Cinnamon extract regulates plasma levels of adipose-derived factors and expression of multiple genes related to carbohydrate metabolism and lipogenesis in adipose tissue of fructose-fed rats.

PubMed

Qin, B; Polansky, M M; Anderson, R A

2010-03-01

We reported earlier that dietary cinnamon extract (CE) improves systemic insulin sensitivity and dyslipidemia by enhancing insulin signaling. In the present study, we have examined the effects of CE on several biomarkers including plasma levels of adipose-derived adipokines, and the potential molecular mechanisms of CE in epididymal adipose tissue (EAT). In Wistar rats fed a high-fructose diet (HFD) to induce insulin resistance, supplementation with a CE (Cinnulin PF, 50 mg/kg daily) for 8 weeks reduced blood glucose, plasma insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, chylomicron-apoB48, VLDL-apoB100, and soluble CD36. CE also inhibited plasma retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) levels. CE-induced increases in plasma adiponectin were not significant. CE did not affect food intake, bodyweight, and EAT weight. In EAT, there were increases in the insulin receptor ( IR) and IR substrate 2 ( IRS2) mRNA, but CE-induced increases in mRNA expression of IRS1, phosphoinositide-3-kinase, AKT1, glucose transporters 1 and 4 , and glycogen synthase 1 expression and decreased trends in mRNA expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta were not statistically significant. CE also enhanced the mRNA levels of ADIPOQ, and inhibited sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c mRNA levels. mRNA and protein levels of fatty acid synthase and FABP4 were inhibited by CE and RBP4, and CD36 protein levels were also decreased by CE. These results suggest that CE effectively ameliorates circulating levels of adipokines partially mediated via regulation of the expression of multiple genes involved in insulin sensitivity and lipogenesis in the EAT.

VECC array for Nuclear fast Timing and angUlar corRElation studies (VENTURE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alam, S. S.; Bhattacharjee, T.; Banerjee, D.; Saha, A.; Pandit, Deepak; Mondal, D.; Mukhopadhyay, S.; Pal, Surajit; Bhaskar, P.; Das, S. K.; Banerjee, S. R.

2017-12-01

The VECC array for Nuclear fast Timing and angUlar corRElation studies (VENTURE) has been developed using several fast Cerium-Bromide (CeBr3) scintillators coupled to Hamamatsu R9779 Photomultiplier tubes. The CeBr3 detector has been characterised for the spectroscopic properties like energy response, energy resolution, timing resolution and detection efficiency. The response and efficiency of the detector have been compared with the results obtained from a Monte Carlo simulation with GEANT3 package. A time resolution of 144(1) ps and 109(1) ps was obtained for a single detector using 622-512 keV and 1173-1332 keV cascades respectively. The Generalised Centroid Difference (GCD) method has been employed with CeBr3 detectors by measuring the level lifetimes for the 511.9 keV level of 106Pd and the 160.6 and 383.8 keV levels of 133Cs. The angular correlation measurement was performed for the 1173-1332 keV cascade in 60Ni and the 228-49 keV cascade of 132I nucleus, populated from the decay of 132Te produced via 238U(α, f) reaction.

[General Practitioners and Physical Activity Counselling: from Evidence to Practice Contingencies].

PubMed

Bloy, Géraldine; Moussard Philippon, Laetitia; Rigal, Laurent

2016-06-08

Introduction: One half of the French population has an insufficient level of physical activity. General Practitioners are consi-dered to be well-placed to promote physical activity. This article analyses how they address this issue. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted on preventive care with 99 GPs from the Parisian area. Their approach to physical activity counselling was discussed in greater detail with 20 GPs. The analysis identified the diverse rationales and approaches of GPs in a grounded theory perspective. Results: Physical activity counselling is not systematically addressed and is never the subject of a specific consultation. Talking about physical activity may come up in a consultation, but not with all types of patients, and largely depends on contingencies and circumstances. A fear of sporting accidents and a negative anticipation of the patient’s reactions make GPs reticent to address these issues, even in the presence of medical indications. Even when they talk about physical activity, their assessment and advice are succinct. GPs lack tools and resources to encourage physical activity. They rely on common sense and use their own sport experience, when present. General medical training is not very helpful, and incentive public policies are insufficient to make them feel both operational and legitimate. Conclusion: It is difficult to integrate physical activity preventive care in general practice. Perceived as a matter of personal taste, it is rarely part of routine medical practice, despite a favourable political context..

The impact of diabetes counseling and education: clinical and cost outcomes from a large population of US managed care patients with type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Sullivan, Sean D; Dalal, Mehul R; Burke, James P

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study is to examine outcomes in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received diabetes counseling and education (C/E) services compared with those who did not. A matched, retrospective cohort study of 17 483 C/E recipients and 17 470 non-C/E controls was followed for up to 12 months. Outcomes included glycemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin A1C levels <7.0%), hypoglycemic events, and health care utilization and costs. Compared with the non-C/E group, patients in the C/E group had significantly lower A1C (7.7% vs 7.2%) and were more likely to achieve glycemic control at 6 months' follow-up; they were also more likely to have a hypoglycemic event. During the 1-year period following the index date, C/E recipients had more inpatient visits (0.21 vs 0.20 visits per patient) and ambulatory visits (21.5 vs 18.6 visits per patient) compared with non-C/E controls. The increased use of health care services in the C/E groups was associated with $2388 higher annual overall costs and $827 higher diabetes-related costs. Diabetes C/E is associated with improved glycemic control, albeit with a slight increase in the risk of hypoglycemia. C/E was associated with higher health care costs across 12 months. Further analyses are needed to evaluate long-term cost-effectiveness of diabetes counseling and education.

Fine mapping of the celiac disease-associated LPP locus reveals a potential functional variant.

PubMed

Almeida, Rodrigo; Ricaño-Ponce, Isis; Kumar, Vinod; Deelen, Patrick; Szperl, Agata; Trynka, Gosia; Gutierrez-Achury, Javier; Kanterakis, Alexandros; Westra, Harm-Jan; Franke, Lude; Swertz, Morris A; Platteel, Mathieu; Bilbao, Jose Ramon; Barisani, Donatella; Greco, Luigi; Mearin, Luisa; Wolters, Victorien M; Mulder, Chris; Mazzilli, Maria Cristina; Sood, Ajit; Cukrowska, Bozena; Núñez, Concepción; Pratesi, Riccardo; Withoff, Sebo; Wijmenga, Cisca

2014-05-01

Using the Immunochip for genotyping, we identified 39 non-human leukocyte antigen (non-HLA) loci associated to celiac disease (CeD), an immune-mediated disease with a worldwide frequency of ∼1%. The most significant non-HLA signal mapped to the intronic region of 70 kb in the LPP gene. Our aim was to fine map and identify possible functional variants in the LPP locus. We performed a meta-analysis in a cohort of 25 169 individuals from six different populations previously genotyped using Immunochip. Imputation using data from the Genome of the Netherlands and 1000 Genomes projects, followed by meta-analysis, confirmed the strong association signal on the LPP locus (rs2030519, P = 1.79 × 10(-49)), without any novel associations. The conditional analysis on this top SNP-indicated association to a single common haplotype. By performing haplotype analyses in each population separately, as well as in a combined group of the four populations that reach the significant threshold after correction (P < 0.008), we narrowed down the CeD-associated region from 70 to 2.8 kb (P = 1.35 × 10(-44)). By intersecting regulatory data from the ENCODE project, we found a functional SNP, rs4686484 (P = 3.12 × 10(-49)), that maps to several B-cell enhancer elements and a highly conserved region. This SNP was also predicted to change the binding motif of the transcription factors IRF4, IRF11, Nkx2.7 and Nkx2.9, suggesting its role in transcriptional regulation. We later found significantly low levels of LPP mRNA in CeD biopsies compared with controls, thus our results suggest that rs4686484 is the functional variant in this locus, while LPP expression is decreased in CeD.

ON THE RARITY OF X-RAY BINARIES WITH NAKED HELIUM DONORS

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

Linden, T.; Valsecchi, F.; Kalogera, V.

The paucity of known high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) with naked He donor stars (hereafter He star) in the Galaxy has been noted over the years as a surprising fact, given the significant number of Galactic HMXBs containing H-rich donors, which are expected to be their progenitors. This contrast has further sharpened in light of recent observations uncovering a preponderance of HMXBs hosting loosely bound Be donors orbiting neutron stars (NSs), which would be expected to naturally evolve into He-HMXBs through dynamical mass transfer onto the NS and a common-envelope (CE) phase. Hence, reconciling the large population of Be-HMXBs with themore » observation of only one He-HMXB can help constrain the dynamics of CE physics. Here, we use detailed stellar structure and evolution models and show that binary mergers of HMXBs during CE events must be common in order to resolve the tension between these observed populations. We find that, quantitatively, this scenario remains consistent with the typically adopted energy parameterization of CE evolution, yielding expected populations which are not at odds with current observations. However, future observations which better constrain the underlying population of loosely bound O/B-NS binaries are likely to place significant constraints on the efficiency of CE ejection.« less

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

Alhenc-Gelas, F.; Weare, J.A.; Johnson, R.L. Jr.

CE was purified from human lung, and antisera were raised in rabbits. Antisera inhibited the activity of the purified enzyme from lung and kidney and the plasma CE of normal persons and sarcoid patients. With antisera at a titer of 1:100,000, a sensitive, direct RIA was developed. CE purified from lung or kidney and CE present in normal and in sarcoid plasma gave parallel logit-log displacement lines, suggesting immunological identity. The level of CE in normal human plasma was 400 +/- 131 ng/ml. In untreated sarcoid patients, the enzyme level and activity increased in parallel. There was a negative correlationmore » (r . -0.81) between enzyme level and diffusing capacity of the lung for CO in sarcoid patients. Synthetic inhibitors such as captopril or MK 421 did not interfere with the RIA, permitting enzyme levels to be monitored in patients undergoing acute inhibitor therapy. During administration of MK 421, CE activity was negligible and plasma levels of CE did not change. In contrast, renin activity increased eightfold during the inhibitor therapy.« less

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

Alhenc-Gelas, F.; Weare, J.A.; Johnson, R.L. Jr.

CE (converting enzyme) was purified from human lung, and antisera were raised in rabbits. Antisera inhibited the activity of the purified enzyme from lung and kidney and the plasma CE of normal persons and sarcoid patients. With antisera at a titer of 1:100,000, a sensitive, direct RIA was developed. CE purified from lung or kidney and CE present in normal and in sarcoid plasma gave parallel logit-log displacement lines, suggesting immunological identity. The level of CE in normal human plasma was 400 +/- 131 ng/ml. In untreated sarcoid patients, the enzyme level and activity increased in parallel. There was amore » negative correlation between enzyme level and diffusing capacity of the lung for CO in sarcoid patients. Synthetic inhibitors such as captopril or MK 421 did not interfere with the RIA, permitting enzyme levels to be monitored in patients undergoing acute inhibitor therapy. During administration of MK 421, CE activity was negligible and plasma levels of CE did not change. In contrast, renin activity increased eightfold during the inhibitor therapy.« less

Long-lasting active lifestyle and successful cognitive aging in a healthy elderly population: The PROOF cohort.

PubMed

Saint Martin, M; Sforza, E; Barthélémy, J C; Roche, F; Lefèvre, P; Liénard, G; Thomas-Anterion, C

2017-12-01

The aim of this study was to determine whether cognitive reserve in the elderly affects the evolution of cognitive performance and what its relationship is with active lifestyles in later life. Cognitive performance was evaluated at baseline and 8 years later in 543 participants of the PROOF cohort, initially aged 67 years. Subjects were categorized as Cognitively Elite (CE), Cognitively Normal (CN) or Cognitively Impaired (CI) at each evaluation. At follow-up, demographic data and lifestyle, including social, intellectual and physical behaviors, were collected by questionnaires. As much as 69% (n=375) remained unchanged, while 25.5% (n=138) decreased and 5.5% (n=30) improved. When present, the reduction in cognitive status was most often limited to one level, but was dependent on the initial level, affecting up to 73% of the initially CN, but only 58% of the initially CE. Cognitive stability was significantly associated with the degree of social engagement at follow-up (CE: P=0.009; CN: P=0.025). In the healthy elderly, high cognitive ability predicts both cognitive ability and social involvement in later life. Cognitive decline by only one level may also extend the time to reach impairment, underlining the importance of the so-called cognitive reserve. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Nuclear structure studies of 141Ce and 147Sm using deep-inelastic collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gass, E. J.; McCutchan, E. A.; Sonzogni, A. A.; Loveland, W.; Barrett, J. S.; Yanez, R.; Chiara, C. J.; Harker, J. L.; Walters, W. B.; Zhu, S.; Ayangeakaai, A. D.; Carpenter, M. P.; Greene, J. P.; Janssens, R. V. F.; Lauritsen, T.; Naïdja, H.

2017-09-01

Nuclei with a few valence nucleons outside of the magic numbers are essential for testing the nuclear shell model and gathering information on the residual interactions and energies of single-particle levels. The present work focused on the high-spin structures of 141Ce (N = 83) and 147Sm (N = 85). These nuclei are not produced by heavy-ion fusion-evaporation or fission reactions, therefore little was known about their high-spin structure. A deep-inelastic reaction using a beam of 136Xe incident on a thick target of 208Pb was used to populate excited states in the nuclei. The Gammasphere array at Argonne National Laboratory was used to detect the resulting de-excitation -ray transitions. The level schemes of both nuclei were significantly extended to high angular momentum and high excitation energy. In 141Ce, this included a number of states built on the i13/2, 1369-keV level. Results of the present analysis will be compared to state-of-the-art shell model calculations. Supported by US DOE under the SULI Program and Grant Nos. DE-FG06-97ER41026 and DE-FG02-94ER40834 and Contract Nos. DE-AC02-06CH11357 and DE-AC02-06CH10886.

Relationships between the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Achievement Test (COMAT) subject examinations and the COMLEX-USA Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation.

PubMed

Li, Feiming; Kalinowski, Kevin E; Song, Hao; Bates, Bruce P

2014-09-01

The relationship between the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Achievement Test (COMAT) series of subject examinations and the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE) has not been thoroughly examined. To investigate the factors associated with performance on COMAT subject examinations and how COMAT scores correlate with COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores. We examined scores of participants from 2 COMAT examination cycles in 2011 and 2012. According to surveys, most schools used COMAT scores in clerkship and clinical rotation evaluation, which were classified as being used for "high-stakes" purposes. We matched first-attempt COMAT scores with first-attempt COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores, and we conducted correlation analyses between the scores from the 7 COMAT subject examinations, as well as between COMAT and COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to investigate how much variance in COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores was explained by COMAT scores. In 2011 and 2012, respectively, 3751 and 3786 COMAT candidates had COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores (53.0% and 93.9%, respectively, had ⩾1 high-stakes COMAT score). Intercorrelations between COMAT scores were low to moderate (r=0.27-0.53), as hypothesized. Correlations between COMAT and Level 2-CE scores were moderate to high, with the highest correlations for internal medicine COMAT scores (r=0.63-0.65). All regressions showed internal medicine scores as the strongest predictor of Level 2-CE performance. Groups with high-stakes scores had larger adjusted coefficients of determination than those with low-stakes scores (eg, R(2)=0.63 vs 0.52, respectively, in 2011). For 2012 candidates with high-stakes scores, all predictors were statistically significant. The COMAT subject examination scores were moderately intercorrelated, as hypothesized, with higher correlations between COMAT and COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores. The COMAT performance was predictive of COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE performance. © 2014 The American Osteopathic Association.

Filipino DNA variation at 12 X-chromosome short tandem repeat markers.

PubMed

Salvador, Jazelyn M; Apaga, Dame Loveliness T; Delfin, Frederick C; Calacal, Gayvelline C; Dennis, Sheila Estacio; De Ungria, Maria Corazon A

2018-06-08

Demands for solving complex kinship scenarios where only distant relatives are available for testing have risen in the past years. In these instances, other genetic markers such as X-chromosome short tandem repeat (X-STR) markers are employed to supplement autosomal and Y-chromosomal STR DNA typing. However, prior to use, the degree of STR polymorphism in the population requires evaluation through generation of an allele or haplotype frequency population database. This population database is also used for statistical evaluation of DNA typing results. Here, we report X-STR data from 143 unrelated Filipino male individuals who were genotyped via conventional polymerase chain reaction-capillary electrophoresis (PCR-CE) using the 12 X-STR loci included in the Investigator ® Argus X-12 kit (Qiagen) and via massively parallel sequencing (MPS) of seven X-STR loci included in the ForenSeq ™ DNA Signature Prep kit of the MiSeq ® FGx ™ Forensic Genomics System (Illumina). Allele calls between PCR-CE and MPS systems were consistent (100% concordance) across seven overlapping X-STRs. Allele and haplotype frequencies and other parameters of forensic interest were calculated based on length (PCR-CE, 12 X-STRs) and sequence (MPS, seven X-STRs) variations observed in the population. Results of our study indicate that the 12 X-STRs in the PCR-CE system are highly informative for the Filipino population. MPS of seven X-STR loci identified 73 X-STR alleles compared with 55 X-STR alleles that were identified solely by length via PCR-CE. Of the 73 sequence-based alleles observed, six alleles have not been reported in the literature. The population data presented here may serve as a reference Philippine frequency database of X-STRs for forensic casework applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Community Education Development in the States.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, Phillip A., Ed.; Zemlo, John S., Ed.

1994-01-01

Includes "Community Education (CE) Development in the States" (Clark, Zemlo); "State of the States" (Clark, Zemlo); "In Support of State-Level CE Development" (Decker, Romney); "CE in Florida" (Hanley, Robinson); ""CE in Kentucky" (Christenson, Whitus); "CE in Minnesota" (Kerns,…

Tuning into single-band red upconversion luminescence in Yb(3+)/Ho(3+) activated nano-glass-ceramics through Ce(3+) doping.

PubMed

Chen, Daqin; Zhou, Yang; Wan, Zhongyi; Ji, Zhenguo; Huang, Ping

2015-03-28

Yb(3+)/Ho(3+) activated glass ceramics containing β-YF3 nanocrystals were successfully fabricated. The green ((5)S2/(5)F4→(5)I8) upconversion emission is dominant in the glass ceramics and is about 160 times stronger than that of the precursor glass, resulting from the partition of lanthanide activators into a low-phonon-energy crystalline lattice and the subsequent low probability of multi-phonon nonradiative relaxation from the (5)S2/(5)F4 and (5)I6 states to the lower ones. Upon the introduction of Ce(3+) ions into nano-glass-ceramics, two efficient cross-relaxation processes between Ho(3+) and Ce(3+), i.e., Ho(3+):(5)S2/(5)F4 + Ce(3+):(2)F5/2→Ho(3+):(5)F5 + Ce(3+):(2)F7/2 and Ho(3+):(5)I6 + Ce(3+):(2)F5/2→Ho(3+):(5)I7 + Ce(3+):(2)F7/2, are demonstrated to greatly suppress the population of the green-emitting (5)S2/(5)F4 state and to enhance the population of the red-emitting (5)F5 one, leading to the intense single-band red UC radiation of Ho(3+).

On the rarity of X-ray binaries with Wolf-Rayet donors

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

Linden, T.; Valsecchi, F.; Kalogera, V.

The paucity of High mass X-Ray binaries (HMXB) consisting of a neutron star (NS) accretor and Wolf-Rayet (WR) donor has long been at odds with expectations from population synthesis studies indicating that these systems should survive as the evolved offspring of the observed HMXB population. This tension is particularly troubling in light of recent observations uncovering a preponderance of HMXBs containing loosely bound Be donors which would be expected to naturally evolve into WR-HMXBs. Reconciling the unexpectedly large population of Be-HMXBs with the lack of observed WR-HMXB sources thus serves to isolate the dynamics of CE physics from other binarymore » evolution parameters. We find that binary mergers during CE events must be common in order to resolve tension between these observed populations. Furthermore, future observations which better constrain the background population of loosely bound O/B-NS binaries are likely to place significant constraints on the efficiency of CE removal.« less

Effects of Ce additions on the age hardening response of Mg–Zn alloys

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

Langelier, Brian, E-mail: langelb@mcmaster.ca; Esmaeili, Shahrzad

2015-03-15

The effects of Ce additions on the precipitation hardening behaviour of Mg–Zn are examined for a series of alloys, with Ce additions at both alloying and microalloying levels. The alloys are artificially aged, and studied using hardness measurement and X-ray diffraction, as well as optical and transmission electron microscopy. It is found that the age-hardening effect is driven by the formation of fine precipitates, the number density of which is related to the Zn content of the alloy. Conversely, the Ce content is found to slightly reduce hardening. When the alloy content of Ce is high, large secondary phase particlesmore » containing both Ce and Zn are present, and remain stable during solutionizing. These particles effectively reduce the amount of Zn available as solute for precipitation, and thereby reduce hardening. Combining hardness results with thermodynamic analysis of alloy solute levels also suggests that Ce can have a negative effect on hardening when present as solutes at the onset of ageing. This effect is confirmed by designing a pre-ageing heat treatment to preferentially remove Ce solutes, which is found to restore the hardening capability of an Mg–Zn–Ce alloy to the level of the Ce-free alloy. - Highlights: • The effects of Ce additions on precipitation in Mg–Zn alloys are examined. • Additions of Ce to Mg–Zn slightly reduce the age-hardening response. • Ce-rich secondary phase particles deplete the matrix of Zn solute. • Hardening is also decreased when Ce is present in solution. • Pre-ageing to preferentially precipitate out Ce restores hardening capabilities.« less

Relationship between COMLEX-USA scores and performance on the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine Part I certifying examination.

PubMed

Li, Feiming; Gimpel, John R; Arenson, Ethan; Song, Hao; Bates, Bruce P; Ludwin, Fredric

2014-04-01

Few studies have investigated how well scores from the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) series predict resident outcomes, such as performance on board certification examinations. To determine how well COMLEX-USA predicts performance on the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM) Part I certification examination. The target study population was first-time examinees who took AOBEM Part I in 2011 and 2012 with matched performances on COMLEX-USA Level 1, Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE), and Level 3. Pearson correlations were computed between AOBEM Part I first-attempt scores and COMLEX-USA performances to measure the association between these examinations. Stepwise linear regression analysis was conducted to predict AOBEM Part I scores by the 3 COMLEX-USA scores. An independent t test was conducted to compare mean COMLEX-USA performances between candidates who passed and who failed AOBEM Part I, and a stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to predict the log-odds of passing AOBEM Part I on the basis of COMLEX-USA scores. Scores from AOBEM Part I had the highest correlation with COMLEX-USA Level 3 scores (.57) and slightly lower correlation with COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores (.53). The lowest correlation was between AOBEM Part I and COMLEX-USA Level 1 scores (.47). According to the stepwise regression model, COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE scores, which residency programs often use as selection criteria, together explained 30% of variance in AOBEM Part I scores. Adding Level 3 scores explained 37% of variance. The independent t test indicated that the 397 examinees passing AOBEM Part I performed significantly better than the 54 examinees failing AOBEM Part I in all 3 COMLEX-USA levels (P<.001 for all 3 levels). The logistic regression model showed that COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 3 scores predicted the log-odds of passing AOBEM Part I (P=.03 and P<.001, respectively). The present study empirically supported the predictive and discriminant validities of the COMLEX-USA series in relation to the AOBEM Part I certification examination. Although residency programs may use COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE scores as partial criteria in selecting residents, Level 3 scores, though typically not available at the time of application, are actually the most statistically related to performances on AOBEM Part I.

Origin of improved scintillation efficiency in (Lu,Gd)3(Ga,Al)5O12:Ce multicomponent garnets: An X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yuntao; Luo, Jialiang; Nikl, Martin; Ren, Guohao

2014-01-01

In the recent successful improvement of scintillation efficiency in Lu3Al5O12:Ce driven by Ga3+ and Gd3+ admixture, the "band-gap engineering" and energy level positioning have been considered the valid strategies so far. This study revealed that this improvement was also associated with the cerium valence instability along with the changes of chemical composition. By utilizing X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy technique, tuning the Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio by Ga3+ admixture was evidenced, while it was kept nearly stable with the Gd3+ admixture. Ce valence instability and Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio in multicomponent garnets can be driven by the energy separation between 4f ground state of Ce3+ and Fermi level.

Control entropy identifies differential changes in complexity of walking and running gait patterns with increasing speed in highly trained runners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGregor, Stephen J.; Busa, Michael A.; Skufca, Joseph; Yaggie, James A.; Bollt, Erik M.

2009-06-01

Regularity statistics have been previously applied to walking gait measures in the hope of gaining insight into the complexity of gait under different conditions and in different populations. Traditional regularity statistics are subject to the requirement of stationarity, a limitation for examining changes in complexity under dynamic conditions such as exhaustive exercise. Using a novel measure, control entropy (CE), applied to triaxial continuous accelerometry, we report changes in complexity of walking and running during increasing speeds up to exhaustion in highly trained runners. We further apply Karhunen-Loeve analysis in a new and novel way to the patterns of CE responses in each of the three axes to identify dominant modes of CE responses in the vertical, mediolateral, and anterior/posterior planes. The differential CE responses observed between the different axes in this select population provide insight into the constraints of walking and running in those who may have optimized locomotion. Future comparisons between athletes, healthy untrained, and clinical populations using this approach may help elucidate differences between optimized and diseased locomotor control.

DYNAMICS AND STAGNATION IN THE MALTHUSIAN EPOCH.

PubMed

Ashraf, Quamrul; Galor, Oded

2011-08-01

This paper examines the central hypothesis of the influential Malthusian theory, according to which improvements in the technological environment during the pre-industrial era had generated only temporary gains in income per capita, eventually leading to a larger, but not significantly richer, population. Exploiting exogenous sources of cross-country variations in land productivity and the level of technological advancement the analysis demonstrates that, in accordance with the theory, technological superiority and higher land productivity had significant positive effects on population density but insignificant effects on the standard of living, during the time period 1-1500 CE.

Median-lower normal levels of serum thyroxine are associated with low triiodothyronine levels and body temperature in patients with central hypothyroidism.

PubMed

Hirata, Yu; Fukuoka, Hidenori; Iguchi, Genzo; Iwahashi, Yasuyuki; Fujita, Yasunori; Hari, Yusuke; Iga, Makiko; Nakajima, Shinsuke; Nishimoto, Yuki; Mukai, Miki; Hirota, Yushi; Sakaguchi, Kazuhiko; Ogawa, Wataru; Takahashi, Yutaka

2015-08-01

Although it has been recommended that serum free thyroxine (FT4) levels should be targeted to middle-upper normal levels during levothyroxine (l-T4) replacement therapy in patients with central hypothyroidism (CeH), the rationale has not been clarified. A retrospective single-center study enrolled 116 patients with hypothyroidism (CeH, n=32; total thyroidectomy (Tx), n=22; primary hypothyroidism (PH), n=33; and control benign thyroid nodule (C), n=29). The patients had received L-T4 therapy at the Kobe University Hospital between 2003 and 2013. They were stratified according to serum FT4 level (≥ 1.10 or <1.10 ng/dl), and body temperature (BT), serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels, FT3/FT4 ratio, and lipid profiles were compared. The effect of GH replacement therapy on thyroid function was also analyzed. FT3 levels and FT3/FT4 ratios were significantly lower in patients with CeH than in patients with PH (P<0.05) or C (P<0.05). In patients with FT4 <1.10 ng/dl, BT was significantly lower in patients with CeH (P=0.002) and Tx (P=0.005) than in patients with PH, whereas no differences were found in patients with FT4 ≥ 1.10 ng/dl. In patients with CeH, FT3 levels were higher in those with GH replacement therapy (P=0.018). In CeH, patients with median-lower normal levels of serum FT4 exhibited lower serum FT3 levels and lower BT. These results support the target levels of serum FT4 as middle-upper normal levels during l-T4 replacement therapy in patients with CeH. © 2015 European Society of Endocrinology.

Neonate Auditory Brainstem Responses to CE-Chirp and CE-Chirp Octave Band Stimuli I: Versus Click and Tone Burst Stimuli.

PubMed

Cobb, Kensi M; Stuart, Andrew

The purpose of the study was to generate normative auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave component peak latency and amplitude values for neonates with air- and bone-conducted CE-Chirps and air-conducted CE-Chirp octave band stimuli (i.e., 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz). A second objective was to compare neonate ABRs to CE-Chirp stimuli with ABR responses to traditional click and tone burst stimuli with the same stimulus parameters. Participants were 168 healthy neonates. ABRs were obtained to air- and bone-conducted CE-Chirp and click stimuli and air-conducted CE-Chirp octave band and tone burst stimuli. The effects of stimulus level, rate, and polarity were examined with air-conducted CE-Chirps and clicks. The effect of stimulus level was also examined with bone-conducted CE-Chirps and clicks and air-conducted CE-Chirp octave band stimuli. In general, ABR wave V amplitudes to air- and bone-conducted CE-Chirp stimuli were significantly larger (p < 0.05) than those evoked to traditional click and tone burst stimuli. Systematic statistically significant (p < 0.05) wave V latency differences existed between the air- and bone-conducted CE-Chirp and CE-Chirp octave band stimuli relative to traditional click and tone burst stimuli. ABRs to air- and bone-conducted CE-Chirps and CE-Chirp octave band stimuli may be valuable in the assessment of newborn infants. However, the prognostic value of such stimuli needs to be validated.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Human Cystic Echinococcosis in the Cusco Region of the Peruvian Highlands Diagnosed Using Focused Abdominal Ultrasound

PubMed Central

Tamarozzi, Francesca; Hou, Amy; Morales, Maria Luisa; Giordani, Maria Teresa; Vilca, Freddy; Mozo, Karen; Bascope, Ruben; White, A. Clinton; Brunetti, Enrico; Chen, Lin; Cabada, Miguel M.

2017-01-01

Latin America is among the highly endemic regions for cystic echinococcosis (CE). In Peru, an estimated 1,139 disability-adjusted life years are lost annually from surgical treatment of CE. This is comparable with the combined total for Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile. The prevalence of human infection has been investigated in the central Peruvian Andes, but there are no community-based screening data from other regions of Peru. We carried out a population survey in January 2015 using abdominal ultrasound to estimate the prevalence of abdominal CE in the Canas and Canchis provinces, in the Cusco region of Peru. Among 1,351 subjects screened, 41 (3%) had CE. There was significant variation between communities with similar socioeconomic features in a small geographical area. A history of CE was reported by 4.1% of the screened subjects, among whom 30.3% still had CE on ultrasound. Among patients reporting previous CE treatment, 14.9% had CE in active stages. Limited education, community of residence, and knowing people with CE in the community were associated with CE. These results demonstrate a significant burden of CE in the region and suggest the need for further investigations, control activities, and optimization of clinical management for CE in this area. PMID:28719254

What was the population of Great Zimbabwe (CE1000 - 1800)?

PubMed

Chirikure, Shadreck; Moultrie, Thomas; Bandama, Foreman; Dandara, Collett; Manyanga, Munyaradzi

2017-01-01

The World Heritage Site of Great Zimbabwe is one of the most iconic and largest archaeological settlements in Africa. It was the hub of direct and indirect trade which internally connected various areas of southern Africa, and externally linked them with East Africa and the Near and Far East. Archaeologists believe that at its peak, Great Zimbabwe had a fully urban population of 20,000 people concentrated in approximately 2.9 square kilometres (40 percent of 720 ha). This translates to a population density of 6,897, which is comparable with that of some of the most populous regions of the world in the 21st century. Here, we combine archaeological, ethnographic and historical evidence with ecological and statistical modelling to demonstrate that the total population estimate for the site's nearly 800-year occupational duration (CE1000-1800), after factoring in generational succession, is unlikely to have exceeded 10,000 people. This conclusion is strongly firmed up by the absence of megamiddens at the site, the chronological differences between several key areas of the settlement traditionally assumed to be coeval, and the historically documented low populations recorded for the sub-continent between CE1600 and 1950.

What was the population of Great Zimbabwe (CE1000 – 1800)?

PubMed Central

Moultrie, Thomas; Bandama, Foreman; Dandara, Collett; Manyanga, Munyaradzi

2017-01-01

The World Heritage Site of Great Zimbabwe is one of the most iconic and largest archaeological settlements in Africa. It was the hub of direct and indirect trade which internally connected various areas of southern Africa, and externally linked them with East Africa and the Near and Far East. Archaeologists believe that at its peak, Great Zimbabwe had a fully urban population of 20,000 people concentrated in approximately 2.9 square kilometres (40 percent of 720 ha). This translates to a population density of 6,897, which is comparable with that of some of the most populous regions of the world in the 21st century. Here, we combine archaeological, ethnographic and historical evidence with ecological and statistical modelling to demonstrate that the total population estimate for the site’s nearly 800-year occupational duration (CE1000–1800), after factoring in generational succession, is unlikely to have exceeded 10,000 people. This conclusion is strongly firmed up by the absence of megamiddens at the site, the chronological differences between several key areas of the settlement traditionally assumed to be coeval, and the historically documented low populations recorded for the sub-continent between CE1600 and 1950. PMID:28614397

Straightforward Inference of Ancestry and Admixture Proportions through Ancestry-Informative Insertion Deletion Multiplexing

PubMed Central

Pereira, Rui; Phillips, Christopher; Pinto, Nádia; Santos, Carla; dos Santos, Sidney Emanuel Batista; Amorim, António; Carracedo, Ángel; Gusmão, Leonor

2012-01-01

Ancestry-informative markers (AIMs) show high allele frequency divergence between different ancestral or geographically distant populations. These genetic markers are especially useful in inferring the likely ancestral origin of an individual or estimating the apportionment of ancestry components in admixed individuals or populations. The study of AIMs is of great interest in clinical genetics research, particularly to detect and correct for population substructure effects in case-control association studies, but also in population and forensic genetics studies. This work presents a set of 46 ancestry-informative insertion deletion polymorphisms selected to efficiently measure population admixture proportions of four different origins (African, European, East Asian and Native American). All markers are analyzed in short fragments (under 230 basepairs) through a single PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) allowing a very simple one tube PCR-to-CE approach. HGDP-CEPH diversity panel samples from the four groups, together with Oceanians, were genotyped to evaluate the efficiency of the assay in clustering populations from different continental origins and to establish reference databases. In addition, other populations from diverse geographic origins were tested using the HGDP-CEPH samples as reference data. The results revealed that the AIM-INDEL set developed is highly efficient at inferring the ancestry of individuals and provides good estimates of ancestry proportions at the population level. In conclusion, we have optimized the multiplexed genotyping of 46 AIM-INDELs in a simple and informative assay, enabling a more straightforward alternative to the commonly available AIM-SNP typing methods dependent on complex, multi-step protocols or implementation of large-scale genotyping technologies. PMID:22272242

Neonate Auditory Brainstem Responses to CE-Chirp and CE-Chirp Octave Band Stimuli II: Versus Adult Auditory Brainstem Responses.

PubMed

Cobb, Kensi M; Stuart, Andrew

The purpose of the study was to examine the differences in auditory brainstem response (ABR) latency and amplitude indices to the CE-Chirp stimuli in neonates versus young adults as a function of stimulus level, rate, polarity, frequency and gender. Participants were 168 healthy neonates and 20 normal-hearing young adults. ABRs were obtained to air- and bone-conducted CE-Chirps and air-conducted CE-Chirp octave band stimuli. The effects of stimulus level, rate, and polarity were examined with air-conducted CE-Chirps. The effect of stimulus level was also examined with bone-conducted CE-Chirps and CE-Chirp octave band stimuli. The effect of gender was examined across all stimulus manipulations. In general, ABR wave V amplitudes were significantly larger (p < 0.0001) and latencies were significantly shorter (p < 0.0001) for adults versus neonates for all air-conducted CE-Chirp stimuli with all stimulus manipulations. For bone-conducted CE-Chirps, infants had significantly shorter wave V latencies than adults at 15 dB nHL and 45 dB nHL (p = 0.02). Adult wave V amplitude was significantly larger for bone-conducted CE-Chirps only at 30 dB nHL (p = 0.02). The effect of gender was not statistically significant across all measures (p > 0.05). Significant differences in ABR latencies and amplitudes exist between newborns and young adults using CE-Chirp stimuli. These differences are consistent with differences to traditional click and tone burst stimuli and reflect maturational differences as a function of age. These findings continue to emphasize the importance of interpreting ABR results using age-based normative data.

Rock size-frequency distributions analysis at lunar landing sites based on remote sensing and in-situ imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Bo; Ling, Zongcheng; Zhang, Jiang; Chen, Jian

2017-10-01

Rock populations can supply fundamental geological information about origin and evolution of a planet. In this paper, we used Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) narrow-angle camera (NAC) images to identify rocks at the lunar landing sites (including Chang'e 3 (CE-3), Apollo and Surveyor series). The diameter and area of each identified rock were measured to generate distributions of rock cumulative fractional area and size-frequency on a log-log plot. The two distributions both represented the same shallow slopes at smaller diameters followed by steeper slopes at larger diameters. A reasonable explanation for the lower slopes may be the resolution and space weathering effects. By excluding the smaller diameters, rock populations derived from NAC images showed approximately linear relationships and could be fitted well by power laws. In the last, the entire rock populations derived from both NAC and in-situ imagery could be described by one power function at the lunar landing sites except the CE-3 and Apollo 11 landing sites. This may be because that the process of a large rock breaking down to small rocks even fine particles can be modeled by fractal theories. Thus, rock populations on lunar surfaces can be extrapolated along the curves of rock populations derived from NAC images to smaller diameters. In the future, we can apply rock populations from remote sensing images to estimate the number of rocks with smaller diameters to select the appropriate landing sites for the CE-4 and CE-5 missions.

Expression of Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 and Related Cytokines in Patients with Hepatic Cystic and Alveolar Echinococcosis

PubMed Central

Tuxun, Tuerhongjiang; Ma, Hai-Zhang; Apaer, Shadike; Zhang, Heng; Aierken, Amina; Li, Yu-Peng; Lin, Ren-Yong; Zhao, Jin-Ming; Zhang, Jin-Hui; Wen, Hao

2015-01-01

Several studies have demonstrated the important role of Toll-like receptors in various parasitic infections. This study aims to explore expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and related cytokines in patients with human cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE). 78 subjects including AE group (N = 28), CE group (N = 22), and healthy controls (HC, N = 28) were enrolled in this study. The mRNA expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 in blood and hepatic tissue and plasma levels related cytokines were detected by using ELISA. Median levels of TLR2 mRNA in AE and CE groups were significantly elevated as compared with that in healthy control group. Median levels of TLR4 expression were increased in AE and CE. Plasma concentration levels of IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 were slightly increased in AE and CE groups compared with those in HC group with no statistical differences (p > 0.05). The IL-23 concentration levels were significantly higher in AE and CE groups than that in HC subjects with statistical significance. The increased expression of TLR2 and IL-23 might play a potential role in modulating tissue infiltrative growth of the parasite and its persistence in the human host. PMID:26635448

Generation of extremely low frequency chorus in Van Allen radiation belts: ELF CHORUS GENERATION

DOE PAGES

Xiao, Fuliang; Liu, Si; Tao, Xin; ...

2017-01-01

Recent studies have shown that chorus can efficiently accelerate the outer radiation belt electrons to relativistic energies. Chorus, previously often observed above 0.1 equatorial electron gyrofrequency f ce, was generated by energetic electrons originating from Earth's plasmasheet. Chorus below 0.1 f ce has seldom been reported until the recent data from Van Allen Probes but its origin has not been revealed so far. Because electron resonant energy can approach the relativistic level at extremely low frequency relativistic effects should be considered in the formula for whistler-mode wave growth rate. Here we report high-resolution observations during the 14 October 2014 smallmore » storm and firstly demonstrate, using a fully relativistic simulation, that electrons with the high energy tail population and relativistic pitch angle anisotropy can provide free energy sufficient for generating chorus below 0.1 f ce. The simulated wave growth displays a very similar pattern to the observations. Finally, the current results can be applied to Jupiter, Saturn and other magnetized planets.« less

DYNAMICS AND STAGNATION IN THE MALTHUSIAN EPOCH

PubMed Central

Ashraf, Quamrul; Galor, Oded

2013-01-01

This paper examines the central hypothesis of the influential Malthusian theory, according to which improvements in the technological environment during the pre-industrial era had generated only temporary gains in income per capita, eventually leading to a larger, but not significantly richer, population. Exploiting exogenous sources of cross-country variations in land productivity and the level of technological advancement the analysis demonstrates that, in accordance with the theory, technological superiority and higher land productivity had significant positive effects on population density but insignificant effects on the standard of living, during the time period 1–1500 CE. PMID:25506082

Scintillating screens based on the LPE grown Tb3Al5O12:Ce single crystalline films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zorenko, Yuriy; Douissard, Paul-Antoine; Martin, Thierry; Riva, Federica; Gorbenko, Vitaliy; Zorenko, Tetiana; Paprocki, Kazimierz; Iskalieva, Aizhan; Witkiewicz, Sandra; Fedorov, Alexander; Bilski, Paweł; Twardak, Anna

2017-03-01

We report in this work the creation of new heavy and efficient Tb3Al5O12:Ce (TbAG:Ce) single crystalline film (SCF) scintillators, grown by LPE method from PbO-B2O3 based flux onto Y3Al5O12 (YAG) and Gd3Ga2.5Al2.5O12 (GAGG) substrates, for different optoelectronic applications. The luminescent and scintillation properties of the TbAG:Ce SCF screens, grown onto different types of substrates, are studied and compared with the properties of the Lu3Al5O12:Ce (LuAG:Ce) and YAG:Ce SCF counterparts. TbAG:Ce SCFs show very high scintillation light yield (LY) under α-particles excitation, which overcomes by 30% the LY of high-quality LuAG:Ce SCF samples. In comparison with YAG:Ce and LuAG:Ce SCFs, TbAG:Ce SCF screens show also significantly lower afterglow (up to 10-4 level at X-ray burst duration of 0.1 s), which is comparable with the afterglow level of the best samples of LSO:Ce, Tb SCFs typically being used now for microimaging. Together with a high light output of X-ray excited luminescence, such extremely low afterglow of TbAG:Ce SCF is a very good reason for future development of scintillating screens based on the mentioned garnet. We also introduce the possibility to create new types of ;film-substrate; hybrid scintillators using the LPE method for simultaneous registration of different components of ionizing radiation and microimaging based on the TbAG:Ce SCF and GAGG:Ce substrates.

Separation of sardine oil without heating from surimi waste and its effect on lipid metabolism in rats.

PubMed

Toyoshima, Kotoe; Noguchi, Ryoko; Hosokawa, Masashi; Fukunaga, Kenji; Nishiyama, Toshimasa; Takahashi, Riki; Miyashita, Kazuo

2004-04-21

Sardine oil was obtained by centrifugation of surimi wastewater without heating or chemical refining. This oil (CE) showed light yellow color and the peroxide value was less than 1.0 meq/kg. The main lipid class of CE was triacylglycerol (TG) (>99%). These features indicate that CE can be directly used as food materials without further purification. Commercial sardine oil (CO) is usually prepared via some kind of refining process with high temperature (250 degrees C) and chemical treatment. The comparative study on the physiological effects of these sardine oils (CE and CO) revealed that the dietary sardine oils were more effective in reducing abdominal fat pads, plasma total cholesterol, and TG levels of rats than was a soybean oil diet (control). Furthermore, these effects were greater in CE than CO, although there was little difference in the fatty acid composition of both oils. Although the main lipid class of CE was TG (>99%), CE was prepared by centrifugation from surimi waste and directly used as dietary fat without further purification. Therefore, CE may contain some kinds of minor components, which could be attributed to the higher physiological activity of CE. To reveal the involvement of the minor compounds in CE, we prepared TG from CE by column chromatography and measured its effect on lipid metabolism of rats. TG from CE also showed the reducing effects on abdominal fad pads and plasma lipid levels. The effect of TG from CE was almost the same as that of original CE, suggesting that the higher nutritional activity of CE than CO may not be due to the minor compounds in CE.

Parvalbumin Interneurons of Central Amygdala Regulate the Negative Affective States and the Expression of Corticotrophin-Releasing Hormone During Morphine Withdrawal

PubMed Central

Wang, Li; Shen, Minjie; Jiang, Changyou

2016-01-01

Background: The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is a crucial component of the neuronal circuitry mediating aversive emotion. Its role in the negative affective states during drug withdrawal includes changes in opioidergic, GABAergic, and corticotropin-releasing factor neurotransmission. However, the modulation of the neurobiological interconnectivity in the CeA and its effects in the negative reinforcement of drug dependents are poorly understood. Method: We performed electrophysiological recordings to assess the membrane excitability of parvalbumin (PV)+ interneurons in the CeA during chronic morphine withdrawal. We tested the morphine withdrawal–induced negative affective states, such as the aversive (assessed by conditioned place aversion), anxiety (assessed by elevated plus maze), and anhedonic-like (assessed by saccharin preference test) behaviors, as well as the mRNA level of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) via optogenetic inhibition or activation of PV+ interneurons in the CeA. Result: Chronic morphine withdrawal increased the firing rate of CeA PV+ interneurons. Optogenetic inhibition of the activity of CeA PV+ interneurons attenuated the morphine withdrawal–induced negative affective states, such as the aversive, anxiety, and anhedonic-like behaviors, while direct activation of CeA PV+ interneurons could trigger those negative affective-like behaviors. Optogenetic inhibition of the CeA PV+ interneurons during the morphine withdrawal significantly attenuated the elevated CRH mRNA level in the CeA. Conclusion: The activity of PV+ interneurons in the CeA was up-regulated during chronic morphine withdrawal. The activation of PV+ interneurons during morphine withdrawal was crucial for the induction of the negative emotion and the up-regulation of CRH mRNA levels in the CeA. PMID:27385383

[Evaluation of the dental pathology in archaeological skeletal material: prevalence of dental caries since prehistory to modern age].

PubMed

Stránská, Petra

2013-01-01

The evaluation of the dental health of past populations is an important part of the anthropological analysis of human skeletal remains uncovered during the archaeological excavations. The results provide the important information not only of the overall health of past populations, but also are reflective of the nutrition or the social status of our ancestors. We focused on the comparison of dental caries from prehistoric times to the present day. The aim was to evaluate the dental decay in several prehistoric, Early Medieval and modern populations and determine whether and to what extent the decay differ between the individual groups. METHODS AND RESULTS. We observed the permanent dentition in adult men and females, who were divided into three groups: the population of the younger Eneolithic to the Bronze Age, the population of the Early Middle Ages and the population of the modern times. We used the Index of Intensity of Caries I-CE and the Index of Caries Frequency F-CE to evaluate the incidence of caries and intra-vital losses. The comparison was carried out between groups, between both of jaws and between individual teeth. We took into account sex and age of the individuals studied. The highest value of F-CE was set in the population of the modern times (67.5). The difference in caries frequency among populations was not significant. The intensity of caries was the highest in modern population (I-CE: 13.2). Compared with the two older populations the difference was statistically highly significant (p 0.001).With regard to sex, the results differed between populations. It could be caused by a different frequency of men and females in individual groups.The correlation of intensity of caries with age was confirmed. Some partial results were affected by unequal frequency of age categories. CONCLUSION. The results showed the worst dental health in the population of the modern times. The null hypothesis,that tooth decay among the individual populations from different periods is not different, was rejected. The results must be interpreted with regard to the demographic composition of the files researched.

Cerium Anomalies in Fossil Fish Teeth Reveal Changes in Bottom Water Oxygenation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chun, C. O.; Scher, H. D.; Delaney, M. L.

2007-12-01

Shale-normalized rare earths and yttrium (REY) concentrations of fossil fish teeth in deep sea sediments display prominent negative cerium (Ce) anomalies and positive yttrium (Y) anomalies. These features are ultimately inherited from seawater and strongly indicate that fossil fish teeth preserve a seawater REY signature. In seawater, Ce+3 is oxidized to Ce+4, and Ce becomes depleted relative to the other REY's as it partitions into other phases (e.g., ferromanganese oxyhydroxides). The magnitude of Ce depletion in a water mass is thus related to its oxygen content. We hypothesize that changes in the oxygenation of bottom waters may be revealed by examining downcore variability in the magnitude of the Ce anomaly of fossil fish teeth. To test this hypothesis, REY concentrations were measured on samples of cleaned fossil fish teeth recovered from the late Paleogene to early Eocene sections of Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Sites 1262 and 1263 (lower and upper Walvis Ridge, ODP Leg 208, South Atlantic Ocean). These sites are vertically offset (early Eocene paleodepths were 3700 and 1700 meters, respectively) and have been extensively studied to characterize the oceanic response to the Paleocene/Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). Manganese enrichment factors (Mn EF) determined from total digestions of samples from these sites reveal abrupt changes in the oxygenation of bottom waters across the PETM interval. Mn EF's decrease to crustal values (~1) during the PETM, which reflects the reduction of Mn oxides as bottom water oxygen levels were depleted. Mn EF's begin to increase to 6-8 during the 'recovery phase' following the PETM. The Ce anomaly for these samples, Ce/Ce*, was calculated according to the geometric approach reported by Lawrence et al. (2006, Aquatic Geochemistry 12, 39-72), where Ce* represents an interpolation of the expected shale-normalized Ce concentration from near neighbors. In this notation, when Ce/Ce* = 1 no Ce anomaly is present. At upper Walvis Ridge downcore Ce anomalies show a distinct excursion from pre-PETM values between 0.7-0.8 to values ~1.0 during the PETM event. The values return to pre-excursion levels during the recovery phase following the PETM. The results of this study closely follow the evolution of Mn EF's at Walvis Ridge sites. The smallest Ce anomalies (i.e., Ce/Ce* = 1) coincide with Mn EF's of 1, which provide independent evidence for low oxygen levels in the bottom waters bathing these locations. These results confirm the hypothesis that Ce anomalies in fossil fish teeth can be used to assess changes in the oxygenation of bottom waters.

Geochemical record of high emperor penguin populations during the Little Ice Age at Amanda Bay, Antarctica.

PubMed

Huang, Tao; Yang, Lianjiao; Chu, Zhuding; Sun, Liguang; Yin, Xijie

2016-09-15

Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) are sensitive to the Antarctic climate change because they breed on the fast sea ice. Studies of paleohistory for the emperor penguin are rare, due to the lack of archives on land. In this study, we obtained an emperor penguin ornithogenic sediment profile (PI) and performed geochronological, geochemical and stable isotope analyses on the sediments and feather remains. Two radiocarbon dates of penguin feathers in PI indicate that emperor penguins colonized Amanda Bay as early as CE 1540. By using the bio-elements (P, Se, Hg, Zn and Cd) in sediments and stable isotope values (δ(15)N and δ(13)C) in feathers, we inferred relative population size and dietary change of emperor penguins during the period of CE 1540-2008, respectively. An increase in population size with depleted N isotope ratios for emperor penguins on N island at Amanda Bay during the Little Ice Age (CE 1540-1866) was observed, suggesting that cold climate affected the penguin's breeding habitat, prey availability and thus their population and dietary composition. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Calculation of Mitral Valve Area in Mitral Stenosis: Comparison of Continuity Equation and Pressure Half Time With Two-Dimensional Planimetry in Patients With and Without Associated Aortic or Mitral Regurgitation or Atrial Fibrillation.

PubMed

Sattarzadeh, Roya; Tavoosi, Anahita; Saadat, Mohammad; Derakhshan, Leila; Khosravi, Bakhtyar; Geraiely, Babak

2017-11-01

Accurate measurement of Mitral Valve Area (MVA) is essential to determining the Mitral Stenosis (MS) severity and to achieving the best management strategies for this disease. The goal of the present study is to compare mitral valve area (MVA) measurement by Continuity Equation (CE) and Pressure Half-Time (PHT) methods with that of 2D-Planimetry (PL) in patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis (MS). This comparison also was performed in subgroups of patients with significant Aortic Insufficiency (AI), Mitral Regurgitation (MR) and Atrial Fibrillation (AF). We studied 70 patients with moderate to severe MS who were referred to echocardiography clinic. MVA was determined by PL, CE and PHT methods. The agreement and correlations between MVA's obtained from various methods were determined by kappa index, Bland-Altman analysis, and linear regression analysis. The mean values for MVA calculated by CE was 0.81 cm (±0.27) and showed good correlation with those calculated by PL (0.95 cm, ±0.26 ) in whole population (r=0.771, P<0.001) and MR subgroup (r=0.763, P<0.001) and normal sinus rhythm and normal valve subgroups (r=0.858, P<0.001 and r=0.867, P<0.001, respectively). But CE methods didn't show any correlation in AF and AI subgroups. MVA measured by PHT had a good correlation with that measured by PL in whole population (r=0.770, P<0.001) and also in NSR (r=0.814, P<0.001) and normal valve subgroup (r=0.781, P<0.001). Subgroup with significant AI and those with significant MR showed moderate correlation (r=0.625, P=0.017 and r=0.595, P=0.041, respectively). Bland Altman Analysis showed that CE would estimate MVA smaller in comparison with PL in the whole population and all subgroups and PHT would estimate MVA larger in comparison with PL in the whole population and all subgroups. The mean bias for CE and PHT are 0.14 cm and -0.06 cm respectively. In patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis, in the absence of concomitant AF, AI or MR, the accuracy of CE or PHT method in measuring MVA is nearly equal. But in the presence of significant AI or MR, PHT method is obviously superior to CE and in the presence of AF neither have sufficient accuracy.

Preparation and luminescence properties of Ce3+ and Ce3+/Tb(3+)-activated Y4Si2O7N2 phosphors.

PubMed

Xia, Zhiguo; Wu, Weiwei

2013-09-28

Ce(3+) and Ce(3+)/Tb(3+)-activated Y4Si2O7N2 phosphors are synthesized by the solid-state method, which can be efficiently excited by near ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) chips. The PL spectrum of Y4Si2O7N2:Ce(3+) shows a broad hump between 380 and 650 nm, assigned to the electron transition from the 4f energy level to different 5d sub levels of the Ce(3+) ions at different Y(3+) sites. The color of the Y4Si2O7N2:Ce(3+) phosphor can shift from blue to green by introducing Tb(3+). In addition, the energy transfer process from Ce(3+) to Tb(3+) in the Y4Si2O7N2 host was investigated and discussed in terms of both the luminescence spectra and decay curves. The energy transfer critical distance has been calculated and evaluated by the concentration quenching method. Therefore, the Ce(3+) and Ce(3+)/Tb(3+)-activated Y4Si2O7N2 phosphors can serve as key materials for phosphor-converted white-light UV-LEDs.

Differential effects of stress and amphetamine administration on Fos-like protein expression in corticotropin releasing factor-neurons of the rat brain.

PubMed

Rotllant, David; Nadal, Roser; Armario, Antonio

2007-05-01

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) appears to be critical for the control of important aspects of the behavioral and physiological response to stressors and drugs of abuse. However, the extent to which the different brain CRF neuronal populations are similarly activated after stress and drug administration is not known. We then studied, using double immunohistochemistry for CRF and Fos protein, stress and amphetamine-induced activation of CRF neurons in cortex, central amygdala (CeA), medial parvocellular dorsal, and submagnocellular parvocellular regions of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVNmpd and PVNsm, respectively) and Barrington nucleus (Bar). Neither exposure to a novel environment (hole-board, HB) nor immobilization (IMO) increased Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) in the CeA, but they did to the same extent in cortical regions. In other regions only IMO increased FLI. HB and IMO both failed to activate CRF+ neurons in cortical areas, but after IMO, some neurons expressing FLI in the PVNsm and most of them in the PVNmpd and Bar were CRF+. Amphetamine administration increased FLI in cortical areas and CeA (with some CRF+ neurons expressing FLI), whereas the number of CRF+ neurons increased only in the PVNsm, in contrast to the effects of IMO. The present results indicate that stress and amphetamine elicited a distinct pattern of brain Fos-like protein expression and differentially activated some of the brain CRF neuronal populations, despite similar levels of overall FLI in the case of IMO and amphetamine.

Elevated temperature is more effective than elevated [CO2 ] in exposing genotypic variation in Telopea speciosissima growth plasticity: implications for woody plant populations under climate change.

PubMed

Huang, Guomin; Rymer, Paul D; Duan, Honglang; Smith, Renee A; Tissue, David T

2015-10-01

Intraspecific variation in phenotypic plasticity is a critical determinant of plant species capacity to cope with climate change. A long-standing hypothesis states that greater levels of environmental variability will select for genotypes with greater phenotypic plasticity. However, few studies have examined how genotypes of woody species originating from contrasting environments respond to multiple climate change factors. Here, we investigated the main and interactive effects of elevated [CO2 ] (CE ) and elevated temperature (TE ) on growth and physiology of Coastal (warmer, less variable temperature environment) and Upland (cooler, more variable temperature environment) genotypes of an Australian woody species Telopea speciosissima. Both genotypes were positively responsive to CE (35% and 29% increase in whole-plant dry mass and leaf area, respectively), but only the Coastal genotype exhibited positive growth responses to TE . We found that the Coastal genotype exhibited greater growth response to TE (47% and 85% increase in whole-plant dry mass and leaf area, respectively) when compared with the Upland genotype (no change in dry mass or leaf area). No intraspecific variation in physiological plasticity was detected under CE or TE , and the interactive effects of CE and TE on intraspecific variation in phenotypic plasticity were also largely absent. Overall, TE was a more effective climate factor than CE in exposing genotypic variation in our woody species. Our results contradict the paradigm that genotypes from more variable climates will exhibit greater phenotypic plasticity in future climate regimes. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Quantification of health benefits related with reduction of atmospheric PM₁₀ levels: implementation of population mobility approach.

PubMed

Tchepel, Oxana; Dias, Daniela

2011-06-01

This study is focused on the assessment of potential health benefits by meeting the air quality limit values (2008/50/CE) for short-term PM₁₀ exposure. For this purpose, the methodology of the WHO for Health Impact Assessment and APHEIS guidelines for data collection were applied to Porto Metropolitan Area, Portugal. Additionally, an improved methodology using population mobility data is proposed in this work to analyse number of persons exposed. In order to obtain representative background concentrations, an innovative approach to process air quality time series was implemented. The results provide the number of attributable cases prevented annually by reducing PM(10) concentration. An intercomparison of two approaches to process input data for the health risk analysis provides information on sensitivity of the applied methodology. The findings highlight the importance of taking into account spatial variability of the air pollution levels and population mobility in the health impact assessment.

Differential effects of NAA and 2,4-D in reducing floret abscission in cestrum (Cestrum elegans) cut flowers are associated with their differential activation of Aux/IAA homologous genes.

PubMed

Abebie, Bekele; Lers, Amnon; Philosoph-Hadas, Sonia; Goren, Raphael; Riov, Joseph; Meir, Shimon

2008-01-01

A previous study showed that the relative effectiveness of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) compared with that of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in reducing floret bud abscission in cestrum (Cestrum elegans) cut flowers was due to its acropetal transport. The aim of the present study was to examine if the differential effect of these auxins on floret abscission is reflected in the expression of Aux/IAA genes in the floret abscission zone (AZ). cDNAs were isolated by PCR-based cloning from the floret AZ of auxin-treated cut flowers. The expression patterns of the cDNAs in various tissues and the effect of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), applied with or without cycloheximide, on their expression in the floret AZ were examined by northern blot analysis. The regulation of transcript accumulation in the floret AZ in response to NAA or 2,4-D was measured by real-time PCR during auxin pulsing of cut flowers and vase life, concomitantly with floret abscission. Six isolated cDNAs were identified to represent Aux/IAA homologous genes, designated as Cestrum elegans (Ce)-IAA1 to Ce-IAA6. Four Ce-IAA genes were characterized as early auxin-responsive genes (ARGs), and two (Ce-IAA1 and Ce-IAA5) as late ARGs. Only Ce-IAA5 was AZ-specific in floret buds. A temporal regulation of Ce-IAA transcript levels in the floret AZ was found, with 2,4-D inducing higher expression levels than NAA in floret buds. These Ce-IAA expression levels were negatively correlated with floret abscission. The differential transport characteristics of NAA and 2,4-D in cestrum cut flowers were reflected in differential activation of the Ce-IAA genes identified in the floret AZ. Therefore, Aux/IAA genes can be used as molecular markers to measure auxin activity, which reflects free auxin level in the AZ. Two of the identified genes, Ce-IAA1 and Ce-IAA5, may also have a regulatory role in abscission.

TLR2 and TLR4 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic cystic echinococcosis and its relationship with IL-10.

PubMed

Shan, J-Y; Ji, W-Z; Li, H-T; Tuxun, T; Lin, R-Y; Wen, H

2011-12-01

This study aims at relating Toll-like receptors (TLR) and human systemic cytokines in patients with chronic cystic echinococcosis (CE). By real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, we measured the expression level of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and using ELISA, we detected the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-10, IL-4 and IL-17A from 34 chronic CE cases (four patients with biliary leakage; four patients with secondary location including three in lung and one in bone) and 22 healthy controls (HC). TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA expression were significantly higher in the CE group (P<0·05); levels of serum IL-10, IL-4 and IL-12p70 in patients with CE were significantly higher than those in controls (P<0·05). There were no differences in IFN-γ and IL-17A levels between the CE group and the HC group (P>0·05). In the patients with CE, positive correlations were noted between the expression of TLR2 and the serum level of IL-10, as well as between the expression of TLR4 and the serum level of IL-10. Our findings supported the hypothesis that during chronic CE infection, altered TLR expression might be involved in the cytokine modulation, which allowed the parasite to escape host immunosurveillance and promoted chronic infection. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Comparison between capillary electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography for detection and quantification of Hb constant spring [Hb CS; α142, Term→Gln (TAA>CAA IN α2)].

PubMed

Waneesorn, Jarurin; Panyasai, Sitthichai; Kongthai, Kanyakan; Singboottra, Panthong; Pornprasert, Sakorn

2011-01-01

Hb Constant Spring [Hb CS; α142, Term→Gln (TAA>CAA in α2)] is often missed by routine laboratory testing since its mRNA as well as gene product are unstable and presented at a low level in peripheral blood. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for detecting and quantifying Hb CS in 19 heterozygotes and 14 homozygotes with Hb CS as well as 10 Hb H-CS disease subjects who were detected by molecular analysis. In the CE electrophoregram, Hb CS was seen at zone 2 and was observed in all samples, while the chromatogram of Hb CS peaks was found in 26.32% heterozygotes, 42.86% homozygotes and 90% Hb H-CS disease subjects, respectively. In addition, the Hb CS levels in each group of subjects quantified by CE were significantly higher than those quantified by HPLC. Based on the CE method, the lowest Hb CS level was found in the heterozygotes, whereas the highest level was found in the Hb H-CS disease patients. Therefore, the CE method was superior to the HPLC method for detecting Hb CS. Furthermore, the level of Hb CS quantified by CE proved useful in screening heterozygotes and homozygotes with Hb CS as well as Hb H-CS disease.

Continuing education: the 1998 Survey of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.

PubMed

Sambrook, P; Thomson, D; Bastiaan, R; Goss, A

2001-06-01

Continuing education (CE) is an essential professional activity. In the last decade, CE has been actively pursued by the medical profession in Australia and abroad. However, the uptake of CE in dentistry has been much slower and there is minimal Australian data on dental CE. To determine the level of CE activity, in 1998, postal questionnaires were sent to all fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. The responses were analysed. There was a high response rate (90 per cent) but a moderate usable rate (54 per cent). The results show a biphasic distribution between high and low CE activity. The average amount of activity of those involved in CE was 116 hours per year, above the usually accepted minimum of 100 hours/year. Some groups, particularly members of the specialist divisions of oral and maxillofacial surgeons (215 hours) and periodontists (205 hours), have high levels of CE. However, approximately 25 per cent of college fellows reported little or no CE activity. The survey revealed that inactive fellows are more likely to be older and in general practice. Inactive fellows were also tardy in replying to the questionnaire. The high activity CE group needs to be recognised and encouraged to continue. Specific plans to help the low CE activity group should be developed. Although these findings relate directly to the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, they are presented as they have implications for the dental profession at large.

Electromagnetic transition rates in the N=80 nucleus 58138Ce

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alharbi, T.; Regan, P. H.; Mason, P. J. R.; Mărginean, N.; Podolyák, Zs.; Bruce, A. M.; Simpson, E. C.; Algora, A.; Alazemi, N.; Britton, R.; Bunce, M. R.; Bucurescu, D.; Cooper, N.; Deleanu, D.; Filipescu, D.; Gelletly, W.; Ghită, D.; Glodariu, T.; Ilie, G.; Kisyov, S.; Lintott, J.; Lalkovski, S.; Liddick, S.; Mihai, C.; Mulholland, K.; Mărginean, R.; Negret, A.; Nakhostin, M.; Nita, C. R.; Roberts, O. J.; Rice, S.; Smith, J. F.; Stroe, L.; Sava, T.; Townsley, C.; Wilson, E.; Werner, V.; Zhekova, M.; Zamfir, N. V.

2013-01-01

The half-life of the Iπ=6+ yrast state at Ex=2294 keV in 138Ce has been measured as T1/2=880(19) ps using the fast-timing γ-ray coincidence method with a mixed LaBr3(Ce)-HPGe array. The excited states in 138Ce have been populated by the 130Te(12C,4n) fusion-evaporation reaction at an incident beam energy of 56 MeV. The extracted B(E2;61+→41+)=0.101(24) W.u. value is compared with the predictions of truncated basis shell model calculations and with the systematics of the region. This shows an anomalous behavior compared to the neighboring isotonic and isotopic chains. Half-lives for the yrast 5-, 11+ and 14+ states in 138Ce have also been determined in this work.

Seven-quasiparticle bands in Ce139

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chanda, Somen; Bhattacharjee, Tumpa; Bhattacharyya, Sarmishtha; Mukherjee, Anjali; Basu, Swapan Kumar; Ragnarsson, I.; Bhowmik, R. K.; Muralithar, S.; Singh, R. P.; Ghugre, S. S.; Pramanik, U. Datta

2009-05-01

The high spin states in the Ce139 nucleus have been studied by in-beam γ-spectroscopic techniques using the reaction Te130(C12,3n)Ce139 at Ebeam=65 MeV. A gamma detector array, consisting of five Compton-suppressed Clover detectors was used for coincidence measurements. 15 new levels have been proposed and 28 new γ transitions have been assigned to Ce139 on the basis of γγ coincidence data. The level scheme of Ce139 has been extended above the known 70 ns (19)/(2)- isomer up to ~6.1 MeV in excitation energy and (35)/(2)ℏ in spin. The spin-parity assignments for most of the newly proposed levels have been made using the deduced Directional Correlation from Oriented states of nuclei (DCO ratio) and the Polarization Directional Correlation from Oriented states (PDCO ratio) for the de-exciting transitions. The observed level structure has been compared with a large basis shell model calculation and also with the predictions from cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky (CNS) calculations. A general consistency has been observed between these two different theoretical approaches.

Pressure and temperature dependence of the Ce valence and c -f hybridization gap in Ce T2In5(T =Co ,Rh ,Ir ) heavy-fermion superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamaoka, H.; Yamamoto, Y.; Schwier, E. F.; Honda, F.; Zekko, Y.; Ohta, Y.; Lin, J.-F.; Nakatake, M.; Iwasawa, H.; Arita, M.; Shimada, K.; Hiraoka, N.; Ishii, H.; Tsuei, K.-D.; Mizuki, J.

2015-12-01

Pressure- and temperature-induced changes in the Ce valence and c -f hybridization of the Ce115 superconductors have been studied systematically. Resonant x-ray-emission spectroscopy indicated that the increase of the Ce valence with pressure was significant for CeCoIn5, and moderate for CeIr (In0.925Cd0.075)5 . We found no abrupt change of the Ce valence in the Kondo regime for CeIr (In0.925Cd0.075)5 , which suggests that valence fluctuations are unlikely to mediate the superconductivity in this material. X-ray-diffraction results were consistent with the pressure-induced change in the Ce valence. High-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy revealed a temperature-dependent reduction of the spectral intensity at the Fermi level, indicating enhanced c -f hybridization on cooling.

Effect of fragmentation on the natural genetic diversity of Theobroma speciosum Willd. ex Spreng. populations.

PubMed

Varella, T L; Rossi, A A B; Dardengo, J F E; Silveira, G F; Souza, M D A; Carvalho, M L S

2016-11-21

Forest fragmentation reduces the effective size of natural populations, isolates individuals in the landscape, and, consequently, changes species' mating systems by increasing the degree of relatedness between individuals and inbreeding. Investigating the impact of habitat degradation on forest fragments helps to assess the genetic and ecological consequences of these changes, and allows the development of effective and sustainable conservation strategies to manage the genetic resources of species living in degraded landscapes. The aim of the present study was to assess the genetic diversity of fragmented Theobroma speciosum populations using microsatellite markers. Three urban forest fragments were selected in the municipality of Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, namely C/E park, J park, and Zoo Botanical park. Seventy-five individuals (25 in each fragment) were sampled by collecting their leaves for genomic DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction amplifications were performed using nine polymorphic simple sequence repeat primers, which amplified 84 alleles. The mean expected heterozygosity was 0.970, and it was always higher than the observed heterozygosity. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that most variability occurred within populations (64%) rather than between them (36%). The Structure software and an unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean dendrogram revealed three distinct groups, showing that individuals were allocated to their correct populations. Genotype number 3 from C/E park, number 45 from J park, and number 51 from Zoo Botanical park could be used as stock plants in breeding programs, because they were the most dissimilar within the populations studied. The high genetic diversity levels detected in all three populations studied emphasize the importance of protecting this species in its natural habitat.

