopoea processionea, Tortrix viridana, Rhyacionia buoliana, Malacosoma neustria, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, and Lymantria dispar. All these species exhibit outbreak dynamics in Hungary. Five of these species prefer deciduous tree species as their host plants, whereas R. buoliana is a specialist on Pinus spp. The data were analyzed using general linear models and generalized least squares regression in relation to mean monthly temperature and precipitation. Temperature increased considerably, especially over the last 25 years (+1.6°C), whereas precipitation exhibited no trend over the period. No change in weather variability over time was observed. There was increased damage caused by two species on deciduous trees. The area of damage attributed to R. buoliana decreased over the study period. There was no evidence of increased variability in damage. We conclude that species exhibiting a trend toward outbreak-level damage over a greater geographical area may be positively affected by changes in weather conditions coinciding with important life stages. Strong associations between the geographical extent of severe damage and monthly temperature and precipitation are difficult to confirm, studying the life-history traits of species could help to increase understanding of responses to climate change.

Is sexual reproduction of high-mountain plants endangered by heat?

PubMed

Ladinig, Ursula; Pramsohler, Manuel; Bauer, Ines; Zimmermann, Sonja; Neuner, Gilbert; Wagner, Johanna

2015-04-01

Strong solar irradiation in combination with still air and dry soil can cause prostrate high-mountain plants to heat up considerably and ultimately suffer heat damage. Such heat damage has been repeatedly shown for vegetative structures, but not for reproductive structures, which we expected to be particularly vulnerable to heat. Heat effects on cold-adapted plants may increase with rising global temperatures and the predicted increase in heat waves. We have tested the heat tolerance of reproductive versus vegetative shoots at different reproductive stages, comparing ten common plant species from different elevation belts in the European Alps. Plant samples were exposed to temperatures in 2-K steps of 30 min each between 42 and 56 °C. Heat damage was assessed by visual rating and vital staining. Reproductive shoots were on average 2.5 K less heat tolerant (LT50, i.e. the mean temperature causing 50 % heat damage, 47.2 °C) than vegetative shoots (mean LT50 49.7 °C). Initial heat injuries (mean LT10) were observed at 43-45 °C in heat-susceptible species and at 45-47 °C in more heat-tolerant species, in at least one reproductive stage. Generally, heat tolerance was significantly higher during fruiting than during the bud stages and anthesis. Prostrate species with acaulescent buds and flowers tolerated heat better than those with caulescent buds and flowers. Petals were the most heat-susceptible plant structure and mature pollen the most heat tolerant. Based on these data, heat tolerance of reproductive structures appears to be adapted to the prevailing maximum temperatures which the plants experience during different reproductive stages in their environment. During hot spells, however, heat tolerance thresholds may be exceeded. More frequent heat waves would decrease the reproductive output and, consequently, the competitiveness of heat-susceptible species.

Performance of Axial-Flow Supersonic Compressor of XJ55-FF-1 Turbojet Engine. III; Over-All Performance of Compressor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartmann, Melvin J.; Tysl, Edward R.

1949-01-01

An investigation was conducted to determine the performance characteristics of the rotor and inlet guide vanes used in the axial-flow supersonic compressor of the XJ55-FF-1 turbojet engine. Outlet stators used in the engine were omitted to facilitate study of the supersonic rotor. The extent of the deviation from design performance indicates that the design-shock configuration was not obtained. A maximum pressure ratio of 2.26 was obtained at an equivalent tip speed of 1614 feet per second and an adiabatic efficiency of 0.61. The maximum efficiency obtained was 0.79 at an equivalent tip speed of 801 feet per second and a pressure ratio of 1.29. The performance obtained was considerably below design performance. The effective aerodynamic forces encountered appeared to be large enough to cause considerable damage to the thin aluminum leading edges of the rotor blades.

Distribution and ecology of whistling swans in the Chesapeake Bay region

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stewart, R.E.; Manning, J.H.

1958-01-01

The Whistling Swan, Olor columbianus, is of particular significance in the Chesapeake Bay region, since major wintering and transient populations occur here regularly, constituting in some years more than half the total population of the species. Some of these concentrations are so large that they attract many bird-watchers, who often travel long distances to see them. Whistling Swans are also of concern to the local shell-fish gatherers, who claim that depredations by these birds cause considerable damage to the supply of commercially valuable long ("soft-shelled") clams. During recent years, there has been an increasing demand from some sources for an open hunting season. It has been suggested that the swan populations may be of sufficient numerical size, to withstand a limited harvest. Because of these considerations, a special effort was made to obtain more information concerning the local distribution, numerical status and ecology of Whistling Swans throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.

Mortality and Morbidity of Fireworks-Related Burns on the Annual Last Wednesday of the Year Festival (Charshanbeh Soori) in Iran: An 11-Year Study

PubMed Central

Vaghardoost, Reza; Ghavami, Yaser; Sobouti, Behnam; Mobayen, Mohammad Reza

2013-01-01

Background Management of firework-related injuries is costly for the patient, society, and government. Objectives Evaluating effective factors yielding to such injuries may lead to better management of patients and decreased costs and morbidities. Patients and Materials This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on burn patients referred to Shahid Motahari Burns Hospital on Charshanbeh Soori day festival during the period extending from March 2000 to March 2011 (11 days in an 11-year period). Demographic data, causes of burn injury, severity, and affected body parts were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results There were164 patients in the study with a mean age of 18.34 ± 9.31 years; 87% (145/164) were male. Homemade grenades were the most frequent cause of injury. Hand injury was reported in 56% (92/164) of the cases. Amputation was executed in 7 (4.3%) cases, and 6 (3.7%) patients died due to severe burn injuries and facial damage. Conclusions Fireworks- related injuries during Charshanbeh Soori ceremony causes significant morbidities and damage to different body parts (especially upper limbs and face), and some of these injuries will lead to life time disabilities, amputations, and even death. As most of the injured patients are young teenagers and children, special consideration must be taken into account to prevent long term morbidities. PMID:24350158

Characterizing liability for cranial nerve injuries: a detailed analysis of 209 malpractice trials.

PubMed

Svider, Peter F; Sunaryo, Peter L; Keeley, Brieze R; Kovalerchik, Olga; Mauro, Andrew C; Eloy, Jean Anderson

2013-05-01

The potential for adverse events with lasting functional effects makes cranial nerve (CN) injury a target for litigation. Our objective was to comprehensively examine records of malpractice trials and detail issues influencing outcomes. Retrospective analysis. The Westlaw database (Thomson Reuters, New York, NY) was searched for jury verdict reports related to medical malpractice and CN injury. After excluding nonrelevant cases, we examined 209 trials for characteristics including nerve(s) injured, alleged causes of malpractice, demographic information, specialty, and outcome. The most commonly litigated CNs were VII (24.4%) and II (19.6%). Sixty-nine (33.0%) trials resulted in damages awarded. Outcomes varied, ranging from a 29.2% plaintiff success rate for CN XI injury to 48.4% for CN II injury. Plaintiffs had less success with increasing age. Average damages awarded were $1.7 million. The most commonly named defendants were otolaryngologists and general surgeons. Individual considerations varied but commonly included alleged deficits in informed consent (25.4%), unnecessary procedures (14.8%), undergoing additional surgery (25.8%), and untimely recognition of complications (23.9%). Malpractice trials were resolved in the defendant's favor the majority of the time. In cases where plaintiffs were successful, however, awards were considerable, averaging nearly $2 million. Factors influencing case outcome included age, location, perceived deficits in informed consent, allegedly unnecessary surgery, requiring additional surgery to repair a complication, and untimely recognition of complications. Although specific factors should be taken into consideration with each procedure, providing detailed informed consent and communicating with patients regarding expectations may minimize liability. Copyright © 2013 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Physically-based Assessment of Tropical Cyclone Damage and Economic Losses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, N.

2012-12-01

Estimating damage and economic losses caused by tropical cyclones (TC) is a topic of considerable research interest in many scientific fields, including meteorology, structural and coastal engineering, and actuarial sciences. One approach is based on the empirical relationship between TC characteristics and loss data. Another is to model the physical mechanism of TC-induced damage. In this talk we discuss about the physically-based approach to predict TC damage and losses due to extreme wind and storm surge. We first present an integrated vulnerability model, which, for the first time, explicitly models the essential mechanisms causing wind damage to residential areas during storm passage, including windborne-debris impact and the pressure-debris interaction that may lead, in a chain reaction, to structural failures (Lin and Vanmarcke 2010; Lin et al. 2010a). This model can be used to predict the economic losses in a residential neighborhood (with hundreds of buildings) during a specific TC (Yau et al. 2011) or applied jointly with a TC risk model (e.g., Emanuel et al 2008) to estimate the expected losses over long time periods. Then we present a TC storm surge risk model that has been applied to New York City (Lin et al. 2010b; Lin et al. 2012; Aerts et al. 2012), Miami-Dade County, Florida (Klima et al. 2011), Galveston, Texas (Lickley, 2012), and other coastal areas around the world (e.g., Tampa, Florida; Persian Gulf; Darwin, Australia; Shanghai, China). These physically-based models are applicable to various coastal areas and have the capability to account for the change of the climate and coastal exposure over time. We also point out that, although made computationally efficient for risk assessment, these models are not suitable for regional or global analysis, which has been a focus of the empirically-based economic analysis (e.g., Hsiang and Narita 2012). A future research direction is to simplify the physically-based models, possibly through parameterization, and make connections to the global loss data and economic analysis.

Damage Considerations of a Flexible Micro Air Vehicle Wing Using 3-D Laser Vibrometry

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

AIR VEHICLE WING USING 3-D LASER VIBROMETRY THESIS Leo L. Mendoza Jr., ENS, USN AFIT/GAE/ENY/07-J13 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR ...3-D LASER VIBROMETRY THESIS Presented to the Faculty Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Air Force...DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED AFIT/GAE/ENY/07-J13 DAMAGE CONSIDERATIONS OF A FLEXIBLE MICRO AIR VEHICLE WING USING 3-D LASER VIBROMETRY

Early-state damage detection, characterization, and evolution using high-resolution computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grandin, Robert John

Safely using materials in high performance applications requires adequately understanding the mechanisms which control the nucleation and evolution of damage. Most of a material's operational life is spent in a state with noncritical damage, and, for example in metals only a small portion of its life falls within the classical Paris Law regime of crack growth. Developing proper structural health and prognosis models requires understanding the behavior of damage in these early stages within the material's life, and this early-stage damage occurs on length scales at which the material may be considered "granular'' in the sense that the discrete regions which comprise the whole are large enough to require special consideration. Material performance depends upon the characteristics of the granules themselves as well as the interfaces between granules. As a result, properly studying early-stage damage in complex, granular materials requires a means to characterize changes in the granules and interfaces. The granular-scale can range from tenths of microns in ceramics, to single microns in fiber-reinforced composites, to tens of millimeters in concrete. The difficulty of direct-study is often overcome by exhaustive testing of macro-scale damage caused by gross material loads and abuse. Such testing, for example optical or electron microscopy, destructive and further, is costly when used to study the evolution of damage within a material and often limits the study to a few snapshots. New developments in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) provide the necessary spatial resolution to directly image the granule length-scale of many materials. Successful application of HRCT with fiber-reinforced composites, however, requires extending the HRCT performance beyond current limits. This dissertation will discuss improvements made in the field of CT reconstruction which enable resolutions to be pushed to the point of being able to image the fiber-scale damage structures and the application of this new capability to the study of early-stage damage.

Statistical analysis of low-rise building damage caused by the San Fernando earthquake

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

Scholl, R.E.

1974-02-01

An empirical investigation of damage to low-rise buildings in two selected control areas within Glendale, California, caused by the ground motion precipitated by the San Fernando earthquake of February 9, 1971 is summarized. The procedures for obtaining the appropriate data and the methodology used in deriving ground motion-damage relationships are described. Motion-damage relationships are derived for overall damage and for the most frequently damaged building components. Overall motion-damage relationships are expressed in terms of damage incidence (damage ratio) and damage cost (damage cost factor). The motion-damage relationships derived from the earthquake data are compared with similar data obtained for lou-risemore » buildings subjected to ground motion generated by an underground nuclear explosion. Overall comparison results show that for the same spectral acceleration, the earthquake caused slightly more damage. Differences in ground-motion characteristics for the two types of disturbances provide the most probable explanation for this discrepancy. (auth)« less

Image correlation nondestructive evaluation of impact damage in a glass fiber composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, Samuel S.

1990-01-01

Presented in viewgraph format, digital image correlation, damage in fibrous composites, and damaged coupons (cross-ply scotchply GI-Ep laminate) are outlined. It was concluded that the image correlation accuracy was 0.03 percent; strains can be processed through Tsai-Hill failure criteria to qualify the damage; the statistical data base must be generated to evaluate certainty of the damage estimate; size effects need consideration; and better numerical techniques are needed.

Oxidative Stress Resistance in Deinococcus radiodurans†

PubMed Central

Slade, Dea; Radman, Miroslav

2011-01-01

Summary: Deinococcus radiodurans is a robust bacterium best known for its capacity to repair massive DNA damage efficiently and accurately. It is extremely resistant to many DNA-damaging agents, including ionizing radiation and UV radiation (100 to 295 nm), desiccation, and mitomycin C, which induce oxidative damage not only to DNA but also to all cellular macromolecules via the production of reactive oxygen species. The extreme resilience of D. radiodurans to oxidative stress is imparted synergistically by an efficient protection of proteins against oxidative stress and an efficient DNA repair mechanism, enhanced by functional redundancies in both systems. D. radiodurans assets for the prevention of and recovery from oxidative stress are extensively reviewed here. Radiation- and desiccation-resistant bacteria such as D. radiodurans have substantially lower protein oxidation levels than do sensitive bacteria but have similar yields of DNA double-strand breaks. These findings challenge the concept of DNA as the primary target of radiation toxicity while advancing protein damage, and the protection of proteins against oxidative damage, as a new paradigm of radiation toxicity and survival. The protection of DNA repair and other proteins against oxidative damage is imparted by enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems dominated by divalent manganese complexes. Given that oxidative stress caused by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species is associated with aging and cancer, a comprehensive outlook on D. radiodurans strategies of combating oxidative stress may open new avenues for antiaging and anticancer treatments. The study of the antioxidation protection in D. radiodurans is therefore of considerable potential interest for medicine and public health. PMID:21372322

Impact-Induced Muscle Damage and Contact-Sport: Aetiology, Effects on Neuromuscular Function and Recovery, and the Modulating Effects of Adaptation and Recovery Strategies.

PubMed

Naughton, Mitchell; Miller, Joanna; Slater, Gary J

2017-11-28

Athletes involved in contact-sports are habitually exposed to skeletal muscle damage as part of their training and performance environments. This often leads to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) resulting from repeated eccentric and/or high-intensity exercise, and impact-induced muscle damage (IIMD) resulting from collisions with opponents and the playing surface. Whilst EIMD has been an area of extensive investigation, IIMD has received comparatively little research, with the magnitude and timeframe of alterations following IIMD not presently well understood. It is currently thought that EIMD occurs through an overload of mechanical stress causing ultrastructural damage to the cellular membrane constituents. Damage leads to compromised ability to produce force which manifest immediately and persist for up to 14 days following exercise exposure. IIMD has been implicated in attenuated neuromuscular performance and recovery with inflammatory process implicated, although the underlying time course remains unclear. Exposure to EIMD leads to an adaptation to subsequent exposures, a phenomenon known as the repeated-bout effect. An analogous adaptation has been suggested to occur following IIMD, however, to date this contention remains equivocal. Whilst a considerable body of research has explored the efficacy of recovery strategies following EIMD, strategies promoting recovery from IIMD are limited to investigations using animal contusion models. Strategies such as cryotherapy and antioxidant supplementation, which focus on attenuating the secondary inflammatory response may provide additional benefit in IIMD and are explored herein. Further research is required to firstly establish a model of generating IIMD and then explore broader areas around IIMD in athletic populations.

Forecasting Frost Damage: Follow the Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rempel, A. W.

2015-12-01

Frost damage takes place when the pressure exerted against pore walls exceeds the cohesive strength of water-infiltrated rock and causes cracks to extend. Elegant theoretical treatments supported by meticulous field and laboratory observations have combined to unravel the basic mechanical and thermodynamic controls in idealized systems. Frost damage is most vigorous when conditions are cold enough that the net pressure exerted against the pore walls can cause crack extension, yet warm enough to enable the flow that supplies further ice growth in the newly opened space. This insight is applied here to develop practical geomorphic process laws for the effects of frost damage at the larger scales that are relevant for describing the evolution of landscapes. To this end, a direct connection is made between the intensity of frost damage and the porosity increase that results from gradients in water flux under conditions that are cold enough for ice-rock interactions to propagate cracks. This implies that the annual temperature variation at the ground surface can be combined with considerations of heat and mass transport to derive rigorous forecasts of the potential for frost damage that are tied to the increases in water mass that accompany solidification in porous rock. As an example, the image shows the depth-integrated porosity change λ promoted by crack growth at temperatures colder than -ΔTc over an annual cycle for different choices of mean annual temperature MAT and surface amplitude A (assuming a thermal diffusivity of 1 mm2/s and a power-law relationship between permeability and undercooling with exponent α=4, such that a base value of 10-14m2 is reached at a reference undercooling of 0.1 ºC). The abrupt onset in cracking once MAT decreases below a threshold is produced by the requirement that undercooling surpass ΔTc in order to generate sufficient pressures to propagate cracks. The eventual reduction and gradual tail in λ at colder MAT is produced by the clogging of the permeable pathways needed to supply additional water to propmote crack growth.

Radiative property degradation of water impinging on thermally-controlled surfaces under space conditions.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maples, D.; Spiller, M. H.; Maples, G.

1973-01-01

Review of the results of an investigation aimed at determining experimentally the directional monochromatic reflectance changes caused under high-vacuum space conditions by a water spray impinging on thermally controlled surfaces consisting of three paint specimens (Z93, S13G, and 92-007) and an aluminum foil. The first two paints and the aluminum foil suffered considerable physical damage, but only small changes resulted in the reflectance of the paints while the reflectance of the aluminum foil decreased with increase in exposure time to the water jet. Only the 92-007 Dow Corning paint retained the same physical and reflective characteristics.

Pulsations Induced by Vibrations in Aircraft Engine Two-Stage Pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gafurov, S. A.; Salmina, V. A.; Handroos, H.

2018-01-01

This paper describes a phenomenon of induced pressure pulsations inside a two-stage aircraft engine pump. A considered pumps consists of a screw-centrifugal and gear stages. The paper describes the cause of two-stage pump elements loading. A number of hypothesis of pressure pulsations generation inside a pump were considered. The main focus in this consideration is made on phenomena that are not related to pump mode of operation. Provided analysis has shown that pump vibrations as well as pump elements self-oscillations are the main causes that lead to trailing vortices generation. Analysis was conducted by means FEM and CFD simulations as well by means of experimental investigations to obtain natural frequencies and flow structure inside a screw-centrifugal stage. To perform accurate simulations adequate boundary conditions were considered. Cavitation and turbulence phenomena have been also taken into account. Obtained results have shown generated trailing vortices lead to high-frequency loading of the impeller of screw-centrifugal stage and can be a cause of the bearing damage.

Model-Based Fatigue Prognosis of Fiber-Reinforced Laminates Exhibiting Concurrent Damage Mechanisms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corbetta, M.; Sbarufatti, C.; Saxena, A.; Giglio, M.; Goebel, K.

2016-01-01

Prognostics of large composite structures is a topic of increasing interest in the field of structural health monitoring for aerospace, civil, and mechanical systems. Along with recent advancements in real-time structural health data acquisition and processing for damage detection and characterization, model-based stochastic methods for life prediction are showing promising results in the literature. Among various model-based approaches, particle-filtering algorithms are particularly capable in coping with uncertainties associated with the process. These include uncertainties about information on the damage extent and the inherent uncertainties of the damage propagation process. Some efforts have shown successful applications of particle filtering-based frameworks for predicting the matrix crack evolution and structural stiffness degradation caused by repetitive fatigue loads. Effects of other damage modes such as delamination, however, are not incorporated in these works. It is well established that delamination and matrix cracks not only co-exist in most laminate structures during the fatigue degradation process but also affect each other's progression. Furthermore, delamination significantly alters the stress-state in the laminates and accelerates the material degradation leading to catastrophic failure. Therefore, the work presented herein proposes a particle filtering-based framework for predicting a structure's remaining useful life with consideration of multiple co-existing damage-mechanisms. The framework uses an energy-based model from the composite modeling literature. The multiple damage-mode model has been shown to suitably estimate the energy release rate of cross-ply laminates as affected by matrix cracks and delamination modes. The model is also able to estimate the reduction in stiffness of the damaged laminate. This information is then used in the algorithms for life prediction capabilities. First, a brief summary of the energy-based damage model is provided. Then, the paper describes how the model is embedded within the prognostic framework and how the prognostics performance is assessed using observations from run-to-failure experiments

Monte Carlo simulation of ionizing radiation induced DNA strand breaks utilizing coarse grained high-order chromatin structures.

PubMed

Liang, Ying; Yang, Gen; Liu, Feng; Wang, Yugang

2016-01-07

Ionizing radiation threatens genome integrity by causing DNA damage. Monte Carlo simulation of the interaction of a radiation track structure with DNA provides a powerful tool for investigating the mechanisms of the biological effects. However, the more or less oversimplification of the indirect effect and the inadequate consideration of high-order chromatin structures in current models usually results in discrepancies between simulations and experiments, which undermine the predictive role of the models. Here we present a biophysical model taking into consideration factors that influence indirect effect to simulate radiation-induced DNA strand breaks in eukaryotic cells with high-order chromatin structures. The calculated yields of single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks (DSBs) for photons are in good agreement with the experimental measurements. The calculated yields of DSB for protons and α particles are consistent with simulations by the PARTRAC code, whereas an overestimation is seen compared with the experimental results. The simulated fragment size distributions for (60)Co γ irradiation and α particle irradiation are compared with the measurements accordingly. The excellent agreement with (60)Co irradiation validates our model in simulating photon irradiation. The general agreement found in α particle irradiation encourages model applicability in the high linear energy transfer range. Moreover, we demonstrate the importance of chromatin high-order structures in shaping the spectrum of initial damage.

The Effect of Wind Exposure on the Web Characteristics of a Tetragnathid Orb Spider.

PubMed

Tew, Nicholas; Hesselberg, Thomas

2017-01-01

Studies on spiders in their natural habitats are necessary for determining the full range of plasticity in their web-building behaviour. Plasticity in web design is hypothesised to be important for spiders building in habitats where environmental conditions cause considerable web damage. Here we compared web characteristics of the orb spider Metellina mengei (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) in two different forest habitats differing in their wind exposure. We found a notable lack of differences in web geometry, orientation and inclination between webs built along an exposed forest edge and those built inside the forest, despite marked differences in wind speed. This suggests that M. mengei did not exhibit web-building plasticity in response to wind in the field, contrasting with the findings of laboratory studies on other species of orb spiders. Instead, differences in prey capture and wind damage trade-offs between habitats may provide an explanation for our results, indicating that different species employ different strategies to cope with environmental constraints.

Safety Modification of Cam-and-Groove Hose Coupling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwindt, Paul; Littlefield, Alan

2008-01-01

A modification has been made in the mating halves of a cam-and-groove hose coupling to prevent rapid separation of the halves in the event that the cam levers are released while the fluid in the hose is pressurized. The need for this modification arises because commercial off-the-shelf cam-and-groove hose-coupling halves do not incorporate safety features to prevent separation in the pressurized state. Especially when the pressurized fluid is compressible (e.g., steam or compressed air), the separated halves can be propelled with considerable energy, causing personal injury and/or property damage. Therefore, one purpose served by the modification is to provide for venting to release compressive energy in a contained and safe manner while preventing personal injury and/or property damage. Another purpose served by the modification, during the process of connecting the coupling halves, is to ensure that the coupling halves are properly aligned before the cam levers can be locked into position.

Phenotypic Description of the Spanish Multicentre Genetic Glaucoma Group Cohort

PubMed Central

Gamundi, Maria José; Duch, Susana; Rios, Jose; Carballo, Miguel; Study Group, EMEIGG

2017-01-01

Introduction The aim of the study was to make a phenotypic description of the Spanish multicentre glaucoma group cohort of patients. Design Retrospective, observational, multicentre, cohort study. Material and Methods The clinical charts of 152 patients with hereditary glaucoma from18 Spanish eye centres were reviewed in order to make an epidemiologic description of the type of glaucoma and associated factors. True hereditary cases were compared with familiar cases according to the Gong et al. criteria. Results 61% were true hereditary cases and 39% familiar cases. Ocular comorbidity, optic disc damage, and visual field mean defect were significantly more severe in hereditary patients, who required significantly more first-line hypotensive drugs and surgical interventions to control intraocular pressure than familiar patients. Conclusions The strength of the hereditary component of glaucoma seems to worsen the clinical course, causing more structural and functional damage and requiring more intense glaucoma treatment. The family history of glaucoma should be carefully investigated and taken into consideration when making treatment decisions or intensifying previous treatment. PMID:29082038

Implementing Recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board: Development of On-Orbit IR Thermography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ottens, Brian P.; Parker, Bradford; Stephan, Ryan

2005-01-01

One of NASA's Space Shuttle Return-to-Flight (RTF) efforts has been to develop thermography for the on-orbit inspection of the Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) portion of the Orbiter Wing Leading Edge (WLE). This paper addresses the capability of thermography to detect cracks in RCC by using in-plane thermal gradients that naturally occur on-orbit. Crack damage, which can result from launch debris impact, is a detection challenge for other on-orbit sensors under consideration for RTF, such as the Intensified Television Camera and Laser Dynamic Range Imager. We studied various cracks in RCC, both natural and simulated, along with material characteristics, such as emissivity uniformity, in steady-state thermography. Severity of crack, such as those likely and unlikely to cause burn through were tested, both in-air and in-vacuum, and the goal of this procedure was to assure crew and vehicle safety during reentry by identification and quantification of a damage condition while on-orbit. Expected thermal conditions are presented in typical shuttle orbits, and the expected damage signatures for each scenario are presented. Finally, through statistical signal detection, our results show that even at very low in-plane thermal gradients, we are able to detect damage at or below the threshold for fatality in the most critical sections of the WLE, with a confidence exceeding 1 in 10,000 probability of false negative.

Implementing Recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board - Development of on-Orbit RCC Thermography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ottens, Brian; Parker, Brad; Stephen, Ryan

2005-01-01

One of NASA s Space Shuttle Return-to-Flight (RTF) efforts has been to develop thermography for the on-orbit inspection of the Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) portion of the Orbiter Wing Leading Edge (WLE). This paper addresses the capability of thermography to detect cracks in RCC by using in-plane thermal gradients that naturally occur on-orbit. Crack damage, which can result from launch debris impact, is a detection challenge for other on-orbit sensors under consideration for RTF, such as the Intensified Television Camera and Laser Dynamic Range Imager. We studied various cracks in RCC, both natural and simulated, along with material characteristics, such as emissivity uniformity, in steady-state thermography. Severity of crack, such as those likely and unlikely to cause burn through were tested, both in-air and in-vacuum, and the goal of this procedure was to assure crew and vehicle safety during re-entry by identification and quantification of a damage condition while on-orbit. Expected thermal conditions are presented in typical shuttle orbits, and the expected damage signatures for each scenario are presented. Finally, through statistical signal detection, our results show that even at very low in-plane thermal gradients, we are able to detect damage at or below the threshold for fatality in the most critical sections of the WLE, with a confidence exceeding 1 in 10,000 probability of false negative.

Microbially influenced corrosion communities associated with fuel-grade ethanol environments.

PubMed

Williamson, Charles H D; Jain, Luke A; Mishra, Brajendra; Olson, David L; Spear, John R

2015-08-01

Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) is a costly problem that impacts hydrocarbon production and processing equipment, water distribution systems, ships, railcars, and other types of metallic infrastructure. In particular, MIC is known to cause considerable damage to hydrocarbon fuel infrastructure including production, transportation, and storage systems, often times with catastrophic environmental contamination results. As the production and use of alternative fuels such as fuel-grade ethanol (FGE) increase, it is important to consider MIC of engineered materials exposed to these "newer fuels" as they enter existing infrastructure. Reports of suspected MIC in systems handling FGE and water prompted an investigation of the microbial diversity associated with these environments. Small subunit ribosomal RNA gene pyrosequencing surveys indicate that acetic-acid-producing bacteria (Acetobacter spp. and Gluconacetobacter spp.) are prevalent in environments exposed to FGE and water. Other microbes previously implicated in corrosion, such as sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens, were also identified. In addition, acetic-acid-producing microbes and sulfate-reducing microbes were cultivated from sampled environments containing FGE and water. Results indicate that complex microbial communities form in these FGE environments and could cause significant MIC-related damage that may be difficult to control. How to better manage these microbial communities will be a defining aspect of improving mitigation of global infrastructure corrosion.

Heavy winter precipitation in southwest Arizona

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guttman, Nathaniel B.; Lee, Jung Jin; Wallis, James R.

During December 1992, according to the Weekly Climate Bulletin of the Climate Analysis Center in Washington, D.C., heavy precipitation inundated parts of Arizona causing more than 400% of normal precipitation to fall in the southwestern part of the state. Heavy precipitation continued to fall during the next 2 months, causing extensive flooding along the Gila River.Phoenix Weather Service Forecast Office monthly storm data reports indicated flooding along the Santa Cruz and San Pedro Rivers on December 29. From January 7 to 20, roads, bridges, homes, businesses, and farmland suffered considerable flood damage from Graham County westward to Yuma County as rivers and streams swelled. Several thousand people were isolated in their homes as flood waters cut off roads. The January storm data report shows that the combination of a northward-displaced subtropical jet stream, with its abundant moisture supply and associated low pressure disturbances and a southward-displaced polar jet stream, with its storm track, led to the abnormally wet period from late December to mid-January. In February, severe flooding was reported in several areas as water rose in the Painted Rock Reservoir; water accumulating behind the dam produced the largest lake in the state. After exceeding the 2.5 million acre-feet capacity of the reservoir, water began spilling over the dam and damaging homes, crops, farmland, roads, and bridges. About 3,500 residents were evacuated, and the National Guard responded to the flooding with various relief efforts including helicopter support operations. The U.S. and Arizona Departments of Agriculture reported flood damage in excess of $50 million.

Hepatoprotective activity of sea cucumber Phyllophorus sp. extract in carp (Cyprinus carpio)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sulmartiwi, Laksmi; Triastuti, Juni; Andriyono, Sapto; Umami, Mardiah Rahma

2017-02-01

Many procedures continuously in aquaculture and scientific research like tagging and vaccinating cause pain, involving damaging tissue and also cause stress responses in fish. Stress responses in fish influence liver because liver have vital role to supply energy and metabolism. Histology alteration in liver is caused by stress response like changes of vacuolation hepatocyte and characteristic colour. Triterpenoid was known had hepatoprotective activity. One of marine organism contained triterpenoid was sea cucumber. Result of research showed that liver tissue in fish with injected acetic acid 5 % (in upper lip) as pain stimulus have histopathology damages such as pyknosis (medium damage level) and oedema (heavy damage level) after 8 hour injection. Injected Lidocaine 1mg/fish as analgesic drug have histopathology damages such as oedema (heavy damages level), necrosis and pyknosis (low damages level). Injected acetic acid 5 % (in upper lip) and ethanolic extract of sea cucumber Phyllophorus sp. dose 5 mg/50 gr body weight shown histopathology damages such as necrosis, edema (medium damage level) and pyknosis (low damage level).

Malodorous consequences: what comprises negligence in anosmia litigation?

PubMed

Svider, Peter F; Mauro, Andrew C; Eloy, Jean Anderson; Setzen, Michael; Carron, Michael A; Folbe, Adam J

2014-03-01

Our objectives were to evaluate factors raised in malpractice litigation in which plaintiffs alleged that physician negligence led to olfactory dysfunction. We analyzed publically available federal and court records using Westlaw, a widely used computerized legal database. Pertinent jury verdicts and settlements were comprehensively examined for alleged causes of malpractice (including procedures for iatrogenic causes), defendant specialty, patient demographics, and other factors raised in legal proceedings. Of 25 malpractice proceedings meeting inclusion criteria, 60.0% were resolved for the defendant, 12.0% were settled, and 28.0% had jury-awarded damages. Median payments were significant ($300,000 and $412,500 for settlements and awards, respectively). Otolaryngologists were the most frequently named defendants (68.0%), with the majority of iatrogenic cases (55.0%) related to rhinologic procedures. Associated medical events accompanying anosmia included dysgeusia, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and meningitis. Other alleged factors included requiring additional surgery (80.0%), unnecessary procedures (47.4% of iatrogenic procedural cases), untimely diagnosis leading to anosmia (44.0%), inadequate informed consent (35.0%), dysgeusia (56.0%), and psychological sequelae (24.0%). Olfactory dysfunction can adversely affect quality of life and thus is a potential area for malpractice litigation. This is particularly true for iatrogenic causes of anosmia, especially following rhinologic procedures. Settlements and damages awarded were considerable, making an understanding of factors detailed in this analysis of paramount importance for the practicing otolaryngologist. This analysis reinforces the importance of explicitly including anosmia in a comprehensive informed consent process for any rhinologic procedure. © 2013 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

INHIBITION OF FRIED MEAT-INDUCED DNA DAMAGE: A DIETARY INTERVENTION STUDY IN HUMANS

EPA Science Inventory

Dietary exposures have been implicated as risk factors in colorectal cancer. Such agents may act by causing DNA damage or may be protective against DNA damage. The effects of dietary exposures in causing or preventing damage have not been assessed directly in colon tissues. In th...

Identification of sandstone core damage using scanning electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismail, Abdul Razak; Jaafar, Mohd Zaidi; Sulaiman, Wan Rosli Wan; Ismail, Issham; Shiunn, Ng Yinn

2017-12-01

Particles and fluids invasion into the pore spaces causes serious damage to the formation, resulting reduction in petroleum production. In order to prevent permeability damage for a well effectively, the damage mechanisms should be identified. In this study, water-based drilling fluid was compared to oil-based drilling fluids based on microscopic observation. The cores were damaged by several drilling fluid systems. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the damage mechanism caused by the drilling fluids. Results showed that the ester based drilling fluid system caused the most serious damage followed by synthetic oil based system and KCI-polymer system. Fine solids and filtrate migration and emulsion blockage are believed to be the major mechanisms controlling the changes in flow properties for the sandstone samples.

Do native parasitic plants cause more damage to exotic invasive hosts than native non-invasive hosts? An implication for biocontrol.

PubMed

Li, Junmin; Jin, Zexin; Song, Wenjing

2012-01-01

Field studies have shown that native, parasitic plants grow vigorously on invasive plants and can cause more damage to invasive plants than native plants. However, no empirical test has been conducted and the mechanism is still unknown. We conducted a completely randomized greenhouse experiment using 3 congeneric pairs of exotic, invasive and native, non-invasive herbaceous plant species to quantify the damage caused by parasitic plants to hosts and its correlation with the hosts' growth rate and resource use efficiency. The biomass of the parasitic plants on exotic, invasive hosts was significantly higher than on congeneric native, non-invasive hosts. Parasites caused more damage to exotic, invasive hosts than to congeneric, native, non-invasive hosts. The damage caused by parasites to hosts was significantly positively correlated with the biomass of parasitic plants. The damage of parasites to hosts was significantly positively correlated with the relative growth rate and the resource use efficiency of its host plants. It may be the mechanism by which parasitic plants grow more vigorously on invasive hosts and cause more damage to exotic, invasive hosts than to native, non-invasive hosts. These results suggest a potential biological control effect of native, parasitic plants on invasive species by reducing the dominance of invasive species in the invaded community.

Importance of secondary damage in downer cows.

PubMed

Poulton, P J; Vizard, A L; Anderson, G A; Pyman, M F

2016-05-01

To investigate the relative importance in downer cows of the primary cause of recumbency in comparison with secondary complications. Downer dairy cows were monitored during their recumbency under field conditions in South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. The cause of the original recumbency of the 218 cows was determined and secondary damage, status on day 7 and final outcome were recorded. Some type of secondary damage was found in 183/218 (84%) cows, of which 173/218 (79%) had damage deemed to be clinically important. By day 7, 52 (24%) had recovered and 69 (32%) eventually recovered. Of the 149 (68%) cows that were euthanased or died, 23 (15%) were deemed to have been lost solely from the primary cause, 107 (72%) from secondary damage and 19 (13%) from a combination of both. There was no difference in recovery among the five broad groups of causes of primary recumbency. Secondary damage was very common and presented in a large variety of ways, with many cows having multiple types of secondary damage concurrently. For most cows the secondary damage was more important than the initial primary damage in determining their fate. © 2016 Australian Veterinary Association.

Atmospheric skin aging-Contributors and inhibitors.

PubMed

McDaniel, David; Farris, Patricia; Valacchi, Giuseppe

2018-04-01

Cutaneous aging is a complex biological process consisting of 2 elements: intrinsic aging, which is primarily determined by genetics, and extrinsic aging, which is largely caused by atmospheric factors, such as exposure to sunlight and air pollution, and lifestyle choices, such as diet and smoking. The role of the solar spectrum, comprised of ultraviolet light, specifically UVB (290-320 nm) and UVA (320-400) in causing skin damage, including skin cancers, has been well documented. In recent years, the contribution of visible light (400-700 nm) and infrared radiation (above 800 nm) in causing skin damage, similar to the photodamage caused by UV light, is also being elucidated. In addition, other atmospheric factors such as air pollution (smog, ozone, particulate matter, etc.) have been implicated in premature skin aging. The skin damage caused by environmental exposure is largely attributable to a complex cascade of reactions inside the skin initiated by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes oxidative damage to cellular components such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. These damaged skin cells initiate inflammatory responses leading to the eventual damage manifested in chronically exposed skin. Novel therapeutic strategies to combat ROS species generation are being developed to prevent the skin damage caused by atmospheric factors. In addition to protecting skin from solar radiation using sunscreens, other approaches using topically applied ingredients, particularly antioxidants that penetrate the skin and protect the skin from within, have also been well documented. This review summarizes current knowledge of atmospheric aggressors, including UVA, UVB, visible light, infrared radiation (IR), and ozone on skin damage, and proposes new avenues for future research in the prevention and treatment of premature skin aging caused by such atmospheric factors. New therapeutic modalities currently being developed are also discussed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Safety considerations for wireless delivery of continuous power to implanted medical devices.

PubMed

Lucke, Lori; Bluvshtein, Vlad

2014-01-01

Wireless power systems for use with implants are referred to as transcutaneous energy transmission systems (TETS) and consist of an implanted secondary coil and an external primary coil along with supporting electronics. A TETS system could be used to power ventricular assist systems and eliminate driveline infections. There are both direct and indirect safety concerns that must be addressed when continuously transferring power through the skin. Direct safety concerns include thermal tissue damage caused by exposure to the electromagnetic fields, coil heating effects, and potential unwanted nerve stimulation. Indirect concerns are those caused by potential interference of the TETS system with other implanted devices. Wireless power systems are trending towards higher frequency operation. Understanding the limits for safe operation of a TETS system across a range of frequencies is important. A low frequency and a high frequency implementation are simulated to demonstrate the impact of this trend for a VAD application.

Effects of Aftershock Declustering in Risk Modeling: Case Study of a Subduction Sequence in Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kane, D. L.; Nyst, M.

2014-12-01

Earthquake hazard and risk models often assume that earthquake rates can be represented by a stationary Poisson process, and that aftershocks observed in historical seismicity catalogs represent a deviation from stationarity that must be corrected before earthquake rates are estimated. Algorithms for classifying individual earthquakes as independent mainshocks or as aftershocks vary widely, and analysis of a single catalog can produce considerably different earthquake rates depending on the declustering method implemented. As these rates are propagated through hazard and risk models, the modeled results will vary due to the assumptions implied by these choices. In particular, the removal of large aftershocks following a mainshock may lead to an underestimation of the rate of damaging earthquakes and potential damage due to a large aftershock may be excluded from the model. We present a case study based on the 1907 - 1911 sequence of nine 6.9 <= Mw <= 7.9 earthquakes along the Cocos - North American plate subduction boundary in Mexico in order to illustrate the variability in risk under various declustering approaches. Previous studies have suggested that subduction zone earthquakes in Mexico tend to occur in clusters, and this particular sequence includes events that would be labeled as aftershocks in some declustering approaches yet are large enough to produce significant damage. We model the ground motion for each event, determine damage ratios using modern exposure data, and then compare the variability in the modeled damage from using the full catalog or one of several declustered catalogs containing only "independent" events. We also consider the effects of progressive damage caused by each subsequent event and how this might increase or decrease the total losses expected from this sequence.

Squirrel Damage to Pines

Treesearch

USDA Forest Service

1981-01-01

Flagging (dead branch tips) on jack pine and red pine may be caused by insects, diseases, or mechanical damage. In the Lake States, flagging is often the result of mechanical damage, sometimes girdling, caused when the cones are torn off by red squirrels.

A new method for estimating the probable maximum hail loss of a building portfolio based on hailfall intensity determined by radar measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aller, D.; Hohl, R.; Mair, F.; Schiesser, H.-H.

2003-04-01

Extreme hailfall can cause massive damage to building structures. For the insurance and reinsurance industry it is essential to estimate the probable maximum hail loss of their portfolio. The probable maximum loss (PML) is usually defined with a return period of 1 in 250 years. Statistical extrapolation has a number of critical points, as historical hail loss data are usually only available from some events while insurance portfolios change over the years. At the moment, footprints are derived from historical hail damage data. These footprints (mean damage patterns) are then moved over a portfolio of interest to create scenario losses. However, damage patterns of past events are based on the specific portfolio that was damaged during that event and can be considerably different from the current spread of risks. A new method for estimating the probable maximum hail loss to a building portfolio is presented. It is shown that footprints derived from historical damages are different to footprints of hail kinetic energy calculated from radar reflectivity measurements. Based on the relationship between radar-derived hail kinetic energy and hail damage to buildings, scenario losses can be calculated. A systematic motion of the hail kinetic energy footprints over the underlying portfolio creates a loss set. It is difficult to estimate the return period of losses calculated with footprints derived from historical damages being moved around. To determine the return periods of the hail kinetic energy footprints over Switzerland, 15 years of radar measurements and 53 years of agricultural hail losses are available. Based on these data, return periods of several types of hailstorms were derived for different regions in Switzerland. The loss set is combined with the return periods of the event set to obtain an exceeding frequency curve, which can be used to derive the PML.

[Preliminary evidence of neurobiological and behavioral consequences of exposure to childhood maltreatment on regional brain development].

PubMed

Tomoda, Akemi

2011-09-01

In recent years, the topic of child abuse as an issue facing Japanese society has gained considerable attention with regard to the field of medicine and education and also in scenarios that relate to child care. The definition of child abuse includes abusing children verbally or psychologically, and is not limited to abusing children physically such as beating, sexual abuse, or neglect. Recent studies have revealed that emotional trauma during childhood development could be much more difficult to treat than physical abuse. Severe abuse during childhood can cause abnormal brain development and have a negative impact later in life. In this review, I will introduce the mechanisms of brain damage due to child abuse with consideration of how and when child abuse can have an impact on the victims' brains. The information presented is based on a collaborative study with the Psychiatry Department at Harvard University on the relationship between brain functions and the human mind.

SCAI expert consensus statement: Evaluation, management, and special considerations of cardio-oncology patients in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (Endorsed by the Cardiological Society of India, and Sociedad Latino Americana de Cardiologıa Intervencionista).

PubMed

Iliescu, Cezar; Grines, Cindy L; Herrmann, Joerg; Yang, Eric H; Cilingiroglu, Mehmet; Charitakis, Konstantinos; Hakeem, Abdul; Toutouzas, Konstantinos; Leesar, Massoud A; Marmagkiolis, Konstantinos

2016-04-01

In the United States alone, there are currently approximately 14.5 million cancer survivors, and this number is expected to increase to 20 million by 2020. Cancer therapies can cause significant injury to the vasculature, resulting in angina, acute coronary syndromes (ACS), stroke, critical limb ischemia, arrhythmias, and heart failure, independently from the direct myocardial or pericardial damage from the malignancy itself. Consequently, the need for invasive evaluation and management in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) for such patients has been increasing. In recognition of the need for a document on special considerations for cancer patients in the CCL, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) commissioned a consensus group to provide recommendations based on the published medical literature and on the expertise of operators with accumulated experience in the cardiac catheterization of cancer patients. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

SCAI Expert consensus statement: Evaluation, management, and special considerations of cardio-oncology patients in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (endorsed by the cardiological society of india, and sociedad Latino Americana de Cardiologıa intervencionista).

PubMed

Iliescu, Cezar A; Grines, Cindy L; Herrmann, Joerg; Yang, Eric H; Cilingiroglu, Mehmet; Charitakis, Konstantinos; Hakeem, Abdul; Toutouzas, Konstantinos P; Leesar, Massoud A; Marmagkiolis, Konstantinos

2016-04-01

In the United States alone, there are currently approximately 14.5 million cancer survivors, and this number is expected to increase to 20 million by 2020. Cancer therapies can cause significant injury to the vasculature, resulting in angina, acute coronary syndromes (ACS), stroke, critical limb ischemia, arrhythmias, and heart failure, independently from the direct myocardial or pericardial damage from the malignancy itself. Consequently, the need for invasive evaluation and management in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) for such patients has been increasing. In recognition of the need for a document on special considerations for cancer patients in the CCL, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) commissioned a consensus group to provide recommendations based on the published medical literature and on the expertise of operators with accumulated experience in the cardiac catheterization of cancer patients. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Alleviating inequality in climate policy costs: an integrated perspective on mitigation, damage and adaptation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Cian, E.; Hof, A. F.; Marangoni, G.; Tavoni, M.; van Vuuren, D. P.

2016-07-01

Equity considerations play an important role in international climate negotiations. While policy analysis has often focused on equity as it relates to mitigation costs, there are large regional differences in adaptation costs and the level of residual damage. This paper illustrates the relevance of including adaptation and residual damage in equity considerations by determining how the allocation of emission allowances would change to counteract regional differences in total climate costs, defined as the costs of mitigation, adaptation, and residual damage. We compare emission levels resulting from a global carbon tax with two allocations of emission allowances under a global cap-and-trade system: one equating mitigation costs and one equating total climate costs as share of GDP. To account for uncertainties in both mitigation and adaptation, we use a model-comparison approach employing two alternative modeling frameworks with different damage, adaptation cost, and mitigation cost estimates, and look at two different climate goals. Despite the identified model uncertainties, we derive unambiguous results on the change in emission allowance allocation that could lessen the unequal distribution of adaptation costs and residual damages through the financial transfers associated with emission trading.

Stent fabric fatigue of grafts supported by Z-stents versus ringed stents: an in vitro buckling test.

PubMed

Lin, Jing; Wang, Lu; Guidoin, Robert; Nutley, Mark; Song, Ge; Zhang, Ze; Du, Jia; Douville, Yvan

2014-03-01

Stent-grafts externally fitted with a Z-shaped stents were compared to devices fitted with ringed stents in an in vitro oscillating fatigue machine at 200 cycles per minute and a pressure of 360 mmHg for scheduled durations of up to 1 week. The devices fitted with Z-stents showed a considerably lower endurance limit to buckling compared to the controls. The contact between the apexes of adjacent Z-stents resulted in significant damage to the textile scaffolds and polyester fibers due to the sharp angle of the Z-stents. The ringed stents did not cause any fraying in the textile scaffolds.

Solving a layout design problem by analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuzkaya, Umut R.; Eser, Arzum; Argon, Goner

2004-02-01

Today, growing amounts of waste due to fast consumption rate of products started an irreversible environmental pollution and damage. A considerable part of this waste is caused by packaging material. With the realization of this fact, various waste policies have taken important steps. Here we considered a firm, where waste Aluminum constitutes majority of raw materials for this fir0m. In order to achieve a profitable recycling process, plant layout should be well designed. In this study, we propose a two-step approach involving Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to solve facility layout design problems. A case example is considered to demonstrate the results achieved.

Method for detecting moment connection fracture using high-frequency transients in recorded accelerations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rodgers, J.E.; Elebi, M.

2011-01-01

The 1994 Northridge earthquake caused brittle fractures in steel moment frame building connections, despite causing little visible building damage in most cases. Future strong earthquakes are likely to cause similar damage to the many un-retrofitted pre-Northridge buildings in the western US and elsewhere. Without obvious permanent building deformation, costly intrusive inspections are currently the only way to determine if major fracture damage that compromises building safety has occurred. Building instrumentation has the potential to provide engineers and owners with timely information on fracture occurrence. Structural dynamics theory predicts and scale model experiments have demonstrated that sudden, large changes in structure properties caused by moment connection fractures will cause transient dynamic response. A method is proposed for detecting the building-wide level of connection fracture damage, based on observing high-frequency, fracture-induced transient dynamic responses in strong motion accelerograms. High-frequency transients are short (<1 s), sudden-onset waveforms with frequency content above 25 Hz that are visually apparent in recorded accelerations. Strong motion data and damage information from intrusive inspections collected from 24 sparsely instrumented buildings following the 1994 Northridge earthquake are used to evaluate the proposed method. The method's overall success rate for this data set is 67%, but this rate varies significantly with damage level. The method performs reasonably well in detecting significant fracture damage and in identifying cases with no damage, but fails in cases with few fractures. Combining the method with other damage indicators and removing records with excessive noise improves the ability to detect the level of damage. ?? 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Do Native Parasitic Plants Cause More Damage to Exotic Invasive Hosts Than Native Non-Invasive Hosts? An Implication for Biocontrol

PubMed Central

Li, Junmin; Jin, Zexin; Song, Wenjing

2012-01-01

Field studies have shown that native, parasitic plants grow vigorously on invasive plants and can cause more damage to invasive plants than native plants. However, no empirical test has been conducted and the mechanism is still unknown. We conducted a completely randomized greenhouse experiment using 3 congeneric pairs of exotic, invasive and native, non-invasive herbaceous plant species to quantify the damage caused by parasitic plants to hosts and its correlation with the hosts' growth rate and resource use efficiency. The biomass of the parasitic plants on exotic, invasive hosts was significantly higher than on congeneric native, non-invasive hosts. Parasites caused more damage to exotic, invasive hosts than to congeneric, native, non-invasive hosts. The damage caused by parasites to hosts was significantly positively correlated with the biomass of parasitic plants. The damage of parasites to hosts was significantly positively correlated with the relative growth rate and the resource use efficiency of its host plants. It may be the mechanism by which parasitic plants grow more vigorously on invasive hosts and cause more damage to exotic, invasive hosts than to native, non-invasive hosts. These results suggest a potential biological control effect of native, parasitic plants on invasive species by reducing the dominance of invasive species in the invaded community. PMID:22493703

Wooden beverage cases cause little damage to bottle caps

Treesearch

R. Bruce Anderson; William C. Miller

1973-01-01

Wooden beverage cases cause little damage to aluminum resealable caps during distribution. A study at bottling plants and distribution warehouses showed that an average of 1 bottle out of 4,000 has cap damage. Most of the damage was attributed to handling at the warehouse and in transit. Some recommendations are given for improvement of wooden beverage cases to prevent...

Amphetamines promote mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage in pulmonary hypertension

PubMed Central

Chen, Pin-I; Cao, Aiqin; Miyagawa, Kazuya; Tojais, Nancy F.; Hennigs, Jan K.; Li, Caiyun G.; Sweeney, Nathaly M.; Inglis, Audrey S.; Wang, Lingli; Li, Dan; Ye, Matthew; Feldman, Brian J.

2017-01-01

Amphetamine (AMPH) or methamphetamine (METH) abuse can cause oxidative damage and is a risk factor for diseases including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) from AMPH-associated-PAH patients show DNA damage as judged by γH2AX foci and DNA comet tails. We therefore hypothesized that AMPH induces DNA damage and vascular pathology by interfering with normal adaptation to an environmental perturbation causing oxidative stress. Consistent with this, we found that AMPH alone does not cause DNA damage in normoxic PAECs, but greatly amplifies DNA damage in hypoxic PAECs. The mechanism involves AMPH activation of protein phosphatase 2A, which potentiates inhibition of Akt. This increases sirtuin 1, causing deacetylation and degradation of HIF1α, thereby impairing its transcriptional activity, resulting in a reduction in pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 and impaired cytochrome c oxidase 4 isoform switch. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is inappropriately enhanced and, as a result of impaired electron transport and mitochondrial ROS increase, caspase-3 is activated and DNA damage is induced. In mice given binge doses of METH followed by hypoxia, HIF1α is suppressed and pulmonary artery DNA damage foci are associated with worse pulmonary vascular remodeling. Thus, chronic AMPH/METH can induce DNA damage associated with vascular disease by subverting the adaptive responses to oxidative stress. PMID:28138562

Impacts of extreme winter warming events on plant physiology in a sub-Arctic heath community.

PubMed

Bokhorst, Stef; Bjerke, Jarle W; Davey, Matthew P; Taulavuori, Kari; Taulavuori, Erja; Laine, Kari; Callaghan, Terry V; Phoenix, Gareth K

2010-10-01

Insulation provided by snow cover and tolerance of freezing by physiological acclimation allows Arctic plants to survive cold winter temperatures. However, both the protection mechanisms may be lost with winter climate change, especially during extreme winter warming events where loss of snow cover from snow melt results in exposure of plants to warm temperatures and then returning extreme cold in the absence of insulating snow. These events cause considerable damage to Arctic plants, but physiological responses behind such damage remain unknown. Here, we report simulations of extreme winter warming events using infrared heating lamps and soil warming cables in a sub-Arctic heathland. During these events, we measured maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), photosynthesis, respiration, bud swelling and associated bud carbohydrate changes and lipid peroxidation to identify physiological responses during and after the winter warming events in three dwarf shrub species: Empetrum hermaphroditum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Vaccinium myrtillus. Winter warming increased maximum quantum yield of PSII, and photosynthesis was initiated for E. hermaphroditum and V. vitis-idaea. Bud swelling, bud carbohydrate decreases and lipid peroxidation were largest for E. hermaphroditum, whereas V. myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea showed no or less strong responses. Increased physiological activity and bud swelling suggest that sub-Arctic plants can initiate spring-like development in response to a short winter warming event. Lipid peroxidation suggests that plants experience increased winter stress. The observed differences between species in physiological responses are broadly consistent with interspecific differences in damage seen in previous studies, with E. hermaphroditum and V. myrtillus tending to be most sensitive. This suggests that initiation of spring-like development may be a major driver in the damage caused by winter warming events that are predicted to become more frequent in some regions of the Arctic and that may ultimately drive plant community shifts. Copyright © Physiologia Plantarum 2010.

Harming kin to save strangers: further evidence for abnormally utilitarian moral judgments after ventromedial prefrontal damage.

PubMed

Thomas, Bradley C; Croft, Katie E; Tranel, Daniel

2011-09-01

The ventromedial PFC (vmPFC) has been implicated as a critical neural substrate mediating the influence of emotion on moral reasoning. It has been shown that the vmPFC is especially important for making moral judgments about "high-conflict" moral dilemmas involving direct personal actions, that is, scenarios that pit compelling utilitarian considerations of aggregate welfare against the highly emotionally aversive act of directly causing harm to others [Koenigs, M., Young, L., Adolphs, R., Tranel, D., Cushman, F., Hauser, M., et al. Damage to the prefrontal cortex increases utilitarian moral judgments. Nature, 446, 908-911, 2007]. The current study was designed to elucidate further the role of the vmPFC in high-conflict moral judgments, including those that involve indirect personal actions, such as indirectly causing harm to one's kin to save a group of strangers. We found that patients with vmPFC lesions were more likely than brain-damaged and healthy comparison participants to endorse utilitarian outcomes on high-conflict dilemmas regardless of whether the dilemmas (1) entailed direct versus indirect personal harms and (2) were presented from the Self versus Other perspective. In addition, all groups were more likely to endorse utilitarian outcomes in the Other perspective as compared with the Self perspective. These results provide important extensions of previous work, and the findings align with the proposal that the vmPFC is critical for reasoning about moral dilemmas in which anticipating the social-emotional consequences of an action (e.g., guilt or remorse) is crucial for normal moral judgments [Greene, J. D. Why are VMPFC patients more utilitarian?: A dual-process theory of moral judgment explains. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 11, 322-323, 2007; Koenigs, M., Young, L., Adolphs, R., Tranel, D., Cushman, F., Hauser, M., et al. Damage to the prefrontal cortex increases utilitarian moral judgments. Nature, 446, 908-911, 2007].

Recent Extreme Marine Events at Southern Coast of Black Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozyurt Tarakcioglu, Gulizar; Cevdet Yalciner, Ahmet; Kirezci, Cagil; Baykal, Cuneyt; Gokhan Guler, Hasan; Erol, Onur; Zaytsev, Andrey; Kurkin, Andrey

2015-04-01

The utilization at the coastal areas of Black Sea basin has increased in the recent years with the projects such as large commercial ports, international transportation hubs, gas and petrol pipelines, touristic and recreational infrastructures both along surrounding shoreline. Although Black Sea is a closed basin, extreme storms and storm surges have also been observed with an increasing frequency in the recent years. Among those events, February 1999, March 2013 and September 2014 storms impacted Southern coast of Black sea have clearly shown that the increasing economic value at the coastal areas caused the increasing cost of damages and loss of property by natural hazards. The storm occurred on February 19-20, 1999 is one of the most destructive storm in the last decades. The 1999 event (1999 Southern Black sea storm) caused destruction at all harbors and coastal protection structures along the Black Sea coast of Turkey. The complete damage of the breakwater of Giresun Harbor and damage on the harbor structures and cargo handling equipment were the major impacts of the 1999 Southern Black sea storm. Similar coastal impact have also been observed during the September 24, 2014 storm at 500m East of Giresun harbor. Although there are considerable number of destructive storms observed at southern coast of Black sea recently, data on these events are limited and vastly scattered. In this study the list of recent extreme marine events at South coast of the Black sea compiled and related data such as wind speed, wave height, period, and type of damages are cataloged. Particular attention is focused on the 1999 and 2014 storm events. The meteorological and morphological characteristics which may be considered as the reasons of the generation and coastal amplification of these storms are discussed. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This study is partly supported by Turkish Russian Joint Research Grant Program by TUBITAK (Turkey) and RFBR (Russia), and TUBITAK 213M534 Research Project.

Preliminary Results on Evaluation of Chickpea, Cicer arietinum, Genotypes for Resistance to the Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus

PubMed Central

Erle, F.; Ceylan, F.; Erdemir, T.; Toker, C.

2009-01-01

The chickpea, Cicer arietinum L. (Fabales: Fabaceae), seeds are vulnerable, both in the field and in storage, to attack by seed-beetles. Beetles of the genus Callosobruchus are major storage pests of chickpea crops and cause considerable economic losses. In the present study, a total of 11 chickpea genotypes including five ‘kabuli’ (Mexican white, Diyar, CA 2969, ILC 8617 and ACC 245) and six ‘desi’ chickpeas (ICC 1069, ICC 12422, ICC 14336, ICC 4957, ICC 4969 and ICC 7509) were evaluated for resistance to the pulse beetle Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Resistance was evaluated by measuring percent damage to seeds. Damage to seeds by C. maculatus was manifested by the round exit holes with the ‘flap’ of seed coat made by emerging adults. Of the 11 genotypes tested, only one (ICC 4969) exhibited a complete resistance to C. maculatus in both free-choice and no-choice tests; no seed damage was found over the test period. In general, the ‘desi’ chickpeas were more resistant to C. maculatus than the ‘kabuli’ chickpeas. Among the tested chickpea genotypes, only ICC 4969 can be used as a source of C. maculatus resistance in breeding programmes that could then be grown in organic cultivation free from pesticides. PMID:20050777

Preliminary results on evaluation of chickpea, Cicer arietinum, genotypes for resistance to the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus.

PubMed

Erle, F; Ceylan, F; Erdemir, T; Toker, C

2009-01-01

Abstract The chickpea, Cicer arietinum L. (Fabales: Fabaceae), seeds are vulnerable, both in the field and in storage, to attack by seed-beetles. Beetles of the genus Callosobruchus are major storage pests of chickpea crops and cause considerable economic losses. In the present study, a total of 11 chickpea genotypes including five 'kabuli' (Mexican white, Diyar, CA 2969, ILC 8617 and ACC 245) and six 'desi' chickpeas (ICC 1069, ICC 12422, ICC 14336, ICC 4957, ICC 4969 and ICC 7509) were evaluated for resistance to the pulse beetle Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Resistance was evaluated by measuring percent damage to seeds. Damage to seeds by C. maculatus was manifested by the round exit holes with the 'flap' of seed coat made by emerging adults. Of the 11 genotypes tested, only one (ICC 4969) exhibited a complete resistance to C. maculatus in both free-choice and no-choice tests; no seed damage was found over the test period. In general, the 'desi' chickpeas were more resistant to C. maculatus than the 'kabuli' chickpeas. Among the tested chickpea genotypes, only ICC 4969 can be used as a source of C. maculatus resistance in breeding programmes that could then be grown in organic cultivation free from pesticides.

Injury of the developing cerebellum: a brief review of the effects of endotoxin and asphyxial challenges in the late gestation sheep fetus.

PubMed

Hutton, Lisa C; Yan, Edwin; Yawno, Tamara; Castillo-Melendez, Margie; Hirst, Jon J; Walker, David W

2014-12-01

The vulnerability of the fetal and newborn brain to events in utero or at birth that cause damage arising from perturbations of cerebral blood flow and metabolism, such as the accumulation of free radicals and excitatory transmitters to neurotoxic levels, has received considerable attention over the last few decades. Attention has usually been on the damage to cerebral structures, particularly, periventricular white matter. The rapid growth of the cerebellum in the latter half of fetal life in species with long gestations, such as the human and sheep, suggests that this may be a particularly important time for the development of cerebellar structure and function. In this short review, we summarize data from recent studies with fetal sheep showing that the developing cerebellum is particularly sensitive to infectious processes, chronic hypoxia and asphyxia. The data demonstrates that the cerebellum should be further studied in insults of this nature as it responds differently to the remainder of the brain. Damage to this region of the brain has implications not only for the development of motor control and posture, but also for higher cognitive processes and the subsequent development of complex behaviours, such as learning, memory and attention.

Experimental simulation of radiation damage of polymers in space applications by cosmic-ray-type high energy heavy ions and the resulting changes in optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hossain, U. H.; Ensinger, W.

2015-12-01

Devices operating in space, e.g. in satellites, are being hit by cosmic rays. These include so-called HZE-ions, with High mass (Z) and energy (E). These highly energetic heavy ions penetrate deeply into the materials and deposit a large amount of energy, typically several keV per nm range. Serious damage is created. In space vehicles, polymers are used which are degraded under ion bombardment. HZE ion irradiation can experimentally be simulated in large scale accelerators. In the present study, the radiation damage of aliphatic vinyl- and fluoro-polymers by heavy ions with energies in the GeV range is described. The ions cause bond scission and create volatile small molecular species, leading to considerable mass loss of the polymers. Since hydrogen, oxygen and fluorine-containing molecules are created and these elements are depleted, the remaining material is carbon-richer than the original polymers and contains conjugated CC double bonds. This process is investigated by measuring the optical band gap with UV-Vis absorption spectrometry as a function of ion fluence. The results show how the optical band gaps shift from the UV into the Vis region upon ion irradiation for the different polymers.

Methimazole-induced hypothyroidism causes cellular damage in the spleen, heart, liver, lung and kidney.

PubMed

Cano-Europa, Edgar; Blas-Valdivia, Vanessa; Franco-Colin, Margarita; Gallardo-Casas, Carlos Angel; Ortiz-Butrón, Rocio

2011-01-01

It is known that a hypothyroidism-induced hypometabolic state protects against oxidative damage caused by toxins. However, some workers demonstrated that antithyroid drug-induced hypothyroidism can cause cellular damage. Our objective was to determine if methimazole (an antithyroid drug) or hypothyroidism causes cellular damage in the liver, kidney, lung, spleen and heart. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: euthyroid, false thyroidectomy, thyroidectomy-induced hypothyroidism, methimazole-induced hypothyroidism (60 mg/kg), and treatment with methimazole (60 mg/kg) and a T₄ injection (20 μg/kg/d sc). At the end of the treatments (4 weeks for the pharmacological groups and 8 weeks for the surgical groups), the animals were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and they were transcardially perfused with 10% formaldehyde. The spleen, heart, liver, lung and kidney were removed and were processed for embedding in paraffin wax. Coronal sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. At the end of treatment, animals with both the methimazole- and thyroidectomy-induced hypothyroidism had a significant reduction of serum concentration of thyroid hormones. Only methimazole-induced hypothyroidism causes cellular damage in the kidney, lung, liver, heart, kidney and spleen. In addition, animals treated with methimazole and T₄ showed cellular damage in the lung, spleen and renal medulla with lesser damage in the liver, renal cortex and heart. The thyroidectomy only altered the lung structure. The alterations were prevented by T₄ completely in the heart and partially in the kidney cortex. These results indicate that tissue damage found in hypothyroidism is caused by methimazole. Copyright © 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

49 CFR 375.201 - What is my normal liability for loss and damage when I accept goods from an individual shipper?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...; CONSUMER PROTECTION REGULATIONS Before Offering Services to My Customers Liability Considerations § 375.201... Protection Obligation—In general, your liability is for the household goods that are lost, damaged, destroyed...

Damage from wind and other causes in mixed white fir-red fir stands adjacent to clearcuttings

Treesearch

Donald T. Gordon

1973-01-01

Damage to timber surrounding clearcuttings and in one light selection cutting in mixed white fir-red fir stands was monitored for 6 years in northeastern California. In some years, bark beetles apparently killed more trees than did wind damage, but in two of the study years, severe wind storms caused much damage. One storm produced mainly break-age, apparently...

Hazard rating for gypsy moth on a Macintosh computer: a component of the GypsES system

Treesearch

Mark J. Twery; Gregory A. Elmes

1991-01-01

As gypsy moth expands into a new region, the threat of damage from its infestation is increasing greatly. The potential economic damage from the pest is extensive, considerably compounding the already substantial aesthetic damage and urban nuisance problems. One way to help forest managers deal with this threat is by providing them with a computer program which can...

Ice Damage in a Georgia Planting of Loblolly Pine from Different Seed Sources

Treesearch

Earle P. Jones; Osborn O. Wells

1969-01-01

After a severe ice storm in south-central Georgia, the degree of ice damage in a provenance test planting of 11-year-old loblolly pines varied considerably among the nine widely seperated seed sources represented. Damage was less among tress from the colder, more inland locations than among tress from coastal areas where the climate is more moderate. In terms of...

Damage assessment of RC buildings subjected to the different strong motion duration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mortezaei, Alireza; mohajer Tabrizi, Mohsen

2015-07-01

An earthquake has three important characteristics; namely, amplitude, frequency content and duration. Amplitude and frequency content have a direct impact but not necessarily the sole cause of structural damage. Regarding the duration, some researchers show a high correlation between strong motion duration and structural damage whereas some others find no relation. This paper focuses on the ground motion durations characterized by Arias Intensity (AI). High duration may increase the damage state of structure for the damage accumulation. This paper investigates the response time histories (acceleration, velocity and displacement) of RC buildings under the different strong motion durations. Generally, eight earthquake records were selected from different soil type, and these records were grouped according to their PGA and frequency ranges. Maximum plastic rotation and drift response was chosen as damage indicator. In general, there was a positive correlation between strong motion duration and damage; however, in some PGA and frequency ranges input motions with shorter durations might cause more damage than the input motions with longer durations. In soft soils, input motions with longer durations caused more damage than the input motions with shorter durations.

Legal liability in iatrogenic orbital injury.

PubMed

Svider, Peter F; Kovalerchik, Olga; Mauro, Andrew C; Baredes, Soly; Eloy, Jean Anderson

2013-09-01

In this study, we detailed factors governing legal outcomes in iatrogenic orbital injury, with the purpose of discussing strategies to minimize liability and enhance patient safety. Retrospective analysis. Jury verdict and settlement reports were searched from publically available federal and state court records using the Westlaw database (Thomson Reuters, New York, NY). After exclusion of nonrelevant cases, 20 cases of iatrogenic orbital injuries were examined for factors such as legal outcome, damages awarded, defendant specialty, alleged causes of malpractice, and patient demographic information. The majority (60.0%) of cases were resolved in the defendant's favor. Payment was considerable for the cases decided in support of the plaintiff, averaging $1.13 million. Out-of-court settlements averaged $1.78 million (range, $487,500-$3.9 million), whereas jury-awarded damages averaged $472,661 (range, $75,000-$763,214). Complications stemming from endoscopic sinus surgery were most common (50.0%). Diplopia was the most common medical complaint (50.0%), whereas permanent deficits and having to undergo additional surgery were each present in 65.0% of cases. The potential for permanent sequelae of iatrogenic orbital injury makes this complication susceptible to malpractice litigation. Otolaryngologists were the most common defendants. Although cases were resolved in the defendant's favor 60% of the time, payments made were considerable, averaging $1.13 million. Steps to minimize liability and improve patient safety include an informed consent process explicitly listing risks, including diplopia and blindness, and obtaining timely ophthalmology consultation when a complication is recognized. Copyright © 2013 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Effects of infrared-A irradiation on skin: discrepancies in published data highlight the need for an exact consideration of physical and photobiological laws and appropriate experimental settings.

PubMed

Piazena, Helmut; Kelleher, Debra K

2010-01-01

Skin exposure to infrared (IR) radiation should be limited in terms of irradiance, exposure time and frequency in order to avoid acute or chronic damage. Recommendations aimed at protecting humans from the risks of skin exposure to IR (e.g. ICNIRP, ACGIH) are only defined in terms of acute effects (e.g. heat pain and cardiovascular collapse), whereas the actual exposure conditions (e.g. spectral distribution, exposure geometry, frequency and number of exposures, thermal exchange with the environment, metabolic energy production and regulatory responses) are not taken into consideration. Since the IR component of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface is mainly IR-A, and considering the increased use of devices emitting artificially generated IR-A radiation, this radiation band is of special interest. A number of in vitro and/or in vivo investigations assessing cellular or tissue damage caused by IR-A radiation have been undertaken. While such studies are necessary for the development of safety recommendations, the results of measurements undertaken to examine the interaction between skin and IR radiation emitted from different sources presented in this study, together with the detailed examination of the literature reveals a wide spectrum of contradictory findings, which in some instances may be related to methodological shortcomings or fundamental errors in the application of physical and photobiological laws, thus highlighting the need for physically and photobiologically appropriate experiments.

Acetyl salicylic acid protected against heat stress damage in chicken myocardial cells and may associate with induced Hsp27 expression.

PubMed

Wu, Di; Xu, Jiao; Song, Erbao; Tang, Shu; Zhang, Xiaohui; Kemper, N; Hartung, J; Bao, Endong

2015-07-01

We investigated whether acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) protects chicken myocardial cells from heat stress-mediated damage in vivo and whether the induction of Hsp27 expression is connected with this function. Pathological changes, damage-related enzyme levels, and Hsp27 expression were studied in chickens following heat stress (40 ± 1 °C for 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, or 24 h, respectively) with or without ASA administration (1 mg/kg BW, 2 h prior). Appearance of pathological lesions such as degenerations and karyopyknosis as well as the myocardial damage-related enzyme activation indicated that heat stress causes considerable injury to the myocardial cells in vivo. Myocardial cell injury was most serious in chickens exposed to heat stress without prior ASA administration; meanwhile, ASA pretreatment acted protective function against high temperature-induced injury. Hsp27 expression was induced under all experimental conditions but was one-fold higher in the ASA-pretreated animals (0.3138 ± 0.0340 ng/mL) than in untreated animals (0.1437 ± 0.0476 ng/mL) 1 h after heat stress exposure, and such an increase was sustained over the length of the experiment. Our findings indicate that pretreatment with ASA protects chicken myocardial cells from acute heat stress in vivo with almost no obvious side effects, and this protection may involve an enhancement of Hsp27 expression. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying this effect require further investigation.

Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Syndrome Rather Than a Single Disease

PubMed Central

Piccoli, Giorgina B.; Grassi, Giorgio; Cabiddu, Gianfranca; Nazha, Marta; Roggero, Simona; Capizzi, Irene; De Pascale, Agostino; Priola, Adriano M.; Di Vico, Cristina; Maxia, Stefania; Loi, Valentina; Asunis, Anna M.; Pani, Antonello; Veltri, Andrea

2015-01-01

The term "diabetic kidney" has recently been proposed to encompass the various lesions, involving all kidney structures that characterize protean kidney damage in patients with diabetes. While glomerular diseases may follow the stepwise progression that was described several decades ago, the tenet that proteinuria identifies diabetic nephropathy is disputed today and should be limited to glomerular lesions. Improvements in glycemic control may have contributed to a decrease in the prevalence of glomerular lesions, initially described as hallmarks of diabetic nephropathy, and revealed other types of renal damage, mainly related to vasculature and interstitium, and these types usually present with little or no proteinuria. Whilst glomerular damage is the hallmark of microvascular lesions, ischemic nephropathies, renal infarction, and cholesterol emboli syndrome are the result of macrovascular involvement, and the presence of underlying renal damage sets the stage for acute infections and drug-induced kidney injuries. Impairment of the phagocytic response can cause severe and unusual forms of acute and chronic pyelonephritis. It is thus concluded that screening for albuminuria, which is useful for detecting "glomerular diabetic nephropathy", does not identify all potential nephropathies in diabetes patients. As diabetes is a risk factor for all forms of kidney disease, diagnosis in diabetic patients should include the same combination of biochemical, clinical, and imaging tests as employed in non-diabetic subjects, but with the specific consideration that chronic kidney disease (CKD) may develop more rapidly and severely in diabetic patients. PMID:26676663

Do Alloreactivity and Prolonged Cold Ischemia Cause Different Elementary Lesions in Chronic Allograft Nephropathy?

PubMed Central

Herrero-Fresneda, Immaculada; Torras, Joan; Cruzado, Josep M.; Condom, Enric; Vidal, August; Riera, Marta; Lloberas, Nuria; Alsina, Jeroni; Grinyo, Josep M.

2003-01-01

This study assesses the individual contributions of the nonalloreactive factor, cold ischemia (CI), and alloreactivity to late functional and structural renal graft changes, and examines the effect of the association of both factors on the progression of chronic allograft nephropathy. Lewis rats acted as receptors of kidneys from either Lewis or Fischer rats. For CI, kidneys were preserved for 5 hours. The rats were divided into four groups: Syn, syngeneic graft; SynI, syngeneic graft and CI; Allo, allogeneic graft; AlloI, allogeneic graft and CI. Renal function was assessed every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. Grafts were evaluated for acute inflammatory response at 1 week and for chronic histological damage at 24 weeks. Only when CI and allogenicity were combined did immediate posttransplant mortality occur, while survivors showed accelerated renal insufficiency that induced further mortality at 12 weeks after transplant. Solely ischemic rats developed renal insufficiency. Renal structural damage in ischemic rats was clearly tubulointerstitial, while significant vasculopathy and glomerulosclerosis appeared only in the allogeneic groups. There was increased infiltration of macrophages and expression of mRNA-transforming growth factor-β1 in the ischemic groups, irrespective of the allogeneic background. The joint association of CI plus allogenicity significantly increased cellular infiltration at both early and late stages, aggravating tubulointerstitial and vascular damage considerably. In summary, CI is mainly responsible for tubulointerstitial damage, whereas allogenicity leads to vascular lesion. The association of both factors accelerates and aggravates the progression of experimental chronic allograft nephropathy. PMID:12507896

Nanogravimetric and voltammetric DNA-hybridization biosensors for studies of DNA damage by common toxicants and pollutants.

PubMed

Nowicka, Anna M; Kowalczyk, Agata; Stojek, Zbigniew; Hepel, Maria

2010-01-01

Electrochemical and nanogravimetric DNA-hybridization biosensors have been developed for sensing single mismatches in the probe-target ssDNA sequences. The voltammetric transduction was achieved by coupling ferrocene moiety to streptavidin linked to biotinylated tDNA. The mass-related frequency transduction was implemented by immobilizing the sensory pDNA on a gold-coated quartz crystal piezoresonators oscillating in the 10MHz band. The high sensitivity of these sensors enabled us to study DNA damage caused by representative toxicants and environmental pollutants, including Cr(VI) species, common pesticides and herbicides. We have found that the sensor responds rapidly to any damage caused by Cr(VI) species, with more severe DNA damage observed for Cr(2)O(7)(2-) and for CrO(4)(2-) in the presence of H(2)O(2) as compared to CrO(4)(2-) alone. All herbicides and pesticides examined caused DNA damage or structural alterations leading to the double-helix unwinding. Among these compounds, paraoxon-ethyl and atrazine caused the fastest and most severe damage to DNA. The physico-chemical mechanism of damaging interactions between toxicants and DNA has been proposed. The methodology of testing voltammetric and nanogravimetric DNA-hybridization biosensors developed in this work can be employed as a simple protocol to obtain rapid comparative data concerning DNA damage caused by herbicide, pesticides and other toxic pollutants. The DNA-hybridization biosensor can, therefore, be utilized as a rapid screening device for classifying environmental pollutants and to evaluate DNA damage induced by these compounds.

Composite Fuselage Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lagace, Paul A.

1999-01-01

Work was conducted over a ten-year period to address the central issue of damage in primary load-bearing aircraft composite structure, specifically fuselage structure. This included the three facets of damage resistance, damage tolerance, and damage arrest. Experimental, analytical, and numerical work was conducted in order to identify and better understand the mechanisms that control the structural behavior of fuselage structures in their response to the three aspects of damage. Furthermore, work was done to develop straightforward design methodologies that can be employed by structural designers in preliminary design stages to make intelligent choices concerning the material, layup, and structural configurations so that a more efficient structure with structural integrity can be designed and built. Considerable progress was made towards achieving these goals via this work. In regard to damage tolerance considerations, the following were identified as important effects: composite layup and associated orthotropy/structural anisotropy, specifics of initial local damage mechanisms, role of longitudinal versus hoop stress, and large deformation and associated geometric nonlinearity. Means were established to account for effects of radius and for the nonlinear response. In particular, nondimensional parameters were identified to characterize the importance of nonlinearity in the response of pressurized cylinders. This led to the establishment of a iso-nonlinear-error plot for reference in structural design. Finally, in the case of damage tolerance, the general approach of the original methodology to predict the failure pressure involving extending basic plate failure data by accounting for the local stress intensification was accomplished for the general case by accounting for the mechanisms noted by utilizing the capability of the STAGS finite element code and numerically calculating the local stress intensification for the particular configuration to be considered. For the issue of damage arrest, placement of and configuration of stiffeners (including stiffener curvature), and magnitude and orientation of principal strains due to local bending were found to be key considerations. Means were established to account for stiffener effectiveness quantitatively based on radius, slit size, stiffener curvature' and relative bending stifffiesses involved. Geometric nonlinearity was also found to play an - 24 - important role here. Furthermore, it was determined that damage propagation is controlled by different mechanisms (hoop stress versus flapping stress and the associated factors involved in each) depending upon the direction of damage propagation. This latter item results in an inability to scale these phenomena in one test due to the different factors involved. Finally, the importance of shell curvature and associated instability in response to transverse loading including impact were found to be important considerations in damage resistance. A technique, involving asymmetric meshing of a finite element mesh, was developed to predict this behavior and showed excellent correlation with experimental results. Further details of these ten years of work are presented herein with references made to the fourteen documents produced during this work where full details can be found. Implications of this work are discussed and recommendations made. Although it is clear that there is more work to be done to fully understand composite fuselage technology and specifically the overall issue of damage in primary load-bearing composite structures, important understanding and capability has been extended via this work.

Nucleotide excision repair deficient mouse models and neurological disease

PubMed Central

Niedernhofer, Laura J.

2008-01-01

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a highly conserved mechanism to remove helix-distorting DNA base damage. A major substrate for NER is DNA damage caused by environmental genotoxins, most notably ultraviolet radiation. Xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome and trichothiodystrophy are three human diseases caused by inherited defects in NER. The symptoms and severity of these diseases vary dramatically, ranging from profound developmental delay to cancer predisposition and accelerated aging. All three syndromes include neurological disease, indicating an important role for NER in protecting against spontaneous DNA damage as well. To study the pathophysiology caused by DNA damage, numerous mouse models of NER deficiency were generated by knocking-out genes required for NER or knocking-in disease-causing human mutations. This review explores the utility of these mouse models to study neurological disease caused by NER deficiency. PMID:18272436

Karaya gum electrocardiographic electrodes for preterm infants.

PubMed Central

Cartlidge, P H; Rutter, N

1987-01-01

Changes in transepidermal water loss were used to measure skin damage caused by removal of electrocardiograph electrodes in 20 preterm infants. Electrodes secured by conventional adhesive damaged the skin, leading to a potentially dangerous increase in skin permeability. In contrast, those secured by karaya gum caused no skin damage. PMID:3435167

A mechanism for high wall-rock velocities in rockbursts

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGarr, A.

1997-01-01

Considerable evidence has been reported for wall-rock velocities during rockbursts in deep gold mines that are substantially greater than ground velocities associated with the primary seismic events. Whereas varied evidence suggests that slip across a fault at the source of an event generates nearby particle velocities of, at most, several m/s, numerous observations, in nearby damaged tunnels, for instance, imply wall-rock velocities of the order of 10 m/s and greater. The common observation of slab buckling or breakouts in the sidewalls of damaged excavations suggests that slab flexure may be the mechanism for causing high rock ejection velocities. Following its formation, a sidewall slab buckles, causing the flexure to increase until the stress generated by flexure reaches the limit 5 that can be supported by the sidewall rock. I assume here that S is the uniaxial compressive strength. Once the flexural stress exceeds S, presumably due to the additional load imposed by a nearby seismic event, the slab fractures and unflexes violently. The peak wall-rock velocity v thereby generated is given by v=(3 + 1-??2/2)1 2 S/?????E for rock of density ??, Young's modulus E, and Poisson's ratio ??. Typical values of these rock properties for the deep gold mines of South Africa yield v= 26 m/s and for especially strong quartzites encountered in these same mines, v> 50m/s. Even though this slab buckling process leads to remarkably high ejection velocities and violent damage in excavations, the energy released during this failure is only a tiny fraction of that released in the primary seismic event, typically of magnitude 2 or greater.

Experimental apparatus to test air trap valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemos De Lucca, Y. de F.; de Aquino, G. A.; Filho, J. G. D.

2010-08-01

It is known that the presence of trapped air within water distribution pipes can lead to irregular operation or even damage to the distribution systems and their components. The presence of trapped air may occur while the pipes are being filled with water, or while the pumping systems are in operation. The formation of large air pockets can produce the water hammer phenomenon, the instability and the loss of pressure in the water distribution networks. As a result, it can overload the pumps, increase the consumption of electricity, and damage the pumping system. In order to avoid its formation, all of the trapped air should be removed through "air trap valves". In Brazil, manufacturers frequently have unreliable sizing charts, which cause malfunctioning of the "air trap valves". The result of these malfunctions causes accidents of substantial damage. The construction of a test facility will provide a foundation of technical information that will be used to help make decisions when designing a system of pipelines where "air trap valves" are used. To achieve this, all of the valve characteristics (geometric, mechanic, hydraulic and dynamic) should be determined. This paper aims to describe and analyze the experimental apparatus and test procedure to be used to test "air trap valves". The experimental apparatus and test facility will be located at the University of Campinas, Brazil at the College of Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urbanism in the Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics laboratory. The experimental apparatus will be comprised of various components (pumps, steel pipes, butterfly valves to control the discharge, flow meter and reservoirs) and instrumentation (pressure transducers, anemometer and proximity sensor). It should be emphasized that all theoretical and experimental procedures should be defined while taking into consideration flow parameters and fluid properties that influence the tests.

A new approach to the assessment of flooding and dampness hazards in cultural heritage, applied to the historic centre of Seville (Spain).

PubMed

Ortiz, Rocío; Ortiz, Pilar; Martín, José María; Vázquez, María Auxiliadora

2016-05-01

Flooding and dampness have caused considerable damage to historic towns and cities and have become more frequent in recent years. The aim of this paper is to analyse the hazards of flooding and dampness in historic cities to establish a methodology that prioritises preventive conservation actions and restorations. The case study concerns the historic centre of Seville (Spain) and parish churches built between the 13th and 18th centuries. Geographic information system (GIS) software has been used to assess hazards caused by flooding and dampness along with a Delphi consultation process surveying a multidisciplinary group of seven experts-archaeologists, geologists, chemists, architects, engineers and environmentalists-to gain a general overview of the hazards affecting each area of the city. Currently, the historic centre of Seville is at a very low risk of flooding due to the engineering works being undertaken to divert the river course. For flooding to occur, water levels would need to rise over 6 to 12m along the different sections of the defensive walls; as a result, the historic centre has not been flooded since 1961, when these defences broke. However, there is a continual presence of dampness due to the proximity of the river, the presence of underground water and the permeability of the subsoil, resulting in continual damage to the lower sections of the monuments studied. Hence, hazard maps of flooding and dampness need to be dovetailed. This new approach provides tools for decision-makers in the current crisis, allowing them to prioritise strategies that will minimise damage in a town, as the urban unit where territorial policies could be applied. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of porcelain and enamel thickness on porcelain veneer failure loads in vitro.

PubMed

Ge, Chunling; Green, Chad C; Sederstrom, Dalene; McLaren, Edward A; White, Shane N

2014-05-01

Bonded porcelain veneers are widely used esthetic restorations. Although high success and survival rates have been reported, failures occur. Fracture is the most common failure mode. Fractures range from incomplete cracks to the catastrophic. Minimally invasive or thin partial veneers have gained popularity. The aim of this study was to measure the influences of porcelain veneer thickness and enamel substrate thickness on the loads needed to cause the initial fracture and catastrophic failure of porcelain veneers. Model discoid porcelain veneer specimens of varying thickness were bonded to the flattened facial surfaces of incisors, artificially aged, and loaded to failure with a small sphere. Individual fracture events were identified and analyzed statistically and fractographically. Fracture events included initial Hertzian cracks, intermediate radial cracks, and catastrophic gross failure. Increased porcelain, enamel, and their combined thickness had like effects in substantially raising resistance to catastrophic failure but also slightly decreased resistance to initial Hertzian cracking. Fractographic and numerical data demonstrated that porcelain and tooth enamel behaved in a remarkably similar manner. As porcelain thickness, enamel thickness, and their combined thickness increased, the loads needed to produce initial fracture and catastrophic failure rose substantially. Porcelain veneers withstood considerable damage before catastrophic failure. Increased enamel thickness, increased porcelain thickness, and increased combined enamel and porcelain thickness all profoundly raised the failure loads necessary to cause catastrophic failure. Enamel and feldspathic porcelain behaved in a like manner. Surface contact damage occurred initially. Final catastrophic failure followed flexural radial cracking. Bonded porcelain veneers were highly damage tolerant. Copyright © 2014 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of magnetic properties of austenitic stainless steel after ion irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Chaoliang; Liu, Xiangbing; Xue, Fei; Li, Yuanfei; Qian, Wangjie

2018-07-01

Specimens of austenitic stainless steel (ASS) were irradiated with H, Fe and Xe ions at room temperature. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) were used to analyze the magnetic properties and martensite formation. The magnetic hysteresis loops indicated that higher irradiation damage causes more significant magnetization phenomenon. Under the same damage level, Xe irradiation causes the most significant magnetization, Fe irradiation is the second, and H irradiation is the least. A similar martensite amount variation with irradiation can be obtained. The coercivity Hc increases first to 2 dpa and then decreases continuously with irradiation damage for Xe irradiation. At the same damage lever, H irradiation causes a largest Hc and Xe irradiation causes a minimal one.

Chronic exposure to volcanic air pollution and DNA damage in Furnas Volcano (São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal) inhabitants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linhares, Diana; Garcia, Patricia; Silva, Catarina; Ferreira, Teresa; Barroso, Joana; Camarinho, Ricardo; Rodrigues, Armindo

2015-04-01

Many studies in volcanic air pollution only have in consideration the acute toxic effects of gas or ash releases however the impact of chronic exposure to ground gas emissions in human health is yet poorly known. In the Azores archipelago (Portugal), São Miguel island has one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes: Furnas Volcano. Highly active fumarolic fields, hot springs and soil diffuse degassing phenomena are the main secondary volcanic phenomena that can be seen at the volcano surroundings. One of the main gases released in these diffuse degassing areas is radon (222Rn), which decay results in solid particles that readily settle within the airways. These decay particles emit alpha radiation that is capable of causing severe DNA damage that cumulatively can eventually cause cancer. Previous studies have established that chronic exposure to chromosome-damaging agents can lead to the formation of nuclear anomalies, such as micronuclei that is used for monitoring DNA damage in human populations. The present study was designed to evaluate whether chronic exposure to volcanic air pollution, associated to 222Rn, might result in DNA damage in human oral epithelial cells. A cross sectional study was performed in a study group of 142 individuals inhabiting an area where volcanic activity is marked by active fumarolic fields and soil degassing (hydrothermal area), and a reference group of 368 individuals inhabiting an area without these secondary manifestations of volcanism (non-hydrothermal area). For each individual, 1000 buccal epithelial cells were analyzed for the frequency of micronucleated cells (MNc) and the frequency of cells with other nuclear anomalies (ONA: pyknosis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis), by using the micronucleus assay. Information on lifestyle factors and an informed consent were obtained from each participant. Assessment of indoor radon was performed with the use of radon detectors. Data were analyzed with logistic regression models, adjusted for confounding factors (age, gender, smoking and drinking status, and number of cigarettes smoked per day). Results demonstrated that levels of radon in the environment were significantly different in study and reference groups (115 Bq/m3 vs. 47 Bq/m3, respectively; p<0.001); in winter, radon measurements reached the highest values both in the study and the reference groups (809 Bq/m3 vs. 56 Bq/m3, respectively). The frequency of MNc in the study group was significantly higher than in the reference group (2.93‰ vs. 2.58‰, respectively; p=0.002). The OR for formation of MNc in the hydrothermal area was 1.5 (95% CI 1.07-2.02). A moderate and positive correlation was found between the frequency of MNc and 222Rn (rs = 0.459, p<0.001). To our knowledge this is the first study that clearly associates the exposure of volcanogenic indoor radon in inhabitants of hydrothermal areas and the DNA damage in human oral epithelial cells, evidencing that volcanic air pollution is a risk factor of carcinogenesis. Although the present findings require confirmation in larger studies, bio-monitoring for DNA damage is recommended for inhabitants of localities with active volcanism and mitigation measures such as restriction of building in certain areas should be taken into consideration in these volcanically active areas.

The December 2008 flood event in Rome: Was it really an extreme event?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lastoria, B.; Mariani, S.; Casaioli, M.; Bussettini, M.

2009-04-01

In mid December 2008, Italy suffered bad weather with heavy snowfall blanketing the north and strong winds and downpours pelting the centre-south. In particular, during the period between 10th and 12th December, intense precipitation struck the Tyrrhenian Sea side of the peninsula, inducing a flood event, which captured the attention of the national and international media, on the Tiber river and on its tributary, the Aniene. The relevance of the event was caused by the actual damages occurred in several zones over Rome area, in particular due to the downpours and to damages which would have occurred if Tiber river had overflowed its banks. The event, which was initially considered as extreme, was indeed severe but not so exceptional as shown by the meteo-hydrological post-event analysis. The peak water level of 12.55 m, recorded on 13th December at 1:30 a.m. (local time) at the Ripetta station, which is situated along the Tiber river in the centre of Rome, was higher than those observed during the last ten years (which to the utmost reached 11.41 m in December 2005). However, it did not reach the historical maximum of 16.90 m observed in 1937. Moreover, on the basis of the Ripetta historical series, such a level is associated to an ordinary flood event. Even if the flood was ordinary, a state of emergency was declared by the Rome's Mayor, since the event caused severe damages by disrupting flight and train services, blocking off major roads leading into Rome, flooding underpasses and sealing off industrial activities sited in the flooded areas, in particular nearby the confluence of the Aniene river with the Tiber river. In addition, hundreds of people were evacuated and a woman died in a her car which was submerged by a wave of water and mud in an underpass. Given these premises, the present work examines the relation between a severe, but not extraordinary, event and the considerable damages that occurred as a consequence. First, the meteorological evolution of the event, as modelled by the Hydro-Meteo-Marine forecasting system (Sistema Idro-Meteo-Mare - SIMM), is considered. SIMM, operational since 2000, is an integrated meteo-marine forecasting chain, formed by a cascade of four numerical models, telescoping from the Mediterranean basin to the Venice Lagoon. In this operational integrated system, the meteorological model consists of the parallel version of the BOlogna Limited Area Model (BOLAM). In this study, BOLAM run in three configurations, the operational one using the Kuo cumulus parameterisation scheme, an intermediate version employing the more advanced Kain-Fritsch convection scheme, and a fully updated version including a more advanced advection scheme, explicit advection of five hydrometeors, and state-of-the-art parameterization schemes for radiation, convection, boundary layer turbulence and soil processes. Then, the event actually occurred is described by means of both the rain and water-level gauges available over the Tiber river basin and EUMETSAT satellites. Ground-based observations were compared with historical data in order to evaluate the frequency and the relative magnitude of the December 2008 flood event. The last part of the work is dedicated to the description of the damages by considering three different aspects: spatial distribution, type and entity of damage. Consideration about the vulnerability of the areas more hit and the predictability of the damage occurred are also addressed.

Incident Involving 30-Ah Li-ion Cell at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bennett, William

2006-01-01

The key lesson learned from the February 17, 2006 cell explosion incident is that PC-based test-systems, even those having built-in watchdog monitors, can lose control and malfunction. In the case of lithiumion cell/battery testing, the stored energy can be released explosively causing considerable injury and damage to facilities. The investigation showed that although the Arbin system has a built-in watchdog monitor, the circumstances of the incident defeated the action of the watchdog and allowed the cycler to continue operation without control. An upgrade to the most recent version of Arbin software (version 4) was provided as a fix to the presumed control problem. This upgrade included newer EPROM s for the cycler microprocessor. Investigation revealed that similar incidents have occurred at other NASA centers with a variety of PC-based test instruments. JPL suffered an incident with Maccor testers and the GRC fuel cell group observed similar problems with LabView software. This is not exclusively an Arbin problem, but an issue with all PC-based systems. In this incident, it was fortunate that the event occurred after-hours with no-one in the room. The facility arrangement placed control consoles adjacent to the test chamber doors. Had someone been in the room during the event, they would have been exposed to hot debris and toxic combustion products. It was also fortunate that the exploded cell stayed inside the chamber after the door was forced open. If the cell had been ejected into the room it could have caused serious facility damage by impact and possibly caused a fire in the facility.