The investigation of Ce doped ZnO crystal: The electronic, optical and magnetic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Jun-Qing; Zhang, Jian-Min; Qiu, Ze-Gang; Yang, Xu; Li, Zhi-Qin

2018-04-01

The electronic, optical and magnetic properties of Ce doped ZnO crystal have been studied by using first principles method. The research of formation energies show that Ce doped ZnO is energetically stable, and the formation energies reduce from 6.25% to 12.5% for Ce molar percentage. The energy band is still direct band gap after Ce doped, and band gap increases with the increase of Cesbnd Ce distance. The Fermi level moves upward into conduction band and the DOS moves to lower energy with the increase of Ce concentration, which showing the properties of n-type semiconductor. The calculated optical properties imply that Ce doped causes a red-shift of absorption peaks, and enhances the absorption of the visible light. The transition from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic has been found in Ce doped ZnO.

Spectroscopic determination of crystal-field levels in CeRh2Si2 and CeRu2Si2 and of the 4f0 contributions in CeM2Si2 (M=Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, and Au)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Willers, T.; Adroja, D. T.; Rainford, B. D.; Hu, Z.; Hollmann, N.; Körner, P. O.; Chin, Y.-Y.; Schmitz, D.; Hsieh, H. H.; Lin, H.-J.; Chen, C. T.; Bauer, E. D.; Sarrao, J. L.; McClellan, K. J.; Byler, D.; Geibel, C.; Steglich, F.; Aoki, H.; Lejay, P.; Tanaka, A.; Tjeng, L. H.; Severing, A.

2012-01-01

We have determined the ground-state wave functions and crystal-field-level schemes of CeRh2Si2 and CeRu2Si2 using linear polarized soft x-ray-absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and inelastic neutron scattering. We find large crystal-field splittings and ground-state wave functions which are made of mainly Jz = |±5/2> with some amount of |∓3/2> in both the compounds. The 4f0 contribution to the ground state of several members of the CeM2Si2 family with M=(Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, and Au) has been determined with XAS, and the comparison reveals a trend concerning the delocalization of the f electrons. Absolute numbers are extracted from scaling to results from hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on CeRu2Si2 by Yano [Phys. Rev. BPRBMDO1098-012110.1103/PhysRevB.77.035118 77, 035118 (2008)].

Parameter optimization for constructing competing endogenous RNA regulatory network in glioblastoma multiforme and other cancers.

PubMed

Chiu, Yu-Chiao; Hsiao, Tzu-Hung; Chen, Yidong; Chuang, Eric Y

2015-01-01

In addition to direct targeting and repressing mRNAs, recent studies reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) can bridge up an alternative layer of post-transcriptional gene regulatory networks. The competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulation depicts the scenario where pairs of genes (ceRNAs) sharing, fully or partially, common binding miRNAs (miRNA program) can establish coexpression through competition for a limited pool of the miRNA program. While the dynamics of ceRNA regulation among cellular conditions have been verified based on in silico and in vitro experiments, comprehensive investigation into the strength of ceRNA regulation in human datasets remains largely unexplored. Furthermore, pan-cancer analysis of ceRNA regulation, to our knowledge, has not been systematically investigated. In the present study we explored optimal conditions for ceRNA regulation, investigated functions governed by ceRNA regulation, and evaluated pan-cancer effects. We started by investigating how essential factors, such as the size of miRNA programs, the number of miRNA program binding sites, and expression levels of miRNA programs and ceRNAs affect the ceRNA regulation capacity in tumors derived from glioblastoma multiforme patients captured by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We demonstrated that increased numbers of common targeting miRNAs as well as the abundance of binding sites enhance ceRNA regulation and strengthen coexpression of ceRNA pairs. Also, our investigation revealed that the strength of ceRNA regulation is dependent on expression levels of both miRNA programs and ceRNAs. Through functional annotation analysis, our results indicated that ceRNA regulation is highly associated with essential cellular functions and diseases including cancer. Furthermore, the highly intertwined ceRNA regulatory relationship enables constitutive and effective intra-function regulation of genes in diverse types of cancer. Using gene and microRNA expression datasets from TCGA, we successfully quantified the optimal conditions for ceRNA regulation, which hinge on four essential parameters of ceRNAs. Our analysis suggests optimized ceRNA regulation is related to disease pathways and essential cellular functions. Furthermore, although the strength of ceRNA regulation is dynamic among cancers, its governing functions are stably maintained. The findings of this report contribute to better understanding of ceRNA dynamics and its crucial roles in cancers.

Tissue distribution following 28 day repeated oral administration of aluminum-based nanoparticles with different properties and the in vitro toxicity.

PubMed

Park, Eun-Jung; Lee, Gwang-Hee; Yoon, Cheolho; Jeong, Uiseok; Kim, Younghun; Chang, Jaerak; Kim, Dong-Wan

2017-12-01

The tissue distribution and toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) depend on their physical and chemical properties both in the manufactured condition and within the biological system. We characterized three types of commercially available aluminum-based NPs (Al-NPs), two rod-type aluminum oxide NPs (Al 2 O 3 , AlONPs), with different aspect ratios (short [S]- and long [L]-AlONPs), and spherical aluminum cerium oxide NPs (AlCeO 3 , AlCeONPs). The surface area was in order of the S-AlONPs > L-AlONPs > AlCeONPs. Very importantly, we found that AlCeONPs is Al 2 O 3 -coated CeO 2 NPs, but not AlCeO 3 NPs, and that the Al level in AlCeONPs is approximately 20% of those in S- and L-AlONPs. All three types of Al-NPs were slightly ionized in gastric fluid and rapidly particlized in the intestinal fluid. There were no significant differences in the body weight gain following 28 days of repeated oral administration of the three different types of Al-NPs. All Al-NPs elevated Al level in the heart, spleen, kidney and blood at 24 hours after the final dose, accompanied by the altered tissue level of redox reaction-related trace elements. Subsequently, in four types of cells derived from the organs which Al-NPs are accumulated, H9C2 (heart), HEK-293 (kidney), splenocytes and RAW264.7 (blood), S-AlONPs showed a very low uptake level and did not exert significant cytotoxicity. Meanwhile, cytotoxicity and uptake level were the most remarkable in cells treated with AlCeONPs. In conclusion, we suggest that the physicochemical properties of NPs should be examined in detail before the release into the market to prevent unexpected adverse health effects. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Triaxiality and Exotic Rotations at High Spins in 134Ce

DOE PAGES

Petrache, C. M.; Guo, S.; Ayangeakaa, A. D.; ...

2016-06-06

High-spin states in Ce-134 have been investigated using the Cd-116(Ne-22,4n) reaction and the Gammasphere array. The level scheme has been extended to an excitation energy of similar to 30 MeV and spin similar to 54 (h) over bar. Two new dipole bands and four new sequences of quadrupole transitions were identified. Several new transitions have been added to a number of known bands. One of the strongly populated dipole bands was revised and placed differently in the level scheme, resolving a discrepancy between experiment and model calculations reported previously. Configurations are assigned to the observed bands based on cranked Nilsson-Strutinskymore » calculations. A coherent understanding of the various excitations, both at low and high spins, is thus obtained, supporting an interpretation in terms of coexistence of stable triaxial, highly deformed, and superdeformed shapes up to very high spins. Rotations around different axes of the triaxial nucleus, and sudden changes of the rotation axis in specific configurations, are identified, further elucidating the nature of high-spin collective excitations in the A = 130 mass region.« less

A national survey on health department capacity for community engagement in emergency preparedness.

PubMed

Schoch-Spana, Monica; Selck, Frederic W; Goldberg, Lisa A

2015-01-01

Limited systematic knowledge exists about how public health practitioners and policy makers can best strengthen community engagement in public health emergency preparedness ("CE-PHEP"), a top priority for US national health security. To investigate local health department (LHD) adoption of federally recommended participatory approaches to PHEP and to identify LHD organizational characteristics associated with more intense CE-PHEP. National survey in 2012 of LHDs using a self-administered Web-based questionnaire regarding LHD practices and resources for CE-PHEP ("The Community Engagement for Public Health Emergency Preparedness Survey"). Differences in survey responses were examined, and a multivariate analysis was used to test whether LHD organizational characteristics were associated with differences in CE-PHEP intensity. A randomized sample of 754 LHDs drawn from the 2565 LHDs that had been invited to participate in the 2010 National Profile of LHDs. Sample selection was stratified by the size of population served and geographic location. Emergency preparedness coordinators reporting on their respective LHDs. CE-PHEP intensity as measured with a scoring system that rated specific CE-PHEP practices by LHD according to the relative degrees of public participation and community capacity they represented. Survey response rate was 61%. The most common reported CE-PHEP activity was disseminating personal preparedness materials (90%); the least common was convening public forums on PHEP planning (22%). LHD characteristics most strongly associated with more intense CE-PHEP were having a formal CE-PHEP policy, allocating funds for CE-PHEP, having strong support from community-based organizations, and employing a coordinator with prior CE experience. Promising ways to engage community partners more fully in the PHEP enterprise are institutionalizing CE-PHEP objectives, employing sufficient and skilled staff, leveraging current community-based organization support, and aligning budgets with the value of CE-PHEP to US national health security.

Cerumen: A fundamental but neglected problem by pediatricians.

PubMed

Marchisio, Paola; Pipolo, Carlotta; Landi, Massimo; Consonni, Dario; Mansi, Nicola; Di Mauro, Giuseppe; Salvatici, Elisabetta; Di Pietro, Pasquale; Esposito, Susanna; Felisati, Giovanni; Principi, Nicola

2016-08-01

Under physiological conditions, cerumen (Ce) is regularly extruded from the ear canal by a self-cleaning mechanism. Failure of this mechanism leads to excessive accumulation or impaction of Ce. Limited data are available concerning the prevalence of cerumen in healthy and sick infants and children. We assessed the prevalence of Ce in a large population of infants and children and compared the Ce removal attitudes of paediatricians (PEDs) and otorhinolaryngologists (ENTs). Children seen in November 2014 for acute respiratory infections, including suspected acute otitis media, or well-being visits, were enrolled. The following data were recorded: presence, laterality, and amount of Ce; presenting complaints and final diagnosis; attempt to remove Ce during the visit; and type of physician. Among 819 children aged 1 month to 12 years, Ce was present in 594 (72.5%), of whom 478 (80.5%) had bilateral Ce, and 261 (43.9%) had Ce in a relevant amount (cerumen obstructing at least 50% of the ear canal). Presence of Ce was more common in younger and in African or Asian children. PEDs were less likely to remove cerumen than ENTs (28.8% vs 91.0%, p < 0.001) irrespective of age, gender, race and reason for visit. Ce was removed by PEDs in less than one-third of sick children with a final diagnosis of acute otitis media (AOM) (31.6%) compared with almost all the children by ENTs (95.6%, p < 0.001). Ce is highly prevalent in healthy and sick children but is quite neglected by PEDs. Educational programs to reinforce the importance of Ce removal and to improve the techniques for removal in case of suspected AOM should be implemented and rigorously evaluated in order to avoid incorrect diagnosis and erroneous treatments. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

University education and cervical artery dissection.

PubMed

Kellert, Lars; Grau, Armin; Pezzini, Alessandro; Debette, Stéphanie; Leys, Didier; Caso, Valeria; Thijs, Vincent N; Bersano, Anna; Touzé, Emmanuel; Tatlisumak, Turgut; Traenka, Christopher; Lyrer, Philippe A; Engelter, Stefan T; Metso, Tiina M; Grond-Ginsbach, Caspar; Kloss, Manja

2018-05-01

We investigated whether university education is more likely in cervical artery dissection (CeAD)-patients than in age- and sex-matched patients with ischemic stroke (IS) due to other causes (non-CeAD-IS-patients). Patients from the Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients study with documented self-reported profession before onset of IS due to CeAD (n = 715) or non-CeAD causes (n = 631) were analyzed. In the reported profession, the absence or presence of university education was assessed. Professions could be rated as academic or non-academic in 518 CeAD and 456 non-CeAD patients. Clinical outcome at 3 months was defined as excellent if modified Rankin Scale was 0-1. University education was more frequent in CeAD-patients (100 of 518, 19.3%) than in non-CeAD-IS-patients (61 of 456, 13.4%, p = 0.008). CeAD-patients with and without university education differed significantly with regard to smoking (39 vs. 57%, p = 0.001) and excellent outcome (80 vs. 66%, p = 0.004). In logistic regression analysis, university education was associated with excellent outcome in CeAD-patients (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.37-5.38) independent of other outcome predictors such as age (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.84-0.99), NIHSS (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.76-0.84) and local signs (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.37-5.57). We observed a higher rate of university education in patients with CeAD compared with non-CeAD patients in our study population. University education was associated with favorable outcome in CeAD-patients. The mechanism behind this association remains unclear.

How BenMAP-CE Estimates the Health and Economic Effects of Air Pollution

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The BenMAP-CE tool estimates the number and economic value of health impacts resulting from changes in air quality - specifically, ground-level ozone and fine particles. Learn what data BenMAP-CE uses and how the estimates are calculated.

Influence of two-electrode montages on the level-specific (LS) CE-Chirp auditory brainstem response (ABR) at multiple intensity levels.

PubMed

Dzulkarnain, Ahmad Aidil Arafat; Noor Ibrahim, Siti Hajra Mu'minah; Anuar, Nur Farah Aida; Abdullah, Siti Aisyah; Tengku Zam Zam, Tengku Zulaila Hasma; Rahmat, Sarah; Mohd Ruzai, Muhammad Amar

2017-10-01

To investigate the influence of two different electrode montages (ipsilateral: reference to mastoid and vertical: reference to nape of neck) to the ABR results recorded using a level-specific (LS)-CE-Chirp® in normally hearing subjects at multiple intensities levels. Quasi-experimental and repeated measure study designs were applied in this study. Two different stopping criteria were used, (1) a fixed-signal averaging 4000 sweeps and, (2) a minimum quality indicator of Fmp = 3.1 with a minimum of 800 sweeps. Twenty-nine normally hearing adults (18 females, 11 male) participated. Wave V amplitudes were significantly larger in the LS CE-Chirp® recorded from the vertical montage than the ipsilateral montage. Waves I and III amplitudes were significantly larger from the ipsilateral LS CE-Chirp® than from the other montages and stimulus combinations. The differences in the quality of the ABR recording between the vertical and ipsilateral montages were marginal. Overall, the result suggested that the vertical LS CE-Chirp® ABR had a high potential for a threshold-seeking application, because it produced a higher wave V amplitude. The Ipsilateral LS CE-Chirp® ABR, on the other hand, might also have a high potential for the site of lesion application, because it produced larger waves I and III amplitudes.

Amygdala c-Fos induction corresponds to unconditioned and conditioned aversive stimuli but not to freezing.

PubMed

Holahan, Matthew R; White, Norman M

2004-06-04

These experiments examined the relationship between freezing and c-Fos expression in the amygdala. In Experiment 1 freezing was elevated during a period immediately following shock in rats that remained in the shock context, but not in rats that were moved to a different, neutral context. The two groups showed equally elevated c-Fos levels in both the central (CeA) and lateral (LA) nuclei. In Experiment 2 rats were shocked in one compartment (paired) and not shocked in another, distinct compartment (unpaired). Rats re-exposed to the paired compartment 24h later froze more than rats exposed to the unpaired compartment, and rats in both groups froze more than un-shocked rats. c-Fos protein expression in CeA, LA and basolateral (BLA) nucleus was elevated in the rats exposed to the paired compartment but not in rats exposed to the unpaired compartment. Thus, c-Fos expression was induced by exposure to both unconditioned and conditioned stimuli, although it is unclear if the same cell population was activated in both cases. Neither case of c-Fos expression coincided with the occurrence of freezing. c-Fos expression may represent neural activity in LA and CeA produced by exposure to unconditioned cues and activity in BLA, LA and CeA produced by conditioned cues. This activity may contribute to an aversive affective state (or "fear"). Behaviors promoted by this state, such as freezing, may be mediated in other brain areas, or by other neurons in the amygdala.

Crystalline Electric Field Level Scheme of the Non-Centrosymmetric CePtSi3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ueta, Daichi; Kobuke, Tomohiro; Yoshida, Masahiro; Yoshizawa, Hideki; Ikeda, Yoichi; Itoh, Shinichi; Yokoo, Tetsuya

2018-05-01

The crystalline electric field (CEF) excitations in CePtSi3 with the non-centrosymmetric structure were investigated by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiment. CEF excitations were observed at 5.3 and 17.5 meV. We discuss the CEF parameters and wave function of CePtSi3 by comparing those of other CeTX3(T: transition metal, X: Si, Ge) systems.

Cultural implications of late Holocene climate change in the Cuenca Oriental, Mexico

PubMed Central

Bhattacharya, Tripti; Byrne, Roger; Böhnel, Harald; Wogau, Kurt; Kienel, Ulrike; Ingram, B. Lynn; Zimmerman, Susan

2015-01-01

There is currently no consensus on the importance of climate change in Mesoamerican prehistory. Some invoke drought as a causal factor in major cultural transitions, including the abandonment of many sites at 900 CE, while others conclude that cultural factors were more important. This lack of agreement reflects the fact that the history of climate change in many regions of Mesoamerica is poorly understood. We present paleolimnological evidence suggesting that climate change was important in the abandonment of Cantona between 900 CE and 1050 CE. At its peak, Cantona was one of the largest cities in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, with a population of 90,000 inhabitants. The site is located in the Cuenca Oriental, a semiarid basin east of Mexico City. We developed a subcentennial reconstruction of regional climate from a nearby maar lake, Aljojuca. The modern climatology of the region suggests that sediments record changes in summer monsoonal precipitation. Elemental geochemistry (X-ray fluorescence) and δ18O from authigenic calcite indicate a centennial-scale arid interval between 500 CE and 1150 CE, overlaid on a long-term drying trend. Comparison of this record to Cantona’s chronology suggests that both the city’s peak population and its abandonment occurred during this arid period. The human response to climate change most likely resulted from the interplay of environmental and political factors. During earlier periods of Cantona’s history, increasing aridity and political unrest may have actually increased the city’s importance. However, by 1050 CE, this extended arid period, possibly combined with regional political change, contributed to the city’s abandonment. PMID:25624470

Cultural implications of late Holocene climate change in the Cuenca Oriental, Mexico.

PubMed

Bhattacharya, Tripti; Byrne, Roger; Böhnel, Harald; Wogau, Kurt; Kienel, Ulrike; Ingram, B Lynn; Zimmerman, Susan

2015-02-10

There is currently no consensus on the importance of climate change in Mesoamerican prehistory. Some invoke drought as a causal factor in major cultural transitions, including the abandonment of many sites at 900 CE, while others conclude that cultural factors were more important. This lack of agreement reflects the fact that the history of climate change in many regions of Mesoamerica is poorly understood. We present paleolimnological evidence suggesting that climate change was important in the abandonment of Cantona between 900 CE and 1050 CE. At its peak, Cantona was one of the largest cities in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, with a population of 90,000 inhabitants. The site is located in the Cuenca Oriental, a semiarid basin east of Mexico City. We developed a subcentennial reconstruction of regional climate from a nearby maar lake, Aljojuca. The modern climatology of the region suggests that sediments record changes in summer monsoonal precipitation. Elemental geochemistry (X-ray fluorescence) and δ(18)O from authigenic calcite indicate a centennial-scale arid interval between 500 CE and 1150 CE, overlaid on a long-term drying trend. Comparison of this record to Cantona's chronology suggests that both the city's peak population and its abandonment occurred during this arid period. The human response to climate change most likely resulted from the interplay of environmental and political factors. During earlier periods of Cantona's history, increasing aridity and political unrest may have actually increased the city's importance. However, by 1050 CE, this extended arid period, possibly combined with regional political change, contributed to the city's abandonment.

Decentralized nursing education in northern Norway: a basis for continuing education to meet competence needs in rural Arctic healthcare services.

PubMed

Skaalvik, Mari Wolff; Gaski, Margrete; Norbye, Bente

2014-01-01

Ensuring a sufficient nursing workforce, with respect to both number and relevant professional competencies, is crucial in rural Arctic regions in Norway. This study examines the continuing education (CE) of nurses who graduated from a decentralized nursing programme between 1994 and 2011. This study aims to measure the extent to which the decentralized nursing education (DNE) in question has served as a basis for CE that is adapted to current and future community health care service needs in rural Arctic regions in northern Norway. More specifically, the study aims to investigate the frequency and scope of CE courses among the graduates of a DNE, the choice of study model and the degree of employment with respect to the relevant CE. This study is a quantitative survey providing descriptive statistics. The primary finding in this study is that 56% of the participants had engaged in CE and that they were employed in positions related to their education. The majority of students with decentralized bachelor's degrees engaged in CE that was part time and/or decentralized. More than half of the population in this study had completed CE despite no mandatory obligation in order to maintain licensure. Furthermore, 31% of the participants had completed more than one CE programme. The findings show that the participants preferred CE organized as part time and or decentralized studies.

The natural history of cystic echinococcosis in untreated and albendazole-treated patients.

PubMed

Solomon, N; Kachani, M; Zeyhle, E; Macpherson, C N L

2017-07-01

The World Health Organization (WHO) treatment protocols for cystic echinococcosis (CE) are based on the standardized ultrasound (US) classification. This study examined whether the classification reflected the natural history of CE in untreated and albendazole-treated patients. Data were collected during mass US screenings in CE endemic regions among transhumant populations, the Turkana and Berber peoples of Kenya and Morocco. Cysts were classified using the WHO classification. Patient records occurring prior to treatment, and after albendazole administration, were selected. 852 paired before/after observations of 360 cysts from 257 patients were analyzed. A McNemar-Bowker χ 2 test for symmetry was significant (p<0.0001). 744 observations (87.3%) maintained the same class, and 101 (11.9%) progressed, consistent with the classification. Regression to CE3B occurred in seven of 116 CE4 cyst observations (6.0%). A McNemar-Bowker χ 2 test of 1414 paired before/after observations of 288 cysts from 157 albendazole-treated patients was significant (p<0.0001). 1236 observations (87.4%) maintained the same class, and 149 (10.5%) progressed, consistent with the classification. Regression to CE3B occurred in 29 of 206 CE4 observations (14.1%). Significant asymmetry confirms the WHO classification's applicability to the natural history of CE and albendazole-induced changes. Regressions may reflect the stability of CE3B cysts. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Use of coffee, caffeinated drinks and caffeine tablets for cognitive enhancement in pupils and students in Germany.

PubMed

Franke, A G; Christmann, M; Bonertz, C; Fellgiebel, A; Huss, M; Lieb, K

2011-11-01

Substance use for cognitive enhancement (CE) is a topic of increasing importance. There are only few data about substances, prevalence rates and factors associated with CE. The aim of this study was to assess first data about the use of coffee, caffeinated drinks and caffeine tablets for CE at school and university. A self-report questionnaire was developed to analyze 1 547 pupils and students about their use of coffee, caffeine tablets, and caffeinated drinks for CE and factors associated with this use. Lifetime, past-year, and past-month prevalence for the use of coffee for CE was 53.2%, 8.5%, and 6.3%, for the use of caffeinated drinks 39%, 10.7%, and 6.3%, and for the use of caffeine tablets 10.5%, 3.8%, and 0.8%. Use of caffeinated substances for CE was influenced by gender and school grades. The use of coffee and caffeinated drinks for CE was found to be widespread in the surveyed population. Although the use of caffeine tablets was found to be smaller than the above-mentioned means, it still indicates a relatively high disposition for using tablets for purposes of CE. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Seven-quasiparticle bands in {sup 139}Ce

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

Chanda, Somen; Bhattacharjee, Tumpa; Bhattacharyya, Sarmishtha

2009-05-15

The high spin states in the {sup 139}Ce nucleus have been studied by in-beam {gamma}-spectroscopic techniques using the reaction {sup 130}Te({sup 12}C,3n){sup 139}Ce at E{sub beam}=65 MeV. A gamma detector array, consisting of five Compton-suppressed Clover detectors was used for coincidence measurements. 15 new levels have been proposed and 28 new {gamma} transitions have been assigned to {sup 139}Ce on the basis of {gamma}{gamma} coincidence data. The level scheme of {sup 139}Ce has been extended above the known 70 ns (19/2){sup -} isomer up to {approx}6.1 MeV in excitation energy and (35/2)({Dirac_h}/2{pi}) in spin. The spin-parity assignments for most ofmore » the newly proposed levels have been made using the deduced Directional Correlation from Oriented states of nuclei (DCO ratio) and the Polarization Directional Correlation from Oriented states (PDCO ratio) for the de-exciting transitions. The observed level structure has been compared with a large basis shell model calculation and also with the predictions from cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky (CNS) calculations. A general consistency has been observed between these two different theoretical approaches.« less

Feasibility of liquid nitrogen cryotherapy after failed radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's esophagus.

PubMed

Trindade, Arvind J; Inamdar, Sumant; Kothari, Shivangi; Berkowitz, Joshua; McKinley, Matthew; Kaul, Vivek

2017-09-01

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) is highly effective. RFA failures are infrequent but can be a challenging cohort to manage. There are limited data on the feasibility of liquid nitrogen cryospray ablation for complete eradication of dysplasia (CE-D) and/or intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM) after RFA has failed to achieve CE-IM in patients with dysplastic BE. This is a retrospective review from two medical centers of prospectively maintained databases looking at patients that underwent liquid nitrogen cryospray ablation for refractory intestinal metaplasia post failed RFA. Eighteen patients were identified that met inclusion criteria. Eleven patients had persistent dysplasia and IM following RFA and seven had persistent non-dysplastic IM. More than 80% of patients were male with long-segment BE (median length 8 cm). Seventy two percent of patients with dysplasia achieved CE-D after cryotherapy. Fifty percent (9/18) of all RFA failures achieved CE-IM with cryotherapy. In comparison, RFA has a CE-IM of 78% in a less challenging treatment naïve cohort from a large-scale meta-analysis of 3802 patients. No adverse events occurred in our cohort. Cryospray ablation is feasible and safe for achieving CE-D and CE-IM after RFA failure. The CE-D rates are high with cryotherapy in this population. CE-IM with cryotherapy is acceptable in this difficult-to-treat cohort when compared to CE-IM rates with RFA in dysplastic BE treatment naïve patients (50% vs 78%). © 2017 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.

Paramagnetic Ce3 + optical emitters in garnets: Optically detected magnetic resonance study and evidence of Gd-Ce cross-relaxation effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolmachev, D. O.; Gurin, A. S.; Uspenskaya, Yu. A.; Asatryan, G. R.; Badalyan, A. G.; Romanov, N. G.; Petrosyan, A. G.; Baranov, P. G.; Wieczorek, H.; Ronda, C.

2017-06-01

Paramagnetic Ce3 +optical emitters have been studied by means of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) via Ce3 + spin-dependent emission in cerium-doped garnet crystals which were both gadolinium free and contain gadolinium in a concentration from the lowest (0.1%) to 100%, i.e., to the superparamagnetic state. It has been shown that the intensity of photoluminescence excited by circularly polarized light into Ce3 + absorption bands can be used for selective monitoring the population of the Ce3 + ground-state spin sublevels. Direct evidence of the cross-relaxation effects in garnet crystals containing two electron spin systems, i.e., the simplest one of Ce3 + ions with the effective spin S =1/2 and the system of Gd3 + ions with the maximum spin S =7/2 , has been demonstrated. Magnetic resonance of Gd3 + has been found by monitoring Ce3 + emission in cerium-doped garnet crystals with gadolinium concentrations of 0.1 at. %, 4%-8%, and 100%, which implies the impact of the Gd3 + spin polarization on the optical properties of Ce3 +. Strong internal magnetic fields in superparamagnetic crystals were shown to modify the processes of recombination between UV-radiation-induced electron and hole centers that lead to the recombination-induced Ce3 + emission. Observation of spikes and subsequent decay in the cross-relaxation-induced ODMR signals under pulsed microwave excitation is suggested to be an informative method to investigate transient processes in the many-spin system of Ce3 +, Gd3 +, and electron and hole radiation-induced centers.

Pediatric capsule endoscopy: review of the small bowel and patency capsules.

PubMed

Cohen, Stanley A; Ephrath, Hagit; Lewis, Jeffery D; Klevens, Alan; Bergwerk, Ari; Liu, Steven; Patel, Dinesh; Reed-Knight, Bonney; Stallworth, Angela; Wakhisi, Tamara; Gold, Benjamin D

2012-03-01

Because capsule endoscopy (CE) avoids ionizing radiation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia, CE may be valuable in pediatrics. We report a single pediatric center's experience with the use and safety of CE. In a retrospective review of consecutive CE studies, 284 CE studies were performed in 277 patients with a mean age of 15 (±3.7) years during a 5-year period. The youngest to swallow the capsule was 4.6 years old. Twenty capsules were placed. Overall, 245 (86%) patients underwent CE for suspected (184, 65%) or confirmed (61, 21%) Crohn disease (CD); 27 (9.5%) anemia or gastrointestinal bleeding; 6 (2%) polyposis; and 4 (1.4%) celiac disease. Positive findings were observed in 205 (72%) of the studies, with 152 (54%) having small bowel findings. Of these, 72 (47%) were diagnostic. Gastric (95, 33%) and colonic (31, 11%) abnormalities were also identified. Five CE studies (1.8%) resulted in retention of the capsule in nonsurgical patients. A patency capsule before CE in 23 patients allowed 19 CE to proceed with only 1 retained capsule. In 65 (21%) patients, the video capsule did not enter the colon before the video's end. Of these, 36 (65%) had significant findings, including 27 (49%) documenting small bowel (SB) CD. CE is useful to diagnose SB disease in children. Even in a study population with a high prevalence of confirmed and suspected CD, the risk of retention remains small. The patency capsule may lessen that risk. CE may identify gastric or colonic disease even when SB lesions are not present.

Post-Treatment Follow-Up Study of Abdominal Cystic Echinococcosis in Tibetan Communities of Northwest Sichuan Province, China

PubMed Central

Li, Tiaoying; Ito, Akira; Pengcuo, Renqing; Sako, Yasuhito; Chen, Xingwang; Qiu, Dongchuan; Xiao, Ning; Craig, Philip S.

2011-01-01

Background Human cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, with the liver as the most frequently affected organ, is known to be highly endemic in Tibetan communities of northwest Sichuan Province. Antiparasitic treatment with albendazole remains the primary choice for the great majority of patients in this resource-poor remote area, though surgery is the most common approach for CE therapy that has the potential to remove cysts and lead to complete cure. The current prospective study aimed to assess the effectiveness of community based use of cyclic albendazole treatment in Tibetan CE cases, and concurrently monitor the changes of serum specific antibody levels during treatment. Methodology/Principal Findings Ultrasonography was applied for diagnosis and follow-up of CE cases after cyclic albendazole treatment in Tibetan communities of Sichuan Province during 2006 to 2008, and serum specific IgG antibody levels against Echinococcus granulosus recombinant antigen B in ELISA was concurrently monitored in these cases. A total of 196 CE cases were identified by ultrasound, of which 37 (18.9%) showed evidence of spontaneous healing/involution of hepatic cyst(s) with CE4 or CE5 presentations. Of 49 enrolled CE cases for treatment follow-up, 32.7% (16) were considered to be cured based on B-ultrasound after 6 months to 30 months regular albendazole treatment, 49.0% (24) were improved, 14.3% (7) remained unchanged, and 4.1% (2) became aggravated. In general, patients with CE2 type cysts (daughter cysts present) needed a longer treatment course for cure (26.4 months), compared to cases with CE1 (univesicular cysts) (20.4 months) or CE3 type (detached cyst membrane or partial degeneration of daughter cysts) (9 months). In addition, the curative duration was longer in patients with large (>10 cm) cysts (22.3 months), compared to cases with medium (5–10 cm) cysts (17.3 months) or patients with small (<5 cm) cysts (6 months). At diagnosis, seven (53.8%) of 13 cases with CE1 type cysts without any previous intervention showed negative specific IgG antibody response to E. granulosus recombinant antigen B (rAgB). However, following 3 months to 18 months albendazole therapy, six of these 7 initially seronegative CE1 cases sero-converted to be specific IgG antibody positive, and concurrently ultrasound scan showed that cysts changed to CE3a from CE1 type in all the six CE cases. Two major profiles of serum specific IgG antibody dynamics during albendazole treatment were apparent in CE cases: (i) presenting as initial elevation followed by subsequent decline, or (ii) a persistent decline. Despite a decline, however, specific antibody levels remained positive in most improved or cured CE cases. Conclusions This was the first attempt to follow up community-screened cystic echinococcosis patients after albendazole therapy using ultrasonography and serology in an endemic Tibetan region. Cyclic albendazole treatment proved to be effective in the great majority of CE cases in this resource-poor area, but periodic abdominal ultrasound examination was necessary to guide appropriate treatment. Oral albendazole for over 18 months was more likely to result in CE cure. Poor drug compliance resulted in less good outcomes. Serology with recombinant antigen B could provide additional limited information about the effectiveness of albendazole in CE cases. Post-treatment positive specific IgG antibody seroconversion, in initially seronegative, CE1 patients was considered a good indication for positive therapeutic efficacy of albendazole. PMID:22039558

Prediction of Osteopathic Medical School Performance on the basis of MCAT score, GPA, sex, undergraduate major, and undergraduate institution.

PubMed

Dixon, Donna

2012-04-01

The relationships of students' preadmission academic variables, sex, undergraduate major, and undergraduate institution to academic performance in medical school have not been thoroughly examined. To determine the ability of students' preadmission academic variables to predict osteopathic medical school performance and whether students' sex, undergraduate major, or undergraduate institution influence osteopathic medical school performance. The study followed students who graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury between 2003 and 2006. Student preadmission data were Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs), sex, undergraduate major, and undergraduate institutional selectivity. Medical school performance variables were GPAs, clinical performance (ie, clinical subject examinations and clerkship evaluations), and scores on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 and Level 2-Clinical Evaluation (CE). Data were analyzed with Pearson product moment correlation coefficients and multivariate linear regression analyses. Differences between student groups were compared with the independent-samples, 2-tailed t test. A total of 737 students were included. All preadmission academic variables, except nonscience undergraduate GPA, were statistically significant predictors of performance on COMLEX-USA Level 1, and all preadmission academic variables were statistically significant predictors of performance on COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE. The MCAT score for biological sciences had the highest correlation among all variables with COMLEX-USA Level 1 performance (Pearson r=0.304; P<.001) and Level 2-CE performance (Pearson r=0.272; P<.001). All preadmission variables were moderately correlated with the mean clinical subject examination scores. The mean clerkship evaluation score was moderately correlated with mean clinical examination results (Pearson r=0.267; P<.001) and COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE performance (Pearson r=0.301; P<.001). Clinical subject examination scores were highly correlated with COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores (Pearson r=0.817; P<.001). No statistically significant difference in medical school performance was found between students with science and nonscience undergraduate majors, nor was undergraduate institutional selectivity a factor influencing performance. Students' preadmission academic variables were predictive of osteopathic medical school performance, including GPAs, clinical performance, and COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE results. Clinical performance was predictive of COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE performance.

In vivo identification of tumor suppressive PTEN ceRNAs in an oncogenic BRAF-induced mouse model of melanoma

PubMed Central

Karreth, Florian A.; Tay, Yvonne; Perna, Daniele; Ala, Ugo; Tan, Shen Mynn; Rust, Alistair G.; DeNicola, Gina; Webster, Kaitlyn A.; Weiss, Dror; Perez-Mancera, Pedro A.; Krauthammer, Michael; Halaban, Ruth; Provero, Paolo; Adams, David J.; Tuveson, David A.; Pandolfi, Pier Paolo

2011-01-01

Summary We recently proposed that competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) sequester microRNAs to regulate mRNA transcripts containing common microRNA recognition elements (MREs). However, the functional role of ceRNAs in cancer remains unknown. Loss of PTEN, a tumor suppressor regulated by ceRNA activity, frequently occurs in melanoma. Here, we report the discovery of significant enrichment of putative PTEN ceRNAs among genes whose loss accelerates tumorigenesis following Sleeping Beauty insertional mutagenesis in a mouse model of melanoma. We validated several putative PTEN ceRNAs and further characterized one, the ZEB2 transcript. We show that ZEB2 modulates PTEN protein levels in a microRNA-dependent, protein coding-independent manner. Attenuation of ZEB2 expression activates the PI3K/AKT pathway, enhances cell transformation, and commonly occurs in human melanomas and other cancers expressing low PTEN levels. Our study genetically identifies multiple putative microRNA decoys for PTEN, validates ZEB2 mRNA as a bona fide PTEN ceRNA, and demonstrates that abrogated ZEB2 expression cooperates with BRAFV600E to promote melanomagenesis. PMID:22000016

Ce Core-Level Spectroscopy, and Magnetic and Electrical Transport Properties of Lightly Ce-Doped YCoO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Yoshihiko; Koike, Tsuyoshi; Okawa, Mario; Takayanagi, Ryohei; Takei, Shohei; Minohara, Makoto; Kobayashi, Masaki; Horiba, Koji; Kumigashira, Hiroshi; Yasui, Akira; Ikenaga, Eiji; Saitoh, Tomohiko; Asai, Kichizo

2016-11-01

We have investigated the Ce and Co core level spectroscopy, and the magnetic and electrical transport properties of lightly Ce-doped YCoO3. We have successfully synthesized single-phase Y1-xCexCoO3 for 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1 by the sol-gel method. Hard X-ray photoelectron and X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments reveal that the introduced Ce ions are tetravalent, which is considered to be the first case of electron doping into bulk trivalent Co oxides with perovskite RECoO3 (RE: rare-earth element or Y) caused by RE site substitution. The magnitude of the effective magnetic moment peff obtained from the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility χ(T) at higher temperatures is close to that for high-spin Co2+ introduced by the Ce doping, implying that the electrons doped into the Co site induce Co2+ with a high-spin state. For x = 0.1, ferromagnetic ordering is observed below about 7 K. Electrical transport properties such as resistivity and thermoelectric power show that negative electron-like carriers are introduced by Ce substitution.

Photoluminescence properties of Tb3Al5O12:Ce3+ garnet synthesized by the metal organic decomposition method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onishi, Yuya; Nakamura, Toshihiro; Adachi, Sadao

2017-02-01

Tb3Al5O12:Ce3+ garnet (TAG:Ce3+) phosphor was synthesized by the metal organic decomposition (MOD) method and subsequent calcination at Tc = 800-1200°C for 1 h in air. The effects of Ce3+ concentration on the phosphor properties were investigated in detail using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, photoluminescence (PL) analysis, PL excitation (PLE) spectroscopy, and PL decay measurements. The maximum intensity in the Ce3+ yellow emission was observed at the Ce3+ concentration of ∼0.20%. PLE and PL decay measurements suggested an evidence of the energy transfer from Tb3+ to Ce3+. Calcination temperature dependence of the XRD and PL intensities yielded an energy of ∼1.5 eV both for the TAG formation in the MOD process and for the optical activation of Ce3+ in its lattice sites. Temperature dependences of the PL intensity for the TAG:Ce3+ yellow-emitting and K2SiF6:Mn4+ red-emitting phosphors were also examined for the future solid-state lighting applications at T = 20-500 K in 10-K steps. The data of TAG:Ce3+ were analyzed using a theoretical model with considering a reservoir level of Et ∼9 meV, yielding a quenching energy of Eq ∼0.35 eV, whereas the K2SiF6:Mn4+ red-emitting phosphor data yielded a value of Eq ∼1.0 eV. The schematic energy-level diagrams for Tb3+ and Ce3+ were proposed for the sake of a better understanding of these ions in the TAG host.

Accurate analysis of prevalence of coccidiosis in individually identified wild cranes in inhabiting and migrating populations in Japan.

PubMed

Honma, Hajime; Suyama, Yoshihisa; Watanabe, Yuki; Matsumoto, Fumio; Nakai, Yutaka

2011-11-01

Eimeria gruis and E. reichenowi cause coccidiosis, a major parasitic disease of cranes. By non-invasive molecular approaches, we investigated the prevalence and genetic characterization of pathogens in two Japanese crane habitats; one is Hokkaido inhabited by the endangered red-crowned crane, and the other is Izumi in Kyushu where populations that consist mainly of vulnerable hooded and white-naped cranes migrate in winter. The non-invasively collected faecal samples from each wintering population were first subjected to host genomic DNA-targeted analyses to determine the sample origin and avoid sample redundancy. Extremely high prevalence was observed in the Izumi populations (> 90%) compared with the Hokkaido population (18-30%) by examining 470 specimens by microscopy and PCR-based capillary electrophoresis (PCR-CE), using genetic markers in the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2). Correspondence analysis of PCR-CE data revealed differences in community composition of coccidia between hooded and white-naped cranes. 18S rRNA and ITS2 sequences were determined from single oocysts excreted by red-crowned and hooded cranes. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA suggested that E. reichenowi was polyphyletic while E. gruis was monophyletic. Together with PCR-CE data, these results indicate different host specificity among the E. reichenowi type. Our data suggest that E. reichenowi comprises multiple species. © 2011 Society for Applied Microbiology and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Multiplex, quantitative cellular analysis in large tissue volumes with clearing-enhanced 3D microscopy (Ce3D)

PubMed Central

Li, Weizhe; Germain, Ronald N.

2017-01-01

Organ homeostasis, cellular differentiation, signal relay, and in situ function all depend on the spatial organization of cells in complex tissues. For this reason, comprehensive, high-resolution mapping of cell positioning, phenotypic identity, and functional state in the context of macroscale tissue structure is critical to a deeper understanding of diverse biological processes. Here we report an easy to use method, clearing-enhanced 3D (Ce3D), which generates excellent tissue transparency for most organs, preserves cellular morphology and protein fluorescence, and is robustly compatible with antibody-based immunolabeling. This enhanced signal quality and capacity for extensive probe multiplexing permits quantitative analysis of distinct, highly intermixed cell populations in intact Ce3D-treated tissues via 3D histo-cytometry. We use this technology to demonstrate large-volume, high-resolution microscopy of diverse cell types in lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs, as well as to perform quantitative analysis of the composition and tissue distribution of multiple cell populations in lymphoid tissues. Combined with histo-cytometry, Ce3D provides a comprehensive strategy for volumetric quantitative imaging and analysis that bridges the gap between conventional section imaging and disassociation-based techniques. PMID:28808033

Sex differences in the relationships between BMI, WHR and incidence of cardiovascular disease: a population-based cohort study.

PubMed

Li, C; Engström, G; Hedblad, B; Calling, S; Berglund, G; Janzon, L

2006-12-01

Body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the risk could be very different for individuals with the same body mass. The present study explored whether regional fat distribution, as measured by waist-hip ratio (WHR), could modify the impact of BMI on the risk of CVD in men and women. Prospective population-based study. A total of 10 369 men and 16 638 women, 45-73 years old, from general population in Malmö, Sweden. All subjects were followed over 7 years for the incidences of first-ever cardiac event (CE) and ischemic stroke in relation to BMI category (<25.0, 25.0-29.9, > or =30.0) and WHR. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 39.4 and 13.0%, respectively. During follow-up, 1280 subjects suffered a CVD event (750 CE, 530 ischemic stroke). The risk of CVD in women increased with increasing levels of WHR, irrespective of BMI category. In men, WHR (per 1 s.d. increase) was associated with increased incidence of CVD in those with normal weight (relative risk (RR)=1.24; 95% CI: 1.13-1.37) after adjustments for confounding factors. However, WHR was not related to CVD in overweight men (RR=1.06; 95%CI: 0.94-1.20) or obese men (RR=1.04; 95%CI: 0.87-1.24). A significant interaction was observed between sex and WHR on the CVD risk. The effect of WHR on incidence of CVD is modified by the overall body weight and by gender. WHR adds prognostic information on the cardiovascular risk in women at all levels of BMI, and in men with normal weight.

Cinnamon extract inhibits the postprandial overproduction of apolipoprotein B48-containing lipoproteins in fructose-fed animals.

PubMed

Qin, Bolin; Polansky, Marilyn M; Sato, Yuzo; Adeli, Khosrow; Anderson, Richard A

2009-11-01

We have reported previously that a cinnamon extract (CE), high in type A polyphenols, prevents fructose feeding-induced decreases in insulin sensitivity and suggested that improvements of insulin sensitivity by CE were attributable, in part, to enhanced insulin signaling. In this study, we examined the effects of CE on postprandial apolipoprotein (apo) B-48 increase in fructose-fed rats, and the secretion of apoB48 in freshly isolated intestinal enterocytes of fructose-fed hamsters. In an olive oil loading study, a water-soluble CE (Cinnulin PF, 50 mg/kg body weight, orally) decreased serum triglyceride (TG) levels and the over production of total- and TG-rich lipoprotein-apoB48. In ex vivo (35)S labeling study, significant decreases were also observed in apoB48 secretion into the media in enterocytes isolated from fructose-fed hamsters. We also investigated the molecular mechanisms of the effects of CE on the expression of genes of the insulin signaling pathway [insulin receptor (IR), IR substrate (IRS)1, IRS2 and Akt1], and lipoprotein metabolism [microsomal TG transfer protein (MTP), sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1c) in isolated primary enterocytes of fructose-fed hamsters, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The CE reversed the expression of the impaired IR, IRS1, IRS2 and Akt1 mRNA levels and inhibited the overexpression of MTP and SREBP1c mRNA levels of enterocytes. Taken together, our data suggest that the postprandial hypertriglycerides and the overproduction of apoB48 can be acutely inhibited by a CE by a mechanism involving improvements of insulin sensitivity of intestinal enterocytes and regulation of MTP and SREBP1c levels. We present both in vivo and ex vivo evidence that a CE improves the postprandial overproduction of intestinal apoB48-containing lipoproteins by ameliorating intestinal insulin resistance and may be beneficial in the control of lipid metabolism.

Comparing maternal genetic variation across two millennia reveals the demographic history of an ancient human population in southwest Turkey

PubMed Central

Ottoni, Claudio; Willet, Rinse; Claeys, Johan; Talloen, Peter; Van de Vijver, Katrien; Chikhi, Lounès; Poblome, Jeroen; Decorte, Ronny

2016-01-01

More than two decades of archaeological research at the site of Sagalassos, in southwest Turkey, resulted in the study of the former urban settlement in all its features. Originally settled in late Classical/early Hellenistic times, possibly from the later fifth century BCE onwards, the city of Sagalassos and its surrounding territory saw empires come and go. The Plague of Justinian in the sixth century CE, which is considered to have caused the death of up to a third of the population in Anatolia, and an earthquake in the seventh century CE, which is attested to have devastated many monuments in the city, may have severely affected the contemporary Sagalassos community. Human occupation continued, however, and Byzantine Sagalassos was eventually abandoned around 1200 CE. In order to investigate whether these historical events resulted in demographic changes across time, we compared the mitochondrial DNA variation of two population samples from Sagalassos (Roman and Middle Byzantine) and a modern sample from the nearby town of Ağlasun. Our analyses revealed no genetic discontinuity across two millennia in the region and Bayesian coalescence-based simulations indicated that a major population decline in the area coincided with the final abandonment of Sagalassos, rather than with the Plague of Justinian or the mentioned earthquake. PMID:26998313

Evaluation of the role of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in the pulmonary and the hepatic toxicity induced by cerium oxide nanoparticles following intratracheal instillation in male Sprague-Dawley rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nalabotu, Siva Krishna

The field of nanotechnology is rapidly progressing with potential applications in the automobile, healthcare, electronics, cosmetics, textiles, information technology, and environmental sectors. Nanomaterials are engineered structures with at least one dimension of 100 nanometers or less. With increased applications of nanotechnology, there are increased chances of exposure to manufactured nanomaterials. Recent reports on the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials have given scientific and regulatory agencies concerns over the safety of nanomaterials. Specifically, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has identified fourteen high priority nanomaterials for study. Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles are one among the high priority group. Recent data suggest that CeO2 nanoparticles may be toxic to lung cell lines in vitro and lung tissues in vivo. Other work has proposed that oxidative stress may play an important role in the toxicity; however, the exact mechanism of the toxicity, has to our knowledge, not been investigated. Similarly, it is not clear whether CeO2 nanoparticles exhibit systemic toxicity. Here, we investigate whether pulmonary exposure to CeO2 nanoparticles is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in the lungs and liver of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Our data suggest that the intratracheal instillation of CeO2 nanoparticles can cause an increased lung weight to body weight ratio. Changes in lung weights were associated with the accumulation of cerium in the lungs, elevations in serum inflammatory markers, an increased Bax to Bcl-2 ratio, elevated caspase-3 protein levels, increased phosphorylation of p38-MAPK and diminished phosphorylation of ERK1/2-MAPK. Our findings from the study evaluating the possible translocation of CeO2 nanoparticles from the lungs to the liver suggest that CeO 2 nanoparticle exposure was associated with increased liver ceria levels, elevations in serum alanine transaminase levels, reduced albumin levels, a diminished sodium-potassium ratio and decreased serum triglyceride levels. Consistent with these data, rats exposed to CeO2 nanoparticles also exhibited reductions in liver weight and dose dependent hydropic degeneration, hepatocyte enlargement, sinusoidal dilatation and the accumulation of granular material in the hepatocytes. In a follow-up study, we next examined if CeO2 deposition in the liver is characterized by increased oxidative stress and apoptosis. Our data demonstrate that increased cerium in the liver is associated with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis as assessed from hydroethidium staining, the analysis of lipid peroxidation, and TUNEL staining. In addition, increased cerium concentration in the liver was associated with an increased Bax to Bcl-2 ratio, elevated caspase-9 and elevated caspase-3 protein levels. Taken together, these data suggest that exposure to CeO 2 nanoparticles is associated with increased oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis in the lungs. It is also evident that CeO2 nanoparticles can translocate to liver and induce hepatic damage. The hepatic damage induced by CeO2 nanoparticles is associated with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis in the liver.

A daily single dose of a novel modafinil analogue CE-123 improves memory acquisition and memory retrieval.

PubMed

Kristofova, Martina; Aher, Yogesh D; Ilic, Marija; Radoman, Bojana; Kalaba, Predrag; Dragacevic, Vladimir; Aher, Nilima Y; Leban, Johann; Korz, Volker; Zanon, Lisa; Neuhaus, Winfried; Wieder, Marcus; Langer, Thierry; Urban, Ernst; Sitte, Harald H; Hoeger, Harald; Lubec, Gert; Aradska, Jana

2018-05-02

Dopamine reuptake inhibitors have been shown to improve cognitive parameters in various tasks and animal models. We recently reported a series of modafinil analogues, of which the most promising, 5-((benzhydrylsulfinyl)methyl) thiazole (CE-123), was selected for further development. The present study aims to characterize pharmacological properties of CE-123 and to investigate the potential to enhance memory performance in a rat model. In vitro transporter assays were performed in cells expressing human transporters. CE-123 blocked uptake of [3H] dopamine (IC50 = 4.606 μM) while effects on serotonin (SERT) and the norepinephrine transporter (NET) were negligible. Blood-brain barrier and pharmacokinetic studies showed that the compound reached the brain and lower elimination than R-modafinil. The Pro-cognitive effect was evaluated in a spatial hole-board task in male Sprague-Dawley rats and CE-123 enhances memory acquisition and memory retrieval, represented by significantly increased reference memory indices and shortened latency. Since DAT blockers can be considered as indirect dopamine receptor agonists, western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of dopamine receptors D1R, D2R and D5R and DAT in the synaptosomal fraction of hippocampal subregions CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG). CE-123 administration in rats increased total DAT levels and D1R protein levels were significantly increased in CA1 and CA3 in treated/trained groups. The increase of D5R was observed in DG only. Dopamine receptors, particularly D1R, seem to play a role in mediating CE-123-induced memory enhancement. Dopamine reuptake inhibition by CE-123 may represent a novel and improved stimulant therapeutic for impairments of cognitive functions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In vivo and in vitro antidiabetic effects of aqueous cinnamon extract and cinnamon polyphenol-enhanced food matrix

PubMed Central

Cheng, Diana M.; Kuhn, Peter; Poulev, Alexander; Rojo, Leonel E.; Lila, Mary Ann; Raskin, Ilya

2012-01-01

Cinnamon has a long history of medicinal use and continues to be valued for its therapeutic potential for improving metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. In this study, a phytochemically-enhanced functional food ingredient that captures water soluble polyphenols from aqueous cinnamon extract (CE) onto a protein rich matrix was developed. CE and cinnamon polyphenol-enriched defatted soy flour (CDSF) were effective in acutely lowering fasting blood glucose levels in diet-induced obese hyperglycemic mice at 300 and 600 mg/kg, respectively. To determine mechanisms of action, rat hepatoma cells were treated with CE and eluates of CDSF at a range of 1–25 µg/ml. CE and eluates of CDSF demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of hepatic glucose production with significant levels of inhibition at 25 µg/ml. Furthermore, CE decreased the gene expression of two major regulators of hepatic gluconeogenesis, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase. The hypoglycemic and insulin-like effects of CE and CDSF may help to ameliorate type 2 diabetes conditions. PMID:22980902

In vivo and in vitro antidiabetic effects of aqueous cinnamon extract and cinnamon polyphenol-enhanced food matrix.

PubMed

Cheng, Diana M; Kuhn, Peter; Poulev, Alexander; Rojo, Leonel E; Lila, Mary Ann; Raskin, Ilya

2012-12-15

Cinnamon has a long history of medicinal use and continues to be valued for its therapeutic potential for improving metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. In this study, a phytochemically-enhanced functional food ingredient that captures water soluble polyphenols from aqueous cinnamon extract (CE) onto a protein rich matrix was developed. CE and cinnamon polyphenol-enriched defatted soy flour (CDSF) were effective in acutely lowering fasting blood glucose levels in diet induced obese hyperglycemic mice at 300 and 600 mg/kg, respectively. To determine mechanisms of action, rat hepatoma cells were treated with CE and eluates of CDSF at a range of 1-25 μg/ml. CE and eluates of CDSF demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of hepatic glucose production with significant levels of inhibition at 25 μg/ml. Furthermore, CE decreased the gene expression of two major regulators of hepatic gluconeogenesis, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase. The hypoglycemic and insulin-like effects of CE and CDSF may help to ameliorate type 2 diabetes conditions. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Auditory Brainstem Response Thresholds to Air- and Bone-Conducted CE-Chirps in Neonates and Adults.

PubMed

Cobb, Kensi M; Stuart, Andrew

2016-08-01

The purpose of this study was to compare auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds to air- and bone-conducted CE-Chirps in neonates and adults. Thirty-two neonates with no physical or neurologic challenges and 20 adults with normal hearing participated. ABRs were acquired with a starting intensity of 30 dB normal hearing level (nHL). The lowest stimulus intensity level at which a wave V was identifiable and replicable was considered the ABR threshold. ABR thresholds to air-conducted CE-Chirps were 9.8 dB nHL for neonates and adults. ABR thresholds to bone-conducted CE-Chirps were 3.8 and 13.8 dB nHL for neonates and adults, respectively. The difference in ABR thresholds to bone-conducted CE-Chirps was significantly different (p < .0001, ηp2 = .45). Adults had significantly larger wave V amplitudes to air- (p < .0001, ηp2 = .50) and bone-conducted (p = .013, ηp2 = .15) CE-Chirps at a stimulus intensity of 30 dB nHL. At the same intensity, adults evidenced significantly shorter wave V latencies (p < .0001, ηp2 = .49) only with air-conducted CE-chirps. The difference in ABR thresholds and wave V latencies to air- and bone-conducted CE-Chirps between neonates and adults may be attributed to a disparity in effective signal delivery to the cochlea.

Mechanical, lattice dynamical and electronic properties of CeO2 at high pressure: First-principles studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Mei; Jia, Huiling; Li, Xueyan; Liu, Xuejie

2016-01-01

The elastic constants (Cij), bulk modulus (B), shear modulus (G) and elastic modulus (E) of cubic fluorite CeO2 under high pressure have been studied using the plane-wave pseudopotential method based on density functional theory. The calculated results show that the mechanical properties (Cij, B, G and E) of CeO2 increase with increasing pressure, and the phase transition of CeO2 occurs beyond the pressure of 130 GPa. From the calculated phonon spectrum using Parlinsk-Li-Kawasoe method, we found that CeO2 appears imaginary frequency at 140 GPa, which indicates phase transition. The energy band, density of states and charge density of CeO2 under high pressure are calculated using GGA+U method. It is found that the high pressure makes the electron delocalization and Ce-O covalent bonding enhanced. As pressure increases, the band gap between O2p and Ce4f states near the Fermi level increases, and CeO2 nonmetallic nature promotes. The present research results in a better understanding of how CeO2 responds to compression.

Further studies of the effects of aging on arginine metabolites in the rat vestibular nucleus and cerebellum.

PubMed

Liu, P; Gupta, N; Jing, Y; Collie, N D; Zhang, H; Smith, P F

2017-04-21

Some studies have demonstrated that aging is associated with impaired vestibular reflexes, especially otolithic reflexes, resulting in postural instability. However, the neurochemical basis of these age-related changes is still poorly understood. The l-arginine metabolic system has been implicated in changes in the brain associated with aging. In the current study, we examined the levels of l-arginine and its metabolizing enzymes and downstream metabolites in the vestibular nucleus complex (VNC) and cerebellum (CE) of rats with and without behavioral testing which were young (4months old), middle-aged (12months old) or aged (24months old). We found that aging was associated with lower nitric oxide synthase activity in the CE of animals with testing and increased arginase in the VNC and CE of animals with testing. l-citrulline and l-ornithine were lower in the VNC of aged animals irrespective of testing, while l-arginine and l-citrulline were lower in the CE with and without testing, respectively. In the VNC and CE, aging was associated with lower levels of glutamate in the VNC, irrespective of testing. In the VNC it was associated with higher levels of agmatine and putrescine, irrespective of testing. In the CE, aging was associated with higher levels of putrescine in animals without testing and with higher levels of spermine in animals with testing, and spermidine, irrespective of testing. Multivariate analyses indicated significant predictive relationships between the different variables, and there were correlations between some of the neurochemical variables and behavioral measurements. Cluster analyses revealed that aging altered the relationships between l-arginine and its metabolites. The results of this study demonstrate that there are major changes occurring in l-arginine metabolism in the VNC and CE as a result of age, as well as behavioral activity. Copyright © 2017 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Decentralized nursing education in Northern Norway: a basis for continuing education to meet competence needs in rural Arctic healthcare services

PubMed Central

Skaalvik, Mari Wolff; Gaski, Margrete; Norbye, Bente

2014-01-01

Background Ensuring a sufficient nursing workforce, with respect to both number and relevant professional competencies, is crucial in rural Arctic regions in Norway. This study examines the continuing education (CE) of nurses who graduated from a decentralized nursing programme between 1994 and 2011. Objective This study aims to measure the extent to which the decentralized nursing education (DNE) in question has served as a basis for CE that is adapted to current and future community health care service needs in rural Arctic regions in northern Norway. More specifically, the study aims to investigate the frequency and scope of CE courses among the graduates of a DNE, the choice of study model and the degree of employment with respect to the relevant CE. Design This study is a quantitative survey providing descriptive statistics. Results The primary finding in this study is that 56% of the participants had engaged in CE and that they were employed in positions related to their education. The majority of students with decentralized bachelor's degrees engaged in CE that was part time and/or decentralized. Conclusions More than half of the population in this study had completed CE despite no mandatory obligation in order to maintain licensure. Furthermore, 31% of the participants had completed more than one CE programme. The findings show that the participants preferred CE organized as part time and or decentralized studies. PMID:25279355

Sequential testing with different tissue transglutaminase antibodies, a new approach for diagnosis of celiac disease.

PubMed

Venugopal, Giriprasad; Mechenro, John; Makharia, Govind; Singh, Alka; Pugazhendhi, Srinivasan; Balamurugan, Ramadass; Ramakrishna, Balakrishnan S

2017-11-01

The diagnosis of celiac disease (CeD) in clinical practice relies on serological testing for IgA antibodies to human tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) which diagnose CeD autoimmunity. We compared three kits for their performance in diagnosis of the disease and evaluated the point prevalence of CeD autoimmunity in a South Indian urban population. In the first part of the study, sera from 90 patients with documented CeD and 92 healthy controls were tested for anti-tTG using three different kits. One thousand nine hundred and seventeen healthy adults residing in urban areas of Vellore and Kancheepuram districts were tested for CeD autoimmunity using a sequential two-test strategy. The sensitivity, specificity, false positivity, false negativity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the three assays respectively were as follows: 95.5%, 82.6%, 17.3%, 4.4%, 84.3%, and 95% for the Aeskulisa New Generation Assay; 85.5%, 100%, 0%, 14.4%, 100%, and 87.6% for Quanta Lite; and 71.1%, 100%, 0%, 28.8%, 100%, and 71% for Celiac Microlisa. The ROC curves showed good discrimination for all three ELISAs with an AUC of 0.947, 0.950, and 0.886 for the Aeskulisa, Quanta Lite, and Celiac Microlisa, respectively. Of 1917 (males 908, females 1009) healthy adults, 113 (5.89%) were seropositive for IgA anti-htTG in the Aeskulisa test. Two of the latter tested positive in the Quanta Lite assay and/or the Celiac Microlisa assay. The CeD autoimmunity prevalence in this urban population was 1.0 per thousand (95% confidence interval 0.3 to 3.7 per thousand). Sequential testing for anti-tTG using first a highly sensitive assay followed by a very specific assay is a new strategy for screening for CeD in clinical practice.

Role of Ce4+ in the Scintillation Mechanism of Codoped Gd3Ga3Al2O12∶Ce

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yuntao; Meng, Fang; Li, Qi; Koschan, Merry; Melcher, Charles L.

2014-10-01

To control the time-response performance of widely used cerium-activated scintillators in cutting-edge medical-imaging devices, such as time-of-flight positron-emission tomography, a comprehensive understanding of the role of Ce valence states, especially stable Ce44, in the scintillation mechanism is essential. However, despite some progress made recently, an understanding of the physical processes involving Ce4+ is still lacking. The aim of this work is to clarify the role of Ce4+ in scintillators by studying Ca2+ codoped Gd3Ga3Al2O12∶Ce (GGAG ∶Ce). By using a combination of optical absorption spectra and x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopies, the correlation between Ca2+ codoping content and the Ce4+ fraction is seen. The energy-level diagrams of Ce3+ and Ce4+ in the Gd3Ga3Al2O12 host are established by using theoretical and experimental methods, which indicate a higher position of the 5d1 state of Ce4+ in the forbidden gap in comparison to that of Ce3+. Underlying reasons for the decay-time acceleration resulting from Ca2+ codoping are revealed, and the physical processes of the Ce4+-emission model are proposed and further demonstrated by temperature-dependent radioluminescence spectra under x-ray excitation.

Corneal endothelial autocrine trophic factor VIP in a mechanism-based strategy to enhance human donor cornea preservation for transplantation.

PubMed

Koh, Shay-Whey Margaret

2012-02-01

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) are identified as autocrines of human corneal endothelial (CE) cells working in concert to maintain the differentiated state and promote the survival of the corneal endothelium. From VIP gene knockdown study, endogenous VIP is shown to maintain the level of the differentiation marker, the adhesion molecule N-cadherin, CE cell size, shape, and retention, in situ in the human donor corneoscleral explants. Exogenous VIP protects the corneal endothelium against the killing effect of oxidative stress, in part by upholding ATP levels in CE cells dying of oxidative stress-induced injury, allowing them to die of an apoptotic death instead of an acute necrotic one. The switch from the acute necrosis to the programmed cell death (apoptosis) may have allowed the injured CE cell to be rescued by the VIP-upregulated pathways, including those of Bcl-2 and N-cadherin, and resulted in long-term CE cell survival. The endogenous VIP in CE cells is upregulated by CNTF, which is released by CE cells surviving the oxidative stress. The CNTF receptor (CNTFRα) is expressed in CE cells in human donor corneoscleral explant and gradually becomes lost during corneal storage. VIP treatment (10(-8) M, 37 °C, 30 min) prior to storage of freshly dissected human donor corneoscleral explants increases their CE cell CNTFRα level and responsiveness to CNTF in upregulating the gap junctional protein connexin-43 expression. VIP treatment of both fresh and preserved corneoscleral explants reduces CE damage in the corneoscleral explants and in the corneal buttons trephined from them. CE cell loss is a critical risk factor in corneal graft failure at any time in the life of the graft, which can be as late as 5-10 years after an initially successful transplant. A new procedure, Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), which is superior to the traditional full thickness transplantation in many aspects, nevertheless subjects the corneal endothelium to extensive mechanical forces, resulting in even more pronounced CE cell loss than the traditional technique. Whereas it is known that cells transduce mechanical stress through N-cadherin, stimulation of the N-cadherin pathway increases the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression. Since N-cadherin and Bcl-2 in the corneal endothelium are both upregulated by VIP, we aim to strengthen the CE sheet by VIP treatments of the corneoscleral explants for full thickness traditional corneal transplantation and pre-cut corneas for DSAEK. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A randomized comparison of 1-h sodium bicarbonate hydration versus standard peri-procedural saline hydration in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing intravenous contrast-enhanced computerized tomography.

PubMed

Kooiman, Judith; Sijpkens, Yvo W J; de Vries, Jean-Paul P M; Brulez, Harald F H; Hamming, Jaap F; van der Molen, Aart J; Aarts, Nico J M; Cannegieter, Suzanne C; Putter, Hein; Swarts, Renate; van den Hout, Wilbert B; Rabelink, Ton J; Huisman, Menno V

2014-05-01

Guidelines recommend saline hydration for prophylaxis of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing intravenous contrast media-enhanced CT (CE-CT). The safety and efficacy of a brief hydration protocol using sodium bicarbonate in this population is unknown. We analysed whether 1-h sodium bicarbonate hydration prior to CE-CT is non-inferior to saline hydration prior to and after CE-CT in CKD patients. We performed an open-label multicentre randomized trial. Patients were randomized to 250 mL of 1.4% sodium bicarbonate hydration prior to CE-CT or 1000 mL of 0.9% saline hydration prior to and, once again, after CE-CT. Primary outcome was the relative increase in serum creatinine 48-96 h post-CE-CT. Secondary outcomes were incidence of CI-AKI [serum creatinine increase >25%/>44 µmol/L (0.5 mg/dL)], recovery of renal function, the need for dialysis and 2-month hospital costs. Five hundred and seventy adult CKD patients undergoing CE-CT were randomized between 2010 and 2012, of whom 548 were included in the intention-to-treat population. Mean relative serum creatinine increase was 1.2% for sodium bicarbonate and 1.5% for saline (mean difference -0.3%; 95% confidence interval -2.7 to 2.1, P-value for non-inferiority <0.0001). CI-AKI occurred in 22 patients (4.1%); 8 (3.0%) randomized to sodium bicarbonate versus 14 (5.1%) to saline (P = 0.23). Renal function recovered in 75 and 69% of CI-AKI patients, respectively (P = 0.81). No patients developed a need for dialysis. Mean hydration costs per patient were €224 for the sodium bicarbonate and €683 for the saline regime (P < 0.001). Other healthcare costs were similar. Short hydration with sodium bicarbonate prior to CE-CT was non-inferior to peri-procedural saline hydration with respect to renal safety and may result in healthcare savings. [Netherlands Trial Register (http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/index.asp), Nr 2149, date of registration 23 December 2009.].

Impact of Lu/Gd ratio and activator concentration on structure and scintillation properties of LGSO:Ce crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sidletskiy, O.; Bondar, V.; Grinyov, B.; Kurtsev, D.; Baumer, V.; Belikov, K.; Katrunov, K.; Starzhinsky, N.; Tarasenko, O.; Tarasov, V.; Zelenskaya, O.

2010-02-01

We have studied the dependence of structural and scintillation characteristics of Lu 2 xGd 2-2 xSiO 5:Ce (LGSO:Ce) crystals on cation composition. LGSO:Ce crystals at x=0-1 have been obtained by the Czochralski method. We report here a strong correlation between ionic radii of trivalent cations and their distribution between non-equivalent sites in lattice. By choosing the optimal Lu/Gd ratio and Ce concentration we were able to obtain the light output by˜70%, as compared to LSO:Ce crystals, and energy resolution ˜7 at% 662 KeV ( 137Cs); the afterglow level was decreased by 1-3 orders of magnitude as compared to LSO:Ce. We also discuss the possible mechanisms of control on scintillation characteristics of mixed orthosilicates.

Comparison of Background Parenchymal Enhancement at Contrast-enhanced Spectral Mammography and Breast MR Imaging.

PubMed

Sogani, Julie; Morris, Elizabeth A; Kaplan, Jennifer B; D'Alessio, Donna; Goldman, Debra; Moskowitz, Chaya S; Jochelson, Maxine S

2017-01-01

Purpose To assess the extent of background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) at contrast material-enhanced (CE) spectral mammography and breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, to evaluate interreader agreement in BPE assessment, and to examine the relationships between clinical factors and BPE. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective, institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant study. Two hundred seventy-eight women from 25 to 76 years of age with increased breast cancer risk who underwent CE spectral mammography and MR imaging for screening or staging from 2010 through 2014 were included. Three readers independently rated BPE on CE spectral mammographic and MR images with the ordinal scale: minimal, mild, moderate, or marked. To assess pairwise agreement between BPE levels on CE spectral mammographic and MR images and among readers, weighted κ coefficients with quadratic weights were calculated. For overall agreement, mean κ values and bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The univariate and multivariate associations between BPE and clinical factors were examined by using generalized estimating equations separately for CE spectral mammography and MR imaging. Results Most women had minimal or mild BPE at both CE spectral mammography (68%-76%) and MR imaging (69%-76%). Between CE spectral mammography and MR imaging, the intrareader agreement ranged from moderate to substantial (κ = 0.55-0.67). Overall agreement on BPE levels between CE spectral mammography and MR imaging and among readers was substantial (κ = 0.66; 95% confidence interval: 0.61, 0.70). With both modalities, BPE demonstrated significant association with menopausal status, prior breast radiation therapy, hormonal treatment, breast density on CE spectral mammographic images, and amount of fibroglandular tissue on MR images (P < .001 for all). Conclusion There was substantial agreement between readers for BPE detected on CE spectral mammographic and MR images. © RSNA, 2016.

Physiological and biochemical responses of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) exposed to nano-CeO2 and excess boron: Modulation of boron phytotoxicity.

PubMed

Tassi, E; Giorgetti, L; Morelli, E; Peralta-Videa, J R; Gardea-Torresdey, J L; Barbafieri, M

2017-01-01

Little is known about the interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with soil constituents and their effects in plants. Boron (B), an essential micronutrient that reduces crop production at both deficiency and excess, has not been investigated with respect to its interaction with cerium oxide NPs (nano-CeO 2 ). Considering conflicting results on the nano-CeO 2 toxicity and protective role as antioxidant, their possible modulation on B toxicity in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was investigated. Sunflower was cultivated for 30 days in garden pots containing original or B-spiked soil amended with nano-CeO 2 at 0-800 mg kg -1 . At harvest, Ce and B concentrations in tissues, biomass, and activities of stress enzymes in leaves were determined. Results showed that in the original soil, Ce accumulated mainly in roots, with little translocation to stems and leaves, while reduced root Ce was observed in plants from B-spiked soil. In the original soil, higher levels of nano-CeO 2 reduced plant B concentration. Although morphological effects were not visible, changes in biomass and oxidative stress response were observed. Sunflower leaves from B-spiked soil showed visible symptoms of B toxicity, such as necrosis and chlorosis in old leaves, as well as an increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. However, at high nano-CeO 2 level, SOD activity decreased reaching values similar to that of the control. This study has shown that nano-CeO 2 reduced both the B nutritional status of sunflower in original soil and the B phytotoxicity in B-spiked soil. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Rare earth chalcogenide Ce3Te4 as high efficiency high temperature thermoelectric material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiaochun; Yang, Ronggui; Zhang, Yong; Zhang, Peihong; Xue, Yu

2011-05-01

The electronic band structures of Ce3Te4 have been studied using the first-principles density-functional theory calculations. It is found that the density of states of Ce3Te4 has a very high delta-shaped peak appearing 0.21 eV above the Fermi level, which mainly comes from the f orbital electrons of the rare-earth element Ce. Using the simple theory proposed by Mahan and Sofo, [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93, 7436 (1996)], we obtain an ideal value of zT=13.5 for Ce3Te4 at T=1200 K, suggesting that the rare-earth chalcogenide Ce3Te4 could be a promising high efficiency high temperature thermoelectric material.

A retrospective analysis of human cystic echinococcosis in Hamedan province, an endemic region of Iran.

PubMed

Ahmadi, N A; Hamidi, M

2008-10-01

In a retrospective investigation, the medical files of the patients who, between 1992 and 2006, underwent surgery for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in one of the three university hospitals in Hamedan province, in western Iran, were explored. Of the 179 patients involved, 44.1% were male and 55.9% female, giving a male/ female ratio of 0.79. The mean annual surgical incidence of CE in the catchment areas of the study hospitals was estimated to be 1.33 cases/100,000. Although most of Hamedan's population is urban (53.02% at the last census, in 1997), most (57.5%) of the patients lived in rural areas (P<0.05). Among the CE cases, housewives (47.3%), farmers (16.6%) and labourers (16.0%) were over-represented compared with the frequencies of these occupations in the general population of the region (P<0.05 for each). Most of the CE cases were aged 20-39 years (35.8%) or 40-59 years (29.0%) and most had liver cysts, either alone (60.9%) or with cysts in other sites (9.5%), although 19.6% of the cases appeared only to have lung cysts. Overall, 90.5% of the cases showed single-organ involvement. Liver involvement was 3.3-fold more common than lung involvement, the ratio between cases with liver cysts and those with lung cysts generally increasing with age (from 1.6 for the cases aged <20 years to 5.6 among the cases aged 40-59 years). The most common clinical symptoms were abdominal pain and/or a sensation of abdominal mass in those with hepatic CE, and chest pain, cough, dyspnoea and/or haemoptysis in those with pulmonary CE. Although 72% of the cases each had a single cyst, 19.6% had two cysts each and 8.4% each had at least three cysts. Only three (1.7%) of the cases had had previous surgery for CE. Diagnosis of CE in Hamedan province is largely dependent on ultrasonography and computed tomography. Together, these results confirm that CE is endemic in the province and indicate that certain occupations (housewife, farmer and labourer) and/or rural life are risk factors.

Cerium oxide nanoparticle elicits oxidative stress, endocrine imbalance and lowers sperm characteristics in testes of balb/c mice.

PubMed

Adebayo, O A; Akinloye, O; Adaramoye, O A

2018-04-01

The toxicity of metallic nanoparticles is a growing concern due to its application in industries and homes. We investigated the toxicity of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) on reproductive system in male balb/c mice. Twenty mice were divided into four groups of five animals each and treated thus: normal saline (control), 100, 200 and 300 μg/kg CeO 2 NPs (i.p.,) thrice in a week for five consecutive weeks. Results showed that CeO 2 NPs significantly reduced the levels of haemoglobin, PCV and RBC count relative to controls. In addition, luteinising and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH and LH) and prolactin were significantly reduced in the mice. Specifically, CeO 2 NPs at 100 μg/kg decreased testosterone by 23%, while CeO 2 NPs at 200 μg/kg decreased FSH, LH and prolactin by 25%, 26% and 13%, respectively. Testicular malondialdehyde was increased by 103%, 106% and 135% in mice treated with 100, 200 and 300 μg/kg CeO 2 NPs, respectively. CeO 2 NPs caused a significant reduction in activities of antioxidant enzymes and levels of reduced glutathione and total nitric oxide. Moreso, CeO 2 NPs decreased sperm motility and count and increased total sperm abnormality in mice. Histology revealed congestion and degeneration of seminiferous tubules. Overall, CeO 2 NPs induces testicular dysfunction via disruption of antioxidant/oxidant balance and endocrine suppression. © 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Single crystal and optical ceramic multicomponent garnet scintillators: A comparative study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yuntao; Luo, Zhaohua; Jiang, Haochuan; Meng, Fang; Koschan, Merry; Melcher, Charles L.

2015-04-01

Multicomponent garnet materials can be made in optical ceramic as well as single crystal form due to their cubic crystal structure. In this work, high-quality Gd3Ga3Al2O12:0.2 at% Ce (GGAG:Ce) single crystal and (Gd,Lu)3Ga3Al2O12:1 at% Ce (GLuGAG:Ce) optical ceramics were fabricated by the Czochralski method and a combination of hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) and annealing treatment, respectively. Under optical and X-ray excitation, the GLuGAG:Ce optical ceramic exhibits a broad Ce3+ transition emission centered at 550 nm, while the emission peak of the GGAG:Ce single crystal is centered at 540 nm. A self-absorption effect in GLuGAG:Ce optical ceramic results in this red-shift of the Ce3+ emission peak compared to that in the GGAG:Ce single crystal. The light yield under 662 keV γ-ray excitation was 45,000±2500 photons/MeV and 48,200±2410 photons/MeV for the GGAG:Ce single crystal and GLuGAG:Ce optical ceramic, respectively. An energy resolution of 7.1% for 662 keV γ-rays was achieved in the GLuGAG:Ce optical ceramic with a Hamamatsu R6231 PMT, which is superior to the value of 7.6% for a GGAG:Ce single crystal. Scintillation decay time measurements under 137Cs irradiation show two exponential decay components of 58 ns (47%) and 504 ns (53%) for the GGAG:Ce single crystal, and 84 ns (76%) and 148 ns (24%) for the GLuGAG:Ce optical ceramic. The afterglow level after X-ray cutoff in the GLuGAG:Ce optical ceramic is at least one order of magnitude lower than in the GGAG:Ce single crystal.

Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer: A Phylogenetic Analysis

PubMed Central

Schwarz, Roland F.; Ng, Charlotte K. Y.; Cooke, Susanna L.; Newman, Scott; Temple, Jillian; Piskorz, Anna M.; Gale, Davina; Sayal, Karen; Murtaza, Muhammed; Baldwin, Peter J.; Rosenfeld, Nitzan; Earl, Helena M.; Sala, Evis; Jimenez-Linan, Mercedes; Parkinson, Christine A.; Markowetz, Florian; Brenton, James D.

2015-01-01

Background The major clinical challenge in the treatment of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the development of progressive resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to determine whether intra-tumour genetic heterogeneity resulting from clonal evolution and the emergence of subclonal tumour populations in HGSOC was associated with the development of resistant disease. Methods and Findings Evolutionary inference and phylogenetic quantification of heterogeneity was performed using the MEDICC algorithm on high-resolution whole genome copy number profiles and selected genome-wide sequencing of 135 spatially and temporally separated samples from 14 patients with HGSOC who received platinum-based chemotherapy. Samples were obtained from the clinical CTCR-OV03/04 studies, and patients were enrolled between 20 July 2007 and 22 October 2009. Median follow-up of the cohort was 31 mo (interquartile range 22–46 mo), censored after 26 October 2013. Outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). There were marked differences in the degree of clonal expansion (CE) between patients (median 0.74, interquartile range 0.66–1.15), and dichotimization by median CE showed worse survival in CE-high cases (PFS 12.7 versus 10.1 mo, p = 0.009; OS 42.6 versus 23.5 mo, p = 0.003). Bootstrap analysis with resampling showed that the 95% confidence intervals for the hazard ratios for PFS and OS in the CE-high group were greater than 1.0. These data support a relationship between heterogeneity and survival but do not precisely determine its effect size. Relapsed tissue was available for two patients in the CE-high group, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the prevalent clonal population at clinical recurrence arose from early divergence events. A subclonal population marked by a NF1 deletion showed a progressive increase in tumour allele fraction during chemotherapy. Conclusions This study demonstrates that quantitative measures of intra-tumour heterogeneity may have predictive value for survival after chemotherapy treatment in HGSOC. Subclonal tumour populations are present in pre-treatment biopsies in HGSOC and can undergo expansion during chemotherapy, causing clinical relapse. PMID:25710373

Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in high-grade serous ovarian cancer: a phylogenetic analysis.

PubMed

Schwarz, Roland F; Ng, Charlotte K Y; Cooke, Susanna L; Newman, Scott; Temple, Jillian; Piskorz, Anna M; Gale, Davina; Sayal, Karen; Murtaza, Muhammed; Baldwin, Peter J; Rosenfeld, Nitzan; Earl, Helena M; Sala, Evis; Jimenez-Linan, Mercedes; Parkinson, Christine A; Markowetz, Florian; Brenton, James D

2015-02-01

The major clinical challenge in the treatment of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the development of progressive resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to determine whether intra-tumour genetic heterogeneity resulting from clonal evolution and the emergence of subclonal tumour populations in HGSOC was associated with the development of resistant disease. Evolutionary inference and phylogenetic quantification of heterogeneity was performed using the MEDICC algorithm on high-resolution whole genome copy number profiles and selected genome-wide sequencing of 135 spatially and temporally separated samples from 14 patients with HGSOC who received platinum-based chemotherapy. Samples were obtained from the clinical CTCR-OV03/04 studies, and patients were enrolled between 20 July 2007 and 22 October 2009. Median follow-up of the cohort was 31 mo (interquartile range 22-46 mo), censored after 26 October 2013. Outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). There were marked differences in the degree of clonal expansion (CE) between patients (median 0.74, interquartile range 0.66-1.15), and dichotimization by median CE showed worse survival in CE-high cases (PFS 12.7 versus 10.1 mo, p = 0.009; OS 42.6 versus 23.5 mo, p = 0.003). Bootstrap analysis with resampling showed that the 95% confidence intervals for the hazard ratios for PFS and OS in the CE-high group were greater than 1.0. These data support a relationship between heterogeneity and survival but do not precisely determine its effect size. Relapsed tissue was available for two patients in the CE-high group, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the prevalent clonal population at clinical recurrence arose from early divergence events. A subclonal population marked by a NF1 deletion showed a progressive increase in tumour allele fraction during chemotherapy. This study demonstrates that quantitative measures of intra-tumour heterogeneity may have predictive value for survival after chemotherapy treatment in HGSOC. Subclonal tumour populations are present in pre-treatment biopsies in HGSOC and can undergo expansion during chemotherapy, causing clinical relapse.

Alteration in mitochondrial function and glutamate metabolism affected by 2-chloroethanol in primary cultured astrocytes.

PubMed

Sun, Qi; Liao, Yingjun; Wang, Tong; Wang, Gaoyang; Zhao, Fenghong; Jin, Yaping

2016-12-01

The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms that contribute to 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) induced brain edema by focusing on alteration of mitochondrial function and glutamate metabolism in primary cultured astrocytes induced by 2-chloroethanol (2-CE), a metabolite of 1,2-DCE in vivo. The cells were exposed to different levels of 2-CE in the media for 24h. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by its membrane potential and intracellular contents of ATP, lactic acid and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Glutamate metabolism was indicated by expression of glutamine synthase (GS), glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) at both protein and gene levels. Compared to the control group, exposure to 2-CE could cause a dose dependent damage in astrocytes, indicated by decreased cell viability and morphological changes, and supported by decreased levels of nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) and inhibited activities of Na + /K + -ATPase and Ca 2+ -ATPase in the cells. The present study also revealed both mitochondrial function and glutamate metabolism in astrocytes were significantly disturbed by 2-CE. Of which, mitochondrial function was much vulnerable to the effects of 2-CE. In conclusion, our findings suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction and glutamate metabolism disorder could contribute to 2-CE-induced cytotoxicity in astrocytes, which might be related to 1,2-DCE-induced brain edema. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

NATO Force Health Protection Requirements from Pre- to Post-Deployment: Population Health for the Military (Les besoins des forces de l’OTAN en matiere de soins de sante du pre-deploiement jusqu’au post-deploiement: la sante des populations militaires)

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-12-01

la dangerosité résultant d’un certain niveau d’exposition à un agent, ainsi que l’estimation des effets sur les populations après une exposition...grand que ce que peut accepter la société. 5) La phase de contrôle du risque se focalise sur les différentes mesures à prendre afin soit « de... les sections précédentes. Sur base de ce schéma, on peut envisager une stratégie globale de gestion des risques de santé au sein des Forces Armées

Role of Ce 4 + in the scintillation mechanism of codoped Gd 3 Ga 3 Al 2 O 12 : Ce

DOE PAGES

Wu, Yuntao; Meng, Fang; Li, Qi; ...

2014-10-17

To control the time-response performance of widely used cerium-activated scintillators in cutting-edge medical-imaging devices, such as time-of-flight positron-emission tomography, a comprehensive understanding of the role of Ce valence states, especially stable Ce 4+, in the scintillation mechanism is essential. However, despite some progress made recently, an understanding of the physical processes involving Ce 4+ is still lacking. The aim of this work is to clarify the role of Ce 4+ in scintillators by studying Ca 2+ codoped Gd 3Ga 3Al 2O1 2∶Ce (GGAG∶Ce). By using a combination of optical absorption spectra and x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopies, the correlation between Ca 2+codopingmore » content and the Ce 4+ fraction is seen. The energy-level diagrams of Ce 3+ and Ce 4+ in the Gd 3Ga 3Al 2O 12 host are established by using theoretical and experimental methods, which indicate a higher position of the 5d 1 state of Ce 4+ in the forbidden gap in comparison to that of Ce 3+. Underlying reasons for the decay-time acceleration resulting from Ca 2+ codoping are revealed, and the physical processes of the Ce 4+-emission model are proposed and further demonstrated by temperature-dependent radioluminescence spectra under x-ray excitation.« less

Impact of Cotrimoxazole and Insecticide-Treated Nets for Malaria Prevention on Key Outcomes Among HIV-Infected Adults in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Hassani, Ahmed Saadani; Marston, Barbara J.

2016-01-01

Background HIV-infected adults are at increased risk of severe malaria and death. Malaria prevention in people living with HIV (PLHIV) consists of several interventions, including cotrimoxazole (CTX) prophylaxis and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). We conducted a systematic review of the available evidence. Methods MEDLINE, EmBase, Global Health, CINAHL, SOCA, and African Index Medicus were used to identify articles relevant to the CTX prophylaxis and ITNs interventions from 1995 to July 2014. For each individual study, we assessed the quality of evidence and the impact of the 2 interventions on the outcomes of mortality, morbidity, retention in care, quality of life, and/or prevention of ongoing HIV transmission. For each outcome, we summarized the quality of the overall body of evidence, the expected impact, and costing and cost-effectiveness (CE). Findings The overall quality of evidence regarding malaria-related morbidity was rated as “good” for CTX prophylaxis and “fair” for ITN use; the expected “impact” of these interventions on morbidity was rated “high” and “uncertain,” respectively. Three studies that addressed the costing and CE of ITN provision for malaria prevention in PLHIV consisted of 2 full “level 1” and 1 partial “level 2” economic evaluations. Conclusions CTX prophylaxis is effective in reducing malaria-related morbidity among PLHIV. Limited evidence is available with respect to the impact and the CE of ITN use and/or provision in this population. PMID:25768870

Performance assessment of U.S. residential cooking exhaust hoods.

PubMed

Delp, William W; Singer, Brett C

2012-06-05

This study assessed the performance of seven new residential cooking exhaust hoods representing common U.S. designs. Laboratory tests were conducted to determine fan curves relating airflow to duct static pressure, sound levels, and exhaust gas capture efficiency for front and back cooktop burners and the oven. Airflow rate sensitivity to duct flow resistance was higher for axial fan devices than for centrifugal fan devices. Pollutant capture efficiency (CE) ranged from <15% to >98%, varying across hoods and with airflow and burner position for each hood. CE was higher for back burners relative to front burners, presumably because most hoods covered only part of the front burners. Open hoods had higher CE than those with grease screen and metal-covered bottoms. The device with the highest CE--exceeding 80% for oven and front burners--had a large, open hood that covered most of the front burners. The airflow rate for this hood surpassed the industry-recommended level of 118 L·s(-1) (250 cfm) and produced sound levels too high for normal conversation. For hoods meeting the sound and fan efficacy criteria for Energy Star, CE was <30% for front and oven burners.

Coinheritance of hemoglobin D-Punjab and β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion in a Thai girl

PubMed Central

Panyasai, Sitthichai; Rahad, Sarinna; Pornprasert, Sakorn

2017-01-01

Hemoglobin (Hb) D. Punjab [β121(GH4) Glu→Gln; HBB: C.364G>C] and β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion are very rare in the Thai population. For the first time, the coinheritance of HbD-Punjab with β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion was reported in a 7-year-old Thai girl. She had mild anemia (Hb 115.0 g/L and mean corpuscular hemoglobin 18.1 pg) with red blood cell microcytosis (mean corpuscular volume 52.5 fL). By capillary electrophoresis (CE), HbD-Punjab was found at a migration position of 180 s with the value of 81.9% while the level of HbA2 was 7.3%. Based on the elevated HbA2, the molecular analysis for detection of β0-thalassemia mutations was performed. The 490 bp amplified fragments from β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion was observed. Thus, the coinheritance of HbD-Punjab with β0-thalassemia can be found in the Thai population. The HbA2 measured on CE is a reliable parameter for differentiating the homozygote of HbD-Punjab and compound heterozygote of HbD-Punjab and β0-thalassemia. PMID:28970692

Cost-effectiveness analysis and innovation.

PubMed

Jena, Anupam B; Philipson, Tomas J

2008-09-01

While cost-effectiveness (CE) analysis has provided a guide to allocating often scarce resources spent on medical technologies, less emphasis has been placed on the effect of such criteria on the behavior of innovators who make health care technologies available in the first place. A better understanding of the link between innovation and cost-effectiveness analysis is particularly important given the large role of technological change in the growth in health care spending and the growing interest of explicit use of CE thresholds in leading technology adoption in several Westernized countries. We analyze CE analysis in a standard market context, and stress that a technology's cost-effectiveness is closely related to the consumer surplus it generates. Improved CE therefore often clashes with interventions to stimulate producer surplus, such as patents. We derive the inconsistency between technology adoption based on CE analysis and economic efficiency. Indeed, static efficiency, dynamic efficiency, and improved patient health may all be induced by the cost-effectiveness of the technology being at its worst level. As producer appropriation of the social surplus of an innovation is central to the dynamic efficiency that should guide CE adoption criteria, we exemplify how appropriation can be inferred from existing CE estimates. For an illustrative sample of technologies considered, we find that the median technology has an appropriation of about 15%. To the extent that such incentives are deemed either too low or too high compared to dynamically efficient levels, CE thresholds may be appropriately raised or lowered to improve dynamic efficiency.

In Vitro Evidence of the Presence of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Cervical Cancer and Their Role in Protecting Cancer Cells from Cytotoxic T Cell Activity

PubMed Central

Montesinos, Juan J.; Mora-García, María de L.; Mayani, Héctor; Flores-Figueroa, Eugenia; García-Rocha, Rosario; Fajardo-Orduña, Guadalupe R.; Castro-Manrreza, Marta E.; Weiss-Steider, Benny

2013-01-01

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been isolated from different tumors and it has been suggested that they support tumor growth through immunosuppression processes that favor tumor cell evasion from the immune system. To date, however, the presence of MSCs in cervical cancer (CeCa) and their possible role in tumor growth remains unknown. Herein we report on the presence of MSCs in cervical tissue, both in normal conditions (NCx-MSCs) and in CeCa (CeCa-MSCs), and described several biological properties of such cells. Our study showed similar patterns of cell surface antigen expression, but distinct differentiation potentials, when we compared both cervical MSC populations to MSCs from normal bone marrow (BM-MSCs, the gold standard). Interestingly, CeCa-MSCs were negative for the presence of human papiloma virus, indicating that these cells are not infected by such a viral agent. Also, interestingly, and in contrast to NCx-MSCs, CeCa-MSCs induced significant downregulation of surface HLA class I molecules (HLA-A*0201) on CaSki cells and other CeCa cell lines. We further observed that CeCa-MSCs inhibited antigen-specific T cell recognition of CaSki cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). HLA class I downregulation on CeCa cells correlated with the production of IL-10 in cell cocultures. Importantly, this cytokine strongly suppressed recognition of CeCa cells by CTLs. In summary, this study demonstrates the presence of MSCs in CeCa and suggests that tumor-derived MSCs may provide immune protection to tumor cells by inducing downregulation of HLA class I molecules. This mechanism may have important implications in tumor growth. PMID:23656504

[Rapid diagnostic tests for the serodiagnosis of human cystic echinococcosis].

PubMed

Tamarozzi, F; Mariconti, M; Covini, I; Brunetti, E

2017-02-01

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonosis especially affecting resource-poor populations in livestock raising areas. Imaging, in particular ultrasound (US), is crucial for the diagnosis, staging, and clinical management of abdominal CE in humans. Serology is a valuable complement to imaging, especially when ultrasound features of CE are absent or unclear. In rural endemic areas, where expertise in US is scant, and conventional serology techniques are unavailable due to lack of laboratory equipment, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) may be very useful. Several reports have described the performance of commercial and experimental RDTs in the diagnosis of CE, including a recent study by our group that compared the diagnostic performances of three commercial RDTs for the diagnosis of hepatic CE. To put RDTs for CE in context, we reviewed the available literature in English on this topic. Overall, RDTs appear to be useful in resourcepoor settings where they may replace conventional serodiagnostic tests. However, like other serodiagnostic tests, RDTs lack standardization and show unsatisfactory sensitivity and specificity. An important issue that needs to be addressed is that studies on the diagnostic performance of RDTs fail to take into account the variables known to influence results such as anatomical location and cyst stage.

Luminescence properties and scintillation response in Ce3+-doped Y2Gd1Al5-xGaxO12 (x = 2, 3, 4) single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chewpraditkul, Warut; Pánek, Dalibor; Brůža, Petr; Chewpraditkul, Weerapong; Wanarak, Chalerm; Pattanaboonmee, Nakarin; Babin, Vladimir; Bartosiewicz, Karol; Kamada, Kei; Yoshikawa, Akira; Nikl, Martin

2014-08-01

The compositional dependence of luminescence properties and scintillation response were investigated in Ce3+-doped Y2Gd1Al5-xGaxO12 (x = 2, 3, 4) single crystals. The Gd3+ → Ce3+ energy transfer was evidenced by photoluminescence excitation spectra of Ce3+ emission. With increasing Ga content in the garnet host, the Ce3+ luminescence from the lowest 5d level (5d1) is shifted toward higher energy due to the decrease in the crystal field splitting of the 5d levels. Light yield (LY) and its dependence on the amplifier shaping time were measured under excitation with γ-rays. High LY value of ˜38 000 ph/MeV was obtained for a Y2Gd1Al3Ga2O12:Ce sample. Scintillation decay was measured with an extended dynamical and temporal scale under the nanosecond pulse soft X-ray excitation. The decrease of both LY value and relative contribution of slower decay component in the scintillation response was observed with increasing Ga content in the garnet host.

Growing trend of CE at the omics level: the frontier of systems biology.

PubMed

Oh, Eulsik; Hasan, Md Nabiul; Jamshed, Muhammad; Park, Soo Hyun; Hong, Hye-Min; Song, Eun Joo; Yoo, Young Sook

2010-01-01

In a novel attempt to comprehend the complexity of life, systems biology has recently emerged as a state-of-the-art approach for biological research in contrast to the reductionist approaches that have been used in molecular cell biology since the 1950s. Because a massive amount of information is required in many systems biology studies of life processes, we have increasingly come to depend on techniques that provide high-throughput omics data. CE and CE coupled to MS have served as powerful analytical tools for providing qualitative and quantitative omics data. Recent systems biology studies have focused strongly on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The increasing number of clinical research papers on drug discovery and disease therapies reflects this growing interest among scientists. Since such clinical research reflects one of the ultimate purposes of bioscience, these trends will be sustained for a long time. Thus, this review mainly focuses on the application of CE and CE-MS in diagnosis as well as on the latest CE methods developed. Furthermore, we outline the new challenges that arose in 2008 and later in elucidating the system-level functions of the bioconstituents of living organisms.

Quantitative study of the f occupation in CeMIn 5 and other cerium compounds with hard X-rays

DOE PAGES

Sundermann, M.; Strigari, F.; Willers, T.; ...

2016-02-28

We present bulk-sensitive hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) data of the Ce3d core levels and lifetime-reduced L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in the partial fluorescence yield (PFY) mode of the CeMIn 5 family with M = Co, Rh, and Ir. The HAXPES data are analyzed quantitatively with a combination of full multiplet and configuration interaction model which allows correcting for the strong plasmons in the CeMIn 5 HAXPES data, and reliable weights w n of the different f n contributions in the ground state are determined. The CeMIn 5 results are compared to HAXPES data of other heavy fermion compoundsmore » and a systematic decrease of the hybridization strength V eff from CePd 3 to CeRh 3B 2 to CeRu 2Si 2 is observed, while it is smallest for the three CeMIn 5 compounds. The f-occupation, however, increases in the same sequence and is close to one for the CeMIn 5 family. The PFY-XAS data confirm an identical f-occupation in the three CeMIn 5 compounds and a phenomenological fit to these PFY-XAS data combined with a configuration interaction model yields consistent results.« less

Photosensitizer-Loaded Branched Polyethylenimine-PEGylated Ceria Nanoparticles for Imaging-Guided Synchronous Photochemotherapy.

PubMed

Yang, Zhang-You; Li, Hong; Zeng, Yi-Ping; Hao, Yu-Hui; Liu, Cong; Liu, Jing; Wang, Wei-Dong; Li, Rong

2015-11-04

A multifunctional theranostic platform based on photosensitizer (chlorin e6, Ce6)-loaded branched polyethylenimine-PEGylated ceria nanoparticles (PPCNPs-Ce6) was created for the development of effective cancer treatments involving the use of imaging-guided synchronous photochemotherapy. PPCNPs-Ce6 with high Ce6 photosensitizer loading (Ce6: cerium ∼40 wt %) significantly enhanced the delivery of Ce6 into cells and its accumulation in lysosomes, remarkably improving photodynamic therapeutic (PDT) efficacy levels compared to those in the administration of free Ce6 at ultralow drug doses (∼200 nM). Interestingly, PPCNPs-Ce6 efficiently induced HeLa cell death even at low concentrations (∼10 μM) without the use of laser irradiation and exhibit chemocytotoxicity. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and biology transmission electron microscopy (Bio-TEM) analyses demonstrated that ceria nanoparticles enter cells abundantly and accumulate in lysosomes or large vesicles. We then evaluated the effects of the different materials on lysosomal integrity and function, which revealed that PPCNPs-Ce6 catastrophically impaired lysosomal function compared to results with PPCNPs and Ce6. Studies of apoptosis revealed greater induction of apoptosis by PPCNPs-Ce6 treatment. This multifunctional nanocarrier also exhibited a high degree of solubility and stability in aqueous solutions, suggesting its applicability for extensive biomedical application.

SU-E-J-154: Image Quality Assessment of Contrast-Enhanced 4D-CT for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in Radiotherapy Simulation

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

Choi, W; Xue, M; Patel, K

2015-06-15

Purpose: This study presents quantitative and qualitative assessment of the image qualities in contrast-enhanced (CE) 3D-CT, 4D-CT and CE 4D-CT to identify feasibility for replacing the clinical standard simulation with a single CE 4D-CT for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDA) in radiotherapy simulation. Methods: Ten PDA patients were enrolled and underwent three CT scans: a clinical standard pair of CE 3D-CT immediately followed by a 4D-CT, and a CE 4D-CT one week later. Physicians qualitatively evaluated the general image quality and regional vessel definitions and gave a score from 1 to 5. Next, physicians delineated the contours of the tumor (T) andmore » the normal pancreatic parenchyma (P) on the three CTs (CE 3D-CT, 50% phase for 4D-CT and CE 4D-CT), then high density areas were automatically removed by thresholding at 500 HU and morphological operations. The pancreatic tumor contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), signal-tonoise ratio (SNR) and conspicuity (C, absolute difference of mean enhancement levels in P and T) were computed to quantitatively assess image quality. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare these quantities. Results: In qualitative evaluations, CE 3D-CT and CE 4D-CT scored equivalently (4.4±0.4 and 4.3±0.4) and both were significantly better than 4D-CT (3.1±0.6). In quantitative evaluations, the C values were higher in CE 4D-CT (28±19 HU, p=0.19 and 0.17) than the clinical standard pair of CE 3D-CT and 4D-CT (17±12 and 16±17 HU, p=0.65). In CE 3D-CT and CE 4D-CT, mean CNR (1.8±1.4 and 1.8±1.7, p=0.94) and mean SNR (5.8±2.6 and 5.5±3.2, p=0.71) both were higher than 4D-CT (CNR: 1.1±1.3, p<0.3; SNR: 3.3±2.1, p<0.1). The absolute enhancement levels for T and P were higher in CE 4D-CT (87, 82 HU) than in CE 3D-CT (60, 56) and 4DCT (53, 70). Conclusions: The individually optimized CE 4D-CT is feasible and achieved comparable image qualities to the clinical standard simulation. This study was supported in part by Philips Healthcare.« less

Magnetic interactions and magnetic anisotropy in exchange coupled 4f-3d systems: a case study of a heterodinuclear Ce3+-Fe3+ cyanide-bridged complex.

PubMed

Sorace, Lorenzo; Sangregorio, Claudio; Figuerola, Albert; Benelli, Cristiano; Gatteschi, Dante

2009-01-01

We report here a detailed single-crystal EPR and magnetic study of a homologous series of complexes of the type Ln-M (Ln = La(III), Ce(III); M = Fe(III), Co(III)). We were able to obtain a detailed picture of the low-lying levels of Ce(III) and Fe(III) centres through the combined use of single-crystal EPR and magnetic susceptibility data. We show that classical ligand field theory can be of great help in rationalising the energies of the low-lying levels of both the transition-metal and rare-earth ions. The combined analysis of single-crystal EPR and magnetic data of the coupled system Ce-Fe confirmed the great complexity of the interactions involving rare-earth elements. With little uncertainty, it turned out clearly that the description of the interaction involving the lowest lying spin levels requires the introduction of the isotropic, anisotropic and antisymmetric terms.

Hybrid Density Functional Study of the Local Structures and Energy Levels of CaAl2O4:Ce3.

PubMed

Lou, Bibo; Jing, Weiguo; Lou, Liren; Zhang, Yongfan; Yin, Min; Duan, Chang-Kui

2018-05-03

First-principles calculations were carried out for the electronic structures of Ce 3+ in calcium aluminate phosphors, CaAl 2 O 4 , and their effects on luminescence properties. Hybrid density functional approaches were used to overcome the well-known underestimation of band gaps of conventional density functional approaches and to calculate the energy levels of Ce 3+ ions more accurately. The obtained 4f-5d excitation and emission energies show good consistency with measured values. A detailed energy diagram of all three sites is obtained, which explains qualitatively all of the luminescent phenomena. With the results of energy levels calculated by combining the hybrid functional of Heyd, Scuseria, and Ernzerhof (HSE06) and the constraint occupancy approach, we are able to construct a configurational coordinate diagram to analyze the processes of capture of a hole or an electron and luminescence. This approach can be applied for systematic high-throughput calculations in predicting Ce 3+ activated luminescent materials with a moderate computing requirement.

Effects of steaming on contaminants of emerging concern levels in seafood.

PubMed

Barbosa, Vera; Maulvault, Ana Luísa; Alves, Ricardo N; Kwadijk, Christian; Kotterman, Michiel; Tediosi, Alice; Fernández-Tejedor, Margarita; Sloth, Jens J; Granby, Kit; Rasmussen, Rie R; Robbens, Johan; De Witte, Bavo; Trabalón, Laura; Fernandes, José O; Cunha, Sara C; Marques, António

2018-05-19

Seafood consumption is a major route for human exposure to environmental contaminants of emerging concern (CeCs). However, toxicological information about the presence of CeCs in seafood is still insufficient, especially considering the effect of cooking procedures on contaminant levels. This study is one among a few who evaluated the effect of steaming on the levels of different CeCs (toxic elements, PFCs, PAHs, musk fragrances and UV-filters) in commercially relevant seafood in Europe, and estimate the potential risks associated with its consumption for consumers. In most cases, an increase in contaminant levels was observed after steaming, though varying according to contaminant and seafood species (e.g. iAs, perfluorobutanoate, dibenzo(ah)anthracene in Mytilus edulis, HHCB-Lactone in Solea sp., 2-Ethylhexyl salicylate in Lophius piscatorius). Furthermore, the increase in some CeCs, like Pb, MeHg, iAs, Cd and carcinogenic PAHs, in seafood after steaming reveals that adverse health effects can never be excluded, regardless contaminants concentration. However, the risk of adverse effects can vary. The drastic changes induced by steaming suggest that the effect of cooking should be integrated in food risk assessment, as well as accounted in CeCs regulations and recommendations issued by food safety authorities, in order to avoid over/underestimation of risks for consumer health. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stress response and tolerance of Zea mays to CeO2 nanoparticles: cross talk among H2O2, heat shock protein, and lipid peroxidation.

PubMed

Zhao, Lijuan; Peng, Bo; Hernandez-Viezcas, Jose A; Rico, Cyren; Sun, Youping; Peralta-Videa, Jose R; Tang, Xiaolei; Niu, Genhua; Jin, Lixin; Varela-Ramirez, Armando; Zhang, Jian-ying; Gardea-Torresdey, Jorge L

2012-11-27

The rapid development of nanotechnology will inevitably release nanoparticles (NPs) into the environment with unidentified consequences. In addition, the potential toxicity of CeO(2) NPs to plants and the possible transfer into the food chain are still unknown. Corn plants (Zea mays) were germinated and grown in soil treated with CeO(2) NPs at 400 or 800 mg/kg. Stress-related parameters, such as H(2)O(2), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), lipid peroxidation, cell death, and leaf gas exchange were analyzed at 10, 15, and 20 days post-germination. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to image H(2)O(2) distribution in corn leaves. Results showed that the CeO(2) NP treatments increased accumulation of H(2)O(2), up to day 15, in phloem, xylem, bundle sheath cells and epidermal cells of shoots. The CAT and APX activities were also increased in the corn shoot, concomitant with the H(2)O(2) levels. Both 400 and 800 mg/kg CeO(2) NPs triggered the up-regulation of the HSP70 in roots, indicating a systemic stress response. None of the CeO(2) NPs increased the level of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances, indicating that no lipid peroxidation occurred. CeO(2) NPs, at both concentrations, did not induce ion leakage in either roots or shoots, suggesting that membrane integrity was not compromised. Leaf net photosynthetic rate, transpiration, and stomatal conductance were not affected by CeO(2) NPs. Our results suggest that the CAT, APX, and HSP70 might help the plants defend against CeO(2) NP-induced oxidative injury and survive NP exposure.

Stress Response and Tolerance of Zea mays to CeO2 Nanoparticles: Cross Talk among H2O2, Heat Shock Protein and Lipid Peroxidation

PubMed Central

Zhao, Lijuan; Peng, Bo; Hernandez-Viezcas, Jose A.; Rico, Cyren; Sun, Youping; Peralta-Videa, Jose R.; Tang, Xiaolei; Niu, Genhua; Jin, Lixin; Varela-Ramirez, Armando; Zhang, Jian-ying; Gardea-Torresdey, Jorge L.

2014-01-01

The rapid development of nanotechnology will inevitably release nanoparticles (NPs) into the environment with unidentified consequences. In addition, the potential toxicity of CeO2 NPs to plants, and the possible transfer into the food chain, are still unknown. Corn plants (Zea mays) were germinated and grown in soil treated with CeO2 NPs at 400 or 800 mg/kg. Stress related parameters, such as: H2O2, catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70), lipid peroxidation, cell death and leaf gas exchange were analyzed at 10, 15, and 20 days post germination. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to image H2O2 distribution in corn leaves. Results showed that the CeO2 NP treatments increased accumulation of H2O2, up to day 15, in phloem, xylem, bundle sheath cells, and epidermal cells of shoots. The CAT and APX activities were also increased in the corn shoot, concomitant with the H2O2 levels. Both 400 and 800 mg/kg CeO2 NPs triggered the up regulation of the HSP 70 in roots, indicating a systemic stress response. None of the CeO2 NPs increased the level of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances, indicating that no lipid peroxidation occurred. CeO2 NPs, at both concentrations, did not induce ion leakage in either roots or shoots, suggesting membrane integrity was not compromised. Leaf net photosynthetic rate, transpiration, and stomatal conductance were not affected by CeO2 NPs. Our results suggest that the CAT, APX and HSP 70 might help the plants defend against CeO2 NPs induced oxidative injury and survive NP exposure. PMID:23050848

Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) water extract ameliorates loperamide-induced constipation in rats.

PubMed

Han, Sung Hee; Park, Kyungmi; Kim, Eun Young; Ahn, So Hyun; Lee, Hyun-Sun; Suh, Hyung Joo

2017-01-17

Korean cactus Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) is rich in pectin, phenols, flavonoids, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Some Koreans drink Cheonnyuncho juice prepared by grinding Cheonnyuncho with water. Cheonnyuncho is well known for its functional properties and antioxidant effects, but its effect on constipation has not been sufficiently studied. Loperamide (2 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously to induce constipation in rats. The animals were divided into four groups: a normal group (NOR), constipation control group (CON), and two constipation groups receiving the Cheonnyuncho extract (CE) at two different concentrations in drinking water, 3% (L-CE group) and 6% (H-CE group), for 25 days. The fecal pellet numbers of NOR and L-CE were significantly increased from 35.67 ± 2.09 (CON) to 50.60 ± 1.38 and 46.50 ± 2.91 after loperamide treatment, respectively (p < 0.05). The water content of fecal excretions was significantly enhanced in only the L-CE group (33.05 ± 0.49%) compared to control (23.38 ± 1.26%) (p < 0.05) after loperamide treatment. The oral intake of CE (L-CE and H-CE groups) significantly increased levels of the intestinal transit ratio (45.25 ± 1.86% and 41.05 ± 2.47%, respectively) compared to the CON group (32.15 ± 2.05%) (p < 0.05). Treatment with the low concentration of CE significantly increased fecal levels of acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids, as well as the total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration. Histological analyses revealed that the thickness of the distal colon also increased in the CE-treated groups in a dose-dependent manner. Constipation decreased when CE was fed to the rats. In particular, the fecal pellet number and water content, as well as histological parameters such as distal colon thickness, improved. The CE treatment also increased the fecal SCFA content. These results show that the extract of Cheonnyuncho (O. humifusa) alleviated the symptoms of loperamide-induced constipation.

Quality in physical therapist clinical education: a systematic review.

PubMed

McCallum, Christine A; Mosher, Peter D; Jacobson, Peri J; Gallivan, Sean P; Giuffre, Suzanne M

2013-10-01

Many factors affect student learning throughout the clinical education (CE) component of professional (entry-level) physical therapist education curricula. Physical therapist education programs (PTEPs) manage CE, yet the material and human resources required to provide CE are generally overseen by community-based physical therapist practices. The purposes of this systematic review were: (1) to examine how the construct of quality is defined in CE literature and (2) to determine the methodological rigor of the available evidence on quality in physical therapist CE. This study was a systematic review of English-language journals using the American Physical Therapy Association's Open Door Portal to Evidence-Based Practice as the computer search engine. The search was categorized using terms for physical therapy and quality and for CE pedagogy and models or roles. Summary findings were characterized by 5 primary themes and 14 subthemes using a qualitative-directed content analysis. Fifty-four articles were included in the study. The primary quality themes were: CE framework, CE sites, structure of CE, assessment in CE, and CE faculty. The methodological rigor of the studies was critically appraised using a binary system based on the McMaster appraisal tools. Scores ranged from 3 to 14. Publication bias and outcome reporting bias may be inherent limitations to the results. The review found inconclusive evidence about what constitutes quality or best practice for physical therapist CE. Five key constructs of CE were identified that, when aggregated, could construe quality.

[18F]DOPA PET/ceCT in diagnosis and staging of primary medullary thyroid carcinoma prior to surgery.

PubMed

Rasul, Sazan; Hartenbach, Sabrina; Rebhan, Katharina; Göllner, Adelina; Karanikas, Georgios; Mayerhoefer, Marius; Mazal, Peter; Hacker, Marcus; Hartenbach, Markus

2018-05-15

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is characterized by a high rate of metastasis. In this study we evaluated the ability of [ 18 F]DOPA PET/ceCT to stage MTC in patients with suspicious thyroid nodules and pathologically elevated serum calcitonin (Ctn) levels prior to total thyroidectomy and lymph node (LN) dissection. A group of 32 patients with sonographically suspicious thyroid nodules and pathologically elevated basal Ctn (bCtn) and stimulated Ctn (sCtn) levels underwent DOPA PET/ceCT prior to surgery. Postoperative histology served as the standard of reference for ultrasonography and DOPA PET/ceCT region-based LN staging. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses as well as receiver operating characteristic analysis were used to evaluate the correlations between preoperative and histological parameters and postoperative tumour persistence or relapse. Primary MTC was histologically verified in all patients. Of the 32 patients, 28 showed increased DOPA decarboxylase activity in the primary tumour (sensitivity 88%, mean SUVmax 10.5). Undetected tumours were exclusively staged pT1a. The sensitivities of DOPA PET in the detection of central and lateral metastatic neck LN were 53% and 73%, in contrast to 20% and 39%, respectively, for neck ultrasonography. Preoperative bCtn and carcinoembryonic antigen levels as well as cN1b status and the number of involved neck regions on DOPA PET/ceCT were predictive of postoperative tumour persistence/relapse in the univariate regression analysis (P < 0.05). Only DOPA PET/ceCT cN1b status remained significant in the multivariate analysis (P = 0.016, relative risk 4.02). This study revealed that DOPA PET/ceCT has high sensitivity in the detection of primary MTC and superior sensitivity in the detection of LN metastases compared to ultrasonography. DOPA PET/ceCT identification of N1b status predicts postoperative tumour persistence. Thus, implementation of a DOPA-guided LN dissection might improve surgical success.

Crude extract and fractions from Eugenia uniflora Linn leaves showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities.

PubMed

Falcão, Tamires Rocha; de Araújo, Aurigena Antunes; Soares, Luiz Alberto Lira; de Moraes Ramos, Rhayanne Thaís; Bezerra, Isabelle Cristinne Ferraz; Ferreira, Magda Rhayanny Assunção; de Souza Neto, Manoel André; Melo, Maria Celeste Nunes; de Araújo, Raimundo Fernandes; de Aguiar Guerra, Andreza Conceição Véras; de Medeiros, Juliana Silva; Guerra, Gerlane Coelho Bernardo

2018-03-09

This study showed phytochemical composition and evaluates the anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities of crude extract (CE) and fractions from E. uniflora Linn leaves. Polyphenols present in crude extract (CE), in aqueous fraction (AqF), and ethyl acetate (EAF) treated fractions from E. uniflora Linn leaves were shown by chromatographic analysis in order to conduct a phytochemical characterization. Antibacterial activity was evaluated based on minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) determined using the agar dilution method. Doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the CE and fractions were applied for conducting in vivo models (male Swiss mice, 8-10 weeks old). The peritonitis experimental model was induced by carrageenan following of Myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), Total glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-1β and TNF-α levels by spectroscopic UV/VIS analysis. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated based on an abdominal writhing model and hot plate test. The results were statistically evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc test. The level of statistical significance was p < 0.05. High-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD) detected varying concentrations of gallic acid, ellagic acid, and myricitrin in the CE and fractions obtained from E. uniflora Linn leaves (0.05-0.87%w/w, 0.20-0.32%w/w, and 1.71-6.56%w/w, respectively). In general, the CE had lower MIC values than the fractions, including the lowest MIC against the MRSA strain. The CE and AqF also significantly reduced leukocyte migration and MPO activity (p < 0.05). In addition, AqF significantly reduced IL-1β and TNF-α levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the CE and fractions exhibited an antioxidant effect (p < 0.05) and peripheral analgesic activity (p < 0.05). The CE and fractions from the studied E. uniflora Linn leaves exhibited antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic activity in the performed assays.

Effects of scandium substitution on the crystal structure and luminescence properties of LuBO{sub 3}: Ce{sup 3+}

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

Wu, Yuntao, E-mail: caswyt@hotmail.com; Ren, Guohao, E-mail: rgh@mail.sic.ac.cn; Ding, Dongzhou

2012-10-15

The calcite phase of LuBO{sub 3} and ScBO{sub 3} polycrystalline powders were synthesized by solid state reaction method, and the Lu{sub 1-x}Sc{sub x}BO{sub 3}:Ce (x=0.2, 0.5, 0.7) single crystals were grown by the Czochralski method. A large composition deviation between the initial polycrystalline powders and final single crystal was confirmed by electron probe micro-analysis. Raman spectroscopy revealed that moderate lattice disorder was induced by scandium substitution. However, based on the single crystal X-ray study, we finally concluded that the crystal structure of lutetium scandium orthoborate still crystallized in the rhombohedral system belonging to R3{sup -}c. Furthermore, the relationship between themore » energies of the five 5d levels of Ce{sup 3+} and the crystalline environment was revealed. The total redshift, total crystal field splitting, and centroid shift of Lu{sub 1-x}Sc{sub x}BO{sub 3}:Ce{sup 3+} were calculated based on their VUV excitation spectra. The variations trend of these observed spectroscopic parameters was in accordance with the predicted ones. - Graphical abstract: The crystal structure of Lu{sub 1-x}Sc{sub x}BO{sub 3}:Ce is rhombohedral system with R3{sup -}c space group. The relationship between the energies of the five Ce{sup 3+} 5d levels and the crystalline environment is established. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Moderate lattice disorder is induced by scandium doping. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The crystal structure of Lu{sub 1-x}Sc{sub x}BO{sub 3}:Ce is rhombohedral system with R3{sup -}c space group. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Relationship between energies of Ce{sup 3+} 5d levels and crystalline environment is established. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The spectroscopic parameters are experimentally and theoretically calculated.« less

Effect of disorder on the pressure-induced superconducting state of CeAu 2Si 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Z.; Giriat, G.; Scheerer, G. W.; Lapertot, G.; Jaccard, D.

2015-03-01

CeAu2Si2 is a newly discovered pressure-induced heavy fermion superconductor, which shows very unusual interplay between superconductivity and magnetism under pressure. Here we compare the results of high-pressure measurements on single-crystalline CeAu2Si2 samples with different levels of disorder. It is found that while the magnetic properties are essentially sample independent, superconductivity is rapidly suppressed when the residual resistivity of the sample increases. We show that the depression of bulk Tc can be well understood in terms of pair breaking by nonmagnetic disorder, which strongly suggests an unconventional pairing state in pressurized CeAu2Si2 . Furthermore, increasing the level of disorder leads to the emergence of another phase transition at T* within the magnetic phase, which might be in competition with superconductivity.

Neuroprotective Effect of CeO2@PAA-LXW7 Against H2O2-Induced Cytotoxicity in NGF-Differentiated PC12 Cells.

PubMed

Jia, Jingjing; Zhang, Ting; Chi, Jieshan; Liu, Xiaoma; Sun, Jingjing; Xie, Qizhi; Peng, Sijia; Li, Changyan; Yi, Li

2018-06-07

CeO 2 nanoparticles (nanoceria) have been used in many studies as a powerful free radical scavenger, and LXW7, a small-molecule peptide, can specifically target the integrin αvβ3, whose neuroprotective effects have also been demonstrated. The objective of this study is to observe the neuroprotective effect and potential mechanism of CeO 2 @PAA-LXW7, a new compound that couples CeO 2 @PAA (nanoceria modified with the functional group of polyacrylic acid) with LXW7 via a series of chemical reactions, in H 2 O 2 -induced NGF-differentiated PC12 cells. We examined the effects of LXW7, CeO 2 @PAA, and CeO 2 @PAA-LXW7 on the viability of primary hippocampal neurons and found that there was no significant difference under control conditions, but increased cellular viability was observed in the case of H 2 O 2 -induced injury. We used H 2 O 2 -induced NGF-differentiated PC12 cells as the classical injury model to investigate the neuroprotective effect of CeO 2 @PAA-LXW7. In this study, LXW7, CeO 2 @PAA, and CeO 2 @PAA-LXW7 inhibit H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and regulating Bax/Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3 and mitochondrial cytochrome C (cyto C) in the apoptotic signaling pathways. We found that the levels of phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) increased significantly in H 2 O 2 -induced NGF-differentiated PC12 cells, whereas LXW7, CeO 2 @PAA, and CeO 2 @PAA-LXW7 suppressed the increase to different degrees. Among the abovementioned changes, the inhibitory effect of CeO 2 @PAA-LXW7 on H 2 O 2 -induced changes, including the increases in the levels of p-FAK and p-STAT3, is more obvious than that of LXW7 or CeO 2 @PAA alone. In summary, these results suggest that integrin signaling participates in the regulation of apoptosis via the regulation of ROS and of the apoptosis pathway in H 2 O 2 -induced NGF-differentiated PC12 cells. LXW7, CeO 2 @PAA, and CeO 2 @PAA-LXW7 can play neuroprotective roles by counteracting the oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by H 2 O 2 in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells. CeO 2 @PAA-LXW7 exerting a more powerful synergistic effect via the conjunction of LXW7 and CeO 2 @PAA.

Massively parallel sequencing of forensic STRs: Considerations of the DNA commission of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) on minimal nomenclature requirements.

PubMed

Parson, Walther; Ballard, David; Budowle, Bruce; Butler, John M; Gettings, Katherine B; Gill, Peter; Gusmão, Leonor; Hares, Douglas R; Irwin, Jodi A; King, Jonathan L; Knijff, Peter de; Morling, Niels; Prinz, Mechthild; Schneider, Peter M; Neste, Christophe Van; Willuweit, Sascha; Phillips, Christopher

2016-05-01

The DNA Commission of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) is reviewing factors that need to be considered ahead of the adoption by the forensic community of short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping by massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technologies. MPS produces sequence data that provide a precise description of the repeat allele structure of a STR marker and variants that may reside in the flanking areas of the repeat region. When a STR contains a complex arrangement of repeat motifs, the level of genetic polymorphism revealed by the sequence data can increase substantially. As repeat structures can be complex and include substitutions, insertions, deletions, variable tandem repeat arrangements of multiple nucleotide motifs, and flanking region SNPs, established capillary electrophoresis (CE) allele descriptions must be supplemented by a new system of STR allele nomenclature, which retains backward compatibility with the CE data that currently populate national DNA databases and that will continue to be produced for the coming years. Thus, there is a pressing need to produce a standardized framework for describing complex sequences that enable comparison with currently used repeat allele nomenclature derived from conventional CE systems. It is important to discern three levels of information in hierarchical order (i) the sequence, (ii) the alignment, and (iii) the nomenclature of STR sequence data. We propose a sequence (text) string format the minimal requirement of data storage that laboratories should follow when adopting MPS of STRs. We further discuss the variant annotation and sequence comparison framework necessary to maintain compatibility among established and future data. This system must be easy to use and interpret by the DNA specialist, based on a universally accessible genome assembly, and in place before the uptake of MPS by the general forensic community starts to generate sequence data on a large scale. While the established nomenclature for CE-based STR analysis will remain unchanged in the future, the nomenclature of sequence-based STR genotypes will need to follow updated rules and be generated by expert systems that translate MPS sequences to match CE conventions in order to guarantee compatibility between the different generations of STR data. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Deforestation contributed to droughts that influenced Maya decline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balcerak, Ernie

2011-12-01

New studies show that deforestation throughout much of southern Mexico in pre-Columbian times contributed to droughts that led to the decline of the Maya and Aztec civilizations. Significant droughts are known to have affected these civilizations between about 800 and 950 C.E.; it has been debated whether solar forcing, random natural variability, or clearing of rain forests to create pasture or farmlands primarily caused these droughts. Reconstructions of past land cover can be made based on population estimates. Central America was significantly deforested by Maya and Aztec societies before Europeans arrived about 1500 C.E. Forest then recovered as native populations declined, although more deforestation has been taking place in recent years.

Solid state speciation of uranium and its local structure in Sr2CeO4 using photoluminescence spectroscopy.

PubMed

Sahu, M; Gupta, Santosh K; Jain, D; Saxena, M K; Kadam, R M

2018-04-15

An effort was taken to carry our speciation study of uranium ion in technologically important cerate host Sr 2 CeO 4 using time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Such studies are not relevant only to nuclear industry but can give rich insight into fundamentals of 5f electron chemistry in solid state systems. In this work both undoped and varied amount of uranium doped Sr 2 CeO 4 compound is synthesized using complex polymerization method and is characterized systematically using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both XRD and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of pure Sr 2 CeO 4 which has tendency to decompose peritectically to SrCeO 3 and SrO at higher temperature. Uranium doping is confirmed by XRD. Uranium exhibits a rich chemistry owing to its variable oxidation state from +3 to +6. Each of them exhibits distinct luminescence properties either due to f-f transitions or ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT). We have taken Sr 2 CeO 4 as a model host lattice to understand the photophysical characteristics of uranium ion in it. Emission spectroscopy revealed the stabilization of uranium as U (VI) in the form of UO 6 6- (octahedral uranate) in Sr 2 CeO 4 . Emission kinetics study reflects that uranate ions are not homogeneously distributed in Sr 2 CeO 4 and it has two different environments due to its stabilization at both Sr 2+ as well as Ce 4+ site. The lifetime population analysis interestingly pinpointed that majority of uranate ion resided at Ce 4+ site. The critical energy-transfer distance between the uranate ion was determined based on which the concentration quenching mechanism was attributed to electric multipolar interaction. These studies are very important in designing Sr 2 CeO 4 based optoelectronic material as well exploring it for actinides studies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Solid state speciation of uranium and its local structure in Sr2CeO4 using photoluminescence spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahu, M.; Gupta, Santosh K.; Jain, D.; Saxena, M. K.; Kadam, R. M.

2018-04-01

An effort was taken to carry our speciation study of uranium ion in technologically important cerate host Sr2CeO4 using time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Such studies are not relevant only to nuclear industry but can give rich insight into fundamentals of 5f electron chemistry in solid state systems. In this work both undoped and varied amount of uranium doped Sr2CeO4 compound is synthesized using complex polymerization method and is characterized systematically using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both XRD and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of pure Sr2CeO4 which has tendency to decompose peritectically to SrCeO3 and SrO at higher temperature. Uranium doping is confirmed by XRD. Uranium exhibits a rich chemistry owing to its variable oxidation state from +3 to +6. Each of them exhibits distinct luminescence properties either due to f-f transitions or ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT). We have taken Sr2CeO4 as a model host lattice to understand the photophysical characteristics of uranium ion in it. Emission spectroscopy revealed the stabilization of uranium as U (VI) in the form of UO66- (octahedral uranate) in Sr2CeO4. Emission kinetics study reflects that uranate ions are not homogeneously distributed in Sr2CeO4 and it has two different environments due to its stabilization at both Sr2+ as well as Ce4+ site. The lifetime population analysis interestingly pinpointed that majority of uranate ion resided at Ce4+ site. The critical energy-transfer distance between the uranate ion was determined based on which the concentration quenching mechanism was attributed to electric multipolar interaction. These studies are very important in designing Sr2CeO4 based optoelectronic material as well exploring it for actinides studies.

Formal and Informal Continuing Education Activities and Athletic Training Professional Practice

PubMed Central

Armstrong, Kirk J.; Weidner, Thomas G.

2010-01-01

Abstract Context: Continuing education (CE) is intended to promote professional growth and, ultimately, to enhance professional practice. Objective: To determine certified athletic trainers' participation in formal (ie, approved for CE credit) and informal (ie, not approved for CE credit) CE activities and the perceived effect these activities have on professional practice with regard to improving knowledge, clinical skills and abilities, attitudes toward patient care, and patient care itself. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Athletic training practice settings. Patients or Other Participants: Of a geographic, stratified random sample of 1000 athletic trainers, 427 (42.7%) completed the survey. Main Outcome Measure(s): The Survey of Formal and Informal Athletic Training Continuing Education Activities was developed and administered electronically. The survey consisted of demographic characteristics and Likert-scale items regarding CE participation and perceived effect of CE on professional practice. Internal consistency of survey items was determined using the Cronbach α (α  =  0.945). Descriptive statistics were computed for all items. An analysis of variance and dependent t tests were calculated to determine differences among respondents' demographic characteristics and their participation in, and perceived effect of, CE activities. The α level was set at .05. Results: Respondents completed more informal CE activities than formal CE activities. Participation in informal CE activities included reading athletic training journals (75.4%), whereas formal CE activities included attending a Board of Certification–approved workshop, seminar, or professional conference not conducted by the National Athletic Trainers' Association or affiliates or committees (75.6%). Informal CE activities were perceived to improve clinical skills or abilities and attitudes toward patient care. Formal CE activities were perceived to enhance knowledge. Conclusions: More respondents completed informal CE activities than formal CE activities. Both formal and informal CE activities were perceived to enhance athletic training professional practice. Informal CE activities should be explored and considered for CE credit. PMID:20446842

Coinheritance of Hb S [β6(A3)Glu→Val, GAG>GTG] with β0-thalassemia codon 17 (A>T) in a Thai patient.

PubMed

Pornprasert, Sakorn; Panyasai, Sitthichai; Kongthai, Kanyakan; Treesuwan, Kallayanee

2012-01-01

Hb S [β6(A3)Glu→Val, GAG>GTG] is a β-globin gene variant that has a very low incidence in the Thai population. Coinheritance of Hb S and β(0)-thalassemia (β-thal) can result in severe clinical conditions. This study reports the case of a Thai patient with a compound heterozygosity for Hb S and β(0)-thal codon 17 (A>T). His hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (packed cell volume, PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) levels were all less than the lower limits, while red cell distribution width (RDW) was higher than the upper limit. Levels of Hbs S, F and A(2) detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were comparable to those from capillary electrophoresis (CE). As Hb S has a similar electrophoretic mobility and the HPLC profile is also similar to those of Hb Tak [β147, Term→Thr (+AC)] and Hb D-Punjab [β121(GH4)Glu→Gln, GAA>CAA], DNA sequencing was then performed. This was to detect β(0)-thal, and to differentiate Hb S from the Hb Tak and Hb D-Punjab mutations. The β(0)-thal codon 17 and Hb S mutations were detected indicating that coinheritance of these two mutations can be found in the Thai population. Therefore, to provide proper clinical management and genetic counseling of this rare case, DNA analysis should be performed in all cases when a peak at the S-window is detected by HPLC or CE.

Comparison of Background Parenchymal Enhancement at Contrast-enhanced Spectral Mammography and Breast MR Imaging

PubMed Central

Morris, Elizabeth A.; Kaplan, Jennifer B.; D’Alessio, Donna; Goldman, Debra; Moskowitz, Chaya S.

2017-01-01

Purpose To assess the extent of background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) at contrast material–enhanced (CE) spectral mammography and breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, to evaluate interreader agreement in BPE assessment, and to examine the relationships between clinical factors and BPE. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective, institutional review board–approved, HIPAA-compliant study. Two hundred seventy-eight women from 25 to 76 years of age with increased breast cancer risk who underwent CE spectral mammography and MR imaging for screening or staging from 2010 through 2014 were included. Three readers independently rated BPE on CE spectral mammographic and MR images with the ordinal scale: minimal, mild, moderate, or marked. To assess pairwise agreement between BPE levels on CE spectral mammographic and MR images and among readers, weighted κ coefficients with quadratic weights were calculated. For overall agreement, mean κ values and bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The univariate and multivariate associations between BPE and clinical factors were examined by using generalized estimating equations separately for CE spectral mammography and MR imaging. Results Most women had minimal or mild BPE at both CE spectral mammography (68%–76%) and MR imaging (69%–76%). Between CE spectral mammography and MR imaging, the intrareader agreement ranged from moderate to substantial (κ = 0.55–0.67). Overall agreement on BPE levels between CE spectral mammography and MR imaging and among readers was substantial (κ = 0.66; 95% confidence interval: 0.61, 0.70). With both modalities, BPE demonstrated significant association with menopausal status, prior breast radiation therapy, hormonal treatment, breast density on CE spectral mammographic images, and amount of fibroglandular tissue on MR images (P < .001 for all). Conclusion There was substantial agreement between readers for BPE detected on CE spectral mammographic and MR images. © RSNA, 2016 PMID:27379544

Impact on total population health and societal cost, and the implication on the actual cost-effectiveness of including tumour necrosis factor-α antagonists in management of ankylosing spondylitis: a dynamic population modelling study.

PubMed

Tran-Duy, An; Boonen, Annelies; van de Laar, Mart A F J; Severens, Johan L

2015-01-01

Sequential treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) that includes tumour necrosis factor-α antagonists (anti-TNF agents) has been applied in most of the Western countries. Existing cost-effectiveness (CE) models almost exclusively presented the incremental CE of anti-TNF agents using a closed cohort while budget impact studies are mainly lacking. Notwithstanding, information on impact on total population health and societal budget as well as on actual incremental CE for a given decision time span are important for decision makers. This study aimed at quantifying, for different decision time spans starting from January 1, 2014 in the Dutch society, (1) impact of sequential drug treatment strategies without and with inclusion of anti-TNF agents (Strategies 1 and 2, respectively) on total population health and societal cost, and (2) the actual incremental CE of Strategy 2 compared to Strategy 1. Dynamic population modelling was used to capture total population health and cost, and the actual incremental CE. Distinguishing the prevalent AS population on January 1, 2014 and the incident AS cohorts in the subsequent 20 years, the model tracked individually an actual number of AS patients until death or end of the simulation time. During the simulation, data on patient characteristics, history of drug use, costs and health at discrete time points were generated. In Strategy 1, five nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were available but anti-TNF agents withdrawn. In Strategy 2, five NSAIDs and two anti-TNF agents continued to be available. The predicted size of the prevalent AS population in the Dutch society varied within the range of 67,145-69,957 with 44-46 % of the patients receiving anti-TNF agents over the period 2014-2034. The use of anti-TNF agents resulted in an increase in the annual drug costs (168.54-205.28 million Euros), but at the same time caused a decrease in the annual productivity costs (12.58-31.21 million Euros) and in annual costs of healthcare categories other than drugs (7.23-11.90 million Euros). Incremental cost (Euros) per QALY gained in Strategy 2 compared to Strategy 1 corresponding to decision time spans of 5, 10, 15 and 20 years improved slightly from 75,379 to 67,268, 63,938 and 61,129, respectively. At willingness-to-pay thresholds of 118,656, 112,067, 110,188 and 110,512 Euros, it was 99 % certain that Strategy 2 was cost-effective for decision time spans of 5, 10, 15 and 20, respectively. Using the dynamic population approach, the present model can project real-time data to inform a healthcare system decision that affects all actual number of AS patients eligible for anti-TNF agents within different decision time spans. The predicted total population costs of different categories in the present study can help plan the organization of the healthcare resources based on the national budget for the disease.

Cinnamon extract regulates glucose transporter and insulin-signaling gene expression in mouse adipocytes.

PubMed

Cao, Heping; Graves, Donald J; Anderson, Richard A

2010-11-01

Cinnamon extracts (CE) are reported to have beneficial effects on people with normal and impaired glucose tolerance, the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance. However, clinical results are controversial. Molecular characterization of CE effects is limited. This study investigated the effects of CE on gene expression in cultured mouse adipocytes. Water-soluble CE was prepared from ground cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii). Quantitative real-time PCR was used to investigate CE effects on the expression of genes coding for adipokines, glucose transporter (GLUT) family, and insulin-signaling components in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CE (100 μg/ml) increased GLUT1 mRNA levels 1.91±0.15, 4.39±0.78, and 6.98±2.18-fold of the control after 2-, 4-, and 16-h treatments, respectively. CE decreased the expression of further genes encoding insulin-signaling pathway proteins including GSK3B, IGF1R, IGF2R, and PIK3R1. This study indicates that CE regulates the expression of multiple genes in adipocytes and this regulation could contribute to the potential health benefits of CE. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Role of cerium oxide nanoparticle-induced autophagy as a safeguard to exogenous H2O2-mediated DNA damage in tobacco BY-2 cells.

PubMed

Sadhu, Abhishek; Ghosh, Ilika; Moriyasu, Yuji; Mukherjee, Anita; Bandyopadhyay, Maumita

2018-04-13

The effect of cerium oxide nanoparticle (CeNP) in plants has elicited substantial controversy. While some investigators have reported that CeNP possesses antioxidant properties, others observed CeNP to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS). In spite of considerable research carried out on the effects of CeNP in metazoans, fundamental studies that can unveil its intracellular consequences linking ROS production, autophagy and DNA damage are lacking in plants. To elucidate the impact of CeNP within plant cells, tobacco BY-2 cells were treated with 10, 50 and 250 µg ml-1 CeNP (Ce10, Ce50 and Ce250), for 24 h. Results demonstrated concentration-dependent accumulation of Ca2+ and ROS at all CeNP treatment sets. However, significant DNA damage and alteration in antioxidant defence systems were noted prominently at Ce50 and Ce250. Moreover, Ce50 and Ce250 induced DNA damage, analysed by comet assay and DNA diffusion experiments, complied with the concomitant increase in ROS. Furthermore, to evaluate the antioxidant property of CeNP, treated cells were washed after 24 h (to minimise CeNP interference) and challenged with H2O2 for 3 h. Ce10 did not induce genotoxicity and H2O2 exposure to Ce10-treated cells showed lesser DNA breakage than cells treated with H2O2 only. Interestingly, Ce10 provided better protection over N-acetyl-L-cysteine against exogenous H2O2 in BY-2 cells. CeNP exposure to transgenic BY-2 cells expressing GFP-Atg8 fusion protein exhibited formation of autophagosomes at Ce10. Application of vacuolar protease inhibitor E-64c and fluorescent basic dye acridine orange, further demonstrated accumulation of particulate matters in the vacuole and occurrence of acidic compartments, the autophagolysosomes, respectively. BY-2 cells co-treated with CeNP and autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine exhibited increased DNA damage in Ce10 and cell death at all assessed treatment sets. Thus, current results substantiate an alternative autophagy-mediated, antioxidant and geno-protective role of CeNP, which will aid in deciphering novel phenomena of plant-nanoparticle interaction at cellular level.