Advances in the epidemiology of injuries as a basis for public policy.

PubMed Central

Haddon, W

1980-01-01

Successful injury control measures (stoplights, sprinkler systems, electrical insulation, evacuation) have long been commonplace. However, progress in injury control has been hampered by the failure to recognize that injuries cannot occur without the action of specific agents analogous to those of the infectious diseases and likewise transmitted by vehicles and vectors. These agents are the several forms of injury. Varying and interacting with the characteristics of the host and the environment, they constitute the classic epidemiologic triads that determine injury distributions, none of which are random. The injury-disease dichotomy, a universal in most of the world's major languages, may have resulted from the fact that at least some of the causes of injuries (for example, wild animals or falling trees) are more identifiable and proximate than the causes of diseases. The etiology of injuries suggests that for epidemiologic and public health purposes, the term injury should probably be defined so as to encompass those kinds of damage to the body that are produced by energy exchanges and that are manifested within 48 hours, or usually within considerably shorter periods. Strategies for injury control can be extended to the control of other pathological conditions. The active-passive distinction (the dimension expressing the extent to which control measures require people to do something) has a direct bearing on the success of public health programs, because passive approaches have historically had a far better record of success than active ones. Ten basic strategies have been identified that provide options for reducing the damage to people (and property) caused by all kinds of environmental hazards. PMID:7422807

Restoration of freshwater Cypress-Tupelo Wetlands in the southeastern U.S. following severe hurricanes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Conner, William H.; Krauss, Ken W.; Shaffer, Gary P.; Stanturf, John A.; Madsen, Palle; Lamb, David

2012-01-01

Freshwater forested wetlands commonly occur in the lower Coastal Plain of the southeastern US with baldcypress (Taxodium distichum [L.] L.C. Rich.) and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.) often being the dominant trees. Extensive anthropogenic activities combined with eustatic sea-level rise and land subsidence have caused widespread hydrological changes in many of these forests. In addition, hurricanes (a common, although aperiodic occurrence) cause wide-spread damage from wind and storm surge events, with impacts exacerbated by human-mediated coastal modifications (e.g., dredging, navigation channels, etc.). Restoration of forested wetlands in coastal areas is important because emergent canopies can greatly diminish wind penetration, thereby reducing the wind stress available to generate surface waves and storm surge that are the major cause of damage to coastal ecosystems and their surrounding communities. While there is an overall paucity of large-scale restoration efforts within coastal forested wetlands of the southeastern US, we have determined important characteristics that should drive future efforts. Restoration efforts may be enhanced considerably if coupled with hydrological enhancement, such as freshwater, sediment, or sewage wastewater diversions. Large-scale restoration of coastal forests should be attempted to create a landscape capable of minimizing storm impacts and maximizing wetland sustainability in the face of climate change. Planting is the preferred regeneration method in many forested wetland sites because hydrological alterations have increased flooding, and planted seedlings must be protected from herbivory to enhance establishment. Programs identifying salt tolerance in coastal forest tree species need to be continued to help increase resilience to repetitive storm surge events.

Effects of phloretin on oxidative and inflammatory reaction in rat model of cecal ligation and puncture induced sepsis.

PubMed

Aliomrani, Mehdi; Sepand, Mohammad Reza; Mirzaei, Hamid Reza; Kazemi, Ali Reza; Nekonam, Saeid; Sabzevari, Omid

2016-05-06

Sepsis is a debilitating systemic disease and described as a severe and irregular systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome (SIRS) against infection. We employed CLP (Cecal Ligation and Puncture) model in rats to investigate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of phloretin, as a natural antioxidant agent, and its protective effect on liver tissue damage caused by sepsis. Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, CLP induced sepsis group and phloretin treated CLP group. Sepsis was induced by CLP method. 50 mmol/kg Phloretin was administered intraperitoneally in two equal doses immediately after surgery. It was observed that blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were dramatically increased in the CLP induced sepsis group (43.88 ± 1.905 mg/dl, 37.63 ± 1.92, respectively) when compared to the sham group. Moreover, tissue Glutathione (GSH) and liver nuclear factor ĸB (NF-ĸB p65) transcription factor values were higher in CLP induced sepsis group. This elevation was considerably reduced in the phloretin treated CLP group. No significant differences were observed in serum creatinine and creatinine phosphokinase levels. The present study suggested that phloretin, as a natural protective agent, act against tissue damages introduced following the experimental sepsis induced model, likely caused by free oxygen radicals.

Resonator Optical Designs For Free Electron Lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viswanathan, V. K.; Saxman, A.; Woodfin, G.

1985-11-01

The output beam from free-electron lasers tends to be a thin, pencil-like beam because of the nature of the gain volume. For moderate power devices, mirror damage considerations imply that the beam has to travel many meters before it can expand enough to allow retro-reflection from state-of-the-art mirrors. However, use of grazing incidence optics can resolve the problem of damage to the optical elements and result in a cavity of reasonable dimensions. The optical design considerations for such resonators are addressed in this paper. A few of the practical resonator designs approaching diffraction limited performance are presented.

Resonator optical designs for free electron lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viswanathan, V. K.; Saxman, A.; Woodfin, G.

1985-03-01

The output beam from free-electron lasers tends to be a thin, pencil-like beam because of the nature of the gain volume. For moderate power devices, mirror damage considerations imply that the beam has to travel many meters before it can expand enough to allow retro-reflection from state-of-the-art mirrors. However, use of grazing incidence optics can resolve the problem of damage to the optical elements and result in a cavity of reasonable dimensions. The optical design considerations for such resonators are discussed. A few of the practical resonator designs approaching diffraction limited performance are presented.

15 CFR 990.66 - Additional considerations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS Restoration Implementation Phase § 990.66 Additional considerations... implementation of restoration: (1) Establish a trustee committee and/or memorandum of understanding or other... restoration success and the need for corrective action. (b) The reasonable costs of such actions are included...

Use of kangri (a traditional firepot) as a weapon.

PubMed

Rashid, Arsalaan F; Fazili, Rifat; Aggarwal, Akash D

2014-08-01

Kangri an earthenware firepot has been traditionally used by people of Kashmir for protecting themselves for harsh winter weather. This study done on patients admitted in the burns ward and general emergency ward of a tertiary care hospital, is perhaps the first of its kind. It analyses the use of this very traditional and useful art form as a weapon that can cause significant damage during interpersonal conflicts. As is clear from the study its use as weapon can inflict considerable damage and can lead to lifelong disabilities. Out of the 20 cases studied over a period of one year 2 cases received grievous injuries over head and face region in form of permanent disfigurement. Almost half of the injuries i.e. 7 cases were mechanical in nature whereas rest 13 cases belong to thermal category. Most of the injuries were simple and healed with preliminary medical attention but in 2 cases there was permanent disfigurement and both were because of deep burns. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Experimental and modeling results of creep fatigue life of Inconel 617 and Haynes 230 at 850 C

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

Chen, Xiang; Sokolov, Mikhail A; Sham, Sam

Creep fatigue testing of Ni-based superalloy Inconel 617 and Haynes 230 were conducted in the air at 850 C. Tests were performed with fully reversed axial strain control at a total strain range of 0.5%, 1.0% or 1.5% and hold time at maximum tensile strain for 3, 10 or 30 min. In addition, two creep fatigue life prediction methods, i.e. linear damage summation and frequency-modified tensile hysteresis energy modeling, were evaluated and compared with experimental results. Under all creep fatigue tests, Haynes 230 performed better than Inconel 617. Compared to the low cycle fatigue life, the cycles to failure formore » both materials decreased under creep fatigue test conditions. Longer hold time at maximum tensile strain would cause a further reduction in both material creep fatigue life. The linear damage summation could predict the creep fatigue life of Inconel 617 for limited test conditions, but considerably underestimated the creep fatigue life of Haynes 230. In contrast, frequency-modified tensile hysteresis energy modeling showed promising creep fatigue life prediction results for both materials.« less

Intrinsic, solar and sunbed-induced skin aging measured in vivo by multiphoton laser tomography and biophysical methods.

PubMed

Koehler, Martin Johannes; Preller, Anja; Kindler, Nadja; Elsner, Peter; König, Karsten; Bückle, Rainer; Kaatz, Martin

2009-08-01

Skin aging is accelerated by extrinsic factors, particularly actinic damage. Over the last decades, both clinical and pathological differences between intrinsic and actinic aging have been characterized. In this work, we aimed at quantifying skin aging by non-invasive in vivo methods. Young healthy volunteers using indoor tanning facilities and aged people were compared with appropriate controls by measurements of skin elasticity with the Cutometer and the Reviscometer and by semi-quantitative evaluation of the dermal matrix composition by the multiphoton laser tomograph DermaInspect. We found differences between the sun-protected volar forearm and the dorsal side as well as between young and old test persons with all three methods. No significant differences were found between the skin of indoor-tanned test persons and control. Also, gender had no influence on the severity of skin aging. The most consistent results were obtained with the DermaInspect. The considerable inter-individual variation due to the cross-sectional design of the study may have disguised the factual skin damage caused by tanning beds.

How angry was the ancient Greek god Poseidon in 141/142 A.D.?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Şahin, Murat; Elitez, İrem; Yaltırak, Cenk

2017-04-01

Poseidon, also known as "God of Sea" or "Earth-Shaker", was one of the Olympian's Gods in the Greek mythology. It was a common belief that Poseidon shows his rage by tsunamis and earthquakes. So, the how angry Poseidon in 141/142 A.D.? According to the historical records, the whole area including Lycian cities and Rhodes was affected by a destructive earthquake and a following tsunami in 141/142. After these events the emperor of Greeks made donations to the Lycian cities and Rhodes for their recovery with relative to the damage and importance of the city. 141/142 earthquake had a considerable amount of damage on 28 ancient cities. With respect to the historical catalogues, this earthquake had at least 9-10 intensity and caused a tsunami in Rhodes and harbour of the ancient city of Patara. In this study, we try to restrict the magnitude of the event by using PGA (peak ground acceleration), MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity), tsunami modelling and amount of aids. Our preliminary results suggest that this event has to be bigger or equal magnitude 8.

Swing-free transport of suspended loads. Summer research report

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

Basher, A.M.H.

1996-02-01

Transportation of large objects using traditional bridge crane can induce pendulum motion (swing) of the object. In environments such as factory the energy contained in the swinging mass can be large and therefore attempts to move the mass onto target while still swinging can cause considerable damage. Oscillations must be damped or allowed to decay before the next process can take place. Stopping the swing can be accomplished by moving the bridge in a manner to counteract the swing which sometimes can be done by skilled operator, or by waiting for the swing to damp sufficiently that the object canmore » be moved to the target without risk of damage. One of the methods that can be utilized for oscillation suppression is input preshaping. The validity of this method depends on the exact knowledge of the system dynamics. This method can be modified to provide some degrees of robustness with respect to unknown dynamics but at the cost of the speed of transient response. This report describes investigations on the development of a controller to dampen the oscillations.« less

Total Antioxidant Capacity and Characterization of Nitraria tangutorum Fruit Extract by Rapid Bioassay-Directed Fractionation.

PubMed

Rana, Jat; Missler, Stephen R; Persons, Kathryn; Han, Johnson; Li, Teric

2016-09-01

In recent years, the role of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNOS) in human disease has been the subject of considerable study. This has led to research on the potential benefit of natural products as dietary antioxidants to mitigate oxidative stress caused by increased RNOS associated with tissue damage. Five physiologically relevant reactive species include peroxyl radical, hydroxyl radical, peroxynitrite anion, superoxide radical anion, and singlet oxygen. Excessive amounts of these species can lead to the degradation of important biomolecules in vivo, and dietary antioxidants have been shown to inhibit damage both in vitro and in vivo. In this investigation, we have discovered that an extract of the fruit from Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. (Tangut white thorn) demonstrates significant antioxidant capacity against all five reactive species. Rapid bioassay-directed fractionation was used to identify antioxidant phytochemicals by collecting fractions from HPLC effluent into 96 well microplates and testing for antioxidant activity against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. Two different classes of phytochemicals, anthocyanins and flavonoids, were associated with antioxidant activity. Active components were further characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and high-resolution MS.

Experimental and modeling results of creep-fatigue life of Inconel 617 and Haynes 230 at 850 °C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiang; Sokolov, Mikhail A.; Sham, Sam; Erdman, Donald L., III; Busby, Jeremy T.; Mo, Kun; Stubbins, James F.

2013-01-01

Creep-fatigue testing of Ni-based superalloy Inconel 617 and Haynes 230 were conducted in the air at 850 °C. Tests were performed with fully reversed axial strain control at a total strain range of 0.5%, 1.0% or 1.5% and hold time at maximum tensile strain for 3, 10 or 30 min. In addition, two creep-fatigue life prediction methods, i.e. linear damage summation and frequency-modified tensile hysteresis energy modeling, were evaluated and compared with experimental results. Under all creep-fatigue tests, Haynes 230 performed better than Inconel 617. Compared to the low cycle fatigue life, the cycles to failure for both materials decreased under creep-fatigue test conditions. Longer hold time at maximum tensile strain would cause a further reduction in both material creep-fatigue life. The linear damage summation could predict the creep-fatigue life of Inconel 617 for limited test conditions, but considerably underestimated the creep-fatigue life of Haynes 230. In contrast, frequency-modified tensile hysteresis energy modeling showed promising creep-fatigue life prediction results for both materials.

[Effect of CO2 laser on prostheses used in middle ear surgery].

PubMed

Szymański, Marcin

2005-01-01

The use of CO2 laser is advocated in primary and revision stapes surgery. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of CO2 laser on stapes prostheses. CO2 laser was applied on several types of stapes prostheses and PORPs, with power settings suggested by the manufacturer (continuous wave, 2 W and 6 W; 0,05 s). Application of the laser on stainless steel or titanium prosthesis did not exert any effect on the structure of the prosthesis. The use of the laser on the Teflon piston caused superficial burning with power 2 W, and melting and holes in the piston with power settings at 6W. Similar plastipore prostheses were melting. Hydroxyapatite PORP shattered after application of the laser energy. Teflon and hydroxyapatite prostheses are easily damaged by the laser energy, therefore applying a laser on them should be avoided. CO2 laser can be used on stainless steel and titanium prostheses without risk of damaging them. However the possibility of transmission of heat to the vestibule has to be taken into consideration.

Novel pyrimidinic selenourea induces DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in human breast carcinoma.

PubMed

Barbosa, Flavio A R; Siminski, Tâmila; Canto, Rômulo F S; Almeida, Gabriela M; Mota, Nádia S R S; Ourique, Fabiana; Pedrosa, Rozangela Curi; Braga, Antonio Luiz

2018-06-11

Novel pyrimidinic selenoureas were synthesized and evaluated against tumour and normal cell lines. Among these, the compound named 3j initially showed relevant cytotoxicity and selectivity for tumour cells. Three analogues of 3j were designed and synthesized keeping in view the structural requirements of this compound. Almost all the tested compounds displayed considerable cytotoxicity. However, 8a, one of the 3j analogues, was shown to be highly selective and cytotoxic, especially for breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) (IC 50  = 3.9 μM). Furthermore, 8a caused DNA damage, inhibited cell proliferation, was able to arrest cell cycle in S phase, and induced cell death by apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cells. Moreover, predictions of pharmacokinetic properties showed that 8a may present good absorption and permeation characteristics for oral administration. Overall, the current study established 8a as a potential drug prototype to be employed as a DNA interactive cytotoxic agent for the treatment of breast cancer. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Kidney and heavy metals - The role of environmental exposure (Review).

PubMed

Lentini, Paolo; Zanoli, Luca; Granata, Antonio; Signorelli, Salvatore Santo; Castellino, Pietro; Dell'Aquila, Roberto

2017-05-01

Heavy metals are extensively used in agriculture and industrial applications such as production of pesticides, batteries, alloys, and textile dyes. Prolonged, intensive or excessive exposure can induce related systemic disorders. Kidney is a target organ in heavy metal toxicity for its capacity to filter, reabsorb and concentrate divalent ions. The extent and the expression of renal damage depends on the species of metals, the dose, and the time of exposure. Almost always acute kidney impairment differs from chronic renal failure in its mechanism and in the magnitude of the outcomes. As a result, clinical features and treatment algorithm are also different. Heavy metals in plasma exist in an ionized form, that is toxic and leads to acute toxicity and a bound, inert form when metal is conjugated with metallothionein and are then delivered to the liver and possible causing the kidney chronic damage. Treatment regimens include chelation therapy, supportive care, decontamination procedures and renal replacement therapies. This review adds specific considerations to kidney impairment due to the most common heavy metal exposures and its treatment.

Earthquakes, May-June 1981

USGS Publications Warehouse

Person, W.J.

1981-01-01

The months of May and June were somewhat quiet, seismically speaking. There was one major earthquake (7.0-7.9) off the west coast of South Island, New Zealand. The most destructive earthquake during this reporting period was in southern Iran on June 11 which caused fatalities and extensive damage. Peru also experienced a destructive earthquake on June 22 which caused fatalities and damage. In the United States, a number of earthquakes were experienced, but none caused significant damage. 

Landslide risk analysis: a multi-disciplinary methodological approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sterlacchini, S.; Frigerio, S.; Giacomelli, P.; Brambilla, M.

2007-11-01

This study describes an analysis carried out within the European community project "ALARM" (Assessment of Landslide Risk and Mitigation in Mountain Areas, 2004) on landslide risk assessment in the municipality of Corvara in Badia, Italy. This mountainous area, located in the central Dolomites (Italian Alps), poses a significant landslide hazard to several man-made and natural objects. Three parameters for determining risk were analysed as an aid to preparedness and mitigation planning: event occurrence probability, elements at risk, and the vulnerability of these elements. Initially, a landslide hazard scenario was defined; this step was followed by the identification of the potential vulnerable elements, by the estimation of the expected physical effects, due to the occurrence of a damaging phenomenon, and by the analysis of social and economic features of the area. Finally, a potential risk scenario was defined, where the relationships between the event, its physical effects, and its economic consequences were investigated. People and public administrators with training and experience in local landsliding and slope processes were involved in each step of the analysis. A "cause-effect" correlation was applied, derived from the "dose-response" equation initially used in the biological sciences and then adapted by economists for the assessment of environmental risks. The relationship was analysed from a physical point of view and the cause (the natural event) was correlated to the physical effects, i.e. the aesthetic, functional, and structural damage. An economic evaluation of direct and indirect damage was carried out considering the assets in the affected area (i.e., tourist flows, goods, transport and the effect on other social and economic activities). This study shows the importance of indirect damage, which is as significant as direct damage. The total amount of direct damage was estimated in 8 913 000 €; on the contrary, indirect damage ranged considerably from 2 840 000 to 9 350 000 €, depending on the selected temporal scenario and the expected closing time of the potentially affected structures. The multi-disciplinary approach discussed in this study may assist local decision makers in determining the nature and magnitude of the expected losses due to a dangerous event, which can be anticipated in a given study area, during a specified time period. Besides, a preventive knowledge of the prospective physical effects and economic consequences may help local decision makers to choose the best prevention and mitigation options and to decide how to allocate resources properly, so that potential benefits are maximised at an acceptable cost.

Landscape changes have greater effects than climate changes on six insect pests in China.

PubMed

Zhao, Zihua; Sandhu, Hardev S; Ouyang, Fang; Ge, Feng

2016-06-01

In recent years, global changes are the major causes of frequent, widespread outbreaks of pests in mosaic landscapes, which have received substantial attention worldwide. We collected data on global changes (landscape and climate) and economic damage caused by six main insect pests during 1951-2010 in China. Landscape changes had significant effects on all six insect pests. Pest damage increased significantly with increasing arable land area in agricultural landscapes. However, climate changes had no effect on damage caused by pests, except for the rice leaf roller (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee) and armyworm (Mythimna separate (Walker)), which caused less damage to crops with increasing mean temperature. Our results indicate that there is slight evidence of possible offset effects of climate changes on the increasing damage from these two agricultural pests. Landscape changes have caused serious outbreaks of several species, which suggests the possibility of the use of landscape design for the control of pest populations through habitat rearrangement. Landscape manipulation may be used as a green method to achieve sustainable pest management with minimal use of insecticides and herbicides.

Beaver dams, hydrological thresholds, and controlled floods as a management tool in a desert riverine ecosystem, Bill Williams River, Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Andersen, D.C.; Shafroth, P.B.

2010-01-01

Beaver convert lotic stream habitat to lentic through dam construction, and the process is reversed when a flood or other event causes dam failure. We investigated both processes on a regulated Sonoran Desert stream, using the criterion that average current velocity is < 0.2 m s-1 in a lentic reach. We estimated temporal change in the lotic:lentic stream length ratio by relating beaver pond length (determined by the upstream lentic-lotic boundary position) to dam size, and coupling that to the dam-size frequency distribution and repeated censuses of dams along the 58-km river. The ratio fell from 19:1 when no beaver dams were present to < 3:1 after 7 years of flows favourable for beaver. We investigated the dam failure-flood intensity relationship in three independent trials (experimental floods) featuring peak discharge ranging from 37 to 65 m3 s-1. Major damage (breach ??? 3-m wide) occurred at ??? 20% of monitored dams (n = 7-86) and a similar or higher proportion was moderately damaged. We detected neither a relationship between dam size and damage level nor a flood discharge threshold for initiating major damage. Dam constituent materials appeared to control the probability of major damage at low (attenuated) flood magnitude. We conclude that environmental flows prescribed to sustain desert riparian forest will also reduce beaver-created lentic habitat in a non-linear manner determined by both beaver dam and flood attributes. Consideration of both desirable and undesirable consequences of ecological engineering by beaver is important when optimizing environmental flows to meet ecological and socioeconomic goals. ?? 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Revelations from a single strong-motion record retreived during the 27 June 1998 Adana (Turkey) earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Celebi, M.

2000-01-01

During the 27 June 1998 Adana (Turkey) earthquake, only one strong-motion record was retrieved in the region where the most damage occurred. This single record from the station in Ceyhan, approximately 15 km from the epicenter of that earthquake, exhibits characteristics that are related to the dominant frequencies of the ground and structures. The purpose of this paper is to explain the causes of the damage as inferred from both field observations and the characteristics of a single strong-motion record retrieved from the immediate epicentral area. In the town of Ceyhan there was considerable but selective damage to a significant number of mid-rise (7-12 stories high) buildings. The strong-motion record exhibits dominant frequencies that are typically similar for the mid-rise building structures. This is further supported by spectral ratios derived using Nakamura's method [QR of RTRI, 30 (1989) 25] that facilitates computation of a spectral ratio from a single tri-axial record as the ratio of amplitude spectrum of horizontal component to that of the vertical component [R = H(f)/V(f)]. The correlation between the damage and the characteristics exhibited from the single strong-motion record is remarkable. Although deficient construction practices played a significant role in the extent of damage to the mid-rise buildings, it is clear that site resonance also contributed to the detrimental fate of most of the mid-rise buildings. Therefore, even a single record can be useful to explain the effect of site resonance on building response and performance. Such information can be very useful for developing zonation criteria in similar alluvial valleys. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Iron homeostasis and toxicity in retinal degeneration.

PubMed

He, Xining; Hahn, Paul; Iacovelli, Jared; Wong, Robert; King, Chih; Bhisitkul, Robert; Massaro-Giordano, Mina; Dunaief, Joshua L

2007-11-01

Iron is essential for many metabolic processes but can also cause damage. As a potent generator of hydroxyl radical, the most reactive of the free radicals, iron can cause considerable oxidative stress. Since iron is absorbed through diet but not excreted except through menstruation, total body iron levels buildup with age. Macular iron levels increase with age, in both men and women. This iron has the potential to contribute to retinal degeneration. Here we present an overview of the evidence suggesting that iron may contribute to retinal degenerations. Intraocular iron foreign bodies cause retinal degeneration. Retinal iron buildup resulting from hereditary iron homeostasis disorders aceruloplasminemia, Friedreich's ataxia, and panthothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration cause retinal degeneration. Mice with targeted mutation of the iron exporter ceruloplasmin have age-dependent retinal iron overload and a resulting retinal degeneration with features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Post mortem retinas from patients with AMD have more iron and the iron carrier transferrin than age-matched controls. Over the past 10 years much has been learned about the intricate network of proteins involved in iron handling. Many of these, including transferrin, transferrin receptor, divalent metal transporter-1, ferritin, ferroportin, ceruloplasmin, hephaestin, iron-regulatory protein, and histocompatibility leukocyte antigen class I-like protein involved in iron homeostasis (HFE) have been found in the retina. Some of these proteins have been found in the cornea and lens as well. Levels of the iron carrier transferrin are high in the aqueous and vitreous humors. The functions of these proteins in other tissues, combined with studies on cultured ocular tissues, genetically engineered mice, and eye exams on patients with hereditary iron diseases provide clues regarding their ocular functions. Iron may play a role in a broad range of ocular diseases, including glaucoma, cataract, AMD, and conditions causing intraocular hemorrhage. While iron deficiency must be prevented, the therapeutic potential of limiting iron-induced ocular oxidative damage is high. Systemic, local, or topical iron chelation with an expanding repertoire of drugs has clinical potential.

[Acute traumatic and especially neglected traumatic hip dislocations are very rare in children].

PubMed

Fernandez, F F; Wirth, T; Eberhardt, O

2012-09-01

We report about the first hip arthroscopies of extracapsular neglected hip dislocations with concomitant injuries in two children (2 and 4 years old). The major problem of traumatic hip dislocation is avascular necrosis. Further problems are possible concomitant injuries. It is important not to cause further damage by therapeutic procedures. In a 4-year-old child the hip could be reduced under visualization and in a 2-year-old child with epiphyseal fracture the extent of the operation could be reduced. In both children large avulsion injuries of the ligamentum capitis femoris could be resected via hip arthroscopy. Hip arthroscopy can reduce surgical morbidity considerably and can possibly contribute to prevention of the feared avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Oligofructose protects against arsenic-induced liver injury in a model of environment/obesity interaction

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

Massey, Veronica L.; Stocke, Kendall S.; Schmidt, Robin H.

Arsenic (As) tops the ATSDR list of hazardous environmental chemicals and is known to cause liver injury. Although the concentrations of As found in the US water supply are generally too low to directly damage the liver, subhepatotoxic doses of As sensitize the liver to experimental NAFLD. It is now suspected that GI microbiome dysbiosis plays an important role in development of NALFD. Importantly, arsenic has also been shown to alter the microbiome. The purpose of the current study was to test the hypothesis that the prebiotic oligofructose (OFC) protects against enhanced liver injury caused by As in experimental NAFLD.more » Male C57Bl6/J mice were fed low fat diet (LFD), high fat diet (HFD), or HFD containing oligofructose (OFC) during concomitant exposure to either tap water or As-containing water (4.9 ppm as sodium arsenite) for 10 weeks. HFD significantly increased body mass and caused fatty liver injury, as characterized by an increased liver weight-to-body weight ratio, histologic changes and transaminases. As observed previously, As enhanced HFD-induced liver damage, which was characterized by enhanced inflammation. OFC supplementation protected against the enhanced liver damage caused by As in the presence of HFD. Interestingly, arsenic, HFD and OFC all caused unique changes to the gut flora. These data support previous findings that low concentrations of As enhance liver damage caused by high fat diet. Furthermore, these results indicate that these effects of arsenic may be mediated, at least in part, by GI tract dysbiosis and that prebiotic supplementation may confer significant protective effects. - Highlights: • Arsenic (As) enhances liver damage caused by a high-fat (HFD) diet in mice. • Oligofructose protects against As-enhanced liver damage caused by HFD. • As causes dysbiosis in the GI tract and exacerbates the dysbiosis caused by HFD. • OFC prevents the dysbiosis caused by HFD and As, increasing commensal bacteria.« less

Comparison of hair shaft damage after chemical treatment in Asian, White European, and African hair.

PubMed

Lee, Yoonhee; Kim, Youn-Duk; Pi, Long-Quan; Lee, Sung Yul; Hong, Hannah; Lee, Won-Soo

2014-09-01

Diverse causes of extrinsic damage to the hair shaft have been documented and can be roughly divided into physical and chemical causes. Chemical causes of hair damage include bleaching, hair dyeing, and perming. The goal of this study was to investigate differences in patterns of serial damage in Asian, White European (WE), and African hair after chemical stress imposed by straightening and coloring treatments. Hairs were divided into control and treatment groups (straightening, coloring, and a combination of straightening and coloring). At 24 hours after the final treatment, patterns of hair damage were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and lipid TEM. Grades of hair cuticle and cortex damage were evaluated by three dermatologists. In the TEM examination, the cuticle of Asian hair proved to be resistant to damage caused by straightening treatments, whereas the WE hair cuticle and cortex were relatively susceptible to stress imposed by coloring treatments. In the combination treatment of straightening and coloring, African hair emerged as the most resistant to stress. In the lipid TEM examination, no notable differences in cell membrane complex damage were observed among the three groups of hairs. The present study suggests that WE hair is relatively susceptible and African hair is more resistant to chemical stresses, such as those imposed by straightening and coloring. © 2013 The International Society of Dermatology.

7 CFR 51.882 - U.S. Fancy Table.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... Grades § 51.882 U.S. Fancy Table. “U.S. Fancy Table” consists of bunches of well developed grapes of one...) Berries not damaged by: (1) Any other cause. (g) Bunches not damaged by: (1) Shot berries; (2) Dried...) Stems not damaged by: (1) Freezing; (2) Any other cause. (i) Size: (1) For berries: Exclusive of shot...

7 CFR 51.882 - U.S. Fancy Table.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Grades § 51.882 U.S. Fancy Table. “U.S. Fancy Table” consists of bunches of well developed grapes of one...) Berries not damaged by: (1) Any other cause. (g) Bunches not damaged by: (1) Shot berries; (2) Dried...) Stems not damaged by: (1) Freezing; (2) Any other cause. (i) Size: (1) For berries: Exclusive of shot...

Tensile Properties and Structure of Several Superalloys after Long- Term Exposure to LiF and Vacuum at 1173 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whittenberger, J. D.

1995-12-01

The use of the solid- to- liquid phase transformation of LiF to store thermal energy is under consideration for a space- based solar dynamic system. Although advantageous in terms of its energy density, the melting point of this salt (1121K) is beyond the commonly accepted upper- use temperature of 1100 K for chromium- bearing superalloys in vacuum. However, one commercially available nickel- base superalloy (Hastelloy B- 2) is chromium free; unfortunately, because of its high molybdenum content, this alloy can form phases that cause high- temperature embrittlement. To test the suitability of Hastelloy B- 2, it has been exposed to molten LiF, its vapor and vacuum at 1173 K for 2500, 5000, and 10 h. For control, the chromium- containing cobalt- base Haynes alloy 188 and nickel- base Haynes alloy 230 were also exposed to LiF and vacuum at 1173 K for 5000 h. Neither LiF nor vacuum exposures had any significant effect on Hastelloy B- 2 in terms of microstructural surface damage or weight change. Measurement of the post exposure tensile properties of Hastelloy B- 2, nevertheless, revealed low tensile ductility at 1050 K. Such embrittlement and low strength at elevated temperatures appear to preclude the use of Hastelloy B- 2 as a containment material for LiF. Little evidence of significant attack by LiF was seen in either of the chromium- containing superalloys; however, considerable weight loss and near- surface microstructural damage occurred in both alloys exposed to vacuum. Although measurement of the post exposure room-temperature tensile properties of Haynes alloys 188 and 230 revealed no significant loss of strength or ductility, the severe degree of microstructural damage found in unshielded alloys exposed to vacuum indicates that chromium-bearing superalloys might also be unsuitable for prolonged containment of LiF in space above 1100 K. Keywords

Evaluation de l'effet structurel de l'impact d'un micrometeorite ou d'un debris orbital sur le bras Canadien 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lanouette, Anne-Marie

Space structures are more and more likely to be impacted at hypervelocities, velocities greater than 3km/s, as the number of orbital debris has rapidly grown in the last two decades. These debris are mostly composed of pieces jettisoned from a launcher or a satellite during the deployment of a structure, dead spacecrafts and fragmentation debris. Collision between two debris, generating many smaller new debris, are more likely to happen. Large space debris (diameter over 10cm) are tracked by different space organizations and their position at all time is known. It is however impossible to track the smaller debris while several studies have already demonstrated that they can also cause significant damage to structures. It is now more and more common to add a kind of protection against collisions to the space structures, but the great majority of space structures currently in orbit, as the Canadarm2, are not protected against hypervelocity impacts. Damage caused by such impacts to different space materials such as aluminum, sandwich panels and laminates has already been characterized during different studies since the end of the 1980s while no study, dedicated to the experimental evaluation of the mechanical properties of a space structure after an impact, relevant to the case of the Canadarm2, has been published. It is only possible to find, in the literature, studies determining the residual mechanical properties after an impact at much lower velocities; the energy of impact is generally three orders of magnitude smaller. The Canadarm2, or Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), is installed on the International Space Station (ISS) since 2001. It had an initial 10-year lifespan, but it is still very useful today for maintenance operations and to capture and release incoming space capsules. Understanding the effects of an orbital debris impact on the Canadarm2 structure is now primordial in order to adequately redefine the load levels that can be applied on the arm as a function of the observable damage on the thermal blankets. The main objectives of this study are: first, to obtain a correlation between the visible damage on the booms and the corresponding internal damage of the structure, second to study the cracks caused by the impact growth under different cyclic loads, and finally to provide considerations on the load levels to be applied on the robotic arm as a function of the observable damage. To achieve these objectives, samples representative of the Canadarm2 structure, four cylindrical samples of carbon fibers IM7/PEEK with an external diameter of 35cm and a thickness of 2.7mm, were obtained and covered by pieces of thermal blankets also representative of the Canadarm2. These four samples were impacted at the University of New Brunswick hypervelocity facility, HIT Dynamics. Two samples were impacted by projectiles 5.556mm in diameter and the two remaining samples were impacted with 7.938mm in diameter projectiles. All projectiles were aluminum spheres travelling at ˜7km/s. The samples underwent ultrasonic scanning thereafter to obtain images of their internal damage. In the case of the 5.556mm diameter projectiles, the damage left on the front side was an entry crater 6.2cm in diameter on the thermal blanket and a crater 14.8mm in diameter on the composite wall accompanied by no visual damage on the opposite side of the cylinder. In the case of the 7.938mm diameter projectiles, the damage left on the front side was an entry crater 9.2cm in diameter on the thermal blanket and a crater 17.0mm in diameter on the composite wall accompanied by visible damage on the opposite side in a zone 25.5cm in diameter. The suggestions given for the utilization of the Canadarm2 after an impact are thus the followings. If a crater ≤ 14mm on the composite wall is visible on one side accompanied by no damage on the opposite side of the structure, then the flight and emergency load levels can be maintained. However, if a crater ≤ 17.0mm on the composite wall is visible on one side accompanied by damage in a zone ≤ 25.5cm on the opposite side of the cylinder, only the flight load level can still be used for any position of the damaged zones. If the emergency level must be used, then the damaged zones must absolutely be positioned close to the bending neutral plan, otherwise the applied loads will aggravate the damage caused by the orbital debris impact. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

Burning Feet

MedlinePlus

... are most often a sign of nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy). Nerve damage has many different causes, including diabetes, ... if any of the various conditions that cause peripheral neuropathy are to blame. Eleftheriadou I, et al. A ...

Cerebellar Degeneration

MedlinePlus

... cause inflammation in the brain, including the cerebellum multiple sclerosis, in which damage to the insulating membrane (myelin) ... cause inflammation in the brain, including the cerebellum multiple sclerosis, in which damage to the insulating membrane (myelin) ...

Continuum damage model for ferroelectric materials and its application to multilayer actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gellmann, Roman; Ricoeur, Andreas

2016-05-01

In this paper a micromechanical continuum damage model for ferroelectric materials is presented. As a constitutive law it is implemented into a finite element (FE) code. The model is based on micromechanical considerations of domain switching and its interaction with microcrack growth and coalescence. A FE analysis of a multilayer actuator is performed, showing the initiation of damage zones at the electrode tips during the poling process. Further, the influence of mechanical pre-stressing on damage evolution and actuating properties is investigated. The results provided in this work give useful information on the damage of advanced piezoelectric devices and their optimization.

Urban sprawl and flooding in southern California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rantz, S.E.

1970-01-01

The floods of January 1969 in south-coastal California provide a timely example of the effect of urban sprawl on flood damage. Despite recordbreaking, or near recordbreaking, stream discharges, damage was minimal in the older developed areas that are protected against inundation and debris damage by carefully planned flood-control facilities, including debris basins and flood-conveyance channels. By contrast, heavy damage occurred in areas of more recent urban sprawl, where the hazards of inundation and debris or landslide damage have not been taken into consideration, and where the improvement and development of drainage or flood-control facilities have not kept pace with expanding urbanization.

Silibinin inhibits ultraviolet B radiation-induced DNA-damage and apoptosis by enhancing interleukin-12 expression in JB6 cells and SKH-1 hairless mouse skin.

PubMed

Narayanapillai, Sreekanth; Agarwal, Chapla; Deep, Gagan; Agarwal, Rajesh

2014-06-01

Recent studies have demonstrated silibinin efficacy against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin carcinogenesis via different mechanisms in cell lines and animal models; however, its role in regulating interleukin-12 (IL-12), an immunomodulatory cytokine that reduces UVB-induced DNA damage and apoptosis, is not known. Here, we report that UVB irradiation causes caspase 3 and PARP cleavage and apoptosis, and addition of recombinant IL-12 or silibinin immediately after UVB significantly protects UVB-induced apoptosis in JB6 cells. IL-12 antibody-mediated blocking of IL-12 activity compromised the protective effects of both IL-12 and silibinin. Both silibinin and IL-12 also accelerated the repair of UVB-caused cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) in JB6 cells. Additional studies confirmed that indeed silibinin causes a significant increase in IL-12 levels in UVB-irradiated JB6 cells as well as in mouse skin epidermis, and that similar to cell-culture findings, silibinin topical application immediately after UVB exposure causes a strong protection against UVB-induced TUNEL positive cells in epidermis possibly through a significantly accelerated repair of UVB-caused CPDs. Together, these findings for the first time provide an important insight regarding the pharmacological mechanism wherein silibinin induces endogenous IL-12 in its efficacy against UVB-caused skin damages. In view of the fact that an enhanced endogenous IL-12 level could effectively remove UVB-caused DNA damage and associated skin cancer, our findings suggest that the use of silibinin in UVB-damaged human skin would also be a practical and translational strategy to manage solar radiation-caused skin damages as well as skin cancer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mitochondrial Cardiomyopathy Caused by Elevated Reactive Oxygen Species and Impaired Cardiomyocyte Proliferation.

PubMed

Zhang, Donghui; Li, Yifei; Heims-Waldron, Danielle; Bezzerides, Vassilios; Guatimosim, Silvia; Guo, Yuxuan; Gu, Fei; Zhou, Pingzhu; Lin, Zhiqiang; Ma, Qing; Liu, Jianming; Wang, Da-Zhi; Pu, William T

2018-01-05

Although mitochondrial diseases often cause abnormal myocardial development, the mechanisms by which mitochondria influence heart growth and function are poorly understood. To investigate these disease mechanisms, we studied a genetic model of mitochondrial dysfunction caused by inactivation of Tfam (transcription factor A, mitochondrial), a nuclear-encoded gene that is essential for mitochondrial gene transcription and mitochondrial DNA replication. Tfam inactivation by Nkx2.5 Cre caused mitochondrial dysfunction and embryonic lethal myocardial hypoplasia. Tfam inactivation was accompanied by elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced cardiomyocyte proliferation. Mosaic embryonic Tfam inactivation confirmed that the block to cardiomyocyte proliferation was cell autonomous. Transcriptional profiling by RNA-seq demonstrated the activation of the DNA damage pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of ROS or the DNA damage response pathway restored cardiomyocyte proliferation in cultured fetal cardiomyocytes. Neonatal Tfam inactivation by AAV9-cTnT-Cre caused progressive, lethal dilated cardiomyopathy. Remarkably, postnatal Tfam inactivation and disruption of mitochondrial function did not impair cardiomyocyte maturation. Rather, it elevated ROS production, activated the DNA damage response pathway, and decreased cardiomyocyte proliferation. We identified a transient window during the first postnatal week when inhibition of ROS or the DNA damage response pathway ameliorated the detrimental effect of Tfam inactivation. Mitochondrial dysfunction caused by Tfam inactivation induced ROS production, activated the DNA damage response, and caused cardiomyocyte cell cycle arrest, ultimately resulting in lethal cardiomyopathy. Normal mitochondrial function was not required for cardiomyocyte maturation. Pharmacological inhibition of ROS or DNA damage response pathways is a potential strategy to prevent cardiac dysfunction caused by some forms of mitochondrial dysfunction. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

PLASMID DNA DAMAGE CAUSED BY METHYLATED ARSENICALS, ASCORBIC ACID AND HUMAN LIVER FERRITIN

EPA Science Inventory

Plasmid DNA damage caused by methylated arsenicals, ascorbic acid and human liver ferritin.

Arsenic causes cancer in human skin, urinary bladder, lung, liver and kidney and is a significant world-wide public health problem. Although the metabolism of inorganic arsenic is ...

Genotoxic effect of ethacrynic acid and impact of antioxidants

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

Ward, William M.; Hoffman, Jared D.; Loo, George, E-mail: g_loo@uncg.edu

It is known that ethacrynic acid (EA) decreases the intracellular levels of glutathione. Whether the anticipated oxidative stress affects the structural integrity of DNA is unknown. Therefore, DNA damage was assessed in EA-treated HCT116 cells, and the impact of several antioxidants was also determined. EA caused both concentration-dependent and time-dependent DNA damage that eventually resulted in cell death. Unexpectedly, the DNA damage caused by EA was intensified by either ascorbic acid or trolox. In contrast, EA-induced DNA damage was reduced by N-acetylcysteine and by the iron chelator, deferoxamine. In elucidating the DNA damage, it was determined that EA increased themore » production of reactive oxygen species, which was inhibited by N-acetylcysteine and deferoxamine but not by ascorbic acid and trolox. Also, EA decreased glutathione levels, which were inhibited by N-acetylcysteine. But, ascorbic acid, trolox, and deferoxamine neither inhibited nor enhanced the capacity of EA to decrease glutathione. Interestingly, the glutathione synthesis inhibitor, buthionine sulfoxime, lowered glutathione to a similar degree as EA, but no noticeable DNA damage was found. Nevertheless, buthionine sulfoxime potentiated the glutathione-lowering effect of EA and intensified the DNA damage caused by EA. Additionally, in examining redox-sensitive stress gene expression, it was found that EA increased HO-1, GADD153, and p21mRNA expression, in association with increased nuclear localization of Nrf-2 and p53 proteins. In contrast to ascorbic acid, trolox, and deferoxamine, N-acetylcysteine suppressed the EA-induced upregulation of GADD153, although not of HO-1. Overall, it is concluded that EA has genotoxic properties that can be amplified by certain antioxidants. - Highlights: • Ethacrynic acid (EA) caused cellular DNA damage. • EA-induced DNA damage was potentiated by ascorbic acid or trolox. • EA increased ROS production, not inhibited by ascorbic acid or trolox. • EA decreased glutathione levels, not prevented by ascorbic acid or trolox. • Buthionine sulfoxime intensified the DNA damage caused by EA.« less

Laboratory test methodology for evaluating the effects of electromagnetic disturbances on fault-tolerant control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belcastro, Celeste M.

1989-01-01

Control systems for advanced aircraft, especially those with relaxed static stability, will be critical to flight and will, therefore, have very high reliability specifications which must be met for adverse as well as nominal operating conditions. Adverse conditions can result from electromagnetic disturbances caused by lightning, high energy radio frequency transmitters, and nuclear electromagnetic pulses. Tools and techniques must be developed to verify the integrity of the control system in adverse operating conditions. The most difficult and illusive perturbations to computer based control systems caused by an electromagnetic environment (EME) are functional error modes that involve no component damage. These error modes are collectively known as upset, can occur simultaneously in all of the channels of a redundant control system, and are software dependent. A methodology is presented for performing upset tests on a multichannel control system and considerations are discussed for the design of upset tests to be conducted in the lab on fault tolerant control systems operating in a closed loop with a simulated plant.

7 CFR 51.2075 - U.S. No. 1.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... material. The shells are clean, fairly bright, fairly uniform color, and free from damage caused by..., rancidity, and free from damage caused by insects, mold, gum, skin discoloration, shriveling, brown spot or...

Hip Replacement: MedlinePlus Health Topic

MedlinePlus

... damage. The most common cause of damage is osteoarthritis . Osteoarthritis causes pain, swelling, and reduced motion in your ... Food and Drug Administration) Genetics Genetics Home Reference: osteoarthritis (National Library of Medicine) Images Hip joint replacement - ...

Ulcerogenicity and effect on inhibition of prostaglandin generation of indometacin farnesil, a prodrug of indomethacin, in rat gastric mucosa: comparison with indomethacin or loxoprofen.

PubMed

Arakawa, T; Fukuda, T; Nakagawa, K; Higuchi, K; Watanabe, T; Tominaga, K; Kobayashi, K

1995-01-01

Indometacin farnesil was compared with indomethacin and loxoprofen in rats to ascertain whether it caused less gastric mucosal damage than the two older drugs. Damage was evaluated in terms of the size of ulcers that formed after oral administration and the changes in concentrations of prostaglandins E2 and I2 in the mucosa. Indometacin farnesil caused less damage than indomethacin and tended to cause less damage than loxoprofen. Indometacin farnesil was less potent than indomethacin in inhibiting prostaglandin generation by gastric mucosa. This property of indometacin farnesil may contribute to the low ulcerogenicity of this compound.

Fault Analysis on Bevel Gear Teeth Surface Damage of Aeroengine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Li; Chen, Lishun; Li, Silu; Liang, Tao

2017-12-01

Aiming at the trouble phenomenon for bevel gear teeth surface damage of Aero-engine, Fault Tree of bevel gear teeth surface damage was drawing by logical relations, the possible cause of trouble was analyzed, scanning electron-microscope, energy spectrum analysis, Metallographic examination, hardness measurement and other analysis means were adopted to investigate the spall gear tooth. The results showed that Material composition, Metallographic structure, Micro-hardness, Carburization depth of the fault bevel gear accord with technical requirements. Contact fatigue spall defect caused bevel gear teeth surface damage. The small magnitude of Interference of accessory gearbox install hole and driving bevel gear bearing seat was mainly caused. Improved measures were proposed, after proof, Thermoelement measures are effective.

Ozone damage detection in cantaloupe plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gausman, H. W.; Escobar, D. E.; Rodriguez, R. R.; Thomas, C. E.; Bowen, R. L.