Realizing luminescent downshifting in ZnO thin films by Ce doping with enhancement of photocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narayanan, Nripasree; Deepak, N. K.

2018-04-01

ZnO thin films doped with Ce at different concentration were deposited on glass substrates by spray pyrolysis technique. XRD analysis revealed the phase purity and polycrystalline nature of the films with hexagonal wurtzite geometry and the composition analysis confirmed the incorporation of Ce in the ZnO lattice in the case of doped films. Crystalline quality and optical transmittance diminished while electrical conductivity enhanced with Ce doping. Ce doping resulted in a red-shift of optical energy gap due to the downshift of the conduction band minimum after merging with Ce related impurity bands formed below the conduction band in the forbidden gap. In the room temperature photoluminescence spectra, UV emission intensity of the doped films decreased while the intensity of the visible emission band increased drastically implying the degradation in crystallinity as well as the incorporation of defect levels capable of luminescence downshifting. Ce doping showed improvement in photocatalytic efficiency by effectively trapping the free carriers and then transferring for dye degradation. Thus Ce doped ZnO thin films are capable of acting as luminescent downshifters as well as efficient photocatalysts.

Crystal structure, electronic structure, temperature-dependent optical and scintillation properties of CsCe 2Br 7

DOE PAGES

Wu, Yuntao; Shi, Hongliang; Chakoumakos, Bryan C.; ...

2015-10-05

CsCe 2Br 7 is a self-activated inorganic scintillator that shows promising performance, but the understanding of the important structure-property relationships is lacking. In this work, we conduct a comprehensive study on CCsCe 2Br 7. The crystal structure of CsCe 2Br 7 is refined using single crystal X-ray study for the first time. It crystallizes into the orthorhombic crystal system with Pmnb space group. Its electronic structure is revealed by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Two cerium emission centers are identified and the energy barriers related to the thermal quenching to 4f ground states of Ce 3+ for these two Cemore » centers are evaluated. CsCe 2Br 7 single crystal has better light yield and energy resolution than CsCe 2Cl 7, but with an additional slow decay component of 1.7 s. The existence of a deep trap with a depth of 0.9 eV in CsCe 2Cl 7 contributes to its higher afterglow level in comparison to that of CsCe 2Br 7. The most possible point defects in CsCe 2Cl 7 and CsCe 2Br 7 are proposed by considering the vapour pressure in the growth atmosphere upon melting point.« less

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

Liu Jinzhong; Han Zhanwen; Zhang Fenghui

Close double white dwarfs (CDWDs) are believed to dominate the Galactic gravitational wave (GW) radiation in the frequency range 10{sup -4} to 0.1 Hz, which will be detected by the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) detector. The aim of this detector is to detect GW radiation from astrophysical sources in the universe and to help improve our understanding of the origin of the sources and their physical properties (masses and orbital periods). In this paper, we study the probable candidate sources in the Galaxy for the LISA detector: CDWDs. We use the binary population synthesis approach of CDWDs together withmore » the latest findings of the synthesis models from Han, who proposed three evolutionary channels: (1) stable Roche lobe overflow plus common envelope (RLOF+CE), (2) CE+CE, and (3) exposed core plus CE. As a result, we systematically investigate the detailed physical properties (the distributions of masses, orbital periods, and chirp masses) of the CDWD sources for the LISA detector, examine the importance of the three evolutionary channels for the formation of CDWDs, and carry out Monte Carlo simulations. Our results show that RLOF+CE and CE+CE are the main evolutionary scenarios leading to the formation of CDWDs. For the LISA detectable sources, we also explore and discuss the importance of these three evolutionary channels. Using the calculated birth rate, we compare our results to the LISA sensitivity curve and the foreground noise floor of CDWDs. We find that our estimate for the number of CDWD sources that can be detected by the LISA detector is greater than 10,000. We also find that the detectable CDWDs are produced via the CE+CE channel and we analyze the fraction of the detectable CDWDs that are double helium (He+He), or carbon-oxygen plus helium (CO+He) WD binary systems.« less

Genetic evaluation using single-step genomic best linear unbiased predictor in American Angus.

PubMed

Lourenco, D A L; Tsuruta, S; Fragomeni, B O; Masuda, Y; Aguilar, I; Legarra, A; Bertrand, J K; Amen, T S; Wang, L; Moser, D W; Misztal, I

2015-06-01

Predictive ability of genomic EBV when using single-step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP) in Angus cattle was investigated. Over 6 million records were available on birth weight (BiW) and weaning weight (WW), almost 3.4 million on postweaning gain (PWG), and over 1.3 million on calving ease (CE). Genomic information was available on, at most, 51,883 animals, which included high and low EBV accuracy animals. Traditional EBV was computed by BLUP and genomic EBV by ssGBLUP and indirect prediction based on SNP effects was derived from ssGBLUP; SNP effects were calculated based on the following reference populations: ref_2k (contains top bulls and top cows that had an EBV accuracy for BiW ≥0.85), ref_8k (contains all parents that were genotyped), and ref_33k (contains all genotyped animals born up to 2012). Indirect prediction was obtained as direct genomic value (DGV) or as an index of DGV and parent average (PA). Additionally, runs with ssGBLUP used the inverse of the genomic relationship matrix calculated by an algorithm for proven and young animals (APY) that uses recursions on a small subset of reference animals. An extra reference subset included 3,872 genotyped parents of genotyped animals (ref_4k). Cross-validation was used to assess predictive ability on a validation population of 18,721 animals born in 2013. Computations for growth traits used multiple-trait linear model and, for CE, a bivariate CE-BiW threshold-linear model. With BLUP, predictivities were 0.29, 0.34, 0.23, and 0.12 for BiW, WW, PWG, and CE, respectively. With ssGBLUP and ref_2k, predictivities were 0.34, 0.35, 0.27, and 0.13 for BiW, WW, PWG, and CE, respectively, and with ssGBLUP and ref_33k, predictivities were 0.39, 0.38, 0.29, and 0.13 for BiW, WW, PWG, and CE, respectively. Low predictivity for CE was due to low incidence rate of difficult calving. Indirect predictions with ref_33k were as accurate as with full ssGBLUP. Using the APY and recursions on ref_4k gave 88% gains of full ssGBLUP and using the APY and recursions on ref_8k gave 97% gains of full ssGBLUP. Genomic evaluation in beef cattle with ssGBLUP is feasible while keeping the models (maternal, multiple trait, and threshold) already used in regular BLUP. Gains in predictivity are dependent on the composition of the reference population. Indirect predictions via SNP effects derived from ssGBLUP allow for accurate genomic predictions on young animals, with no advantage of including PA in the index if the reference population is large. With the APY conditioning on about 10,000 reference animals, ssGBLUP is potentially applicable to a large number of genotyped animals without compromising predictive ability.

Climatic shocks associate with innovation in science and technology.

PubMed

De Dreu, Carsten K W; van Dijk, Mathijs A

2018-01-01

Human history is shaped by landmark discoveries in science and technology. However, across both time and space the rate of innovation is erratic: Periods of relative inertia alternate with bursts of creative science and rapid cascades of technological innovations. While the origins of the rise and fall in rates of discovery and innovation remain poorly understood, they may reflect adaptive responses to exogenously emerging threats and pressures. Here we examined this possibility by fitting annual rates of scientific discovery and technological innovation to climatic variability and its associated economic pressures and resource scarcity. In time-series data from Europe (1500-1900CE), we indeed found that rates of innovation are higher during prolonged periods of cold (versus warm) surface temperature and during the presence (versus absence) of volcanic dust veils. This negative temperature-innovation link was confirmed in annual time-series for France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (1901-1965CE). Combined, across almost 500 years and over 5,000 documented innovations and discoveries, a 0.5°C increase in temperature associates with a sizable 0.30-0.60 standard deviation decrease in innovation. Results were robust to controlling for fluctuations in population size. Furthermore, and consistent with economic theory and micro-level data on group innovation, path analyses revealed that the relation between harsher climatic conditions between 1500-1900CE and more innovation is mediated by climate-induced economic pressures and resource scarcity.

Continuing education needs of non-specialty-trained Army general dentists.

PubMed

Chisick, M C

1994-04-01

In this survey, preferences for dental continuing education (C.E.) topics for non-specialty-trained Army general dentists were explored across personal and practice characteristics and were compared with C.E. topics that their supervisors think they need. Among general dentists, preferences for dental C.E. topics were found to vary across level of training, assignment location, experience, and presence of specialists in clinic of assignment. C.E. preferences of general dentists were found to be more narrowly clinically focused than those that their supervisors think they need. All groups ranked Management of Medical Emergencies as the most needed dental C.E. topic. The current inventory of Army dental C.E. courses is meeting the needs expressed by survey respondents with the exception of human relations courses. Topics such as Motivating Co-Workers, Management of Job Stress, and Working with Difficult People, which received high ratings in this survey, should be incorporated into the Army dental C.E. system.

A randomized trial of tigecycline versus ampicillin-sulbactam or amoxicillin-clavulanate for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSIs) frequently result in hospitalization with significant morbidity and mortality. Methods In this phase 3b/4 parallel, randomized, open-label, comparative study, 531 subjects with cSSSI received tigecycline (100 mg initial dose, then 50 mg intravenously every 12 hrs) or ampicillin-sulbactam 1.5-3 g IV every 6 hrs or amoxicillin-clavulanate 1.2 g IV every 6-8 hrs. Vancomycin could be added at the discretion of the investigator to the comparator arm if methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was confirmed or suspected within 72 hrs of enrollment. The primary endpoint was clinical response in the clinically evaluable (CE) population at the test-of-cure (TOC) visit. Microbiologic response and safety were also assessed. The modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population comprised 531 subjects (tigecycline, n = 268; comparator, n = 263) and 405 were clinically evaluable (tigecycline, n = 209; comparator, n = 196). Results In the CE population, 162/209 (77.5%) tigecycline-treated subjects and 152/196 (77.6%) comparator-treated subjects were clinically cured (difference 0.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -8.7, 8.6). The eradication rates at the subject level for the microbiologically evaluable (ME) population were 79.2% in the tigecycline treatment group and 76.8% in the comparator treatment group (difference 2.4; 95% CI: -9.6, 14.4) at the TOC assessment. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea rates were higher in the tigecycline group. Conclusions Tigecycline was generally safe and effective in the treatment of cSSSIs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00368537 PMID:23145952

A randomized trial of tigecycline versus ampicillin-sulbactam or amoxicillin-clavulanate for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections.

PubMed

Matthews, Peter; Alpert, Marc; Rahav, Galia; Rill, Denise; Zito, Edward; Gardiner, David; Pedersen, Ron; Babinchak, Timothy; McGovern, Paul C

2012-11-12

Complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSIs) frequently result in hospitalization with significant morbidity and mortality. In this phase 3b/4 parallel, randomized, open-label, comparative study, 531 subjects with cSSSI received tigecycline (100 mg initial dose, then 50 mg intravenously every 12 hrs) or ampicillin-sulbactam 1.5-3 g IV every 6 hrs or amoxicillin-clavulanate 1.2 g IV every 6-8 hrs. Vancomycin could be added at the discretion of the investigator to the comparator arm if methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was confirmed or suspected within 72 hrs of enrollment. The primary endpoint was clinical response in the clinically evaluable (CE) population at the test-of-cure (TOC) visit. Microbiologic response and safety were also assessed. The modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population comprised 531 subjects (tigecycline, n = 268; comparator, n = 263) and 405 were clinically evaluable (tigecycline, n = 209; comparator, n = 196). In the CE population, 162/209 (77.5%) tigecycline-treated subjects and 152/196 (77.6%) comparator-treated subjects were clinically cured (difference 0.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -8.7, 8.6). The eradication rates at the subject level for the microbiologically evaluable (ME) population were 79.2% in the tigecycline treatment group and 76.8% in the comparator treatment group (difference 2.4; 95% CI: -9.6, 14.4) at the TOC assessment. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea rates were higher in the tigecycline group. Tigecycline was generally safe and effective in the treatment of cSSSIs. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00368537.

The CREAM-CE: First experiences, results and requirements of the four LHC experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendez Lorenzo, Patricia; Santinelli, Roberto; Sciaba, Andrea; Thackray, Nick; Shiers, Jamie; Renshall, Harry; Sgaravatto, Massimo; Padhi, Sanjay

2010-04-01

In terms of the gLite middleware, the current LCG-CE used by the four LHC experiments is about to be deprecated. The new CREAM-CE service (Computing Resource Execution And Management) has been approved to replace the previous service. CREAM-CE is a lightweight service created to handle job management operations at the CE level. It is able to accept requests both via the gLite WMS service and also via direct submission for transmission to the local batch system. This flexible duality provides the experiments with a large level of freedom to adapt the service to their own computing models, but at the same time it requires a careful follow up of the requirements and tests of the experiments to ensure that their needs are fulfilled before real data taking. In this paper we present the current testing results of the four LHC experiments concerning this new service. The operations procedures, which have been elaborated together with the experiment support teams will be discussed. Finally, the experiments requirements and the expectations for both the sites and the service itself are exposed in detail.

Polygenicity and Epistasis Underlie Fitness-Proximal Traits in the Caenorhabditis elegans Multiparental Experimental Evolution (CeMEE) Panel.

PubMed

Noble, Luke M; Chelo, Ivo; Guzella, Thiago; Afonso, Bruno; Riccardi, David D; Ammerman, Patrick; Dayarian, Adel; Carvalho, Sara; Crist, Anna; Pino-Querido, Ania; Shraiman, Boris; Rockman, Matthew V; Teotónio, Henrique

2017-12-01

Understanding the genetic basis of complex traits remains a major challenge in biology. Polygenicity, phenotypic plasticity, and epistasis contribute to phenotypic variance in ways that are rarely clear. This uncertainty can be problematic for estimating heritability, for predicting individual phenotypes from genomic data, and for parameterizing models of phenotypic evolution. Here, we report an advanced recombinant inbred line (RIL) quantitative trait locus mapping panel for the hermaphroditic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans , the C. elegans multiparental experimental evolution (CeMEE) panel. The CeMEE panel, comprising 507 RILs at present, was created by hybridization of 16 wild isolates, experimental evolution for 140-190 generations, and inbreeding by selfing for 13-16 generations. The panel contains 22% of single-nucleotide polymorphisms known to segregate in natural populations, and complements existing C. elegans mapping resources by providing fine resolution and high nucleotide diversity across > 95% of the genome. We apply it to study the genetic basis of two fitness components, fertility and hermaphrodite body size at time of reproduction, with high broad-sense heritability in the CeMEE. While simulations show that we should detect common alleles with additive effects as small as 5%, at gene-level resolution, the genetic architectures of these traits do not feature such alleles. We instead find that a significant fraction of trait variance, approaching 40% for fertility, can be explained by sign epistasis with main effects below the detection limit. In congruence, phenotype prediction from genomic similarity, while generally poor ([Formula: see text]), requires modeling epistasis for optimal accuracy, with most variance attributed to the rapidly evolving chromosome arms. Copyright © 2017 by the Genetics Society of America.

Polygenicity and Epistasis Underlie Fitness-Proximal Traits in the Caenorhabditis elegans Multiparental Experimental Evolution (CeMEE) Panel

PubMed Central

Noble, Luke M.; Chelo, Ivo; Guzella, Thiago; Afonso, Bruno; Riccardi, David D.; Ammerman, Patrick; Dayarian, Adel; Carvalho, Sara; Crist, Anna; Pino-Querido, Ania; Shraiman, Boris; Rockman, Matthew V.; Teotónio, Henrique

2017-01-01

Understanding the genetic basis of complex traits remains a major challenge in biology. Polygenicity, phenotypic plasticity, and epistasis contribute to phenotypic variance in ways that are rarely clear. This uncertainty can be problematic for estimating heritability, for predicting individual phenotypes from genomic data, and for parameterizing models of phenotypic evolution. Here, we report an advanced recombinant inbred line (RIL) quantitative trait locus mapping panel for the hermaphroditic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the C. elegans multiparental experimental evolution (CeMEE) panel. The CeMEE panel, comprising 507 RILs at present, was created by hybridization of 16 wild isolates, experimental evolution for 140–190 generations, and inbreeding by selfing for 13–16 generations. The panel contains 22% of single-nucleotide polymorphisms known to segregate in natural populations, and complements existing C. elegans mapping resources by providing fine resolution and high nucleotide diversity across > 95% of the genome. We apply it to study the genetic basis of two fitness components, fertility and hermaphrodite body size at time of reproduction, with high broad-sense heritability in the CeMEE. While simulations show that we should detect common alleles with additive effects as small as 5%, at gene-level resolution, the genetic architectures of these traits do not feature such alleles. We instead find that a significant fraction of trait variance, approaching 40% for fertility, can be explained by sign epistasis with main effects below the detection limit. In congruence, phenotype prediction from genomic similarity, while generally poor (r2<10%), requires modeling epistasis for optimal accuracy, with most variance attributed to the rapidly evolving chromosome arms. PMID:29066469

Cinnamon extract regulates plasma levels of adipose-derived factors and expression of multiple genes related to carbohydrate metabolism and lipogenesis in adipose tissue of fructose-fed rats

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We reported previously that a dietary cinnamon extract (CE) improves systemic insulin sensitivity and dyslipidemia by enhancing insulin signaling. In the present study, we examined the effects of CE on several biomarkers including plasma levels of adipose-derived adipokines, and the potential molec...

Reliability of plasma polar metabolite concentrations in a large-scale cohort study using capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Harada, Sei; Hirayama, Akiyoshi; Chan, Queenie; Kurihara, Ayako; Fukai, Kota; Iida, Miho; Kato, Suzuka; Sugiyama, Daisuke; Kuwabara, Kazuyo; Takeuchi, Ayano; Akiyama, Miki; Okamura, Tomonori; Ebbels, Timothy M D; Elliott, Paul; Tomita, Masaru; Sato, Asako; Suzuki, Chizuru; Sugimoto, Masahiro; Soga, Tomoyoshi; Takebayashi, Toru

2018-01-01

Cohort studies with metabolomics data are becoming more widespread, however, large-scale studies involving 10,000s of participants are still limited, especially in Asian populations. Therefore, we started the Tsuruoka Metabolomics Cohort Study enrolling 11,002 community-dwelling adults in Japan, and using capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The CE-MS method is highly amenable to absolute quantification of polar metabolites, however, its reliability for large-scale measurement is unclear. The aim of this study is to examine reproducibility and validity of large-scale CE-MS measurements. In addition, the study presents absolute concentrations of polar metabolites in human plasma, which can be used in future as reference ranges in a Japanese population. Metabolomic profiling of 8,413 fasting plasma samples were completed using CE-MS, and 94 polar metabolites were structurally identified and quantified. Quality control (QC) samples were injected every ten samples and assessed throughout the analysis. Inter- and intra-batch coefficients of variation of QC and participant samples, and technical intraclass correlation coefficients were estimated. Passing-Bablok regression of plasma concentrations by CE-MS on serum concentrations by standard clinical chemistry assays was conducted for creatinine and uric acid. In QC samples, coefficient of variation was less than 20% for 64 metabolites, and less than 30% for 80 metabolites out of the 94 metabolites. Inter-batch coefficient of variation was less than 20% for 81 metabolites. Estimated technical intraclass correlation coefficient was above 0.75 for 67 metabolites. The slope of Passing-Bablok regression was estimated as 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.95, 0.98) for creatinine and 0.95 (0.92, 0.96) for uric acid. Compared to published data from other large cohort measurement platforms, reproducibility of metabolites common to the platforms was similar to or better than in the other studies. These results show that our CE-MS platform is suitable for conducting large-scale epidemiological studies.

Properties of transparent (Gd,Lu)3(Al,Ga)5O12:Ce ceramic with Mg, Ca and Ce co-dopants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yimin; Baldoni, Gary; Brecher, Charles; Rhodes, William H.; Shirwadkar, Urmila; Glodo, Jarek; Shah, Ishaan; Ji, Chuncheng

2015-08-01

Cerium activated mixed lutetium/gadolinium- and aluminum/gallium-based garnets have great potential as host scintillators for medical imaging applications. (Gd,Lu)3(Al,Ga)5O12:Ce and denoted as GLuGAG feature high effective atomic number and good light yield, which make it particularly attractive for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and other γ-ray detection applications. For PET application, rapid decay and good timing resolution are extremely important. Most Ce-doped mixed garnet materials such as GLuGAG:Ce, have their main decay component at around 80 ns. However, it has been reported that the decays of some single crystal scintillators (e.g., LSO and GGAG) can be effectively accelerated by codoping with selected additives such as Ca, Mg and B. In this study, transparent polycrystalline (Gd,Lu)3(Al,Ga)5O12:Ce ceramics codoped with Ca or Mg or additional Ce, were fabricated by the sinter-HIP approach. It was found the transmission of the ceramics are closely related to the microstructure of the ceramics. As the co-dopant levels increase, 2nd phase occurs in the ceramic and thus transparency of the ceramic decreases. Ca and Mg co-doping in GLuGAG:Ce ceramic effectively accelerate decays of GLuGAG:Ce ceramics at a cost of light output. However, additional Ce doping in the GLuGAG:Ce has no benefit on improving decay time but, on the other hand, reduces transmission, light output. The mechanism under the different scintillation behaviors with Mg, Ca and Ce dopants are discussed. The results suggest that decay time of GLuGAG:Ce ceramics can be effectively tailored by co-doping GLuGAG:Ce ceramic with Mg and Ca for applications with optimal timing resolution.

Comparison of gestational age classifications: date of last menstrual period vs. clinical estimate.

PubMed

Wingate, Martha S; Alexander, Greg R; Buekens, Pierre; Vahratian, Anjel

2007-06-01

The purpose was to compare the two different measures of gestational age currently used on birth certificates (the duration of pregnancy based on the date of last menstrual period [LMP] and the clinical estimate [CE] as related to health status indicators. We contrasted these measures by race/ethnicity. NCHS natality files for 2000-2002 were used, selecting cases of single live birth to U.S. resident mothers with both LMP and CE gestational age information. Approximately 75% of the records had valid LMP and CE values and for approximately one-half of these, the LMP and CE values did not exactly agree. Overall and for each race and ethnic group, the LMP measures resulted in higher proportions of very preterm, preterm, postterm and SGA births. CE value provided preterm rates of 7.9% and for LMP, 9.9%. The odds ratio of preterm birth for African-Americans using the CE measure was 1.78 [95% Cl 1.77-1.79]. The odds ratio using LMP was 1.93 [95% Cl 1.92-1.94]. Whites were the referent population. Different measures of gestational age result in different overall and race-specific rates of very preterm, preterm, postterm, and SGA births. These findings indicate that substituting or combining these measures may have consequences.

Optical properties of BaY2F8:Ce3+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fabeni, P.; di Martino, D.; Nikl, M.; Pazzi, G. P.; Sani, E.; Toncelli, A.; Tonelli, M.; Vedda, A.

2005-01-01

The optical properties of Ce3+-doped BaY2F8 crystals were investigated under selective laser excitation and X-ray irradiation. In both cases, the emission spectrum is dominated by the characteristic doublet transition from the lowest energy level of the 5d configuration to the spin-orbit split 2F ground state of Ce3+. Excitation bands at 4.1, 5.0, 5.9 and 6.2 eV, due to transitions between 4f and split 5d levels were observed. The emission time decay was satisfactorily analyzed by a single exponential component, characterized by a decay time of approximately 28 ns at 10 K and slightly increasing with temperature. A monotonic temperature quenching of the photo-luminescence intensity was observed; on the other hand, the temperature dependence of radio-luminescence intensity is modulated by the presence of shallow traps competing with Ce3+ ions in carrier trapping during irradiation.

Nonlinear autoregressive neural networks with external inputs for forecasting of typhoon inundation level.

PubMed

Ouyang, Huei-Tau

2017-08-01

Accurate inundation level forecasting during typhoon invasion is crucial for organizing response actions such as the evacuation of people from areas that could potentially flood. This paper explores the ability of nonlinear autoregressive neural networks with exogenous inputs (NARX) to predict inundation levels induced by typhoons. Two types of NARX architecture were employed: series-parallel (NARX-S) and parallel (NARX-P). Based on cross-correlation analysis of rainfall and water-level data from historical typhoon records, 10 NARX models (five of each architecture type) were constructed. The forecasting ability of each model was assessed by considering coefficient of efficiency (CE), relative time shift error (RTS), and peak water-level error (PE). The results revealed that high CE performance could be achieved by employing more model input variables. Comparisons of the two types of model demonstrated that the NARX-S models outperformed the NARX-P models in terms of CE and RTS, whereas both performed exceptionally in terms of PE and without significant difference. The NARX-S and NARX-P models with the highest overall performance were identified and their predictions were compared with those of traditional ARX-based models. The NARX-S model outperformed the ARX-based models in all three indexes, whereas the NARX-P model exhibited comparable CE performance and superior RTS and PE performance.

A Tale of Two Community Networks Program Centers: Operationalizing and Assessing CBPR Principles and Evaluating Partnership Outcomes.

PubMed

Arroyo-Johnson, Cassandra; Allen, Michele L; Colditz, Graham A; Hurtado, G Ali; Davey, Cynthia S; Sanders Thompson, Vetta L; Drake, Bettina F; Svetaz, Maria Veronica; Rosas-Lee, Maira; Goodman, Melody S

2015-01-01

Community Networks Program (CNP) centers are required to use a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach within their specific priority communities. Not all communities are the same and unique contextual factors and collaborators' priorities shape each CBPR partnership. There are also established CBPR and community engagement (CE) principles shown to lead to quality CBPR in any community. However, operationalizing and assessing CBPR principles and partnership outcomes to understand the conditions and processes in CBPR that lead to achieving program and project level goals is relatively new in the science of CBPR. We sought to describe the development of surveys on adherence to and implementation of CBPR/CE principles at two CNP centers and examine commonalities and differences in program-versus project-level CBPR evaluation. A case study about the development and application of CBPR/CE principles for the Missouri CNP, Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities, and Minnesota CNP, Padres Informados/Jovenes Preparados, surveys was conducted to compare project versus program operationalization of principles. Survey participant demographics were provided by CNP. Specific domains found in CBPR/CE principles were identified and organized under an existing framework to establish a common ground. Operational definitions and the number of survey items were provided for each domain by CNP. There are distinct differences in operational definitions of CBPR/CE principles at the program and project levels of evaluation. However, commonalities support further research to develop standards for CBPR evaluation across partnerships and at the program and project levels.

Echinococcosis: Control and Prevention.

PubMed

Craig, P S; Hegglin, D; Lightowlers, M W; Torgerson, P R; Wang, Q

2017-01-01

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) has been eliminated or significantly reduced as a public health problem in several previously highly endemic regions. This has been achieved by the long-term application of prevention and control measures primarily targeted to deworming dogs, health education, meat inspection, and effective surveillance in livestock and human populations. Human CE, however, remains a serious neglected zoonotic disease in many resource-poor pastoral regions. The incidence of human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) has increased in continental Europe and is a major public health problem in parts of Eurasia. Better understanding of wildlife ecology for fox and small mammal hosts has enabled targeted anthelmintic baiting of fox populations and development of spatially explicit models to predict population dynamics for key intermediate host species and human AE risk in endemic landscapes. Challenges that remain for echinococcosis control include effective intervention in resource-poor communities, better availability of surveillance tools, optimal application of livestock vaccination, and management and ecology of dog and wildlife host populations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Comparing the value of ecological protection in Sanjiang Plain wetland, Northeast China based on the stated preference method.

PubMed

Fan, Zi Juan; Ao, Chang Lin; Mao, Bi Qi; Chen, Hong Guang; Wang, Xu Dong

2017-02-01

Stated preference method is usually used to evaluate the non-market value of environmental goods which includes contingent valuation method (CVM) and choice experiments (CE). In this paper, stated preference method was adopted to evaluate the non-market value of Sanjiang Plain wetland. A willingness to pay (WTP) evaluation model of stated preference method was constructed based on the random utility theory. The average WTP of CVM and CE was obtained, respectively. The average WTP elicited by CE was 379 yuan per year, and the marginal WTPs of different selection properties including water conservation, wetland area, natural landscape and biodiversity were114.00, 72.55, 59.55 and 37.09 yuan per year, respectively. Meanwhile, the average WTP elicited by CVM was 134 yuan per year. The influence of factors on WTP was analyzed and reasons for protest responses were discussed. Results showed that the respondents' WTP elicited by CE was signi-ficantly higher than that by CVM, and respondents' socio-economic attitudes such as level of education and personal annual income had a significant positive impact on respondents' WTP. There were no significant difference in the reasons of protest responses between CVM and CE. Besides, respondents' multiple attributes and multiple levels analysis could be carried out by CE and the WTP of wetland's selection attributes could be calculated. Therefore, CE had the better ability of revealing respondents' preference information than CVM and its assessment results were more close to the actual value.

Sea-level variability over the Common Era

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopp, Robert; Horton, Benjamin; Kemp, Andrew; Engelhart, Simon; Little, Chris

2017-04-01

The Common Era (CE) sea-level response to climate forcing, and its relationship to centennial-timescale climate variability such as the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and the Little Ice Age (LIA), is fragmentary relative to other proxy-derived climate records (e.g. atmospheric surface temperature). However, the Atlantic coast of North America provides a rich sedimentary record of CE relative sea level with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution to inform mechanisms underlying regional and global sea level variability and their relationship to other climate proxies. This coast has a small tidal range, improving the precision of sea-level reconstructions. Coastal subsidence (from glacial isostatic adjustment, GIA) creates accommodation space that is filled by salt-marsh peat and preserves accurate and precise sea-level indicators and abundant material for radiocarbon dating. In addition to longer term GIA induced land-level change from ongoing collapse of the Laurentide forebulge, these records are ideally situated to capture climate-driven sea level changes. The western North Atlantic Ocean sea level is sensitive to static equilibrium effects from melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet, as well as large-scale changes in ocean circulation and winds. Our reconstructions reveal two distinct patterns in sea-level during the CE along the United States Atlantic coast: (1) South of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to Florida sea-level rise is essentially flat, with the record dominated by long-term geological processes until the onset of historic rates of rise in the late 19th century; (2) North of Cape Hatteras to Connecticut, sea level rise to maximum around 1000CE, a sea-level minimum around 1500 CE, and a long-term sea-level rise through the second half of the second millennium. The northern-intensified sea-level fall beginning 1000 is coincident with shifts toward persistent positive NAO-like atmospheric states inferred from other proxy records and is consistent with climate model simulations forced with sustained NAO-like heat fluxes. Changes in the wind-driven ocean circulation may also contribute to alongshore sea level variability over the CE. To reveal global mean sea level variability, we combine the salt-marsh data from North American Atlantic coast with tide-gauge records and other high resolution proxies from the northern and southern hemispheres. All reconstructions are from coasts that are tectonically stable and are based on four types of proxy archives (archaeological indicators, coral microatolls, salt marsh sediments and vermetid [mollusk] bioconstructions) that are best capable of capturing submeter-scale RSL changes. The database consists of reconstructions from Australasia (n = 2), Europe (n=5), Greenland (n = 3), North America (n = 6), the northern Gulf of Mexico (n = 3), the Mediterranean (n = 1), South Africa (n = 2), South America (n =2) and the South Pacific (n =3). We apply a noisy-input Gaussian process spatio-temporal modeling framework, which identifies a long-term falling global mean sea-level, interrupted in the middle of the 19th century by an acceleration yielding a 20th century rate of rise extremely likely (probability P = 0:95) faster than any previous century in the CE.

Control of Salmonella Enteritidis in turkeys using organic acids and competitive exclusion product.

PubMed

Milbradt, E L; Zamae, J R; Araújo Júnior, J P; Mazza, P; Padovani, C R; Carvalho, V R; Sanfelice, C; Rodrigues, D M; Okamoto, A S; Andreatti Filho, R L

2014-08-01

To evaluate the use of organic acids (OAs) and competitive exclusion (CE) product administered continuously in the feed and transiently in drinking water on the control of Salmonella enterica subspecie enterica serotype Enteritidis (SE) prior to slaughter. The influence of treatments were evaluated on pH, population of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae, concentration of volatile fatty acids and SE colonization in the crop and caecum. The birds were challenged with SE 24 h before being slaughtered, and then, the caeca and crop were removed and subjected to SE counts. Continuous administration of OAs reduced the population of bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family in both crop and caecum, positively influenced the butyric acid concentration and reduced SE colonization in the caecum. The diet supplemented with CE product positively influenced the quantity of LAB in the crop and caecum, elevated the butyric acid concentration and reduced both Enterobacteriaceae quantity and SE colonization in the caecum. There was no effect from administering the treatments via drinking water on the variables measured. Continuous supplementation in feed with OAs and CE product reduced SE colonization of the caeca. Supplementation of OAs and CE product in diet to turkeys can reduce the SE load, potentially leading to a lower contamination risk of meat during slaughter. © 2014 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Time-resolved laser spectroscopy of multiply ionized atoms: natural radiative lifetimes in Ce IV.

PubMed

Zhang, Z G; Svanberg, S; Quinet, P; Palmeri, P; Biémont, E

2001-12-31

Radiative lifetimes have been measured for two excited levels of Ce IV using the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique. Ce3+ ions were produced in a laser-induced plasma. In the measurements, a suitable magnetic field was applied to reduce the recombination between electrons and the ions and thus the background light from the recombination, and special care was exercised to avoid flight-out-of-view effects on the lifetime measurements for the high-velocity ions. The experimental lifetime results, tau = 30(2) ns for the level 49 737 cm(-1) and tau = 30(3) ns for the level 52 226 cm(-1), were compared with relativistic Hartree-Fock calculations (tau = 30.5 and 30.0 ns) indicating a particularly excellent agreement.

Conditions for superconductivity in the electron-doped copper-oxide system, (Nd 1-xCe x) 2CuO 4+δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Y.; Motohashi, T.; Karppinen, M.; Yamauchi, H.

2008-02-01

We report systematic studies on the relations among the Ce IV-for-Nd III substitution level ( x), oxygen-partial pressure ( P), oxygen content (4+ δ), lattice parameters ( a, c) and superconductivity characteristics ( Tc, volume fraction) in the (Nd 1-xCe x) 2Cu 1-yO 4+δ system which includes electron-doped superconductors. Independent of the Ce-doping level x, samples synthesized in air are found oxygen deficient, i.e. δ<0. Nevertheless, reductive annealing is needed to induce superconductivity in the air-synthesized samples. At the same time, the amount of oxygen removed upon the annealing is found very small (e.g. 0.004 oxygen atoms per formula unit at x=0.075), and consequently the effect of the annealing on the valence of copper (and thereby also on the electron doping level) is insignificant. Rather, the main function of the reductive annealing is likely to repair the Cu vacancies believed to exist in tiny concentrations ( y) in the air-synthesized samples.

Crowdsourcing Assessment of Surgeon Dissection of Renal Artery and Vein During Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: A Novel Approach for Quantitative Assessment of Surgical Performance.

PubMed

Powers, Mary K; Boonjindasup, Aaron; Pinsky, Michael; Dorsey, Philip; Maddox, Michael; Su, Li-Ming; Gettman, Matthew; Sundaram, Chandru P; Castle, Erik P; Lee, Jason Y; Lee, Benjamin R

2016-04-01

We sought to describe a methodology of crowdsourcing for obtaining quantitative performance ratings of surgeons performing renal artery and vein dissection of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN). We sought to compare assessment of technical performance obtained from the crowdsourcers with that of surgical content experts (CE). Our hypothesis is that the crowd can score performances of renal hilar dissection comparably to surgical CE using the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS). A group of resident and attending robotic surgeons submitted a total of 14 video clips of RPN during hilar dissection. These videos were rated by both crowd and CE for technical skills performance using GEARS. A minimum of 3 CE and 30 Amazon Mechanical Turk crowdworkers evaluated each video with the GEARS scale. Within 13 days, we received ratings of all videos from all CE, and within 11.5 hours, we received 548 GEARS ratings from crowdworkers. Even though CE were exposed to a training module, internal consistency across videos of CE GEARS ratings remained low (ICC = 0.38). Despite this, we found that crowdworker GEARS ratings of videos were highly correlated with CE ratings at both the video level (R = 0.82, p < 0.001) and surgeon level (R = 0.84, p < 0.001). Similarly, crowdworker ratings of the renal artery dissection were highly correlated with expert assessments (R = 0.83, p < 0.001) for the unique surgery-specific assessment question. We conclude that crowdsourced assessment of qualitative performance ratings may be an alternative and/or adjunct to surgical experts' ratings and would provide a rapid scalable solution to triage technical skills.

Near-infrared quantum-cutting luminescence and energy transfer properties of Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Tm{sup 3+},Ce{sup 3+} phosphors

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

Dong, S. L.; Lin, H. H., E-mail: linhh@hstc.edu.cn, E-mail: qyzhang@scut.edu.cn; Yu, T.

2014-07-14

The phosphors Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Tm{sup 3+} by co-doping Ce{sup 3+} have been synthesized by conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction method. Their spectroscopic properties in the UV-VIS-NIR range have been investigated. The first 5d crystal field level location and stokes shift have been determined from the UV excitation and emission spectra of Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Ce{sup 3+}. The three-photon NIR quantum-cutting luminescence of Tm{sup 3+} assigned to the electronic transitions of {sup 1}G{sub 4}→{sup 3}H{sub 4}, {sup 3}H{sub 4}→{sup 3}F{sub 4} and {sup 3}F{sub 4}→{sup 3}H{sub 6} is observed, whether in Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Tm{sup 3+} or Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Tm{supmore » 3+},Ce{sup 3+}. The energy transfer from Ce{sup 3+} to Tm{sup 3+} takes place with energy-transfer efficiency up to 34.5% for the Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Tm{sup 3+},Ce{sup 3+}. A cross relaxation scheme using the 5d states of Ce{sup 3+} and f-f transition of Tm{sup 3+} is proposed. The mechanism is revealed from energy level and decay measurements. The results show that the broadband absorption of Ce{sup 3+} sensitizer not only extends the spectrum conversion in UV region but also greatly enhances the photoluminescence intensities of the three-photon quantum cutting luminescence of Tm{sup 3+} doped Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}.« less

Bioremediation in fractured rock: 2. Mobilization of chloroethene compounds from the rock matrix

USGS Publications Warehouse

Shapiro, Allen M.; Tiedeman, Claire; Imbrigiotta, Thomas; Goode, Daniel J.; Hsieh, Paul A.; Lacombe, Pierre; DeFlaun, Mary F.; Drew, Scott R.; Curtis, Gary P.

2018-01-01

A mass balance is formulated to evaluate the mobilization of chlorinated ethene compounds (CE) from the rock matrix of a fractured mudstone aquifer under pre- and postbioremediation conditions. The analysis relies on a sparse number of monitoring locations and is constrained by a detailed description of the groundwater flow regime. Groundwater flow modeling developed under the site characterization identified groundwater fluxes to formulate the CE mass balance in the rock volume exposed to the injected remediation amendments. Differences in the CE fluxes into and out of the rock volume identify the total CE mobilized from diffusion, desorption, and nonaqueous phase liquid dissolution under pre- and postinjection conditions. The initial CE mass in the rock matrix prior to remediation is estimated using analyses of CE in rock core. The CE mass mobilized per year under preinjection conditions is small relative to the total CE mass in the rock, indicating that current pump-and-treat and natural attenuation conditions are likely to require hundreds of years to achieve groundwater concentrations that meet regulatory guidelines. The postinjection CE mobilization rate increased by approximately an order of magnitude over the 5 years of monitoring after the amendment injection. This rate is likely to decrease and additional remediation applications over several decades would still be needed to reduce CE mass in the rock matrix to levels where groundwater concentrations in fractures achieve regulatory standards.

The development of Ce3+-activated (Gd,Lu)3Al5O12 garnet solid solutions as efficient yellow-emitting phosphors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jinkai; Li, Ji-Guang; Liu, Shaohong; Li, Xiaodong; Sun, Xudong; Sakka, Yoshio

2013-10-01

Ce3+-activated Gd3Al5O12 garnet, effectively stabilized by Lu3+ doping, has been developed for new yellow-emitting phosphors. The powder processing of [(Gd1-xLux)1-yCey]3Al5O12 solid solutions was achieved through precursor synthesis via carbonate precipitation, followed by annealing. The resultant (Gd,Lu)AG:Ce3+ phosphor particles exhibit typical yellow emission at ˜570 nm (5d-4f transition of Ce3+) upon blue-light excitation at ˜457 nm (the 2F5/2-5d transition of Ce3+). The quenching concentration of Ce3+ was determined to be ˜1.0 at% (y = 0.01) and the quenching mechanism was suggested to be driven by exchange interactions. The best luminescent [(Gd0.9Lu0.1)0.99Ce0.01]AG phosphor is comparative to the well-known YAG:Ce3+ in emission intensity but has a substantially red-shifted emission band that is desired for warm-white lighting. The effects of processing temperature (1000-1500 °C) on the spectroscopic properties of the phosphors, especially those of Lu3+/Ce3+, were thoroughly investigated and discussed from the centroid position and crystal field splitting of the Ce3+ 5d energy levels.

Occupational exposure to wood dust and risk of nasal and nasopharyngeal cancer: A case-control study among men in four nordic countries-With an emphasis on nasal adenocarcinoma.

PubMed

Siew, Sie Sie; Martinsen, Jan Ivar; Kjaerheim, Kristina; Sparén, Pär; Tryggvadottir, Laufey; Weiderpass, Elisabete; Pukkala, Eero

2017-12-15

The current study aims to provide stronger evidence to aid in our understanding of the role of cumulative occupational exposure to (softwood-dominated) mixed wood dust in aetiology of nasal cancer. We included broad exposure occurred in a range of wood-processing occupation across varied industries in four Nordic countries. A population-based case-control study was conducted on all male cases with nasal adenocarcinoma (393 cases), other types of nasal cancer (2,446) and nasopharyngeal cancer (1,747) diagnosed in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland between 1961 and 2005. For each case, five male controls, who were alive at the time of diagnosis of the case (index date), were randomly selected, matched by birth-year and country. Cumulative exposures (CE)s to wood dust and formaldehyde before the index date were quantified based on a job-exposure matrix linked to occupational titles derived from population censuses. Hazard ratios (HRs) for the CE of wood dust were estimated by conditional logistic regression, adjusted for CE to formaldehyde and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. There was an increasing risk of nasal adenocarcinoma related to wood dust exposure. The HR in the highest CE category of wood dust (≥ 28.82 mg/m 3 -years) was 16.5 (95% CI 5.05-54.1). Neither nonadenocarcinoma of the nose nor nasopharyngeal cancer could be linked to wood dust exposure. CE to softwood-dominated mixed wood dusts is strongly linked with elevated risk in nasal adenocarcinoma but not with other types of nasal or nasopharyngeal cancer. © 2017 UICC.

Facile synthesis of ferromagnetic Ni doped CeO2 nanoparticles with enhanced anticancer activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbas, Fazal; Jan, Tariq; Iqbal, Javed; Ahmad, Ishaq; Naqvi, M. Sajjad H.; Malik, Maaza

2015-12-01

NixCe1-xO2 (where x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07) nanoparticles were synthesized by soft chemical method and were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD and Raman results indicated the formation of single phase cubic fluorite structure for the synthesized nanoparticles. Ni dopant induced excessive structural changes such as decrease in crystallite size as well as lattice constants and enhancement in oxygen vacancies in CeO2 crystal structure. These structural variations significantly influenced the optical and magnetic properties of CeO2 nanoparticles. The synthesized NixCe1-xO2 nanoparticles exhibited room temperature ferromagnetic behavior. Ni doping induced effects on the cytotoxicity of CeO2 nanoparticles were examined against HEK-293 healthy cell line and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cancer cell line. The prepared NixCe1-xO2 nanoparticles demonstrated differential cytotoxicity. Furthermore, anticancer activity of CeO2 nanoparticles observed to be significantly enhanced with Ni doping which was found to be strongly correlated with the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The prepared ferromagnetic NixCe1-xO2 nanoparticles with differential cytotoxic nature may be potential for future targeted cancer therapy.

Work-related stress and cognitive enhancement among university teachers.

PubMed

Wiegel, Constantin; Sattler, Sebastian; Göritz, Anja S; Diewald, Martin

2016-01-01

Working conditions of academic staff have become increasingly complex and occupational exposure has risen. This study investigates whether work-related stress is associated with the use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement (CE). The study was designed around three web-based surveys (n1 = 1131; n2 = 936; n3 = 906) to which university teachers at four German universities were asked to respond. It assessed past CE-drug use and the willingness to use CE-drugs as factors influencing future use. Overlap among participants across the surveys allowed for analyses of stability of the results across time. Our study suggests a currently very low prevalence of CE-drug use as well as a low willingness to use such drugs. The results showed a strong association between perceptions of work-related stress and all measures of CE-drug use (when controlling for potential confounding factors). They also showed that past use of CE-drugs increased participants' willingness to use them again in the future, as did lower levels of social support. Two different measures showed that participants' moral qualms against the use of CE-drugs decreased their probability of using them. The results increase our knowledge about the prevalence of CE-drug use and our understanding of what motivates and inhibits the use of CE-drug.

Crystal growth and characterization of Ce:Gd3(Ga,Al)5O12 single crystal using floating zone method in different O2 partial pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshikawa, Akira; Fujimoto, Yutaka; Yamaji, Akihiro; Kurosawa, Shunsuke; Pejchal, Jan; Sugiyama, Makoto; Wakahara, Shingo; Futami, Yoshisuke; Yokota, Yuui; Kamada, Kei; Yubuta, Kunio; Shishido, Toetsu; Nikl, Martin

2013-09-01

Multicomponent garnet Ce:Gd3(Ga,Al)5O12 (Ce:GAGG) single crystals show very high light yield with reasonably fast scintillation response. Therefore, they can be promising scintillators for gamma-ray detection. However, in the decay curve a very slow component does exist. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize further the crystal growth technology of Ce:GAGG. In this study, Ce:GAGG single crystals were grown by the floating zone (FZ) method under atmospheres of various compositions such as Ar 100%, Ar 80% + O2 20%, Ar 60% + O2 40% and O2 100%. Radioluminescence spectra are dominated by the band at about 540 nm due to Ce3+ 5d1-4f transition. The Ce:GAGG single crystal grown under Ar atmosphere shows an intense slower decay component. It can be related to the processes of the delayed radiative recombination and thermally induced ionization of 5d1 level of Ce3+ center possibly further affected by oxygen vacancies. This slower decay process is significantly suppressed in the samples grown under the O2 containing atmosphere.

Reconstructing Common Era relative sea-level change on the Gulf Coast of Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gerlach, Matthew J.; Engelhart, Simon E.; Kemp, Andrew C.; Moyer, Ryan P.; Smoak, Joseph M.; Bernhardt, Christopher E.; Cahill, Niamh

2017-01-01

To address a paucity of Common Era data in the Gulf of Mexico, we reconstructed ~ 1.1 m of relative sea-level (RSL) rise over the past ~ 2000 years at Little Manatee River (Gulf Coast of Florida, USA). We applied a regional-scale foraminiferal transfer function to fossil assemblages preserved in a core of salt-marsh peat and organic silt that was dated using radiocarbon and recognition of pollution, 137Cs and pollen chronohorizons. Our proxy reconstruction was combined with tide-gauge data from four nearby sites spanning 1913–2014 CE. Application of an Errors-in-Variables Integrated Gaussian Process (EIV-IGP) model to the combined proxy and instrumental dataset demonstrates that RSL fell from ~ 350 to 100 BCE, before rising continuously to present. This initial RSL fall was likely the result of local-scale processes (e.g., silting up of a tidal flat or shallow sub-tidal shoal) as salt-marsh development at the site began. Since ~ 0 CE, we consider the reconstruction to be representative of regional-scale RSL trends. We removed a linear rate of 0.3 mm/yr from the RSL record using the EIV-IGP model to estimate climate-driven sea-level trends and to facilitate comparison among sites. This analysis demonstrates that since ~ 0 CE sea level did not deviate significantly from zero until accelerating continuously from ~ 1500 CE to present. Sea level was rising at 1.33 mm/yr in 1900 CE and accelerated until 2014 CE when a rate of 2.02 mm/yr was attained, which is the fastest, century-scale trend in the ~ 2000-year record. Comparison to existing reconstructions from the Gulf coast of Louisiana and the Atlantic coast of northern Florida reveal similar sea-level histories at all three sites. We explored the influence of compaction and fluvial processes on our reconstruction and concluded that compaction was likely insignificant. Fluvial processes were also likely insignificant, but further proxy evidence is needed to fully test this hypothesis. Our results indicate that no significant Common Era sea-level changes took place on the Gulf and southeastern Atlantic U.S. coasts until the onset of modern sea-level rise in the late 19th century.

A theoretical insight into the catalytic effect of a mixed-metal oxide at the nanometer level: The case of the highly active metal/CeOx/TiO2(110) catalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graciani, Jesús; Plata, José J.; Sanz, Javier Fdez.; Liu, Ping; Rodriguez, José A.

2010-03-01

The structural and electronic properties of CeOx species supported on the rutile TiO2(110) surface have been examined by means of periodic density-functional calculations that use a generalized gradient approximation functional including a Hubbard-like type correction. Deposition of Ce atoms leads in a first step to Ce3+ ions bound to the surface through bridge and in-plane oxygen atoms, the released electrons occupying the Ti 3d empty orbitals. Further addition of Ce and molecular oxygen gives place to Ce2O3 dimers diagonally arranged on the surface, in agreement with the spots observed in the scanning tunnel microscope images. The formation process of CeOx nanoparticles (NPs) on the TiO2 surface is highly exothermic and our calculations show that the redox properties of the Ce(III)-Ce(IV) couple are significantly altered when it is supported on TiO2. In particular the reactivity against CO/O2 indicates that on the surface the presence of Ce(III) is favored over Ce(IV) species. Our results also indicate that the CeOx/TiO2 interface should be seen like a real mixed-metal oxide rather than a supported NP of ceria. Finally, in the context of the high catalytic activity of the M /CeOx/TiO2 (M =Au,Cu,Pt) systems in the water-gas shift reaction, we have examined the dissociation of water on the CeOx/TiO2 surface and estimated a barrier as small as 0.04 eV, i.e. ˜8 times smaller than that computed for a TiO2 oxygen vacancy. This result agrees with the experimental superior catalytic activity of the M /CeOx/TiO2 systems over M /TiO2.

Preferences for and Barriers to Formal and Informal Athletic Training Continuing Education Activities

PubMed Central

Armstrong, Kirk J.; Weidner, Thomas G.

2011-01-01

Context: Our previous research determined the frequency of participation and perceived effect of formal and informal continuing education (CE) activities. However, actual preferences for and barriers to CE must be characterized. Objective: To determine the types of formal and informal CE activities preferred by athletic trainers (ATs) and barriers to their participation in these activities. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Athletic training practice settings. Patients or Other Participants: Of a geographically stratified random sample of 1000 ATs, 427 ATs (42.7%) completed the survey. Main Outcome Measure(s): As part of a larger study, the Survey of Formal and Informal Athletic Training Continuing Education Activities (FIATCEA) was developed and administered electronically. The FIATCEA consists of demographic characteristics and Likert scale items (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) about preferred CE activities and barriers to these activities. Internal consistency of survey items, as determined by Cronbach α, was 0.638 for preferred CE activities and 0.860 for barriers to these activities. Descriptive statistics were computed for all items. Differences between respondent demographic characteristics and preferred CE activities and barriers to these activities were determined via analysis of variance and dependent t tests. The α level was set at .05. Results: Hands-on clinical workshops and professional networking were the preferred formal and informal CE activities, respectively. The most frequently reported barriers to formal CE were the cost of attending and travel distance, whereas the most frequently reported barriers to informal CE were personal and job-specific factors. Differences were noted between both the cost of CE and travel distance to CE and all other barriers to CE participation (F1,411 = 233.54, P < .001). Conclusions: Overall, ATs preferred formal CE activities. The same barriers (eg, cost, travel distance) to formal CE appeared to be universal to all ATs. Informal CE was highly valued by ATs because it could be individualized. PMID:22488195

What makes community engagement effective?: Lessons from the Eliminate Dengue Program in Queensland Australia.

PubMed

Kolopack, Pamela A; Parsons, Janet A; Lavery, James V

2015-04-01

Worldwide, more than 40% of the population is at risk from dengue and recent estimates suggest that up to 390 million dengue infections are acquired every year. The Eliminate Dengue (ED) Program is investigating the use of Wolbachia-infected, transmission-compromised, mosquitoes to reduce dengue transmission. Previous introductions of genetically-modified strategies for dengue vector control have generated controversy internationally by inadequately engaging host communities. Community Engagement (CE) was a key component of the ED Program's initial open release trials in Queensland Australia. Their approach to CE was perceived as effective by the ED team's senior leadership, members of its CE team, and by its funders, but if and why this was the case was unclear. We conducted a qualitative case study of the ED Program's approach to CE to identify and critically examine its components, and to explain whether and how these efforts contributed to the support received by stakeholders. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 participants with a range of experiences and perspectives related to the ED Program's CE activities. Our analytic approach combined techniques of grounded theory and qualitative description. The ED Program's approach to CE reflected four foundational features: 1) enabling conditions; 2) leadership; 3) core commitments and guiding values; and 4) formative social science research. These foundations informed five key operational practices: 1) building the CE team; 2) integrating CE into management practices; 3) discerning the community of stakeholders; 4) establishing and maintaining a presence in the community; and 5) socializing the technology and research strategy. We also demonstrate how these practices contributed to stakeholders' willingness to support the trials. Our case study has identified, and explained the functional relationships among, the critical features of the ED Program's approach to CE. It has also illuminated how these features were meaningful to stakeholders and contributed to garnering support within the host communities for the open-release trials. Our findings reveal how translating ethical intentions into effective action is more socially complex than is currently reflected in the CE literature. Because our case study delineates the critical features of the ED Program's approach to CE, it can serve as a framework for other programs to follow when designing their own strategies. And because the findings outline a theory of change for CE, it can also serve as a starting point for developing an evaluation framework for CE.

Investigation of the physical, optical, and photocatalytic properties of CeO2/Fe-doped InVO4 composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaison, Jindaporn; Wetchakun, Khatcharin; Wetchakun, Natda

2017-12-01

The CeO2/Fe-doped InVO4 composites with various Fe concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 6.0 mol%) was synthesized by homogeneous precipitation and hydrothermal methods. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer Emmett and Teller (BET)-specific surface area, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Fe-doping into InVO4 crystal induces the distortion of the crystalline structure, the transformation of InVO4 morphology, and the new energy subband level generation of Fe between the CB and VB edge of InVO4. The electron excitation from the VB to Fe orbitals results in the decreased band gap and the extended absorption of visible-light, and thus enhances its photocatalytic performance. Visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye in water was used to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of CeO2/Fe-doped InVO4 composites. The results revealed that there is an optimum Fe (5.0 mol %) doping level. The composite with the optimum doping level obtains high photocatalytic activity of CeO2/Fe-doped InVO4 composite compared to pure CeO2 and pure InVO4 host. The increase of photocatalytic activity of CeO2/Fe-doped InVO4 composite was ascribed to the surface area, crystal defect, and band gap energy. Moreover, the photocatalytic enhancement is also because iron ions act as a trapping site, which results in the higher separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes pairs in the CeO2/InVO4 composite. The evaluation of radical scavengers confirmed that hydroxyl radical was the main active species during the photodegradation of RhB. These synergistic effects are responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of CeO2/Fe-doped InVO4 composite. Furthermore, the possible enhanced photocatalytic mechanism of the CeO2/Fe-doped InVO4 composite was also proposed based on the calculation of band position.

Magnetic Fields in Interacting Binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briggs, G.; Ferrario, L.; Tout, C. A.; Wickramasinghe, D. T.

2018-01-01

Wickramasinghe et al. (2014) and Briggs et al. (2015) have proposed that the strong magnetic fields observed in some single white dwarfs (MWDs) are formed by an α—Ω dynamo driven by differential rotation when two stars, the more massive one with a degenerate core, merge during common envelope (CE) evolution (Ferrario et al., 2015b). We synthesise a population of binaries to investigate if fields in the magnetic cataclysmic variables (MCVs) may also originate during stellar interaction in the CE phase.

Regional frequency analysis of observed sub-daily rainfall maxima over eastern China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Hemin; Wang, Guojie; Li, Xiucang; Chen, Jing; Su, Buda; Jiang, Tong

2017-02-01

Based on hourly rainfall observational data from 442 stations during 1960-2014, a regional frequency analysis of the annual maxima (AM) sub-daily rainfall series (1-, 2-, 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-h rainfall, using a moving window approach) for eastern China was conducted. Eastern China was divided into 13 homogeneous regions: Northeast (NE1, NE2), Central (C), Central North (CN1, CN2), Central East (CE1, CE2, CE3), Southeast (SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4), and Southwest (SW). The generalized extreme value performed best for the AM series in regions NE, C, CN2, CE1, CE2, SE2, and SW, and the generalized logistic distribution was appropriate in the other regions. Maximum return levels were in the SE4 region, with value ranges of 80-270 mm (1-h to 24-h rainfall) and 108-390 mm (1-h to 24-h rainfall) for 20- and 100 yr, respectively. Minimum return levels were in the CN1 and NE1 regions, with values of 37-104 mm and 53-140 mm for 20 and 100 yr, respectively. Comparing return levels using the optimal and commonly used Pearson-III distribution, the mean return-level differences in eastern China for 1-24-h rainfall varied from -3-4 mm to -23-11 mm (-10%-10%) for 20-yr events, reaching -6-26 mm (-10%-30%) and -10-133 mm (-10%-90%) for 100-yr events. In view of the large differences in estimated return levels, more attention should be given to frequency analysis of sub-daily rainfall over China, for improved water management and disaster reduction.

A Central Amygdala CRF Circuit Facilitates Learning about Weak Threats.

PubMed

Sanford, Christina A; Soden, Marta E; Baird, Madison A; Miller, Samara M; Schulkin, Jay; Palmiter, Richard D; Clark, Michael; Zweifel, Larry S

2017-01-04

Fear is a graded central motive state ranging from mild to intense. As threat intensity increases, fear transitions from discriminative to generalized. The circuit mechanisms that process threats of different intensity are not well resolved. Here, we isolate a unique population of locally projecting neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) that produce the neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). CRF-producing neurons and CRF in the CeA are required for discriminative fear, but both are dispensable for generalized fear at high US intensities. Consistent with a role in discriminative fear, CRF neurons undergo plasticity following threat conditioning and selectively respond to threat-predictive cues. We further show that excitability of genetically isolated CRF-receptive (CRFR1) neurons in the CeA is potently enhanced by CRF and that CRFR1 signaling in the CeA is critical for discriminative fear. These findings demonstrate a novel CRF gain-control circuit and show separable pathways for graded fear processing. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cervical cancer cells suppress effector functions of cytotoxic T cells through the adenosinergic pathway.

PubMed

Mora-García, M L; Ávila-Ibarra, L R; García-Rocha, R; Weiss-Steider, B; Hernández-Montes, J; Don-López, C A; Gutiérrez-Serrano, V; Titla-Vilchis, I J; Fuentes-Castañeda, M C; Monroy-Mora, A; Jave-Suárez, L F; Chacón-Salinas, R; Vallejo-Castillo, L; Pérez-Tapia, S M; Monroy-García, A

2017-10-01

The expression of CD73 in tumor cells plays a significant role in the production of adenosine (Ado) that suppresses antitumor effector cells. In this study we analyzed the capability of HPV-positive (HPV+) cervical cancer (CeCa) cell lines CaSki, SiHa, HeLa, and RoVa; and HPV-negative (HPV-) cell lines C33A and ViBo to produce Ado and inhibit effector functions of CD8+ T cells. HPV+ CeCa cells expressed significantly higher levels of CD73 in the membrane (p<0.01) than HPV- CeCa cells and this expression was associated with the production of larger amounts of Ado (>400μM) compared to HPV-CeCa cells (<200μM) in the presence of AMP, as well asa stronger inhibition of (>50%) proliferation, activation, and cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells via interaction with A2A adenosine receptor. We also provide evidence that silenced E6/E7 expression in CeCa cells, strongly reduced its CD73 expression level and its capability to generate Ado. This results suggest that HPV infection, which is associated with more than 99% of CeCa cases, may present an increased constitutive expression of CD73 in cervical neoplasia to contribute to the suppression of the immune response mediated by the production of large amounts of Ado. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The disease burden of human cystic echinococcosis based on HDRs from 2001 to 2014 in Italy

PubMed Central

Brundu, Diego; Stegel, Giovanni; Loi, Federica; Rolesu, Sandro; Masu, Gabriella; Ledda, Salvatore; Masala, Giovanna

2017-01-01

Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important neglected zoonotic parasitic infection belonging to the subgroup of seven Neglected Zoonotic Disease (NZDs) included in the World Health Organization’s official list of 18 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). CE causes serious global human health concerns and leads to significant economic losses arising from the costs of medical treatment, morbidity, life impairments and fatality rates in human cases. Moreover, CE is endemic in several Italian Regions. The aim of this study is to perform a detailed analysis of the economic burden of hospitalization and treatment costs and to estimate the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) of CE in Italy. Methods and findings In the period from 2001 to 2014, the direct costs of 21,050 Hospital Discharge Records (HDRs) belonging to 12,619 patients with at least one CE-related diagnosis codes were analyzed in order to quantify the economic burden of CE. CE cases average per annum are 901 (min—max = 480–1,583). Direct costs include expenses for hospitalizations, medical and surgical treatment incurred by public and private hospitals and were computed on an individual basis according to Italian Health Ministry legislation. Moreover, we estimated the DALYs for each patient. The Italian financial burden of CE is around € 53 million; the national average economic burden per annum is around € 4 million; the DALYs of the population from 2001 to 2014 are 223.35 annually and 5.26 DALYs per 105 inhabitants. Conclusion In Italy, human CE is responsible for significant economic losses in the public health sector. In humans, costs associated with CE have been shown to have a great impact on affected individuals, their families and the community as a whole. This study could be used as a tool to prioritize and make decisions with regard to a surveillance system for this largely preventable yet neglected disease. It demonstrates the need of implementing a CE control program aimed at preventing the considerable economic and social losses it causes in high incidence areas. PMID:28746395

Advantages of Chemical Exchange-Sensitive Spin-Lock (CESL) Over Saturation Transfer (CEST) for Hydroxyl- and Amine-Water Proton Exchange Studies

PubMed Central

Jin, Tao; Kim, Seong-Gi

2014-01-01

The chemical exchange (CE) rate of endogenous hydroxyl and amine protons with water is often comparable to the difference in their chemical shifts. These intermediate exchange (IMEX) processes have been imaged by the CE saturation transfer (CEST) approach with low-power and long-duration irradiation. However, its sensitivity is not optimal, and more importantly, the signal is contaminated by slow magnetization transfer processes. Here, the property of CEST signals is compared to a CE-sensitive spin-locking (CESL) technique irradiating at the labile proton frequency. Firstly, using a higher power and shorter irradiation in CE-MRI yields i) increasing selectivity to faster chemical exchange rates by higher sensitivity to faster exchanges and less sensitivity to slower CE and magnetization transfer processes, and ii) decreasing in vivo asymmetric magnetization transfer contrast measured at ±15 ppm. The sensitivity gain of CESL over CEST is higher for a higher-power and shorter irradiation. Unlike CESL, CEST signals oscillate at a very high power and short irradiation. Secondly, time-dependent CEST and CESL signals are well modeled by analytical solutions of CE-MRI with asymmetric population approximation (CEAPA), which can be used for quantitative CE-MRI, and validated by simulations of Bloch-McConnell equations and phantom experiments. Lastly, in vivo amine-water proton exchange contrast measured at 2.5 ppm with ω1 of 500 Hz is 18% higher in sensitivity for CESL than CEST at 9.4 T. Overall, CESL provides better exchange rate selectivity and sensitivity than CEST; therefore, CESL is more suitable for CE-MRI of IMEX protons. PMID:25199631

Effect of startup circuit exercise on derivatives reactive oxygen metabolites, biological antioxidant potential levels and physical fitness of adolescents boys with intellectual disabilities.

PubMed

Kim, Chang-Gyun; Lee, Jin-Seok

2016-10-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of starup circuit exercise program on derivatives reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) levels and physical fitness of adolescents with intellectual disabilities, and to sugesst exercise programs to promote the health and physical development of such adolescents. Twelve students with intellectual disabilities were divided into two groups; circuit exercise group (CE group: n=6; age, 14.83±0.98 years; height, 163.83±5.78 cm; body mass, 67.08±3.32 kg; %Fat, 25.68±2.42), control group (CON group: n=6; age: 15.00±0.63 years; height, 162.33±4.41 cm; body mass, 67.50±3.62 kg; %Fat, 26.96±2.06). The CE group performed the CE program 4 times a week over a 12-week period. The CON group maintained their activities of daily living. The following were measured before and after intervention: physical fitness by before and after the completion of the training programm, and were measured and blood samples were assessed. The results of the study indicate that the 12-week CE program increased significantly physical fitness ( P <0.05). Furthermore, This study proved that the CE program improved physical fitness, and reduced the d-ROM levels, and increased the BAP levels of the adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, it may enhance the health and physical development of adolescents boys with intellectual disabilities.

A Tale of Two Community Networks Program Centers: Operationalizing and Assessing CBPR Principles and Evaluating Partnership Outcomes

PubMed Central

Arroyo-Johnson, Cassandra; Allen, Michele L.; Colditz, Graham A.; Hurtado, G. Ali; Davey, Cynthia S.; Sanders Thompson, Vetta L.; Drake, Bettina F.; Svetaz, Maria Veronica; Rosas-Lee, Maira; Goodman, Melody S.

2016-01-01

Background Community Networks Program (CNP) centers are required to use a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach within their specific priority communities. Not all communities are the same and unique contextual factors and collaborators’ priorities shape each CBPR partnership. There are also established CBPR and community engagement (CE) principles shown to lead to quality CBPR in any community. However, operationalizing and assessing CBPR principles and partnership outcomes to understand the conditions and processes in CBPR that lead to achieving program and project level goals is relatively new in the science of CBPR. Objectives We sought to describe the development of surveys on adherence to and implementation of CBPR/CE principles at two CNP centers and examine commonalities and differences in program- versus project-level CBPR evaluation. Methods A case study about the development and application of CBPR/CE principles for the Missouri CNP, Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities, and Minnesota CNP, Padres Informados/Jovenes Preparados, surveys was conducted to compare project versus program operationalization of principles. Survey participant demographics were provided by CNP. Specific domains found in CBPR/CE principles were identified and organized under an existing framework to establish a common ground. Operational definitions and the number of survey items were provided for each domain by CNP. Conclusion There are distinct differences in operational definitions of CBPR/CE principles at the program and project levels of evaluation. However, commonalities support further research to develop standards for CBPR evaluation across partnerships and at the program and project levels. PMID:26213405

Evaluation of European coeliac disease risk variants in a north Indian population

PubMed Central

Senapati, Sabyasachi; Gutierrez-Achury, Javier; Sood, Ajit; Midha, Vandana; Szperl, Agata; Romanos, Jihane; Zhernakova, Alexandra; Franke, Lude; Alonso, Santos; Thelma, B K; Wijmenga, Cisca; Trynka, Gosia

2015-01-01

Studies in European populations have contributed to a better understanding of the genetics of complex diseases, for example, in coeliac disease (CeD), studies of over 23 000 European samples have reported association to the HLA locus and another 39 loci. However, these associations have not been evaluated in detail in other ethnicities. We sought to better understand how disease-associated loci that have been mapped in Europeans translate to a disease risk for a population with a different ethnic background. We therefore performed a validation of European risk loci for CeD in 497 cases and 736 controls of north Indian origin. Using a dense-genotyping platform (Immunochip), we confirmed the strong association to the HLA region (rs2854275, P=8.2 × 10−49). Three loci showed suggestive association (rs4948256, P=9.3 × 10−7, rs4758538, P=8.6 × 10−5 and rs17080877, P=2.7 × 10−5). We directly replicated five previously reported European variants (P<0.05; mapping to loci harbouring FASLG/TNFSF18, SCHIP1/IL12A, PFKFB3/PRKCQ, ZMIZ1 and ICOSLG). Using a transferability test, we further confirmed association at PFKFB3/PRKCQ (rs2387397, P=2.8 × 10−4) and PTPRK/THEMIS (rs55743914, P=3.4 × 10−4). The north Indian population has a higher degree of consanguinity than Europeans and we therefore explored the role of recessively acting variants, which replicated the HLA locus (rs9271850, P=3.7 × 10−23) and suggested a role of additional four loci. To our knowledge, this is the first replication study of CeD variants in a non-European population. PMID:25052311

Individually optimized contrast-enhanced 4D-CT for radiotherapy simulation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Xue, Ming; Lane, Barton F.; Kang, Min Kyu; Patel, Kruti; Regine, William F.; Klahr, Paul; Wang, Jiahui; Chen, Shifeng; D’Souza, Warren; Lu, Wei

2016-01-01

Purpose: To develop an individually optimized contrast-enhanced (CE) 4D-computed tomography (CT) for radiotherapy simulation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDA). Methods: Ten PDA patients were enrolled. Each underwent three CT scans: a 4D-CT immediately following a CE 3D-CT and an individually optimized CE 4D-CT using test injection. Three physicians contoured the tumor and pancreatic tissues. Image quality scores, tumor volume, motion, tumor-to-pancreas contrast, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were compared in the three CTs. Interobserver variations were also evaluated in contouring the tumor using simultaneous truth and performance level estimation. Results: Average image quality scores for CE 3D-CT and CE 4D-CT were comparable (4.0 and 3.8, respectively; P = 0.082), and both were significantly better than that for 4D-CT (2.6, P < 0.001). Tumor-to-pancreas contrast results were comparable in CE 3D-CT and CE 4D-CT (15.5 and 16.7 Hounsfield units (HU), respectively; P = 0.21), and the latter was significantly higher than in 4D-CT (9.2 HU, P = 0.001). Image noise in CE 3D-CT (12.5 HU) was significantly lower than in CE 4D-CT (22.1 HU, P = 0.013) and 4D-CT (19.4 HU, P = 0.009). CNRs were comparable in CE 3D-CT and CE 4D-CT (1.4 and 0.8, respectively; P = 0.42), and both were significantly better in 4D-CT (0.6, P = 0.008 and 0.014). Mean tumor volumes were significantly smaller in CE 3D-CT (29.8 cm3, P = 0.03) and CE 4D-CT (22.8 cm3, P = 0.01) than in 4D-CT (42.0 cm3). Mean tumor motion was comparable in 4D-CT and CE 4D-CT (7.2 and 6.2 mm, P = 0.17). Interobserver variations were comparable in CE 3D-CT and CE 4D-CT (Jaccard index 66.0% and 61.9%, respectively) and were worse for 4D-CT (55.6%) than CE 3D-CT. Conclusions: CE 4D-CT demonstrated characteristics comparable to CE 3D-CT, with high potential for simultaneously delineating the tumor and quantifying tumor motion with a single scan. PMID:27782710

Bad and Bid - potential background players in preneoplastic to neoplastic shift in human endometrium.