1978-01-01

Ozone causes up to 90 percent of air pollution injury to vegetation in the United States; excess ozone affects plant growth and development and can cause undetected decrease in yields. Laboratory and field reflectance measurements showed that ozone-damaged cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) leaves had lower water contents and higher reflectance than did nondamaged leaves. Cantaloupe plants which were lightly, severely, and very severely ozone-damaged were distinguishable from nondamaged plants by reflectance measurements in the 1.35- to 2.5 micron near-infrared water absorption waveband. Ozone-damaged leaf areas were detected photographically 16 h before the damage was visible. Sensors are available for use with aircraft and spacecraft that possibly could be used routinely to detect ozone-damaged crops.

Cerebral Visual Impairment: Which Perceptive Visual Dysfunctions Can Be Expected in Children with Brain Damage? A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boot, F. H.; Pel, J. J. M.; van der Steen, J.; Evenhuis, H. M.

2010-01-01

The current definition of Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) includes all visual dysfunctions caused by damage to, or malfunctioning of, the retrochiasmatic visual pathways in the absence of damage to the anterior visual pathways or any major ocular disease. CVI is diagnosed by exclusion and the existence of many different causes and symptoms make…

Sports doping in the adolescent: the Faustian conundrum of Hors de Combat.

PubMed

Greydanus, Donald E; Patel, Dilip R

2010-06-01

The drive toward success in sports and the need for a cosmetically acceptable appearance have driven many adolescents to take a wide variety of so-called doping substances. The consumption of these chemicals in the hope and hype of improved sports performance, fueled by the easing of government restrictions on their proof of safety and efficacy, has resulted in an explosion of so-called ergogenic products available to our youth. Agents that have been used include anabolic steroids, anabolic-like agents, designer steroids, creatine, protein and amino acid supplements, minerals, antioxidants, stimulants, blood doping, erythropoietin, beta-blockers, and others. The use of these agents has considerable potential to cause physical and psychological damage. Use and misuse of drugs in this sports doping process should be discouraged. This discussion reviews some of the agents that are currently being used. Clinicians providing sports medicine care to youth, whether through anticipatory guidance or direct sports medicine management, should educate their young patients about the hype and hyperbole of these products that may keep them out instead of in the game at considerable financial cost to the unwary consumer.

Determining the Location of DNA Modification and Mutation Caused by UVB Light in Skin Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

14 Appendices……………………………………………………………………………14 2 Introduction Ultraviolet ( UV ) light damages skin cells by causing the formation of...dimers on adjacent pyrimidines in DNA. The two main forms of damage caused by UV light are cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6-4 photoproducts (6...caused by UV damage in tumor suppressor genes such as p53 have been found in the majority of skin cancers. Many studies have focused on these and

The Use of Computers and Video Games in Brain Damage Therapy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lorimer, David

The use of computer assisted therapy (CAT) in the rehabilitation of individuals with brain damage is examined. Hardware considerations are explored, and the variety of software programs available for brain injury rehabilitation is discussed. Structured testing and treatment programs in time measurement, memory, and direction finding are described,…

Ambient orchard and on-tree volatile collection system for monitoring and detection of attractants for navel orangeworm

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The navel orangeworm (NOW) is a major insect pest of California tree nuts. Its feeding damage lowers nut kernel quality resulting in considerable monetary loss to growers, producers, and shippers. Moreover, NOW feeding damage directly contributes to aflatoxin contamination. Hence, control of NOW has...

Cancer Risk Assessment for Space Radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richmond, Robert C.; Cruz, Angela; Bors, Karen; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Predicting the occurrence of human cancer following exposure to any agent causing genetic damage is a difficult task. This is because the uncertainty of uniform exposure to the damaging agent, and the uncertainty of uniform processing of that damage within a complex set of biological variables, degrade the confidence of predicting the delayed expression of cancer as a relatively rare event within any given clinically normal individual. The radiation health research priorities for enabling long-duration human exploration of space were established in the 1996 NRC Report entitled 'Radiation Hazards to Crews of Interplanetary Missions: Biological Issues and Research Strategies'. This report emphasized that a 15-fold uncertainty in predicting radiation-induced cancer incidence must be reduced before NASA can commit humans to extended interplanetary missions. That report concluded that the great majority of this uncertainty is biologically based, while a minority is physically based due to uncertainties in radiation dosimetry and radiation transport codes. Since that report, the biologically based uncertainty has remained large, and the relatively small uncertainty associated with radiation dosimetry has increased due to the considerations raised by concepts of microdosimetry. In a practical sense, however, the additional uncertainties introduced by microdosimetry are encouraging since they are in a direction of lowered effective dose absorbed through infrequent interactions of any given cell with the high energy particle component of space radiation. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Oxidative damage of mitochondrial proteins contributes to fruit senescence: a redox proteomics analysis.

PubMed

Qin, Guozheng; Meng, Xianghong; Wang, Qing; Tian, Shiping

2009-05-01

Oxidative damage to mitochondria caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the process of senescence as well as a number of senescence-related disorders in a variety of organisms. Whereas mitochondrial DNA was shown to be oxidatively modified during cellular senescence, mitochondrial protein oxidation is not well-understood. With the use of high-resolution, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with immunoblotting, we show here that protein carbonylation, a widely used marker of protein oxidation, increased in mitochondria during the senescence of peach fruit. Specific mitochondrial proteins including outer membrane transporter (voltage-dependent anion-selective channel, VDAC), tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes (malate dehydrogenase and aconitase), and antioxidant proteins (manganese superoxide dismutase, MnSOD) were found as the targets. The oxidative modification was concomitant with a change of VDAC function and loss of catalytic activity of malate dehydrogenase and MnSOD, which in turn facilitated the release of superoxide radicals in mitochondria. Reduction of ROS content by lowering the environmental temperature prevented the accumulation of protein carbonylation in mitochondria and retarded fruit senescence, whereas treatment of fruit with H2O2 had the opposite effect. Our data suggest that oxidative damage of specific mitochondrial proteins may be responsible for impairment of mitochondrial function, thus, leading to fruit senescence. Proteomics analysis of mitochondrial redox proteins provides considerable information on the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of fruit senescence.

Reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, glaucoma and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

PubMed

McMonnies, Charles

This review examines the role of oxidative stress in damage to cells of the trabecular meshwork and associated impaired aqueous drainage as well as damage to retinal ganglion cells and associated visual field losses. Consideration is given to the interaction between vascular and mechanical explanations for pathological changes in glaucoma. For example, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) forces may contribute to ischaemia but there is increasing evidence that altered blood flow in a wider sense is also involved. Both vascular and mechanical theories are involved through fluctuations in intraocular pressure and dysregulation of blood flow. Retinal function is very sensitive to changes in haemoglobin oxygen concentration and the associated variations in the production of reactive oxygen species. Reperfusion injury and production of reactive oxygen species occurs when IOP is elevated or blood pressure is low and beyond the capacity for blood flow autoregulation to maintain appropriate oxygen concentration. Activities such as those associated with postural changes, muscular effort, eye wiping and rubbing which cause IOP fluctuation, may have significant vascular, mechanical, reperfusion and oxidative stress consequences. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy exposes the eye to increased oxygen concentration and the risk of oxidative damage in susceptible individuals. However, oxygen concentration in aqueous humour, and the risk of damage to trabecular meshwork cells may be greater if hyperbaric oxygen is delivered by a hood which exposes the anterior ocular surface to higher than normal oxygen levels. Oronasal mask delivery of hyperbaric oxygen therapy appears to be indicated in these cases. Copyright © 2017 Spanish General Council of Optometry. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Immediate, but Not Delayed, Microsurgical Skull Reconstruction Exacerbates Brain Damage in Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury Model

PubMed Central

Lau, Tsz; Kaneko, Yuji; van Loveren, Harry; Borlongan, Cesario V.

2012-01-01

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in malformations to the skull. Aesthetic surgical maneuvers may offer normalized skull structure, but inconsistent surgical closure of the skull area accompanies TBI. We examined whether wound closure by replacement of skull flap and bone wax would allow aesthetic reconstruction of the TBI-induced skull damage without causing any detrimental effects to the cortical tissue. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to TBI using the controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury model. Immediately after the TBI surgery, animals were randomly assigned to skull flap replacement with or without bone wax or no bone reconstruction, then were euthanized at five days post-TBI for pathological analyses. The skull reconstruction provided normalized gross bone architecture, but 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride and hematoxylin and eosin staining results revealed larger cortical damage in these animals compared to those that underwent no surgical maneuver at all. Brain swelling accompanied TBI, especially the severe model, that could have relieved the intracranial pressure in those animals with no skull reconstruction. In contrast, the immediate skull reconstruction produced an upregulation of the edema marker aquaporin-4 staining, which likely prevented the therapeutic benefits of brain swelling and resulted in larger cortical infarcts. Interestingly, TBI animals introduced to a delay in skull reconstruction (i.e., 2 days post-TBI) showed significantly reduced edema and infarcts compared to those exposed to immediate skull reconstruction. That immediate, but not delayed, skull reconstruction may exacerbate TBI-induced cortical tissue damage warrants a careful consideration of aesthetic repair of the skull in TBI. PMID:22438975

Genotoxicity of waterpipe smoke in buccal cells and peripheral blood leukocytes as determined by comet assay.

PubMed

Al-Amrah, Hadba Jar-Allah; Aboznada, Osama Abdullah; Alam, Mohammad Zubair; ElAssouli, M-Zaki Mustafa; Mujallid, Mohammad Ibrahim; ElAssouli, Sufian Mohamad

2014-12-01

Waterpipe smoke causes DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes and in buccal cells of smokers. To determine the exposure effect of waterpipe smoke on buccal cells and peripheral blood leukocytes in regard to DNA damage using comet assay. The waterpipe smoke condensates were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The study was performed on 20 waterpipe smokers. To perform comet assay on bucaal cells of smokers, 10 µl of cell suspension was mixed with 85 µl of pre-warmed 1% low melting agarose, applied to comet slide and electrophoresed. To analyze the effect of smoke condensate in vitro, 1 ml of peripheral blood was mixed with 10 µl of smoke condensate and subjected for comet assay. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4on, nicotine, hydroxymethyl furancarboxaldehyde and 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde in the smoke condensates. Waterpipe smoking caused DNA damage in vivo in buccal cells of smokers. The tail moment and tail length in buccal cells of smokers were 186 ± 26 and 456 ± 71, respectively, which are higher than control. The jurak and moassel smoke condensates were found to cause DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes. The moassel smoke condensate was more damaging. There is wide misconception that waterpipe smoking is not as harmful as cigarette smoking. This study demonstrated that waterpipe smoke induced DNA damage in exposed cells. Waterpipe smokes cause DNA damage in buccal cells. The smoke condensate of both jurak and moassel caused comet formation suggesting DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes.

Plant physiological models of heat, water and photoinhibition stress for climate change modelling and agricultural prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicolas, B.; Gilbert, M. E.; Paw U, K. T.

2015-12-01

Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere Transfer (SVAT) models are based upon well understood steady state photosynthetic physiology - the Farquhar-von Caemmerer-Berry model (FvCB). However, representations of physiological stress and damage have not been successfully integrated into SVAT models. Generally, it has been assumed that plants will strive to conserve water at higher temperatures by reducing stomatal conductance or adjusting osmotic balance, until potentially damaging temperatures and the need for evaporative cooling become more important than water conservation. A key point is that damage is the result of combined stresses: drought leads to stomatal closure, less evaporative cooling, high leaf temperature, less photosynthetic dissipation of absorbed energy, all coupled with high light (photosynthetic photon flux density; PPFD). This leads to excess absorbed energy by Photosystem II (PSII) and results in photoinhibition and damage, neither are included in SVAT models. Current representations of photoinhibition are treated as a function of PPFD, not as a function of constrained photosynthesis under heat or water. Thus, it seems unlikely that current models can predict responses of vegetation to climate variability and change. We propose a dynamic model of damage to Rubisco and RuBP-regeneration that accounts, mechanistically, for the interactions between high temperature, light, and constrained photosynthesis under drought. Further, these predictions are illustrated by key experiments allowing model validation. We also integrated this new framework within the Advanced Canopy-Atmosphere-Soil Algorithm (ACASA). Preliminary results show that our approach can be used to predict reasonable photosynthetic dynamics. For instances, a leaf undergoing one day of drought stress will quickly decrease its maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), but it won't recover to unstressed levels for several days. Consequently, cumulative effect of photoinhibition on photosynthesis can cause a decrease of about 35% of CO2 uptake. As a result, the incorporation of stress and damage into SVAT models could considerably improve our ability to predict global responses to climate change.

6. 'ROCKFILLED CRIB 350 FEET LONG, REPAIRING DAMAGES CAUSED BY ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

6. 'ROCK-FILLED CRIB 350 FEET LONG, REPAIRING DAMAGES CAUSED BY FLOODS DURING SEASON OF 1927 TO THE DRY GULCH CANAL HEADING.' 1928 - Irrigation Canals in the Uinta Basin, Duchesne, Duchesne County, UT

Space shuttle solid rocket booster main parachute damage reduction team report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watts, G.

1993-01-01

This report gives the findings of the space shuttle solid rocket booster main parachute damage reduction team. The purpose of the team was to investigate the causes of main parachute deployment damage and to recommend methods to eliminate or substantially reduce the damage. The team concluded that the two primary causes of significant damage during deployment are vent entanglement and contact of the parachutes with the main parachute support structure. As an inexpensive but effective step towards damage reduction, the team recommends modification of the parachute packing procedure to eliminate vent entanglement. As the most effective design change, the team recommends a pilot chute-deployed soft-pack system. Alternative concepts are also recommended that provide a major reduction in damage at a total cost lower than the pilot chute-deployed soft pack.

Economic impacts of federal policy responses to drought in the Rio Grande Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, Frank A.; Hurd, Brian H.; Rahmani, Tarik; Gollehon, Noel

2006-03-01

Significant growth in the Rio Grande Basin's demand for water has stressed the region's scarce water supply. This paper presents an analysis of the impacts of severe and sustained drought and of minimum in-stream flow requirements to support endangered species in the Rio Grande watershed. These impacts are investigated by modeling the physical and institutional constraints within the Rio Grande Basin and by identifying the hydrologic and economic responses of all major water users. Water supplies, which include all major tributaries, interbasin transfers, and hydrologically connected groundwater, are represented in a yearly time step. A nonlinear programming model is developed to maximize economic benefits subject to hydrologic and institutional constraints. Results indicate that drought produces considerable impacts on both agriculture and municipal and industrial (MI) uses in the Rio Grande watershed. In-stream flow requirements to support endangered species' habitat produce the largest impacts on agricultural water users in New Mexico and Texas. Hydrologic and economic impacts are more pronounced when in-stream flow requirements dictate larger quantities of water for endangered species' habitat. Higher in-stream flow requirements for endangered species in central New Mexico cause considerable losses to New Mexico agriculture above Elephant Butte Reservoir and to MI users in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Those same in-stream flow requirements reduce drought damages to New Mexico agriculture below Elephant Butte Reservoir and reduce the severity of drought damages to MI users in El Paso, Texas. Results provide a framework for formulating federal policy responses to drought in the Rio Grande Basin.

MDC1: The art of keeping things in focus.

PubMed

Jungmichel, Stephanie; Stucki, Manuel

2010-08-01

The chromatin structure is important for recognition and repair of DNA damage. Many DNA damage response proteins accumulate in large chromatin domains flanking sites of DNA double-strand breaks. The assembly of these structures-usually termed DNA damage foci-is primarily regulated by MDC1, a large nuclear mediator/adaptor protein that is composed of several distinct structural and functional domains. Here, we are summarizing the latest discoveries about the mechanisms by which MDC1 mediates DNA damage foci formation, and we are reviewing the considerable efforts taken to understand the functional implication of these structures.

Achilles heel of environmental risk from recycling of sludge to soil as amendment: A summary in recent ten years (2007-2016).

PubMed

Liu, Hong-Tao

2016-10-01

Recycling sludge as a soil amendment has both positive and negative effects because of its enrichment in both nutrients and contaminants. So far, the negative effect has to be extensively investigated that the severities of different types of contaminants also remain unclear. The environmental behavior and risk of organic contaminant and pharmaceuticals, heavy metal and salt as well as pathogenic microorganisms brought by sludge amendment are summarized and discussed here. Organic contaminants and pharmaceuticals are typically found at low concentrations in sludge, the risks from sludge-amended soil decrease over time owing to its biodegradability. On the other hand, application of sludge generally increases soil salinity, which may cause physiological damage to plants grown in sludge-amended soil. In some extent, this negative effect can be alleviated by means of dilution; however, greater attention should be paid to long term increasing possible risk of eutrophication. Heavy metal (particularly of mobile heavy metals, such as Cd) with high concentrations in sludge and soil receiving considerable sludge can cause its incremental abundance in soil and crop contamination, further posing risks to humans, but most cases showed that there remained not excessive in heavy metal caused by sludge amendment. It is worth noting that increasing soil organic matter content may reduce transfer of heavy metal from soil to crops, but not restrict its uptake by crops at all. Combined literature together, it is summarized that heavy metal becomes a relatively severe bottleneck in recycling of sludge as soil amendment due to its non-biodegradability and potential damage to health by adventuring contamination from agricultural products. Particular attention should therefore be paid to long term monitoring the change of heavy metals concentration in sludge amended soil. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

48 CFR 1852.223-75 - Major breach of safety or security.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... conditions that can cause death, injury, occupational illness, damage to or loss of equipment or property, or... conditions that can cause death, injury, occupational illness, damage to or loss of equipment or property, or...

Careful: Acetaminophen in Pain Relief Medicines Can Cause Liver Damage

MedlinePlus

... and Fever Reducers Careful: Acetaminophen in pain relief medicines can cause liver damage Share Tweet Linkedin Pin ... ingredient in many over-the-counter and prescription medicines that help relieve pain and reduce fever. More ...

Earthquakes, July-August, 1979

USGS Publications Warehouse

Person, W.J.

1980-01-01

In the United States, on August 6, central California experienced a moderately strong earthquake, which injured several people and caused some damage. A number of earthquakes occurred in other parts of the United States but caused very little damage. 

Remote Sensing Techniques for Rapid Assessment of Forest Damage Caused by Catastrophic Climatic Events, NA-TP-01-01

Treesearch

William Ciesla; William Frament; Margaret Miller-Weeks

2001-01-01

Catastrophic climatic events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and ice storms can cause billions of dollars in damage to infrastructure and personal property, loss of lives, and damage to natural resources. Forests are especially susceptible to these events. The following is a list of recent climatic events in North America that have had devastating effects on forest...

Reducing borer damage in oak regeneration and sawtimber

Treesearch

Jimmy R. Galford

1989-01-01

Borers cause millions of dollars in damaged wood annually to oak stands, and adversely affect the form and vigor of oak regeneration. A moth and four species of beetles cause most of the damage; the carpenterworm moth, the oak timberworm, the red oak borer, the living-beech borer, and the white oak borer. The larvae of these insects chew holes in the wood ranging from...

DNA Damage in Euonymus japonicus Leaf Cells Caused by Roadside Pollution in Beijing

PubMed Central

Li, Tianxin; Zhang, Minjie; Gu, Ke; Herman, Uwizeyimana; Crittenden, John; Lu, Zhongming

2016-01-01

The inhalable particles from vehicle exhaust can cause DNA damage to exposed organisms. Research on DNA damage is primarily focused on the influence of specific pollutants on certain species or the effect of environmental pollution on human beings. To date, little research has quantitatively studied the relationship between roadside pollution and DNA damage. Based on an investigation of the roadside pollution in Beijing, Euonymus japonicus leaves of differing ages grown in heavily-polluted sections were chosen as biomonitors to detect DNA damage using the comet assay technique. The percentage of DNA in the tail and tail moment was chosen as the analysis index based on SPSS data analysis. The roadside samples showed significantly higher levels of DNA damage than non-roadside samples, which increased in older leaves, and the DNA damage to Euonymus japonicus leaf cells was positively correlated with haze-aggravated roadside pollution. The correlation between damage and the Air Quality Index (AQI) are 0.921 (one-year-old leaves), 0.894 (two-year-old leaves), and 0.878 (three-year-old leaves). Over time, the connection between DNA damage and AQI weakened, with the sensitivity coefficient for δyear 1 being larger than δyear 2 and δyear 3. These findings support the suitability and sensitivity of the comet assay for surveying plants for an estimation of DNA damage induced by environmental genotoxic agents. This study might be applied as a preliminary quantitative method for Chinese urban air pollution damage assessment caused by environmental stress. PMID:27455298

Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Diseases.

PubMed

Singh, Gyanesh; Pachouri, U C; Khaidem, Devika Chanu; Kundu, Aman; Chopra, Chirag; Singh, Pushplata

2015-01-01

Various endogenous and environmental factors can cause mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage.  One of the reasons for enhanced mtDNA damage could be its proximity to the source of oxidants, and lack of histone-like protective proteins. Moreover, mitochondria contain inadequate DNA repair pathways, and, diminished DNA repair capacity may be one of the factors responsible for high mutation frequency of the mtDNA. mtDNA damage might cause impaired mitochondrial function, and, unrepaired mtDNA damage has been frequently linked with several diseases. Exploration of mitochondrial perspective of diseases might lead to a better understanding of several diseases, and will certainly open new avenues for detection, cure, and prevention of ailments.

Optimal Ozone Control with Inclusion of Spatiotemporal Marginal Damages and Electricity Demand.

PubMed

Mesbah, S Morteza; Hakami, Amir; Schott, Stephan

2015-07-07

Marginal damage (MD), or damage per ton of emission, is a policy metric used for effective pollution control and reducing the corresponding adverse health impacts. However, for a pollutant such as NOx, the MD varies by the time and location of the emissions, a complication that is not adequately accounted for in the currently implemented economic instruments. Policies accounting for MD information would aim to encourage emitters with large MDs to reduce their emissions. An optimization framework is implemented to account for NOx spatiotemporal MDs calculated through adjoint sensitivity analysis and to simulate power plants' behavior under emission and simplified electricity constraints. The results from a case study of U.S. power plants indicate that time-specific MDs are high around noon and low in the evening. Furthermore, an emissions reduction of about 40% and a net benefit of about $1200 million can be gained for this subset of power plants if a larger fraction of the electricity demand is supplied by power plants at low-damage times and in low-damage locations. The results also indicate that the consideration of temporal effects in NOx control policies results in a comparable net benefit to the consideration of spatial or spatiotemporal effects, thus providing a promising option for policy development.

Selection of endophytic fungi from comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) for in vitro biological control of the phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.)

PubMed Central

Rocha, Rafaeli; da Luz, Daniela Eleutério; Engels, Cibelle; Pileggi, Sônia Alvim Veiga; de Souza Jaccoud Filho, David; Matiello, Rodrigo Rodrigues; Pileggi, Marcos

2009-01-01

Biological control consists of using one organism to attack another that may cause economic damage to crops. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a very common strategy. The white mold produced by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) causes considerable damage to bean crops. This fungus is a soil inhabitant, the symptoms of which are characterized by water-soaked lesions covered by a white cottony fungal growth on the soil surface and/or the host plant. Possible biological control agents taken from plants are being investigated as phytopathogen inhibitors. These are endophytic microorganisms that inhabit the intercellular spaces of vegetal tissues and are often responsible for antimicrobial production. The objective of the present study was to select endophytic fungi isolated from comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) leaves with in vitro antagonist potential against the phytopathogenic fungus S. sclerotiorum. Twelve isolates of endophytic fungi and a pathogenic strain of S. sclerotiorum were used in the challenge method. With the aid of this method, four endophytes with the best antagonistic activity against S. sclerotiorum were selected. Pathogen growth inhibition zones were considered indicative of antibiosis. The percentages of pathogenic mycelia growth were measured both with and without the antagonist, resulting in growth reductions of 46.7% to 50.0% for S. sclerotiorum. These analyses were performed by evaluating the endophytic/pathogenic mycelia growth in mm/day over an eight-day period of antagonistic tests. PMID:24031320

Cyclooxygenase-2 is an obligatory factor in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity.

PubMed

Thomas, David M; Kuhn, Donald M

2005-05-01

Methamphetamine causes persistent damage to dopamine nerve endings of the striatum. The mechanisms underlying its neurotoxicity are not fully understood, but considerable evidence points to oxidative stress as a probable mechanism. A recent microarray analysis of gene expression changes caused by methamphetamine revealed that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was induced along with its transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (Thomas DM, Francescutti-Verbeem DM, Liu X, and Kuhn DM, 2004). We report presently that methamphetamine increases striatal expression of COX-2 protein. Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) expression was not changed. Mice bearing a null mutation of the gene for COX-2 were resistant to methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity. COX-1 knockouts, like wild-type mice, showed extensive dopamine nerve terminal damage. Selective inhibitors of COX-1 [5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-trifluoromethyl pyrazole (SC-560)], COX-2 [N-[2-(cyclohexyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl] methanesulfonamide (NS-398), rofecoxib], or COX-3 (antipyrine) or a nonselective inhibitor of the COX-1/2 isoforms (ketoprofen) did not protect mice from neurotoxicity. Finally, methamphetamine did not change striatal prostaglandin E(2) content. Taken together, these data suggest that COX-2 is an obligatory factor in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity. The functional aspect of COX-2 that contributes to drug-induced neurotoxicity does not appear to be its prostaglandin synthetic capacity. Instead, the peroxidase activity associated with COX-2, which can lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species and dopamine quinones, can account for its role.

Identification of structural damage using wavelet-based data classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koh, Bong-Hwan; Jeong, Min-Joong; Jung, Uk

2008-03-01

Predicted time-history responses from a finite-element (FE) model provide a baseline map where damage locations are clustered and classified by extracted damage-sensitive wavelet coefficients such as vertical energy threshold (VET) positions having large silhouette statistics. Likewise, the measured data from damaged structure are also decomposed and rearranged according to the most dominant positions of wavelet coefficients. Having projected the coefficients to the baseline map, the true localization of damage can be identified by investigating the level of closeness between the measurement and predictions. The statistical confidence of baseline map improves as the number of prediction cases increases. The simulation results of damage detection in a truss structure show that the approach proposed in this study can be successfully applied for locating structural damage even in the presence of a considerable amount of process and measurement noise.

HOW to Diagnose Black Walnut Damage

Treesearch

Barbara C. Weber; Robert L. Anderson; William H. Hoffard

Black walnut trees, like all other plants, are susceptible to a variety of injuries that reduce or destroy their usefulness. The first step in preventing or controlling these injuries is to identify their cause. Most damage is caused by disease, insects, birds, mammals, or weather. Presented here is a method for identifying the most common causes of injury to black...

Excess Rainfall Product for the Caribbean Region - Developed by The CCRIF and Swiss Re

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linkin, M. E.

2014-12-01

Small island states exposed to natural hazards are often in the worst position to absorb the financial impact of natural disasters. In a moment, they can lose a significant portion of their GDP and not have the resiliency to bounce back. Several leaders pushed to build their own resiliency after suffering from four hurricanes in just one year - Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, all swept through the region in 2004 and caused losses in excess of US 4 billion. This push to build their own resiliency resulted in the creation of the Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility ("CCRIF"), a facility providing parametric earthquake and tropical cyclone insurance coverage to 16 Caribbean countries. Working well for the past 7 years, the CCRIF has paid out 8 times for a total of more than US 32 million. This dual protection against earthquake and tropical cyclone has become a well-known success globally. However, all stakeholders realized that considerable damage in the region is also caused by rainfall and flooding. This consistent realization was felt most recently, in December 2013, when Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and Dominica were ravaged by a torrential rainstorm, leaving several people dead, and causing massive damage to roads, infrastructure buildings and property. Due to this additional exposure, the Caribbean sought out ways to further build their own resiliency by requesting coverage for this specific third peril. For the past 2 years, Swiss Re has worked closely with the CCRIF to create an xsr product that can benefit the region now and going forward, as the impacts of climate change are felt. Excess rainfall is perhaps the most difficult peril of weather and climate modeling and there exists no scientific consensus on a methodology to underpin excess rainfall coverage. Its nature, prolonged and frequent, causes significant damage to small island states and the costs are only predicted to rise as the population and asset values increase and the climate changes. This product was effectively designed by building on satellite technology to estimate the amount of rainfall, ensuring quick payment to affected countries. The TRMM satellite data was enhanced from a 25 X 25 kilometer basis to a 1 X 1 kilometer basis by Kinanco, a modeling company contracted by the CCRIF. It has been in place since July 2014 for 8 CCRIF member countries.

Traditional cattle vs. introduced deer management in Chaco Serrano woodlands (Argentina): Analysis of environmental sustainability at increasing densities.

PubMed

Charro, José Luis; López-Sánchez, Aida; Perea, Ramón

2018-01-15

Wild ungulate populations have increased and expanded considerably in many regions, including austral woodlands and forests where deer (Cervus elaphus) have been introduced as an alternative management to traditional cattle grazing. In this study, we compared traditional cattle with introduced deer management at increasing deer densities in the "Chaco Serrano" woodlands of Argentina to assess their ecological sustainability. We used three ecological indicators (abundance of tree regeneration, woody plant diversity and browsing damage) as proxies for environmental sustainability in woody systems. Our results indicate that traditional cattle management, at stocking rates of ∼10 ind km -2 , was the most ecologically sustainable management since it allowed greater tree regeneration abundance, higher richness of woody species and lower browsing damage. Importantly, cattle management and deer management at low densities (10 ind km -2 ) showed no significant differences in species richness and abundance of seedlings, although deer caused greater browsing damage on saplings and juveniles. However, management regimes involving high deer densities (∼35 deer km 2 ) was highly unsustainable in comparison to low (∼10 deer km -2 ) and medium (∼20 deer km -2 ) densities, with 40% probability of unsustainable browsing as opposed to less than 5% probability at low and medium densities. In addition, high deer densities caused a strong reduction in tree regeneration, with a 19-30% reduction in the abundance of seedlings and young trees when compared to low deer densities. These results showed that the effect of increasing deer densities on woody plant conservation was not linear, with high deer densities causing a disproportional deleterious effect on tree regeneration and sustainable browsing. Our results suggest that traditional management at low densities or the use of introduced ungulates (deer breeding areas) at low-medium densities (<20 deer km -2 ) are compatible with woody vegetation conservation. However, further research is needed on plant palatability, animal habitat use (spatial heterogeneity) and species turnover and extinction (comparison to areas of low-null historical browsing) to better estimate environmental sustainability of Neotropical ungulate-dominated woodlands. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Conceptual design considerations and neutronics of lithium fall laser fusion target chambers

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

Meier, W.R.; Thomson, W.B.

1978-05-31

Atomics International and Lawrence Livermore Laboratory are involved in the conceptual design of a laser fusion power plant incorporating the lithium fall target chamber. In this paper we discuss some of the more important design considerations for the target chamber and evaluate its nuclear performance. Sizing and configuration of the fall, hydraulic effects, and mechanical design considerations are addressed. The nuclear aspects examined include tritium breeding, energy deposition, and radiation damage.

Principles of Experience-Dependent Neural Plasticity: Implications for Rehabilitation after Brain Damage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kleim, Jeffrey A.; Jones, Theresa A.

2008-01-01

Purpose: This paper reviews 10 principles of experience-dependent neural plasticity and considerations in applying them to the damaged brain. Method: Neuroscience research using a variety of models of learning, neurological disease, and trauma are reviewed from the perspective of basic neuroscientists but in a manner intended to be useful for the…

Electric arc discharge damage to ion thruster grids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beebe, D. D.; Nakanishi, S.; Finke, R. C.

1974-01-01

Arcs representative of those occurring between the grids of a mercury ion thruster were simulated. Parameters affecting an arc and the resulting damage were studied. The parameters investigated were arc energy, arc duration, and grid geometry. Arc attenuation techniques were also investigated. Potentially serious damage occurred at all energy levels representative of actual thruster operating conditions. Of the grids tested, the lowest open-area configuration sustained the least damage for given conditions. At a fixed energy level a long duration discharge caused greater damage than a short discharge. Attenuation of arc current using various impedances proved to be effective in reducing arc damage. Faults were also deliberately caused using chips of sputtered materials formed during the operation of an actual thruster. These faults were cleared with no serious grid damage resulting using the principles and methods developed in this study.

Comparison of histopathological effects of perineural administration of bupivacaine and bupivacaine-dexmedetomidine in rat sciatic nerve.

PubMed

Memari, Elham; Hosseinian, Mohammad-Ali; Mirkheshti, Ali; Arhami-Dolatabadi, Ali; Mirabotalebi, Mojtaba; Khandaghy, Mohsen; Daneshbod, Yahya; Alizadeh, Leila; Shirian, Sadegh

2016-11-01

Injection of a variety of drugs such as local anesthetics (LAs) for peripheral nerve block has been shown to cause damage to peripheral nerves. Bupivacaine is a local anesthetic widely used in surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neurotoxicity of LAs including Bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine (DEX)-Bupivacaine on sciatic nerve tissue at histopathological level. In addition, we investigated whether perineural administration of DEX can attenuate Bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity. Twenty adult Sprague Dawley rats received unilateral sciatic nerve blocks with either 0.2ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (n=8) or 0.5% bupivacaine plus 0.005% DEX (n=8) or normal saline (0.9%, as control group) (n=4) in the left hind extremity. Sciatic nerves were harvested at 14days post-injection and analyzed for nerve damage using ultrastructure and histopathologic analysis. Histopathology of sciatic nerve at day 14 post-injection showed a variable degree of neuronal injury associated with perineural inflammation in each treatment group and was classified as none or mild, intermediate or severe. Administration of both LAs resulted in a significant decrease in the total number of myelinated fibers per nerve (95% CI for group difference: Bupivacaine, P=0.001, DEX-Bupivacaine, P=0.036) compared to the saline control group. Animals that received these perineural local anesthetics (LAs) injections showed increased severity of injury compared to the control group. Animals in the DEX-Bupivacaine group had higher perineural inflammation and nerve damage than those of the saline control group and less than those of the Bupivacaine group at day 14 post-injection. Quantitatively, average total nerve fiber per nerve and average myelinated nerve fiber density in the injured region of the Bupivacaine-treated group was less than that of the DEX-Bupivacaine-treated group. LAs injection into the nerve causes peripheral nerve damage and remains an important clinical danger. Bupivacaine is associated with considerable histopathological changes, including edema of the perineurium and myelin degeneration with Wallerian degeneration, when injected perineurally. Perineural DEX added to a clinical concentration of bupivacaine attenuates the Bupivacaine-induced injuries. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Cybersecurity threats to satellite communications: Towards a typology of state actor responses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Housen-Couriel, Deborah

2016-11-01

Cybersecurity threats to satellite communications are a relatively new phenomenon, yet have quickly come to the forefront of concern for the sustainability of satellite systems due to the vulnerabilities that such threats may exploit and negatively impact. These vulnerabilities are mission-critical: they include launch systems, communications, telemetry, tracking and command, and mission completion. They and other aspects of satellite communications depend heavily on secure and resilient cyber capabilities for all stages of the satellite's lifespan. Because of the inherently global nature of both satellite and cyberspace activities, these capabilities rely significantly on international cooperation for setting a baseline of agreed legal norms that protect satellites and satellite communications. This critical cooperation is relevant during all mission phases, from planning to final wrap-up. Under optimal circumstances, the norms and standards protecting satellites and satellite transmissions are developed and enforced by those nation-state actors that are committed to system operability and overall mission sustainability for those satellites launched under their aegis and responsibility. However, when breaches of international law do occur in the form of hostile cyber events that cause damage to satellite communications, a range of measures should be available to the victim state, provided by the appropriate legal regime or regimes. This article proposes that a comprehensive and integrative multi-stakeholder review be undertaken in the near future of the measures available under international law for responding to hostile acts directed at satellite systems and communications, in a manner that takes into account both existing regimes of international law reviewed herein, as well as considerations of cybersecurity. These measures will depend upon the characterization of hostile interference with satellite transmissions in accordance with a proposed typology of hostile events. At present, four key normative international law regimes influence the types of measures that may be undertaken by states: the UN Charter's collective security regime; space law (governing the launching of objects and their space activities, including liability for damages); global telecommunications law (governing data transmissions and protection of infrastructures); and the substantive law relating to transborder freedom of information. Moreover, the nascent normative framework that will eventually apply to state and non-state activities in cyberspace will also be relevant to satellite communications, although it has been largely excluded from analyses and studies. In summary, this article proposes a typology of hostile events, both kinetic and cyber-enabled, that are liable to disrupt satellite communications; and it reviews the four key relevant legal regimes and notes the challenges of nascent cybersecurity law on the international plane. The article concludes by advocating for the establishment of a framework for effective elucidation of appropriate legal remedies at the international level in responding to kinetic, virtual and hybrid threats and hostile disruptions to satellite communications. ASAT of various types, including hostile interference with satellite transmissions, has also been treated as a critical issue in the context of the increasing militarization of space, as addressed under the auspices of the United Nations' Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). For example, in the 2013 Report of the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities (herein, "GGE") it was noted that the outer space environment is becoming "…increasingly congested, contested and competitive. In the context of international peace and security, there is growing concern that threats to vital space capabilities may increase during the next decade as a result of both natural and man-made hazards and the possible development of disruptive and destructive counterspace capabilities" [14].Ongoing work under the auspices of UN bodies and other intergovernmental organizations regarding the developing parameters of outer space governance has in recent years sharpened the understanding that a new, unified approach is needed [15]. The underlying assumption of this article is that international law has a key role to play in articulating these "rules of the road" for the activities of state actors relating to satellites, including the imposition of realistic and effective sanctions for those states that do not uphold and implement the applicable legal norms. Yet the additional and relatively unexplored issue of the application of international law to state activities in cyberspace is a relevant legal consideration that also needs to be weighed in evaluating the range of possible state responses to hostile disruption of satellite communications. This consideration is largely absent from existing intergovernmental initiatives regarding outer space governance [16]. Thus, the incorporation of cybersecurity considerations will be an important element of the analysis of harmful interference to satellite transmissions in light of the four regimes reviewed below. Thus, space law imposes upon states the responsibility for actions carried out by satellites under their jurisdiction and control, and duly attributable to them under international law. These actions may include physical damage caused by the creation of space debris that inflicts physical harm to other satellites.The full regime establishing responsibility and stipulating damages is set out in the Liability Convention, which elaborates on OST Article VII. The degree of liability incurred under particular circumstances is stipulated in the Liability Convention's Articles II through VI. For instance, Article II establishes absolute liability "for damage caused by [the launching state's] space object on the surface of the earth or to aircraft flight" [38]. This liability requires, for example, payment of compensation to the injured state when certain criteria have been met. In outer space, state liability must be established in accordance with the provisions of Liability Convention Articles II and IV. For these purposes, "damage" is defined as: "… [the] loss of life, personal injury or other impairment of health; or loss of or damage to property of States or of persons, natural or juridical, or property of international intergovernmental organizations" [39].There remains an open question of the applicability of the Liability Convention to satellite transmissions that are subject to hostile disruption through solely virtual means. A recent Draft Report of the Chair of the COPOUS Working Group on the Status and Application of the Five United Nations Treaties on Outer Space raised the question of expanding the scope of states' international responsibility and liability under this Convention [40]. The European Union's 2014 Draft Code of Conduct also formulates a broad approach, advocating "…the freedom for all States, in accordance with international law and obligations, to access, to explore, and to use outer space for peaceful purposes without harmful interference, fully respecting the security, safety and integrity of space objects…" [41]. It specifically endorses improving states' adherence to, and implementation of, ITU regulations addressing harmful radio-frequency interference [42].It is proposed here that a reasonable interpretation of Article VII might also include damage caused virtually by hostile disruption to satellite transmissions, whether by space debris or otherwise [43]. The Convention's concept of "loss or damage to property" would entail a determination that transmissions and the data they transmit constitute the "property" of a state or private entity the activity of which is attributable to a state. It is contended that this is not an unreasonable extension of the scope of the Convention, especially given the high commercial and financial value of many such transmissions. There is also precedent for such an approach, as in the application of the WIPO Convention to satellite transmissions, which it views as assets capable of bearing proprietary rights [44]. Moreover, commercial satellite operators and satellite consortia, such as International Maritime Satellite Organization (IMSO), are bound to provisions within their conventional regimes that require compensation when client transmissions are interrupted, distorted or otherwise damaged [45].In summary, the application of space law to the disruption of satellite transmissions may be characterized as follows. The determinative point of departure for space law is general international law, including the UN Charter and its regime of collective security. Although states may not claim sovereignty over particular territories in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, satellites do remain under the sovereignty and the responsibility of the launching state or states. These legal principles are established in the OST, which also provides (together with the Liability Convention) for the liability of states for damage caused by satellites throughout the satellite's life span. In this author's view, the definition of "damage", crucial to the application of the Liability Convention, may be understood to include injuries caused by either kinetic or virtual means, including damage caused through and in cyberspace. More controversial is the question of whether satellite transmissions may be considered "property" under the Liability Convention, together with the applicable commercial satellite agreement, and are covered by its provisions. It is proposed that certain satellite transmissions are in fact subject to the Liability Convention as "property" and are protected by its provisions. Nonetheless, state practice regarding the issue is currently lacking, as it is, to a lesser degree, regarding liability for the clearer case of physical damage to satellites [46].

Indoor Tanning within UK Young Adults: An Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour Approach.

PubMed

Dodd, Lorna J; Forshaw, Mark J; Williams, Stella

2013-01-01

The indoor tanning industry poses a long-term public health risk. Despite the adverse health effects, indoor tanning seems to be gaining considerable popularity. The study examined indoor tanning intentions and behaviour within UK young adults using an extended theory of planned behaviour model, which included variables on "appearance reasons to tan," "perceived susceptibility to damaging appearance," "perceived susceptibility to health consequences," and "tanning knowledge." The model was successful in predicting indoor tanning intentions and behaviour (explained 17% and 71%, resp.). An interesting outcome was the magnitude of the variable "appearance reasons to tan." A current tanned appearance therefore seemed to outweigh any adverse future appearance or health consequences caused by indoor tanning. Appearance-focused interventions to reduce such behaviour may now prove to be efficacious within a UK sample.

The street as an area of human exposure in an earthquake aftermath: the case of Lorca, Spain, 2011

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertran Rojo, Marc; Beck, Elise; Lutoff, Céline

2017-04-01

The earthquake which struck the city of Lorca, Spain, on 11 May 2011 killed 9 people, injured over 300 and caused considerable damage, including one collapsed building. Streets near buildings were the main danger areas for people. This article proposes an dynamic ad hoc spatio-temporal method for studying individual evacuation after an earthquake. Its application to the Lorca case shows the spatial and temporal variability of individual exposure levels in the street during the hours following the shock. As yet little studied, human exposure deserves more attention, particularly in zones of moderate seismicity like the Euro-Mediterranean area. The results of this study could be helpful for enhancing the evacuation planning after an earthquake, stressing the specific dangers in the street.

Clostridium difficile virulence factors: Insights into an anaerobic spore-forming pathogen.

PubMed

Awad, Milena M; Johanesen, Priscilla A; Carter, Glen P; Rose, Edward; Lyras, Dena

2014-01-01

The worldwide emergence of epidemic strains of Clostridium difficile linked to increased disease severity and mortality has resulted in greater research efforts toward determining the virulence factors and pathogenesis mechanisms used by this organism to cause disease. C. difficile is an opportunist pathogen that employs many factors to infect and damage the host, often with devastating consequences. This review will focus on the role of the 2 major virulence factors, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB), as well as the role of other putative virulence factors, such as binary toxin, in C. difficile-mediated infection. Consideration is given to the importance of spores in both the initiation of disease and disease recurrence and also to the role that surface proteins play in host interactions.

Clostridium difficile virulence factors: Insights into an anaerobic spore-forming pathogen

PubMed Central

Awad, Milena M; Johanesen, Priscilla A; Carter, Glen P; Rose, Edward; Lyras, Dena

2014-01-01

The worldwide emergence of epidemic strains of Clostridium difficile linked to increased disease severity and mortality has resulted in greater research efforts toward determining the virulence factors and pathogenesis mechanisms used by this organism to cause disease. C. difficile is an opportunist pathogen that employs many factors to infect and damage the host, often with devastating consequences. This review will focus on the role of the 2 major virulence factors, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB), as well as the role of other putative virulence factors, such as binary toxin, in C. difficile-mediated infection. Consideration is given to the importance of spores in both the initiation of disease and disease recurrence and also to the role that surface proteins play in host interactions. PMID:25483328

Quantifying the Influence of Lightning Strike Pressure Loading on Composite Specimen Damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foster, P.; Abdelal, G.; Murphy, A.

2018-04-01

Experimental work has shown that a component of lightning strike damage is caused by a mechanical loading. As the profile of the pressure loading is unknown a number of authors propose different pressure loads, varying in form, application area and magnitude. The objective of this paper is to investigate the potential contribution of pressure loading to composite specimen damage. This is achieved through a simulation study using an established modelling approach for composite damage prediction. The study examines the proposed shockwave loads from the literature. The simulation results are compared with measured test specimen damage examining the form and scale of damage. The results for the first time quantify the significance of pressure loading, demonstrating that although a pressure load can cause damage consistent with that measured experimentally, it has a negligible contribution to the overall scale of damage. Moreover the requirements for a pressure to create the damage behaviours typically witnessed in testing requires that the pressure load be within a very precise window of magnitude and loading area.

Chapter C. The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989 - Landslides

USGS Publications Warehouse

Keefer, David K.

1998-01-01

Central California, in the vicinity of San Francisco and Monterey Bays, has a history of fatal and damaging landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall, coastal and stream erosion, construction activity, and earthquakes. The great 1906 San Francisco earthquake (MS=8.2-8.3) generated more than 10,000 landslides throughout an area of 32,000 km2; these landslides killed at least 11 people and caused substantial damage to buildings, roads, railroads, and other civil works. Smaller numbers of landslides, which caused more localized damage, have also been reported from at least 20 other earthquakes that have occurred in the San Francisco Bay-Monterey Bay region since 1838. Conditions that make this region particularly susceptible to landslides include steep and rugged topography, weak rock and soil materials, seasonally heavy rainfall, and active seismicity. Given these conditions and history, it was no surprise that the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake generated thousands of landslides throughout the region. Landslides caused one fatality and damaged at least 200 residences, numerous roads, and many other structures. Direct damage from landslides probably exceeded $30 million; additional, indirect economic losses were caused by long-term landslide blockage of two major highways and by delays in rebuilding brought about by concern over the potential long-term instability of some earthquake-damaged slopes.

The Mechanism of Anaphylaxis: Specificity of Antigen-Induced Mast Cell Damage in Anaphylaxis in the Guinea Pig

PubMed Central

Humphrey, J. H.; Mota, I.

1959-01-01

Mast cell damage, characterized by loss of granules, occurs when the tissues of sensitized guinea pigs are brought into contact with antigen in vivo or in vitro. Quantitative studies on the mesenteries of passively sensitized guinea pigs show that the mast cell response to antigen is well correlated with the development of anaphylactic shock. After multiple sensitization contact with different antigens caused cumulative, but not complete, disappearance of mast cells. Antigen-antibody interactions, in which antisera were from species which do not sensitize guinea pigs passively for anaphylaxis, did not cause mast cell damage. Reversed passive anaphylaxis and mast cell damage were elicited when the antigen was a suitable γ-globulin, but not an albumin. Antiserum against homologous γ-globulin causes typical anaphylaxis and mast cell degranulation, whereas antiserum against Forssman antigen causes capillary damage without mast cell changes, and antiserum against homologous albumin is ineffective. These findings can be explained by the hypothesis that mast cell damage occurs as a result of antigen-antibody interaction, when one of the reagents is reversibly adsorbed at the mast cell surface, and when they are together capable of activating some process or agent whose further action depends upon the metabolic integrity of the cells. PMID:13640678

Responses of CO2 Fluxes to Arctic Browning Events in a Range of High Latitude, Shrub-Dominated Ecosystems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phoenix, G. K.; Treharne, R.; Emberson, L.; Tømmervik, H. A.; Bjerke, J. W.