PubMed

Driak, D; Dvorska, M; Bolehovska, P; Svandova, I; Novotny, J; Halaska, M

2014-01-01

The most common malignancies of the female genital tract are endometrial carcinomas, whose are generally proceeded by hyperplasia. The maintenance of tissue homeostasis is to great extent governed by apoptosis, whose defects can lead to the preneoplastic and/or cancerous changes. Endometrial apoptosis involves among others three groups of proteins of the Bcl-2 family. First group contains anti-apoptotic proteins (e. g. Bcl-2, Bcl-xL). The other two groups belong to the pro-apoptotic proteins with three (e. g. Bax, Bak) or one (e. g. Bad, Bid) so-called BH domains. Bad and Bid trigger the oligomerization of Bak and Bax protein, which permeabilize the outer mitochondrial wall. Unlike Bid, Bad cannot directly trigger apoptosis. Instead, Bad lowers the threshold at which apoptosis is induced, by binding anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. However, their mutual counterbalance or synergism in the human endometrium has not been reported yet.In this study, the levels of Bid and Bad were measured using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting with specific antibodies, with the aim to analyse expression of Bid and Bad proteins in normal (NE), hyperplastic (HE) and cancerous (CE) endometrium. We demonstrated that Bid expression in CE reached only 47% and 50% of this observed in NE and HE. Conversely, Bad expression in HE reached only 40% and 36% of this observed in NE and CE, respectively. We detected no significant changes of Bid expression between HE and NE, and levels of Bad protein were not different between CE and NE.Trend of Bid and Bad protein expression is clearly opposite in HE and CE. We hypothesise that disrupted apoptotic program in CE seems to be reduced further by lowering levels of direct apoptotic trigger protein Bid. We suggest that the adenocarcinoma tissue of human endometrium thus tries to strengthen its apoptotic effort by lowering the apoptotic threshold via higher Bad levels.

Capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry determination of inorganic ions using an ion spray-sheath flow interface.

PubMed

Huggins, T G; Henion, J D

1993-01-01

The determination of inorganic cations and anions by capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry (CE/MS) is reported using an ion spray-sheath flow interface coupling. A twelve-component synthetic mixture of cations which included the positive ions of K, Ba, Ca, Mn, Cd, Co, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Ag, and Cu was loaded into the capillary column at levels ranging from 30 to 300 pg, separated by CE, and detected by indirect UV and in the full-scan (m/z 35-450) positive ion CE/MS mode using an aqueous buffer containing 30 mM creatinine and 8 mM alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid, pH 4.8. Creatinine forms adducts with the cations which are observed in the gas phase and requires rather high (120 electron volts) declustering energy to dissociate. This produces a reduction in charge state to form the free, singly charged, inorganic cations which are observed in the mass spectra. CE/MS analysis of an aqueous acidic extract of used aircraft engine oil revealed high levels of lead as well as lower levels of chromium and nickel. CE-indirect UV analysis of a synthetic mixture containing 300 pg each of 11 inorganic ions, which included the anions of Br, Cl, NO2, NO3, S2O3, N3, SCN, SO4, SeO4, oxalate, and MoO4, is shown. The running buffer which affected this separation contained 5 mM ammonium dichromate, 10 mM ammonium acetate, and 20 mM diethylenetriamine at pH 9.3. Although indirect UV detection revealed good separation of these anions, CE/MS analysis of this mixture was complicated by interfering ion current signals from the cluster ions formed by the interaction between the additives and the analytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Outcome in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after capsule endoscopy.

PubMed

Cañas-Ventura, Alex; Márquez, Lucia; Bessa, Xavier; Dedeu, Josep Maria; Puigvehí, Marc; Delgado-Aros, Sílvia; Ibáñez, Ines Ana; Seoane, Agustin; Barranco, Luis; Bory, Felipe; Andreu, Montserrat; González-Suárez, Begoña

2013-11-16

To investigate the clinical impact of capsule endoscopy (CE) after an obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) episode, focusing on diagnostic work-up, follow-up and predictive factors of rebleeding. Patients who were referred to Hospital del Mar (Barcelona, Spain) between 2007 and 2009 for OGIB who underwent a CE were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, current treatment with non-steroid anti-inflammtory drugs or anticoagulant drugs, hemoglobin levels, transfusion requirements, previous diagnostic tests for the bleeding episode, as well as CE findings (significant or non-significant), work-up and patient outcomes were analyzed from electronic charts. Variables were compared by χ (2) analysis and Student t test. Risk factors of rebleeding were assessed by Log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression model. There were 105 patients [45.7% women, median age of 72 years old (interquartile range 56-79)] and a median follow-up of 326 d (interquartile range 123-641) included in this study. The overall diagnostic yield of CE was 58.1% (55.2% and 63.2%, for patients with occult OGIB and overt OGIB, respectively). In 73 patients (69.5%), OGIB was resolved. Multivariate analysis showed that hemoglobin levels lower than 8 g/dL at diagnosis [hazard ratios (HR) = 2.7, 95%CI: 1.9-6.3], patients aged 70 years and above (HR = 2.1, 95%CI: 1.2-6.1) and significant findings in CE (HR = 2.4, 95%CI: 1.1-5.8) were independent predictors of rebleeding. One third of the patients presented with rebleeding after CE; risk factors were hemoglobin levels < 8 g/dL, age ≥ 70 years or the presence of significant lesions.

Exposure of agricultural crops to nanoparticle CeO2 in biochar-amended soil.

PubMed

Servin, Alia D; De la Torre-Roche, Roberto; Castillo-Michel, Hiram; Pagano, Luca; Hawthorne, Joseph; Musante, Craig; Pignatello, Joseph; Uchimiya, Minori; White, Jason C

2017-01-01

Biochar is seeing increased usage as an amendment in agricultural soils but the significance of nanoscale interactions between this additive and engineered nanoparticles (ENP) remains unknown. Corn, lettuce, soybean and zucchini were grown for 28 d in two different soils (agricultural, residential) amended with 0-2000 mg engineered nanoparticle (ENP) CeO 2  kg -1 and biochar (350 °C or 600 °C) at application rates of 0-5% (w/w). At harvest, plants were analyzed for biomass, Ce content, chlorophyll and lipid peroxidation. Biomass from the four species grown in residential soil varied with species and biochar type. However, biomass in the agricultural soil amended with biochar 600 °C was largely unaffected. Biochar co-exposure had minimal impact on Ce accumulation, with reduced or increased Ce content occurring at the highest (5%) biochar level. Soil-specific and biochar-specific effects on Ce accumulation were observed in the four species. For example, zucchini grown in agricultural soil with 2000 mg CeO 2  kg -1 and 350 °C biochar (0.5-5%) accumulated greater Ce than the control. However, for the 600 °C biochar, the opposite effect was evident, with decreased Ce content as biochar increased. A principal component analysis showed that biochar type accounted for 56-99% of the variance in chlorophyll and lipid peroxidation across the plants. SEM and μ-XRF showed Ce association with specific biochar and soil components, while μ-XANES analysis confirmed that after 28 d in soil, the Ce remained largely as CeO 2 . The current study demonstrates that biochar synthesis conditions significantly impact interactions with ENP, with subsequent effects on particle fate and effects. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Opposing effects of dopamine antagonism in a motor sequence task—tiapride increases cortical excitability and impairs motor learning

PubMed Central

Lissek, Silke; Vallana, Guido S.; Schlaffke, Lara; Lenz, Melanie; Dinse, Hubert R.; Tegenthoff, Martin

2014-01-01

The dopaminergic system is involved in learning and participates in the modulation of cortical excitability (CE). CE has been suggested as a marker of learning and use-dependent plasticity. However, results from separate studies on either motor CE or motor learning challenge this notion, suggesting opposing effects of dopaminergic modulation upon these parameters: while agonists decrease and antagonists increase CE, motor learning is enhanced by agonists and disturbed by antagonists. To examine whether this discrepancy persists when complex motor learning and motor CE are measured in the same experimental setup, we investigated the effects of dopaminergic (DA) antagonism upon both parameters and upon task-associated brain activation. Our results demonstrate that DA-antagonism has opposing effects upon motor CE and motor sequence learning. Tiapride did not alter baseline CE, but increased CE post training of a complex motor sequence while simultaneously impairing motor learning. Moreover, tiapride reduced activation in several brain regions associated with motor sequence performance, i.e., dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC), supplementary motor area (SMA), Broca's area, cingulate and caudate body. Blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) intensity in anterior cingulate and caudate body, but not CE, correlated with performance across groups. In summary, our results do not support a concept of CE as a general marker of motor learning, since they demonstrate that a straightforward relation of increased CE and higher learning success does not apply to all instances of motor learning. At least for complex motor tasks that recruit a network of brain regions outside motor cortex, CE in primary motor cortex is probably no central determinant for learning success. PMID:24994972

Organ-specific carboxylesterase profiling identifies the small intestine and kidney as major contributors of activation of the anticancer prodrug CPT-11

PubMed Central

Hatfield, M. Jason; Tsurkan, Lyudmila; Garrett, Michael; Shaver, Timothy M.; Hyatt, Janice L.; Edwards, Carol C.; Hicks, Latorya D.; Potter, Philip M.

2010-01-01

The activation of the anticancer prodrug CPT-11, to its active metabolite SN-38, is primarily mediated by carboxylesterases (CE). In humans, three CEs have been identified, of which human liver CE (hCE1; CES1) and human intestinal CE (hiCE; CES2) demonstrate significant ability to hydrolyze the drug. However, while the kinetic parameters of CPT-11 hydrolysis have been measured, the actual contribution of each enzyme to activate the drug in biological samples has not been addressed. Hence, we have used a combination of specific CE inhibition and conventional chromatographic techniques to determine the amounts, and hydrolytic activity, of CEs present within human liver, kidney, intestinal and lung specimens. These studies confirm that hiCE demonstrates the most efficient kinetic parameters for CPT-11 activation, however, due to the high levels of hCE1 that are expressed in liver, the latter enzyme can contribute up to 50% of the total of drug hydrolysis in this tissue. Conversely, in human duodenum, jejunum, ileum and kidney, where hCE1 expression is very low, greater than 99% of the conversion of CPT-11 to SN-38 was mediated by hiCE. Furthermore, analysis of lung microsomal extracts indicated that CPT-11 activation was more proficient in samples obtained from smokers. Overall, our studies demonstrate that hCE1 plays a significant role in CPT-11 hydrolysis even though it is up to 100-fold less efficient at drug activation than hiCE, and that drug activation in the intestine and kidney are likely major contributors to SN-38 production in vivo. PMID:20833148

[Examination results and autopsy findings in assaults on elderly people].

PubMed

Bode-Jänisch, Stefanie; Havermann, Robert; Germerott, Tanja; Fieguth, Armin

2010-01-01

As the percentage of elderly people in the population grows, violence against persons of advanced age constitutes an increasing social problem. The findings of the clinical forensic examinations (CE group) and autopsies performed on elderly violence victims (> or = 60 years) between 1999 and 2008 at the Institute of Legal Medicine of the Hanover Medical School were retrospectively analysed. In all, the study material comprised 55 victims of the CE group (35 females and 20 males, median age 73.5 years) and 55 autopsies (33 females and 22 males, median age 72.7 years). In most of the autopsy cases, the suspect was a family member or partner. In contrast, the alleged perpetrator was a stranger in most cases of the CE group. Blunt force injuries were most often found in the CE group victims (63.6%). Altogether, 38.2% (CE group) and 20.0% (autopsy cases) of the violent assaults were associated with robbery. In the majority of the CE cases, the victims suffered potentially or acute life-threatening injuries. In summary, the analysis shows that elderly people frequently become victims of robbery and blunt force injury. In most homicides of old people, the perpetrator is familiar to the victim. In surviving elderly violence victims, the assault is more likely to be reported to the police if the suspect is a stranger.

Physical and functional interactions of Caenorhabditis elegans WRN-1 helicase with RPA-1.

PubMed

Hyun, Moonjung; Park, Sojin; Kim, Eunsun; Kim, Do-Hyung; Lee, Se-Jin; Koo, Hyeon-Sook; Seo, Yeon-Soo; Ahn, Byungchan

2012-02-21

The Caenorhabditis elegans Werner syndrome protein, WRN-1, a member of the RecQ helicase family, has a 3'-5' DNA helicase activity. Worms with defective wrn-1 exhibit premature aging phenotypes and an increased level of genome instability. In response to DNA damage, WRN-1 participates in the initial stages of checkpoint activation in concert with C. elegans replication protein A (RPA-1). WRN-1 helicase is stimulated by RPA-1 on long DNA duplex substrates. However, the mechanism by which RPA-1 stimulates DNA unwinding and the function of the WRN-1-RPA-1 interaction are not clearly understood. We have found that WRN-1 physically interacts with two RPA-1 subunits, CeRPA73 and CeRPA32; however, full-length WRN-1 helicase activity is stimulated by only the CeRPA73 subunit, while the WRN-1(162-1056) fragment that harbors the helicase activity requires both the CeRPA73 and CeRPA32 subunits for the stimulation. We also found that the CeRPA73(1-464) fragment can stimulate WRN-1 helicase activity and that residues 335-464 of CeRPA73 are important for physical interaction with WRN-1. Because CeRPA73 and the CeRPA73(1-464) fragment are able to bind single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), the stimulation of WRN-1 helicase by RPA-1 is most likely due to the ssDNA binding activity of CeRPA73 and the direct interaction of WRN-1 and CeRPA73.

The Central Nucleus of the Amygdala and Corticotropin-Releasing Factor: Insights into Contextual Fear Memory

PubMed Central

Pitts, Matthew W.; Todorovic, Cedomir; Blank, Thomas; Takahashi, Lorey K.

2009-01-01

The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) has been traditionally viewed in fear conditioning to serve as an output neural center that transfers conditioned information formed in the basolateral amygdala to brain structures that generate emotional responses. Recent studies suggest that the CeA may also be involved in fear memory consolidation. In addition, corticotropin-releasing factor systems were shown to facilitate memory consolidation in the amygdala, which contains a high density of CRF immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers in the lateral part of the CeA (CeAl). However, the involvement of CeA CRF in contextual fear conditioning remains poorly understood. Therefore, we first conducted a series of studies using fiber-sparing lesion and reversible inactivation methods to assess the general role of the CeA in contextual fear. We then used identical training and testing procedures to compare and evaluate the specific function of CeA CRF using CRF antisense oligonucleotides (CRF ASO). Rats microinjected with ibotenic acid, muscimol, or a CRF ASO into the CeA prior to contextual fear conditioning showed typical levels of freezing during acquisition training but exhibited significant reductions in contextual freezing in a retention test 48 h later. Furthermore, CeA inactivation induced by either muscimol or CRF ASO administration immediately prior to retention testing did not impair freezing, suggesting that the previously observed retention deficits were due to inhibition of consolidation rather than fear expression. Collectively, our results suggest CeA involvement in the consolidation of contextual fear memory and specifically implicate CeA CRF as an important mediator. PMID:19494159

Bioremediation in Fractured Rock: 2. Mobilization of Chloroethene Compounds from the Rock Matrix.

PubMed

Shapiro, Allen M; Tiedeman, Claire R; Imbrigiotta, Thomas E; Goode, Daniel J; Hsieh, Paul A; Lacombe, Pierre J; DeFlaun, Mary F; Drew, Scott R; Curtis, Gary P

2018-03-01

A mass balance is formulated to evaluate the mobilization of chlorinated ethene compounds (CE) from the rock matrix of a fractured mudstone aquifer under pre- and postbioremediation conditions. The analysis relies on a sparse number of monitoring locations and is constrained by a detailed description of the groundwater flow regime. Groundwater flow modeling developed under the site characterization identified groundwater fluxes to formulate the CE mass balance in the rock volume exposed to the injected remediation amendments. Differences in the CE fluxes into and out of the rock volume identify the total CE mobilized from diffusion, desorption, and nonaqueous phase liquid dissolution under pre- and postinjection conditions. The initial CE mass in the rock matrix prior to remediation is estimated using analyses of CE in rock core. The CE mass mobilized per year under preinjection conditions is small relative to the total CE mass in the rock, indicating that current pump-and-treat and natural attenuation conditions are likely to require hundreds of years to achieve groundwater concentrations that meet regulatory guidelines. The postinjection CE mobilization rate increased by approximately an order of magnitude over the 5 years of monitoring after the amendment injection. This rate is likely to decrease and additional remediation applications over several decades would still be needed to reduce CE mass in the rock matrix to levels where groundwater concentrations in fractures achieve regulatory standards. © 2017, National Ground Water Association.

Local-structure change rendered by electronic localization-delocalization transition in cerium-based metallic glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Qiang; Schwarz, Björn; Swarbrick, Janine C.; Bednarčik, Jozef; Zhu, Yingcai; Tang, Meibo; Zheng, Lirong; Li, Ran; Shen, Jun; Eckert, Jürgen

2018-02-01

With increasing temperature, metallic glasses (MGs) undergo first glass transition without pronounced structural change and then crystallization with distinct variation in structure and properties. The present study shows a structural change of short-range order induced by an electron-delocalization transition, along with an unusual large-volume shrinkage in Ce-based MGs. An f -electron localization-delocalization transition with thermal hysteresis is observed from the temperature dependence of x-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra, indicating an inheritance of the 4 f configuration of pure Ce. However, the delocalization transition becomes broadened due to the local structural heterogeneity and related fluctuation of 4 f levels in the Ce-based MGs. The amorphous structure regulated 4 f delocalization of Ce leads to bond shortening and abnormal structure change of the topological and chemical short-range orders. Due to the hierarchical bonding nature, the structure should change in a similar manner on different length scales (but not isostructurally like the Ce metal) in Ce-based MGs.

First-principles studies of Ce and Eu doped inorganic scintillator gamma ray detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canning, Andrew; Chaudhry, Anurag; Boutchko, Rostyslav; Derenzo, Stephen

2011-03-01

We have performed DFT based band structure calculations for new Ce and Eu doped wide band gap inorganic materials to determine their potential as candidates for gamma ray scintillator detectors. These calculations are based on determining the 4f ground state level of the Ce and Eu relative to the valence band of the host as well as the position of the Ce and Eu 5d excited state relative to the conduction band of the host. Host hole and electron traps as well as STEs (self trapped excitons) can also limit the transfer of energy from the host to the Ce or Eu site and therefore limit the light output. We also present calculations for host hole traps and STEs to compare the energies to the Ce and Eu excited states. The work was supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and carried out at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory under U.S. Department of Energy Contract No. DE-AC02- 05CH11231.

Microchip assays for screening monoclonal antibody product quality.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaoyu; Tang, Kaiyan; Lee, Maximilian; Flynn, Gregory C

2008-12-01

Microchip CE-SDS was evaluated as a high-throughput alternative to conventional CE-SDS for monitoring monoclonal antibody protein quality. A commercial instrument (LabChip) 90) was used to separate dodecyl sulfate coated proteins through a sieving polymer based on the proteins' sizes. Under reducing conditions, the microchip CE-SDS separation was similar to that of conventional CE-SDS, providing reasonable resolution of the non-glycosylated and the glycosylated heavy chains. The fluorescence detection on LabChip 90 using non-covalent fluorescent labeling method was about as sensitive as the 220 nm UV detection used in a conventional CE instrument. A simple glycan typing assay was developed for the reducing microchip CE-SDS format. Antibodies, either pure or in crude cell culture media are treated with Endoglycosidase H, which specifically cleaves the hybrid and high mannose type glycans. A heavy chain migration shift on reducing CE-SDS resulting from the loss of glycan is used to measure the level of high mannose/hybrid type glycans as a percentage of the total glycans. Microchip CE-SDS, under both non-reducing and reducing conditions, can be used in a variety of antibody product screening assays. The microchip analyses provide sufficient resolution and sensitivity for this purpose but on a time scale approximately 70 times faster (41 s versus 50 min per sample) than conventional CE separation under typical operational conditions.

The impact of cerium oxide nanoparticles on the physiology of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) under different soil moisture conditions.

PubMed

Cao, Zhiming; Rossi, Lorenzo; Stowers, Cheyenne; Zhang, Weilan; Lombardini, Leonardo; Ma, Xingmao

2018-01-01

The ongoing global climate change raises concerns over the decreasing moisture content in agricultural soils. Our research investigated the physiological impact of two types of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) on soybean at different moisture content levels. One CeO 2 NP was positively charged on the surface and the other negatively charged due to the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating. The results suggest that the effect of CeO 2 NPs on plant photosynthesis and water use efficiency (WUE) was dependent upon the soil moisture content. Both types of CeO 2 NPs exhibited consistently positive impacts on plant photosynthesis at the moisture content above 70% of field capacity (θ fc ). Similar positive impact of CeO 2 NPs was not observed at 55% θ fc , suggesting that the physiological impact of CeO 2 NPs was dependent upon the soil moisture content. The results also revealed that V Cmax (maximum carboxylation rate) was affected by CeO 2 NPs, indicating that CeO 2 NPs affected the Rubisco activity which governs carbon assimilation in photosynthesis. In conclusion, CeO 2 NPs demonstrated significant impacts on the photosynthesis and WUE of soybeans and such impacts were affected by the soil moisture content. Graphical abstract Soil moisture content affects plant cerium oxide nanoparticle interactions.

New Insights into Sensitization Mechanism of the Doped Ce (IV) into Strontium Titanate

PubMed Central

Wang, Yuan; Liu, Chenglun; Xu, Longjun

2018-01-01

SrTiO3 and Ce4+ doped SrTiO3 were synthesized by a modified sol–gel process. The optimization synthesis parameters were obtained by a series of single factor experiments. Interesting phenomena are observable in Ce4+ doped SrTiO3 systems. Sr2+ in SrTiO3 system was replaced by Ce4+, which reduced the surface segregation of Ti4+, ameliorated agglomeration, increased specific surface area more than four times compared with pure SrTiO3, and enhanced quantum efficiency for SrTiO3. Results showed that Ce4+ doping increased the physical adsorption of H2O and adsorbed oxygen on the surface of SrTiO3, which produced additional catalytic active centers. Electrons on the 4f energy level for Ce4+ produced new energy states in the band gap of SrTiO3, which not only realized the use of visible light but also led to an easier separation between the photogenerated electrons and holes. Ce4+ repeatedly captured photoelectrons to produce Ce3+, which inhibited the recombination between photogenerated electrons and holes as well as prolonged their lifetime; it also enhanced quantum efficiency for SrTiO3. The methylene blue (MB) degradation efficiency reached 98.7% using 3 mol % Ce4+ doped SrTiO3 as a photocatalyst, indicating highly photocatalytic activity. PMID:29690605

Cordyceps militaris extract attenuates D-galactose-induced memory impairment in mice.

PubMed

Li, Zaixin; Zhang, Zhi; Zhang, Jinshan; Jia, Jing; Ding, Jie; Luo, Rongzhen; Liu, Zhangqin

2012-12-01

Memory impairment is one of main clinical symptoms of brain senescence. To address the effects of Cordyceps militaris Link extract (CE) on memory impairment, a D-galactose (D-Gal)-induced aging mouse model was employed. Mice injected with D-Gal showed a significant learning and memory impairment that was rescued by CE treatment. The mechanism was further investigated by analyzing the protein level and activity of oxidant and antioxidant molecules, including malondialdehyde (MDA), monoamine oxidase (MAO), total super-oxide dismutase (T-SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), which played critical roles in the development of brain senescence. The results showed that CE treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the oxidative activity of MAO and the level of MDA, and significantly increased the antioxidant activities of T-SOD and T-AOC in the cerebral cortices. Moreover, the level of GSH and the activity of antioxidant enzymes GSH-px in serum were significantly upregulated after CE treatment. Taken together, our results suggest that Cordyceps militaris extract could ameliorate experimental memory impairment in mice with D-Gal-induced aging through its potent antioxidant activities.

Glutamate Receptors in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala Mediate Cisplatin-Induced Malaise and Energy Balance Dysregulation through Direct Hindbrain Projections

PubMed Central

Alhadeff, Amber L.; Holland, Ruby A.; Nelson, Alexandra; Grill, Harvey J.

2015-01-01

Cisplatin chemotherapy is used commonly to treat a variety of cancers despite severe side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and anorexia that compromise quality of life and limit treatment adherence. The neural mechanisms mediating these side effects remain elusive despite decades of clinical use. Recent data highlight the dorsal vagal complex (DVC), lateral parabrachial nucleus (lPBN), and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) as potential sites of action in mediating the side effects of cisplatin. Here, results from immunohistochemical studies in rats identified a population of cisplatin-activated DVC neurons that project to the lPBN and a population of cisplatin-activated lPBN calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, a marker for glutamatergic neurons in the lPBN) neurons that project to the CeA, outlining a neuroanatomical circuit that is activated by cisplatin. CeA gene expressions of AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptor subunits were markedly increased after cisplatin treatment, suggesting that CeA glutamate receptor signaling plays a role in mediating cisplatin side effects. Consistent with gene expression results, behavioral/pharmacological data showed that CeA AMPA/kainate receptor blockade attenuates cisplatin-induced pica (a proxy for nausea/behavioral malaise in nonvomiting laboratory rodents) and that CeA NMDA receptor blockade attenuates cisplatin-induced anorexia and body weight loss in addition to pica, demonstrating that glutamate receptor signaling in the CeA is critical for the energy balance dysregulation caused by cisplatin treatment. Together, these data highlight a novel circuit and CGRP/glutamatergic mechanism through which cisplatin-induced malaise and energy balance dysregulation are mediated. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT To treat cancer effectively, patients must follow prescribed chemotherapy treatments without interruption, yet most cancer treatments produce side effects that devastate quality of life (e.g., nausea, vomiting, anorexia, weight loss). Although hundreds of thousands of patients undergo chemotherapies each year, the neural mechanisms mediating their side effects are unknown. The current data outline a neural circuit activated by cisplatin chemotherapy and demonstrate that glutamate signaling in the amygdala, arising from hindbrain projections, is required for the full expression of cisplatin-induced malaise, anorexia, and body weight loss. Together, these data help to characterize the neural circuits and neurotransmitters mediating chemotherapy-induced energy balance dysregulation, which will ultimately provide an opportunity for the development of well tolerated cancer and anti-emetic treatments. PMID:26245970

The influences of the AMO and NAO on the sedimentary infill in an Azores Archipelago lake since ca. 1350 CE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernández, Armand; Sáez, Alberto; Bao, Roberto; Raposeiro, Pedro M.; Trigo, Ricardo M.; Doolittle, Sara; Masqué, Pere; Rull, Valentí; Gonçalves, Vítor; Vázquez-Loureiro, David; Rubio-Inglés, María J.; Sánchez-López, Guiomar; Giralt, Santiago

2017-07-01

The location of the Azores Archipelago in the North Atlantic makes this group of islands an excellent setting to study the long-term behavior of large oceanic and atmospheric climate dynamic patterns, such as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Here, we present the impacts of these patterns on Lake Empadadas (Azores Archipelago) from the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) - Little Ice Age (LIA) transition to the present based on sedimentological, geochemical and biological characterizations of the sedimentary record. Multivariate analyses of a number of proxies including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), total organic and inorganic carbon (TOC and TIC) and diatom life forms abundance reveal that the sedimentary infill evolution has been controlled by (i) fluctuations in the lake level and (ii) variations in organic matter accumulation. Both processes are governed by climate variability and modulated by anthropogenic activities associated with changes on the lake catchment. Changes in these two sedimentary processes have been used to infer five stages: (i) the MCA-LIA transition (ca. 1350-1450 CE) was characterized by a predominantly positive AMO phase, which led to intermediate lake levels and high organic matter concentration; (ii) the first half of the LIA (ca. 1450-1600 CE) was characterized by predominant lowstand conditions and intermediate organic matter deposition mainly related to negative AMO phases; (iii) the second half of the LIA (ca. 1600-1850 CE) was characterized by negative AMO and NAO phases, implying intermediate lake levels and high organic matter deposition; (iv) the Industrial era (ca. 1850-1980 CE) was characterized by the lowest lake level and organic matter accumulation associated with negative AMO phases; and (v) the period spanning between 1980 CE and the present reveals the highest lake levels and low organic matter deposition, being associated with very positive AMO conditions. At decadal-to-centennial scales, the influence of the AMO on Azorean climate plays a larger role than previously thought. In fact, the AMO appears to exert a stronger influence compared to the NAO, which is the main mode of climate variability at shorter time scales.

Initial characterization of novel beaked whale morbillivirus in Hawaiian cetaceans.

PubMed

Jacob, Jessica M; West, Kristi L; Levine, Gregg; Sanchez, Susan; Jensen, Brenda A

2016-01-13

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is a causative factor in epizootics that have resulted in thousands of deaths throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean since 1987, but less is known of its presence and significance in the Pacific. The first case of CeMV reported in Hawai'i was in a Longman's beaked whale that stranded in 2010. The initial CeMV sequence from this individual indicated the possibility of a novel strain. To address this, archived samples from cetaceans that stranded in Hawai'i between 1997 and 2014 were screened for CeMV. The beaked whale morbillivirus (BWMV) was detected in 15 individuals representing 12 different species (24% of Code 1 and 2 stranded cetaceans). The earliest detected case was a humpback whale that stranded in 1998. Sequence comparisons of a 2.2 kb sequence spanning the phosphoprotein (P) and nucleocapsid (N) genes strongly suggest that the BWMV represents a novel strain of CeMV present in Hawai'i and the Central Pacific. In contrast to recently reported isolates from Brazil and Australia that may represent a distinct clade, BWMV appears to be more closely related to known strains of CeMV (dolphin morbillivirus; porpoise morbillivirus; and pilot whale morbillivirus). Detection rates with repeat sampling of positive lymph nodes were between 2 and 61%, illustrating the extreme heterogeneity that can occur in affected tissues. Taken together, these results suggest that BWMV may be common and established in Hawaiian cetacean populations. BWMV will be important for understanding CeMV and health threats in the relatively understudied cetaceans of the Pacific.

Climatic shocks associate with innovation in science and technology

PubMed Central

van Dijk, Mathijs A.

2018-01-01

Human history is shaped by landmark discoveries in science and technology. However, across both time and space the rate of innovation is erratic: Periods of relative inertia alternate with bursts of creative science and rapid cascades of technological innovations. While the origins of the rise and fall in rates of discovery and innovation remain poorly understood, they may reflect adaptive responses to exogenously emerging threats and pressures. Here we examined this possibility by fitting annual rates of scientific discovery and technological innovation to climatic variability and its associated economic pressures and resource scarcity. In time-series data from Europe (1500–1900CE), we indeed found that rates of innovation are higher during prolonged periods of cold (versus warm) surface temperature and during the presence (versus absence) of volcanic dust veils. This negative temperature–innovation link was confirmed in annual time-series for France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (1901–1965CE). Combined, across almost 500 years and over 5,000 documented innovations and discoveries, a 0.5°C increase in temperature associates with a sizable 0.30–0.60 standard deviation decrease in innovation. Results were robust to controlling for fluctuations in population size. Furthermore, and consistent with economic theory and micro-level data on group innovation, path analyses revealed that the relation between harsher climatic conditions between 1500–1900CE and more innovation is mediated by climate-induced economic pressures and resource scarcity. PMID:29364910

Capillary electrophoresis interfaced with a mass spectrometer (CE-MS): technical considerations and applicability for biomarker studies in animals.

PubMed

Albalat, Amaya; Husi, Holger; Siwy, Justyna; Nally, Jarlath E; McLauglin, Mark; Eckersall, Peter D; Mullen, William

2014-02-01

Proteomics is a growing field that has the potential to be applied to many biology-related disciplines. However, the study of the proteome has proven to be very challenging due to its high level of complexity when compared to genome and transcriptome data. In order to analyse this level of complexity, high resolution separation of peptides/proteins are needed together with high resolution analysers. Currently, liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis (CE) are the two most widely used separation techniques that can be coupled on-line with a mass spectrometer (MS). In CE, proteins/ peptides are separated according to their size, charge and shape leading to high resolving power. Although further progress in the area of sensitivity, throughput and proteome coverage are expected, MS-based proteomics have developed to a level at which they are habitually applied to study a wide range of biological questions. The aim of this review is to present CE-MS as a proteomic analytical platform for biomarker research that could be used in farm animal and veterinary studies. This is a MS-analytical platform that has been widely used for biomarker research in the biomedical field but its application in animal proteomic studies is relatively novel. The review will focus on introducing the CE-MS platform and the primary considerations for its application to biomarker research. Furthermore, current applications but more importantly potential application in the field of farm animals and veterinary science will be presented and discussed.

Basal Cells Are a Multipotent Progenitor Capable of Renewing the Bronchial Epithelium

PubMed Central

Hong, Kyung U.; Reynolds, Susan D.; Watkins, Simon; Fuchs, Elaine; Stripp, Barry R.

2004-01-01

Commitment of the pulmonary epithelium to bronchial and bronchiolar airway lineages occurs during the transition from pseudoglandular to cannalicular phases of lung development, suggesting that regional differences exist with respect to the identity of stem and progenitor cells that contribute to epithelial maintenance in adulthood. We previously defined a critical role for Clara cell secretory protein-expressing (CE) cells in renewal of bronchiolar airway epithelium following injury. Even though CE cells are also the principal progenitor for maintenance of the bronchial airway epithelium, CE cell injury is resolved through a mechanism involving recruitment of a second progenitor cell population that we now identify as a GSI-B4 reactive, cytokeratin-14-expressing basal cell. These cells exhibit multipotent differentiation capacity as assessed by analysis of cellular phenotype within clones of LacZ-tagged cells. Clones were derived from K14-expressing cells tagged in a cell-type-specific fashion by ligand-regulable Cre recombinase-mediated genomic rearrangement of the ROSA26 recombination substrate allele. We conclude that basal cells represent an alternative multipotent progenitor cell population of bronchial airways and that progenitor cell selection is dictated by the type of airway injury. PMID:14742263

Comparison of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted FLAIR with BLADE, and spin-echo T1-weighted sequences in intracranial MRI.

PubMed

Alkan, Ozlem; Kizilkiliç, Osman; Yildirim, Tülin; Alibek, Sedat

2009-06-01

We compared periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER, BLADE) MR technique with spin echo (SE) technique for evaluation of artifacts, and detection and delineation of brain lesions. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images with BLADE technique (CE T1W-FLAIR BLADE) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted SE (CE T1W-SE) were performed in 50 patients with intracranial enhancing lesions. These techniques were compared by two neuroradiologists for qualitative analysis of artifacts, lesion detectability, lesion delineation from adjacent structures, and preferred imaging technique; and for quantitative variables, i.e., lesion-to-background and lesion-to-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratios. Reader agreement was assessed by kappa statistics. All lesions depicted with the CE T1W-SE were also detected with the CE T1W-FLAIR BLADE technique. Delineation of lesions was better on CE T1W-FLAIR BLADE in the majority of patients. Flow-related artifacts were considerably reduced with CE T1W-FLAIR BLADE. A star-like artifact at the level of the 4(th) ventricle was noted on CE T1W-FLAIR BLADE but not on CE T1W-SE. The lesion-to-background CNR and lesion-to-CSF CNR did not show a statistically significant difference between the two techniques. CE T1W-FLAIR BLADE images were preferred by the observers over the CE T1w-SE images, indicating good interobserver agreement (k = 0.70). CE T1W-FLAIR BLADE technique is superior to CE T1WSE for delineation of lesions and reduction of flow-related artifacts, especially within the posterior fossa, and is preferred by readers. CE T1W-FLAIR BLADE may be an alternative approach to imaging, especially for posterior fossa lesions.

Spectral engineering of LaF3:Ce3+ nanoparticles: The role of Ce3+ in surface sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobsohn, L. G.; Toncelli, A.; Sprinkle, K. B.; Kucera, C. J.; Ballato, J.

2012-04-01

Due to the high surface-to-volume ratio, luminescence centers on the surface have relative dominance in the overall spectral response of nanoparticles. The luminescence of LaF3:Ce3+ nanoparticles was investigated in the spectral and temporal domains with a particular focus on the role of Ce3+ on the surface. These nanoparticles present two luminescence bands at 4.10 eV and 4.37 eV attributed to Ce3+ transitions from the 5d level to the spin-orbit split 4f ground levels 2F5/2 and 2F7/2, in addition to a low-energy band at 3.62 eV that has been attributed to Ce3+ ions residing in perturbed sites. The growth of up to three undoped shells, ca. 0.9 nm thick each, around the core promoted a progressive enhancement of luminescence output, concomitant with an increase in the fluorescence lifetime due to the weakening of energy transfer through multipolar interaction between Ce3+ in the core and quenching defects on the surface. Also, the growth of the first shell led to a decrease in the relative intensity of the low-energy band and a 0.23 eV shift to higher energies. These results were interpreted as being due to the existence of two types of perturbed sites, one on the surface that is eliminated by the growth of the first shell, and another within the volume of the nanoparticle, similar to observations in bulk single crystals. This work demonstrates how surface engineering can affect and control the luminescence behavior of this nanomaterial.

Validation of the tool assessment of clinical education (AssCE): A study using Delphi method and clinical experts.

PubMed

Löfmark, Anna; Mårtensson, Gunilla

2017-03-01

The aim of the present study was to establish the validity of the tool Assessment of Clinical Education (AssCE). The tool is widely used in Sweden and some Nordic countries for assessing nursing students' performance in clinical education. It is important that the tools in use be subjected to regular audit and critical reviews. The validation process, performed in two stages, was concluded with a high level of congruence. In the first stage, Delphi technique was used to elaborate the AssCE tool using a group of 35 clinical nurse lecturers. After three rounds, we reached consensus. In the second stage, a group of 46 clinical nurse lecturers representing 12 universities in Sweden and Norway audited the revised version of the AssCE in relation to learning outcomes from the last clinical course at their respective institutions. Validation of the revised AssCE was established with high congruence between the factors in the AssCE and examined learning outcomes. The revised AssCE tool seems to meet its objective to be a validated assessment tool for use in clinical nursing education. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Implementing China's circular economy concept at the regional level: a review of progress in Dalian, China.

PubMed

Geng, Yong; Zhu, Qinghua; Doberstein, Brent; Fujita, Tsuyoshi

2009-02-01

The circular economy (CE) concept was introduced in China to address environmental degradation and resource scarcity associated with rapid economic development. Chosen as a demonstration city, Dalian has implemented the CE strategy as a means of conserving water, materials, energy and land. This paper outlines some of the regional CE initiatives that have been successful to date in Dalian, including those focusing on conserving energy and water resources and others focusing on reduced industrial emissions. The paper details the approach used in implementing the CE concept in Dalian, tracing the foci and goals of the program, and the sectoral approach used to implement a CE. Although Dalian municipality has achieved many successes in implementing a CE, our paper identifies several challenges that, until recently, have held back complete implementation. These include: the lack of incentives for older industries to 'green' their operations, the lack of financial support to expand the CE concept, and a broad-based need for heightened public awareness and participation in CE initiatives. Our paper then identifies several responses by Dalian municipality to overcome these challenges, including pricing and tax reforms that serve as conservation incentives, the provision of financial support for CE promotion through budget reorganization, and the organization of CE training programs. Our paper concludes that, although CE initiatives have been successful in Dalian, more is possible and more is needed before Dalian can be designated a true 'eco-city'. The approach used by Dalian can provide guidance for other Chinese cities, although it is recognized that each city must tailor its own approach for differing contexts and conditions.

What Makes Community Engagement Effective?: Lessons from the Eliminate Dengue Program in Queensland Australia

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Background Worldwide, more than 40% of the population is at risk from dengue and recent estimates suggest that up to 390 million dengue infections are acquired every year. The Eliminate Dengue (ED) Program is investigating the use of Wolbachia-infected, transmission-compromised, mosquitoes to reduce dengue transmission. Previous introductions of genetically-modified strategies for dengue vector control have generated controversy internationally by inadequately engaging host communities. Community Engagement (CE) was a key component of the ED Program’s initial open release trials in Queensland Australia. Their approach to CE was perceived as effective by the ED team’s senior leadership, members of its CE team, and by its funders, but if and why this was the case was unclear. We conducted a qualitative case study of the ED Program’s approach to CE to identify and critically examine its components, and to explain whether and how these efforts contributed to the support received by stakeholders. Methodology/Principal Findings In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 participants with a range of experiences and perspectives related to the ED Program’s CE activities. Our analytic approach combined techniques of grounded theory and qualitative description. The ED Program’s approach to CE reflected four foundational features: 1) enabling conditions; 2) leadership; 3) core commitments and guiding values; and 4) formative social science research. These foundations informed five key operational practices: 1) building the CE team; 2) integrating CE into management practices; 3) discerning the community of stakeholders; 4) establishing and maintaining a presence in the community; and 5) socializing the technology and research strategy. We also demonstrate how these practices contributed to stakeholders’ willingness to support the trials. Conclusions/Significance Our case study has identified, and explained the functional relationships among, the critical features of the ED Program’s approach to CE. It has also illuminated how these features were meaningful to stakeholders and contributed to garnering support within the host communities for the open-release trials. Our findings reveal how translating ethical intentions into effective action is more socially complex than is currently reflected in the CE literature. Because our case study delineates the critical features of the ED Program’s approach to CE, it can serve as a framework for other programs to follow when designing their own strategies. And because the findings outline a theory of change for CE, it can also serve as a starting point for developing an evaluation framework for CE. PMID:25875485

Trap depth and color variation of Ce3+-Cr3+ co-doped Gd3(Al,Ga)5O12 garnet persistent phosphors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asami, Kazuki; Ueda, Jumpei; Tanabe, Setsuhisa

2016-12-01

Persistent luminescent properties in Ce3+-Cr3+ codoped Gd3Al5-xGaxO12 garnet (GAGG:Ce-Cr) solid solution have been investigated. The persistent luminescent color is shifted from orange to yellowish green with increasing Ga content because Ce3+: 5d level splitting becomes much weaker. The depth of electron trap introduced by Cr codoping was estimated from the intense thermoluminescence glow peak by the initial rise method. The trap depth decreases from 0.56 eV to 0.29 eV with increasing Ga content. The shift can be explained by downshift of bottom of conduction band. From the persistent luminescence decay curve measurement after ceasing 450 nm blue illumination, the samples with x = 2.5 exhibited the longest persistent luminescence for 405 min until the luminance becomes 2 mcd/m2 in GAGG:Ce-Cr phosphors.

Growing trend of CE at the omics level: the frontier of systems biology--an update.

PubMed

Ban, Eunmi; Park, Soo Hyun; Kang, Min-Jung; Lee, Hyun-Jung; Song, Eun Joo; Yoo, Young Sook

2012-01-01

Omics is the study of proteins, peptides, genes, and metabolites in living organisms. Systems biology aims to understand the system through the study of the relationship between elements such as genes and proteins in biological system. Recently, systems biology emerged as the result of the advanced development of high-throughput analysis technologies such as DNA sequencers, DNA arrays, and mass spectrometry for omics studies. Among a number of analytical tools and technologies, CE and CE coupled to MS are promising and relatively rapidly developing tools with the potential to provide qualitative and quantitative analyses of biological molecules. With an emphasis on CE for systems biology, this review summarizes the method developments and applications of CE for the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic studies focusing on the drug discovery and disease diagnosis and therapies since 2009. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Analysis of heparin oligosaccharides by capillary electrophoresis-negative-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Lin, Lei; Liu, Xinyue; Zhang, Fuming; Chi, Lianli; Amster, I Jonathan; Leach, Franklyn E; Xia, Qiangwei; Linhardt, Robert J

2017-01-01

Most hyphenated analytical approaches that rely on liquid chromatography-MS require relatively long separation times, produce incomplete resolution of oligosaccharide mixtures, use eluents that are incompatible with electrospray ionization, or require oligosaccharide derivatization. Here we demonstrate the analysis of heparin oligosaccharides, including disaccharides, ultralow molecular weight heparin, and a low molecular weight heparin, using a novel electrokinetic pump-based CE-MS coupling eletrospray ion source. Reverse polarity CE separation and negative-mode electrospray ionization were optimized using a volatile methanolic ammonium acetate electrolyte and sheath fluid. The online CE hyphenated negative-ion electrospray ionization MS on an LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer was useful in disaccharide compositional analysis and bottom-up and top-down analysis of low molecular weight heparin. The application of this CE-MS method to ultralow molecular heparin suggests that a charge state distribution and the low level of sulfate group loss that is achieved make this method useful for online tandem MS analysis of heparins. Graphical abstract Most hyphenated analytical approaches that rely on liquid chromatography-MS require relatively long separation times, produce incomplete resolution of oligosaccharide mixtures, use eluents that are incompatible with electrospray ionization, or require oligosaccharide derivatization. Here we demonstrate the analysis of heparin oligosaccharides, including disaccharides, ultralow molecular weight heparin, and a low molecular weight heparin, using a novel electrokinetic pump-based CE-MS coupling eletrospray ion source. Reverse polarity CE separation and negative-mode electrospray ionization were optimized using a volatile methanolic ammonium acetate electrolyte and sheath fluid. The online CE hyphenated negative-ion electrospray ionization MS on an LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer was useful in disaccharide compositional analysis and bottom-up and top-down analysis of low molecular weight heparin. The application of this CE-MS method to ultralow molecular heparin suggests that a charge state distribution and the low level of sulfate group loss that is achieved make this method useful for online tandem MS analysis of heparins.

TH-EF-BRA-04: Individually Optimized Contrast-Enhanced 4D-CT for Radiotherapy Simulation in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

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

Choi, W; Xue, M; Lane, B

Purpose: To develop an individually optimized contrast-enhanced (CE) 4D-CT for radiotherapy simulation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDA). Methods: Ten PDA patients were enrolled. Each underwent 3 CT scans: a 4D-CT immediately following a CE 3D-CT and an individually optimized CE 4D-CT using test injection. Three physicians contoured the tumor and pancreatic tissues. We compared image quality scores, tumor volume, motion, tumor-to-pancreas contrast, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in the 3 CTs. We also evaluated interobserver variations in contouring the tumor using simultaneous truth and performance level estimation (STAPLE). Results: Average image quality scores for CE 3DCT and CE 4D-CT were comparablemore » (4.0 and 3.8, respectively; P=0.47), and both were significantly better than that for 4D-CT (2.6, P<0.001). Tumor-to-pancreas contrast results were comparable in CE 3D-CT and CE 4D-CT (15.5 and 16.7 HU, respectively; P=0.71), and the latter was significantly higher than in 4D-CT (9.2 HU, P=0.03). Image noise in CE 3D-CT (12.5 HU) was significantly lower than in CE 4D-CT (22.1 HU, P<0.001) and 4D-CT (19.4 HU, P=0.005). CNRs were comparable in CE 3D-CT and CE 4DCT (1.4 and 0.8, respectively; P=0.23), and the former was significantly better than in 4D-CT (0.6, P = 0.04). Mean tumor volumes were smaller in CE 3D-CT (29.8 cm{sup 3}) and CE 4D-CT (22.8 cm{sup 3}) than in 4D-CT (42.0 cm{sup 3}), although these differences were not statistically significant. Mean tumor motion was comparable in 4D-CT and CE 4D-CT (7.2 and 6.2 mm, P=0.23). Interobserver variations were comparable in CE 3D-CT and CE 4D-CT (Jaccard index 66.0% and 61.9%, respectively) and were worse for 4D-CT (55.6%) than CE 3D-CT. Conclusion: CE 4D-CT demonstrated characteristics comparable to CE 3D-CT, with high potential for simultaneously delineating the tumor and quantifying tumor motion with a single scan. Supported in part by Philips Healthcare.« less

Divergent Routing of Positive and Negative Information from the Amygdala during Memory Retrieval.

PubMed

Beyeler, Anna; Namburi, Praneeth; Glober, Gordon F; Simonnet, Clémence; Calhoon, Gwendolyn G; Conyers, Garrett F; Luck, Robert; Wildes, Craig P; Tye, Kay M

2016-04-20

Although the basolateral amygdala (BLA) is known to play a critical role in the formation of memories of both positive and negative valence, the coding and routing of valence-related information is poorly understood. Here, we recorded BLA neurons during the retrieval of associative memories and used optogenetic-mediated phototagging to identify populations of neurons that synapse in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), the central amygdala (CeA), or ventral hippocampus (vHPC). We found that despite heterogeneous neural responses within each population, the proportions of BLA-NAc neurons excited by reward predictive cues and of BLA-CeA neurons excited by aversion predictive cues were higher than within the entire BLA. Although the BLA-vHPC projection is known to drive behaviors of innate negative valence, these neurons did not preferentially code for learned negative valence. Together, these findings suggest that valence encoding in the BLA is at least partially mediated via divergent activity of anatomically defined neural populations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mortality risk factors show similar trends in modern and historic populations exposed to plague.

PubMed

Rubini, Mauro; Gualdi-Russo, Emanuela; Manzon, Vanessa S; Rinaldo, Natascia; Bianucci, Raffaella

2016-05-31

Plague has been responsible for two major historic pandemics (6th-8th century CE; 14th-19th century CE) and a modern one. The recent Malagasy plague outbreaks raised new concerns on the deadly potential of the plague-causing bacteria Yersinia pestis. Between September 2014 and April 2015, outbreaks of bubonic and pneumonic plague hit the Malagasy population. Two hundred and sixty-three cases, including 71 deaths, have been reported in 16 different districts with a case fatality rate of 27%. The scope of our study was to ascertain whether the risk factors for health in modern-day populations exposed to plague and in ancient populations that faced the two historic pandemics varied or remained substantially unaltered. The risk of mortality of the Malagasy population with those obtained from the reconstruction of three samples of European populations exposed to the historic pandemics was contrasted. The evidence shows that the risks of death are not uniform across age neither in modern nor in historic populations exposed to plague and shows precise concentrations in specific age groups (children between five and nine years of age and young adults). Although in the post-antibiotic era, the fatality rates have drastically reduced, both modern and historic populations were exposed to the same risk factors that are essentially represented by a low standard of environmental hygiene, poor nutrition, and weak health systems.

Prophylactic Treatment with Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Attenuate Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Sprague Dawley Rats.

PubMed

Manne, Nandini D P K; Arvapalli, Ravikumar; Graffeo, Vincent A; Bandarupalli, Venkata V K; Shokuhfar, Tolou; Patel, Sweetu; Rice, Kevin M; Ginjupalli, Gautam Kumar; Blough, Eric R

2017-01-01

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion is one the main causes for graft failure following transplantation. Although, the molecular events that lead to hepatic failure following ischemia reperfusion (IR) are diverse and complex, previous studies have shown that excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are responsible for hepatic IR injury. Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles have been previously shown to act as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Here, we evaluated the protective effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: Control, CeO2 nanoparticle only, hepatic ischemia reperfusion (IR) group and hepatic ischemia reperfusion (IR) plus CeO2 nanoparticle group (IR+ CeO2). Partial warm hepatic ischemia was induced in left lateral and median lobes for 1h, followed by 6h of reperfusion. Animals were sacrificed after 6h of reperfusion and blood and tissue samples were collected and processed for various biochemical experiments. Prophylactic treatment with CeO2 nanoparticles (0.5mg/kg i.v (IR+CeO2 group)) 1 hour prior to hepatic ischemia and subsequent reperfusion injury lead to a decrease in serum levels of alanine aminotransaminase and lactate dehydrogenase at 6 hours after reperfusion. These changes were accompanied by significant decrease in hepatocyte necrosis along with reduction in several serum inflammatory markers such as macrophage derived chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, KC/GRO, myoglobin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. However, immunoblotting demonstrated no significant changes in the levels of apoptosis related protein markers such as bax, bcl2 and caspase 3 in IR and IR+ CeO2 groups at 6 hours suggesting necrosis as the main pathway for hepatocyte death. Taken together, these data suggest that CeO2 nanoparticles attenuate IR induced cell death and can be used as a prophylactic agent to prevent hepatic injury associated with graft failure. © 2017 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Genetic basis of congenital erythrocytosis: mutation update and online databases.

PubMed

Bento, Celeste; Percy, Melanie J; Gardie, Betty; Maia, Tabita Magalhães; van Wijk, Richard; Perrotta, Silverio; Della Ragione, Fulvio; Almeida, Helena; Rossi, Cedric; Girodon, François; Aström, Maria; Neumann, Drorit; Schnittger, Susanne; Landin, Britta; Minkov, Milen; Randi, Maria Luigia; Richard, Stéphane; Casadevall, Nicole; Vainchenker, William; Rives, Susana; Hermouet, Sylvie; Ribeiro, M Leticia; McMullin, Mary Frances; Cario, Holger; Chauveau, Aurelie; Gimenez-Roqueplo, Anne-Paule; Bressac-de-Paillerets, Brigitte; Altindirek, Didem; Lorenzo, Felipe; Lambert, Frederic; Dan, Harlev; Gad-Lapiteau, Sophie; Catarina Oliveira, Ana; Rossi, Cédric; Fraga, Cristina; Taradin, Gennadiy; Martin-Nuñez, Guillermo; Vitória, Helena; Diaz Aguado, Herrera; Palmblad, Jan; Vidán, Julia; Relvas, Luis; Ribeiro, Maria Leticia; Luigi Larocca, Maria; Luigia Randi, Maria; Pedro Silveira, Maria; Percy, Melanie; Gross, Mor; Marques da Costa, Ricardo; Beshara, Soheir; Ben-Ami, Tal; Ugo, Valérie

2014-01-01

Congenital erythrocytosis (CE), or congenital polycythemia, represents a rare and heterogeneous clinical entity. It is caused by deregulated red blood cell production where erythrocyte overproduction results in elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Primary congenital familial erythrocytosis is associated with low erythropoietin (Epo) levels and results from mutations in the Epo receptor gene (EPOR). Secondary CE arises from conditions causing tissue hypoxia and results in increased Epo production. These include hemoglobin variants with increased affinity for oxygen (HBB, HBA mutations), decreased production of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate due to BPGM mutations, or mutations in the genes involved in the hypoxia sensing pathway (VHL, EPAS1, and EGLN1). Depending on the affected gene, CE can be inherited either in an autosomal dominant or recessive mode, with sporadic cases arising de novo. Despite recent important discoveries in the molecular pathogenesis of CE, the molecular causes remain to be identified in about 70% of the patients. With the objective of collecting all the published and unpublished cases of CE the COST action MPN&MPNr-Euronet developed a comprehensive Internet-based database focusing on the registration of clinical history, hematological, biochemical, and molecular data (http://www.erythrocytosis.org/). In addition, unreported mutations are also curated in the corresponding Leiden Open Variation Database. © 2013 WILEY PERIODICALS, INC.

Relationship between domestic smoking and metals and rare earth elements concentration in indoor PM2.5.

PubMed

Drago, Gaspare; Perrino, Cinzia; Canepari, Silvia; Ruggieri, Silvia; L'Abbate, Luca; Longo, Valeria; Colombo, Paolo; Frasca, Daniele; Balzan, Martin; Cuttitta, Giuseppina; Scaccianoce, Gianluca; Piva, Giuseppe; Bucchieri, Salvatore; Melis, Mario; Viegi, Giovanni; Cibella, Fabio; Balzan, Martin; Bilocca, David; Borg, Charles; Montefort, Stephen; Zammit, Christopher; Bucchieri, Salvatore; Cibella, Fabio; Colombo, Paolo; Cuttitta, Giuseppina; Drago, Gaspare; Ferrante, Giuliana; L'Abbate, Luca; Grutta, Stefania La; Longo, Valeria; Melis, Mario R; Ruggieri, Silvia; Viegi, Giovanni; Minardi, Remo; Piva, Giuseppe; Ristagno, Rosaria; Rizzo, Gianfranco; Scaccianoce, Gianluca

2018-04-16

Cigarette smoke is the main source of indoor chemical and toxic elements. Cadmium (Cd), Thallium (Tl), Lead (Pb) and Antimony (Sb) are important contributors to smoke-related health risks. Data on the association between Rare Earth Elements (REE) Cerium (Ce) and Lanthanum (La) and domestic smoking are scanty. To evaluate the relationship between cigarette smoke, indoor levels of PM 2.5 and heavy metals, 73 children were investigated by parental questionnaire and skin prick tests. The houses of residence of 41 "cases" and 32 "controls" (children with and without respiratory symptoms, respectively) were evaluated by 48-h PM 2.5 indoor/outdoor monitoring. PM 2.5 mass concentration was determined by gravimetry; the extracted and mineralized fractions of elements (As, Cd, Ce, La, Mn, Pb, Sb, Sr, Tl) were evaluated by ICP-MS. PM 2.5 and Ce, La, Cd, and Tl indoor concentrations were higher in smoker dwellings. When corrected for confounding factors, PM 2.5 , Ce, La, Cd, and Tl were associated with more likely presence of respiratory symptoms in adolescents. We found that: i) indoor smoking is associated with increased levels of PM 2.5 , Ce, La, Cd, and Tl and ii) the latter with increased presence of respiratory symptoms in children. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Measuring ethane and acetylene in Antarctic ice cores to quantify long-term hydrocarbon emissions from tropical fires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicewonger, M. R.; Aydin, M.; Prather, M. J.; Saltzman, E. S.

2017-12-01

This study examines ethane (C2H6) and acetylene (C2H2) in polar ice cores in order to reconstruct variations in the atmospheric levels of these trace gases over the past 2,000 years. Both of these non-methane hydrocarbons are released from fossil fuel, biofuel, and biomass burning. Ethane, but not acetylene, is also emitted from natural geologic outgassing of hydrocarbons. In an earlier study, we reported ethane levels in Greenland and Antarctic ice cores showing roughly equal contributions from biomass burning and geologic emissions to preindustrial atmospheric ethane levels (Nicewonger et al., 2016). Here we introduce acetylene as an additional constraint to better quantify preindustrial variations in the emissions from these natural hydrocarbon sources. Here we present 30 new measurements of ethane and acetylene from the WDC-06A ice core from WAIS Divide and the newly drilled South Pole ice core (SPICECORE). Ethane results display a gradual decline from peak levels of 110 ppt at 1400 CE to a minimum of 60-80 ppt during 1700-1875 CE. Acetylene correlates with ethane (r2 > 0.4), dropping from peak levels of 35 ppt at 1400 CE to 15-20 ppt at 1875 CE. The covariance between the two trace gases implies that the observed changes are likely caused by decreasing emissions from low latitude biomass burning. We will discuss results from chemical transport modeling and sensitivity tests and the implications for the preindustrial ethane and acetylene budgets.

PceRBase: a database of plant competing endogenous RNA.

PubMed

Yuan, Chunhui; Meng, Xianwen; Li, Xue; Illing, Nicola; Ingle, Robert A; Wang, Jingjing; Chen, Ming

2017-01-04

Competition for microRNA (miRNA) binding between RNA molecules has emerged as a novel mechanism for the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) can act as decoys for miRNA binding, thereby forming a ceRNA network by regulating the abundance of other RNA transcripts which share the same or similar microRNA response elements. Although this type of RNA cross talk was first described in Arabidopsis, and was subsequently shown to be active in animal models, there is no database collecting potential ceRNA data for plants. We have developed a Plant ceRNA database (PceRBase, http://bis.zju.edu.cn/pcernadb/index.jsp) which contains potential ceRNA target-target, and ceRNA target-mimic pairs from 26 plant species. For example, in Arabidopsis lyrata, 311 candidate ceRNAs are identified which could affect 2646 target-miRNA-target interactions. Predicted pairing structure between miRNAs and their target mRNA transcripts, expression levels of ceRNA pairs and associated GO annotations are also stored in the database. A web interface provides convenient browsing and searching for specific genes of interest. Tools are available for the visualization and enrichment analysis of genes in the ceRNA networks. Moreover, users can use PceRBase to predict novel competing mimic-target and target-target interactions from their own data. © The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

What Is Nutrition Support Therapy?

MedlinePlus

... Sponsored CE Programs Calendar of Events What Is Nutrition Support Therapy All people need food to live. ... patient populations from pediatrics to geriatrics. Key Terms: Nutrition Support Therapy The provision of enteral or parenteral ...

Epidemiology of Echinococcosis Among Schoolchildren in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai, China.

PubMed

Cai, Huixia; Guan, Yayi; Ma, Xiao; Wang, Liying; Wang, Hu; Su, Guoming; Zhang, Xuefei; Han, Xiumin; Ma, Junying; Liu, Yu Fang; Li, Jun; Zhang, Jingxiao; Wang, Yongshun; Wang, Wei; Du, Rui; Lei, Wen; Wu, Weiping

2017-03-01

Echinococcosis is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease that is highly endemic in Qinghai Province. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of echinococcosis among schoolchildren in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to improve early diagnosis and treatment of patients and to provide information for echinococcosis prevention and control. A total of 11,260 schoolchildren from five counties (Maqin, Gander, Dari, Jiuzhi, and Banma) in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, were screened for echinococcosis. Screening involved ultrasound imaging combined with serologic examination as an auxiliary diagnostic test. The prevalence of echinococcosis in the schoolchildren was 2.1% (235/11,260), with a rate of 0.8% for cystic echinococcosis (CE; 89/11,260) and 1.3% for alveolar echinococcosis (AE; 146/11,260). Additionally, one child had a mixed infection. The prevalence ranged between 1.1% and 4.1% among the five investigated counties, and was highest in Dari County (4.1%). The prevalence of echinococcosis was higher in girls than in boys and gradually increased with age. In addition, children with CE mainly had type 1 (CE1) and type 3 (CE3) lesions, and children with AE mainly had small-diameter calcified lesions, suggesting that they were in the early asymptomatic stage of echinococcosis. In conclusion, children of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture appear to exhibit the highest recorded prevalence of CE and AE globally. Ultrasound is useful for screening populations in regions where both CE and AE are endemic.

Epidemiology of Echinococcosis among Schoolchildren in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai, China

PubMed Central

Cai, Huixia; Guan, Yayi; Ma, Xiao; Wang, Liying; Wang, Hu; Su, Guoming; Zhang, Xuefei; Han, Xiumin; Ma, Junying; Liu, Yu Fang; Li, Jun; Zhang, Jingxiao; Wang, Yongshun; Wang, Wei; Du, Rui; Lei, Wen; Wu, Weiping

2017-01-01

Echinococcosis is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease that is highly endemic in Qinghai Province. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of echinococcosis among schoolchildren in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to improve early diagnosis and treatment of patients and to provide information for echinococcosis prevention and control. A total of 11,260 schoolchildren from five counties (Maqin, Gander, Dari, Jiuzhi, and Banma) in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, were screened for echinococcosis. Screening involved ultrasound imaging combined with serologic examination as an auxiliary diagnostic test. The prevalence of echinococcosis in the schoolchildren was 2.1% (235/11,260), with a rate of 0.8% for cystic echinococcosis (CE; 89/11,260) and 1.3% for alveolar echinococcosis (AE; 146/11,260). Additionally, one child had a mixed infection. The prevalence ranged between 1.1% and 4.1% among the five investigated counties, and was highest in Dari County (4.1%). The prevalence of echinococcosis was higher in girls than in boys and gradually increased with age. In addition, children with CE mainly had type 1 (CE1) and type 3 (CE3) lesions, and children with AE mainly had small-diameter calcified lesions, suggesting that they were in the early asymptomatic stage of echinococcosis. In conclusion, children of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture appear to exhibit the highest recorded prevalence of CE and AE globally. Ultrasound is useful for screening populations in regions where both CE and AE are endemic. PMID:28070013

Not simply more of the same: distinguishing between patient heterogeneity and parameter uncertainty.

PubMed

Vemer, Pepijn; Goossens, Lucas M A; Rutten-van Mölken, Maureen P M H

2014-11-01

In cost-effectiveness (CE) Markov models, heterogeneity in the patient population is not automatically taken into account. We aimed to compare methods of dealing with heterogeneity on estimates of CE, using a case study in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We first present a probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) in which we sampled only from distributions representing parameter uncertainty. This ignores any heterogeneity. Next, we explored heterogeneity by presenting results for subgroups, using a method that samples parameter uncertainty simultaneously with heterogeneity in a single-loop PSA. Finally, we distinguished parameter uncertainty from heterogeneity in a double-loop PSA by performing a nested simulation within each PSA iteration. Point estimates and uncertainty differed substantially between methods. The incremental CE ratio (ICER) ranged from € 4900 to € 13,800. The single-loop PSA led to a substantially different shape of the CE plane and an overestimation of the uncertainty compared with the other 3 methods. The CE plane for the double-loop PSA showed substantially less uncertainty and a stronger negative correlation between the difference in costs and the difference in effects compared with the other methods. This came at the cost of higher calculation times. Not accounting for heterogeneity, subgroup analysis and the double-loop PSA can be viable options, depending on the decision makers' information needs. The single-loop PSA should not be used in CE research. It disregards the fundamental differences between heterogeneity and sampling uncertainty and overestimates uncertainty as a result. © The Author(s) 2014.