2017-12-01

Climatic and biotic extreme events can result in considerable damage to arctic vegetation, often at landscape and larger scale. These acute events therefore contribute to the browning observed in some arctic regions. It is of considerable concern, therefore, that such extreme events are increasing in frequency as part of climate change. However, despite the increasing importance of browning events, and the considerable impact they can have on ecosystems, to date there is little understanding of their impacts on ecosystem carbon fluxes. To address this, the impacts of a number of different, commonly occurring, extreme events and their subsequent browning (vegetation damage) on key ecosystem CO2 fluxes were assessed during the growing season at a range of event damaged sites of shrub dominated vegetation. Sites were located from the boreal to High Arctic (64˚N-79˚N) and had been previously been damaged by events of frost-drought, extreme winter warming, ground icing and caterpillar (Epirrita autumnata) outbreaks. Plot-level CO2 fluxes of Ecosystem Exchange (NEE), Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) and Ecosystem Respiration (Reco) were assessed using vegetation chambers. At a sub-set of sites, NDVI (greenness) in flux plots was also assessed by hand-held proximal sensor, allowing the relationship between NDVI of damage plots to CO2 flux to be calculated. Despite the contrasting sites and drivers, damage had consistent, major impacts on all fluxes. All sites showed reductions in GPP and NEE with increasing damage, despite efflux from Reco also declining with damage. When scaled to site-level, reductions of up to 81% of NEE, 51% of GPP and 37% of Reco were observed. In the plot-level NDVI-flux relationship, NDVI was shown to explain up to 91% of variation in GPP, and therefore supports the use of NDVI for estimating changes in ecosystem CO2 flux at larger scales in regions where browning has been driven by extreme events. This work is the first attempt to quantify the impacts of different event drivers of arctic browning on the main ecosystem CO2 fluxes at a range of sites. These insights provide an important step towards incorporating extreme events into our understanding of how ecosystem CO2 balance at high latitudes will respond to continuing climate change.

TDP1 repairs nuclear and mitochondrial DNA damage induced by chain-terminating anticancer and antiviral nucleoside analogs

PubMed Central

Huang, Shar-yin N.; Murai, Junko; Dalla Rosa, Ilaria; Dexheimer, Thomas S.; Naumova, Alena; Gmeiner, William H.; Pommier, Yves

2013-01-01

Chain-terminating nucleoside analogs (CTNAs) that cause stalling or premature termination of DNA replication forks are widely used as anticancer and antiviral drugs. However, it is not well understood how cells repair the DNA damage induced by these drugs. Here, we reveal the importance of tyrosyl–DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) in the repair of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA damage induced by CTNAs. On investigating the effects of four CTNAs—acyclovir (ACV), cytarabine (Ara-C), zidovudine (AZT) and zalcitabine (ddC)—we show that TDP1 is capable of removing the covalently linked corresponding CTNAs from DNA 3′-ends. We also show that Tdp1−/− cells are hypersensitive and accumulate more DNA damage when treated with ACV and Ara-C, implicating TDP1 in repairing CTNA-induced DNA damage. As AZT and ddC are known to cause mitochondrial dysfunction, we examined whether TDP1 repairs the mitochondrial DNA damage they induced. We find that AZT and ddC treatment leads to greater depletion of mitochondrial DNA in Tdp1−/− cells. Thus, TDP1 seems to be critical for repairing nuclear and mitochondrial DNA damage caused by CTNAs. PMID:23775789

Autophagy activation promotes removal of damaged mitochondria and protects against renal tubular injury induced by albumin overload.

PubMed

Tan, Jin; Wang, Miaohong; Song, Shuling; Miao, Yuyang; Zhang, Qiang

2018-01-10

Proteinuria (albuminuria) is an important cause of aggravating tubulointerstitial injury. Previous studies have shown that autophagy activation can alleviate renal tubular epithelial cell injury caused by urinary protein, but the mechanism is not clear. Here, we investigated the role of clearance of damaged mitochondria in this protective effect. We found that albumin overload induces a significant increase in turnover of LC3-II and decrease in p62 protein level in renal proximal tubular (HK-2) cells in vitro. Albumin overload also induces an increase in mitochondrial damage. ALC, a mitochondrial torpent, alleviates mitochondrial damage induced by albumin overload and also decreases autophagy, while mitochondrial damage revulsant CCCP further increases autophagy. Furthermore, pretreatment of HK-2 cells with rapamycin reduced the amount of damaged mitochondria and the level of apoptosis induced by albumin overload. In contrast, blocking autophagy with chloroquine exerted an opposite effect. Taken together, our results indicated autophagy activation promotes removal of damaged mitochondria and protects against renal tubular injury caused by albumin overload. This further confirms previous research that autophagy activation is an adaptive response in renal tubular epithelial cells after urinary protein overload.

Tensile strength of composite sheets with unidirectional stringers and crack-like damage: A brief report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poe, C. C., Jr.

1984-01-01

The residual strength of composite sheets with bonded composite stringers loaded in tension was determined. The results are summarized. About 50 graphite/epoxy composite panels with crack-like slots were monotonically loaded in tension to failure. Both sheet layup and stringer configuration were varied. The composite panels have considerable damage tolerance. The stringers arrested cracks that ran from the crack-like slots, and the residual strengths were considerably greater than those of unstiffened composite sheets. A stress-intensity factor analysis was developed to predict the failing strains of the stiffened panels. Using the analysis, a single design curve was produced for composite sheets with bonded stringers of any configuration.

Damage in the town of Miahuatlan by Oaxaca earthquake of September 30, 1999

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cuenca, J.; Bernal, I.

2007-05-01

Instituto de Ingeniería Coordinación de Ingeniería Sismológica Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México jccsa@pumas.ingen.unam.mx On September 30, 1999 (11:31 local time) a 7.4-magnitude earthquake occurred along the coast of the southern state of Oaxaca (by its proximity called Puerto Escondido earthquake) resulting of subduction of the Cocos plate under the North American continental plate. Reported fatalities 30 people and much more injured. The intense movement felt by people in Mexico City with great scare, caused considerable damage in churches of Oaxaca, as religious representative monuments. Its behavior was some stronger and better earthquake resistant characteristics. Very much houses made of adobe widely used in a poorest state were damaged. Many heavy parapets fell over the street. From 440 km to Mexico City (with light damage) was registered maximum horizontal acceleration of 28 cm/s2, also near to 137 km from the epicenter with 196 cm/s2 on Oaxaca City, were the damage was concentrated, with more than 260 historical building. Constructions moderns were not damaged. To south of Oaxaca the rural town of Miahuatlan was damaged in your adobe houses and some of them destroyed with wood roofs supporting clay tiles, your principal church suffer the collapse of the tower in the side left and some failures in the interior of this church. The fallen superior part of its left tower was projected toward the left side and the other tower of right side not collapsed. Crack in the walls bordering the base of the towers (over the ceiling) as a form of stresses acting along to small walls with cracks in X form (showing effects in this walls to the action of inverted pendulum), as indication of the movement on the four directions. Also was observed some cracks in the small arcs of the towers and in a very high parapet upon of the entrance in the upper in the front of the church without cracks or collapse. It is showed much of the failure in adobe houses characteristic from damage for earthquake. Others adobe houses reinforce in your base not suffered damage due to this and wide walls.

20 CFR 670.900 - Are damages caused by students eligible for reimbursement under the Tort Claims Act?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THE JOB CORPS UNDER TITLE I OF THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT Administrative and Management Provisions § 670.900 Are damages caused by students eligible for reimbursement under...

Bactericidal catechins damage the lipid bilayer.

PubMed

Ikigai, H; Nakae, T; Hara, Y; Shimamura, T

1993-04-08

The mode of antibacterial action of, the green tea (Camellia sinensis) extracts, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) and (-)-epicatechin (EC) was investigated. Strong bactericidal EGCg caused leakage of 5,6-carboxyfluorescein from phosphatidylcholine liposomes (PC), but EC with very weak bactericidal activity caused little damage to the membrane. Phosphatidylserine and dicetyl phosphate partially protected the membrane from EGCg-mediated damage when reconstituted into the liposome membrane with PC. EGCg, but not EC, caused strong aggregation and NPN-fluorescence quenching of PC-liposomes and these actions were markedly lowered in the presence of negatively charged lipids. These results show that bactericidal catechins primarily act on and damage bacterial membranes. The observation that Gram-negative bacteria are more resistant to bactericidal catechins than Gram-positive bacteria can be explained to some extent by the presence of negatively charged lipopolysaccharide.

Sun Exposure

MedlinePlus

... pass through your skin and damage your skin cells. Sunburns are a sign of skin damage. Suntans ... after the sun's rays have already killed some cells and damaged others. UV rays can cause skin ...

Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Diseases

PubMed Central

Singh, Gyanesh; Pachouri, U C; Khaidem, Devika Chanu; Kundu, Aman; Chopra, Chirag; Singh, Pushplata

2015-01-01

Various endogenous and environmental factors can cause mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage.  One of the reasons for enhanced mtDNA damage could be its proximity to the source of oxidants, and lack of histone-like protective proteins. Moreover, mitochondria contain inadequate DNA repair pathways, and, diminished DNA repair capacity may be one of the factors responsible for high mutation frequency of the mtDNA. mtDNA damage might cause impaired mitochondrial function, and, unrepaired mtDNA damage has been frequently linked with several diseases. Exploration of mitochondrial perspective of diseases might lead to a better understanding of several diseases, and will certainly open new avenues for detection, cure, and prevention of ailments. PMID:27508052

Autophagy sequesters damaged lysosomes to control lysosomal biogenesis and kidney injury

PubMed Central

Maejima, Ikuko; Takahashi, Atsushi; Omori, Hiroko; Kimura, Tomonori; Takabatake, Yoshitsugu; Saitoh, Tatsuya; Yamamoto, Akitsugu; Hamasaki, Maho; Noda, Takeshi; Isaka, Yoshitaka; Yoshimori, Tamotsu

2013-01-01

Diverse causes, including pathogenic invasion or the uptake of mineral crystals such as silica and monosodium urate (MSU), threaten cells with lysosomal rupture, which can lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis or necrosis. Here, we demonstrate that lysosomes are selectively sequestered by autophagy, when damaged by MSU, silica, or the lysosomotropic reagent L-Leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester (LLOMe). Autophagic machinery is recruited only on damaged lysosomes, which are then engulfed by autophagosomes. In an autophagy-dependent manner, low pH and degradation capacity of damaged lysosomes are recovered. Under conditions of lysosomal damage, loss of autophagy causes inhibition of lysosomal biogenesis in vitro and deterioration of acute kidney injury in vivo. Thus, we propose that sequestration of damaged lysosomes by autophagy is indispensable for cellular and tissue homeostasis. PMID:23921551

Autophagy sequesters damaged lysosomes to control lysosomal biogenesis and kidney injury.

PubMed

Maejima, Ikuko; Takahashi, Atsushi; Omori, Hiroko; Kimura, Tomonori; Takabatake, Yoshitsugu; Saitoh, Tatsuya; Yamamoto, Akitsugu; Hamasaki, Maho; Noda, Takeshi; Isaka, Yoshitaka; Yoshimori, Tamotsu

2013-08-28

Diverse causes, including pathogenic invasion or the uptake of mineral crystals such as silica and monosodium urate (MSU), threaten cells with lysosomal rupture, which can lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis or necrosis. Here, we demonstrate that lysosomes are selectively sequestered by autophagy, when damaged by MSU, silica, or the lysosomotropic reagent L-Leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester (LLOMe). Autophagic machinery is recruited only on damaged lysosomes, which are then engulfed by autophagosomes. In an autophagy-dependent manner, low pH and degradation capacity of damaged lysosomes are recovered. Under conditions of lysosomal damage, loss of autophagy causes inhibition of lysosomal biogenesis in vitro and deterioration of acute kidney injury in vivo. Thus, we propose that sequestration of damaged lysosomes by autophagy is indispensable for cellular and tissue homeostasis.

Runoff inundation hazard cartography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pineux, N.; Degré, A.

2012-04-01

Between 1998 and 2004, Europe suffered from more than hundred major inundations, responsible for some 700 deaths, for the moving of about half a million of people and the economic losses of at least 25 billions Euros covered by the insurance policies. Within this context, EU launched the 2007/60/CE directive. The inundations are natural phenomenon. They cannot be avoided. Nevertheless this directive permits to better evaluate the risks and to coordinate the management measures taken at member states level. In most countries, inundation maps only include rivers' overflowing. In Wallonia, overland flows and mudflows also cause huge damages, and must be included in the flood hazard map. Indeed, the cleaning operations for a village can lead to an estimated cost of 11 000 €. Average construction cost of retention dams to control off-site damage caused by floods and muddy flows was valued at 380 000€, and yearly dredging costs associated with these retention ponds at 15 000€. For a small city for which a study was done in a more specific way (Gembloux), the mean annual cost for the damages that can generate the runoff is about 20 000€. This cost consists of the physical damages caused to the real estate and movable properties of the residents as well as the emergency operations of the firemen and the city. On top of damages to public infrastructure (clogging of trenches, silting up of retention ponds) and to private property by muddy flows, runoff generates a significant loss of arable land. Yet, the soil resource is not an unlimited commodity. Moreover, sediments' transfer to watercourses alters their physical and chemical quality. And that is not to mention the increased psychological stress for people. But to map overland flood and mud flow hazard is a real challenge. This poster will present the methodology used to in Wallonia. The methodology is based on 3 project rainfalls: 25, 50 and 100 years return period (consistency with the cartography of the overflowing hazard map), with a rain duration set at 1h. The arable lands are considered as bare, except for the permanent meadows. The worst situation is envisaged, the hydrologic effect of the soil cover in the farming area being variable from a year to another according to the vegetative development and to the cultural operations. The peak discharge is chosen as the more critic parameter because it synthesizes the watershed propensity to stream, its size, and its flow network. The cartographic representation is done in a linear way along the concentrated runoff axes. Whereas this first approach at regional scale includes uncertainties, the aim of this map is currently to prompt consideration of the runoff inundation hazard during the design of urban development projects.

Protective role of integrin-linked kinase against oxidative stress and in maintenance of genomic integrity

PubMed Central

Im, Michelle; Dagnino, Lina

2018-01-01

The balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and activation of antioxidant pathways is essential to maintain a normal redox state in all tissues. Oxidative stress caused by excessive oxidant species generation can cause damage to DNA and other macromolecules, affecting cell function and viability. Here we show that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) plays a key role in eliciting a protective response to oxidative damage in epidermal cells. Inactivation of the Ilk gene causes elevated levels of intracellular oxidant species (IOS) and DNA damage in the absence of exogenous oxidative insults. In ILK-deficient cells, excessive IOS production can be prevented through inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity, with a concomitant reduction in DNA damage. Additionally, ILK is necessary for DNA repair processes following UVB-induced damage, as ILK-deficient cells show a significantly impaired ability to remove cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers following irradiation. Thus, ILK is essential to maintain cellular redox balance and, in its absence, epidermal cells become more susceptible to oxidative damage through mechanisms that involve IOS production by NADPH oxidase activity. PMID:29568383

Protective role of integrin-linked kinase against oxidative stress and in maintenance of genomic integrity.

PubMed

Im, Michelle; Dagnino, Lina

2018-03-02

The balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and activation of antioxidant pathways is essential to maintain a normal redox state in all tissues. Oxidative stress caused by excessive oxidant species generation can cause damage to DNA and other macromolecules, affecting cell function and viability. Here we show that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) plays a key role in eliciting a protective response to oxidative damage in epidermal cells. Inactivation of the Ilk gene causes elevated levels of intracellular oxidant species (IOS) and DNA damage in the absence of exogenous oxidative insults. In ILK-deficient cells, excessive IOS production can be prevented through inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity, with a concomitant reduction in DNA damage. Additionally, ILK is necessary for DNA repair processes following UVB-induced damage, as ILK-deficient cells show a significantly impaired ability to remove cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers following irradiation. Thus, ILK is essential to maintain cellular redox balance and, in its absence, epidermal cells become more susceptible to oxidative damage through mechanisms that involve IOS production by NADPH oxidase activity.

Population structure of Cercospora sojina collected from different soybean culitvars in Milan and Jackson Tennessee

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Frogeye Leaf Spot (FLS) of soybean is caused by the fungal pathogen, Cercospora sojina Hara. FLS causes significant damage resulting in a yield loss of 4 to 6 Bu/Acre, mostly in the Southern U.S. Since its first report in South Carolina in 1924 it has caused significant damage resulting in a yield ...

Experimental Investigations on Effect of Damage on Vibration Characteristics of a Reinforced Concrete Beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivas, V.; Jeyasehar, C. Antony; Ramanjaneyulu, K.; Sasmal, Saptarshi

2012-02-01

Need for developing efficient non-destructive damage assessment procedures for civil engineering structures is growing rapidly towards structural health assessment and management of existing structures. Damage assessment of structures by monitoring changes in the dynamic properties or response of the structure has received considerable attention in recent years. In the present study, damage assessment studies have been carried out on a reinforced concrete beam by evaluating the changes in vibration characteristics with the changes in damage levels. Structural damage is introduced by static load applied through a hydraulic jack. After each stage of damage, vibration testing is performed and system parameters were evaluated from the measured acceleration and displacement responses. Reduction in fundamental frequencies in first three modes is observed for different levels of damage. It is found that a consistent decrease in fundamental frequency with increase in damage magnitude is noted. The beam is numerically simulated and found that the vibration characteristics obtained from the measured data are in close agreement with the numerical data.

Experimental Verification of a Progressive Damage Model for IM7/5260 Laminates Subjected to Tension-Tension Fatigue

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coats, Timothy W.; Harris, Charles E.

1995-01-01

The durability and damage tolerance of laminated composites are critical design considerations for airframe composite structures. Therefore, the ability to model damage initiation and growth and predict the life of laminated composites is necessary to achieve structurally efficient and economical designs. The purpose of this research is to experimentally verify the application of a continuum damage model to predict progressive damage development in a toughened material system. Damage due to monotonic and tension-tension fatigue was documented for IM7/5260 graphite/bismaleimide laminates. Crack density and delamination surface area were used to calculate matrix cracking and delamination internal state variables to predict stiffness loss in unnotched laminates. A damage dependent finite element code predicted the stiffness loss for notched laminates with good agreement to experimental data. It was concluded that the continuum damage model can adequately predict matrix damage progression in notched and unnotched laminates as a function of loading history and laminate stacking sequence.

Investigation of the effects of sliding on wheel tread damage

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-11-05

Wheel tread spalling is the main source of damage to wheel treads and : a primary cause for wheel removals from service. Severe frictional : heating of the wheel-rail contact patch during sliding causes the : formation of martensite, a hard, brittle ...

Quorum sensing signal molecules produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa cause inflammation and escape host factors in murine model of urinary tract infection.

PubMed

Gupta, Parul; Gupta, Ravi Kumar; Harjai, Kusum

2013-10-01

Quorum sensing (QS) is well established for its role in pathogenesis of various infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, its role in local tissue damage during urinary tract infection (UTI) is not yet fully established. To have insight in this, the present study was planned. UTI was established in mice using standard strain PAO1 and its isogenic QS mutant JP2. One group was challenged only with QS signals. Damage was assessed in terms of histopathology and pathology markers, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI). Effect on pathogen motility, uroepithelial adhesion, and host serum sensitivity was also ascertained. PAO1-infected mice showed severe inflammation and tissue destruction, while mice infected with JP2 showed no significant destruction. JP2 was also unable to mount any tissue pathology markers, MDA and RNI, whereas PAO1 showed significantly higher levels of these two. Presence of only QS signals also showed considerable renal pathology. Strain JP2 also showed less motility, reduced uroepithelial cell adhesion, and increased serum sensitivity. Result highlights that QS signals induce local tissue pathology along with interference of host protective mechanisms during UTI.

Limited mouth opening in oral submucous fibrosis: reasons, ramifications, and remedies.

PubMed

Sharma, Mohit; Radhakrishnan, Raghu

2017-07-01

Limited mouth opening (LMO) in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) has been attributed to both the submucosal and muscle fibrosis (MF). While reflectory trismus was proposed before as an auxiliary mechanism by another group, the stretch-mediated muscle damage (MSD), histopathological changes in blood vessels (such as endothelial dysfunction, endothelial hypertrophy, and endarteritis obliterans), and upregulated anaerobic isoforms of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have been proposed by us as complementary events leading to MF. Additionally, the amount of hypoxia-mediated upregulation of anaerobic isoforms of LDH determines the extent of MF. Radiotherapy (RT)-mediated release of reactive oxygen species causes vascular damage thereby worsening hypoxia. While the alteration in LDH levels secondary to hypoxia enhances fibrosis, RT worsens it. Oral squamous cell carcinoma occurring in the background of OSF is an absolute contraindication for RT as it augurs unfavorable prognosis. An algorithm to demonstrate this with evidence is clearly depicted. The role of HIF-1α in the progression of OSF and its malignant transformation, and the consideration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a therapeutic remedy in OSF are underscored. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Implications of troponin testing in clinical medicine

PubMed Central

Goldmann, Britta U; Christenson, Robert H; Hamm, Christian W; Meinertz, Thomas; Ohman, E Magnus

2001-01-01

During the past decade considerable research has been conducted into the use of cardiac troponins, their diagnostic capability and their potential to allow risk stratification in patients with acute chest pain. Determination of risk in patients with suspected myocardial ischaemia is known to be as important as retrospective confirmation of a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, creatine kinase (CK)-MB - the former 'gold standard' in detecting myocardial necrosis - has been supplanted by new, more accurate biomarkers.Measurement of cardiac troponin levels constitute a substantial determinant in assessment of ischaemic heart disease, the presentations of which range from silent ischaemia to acute MI. Under these conditions, troponin release is regarded as surrogate marker of thrombus formation and peripheral embolization, and therefore new therapeutic strategies are focusing on potent antithrombotic regimens to improve long-term outcomes. Although elevated troponin levels are highly sensitive and specific indicators of myocardial damage, they are not always reflective of acute ischaemic coronary artery disease; other processes have been identified that cause elevations in these biomarkers. However, because prognosis appears to be related to the presence of troponins regardless of the mechanism of myocardial damage, clinicians increasingly rely on troponin assays when formulating individual therapeutic plans. PMID:11806777

Memorialization, Graffiti and Artifact Movement: A Case Study of Cultural Impacts on WWII Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKinnon, Jennifer F.

2015-04-01

Cultural tourism in the Pacific has always offered an underwater option for those who snorkel or are certified to dive. In addition to the coral reefs and marine life, World War II (WWII) shipwrecks, aircraft wrecks and other submerged vehicles draw hundreds of tourists to the Pacific each year. While it is encouraging that so many are interested in the cultural heritage of battlefields, these same visitors can cause considerable amounts of damage. This paper presents a case study of cultural impacts on submerged WWII sites in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) where diving heritage tourism is a growing industry. Cultural impacts in the CNMI include a diverse range of direct and indirect impacts including vandalism, the act of memorialization, looting and collecting souvenirs, anchor and mooring damage, and moving artifacts. What is often viewed as detrimental cultural impacts by archaeologists and managers can also be examined as behavior that reflects various stakeholders' values and attitudes towards heritage sites. As such, these behaviors can and should be examined and considered concurrently during research and management discussions.

Results From a Channel Restoration Project: Hydraulic Design Considerations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Karle, K.F.; Densmore, R.V.; ,

2001-01-01

Techniques for the hydraulic restoration of placer-mined streams and floodplains were developed in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. The two-year study at Glen Creek focused on a design of stream and floodplain geometry using hydraulic capacity and shear stress equations. Slope and sinuosity values were based on regional relationships. Design requirements included a channel capacity for a bankfull discharge and a floodplain capacity for a 1.5- to 100-year discharge. Several bio-engineering techniques using alder and willow, including anchored brush bars, streambank hedge layering, seedlings, and cuttings, were tested to dissipate floodwater energy and encourage sediment deposition until natural revegetation stabilized the new floodplains. Permanently monumented cross-sections installed throughout the project site were surveyed every one to three years. Nine years after the project began, a summer flood caused substantial damage to the channel form, including a change in width/depth ratio, slope, and thalweg location. Many of the alder brush bars were heavily damaged or destroyed, resulting in significant bank erosion. This paper reviews the original hydraulic design process, and describes changes to the channel and floodplain geometry over time, based on nine years of cross-section surveys.

Click chemistry for the conservation of cellular structures and fluorescent proteins: ClickOx.

PubMed

Löschberger, Anna; Niehörster, Thomas; Sauer, Markus

2014-05-01

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydrogen peroxide, are known to cause structural damage not only in living, but also in fixed, cells. Copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (click chemistry) is known to produce ROS. Therefore, fluorescence imaging of cellular structures, such as the actin cytoskeleton, remains challenging when combined with click chemistry protocols. In addition, the production of ROS substantially weakens the fluorescence signal of fluorescent proteins. This led us to develop ClickOx, which is a new click chemistry protocol for improved conservation of the actin structure and better conservation of the fluorescence signal of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fusion proteins. Herein we demonstrate that efficient oxygen removal by addition of an enzymatic oxygen scavenger system (ClickOx) considerably reduces ROS-associated damage during labeling of nascent DNA with ATTO 488 azide by Cu(I)-catalyzed click chemistry. Standard confocal and super-resolution fluorescence images of phalloidin-labeled actin filaments and GFP/yellow fluorescent protein-labeled cells verify the conservation of the cytoskeleton microstructure and fluorescence intensity, respectively. Thus, ClickOx can be used advantageously for structure preservation in conventional and most notably in super-resolution microscopy methods. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Engine diagnostics program: CF6-50 engine performance deterioration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wulf, R. H.

1980-01-01

Cockpit cruise recordings and test cell data in conjunction with hardware inspection results from airline overhaul shops were analyzed to define the extent and magnitude of performance deterioration of the General Electric CF6-50 high bypass turbofan engine. The magnitude of short term deterioration was isolated from the long term, and the individual damage mechanisms that were the cause for the majority of the performance deterioration was identified. It was determined that the long term engine performance deterioration characteristics were different for the 3 aircraft types currently powered by the CF6-50 engine, but these differences were due to operational considerations (flight length and takeoff derate) and not to differences associated with the aircraft type. Unrestored losses, that is, performance deterioration which remains after engine refurbishment, represents over 70 percent of the total performance deterioration at engine shop visit. Superficial damage, such as, increased surface roughness, leading edge shape changes on airfoils, and increases in the average clearances between rotating and stationary components is the major contributor to these losses. Seventy one percent of the unrestored losses are cost effective to restore, and if implemented could reduce fuel consumed by CF6-50 engines by 26 million gallons in 1980.

Lightning damage to a general aviation aircraft: Description and analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hacker, P. T.

1974-01-01

The damage sustained by a Beechcraft King Air Model B90 aircraft by a single lightning discharge is presented and analyzed. The incident occurred during landing approach at Jackson, Michigan, on Feb. 19, 1971. In addition to the usual melted-metal damage at the lightning attachment points, there was severe implosion-type damage over a large area on the lower right side of the aircraft and impact- and crushing-type damage on the upper and lower surfaces on the left wingtip near the trailing edge. Analyses indicate that the implosion-type damage was probably caused by lightning-generated shock waves, that the impact-and crushing-type damage was caused by magnetic forces, and that the lightning discharge was a multiple strike with at least 11 strokes separated in time by about 4.5 milliseconds. The evidence indicates that the lightning discharge was rather different from the average in character severity.

Design considerations for composite fuselage structure of commercial transport aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, G. W.; Sakata, I. F.

1981-01-01

The structural, manufacturing, and service and environmental considerations that could impact the design of composite fuselage structure for commercial transport aircraft application were explored. The severity of these considerations was assessed and the principal design drivers delineated. Technical issues and potential problem areas which must be resolved before sufficient confidence is established to commit to composite materials were defined. The key issues considered are: definition of composite fuselage design specifications, damage tolerance, and crashworthiness.

Machine Learning Assessments of Soil Drying

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coopersmith, E. J.; Minsker, B. S.; Wenzel, C.; Gilmore, B. J.

2011-12-01

Agricultural activities require the use of heavy equipment and vehicles on unpaved farmlands. When soil conditions are wet, equipment can cause substantial damage, leaving deep ruts. In extreme cases, implements can sink and become mired, causing considerable delays and expense to extricate the equipment. Farm managers, who are often located remotely, cannot assess sites before allocating equipment, causing considerable difficulty in reliably assessing conditions of countless sites with any reliability and frequency. For example, farmers often trace serpentine paths of over one hundred miles each day to assess the overall status of various tracts of land spanning thirty, forty, or fifty miles in each direction. One means of assessing the moisture content of a field lies in the strategic positioning of remotely-monitored in situ sensors. Unfortunately, land owners are often reluctant to place sensors across their properties due to the significant monetary cost and complexity. This work aspires to overcome these limitations by modeling the process of wetting and drying statistically - remotely assessing field readiness using only information that is publically accessible. Such data includes Nexrad radar and state climate network sensors, as well as Twitter-based reports of field conditions for validation. Three algorithms, classification trees, k-nearest-neighbors, and boosted perceptrons are deployed to deliver statistical field readiness assessments of an agricultural site located in Urbana, IL. Two of the three algorithms performed with 92-94% accuracy, with the majority of misclassifications falling within the calculated margins of error. This demonstrates the feasibility of using a machine learning framework with only public data, knowledge of system memory from previous conditions, and statistical tools to assess "readiness" without the need for real-time, on-site physical observation. Future efforts will produce a workflow assimilating Nexrad, climate network, and Twitter data to generate a real-time web-map of estimated readiness conditions.

Histological alterations in gills of Macrobrachium amazonicum juveniles exposed to ammonia and nitrite.

PubMed

Dutra, Fabrício Martins; Rönnau, Milton; Sponchiado, Dircelei; Forneck, Sandra Carla; Freire, Carolina Arruda; Ballester, Eduardo Luis Cupertino

2017-06-01

Aquaculture has shown great growth in the last decades. Due to the restrictions on water use, production systems are becoming increasingly more intensive, raising concerns about the production water quality. Macrobrachium amazonicum is among the freshwater prawn species with favorable characteristics for production and possibility of intensification. Nitrogen compounds such as ammonia and nitrite affect the health of aquatic organisms since they quickly reach toxic concentrations. These compounds can also cause damage to the gill structure, leading to hypoxia in tissues, affecting acid-base balance, osmoregulation (salt absorption) and ammonia excretion, decreasing the immune capacity of the animal and, in extreme cases, cause death. The aim of this study was to assess histological changes in the gills of Macrobrachium amazonicum juveniles subjected to different concentrations of total ammonia and nitrite. The prawns were subjected to different concentrations of those compounds and their gills were removed and preserved for histological analysis. The gills were assessed for changes according to the Organ Index (I org ) and, for each change, an importance factor (w) was attributed according to the degree of reversibility and applied according to the degree of extension or frequency of the damage. The damage to the gills in the treatments with 100% mortality, both for ammonia and nitrite, corresponded to the high occurrence of progressive, regressive, circulatory, and inflammation damages. The other treatments (which caused less mortality) had mainly inflammation and regressive damages, whose occurrence increased according to the increase in ammonia and nitrite concentration. The histological analysis confirmed that the higher the total ammonia and nitrite concentrations, the larger the damages caused to the gill structure and that lower nitrite concentrations caused similar damages to those caused by higher total ammonia concentrations, which reflects the lower capacity M. amazonicum has to tolerate nitrite. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrolyte depletion in white-nose syndrome bats

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cryan, Paul M.; Meteyer, Carol Uphoff; Blehert, David S.; Lorch, Jeffrey M.; Reeder, DeeAnn M.; Turner, Gregory G.; Webb, Julie; Behr, Melissa; Verant, Michelle L.; Russell, Robin E.; Castle, Kevin T.

2013-01-01

The emerging wildlife disease white-nose syndrome is causing widespread mortality in hibernating North American bats. White-nose syndrome occurs when the fungus Geomyces destructans infects the living skin of bats during hibernation, but links between infection and mortality are underexplored. We analyzed blood from hibernating bats and compared blood electrolyte levels to wing damage caused by the fungus. Sodium and chloride tended to decrease as wing damage increased in severity. Depletion of these electrolytes suggests that infected bats may become hypotonically dehydrated during winter. Although bats regularly arouse from hibernation to drink during winter, water available in hibernacula may not contain sufficient electrolytes to offset winter losses caused by disease. Damage to bat wings from G. destructans may cause life-threatening electrolyte imbalances.

Predicting infestation levels of the nantucket pine tip moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) using pheromone traps

Treesearch

Christopher Asaro; C. Wayne Berisford

2001-01-01

There is considerable interest in using pheromone trap catches of the Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana (Conistock), to estimate or predict population density and damage. At six sites in the Georgia Piedmont, adult tip moths were monitored through one or more years using pheromone traps while population density and damage for each tip...

How damage to balsam fir develops after a spruce budworm epidemic

Treesearch

Thomas F. McLintock

1955-01-01

From 1948 to 1952 a light to medium spruce budworm infestation occurred in the spruce-fir forests of northern Maine. During this period both the degree of infestation and the acreage affected fluctuated considerably, but the population remained below the damage level. In 1953 there was a general reduction in budworm population in all portions of northern Maine except a...

Wind in the forests of southeast Alaska and guides for reducing damage.

Treesearch

A.S. Harris

1999-01-01

Alaska based on the literature and the author's experience. Storm winds resulting in damage to forest stands are described, and some ecological and management considerations of wind that are of concern to forest managers are reviewed. The author made a general reconnaissance of forest conditions on Prince of Wales Island and adjacent islands based on forest-type...

Dental X-ray exposure and Alzheimer's disease: a hypothetical etiological association.

PubMed

Rodgers, Caroline C

2011-07-01

Despite the fact that Alzheimer's disease was identified more than 100 years ago, its cause remains elusive. Although the chance of developing Alzheimer's disease increases with age, it is not a natural consequence of aging. This article proposes that dental X-rays can damage microglia telomeres - the structures at the end of chromosomes that determine how many times cells divide before they die - causing them to age prematurely. Degenerated microglia lose their neuroprotective properties, resulting in the formation of neurofibrillary tau tangles and consequently, the neuronal death that causes Alzheimer's dementia. The hypothesis that Alzheimer's is caused specifically by microglia telomere damage would explain the delay of one decade or longer between the presence of Alzheimer's brain pathology and symptoms; telomere damage would not cause any change in microglial function, it would just reset the countdown clock so that senescence and apoptosis occurred earlier than they would have without the environmental insult. Once microglia telomere damage causes premature aging and death, the adjacent neurons are deprived of the physical support, maintenance and nourishment they require to survive. This sequence of events would explain why therapies and vaccines that eliminate amyloid plaques have been unsuccessful in stopping dementia. Regardless of whether clearing plaques is beneficial or harmful - which remains a subject of debate - it does not address the failing microglia population. If microglia telomere damage is causing Alzheimer's disease, self-donated bone marrow or dental pulp stem cell transplants could give rise to new microglia populations that would maintain neuronal health while the original resident microglia population died. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Current dental adhesives systems. A narrative review.

PubMed

Milia, Egle; Cumbo, Enzo; Cardoso, Rielson Jose A; Gallina, Giuseppe

2012-01-01

Adhesive dentistry is based on the development of materials which establish an effective bond with the tooth tissues. In this context, adhesive systems have attracted considerable research interest in recent years. Successful adhesive bonding depends on the chemistry of the adhesive, on appropriate clinical handling of the material as well as on the knowledge of the morphological changes caused on dental tissue by different bonding procedures. This paper outlines the status of contemporary adhesive systems, with particular emphasis on chemical characteristics and mode of interaction of the adhesives with enamel and dentinal tissues. Dental adhesives are used for several clinical applications and they can be classified based on the clinical regimen in "etch-and-rinse adhesives" and "self-etch adhesives". Other important considerations concern the different anatomical characteristics of enamel and dentine which are involved in the bonding procedures that have also implications for the technique used as well as for the quality of the bond. Etch-and-rinse adhesive systems generally perform better on enamel than self-etching systems which may be more suitable for bonding to dentine. In order to avoid a possible loss of the restoration, secondary caries or pulp damage due to bacteria penetration or due to cytotoxicity effects of eluted adhesive components, careful consideration of several factors is essential in selecting the suitable bonding procedure and adhesive system for the individual patient situation.

Examination of Outside Forces Damage to Natural Gas Pipelines and Damage Prevention

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1987-07-01

The report looks at the problem of damage to underground facilities caused by excavation and related activities and the efforts that have been made in recent years to limit and control it through laws, regulations, and damage prevention programs, suc...

78 FR 41991 - Pipeline Safety: Potential for Damage to Pipeline Facilities Caused by Flooding

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-12

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration [Docket No...: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA); DOT. ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory... Gas and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Systems. Subject: Potential for Damage to Pipeline Facilities Caused...

Evaluation of roadside greenbelt trees damage caused by strangler plants in Bogor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danniswari, Dibyanti; Nasrullah, Nizar

2017-10-01

Certain plants are called stranglers (hemiepiphyte) because they grow on host trees and slowly choking the host, which often results in the host’s death. The existence of strangler plants on roadside greenbelt trees is quite common in Bogor, but they may cause tree’s failure and threaten users’ safety. To prevent such hazard, evaluation of roadside greenbelt trees damage caused by strangler plants is important. This study was directed to analyse the vegetation of strangler plants in Bogor, to assess the damage caused by stranglers, and to compose strangled trees maintenance recommendations. This study was conducted in March to May 2014 by doing survey at five major roads in Bogor, which were Jalan Ahmad Yani, Jalan Sudirman, Jalan Pemuda, Jalan Semeru, and Jalan Juanda. The results showed that strangler species found in Bogor are Ficus benjamina, Ficus glauca, Ficus elastica, and Schefflera actinophylla. The most common species in Bogor is F. benjamina. Host trees that tend to be preferred by strangler plants are trees with large trunk, many branches, and medium to high height. The maintenance for every strangled tree is different according to the damage level, mild to severe damage could be treated by strangler root cutting to tree logging, respectively.

Floods of December 2004 and January 2005 in Ohio: FEMA Disaster Declaration 1580

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ebner, Andrew D.; Straub, David E.; Lageman, Jonathan D.

2008-01-01

A large snowstorm at the end of December 2004 that left more than 20 inches of snow in some areas of Ohio, followed by unseasonably warm temperatures in early January 2005, caused snowmelt to begin filling river channels. Widespread rain showers during January 2005 combined with this snowmelt to cause flooding throughout Ohio and mudslides in some areas. Record peak streamflows occurred at nine U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages. Damages caused by the snowstorms, flooding, and mudslides were severe enough for 62 counties in Ohio to be declared Federal disaster areas. In all, approximately 3,664 private structures were damaged or destroyed, and an estimated $238 million in damages occurred. This report describes the meteorological factors that resulted in severe flooding throughout Ohio between December 22, 2004, and February 1, 2005, and examines the damages caused by the storms and flooding. Peak-stage, peak-streamflow, and recurrence-interval data are reported for selected USGS streamgages. Flood profiles determined by the USGS are presented for selected streams.

A new methodology for evaluating the damage to the skin barrier caused by repeated application and removal of adhesive dressings.

PubMed

Waring, Mike; Bielfeldt, Stephan; Mätzold, Katja; Wilhelm, Klaus-Peter

2013-02-01

Chronic wounds require frequent dressing changes. Adhesive dressings used for this indication can be damaging to the stratum corneum, particularly in the elderly where the skin tends to be thinner. Understanding the level of damage caused by dressing removal can aid dressing selection. This study used a novel methodology that applied a stain to the skin and measured the intensity of that stain after repeated application and removal of a series of different adhesive types. Additionally, a traditional method of measuring skin barrier damage (transepidermal water loss) was also undertaken and compared with the staining methodology. The staining methodology and measurement of transepidermal water loss differentiated the adhesive dressings, showing that silicone adhesives caused least trauma to the skin. The staining methodology was shown to be as effective as transepidermal water loss in detecting damage to the stratum corneum and was shown to detect disruption of the barrier earlier than the traditional technique. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Modulation of Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis by Pegylated Hyaluronidase and Dopamine Receptor Antagonist in Mice

PubMed Central

Pershina, Olga Victorovna; Reztsova, Alena Mikhaylovna; Ermakova, Natalia Nikolaevna; Khmelevskaya, Ekaterina Sergeevna; Krupin, Vycheslav Andreevich; Stepanova, Inna Ernestovna; Artamonov, Andrew Vladimirovich; Bekarev, Andrew Alexandrovich; Madonov, Pavel Gennadjevich

2015-01-01

Hyaluronidases are groups of enzymes that degrade hyaluronic acid (HA). To stop enzymatic hydrolysis we modified testicular hyaluronidase (HYAL) by activated polyethylene oxide with the help of electron-beam synthesis. As a result we received pegylated hyaluronidase (pegHYAL). Spiperone is a selective D2 dopamine receptor antagonist. It was demonstrated on the model of a single bleomycin damage of alveolar epithelium that during the inflammatory phase monotherapy by pegHYAL or spiperone reduced the populations of hematopoietic stem /progenitor cells in the lung parenchyma. PegHYAL also reduced the levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the serum and lungs, while spiperone reduced the level of the serum IL-1β. Polytherapy by spiperone and pegHYAL caused the increase of the quantity of hematopoietic stem/ progenitor cells in the lungs. Such an influx of blood cell precursors was observed on the background of considerable fall level of TGF-β and the increase level of TNF-α in the serum and lungs. These results show pegHYAL reduced the bleomycin-induced fibrosis reaction (production and accumulation of collagen) in the lung parenchyma. This effect was observed at a single and repetitive bleomycin damage of alveolar epithelium, the antifibrotic activity of pegHYAL surpassing the activity of testicular HYAL. The antifibrotic effect of pegHYAL is enhanced by an additional instillation of spiperone. Therapy by pegHYAL causes the flow of CD31‒CD34‒CD45‒CD44+CD73+CD90+CD106+-cells into the fibrous lungs. These cells are incapable of differentiating into fibroblast cells. Spiperone instillation separately or together with pegHYAL reduced the MSC-like cells considerably. These data enable us to assume, that pegHYAL is a new and promising instrument both for preventive and therapy of toxic pneumofibrosis. The blockage of D2 dopamine receptors with the following change of hyaluronan matrix can be considered as a new strategy in treatment of pneumofibrosis. PMID:25927611

Damage Identification of Wind Turbine Blades Using Piezoelectric Transducers

DOE PAGES

Choi, Seong-Won; Farinholt, Kevin M.; Taylor, Stuart G.; ...

2014-01-01

This paper presents the experimental results of active-sensing structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques, which utilize piezoelectric transducers as sensors and actuators, for determining the structural integrity of wind turbine blades. Specifically, Lamb wave propagations and frequency response functions at high frequency ranges are used to estimate the condition of wind turbine blades. For experiments, a 1 m section of a CX-100 blade is used. The goal of this study is to assess and compare the performance of each method in identifying incipient damage with a consideration given to field deployability. Overall, these methods yielded a sufficient damage detection capability to warrantmore » further investigation. This paper also summarizes the SHM results of a full-scale fatigue test of a 9 m CX-100 blade using piezoelectric active sensors. This paper outlines considerations needed to design such SHM systems, experimental procedures and results, and additional issues that can be used as guidelines for future investigations.« less

Flood of July 12-13, 2004, Burlington and Camden Counties, South-Central New Jersey

USGS Publications Warehouse

Protz, Amy R.; Reed, Timothy J.

2006-01-01

Intense rainfall inundated south-central New Jersey on July 12-13, 2004, causing major flooding with heavy property, road, and bridge damage in Burlington and Camden Counties. Forty-five dams were topped or damaged, or failed completely. The affected areas were in the Rancocas Creek, Cooper River, and Pennsauken Creek Basins. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) documented peak stream elevations and flows at 56 selected sites within the affected area. With rainfall totals averaging more than 6 inches throughout the three basins, peak-of-record flood elevations and streamflows occurred at all but one USGS stream gage, where the previous record was tied. Flood-frequency recurrence-intervals ranged from 30 to greater than 100 years and maximum streamflow per square mile ranged from 13.9 to 263 cubic feet per second per square mile (ft3/s/mi2). Peak streamflow at USGS stream gages surrounding the affected basins are associated with considerably lower recurrence intervals and demonstrate the limited extent of the flood. A high tide of about 1 foot above monthly mean high tide did not contribute to high-water conditions. Low ground-water levels prior to the rainfall helped to mitigate flooding in the affected basins. Compared with historical floods in the Rancocas Creek Basin during 1938-40, the July 2004 flood had greater streamflow, but lower stream elevations. Property damage from the event was estimated at $50 million. Governor James E. McGreevy declared a State of Emergency in Burlington and Camden Counties on July 13, 2004. After assessment of the damage by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), President George W. Bush declared Burlington and Camden Counties disaster areas on July 16, 2004.

Low Herbivory among Targeted Reforestation Sites in the Andean Highlands of Southern Ecuador

PubMed Central

Adams, Marc-Oliver; Fiedler, Konrad

2016-01-01

Insect herbivory constitutes an important constraint in the viability and management of targeted reforestation sites. Focusing on young experimental stands at about 2000 m elevation in southern Ecuador, we examined foliar damage over one season as a function of tree species and habitat. Native tree species (Successional hardwood: Cedrela montana and Tabebuia chrysantha; fast-growing pioneer: Heliocarpus americanus) have been planted among prevailing local landcover types (abandoned pasture, secondary shrub vegetation, and a Pinus patula plantation) in 2003/4. Plantation trees were compared to conspecifics in the spontaneous undergrowth of adjacent undisturbed rainforest matched for height and foliar volume. Specifically, we tested the hypotheses that H. americanus as a pioneer species suffers more herbivory compared to the two successional tree species, and that damage is inversely related to habitat complexity. Overall leaf damage caused by folivorous insects (excluding leafcutter ants) was low. Average leaf loss was highest among T. chrysantha (7.50% ± 0.19 SE of leaf area), followed by H. americanus (4.67% ± 0.18 SE) and C. montana (3.18% ± 0.15 SE). Contrary to expectations, leaf area loss was highest among trees in closed-canopy natural rainforest, followed by pine plantation, pasture, and secondary shrub sites. Harvesting activity of leafcutter ants (Acromyrmex sp.) was strongly biased towards T. chrysantha growing in open habitat (mean pasture: 2.5%; shrub: 10.5%) where it could result in considerable damage (> 90.0%). Insect folivory is unlikely to pose a barrier for reforestation in the tropical Andean mountain forest zone at present, but leafcutter ants may become problematic if local temperatures increase in the wake of global warming. PMID:26963395

Does any aspect of mind survive brain damage that typically leads to a persistent vegetative state? Ethical considerations

PubMed Central

Panksepp, Jaak; Fuchs, Thomas; Garcia, Victor Abella; Lesiak, Adam

2007-01-01

Recent neuroscientific evidence brings into question the conclusion that all aspects of consciousness are gone in patients who have descended into a persistent vegetative state (PVS). Here we summarize the evidence from human brain imaging as well as neurological damage in animals and humans suggesting that some form of consciousness can survive brain damage that commonly causes PVS. We also raise the issue that neuroscientific evidence indicates that raw emotional feelings (primary-process affects) can exist without any cognitive awareness of those feelings. Likewise, the basic brain mechanisms for thirst and hunger exist in brain regions typically not damaged by PVS. If affective feelings can exist without cognitive awareness of those feelings, then it is possible that the instinctual emotional actions and pain "reflexes" often exhibited by PVS patients may indicate some level of mentality remaining in PVS patients. Indeed, it is possible such raw affective feelings are intensified when PVS patients are removed from life-supports. They may still experience a variety of primary-process affective states that could constitute forms of suffering. If so, withdrawal of life-support may violate the principle of nonmaleficence and be tantamount to inflicting inadvertent "cruel and unusual punishment" on patients whose potential distress, during the process of dying, needs to be considered in ethical decision-making about how such individuals should be treated, especially when their lives are ended by termination of life-supports. Medical wisdom may dictate the use of more rapid pharmacological forms of euthanasia that minimize distress than the de facto euthanasia of life-support termination that may lead to excruciating feelings of pure thirst and other negative affective feelings in the absence of any reflective awareness. PMID:18086316

Low Herbivory among Targeted Reforestation Sites in the Andean Highlands of Southern Ecuador.

PubMed

Adams, Marc-Oliver; Fiedler, Konrad

2016-01-01

Insect herbivory constitutes an important constraint in the viability and management of targeted reforestation sites. Focusing on young experimental stands at about 2000 m elevation in southern Ecuador, we examined foliar damage over one season as a function of tree species and habitat. Native tree species (Successional hardwood: Cedrela montana and Tabebuia chrysantha; fast-growing pioneer: Heliocarpus americanus) have been planted among prevailing local landcover types (abandoned pasture, secondary shrub vegetation, and a Pinus patula plantation) in 2003/4. Plantation trees were compared to conspecifics in the spontaneous undergrowth of adjacent undisturbed rainforest matched for height and foliar volume. Specifically, we tested the hypotheses that H. americanus as a pioneer species suffers more herbivory compared to the two successional tree species, and that damage is inversely related to habitat complexity. Overall leaf damage caused by folivorous insects (excluding leafcutter ants) was low. Average leaf loss was highest among T. chrysantha (7.50% ± 0.19 SE of leaf area), followed by H. americanus (4.67% ± 0.18 SE) and C. montana (3.18% ± 0.15 SE). Contrary to expectations, leaf area loss was highest among trees in closed-canopy natural rainforest, followed by pine plantation, pasture, and secondary shrub sites. Harvesting activity of leafcutter ants (Acromyrmex sp.) was strongly biased towards T. chrysantha growing in open habitat (mean pasture: 2.5%; shrub: 10.5%) where it could result in considerable damage (> 90.0%). Insect folivory is unlikely to pose a barrier for reforestation in the tropical Andean mountain forest zone at present, but leafcutter ants may become problematic if local temperatures increase in the wake of global warming.

The chemistry screening for ultra low-k dielectrics plasma etching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zotovich, A.; Krishtab, M.; Lazzarino, F.; Baklanov, M. R.

2014-12-01

Nowadays, some of the important problems in microelectronics technological node scaling down are related to interconnect delay, dynamic power consumption and crosstalk. This compels introduction and integration of new materials with low dielectric permittivity (low-k materials) as insulator in interconnects. One of such materials under consideration for sub 10 nm technology node is a spin-coated organosilicate glass layer with ordered porosity (37-40%) and a k-value of 2.2 (OSG 2.2). High porosity leads to significant challenges during the integration and one of them is a material degradation during the plasma etching. The low-k samples have been etched in a CCP double frequency plasma chamber from TEL. Standard recipes developed for microporous materials with k<2.5 and based on mixture of C4F8 and CF4 with N2, O2 and Ar were found significantly damaging for high-porous ULK materials. The standard etch recipe was compared with oxygen free etch chemistries based on mixture CF4 with CH2F2 and Ar assuming that the presence of oxygen in the first recipe will have significant negative impact in high porous ULK materials. The film damage has been analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy and the k-value has been extracted by capacitance CV-measurements. There was indirectly shown that vacuum ultraviolet photons cause the main damage of low-k, whereas radicals and ions are not so harmful. Trench structures have been etched in low-k film and cross-SEM analysis with and without HF dipping has been performed to reveal patterning capability and visualize the sidewall damage and. The bottom roughness was analyzed by AFM.

Flooding and Flood Management

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brooks, K.N.; Fallon, J.D.; Lorenz, D.L.; Stark, J.R.; Menard, Jason; Easter, K.W.; Perry, Jim

2011-01-01

Floods result in great human disasters globally and nationally, causing an average of $4 billion of damages each year in the United States. Minnesota has its share of floods and flood damages, and the state has awarded nearly $278 million to local units of government for flood mitigation projects through its Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Since 1995, flood mitigation in the Red River Valley has exceeded $146 million. Considerable local and state funding has been provided to manage and mitigate problems of excess stormwater in urban areas, flooding of farmlands, and flood damages at road crossings. The cumulative costs involved with floods and flood mitigation in Minnesota are not known precisely, but it is safe to conclude that flood mitigation is a costly business. This chapter begins with a description of floods in Minneosta to provide examples and contrasts across the state. Background material is presented to provide a basic understanding of floods and flood processes, predication, and management and mitigation. Methods of analyzing and characterizing floods are presented because they affect how we respond to flooding and can influence relevant practices. The understanding and perceptions of floods and flooding commonly differ among those who work in flood forecasting, flood protection, or water resource mamnagement and citizens and businesses affected by floods. These differences can become magnified following a major flood, pointing to the need for better understanding of flooding as well as common language to describe flood risks and the uncertainty associated with determining such risks. Expectations of accurate and timely flood forecasts and our ability to control floods do not always match reality. Striving for clarity is important in formulating policies that can help avoid recurring flood damages and costs.

Laser-induced damage of coatings on Yb:YAG crystals at cryogenic condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, He; Zhang, Weili; Chen, Shunli; Zhu, Meiping; He, Hongbo; Fan, Zhengxiu

2011-12-01

As large amounts of heat need to be dissipated during laser operation, some diode pumped solid state lasers (DPSSL), especially Yb:YAG laser, operate at cryogenic condition. This work investigated the laser induced damage of coatings (high-reflective and anti-reflective coatings) on Yb:YAG crystals at cryogenic temperature and room temperature. The results show that the damage threshold of coatings at cryogenic temperature is lower than the one at room temperature. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), optical profiler, step profiler and Atomic force microscope (AFM) were used to obtain the damage morphology, size and depth. Taking alteration of physical parameters, microstructure of coatings and the environmental pollution into consideration, we analyzed the key factor of lowering the coating damage threshold at cryogenic conditions. The results are important to understand the mechanisms leading to damage at cryogenic condition.

Benefits of invasion prevention: Effect of time lags, spread rates, and damage persistence

Treesearch

Rebecca S. Epanchin-Niell; Andrew M. Liebhold

2015-01-01

Quantifying economic damages caused by invasive species is crucial for cost-benefit analyses of biosecurity measures. Most studies focus on short-term damage estimates, but evaluating exclusion or prevention measures requires estimates of total anticipated damages from the time of establishment onward. The magnitude of such damages critically depends on the timing of...

Differential effect of UV-B radiation on growth, oxidative stress and ascorbate-glutathione cycle in two cyanobacteria under copper toxicity.

PubMed

Singh, Vijay Pratap; Srivastava, Prabhat Kumar; Prasad, Sheo Mohan

2012-12-01

Effects of low (UV-B(L); 0.1 μmol m(-2) s(-1)) and high (UV-B(H); 1.0 μmol m(-2) s(-1)) fluence rates of UV-B radiation on growth, oxidative stress and ascorbate-glutathione cycle (AsA-GSH cycle) were investigated in two cyanobacteria viz. Phormidium foveolarum and Nostoc muscorum under copper (2 and 5 μM) toxicity after 24 and 72 h of experiments. Cu at 2 and 5 μM and UV-B(H) irradiation decreased growth in both the organisms and the effect was more pronounced in N. muscorum. Superoxide radical (SOR) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) productions were significantly enhanced by Cu and UV-B(H) which was accompanied by accelerated lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) and protein oxidation (reactive carbonyl groups; RCG). The components of AsA-GSH cycle, i.e. ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), monodehydroascobate reductase (MDHAR) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) activities as well as total ascorbate and glutathione contents and their reduced/oxidized ratios were decreased considerably by Cu and UV-B(H). Further, combined treatments of Cu and UV-B(H) exacerbated damaging effects in both the cyanobacteria. Unlike UV-B(H), UV-B(L) irradiation rather than damaging cyanobacteria caused alleviation in Cu-induced toxicity by down-regulating the levels of SOR, H(2)O(2), MDA and RCG due to enhanced activity of APX, GR, MDHAR and DHAR, and contents of ascorbate and glutathione. Results revealed that UV-B radiation at low fluence rate (UV-B(L)) stimulated protective responses in both the organisms under Cu toxicity while UV-B(H) irradiation caused damage alone as well as together with Cu, and the components of AsA-GSH cycle play significant role in these responses. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Characterisation of Growth and Ultrastructural Effects of the Xanthoria elegans Photobiont After 1.5 Years of Space Exposure on the International Space Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, Annette; Posthoff, Eva; de Vera, Jean-Pierre; Onofri, Silvano; Ott, Sieglinde

2016-06-01

The lichen Xanthoria elegans has been exposed to space and simulated Mars-analogue environment in the Lichen and Fungi Experiment (LIFE) on the EXPOSE-E facility at the International Space Station (ISS). This long-term exposure of 559 days tested the ability of various organisms to cope with either low earth orbit (LEO) or Mars-analogue conditions, such as vacuum, Mars-analogue atmosphere, rapid temperature cycling, cosmic radiation of up to 215 ± 16 mGy, and insolation of accumulated doses up to 4.87 GJm-2, including up to 0.314 GJm-2 of UV irradiation. In a previous study, X. elegans demonstrated considerable resistance towards these conditions by means of photosynthetic activity as well as by post-exposure metabolic activity of 50-80 % in the algal and 60-90 % in the fungal symbiont (Brandt et al. Int J Astrobiol 14(3):411-425, 2015). The two objectives of the present study were complementary: First, to verify the high post-exposure viability by using a qualitative cultivation assay. Second, to characterise the cellular damages by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) which were caused by the space and Mars-analogue exposure conditions of LIFE. Since the algal symbiont of lichens is considered as the more susceptible partner (de Vera and Ott 2010), the analyses focused on the photobiont. The study demonstrated growth and proliferation of the isolated photobiont after all exposure conditions of LIFE. The ultrastructural analysis of the algal cells provided an insight to cellular damages caused by long-term exposure and highlighted that desiccation-induced breakdown of cellular integrity is more pronounced under the more severe space vacuum than under Mars-analogue atmospheric conditions. In conclusion, desiccation-induced damages were identified as a major threat to the photobiont of X. elegans. Nonetheless, a fraction of the photobiont cells remained cultivable after all exposure conditions tested in LIFE.

Implications for seismic hazard from new gravity data in Napa and vicinity, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morgan, K.; Langenheim, V. E.; Ritzinger, B. T.

2015-12-01

New gravity data refine the basin structure beneath the city of Napa, California and suggest continuity of the West Napa fault to the SE, near the city of Vallejo. Previous regional gravity data defined a basin 2-3 km deep beneath Napa where the 2014 M6.0 South Napa and the 2000 M4.9 Yountville earthquakes caused considerable damage. Higher ground motions were also recorded within the area of the gravity low. About 100 new gravity measurements sharpen gravity gradients along the eastern margin of the gravity low, where there was a concentration of red-tagged buildings from the 2014 earthquake. The new data also confirm the presence of an intrabasinal, arch, defined by slightly higher gravity values (~ 1 mGal) in the center of the basin and marked by the edge of a significant magnetic high (~150 nT). This arch coincides with the highest concentration of red-tagged buildings from the 2014 earthquake. Comparison of the potential-field anomalies with rock types encountered in water wells suggests that the arch is underlain by sediments which thin to the south where they are underlain by thick Sonoma Volcanics.. We speculate that the concentration of damage may be caused by shallowing of the basement or by a thicker sequence of basin sediments in the arch or both. Red-tagged buildings from the Yountville earthquake are near the western edge of the basin defined by significant potential-field gradients of the West Napa fault. A sharp basin boundary or guided waves along the fault may have contributed to concentration of damage in this area. Although the potential-field gradients decrease south of Napa, our new gravity data define a gradient aligned to the SE beneath the town of Vallejo. The gradient resides within Mesozoic basement rocks because it traverses outcrops of Great Valley Sequence. Although these data cannot prove Quaternary slip on this structure, its trend and location may indicate continuation of the West Napa fault to the SE.

Characterisation of Growth and Ultrastructural Effects of the Xanthoria elegans Photobiont After 1.5 Years of Space Exposure on the International Space Station.

PubMed

Brandt, Annette; Posthoff, Eva; de Vera, Jean-Pierre; Onofri, Silvano; Ott, Sieglinde

2016-06-01

The lichen Xanthoria elegans has been exposed to space and simulated Mars-analogue environment in the Lichen and Fungi Experiment (LIFE) on the EXPOSE-E facility at the International Space Station (ISS). This long-term exposure of 559 days tested the ability of various organisms to cope with either low earth orbit (LEO) or Mars-analogue conditions, such as vacuum, Mars-analogue atmosphere, rapid temperature cycling, cosmic radiation of up to 215 ± 16 mGy, and insolation of accumulated doses up to 4.87 GJm(-2), including up to 0.314 GJm(-2) of UV irradiation. In a previous study, X. elegans demonstrated considerable resistance towards these conditions by means of photosynthetic activity as well as by post-exposure metabolic activity of 50-80% in the algal and 60-90% in the fungal symbiont (Brandt et al. Int J Astrobiol 14(3):411-425, 2015). The two objectives of the present study were complementary: First, to verify the high post-exposure viability by using a qualitative cultivation assay. Second, to characterise the cellular damages by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) which were caused by the space and Mars-analogue exposure conditions of LIFE. Since the algal symbiont of lichens is considered as the more susceptible partner (de Vera and Ott 2010), the analyses focused on the photobiont. The study demonstrated growth and proliferation of the isolated photobiont after all exposure conditions of LIFE. The ultrastructural analysis of the algal cells provided an insight to cellular damages caused by long-term exposure and highlighted that desiccation-induced breakdown of cellular integrity is more pronounced under the more severe space vacuum than under Mars-analogue atmospheric conditions. In conclusion, desiccation-induced damages were identified as a major threat to the photobiont of X. elegans. Nonetheless, a fraction of the photobiont cells remained cultivable after all exposure conditions tested in LIFE.

7 CFR 51.493 - Damage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... determining damage caused by scarring unless materially detracting from the appearance of the cantaloup; (g... be considered damage; (h) Ground spot when the rind of the affected area is thin or weak, or when the...

7 CFR 51.493 - Damage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... determining damage caused by scarring unless materially detracting from the appearance of the cantaloup; (g... be considered damage; (h) Ground spot when the rind of the affected area is thin or weak, or when the...

7 CFR 51.493 - Damage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... determining damage caused by scarring unless materially detracting from the appearance of the cantaloup; (g... be considered damage; (h) Ground spot when the rind of the affected area is thin or weak, or when the...

Uncertainty and Sensitivity of Direct Economic Flood Damages: the FloodRisk Free and Open-Source Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albano, R.; Sole, A.; Mancusi, L.; Cantisani, A.; Perrone, A.

2017-12-01

The considerable increase of flood damages in the the past decades has shifted in Europe the attention from protection against floods to managing flood risks. In this context, the expected damages assessment represents a crucial information within the overall flood risk management process. The present paper proposes an open source software, called FloodRisk, that is able to operatively support stakeholders in the decision making processes with a what-if approach by carrying out the rapid assessment of the flood consequences, in terms of direct economic damage and loss of human lives. The evaluation of the damage scenarios, trough the use of the GIS software proposed here, is essential for cost-benefit or multi-criteria analysis of risk mitigation alternatives. However, considering that quantitative assessment of flood damages scenarios is characterized by intrinsic uncertainty, a scheme has been developed to identify and quantify the role of the input parameters in the total uncertainty of flood loss model application in urban areas with mild terrain and complex topography. By the concept of parallel models, the contribution of different module and input parameters to the total uncertainty is quantified. The results of the present case study have exhibited a high epistemic uncertainty on the damage estimation module and, in particular, on the type and form of the utilized damage functions, which have been adapted and transferred from different geographic and socio-economic contexts because there aren't depth-damage functions that are specifically developed for Italy. Considering that uncertainty and sensitivity depend considerably on local characteristics, the epistemic uncertainty associated with the risk estimate is reduced by introducing additional information into the risk analysis. In the light of the obtained results, it is evident the need to produce and disseminate (open) data to develop micro-scale vulnerability curves. Moreover, the urgent need to push forward research into the implementation of methods and models for the assimilation of uncertainties in decision-making processes emerges.

Intracellular iron overload leading to DNA damage of lymphocytes and immune dysfunction in thalassemia major patients.

PubMed

Shaw, Jyoti; Chakraborty, Ayan; Nag, Arijit; Chattopadyay, Arnab; Dasgupta, Anjan K; Bhattacharyya, Maitreyee

2017-11-01

To investigate the cause and effects of intracellular iron overload in lymphocytes of thalassemia major patients. Sixty-six thalassemia major patients having iron overload and 10 age-matched controls were chosen for the study. Blood sample was collected, and serum ferritin, oxidative stress; lymphocyte DNA damage were examined, and infective episodes were also counted. Case-control analysis revealed significant oxidative stress, iron overload, DNA damage, and rate of infections in thalassemia cases as compared to controls. For cases, oxidative stress (ROS) and iron overload (serum ferritin) showed good correlation with R 2  = 0.934 and correlation between DNA damage and ROS gave R 2  = 0.961. We also demonstrated that intracellular iron overload in thalassemia caused oxidative damage of lymphocyte DNA as exhibited by DNA damage assay. The inference is further confirmed by partial inhibition of such damage by chelation of iron and the concurrent lowering of the ROS level in the presence of chelator deferasirox. Therefore, intracellular iron overload caused DNA fragmentation, which may ultimately hamper lymphocyte function, and this may contribute to immune dysfunction and increased susceptibility to infections in thalassemia patients as indicated by the good correlation (R 2  = 0.91) between lymphocyte DNA damage and rate of infection found in this study. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Compressive residual strength of graphite/epoxy laminates after impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guy, Teresa A.; Lagace, Paul A.

1992-01-01

The issue of damage tolerance after impact, in terms of the compressive residual strength, was experimentally examined in graphite/epoxy laminates using Hercules AS4/3501-6 in a (+ or - 45/0)(sub 2S) configuration. Three different impactor masses were used at various velocities and the resultant damage measured via a number of nondestructive and destructive techniques. Specimens were then tested to failure under uniaxial compression. The results clearly show that a minimum compressive residual strength exists which is below the open hole strength for a hole of the same diameter as the impactor. Increases in velocity beyond the point of minimum strength cause a difference in the damage produced and cause a resultant increase in the compressive residual strength which asymptotes to the open hole strength value. Furthermore, the results show that this minimum compressive residual strength value is independent of the impactor mass used and is only dependent upon the damage present in the impacted specimen which is the same for the three impactor mass cases. A full 3-D representation of the damage is obtained through the various techniques. Only this 3-D representation can properly characterize the damage state that causes the resultant residual strength. Assessment of the state-of-the-art in predictive analysis capabilities shows a need to further develop techniques based on the 3-D damage state that exists. In addition, the need for damage 'metrics' is clearly indicated.

Mechanisms of sulfur mustard analog 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide-induced DNA damage in skin epidermal cells and fibroblasts.

PubMed

Inturi, Swetha; Tewari-Singh, Neera; Gu, Mallikarjuna; Shrotriya, Sangeeta; Gomez, Joe; Agarwal, Chapla; White, Carl W; Agarwal, Rajesh

2011-12-15

Employing mouse skin epidermal JB6 cells and dermal fibroblasts, here we examined the mechanisms of DNA damage by 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), a monofunctional analog of sulfur mustard (SM). CEES exposure caused H2A.X and p53 phosphorylation as well as p53 accumulation in both cell types, starting at 1h, that was sustained for 24h, indicating a DNA-damaging effect of CEES, which was also confirmed and quantified by alkaline comet assay. CEES exposure also induced oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage in both cell types, measured by an increase in mitochondrial and cellular reactive oxygen species and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels, respectively. In the studies distinguishing between oxidative and direct DNA damage, 1h pretreatment with glutathione (GSH) or the antioxidant Trolox showed a decrease in CEES-induced oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage. However, only GSH pretreatment decreased CEES-induced total DNA damage measured by comet assay, H2A.X and p53 phosphorylation, and total p53 levels. This was possibly due to the formation of GSH-CEES conjugates detected by LC-MS analysis. Together, our results show that CEES causes both direct and oxidative DNA damage, suggesting that to rescue SM-caused skin injuries, pleiotropic agents (or cocktails) are needed that could target multiple pathways of mustard skin toxicities. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sulfonamide toxicity in brook trout

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wood, E.M.; Yasutake, W.T.; Snieszko, S.F.

1954-01-01

Sterility was observed in female brook trout that were treated with sulfamerazine at frequent intervals for 2 years to control endemic furunculosis. Feeding sulfamerazine for a period of 8 months caused massive kidney damage similar to that observed in humans who develop allergies to “sulfa” drugs. Kidney damage of the type observed would probably cause renal insufficiency which would handicap any physiological function including reproduction. Feeding sulfonamides for periods up to 13 weeks did not produce kidney damage.

Comparison of the Tendon Damage Caused by Four Different Anchor Systems Used in Transtendon Rotator Cuff Repair

PubMed Central

Zhang, Qing-Song; Liu, Sen; Zhang, Qiuyang; Xue, Yun; Ge, Dongxia; O'Brien, Michael J.; Savoie, Felix H.; You, Zongbing

2012-01-01

Objectives. The objective of this study was to compare the damage to the rotator cuff tendons caused by four different anchor systems. Methods. 20 cadaveric human shoulder joints were used for transtendon insertion of four anchor systems. The Healix Peek, Fastin RC, Bio-Corkscrew Suture, and Healix Transtend anchors were inserted through the tendons using standard transtendon procedures. The areas of tendon damage were measured. Results. The areas of tendon damage (mean ± standard deviation, n = 7) were 29.1 ± 4.3 mm2 for the Healix Peek anchor, 20.4 ± 2.3 mm2 for the Fastin RC anchor, 23.4 ± 1.2 mm2 for the Bio-Corkscrew Suture anchor, 13.7 ± 3.2 mm2 for the Healix Transtend anchor inserted directly, and 9.1 ± 2.1 mm2 for the Healix Transtend anchor inserted through the Percannula system (P < 0.001 or P < 0.001, compared to other anchors). Conclusions. In a cadaver transtendon rotator cuff repair model, smaller anchors caused less damage to the tendon tissues. The Healix Transtend implant system caused the least damage to the tendon tissues. Our findings suggest that smaller anchors should be considered when performing transtendon procedures to repair partial rotator cuff tears. PMID:22811923

A database on flood and debris-flow processes in alluvial fans: a preliminary analysis aimed at evaluation of the damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vennari, Carmela; Santangelo, Nicoletta; Santo, Antonio; Parise, Mario

2015-04-01

Debris-flow and flood events cause yearly wide damages to buildings and infrastructures, and produce many casualties and fatalities. These processes are very common in Italy, affecting mainly torrential stream basins with different geological and morphological settings: in the Alpine mountain areas they are quite well analysed, whilst much less attention is generally paid in contexts such as those of the Apennines mostly due to the minor frequency of the events. Nevertheless, debris-flows and flood processes occur along many alluvial fans, have greatly contributed to their building up, and are therefore worth to be studied. Along many areas of the Southern Apennines, coalescent alluvial fans are a widespread geomorphic unit, typically located at the foot of steep slopes. In most cases these areas correspond to the more highly urbanised sectors, generally considered to be safer than the bottom valley, as concerns the direct effects from flooding. During intense storms, villages and towns built on alluvial fans may be affected by flooding and/or debris flow processes originated in the above catchment, and rapidly transferred downslope due to the steep slopes and the torrential character of the streams. This creates a very high hazard to the population and is at the origin of the severe and recurrent damage to urban settlements. Starting from the above considerations, we compiled a catalogue of flood and debris-flow events occurred in Campania Region, southern Italy, by consulting very different information sources: national and local newspapers and journals, regional historical archives, scientific literature, internet blogs. More than 350 events, occurred in Campania from 1700 to present, were collected. Information on time of occurrence and location are available for each event, with different level of accuracy, that is typically lower going back to the oldest events for which only the year or the month of occurrence of the event was identified; nevertheless, for more than 75 % of the collected data, the complete date of occurrence is known. All the provinces of Campania are affected by debris-flow and flood processes, but the most interested appear to be Naples and Salerno. Debris flows and flood produced in the Region more than 2400 fatalities, about 200 injured people, and about 100 missing people, with more than 6000 homeless. Very harmful were the events occurred in 1581, 1841, 1910,1924, 1954, 1998; each of these caused more than 100 fatalities. With regard to homeless, the most damaging event took place in the area of Salerno, causing more than 5000 homeless. Buildings and infrastructures were also involved by the events dealt with here. A third of the processes included in the catalogue caused the total destruction of private buildings, and serious damage to communication routes (roads and railways), pipelines, factories and architectonical structures. The most disastrous season, as concerns the damage to infrastructures and humans, is the autumn. The catalogue is still in progress, being continually updated for new events, but, at the same time, continuing to perform archive and literature scrutiny as regards the past events. Further, another important part of the research is the investigation of the link with the triggering events (rainfall): at this aim, daily (or hourly, when available) pluviometric data are being analysed. Our final goal is to provide a method to estimate hazard assessment in alluvial basins torrents, that might be exportable in similar geological-geomorphological contexts. In such an effort, the first and mandatory step is the collection of historical data.

Degradation mechanism of SESAMs under intense ultrashort pulses in modelocked VECSELs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Addamane, Sadhvikas; Shima, Darryl; Laurain, Alexandre; Chan, Hsiu-Ting; Balakrishnan, Ganesh; Moloney, Jerome V.

2018-02-01

Mode-locked VECSELs using SESAMs are a relatively less complex and cost-effective alternative to state-of-the-art ultrafast lasers based on solid-state or fiber lasers. VECSELs have seen considerable progress in device performance in terms of pulse width and peak power in the recent years. However, it appears that the combination of high power and short pulses can cause some irreversible damage to the SESAM. The degradation mechanism, which can lead to a reduction of the VECSEL output power over time, is not fully understood and deserves to be investigated and alleviated in order to achieve stable mode-locking over long periods of time. It is particularly important for VECSEL systems meant to be commercialized, needing long term operation with a long product lifetime. Here, we investigate the performance and robustness of a SESAM-modelocked VECSEL system under intense pulse intensity excitation. The effect of the degradation on the VECSEL performance is investigated using the SESAM in a VECSEL cavity supporting ultrashort pulses, while the degradation mechanism was investigated by exciting the SESAMs with an external femtosecond laser source. The decay of the photoluminescence (PL) and reflectivity under high excitation was monitored and the damaged samples were further analyzed using a thorough Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis. It is found that the major contribution to the degradation is the field intensity and that the compositional damage is confined to the DBR region of the SESAM.

Molecular basis of vascular damage caused by cigarette smoke exposure and a new approach to the treatment: Alpha-linolenic acid.

PubMed

Kaplan, Halil Mahir; Kuyucu, Yurdun; Polat, Sait; Pazarci, Percin; Yegani, Arash Alizadeh; Şingirik, Ergin; Ertuğ, Peyman

2018-06-01

Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) causes vessel damage and mechanism of this damage has not yet been clearly identified. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate whether vessel damage due to the CS exposure will be prevented by the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) or not which has anti-inflammatory effect in mice. For this reason, mice were grouped as controls (with and without CS) and ALA (with and without CS). The CS application continued 5 days a week for two months. At the end of two months, the mice were killed by cervical dislocation and their blood and thoracic aortas were isolated. ALA Treatment increased acetylcholine relaxations. CS decreased acetylcholine relaxation. CS with ALA treatment increased acetylcholine relaxations versus just CS treatment. CS caused rising in cyclooxigenase-2 and phospholipase A2 levels. This rise is inhibited with ALA treatment. CS decreased eNOS levels. But this result was not statistically significant. Furthermore, according to electron microscopic study CS damaged both smooth muscle and endothelium. While ALA treatment prevented smooth muscle damage it didn't prevent endothelial damage. Using cigarette and CS exposure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Our study showed that this disease. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

STS-27R OV-104 Orbiter TPS damage review team, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, John W. (Compiler)

1989-01-01

Following the return to earth on December 2, 1988, of Orbiter OV-104, Atlantis, it was observed that there was substantial Thermal Protection System (TPS) tile damage present on the lower right fuselage and wing. Damage sites were more numerous than on previous flights and conversely, there was almost no damage present on Atlantis' left side. A review team investigated the cause beginning with a detailed inspection of the Atlantis TPS damage, and a review of related inspection reports to establish an indepth anomaly definition. An exhaustive data review followed. A fault tree and several failure scenarios were developed. Finally, the failure scenarios were categorized as either not possible, possible but not probable, or probable. This and other information gained during the review formed the basis for the team's findings and recommendations. The team concluded that the most probable cause of the severe STS-27R Orbiter tile damage is that the ablative insulating material covering the RH SRB Nose Cap dislodged and struck the Orbiter tile near 85 seconds into flight and possibly that debris from other sources, including repaired insulation and missing joint cork, caused minor tile damage. Findings are presented, and recommendations that are believed pertinent to minimizing the potential for inflight debris are described.

Experimental and Modelling Investigations of the Coupled Elastoplastic Damage of a Quasi-brittle Rock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jiu-Chang

2018-02-01

Triaxial compression tests are conducted on a quasi-brittle rock, limestone. The analyses show that elastoplastic deformation is coupled with damage. Based on the experimental investigation, a coupled elastoplastic damage model is developed within the framework of irreversible thermodynamics. The coupling effects between the plastic and damage dissipations are described by introducing an isotropic damage variable into the elastic stiffness and yield criterion. The novelty of the model is in the description of the thermodynamic force associated with damage, which is formulated as a state function of both elastic and plastic strain energies. The latter gives a full consideration on the comprehensive effects of plastic strain and stress changing processes in rock material on the development of damage. The damage criterion and potential are constructed to determine the onset and evolution of damage variable. The return mapping algorithms of the coupled model are deduced for three different inelastic corrections. Comparisons between test data and numerical simulations show that the coupled elastoplastic damage model is capable of describing the main mechanical behaviours of the quasi-brittle rock.

Iron homeostasis and toxicity in retinal degeneration

PubMed Central

He, Xining; Hahn, Paul; Iacovelli, Jared; Wong, Robert; King, Chih; Bhisitkul, Robert; Massaro-Giordano, Mina; Dunaief, Joshua L.

2007-01-01

Iron is essential for many metabolic processes but can also cause damage. As a potent generator of hydroxyl radical, the most reactive of the free radicals, iron can cause considerable oxidative stress. Since iron is absorbed through diet but not excreted except through menstruation, total body iron levels build up with age. Macular iron levels increase with age, in both men and women. This iron has the potential to contribute to retinal degeneration. Here we present an overview of the evidence suggesting that iron may contribute to retinal degenerations. Intraocular iron foreign bodies cause retinal degeneration. Retinal iron buildup resulting from hereditary iron homeostasis disorders aceruloplasminemia, Friedreich’s Ataxia, and panthothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration cause retinal degeneration. Mice with targeted mutation of the iron exporter ceruloplasmin have age-dependent retinal iron overload and a resulting retinal degeneration with features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Post mortem retinas from patients with AMD have more iron and the iron carrier transferrin than age- matched controls. Over the past ten years much has been learned about the intricate network of proteins involved in iron handling. Many of these, including transferrin, transferrin receptor, divalent metal transporter 1, ferritin, ferroportin, ceruloplasmin, hephaestin, iron regulatory protein, and histocompatibility leukocyte antigen class I-like protein involved in iron homeostasis (HFE) have been found in the retina. Some of these proteins have been found in the cornea and lens as well. Levels of the iron carrier transferrin are high in the aqueous and vitreous humors. The functions of these proteins in other tissues, combined with studies on cultured ocular tissues, genetically engineered mice, and eye exams on patients with hereditary iron diseases provide clues regarding their ocular functions. Iron may play a role in a broad range of ocular diseases, including glaucoma, cataract, AMD, and conditions causing intraocular hemorrhage. While iron deficiency must be prevented, the therapeutic potential of limiting iron induced ocular oxidative damage is high. Systemic, local, or topical iron chelation with an expanding repertoire of drugs has clinical potential. PMID:17921041

Imbibitional damage in conidia of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Metarhizium acridum

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

When dried organisms are immersed in water, rapid imbibition may cause severe damage to plasma membranes; in unicellular organisms, such damage is usually lethal. This study investigated effects of pre-immersion moisture levels and immersion temperature on imbibitional damage in three insect pathoge...

7 CFR 51.1221 - Damage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... defect, shall be considered as damage: (a) Bacterial spot, when cracked, or when aggregating more than 3/8 inch in diameter; (b) Scab spots, when cracked, or when aggregating more than 3/8 inch in diameter... diameter; (f) Split pit, when causing any unhealed crack, or when causing any crack which is readily...

46 CFR 188.10-23 - Corrosive liquids.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... tissues, will cause severe damage of such tissues, by chemical action; or in case of leakage, will materially damage or destroy other freight by chemical action, or are liable to cause fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain chemicals. (b) A corrosive substance may be: (1) Solid, such as...

46 CFR 188.10-23 - Corrosive liquids.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... tissues, will cause severe damage of such tissues, by chemical action; or in case of leakage, will materially damage or destroy other freight by chemical action, or are liable to cause fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain chemicals. (b) A corrosive substance may be: (1) Solid, such as...

Can Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis Cause Aphasia?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Naude, H.; Pretorius, E.

2003-01-01

Aphasia implies the loss or impairment of language caused by brain damage. The key to understanding the nature of aphasic symptoms is the neuro-anatomical site of brain damage, and not the causative agent. However, because "Herpes simplex" virus (HSV) encephalitis infection usually affects the frontal and temporal lobes, subcortical…

19 CFR 122.52 - Aircraft of foreign origin registered in the U.S.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... SECURITY; DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY AIR COMMERCE REGULATIONS International Traffic Permit § 122.52... commercial aircraft. If an accident causes substantial damage to a commercial aircraft, no entry or duty... accident does not cause substantial damage to a commercial aircraft, salvageable parts of the wrecked...

Minimizing crop damage through understanding relationships between pyrethrum phenology and ray blight disease severity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The most damaging foliar disease of pyrethrum in Australia is ray blight caused by Stagonosporopsis tanaceti. The probability of growers incurring economic losses caused by this disease has been substantially reduced by the implementation of a prophylactically-applied spring fungicide program. Th...

Influence of G-forces and hypodynamia on the portal system of the liver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drozdova, A. V.

1975-01-01

Longitudinally and transversely applied g-forces as intolerable levels cause damage to the interlobular veins of the liver, with maximum damage caused by dorso-ventral g-force application. The portal vein system is more resilient with respect to g-forces at the limit of tolerance.

7 CFR 624.4 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... occurrence that could cause significant damage to property or threaten human life in the near future. (e)(1...) Exigency means those situations that demand immediate action to avoid potential loss of life or property..., cause new damages or the potential loss of life if action to remedy the situation is not taken...

7 CFR 624.4 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... occurrence that could cause significant damage to property or threaten human life in the near future. (e)(1...) Exigency means those situations that demand immediate action to avoid potential loss of life or property..., cause new damages or the potential loss of life if action to remedy the situation is not taken...

Incidence and impact of damage to Florida's timber, 1980

Treesearch

Robert L. Anderson; Joe P. McClure; Noel D. Cost; William H. Hoffard

1983-01-01

This bulletin reports survey data on agents damaging trees in Florida’s forests. Data were collected in 1978, 1979, and 1980 by the Renewable Resources Evaluation Work Unit of the Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. This effort was part of the fifth inventory of the State’s forests. Considerably more information was gathered in this than in previous inventories....

Stereoscopic Analysis of Silicone Breast Implant Shells Damaged by Surgical Instruments.

PubMed

Rapp, Derek A; Neaman, Keith C; Hammond, Dennis C

2015-07-01

Iatrogenic shell injury during the implantation and explantation of silicone gel breast implants may lead to eventual device failure. Identification of the patterns of injury caused by surgical instruments is important when attempting to characterize the cause of shell rupture. Understanding the true causes of device failure may help with its prevention. The purpose of this study was to microscopically characterize patterns of shell injury induced by various surgical instruments. Textured and smooth silicone gel implants were intentionally damaged with a variety of surgical instruments. Various scalpels and surgical scissors ranging in fineness were used to create full-thickness injuries in the implant shell. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were then used to image the injured area to determine patterns of injury. Full-thickness striations across the thickness of the shell could be seen with damage caused by scissors. The density of these striations correlated directly with the fineness of scissors used. No striations were seen with injuries caused by scalpels. Striations were only observed in injuries caused by scissors and suture needles. Striation density correlated with the coarseness of the cutting edge. No such striations were seen in shells damaged by a scalpel even when the angle of approach was changed. This difference can be of assistance in distinguishing between scissors versus scalpel injury of an implant shell.

Earthquake damage to transportation systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

McCullough, Heather

1994-01-01

Earthquakes represent one of the most destructive natural hazards known to man. A large magnitude earthquake near a populated area can affect residents over thousands of square kilometers and cause billions of dollars in property damage. Such an event can kill or injure thousands of residents and disrupt the socioeconomic environment for months, sometimes years. A serious result of a large-magnitude earthquake is the disruption of transportation systems, which limits post-disaster emergency response. Movement of emergency vehicles, such as police cars, fire trucks and ambulances, is often severely restricted. Damage to transportation systems is categorized below by cause including: ground failure, faulting, vibration damage, and tsunamis.

A Single Swede Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Larva Can Render Cauliflower Unmarketable.

PubMed

Stratton, Chase A; Hodgdon, Elisabeth A; Zuckerman, Samuel G; Shelton, Anthony M; Chen, Yolanda H

2018-05-01

Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii Kieffer (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is an invasive pest causing significant damage on Brassica crops in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada. Heading brassicas, like cauliflower, appear to be particularly susceptible. Swede midge is difficult to control because larvae feed concealed inside meristematic tissues of the plant. In order to develop damage and marketability thresholds necessary for integrated pest management, it is important to determine how many larvae render plants unmarketable and whether the timing of infestation affects the severity of damage. We manipulated larval density (0, 1, 3, 5, 10, or 20) per plant and the timing of infestation (30, 55, and 80 d after seeding) on cauliflower in the lab and field to answer the following questions: 1) What is the swede midge damage threshold? 2) How many swede midge larvae can render cauliflower crowns unmarketable? and 3) Does the age of cauliflower at infestation influence the severity of damage and marketability? We found that even a single larva can cause mild twisting and scarring in the crown rendering cauliflower unmarketable 52% of the time, with more larvae causing more severe damage and additional losses, regardless of cauliflower age at infestation.

An Account of Preliminary Landslide Damage and Losses Resulting from the February 28, 2001, Nisqually, Washington, Earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Highland, Lynn M.

2003-01-01

The February 28, 2001, Nisqually, Washington, earthquake (Mw = 6.8) damaged an area of the northwestern United States that previously experienced two major historical earthquakes, in 1949 and in 1965. Preliminary estimates of direct monetary losses from damage due to earthquake-induced landslides is approximately $34.3 million. However, this figure does not include costs from damages to the elevated portion of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, a major highway through downtown Seattle, Washington that will be repaired or rebuilt, depending on the future decision of local and state authorities. There is much debate as to the cause of the damage to this viaduct with evaluations of cause ranging from earthquake shaking and liquefaction to lateral spreading to a combination of these effects. If the viaduct is included in the costs, the losses increase to $500+ million (if it is repaired) or to more than $1+ billion (if it is replaced). Preliminary estimate of losses due to all causes of earthquake damage is approximately $2 billion, which includes temporary repairs to the Alaskan Way Viaduct. These preliminary dollar figures will no doubt increase when plans and decisions regarding the Viaduct are completed.

Variation in damage from growing-season frosts among open-pollinated families of red alder.

Treesearch

Kevin C. Peeler; Dean S. DeBell

1987-01-01

Repeated growing-season frosts during late April and early May 1985 caused extensive damage to red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) seedlings in a newly planted research trial in western Washington. About two-thirds of the seedlings were severely damaged (entire stem damaged or necrotic). Such damage varied by family, from 50 percent of seedlings in the...

Using satellite multispectral imagery for damage mapping armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in maize damage at a regional scale

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Armyworm, as a destructive insect for maize, causes wide range of damage in both China and U.S. in recent years. To obtain the spatial distribution of damage area and assess the damage severity, a fast and accurate loss assessment method is of great importance for effective management. This study, t...

A study of a self diagnostic platform for the detection of A2 biomarker for Leishmania donovani

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roche, Philip J. R.; Cheung, Maurice C.; Najih, Mohamed; McCall, Laura-Isobel; Fakih, Ibrahim; Chodavarapu, Vamsy P.; Ward, Brian; Ndao, Momar; Kirk, Andrew G.

2012-03-01

Visceral leishmaniasis (L.donovani) is a protozoan infection that attacks mononuclear phagocytes and causes the liver and spleen damage that can cause death. The investigation presented is a proof of concept development applying a plasmonic diagnostic platform with simple microfluidic sample delivery and optical readout. An immune-assay method is applied to the quantification of A2 protein, a highly immunogenic biomarker for the pathogen. Quantification of A2 was performed in the ng/ml range, analysis by ELISA suggested that a limit of 0.1ng/ml of A2 is approximate to 1 pathogen per ml and the sensing system shows the potential to deliver a similar level of quantification. Significant reduction in assay complexity as further enzyme linked enhancement is not required when applying a plasmonic methodology to an immunoassay. The basic instrumentation required for a portable device and potential dual optical readout where both plasmonic and photoluminescent response are assessed and investigated including consideration of the application of the device to testing where non-literate communication of results is considered and issues of performance are addressed.

Single spore isolation and morphological characterization of local Malaysian isolates of rice blast fungus Magnoporthe grisea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Ankitta; Ratnam, Wickneswari; Bhuiyan, Md Atiqur Rahman; Ponaya, Ariane; Jena, Khisord K.

2015-09-01

Rice blast is a destructive disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe grisea. It causes considerable damage to rice and leads to crop loss in rice growing regions worldwide. Although fungicides can be used to control rice blast, they generate additional cost in rice production and contamination of environment and food. Therefore, the use of resistant varieties is thought to be one of the most economically and environmentally efficient ways of crop protection from the disease. Six new local Malaysian isolates of M. grisea were isolated using single spore isolation method. Five isolates were from infected leaf samples collected from Kompleks Latihan MADA, Kedah and one was from Kelantan. These isolates were identified using morphological characteristics and microscopic studies and later confirmed by ITSequences. These isolates were induced to sporulate and used for greenhouse screening on two differential rice varieties: Mahsuri (susceptible) and Pongsu Seribu 2 (resistant). Among the 6 isolates, isolate number 3 was found to be the most virulent showing high sporulation while isolate number 4 was very slow growing, and the least virulent.

Mycoplasma mastitis in cattle: To cull or not to cull.

PubMed

Nicholas, Robin A J; Fox, Larry K; Lysnyansky, Inna

2016-10-01

Bovine mastitis caused by mycoplasmas, in particular Mycoplasma bovis, is a major problem for milk production and animal welfare in large dairy herds in the USA and a serious, although sporadic, disease in Europe and the Middle East. It causes severe damage to the udder of cattle and is largely untreatable by chemotherapy. Mycoplasma mastitis has a distinct epidemiology and a unique set of risk factors, the most important of which is large herd size. The disease is often self-limiting, disappearing within months of outbreaks, sometimes without deliberate intervention. Improved molecular diagnostic tests are leading to more rapid detection of mycoplasmas. Typing tests, such as multi-locus sequence typing, can help trace the source of outbreaks. An approach to successful control is proposed, which involves regular monitoring and rapid segregation or culling of infected cows. Serious consideration should be given by owners of healthy dairy herds to the purchase of M. bovis-free replacements. Increased cases of disease could occur in Europe and Israel if the trend for larger dairy herds continues. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Earthquakes, November-December 1977

USGS Publications Warehouse

Person, W.J.

1978-01-01

In the United States, the largest earthquake during this reporting period was a magntidue 6.6 in the Andreanof Islands, which are part of the Aleutian Islands chain, on November 4 that caused some minor damage. Northern California was struck by a magnitude 4.8 earthquake on November 22 causing moderate damage in the Willits area. This was the most damaging quake in the United States during the year. Two major earthquakes of magntidues 7.0 or above to 14 for the year. 

"Got rats?" Global environmental costs of thirst for milk include acute biodiversity impacts linked to dairy feed production.

PubMed

Luque-Larena, Juan J; Mougeot, François; Arroyo, Beatriz; Lambin, Xavier

2018-07-01

Rodents damaging alfalfa crops typically destined for export to booming Eastern markets often cause economical losses to farmers, but management interventions attempting to control rodents (i.e., use of rodenticides) are themselves damaging to biodiversity. These damages resonate beyond dairy feed producing regions through animal migration and are an overlooked part of the transferred environmental burden caused by a growing thirst for milk in China and elsewhere. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Robust Rocket Engine Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lorenzo, Carl F.

1995-01-01

The potential for a revolutionary step in the durability of reusable rocket engines is made possible by the combination of several emerging technologies. The recent creation and analytical demonstration of life extending (or damage mitigating) control technology enables rapid rocket engine transients with minimum fatigue and creep damage. This technology has been further enhanced by the formulation of very simple but conservative continuum damage models. These new ideas when combined with recent advances in multidisciplinary optimization provide the potential for a large (revolutionary) step in reusable rocket engine durability. This concept has been named the robust rocket engine concept (RREC) and is the basic contribution of this paper. The concept also includes consideration of design innovations to minimize critical point damage.