SU-E-J-187: Individually Optimized Contrast-Enhancement 4D-CT for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in Radiotherapy Simulation

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

Xue, M; Patel, K; Regine, W

2014-06-01

Purpose: To study the feasibility of individually optimized contrastenhancement (CE) 4D-CT for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDA) in radiotherapy simulation. To evaluate the image quality and contrast enhancement of tumor in the CE 4D-CT, compared to the clinical standard of CE 3D-CT and 4D-CT. Methods: In this IRB-approved study, each of the 7 PDA patients enrolled underwent 3 CT scans: a free-breathing 3D-CT with contrast (CE 3D-CT) followed by a 4D-CT without contrast (4D-CT) in the first study session, and a 4D-CT with individually synchronized contrast injection (CE 4D-CT) in the second study session. In CE 4D-CT, the time of full contrastmore » injection was determined based on the time of peak enhancement for the test injection, injection rate, table speed, and longitudinal location and span of the pancreatic region. Physicians contoured both the tumor (T) and the normal pancreatic parenchyma (P) on the three CTs (end-of-exhalation for 4D-CT). The contrast between the tumor and normal pancreatic tissue was computed as the difference of the mean enhancement level of three 1 cm3 regions of interests in T and P, respectively. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to statistically compare the scores and contrasts. Results: In qualitative evaluations, both CE 3D-CT and CE 4D-CT scored significantly better than 4D-CT (4.0 and 3.6 vs. 2.6). There was no significant difference between CE 3D-CT and CE 4D-CT. In quantitative evaluations, the contrasts between the tumor and the normal pancreatic parenchyma were 0.6±23.4, −2.1±8.0, and −19.6±28.8 HU, in CE 3D-CT, 4D-CT, and CE 4D-CT, respectively. Although not statistically significant, CE 4D-CT achieved better contrast enhancement between the tumor and the normal pancreatic parenchyma than both CE 3D-CT and 4DCT. Conclusion: CE 4D-CT achieved equivalent image quality and better contrast enhancement between tumor and normal pancreatic parenchyma than the clinical standard of CE 3D-CT and 4D-CT. This study was supported in part by Philips Healthcare.« less

Role of the long non-coding RNA PVT1 in the dysregulation of the ceRNA-ceRNA network in human breast cancer

PubMed Central

Conte, Federica; Fiscon, Giulia; Chiara, Matteo; Colombo, Teresa; Farina, Lorenzo

2017-01-01

Recent findings have identified competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) as the drivers in many disease conditions, including cancers. The ceRNAs indirectly regulate each other by reducing the amount of microRNAs (miRNAs) available to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The ceRNA interactions mediated by miRNAs are modulated by a titration mechanism, i.e. large changes in the ceRNA expression levels either overcome, or relieve, the miRNA repression on competing RNAs; similarly, a very large miRNA overexpression may abolish competition. The ceRNAs are also called miRNA “decoys” or miRNA “sponges” and encompass different RNAs competing with each other to attract miRNAs for interactions: mRNA, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), pseudogenes, or circular RNAs. Recently, we developed a computational method for identifying ceRNA-ceRNA interactions in breast invasive carcinoma. We were interested in unveiling which lncRNAs could exert the ceRNA activity. We found a drastic rewiring in the cross-talks between ceRNAs from the physiological to the pathological condition. The main actor of this dysregulated lncRNA-associated ceRNA network was the lncRNA PVT1, which revealed a net biding preference towards the miR-200 family members in normal breast tissues. Despite its up-regulation in breast cancer tissues, mimicked by the miR-200 family members, PVT1 stops working as ceRNA in the cancerous state. The specific conditions required for a ceRNA landscape to occur are still far from being determined. Here, we emphasized the importance of the relative concentration of the ceRNAs, and their related miRNAs. In particular, we focused on the withdrawal in breast cancer tissues of the PVT1 ceRNA activity and performed a gene expression and sequence analysis of its multiple isoforms. We found that the PVT1 isoform harbouring the binding site for a representative miRNA of the miR-200 family shows a drastic decrease in its relative concentration with respect to the miRNA abundance in breast cancer tissues, providing a plausibility argument to the breakdown of the sponge program orchestrated by the oncogene PVT1. PMID:28187158

Sonographical and serological survey of human cystic echinococcosis and analysis of risk factors associated with seroconversion in rural communities of Kerman, Iran.

PubMed

Harandi, M F; Moazezi, S S; Saba, M; Grimm, F; Kamyabi, H; Sheikhzadeh, F; Sharifi, I; Deplazes, P

2011-12-01

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, is an endemic zoonosis in Iran particularly in rural regions. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of CE among rural communities in Kerman using ultrasonography (US) and serology. Kerman Province, in southeastern Iran, is the largest province, with 2.9 million inhabitants. A sample of 1140 individuals (200 males and 940 females) was selected by randomized cluster sampling in 2006-2008. After acquiring informed consent for each participant a questionnaire was filled, complete abdominal US in supine position was carried out and 5 ml blood was collected for ELISA test. Two hydatid cases (0.2%) were detected by ultrasound. Serological results showed 7.3% seropositivity, and females (8.3%) were significantly more positive than males (2.1%). There were significant difference between CE seropositivity and sex, age and occupation. Residents of desert regions (Shahdad, Andouhjerd and Golbaf) were 2.5 times more likely to be seropositive than mountainous regions with better socioeconomic status (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.09-5.95). Dog ownership does not appear to be a significant risk factor for CE in the region. Only about 10% of households own dogs, usually only one dog. However, the stray dog population of Kerman province is estimated at 145 000-480 000 (3.5-11.5 times the owned dog population). Infection in humans and animals would appear to come mostly from infected stray dogs. Management of stray dog population could make major progress in control of hydatid disease. In addition, proper washing of vegetables decreased probability of infection by 53% (OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.26-0.84). The serological study showed that many people, especially women, had been exposed to Echinococcus eggs and had seroconverted but were not infected. © 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Phytotoxic Mechanism of Nanoparticles: Destruction of Chloroplasts and Vascular Bundles and Alteration of Nutrient Absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nhan, Le Van; Ma, Chuanxin; Rui, Yukui; Liu, Shutong; Li, Xuguang; Xing, Baoshan; Liu, Liming

2015-06-01

This study focused on determining the phytotoxic mechanism of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs): destroying chloroplasts and vascular bundles and altering absorption of nutrients on conventional and Bt-transgenic cottons. Experiments were designed with three concentrations of CeO2 NPs including: 0, 100 and 500 mg·L-1, and each treatment was three replications. Results indicate that absorbed CeO2 nanoparticles significantly reduced the Zn, Mg, Fe, and P levels in xylem sap compared with the control group and decreased indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations in the roots of conventional cotton. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that CeO2 NPs were absorbed into the roots and subsequently transported to the stems and leaves of both conventional and Bt-transgenic cotton plants via xylem sap. In addition, the majority of aggregated CeO2 NPs were attached to the external surface of chloroplasts, which were swollen and ruptured, especially in Bt-transgenic cotton. The vascular bundles were destroyed by CeO2 nanoparticles, and more damage was observed in transgenic cotton than conventional cotton.

Electronic, magnetic and optical properties of C- and N-doped CeO2 bulk and (111) surface from first-principles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Shuhua; Zhou, Wei; Liu, Yanyu; Lu, Yi-Lin; Sun, Lili; Wu, Ping

2018-05-01

The electronic, magnetic and optical properties of C- and N-doped CeO2 bulk and (111) surface have been systematically investigated by first-principles calculations. The results show that the spin splitting occurs when doping atoms replace the anion sites in the CeO2 matrix, causing a local magnetic moment of 2.00, and 1.00 μB for C- and N-doping, respectively. The strong hybridization between dopants 2p and O 2p triplet-states around the Fermi level gives rise to the half-metallic character for doped bulk systems, while substitution onto the surface eliminates the degeneration of dopants 2p orbitals, which results in anisotropic spin atmosphere. Especially, owing to the low formation energy and available RTFM, N-doped CeO2 would be easily realized in the experiment and should also be wonderful candidate materials for oxide spintronics. In addition, compared with N-doped CeO2, the calculated optical properties reveal that C-doped CeO2 (111) surface is able to enhance the absorption of the visible light.

Cinnamon polyphenols regulate multiple metabolic pathways involved in insulin signaling and intestinal lipoprotein metabolism of small intestinal enterocytes.

PubMed

Qin, Bolin; Dawson, Harry D; Schoene, Norberta W; Polansky, Marilyn M; Anderson, Richard A

2012-01-01

Increasing evidence suggests that dietary factors may affect the expression of multiple genes and signaling pathways, which regulate intestinal lipoprotein metabolism. The small intestine is actively involved in the regulation of dietary lipid absorption, intracellular transport, and metabolism and is closely linked to systemic lipid metabolism. Cinnamon polyphenols have been shown to improve glucose, insulin, and lipid metabolism and improve inflammation in cell culture, animal, and human studies. However, little is known of the effects of an aqueous cinnamon extract (CE) on the regulation of genes and signaling pathways related to intestinal metabolism. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a CE on the primary enterocytes of chow-fed rats. Freshly isolated intestinal enterocytes were used to investigate apolipoprotein-B48 secretion by immunoprecipitation; gene expressions by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and the protein and phosphorylation levels were evaluated by western blot and flow cytometric analyses. Ex vivo, the CE significantly decreased the amount of apolipoprotein-B48 secretion into the media, inhibited the mRNA expression of genes of the inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and induced the expression of the anti-inflammatory gene, Zfp36. CE also increased the mRNA expression of genes leading to increased insulin sensitivity, including Ir, Irs1, Irs2, Pi3k, and Akt1, and decreased Pten expression. CE also inhibited genes associated with increased cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and apolipoprotein-B48 levels, including Abcg5, Npc1l1, Cd36, Mttp, and Srebp1c, and facilitated Abca1 expression. CE also stimulated the phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase expressions determined by flow cytometry, with no changes in protein levels. These results demonstrate that the CE regulates genes associated with insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and cholesterol/lipogenesis metabolism and the activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway in intestinal lipoprotein metabolism. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The relevance of the alliance for CME competencies for planning, organizing, and sustaining an interorganizational educational collaborative.

PubMed

Balmer, Jann T; Bellande, Bruce J; Addleton, Robert L; Havens, Carol S

2011-01-01

The heightened demand for accountability, access, and quality performance from health care professionals has resulted in linkages between continuing education (CE), performance improvement (PI), and outcomes. CE health professionals must also expand their skills and abilities to design, implement, and measure CE activities consistent with these new expectations. In addition to administrative and meeting-planning activities, new competencies associated with educational consultation and performance coaching are needed. This article utilizes the Alliance competencies as the framework for discussion of the competencies of CE professionals and applies it to the unique setting of a collaborative. The CS2day initiative serves as an example of the application of these competencies in this environment. The framework of the Alliance competencies can serve as a guide and a tool for self-assessment, work design, and professional development at individual, organization, and systems levels. Continual reassessment of the Alliance competencies for CE in the health professions will be critical to the continued effectiveness of CE that is linked to performance improvement and outcomes for the CE professional and the health care professionals we serve. A collaborative can provide one option for meeting these new expectations for professional development for CE professionals and the creation of effective educational initiatives. Copyright © 2011 The Alliance for Continuing Medical Education, the Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education, and the Council on CME, Association for Hospital Medical Education.

Mg Doping Induced Effects on Structural, Optical, and Electrical Properties as Well as Cytotoxicity of CeO2 Nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iqbal, Javed; Jan, Tariq; Awan, M. S.; Naqvi, Sajjad Haider; Badshah, Noor; ullah, Asmat; Abbas, Fazzal

2016-04-01

Here, Mg x Ce1- x O2 (where x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.05) nanostructures have been successfully synthesized by using a simple, easy, and cost-effective soft chemical method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns substantiate the single-phase formation of a CeO2 cubic fluorite structure for all samples. Infrared spectroscopy results depict the presence of peaks only related to Ce-O bonding, which confirms the XRD results. It has been observed via ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy that Mg doping has tuned the optical band gap of CeO2 significantly. The electrical conductivity of CeO2 nanostructures has been found to increase with Mg doping, which is attributed to enhancement in carrier concentration due to the different valance states of dopant and host ions. Selective cytotoxic behavior of Mg x Ce1- x O2 nanostructures has been determined for neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cancerous and HEK-293 healthy cells. Both doped and undoped CeO2 nanostructures have been found to be toxic for cancer cells and safe toward healthy cells. This selective toxic behavior of the synthesized nanostructures has been assigned to the different levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in different types of cells. This makes the synthesized nanostructures a potential option for cancer therapy in the near future.

Optogenetic Excitation of Central Amygdala Amplifies and Narrows Incentive Motivation to Pursue One Reward Above Another

PubMed Central

Warlow, Shelley M.; Berridge, Kent C.

2014-01-01

Choosing one reward above another is important for achieving adaptive life goals. Yet hijacked into excessive intensity in disorders such as addiction, single-minded pursuit becomes maladaptive. Here, we report that optogenetic channelrhodopsin stimulation of neurons in central nucleus of amygdala (CeA), paired with earning a particular sucrose reward in rats, amplified and narrowed incentive motivation to that single reward target. Therefore, CeA rats chose and intensely pursued only the laser-paired sucrose reward while ignoring an equally good sucrose alternative. In contrast, reward-paired stimulation of basolateral amygdala did not hijack choice. In a separate measure of incentive motivation, CeA stimulation also increased the progressive ratio breakpoint or level of effort exerted to obtain sucrose reward. However, CeA stimulation by itself failed to support behavioral self-stimulation in the absence of any paired external food reward, suggesting that CeA photo-excitation specifically transformed the value of its external reward (rather than adding an internal reinforcement state). Nor did CeA stimulation by itself induce any aversive state that motivated escape. Finally, CeA stimulation also failed to enhance ‘liking’ reactions elicited by sucrose taste and did not simply increase the general motivation to eat. This pattern suggests that CeA photo-excitation specifically enhances and narrows incentive motivation to pursue an associated external reward at the expense of another comparable reward. PMID:25505310

Protective effects of Curcuma longa against neurobehavioral and neurochemical damage caused by cerium chloride in mice.

PubMed

Kadri, Yamina; Nciri, Riadh; Brahmi, Noura; Saidi, Saber; Harrath, Abdel Halim; Alwasel, Saleh; Aldahmash, Waleed; El Feki, Abdelfatteh; Allagui, Mohamed Salah

2018-05-07

Cerium chloride (CeCl 3 ) is considered an environmental pollutant and a potent neurotoxic agent. Medicinal plants have many bioactive compounds that provide protection against damage caused by such pollutants. Curcuma longa is a bioactive compound-rich plant with very important antioxidant properties. To study the preventive and healing effects of Curcuma longa on cerium-damaged mouse brains, we intraperitoneally injected cerium chloride (CeCl 3 , 20 mg/kg BW) along with Curcuma longa extract, administrated by gavage (100 mg/kg BW), into mice for 60 days. We then examined mouse behavior, brain tissue damage, and brain oxidative stress parameters. Our results revealed a significant modification in the behavior of the CeCl 3 -treated mice. In addition, CeCl 3 induced a significant increment in lipid peroxidation, carbonyl protein (PCO), and advanced oxidation protein product levels, as well as a significant reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity remarkably increased in the brain of CeCl 3 -treated mice. Histopathological observations confirmed these results. Curcuma longa attenuated CeCl 3 -induced oxidative stress and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. It also decreased AChE activity in the CeCl 3 -damaged mouse brain that was confirmed by histopathology. In conclusion, this study suggests that Curcuma longa has a neuroprotective effect against CeCl 3 -induced damage in the brain.

Luminescence Properties of Ca19Ce(PO4)14:A (A = Eu3+/Tb3+/Mn2+) Phosphors with Abundant Colors: Abnormal Coexistence of Ce4+/3+-Eu3+ and Energy Transfer of Ce3+ → Tb3+/Mn2+ and Tb3+-Mn2.

PubMed

Shang, Mengmeng; Liang, Sisi; Lian, Hongzhou; Lin, Jun

2017-06-05

A series of Eu 3+ /Tb 3+ /Mn 2+ -ion-doped Ca 19 Ce(PO 4 ) 14 (CCPO) phosphors have been prepared via the conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction process. Under UV radiation, the CCPO host presents a broad blue emission band from Ce 3+ ions, which are generated during the preparation process because of the formation of deficiency. The Eu 3+ -doped CCPO phosphors can exhibit magenta to red-orange emission as a result of the abnormal coexistence of Ce 3+ /Ce 4+ /Eu 3+ and the metal-metal charge-transfer (MMCT) effect between Ce 3+ and Eu 3+ . When Tb 3+ /Mn 2+ are doped into the hosts, the samples excited with 300 nm UV light present multicolor emissions due to energy transfer (ET) from the host (Ce 3+ ) to the activators with increasing activator concentrations. The emitting colors of CCPO:Tb 3+ phosphors can be tuned from blue to green, and the CCPO:Mn 2+ phosphors can emit red light. The ET mechanism from the host (Ce 3+ ) to Tb 3+ /Mn 2+ is demonstrated to be a dipole-quadrapole interaction for Ce 3+ → Tb 3+ and an exchange interaction for Ce 3+ → Mn 2+ in CCPO:Tb 3+ /Mn 2+ . Abundant emission colors containing white emission were obtained in the Tb 3+ - and Mn 2+ -codoped CCPO phosphors through control of the levels of doped Tb 3+ and Mn 2+ ions. The white-emitted CCPO:Tb 3+ /Mn 2+ phosphor exhibited excellent thermal stability. The photoluminescence properties have shown that these materials might have potential for UV-pumped white-light-emitting diodes.

Ethanol produces corticotropin releasing factor receptor-dependent enhancement of spontaneous glutamatergic transmission in the mouse central amygdala

PubMed Central

Silberman, Yuval; Fetterly, Tracy L.; Awad, Elias K.; Milano, Elana J.; Usdin, Ted B.; Winder, Danny G.

2015-01-01

Background Ethanol modulation of Central Amygdala (CeA) neurocircuitry plays a key role in the development of alcoholism via activation of the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor system. Previous work has predominantly focused on ethanol/CRF interactions on the CeA GABA circuitry; however our lab recently showed that CRF enhances CeA glutamatergic transmission. Therefore, this study sought to determine if ethanol modulates CeA glutamate transmission via activation of CRF signaling. Methods The effects of ethanol on spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and basal resting membrane potentials were examined via standard electrophysiology methods in adult male C57BL/6J mice. Local ablation of CeA CRF neurons (CRFCeAhDTR) was achieved by targeting the human diphtheria toxin receptor (hDTR) to CeA CRF neurons with an adeno-associated virus. Ablation was quantified post-hoc with confocal microscopy. Genetic targeting of the diphtheria toxin active subunit to CRF neurons (CRFDTA mice) ablated CRF neurons throughout the CNS, as assessed by qRT-PCR quantification of CRF mRNA. Results Acute bath application of ethanol significantly increased sEPSC frequency in a concentration dependent manner in CeA neurons, and this effect was blocked by pretreatment of co-applied CRF receptor 1 and CRF receptor 2 antagonists. In experiments utilizing a CRF-tomato reporter mouse, ethanol did not significantly alter the basal membrane potential of CeA CRF neurons. The ability of ethanol to enhance CeA sEPSC frequency was not altered in CRFCeAhDTR mice despite a ~78% reduction in CeA CRF cell counts. The ability of ethanol to enhance CeA sEPSC frequency was also not altered in the CRFDTA mice despite a three-fold reduction in CRF mRNA levels. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that ethanol enhances spontaneous glutamatergic transmission in the CeA via a CRF receptor dependent mechanism. Surprisingly, our data suggest that this action may not require endogenous CRF. PMID:26503065

Cerium dioxide nanoparticles exacerbate house dust mite induced type II airway inflammation.

PubMed

Meldrum, Kirsty; Robertson, Sarah B; Römer, Isabella; Marczylo, Tim; Dean, Lareb S N; Rogers, Andrew; Gant, Timothy W; Smith, Rachel; Tetley, Terry D; Leonard, Martin O

2018-05-23

Nanomaterial inhalation represents a potential hazard for respiratory conditions such as asthma. Cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) have the ability to modify disease outcome but have not been investigated for their effect on models of asthma and inflammatory lung disease. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of CeO 2 NPs in a house dust mite (HDM) induced murine model of asthma. Repeated intranasal instillation of CeO 2 NPs in the presence of HDM caused the induction of a type II inflammatory response, characterised by increased bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophils, mast cells, total plasma IgE and goblet cell metaplasia. This was accompanied by increases in IL-4, CCL11 and MCPT1 gene expression together with increases in the mucin and inflammatory regulators CLCA1 and SLC26A4. CLCA1 and SLC26A4 were also induced by CeO 2 NPs + HDM co-exposure in air liquid interface cultures of human primary bronchial epithelial cells. HDM induced airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodelling in mice were not altered with CeO 2 NPs co-exposure. Repeated HMD instillations followed by a single exposure to CeO 2 NPs failed to produce changes in type II inflammatory endpoints but did result in alterations in the neutrophil marker CD177. Treatment of mice with CeO 2 NPs in the absence of HDM did not have any significant effects. RNA-SEQ was used to explore early effects 24 h after single treatment exposures. Changes in SAA3 expression paralleled increased neutrophil BAL levels, while no changes in eosinophil or lymphocyte levels were observed. HDM resulted in a strong induction of type I interferon and IRF3 dependent gene expression, which was inhibited with CeO 2 NPs co-exposure. Changes in the expression of genes including CCL20, CXCL10, NLRC5, IRF7 and CLEC10A suggest regulation of dendritic cells, macrophage functionality and IRF3 modulation as key early events in how CeO 2 NPs may guide pulmonary responses to HDM towards type II inflammation. CeO 2 NPs were observed to modulate the murine pulmonary response to house dust mite allergen exposure towards a type II inflammatory environment. As this type of response is present within asthmatic endotypes this finding may have implications for how occupational or incidental exposure to CeO 2 NPs should be considered for those susceptible to disease.

Alterations of the Ileal and Colonic Mucosal Microbiota in Canine Chronic Enteropathies

PubMed Central

Cassmann, Eric; White, Robin; Atherly, Todd; Wang, Chong; Sun, Yaxuan; Khoda, Samir; Mosher, Curtis; Ackermann, Mark; Jergens, Albert

2016-01-01

Background The intestinal microbiota is increasingly linked to the pathogenesis of chronic enteropathies (CE) in dogs. While imbalances in duodenal and fecal microbial communities have been associated with mucosal inflammation, relatively little is known about alterations in mucosal bacteria seen with CE involving the ileum and colon. Aim To investigate the composition and spatial organization of mucosal microbiota in dogs with CE and controls. Methods Tissue sections from endoscopic biopsies of the ileum and colon from 19 dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 6 dogs with granulomatous colitis (GC), 12 dogs with intestinal neoplasia, and 15 controls were studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on a quantifiable basis. Results The ileal and colonic mucosa of healthy dogs and dogs with CE is predominantly colonized by bacteria localized to free and adherent mucus compartments. CE dogs harbored more (P < 0.05) mucosal bacteria belonging to the Clostridium-coccoides/Eubacterium rectale group, Bacteroides, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia coli versus controls. Within the CE group, IBD dogs had increased (P < 0.05) Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli bacteria attached onto surface epithelia or invading within the intestinal mucosa. Bacterial invasion with E. coli was observed in the ileal and colonic mucosa of dogs with GC (P < 0.05). Dogs with intestinal neoplasia had increased (P < 0.05) adherent (total bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli) and invasive (Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, and Bacteroides) bacteria in biopsy specimens. Increased numbers of total bacteria adherent to the colonic mucosa were associated with clinical disease severity in IBD dogs (P < 0.05). Conclusion Pathogenic events in canine CE are associated with different populations of the ileal and colonic mucosal microbiota. PMID:26840462

Anti-helminthic activity of Momordica charantia L. against Fasciola hepatica eggs after twelve days of incubation in vitro.

PubMed

Pereira, Cíntia A J; Oliveira, Laura L S; Coaglio, Aytube L; Santos, Fernanda S O; Cezar, Rodolfo S M; Mendes, Tiago; Oliveira, Fernando L P; Conzensa, Gustavo; Lima, Walter S

2016-09-15

Fasciolosis, a parasitic disease caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica underreported is expanding both in human and animal population, throughout the world. The constant use of synthetic drugs to treat this condition has led to the natural selection of resistant strains of the parasite. Hence, there is a growing focus on the potential anti-helminthic properties of medicinal plants and phytopharmaceuticals. The current study assessed the potential anti-fasciolicide action of Momordica charantia leaf extracts and fractions on the eggs of F. hepatica parasites. The lyophilized crude extract (CE) of M. charantia leaves and its sub-fractions, obtained from liquid-liquid partitioning with organic solvents, were analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), suspended in 1% DMSO and used in in vitro tests. Quadruplicates of 50F. hepatica eggs were incubated at 23°C with M. charantia leaf CE in different concentrations. After 12days no larvae were formed in eggs incubated with CE concentrations above 12.5mg/mL. Eggs incubated with CE sub-fractions at concentrations of 1000, 100, 10, 1, 0.1, 0.01μg/mL affected embryonic development, with n-butanol presenting the strongest inhibition of miracidia formation. In contrast, on the 12th day, 90% of the miracidia hatched in the control experiments using 0.03% DMSO whereas embryogenesis was completely abolished with any concentration of albendazole sulphoxide ABZ(SO). Chemical analysis of the CE and sub-fractions revealed a prominent presence of flavonoids. HPLC-MS confirmed Quercetin to be one of the main flavonoids present in the CE and the n-butanol subfraction. This is the first study to analyse the potential anti-fasciolicide action of M. charantia leaf CE and subfractions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the measurement model and clinically important differences for menopause-specific quality of life associated with bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens.

PubMed

Bushmakin, Andrew G; Abraham, Lucy; Pinkerton, JoAnn V; Cappelleri, Joseph C; Mirkin, Sebastian

2014-08-01

This study aims to confirm the factor structure of the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and to determine whether improvements in menopause-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) observed with bazedoxifene (BZA)/conjugated estrogens (CE) relative to placebo are clinically meaningful. Postmenopausal women with seven or more moderate to severe hot flushes per day (or ≥50 per wk) received BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 mg, BZA 20 mg/CE 0.625 mg, or placebo for 12 weeks. HRQOL and treatment satisfaction were evaluated using the MENQOL questionnaire and the Menopause Symptoms Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire, respectively. The structure of the MENQOL questionnaire was evaluated using CFA. To estimate clinically important differences (CIDs) in HRQOL, we used a repeated-measures model to estimate changes in MENQOL domain and total scores using Menopause Symptoms Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire items as anchors. The CFA model fits the MENQOL data (Bentler's comparative fit index >0.9). CID estimates ranged from 0.5 to 1.2 for the MENQOL domains and total score. Change from baseline in MENQOL vasomotor domain score for BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 mg and BZA 20 mg/CE 0.625 mg compared with placebo was greater than the estimated CID, as were changes in MENQOL physical domain and total scores for BZA 20 mg/CE 0.625 mg compared with placebo. CFA confirms the factor structure of the MENQOL questionnaire. Treatment with BZA/CE provides clinically meaningful improvements in HRQOL in a population of postmenopausal women with bothersome vasomotor symptoms.

Diagnostic yield and predictive factors of findings in small-bowel capsule endoscopy in the setting of iron-deficiency anemia.

PubMed

Olano, Carolina; Pazos, Ximena; Avendaño, Karla; Calleri, Alfonso; Ketzoian, Carlos

2018-06-01

 Despite the widespread use of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (CE), there is still limited data on its utility and effectiveness for the diagnosis and management of patients with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA).  To assess the diagnostic yield of CE and the factors predicting positive findings in patients with IDA.  Patients with unexplained IDA and negative upper and lower endoscopy were included. A positive diagnostic yield was considered when CE diagnosed one or more lesions that could explain the IDA. Sex, age, NSAID consumption, blood transfusion requirement, and ferritin and hemoglobin levels were recorded.  In total, 120 CE were included (mean age 58.5 years; F/M 82:38). Mean hemoglobin levels were 9 g/dL and mean ferritin levels were 15.7 ng/mL. Positive findings were present in 50 % of patients. The most frequent was angiodysplasia (45 %). Despite several baseline variables being significantly associated with positive findings, using a logistic regression model, it was verified that male sex (OR 3.93; 95 %CI 1.57 - 9.86), age (OR 1.03; 95 %CI 1.00 - 1.06), and hemoglobin levels (OR 0.73; 95 %CI 0.57 - 0.94) were the variables having an independent effect on the probability of obtaining positive findings. Age older than 50 years (OR 14.05; 95 %CI 1.69 - 116.23) and male sex (OR 3.63; 95 %CI 1.29 - 10.17) were the variables which increased the risk of diagnosing angiodysplasia.  CE is a useful technique in patients with IDA. To improve its yield, it is necessary to select patients carefully. Male sex, older age, and low hemoglobin levels were associated with a risk of positive finding in this group of patients. The risk of diagnosing angiodysplasia increased with male sex and older age.

Global mean sea-level rise in a world agreed upon in Paris

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bittermann, Klaus; Rahmstorf, Stefan; Kopp, Robert E.; Kemp, Andrew C.

2017-12-01

Although the 2015 Paris Agreement seeks to hold global average temperature to ‘well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels’, projections of global mean sea-level (GMSL) rise commonly focus on scenarios in which there is a high probability that warming exceeds 1.5 °C. Using a semi-empirical model, we project GMSL changes between now and 2150 CE under a suite of temperature scenarios that satisfy the Paris Agreement temperature targets. The projected magnitude and rate of GMSL rise varies among these low emissions scenarios. Stabilizing temperature at 1.5 °C instead of 2 °C above preindustrial reduces GMSL in 2150 CE by 17 cm (90% credible interval: 14-21 cm) and reduces peak rates of rise by 1.9 mm yr-1 (90% credible interval: 1.4-2.6 mm yr-1). Delaying the year of peak temperature has little long-term influence on GMSL, but does reduce the maximum rate of rise. Stabilizing at 2 °C in 2080 CE rather than 2030 CE reduces the peak rate by 2.7 mm yr-1 (90% credible interval: 2.0-4.0 mm yr-1).

Suwannee River flow variability 1550-2005 CE reconstructed from a multispecies tree-ring network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harley, Grant L.; Maxwell, Justin T.; Larson, Evan; Grissino-Mayer, Henri D.; Henderson, Joseph; Huffman, Jean

2017-01-01

Understanding the long-term natural flow regime of rivers enables resource managers to more accurately model water level variability. Models for managing water resources are important in Florida where population increase is escalating demand on water resources and infrastructure. The Suwannee River is the second largest river system in Florida and the least impacted by anthropogenic disturbance. We used new and existing tree-ring chronologies from multiple species to reconstruct mean March-October discharge for the Suwannee River during the period 1550-2005 CE and place the short period of instrumental flows (since 1927 CE) into historical context. We used a nested principal components regression method to maximize the use of chronologies with varying time coverage in the network. Modeled streamflow estimates indicated that instrumental period flow conditions do not adequately capture the full range of Suwannee River flow variability beyond the observational period. Although extreme dry and wet events occurred in the gage record, pluvials and droughts that eclipse the intensity and duration of instrumental events occurred during the 16-19th centuries. The most prolonged and severe dry conditions during the past 450 years occurred during the 1560s CE. In this prolonged drought period mean flow was estimated at 17% of the mean instrumental period flow. Significant peaks in spectral density at 2-7, 10, 45, and 85-year periodicities indicated the important influence of coupled oceanic-atmospheric processes on Suwannee River streamflow over the past four centuries, though the strength of these periodicities varied over time. Future water planning based on current flow expectations could prove devastating to natural and human systems if a prolonged and severe drought mirroring the 16th and 18th century events occurred. Future work in the region will focus on updating existing tree-ring chronologies and developing new collections from moisture-sensitive sites to improve understandings of past hydroclimate in the region.

High catalytic activity of Au/CeOx/TiO2(110) controlled by the nature of the mixed-metal oxide at the nanometer level.

PubMed

Park, Joon B; Graciani, Jesus; Evans, Jaime; Stacchiola, Dario; Ma, Shuguo; Liu, Ping; Nambu, Akira; Sanz, Javier Fernández; Hrbek, Jan; Rodriguez, José A

2009-03-31

Mixed-metal oxides play a very important role in many areas of chemistry, physics, materials science, and geochemistry. Recently, there has been a strong interest in understanding phenomena associated with the deposition of oxide nanoparticles on the surface of a second (host) oxide. Here, scanning tunneling microscopy, photoemission, and density-functional calculations are used to study the behavior of ceria nanoparticles deposited on a TiO(2)(110) surface. The titania substrate imposes nontypical coordination modes on the ceria nanoparticles. In the CeO(x)/TiO(2)(110) systems, the Ce cations adopt an structural geometry and an oxidation state (+3) that are quite different from those seen in bulk ceria or for ceria nanoparticles deposited on metal substrates. The increase in the stability of the Ce(3+) oxidation state leads to an enhancement in the chemical and catalytic activity of the ceria nanoparticles. The codeposition of ceria and gold nanoparticles on a TiO(2)(110) substrate generates catalysts with an extremely high activity for the production of hydrogen through the water-gas shift reaction (H(2)O + CO --> H(2) + CO(2)) or for the oxidation of carbon monoxide (2CO + O(2) --> 2CO(2)). The enhanced stability of the Ce(3+) state is an example of structural promotion in catalysis described here on the atomic level. The exploration of mixed-metal oxides at the nanometer level may open avenues for optimizing catalysts through stabilization of unconventional surface structures with special chemical activity.

Enhancement of Ce/Cr Codopant Solubility and Chemical Homogeneity in TiO2 Nanoparticles through Sol-Gel versus Pechini Syntheses.

PubMed

Chen, Wen-Fan; Mofarah, Sajjad S; Hanaor, Dorian Amir Henry; Koshy, Pramod; Chen, Hsin-Kai; Jiang, Yue; Sorrell, Charles Christopher

2018-06-18

Ce/Cr codoped TiO 2 nanoparticles were synthesized using sol-gel and Pechini methods with heat treatment at 400 °C for 4 h. A conventional sol-gel process produced well-crystallized anatase, while Pechini synthesis yielded less-ordered mixed-phase anatase + rutile; this suggests that the latter method enhances Ce solubility and increases chemical homogeneity but destabilizes the TiO 2 lattice. Greater structural disruption from the decomposition of the Pechini precursor formed more open agglomerated morphologies, while the lower levels of structural disruption from pyrolysis of the dried sol-gel precursor resulted in denser agglomerates of lower surface areas. Codoping and associated destabilization of the lattice reduced the binding energies in both powders. Cr 4+ formation in sol-gel powders and Cr 6+ formation in Pechini powders suggest that these valence changes derive from synergistic electron exchange from intervalence and/or multivalence charge transfer. Since Ce is too large to allow either substitutional or interstitial solid solubility, the concept of integrated solubility is introduced, in which the Ti site and an adjacent interstice are occupied by the large Ce ion. The photocatalytic performance data show that codoping was detrimental owing to the effects of reduced crystallinity from lattice destabilization and surface area. Two regimes of mechanistic behavior are seen, which are attributed to the unsaturated solid solutions at lower codopant levels and supersaturated solid solutions at higher levels. The present work demonstrates that the Pechini method offers a processing technique that is superior to sol-gel because the former facilitates solid solubility and consequent chemical homogeneity.

Aromatic acids in an Arctic ice core from Svalbard: a proxy record of biomass burning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grieman, Mackenzie M.; Aydin, Murat; Isaksson, Elisabeth; Schwikowski, Margit; Saltzman, Eric S.

2018-05-01

This study presents vanillic acid and para-hydroxybenzoic acid levels in an Arctic ice core from Lomonosovfonna, Svalbard covering the past 800 years. These aromatic acids are likely derived from lignin combustion in wildfires and long-range aerosol transport. Vanillic and para-hydroxybenzoic acid are present throughout the ice core, confirming that these compounds are preserved on millennial timescales. Vanillic and para-hydroxybenzoic acid concentrations in the Lomonosovfonna ice core ranged from below the limits of detection to 0.2 and 0.07 ppb, respectively (1 ppb = 1000 ng L-1). Vanillic acid levels are high (maximum of 0.1 ppb) from 1200 to 1400 CE, then gradually decline into the twentieth century. The largest peak in the vanillic acid in the record occurs from 2000 to 2008 CE. In the para-hydrobenzoic acid record, there are three centennial-scale peaks around 1300, 1550, and 1650 CE superimposed on a long-term decline in the baseline levels throughout the record. Ten-day air mass back trajectories for a decade of fire seasons (March-November, 2006-2015) indicate that Siberia and Europe are the principle modern source regions for wildfire emissions reaching the Lomonosovfonna site. The Lomonosovfonna data are similar to those from the Eurasian Arctic Akademii Nauk ice core during the early part of the record (1220-1400 CE), but the two ice cores diverge markedly after 1400 CE. This coincides with a shift in North Atlantic climate marked by a change of the North Atlantic Oscillation from a positive to a more negative state.

Thermally stimulated luminescence properties of BaY2F8 : Ce crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vedda, A.; Martini, M.; di Martino, D.; Sani, E.; Toncelli, A.; Tonelli, M.

Wavelength resolved thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) measurements were performed on BaY2 F-8 :1.8 mol% Ce crystals after X-ray irradiation at 10 K and at 300 K, in order to obtain preliminary information about both trap levels and recombination centres. After irradiation at 10 K, the TSL glow curve shows the presence of a strong peak at 50 K, together with additional structures at approximately 20 and 170 K. The TSL spectrum is dominated by the characteristic doublet emission due to transitions from the lowest energy level of the 5d configuration to the spin-orbit split F-2 ground state of Ce3+ . Above RT, the glow curve exhibits a peak at 60 degreesC, whose spectrum is again dominated by Ce3+ emission. The TSL emission is in accordance with radio-luminescence (RL) spectra performed in the 10-300 K region. Moreover, RL spectra at temperatures lower than 200 K display an additional weak high energy band at around 4.5 eV assigned to host lattice transitions.

Quantification of myocardium at risk in ST- elevation myocardial infarction: a comparison of contrast-enhanced steady-state free precession cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance with coronary angiographic jeopardy scores.

PubMed

De Palma, Rodney; Sörensson, Peder; Verouhis, Dinos; Pernow, John; Saleh, Nawzad

2017-07-27

Clinical outcome following acute myocardial infarction is predicted by final infarct size evaluated in relation to left ventricular myocardium at risk (MaR). Contrast-enhanced steady-state free precession (CE-SSFP) cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is not widely used for assessing MaR. Evidence of its utility compared to traditional assessment methods and as a surrogate for clinical outcome is needed. Retrospective analysis within a study evaluating post-conditioning during ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with coronary intervention (n = 78). CE-SSFP post-infarction was compared with angiographic jeopardy methods. Differences and variability between CMR and angiographic methods using Bland-Altman analyses were evaluated. Clinical outcomes were compared to MaR and extent of infarction. MaR showed correlation between CE-SSFP, and both BARI and APPROACH scores of 0.83 (p < 0.0001) and 0.84 (p < 0.0001) respectively. Bias between CE-SSFP and BARI was 1.1% (agreement limits -11.4 to +9.1). Bias between CE-SSFP and APPROACH was 1.2% (agreement limits -13 to +10.5). Inter-observer variability for the BARI score was 0.56 ± 2.9; 0.42 ± 2.1 for the APPROACH score; -1.4 ± 3.1% for CE-SSFP. Intra-observer variability was 0.15 ± 1.85 for the BARI score; for the APPROACH score 0.19 ± 1.6; and for CE-SSFP -0.58 ± 2.9%. Quantification of MaR with CE-SSFP imaging following STEMI shows high correlation and low bias compared with angiographic scoring and supports its use as a reliable and practical method to determine myocardial salvage in this patient population. Clinical trial registration information for the parent clinical trial: Karolinska Clinical Trial Registration (2008) Unique identifier: CT20080014. Registered 04 th January 2008.

Cordycepin-enriched WIB801C from Cordyceps militaris inhibits ADP-induced [Ca(2+)] i mobilization and fibrinogen binding via phosphorylation of IP 3R and VASP.

PubMed

Lee, Dong-Ha; Kwon, Hyuk-Woo; Kim, Hyun-Hong; Lim, Deok Hwi; Nam, Gi Suk; Shin, Jung-Hae; Kim, Yun-Yi; Kim, Jong-Lae; Lee, Jong-Jin; Kwon, Ho-Kyun; Park, Hwa-Jin

2015-01-01

In this study, we investigated the effect of cordycepin-enriched (CE)-WIB801C from Cordyceps militaris on ADP (20 µM)-stimulated platelet aggregation. CE-WIB801C dose-dependently inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation, and its IC50 value was 18.5 μg/mL. CE-WIB801C decreased TXA2 production, but did not inhibit the activities of COX-1 and thromboxane synthase (TXAS) in ADP-activated platelets, which suggests that the inhibition of TXA2 production by CE-WIB801C is not resulted from the direct inhibition of COX-1 and TXAS. CE-WIB801C inhibited ATP release and [Ca(2+)]i mobilization, and increased cAMP level and IP3RI (Ser(1756)) phosphorylation in ADP-activated platelets. cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cAMPS increased CE-WIB801C-inhibited [Ca(2+)]i mobilization, and strongly inhibited CE-WIB801C-increased IP3RI (Ser(1756)) phosphorylation. CE-WIB801C elevated the phosphorylation of VASP (Ser(157)), an A-kinase substrate, but inhibited fibrinogen binding to αIIb/β3. These results suggest that CE-WIB801C-elevated cAMP involved in IP3RI (Ser(1756)) phosphorylation to inhibit [Ca(2+)]i mobilization and, VASP (Ser(157)) phosphorylation to inhibit αIIb/β3 activation. Therefore, in this study, we demonstrate that CE-WIB801C may have a preventive or therapeutic potential for platelet aggregation-mediated diseases, such as thrombosis, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Adsorption process of fluoride from drinking water with magnetic core-shell Ce-Ti@Fe3O4 and Ce-Ti oxide nanoparticles.

PubMed

Abo Markeb, Ahmad; Alonso, Amanda; Sánchez, Antoni; Font, Xavier

2017-11-15

Synthesized magnetic core-shell Ce-Ti@Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were tested, as an adsorbent, for fluoride removal and the adsorption studies were optimized. Adsorption capacity was compared with the synthesized Ce-Ti oxide nanoparticles. The adsorption equilibrium for the Ce-Ti@Fe 3 O 4 adsorbent was found to occur in <15min and it was demonstrated to be stable and efficient in a wide pH range of 5-11 with high fluoride removal efficiency over 80% of all cases. Furthermore, isotherm data were fitted using Langmuir and Freundlich models, and the adsorption capacities resulted in 44.37 and 91.04mg/g, at pH7, for Ce-Ti oxides and Ce-Ti@Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, respectively. The physical sorption mechanism was estimated using the Dubinin-Radushkevich model. An anionic exchange process between the OH - group on the surface of the Ce-Ti@Fe 3 O 4 nanomaterial and the F - was involved in the adsorption. Moreover, thermodynamic parameters proved the spontaneous process for the adsorption of fluoride on Ce-Ti@Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. The reusability of the material through magnetic recovery was demonstrated for five cycles of adsorption-desorption. Although the nanoparticles suffer slight structure modifications after their reusability, they keep their adsorption capacity. Likewise, the efficiency of the Ce-Ti@Fe 3 O 4 was demonstrated when applied to real water to obtain a residual concentration of F - below the maximum contaminated level, 1.5mg/L (WHO, 2006). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, and changes in the expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins induced by cerium oxide nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Shahanavaj; Ansari, Anees A.; Rolfo, Christian; Coelho, Andreia; Abdulla, Maha; Al-Khayal, Khayal; Ahmad, Rehan

2017-12-01

Cerium oxide nanocrystals (CeO2-NCs) exhibit superoxide dismutase and catalase mimetic activities. Based on these catalytic activities, CeO2-NCs have been suggested to have the potential to treat various diseases. The crystalline size of these materials is an important factor that influences the performance of CeO2-NCs. Previous reports have shown that several metal-based nanocrystals, including CeO2-NCs, can induce cytotoxicity in cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanisms have remained unclear. To characterize the anticancer activities of CeO2-NCs, several assays related to the mechanism of cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis has been performed. Here, we have carried out a systematic study to characterize CeO2-NCs phase purity (X-ray diffraction), morphology (electron microscopy), and optical features (optical absorption, Raman scattering, and photoluminescence) to better establish their potential as anticancer drugs. Our study revealed anticancer effects of CeO2-NCs in HT29 and SW620 colorectal cancer cell lines with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.26 and 121.18 μg ml-1, respectively. Reductions in cell viability indicated the cytotoxic potential of CeO2-NCs in HT29 cells based on inverted and florescence microscopy assessments. The mechanism of cytotoxicity confirmed by estimating possible changes in the expression levels of Bcl2, BclxL, Bax, PARP, cytochrome c, and β-actin (control) proteins in HT29 cells. Down-regulation of Bcl2 and BclxL and up-regulation of Bax, PARP, and cytochrome c proteins suggested the significant involvement of CeO2-NCs exposure in the induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, biocompatibility assay showed minimum effect of CeO2-NCs on human red blood cells.

Usefulness of flexible spectral imaging color enhancement for the detection and diagnosis of small intestinal lesions found by capsule endoscopy.

PubMed

Konishi, Masae; Shibuya, Tomoyoshi; Mori, Hiroki; Kurashita, Erina; Takeda, Tsutomu; Nomura, Osamu; Fukuo, Yuka; Matsumoto, Kenshi; Sakamoto, Naoto; Osada, Taro; Nagahara, Akihito; Ogihara, Tatsuo; Watanabe, Sumio

2014-04-01

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is an established technique for the detection and diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) is a software feature of RAPID 6.5. This study assessed the value of FICE for accurate identification of red lesions during CE. We randomly selected 10 patients who underwent CE for OGIB at Juntendo University. The CE images were read by five endoscopists. Small bowel videos, which were recorded by regular CE devices (PillCam SB2, Given Imaging), were evaluated on RAPID 6.5. We standardized the reading condition to a dual view, at a speed of 20 frames/s in manual mode. This interpreted FICE-CE images obtained at settings 1-3. Both conventional and FICE images were read at random. We defined a conventional image as standard and investigated the potential of FICE in detecting small intestinal lesions by the Steel-Dwass test. We considered that conventional images represented baseline (100). On this basis, detection rates for FICE images were as follows: FICE1 = 266.4 ± 33.1 (p < 0.0001); FICE2 = 255.4 ± 25.6 (p < 0.0001); and FICE3 = 117.0 ± 12.3 (p = 0.9447). Detection rates using FICE1 and FICE2 images were significantly higher than conventional CE images. FICE1 and FICE2 were more useful in detecting erosions than conventional CE (p < 0.0001) and FICE3 (p < 0.0001). FICE-CE has a high level of visibility by transparentizing bile or enhancing the color difference associated with reddish mucosa. We found that FICE-CE images were useful in the diagnosing of small intestinal lesions.

Streptococcal serum opacity factor promotes cholesterol ester metabolism and bile acid secretion in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Gillard, Baiba K; Rodriguez, Perla J; Fields, David W; Raya, Joe L; Lagor, William R; Rosales, Corina; Courtney, Harry S; Gotto, Antonio M; Pownall, Henry J

2016-03-01

Plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations negatively correlate with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. HDL is thought to have several atheroprotective functions, which are likely distinct from the epidemiological inverse relationship between HDL-C levels and risk. Specifically, strategies that reduce HDL-C while promoting reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) may have therapeutic value. The major product of the serum opacity factor (SOF) reaction versus HDL is a cholesteryl ester (CE)-rich microemulsion (CERM), which contains apo E and the CE of ~400,000 HDL particles. Huh7 hepatocytes take up CE faster when delivered as CERM than as HDL, in part via the LDL-receptor (LDLR). Here we compared the final RCT step, hepatic uptake and subsequent intracellular processing to cholesterol and bile salts for radiolabeled HDL-, CERM- and LDL-CE by Huh7 cells and in vivo in C57BL/6J mice. In Huh7 cells, uptake from LDL was greater than from CERM (2-4X) and HDL (5-10X). Halftimes for [(14)C]CE hydrolysis were 3.0±0.2, 4.4±0.6 and 5.4±0.7h respectively for HDL, CERM and LDL-CE. The fraction of sterols secreted as bile acids was ~50% by 8h for all three particles. HDL, CERM and LDL-CE metabolism in mice showed efficient plasma clearance of CERM-CE, liver uptake and metabolism, and secretion as bile acids into the gall bladder. This work supports the therapeutic potential of the SOF reaction, which diverts HDL-CE to the LDLR, thereby increasing hepatic CE uptake, and sterol disposal as bile acids. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cinnamon extract prevents the insulin resistance induced by a high-fructose diet.

PubMed

Qin, B; Nagasaki, M; Ren, M; Bajotto, G; Oshida, Y; Sato, Y

2004-02-01

The aim of this study was to determine whether cinnamon extract (CE) would improve the glucose utilization in normal male Wistar rats fed a high-fructose diet (HFD) for three weeks with or without CE added to the drinking water (300 mg/kg/day). In vivo glucose utilization was measured by the euglycemic clamp technique. Further analyses on the possible changes in insulin signaling occurring in skeletal muscle were performed afterwards by Western blotting. At 3 mU/kg/min insulin infusions, the decreased glucose infusion rate (GIR) in HFD-fed rats (60 % of controls, p < 0.01) was improved by CE administration to the same level of controls (normal chow diet) and the improving effect of CE on the GIR of HFD-fed rats was blocked by approximately 50 % by N-monometyl-L-arginine. The same tendency was found during the 30 mU/kg/min insulin infusions. There were no differences in skeletal muscle insulin receptor (IR)-beta, IR substrate (IRS)-1, or phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase protein content in any groups. However, the muscular insulin-stimulated IR-beta and IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation levels and IRS-1 associated with PI 3-kinase in HFD-fed rats were only 70 +/- 9 %, 76 +/- 5 %, and 72 +/- 6 % of controls (p < 0.05), respectively, and these decreases were significantly improved by CE treatment. These results suggest that early CE administration to HFD-fed rats would prevent the development of insulin resistance at least in part by enhancing insulin signaling and possibly via the NO pathway in skeletal muscle.

Determination of the position of the 5d excited levels of Ce3+ ions with respect to the conduction band in the epitaxial films of the multicomponent (Lu,Gd)3(Ga,Al)5O12:Ce garnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babin, V.; Hanus, M.; Krasnikov, A.; Kučera, M.; Nikl, M.; Zazubovich, S.

2016-12-01

Temperature dependences of the intensity and decay kinetics of the Ce3+ - related photoluminescence and characteristics of thermally stimulated luminescence are investigated in the 77-500 K temperature range for the epitaxial films of the multicomponent garnets of the type of Lu3-xGdxGayAl5-yO12:Ce with Ce content of 0.3-0.7 at. %, where x varies from 0.14 to 3 and y varies from 0 to 3.54. Different methods are used for the determination of energy distances between the excited 5d1 and 5d2 levels of Ce3+ ions and the conduction band (CB) and their applicability is compared. The dependences of the 5d1,2 - CB energy distances on the multicomponent garnet composition are clarified. The 5d1 - CB energy distance is found to decrease by about an order of magnitude with the increasing Ga3+ content. The most drastic decrease, observed at the Ga3+ content around y ≈ 1.7, is suggested to arise from the change in the Ga3+ position from the smaller tetrahedral to larger octahedral Al3+ sites. This effect is explained by the lattice distortion due to the substitution of smaller Lu3+ and Al3+ ions by larger Gd3+ and Ga3+ ions. Application potential of these epitaxial films for fast 2D-imaging is discussed.

Enhancement of white light emission from novel Ca3Y2Si3O12:Dy3+ phosphors with Ce3+ ion codoping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bandi, Vengala Rao; Nien, Yung-Tang; Chen, In-Gann

2010-07-01

The luminescent properties of the Ce3+ or Dy3+ singly doped and Ce3+/Dy3+ codoped in Ca3Y2Si3O12 novel phosphors were investigated, which are prepared by a sol-gel method. Ce3+ doped phosphor showed a brighter and broader violet-blue color emission band with a maximum peak centered at 389 nm, which is attributed to the parity and spin allowed 5d-4f transition. Photoluminescence spectra reveals that the white color emission is originated from the mixtures of two characteristic emission bands of Dy3+ ion, viz., the 473 nm blue emission (F49/2-H615/2) and the 580 nm yellow emission (F49/2-H613/2). codoping of Ce3+ has enhanced the luminescence of Dy3+ quite significantly upon the UV excitation wavelength (242 nm) and the optimized codopant concentration of Ce3+ is found to be 3 mol %. The mechanism involved in the energy transfer between Ce3+ and Dy3+ has been elucidated by an energy level diagram. The structure and morphology of the prepared samples have been analyzed by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope.

Luminescence and scintillation characteristics of (GdxY3-x)Al2Ga3O12:Ce (x = 1,2,3) single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chewpraditkul, Warut; Pattanaboonmee, Nakarin; Sakthong, Ongsa; Chewpraditkul, Weerapong; Szczesniak, Tomasz; Moszynski, Marek; Kamada, Kei; Yoshikawa, Akira; Nikl, Martin

2018-02-01

The luminescence and scintillation characteristics of Czochralski-grown (GdxY3-x)Al2Ga3O12:Ce (x = 1,2,3) single crystals are presented. With increasing Gd content in this garnet host, the 5d2 absorption band was blue-shifted while the 5d1 absorption and 5d1 → 4f emission bands were red-shifted due to an increase in the crystal field splitting of the 5d levels. In addition, the luminescence quenching temperature of the Ce3+emission and activation energy for thermal quenching decreased with increasing Gd content. The Gd3+ → Ce3+ energy transfer was evidenced by photoluminescence excitation spectra of Ce3+ emission. At 662 keV γ - rays, the light yield (LY) of 48,600 ph/MeV and energy resolution of 6.5% was measured for a Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce crystal. Scintillation decay measurements were performed using the time-correlated single photon counting technique. Superior time resolution of Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce is due to its high LY and fast scintillation response. The total mass attenuation coefficients at 60 and 662 keV γ - rays were also determined.

One-year measurements of chloroethenes in tree cores and groundwater at the SAP Mimoň Site, Northern Bohemia.

PubMed

Wittlingerova, Z; Machackova, J; Petruzelkova, A; Trapp, S; Vlk, K; Zima, J

2013-02-01

Chlorinated ethenes (CE) are among the most frequent contaminants of soil and groundwater in the Czech Republic. Because conventional methods of subsurface contamination investigation are costly and technically complicated, attention is directed on alternative and innovative field sampling methods. One promising method is sampling of tree cores (plugs of woody tissue extracted from a host tree). Volatile organic compounds can enter into the trunks and other tissues of trees through their root systems. An analysis of the tree core can thus serve as an indicator of the subsurface contamination. Four areas of interest were chosen at the experimental site with CE groundwater contamination and observed fluctuations in groundwater concentrations. CE concentrations in groundwater and tree cores were observed for a 1-year period. The aim was to determine how the CE concentrations in obtained tree core samples correlate with the level of contamination of groundwater. Other factors which can affect the transfer of contaminants from groundwater to wood were also monitored and evaluated (e.g., tree species and age, level of groundwater table, river flow in the nearby Ploučnice River, seasonal effects, and the effect of the remediation technology operation). Factors that may affect the concentration of CE in wood were identified. The groundwater table level, tree species, and the intensity of transpiration appeared to be the main factors within the framework of the experiment. Obtained values documented that the results of tree core analyses can be used to indicate the presence of CE in the subsurface. The results may also be helpful to identify the best sampling period for tree coring and to learn about the time it takes until tree core concentrations react to changes in groundwater conditions. Interval sampling of tree cores revealed possible preservation of the contaminant in the wood of trees.

JPRS Report, China.

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-02-09

Birth Control Measures [RENKOU YU JINGJI25 Oct] 37 Conference on Population Problems in Southwest [RENKOU YU JINGJI 25 Oct] -. 38 Southern JiangsU... Birth Control Measures 93CE0171A Beijing RENKOU YU JINGJI [POPULATION AND ECONOMICS] in Chinese No 74, 25 Oct 92 pp 43-45 [Article by Deng Guosheng...6772 0948 0524), affiliated with the Population Department of Jiangxi Teachers College: "More Attention Needs To Be Paid to Our Poor Birth Control Results

miRNA-mediated 'tug-of-war' model reveals ceRNA propensity of genes in cancers.

PubMed

Swain, Arpit Chandan; Mallick, Bibekanand

2018-06-01

Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) are transcripts that cross-regulate each other at the post-transcriptional level by competing for shared microRNA response elements (MREs). These have been implicated in various biological processes impacting cell-fate decisions and diseases including cancer. There are several studies that predict possible ceRNA pairs by adopting various machine-learning and mathematical approaches; however, there is no method that enables us to gauge as well as compare the propensity of the ceRNA of a gene and precisely envisages which among a pair exerts a stronger pull on the shared miRNA pool. In this study, we developed a method that uses the 'tug of war of genes' concept to predict and quantify ceRNA potential of a gene for the shared miRNA pool in cancers based on a score represented by SoCeR (score of competing endogenous RNA). The method was executed on the RNA-Seq transcriptional profiles of genes and miRNA available at TCGA along with CLIP-supported miRNA-target sites to predict ceRNA in 32 cancer types which were validated with already reported cases. The proposed method can be used to determine the sequestering capability of the gene of interest as well as in ranking the probable ceRNA candidates of a gene. Finally, we developed standalone applications (SoCeR tool) to aid researchers in easier implementation of the method in analysing different data sets or diseases. © 2018 The Authors. Published by FEBS Press and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Limitations of Using IL-17A and IFN-γ-Induced Protein 10 to Detect Bovine Tuberculosis

PubMed Central

Xin, Ting; Gao, Xintao; Yang, Hongjun; Li, Pingjun; Liang, Qianqian; Hou, Shaohua; Sui, Xiukun; Guo, Xiaoyu; Yuan, Weifeng; Zhu, Hongfei; Ding, Jiabo; Jia, Hong

2018-01-01

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is primarily caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis, which belongs to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The airborne route is considered the most common for transmission of M. bovis, and more than 15% of cattle with bTB shed the Mycobacterium, which can be detect by nested PCR to amplify mycobacterial mpb70 from a nasal swab from a cow. To screen for cytokines fostering early and accurate detection of bTB, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from naturally M. bovis-infected, experimentally M. bovis 68002-infected, and uninfected cattle, then these cells were stimulated by PPD-B, CFP-10-ESAT-6 (CE), or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 6 h. The levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), IFN-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), IL-6, IL-12, IL-17A, and tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA were measured using real-time PCR. To explore the cytokines associated with different periods of M. bovis infection, cattle were divided into three groups: PCR-positive, PCR-negative, and uninfected using the tuberculin skin test, CFP-10/ESAT-6/TB10.4 protein cocktail-based skin test, IFN-γ release assay (IGRA), CFP-10/ESAT-6 (CE)-based IGRA, and nested PCR. The expression of IP-10, IL-17A, and IFN-γ proteins induced by PPD-B, CE, or PBS was detected by ELISA. The results showed that levels of PPD-B-stimulated IL-17A and IP-10 (mRNA and protein), and CE-induced IP-10 (mRNA and protein) were significantly higher in cattle naturally or experimentally infected with M. bovis than in those that were uninfected. The levels of PPD-B- or CE-induced IL-17A and IP-10 (protein) could be used to differentiate M. bovis-infected calves from uninfected ones for 6 to 30 weeks post-infection, whereas PPD-B- and CE-induced IP-10 and IL-17A mRNA expression could be used to differentiate M. bovis-infected calves from uninfected ones between 6 and 58 weeks post-infection. However, CE-induced IL-17A (protein) was not a reliable indicator of M. bovis infection in cattle that were confirmed positive for infection by nested PCR. Furthermore, the levels of PPD-B- or CE-induced IP-10 and IL-17A protein were lower than IFN-γ in M. bovis-infected cattle. Therefore, IL-17A and IP-10 protein are not suitable biomarkers for bTB. Antigen-induced IP-10 mRNA should be analyzed further for their potential to be used in the diagnosis of bTB. PMID:29560355

Student performance on levels 1 and 2-CE of COMLEX-USA: do elective upper-level undergraduate science courses matter?

PubMed

Wong, Stanley K; Ramirez, Juan R; Helf, Scott C

2009-11-01

The effect of a variety of preadmission variables, including the number of elective preadmission upper-level science courses, on academic achievement is not well established. To investigate the relationship between number of preadmission variables and overall student academic achievement in osteopathic medical school. Academic records of osteopathic medical students in the 2008 and 2009 graduating classes of Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, California, were analyzed. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of academic achievement based on Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) subscores, undergraduate grade point average (GPA), GPA in medical school basic science (preclinical GPA) and clinical clerkship (clinical GPA), and scores on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 and Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE). Records of 358 osteopathic medical students were evaluated. Analysis of beta coefficients suggested that undergraduate science GPA was the most important predictor of overall student academic achievement (P<.01). Biological sciences MCAT subscore was a more modest but still statistically significant predictor of preclinical GPA and COMLEX-USA Level 1 score (P<.01). Physical sciences MCAT subscore was also a statistically significant predictor of preclinical GPA, and verbal reasoning MCAT subscore was a statistically significant predictor of COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE score (both P<.01). Women had statistically significantly higher preclinical GPA and COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores than men (P<.05). Differences in some outcome variables were also associated with racial-ethnic background and age. Number of preadmission elective upper-level science courses taken by students before matriculation was not significantly correlated with any academic achievement variable. Although undergraduate science GPA and MCAT biological sciences subscore were significant predictors of overall academic achievement for osteopathic medical students, the number of elective upper-level science courses taken preadmission had no predictive value.

Cystic Echinococcoses in Mongolia: Molecular Identification, Serology and Risk Factors

PubMed Central

Ito, Akira; Dorjsuren, Temuulen; Davaasuren, Anu; Yanagida, Tetsuya; Sako, Yasuhito; Nakaya, Kazuhiro; Nakao, Minoru; Bat-Ochir, Oyun-Erdene; Ayushkhuu, Tsendjav; Gonchigsengee, Nyamkhuu; Li, Tiaoying; Agvaandaram, Gurbadam; Davaajav, Abmed; Boldbaatar, Chinchuluun; Chuluunbaatar, Gantigmaa

2014-01-01

Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a globally distributed cestode zoonosis that causes hepatic cysts. Although Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) is the major causative agent of CE worldwide, recent molecular epidemiological studies have revealed that E. canadensis is common in countries where camels are present. One such country is Mongolia. Methodology/Principal Findings Forty-three human hepatic CE cases that were confirmed histopathologically at the National Center of Pathology (NCP) in Ulaanbaatar (UB) were identified by analysis of mitochondrial cox 1 gene as being caused by either E. canadensis (n = 31, 72.1%) or E. granulosus s.s. (n = 12, 27.9%). The majority of the E. canadensis cases were strain G6/7 (29/31, 93.5%). Twenty three haplotypes were identified. Sixteen of 39 CE cases with data on age, sex and province of residence were citizens of UB (41.0%), with 13 of the 16 cases from UB caused by E. canadensis (G6/7) (81.3%). Among these 13 cases, nine were children (69.2%). All pediatric cases (n  =  18) were due to E. canadensis with 17 of the 18 cases (94.4%) due to strain G6/7. Serum samples were available for 31 of the 43 CE cases, with 22 (71.0%) samples positive by ELISA to recombinant Antigen B8/1 (rAgB). Nine of 10 CE cases caused by E. granulosus s.s. (90.0%) and 13 of 20 CE cases by E. canadensis (G6/7) (65.0%) were seropositive. The one CE case caused by E. canadensis (G10) was seronegative. CE cases caused by E. granulosus s.s. showed higher absorbance values (median value 1.131) than those caused by E. canadensis (G6/7) (median value 0.106) (p  =  0.0137). Conclusion/Significance The main species/strains in the study population were E. canadenis and E. granulossus s.s. with E. canadensis the predominant species identified in children. The reason why E. canadensis appears to be so common in children is unknown. PMID:24945801

Chemical stability and Ce doping of LiMgAlF 6 neutron scintillator

DOE PAGES

Du, M. H.

2014-11-13

We perform density functional calculations to investigate LiMgAlF 6 as a potential neutron scintillator material. The calculations of enthalpy of formation and phase diagram show that single-phase LiMgAlF 6 can be grown but it should be more difficult than growing LiCaAlF 6 and LiSrAlF 6. Moreover, the formation energy calculations for substitutional Ce show that the concentration of Ce on the Al site is negligible but a high concentration (>1 at.%) of Ce on the Mg site is attainable provided that the Fermi level is more than 5 eV lower than the conduction band minimum. Acceptor doping should promote Cemore » incorporation in LiMgAlF 6.« less

Quantitative assessment of serum-specific IgE in the diagnosis of human cystic echinococcosis.

PubMed

Marinova, I; Nikolov, G; Michova, A; Kurdova, R; Petrunov, B

2011-07-01

Anti-Echinococcus serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E was assessed by the ImmunoCAP system and compared with anti-Echinococcus serum IgG assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. The ImmunoCAP system revealed very high specificity (one false positive of 110 healthy individuals), low cross-reactivity (one false positive of 58 patients with other diseases) and decreased sensitivity (73.55%). Receiver operating characteristic analysis displayed a beneficial diagnostic value with high accuracy. Comparison of the ImmunoCAP system with ELISA and Western blot showed significantly higher specificity and significantly lower cross-reactivity compared with the ELISA. Examination of sera from 155 patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE) showed varying levels of anti-Echinococcus IgE (range, 0.01-118.33 kUA/L). However, most samples had moderately elevated IgE levels. Analysis of serum-specific IgE revealed significantly higher sensitivity of the ImmunoCAP system and significantly higher antibody levels in hepatic CE compared with pulmonary CE. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Glutamate Receptors in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala Mediate Cisplatin-Induced Malaise and Energy Balance Dysregulation through Direct Hindbrain Projections.

PubMed

Alhadeff, Amber L; Holland, Ruby A; Nelson, Alexandra; Grill, Harvey J; De Jonghe, Bart C

2015-08-05

Cisplatin chemotherapy is used commonly to treat a variety of cancers despite severe side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and anorexia that compromise quality of life and limit treatment adherence. The neural mechanisms mediating these side effects remain elusive despite decades of clinical use. Recent data highlight the dorsal vagal complex (DVC), lateral parabrachial nucleus (lPBN), and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) as potential sites of action in mediating the side effects of cisplatin. Here, results from immunohistochemical studies in rats identified a population of cisplatin-activated DVC neurons that project to the lPBN and a population of cisplatin-activated lPBN calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, a marker for glutamatergic neurons in the lPBN) neurons that project to the CeA, outlining a neuroanatomical circuit that is activated by cisplatin. CeA gene expressions of AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptor subunits were markedly increased after cisplatin treatment, suggesting that CeA glutamate receptor signaling plays a role in mediating cisplatin side effects. Consistent with gene expression results, behavioral/pharmacological data showed that CeA AMPA/kainate receptor blockade attenuates cisplatin-induced pica (a proxy for nausea/behavioral malaise in nonvomiting laboratory rodents) and that CeA NMDA receptor blockade attenuates cisplatin-induced anorexia and body weight loss in addition to pica, demonstrating that glutamate receptor signaling in the CeA is critical for the energy balance dysregulation caused by cisplatin treatment. Together, these data highlight a novel circuit and CGRP/glutamatergic mechanism through which cisplatin-induced malaise and energy balance dysregulation are mediated. To treat cancer effectively, patients must follow prescribed chemotherapy treatments without interruption, yet most cancer treatments produce side effects that devastate quality of life (e.g., nausea, vomiting, anorexia, weight loss). Although hundreds of thousands of patients undergo chemotherapies each year, the neural mechanisms mediating their side effects are unknown. The current data outline a neural circuit activated by cisplatin chemotherapy and demonstrate that glutamate signaling in the amygdala, arising from hindbrain projections, is required for the full expression of cisplatin-induced malaise, anorexia, and body weight loss. Together, these data help to characterize the neural circuits and neurotransmitters mediating chemotherapy-induced energy balance dysregulation, which will ultimately provide an opportunity for the development of well tolerated cancer and anti-emetic treatments. Copyright © 2015 the authors 0270-6474/15/3511094-11$15.00/0.

Kondo effect with tunable spin-orbit interaction in LaTiO3/CeTiO3/SrTiO3 heterostructure.

PubMed

Ghising, Pramod; Das, Debarchan; Das, Shubhankar; Hossain, Z

2018-07-18

We have fabricated epitaxial films of CeTiO 3 (CTO) on (0 0 1) oriented SrTiO 3 (STO) substrates, which exhibit highly insulating and diamagnetic properties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to establish the 3+  valence state of the Ce and Ti ions. Furthermore, we have also fabricated δ (CTO) doped LaTiO 3 (LTO)/SrTiO 3 thin films which exhibit variety of interesting properties including Kondo effect and spin-orbit interaction (SOI) at low temperatures. The SOI shows a non-monotonic behaviour as the thickness of the CTO layer is increased and is reflected in the value of characteristic SOI field ([Formula: see text]) obtained from weak anti-localization fitting. The maximum value of [Formula: see text] is 1.00 T for δ layer thickness of 6 u.c. This non-monotonic behaviour of SOI is attributed to the strong screening of the confining potential at the interface. The screening effect is enhanced by the CTO layer thickness and the dielectric constant of STO which increases at low temperatures. Due to the strong screening, electrons confined at the interface are spread deeper into the STO bulk where it starts to populate the Ti [Formula: see text] subbands; consequently the Fermi level crosses over from [Formula: see text] to the [Formula: see text] subbands. At the crossover region of [Formula: see text] where there is orbital mixing, SOI goes through a maximum.

Analysis of nuclear resonance fluorescence excitation measured with LaBr3(Ce) detectors near 2 MeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Omer, Mohamed; Negm, Hani; Ohgaki, Hideaki; Daito, Izuru; Hayakawa, Takehito; Bakr, Mahmoud; Zen, Heishun; Hori, Toshitada; Kii, Toshiteru; Masuda, Kai; Hajima, Ryoichi; Shizuma, Toshiyuki; Toyokawa, Hiroyuki; Kikuzawa, Nobuhiro

2013-11-01

The performance of LaBr3(Ce) to measure nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) excitations is discussed in terms of limits of detection and in comparison with high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors near the 2 MeV region where many NRF excitation levels from special nuclear materials are located. The NRF experiment was performed at the High Intensity γ-ray Source (HIγS) facility. The incident γ-rays, of 2.12 MeV energy, hit a B4C target to excite the 11B nuclei to the first excitation level. The statistical-sensitive non-linear peak clipping (SNIP) algorithm was implemented to eliminate the background and enhance the limits of detection for the spectra measured with LaBr3(Ce). Both detection and determination limits were deduced from the experimental data.