Clinical and Rehabilitative Management of Retinitis Pigmentosa: Up-to-Date

PubMed Central

Parmeggiani, Francesco; Sato, Giovanni; De Nadai, Katia; Romano, Mario R; Binotto, Andrea; Costagliola, Ciro

2011-01-01

The term retinitis pigmentosa (RP) indicates a heterogeneous group of genetic rare ocular diseases in which either rods or cones are prevalently damaged. RP represents the most common hereditary cause of blindness in people from 20 to 60 years old. In general, the different RP forms consist of progressive photo-receptorial neuro-degenerations, which are characterized by variable visual disabilities and considerable socio-sanitary burden. Sometimes, RP patients do not become visually impaired or legally blind until their 40-50 years of age and/or maintain a quite acceptable sight for all their life. Other individuals with RP become completely blind very early or in middle childhood. Although there is no treatment that can effectively cure RP, in some case-series the disease’s progression seems to be reducible by specific preventive approaches. In the most part of RP patients, the quality of vision can be considerably increased by means of nanometer-controlled filters. In the present review, the main aspects of the routine clinical and rehabilitative managements for RP patients are described, particularly focusing on the importance of specific referral Centers to practice a real multidisciplinary governance of these dramatic diseases. PMID:22131870

Methodology to improve process understanding of surface runoff causing damages to buildings by analyzing insurance data records

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernet, Daniel; Prasuhn, Volker; Weingartner, Rolf

2015-04-01

Several case studies in Switzerland highlight that many buildings which are damaged by floods are not located within the inundation zones of rivers, but outside the river network. In urban areas, such flooding can be caused by drainage system surcharge, low infiltration capacity of the urbanized landscape etc. However, in rural and peri-urban areas inundations are more likely caused by surface runoff formed on natural and arable land. Such flash floods have very short response time, occur rather diffusely and, thus, are very difficult to observe directly. In our approach, we use data records from private, but mostly from public insurance companies. The latter, present in 19 out of the total 26 Cantons of Switzerland, insure (almost) every building within the respective administrative zones and, in addition, hold a monopoly position. Damage claims, including flood damages, are usually recorded and, thus, data records from such public insurance companies are a very profitable data source to better understand surface runoff leading to damages. Although practitioners agree that this process is relevant, there seems to be a knowledge gap concerning spatial and temporal distributions as well as triggers and influencing factors of such damage events. Within the framework of a research project, we want to address this research gap and improve the understanding of the process chain from surface runoff formation up to possible damages to buildings. This poster introduces the methodology, which will be applied to a dataset including data from the majority of all 19 public insurance companies for buildings in Switzerland, counting over 50'000 damage claims, in order to better understand surface runoff. The goal is to infer spatial and temporal patterns as well as drivers and influencing factors of surface runoff possibly causing damages. In particular, the workflow of data acquisition, harmonization and treatment is outlined. Furthermore associated problems and challenges are discussed. Ultimately, the improved process understanding will be used to develop a new modeling approach.

Hair Shaft Damage from Heat and Drying Time of Hair Dryer

PubMed Central

Lee, Yoonhee; Kim, Youn-Duk; Hyun, Hye-Jin; Pi, Long-quan; Jin, Xinghai

2011-01-01

Background Hair dryers are commonly used and can cause hair damage such as roughness, dryness and loss of hair color. It is important to understand the best way to dry hair without causing damage. Objective The study assessed changes in the ultra-structure, morphology, moisture content, and color of hair after repeated shampooing and drying with a hair dryer at a range of temperatures. Methods A standardized drying time was used to completely dry each hair tress, and each tress was treated a total of 30 times. Air flow was set on the hair dryer. The tresses were divided into the following five test groups: (a) no treatment, (b) drying without using a hair dryer (room temperature, 20℃), (c) drying with a hair dryer for 60 seconds at a distance of 15 cm (47℃), (d) drying with a hair dryer for 30 seconds at a distance of 10 cm (61℃), (e) drying with a hair dryer for 15 seconds at a distance of 5 cm (95℃). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and lipid TEM were performed. Water content was analyzed by a halogen moisture analyzer and hair color was measured with a spectrophotometer. Results Hair surfaces tended to become more damaged as the temperature increased. No cortex damage was ever noted, suggesting that the surface of hair might play a role as a barrier to prevent cortex damage. Cell membrane complex was damaged only in the naturally dried group without hair dryer. Moisture content decreased in all treated groups compared to the untreated control group. However, the differences in moisture content among the groups were not statistically significant. Drying under the ambient and 95℃ conditions appeared to change hair color, especially into lightness, after just 10 treatments. Conclusion Although using a hair dryer causes more surface damage than natural drying, using a hair dryer at a distance of 15 cm with continuous motion causes less damage than drying hair naturally. PMID:22148012

Misgav-Ladach cesarean section: general consideration.

PubMed

Fatusić, Zlatan; Hudić, Igor; Musić, Asim

2011-03-01

Among obstetric techniques, cesarean section seemed to represent a well-defined procedure and significant advances in this intervention were considered to be unlikely. However, obstetric surgery has recently undergone many improvements. In 1972, Joel-Cohen presented a new method for transverse incision of the abdomen. This method, with some modifications, was integrated into the Misgav-Ladach cesarean section. The philosophy of this technique is to cause the least possible damage to tissues, to refrain from superfluous steps, and to make the intervention the simplest possible. Advantages of this method are lower incidence of fever and urinary tract infection, reduced use of antibiotics and narcotics, faster re-establishment of normal bowel function, shorter maternal hospital stay and less postoperative adhesion formation. The Misgav-Ladach method of cesarean section is suitable for emergency and elective procedures, justifying its use in daily routine.

Spinal cord injury following operative shoulder intervention: A case report.

PubMed

Cleveland, Christine; Walker, Heather

2015-07-01

Cervical myelopathy is a spinal cord dysfunction that results from extrinsic compression of the spinal cord, its blood supply, or both. It is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in patients greater than 55 years of age. A 57-year-old male with right shoulder septic arthritis underwent surgical debridement of his right shoulder and sustained a spinal cord injury intraoperatively. The most likely etiology is damage to the cervical spinal cord during difficult intubation requiring multiple attempts in this patient with underlying asymptomatic severe cervical stenosis. Although it is not feasible to perform imaging studies on all patients undergoing intubation for surgery, this patient's outcome would suggest consideration of inclusion of additional pre-surgical screening examination techniques, such as testing for a positive Hoffman's reflex, is appropriate to detect asymptomatic patients who may have underlying cervical stenosis.

Low Temperature Plasma: A Novel Focal Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer?

PubMed Central

Hirst, Adam M.; Frame, Fiona M.; Maitland, Norman J.; O'Connell, Deborah

2014-01-01

Despite considerable advances in recent years for the focal treatment of localized prostate cancer, high recurrence rates and detrimental side effects are still a cause for concern. In this review, we compare current focal therapies to a potentially novel approach for the treatment of early onset prostate cancer: low temperature plasma. The rapidly evolving plasma technology has the potential to deliver a wide range of promising medical applications via the delivery of plasma-induced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Studies assessing the effect of low temperature plasma on cell lines and xenografts have demonstrated DNA damage leading to apoptosis and reduction in cell viability. However, there have been no studies on prostate cancer, which is an obvious candidate for this novel therapy. We present here the potential of low temperature plasma as a focal therapy for prostate cancer. PMID:24738076

Low temperature plasma: a novel focal therapy for localized prostate cancer?

PubMed

Hirst, Adam M; Frame, Fiona M; Maitland, Norman J; O'Connell, Deborah

2014-01-01

Despite considerable advances in recent years for the focal treatment of localized prostate cancer, high recurrence rates and detrimental side effects are still a cause for concern. In this review, we compare current focal therapies to a potentially novel approach for the treatment of early onset prostate cancer: low temperature plasma. The rapidly evolving plasma technology has the potential to deliver a wide range of promising medical applications via the delivery of plasma-induced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Studies assessing the effect of low temperature plasma on cell lines and xenografts have demonstrated DNA damage leading to apoptosis and reduction in cell viability. However, there have been no studies on prostate cancer, which is an obvious candidate for this novel therapy. We present here the potential of low temperature plasma as a focal therapy for prostate cancer.

Prevalence of skeletal tissue growth anomalies in a scleractinian coral: Turbinaria mesenterina of Malvan Marine Sanctuary, eastern Arabian Sea.

PubMed

Hussain, Afreen; De, Kalyan; Thomas, Liju; Nagesh, Rahul; Mote, Sambhaji; Ingole, Baban

2016-08-31

Skeletal tissue growth anomalies (STAs) of corals are capable of causing considerable degradation of reef health. This study is the first report of growth anomalies in Turbinaria corals and the first descriptive study of Indian corals. T. mesenterina colonies at 2 sites were affected by small, round to irregularly shaped growth anomalies. Prevalence of STAs was observed to be higher in T. mesenterina colonies with larger diameters. Prevalence of STAs on T. mesenterina was 71% at Site 1 and 40% at Site 2. Affected colonies were seen to be undergoing tissue damage and infiltration by filamentous algae. We describe the gross morphology of growth anomalies which can act as baseline data for growth anomalies from this region, but further investigation is needed to understand the form and etiology of this coral disease.

Model Development for VDE Computations in NIMROD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bunkers, K. J.; Sovinec, C. R.

2017-10-01

Vertical displacement events (VDEs) and the disruptions associated with them have potential for causing considerable physical damage to ITER and other tokamak experiments. We report on simulations of generic axisymmetric VDEs and a vertically unstable case from Alcator C-MOD using the NIMROD code. Previous calculations have been done with closures for heat flux and viscous stress. Initial calculations show that halo current width is dependent on temperature boundary conditions, and so transport together with plasma-surface interaction may play a role in determining halo currents in experiments. The behavior of VDEs with Braginskii thermal conductivity and viscosity closures and Spitzer-like resistivity are investigated for both the generic axisymmetric VDE case and the C-MOD case. This effort is supported by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, Award Numbers DE-FG02-06ER54850 and DE-FC02-08ER54975.

Protecting LHC components against radiation resulting from an unsynchronized beam abort

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

Nikolai V. Mokhov et al.

2001-06-26

The effect of possible accidental beam loss in the LHC on the IP5 and IP6 insertion elements is studied via realistic Monte Carlo simulations. The scenario studied is beam loss due to unsynchronized abort at an accidental prefire of one of the abort kicker modules. Simulations show that this beam loss would result in severe heating of the IP5 and IP6 superconducting (SC) quadrupoles. Contrary to the previous considerations with a stationary set of collimators in IP5, collimators in IP6 close to the cause are proposed: a movable collimator upstream of the Q4 quadrupole and a stationary one upstream ofmore » the extraction septumMSD. The calculated temperature rise in the optimal set of collimators is quite acceptable. All SC magnets are protected by these collimators against damage.« less

Instability of multistage compressor K1501

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhou, Ren-Mu

1987-01-01

The K1501 compressor, driven by a steam turbine, is used to transport synthetic gas in fertilizer plants of 1000 tons daily production. The turbo-compressor set, which had been in operation since 1982, vibrated rather intensely, and its maximum load was only about 95 percent of the normal value. Damaging vibration to pads and gas-sealing labyrinths occurred three times from 1982 to 1983 and resulted in considerable economic loss. From the characteristics of the vibration, we suspected its cause to be rotor instability due to labyrinth-seal excitation. But, for lack of experience, the problem was not addressed for two years. Finally, we determined that the instability was indeed produced by labyrinth-seal excitation and corrected this problem by injecting gas into the middle-diaphragm labyrinths. This paper primarily discusses the failure and the remedy described above.

Impact response of graphite-epoxy flat laminates using projectiles that simulate aircraft engine encounters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Preston, J. L., Jr.; Cook, T. S.

1975-01-01

An investigation of the response of a graphite-epoxy material to foreign object impact was made by impacting spherical projectiles of gelatin, ice, and steel normally on flat panels. The observed damage was classified as transverse (stress wave delamination and cracking), penetrative, or structural (gross failure): the minimum, or threshold, velocity to cause each class of damage was established as a function of projectile characteristics. Steel projectiles had the lowest transverse damage threshold, followed by gelatin and ice. Making use of the threshold velocities and assuming that the normal component of velocity produces the damage in nonnormal impacts, a set of impact angles and velocities was established for each projectile material which would result in damage to composite fan blades. Analysis of the operating parameters of a typical turbine fan blade shows that small steel projectiles are most likely to cause delamination and penetration damage to unprotected graphite-epoxy composite fan blades.

[Study on three kinds of gasoline oxygenates-induced DNA damage in mice fibroblasts].

PubMed

Song, Chonglin; Zhang, Zhifu; Chen, Xue; Zhang, Yanfeng; Wang, Chunhua; Liu, Keming

2002-10-01

To study DNA damage of three kinds of gasoline oxygenates. Single cell gel electrophoresis assay(Comet assay) was used to detect the damage effects of three gasoline oxygenates[methyl tertiary butyl ether(MTBE), ethanol anhydrous(EA) and dimethyl carbonate(DMC)] on DNA in L-929 mice fibroblasts. In certain concentation(37.500-150.000 mg/ml), MTBE could directly cause DNA damage of L-929 mice fibroblasts. There was obvious dose-effect relationship, i.e. when the concentration of MTBE was increased from 9.375 to 150.000 mg/ml, the comet rate also increased from 4% to 85%, and the length of comet tail changed correspondingly. The results of EA and DMC were negative. Under the condition of this experiment(150.000 mg/ml), MTBE could directly cause DNA damage while the effect of EA and DMC on DNA damage was not found.

Cell damage caused by vaginal Candida albicans isolates from women with different symptomatologies.

PubMed

Faria, Daniella Renata; Sakita, Karina Mayumi; Akimoto-Gunther, Luciene Setsuko; Kioshima, Érika Seki; Svidzinski, Terezinha Inez Estivalet; Bonfim-Mendonça, Patrícia de Souza

2017-08-01

The present study aimed to characterize cell damage caused by vaginal Candida albicans isolates from women with different symptomatologies. It was evaluated 12 clinical isolates of C. albicans from vaginal samples: 4 from asymptomatic women (AS), 4 from women with a single episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and 4 from women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). We evaluated the ability of C. albicans to adhere to human cervical cancer cells (SiHa), the yeast-SiHa cell interactions and cell damage. All of the clinical isolates presented a high adhesion capacity on SiHa cells. However, clinical isolates from symptomatic women (VVC and RVVC) had higher filamentation after contact (24 h) with SiHa cells and a greater capacity to cause cell damage (>80 %). Clinical isolates from symptomatic women had greater potential to invade SiHa cells, suggesting that they are more pathogenic than AS isolates.

Floods of August and September 2004 in Eastern Ohio: FEMA Disaster Declaration 1556

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ebner, Andrew D.; Straub, David E.; Lageman, Jonathan D.

2008-01-01

A band of severe thunderstorms at the end of August 2004 and the passage of the remnants of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan during September 2004 caused severe flooding in eastern Ohio during August and September 2004. Record peak streamflow occurred at 12 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages. Damages caused by the flooding produced by these storms were severe enough for 21 counties in eastern Ohio to be declared Federal disaster areas. In all, there were 4 storm- or flood-related deaths, 2,563 private structures damaged or destroyed, and an estimated $81 million in damages. This report describes the meteorological factors that resulted in severe flooding in eastern Ohio during August 27-September 27, 2004, and examines the damages caused by the storms and flooding. Peak-stage, peak-streamflow, and recurrence-interval data are reported for selected USGS streamgages. Flood profiles determined by the USGS are presented for selected streams.

Static-transmission-error vibratory-excitation contributions from plastically deformed gear teeth caused by tooth bending-fatigue damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mark, W. D.; Reagor, C. P.

2007-02-01

To assess gear health and detect gear-tooth damage, the vibratory response from meshing gear-pair excitations is commonly monitored by accelerometers. In an earlier paper, strong evidence was presented suggesting that, in the case of tooth bending-fatigue damage, the principal source of detectable damage is whole-tooth plastic deformation; i.e. yielding, rather than changes in tooth stiffness caused by tooth-root cracks. Such plastic deformations are geometric deviation contributions to the "static-transmission-error" (STE) vibratory excitation caused by meshing gear pairs. The STE contributions caused by two likely occurring forms of such plastic deformations on a single tooth are derived, and displayed in the time domain as a function of involute "roll distance." Example calculations are provided for transverse contact ratios of Qt=1.4 and 1.8, for spur gears and for helical-gear axial contact ratios ranging from Qa=1.2 to Qa=3.6. Low-pass- and band-pass-filtered versions of these same STE contributions also are computed and displayed in the time domain. Several calculations, consisting of superposition of the computed STE tooth-meshing fundamental harmonic contribution and the band-pass STE contribution caused by a plastically deformed tooth, exhibit the amplitude and frequency or phase modulation character commonly observed in accelerometer-response waveforms caused by damaged teeth. General formulas are provided that enable computation of these STE vibratory-excitation contributions for any form of plastic deformation on any number of teeth for spur and helical gears with any contact ratios.

Recent Advances in Durability and Damage Tolerance Methodology at NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ransom, J. B.; Glaessgen, E. H.; Raju, I. S.; Harris, C. E.

2007-01-01

Durability and damage tolerance (D&DT) issues are critical to the development of lighter, safer and more efficient aerospace vehicles. Durability is largely an economic life-cycle design consideration whereas damage tolerance directly addresses the structural airworthiness (safety) of the vehicle. Both D&DT methodologies must address the deleterious effects of changes in material properties and the initiation and growth of damage that may occur during the vehicle s service lifetime. The result of unanticipated D&DT response is often manifested in the form of catastrophic and potentially fatal accidents. As such, durability and damage tolerance requirements must be rigorously addressed for commercial transport aircraft and NASA spacecraft systems. This paper presents an overview of the recent and planned future research in durability and damage tolerance analytical and experimental methods for both metallic and composite aerospace structures at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC).

Advanced Durability and Damage Tolerance Design and Analysis Methods for Composite Structures: Lessons Learned from NASA Technology Development Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harris, Charles E.; Starnes, James H., Jr.; Shuart, Mark J.

2003-01-01

Aerospace vehicles are designed to be durable and damage tolerant. Durability is largely an economic life-cycle design consideration whereas damage tolerance directly addresses the structural airworthiness (safety) of the vehicle. However, both durability and damage tolerance design methodologies must address the deleterious effects of changes in material properties and the initiation and growth of microstructural damage that may occur during the service lifetime of the vehicle. Durability and damage tolerance design and certification requirements are addressed for commercial transport aircraft and NASA manned spacecraft systems. The state-of-the-art in advanced design and analysis methods is illustrated by discussing the results of several recently completed NASA technology development programs. These programs include the NASA Advanced Subsonic Technology Program demonstrating technologies for large transport aircraft and the X-33 hypersonic test vehicle demonstrating technologies for a single-stage-to-orbit space launch vehicle.

Spinal Cord Injury Causes Chronic Liver Pathology in Rats

PubMed Central

Sauerbeck, Andrew D.; Laws, J. Lukas; Bandaru, Veera V.R.; Popovich, Phillip G.; Haughey, Norman J.

2015-01-01

Abstract Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes major disruption to peripheral organ innervation and regulation. Relatively little work has investigated these post-SCI systemic changes, however, despite considerable evidence that multiple organ system dysfunction contributes to chronic impairments in health. Because metabolic dysfunction is common after SCI and the liver is a pivotal site for metabolic homeostasis, we sought to determine if liver pathology occurs as a result of SCI in a rat spinal contusion model. Histologic evidence showed excess lipid accumulation in the liver for at least 21 days post-injury after cervical or midthoracic SCI. Lipidomic analysis revealed an acute increase in hepatic ceramides as well as chronically elevated lactosylceramide. Post-SCI hepatic changes also included increased proinflammatory gene expression, including interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, chemokine ligand-2, and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA. These were coincident with increased CD68+ macrophages in the liver through 21 days post-injury. Serum alanine transaminase, used clinically to detect liver damage, was significantly increased at 21 days post-injury, suggesting that early metabolic and inflammatory damage preceded overt liver pathology. Surprisingly, liver inflammation was even detected after lumbar SCI. Collectively, these results suggest that SCI produces chronic liver injury with symptoms strikingly similar to those of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (fatty liver disease). These clinically significant hepatic changes after SCI are known to contribute to systemic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome, all of which are more prevalent in persons with SCI. Targeting acute and prolonged hepatic pathology may improve recovery and reduce long-term complications after SCI. PMID:25036371

The November 15, 2006 Kuril Islands-Generated Tsunami in Crescent City, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dengler, L.; Uslu, B.; Barberopoulou, A.; Yim, S. C.; Kelly, A.

2009-02-01

On November 15, 2006, Crescent City in Del Norte County, California was hit by a tsunami generated by a M w 8.3 earthquake in the central Kuril Islands. Strong currents that persisted over an eight-hour period damaged floating docks and several boats and caused an estimated 9.2 million in losses. Initial tsunami alert bulletins issued by the West Coast Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WCATWC) in Palmer, Alaska were cancelled about three and a half hours after the earthquake, nearly five hours before the first surges reached Crescent City. The largest amplitude wave, 1.76-meter peak to trough, was the sixth cycle and arrived over two hours after the first wave. Strong currents estimated at over 10 knots, damaged or destroyed three docks and caused cracks in most of the remaining docks. As a result of the November 15 event, WCATWC changed the definition of Advisory from a region-wide alert bulletin meaning that a potential tsunami is 6 hours or further away to a localized alert that tsunami water heights may approach warning- level thresholds in specific, vulnerable locations like Crescent City. On January 13, 2007 a similar Kuril event occurred and hourly conferences between the warning center and regional weather forecasts were held with a considerable improvement in the flow of information to local coastal jurisdictions. The event highlighted the vulnerability of harbors from a relatively modest tsunami and underscored the need to improve public education regarding the duration of the tsunami hazards, improve dialog between tsunami warning centers and local jurisdictions, and better understand the currents produced by tsunamis in harbors.

Microtremor Survey On PovoaÇA~o County (s. Miguel Island, Azores): Data Analysis And Interpretation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teves-Costa, P.; Riedel, C.; Vales, D.; Wallenstein, N.; Borges, A.; Senos, M. L.; Gaspar, J. L.; Queiroz, G.

The seismic activity of the Azores Islands is known since the beginning of their settlement in the middle of the XV century. About 30 earthquakes produced social and economical important damages. The analysis of the damage distribution, for several earthquakes, shows systematically the existence of site effects. In order to understand the initial cause of these effects, three different zones were selected, with different geological and geomorphological characteristics, in the Povoação County, to perform a microtremor survey. Seismic data were recorded on a grid of 50 m in the three regions, using a 3-component Lennartz 1 Hz seismometer, with a sampling rate of 8 ms. The stations were deployed for 5 minutes or more to record microtremor imposed on the topmost layers by natural and anthropogenic sources. The data were processed using two different subroutine packages, in order to estimate the H/V ratio, defined according to the Nakamura methodology. However, the two processing routines gave different results, which forced us to revise all the procedures and to identify the main factors that caused it. Three portable seismic stations were installed in three fixed points, for about three months, aiming to record some earthquakes. Several small magnitude earthquakes (m < 3.0) were recorded and these data were processed in the same way as the noise data, obtaining reference H/V ratios. The interpretation of the dominant frequencies, for noise and small magnitude earthquakes, was performed taking into consideration not only the geological characteristics, but also the structural geomorphology.

Gallium arsenide solar cell radiation damage study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maurer, R. H.; Herbert, G. A.; Kinnison, J. D.; Meulenberg, A.

1989-01-01

A thorough analysis has been made of electron- and proton- damaged GaAs solar cells suitable for use in space. It is found that, although some electrical parametric data and spectral response data are quite similar, the type of damage due to the two types of radiation is different. An I-V analysis model shows that electrons damage the bulk of the cell and its currents relatively more, while protons damage the junction of the cell and its voltages more. It is suggested that multiple defects due to protons in a strong field region such as a p/n junction cause the greater degradation in cell voltage, whereas the individual point defects in the quasi-neutral minority-carrier-diffusion regions due to electrons cause the greater degradation in cell current and spectral response.

Unrepaired DNA damage in macrophages causes elevation of particulate matter- induced airway inflammatory response.

PubMed

Luo, Man; Bao, Zhengqiang; Xu, Feng; Wang, Xiaohui; Li, Fei; Li, Wen; Chen, Zhihua; Ying, Songmin; Shen, Huahao

2018-04-14

The inflammatory cascade can be initiated with the recognition of damaged DNA. Macrophages play an essential role in particulate matter (PM)-induced airway inflammation. In this study, we aim to explore the PM induced DNA damage response of macrophages and its function in airway inflammation. The DNA damage response and inflammatory response were assessed using bone marrow-derived macrophages following PM treatment and mouse model instilled intratracheally with PM. We found that PM induced significant DNA damage both in vitro and in vivo and simultaneously triggered a rapid DNA damage response, represented by nuclear RPA, 53BP1 and γH2AX foci formation. Genetic ablation or chemical inhibition of the DNA damage response sensor amplified the production of cytokines including Cxcl1, Cxcl2 and Ifn-γ after PM stimulation in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Similar to that seen in vitro , mice with myeloid-specific deletion of RAD50 showed higher levels of airway inflammation in response to the PM challenge, suggesting a protective role of DNA damage sensor during inflammation. These data demonstrate that PM exposure induces DNA damage and activation of DNA damage response sensor MRN complex in macrophages. Disruption of MRN complex lead to persistent, unrepaired DNA damage that causes elevated inflammatory response.

Combusted but not smokeless tobacco products cause DNA damage in oral cavity cells.

PubMed

Gao, Hong; Prasad, G L; Zacharias, Wolfgang

2014-05-01

The aim of this work was to investigate genomic DNA damage in human oral cavity cells after exposure to different tobacco product preparations (TPPs). The oral carcinoma cell line 101A, gingival epithelial cells HGEC, and gingival fibroblasts HGF were exposed to TPM (total particulate matter from 3R4F cigarettes), ST/CAS (2S3 smokeless tobacco extract in complete artificial saliva), and NIC (nicotine). Treatments were for 24 h using TPM at its EC-50 doses, ST/CAS and NIC at doses with equi-nicotine units, and high doses for ST/CAS and NIC. Comet assays showed that TPM, but not ST/CAS or NIC, caused substantial DNA breaks in cells; only the high ST/CAS dose caused weak DNA damage. These results were confirmed by immunofluorescence for γ-H2AX protein. These data revealed that the combusted TPP caused substantial DNA damage in all cell types, whereas the two non-combusted TPPs exerted no or only minimal DNA damage. They support epidemiologic evidence on the relative risk associated with consumption of non-combusted versus combusted tobacco products, and help to understand potential genotoxic effects of such products on oral cavity cells. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner) caused injury on maize grain content, especially regarding to the protein alteration.

PubMed

Keszthelyi, S; Pál-Fám, F; Kerepesi, I

2011-03-01

The cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner), which migrated in the Carpathian-basin from Mediterraneum in the last decades, is becoming an increasingly serious problem for maize producers in Hungary. In several regions the damage it causes has reached the threshold of economic loss, especially in the case of the sweet maize cultivation. The aim of the research was to determine the changing of ears weights and in-kernel accumulation and alteration in grain as a function of cotton bollworm mastication.Our investigation confirmed that there is an in-kernel and protein pattern change of maize grain by cotton bollworm. Our results proved the significant damaging of each part of ears by cotton bollworm masticating (the average weight loss of ears: 13.99%; the average weight loss of grains: 14.03%; the average weight loss of cobs: 13.74%), with the exception of the increasing of the grain-cob ratio. Our examinations did not prove the water loss - that is the "forced maturing" - caused by the damage. Decreasing of raw fat (control: 2.8%; part-damaged: 2.6%; damaged: 2.4%) and starch content (control: 53.1%; part-damaged: 46.6%; damaged: 44.7%) were registered as a function of injury. In contrast, the raw protein content was increased (control: 4.7%; part-damaged: 5.3%; damaged: 7.4%) by maize ear masticating. The most conspicuous effect on protein composition changing was proved by comparison of damaged grain samples by SDS PAGE. Increased amounts of 114, 50, 46 and 35 kDa molecular mass proteins were detected which explained the more than 50% elevation of raw protein content. The statistical analysis of molecular weights proved the protein realignment as a function of the pest injuries, too.

Influence of subsurface defects on damage performance of fused silica in ultraviolet laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Jin; Zhou, Xinda; Liu, Hongjie; Wang, Fengrui; Jiang, Xiaodong; Wu, Weidong; Tang, Yongjian; Zheng, Wanguo

2013-02-01

In ultraviolet pulse laser, damage performance of fused silica optics is directly dependent on the absorptive impurities and scratches in subsurface, which are induced by mechanical polishing. In the research about influence of subsurface defects on damage performance, a series of fused silica surfaces with various impurity concentrations and scratch structures were created by hydrofluoric (HF) acid solution etching. Time of Flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and scanning probe microprobe revealed that with increasing etching depth, impurity concentrations in subsurface layers are decreased, the scratch structures become smoother and the diameter:depth ratio is increased. Damage performance test with 355-nm pulse laser showed that when 600 nm subsurface thickness is removed by HF acid etching, laser-induced damage threshold of fused silica is raised by 40 percent and damage density is decreased by over one order of magnitude. Laser weak absorption was tested to explain the cause of impurity elements impacting damage performance, field enhancement caused by change of scratch structures was calculated by finite difference time domain simulation, and the calculated results are in accord with the damage test results.

Fiber-type susceptibility to eccentric contraction-induced damage of hindlimb-unloaded rat AL muscles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vijayan, K.; Thompson, J. L.; Norenberg, K. M.; Fitts, R. H.; Riley, D. A.

2001-01-01

Slow oxidative (SO) fibers of the adductor longus (AL) were predominantly damaged during voluntary reloading of hindlimb unloaded (HU) rats and appeared explainable by preferential SO fiber recruitment. The present study assessed damage after eliminating the variable of voluntary recruitment by tetanically activating all fibers in situ through the motor nerve while applying eccentric (lengthening) or isometric contractions. Muscles were aldehyde fixed and resin embedded, and semithin sections were cut. Sarcomere lesions were quantified in toluidine blue-stained sections. Fibers were typed in serial sections immunostained with antifast myosin and antitotal myosin (which highlights slow fibers). Both isometric and eccentric paradigms caused fatigue. Lesions occurred only in eccentrically contracted control and HU muscles. Fatigue did not cause lesions. HU increased damage because lesioned- fiber percentages within fiber types and lesion sizes were greater than control. Fast oxidative glycolytic (FOG) fibers were predominantly damaged. In no case did damaged SO fibers predominate. Thus, when FOG, SO, and hybrid fibers are actively lengthened in chronically unloaded muscle, FOG fibers are intrinsically more susceptible to damage than SO fibers. Damaged hybrid-fiber proportions ranged between these extremes.

What Reliability Engineers Should Know about Space Radiation Effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DiBari, Rebecca

2013-01-01

Space radiation in space systems present unique failure modes and considerations for reliability engineers. Radiation effects is not a one size fits all field. Threat conditions that must be addressed for a given mission depend on the mission orbital profile, the technologies of parts used in critical functions and on application considerations, such as supply voltages, temperature, duty cycle, and redundancy. In general, the threats that must be addressed are of two types-the cumulative degradation mechanisms of total ionizing dose (TID) and displacement damage (DD). and the prompt responses of components to ionizing particles (protons and heavy ions) falling under the heading of single-event effects. Generally degradation mechanisms behave like wear-out mechanisms on any active components in a system: Total Ionizing Dose (TID) and Displacement Damage: (1) TID affects all active devices over time. Devices can fail either because of parametric shifts that prevent the device from fulfilling its application or due to device failures where the device stops functioning altogether. Since this failure mode varies from part to part and lot to lot, lot qualification testing with sufficient statistics is vital. Displacement damage failures are caused by the displacement of semiconductor atoms from their lattice positions. As with TID, failures can be either parametric or catastrophic, although parametric degradation is more common for displacement damage. Lot testing is critical not just to assure proper device fi.mctionality throughout the mission. It can also suggest remediation strategies when a device fails. This paper will look at these effects on a variety of devices in a variety of applications. This paper will look at these effects on a variety of devices in a variety of applications. (2) On the NEAR mission a functional failure was traced to a PIN diode failure caused by TID induced high leakage currents. NEAR was able to recover from the failure by reversing the current of a nearby Thermal Electric Cooler (turning the TEC into a heater). The elevated temperature caused the PIN diode to anneal and the device to recover. It was by lot qualification testing that NEAR knew the diode would recover when annealed. This paper will look at these effects on a variety of devices in a variety of applications. Single Event Effects (SEE): (1) In contrast to TID and displacement damage, Single Event Effects (SEE) resemble random failures. SEE modes can range from changes in device logic (single-event upset, or SEU). temporary disturbances (single-event transient) to catastrophic effects such as the destructive SEE modes, single-event latchup (SEL). single-event gate rupture (SEGR) and single-event burnout (SEB) (2) The consequences of nondestructive SEE modes such as SEU and SET depend critically on their application--and may range from trivial nuisance errors to catastrophic loss of mission. It is critical not just to ensure that potentially susceptible devices are well characterized for their susceptibility, but also to work with design engineers to understand the implications of each error mode. -For destructive SEE, the predominant risk mitigation strategy is to avoid susceptible parts, or if that is not possible. to avoid conditions under which the part may be susceptible. Destructive SEE mechanisms are often not well understood, and testing is slow and expensive, making rate prediction very challenging. (3) Because the consequences of radiation failure and degradation modes depend so critically on the application as well as the component technology, it is essential that radiation, component. design and system engineers work togetherpreferably starting early in the program to ensure critical applications are addressed in time to optimize the probability of mission success.

Emergency reconstruction of critical transportation infrastructure.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-12-01

The recent damage caused by hurricanes, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma have demonstrated the potential for enormous property damage and loss of life as well as disruption of government and other institutions in Alabama. Similar damage could be the result o...

Retinal damage profiles and neuronal effects of laser treatment: comparison of a conventional photocoagulator and a novel 3-nanosecond pulse laser.

PubMed

Wood, John P M; Shibeeb, O'Sam; Plunkett, Malcolm; Casson, Robert J; Chidlow, Glyn

2013-03-28

To determine detailed effects to retinal cells and, in particular, neurons following laser photocoagulation using a conventional 532 nm Nd:YAG continuous wave (CW) laser. Furthermore, to determine whether a novel 3 ns pulse laser (retinal regeneration therapy; 2RT) could specifically ablate retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells without causing collateral damage to other retinal cells. Adult Dark Agouti (DA) rats were separated into four groups: control, CW laser (12.7 J/cm(2)/pulse, 100 ms pulse duration), or 3 ns pulse 2RT laser at one of two energy settings ("High," 2RT-H, 163 mJ/cm(2)/pulse; "Low," 2RT-L, 109 mJ/cm(2)/pulse). Animals were treated and killed after 6 hours to 7 days, and retina/RPE was analyzed by histologic assessment, Western blot, polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. Both lasers caused focal loss of RPE cells with no destruction of Bruch's membrane; RPE cells were present at lesion sites again within 7 days of treatments. CW and 2RT-H treatments caused extensive and moderate damage, respectively, to the outer retina. There were no obvious effects to horizontal, amacrine, or ganglion cells, as defined by immunolabeling, but an activation of PKCα within bipolar cells was noted. There was little discernible damage to any cells other than the RPE with the 2RT-L treatment. Conventional laser photocoagulation caused death of RPE cells with associated widespread damage to the outer retina but little influence on the inner retina. The novel 3 ns 2RT laser, however, was able to selectively kill RPE cells without causing collateral damage to photoreceptors. Potential benefits of this laser for clinical treatment of diabetic macular edema are discussed.

Vision restoration after brain and retina damage: the "residual vision activation theory".

PubMed

Sabel, Bernhard A; Henrich-Noack, Petra; Fedorov, Anton; Gall, Carolin

2011-01-01

Vision loss after retinal or cerebral visual injury (CVI) was long considered to be irreversible. However, there is considerable potential for vision restoration and recovery even in adulthood. Here, we propose the "residual vision activation theory" of how visual functions can be reactivated and restored. CVI is usually not complete, but some structures are typically spared by the damage. They include (i) areas of partial damage at the visual field border, (ii) "islands" of surviving tissue inside the blind field, (iii) extrastriate pathways unaffected by the damage, and (iv) downstream, higher-level neuronal networks. However, residual structures have a triple handicap to be fully functional: (i) fewer neurons, (ii) lack of sufficient attentional resources because of the dominant intact hemisphere caused by excitation/inhibition dysbalance, and (iii) disturbance in their temporal processing. Because of this resulting activation loss, residual structures are unable to contribute much to everyday vision, and their "non-use" further impairs synaptic strength. However, residual structures can be reactivated by engaging them in repetitive stimulation by different means: (i) visual experience, (ii) visual training, or (iii) noninvasive electrical brain current stimulation. These methods lead to strengthening of synaptic transmission and synchronization of partially damaged structures (within-systems plasticity) and downstream neuronal networks (network plasticity). Just as in normal perceptual learning, synaptic plasticity can improve vision and lead to vision restoration. This can be induced at any time after the lesion, at all ages and in all types of visual field impairments after retinal or brain damage (stroke, neurotrauma, glaucoma, amblyopia, age-related macular degeneration). If and to what extent vision restoration can be achieved is a function of the amount of residual tissue and its activation state. However, sustained improvements require repetitive stimulation which, depending on the method, may take days (noninvasive brain stimulation) or months (behavioral training). By becoming again engaged in everyday vision, (re)activation of areas of residual vision outlasts the stimulation period, thus contributing to lasting vision restoration and improvements in quality of life. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Assessing the cost of an invasive forest pathogen; A case study with oak wilt

Treesearch

Robert G. Haight; Frances R. Homans; Tetsuya Horie; Shefali V. Mehta; David J. Smith; Robert C. Venette

2011-01-01

Economic assessment of damage caused by invasive alien species provides useful information to consider when determining whether management programs should be established, modified, or discontinued. We estimate the baseline economic damage from an invasive alien pathogen, Ceratocystis fagacearum, a fungus that causes oak wilt, which is a significant...

78 FR 11563 - Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp Turboshaft Engines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-19

... and repetitive borescope inspections to verify the presence of a retaining ring securing the power... states: There have been 5 reported incidents of second stage Power Turbine (PT) disk damage caused by the... investigation has determined that the root cause for the PT baffle displacement and the resultant PT disk damage...

7 CFR 51.885 - U.S. No. 1 Institutional.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... which consist of clusters and/or bunches of well developed grapes of one variety, except when designated... damaged by: (1) Shot berries; (2) Dried berries; (3) Other defective berries; (4) Any other cause. (g) Stems not damaged by: (1) Freezing; (2) Any other cause. (h) Size: (1) For berries: Exclusive of shot...

7 CFR 51.885 - U.S. No. 1 Institutional.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... which consist of clusters and/or bunches of well developed grapes of one variety, except when designated... damaged by: (1) Shot berries; (2) Dried berries; (3) Other defective berries; (4) Any other cause. (g) Stems not damaged by: (1) Freezing; (2) Any other cause. (h) Size: (1) For berries: Exclusive of shot...

7 CFR 51.885 - U.S. No. 1 Institutional.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... which consist of clusters and/or bunches of well developed grapes of one variety, except when designated... damaged by: (1) Shot berries; (2) Dried berries; (3) Other defective berries; (4) Any other cause. (g) Stems not damaged by: (1) Freezing; (2) Any other cause. (h) Size: (1) For berries: Exclusive of shot...

Nitrative and oxidative DNA damage caused by K-ras mutation in mice

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

Ohnishi, Shiho; Saito, Hiromitsu; Suzuki, Noboru

2011-09-23

Highlights: {yields} Mutated K-ras in transgenic mice caused nitrative DNA damage, 8-nitroguanine. {yields} The mutagenic 8-nitroguanine seemed to be generated by iNOS via Ras-MAPK signal. {yields} Mutated K-ras produces additional mutagenic lesions, as a new oncogenic role. -- Abstract: Ras mutation is important for carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis consists of multi-step process with mutations in several genes. We investigated the role of DNA damage in carcinogenesis initiated by K-ras mutation, using conditional transgenic mice. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that mutagenic 8-nitroguanine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) were apparently formed in adenocarcinoma caused by mutated K-ras. 8-Nitroguanine was co-localized with iNOS, eNOS, NF-{kappa}B, IKK, MAPK, MEK,more » and mutated K-ras, suggesting that oncogenic K-ras causes additional DNA damage via signaling pathway involving these molecules. It is noteworthy that K-ras mutation mediates not only cell over-proliferation but also the accumulation of mutagenic DNA lesions, leading to carcinogenesis.« less

Baylisascaris Larva Migrans

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kazacos, Kevin R.; Abbott, Rachel C.; van Riper, Charles

2016-05-26

SummaryBaylisascaris procyonis, the common raccoon roundworm, is the most commonly recognized cause of clinical larva migrans (LM) in animals, a condition in which an immature parasitic worm or larva migrates in a host animal’s tissues, causing obvious disease. Infection with B. procyonis is best known as a cause of fatal or severe neurologic disease that results when the larvae invade the brain, the spinal cord, or both; this condition is known as neural larva migrans (NLM). Baylisascariasis is a zoonotic disease, that is, one that is transmissible from animals to humans. In humans, B. procyonis can cause damaging visceral (VLM), ocular (OLM), and neural larva migrans. Due to the ubiquity of infected raccoons around humans, there is considerable human exposure and risk of infection with this parasite. The remarkable disease-producing capability of B. procyonis in animals and humans is one of the most significant aspects of the biology of ascarids (large roundworms) to come to light in recent years. Infection with B. procyonis has important health implications for a wide variety of free-ranging and captive wildlife, zoo animals, domestic animals, as well as human beings, on both an individual and population level. This report, eighth in the series of U.S. Geological Survey Circulars on zoonotic diseases, will help us to better understand the routes of Baylisascaris procyonis infections and how best to adequately monitor this zoonotic disease.

Two damaging hydrogeological events in Calabria, September 2000 and November 2015. Comparative analysis of causes and effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrucci, Olga; Caloiero, Tommaso; Aurora Pasqua, Angela

2016-04-01

Each year, especially during winter season, some episode of intense rain affects Calabria, the southernmost Italian peninsular region, triggering flash floods and mass movements that cause damage and fatalities. This work presents a comparative analysis between two events that affected the southeast sector of the region, in 2000 and 2014, respectively. The event occurred between 9th and 10th of September 2000 is known in Italy as Soverato event, after the name of the municipality where it reached the highest damage severity. In the Soverato area, more than 200 mm of rain that fell in 24 hours caused a disastrous flood that swept away a campsite at about 4 a.m., killing 13 people and hurting 45. Besides, the rain affected a larger area, causing damage in 89 (out of 409) municipalities of the region. Flooding was the most common process, which damaged housing and trading. Landslide mostly affected the road network, housing and cultivations. The most recent event affected the same regional sector between 30th October and 2nd November 2015. The daily rain recorded at some of the rain gauges of the area almost reached 400 mm. Out of the 409 municipalities of Calabria, 109 suffered damage. The most frequent types of processes were both flash floods and landslides. The most heavily damaged element was the road network: the representative picture of the event is a railway bridge destroyed by the river flow. Housing was damaged too, and 486 people were temporarily evacuated from home. The event also caused a victim killed by a flood. The event-centred study approach aims to highlight differences and similarities in both the causes and the effects of the two events that occurred at a temporal distance of 14 years. The comparative analysis focus on three main aspects: the intensity of triggering rain, the modifications of urbanised areas, and the evolution of emergency management. The comparative analysis of rain is made by comparing the return period of both daily and cumulative rain. The modifications of urbanised sectors is obtained by comparing ISTAT (National Statistic Institute of Italy) data and google maps of the affected areas at the time of the occurrence of the events. The emergency management is analysed by comparing the types and extend of civil protection alerts diffused in the two studied cases.

Damage Detection of a Concrete Column Subject to Blast Loads Using Embedded Piezoceramic Transducers.

PubMed

Xu, Kai; Deng, Qingshan; Cai, Lujun; Ho, Siuchun; Song, Gangbing

2018-04-28

Some of the most severe structural loadings come in the form of blast loads, which may be caused by severe accidents or even terrorist activities. Most commonly after exposure to explosive forces, a structure will suffer from different degrees of damage, and even progress towards a state of collapse. Therefore, damage detection of a structure subject to explosive loads is of importance. This paper proposes a new approach to damage detection of a concrete column structure subjected to blast loads using embedded piezoceramic smart aggregates (SAs). Since the sensors are embedded in the structure, the proposed active-sensing based approach is more sensitive to internal or through cracks than surface damage. In the active sensing approach, the embedded SAs act as actuators and sensors, that can respectively generate and detect stress waves. If the stress wave propagates across a crack, the energy of the wave attenuates, and the reduction of the energy compared to the healthy baseline is indicative of a damage. With a damage index matrix constructed by signals obtained from an array of SAs, cracks caused by blast loads can be detected throughout the structure. Conventional sensing methods such as the measurement of dynamic strain and acceleration were included in the experiment. Since columns are critical elements needed to prevent structural collapse, knowledge of their integrity and damage conditions is essential for safety after exposure to blast loads. In this research, a concrete column with embedded SAs was chosen as the specimen, and a series of explosive tests were conducted on the column. Experimental results reveal that surface damages, though appear severe, cause minor changes in the damage index, and through cracks result in significant increase of the damage index, demonstrating the effectiveness of the active sensing, enabled by embedded SAs, in damage monitoring of the column under blast loads, and thus providing a reliable indication of structural integrity in the event of blast loads.

Damage Detection of a Concrete Column Subject to Blast Loads Using Embedded Piezoceramic Transducers

PubMed Central

Deng, Qingshan; Cai, Lujun; Ho, Siuchun; Song, Gangbing

2018-01-01

Some of the most severe structural loadings come in the form of blast loads, which may be caused by severe accidents or even terrorist activities. Most commonly after exposure to explosive forces, a structure will suffer from different degrees of damage, and even progress towards a state of collapse. Therefore, damage detection of a structure subject to explosive loads is of importance. This paper proposes a new approach to damage detection of a concrete column structure subjected to blast loads using embedded piezoceramic smart aggregates (SAs). Since the sensors are embedded in the structure, the proposed active-sensing based approach is more sensitive to internal or through cracks than surface damage. In the active sensing approach, the embedded SAs act as actuators and sensors, that can respectively generate and detect stress waves. If the stress wave propagates across a crack, the energy of the wave attenuates, and the reduction of the energy compared to the healthy baseline is indicative of a damage. With a damage index matrix constructed by signals obtained from an array of SAs, cracks caused by blast loads can be detected throughout the structure. Conventional sensing methods such as the measurement of dynamic strain and acceleration were included in the experiment. Since columns are critical elements needed to prevent structural collapse, knowledge of their integrity and damage conditions is essential for safety after exposure to blast loads. In this research, a concrete column with embedded SAs was chosen as the specimen, and a series of explosive tests were conducted on the column. Experimental results reveal that surface damages, though appear severe, cause minor changes in the damage index, and through cracks result in significant increase of the damage index, demonstrating the effectiveness of the active sensing, enabled by embedded SAs, in damage monitoring of the column under blast loads, and thus providing a reliable indication of structural integrity in the event of blast loads. PMID:29710807

Concomitants of alcoholism: differential effects of thiamine deficiency, liver damage, and food deprivation on the rat brain in vivo.