Nanoparticles formulation of Cuscuta chinensis prevents acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

PubMed

Yen, Feng-Lin; Wu, Tzu-Hui; Lin, Liang-Tzung; Cham, Thau-Ming; Lin, Chun-Ching

2008-05-01

Cuscuta chinensis is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine to nourish the liver and kidney. Due to the poor water solubility of its major constituents such as flavonoids and lignans, its absorption upon oral administration could be limited. The purpose of the present study was to use the nanosuspension method to prepare C. chinensis nanoparticles (CN), and to compare the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of C. chinensis ethanolic extract (CE) and CN on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. An oral dose of CE at 125 and 250 mg/kg and CN at 25 and 50mg/kg showed a significant hepatoprotective effect relatively to the same extent (P<0.05) by reducing levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. These biochemical assessments were supported by rat hepatic biopsy examinations. In addition, the antioxidant activities of CE and CN both significantly increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced malondialdehyde (P<0.05). Moreover, the results also indicated that the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of 50 mg/kg CN was effectively better than 125 mg/kg CE (P<0.05), and an oral dose of CN that is five times as less as CE could exhibit similar levels of outcomes. In conclusion, we suggest that the nanoparticles system can be applied to overcome other water poorly soluble herbal medicines and furthermore to decrease the treatment dosage.

Long persistent phosphorescence of V3+ centers in MgAl2O4:Ce3+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Dongdong; William, Yen

2002-03-01

: Ceramic samples of Ce3+ doped and undoped MgAl2O4 have been prepared and studied. Long persistent phosphorescence was observed at 520nm in Ce3+ doped sample. The persistence time of the 520nm afterglow is longer than 10 hours. The long persistent 520nm afterglow is due to the V3+ centers in MgAl2O4. The V3+ emission is coming from a recombination of the electron from conduction band and the hole of the V3+ center. The hole level of the V3+ center is about 2.4eV below the conduction band. Thermoluminescence spectra of the two samples have been studied. There two hole traps in the MgAl2O4 are found at 41 and 238oC . Doping of Ce3+ also produces two F center like electron traps at 14 and 131oC. Doping of Ce3+ greatly enhanced the afterglow emission of the V3+ center.

Doping dependence of laser-induced transverse thermoelectric voltages in the perovskite Nd2- x Ce x CuO4 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Fei; Zhang, Hui; Yang, Sheng'an; Li, Dongqi; Zhang, Zheng; Chen, Qingming

2015-08-01

Large laser-induced thermoelectric voltages (LITVs) are measured in the electron-doped Nd2- x Ce x CuO4 thin films grown on the vicinal-cut SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The dependence of LITV signals upon the doping carrier density is investigated by changing the Ce content of the films. The optimum Ce dopant corresponding to the largest voltage is found and is attributed to the two-dimensional transport behaviors of the localized electrons. The shorter laser irradiation always induces the larger voltage signals in samples with richer Ce content, suggesting the optimum dopant level is sensitive to the wavelength of excitation source. Thus, the behaviors of LITV signals are resulted from both effects of the anisotropic thermoelectric transport and the optical properties of the thin films. The doping dependence related with an anisotropic charge transport may come from the change in carrier density and the modification in energy band configuration.

Human cystic echinococcosis in Morocco: Ultrasound screening in the Mid Atlas through an Italian-Moroccan partnership

PubMed Central

Chebli, Houda; Laamrani El Idrissi, Abderrhamane; Benazzouz, Mustapha; Lmimouni, Badre Eddine; Nhammi, Haddou; Elabandouni, Mourad; Youbi, Mohammed; Afifi, Rajaa; Tahiri, Sara; Essayd El Feydi, Abdellah; Settaf, Adbellatif; Tinelli, Carmine; De Silvestri, Annalisa; Bouhout, Souad; Abela-Ridder, Bernadette; Magnino, Simone; Brunetti, Enrico; Filice, Carlo

2017-01-01

Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected parasitic zoonosis with considerable socioeconomic impact on affected pastoral communities. CE is endemic throughout the Mediterranean, including Morocco, where the Mid Atlas is the most prevalent area for both human and animal infection. The highest hospital annual incidence of human CE is recorded in the provinces of Ifrane and El Hajeb. However, hospital-based statistics likely underestimate the real prevalence of infection, as a proportion of cases never reach medical attention or official records. Methodology/Principal findings In 2012, a project on clinical management of CE in Morocco was launched with the aims of estimating the prevalence of human abdominal CE in selected rural communes of the above mentioned provinces using ultrasound (US) screening and training local physicians to implement US-based focused assessment and rational clinical management of CE according to the WHO-IWGE Expert Consensus. A total of 5367 people received abdominal US during four campaigns in April-May 2014. During the campaigns, 24 local general practitioners received >24 hours of hands-on training and 143 health education sessions were organized for local communities. We found an overall CE prevalence of 1.9%, with significantly higher values in the rural communes of Ifrane than El Hajeb (2.6% vs 1.3%; p<0.001). CE cysts were predominantly in inactive stage, especially in older age groups. However, active cysts were present also in adults, indicating acquisition of infection at all ages. Province of residence was the only risk factor consistently associated with CE infection. Conclusions/Significance Our results show a high prevalence and on-going, likely environmental transmission of CE in the investigated provinces of Morocco, supporting the implementation of control activities in the area by national health authorities and encouraging the acceptance and divulgation of diagnosis and treatment algorithms based on imaging for CE at both national and local level. PMID:28248960

Human cystic echinococcosis in Morocco: Ultrasound screening in the Mid Atlas through an Italian-Moroccan partnership.

PubMed

Chebli, Houda; Laamrani El Idrissi, Abderrhamane; Benazzouz, Mustapha; Lmimouni, Badre Eddine; Nhammi, Haddou; Elabandouni, Mourad; Youbi, Mohammed; Afifi, Rajaa; Tahiri, Sara; Essayd El Feydi, Abdellah; Settaf, Adbellatif; Tinelli, Carmine; De Silvestri, Annalisa; Bouhout, Souad; Abela-Ridder, Bernadette; Magnino, Simone; Brunetti, Enrico; Filice, Carlo; Tamarozzi, Francesca

2017-03-01

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected parasitic zoonosis with considerable socioeconomic impact on affected pastoral communities. CE is endemic throughout the Mediterranean, including Morocco, where the Mid Atlas is the most prevalent area for both human and animal infection. The highest hospital annual incidence of human CE is recorded in the provinces of Ifrane and El Hajeb. However, hospital-based statistics likely underestimate the real prevalence of infection, as a proportion of cases never reach medical attention or official records. In 2012, a project on clinical management of CE in Morocco was launched with the aims of estimating the prevalence of human abdominal CE in selected rural communes of the above mentioned provinces using ultrasound (US) screening and training local physicians to implement US-based focused assessment and rational clinical management of CE according to the WHO-IWGE Expert Consensus. A total of 5367 people received abdominal US during four campaigns in April-May 2014. During the campaigns, 24 local general practitioners received >24 hours of hands-on training and 143 health education sessions were organized for local communities. We found an overall CE prevalence of 1.9%, with significantly higher values in the rural communes of Ifrane than El Hajeb (2.6% vs 1.3%; p<0.001). CE cysts were predominantly in inactive stage, especially in older age groups. However, active cysts were present also in adults, indicating acquisition of infection at all ages. Province of residence was the only risk factor consistently associated with CE infection. Our results show a high prevalence and on-going, likely environmental transmission of CE in the investigated provinces of Morocco, supporting the implementation of control activities in the area by national health authorities and encouraging the acceptance and divulgation of diagnosis and treatment algorithms based on imaging for CE at both national and local level.

Cooperative Education as a Strategy for School-to-Work Transition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ascher, Carol

1994-01-01

Despite the proven record of cooperative education (CE) in high school vocational programs and professional college-level programs, several barriers must be overcome before CE can be spread in its current form or used as a model for enlarged school-to-work transition efforts. Among the barriers identified are the following: the diminished status…

Optogenetic excitation of central amygdala amplifies and narrows incentive motivation to pursue one reward above another.

PubMed

Robinson, Mike J F; Warlow, Shelley M; Berridge, Kent C

2014-12-10

Choosing one reward above another is important for achieving adaptive life goals. Yet hijacked into excessive intensity in disorders such as addiction, single-minded pursuit becomes maladaptive. Here, we report that optogenetic channelrhodopsin stimulation of neurons in central nucleus of amygdala (CeA), paired with earning a particular sucrose reward in rats, amplified and narrowed incentive motivation to that single reward target. Therefore, CeA rats chose and intensely pursued only the laser-paired sucrose reward while ignoring an equally good sucrose alternative. In contrast, reward-paired stimulation of basolateral amygdala did not hijack choice. In a separate measure of incentive motivation, CeA stimulation also increased the progressive ratio breakpoint or level of effort exerted to obtain sucrose reward. However, CeA stimulation by itself failed to support behavioral self-stimulation in the absence of any paired external food reward, suggesting that CeA photo-excitation specifically transformed the value of its external reward (rather than adding an internal reinforcement state). Nor did CeA stimulation by itself induce any aversive state that motivated escape. Finally, CeA stimulation also failed to enhance 'liking' reactions elicited by sucrose taste and did not simply increase the general motivation to eat. This pattern suggests that CeA photo-excitation specifically enhances and narrows incentive motivation to pursue an associated external reward at the expense of another comparable reward. Copyright © 2014 the authors 0270-6474/14/3416567-14$15.00/0.

Cinnamon water extracts increase glucose uptake but inhibit adiponectin secretion in 3T3-L1 adipose cells.

PubMed

Roffey, Benjamin; Atwal, Avtar; Kubow, Stan

2006-08-01

The effects of three concentrations (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mg/mL) of a cinnamon extract (CE) (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) on glucose uptake and adiponectin secretion in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were examined in the presence and absence of 0.5 nM and 50 nM insulin. In the absence of insulin, adipocytes exposed to 0.2 mg/mL CE showed an approximate two-fold increase in glucose uptake relative to controls although glucose uptake was unaffected by the two higher concentrations of CE. No effect of CE on glucose uptake was noted in the presence of 0.5 nM insulin whereas the two highest concentrations (0.3 and 0.4 mg/mL) of CE showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in glucose uptake in the presence of 50 nM insulin. Treatment of the adipocytes with 50 nM wortmannin, an irreversible inhibitor of the p110 isoform of phosphoinositide 3'-kinase, was associated with complete inhibition of the stimulated glucose uptake induced by 0.2 mg/mL CE. Treatment of the adipocytes with 0.2 mg/mL CE was associated with an inhibition of adiponectin secretion to levels that were nondetectable. The present study indicates that although 0.2 mg/mL CE has insulin-mimetic action in 3T3-adipocytes in terms of glucose uptake, secretion of the antidiabetic hormone adiponectin is adversely affected.

Adding the s-Process Element Cerium to the APOGEE Survey: Identification and Characterization of Ce II Lines in the H-band Spectral Window

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cunha, Katia; Smith, Verne V.; Hasselquist, Sten; Souto, Diogo; Shetrone, Matthew D.; Allende Prieto, Carlos; Bizyaev, Dmitry; Frinchaboy, Peter; García-Hernández, D. Anibal; Holtzman, Jon; Johnson, Jennifer A.; Jőnsson, Henrik; Majewski, Steven R.; Mészáros, Szabolcs; Nidever, David; Pinsonneault, Mark; Schiavon, Ricardo P.; Sobeck, Jennifer; Skrutskie, Michael F.; Zamora, Olga; Zasowski, Gail; Fernández-Trincado, J. G.

2017-08-01

Nine Ce II lines have been identified and characterized within the spectral window observed by the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) survey (between λ1.51 and 1.69 μm). At solar metallicities, cerium is an element that is produced predominantly as a result of the slow capture of neutrons (the s-process) during asymptotic giant branch stellar evolution. The Ce II lines were identified using a combination of a high-resolution (R=λ /δ λ ={{100,000}}) Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) spectrum of α Boo and an APOGEE spectrum (R = 22,400) of a metal-poor, but s-process enriched, red giant (2M16011638-1201525). Laboratory oscillator strengths are not available for these lines. Astrophysical gf-values were derived using α Boo as a standard star, with the absolute cerium abundance in α Boo set by using optical Ce II lines that have precise published laboratory gf-values. The near-infrared Ce II lines identified here are also analyzed, as consistency checks, in a small number of bright red giants using archival FTS spectra, as well as a small sample of APOGEE red giants, including two members of the open cluster NGC 6819, two field stars, and seven metal-poor N- and Al-rich stars. The conclusion is that this set of Ce II lines can be detected and analyzed in a large fraction of the APOGEE red giant sample and will be useful for probing chemical evolution of the s-process products in various populations of the Milky Way.

Capsule endoscopy in neoplastic diseases

PubMed Central

Pennazio, Marco; Rondonotti, Emanuele; de Franchis, Roberto

2008-01-01

Until recently, diagnosis and management of small-bowel tumors were delayed by the difficulty of access to the small bowel and the poor diagnostic capabilities of the available diagnostic techniques. An array of new methods has recently been developed, increasing the possibility of detecting these tumors at an earlier stage. Capsule endoscopy (CE) appears to be an ideal tool to recognize the presence of neoplastic lesions along this organ, since it is non-invasive and enables the entire small bowel to be visualized. High-quality images of the small-bowel mucosa may be captured and small and flat lesions recognized, without exposure to radiation. Recent studies on a large population of patients undergoing CE have reported small-bowel tumor frequency only slightly above that reported in previous surgical series (range, 1.6%-2.4%) and have also confirmed that the main clinical indication to CE in patients with small-bowel tumors is obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The majority of tumors identified by CE are malignant; many were unsuspected and not found by other methods. However, it remains difficult to identify pathology and tumor type based on the lesion’s endoscopic appearance. Despite its limitations, CE provides crucial information leading in most cases to changes in subsequent patient management. Whether the use of CE in combination with other new diagnostic (MRI or multidetector CT enterography) and therapeutic (Push-and-pull enteroscopy) techniques will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of these neoplasms, ultimately resulting in a survival advantage and in cost savings, remains to be determined through carefully-designed studies. PMID:18785274

Comparison of gestational dating methods and implications ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

OBJECTIVES: Estimating gestational age is usually based on date of last menstrual period (LMP) or clinical estimation (CE); both approaches introduce potential bias. Differences in methods of estimation may lead to misclassificat ion and inconsistencies in risk estimates, particularly if exposure assignment is also gestation-dependent. This paper examines a'what-if' scenario in which alternative methods are used and attempts to elucidate how method choice affects observed results.METHODS: We constructed two 20-week gestational age cohorts of pregnancies between 2000 and 2005 (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, USA) using live birth certificates : one defined preterm birth (PTB) status using CE and one using LMP. Within these, we estimated risk for 4 categories of preterm birth (PTBs per 106 pregnancies) and risk differences (RD (95% Cl s)) associated with exposure to particulate matter (PM2. 5).RESULTS: More births were classified preterm using LMP (16%) compared with CE (8%). RD divergences increased between cohorts as exposure period approached delivery. Among births between 28 and 31 weeks, week 7 PM2.5 exposure conveyed RDs of 44 (21 to 67) for CE and 50 (18 to 82) for LMP populations, while week 24 exposure conveyed RDs of 33 (11 to 56) and -20 (-50 to 10), respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Different results from analyses restricted to births with both CE and LMP are most likely due to differences in dating methods rather than selection issues. Results are sensitive t

Cerium Levels in Fine and Coarse Airborne Particulate Matter in El Paso, Texas—A Geospatial and Temporal Investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amaya, M. A.; Ziwu, E.; Clague, J. W.; Pingitore, N. E., Jr.

2016-12-01

Known for use as mischmetal in metallurgical processing and as an industrial polishing vehicle, cerium dioxide (CeO2) or ceria is increasingly important in the global nanotechnology sector as a catalyst and diesel fuel additive. Investigations of the release, fate, and environmental and human health effects of CeO2 nanoparticles released into the air are particularly evident in Europe, where nano-ceria is used as a mileage extender and soot particle emission inhibitor in diesel fuel. Here we present an extensive (>2500 samples) data set of Ce analyses in air samples collected over 1-week continuous periods at 8 sites in El Paso, TX, USA at various times during the years 2006-2009. Nano-ceria was not approved for on-road vehicle use during this time frame, so these data establish a local baseline for potential diesel-associated emissions should approval be granted for nano-ceria use in the future. Dichotomous collectors provided simultaneous separate samples of the PMfine (<2.5 µm) and PMcoarse(2.5 - 10 µm) fractions. For all sites, more Ce was measured (by XRF) in the PMcoarse than in the PMfine, with typical Ce concentrations of 2 ng m-3 for the coarse and 1 ng m-3 for the fine. Following the general observation that coarse PM is of geologic origin and fine is anthropogenic, it appears that the majority of atmospheric Ce in El Paso is of natural origin. Further supporting this view, there was no consistent trend for higher airborne Ce values at sampling stations in the urban core, where vehicular or industrial releases would be greater relative to more rural sites. No seasonal trend was obvious in the multi-year data set, as might be expected for anthropogenic releases trapped by winter inversions. Note, however, that the dry desert and windy conditions in El Paso produce unusually high levels of ambient coarse PM. Although we have not yet identified the compounds of airborne Ce, our findings indirectly suggest that anthropogenic nano-ceria is not the dominant species.

Quantitation in chiral capillary electrophoresis: theoretical and practical considerations.

PubMed

D'Hulst, A; Verbeke, N

1994-06-01

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) represents a decisive step forward in stereoselective analysis. The present paper deals with the theoretical aspects of the quantitation of peak separation in chiral CE. Because peak shape is very different in CE with respect to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the resolution factor Rs, commonly used to describe the extent of separation between enantiomers as well as unrelated compounds, is demonstrated to be of limited value for the assessment of chiral separations in CE. Instead, the conjunct use of a relative chiral separation factor (RCS) and the percent chiral separation (% CS) is advocated. An array of examples is given to illustrate this. The practical aspects of method development using maltodextrins--which have been proposed previously as a major innovation in chiral selectors applicable in CE--are documented with the stereoselective analysis of coumarinic anticoagulant drugs. The possibilities of quantitation using CE were explored under two extreme conditions. Using ibuprofen, it has been demonstrated that enantiomeric excess determinations are possible down to a 1% level of optical contamination and stereoselective determinations are still possible with a good precision near the detection limit, increasing sample load by very long injection times. The theoretical aspects of this possibility are addressed in the discussion.

Fabrication of cerium-doped β-Ga2O3 epitaxial thin films and deep ultraviolet photodetectors.

PubMed

Li, Wenhao; Zhao, Xiaolong; Zhi, Yusong; Zhang, Xuhui; Chen, Zhengwei; Chu, Xulong; Yang, Hujiang; Wu, Zhenping; Tang, Weihua

2018-01-20

High-quality cerium-doped β-Ga 2 O 3 (Ga 2 O 3 :Ce) thin films could be achieved on (0001)α-Al 2 O 3 substrates using a pulsed-laser deposition method. The impact of dopant contents concentration on crystal structure, optical absorption, photoluminescence, and photoelectric properties has been intensively studied. X-ray diffraction analysis results have shown that Ga 2 O 3 :Ce films are highly (2¯01) oriented, and the lattice spacing of the (4¯02) planes is sensitive to the Ce doping level. The prepared Ga 2 O 3 :Ce films show a sharp absorption edge at about 250 nm, meaning a high transparency to deep ultraviolet (DUV) light. The photoluminescence results revealed that the emissions were in the violet-blue-green region, which are associated with the donor-acceptor transitions with the Ce 3+ and oxygen vacancies related defects. A simple DUV photodetector device with a metal-semiconductor-metal structure has also been fabricated based on Ga 2 O 3 :Ce thin film. A distinct DUV photoresponse was obtained, suggesting a potential application in DUV photodetector devices.

Construction of g-C3N4/CeO2/ZnO ternary photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Yuan; Huang, Gui-Fang; Hu, Wang-Yu; Xiong, Dan-Ni; Zhou, Bing-Xin; Chang, Shengli; Huang, Wei-Qing

2017-07-01

Promoting the spatial separation of photoexcited charge carriers is of paramount significance for photocatalysis. In this work, binary g-C3N4/CeO2 nanosheets are first prepared by pyrolysis and subsequent exfoliation method, then decorated with ZnO nanoparticles to construct g-C3N4/CeO2/ZnO ternary nanocomposites with multi-heterointerfaces. Notably, the type-II staggered band alignments existing between any two of the constituents, as well as the efficient three-level transfer of electron-holes in unique g-C3N4/CeO2/ZnO ternary composites, leads to the robust separation of photoexcited charge carriers, as verified by its photocurrent increased by 8 times under visible light irradiation. The resulting g-C3N4/CeO2/ZnO ternary nanocomposites unveil appreciably increased photocatalytic activity, faster than that of pure g-C3N4, ZnO and g-C3N4/CeO2 by a factor of 11, 4.6 and 3.7, respectively, and good stability toward methylene blue (MB) degradation. The remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4/CeO2/ZnO ternary heterostructures can be interpreted in terms of lots of active sites of nanosheet shapes and the efficient charge separation owing to the resulting type-II band alignment with more than one heterointerface and the efficient three-level electron-hole transfer. A plausible mechanism is also elucidated via active species trapping experiments with various scavengers, which indicating that the photogenerated holes and •OH radicals play a crucial role in photodegradation reaction under visible light irradiation. This work suggest that the rational design and construction of type II multi-heterostructures is powerful for developing highly efficient and reusable visible-light photocatalysts for environmental purification and energy conversion.

Muon flux measurements at the davis campus of the sanford underground research facility with the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR veto system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abgrall, N.; Aguayo, E.; Avignone, F. T.; Barabash, A. S.; Bertrand, F. E.; Bradley, A. W.; Brudanin, V.; Busch, M.; Buuck, M.; Byram, D.; Caldwell, A. S.; Chan, Y.-D.; Christofferson, C. D.; Chu, P.-H.; Cuesta, C.; Detwiler, J. A.; Dunagan, C.; Efremenko, Yu.; Ejiri, H.; Elliott, S. R.; Galindo-Uribarri, A.; Gilliss, T.; Giovanetti, G. K.; Goett, J.; Green, M. P.; Gruszko, J.; Guinn, I. S.; Guiseppe, V. E.; Henning, R.; Hoppe, E. W.; Howard, S.; Howe, M. A.; Jasinski, B. R.; Keeter, K. J.; Kidd, M. F.; Konovalov, S. I.; Kouzes, R. T.; LaFerriere, B. D.; Leon, J.; Lopez, A. M.; MacMullin, J.; Martin, R. D.; Massarczyk, R.; Meijer, S. J.; Mertens, S.; Orrell, J. L.; O'Shaughnessy, C.; Overman, N. R.; Poon, A. W. P.; Radford, D. C.; Rager, J.; Rielage, K.; Robertson, R. G. H.; Romero-Romero, E.; Ronquest, M. C.; Schmitt, C.; Shanks, B.; Shirchenko, M.; Snyder, N.; Suriano, A. M.; Tedeschi, D.; Trimble, J. E.; Varner, R. L.; Vasilyev, S.; Vetter, K.; Vorren, K.; White, B. R.; Wilkerson, J. F.; Wiseman, C.; Xu, W.; Yakushev, E.; Yu, C.-H.; Yumatov, V.; Zhitnikov, I.

2017-07-01

We report the first measurement of the total muon flux underground at the Davis Campus of the Sanford Underground Research Facility at the 4850 ft level. Measurements were performed using the MAJORANADEMONSTRATOR muon veto system arranged in two different configurations. The measured total flux is (5.31 ± 0.17) ×10-9 μ /s/cm2. Demonstrate a path forward to achieving a background rate at or below 1 count/(ROI-t-y)in the 4-keV region of interest (ROI) around the 2039-keV Q-value for 76Ge ββ(0ν) decay. This is required for tonne-scale germanium-based searches that will probe the inverted-ordering neutrino-mass parameter space for the effective Majorana neutrino mass in ββ(0ν) decay. Show technical and engineering scalability toward a tonne-scale instrument. Perform searches for additional physics beyond the Standard Model, such as dark matter and axions. The MAJORANA Collaboration has designed a modular instrument composed of two cryostats built from ultra-pure electroformed copper, with each cryostat capable of housing over 20 kg of HPGe detectors. The MAJORANADEMONSTRATOR contains 30 kg of detectors fabricated from Ge material enriched to 88% in 76Ge and another 15 kg fabricated from natural Ge (7.8% 76Ge). The modular approach allows us to assemble and optimize each cryostat independently, providing a fast deployment with minimal effect on already-operational detectors.Starting from the innermost cavity, the cryostats are surrounded by a compact graded shield composed of an inner layer of electroformed copper, a layer of commercially sourced C10100 copper, high-purity lead, an active muon veto, borated polyethylene, and pure polyethylene shielding. The cryostats, copper, and lead shielding are enclosed in a radon exclusion box and rest on an over-floor table that has openings for the active muon veto and polyethylene shielding panels situated below the detector. The entire experiment is located in a clean room at the 4850 ft level of SURF. A high-level summary of shield components is shown in Fig. 1.A large fraction of the plastic scintillator panels comprising the active muon-veto system were operated in different configurations at the experimental site during Ge detector constructions and commissioning. We used the resulting data to measure the total muon flux at the Davis Campus at SURF for the first time.

Hyperspectral-stimulated Raman scattering imaging of cholesteryl ester accumulation: new avenue to diagnosis of human prostate cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Jun; Wang, Ping; Yue, Shuhua

2016-10-01

Most prostate cancers (PCa) are slowly growing, and only the aggressive ones require early diagnosis and effective treatment. The current standard for PCa diagnosis remains histopathology. Nonetheless, for the differentiation between Gleason score 6 (low-risk PCa), which can be left without treatment, and Gleason score 7 (high-risk PCa), which requires active treatment, the inter-observer discordance can be up to 40%. Our previous study reveals that cholesteryl ester (CE) accumulation induced by PI3K/AKT activation underlies human PCa aggressiveness. However, Raman spectromicroscopy used in this study could only provide compositional information of certain lipid droplets (LDs) selected by the observer, which overlooked cell-to-cell variation and hindered translation to accurate automated diagnosis. Here, we demonstrated quantitative mapping of CE level in human prostate tissues using hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy that renders compositional information for every pixel in the image. Specifically, hundreds of SRS images at Raman shift between 1620-1800 cm-1 were taken, and multivariate curve resolution algorism was used to retrieve concentration images of acyl C=C bond, sterol C=C bond, and ester C=O bond. Given that the ratio between images of sterol C=C and ester C=O (sterol C=C/C=O) is nonlinearly proportional to CE percentage out of total lipid, we were able to quantitatively map CE level. Our data showed that CE level was significantly greater in high Gleason grade compared to low Gleason grade, and could be a factor that significantly contributed to cancer recurrence. Our study provides an opportunity towards more accurate PCa diagnosis and prediction of aggressiveness.

Heavy rare earth elements affect early life stages in Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula sea urchins.

PubMed

Oral, Rahime; Pagano, Giovanni; Siciliano, Antonietta; Gravina, Maria; Palumbo, Anna; Castellano, Immacolata; Migliaccio, Oriana; Thomas, Philippe J; Guida, Marco; Tommasi, Franca; Trifuoggi, Marco

2017-04-01

Heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) have been scarcely studied for their toxicity, in spite of their applications in several technologies. Thus HREEs require timely investigations for their adverse health effects. Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula embryos and sperm were exposed to trichloride salts of five HREEs (Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu) and to Ce(III) as a light REE (LREE) reference to evaluate: 1) developmental defects (% DD) in HREE-exposed larvae or in the offspring of HREE-exposed sperm; 2) mitotic anomalies; 3) fertilization success; and 4) reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Nominal HREE concentrations were confirmed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). HREEs induced concentration-related DD increases in P. lividus and A. lixula larvae, ranging from no significant DD increase at 10 -7 M HREEs up to ≅100% DD at 10 -5 M HREE. Larvae exposed to 10 -5 M Ce(III) resulted in less severe DD rates compared to HREEs. Decreased mitotic activity and increased aberration rates were found in HREE-exposed P. lividus embryos. Significant increases in ROS formation and NO levels were found both in HREE-exposed and in Ce(III) embryos, whereas only Ce(III), but not HREEs resulted in significant increase in MDA levels. Sperm exposure to HREEs (10 -5 -10 -4 M) resulted in a concentration-related decrease in fertilization success along with increase in offspring damage. These effects were significantly enhanced for Dy(III), Ho(III), Er(III) and Yb(III), compared to Lu(III) and to Ce(III). HREE-associated toxicity affected embryogenesis, fertilization, cytogenetic and redox endpoints showing different toxicities of tested HREEs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interactions of Stress and CRF in Ethanol-Withdrawal Induced Anxiety in Adolescent and Adult Rats

PubMed Central

Wills, Tiffany A.; Knapp, Darin J.; Overstreet, David H.; Breese, George R.

2010-01-01

Background Repeated stress or administration of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) prior to ethanol exposure sensitizes anxiety-like behavior in adult rats. Current experiments determined whether adolescent rats were more sensitive to these challenges in sensitizing ethanol withdrawal-induced anxiety and altering CRF levels in brain during withdrawal. Methods Male adult and adolescent Sprague–Dawley rats were restraint stressed (1 hour) twice 1 week apart prior to a single 5-day cycle of ethanol diet (ED; stress/withdrawal paradigm). Other rats received control diet (CD) and three 1-hour restraint stress sessions. Rats were then tested 5, 24, or 48 hours after the final withdrawal for anxiety-like behavior in the social interaction (SI) test. In other experiments, adolescent rats were given two microinjections of CRF icv 1 week apart followed by 5-days of either CD or ED and tested in social interaction 5 hours into withdrawal. Finally, CRF immunoreactivity was measured in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) after rats experienced control diet, repeated ethanol withdrawals, or stress/withdrawal. Results Rats of both ages had reduced SI following the stress/withdrawal paradigm, and this effect recovered within 24 hours. Higher CRF doses were required to reduce SI in adolescents than previously reported in adults. CRF immunohistochemical levels were higher in the PVN and CeA of CD-exposed adolescents. In adolescent rats, repeated ethanol withdrawals decreased CRF in the CeA but was not associated with decreased CRF cell number. There was no change in CRF from adult treatments. Conclusions In the production of anxiety-like behavior, adolescent rats have equal sensitivity with stress and lower sensitivity with CRF compared to adults. Further, adolescents had higher basal levels of CRF within the PVN and CeA and reduced CRF levels following repeated ethanol withdrawals. This reduced CRF within the CeA could indicate increased release of CRF, and future work will determine how this change relates to behavior. PMID:20586753

Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Biomarkers, and Toxicity in Mouse Lung and Liver After Inhalation Exposure to 100% Biodiesel or Petroleum Diesel Emissions

PubMed Central

Shvedova, Anna A.; Yanamala, Naveena; Murray, Ashley R.; Kisin, Elena R.; Khaliullin, Timur; Hatfield, Meghan K.; Tkach, Alexey V.; Krantz, Q. T.; Nash, David; King, Charly; Gilmour, M. Ian; Gavett, Stephen H.

2015-01-01

Over the past decade, soy biodiesel (BD) has become a first alternative energy source that is economically viable and meets requirements of the Clean Air Act. Due to lower mass emissions and reduced hazardous compounds compared to diesel combustion emissions (CE), BD exposure is proposed to produce fewer adverse health effects. However, considering the broad use of BD and its blends in different industries, this assertion needs to be supported and validated by mechanistic and toxicological data. Here, adverse effects were compared in lungs and liver of BALB/cJ mice after inhalation exposure (0, 50, 150, or 500 μg/m3; 4 h/d, 5 d/wk, for 4 wk) to CE from 100% biodiesel (B100) and diesel (D100). Compared to D100, B100 CE produced a significant accumulation of oxidatively modified proteins (carbonyls), an increase in 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a reduction of protein thiols, a depletion of antioxidant gluthatione (GSH), a dose-related rise in the levels of biomarkers of tissue damage (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH) in lungs, and inflammation (myeloperoxidase, MPO) in both lungs and liver. Significant differences in the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, interferon (IFN) γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected in lungs and liver upon B100 and D100 CE exposures. Overall, the tissue damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cytokine response were more pronounced in mice exposed to BD CE. Further studies are required to understand what combustion products in BD CE accelerate oxidative and inflammatory responses. PMID:24156694

Desipramine and citalopram attenuate pretest swim-induced increases in prodynorphin immunoreactivity in the dorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the lateral division of the central nucleus of the amygdala in the forced swimming test.

PubMed

Chung, Sung; Kim, Hee Jeong; Kim, Hyun Ju; Choi, Sun Hye; Cho, Jin Hee; Cho, Yun Ha; Kim, Dong-Hoon; Shin, Kyung Ho

2014-10-01

Dynorphin in the nucleus accumbens shell plays an important role in antidepressant-like effect in the forced swimming test (FST), but it is unclear whether desipramine and citalopram treatments alter prodynorphin levels in other brain areas. To explore this possibility, we injected mice with desipramine and citalopram 0.5, 19, and 23 h after a 15-min pretest swim and observed changes in prodynorphin expression before the test swim, which was conducted 24 h after the pretest swim. The pretest swim increased prodynorphin immunoreactivity in the dorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dBNST) and lateral division of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeL). This increase in prodynorphin immunoreactivity in the dBNST and CeL was blocked by desipramine and citalopram treatments. Similar changes in prodynorphin mRNA levels were observed in the dBNST and CeL, but these changes did not reach significance. To understand the underlying mechanism, we assessed changes in phosphorylated CREB at Ser(133) (pCREB) immunoreactivity in the dBNST and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). Treatment with citalopram but not desipramine after the pretest swim significantly increased pCREB immunoreactivity only in the dBNST. These results suggest that regulation of prodynorphin in the dBNST and CeL before the test swim may be involved in the antidepressant-like effect of desipramine and citalopram in the FST and suggest that changes in pCREB immunoreactivity in these areas may not play an important role in the regulation of prodynorphin in the dBNST and CeA. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anionic Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Protect Plant Photosynthesis from Abiotic Stress by Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species.

PubMed

Wu, Honghong; Tito, Nicholas; Giraldo, Juan P

2017-11-28

Plant abiotic stress leads to accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a consequent decrease in photosynthetic performance. We demonstrate that a plant nanobionics approach of localizing negatively charged, sub-11 nm, spherical cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) inside chloroplasts in vivo augments ROS scavenging and photosynthesis of Arabidopsis thaliana plants under excess light (2000 μmol m -2 s -1 , 1.5 h), heat (35 °C, 2.5 h), and dark chilling (4 °C, 5 days). Poly(acrylic acid) nanoceria (PNC) with a hydrodynamic diameter (10.3 nm)-lower than the maximum plant cell wall porosity-and negative ζ-potential (-16.9 mV) exhibit significantly higher colocalization (46%) with chloroplasts in leaf mesophyll cells than aminated nanoceria (ANC) (27%) of similar size (12.6 nm) but positive charge (9.7 mV). Nanoceria are transported into chloroplasts via nonendocytic pathways, influenced by the electrochemical gradient of the plasma membrane potential. PNC with a low Ce 3+ /Ce 4+ ratio (35.0%) reduce leaf ROS levels by 52%, including hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals. For the latter ROS, there is no known plant enzyme scavenger. Plants embedded with these PNC that were exposed to abiotic stress exhibit an increase up to 19% in quantum yield of photosystem II, 67% in carbon assimilation rates, and 61% in Rubisco carboxylation rates relative to plants without nanoparticles. In contrast, PNC with high Ce 3+ /Ce 4+ ratio (60.8%) increase overall leaf ROS levels and do not protect photosynthesis from oxidative damage during abiotic stress. This study demonstrates that anionic, spherical, sub-11 nm PNC with low Ce 3+ /Ce 4+ ratio can act as a tool to study the impact of oxidative stress on plant photosynthesis and to protect plants from abiotic stress.

Lanthanum inhibition of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli enterotoxin-induced enterosorption and its effects on intestinal mucosa cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels.

PubMed Central

Leitch, G J; Amer, M S

1975-01-01

Several trivalent cations, including lanthanum (La3+), inhibited the secretion (enterosorption) induced by the enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli in the rabbit ileum in vivo. High concentrations (greater than 10 mM) of La3+ were required to inhibit cholera enterotoxin (CE)-induced enterosorption, probably because of the adsorption of the La3+ often potentiated the CE-induced enterosorption. If luminal La3+ exposure followed CE exposure, some recovery of the enterosorptive response was observed. The longer the lag between the CE exposure and the La3+ exposure, the greater was the recovery of the enterosorptive response. Lanthanum inhibited HCO3- secretion more than Cl- secretion. By altering the luminal fluid pH at the time of La3+ exposure, it was found that La3+ was adsorbed to negatively charged luminal sites, having an apparent pK between 2.5 and 3.0. Although La3+ antagonized the enterosorptive response to CE, it mimicked rather than antagonized the cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate elevation and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate depression induced by the toxin. It is therefore concluded that the La3+ inhibition of the CE-induced enterosorption must have occurred at a site following the generation of the cyclic nucleotides. Cholera enterotoxin caused complex time-dependent changes in the mucosal cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels, as revealed by studying tissue cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate/cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate ratios. The possible roles these two cyclic nucleotides may play in the pathogenesis of the cholera diarrhea are discussed. PMID:164410

Genome-wide Ancestry and Demographic History of African-Descendant Maroon Communities from French Guiana and Suriname.

PubMed

Fortes-Lima, Cesar; Gessain, Antoine; Ruiz-Linares, Andres; Bortolini, Maria-Cátira; Migot-Nabias, Florence; Bellis, Gil; Moreno-Mayar, J Víctor; Restrepo, Berta Nelly; Rojas, Winston; Avendaño-Tamayo, Efren; Bedoya, Gabriel; Orlando, Ludovic; Salas, Antonio; Helgason, Agnar; Gilbert, M Thomas P; Sikora, Martin; Schroeder, Hannes; Dugoujon, Jean-Michel

2017-11-02

The transatlantic slave trade was the largest forced migration in world history. However, the origins of the enslaved Africans and their admixture dynamics remain unclear. To investigate the demographic history of African-descendant Marron populations, we generated genome-wide data (4.3 million markers) from 107 individuals from three African-descendant populations in South America, as well as 124 individuals from six west African populations. Throughout the Americas, thousands of enslaved Africans managed to escape captivity and establish lasting communities, such as the Noir Marron. We find that this population has the highest proportion of African ancestry (∼98%) of any African-descendant population analyzed to date, presumably because of centuries of genetic isolation. By contrast, African-descendant populations in Brazil and Colombia harbor substantially more European and Native American ancestry as a result of their complex admixture histories. Using ancestry tract-length analysis, we detect different dates for the European admixture events in the African-Colombian (1749 CE; confidence interval [CI]: 1737-1764) and African-Brazilian (1796 CE; CI: 1789-1804) populations in our dataset, consistent with the historically attested earlier influx of Africans into Colombia. Furthermore, we find evidence for sex-specific admixture patterns, resulting from predominantly European paternal gene flow. Finally, we detect strong genetic links between the African-descendant populations and specific source populations in Africa on the basis of haplotype sharing patterns. Although the Noir Marron and African-Colombians show stronger affinities with African populations from the Bight of Benin and the Gold Coast, the African-Brazilian population from Rio de Janeiro has greater genetic affinity with Bantu-speaking populations from the Bight of Biafra and west central Africa. Copyright © 2017 American Society of Human Genetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development and validation of a scoring index to predict the presence of lesions in capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected Crohn's disease of the small bowel: a Spanish multicenter study.

PubMed

Egea-Valenzuela, Juan; González Suárez, Begoña; Sierra Bernal, Cristian; Juanmartiñena Fernández, José Francisco; Luján-Sanchís, Marisol; San Juan Acosta, Mileidis; Martínez Andrés, Blanca; Pons Beltrán, Vicente; Sastre Lozano, Violeta; Carretero Ribón, Cristina; de Vera Almenar, Félix; Sánchez Cuenca, Joaquín; Alberca de Las Parras, Fernando; Rodríguez de Miguel, Cristina; Valle Muñoz, Julio; Férnandez-Urién Sainz, Ignacio; Torres González, Carolina; Borque Barrera, Pilar; Pérez-Cuadrado Robles, Enrique; Alonso Lázaro, Noelia; Martínez García, Pilar; Prieto de Frías, César; Carballo Álvarez, Fernando

2018-05-01

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is the first-line investigation in cases of suspected Crohn's disease (CD) of the small bowel, but the factors associated with a higher diagnostic yield remain unclear. Our aim is to develop and validate a scoring index to assess the risk of the patients in this setting on the basis of biomarkers. Data on fecal calprotectin, C-reactive protein, and other biomarkers from a population of 124 patients with suspected CD of the small bowel studied by CE and included in a PhD study were used to build a scoring index. This was first used on this population (internal validation process) and after that on a different set of patients from a multicenter study (external validation process). An index was designed in which every biomarker is assigned a score. Three risk groups have been established (low, intermediate, and high). In the internal validation analysis (124 individuals), patients had a 10, 46.5, and 81% probability of showing inflammatory lesions in CE in the low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively. In the external validation analysis, including 410 patients from 12 Spanish hospitals, this probability was 15.8, 49.7, and 80.6% for the low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively. Results from the internal validation process show that the scoring index is coherent, and results from the external validation process confirm its reliability. This index can be a useful tool for selecting patients before CE studies in cases of suspected CD of the small bowel.

Crystal growth and magnetic properties of equiatomic CeAl

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Pranab Kumar; Thamizhavel, A.

2015-03-01

Single crystal of CeAl has been grown by flux method using Ce-Al self-flux. Several needle like single crystals were obtained and the length of the needle corresponds to the [001] crystallographic direction. Powder x-ray diffraction revealed that CeAl crystallizes in orthorhombic CrB-type structure with space group Cmcm (no. 63). The magnetic properties have been investigated by means of magnetic susceptibility, isothermal magnetization, electrical transport, and heat capacity measurements. CeAl is found to order antiferromagnetically with a Neel temperature TN = 10 K. The magnetization data below the ordering temperature reveals two metamagentic transitions for fields less than 20 kOe. From the inverse magnetic susceptibility an effective moment of 2.66 μB/Ce has been estimated, which indicates that Ce is in its trivalent state. Electrical resistivity data clearly shows a sharp drop at 10 K due to the reduction of spin disorder scattering of conduction electrons thus confirming the magnetic ordering. The estimated residual resistivity ratio (RRR) is 33, thus indicating a good quality of the single crystal. The bulk nature of the magnetic ordering is also confirmed by heat capacity data. From the Schottky anomaly of the heat capacity we have estimated the crystal field level splitting energies of the (2J + 1) degenerate ground state as 25 K and 175 K respectively for the fist and second excited states.

Effects of added CeCl3 on resistance of fifth-instar larvae of silkworm to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus infection.

PubMed

Li, Bing; Xie, Yi; Cheng, Zhe; Cheng, Jie; Hu, Rengping; Cui, Yaling; Gong, Xiaolan; Shen, Weide; Hong, Fashui

2012-06-01

One of the most important agents causing lethal disease in the silkworm is the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV), while low-dose rare earths are demonstrated to increase immune capacity in animals. However, very little is known about the effects of added CeCl(3) on decreasing BmNPV infection of silkworm. The present study investigated the effects of added CeCl(3) to an artificial diet on resistance of fifth-instar larvae of silkworm to BmNPV infection. Our findings indicated that added CeCl(3) significantly decreased inhibition of growth and mortality of fifth-instar larvae caused by BmNPV infection. Furthermore, the added CeCl(3) obviously decreased lipid peroxidation level and accumulation of reactive oxygen species such as O(2)(-), H(2)O(2), (·)OH, and NO and increased activities of the antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, ascorbate, and glutathione contents in the BmNPV-infected fifth-instar larvae. In addition, the added CeCl(3) could significantly promote acetylcholine esterase activity and attenuate the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the BmNPV-infected fifth-instar larvae. These findings suggested that added CeCl(3) may relieve oxidative damage and neurotoxicity of silkworm caused by BmNPV infection via increasing antioxidant capacity and acetylcholine esterase activity.

Effects of young barley leaf extract and antioxidative vitamins on LDL oxidation and free radical scavenging activities in type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Yu, Y-M; Chang, W-C; Chang, C-T; Hsieh, C-L; Tsai, C E

2002-04-01

The effects of supplementation of young barley leaf extract (BL) and/or antioxidative vitamins C and E on different low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions susceptibility to oxidation and free radical scavenging activities in patients with type 2 diabetes were evaluated. Thirty-six type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled in this study. The subjects received one of the following supplements daily for 4 weeks: 15 g BL, 200 mg vitamin C and 200 mg vitamin E (CE), or BL plus CE (BL + CE). The lucigenin-chemiluminescence (CL) and luminol-CL levels in blood were significantly reduced in all groups. Vitamin E content of LDL subfractions increased significantly following supplements, especially for BL + CE group. The percent increase of lag times in the BL + CE was significantly higher than those in the BL or CE group. The antioxidative effect of BL + CE was the greatest for small, dense LDL (Sd-LDL) with further increases in percentage of lag times 4 folds compared to BL alone. Our results indicate that supplementation with BL may help to scavenge oxygen free radicals, save the LDL-vitamin E content, and inhibit LDL oxidation. Furthermore, the addition of vitamins C and E to BL can inhibit the Sd-LDL oxidation more effectively, which may protect against vascular diseases in type 2 diabetic patients.

Common variation in PHACTR1 is associated with susceptibility to cervical artery dissection.

PubMed

Debette, Stéphanie; Kamatani, Yoichiro; Metso, Tiina M; Kloss, Manja; Chauhan, Ganesh; Engelter, Stefan T; Pezzini, Alessandro; Thijs, Vincent; Markus, Hugh S; Dichgans, Martin; Wolf, Christiane; Dittrich, Ralf; Touzé, Emmanuel; Southerland, Andrew M; Samson, Yves; Abboud, Shérine; Béjot, Yannick; Caso, Valeria; Bersano, Anna; Gschwendtner, Andreas; Sessa, Maria; Cole, John; Lamy, Chantal; Medeiros, Elisabeth; Beretta, Simone; Bonati, Leo H; Grau, Armin J; Michel, Patrik; Majersik, Jennifer J; Sharma, Pankaj; Kalashnikova, Ludmila; Nazarova, Maria; Dobrynina, Larisa; Bartels, Eva; Guillon, Benoit; van den Herik, Evita G; Fernandez-Cadenas, Israel; Jood, Katarina; Nalls, Michael A; De Leeuw, Frank-Erik; Jern, Christina; Cheng, Yu-Ching; Werner, Inge; Metso, Antti J; Lichy, Christoph; Lyrer, Philippe A; Brandt, Tobias; Boncoraglio, Giorgio B; Wichmann, Heinz-Erich; Gieger, Christian; Johnson, Andrew D; Böttcher, Thomas; Castellano, Maurizio; Arveiler, Dominique; Ikram, M Arfan; Breteler, Monique M B; Padovani, Alessandro; Meschia, James F; Kuhlenbäumer, Gregor; Rolfs, Arndt; Worrall, Bradford B; Ringelstein, Erich-Bernd; Zelenika, Diana; Tatlisumak, Turgut; Lathrop, Mark; Leys, Didier; Amouyel, Philippe; Dallongeville, Jean

2015-01-01

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD), a mural hematoma in a carotid or vertebral artery, is a major cause of ischemic stroke in young adults although relatively uncommon in the general population (incidence of 2.6/100,000 per year). Minor cervical traumas, infection, migraine and hypertension are putative risk factors, and inverse associations with obesity and hypercholesterolemia are described. No confirmed genetic susceptibility factors have been identified using candidate gene approaches. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in 1,393 CeAD cases and 14,416 controls. The rs9349379[G] allele (PHACTR1) was associated with lower CeAD risk (odds ratio (OR) = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69-0.82; P = 4.46 × 10(-10)), with confirmation in independent follow-up samples (659 CeAD cases and 2,648 controls; P = 3.91 × 10(-3); combined P = 1.00 × 10(-11)). The rs9349379[G] allele was previously shown to be associated with lower risk of migraine and increased risk of myocardial infarction. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying this pleiotropy might provide important information on the biological underpinnings of these disabling conditions.

The cosmic merger rate of neutron stars and black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mapelli, Michela; Giacobbo, Nicola

2018-06-01

Six gravitational wave detections have been reported so far, providing crucial insights on the merger rate of double compact objects. We investigate the cosmic merger rate of double neutron stars (DNSs), neutron star-black hole binaries (NSBHs) and black hole binaries (BHBs) by means of population-synthesis simulations coupled with the Illustris cosmological simulation. We have performed six different simulations, considering different assumptions for the efficiency of common envelope (CE) ejection and exploring two distributions for the supernova (SN) kicks. The current BHB merger rate derived from our simulations spans from ˜150 to ˜240 Gpc-3 yr-1 and is only mildly dependent on CE efficiency. In contrast, the current merger rates of DNSs (ranging from ˜20 to ˜600 Gpc-3 yr-1) and NSBHs (ranging from ˜10 to ˜100 Gpc-3 yr-1) strongly depend on the assumptions on CE and natal kicks. The merger rate of DNSs is consistent with the one inferred from the detection of GW170817 only if a high efficiency of CE ejection and low SN kicks (drawn from a Maxwellian distribution with one dimensional root mean square σ = 15 km s-1) are assumed.

Assigning the Cerium Oxidation State for CH2CeF2 and OCeF2 Based on Multireference Wave Function Analysis.

PubMed

Mooßen, Oliver; Dolg, Michael

2016-06-09

The geometric and electronic structure of the recently experimentally studied molecules ZCeF2 (Z = CH2, O) was investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and wave function-based ab initio methods. Special attention was paid to the Ce-Z metal-ligand bonding, especially to the nature of the interaction between the Ce 4f and the Z 2p orbitals and the possible multiconfigurational character arising from it, as well as to the assignment of an oxidation state of Ce reflecting the electronic structure. Complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations were performed, followed by orbital rotations in the active orbital space. The methylene compound CH2CeF2 has an open-shell singlet ground state, which is characterized by a two-configurational wave function in the basis of the strongly mixed natural CASSCF orbitals. The system can also be described in a very compact way by the dominant Ce 4f(1) C 2p(1) configuration, if nearly pure Ce 4f and C 2p orbitals are used. In the basis of these localized orbitals, the molecule is almost monoconfigurational and should be best described as a Ce(III) system. The singlet ground state of the oxygen OCeF2 complex is of closed-shell character when a monoconfigurational wave function with very strongly mixed Ce 4f and O 2p CASSCF natural orbitals is used for the description. The transformation to orbitals localized on the cerium and oxygen atoms leads to a multiconfigurational wave function and reveals characteristics of a mixed valent Ce(IV)/Ce(III) compound. Additionally, the interactions of the localized active orbitals were analyzed by evaluating the expectation values of the charge fluctuation operator and the local spin operator. The Ce 4f and C 2p orbital interaction of the CH2CeF2 compound is weakly covalent and resembles the interaction of the H 1s orbitals in a stretched hydrogen dimer. In contrast, the interaction of the localized active orbitals for OCeF2 shows ionic character. Calculated vibrational Ce-C and Ce-O stretching frequencies at the DFT, CASSCF, second-order Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation theory (RS2C), multireference configuration interaction (MRCI), as well as single, doubles, and perturbative triples coupled cluster (CCSD(T)) level are reported and compared to experimental infrared absorption data in a Ne and Ar matrix.

Effects of Ga substitution in Ce:Tb3Ga x Al5- x O12 single crystals for scintillator applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakauchi, Daisuke; Okada, Go; Kawano, Naoki; Kawaguchi, Noriaki; Yanagida, Takayuki

2018-02-01

Bulk single crystals of Ce-doped Tb3Ga x Al5- x O12 (x = 0-4) were successfully synthesized by the floating zone method. The samples exhibit photoluminescence and scintillation with an intense broad emission due to the 5d-4f transitions of Ce3+ peaking around 550 nm as well as a few sharp peaks due to the 4f-4f transitions of Tb3+. Pulse height spectrum measurements under 137Cs γ-ray irradiation demonstrated a clear photoabsorption peak, in which the scintillation light yields were estimated to be 57,000 (x = 0), 28,000 (x = 1), 19,000 (x = 2), and 10,000 (x = 3) photons/MeV. Afterglow level can be suppressed with an appropriate addition of Ga, in which the optimum concertation is x = 2 leading an afterglow level of 23 ppm.

Contrast-enhanced time-resolved MRA for pre-angiographic evaluation of suspected spinal dural arterial venous fistulas.

PubMed

Saindane, Amit M; Boddu, Srikanth R; Tong, Frank C; Dehkharghani, Seena; Dion, Jacques E

2015-02-01

Spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold standard for diagnosis of spinal dural arterial venous fistulas (SDAVFs), but can require extensive time, radiation exposure and contrast dose. We hypothesize that contrast-enhanced time-resolved MR angiography (CE-TR MRA) will have utility for the non-invasive diagnosis and pre-angiographic localization of SDAVFs. Eighteen patients underwent both CE-TR MRA and DSA for suspected SDAVFs, with DSA performed a median of 11 days (range 0-41) after MRA. CE-TR MRA was performed on a 1.5 T GE unit using Time Resolved Imaging of Contrast Kinetics (TRICKS). CE-TR MRA and DSA images were evaluated for the presence of SDAVFs and location of the feeding arterial supply, with DSA as the reference standard. DSA was also evaluated for the number of vessels catheterized, contrast volume and fluoroscopic and procedure times. Eight of the 18 patients were positive for SDAVF on DSA. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the 18 CE-TR MRAs were 88%, 90%, 88% and 90%, respectively. Localization of the SDAVF arterial supply on CE-TR MRA was within one vertebral level from DSA for 6/7 SDAVFs. Compared with patients with a SDAVF and feeding artery identified on CE-TR MRA, patients with negative or suboptimal CE-TR MRA had a significantly increased number of vessels catheterized (p=0.027) and larger contrast volumes (p=0.022). CE-TR MRA is a useful initial examination for the diagnosis and localization of SDAVFs, with a high concordance rate with DSA. When CE-TR MRA demonstrates a SDAVF, the number of catheterized vessels and contrast dose can be decreased during DSA. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

The Use of Prescription Drugs, Recreational Drugs, and “Soft Enhancers” for Cognitive Enhancement among Swiss Secondary School Students

PubMed Central

Liakoni, Evangelia; Schaub, Michael P.; Maier, Larissa J.; Glauser, Gaëlle-Vanessa; Liechti, Matthias E.

2015-01-01

The use of prescription or recreational drugs for cognitive enhancement (CE) is prevalent among students. However, the prevalence of CE among Swiss school students is unknown. We therefore performed a cross-sectional online survey including ≥ 16-year-old students from bridge-year schools (10th grade), vocational schools, and upper secondary schools (10th-12th grade) in the Canton of Zurich to investigate the prevalence of and motives for the use of prescription drugs, recreational drugs, and/or freely available soft enhancers for CE. A total of 1,139 students were included. Of these, 54.5% reported the use of prescription drugs (9.2%), recreational drugs including alcohol (6.2%), or soft enhancers (51.3%) explicitly for CE at least once in their lives. The last-year and last-month prevalence for CE considering all substances was 45.5% and 39.5%, respectively. Soft enhancers were the substances that were most commonly used (ever, last-year, and last-month, respectively), including energy drinks (33.3%, 28.4%, and 24.6%), coffee (29.8%, 25.1%, and 21.9%), and tobacco (12.6%, 9.3%, and 8.3%). CE with methylphenidate was less prevalent (4.0%, 2.8%, and 2.0%). However, the use of prescription drugs, alcohol, or illegal drugs for CE was reported by 13.3% of the participants. The most common motives for use were to stay awake and improve concentration. CE was more prevalent among students who reported higher levels of stress or performance pressure and students with psychiatric disorders. In conclusion, half of the school students had used a substance at least once in their lives to improve school performance. Soft enhancers were most commonly used. Prevalence rates were similar to those reported by Swiss university students, indicating that the use of prescription or recreational drugs for CE already occurs before starting higher education. Performance pressure, stress, and psychiatric disorders may be associated with CE. PMID:26505633

Role of the oxytocin system in amygdala subregions in the regulation of social interest in male and female rats

PubMed Central

Dumais, Kelly M.; Alonso, Andrea G.; Bredewold, Remco; Veenema, Alexa H.

2016-01-01

We previously found that oxytocin (OT) receptor (OTR) binding density in the medial amygdala (MeA) correlated positively with social interest (i.e., the motivation to investigate a conspecific) in male rats, while OTR binding density in the central amygdala (CeA) correlated negatively with social interest in female rats. Here, we determined the causal involvement of OTR in the MeA and CeA in the sex-specific regulation of social interest in adult rats by injecting an OTR antagonist (5 ng/0.5 µl/side) or OT (100 pg/0.5 µl/side) before the social interest test (4-min same-sex juvenile exposure). OTR blockade in the CeA decreased social interest in males but not females, while all other treatments had no behavioral effect. To further explore the sex-specific involvement of the OT system in the CeA in social interest, we used in vivo microdialysis to determine possible sex differences in endogenous OT release in the CeA during social interest. Interestingly, males and females showed similar levels of extracellular OT release at baseline and during social interest, suggesting that factors other than local OT release mediate the sex-specific role of CeA-OTR in social interest. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between CeA-OT release and social investigation time in females. This was further reflected by reduced CeA-OT release during social interest in females that expressed low compared to high social interest. We discuss the possibility that this reduction in OT release may be a consequence, rather than a cause, of exposure to a social stimulus. Overall, our findings show for the first time that extracellular OT release in the CeA is similar between males and females and that OTR in the CeA plays a causal role in the regulation of social interest towards juvenile conspecifics in males. PMID:27235738

The Use of Prescription Drugs, Recreational Drugs, and "Soft Enhancers" for Cognitive Enhancement among Swiss Secondary School Students.

PubMed

Liakoni, Evangelia; Schaub, Michael P; Maier, Larissa J; Glauser, Gaëlle-Vanessa; Liechti, Matthias E

2015-01-01

The use of prescription or recreational drugs for cognitive enhancement (CE) is prevalent among students. However, the prevalence of CE among Swiss school students is unknown. We therefore performed a cross-sectional online survey including ≥ 16-year-old students from bridge-year schools (10th grade), vocational schools, and upper secondary schools (10th-12th grade) in the Canton of Zurich to investigate the prevalence of and motives for the use of prescription drugs, recreational drugs, and/or freely available soft enhancers for CE. A total of 1,139 students were included. Of these, 54.5% reported the use of prescription drugs (9.2%), recreational drugs including alcohol (6.2%), or soft enhancers (51.3%) explicitly for CE at least once in their lives. The last-year and last-month prevalence for CE considering all substances was 45.5% and 39.5%, respectively. Soft enhancers were the substances that were most commonly used (ever, last-year, and last-month, respectively), including energy drinks (33.3%, 28.4%, and 24.6%), coffee (29.8%, 25.1%, and 21.9%), and tobacco (12.6%, 9.3%, and 8.3%). CE with methylphenidate was less prevalent (4.0%, 2.8%, and 2.0%). However, the use of prescription drugs, alcohol, or illegal drugs for CE was reported by 13.3% of the participants. The most common motives for use were to stay awake and improve concentration. CE was more prevalent among students who reported higher levels of stress or performance pressure and students with psychiatric disorders. In conclusion, half of the school students had used a substance at least once in their lives to improve school performance. Soft enhancers were most commonly used. Prevalence rates were similar to those reported by Swiss university students, indicating that the use of prescription or recreational drugs for CE already occurs before starting higher education. Performance pressure, stress, and psychiatric disorders may be associated with CE.

Interaction between vitamins C and E affects their tissue concentrations, growth, lipid oxidation, and deficiency symptoms in yellow perch (Perca flavescens).

PubMed

Lee, Kyeong-Jun; Dabrowski, Konrad

2003-05-01

We have conducted studies with juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens) over a period of 20 weeks to address the question of the interaction between water- and lipid-soluble antioxidant vitamins. Fish (2.25+/-0.14 g) were divided into twelve groups, and triplicate groups were fed one of four casein-based, semi-purified diets formulated to contain low or high vitamin E levels of either 5 or 160 mg/kg without or with vitamin C supplementation (250 mg/kg). Diets were designated as -C-E, -C+E, +C-E, or +C+E, respectively. The fish fed the +C+E diet showed significantly higher weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency than the groups fed vitamin C-deficient diets. Total ascorbate concentrations of liver were significantly higher in fish fed vitamin C-supplemented diets than in fish fed the vitamin C-deficient diet after 16 and 20 weeks. The liver alpha-tocopherol concentrations were increased by supplemental vitamin C in vitamin E-deficient dietary groups which indicates a sparing or regenerating effect of vitamin C on vitamin E. Fish fed vitamin C-deficient diets (-C-E and -C+E) exhibited severe deficiency symptoms, such as scoliosis, lens cataracts, anorexia, and haemorrhages. The cumulative mortality was significantly higher in the -C-E groups. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances value was significantly higher in blood plasma of fish fed a diet unsupplemented with both vitamins. The findings in the present study with yellow perch support the hypothesis that vitamin C regenerates and/or spares vitamin E in vivo.

Immunodiagnostic Value of Echinococcus Granulosus Recombinant B8/1 Subunit of Antigen B.

PubMed

Savardashtaki, Amir; Sarkari, Bahador; Arianfar, Farzane; Mostafavi-Pour, Zohreh

2017-06-01

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), as a chronic parasitic disease, is a major health problem in many countries. The performance of the currently available serodiagnostic tests for the diagnosis of CE is unsatisfactory. The current study aimed at sub-cloning a gene, encoding the B8/1 subunit of antigen B (AgB) from Echinococcus granulosus, using gene optimization for the immunodiagnosis of human CE. The coding sequence for AgB8/1 subunit of Echinococcus granulosus was selected from GenBank and was gene-optimized. The sequence was synthesized and inserted into pGEX-4T-1 vector. Purification was performed with GST tag affinity column. Diagnostic performance of the produced recombinant antigen, native antigen B and a commercial ELISA kit were further evaluated in an ELISA system, using a panel of sera from CE patients and controls. SDS-PAGE demonstrated that the protein of interest had a high expression level and purity after GST tag affinity purification. Western blotting verified the immunoreactivity of the produced recombinant antigen with the sera of CE patients. In an ELISA system, the sensitivity and specificity (for human CE diagnosis) of the recombinant antigen, native antigen B and commercial kit were respectively 93% and 92%, 87% and 90% and 97% and 95%. The produced recombinant antigen showed a high diagnostic value which can be recommended for serodiagnosis of CE in Iran and other CE-endemic areas. Utilizing the combination of other subunits of AgB8 would improve the performance value of the introduced ELISA system.

The Information System at CeSAM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agneray, F.; Gimenez, S.; Moreau, C.; Roehlly, Y.

2012-09-01

Modern large observational programmes produce important amounts of data from various origins, and need high level quality control, fast data access via easy-to-use graphic interfaces, as well as possibility to cross-correlate informations coming from different observations. The Centre de donnéeS Astrophysique de Marseille (CeSAM) offer web access to VO compliant Information Systems to access data of different projects (VVDS, HeDAM, EXODAT, HST-COSMOS,…), including ancillary data obtained outside Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM) control. The CeSAM Information Systems provides download of catalogues and some additional services like: search, extract and display imaging and spectroscopic data by multi-criteria and Cone Search interfaces.

Residual Stresses and Sliding Wear.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-05-25

case of rolling contact, taking into account strain hardening during plastic deformation. ..-s calculations (forSAE 52100 at a hardness level of 58.5 R...can reach -800- 1000 MPa. If 033 was comparable to these values, it would indeed effect the wear rate. It is evident that an experimental deter...cc o 40 1 °2 00 I I +A ) S l~lll0 44MUK I CQ E3 e0 El 0 Uc 00 E3 (3 80 j40 c (vclq) SSHHI +ce ce mCQ ce (2E e0 4El EJ) E - 0 El 0 E0 .. t El 0 (vdNp

Knocking down amygdalar PTP1B in diet-induced obese rats improves insulin signaling/action, decreases adiposity and may alter anxiety behavior.

PubMed

Mendes, Natalia Ferreira; Castro, Gisele; Guadagnini, Dioze; Tobar, Natalia; Cognuck, Susana Quiros; Elias, Lucila Leico Kagohara; Boer, Patricia Aline; Prada, Patricia Oliveira

2017-05-01

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) has been extensively implicated in the regulation of body weight, food intake, and energy expenditure. The role of PTP1B appears to be cell and brain region dependent. Herein, we demonstrated that chronic high-fat feeding enhanced PTP1B expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) of rats compared to rats on chow. Knocking down PTP1B with oligonucleotide antisense (ASO) decreased its expression and was sufficient to improve the anorexigenic effect of insulin through IR/Akt signaling in the CeA. ASO treatment reduces body weight, fat mass, serum leptin levels, and food intake and also increases energy expenditure, without altering ambulatory activity. These changes were explained, at least in part, by the improvement of insulin sensitivity in the CeA, decreasing NPY and enhancing oxytocin expression. There was a slight decline in fasting blood glucose and serum insulin levels possibly due to leanness in rats treated with ASO. Surprisingly, the elevated plus maze test revealed an anxiolytic behavior after reduction of PTP1B in the CeA. Thus, the present study highlights the deleterious role that the amygdalar PTP1B has on energy homeostasis in obesity states. The reduction of PTP1B in the CeA may be a strategy for the treatment of obesity, insulin resistance and anxiety disorders. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cystic Echinococcosis in the Province of Álava, North Spain: The Monetary Burden of a Disease No Longer under Surveillance

PubMed Central

Carabin, Hélène; Balsera-Rodríguez, Francisco J.; Rebollar-Sáenz, José; Benner, Christine T.; Benito, Aitziber; Fernández-Crespo, Juan C.; Carmena, David

2014-01-01

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is endemic in Spain but has been considered non-endemic in the province of Álava, Northern Spain, since 1997. However, Álava is surrounded by autonomous regions with some of the highest CE prevalence proportions in the nation, casting doubts about the current classification. The purpose of this study is to estimate the frequency of CE in humans and animals and to use this data to determine the societal cost incurred due to CE in the Álava population in 2005. We have identified epidemiological and clinical data from surveillance and hospital records, prevalence data in intermediate (sheep and cattle) host species from abattoir records, and economical data from national and regional official institutions. Direct costs (diagnosis, treatment, medical care in humans and condemnation of offal in livestock species) and indirect costs (productivity losses in humans and reduction in growth, fecundity and milk production in livestock) were modelled using the Latin hypercube method under five different scenarios reflecting different assumptions regarding the prevalence of asymptomatic cases and associated productivity losses in humans. A total of 13 human CE cases were reported in 2005. The median total cost (95% credible interval) of CE in humans and animals in Álava in 2005 was estimated to range between €61,864 (95%CI%: €47,304–€76,590) and €360,466 (95%CI: €76,424–€752,469), with human-associated losses ranging from 57% to 93% of the total losses, depending on the scenario used. Our data provide evidence that CE is still very well present in Álava and incurs important cost to the province every year. We expect this information to prove valuable for public health agencies and policy-makers, as it seems advisable to reinstate appropriate surveillance and monitoring systems and to implement effective control measures that avoid the spread and recrudescence of the disease. PMID:25102173

Echinococcosis/hydatidosis: a severe threat in Mediterranean countries.