PubMed

Zahr, Natalie M; Sullivan, Edith V; Rohlfing, Torsten; Mayer, Dirk; Collins, Amy M; Luong, Richard; Pfefferbaum, Adolf

2016-07-01

Serious neurological concomitants of alcoholism include Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE), Korsakoff's syndrome (KS), and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). This study was conducted in animal models to determine neuroradiological signatures associated with liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), thiamine deficiency caused by pyrithiamine treatment, and nonspecific nutritional deficiency caused by food deprivation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were used to evaluate brains of wild-type Wistar rats at baseline and following treatment. Similar to observations in ethanol (EtOH) exposure models, thiamine deficiency caused enlargement of the lateral ventricles. Liver damage was not associated with effects on cerebrospinal fluid volumes, whereas food deprivation caused modest enlargement of the cisterns. In contrast to what has repeatedly been shown in EtOH exposure models, in which levels of choline-containing compounds (Cho) measured by MRS are elevated, Cho levels in treated animals in all three experiments (i.e., liver damage, thiamine deficiency, and food deprivation) were lower than those in baseline or controls. These results add to the growing body of literature suggesting that MRS-detectable Cho is labile and can depend on a number of variables that are not often considered in human experiments. These results also suggest that reductions in Cho observed in humans with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may well be due to mild manifestations of concomitants of AUD such as liver damage or nutritional deficiencies and not necessarily to alcohol consumption per se.

A combined deficiency of vitamins E and C causes severe central nervous system damage in guinea pigs.

PubMed

Burk, Raymond F; Christensen, Joani M; Maguire, Mark J; Austin, Lori M; Whetsell, William O; May, James M; Hill, Kristina E; Ebner, Ford F

2006-06-01

A short period of combined deficiency of vitamins E and C causes profound central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction in guinea pigs. For this report, CNS histopathology was studied to define the nature and extent of injury caused by this double deficiency. Weanling guinea pigs were fed a vitamin E-deficient or -replete diet for 14 d. Then vitamin C was withdrawn from the diet of some guinea pigs. Four diet groups were thus formed: replete, vitamin E deficient, vitamin C deficient, and both vitamin E and C deficient. From 5 to 11 d after institution of the doubly deficient diet, 9 of 12 guinea pigs developed paralysis, and 2 more were found dead. The remaining guinea pig in the doubly deficient group and all animals in the other 3 groups survived without clinical impairment until the experiment was terminated at 13-15 d. Brains and spinal cords were serially sectioned and stained for examination. Only the combined deficiency produced damage in the CNS. The damage consisted mainly of nerve cell death, axonal degeneration, vascular injury, and associated glial cell responses. The spinal cord and the ventral pons in the brainstem were most severely affected, often exhibiting asymmetric cystic lesions. Several features of the lesions suggest that the primary damage was to blood vessels. These results indicate that the paralysis and death caused by combined deficiency of vitamins E and C in guinea pigs is caused by severe damage in the brainstem and spinal cord.

Incidence and impact of damage to North Carolina's timber, 1984

Treesearch

Cindy M. Huber; Joe P. McClure; Noel D. Cost

1985-01-01

This bulletin reports survey data on agents damaging trees in North Carolina’s forests. Data were collected in 1982, 1983, and 1984 by the Forest Inventory and Analysis Work Unit of the Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. This effort was part of the fifth inventory of the State’s forests. Considerably more information was gathered for this inventory than in the...

Rapid Damage Assessment. Volume I. Methodology for Selecting Repair Area of Ordnance-Damaged Pavements.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

this system be given no further consideration. 14AGNETOMETER TECHNIQUES Four types of magnetometers are commonly in use today: fluxgate , proton...that are cumbersome to operate and less accurate than fluxgate and proton mag- netometers. The proton magnetometer is also gradually replacing the... fluxgate magnetometer because of its greater sensitivity (I gamma or better), absolute accuracy, nonmoving parts, and its ability Lo measure absolute

Snow fracture: From micro-cracking to global failure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capelli, Achille; Reiweger, Ingrid; Schweizer, Jürg

2017-04-01

Slab avalanches are caused by a crack forming and propagating in a weak layer within the snow cover, which eventually causes the detachment of the overlying cohesive slab. The gradual damage process leading to the nucleation of the initial failure is still not entirely understood. Therefore, we studied the damage process preceding snow failure by analyzing the acoustic emissions (AE) generated by bond failure or micro-cracking. The AE allow studying the ongoing progressive failure in a non-destructive way. We performed fully load-controlled failure experiments on snow samples presenting a weak layer and recorded the generated AE. The size and frequency of the generated AE increased before failure revealing an acceleration of the damage process with increased size and frequency of damage and/or microscopic cracks. The AE energy was power-law distributed and the exponent (b-value) decreased approaching failure. The waiting time followed an exponential distribution with increasing exponential coefficient λ before failure. The decrease of the b-value and the increase of λ correspond to a change in the event distribution statistics indicating a transition from homogeneously distributed uncorrelated damage producing mostly small AE to localized damage, which cause larger correlated events which leads to brittle failure. We observed brittle failure for the fast experiment and a more ductile behavior for the slow experiments. This rate dependence was reflected also in the AE signature. In the slow experiments the b value and λ were almost constant, and the energy rate increase was moderate indicating that the damage process was in a stable state - suggesting the damage and healing processes to be balanced. On a shorter time scale, however, the AE parameters varied indicating that the damage process was not steady but consisted of a sum of small bursts. We assume that the bursts may have been generated by cascades of correlated micro-cracks caused by localization of stresses at a small scale. The healing process may then have prevented the self-organization of this small scale damage and, therefore, the total failure of the sample.

Damage Resistant Optical Glasses for High Power Lasers: A Continuing Glass Science and Technology Challenge

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

Campbell, J H

2002-08-28

A major challenge in the development of optical glasses for high-power lasers is reducing or eliminating laser-induced damage to the interior (bulk) and the polished surface of the glass. Bulk laser damage in glass generally originates from inclusions. With the development of novel glass melting and forming processes it is now possible to make both fused silica and a suit of meta-phosphate laser glasses in large sizes ({approx}>0.5-lm diameter), free of inclusions and with high optical homogeneity ({approx} 10{sup -6}). Considerable attention also has been focused on improving the laser damage resistance to polished optical glass surfaces. Studies have shownmore » that laser-induced damage to surfaces grows exponentially with the number of shots when illuminated with nano-second pulses at 351-nm above a given fluence threshold. A new approach for reducing and eliminating laser-induced surface damage relies on a series of post-polishing treatment steps. This damage improvement method is briefly reviewed.« less

Energetics of a two-phase model of lithospheric damage, shear localization and plate-boundary formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bercovici, David; Ricard, Yanick

2003-03-01

The two-phase theory for compaction and damage proposed by Bercovici et al. (2001a, J. Geophys. Res.,106, 8887-8906) employs a nonequilibrium relation between interfacial surface energy, pressure and viscous deformation, thereby providing a model for damage (void generation and microcracking) and a continuum description of weakening, failure and shear localization. Here we examine further variations of the model which consider (1) how interfacial surface energy, when averaged over the mixture, appears to be partitioned between phases; (2) how variability in deformational-work partitioning greatly facilitates localization; and (3) how damage and localization are manifested in heat output and bulk energy exchange. Microphysical considerations of molecular bonding and activation energy suggest that the apparent partitioning of surface energy between phases goes as the viscosity of the phases. When such partitioning is used in the two-phase theory, it captures the melt-compaction theory of McKenzie (1984, J. Petrol.,25, 713-765) exactly, as well as the void-damage theory proposed in a companion paper (Ricard & Bercovici, submitted). Calculations of 1-D shear localization with this variation of the theory still show at least three possible regimes of damage and localization: at low stress is weak localization with diffuse slowly evolving shear bands; at higher stress strong localization with narrow rapidly growing bands exists; and at yet higher shear stress it is possible for the system to undergo broadly distributed damage and no localization. However, the intensity of localization is strongly controlled by the variability of the deformational-work partitioning with dilation rate, represented by the parameter γ. For γ>> 1, extreme localization is allowed, with sharp profiles in porosity (weak zones), nearly discontinuous separation velocities and effectively singular dilation rates. Finally, the bulk heat output is examined for the 1-D system to discern how much deformational work is effectively stored as surface energy. In the high-stress, distributed-damage cases, heat output is reduced as more interfacial surface energy is created. Yet, in either the weak or strong localizing cases, the system always releases surface energy, regardless of the presence of damage or not, and thus slightly more heat is in fact released than energy is input through external work. Moreover, increased levels of damage (represented by the maximum work-partitioning f*) make the localizing system release surface energy faster as damage enhances phase separation and focusing of the porosity field, thus yielding more rapid loss of net interfacial surface area. However, when cases with different levels of damage are compared at similar stages of development (say, the peak porosity of the localization) it is apparent that increased damage causes smaller relative heat release and retards loss of net interfacial surface energy. The energetics and energy partitioning of this damage and shear-localization model are applied to estimating the energy costs of forming plate boundaries and generating plates from mantle convection.

Flexible, multi-measurement guided wave damage detection under varying temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Douglass, Alexander C. S.; Harley, Joel B.

2018-04-01

Temperature compensation in structural health monitoring helps identify damage in a structure by removing data variations due to environmental conditions, such as temperature. Stretch-based methods are one of the most commonly used temperature compensation methods. To account for variations in temperature, stretch-based methods optimally stretch signals in time to optimally match a measurement to a baseline. All of the data is then compared with the single baseline to determine the presence of damage. Yet, for these methods to be effective, the measurement and the baseline must satisfy the inherent assumptions of the temperature compensation method. In many scenarios, these assumptions are wrong, the methods generate error, and damage detection fails. To improve damage detection, a multi-measurement damage detection method is introduced. By using each measurement in the dataset as a baseline, error caused by imperfect temperature compensation is reduced. The multi-measurement method increases the detection effectiveness of our damage metric, or damage indicator, over time and reduces the presence of additional peaks caused by temperature that could be mistaken for damage. By using many baselines, the variance of the damage indicator is reduced and the effects from damage are amplified. Notably, the multi-measurement improves damage detection over single-measurement methods. This is demonstrated through an increase in the maximum of our damage signature from 0.55 to 0.95 (where large values, up to a maximum of one, represent a statistically significant change in the data due to damage).

[Preventive measures against health damage due to chemicals in household products].

PubMed

Kaniwa, Masa-aki

2006-01-01

Chemicals in household products have been paid much attention as main cause of health damage on consumers, such as allergic contact dermatitis. Preventive measures against health damage due to chemicals in fabric, plastic and rubber products for household uses, are reviewed, focusing on (1) regulation and voluntary control by manufacturers, (2) incidence of health damage from household products, (3) causative product-chemical investigation, (4) case studies on skin damage and respiratory tract damage.

Research on the fundamental principles of China's marine invasive species prevention legislation.

PubMed

Bai, Jiayu

2014-12-15

China's coastal area is severely damaged by marine invasive species. Traditional tort theory resolves issues relevant to property damage or personal injuries, through which plaintiffs cannot cope with the ecological damage caused by marine invasive species. Several defects exist within the current legal regimes, such as imperfect management systems, insufficient unified technical standards, and unsound legal responsibility systems. It is necessary to pass legislation to prevent the ecological damage caused by marine invasive species. This investigation probes the fundamental principles needed for the administration and legislation of an improved legal framework to combat the problem of invasive species within China's coastal waters. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Space Shuttle STS-1 SRB damage investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nevins, C. D.

1982-01-01

The physical damage incurred by the solid rocket boosters during reentry on the initial space shuttle flight raised the question of whether the hardware, as designed, would yield the low cost per flight desired. The damage was quantified, the cause determined and specific design changes recommended which would preclude recurrence. Flight data, postflight analyses, and laboratory hardware examinations were used. The resultant findings pointed to two principal causes: failure of the aft skirt thermal curtain at the onset of reentry aerodynamic heating, and overloading of the aft shirt stiffening rings during water impact. Design changes were recommended on both the thermal curtain and the aft skirt structural members to prevent similar damage on future missions.

Basic examination of nondestructive and noncontact measurement system for fire damage level of concrete wall by using high-intensity aerial ultrasonic waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osumi, Ayumu; Ito, Youichi

2012-05-01

A fire site holds important information about the cause of fire outbreak; for instance, a concrete wall can provide a wealth of information and the distribution of fire damage of the wall is particularly valuable. If the distribution of fire damage on concrete walls can be used to trace the flow of fire, it would be possible to identify the fire origin and to clarify the cause of fire outbreak. In this study, we considered a new method based on aerial ultrasonic waves and developed a system that adopts this method for detecting fire damage of concrete walls at fire sites.

Microbial pathogens trigger host DNA double-strand breaks whose abundance is reduced by plant defense responses.

PubMed

Song, Junqi; Bent, Andrew F

2014-04-01

Immune responses and DNA damage repair are two fundamental processes that have been characterized extensively, but the links between them remain largely unknown. We report that multiple bacterial, fungal and oomycete plant pathogen species induce double-strand breaks (DSBs) in host plant DNA. DNA damage detected by histone γ-H2AX abundance or DNA comet assays arose hours before the disease-associated necrosis caused by virulent Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. Necrosis-inducing paraquat did not cause detectable DSBs at similar stages after application. Non-pathogenic E. coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria also did not induce DSBs. Elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is common during plant immune responses, ROS are known DNA damaging agents, and the infection-induced host ROS burst has been implicated as a cause of host DNA damage in animal studies. However, we found that DSB formation in Arabidopsis in response to P. syringae infection still occurs in the absence of the infection-associated oxidative burst mediated by AtrbohD and AtrbohF. Plant MAMP receptor stimulation or application of defense-activating salicylic acid or jasmonic acid failed to induce a detectable level of DSBs in the absence of introduced pathogens, further suggesting that pathogen activities beyond host defense activation cause infection-induced DNA damage. The abundance of infection-induced DSBs was reduced by salicylic acid and NPR1-mediated defenses, and by certain R gene-mediated defenses. Infection-induced formation of γ-H2AX still occurred in Arabidopsis atr/atm double mutants, suggesting the presence of an alternative mediator of pathogen-induced H2AX phosphorylation. In summary, pathogenic microorganisms can induce plant DNA damage. Plant defense mechanisms help to suppress rather than promote this damage, thereby contributing to the maintenance of genome integrity in somatic tissues.

Scour damage to Vermont bridges and scour monitoring.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-06-01

Scour is by far the primary cause of bridge failures in the United States. Regionally, the : vulnerability of bridges to flood damage became evident from the damage seen to Vermont : bridges in the 2011 Tropical Storm Irene. Successfully mitigating s...

1954 hurricane damage on Penobscot Experimental Forest

Treesearch

T. J. Grisez

1954-01-01

The two hurricanes "Carol" and "Edna" that struck inland over New England this summer caused some timber losses. But the damage was neither so extensive nor so severe as the damage done by the hurricane of 1938 and the storms of 1950.

Economic damages of ozone air pollution to crops using combined air quality and GIS modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vlachokostas, Ch.; Nastis, S. A.; Achillas, Ch.; Kalogeropoulos, K.; Karmiris, I.; Moussiopoulos, N.; Chourdakis, E.; Banias, G.; Limperi, N.

2010-09-01

This study aims at presenting a combined air quality and GIS modelling methodological approach in order to estimate crop damages from photochemical air pollution, depict their spatial resolution and assess the order of magnitude regarding the corresponding economic damages. The analysis is conducted within the Greater Thessaloniki Area, Greece, a Mediterranean territory which is characterised by high levels of photochemical air pollution and considerable agricultural activity. Ozone concentration fields for 2002 and for specific emission reduction scenarios for the year 2010 were estimated with the Ozone Fine Structure model in the area under consideration. Total economic damage to crops turns out to be significant and estimated to be approximately 43 M€ for the reference year. Production of cotton presents the highest economic loss, which is over 16 M€, followed by table tomato (9 M€), rice (4.2 M€), wheat (4 M€) and oilseed rape (2.8 M€) cultivations. Losses are not spread uniformly among farmers and the major losses occur in areas with valuable ozone-sensitive crops. The results are very useful for highlighting the magnitude of the total economic impacts of photochemical air pollution to the area's agricultural sector and can potentially be used for comparison with studies worldwide. Furthermore, spatial analysis of the economic damage could be of importance for governmental authorities and decision makers since it provides an indicative insight, especially if the economic instruments such as financial incentives or state subsidies to farmers are considered.

[Assessment on the yield loss risk of longan caused by cold damage in South China].

PubMed

Zhao, Jun-fang; Yu, Hui-kang

2016-02-01

Using daily climate variables gathered from 64 meteorological stations in South China from 1961 to 2012, recognized hazard indicators about disaster grades of cold damage for longan, and methods on agricultural meteorological disasters risk and simulation technology, the yield loss risks of longan caused by cold damage in South China during different developmental periods were assessed. The results showed that during the period of physiologic differentiation of flower bud, the disasters of longan affected by mild cold damage in South China were the most common, followed by severe cold damage and moderate cold damage. The hazards caused by cold damage under different grades varied. In particular, under mild cold damage, light disaster of longan was found in Fujian, followed by Guangdong and Hainan, and Guangxi was serious. Under moderate cold damage, light disaster of longan was found in Hainan, followed by Guangdong and Guangxi, and Fujian was serious. Under severe cold damage, light disaster of longan was found in Hainan, followed by Guangdong and Guangxi, Fujian was serious. During the period of morphologic differentiation of flower bud, the disasters of longan affected by mild cold damage in South China were the most common, followed by severe cold damage and moderate cold damage, while the disasters of longan under mild, moderate and severe cold damages within this period were similar. Specifically, light disasters of longan were all found in Hainan, followed by Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian. During the period of dormancy, the disaster of longan affected by mild cold damage in South China was the most common, followed by severe cold damage and moderate cold damage. Under mild and severe cold damage, light disaster of longan was found in Fujian, followed by Guangdong and Hainan, and Guangxi was serious. However, under moderate cold damage, light disaster of longan was found in Hainan and Guangxi, followed by Guangdong, and Fujian was serious. At the same level of hazard, the largest risk indices of yield loss of longan during different developmental stages significantly differed. Under mild cold damage, serious disasters of longan were found in the period of physiologic differentiation of flower bud, followed by the period of morphologic differentiation of flower bud and the period of dormancy. However, under moderate and severe cold damage, serious disasters of longan were found in the period of physiologic differentiation of flower bud, followed by the period of dormancy and the period of morphologic differentiation of flower bud.

Effect of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on Vascular Damage Caused by Consumption of High Fructose Corn Syrup in Rats

PubMed Central

Gun, Aburrahman; Bilgic, Sedat; Kocaman, Nevin; Ozan, Gonca

2016-01-01

Fructose corn syrup is cheap sweetener and prolongs the shelf life of products, but fructose intake causes hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension. All of them are referred to as metabolic syndrome and they are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Hence, the harmful effects of increased fructose intake on health and their prevention should take greater consideration. Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) has beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome and vascular function which is important in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, there are no known studies about the effect of CAPE on fructose-induced vascular dysfunction. In this study, we examined the effect of CAPE on vascular dysfunction due to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS (6 weeks, 30% fed with drinking water) caused vascular dysfunction, but treatment with CAPE (50 micromol/kg i.p. for the last two weeks) effectively restored this problem. Additionally, hypertension in HFCS-fed rats was also decreased in CAPE supplemented rats. CAPE supplements lowered HFCS consumption-induced raise in blood glucose, homocysteine, and cholesterol levels. The aorta tissue endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) production was decreased in rats given HFCS and in contrast CAPE supplementation efficiently increased its production. The presented results showed that HFCS-induced cardiovascular abnormalities could be prevented by CAPE treatment. PMID:27042260

Effect of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on Vascular Damage Caused by Consumption of High Fructose Corn Syrup in Rats.

PubMed

Gun, Aburrahman; Ozer, Mehmet Kaya; Bilgic, Sedat; Kocaman, Nevin; Ozan, Gonca

2016-01-01

Fructose corn syrup is cheap sweetener and prolongs the shelf life of products, but fructose intake causes hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension. All of them are referred to as metabolic syndrome and they are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Hence, the harmful effects of increased fructose intake on health and their prevention should take greater consideration. Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) has beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome and vascular function which is important in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, there are no known studies about the effect of CAPE on fructose-induced vascular dysfunction. In this study, we examined the effect of CAPE on vascular dysfunction due to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS (6 weeks, 30% fed with drinking water) caused vascular dysfunction, but treatment with CAPE (50 micromol/kg i.p. for the last two weeks) effectively restored this problem. Additionally, hypertension in HFCS-fed rats was also decreased in CAPE supplemented rats. CAPE supplements lowered HFCS consumption-induced raise in blood glucose, homocysteine, and cholesterol levels. The aorta tissue endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) production was decreased in rats given HFCS and in contrast CAPE supplementation efficiently increased its production. The presented results showed that HFCS-induced cardiovascular abnormalities could be prevented by CAPE treatment.

Capillary transit time heterogeneity and flow-metabolism coupling after traumatic brain injury

PubMed Central

Østergaard, Leif; Engedal, Thorbjørn S; Aamand, Rasmus; Mikkelsen, Ronni; Iversen, Nina K; Anzabi, Maryam; Næss-Schmidt, Erhard T; Drasbek, Kim R; Bay, Vibeke; Blicher, Jakob U; Tietze, Anna; Mikkelsen, Irene K; Hansen, Brian; Jespersen, Sune N; Juul, Niels; Sørensen, Jens CH; Rasmussen, Mads

2014-01-01

Most patients who die after traumatic brain injury (TBI) show evidence of ischemic brain damage. Nevertheless, it has proven difficult to demonstrate cerebral ischemia in TBI patients. After TBI, both global and localized changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) are observed, depending on the extent of diffuse brain swelling and the size and location of contusions and hematoma. These changes vary considerably over time, with most TBI patients showing reduced CBF during the first 12 hours after injury, then hyperperfusion, and in some patients vasospasms before CBF eventually normalizes. This apparent neurovascular uncoupling has been ascribed to mitochondrial dysfunction, hindered oxygen diffusion into tissue, or microthrombosis. Capillary compression by astrocytic endfeet swelling is observed in biopsies acquired from TBI patients. In animal models, elevated intracranial pressure compresses capillaries, causing redistribution of capillary flows into patterns argued to cause functional shunting of oxygenated blood through the capillary bed. We used a biophysical model of oxygen transport in tissue to examine how capillary flow disturbances may contribute to the profound changes in CBF after TBI. The analysis suggests that elevated capillary transit time heterogeneity can cause critical reductions in oxygen availability in the absence of ‘classic' ischemia. We discuss diagnostic and therapeutic consequences of these predictions. PMID:25052556

Gravitational spreading of steep-sided ridges ("sackung") in Western United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Radbruch-Hall, D. H.; Varnes, D.J.; Savage, W.Z.

1976-01-01

Large-scale gravitational spreading and movement along fractures of steep-sided ridges in the mountainous areas of the western United States are characterized by linear fissures, trenches, and uphill-facing scarps on tops and sides of ridges. Spreading appears to take place by movement along disconnected planes and/or by slow plastic deformation of a rock mass. In some places, valleyward squeezing out of weak shales overlain by rigid rocks causes extensional fracturing and outward movement of the rigid layers, as illustrated by extension of two laccoliths overlying Mancos Shale, one at Dolores Peak and another at Crested Butte in western Colorado. Gravitational forces acting on a ridge of more homogeneous material causes tensional spreading of the ridge parallel to its long axis, for example in fractured granitic rock north of Mt. Massive in central Colorado, where a survey course has been established to monitor the movement. Recognition and understanding of these large-scale gravitational features and the mechanism that causes them are pertinent to site selection and design of engineering structures in high mountains. If fractures extend to considerable depth and if movement is continuing, engineering structures in valleys or tunnels through the spreading ridges could be damaged. ?? 1976 International Association of Engineering Geology.

Characterization of putative virulence factors of Serratia marcescens strain SEN for pathogenesis in Spodoptera litura.

PubMed

Aggarwal, Chetana; Paul, Sangeeta; Tripathi, Vishwas; Paul, Bishwajeet; Khan, Md Aslam

2017-02-01

Two Serratia marcescens strains, SEN and ICC-4, isolated from diseased insect cadavers were observed to differ considerably in their virulence towards Spodoptera litura. The present study was aimed to characterize the possible virulence factors present in the virulent Serratia marcescens strain SEN. Both the S. marcescens strains were evaluated for the presence of various lytic enzymes such as chitinase, lipase, protease and phospholipase. The virulent S. marcescens strain SEN was observed to possess considerably higher activity of chitinase and protease enzymes; activity of phospholipase enzyme was also higher. Although, all the three toxin genes shlA, phlA and swr could be detected in both the S. marcescens strains, there was a higher expression of these genes in the virulent strain SEN. S. marcescens strain ICC-4 showed greater reduction in overall growth yield in the post-exponential phase in the presence of midgut juice and hemolymph of S. litura larvae, as compared to S. marcescens strain SEN. Proliferation of the S. marcescens strain SEN was also considerably higher in foregut, midgut and hemolymph of S. litura larvae, as compared to strain ICC-4. Peritrophic membrane treated with broth culture of the S. marcescens strain SEN showed higher damage as compared to strain ICC-4. The peritrophic membrane of larvae fed on diet treated with the virulent strain showed considerable damage while the peritrophic membrane of larvae fed on diet treated with the non-virulent strain showed no damage. This is the first report documenting the fate of ingested S. marcescens in S. litura gut and the relative expression of toxin genes from two S. marcescens strains differing in their virulence towards S. litura. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Preventive measures against health damage due to chemicals in household products].

PubMed

Kaniwa, Masa-aki

2010-01-01

Chemicals in household products have been paid much attention as the main cause of health damage in consumers, such as allergic contact dermatitis. Preventive measures against health damage due to chemicals in fabrics, plastics and rubber products for household use, are reviewed, focusing on 1) the incidence of health damage due to household products, 2) causative product-chemical investigation, and 3) case studies on skin damage.

Phonons, defects and optical damage in crystalline acetanilide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosic, Thomas J.; Hill, Jeffrey R.; Dlott, Dana D.

1986-04-01

Intense picosecond pulses cause accumulated optical damage in acetanilide crystals at low temperature. Catastrophic damage to the irradiated volume occurs after an incubation period where defects accumulate. The optical damage is monitored with subanosecond time resolution. The generation of defects is studied with damage-detected picosecond spectroscopy. The accumulation of defects is studied by time-resolved coherent Raman scattering, which is used to measure optical phonon scattering from the accumulating defects.

Effects of topographic position and geology on shaking damage to residential wood-framed structures during the 2003 San Simeon earthquake, western San Luis obispo county, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

McCrink, T.P.; Wills, C.J.; Real, C.R.; Manson, M.W.

2010-01-01

A statistical evaluation of shaking damage to wood-framed houses caused by the 2003 M6.5 San Simeon earthquake indicates that both the rate and severity of damage, independent of structure type, are significantly greater on hilltops compared to hill slopes when underlain by Cretaceous or Tertiary sedimentary rocks. This increase in damage is interpreted to be the result of topographic amplification. An increase in the damage rate is found for all structures built on Plio-Pleistocene rocks independent of topographic position, and this is interpreted to be the result of amplified shaking caused by geologic site response. Damage rate and severity to houses built on Tertiary rocks suggest that amplification due to both topographic position and geologic site response may be occurring in these rocks, but effects from other topographic parameters cannot be ruled out. For all geologic and topographic conditions, houses with raised foundations are more frequently damaged than those with slab foundations. However, the severity of damage to houses on raised foundations is only significantly greater for those on hill slopes underlain by Tertiary rocks. Structures with some damage-resistant characteristics experienced greater damage severity on hilltops, suggesting a spectral response to topographic amplification. ?? 2010, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.

Exercise-Induced Skeletal Muscle Damage.

PubMed

Evans, W J

1987-01-01

In brief: Delayed-onset muscle soreness is most likely caused by structural damage in skeletal muscle after eccentric exercise, in which muscles produce force while lengthening, as in running downhill. This damage may take as long as 12 weeks to repair. Therefore, athletes should allow plenty of time for recovery after events that cause extreme muscle soreness. Because prostaglandin E2 may be important in muscle repair, prostaglandin blockers, such as aspirin, may be useless or even detrimental in the treatment of delayed-onset muscle soreness. Eccentric exercise training may help prevent soreness.

[Scanning electron microscopy of heat-damaged bone tissue].

PubMed

Harsanyl, L

1977-02-01

Parts of diaphyses of bones were exposed to high temperature of 200-1300 degrees C. Damage to the bone tissue caused by the heat was investigated. The scanning electron microscopic picture seems to be characteristic of the temperature applied. When the bones heated to the high temperature of 700 degrees C characteristic changes appear on the periostal surface, higher temperatura on the other hand causes damage to the compact bone tissue and can be observed on the fracture-surface. Author stresses the importance of this technique in the legal medicine and anthropology.

The Study of Foreign Object Damage Caused by Aircraft Operations on Unconventional and Bomb-Damaged Airfield Surfaces.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

GEARHART F. READDY , R. DUCHATELLIER THE BDM CORPORATION 7915 JONES BRANCH DRIVE MC LEAN, VIRGINIA 22102 JUNE 1981 FINAL REPORT SEPTEMBER 1980 - JUNE...8. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(s) D. N. Beatty J. J. Gearhart F.’ Readdy R. Duchatellier F08635-80-CO206 9 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10...MCLEAN VA F/6 1/5 THE STUDY OF FORE16N OBJECT DAMAGE CAUSED BY AIRCRAFT OPERATION-ETCIU) JUN A1 D N BEATTY, F READDY . .J J GEARHART F0863580-C-0206

Studying apple bruise using a finite element method analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pascoal-Faria, P.; Alves, N.

2017-07-01

Apple bruise damage from harvesting, handling, transporting and sorting is considered to be the major source of reduced fruit quality, resulting in a loss of profits for the entire fruit industry. Bruising is defined as damage and discoloration of fruit flesh, usually with no breach of the skin. The three factors which can physically cause fruit bruising are vibration, compression load and impact. The last one is the main source of bruise damage. Therefore, prediction of the level of damage, stress distribution and deformation of the fruits under external force has become a very important task. To address these problems a finite element analysis has been developed for studying Portuguese Royal Gala apple bruise. The results obtained will be suitable to apple distributors and sellers and will allow a reduction of the impact caused by bruise damage in apple annual production.

Assessment of genotoxic effects of flumorph by the comet assay in mice organs.

PubMed

Zhang, T; Zhao, Q; Zhang, Y; Ning, J

2014-03-01

The present study investigated the genotoxic effects of flumorph in various organs (brain, liver, spleen, kidney and sperm) of mice. The DNA damage, measured as comet tail length (µm), was determined using the alkaline comet assay. The comet assay is a sensitive assay for the detection of genotoxicity caused by flumorph using mice as a model. Statistically significant increases in comet assay for both dose-dependent and duration-dependent DNA damage were observed in all the organs assessed. The organs exhibited the maximum DNA damage in 96 h at 54 mg/kg body weight. Brain showed maximum DNA damage followed by spleen > kidney > liver > sperm. Our data demonstrated that flumorph had induced systemic genotoxicity in mammals as it caused DNA damage in all tested vital organs, especially in brain and spleen.

Cidofovir is active against human papillomavirus positive and negative head and neck and cervical tumor cells by causing DNA damage as one of its working mechanisms.

PubMed

Mertens, Barbara; Nogueira, Tatiane; Stranska, Ruzena; Naesens, Lieve; Andrei, Graciela; Snoeck, Robert

2016-07-26

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer and a large fraction of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Cidofovir (CDV) proved efficacious in the treatment of several HPV-induced benign and malignant hyper proliferations. To provide a better insight into how CDV selectively eradicates transformed cells, HPV+ and HPV- cervical carcinoma and HNSCC cell lines were compared to normal cells for antiproliferative effects, CDV metabolism, drug incorporation into cellular DNA, and DNA damage. Incorporation of CDV into cellular DNA was higher in tumor cells than in normal cells and correlated with CDV antiproliferative effects, which were independent of HPV status. Increase in phospho-ATM levels was detected following CDV exposure and higher levels of γ-H2AX (a quantitative marker of double-strand breaks) were measured in tumor cells compared to normal cells. A correlation between DNA damage and CDV incorporation into DNA was found but not between DNA damage and CDV antiproliferative effects. These data indicate that CDV antiproliferative effects result from incorporation of the drug into DNA causing DNA damage. However, the anti-tumor effects of CDV cannot be exclusively ascribed to DNA damage. Furthermore, CDV can be considered a promising broad spectrum anti-cancer agent, not restricted to HPV+ lesions.

Poly(GR) in C9ORF72-Related ALS/FTD Compromises Mitochondrial Function and Increases Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in iPSC-Derived Motor Neurons.

PubMed

Lopez-Gonzalez, Rodrigo; Lu, Yubing; Gendron, Tania F; Karydas, Anna; Tran, Helene; Yang, Dejun; Petrucelli, Leonard; Miller, Bruce L; Almeida, Sandra; Gao, Fen-Biao

2016-10-19

GGGGCC repeat expansions in C9ORF72 are the most common genetic cause of both ALS and FTD. To uncover underlying pathogenic mechanisms, we found that DNA damage was greater, in an age-dependent manner, in motor neurons differentiated from iPSCs of multiple C9ORF72 patients than control neurons. Ectopic expression of the dipeptide repeat (DPR) protein (GR) 80 in iPSC-derived control neurons increased DNA damage, suggesting poly(GR) contributes to DNA damage in aged C9ORF72 neurons. Oxidative stress was also increased in C9ORF72 neurons in an age-dependent manner. Pharmacological or genetic reduction of oxidative stress partially rescued DNA damage in C9ORF72 neurons and control neurons expressing (GR) 80 or (GR) 80 -induced cellular toxicity in flies. Moreover, interactome analysis revealed that (GR) 80 preferentially bound to mitochondrial ribosomal proteins and caused mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, poly(GR) in C9ORF72 neurons compromises mitochondrial function and causes DNA damage in part by increasing oxidative stress, revealing another pathogenic mechanism in C9ORF72-related ALS and FTD. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Editor's Highlight: Periodic Exposure to Smartphone-Mimic Low-Luminance Blue Light Induces Retina Damage Through Bcl-2/BAX-Dependent Apoptosis.

PubMed

Lin, Cheng-Hui; Wu, Man-Ru; Li, Ching-Hao; Cheng, Hui-Wen; Huang, Shih-Hsuan; Tsai, Chi-Hao; Lin, Fan-Li; Ho, Jau-Der; Kang, Jaw-Jou; Hsiao, George; Cheng, Yu-Wen

2017-05-01

Blue light-induced phototoxicity plays an important role in retinal degeneration and might cause damage as a consequence of smartphone dependency. Here, we investigated the effects of periodic exposure to blue light-emitting diode in a cell model and a rat retinal damage model. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were subjected to blue light in vitro and the effects of blue light on activation of key apoptotic pathways were examined by measuring the levels of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas ligand (FasL), Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD), and caspase-3 protein. Blue light treatment of RPE cells increased Bax, cleaved caspase-3, FasL, and FADD expression, inhibited Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL accumulation, and inhibited Bcl-2/Bax association. A rat model of retinal damage was developed with or without continuous or periodic exposure to blue light for 28 days. In this rat model of retinal damage, periodic blue light exposure caused fundus damage, decreased total retinal thickness, caused atrophy of photoreceptors, and injured neuron transduction in the retina. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Toxicology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Predictability of state-level flood damage in the conterminous United States: the role of hazard, exposure and vulnerability

DOE PAGES

Zhou, Qianqian; Leng, Guoyong; Feng, Leyang

2017-07-13

Understanding historical changes in flood damage and the underlying mechanisms is critical for predicting future changes for better adaptations. In this study, a detailed assessment of flood damage for 1950–1999 is conducted at the state level in the conterminous United States (CONUS). Geospatial datasets on possible influencing factors are then developed by synthesizing natural hazards, population, wealth, cropland and urban area to explore the relations with flood damage. A considerable increase in flood damage in CONUS is recorded for the study period which is well correlated with hazards. Comparably, runoff indexed hazards simulated by the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) modelmore » can explain a larger portion of flood damage variations than precipitation in 84% of the states. Cropland is identified as an important factor contributing to increased flood damage in central US while urbanland exhibits positive and negative relations with total flood damage and damage per unit wealth in 20 and 16 states, respectively. Altogether, flood damage in 34 out of 48 investigated states can be predicted at the 90% confidence level. In extreme cases, ~76% of flood damage variations can be explained in some states, highlighting the potential of future flood damage prediction based on climate change and socioeconomic scenarios.« less

Predictability of state-level flood damage in the conterminous United States: the role of hazard, exposure and vulnerability

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

Zhou, Qianqian; Leng, Guoyong; Feng, Leyang

Understanding historical changes in flood damage and the underlying mechanisms is critical for predicting future changes for better adaptations. In this study, a detailed assessment of flood damage for 1950–1999 is conducted at the state level in the conterminous United States (CONUS). Geospatial datasets on possible influencing factors are then developed by synthesizing natural hazards, population, wealth, cropland and urban area to explore the relations with flood damage. A considerable increase in flood damage in CONUS is recorded for the study period which is well correlated with hazards. Comparably, runoff indexed hazards simulated by the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) modelmore » can explain a larger portion of flood damage variations than precipitation in 84% of the states. Cropland is identified as an important factor contributing to increased flood damage in central US while urbanland exhibits positive and negative relations with total flood damage and damage per unit wealth in 20 and 16 states, respectively. Altogether, flood damage in 34 out of 48 investigated states can be predicted at the 90% confidence level. In extreme cases, ~76% of flood damage variations can be explained in some states, highlighting the potential of future flood damage prediction based on climate change and socioeconomic scenarios.« less

Mechanisms of cell damage in agitated microcarrier tissue culture reactors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cherry, Robert S.; Papoutsakis, E. Terry

1986-01-01

Cells growing on microcarriers may be damaged by collisions of the microcarrier against another microcarrier or the reactor agitator. Bead-bead collisions are caused by small-scale turbulence, which can also cause high local shear stress on the cells. The cells are also exposed to 10-20 Hz cyclic shear stress by bead rotation.

Inhibition of fried meat-induced rectal DNA damage and altered systemic genotoxicity in humans by crucifera, chlorophyllin, and yogurt

EPA Science Inventory

Dietary exposures implicated as reducing or causing risk for colorectal cancer may reduce or cause DNA damage in colon tissue; however, no one has assessed this hypothesis directly in humans. Thus, we enrolled 16 healthy volunteers in a 4-week controlled feeding study where 8 sub...

Pulmonary cestodiasis in a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis).

PubMed

Guillot, L M; Green, L C

1992-04-01

Cestodiasis in primates has been noted historically to occur quite frequently, although tissue damage and clinical signs may or may not be apparent. Larval cestodes, such as hydatid cysts or cysticercus cysts, are known to cause extensive tissue damage, while other larval cestodes, such as tetrathyridia, cause minimal damage to the host. This case history concerns an apparently healthy cynomolgus monkey that was part of a surgical study. During the study, all parameters were normal. The monkey died 3 hours postsurgery. The apparent cause of death was respiratory arrest. At necropsy, it was discovered there were 1- to 3-mm-diameter cysts, which on transection extruded 2- to 5-mm-long larvae. The larvae could not be positively identified; however, they resembled tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides sp.

Abrupt tectonics and rapid slab detachment with grain damage

PubMed Central

Bercovici, David; Schubert, Gerald; Ricard, Yanick

2015-01-01

A simple model for necking and detachment of subducting slabs is developed to include the coupling between grain-sensitive rheology and grain-size evolution with damage. Necking is triggered by thickened buoyant crust entrained into a subduction zone, in which case grain damage accelerates necking and allows for relatively rapid slab detachment, i.e., within 1 My, depending on the size of the crustal plug. Thick continental crustal plugs can cause rapid necking while smaller plugs characteristic of ocean plateaux cause slower necking; oceanic lithosphere with normal or slightly thickened crust subducts without necking. The model potentially explains how large plateaux or continental crust drawn into subduction zones can cause slab loss and rapid changes in plate motion and/or induce abrupt continental rebound. PMID:25605890

Abrupt tectonics and rapid slab detachment with grain damage.

PubMed

Bercovici, David; Schubert, Gerald; Ricard, Yanick

2015-02-03

A simple model for necking and detachment of subducting slabs is developed to include the coupling between grain-sensitive rheology and grain-size evolution with damage. Necking is triggered by thickened buoyant crust entrained into a subduction zone, in which case grain damage accelerates necking and allows for relatively rapid slab detachment, i.e., within 1 My, depending on the size of the crustal plug. Thick continental crustal plugs can cause rapid necking while smaller plugs characteristic of ocean plateaux cause slower necking; oceanic lithosphere with normal or slightly thickened crust subducts without necking. The model potentially explains how large plateaux or continental crust drawn into subduction zones can cause slab loss and rapid changes in plate motion and/or induce abrupt continental rebound.

Suppression of plant growth by nitrogen dioxide.

PubMed

Taylor, O C; Eaton, F M

1966-01-01

Nicotiana glutinosa and pinto bean seedlings (Phaseolus vulgaris) were exposed for short periods (3 days or less) to high concentrations of NO(2) (4.11-20.53 mg/m(3) to compare the resulting leaf lesions with ozone damage produced at concentrations of 0.43 to 0.86 mg/m(3). Although the same physiological age leaf tissue was damaged by both toxicants, damage caused by NO(2) was unlike that caused by ozone. Pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Pearson improved tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) seedlings were continuously exposed for 10 to 22 days, to low concentrations of NO(2) (less than 1.03 mg/m(3)). These exposures caused significant growth suppression, increase in green color (total chlorophyll content), and distortion of leaves.

Method for producing damage resistant optics

DOEpatents

Hackel, Lloyd A.; Burnham, Alan K.; Penetrante, Bernardino M.; Brusasco, Raymond M.; Wegner, Paul J.; Hrubesh, Lawrence W.; Kozlowski, Mark R.; Feit, Michael D.

2003-01-01

The present invention provides a system that mitigates the growth of surface damage in an optic. Damage to the optic is minimally initiated. In an embodiment of the invention, damage sites in the optic are initiated, located, and then treated to stop the growth of the damage sites. The step of initiating damage sites in the optic includes a scan of the optic using a laser to initiate defects. The exact positions of the initiated sites are identified. A mitigation process is performed that locally or globally removes the cause of subsequent growth of the damaged sites.

Root Cause Failure Analysis of Stator Winding Insulation failure on 6.2 MW hydropower generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adhi Nugroho, Agus; Widihastuti, Ida; Ary, As

2017-04-01

Insulation failure on generator winding insulation occurred in the Wonogiri Hydropower plant has caused stator damage since ase was short circuited to ground. The fault has made the generator stop to operate. Wonogiri Hydropower plant is one of the hydroelectric plants run by PT. Indonesia Power UBP Mrica with capacity 2 × 6.2 MW. To prevent damage to occur again on hydropower generators, an analysis is carried out using Root Cause Failure Analysis RCFA is a systematic approach to identify the root cause of the main orbasic root cause of a problem or a condition that is not wanted. There are several aspects to concerned such as: loading pattern and operations, protection systems, generator insulation resistance, vibration, the cleanliness of the air and the ambient air. Insulation damage caused by gradual inhomogeneous cooling at the surface of winding may lead in to partial discharge. In homogeneous cooling may present due to lattice hampered by dust and oil deposits. To avoid repetitive defects and unwanted condition above, it is necessary to perform major maintenance overhaul every 5000-6000 hours of operation.

Mitigation of X-ray damage in macromolecular crystallography by submicrometre line focusing.

PubMed

Finfrock, Y Zou; Stern, Edward A; Alkire, R W; Kas, Joshua J; Evans-Lutterodt, Kenneth; Stein, Aaron; Duke, Norma; Lazarski, Krzysztof; Joachimiak, Andrzej

2013-08-01

Reported here are measurements of the penetration depth and spatial distribution of photoelectron (PE) damage excited by 18.6 keV X-ray photons in a lysozyme crystal with a vertical submicrometre line-focus beam of 0.7 µm full-width half-maximum (FWHM). The experimental results determined that the penetration depth of PEs is 5 ± 0.5 µm with a monotonically decreasing spatial distribution shape, resulting in mitigation of diffraction signal damage. This does not agree with previous theoretical predication that the mitigation of damage requires a peak of damage outside the focus. A new improved calculation provides some qualitative agreement with the experimental results, but significant errors still remain. The mitigation of radiation damage by line focusing was measured experimentally by comparing the damage in the X-ray-irradiated regions of the submicrometre focus with the large-beam case under conditions of equal exposure and equal volumes of the protein crystal, and a mitigation factor of 4.4 ± 0.4 was determined. The mitigation of radiation damage is caused by spatial separation of the dominant PE radiation-damage component from the crystal region of the line-focus beam that contributes the diffraction signal. The diffraction signal is generated by coherent scattering of incident X-rays (which introduces no damage), while the overwhelming proportion of damage is caused by PE emission as X-ray photons are absorbed.

DNA damage in an animal model of maple syrup urine disease.

PubMed

Scaini, Giselli; Jeremias, Isabela C; Morais, Meline O S; Borges, Gabriela D; Munhoz, Bruna P; Leffa, Daniela D; Andrade, Vanessa M; Schuck, Patrícia F; Ferreira, Gustavo C; Streck, Emilio L

2012-06-01

Maple syrup urine disease is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a severe deficiency of the branched chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex. Neurological dysfunction is a common finding in patients with maple syrup urine disease. However, the mechanisms underlying the neuropathology of brain damage in this disorder are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether acute or chronic administration of a branched chain amino acid pool (leucine, isoleucine and valine) causes transient DNA damage, as determined by the alkaline comet assay, in the brain and blood of rats during development and whether antioxidant treatment prevented the alterations induced by branched chain amino acids. Our results showed that the acute administration of branched chain amino acids increased the DNA damage frequency and damage index in the hippocampus. However, the chronic administration of branched chain amino acids increased the DNA damage frequency and damage index in both the hippocampus and the striatum, and the antioxidant treatment was able to prevent DNA damage in the hippocampus and striatum. The present study demonstrated that metabolite accumulation in MSUD induces DNA damage in the hippocampus and striatum and that it may be implicated in the neuropathology observed in the affected patients. We demonstrated that the effect of antioxidant treatment (N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine) prevented DNA damage, suggesting the involvement of oxidative stress in DNA damage. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Insights into the Emergent Bacterial Pathogen Cronobacter spp., Generated by Multilocus Sequence Typing and Analysis

PubMed Central

Joseph, Susan; Forsythe, Stephen J.

2012-01-01

Cronobacter spp. (previously known as Enterobacter sakazakii) is a bacterial pathogen affecting all age groups, with particularly severe clinical complications in neonates and infants. One recognized route of infection being the consumption of contaminated infant formula. As a recently recognized bacterial pathogen of considerable importance and regulatory control, appropriate detection, and identification schemes are required. The application of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and analysis (MLSA) of the seven alleles atpD, fusA, glnS, gltB, gyrB, infB, and ppsA (concatenated length 3036 base pairs) has led to considerable advances in our understanding of the genus. This approach is supported by both the reliability of DNA sequencing over subjective phenotyping and the establishment of a MLST database which has open access and is also curated; http://www.pubMLST.org/cronobacter. MLST has been used to describe the diversity of the newly recognized genus, instrumental in the formal recognition of new Cronobacter species (C. universalis and C. condimenti) and revealed the high clonality of strains and the association of clonal complex 4 with neonatal meningitis cases. Clearly the MLST approach has considerable benefits over the use of non-DNA sequence based methods of analysis for newly emergent bacterial pathogens. The application of MLST and MLSA has dramatically enabled us to better understand this opportunistic bacterium which can cause irreparable damage to a newborn baby’s brain, and has contributed to improved control measures to protect neonatal health. PMID:23189075