PubMed

Dakkak, A

2010-11-24

Echinococcosis/hydatidosis is one of the most important parasitic zoonotic diseases in the world. Both cystic hydatidosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by E. multilocularis have been reported in several countries of the Mediterranean region (MR). E. granulosus has always been present in the MR and is the most common species. This parasite depends on the dog-sheep cycle and is actively transmitted in all pastoral regions where sheep, cattle and camelids predominate. E. multilocularis occurs only sporadically in limited areas of France, Serbia and Montenegro, Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco. However recent evidence indicates that it is spreading into other regions of the Mediterranean. Due to the lack of well-documented data, and to the fact that CE is not a notifiable disease in the majority of M countries, the precise incidence and prevalence of CE in humans and animals are not known. Published data suggests that prevalence is rather high in North Africa, Turkey, Greece, and in several regions of Italy and Spain. CE is an increasing public health and socio-economic concern due to the considerable morbidity rates that give rise to high economic losses both in the public health sector and in the livestock industry. Hospitalisation for human CE lasts from 2 weeks to more than 1 month in case of surgery. A number of factors contribute to the increase of prevalence and to the spreading of CE in the MR. These include the diversity of livestock production systems (predominantly extensive, traditional animal husbandry), small, ill-equipped and unsupervised slaughter-houses, illegal and family slaughtering, low public awareness of hydatid diseases, and the high population of stray dogs. Cyprus is the only country where an eradication programme has been successfully implemented. There have been, however, important developments in the last decade in CE epidemiology, in the diagnosis of canine infection, in strain characterisation and in immune strategies against CE in animals. This scientific progress, together with effective health education programmes, will likely improve control programmes and reduce the time required to achieve significant decreases in prevalence or eradication. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Glutaminolysis is Essential for Energy Production and Ion Transport in Human Corneal Endothelium.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenlin; Li, Hongde; Ogando, Diego G; Li, Shimin; Feng, Matthew; Price, Francis W; Tennessen, Jason M; Bonanno, Joseph A

2017-02-01

Corneal endothelium (CE) is among the most metabolically active tissues in the body. This elevated metabolic rate helps the CE maintain corneal transparency by its ion and fluid transport properties, which when disrupted, leads to visual impairment. Here we demonstrate that glutamine catabolism (glutaminolysis) through TCA cycle generates a large fraction of the ATP needed to maintain CE function, and this glutaminolysis is severely disrupted in cells deficient in NH 3 :H + cotransporter Solute Carrier Family 4 Member 11 (SLC4A11). Considering SLC4A11 mutations leads to corneal endothelial dystrophy and sensorineural deafness, our results indicate that SLC4A11-associated developmental and degenerative disorders result from altered glutamine catabolism. Overall, our results describe an important metabolic mechanism that provides CE cells with the energy required to maintain high level transport activity, reveal a direct link between glutamine metabolism and developmental and degenerative neuronal diseases, and suggest an approach for protecting the CE during ophthalmic surgeries. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Soot Combustion over Nanostructured Ceria with Different Morphologies

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wen; Niu, Xiaoyu; Chen, Liqiang; Yuan, Fulong; Zhu, Yujun

2016-01-01

In this study, nano-structure ceria with three different morphologies (nanorod, nanoparticle and flake) have been prepared by hydrothermal and solvothermal methods. The ceria samples were deeply characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, H2-TPR, XPS and in-situ DRIFTS, and tested for soot combustion in absence/presence NO atmospheres under loose and tight contact conditions. The prepared ceria samples exhibit excellent catalytic activities, especially, the CeO2 with nanorod (Ce-R) shows the best catalytic activity, for which the peak temperature of soot combustion (Tm) is about 500 and 368 °C in loose and tight contact conditions, respectively. The catalytic activity for Ce-R is higher than that of the reported CeO2 catalysts and reaches a level that of precious metals. The characterization results reveal that the maximal amounts of adsorbed oxygen species on the surface of the nanostructure Ce-R catalyst should be the crucial role to decide the catalytic soot performance. High BET surface area may also be a positive effect on soot oxidation activity under loose contact conditions. PMID:27353143

Magnetic and electronic properties of Nd--La and Ce--La alloys

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

Petersen, T.S.

1979-05-01

The electrical resistivity, thermoelectric power and magnetic susceptibility on Nd single crystals and polycrystalline dhcp Nd--La and Ce--La alloys have been measured at low temperatures. The measurements on the Nd--La alloys show features at the Neel temperatures and also show additional magnetic ordering phenomena. Some of these other features are dependent on the thermal history of the sample. Magnetic field studies are needed to correlate these features with observed neutron diffraction effects. Several magnetic features are seen in the Ce--La alloy system also, although the measurements are plagued with the problem of fcc contamination. In addition, alloys containing Ce showmore » Kondo effects. The logarithmic term in the resistivity is explained well by the theory of Liu et al. which uses a mean field to approximate the 4f-4f interactions in the nondilute alloys. The large peak in the thermopower of Ce--La alloys is explained well by the theory of Bhattacharjee and Coqblin which incorporates Kondo scattering from excited crystal field levels.« less

Comparative study of blue laser diode driven cerium-doped single crystal phosphors in application of high-power lighting and display technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balci, Mustafa H.; Chen, Fan; Cunbul, A. Burak; Svensen, Øyvind; Akram, M. Nadeem; Chen, Xuyuan

2018-02-01

Cerium-doped single crystals (Ce:LuAG, Ce:YAG, Ce:GAGG, Ce:GdYAG) have been investigated as stationary phosphor candidates for blue laser driven solid-state lighting without heat sink. The luminous properties of the single crystals are superior compared to the commercial ceramic powder phosphor wheels (Ce3+: Y3Al5O12). The high-power blue laser diode driven temperature increase of the crystals versus quantum efficiency is experimentally measured and discussed. We have carried out realistic measurements at high excitation power levels and at high temperatures. Limitation of phosphors as stationary sources is determined for commercial usage. The measurements were done without any heat sink to see the relative comparison of SCPs in the worst-case scenarios. The results indicate that Gd and Ga addition decreases the luminescence quenching temperature. Based on their superior properties, these single crystals can serve as potential phosphor candidates for high-power blue diode laser driven picture projectors for the green and red channels.

Information System through ANIS at CeSAM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreau, C.; Agneray, F.; Gimenez, S.

2015-09-01

ANIS (AstroNomical Information System) is a web generic tool developed at CeSAM to facilitate and standardize the implementation of astronomical data of various kinds through private and/or public dedicated Information Systems. The architecture of ANIS is composed of a database server which contains the project data, a web user interface template which provides high level services (search, extract and display imaging and spectroscopic data using a combination of criteria, an object list, a sql query module or a cone search interfaces), a framework composed of several packages, and a metadata database managed by a web administration entity. The process to implement a new ANIS instance at CeSAM is easy and fast : the scientific project has to submit data or a data secure access, the CeSAM team installs the new instance (web interface template and the metadata database), and the project administrator can configure the instance with the web ANIS-administration entity. Currently, the CeSAM offers through ANIS a web access to VO compliant Information Systems for different projects (HeDaM, HST-COSMOS, CFHTLS-ZPhots, ExoDAT,...).

Structure and Bonding in CE5- (E=Al-Tl) Clusters: Planar Tetracoordinate Carbon versus Pentacoordinate Carbon.

PubMed

Ravell, Estefanía; Jalife, Said; Barroso, Jorge; Orozco-Ic, Mesías; Hernández-Juárez, Gerardo; Ortiz-Chi, Filiberto; Pan, Sudip; Cabellos, José Luis; Merino, Gabriel

2018-03-24

The structure, bonding, and stability of clusters with the empirical formula CE 5 - (E=Al-Tl) have been analyzed by means of high-level computations. The results indicate that, whereas aluminum and gallium clusters have C 2v structures with a planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC), their heavier homologues prefer three-dimensional C 4v forms with a pentacoordinate carbon center over the ptC one. The reason for such a preference is a delicate balance between the interaction energy of the fifth E atom with CE 4 and the distortion energy. Moreover, bonding analysis shows that the ptC systems can be better described as CE 4 - , with 17-valence electrons interacting with E. The ptC core in these systems exhibits double aromatic (both σ and π) behavior, but the σ contribution is dominating. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Copula Entropy coupled with Wavelet Neural Network Model for Hydrological Prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yin; Yue, JiGuang; Liu, ShuGuang; Wang, Li

2018-02-01

Artificial Neural network(ANN) has been widely used in hydrological forecasting. in this paper an attempt has been made to find an alternative method for hydrological prediction by combining Copula Entropy(CE) with Wavelet Neural Network(WNN), CE theory permits to calculate mutual information(MI) to select Input variables which avoids the limitations of the traditional linear correlation(LCC) analysis. Wavelet analysis can provide the exact locality of any changes in the dynamical patterns of the sequence Coupled with ANN Strong non-linear fitting ability. WNN model was able to provide a good fit with the hydrological data. finally, the hybrid model(CE+WNN) have been applied to daily water level of Taihu Lake Basin, and compared with CE ANN, LCC WNN and LCC ANN. Results showed that the hybrid model produced better results in estimating the hydrograph properties than the latter models.

Signal pathway of hippocampal apoptosis and cognitive impairment of mice caused by cerium chloride.

PubMed

Cheng, Zhe; Li, Na; Cheng, Jie; Hu, Renping; Gao, Guodong; Cui, Yaling; Gong, Xiaolan; Wang, Ling; Hong, Fashui

2012-12-01

Experimental studies have demonstrated that lanthanides could impair cognitive functions of children and animals, but very little is known about the hippocampal apoptosis and its molecular mechanism. The study investigated the signal pathway of hippocampal apoptosis induced by intragastric administration of CeCl(3) for 60 consecutive days. It showed that cerium had been significantly accumulated in the mouse hippocampus, and CeCl(3) caused hippocampal apoptosis and impairment of spatial recognition memory of mice. CeCl(3) effectively activated caspase-3 and -9, inhibited Bcl-2, and increased the levels of Bax and cytochrome c, promoted accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the mouse hippocampus. It implied that CeCl(3)-induced apoptosis in the mouse hippocampus could be triggered via mitochondrion-mediated pathway. Our findings suggest the need for great caution to handle the lanthanides for workers and consumers. 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Comparison of capillary electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography for detection and quantification of hemoglobin New York.

PubMed

You-Qiong, Li; Hui-Ping, Huang; Zhi-Zhong, Chen; Lin, Zhao; Liang, Liang; Gui-Fang, Qin; Yun, Mo

2016-01-01

Hemoglobin (Hb) New York [β113 (G15) Val→Glu, GTG→GAG], also known as Hb Kaohsiung, is one of the most common Hb variants in South China. Currently, most used screening methods for hemoglobinopathies in South China are high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). However, there is no study comparing the performance of CE and HPLC in the detection of Hb New York. In total 15 samples (including 13 adult blood samples and 2 cord blood samples) with heterozygous Hb New York were analyzed by CE and HPLC. Levels of Hb New York, HbA2, Hb, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were compared within the two groups. All 15 cases (100%) were detected by CE, whereas none was detected by HPLC. Mean values of Hb New York and HbA2 in adult heterozygous group were (43.82±2.47)% and (2.85±0.31)%, respectively; mean values for cord blood group were (7.95±0.78)% and (0.30±0.14)%. CE allows the detection of Hb New York, while this variant is not separated from Hb A on HPLC. CE may be the preferred method for hemoglobinopathy screening in areas with high prevalence of Hb New York.

Comparison of ABR response amplitude, test time, and estimation of hearing threshold using frequency specific chirp and tone pip stimuli in newborns.

PubMed

Ferm, Inga; Lightfoot, Guy; Stevens, John

2013-06-01

To evaluate the auditory brainstem response (ABR) amplitudes evoked by tone pip and narrowband chirp (NB CE-Chirp) stimuli when testing post-screening newborns and to determine the difference in estimated hearing level correction values. Tests were performed with tone pips and NB CE-Chirps at 4 kHz or 1 kHz. The response amplitude, response quality (Fmp), and residual noise were compared for both stimuli. Thirty babies (42 ears) who passed our ABR discharge criterion at 4 kHz following referral from their newborn hearing screen. Overall, NB CE-Chirp responses were 64% larger than the tone pip responses, closer to those evoked by clicks. Fmp was significantly higher for NB CE-Chirps. It is anticipated that there could be significant reductions in test time for the same signal to noise ratio by using NB CE-Chirps when testing newborns. This effect may vary in practice and is likely to be most beneficial for babies with low amplitude ABR responses. We propose that the ABR nHL threshold to eHL correction for NB CE-Chirps should be approximately 5 dB less than the corrections for tone pips at 4 and 1 kHz.

Framework and criteria for program evaluation in the Office of Conservation and Renewable Energy

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

Not Available

This study addresses the development of a framework and generic criteria for conducting program evaluation in the Office of Conservation and Renewable Energy. The evaluation process is intended to provide the Assistant Secretary with comprehensive and consistent evaluation data for management decisions regarding policy and strategy, crosscutting energy impacts and resource allocation and justification. The study defines evaluation objectives, identifies basic information requirements (criteria), and identifies a process for collecting evaluation results at the basic program level, integrating the results, and summarizing information upward through the CE organization to the Assistant Secretary. Methods are described by which initial criteria weremore » tested, analyzed, and refined for CE program applicability. General guidelines pertaining to evaluation and the Sunset Review requirements are examined and various types, designs, and models for evaluation are identified. Existing CE evaluation reports are reviewed and comments on their adequacy for meeting current needs are provided. An inventory and status survey of CE program evaluation activities is presented, as are issues, findings, and recommendations pertaining to CE evaluation and Sunset Review requirements. Also, sources of data for use in evaluation and the Sunset Review response are identified. An inventory of CE evaluation-related documents and reports is provided.« less

A new lunar absolute control point: established by images from the landing camera on Chang'e-3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fen-Fei; Liu, Jian-Jun; Li, Chun-Lai; Ren, Xin; Mu, Ling-Li; Yan, Wei; Wang, Wen-Rui; Xiao, Jing-Tao; Tan, Xu; Zhang, Xiao-Xia; Zou, Xiao-Duan; Gao, Xing-Ye

2014-12-01

The establishment of a lunar control network is one of the core tasks in selenodesy, in which defining an absolute control point on the Moon is the most important step. However, up to now, the number of absolute control points has been very sparse. These absolute control points have mainly been lunar laser ranging retroreflectors, whose geographical location can be observed by observations on Earth and also identified in high resolution lunar satellite images. The Chang'e-3 (CE-3) probe successfully landed on the Moon, and its geographical location has been monitored by an observing station on Earth. Since its positional accuracy is expected to reach the meter level, the CE-3 landing site can become a new high precision absolute control point. We use a sequence of images taken from the landing camera, as well as satellite images taken by CE-1 and CE-2, to identify the location of the CE-3 lander. With its geographical location known, the CE-3 landing site can be established as a new absolute control point, which will effectively expand the current area of the lunar absolute control network by 22%, and can greatly facilitate future research in the field of lunar surveying and mapping, as well as selenodesy.

Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus by antimicrobial biofilms formed by competitive exclusion microorganisms on stainless steel.

PubMed

Son, Hyeri; Park, Sunhyung; Beuchat, Larry R; Kim, Hoikyung; Ryu, Jee-Hoon

2016-12-05

The goal of this study was to develop a desiccation resistant antimicrobial surface using biofilm of competitive exclusion (CE) microorganism inhibitory to Staphylococcus aureus. We isolated 161 microorganisms from soils, foods, and food-contact surfaces that are inhibitory to S. aureus. Among them, three CE microorganisms (Streptomyces spororaveus strain Gaeunsan-18, Bacillus safensis strain Chamnamu-sup 5-25, and Pseudomonas azotoformans strain Lettuce-9) exhibiting strong antibacterial activity and high growth rates were selected for evaluation. These isolates formed biofilms within 24h on stainless steel coupons (SSCs) immersed in Bennet's broth and tryptic soy broth at 25°C. Cells in these biofilms showed significantly (P≤0.05) enhanced resistance to a desiccation (43% relative humidity [RH]) compared to those attached to SSCs but not in biofilms. The antimicrobial activities of biofilms formed by these isolates on SSCs against S. aureus at 25°C and 43% RH were determined. Compared to SSCs lacking biofilms formed by CE microorganisms, populations of S. aureus on SSCs harboring CE biofilms were significantly lower (P≤0.05). Results indicate that persistent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus on stainless steel surfaces can be achieved by the presence of biofilms of CE microorganisms. This information will be useful when developing strategies to improve the microbiological safety of foods during storage, processing, and distribution by facilitating the development of effective antimicrobial food-contact surfaces. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

[Multiple aspects of the use of fluorine in public health from the viewpoint of healthcare leaders].

PubMed

Ferreira, Regina Glaucia Lucena Aguiar; Marques, Regina Auxiliadora de Amorim; Menezes, Léa Maria Bezerra de; Narvai, Paulo Capel

2013-07-01

The article describes the perceptions of health care leaders on issues relating to the use of fluorine in public health. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, using Collective Subject Discourse (DCS) as technique for processing the statements. The study population was comprised of delegates to the 13th National Health Conference; the sample was defined by convenience and consisted of 310 delegates: 56 at municipal level in Fortaleza (CE), 143 at state level (Ceará) and 111 at national level. Data were collected by semi-structured questionnaires. There were gaps in knowledge about various aspects of the use of fluorine in public health, which indicates the need to improve the level of information of society on issues relating to fluoridation. The lack of knowledge of delegates, together with the data found in the literature about the shortcomings in the monitoring and control of fluorine levels in water, are indicative of the need to reassess the role of social actors and the mechanisms used in social control.

Metabolic imidacloprid resistance in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, relies on multiple P450 enzymes.

PubMed

Zhang, Yixi; Yang, Yuanxue; Sun, Huahua; Liu, Zewen

2016-12-01

Target insensitivity contributing to imidacloprid resistance in Nilaparvata lugens has been reported to occur either through point mutations or quantitative change in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). However, the metabolic resistance, especially the enhanced detoxification by P450 enzymes, is the major mechanism in fields. From one field-originated N. lugens population, an imidacloprid resistant strain G25 and a susceptible counterpart S25 were obtained to analyze putative roles of P450s in imidacloprid resistance. Compared to S25, over-expression of twelve P450 genes was observed in G25, with ratios above 5.0-fold for CYP6AY1, CYP6ER1, CYP6CS1, CYP6CW1, CYP4CE1 and CYP425B1. RNAi against these genes in vivo and recombinant tests on the corresponding proteins in vitro revealed that four P450s, CYP6AY1, CYP6ER1, CYP4CE1 and CYP6CW1, played important roles in imidacloprid resistance. The importance of the four P450s was not equal at different stages of resistance development based on their over-expression levels, among which CYP6ER1 was important at all stages, and that the others might only contribute at certain stages. The results indicated that, to completely reflect roles of P450s in insecticide resistances, their over-expression in resistant individuals, expression changes at the stages of resistance development, and catalytic activities against insecticides should be considered. In this study, multiple P450s, CYP6AY1, CYP6ER1, CYP4CE1 and CYP6CW1, have proven to be important in imidacloprid resistance. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Z-schematic water splitting by the synergistic effect of a type-II heterostructure and a highly efficient oxygen evolution catalyst

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaoyun; Hu, Haihua; Xu, Lingbo; Cui, Can; Qian, Degui; Li, Shuang; Zhu, Wenzhe; Wang, Peng; Lin, Ping; Pan, Jiaqi; Li, Chaorong

2018-05-01

Artificial Z-scheme system inspired by the natural photosynthesis in green plants has attracted extensive attention owing to its advantages such as simultaneously wide range light absorption, highly efficient charge separation and strong redox ability. In this paper, we report the synthesis of a novel all-solid-state direct Z-scheme photocatalyst of Ag3PO4/CeO2/TiO2 by depositing Ag3PO4 nanoparticles (NPs) on CeO2/TiO2 hierarchical branched nanowires (BNWs), where the CeO2/TiO2 BNWs act as a novel substrate for the well dispersed nano-size Ag3PO4. The Ag3PO4/CeO2/TiO2 photocatalyst exhibits excellent ability of photocatalytic oxygen evolution from pure water splitting. It is suggested that the Z-scheme charge transfer route between CeO2/TiO2 and Ag3PO4 improves the redox ability. On the other hand, the cascade energy level alignment in CeO2/TiO2 BNWs expedites the spatial charge separation, and hence suppresses photocatalytic backward reaction. However, it is difficult to realize a perfect excitation balance in Ag3PO4/CeO2/TiO2 and the composite still surfers photo-corrosion in photocatalysis reaction. Nevertheless, our results provide an innovative strategy of constructing a Z-scheme system from a type-II heterostructure and a highly efficient oxygen evolution catalyst.

Factors controlling the redox potential of ZnCe6 in an engineered bacterioferritin photochemical 'reaction centre'.

PubMed

Mahboob, Abdullah; Vassiliev, Serguei; Poddutoori, Prashanth K; van der Est, Art; Bruce, Doug

2013-01-01

Photosystem II (PSII) of photosynthesis has the unique ability to photochemically oxidize water. Recently an engineered bacterioferritin photochemical 'reaction centre' (BFR-RC) using a zinc chlorin pigment (ZnCe6) in place of its native heme has been shown to photo-oxidize bound manganese ions through a tyrosine residue, thus mimicking two of the key reactions on the electron donor side of PSII. To understand the mechanism of tyrosine oxidation in BFR-RCs, and explore the possibility of water oxidation in such a system we have built an atomic-level model of the BFR-RC using ONIOM methodology. We studied the influence of axial ligands and carboxyl groups on the oxidation potential of ZnCe6 using DFT theory, and finally calculated the shift of the redox potential of ZnCe6 in the BFR-RC protein using the multi-conformational molecular mechanics-Poisson-Boltzmann approach. According to our calculations, the redox potential for the first oxidation of ZnCe6 in the BRF-RC protein is only 0.57 V, too low to oxidize tyrosine. We suggest that the observed tyrosine oxidation in BRF-RC could be driven by the ZnCe6 di-cation. In order to increase the efficiency of tyrosine oxidation, and ultimately oxidize water, the first potential of ZnCe6 would have to attain a value in excess of 0.8 V. We discuss the possibilities for modifying the BFR-RC to achieve this goal.

Health Economics Information in Wound Care: The Elephant in the Room

PubMed Central

Carter, Marissa Janine

2013-01-01

Objective To describe the role of health economics (HE) in wound care in relation to coverage and reimbursement. Approach Narrative description of key concepts with supporting references. Results The process of approval or clearance of wound care products within the U.S. regulatory framework often causes lack of high level of evidence regarding clinical outcomes. There is also a paucity of HE information and great reluctance to use such information (when it is available) by insurers and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other health-care agencies. Cost-effectiveness (CE) studies are the most common type of HE study in wound care, and the most common outcomes are incremental CE ratios (ICERs). Interpretation of ICERs requires considerable judgment when results are not obvious and is hampered by lack of contemporary and useful benchmarks. While many lessons have been learned in applying CE to coverage and reimbursement decisions in other western countries—including transparency of decision-making and involvement of patients—there is still a major aversion to using CE in the United States Applying CE to basic wound care and advanced therapeutics has the potential to decrease the costs of wound healing considerably. Innovation and Conclusions Many CE approaches, including modeling, provide sufficiently detailed information that decision-makers can make informed decisions about wound care products in regard to coverage and reimbursement. The reluctance to use CE information in the United States, however, is likely to contribute heavily to the ever-increasing costs in wound care. PMID:24527322

Probing the magnetic ground state of single crystalline Ce3TiSb5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matin, M.; Kulkarni, R.; Thamizhavel, A.; Dhar, S. K.; Provino, A.; Manfrinetti, P.

2017-04-01

Motivated by the report of superconductivity in R3TiSb5 (R  =  La and Ce) and possibly Nd3TiSb5 at  ∼4 K, we grew single crystals of La3TiSb5 and Ce3TiSb5 by the high-temperature solution method using Sn as a flux. While in both compounds we observed a superconducting transition at 3.7 K for resistivity and low-field magnetization, our data conclusively show that it arose from residual Sn flux present in the single crystals. In particular, the heat capacity data do not present any of the anomalies expected from a bulk superconducting transition. The anisotropic magnetic properties of Ce3TiSb5, crystallizing in a hexagonal P63/mcm structure, were studied in detail. We find that the Ce ions in Ce3TiSb5 form a Kondo lattice and exhibited antiferromagnetic ordering at 5.5 K with a reduced moment and a moderately normalized Sommerfeld coefficient of 598 mJ/mol K2. The characteristic single-ion Kondo energy scale was found to be  ∼8 K. The magnetization data were subjected to a crystal electric field (CEF) analysis. The experimentally observed Schottky peak in the 4f-electron heat capacity of Ce3TiSb5 was reproduced fairly well by the energy levels derived from the CEF analysis.

Structural and spectroscopic properties of pure and doped LiCe(PO{sub 3}){sub 4}

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

Abdelhedi, M., E-mail: m_abdelhedi2002@yahoo.fr; Horchani-Naifer, K.; Dammak, M.

2015-10-15

Graphical abstract: Emission and excitation and spectra of Eu{sup 3+} doped LiCe(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} host lattice with 1, 2, 3 and 4 mol%. - Highlights: • Europium–doped LiCe(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} were prepared by flux method. • It was analyzed by infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy. • LiCe(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} doped with Eu{sup 3+} ions as luminophore host materials to produce an intense red. - Abstract: Single crystals of LiCe(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} polyphosphate have been synthesized by the flux method and its structural and luminescence properties have been investigated. This compound crystallizes in the space group C2/c with unitmore » cell dimensions a = 16.52(7) Å, b = 7.09(4) Å, c = 9.83 (4)Å, β = 126.29(4)°, Z = 8 and V = 927.84(3) Å{sup 3}. The obtained polytetraphosphate exhibits very small crystals and the dopant Eu{sup 3+} ions were successfully incorporated into the sites of Ce{sup 3+} ions of the host lattice. The spectroscopy properties confirm the potentiality of present LiCe(PO{sub 3}){sub 4} doped with Eu{sup 3+} ions as luminophore host materials to produce an intense red luminescence at 628 nm corresponding to {sup 5}D{sub 0} → {sup 7}F{sub 2} emission level and have significant importance in the development of emission optical systems.« less

Effect of cation size at Gd and Al site on ce energy levels in Gd3(GaAl)5O12 sintered pellets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tyagi, Mohit; Meng, Fang; Darby, Kaitlyn; Koschan, Merry; Melcher, C. L.

2013-02-01

Radioluminescence and reflectivity measurements performed on sintered powder pellets of garnet compositions R3GaxAl5-xO12 (where R: Lu, Gd, Sc, Y) have shown that replacing "R" in these compositions with ions of larger radius shifts the excited 5d states of Ce to lower energy, while increased ionic radius at Ga/Al sites shifts these levels to higher energy. Stokes shifts were also calculated and results were verified by comparing the performance of the pellets with that of single crystals.

Implementing Community Engagement for Combination Prevention: Lessons Learnt From the First Year of the HPTN 071 (PopART) Community-Randomized Study.

PubMed

Simwinga, Musonda; Bond, Virginia; Makola, Nozizwe; Hoddinott, Graeme; Belemu, Steve; White, Rhonda; Shanaube, Kwame; Seeley, Janet; Moore, Ayana

2016-08-01

Key to the success of a HIV combination prevention strategy, including galvanizing the current push to roll out universal test and treat (UTT), is the involvement and buy-in of the populations that the strategy aims to reach. Drawing on the experiences of engaging with 21 communities in Zambia and South Africa in the design and implementation of a community-randomized study of combination HIV prevention including UTT, this paper reflects on the commitment to, approaches for and benefits of involving communities. Key lessons learnt include that all communities require continuous community engagement (CE) and engagement needs to be adapted to diverse local contexts. Intrinsic goals of CE, such as building trusting relationships between study stakeholders, are necessary precursors to instrumental goals which strengthen the research quality. Engaging the community for combination prevention requires that CE successfully bridges science and real life, paying attention to influences in the wider social landscape.

Further optimization of barium cerate properties via co-doping strategy for potential application as proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shuai; Shen, Jianxing; Zhu, Zhiwen; Wang, Zhihao; Cao, Yanxin; Guan, Xiaoli; Wang, Yueyue; Wei, Zhaoling; Chen, Meina

2018-05-01

Yttrium-doped BaCeO3 is one of the most promising electrolyte candidates for solid oxide fuel cells because of its high ionic conductivity. Nd and Y co-doped BaCeO3 strategy is adopted for the further optimization of Y-doped BaCeO3 electrolyte properties. X-ray diffraction results indicate that the structure of BaCe0.8Y0.2-xNdxO3-δ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) with orthorhombic perovskite phase becomes more symmetric with increasing Nd concentration. The scanning electron microscope observation demonstrates that the densification and grain size of the sintered pellets significantly enhance with the increase of Nd doping level. Whether in dry and humid hydrogen or air, the increase of Nd dopant firstly increases the conductivities of BaCe0.8Y0.2-xNdxO3-δ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) and then decrease them after reaching the peak value at x = 0.05. Electrochemical impedance spectra at 350 °C can distinguish clearly the contribution of grain and grain boundary to total conductivity and the highest conductivity of BaCe0.8Y0.15Nd0.05O3-δ ascribes to the decrease in bulk and grain boundary resistances due to the synergistic effect of Nd and Y doping. The anode-supported single cell with BaCe0.8Y0.15Nd0.05O3-δ electrolyte shows an encouraging peak power density of 660 mW cm-2 at 700 °C, suggesting that BaCe0.8Y0.15Nd0.05O3-δ is a potential electrolyte material for the highly-efficient proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell.

All-in-one light-tunable borated phosphors with chemical and luminescence dynamical control resolution.

PubMed

Lin, Chun Che; Liu, Yun-Ping; Xiao, Zhi Ren; Wang, Yin-Kuo; Cheng, Bing-Ming; Liu, Ru-Shi

2014-06-25

Single-composition white-emitting phosphors with superior intrinsic properties upon excitation by ultraviolet light-emitting diodes are important constituents of next-generation light sources. Borate-based phosphors, such as NaSrBO3:Ce(3+) and NaCaBO3:Ce(3+), have stronger absorptions in the near-ultraviolet region as well as better chemical/physical stability than oxides. Energy transfer effects from sensitizer to activator caused by rare-earth ions are mainly found in the obtained photoluminescence spectra and lifetime. The interactive mechanisms of multiple dopants are ambiguous in most cases. We adjust the doping concentration in NaSrBO3:RE (RE = Ce(3+), Tb(3+), Mn(2+)) to study the energy transfer effects of Ce(3+) to Tb(3+) and Mn(2+) by comparing the experimental data and theoretical calculation. The vacuum-ultraviolet experimental determination of the electronic energy levels for Ce(3+) and Tb(3+) in the borate host regarding the 4f-5d and 4f-4f configurations are described. Evaluation of the Ce(3+)/Mn(2+) intensity ratios as a function of Mn(2+) concentration is based on the analysis of the luminescence dynamical process and fluorescence lifetime measurements. The results closely agree with those directly obtained from the emission spectra. Density functional calculations are performed using the generalized gradient approximation plus an on-site Coulombic interaction correction scheme to investigate the forbidden mechanism of interatomic energy transfer between the NaSrBO3:Ce(3+) and NaSrBO3:Eu(2+) systems. Results indicate that the NaSrBO3:Ce(3+), Tb(3+), and Mn(2+) phosphors can be used as a novel white-emitting component of UV radiation-excited devices.

Modification of activity-dependent increases in cerebellar blood flow by extracellular potassium in anaesthetized rats

PubMed Central

Caesar, Kirsten; Akgören, Nuran; Mathiesen, Claus; Lauritzen, Martin

1999-01-01

The hypothesis that potassium ions mediate activity-dependent increases of cerebral blood flow was examined in rat cerebellar cortex using ion-selective microelectrodes and laser-Doppler flowmetry. Increases of cerebellar blood flow (CeBF) and extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) were evoked by stimulation of parallel fibres and climbing fibres, and by microinjection of KCl into the cortex. For parallel fibre stimulation, there was a maximal increase in [K+]o to 6.3 ± 0.5 mm and in CeBF of 122 ± 11%. Climbing fibre stimulation gave a maximal increase in [K+]o to 4.4 ± 0.2 mm and in CeBF of 157 ± 20%. This indicates different maxima for [K+]o and CeBF, dependent on the afferent system activated. [K+]o and CeBF responses evoked by parallel or climbing fibre stimulation increased rapidly at the onset of stimulation, but exhibited different time courses during the remainder of the stimulation period and during return to baseline. Microinjections of KCl into the cortex increased [K+]o to levels comparable to those evoked by parallel fibre stimulation. The corresponding CeBF increases were the same as, or smaller than, for parallel fibre stimulation, and much smaller than for climbing fibre stimulation. This suggests that mediators other than [K+]o are important for activity-dependent cerebral blood flow increases. The present study showed that increased [K+]o is involved in CeBF regulation in the parallel fibre system, but is of limited importance for CeBF regulation in the climbing fibre system. The hypothesis that K+ is a major mediator of activity-dependent blood flow increases is probably not generally applicable to all brain regions and all types of neuronal stimulation. PMID:10517819

Evaluation of the effect of valence state on cerium oxide nanoparticle toxicity following intratracheal instillation in rats

PubMed Central

Dunnick, Katherine M.; Morris, Anna M.; Badding, Melissa A.; Barger, Mark; Stefaniak, Aleksandr B.; Sabolsky, Edward M.; Leonard, Stephen S.

2016-01-01

Cerium (Ce) is becoming a popular metal for use in electrochemical applications. When in the form of cerium oxide (CeO2), Ce can exist in both 3 + and 4 + valence states, acting as an ideal catalyst. Previous in vitro and in vivo evidence have demonstrated that CeO2 has either anti- or pro-oxidant properties, possibly due to the ability of the nanoparticles to transition between valence states. Therefore, we chose to chemically modify the nanoparticles to shift the valence state toward 3+. During the hydrothermal synthesis process, 10 mol% gadolinium (Gd) and 20 mol% Gd, were substituted into the lattice of the CeO2 nanoparticles forming a perfect solid solution with various A-site valence states. These two Gd-doped CeO2 nanoparticles were compared to pure CeO2 nanoparticles. Preliminary characteristics indicated that doping results in minimal size and zeta potential changes but alters valence state. Following characterization, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg nanoparticles via a single intratracheal instillation. Animals were sacrificed and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and various tissues were collected to determine the effect of valence state and oxygen vacancies on toxicity 1-, 7-, or 84-day post-exposure. Results indicate that damage, as measured by elevations in lactate dehydrogenase, occurred within 1-day post-exposure and was sustained 7-day post-exposure, but subsided to control levels 84-day post-exposure. Furthermore, no inflammatory signaling or lipid peroxidation occurred following exposure with any of the nanoparticles. Our results implicate that valence state has a minimal effect on CeO2 nanoparticle toxicity in vivo. PMID:26898289

The Association between Educational Level and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases within the EPICOR Study: New Evidence for an Old Inequality Problem

PubMed Central

Giraudo, Maria Teresa; Fasanelli, Francesca; Lenzo, Giulia; Galli, Matteo; Sieri, Sabina; Pala, Valeria; Masala, Giovanna; Bendinelli, Benedetta; Tumino, Rosario; Frasca, Graziella; Chiodini, Paolo; Mattiello, Amalia; Panico, Salvatore

2016-01-01

Background A consistent association has been reported between low socioeconomic status (SES) and cardiovascular events (CE), whereas the association between SES and cerebrovascular events (CBVD) is less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between SES (measured using education) and CE/CBVD in a cohort study, as well as to investigate lifestyle and clinical risk factors, to help to clarify the mechanisms by which SES influences CE/CBVD. Material and Methods We searched for diagnoses of CE and CBVD in the clinical records of 47,749 members of the EPICOR cohort (average follow-up time: 11 years). SES was determined by the relative index of inequality (RII). Results A total of 1,156 CE and 468 CBVD were found in the clinical records. An increased risk of CE was observed in the crude Cox model for the third tertile of RII compared to the first tertile (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–1.61). The increased risk persisted after adjustment for lifestyle risk factors (HR = 1.19; 95%CI 1.02–1.38), clinical risk factors (HR = 1.35; 95%CI 1.17–1.56), and after full adjustment (HR = 1.17; 95%CI 1.01–1.37). Structural equation model showed that lifestyle rather than clinical risk factors are involved in the mechanisms by which education influences CE. No significant association was found between education and CBVD. A strong relationship was observed between education and diabetes at baseline. Conclusion The most important burden of inequality in CE incidence in Italy is due to lifestyle risk factors. PMID:27711245

Inflow, Outflow, Yields, and Stellar Population Mixing in Chemical Evolution Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrews, Brett H.; Weinberg, David H.; Schönrich, Ralph; Johnson, Jennifer A.

2017-02-01

Chemical evolution models are powerful tools for interpreting stellar abundance surveys and understanding galaxy evolution. However, their predictions depend heavily on the treatment of inflow, outflow, star formation efficiency (SFE), the stellar initial mass function, the SN Ia delay time distribution, stellar yields, and stellar population mixing. Using flexCE, a flexible one-zone chemical evolution code, we investigate the effects of and trade-offs between parameters. Two critical parameters are SFE and the outflow mass-loading parameter, which shift the knee in [O/Fe]-[Fe/H] and the equilibrium abundances that the simulations asymptotically approach, respectively. One-zone models with simple star formation histories follow narrow tracks in [O/Fe]-[Fe/H] unlike the observed bimodality (separate high-α and low-α sequences) in this plane. A mix of one-zone models with inflow timescale and outflow mass-loading parameter variations, motivated by the inside-out galaxy formation scenario with radial mixing, reproduces the two sequences better than a one-zone model with two infall epochs. We present [X/Fe]-[Fe/H] tracks for 20 elements assuming three different supernova yield models and find some significant discrepancies with solar neighborhood observations, especially for elements with strongly metallicity-dependent yields. We apply principal component abundance analysis to the simulations and existing data to reveal the main correlations among abundances and quantify their contributions to variation in abundance space. For the stellar population mixing scenario, the abundances of α-elements and elements with metallicity-dependent yields dominate the first and second principal components, respectively, and collectively explain 99% of the variance in the model. flexCE is a python package available at https://github.com/bretthandrews/flexCE.

Inflow, Outflow, Yields, and Stellar Population Mixing in Chemical Evolution Models

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

Andrews, Brett H.; Weinberg, David H.; Schönrich, Ralph

Chemical evolution models are powerful tools for interpreting stellar abundance surveys and understanding galaxy evolution. However, their predictions depend heavily on the treatment of inflow, outflow, star formation efficiency (SFE), the stellar initial mass function, the SN Ia delay time distribution, stellar yields, and stellar population mixing. Using flexCE, a flexible one-zone chemical evolution code, we investigate the effects of and trade-offs between parameters. Two critical parameters are SFE and the outflow mass-loading parameter, which shift the knee in [O/Fe]–[Fe/H] and the equilibrium abundances that the simulations asymptotically approach, respectively. One-zone models with simple star formation histories follow narrow tracksmore » in [O/Fe]–[Fe/H] unlike the observed bimodality (separate high- α and low- α sequences) in this plane. A mix of one-zone models with inflow timescale and outflow mass-loading parameter variations, motivated by the inside-out galaxy formation scenario with radial mixing, reproduces the two sequences better than a one-zone model with two infall epochs. We present [X/Fe]–[Fe/H] tracks for 20 elements assuming three different supernova yield models and find some significant discrepancies with solar neighborhood observations, especially for elements with strongly metallicity-dependent yields. We apply principal component abundance analysis to the simulations and existing data to reveal the main correlations among abundances and quantify their contributions to variation in abundance space. For the stellar population mixing scenario, the abundances of α -elements and elements with metallicity-dependent yields dominate the first and second principal components, respectively, and collectively explain 99% of the variance in the model. flexCE is a python package available at https://github.com/bretthandrews/flexCE.« less

Protective effects of different exercise modalities in an Alzheimer's disease-like model.

PubMed

Özbeyli, Dilek; Sarı, Gülce; Özkan, Naziye; Karademir, Betül; Yüksel, Meral; Çilingir Kaya, Özlem Tuğçe; Kasımay Çakır, Özgür

2017-06-15

Our aim was to investigate the probable protective effects of aerobic, resistance and combined exercise methods on ovariectomy and d-galactose induced Alzheimer's Disease (AD)-like model. d-galactose (100mg/kg) or saline were administered intraperitoneally for 6 weeks to ovariectomized or sham-operated rats (n=8/group). Aerobic (AE), resistance (RE) and combined exercises (CE) (aerobic+resistance) were performed for 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Anxiety level and cognitive functions were evaluated via hole-board and object recognition tests. Brain myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide activity, lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, glutathione and serum insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) assays were done. Hippocampal mRNA levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and amyloid precursor protein 695 (APP695) were measured. Amyloid Beta (Aβ), NGF, BDNF, IGF-I immunoreactive neurons were evaluated. Freezing time were increased in AD-like model and decreased back with AE (p<0.05). Deteriorated working memory in AD-like model was improved with all exercise types (p<0.05-0.001). Reduced glutathione levels in AD-like model were increased and increased malondialdehyde levels were reduced and serum IGF-I levels were increased by all exercises (p<0.05-0.001). Increased APP mRNA levels in AD-like model were decreased via CE (p<0.05). Elevated Aβ scores in AD-like model were decreased by RE and CE (p<0.01) in hippocampus and by all exercise types in cortex (p<0.05-0.01). Decreased cortical NGF immunocytochemical scores of AD-like model were increased by CE (p<0.05). Different exercise models may have protective effects in development stage of AD via reducing oxidative stress and Aβ scores, and by improving antioxidant system and brain plasticity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Correlations between impairment, psychological distress, disability, and quality of life in peripheral facial palsy.

PubMed

Díaz-Aristizabal, U; Valdés-Vilches, M; Fernández-Ferreras, T R; Calero-Muñoz, E; Bienzobas-Allué, E; Moracén-Naranjo, T

2017-05-23

This paper analyses the correlations between scores on scales assessing impairment, psychological distress, disability, and quality of life in patients with peripheral facial palsy (PFP). We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study including 30 patients in whom PFP had not resolved completely. We used tools for assessing impairment (Sunnybrook Facial Grading System [FGS]), psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), disability (Facial Disability Index [FDI]), and quality of life (Facial Clinimetric Evaluation [FaCE] scale). We found no correlations between FGS and HADS scores, or between FGS and FDI social function scores. However, we did find a correlation between FGS and FDI physical function scores (r=0.54; P<.01), FDI total score (r=0.4; P<.05), FaCE total scores (ρ=0.66; P<.01), and FaCE social function scores (ρ=0.5; P<.01). We also observed a correlation between HADS Anxiety scores and FDI physical function (r=-0.47; P<.01), FDI social function (r=-0.47; P<.01), FDI total (r=-0.55; P<.01), FaCE total (ρ=-0.49; P<.01), and FaCE social scores (ρ=-0.46; P<.05). Significant correlations were also found between HADS Depression scores and FDI physical function (r=-0.61; P<.01), FDI social function (r=-0.53; P<.01), FDI total (r=-0.66; P<.01), FaCE total (ρ=-0.67; P<.01), and FaCE social scores (ρ=-0.68; P<.01), between FDI physical function scores and FaCE total scores (ρ=0.87; P<.01) and FaCE social function (ρ=0.74; P<.01), between FDI social function and FaCE total (ρ=0.66; P<.01) and FaCE social function scores (ρ=0.72; P<.01), and between FDI total scores and FaCE total (ρ = 0,87; P<.01) and FaCE social function scores (ρ=0.84; P<.01). In our sample, patients with more severe impairment displayed greater physical and global disability and poorer quality of life without significantly higher levels of social disability and psychological distress. Patients with more disability experienced greater psychological distress and had a poorer quality of life. Lastly, patients with more psychological distress also had a poorer quality of life. Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Oxidant/antioxidant status in lambs and sheep with liver and lung cystic echinococcosis diagnosed by ultrasonography and necropsy.

PubMed

Sagkan-Ozturk, A; Durgut, R; Ozturk, O H

2015-03-15

The aim of this study was to evaluate total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in sheep and lambs with cyctic eccinocoocosis (CE) diagnosed by ultrasonography and necropsy findings. A total of 9 sheep and 17 lambs with CE were used in this study and the findings were compared to those of 6 healthy control sheep. Ultrasonography were used for the diagnosis of CE in sheep and lambs, and necropsy was performed to check the presence of cysts in liver and lungs. Serum TOS and TAC were measured by a novel colorimetric method. The TOS-to-TAC ratios were also calculated as OSI values. Serum biochemical profiles were determined by conventional measurement methods as well. The mean values for TOS, TAC and OSI were significantly (p<0.001) lower in sheep and lambs with CE when compared with those of the control sheep, and they were also significantly lower in lambs with CE in comparison to the mean values obtained in sheep with CE. The levels of serum albumin, total cholesterol, creatinine, and triglycerides in lambs with CE were found out to decrease significantly (p<0.001) when compared with those of both sheep with EC and the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of other serum parameters. In addition, when clinically and some biochemical values were evaluated, CE was found to be more severe in lambs than in sheep. It was concluded that although common diagnostic cyst detection is performed by postmortem examination, ultrasonography could successfully be used in conjunction with serum biochemical profile detection and serum TOS, TAC and OSI measurements for diagnosis of cysts in liver and lungs of severely infected living sheep and lambs. Serum albumin, total cholesterol, creatinine, total protein and triglycerides might be used as indicators in sheep and particularly in lambs for the diagnosis of CE. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cerium anomaly across the mid-Tournaisian carbon isotope excursion (TICE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, G.; Morales, D. C.; Maharjan, D. K.

2015-12-01

The Early Mississippian (ca. 359-345 Ma) represents one of the most important greenhouse-icehouse climate transitions in Earth history. Closely associated with this critical transition is a prominent positive carbon isotope excursion (δ13C ≥ +5‰) that has been documented from numerous stratigraphic successions across the globe. This δ13C excursion, informally referred to as the TICE (mid-Tournaisian carbon isotope excursion) event, has been interpreted as resulting from enhanced organic carbon burial, with anticipated outcomes including the lowering of atmospheric CO2 and global cooling, the growth of continental ice sheets and sea-level fall, and the increase of ocean oxygenation and ocean redox changes. The casual relationship between these events has been addressed from various perspectives but not yet clearly demonstrated. To document the potential redox change associated with the perturbation of the carbon cycle, we have analyzed rare earth elements (REE) and trace elements across the TICE in two sections across a shallow-to-deep water transect in the southern Great Basin (Utah and Nevada), USA. In both sections, the REE data show a significant positive cerium (Ce) anomaly (Ce/Ce* = Ce/(0.5La+0.5Pr)). Prior to the positive δ13C shift, most Ce/Ce* values are around 0.3 (between 0.2 and 0.4). Across the δ13C peak, Ce/Ce* values increase up to 0.87, followed by a decrease back to 0.2~0.3 after the δ13C excursion (Figure 1). The positive Ce anomaly is best interpreted as recording expansion of oxygen minimum zone and anoxia resulted from increased primary production. This is consistent with a significant increase of nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) across the δ13C peak. Integration of the carbon, nitrogen, and REE data demonstrates a responsive earth systems change linked to the perturbation of the Early Mississippian carbon cycle.

Capsule endoscopy in pediatrics: a 10-years journey.

PubMed

Oliva, Salvatore; Cohen, Stanley A; Di Nardo, Giovanni; Gualdi, Gianfranco; Cucchiara, Salvatore; Casciani, Emanuele

2014-11-28

Video capsule endoscopy (CE) for evaluation the esophagus (ECE), small bowel (SBCE) and the colon (CCE) is particularly useful in pediatrics, because this imaging modality does not require ionizing radiation, deep sedation or general anesthesia. The risk of capsule retention appears to be dependent on indication rather than age and parallels the adult experience by indication, making SBCE a relatively safe procedure with a significant diagnostic yield. The newest indication, assessment of mucosal change, greatly enhances and expands its potential benefit. The diagnostic role of CE extends beyond the SB. The use of ECE also may enhance our knowledge of esophageal disease and assist patient care. Colon CCE is a novel minimally invasive and painless endoscopic technique allowing exploration of the colon without need for sedation, rectal intubation and gas insufflation. The limited data on ECE and CCE in pediatrics does not yet allow the same conclusions regarding efficacy; however, both appear to provide safe methods to assess and monitor mucosal change in their respective areas with little discomfort. Moreover, although experience has been limited, the patency capsule may help lessen the potential of capsule retention; and newly researched protocols for bowel cleaning may further enhance CE's diagnostic yield. However, further research is needed to optimize the use of the various CE procedures in pediatric populations.

Candida endocarditis: systematic literature review from 1997 to 2014 and analysis of 29 cases from the Italian Study of Endocarditis.

PubMed

Giuliano, Simone; Guastalegname, Maurizio; Russo, Alessandro; Falcone, Marco; Ravasio, Veronica; Rizzi, Marco; Bassetti, Matteo; Viale, Pierluigi; Pasticci, Maria Bruna; Durante-Mangoni, Emanuele; Venditti, Mario

2017-09-01

Candida Endocarditis (CE) is a deadly disease. It is of paramount importance to assess risk factors for acquisition of both Candida native (NVE) and prosthetic (PVE) valve endocarditis and relate clinical features and treatment strategies with the outcome of the disease. Areas covered: We searched the literature using the Pubmed database. Cases of CE from the Italian Study on Endocarditis (SEI) were also included. Overall, 140 cases of CE were analyzed. Patients with a history of abdominal surgery and antibiotic exposure had higher probability of developing NVE than PVE. In the PVE group, time to onset of CE was significantly lower for biological prosthesis compared to mechanical prosthesis. In the whole population, greater age and longer time to diagnosis were associated with increased likelihood of death. Patients with effective anti-biofilm treatment, patients who underwent cardiac surgery and patients who were administered chronic suppressive antifungal treatment showed increased survival. For PVE, moderate active anti-biofilm and highly active anti-biofilm treatment were associated with lower mortality. Expert commentary: Both NVE and PVE could be considered biofilm-related diseases, pathogenetically characterized by Candida intestinal translocation and initial transient candidemia. Cardiac surgery, EAB treatment and chronic suppressive therapy might be crucial in increasing patient survival.

Common variation in PHACTR1 is associated with susceptibility to cervical artery dissection

PubMed Central

Debette, Stéphanie; Kamatani, Yoichiro; Metso, Tiina M; Kloss, Manja; Chauhan, Ganesh; Engelter, Stefan T; Pezzini, Alessandro; Thijs, Vincent; Markus, Hugh S; Dichgans, Martin; Wolf, Christiane; Dittrich, Ralf; Touzé, Emmanuel; Southerland, Andrew M; Samson, Yves; Abboud, Shérine; Béjot, Yannick; Caso, Valeria; Bersano, Anna; Gschwendtner, Andreas; Sessa, Maria; Cole, John; Lamy, Chantal; Medeiros, Elisabeth; Beretta, Simone; Bonati, Leo H; Grau, Armin J; Michel, Patrik; Majersik, Jennifer J; Sharma, Pankaj; Kalashnikova, Ludmila; Nazarova, Maria; Dobrynina, Larisa; Bartels, Eva; Guillon, Benoit; van den Herik, Evita G; Fernandez-Cadenas, Israel; Jood, Katarina; Nalls, Michael A; De Leeuw, Frank-Erik; Jern, Christina; Cheng, Yu-Ching; Werner, Inge; Metso, Antti J; Lichy, Christoph; Lyrer, Philippe A; Brandt, Tobias; Boncoraglio, Giorgio B; Wichmann, Heinz-Erich; Gieger, Christian; Johnson, Andrew D; Böttcher, Thomas; Castellano, Maurizio; Arveiler, Dominique; Ikram, M Arfan; Breteler, Monique M B; Padovani, Alessandro; Meschia, James F; Kuhlenbäumer, Gregor; Rolfs, Arndt; Worrall, Bradford B; Ringelstein, Erich-Bernd; Zelenika, Diana; Tatlisumak, Turgut; Lathrop, Mark; Leys, Didier; Amouyel, Philippe; Dallongeville, Jean

2018-01-01

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD), a mural hematoma in a carotid or vertebral artery, is a major cause of ischemic stroke in young adults although relatively uncommon in the general population (incidence of 2.6/100,000 per year)1. Minor cervical traumas, infection, migraine and hypertension are putative risk factors1–3, and inverse associations with obesity and hypercholesterolemia are described3,4. No confirmed genetic susceptibility factors have been identified using candidate gene approaches5. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in 1,393 CeAD cases and 14,416 controls. The rs9349379[G] allele (PHACTR1) was associated with lower CeAD risk (odds ratio (OR) = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69–0.82; P = 4.46 × 10−10), with confirmation in independent follow-up samples (659 CeAD cases and 2,648 controls; P = 3.91 × 10−3; combined P = 1.00 × 10−11). The rs9349379[G] allele was previously shown to be associated with lower risk of migraine and increased risk of myocardial infarction6–9. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying this pleiotropy might provide important information on the biological underpinnings of these disabling conditions. PMID:25420145

African hydroclimatic variability during the last 2000 years

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nash, David J.; De Cort, Gijs; Chase, Brian M.; Verschuren, Dirk; Nicholson, Sharon E.; Shanahan, Timothy M.; Asrat, Asfawossen; Lézine, Anne-Marie; Grab, Stefan W.

2016-12-01

The African continent is characterised by a wide range of hydroclimate regimes, ranging from humid equatorial West Africa to the arid deserts in the northern and southern subtropics. The livelihoods of much of its population are also vulnerable to future climate change, mainly through variability in rainfall affecting water resource availability. A growing number of data sources indicate that such hydroclimatic variability is an intrinsic component of Africa's natural environment. This paper, co-authored by members of the PAGES Africa 2k Working Group, presents an extensive assessment and discussion of proxy, historical and instrumental evidence for hydroclimatic variability across the African continent, spanning the last two millennia. While the African palaeoenvironmental record is characterised by spatially disjunctive datasets, with often less-than-optimal temporal resolution and chronological control, the available evidence allows the assessment of prominent spatial patterns of palaeomoisture variability through time. In this study, we focus sequentially on data for six major time windows: the first millennium CE, the Medieval Climate Anomaly (900-1250 CE), the Little Ice Age (1250-1750 CE), the end of the LIA (1750-1850 CE), the Early Modern Period (1850-1950), and the period of recent warming (1950 onwards). This results in a continent-wide synthesis of regional moisture-balance trends through history, allowing consideration of possible driving mechanisms, and suggestions for future research.

[Body image and participation in physical activities by obese subjects].

PubMed

Marcellini, Anne; Perera, Éric; Rodhain, Angélique; Férez, Sylvain

2016-06-08

From a sociological perspective, physical activity and diet are perceived as social and cultural practices, constructed and transmitted within human societies. The body is then thought of as a social construct, a sign and foundation of individual and collective identities. In this context, this article was designed to highlight some social processes underlying the obesity epidemic. Clarifying issues about a medical definition of obesity in an obesogenic society, and theoretical approaches to the meanings of the obesity epidemic are proposed. Individual stories of a gradual shift towards obesity are presented to illustrate the variety of trajectories that can lead to obesity in adulthood but also the variety of subjective experiences about the situation of obesity. In particular, the relationship to the body and experiences in terms of physical activity are investigated in order to understand how obesity is associated with non-commitment, low commitment or abandonment of physical activity. The issue of configurations in which commitment or re-commitments in regular exercise for sedentary populations can be possible are discussed. The discussion shows that although commitment to regular and sustainable physical activity requires a profound transformation of lifestyle for the persons concerned, the collective dimension of this change is rarely taken into account..

Genotyping of K-ras codons 12 and 13 mutations in colorectal cancer by capillary electrophoresis.

PubMed

Chen, Yen-Ling; Chang, Ya-Sian; Chang, Jan-Gowth; Wu, Shou-Mei

2009-06-26

Point mutations of the K-ras gene located in codons 12 and 13 cause poor responses to the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Besides, mutations of K-ras gene have also been proven to play an important role in human tumor progression. We established a simple and effective capillary electrophoresis (CE) method for simultaneous point mutation detection in codons 12 and 13 of K-ras gene. We combined one universal fluorescence-based nonhuman-sequence primer and two fragment-oriented primers in one tube, and performed this two-in-one polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR fragments included wild type and seven point mutations at codons 12 and 13 of K-ras gene. The amplicons were analyzed by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)-CE method. The CE analysis was performed by using a 1x Tris-borate-EDTA (TBE) buffer containing 1.5% (w/v) hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) (MW 250,000) under reverse polarity with 15 degrees C and 30 degrees C. Ninety colorectal cancer patients were blindly genotyped using this developed method. The results showed good agreement with those of DNA sequencing method. The SSCP-CE was feasible for mutation screening of K-ras gene in populations.

Fast passage dynamic nuclear polarization on rotating solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mentink-Vigier, Frederic; Akbey, Ümit; Hovav, Yonatan; Vega, Shimon; Oschkinat, Hartmut; Feintuch, Akiva

2012-11-01

Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) has proven to be a very powerful way to improve the signal to noise ratio of NMR experiments on solids. The experiments have in general been interpreted considering the Solid-Effect (SE) and Cross-Effect (CE) DNP mechanisms while ignoring the influence of sample spinning. In this paper, we show experimental data of MAS-DNP enhancements of 1H and 13C in proline and SH3 protein in glass forming water/glycerol solvent containing TOTAPOL. We also introduce a theoretical model that aims at explaining how the nuclear polarization is built in MAS-DNP experiments. By using Liouville space based simulations to include relaxation on two simple spin models, {electron-nucleus} and {electron-electron-nucleus}, we explain how the basic MAS-SE-DNP and MAS-CE-DNP processes work. The importance of fast energy passages and short level anti-crossing is emphasized and the differences between static DNP and MAS-DNP is explained. During a single rotor cycle the enhancement in the {electron-electron-nucleus} system arises from MAS-CE-DNP involving at least three kinds of two-level fast passages: an electron-electron dipolar anti-crossing, a single quantum electron MW encounter and an anti-crossing at the CE condition inducing nuclear polarization in- or decrements. Numerical, powder-averaged, simulations were performed in order to check the influence of the experimental parameters on the enhancement efficiencies. In particular we show that the spinning frequency dependence of the theoretical MAS-CE-DNP enhancement compares favorably with the experimental 1H and 13C MAS-DNP enhancements of proline and SH3.

Short-term effects of TiO2, CeO2, and ZnO nanoparticles on metabolic activities and gene expression of Nitrosomonas europaea.

PubMed

Yu, Ran; Fang, Xiaohua; Somasundaran, Ponisseril; Chandran, Kartik

2015-06-01

Nanosized TiO2 (n-TiO2), CeO2 (n-CeO2), and ZnO (n-ZnO) and bulk ZnO were chosen for a 4-h exposure study on a model ammonia oxidizing bacterium, Nitrosomonas europaea. n-ZnO displayed the most serious cytotoxicity while n-TiO2 was the least toxic one. The change of cell morphologies, the retardance of specific oxygen uptake rates and ammonia oxidation rates, and the depression of amoA gene expressions under NP stresses were generally observed when the cell densities and membrane integrities were not significantly impaired yet. The TEM imaging and the synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy of the NPs impacted cells revealed the increase of the corresponding intracellular Ti, Ce or Zn contents and suggested the intracellular NP accumulation. The elevation of intracellular S contents accompanied with higher K contents implied the possible activation of thiol-containing glutathione and thioredoxin production for NP stress alleviation. The NP cytotoxicity was not always a function of NP concentration. The 200 mg L(-1) n-TiO2 or n-CeO2 impacted cells displayed the similar ammonia oxidation activities but higher amoA gene expression levels than the 20 mg L(-1) NPs impacted ones. Such phenomenon further indicated the possible establishment of an anti-toxicity mechanism in N. europaea at the genetic level to redeem the weakened AMO activities along with the NP aggregation effects. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rush-hour aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons in selected subway stations of Shanghai, China.

PubMed

Zhang, Yanli; Li, Chunlei; Wang, Xinming; Guo, Hai; Feng, Yanli; Chen, Jianmin

2012-01-01

Air samples were collected simultaneously at platform, mezzanine and outdoor in five typical stations of subway system in Shanghai, China using stainless steel canisters and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass selective detector (GC-MSD) after cryogenic preconcentration. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) at the platforms and mezzanines inside the stations averaged (10.3 +/- 2.1), (38.7 +/- 9.0), (19.4 +/- 10.1) and (30.0 +/- 11.1) microg/m3, respectively; while trichloroethylene (TrCE), tetrachloroethylene (TeCE) and para-dichlorobenzene (pDCB), vinyl chloride and carbon tetrachloride were the most abundant chlorinated hydrocarbons inside the stations with average levels of (3.6 +/- 1.3), (1.3 +/- 0.5), (4.1 +/- 1.1), (2.2 +/- 1.1) and (1.2 +/- 0.3) microg/m3, respectively. Mean levels of major aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons were higher indoor (platforms and mezzanines) than outdoor with average indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios of 1.1-9.5, whereas no significant indoor/outdoor differences were found except for benzene and TrCE. The highly significant mutual correlations (p < 0.01) for BTEX between indoor and outdoor and their significant correlation (p < 0.05) with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a marker of traffic-related emission without other indoor and outdoor sources, indicated that BTEX were introduced into the subway stations from indoor/outdoor air exchange and traffic emission should be their dominant source. TrCE and pDCB were mainly from indoor emission and TeCE might have both indoor emission sources and contribution from outdoor air, especially in the mezzanines.

Molecular identification of Echinococcus granulosus on the Tibetan Plateau using mitochondrial DNA markers.

PubMed

Hu, D; Song, X; Wang, N; Zhong, X; Wang, J; Liu, T; Jiang, Z; Dawa, T; Gu, X; Peng, X; Yang, G

2015-10-30

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important worldwide zoonotic disease that causes large economic losses and human suffering. Echinococcus granulosus, the causative agent of CE, exhibits different genotypes in different locations. In order to identify its genotypes and analyze its genetic structure on the Tibetan Plateau, we collected 72 hydatid cysts from different intermediate hosts and amplified and sequenced their mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (cox2) genes. Seventy isolates were identified as the E. granulosus G1 genotype, while two isolates belonged to the G6 genotype. There were 18 haplotypes among the 70 E. granulosus isolates, which exhibited a star-like network pattern and shared a common haplotype (H1). There was little difference between geographical sub-populations. Our results suggest that a recent E. granulosus population expansion occurred on the Tibetan Plateau, suggesting that E. granulosus was introduced into China. This study increases the basic molecular data needed for the molecular diagnosis, epidemiology, prevention, and control of Echinococcus diseases.

Concordance of the ForenSeq™ system and characterisation of sequence-specific autosomal STR alleles across two major population groups.

PubMed

Devesse, Laurence; Ballard, David; Davenport, Lucinda; Riethorst, Immy; Mason-Buck, Gabriella; Syndercombe Court, Denise

2018-05-01

By using sequencing technology to genotype loci of forensic interest it is possible to simultaneously target autosomal, X and Y STRs as well as identity, ancestry and phenotypic informative SNPs, resulting in a breadth of data obtained from a single run that is considerable when compared to that generated with standard technologies. It is important however that this information aligns with the genotype data currently obtained using commercially available kits for CE-based investigations such that results are compatible with existing databases and hence can be of use to the forensic community. In this work, 400 samples were typed using commercially available STR kits and CE, as well as using the Ilumina ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit and MiSeq ® FGx to assess concordance of autosomal STRs and population variability. Results show a concordance rate between the two technologies exceeding 99.98% while numerous novel sequence based alleles are described. In order to make use of the sequence variation observed, sequence specific allele frequencies were generated for White British and British Chinese populations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Threshold Ionization and Spin-Orbit Coupling of Cerium Monoxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Wenjin; Zhang, Yuchen; Wu, Lu; Yang, Dong-Sheng

2017-06-01

Cerium oxides are widely used in heterogeneous catalysis due to their ability to switch between different oxidation states. We report here the mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy of cerium monoxide (CeO) produced by laser ablating a Ce rod in a molecular beam source. The MATI spectrum in the range of 40000-45000 \\wn exhibits several band systems with similar vibrational progressions. The strongest band is at 43015 (5) \\wn, which can be assigned as the adiabatic ionization energy of the neutral species. The spectrum also shows Ce-O stretching frequencies of 817 and 890 \\wn in the neutral and ion states, respectively. By comparing with spin-orbit coupled multireference quasi-degenerate perturbation theory (SO-MCQDPT) calculations, the observed band systems are assigned to transitions from various low-energy spin-orbit levels of the neutral oxide to the two lowest spin-orbit levels of the corresponding ion. The current work will also be compared with previous experimental and computational studies on the neutral species.

Building Partner Country Capacity for Stability Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

international aFFairs law and Business national seCurity population and aging puBliC saFety sCienCe and teChnology terrorism and homeland seCurity this... Quantic Thurston, MG-942-A, 2010 (available at http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG942.html). This research brief was written by Kristin J. Leuschner...AND TRANSPORTATION INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS LAW AND BUSINESS NATIONAL SECURITY POPULATION AND AGING PUBLIC SAFETY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TERRORISM AND HOMELAND SECURITY

Heavy rare earth elements affect early life stages in Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula sea urchins

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

Oral, Rahime

Background: Heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) have been scarcely studied for their toxicity, in spite of their applications in several technologies. Thus HREEs require timely investigations for their adverse health effects. Methods: Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula embryos and sperm were exposed to trichloride salts of five HREEs (Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu) and to Ce(III) as a light REE (LREE) reference to evaluate: 1) developmental defects (% DD) in HREE-exposed larvae or in the offspring of HREE-exposed sperm; 2) mitotic anomalies; 3) fertilization success; and 4) reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA)more » levels. Nominal HREE concentrations were confirmed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: HREEs induced concentration-related DD increases in P. lividus and A. lixula larvae, ranging from no significant DD increase at 10{sup −7} M HREEs up to ≅100% DD at 10{sup −5} M HREE. Larvae exposed to 10{sup −5} M Ce(III) resulted in less severe DD rates compared to HREEs. Decreased mitotic activity and increased aberration rates were found in HREE-exposed P. lividus embryos. Significant increases in ROS formation and NO levels were found both in HREE-exposed and in Ce(III) embryos, whereas only Ce(III), but not HREEs resulted in significant increase in MDA levels. Sperm exposure to HREEs (10{sup −5}–10{sup −4} M) resulted in a concentration-related decrease in fertilization success along with increase in offspring damage. These effects were significantly enhanced for Dy(III), Ho(III), Er(III) and Yb(III), compared to Lu(III) and to Ce(III). Conclusion: HREE-associated toxicity affected embryogenesis, fertilization, cytogenetic and redox endpoints showing different toxicities of tested HREEs. - Highlights: • Different toxicities were exerted by five tested HREEs on sea urchin early life stages. • Sea urchin embryos and sperm were sensitive to HREE levels ranging from 1 to 100 μM, according to different exposures. • The findings support investigations on comparative toxicity studies of HREEs in other test systems.« less

Effect of Upper-Extremity Strengthening Exercises on the Lumbar Strength, Disability and Pain of Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Study.

PubMed

Atalay, Erdem; Akova, Bedrettin; Gür, Hakan; Sekir, Ufuk

2017-12-01

The present study aimed to analyze the impacts of a low back rehabilitation program accompanied with neck, shoulder and upper back exercises on pain, disability, and physical characteristics of patients with chronic low back pain. Twenty sedentary male patients with chronic low back pain participated in the study on a voluntary basis. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups: a conventional low back exercise group (CE) and a supported exercise group (SE; CE plus upper back, neck, and shoulder exercises). The Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ) was used to evaluate the disability status and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to identify the pain states of the patients. In addition, neck, lumbar and shoulder isokinetic and isometric strengths of the patients were evaluated. The CE group performed lumbar stretching, mobilization and stabilization exercises in addition to low-back and abdominal isometric and concentric strengthening exercises. The SE group performed static stretching and isotonic exercises for the neck, upper-back, and shoulder muscles, in addition to the exercises performed in CE group. The exercises were implemented 3 days a week for 6 weeks in both groups. Following the 6-week exercise periods in both groups, statistically significant (p < 0.01) improvements were observed in the patients' levels of pain and the scores of MODQ reflecting an easing of disability. With respect to the levels of pain and disability, the improvements observed in the SE group was significantly (p < 0.01) greater than the improvement observed in the CE group. Based on the findings of this study, we can conclude that a low back exercise program used in combination with neck, shoulder and upper back exercises reduces the level of pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain more prominently than conventional low back exercises.

Tunable color and energy transfer in single-phase white-emitting Ca{sub 20}Al{sub 26}Mg{sub 3}Si{sub 3}O{sub 68}:Ce{sup 3+},Dy{sup 3+} phosphors for UV white light-emitting diodes

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

Yuan, Bo; Song, Yanhua; Sheng, Ye

Ce{sup 3+} and/or Dy{sup 3+} activated Ca{sub 20}Al{sub 26}Mg{sub 3}Si{sub 3}O{sub 68} phosphors were synthesized by high temperature solid state reaction and their luminescent properties were studied. There are two emissions peaking at 407 and 577 nm in the emission spectra of Ca{sub 20}Al{sub 26}Mg{sub 3}Si{sub 3}O{sub 68}:Ce{sup 3+}, Dy{sup 3+}, which are due to the transitions of Ce{sup 3+} and Dy{sup 3+} ions, respectively. More importantly, the effective energy transfer from Ce{sup 3+} to Dy{sup 3+} ions has been confirmed and investigated by emission/excitation spectra and luminescent decay behaviors. Furthermore, the energy level scheme and mechanism of energy transfermore » were investigated and it was demonstrated to be resonant type via dipole–dipole reaction. Under the excitation of 345 nm, the emitting color can change from blue to white by adjusting the relative doping concentration of Ce{sup 3+} and Dy{sup 3+} ions, indicating that the phosphors Ca{sub 20}Al{sub 26}Mg{sub 3}Si{sub 3}O{sub 68}:Ce{sup 3+}, Dy{sup 3+} are promising single-phase white-emitting phosphors for application in pc-white LEDs. - Highlights: • The Ca{sub 20}Al{sub 26}Mg{sub 3}Si{sub 3}O{sub 68}:Ce{sup 3+},Dy{sup 3+} are novel luminescent materials that have not been reported before. • The crystal structure of Ca{sub 20}Al{sub 26}Mg{sub 3}Si{sub 3}O{sub 68} and energy transfer from Ce{sup 3+} to Dy{sup 3+} were investigated. • The emission color of Ca{sub 20}Al{sub 26}Mg{sub 3}Si{sub 3}O{sub 68}:Ce{sup 3+},Dy{sup 3+} can be adjusted from blue to white. • The phosphors have great application value in WLEDs as a kind of blue-to-white emitting phosphors.« less

A comparative study of LaBr3(Ce(3+)) and CeBr3 based gamma-ray spectrometers for planetary remote sensing applications.

PubMed

Kozyrev, A; Mitrofanov, I; Owens, A; Quarati, F; Benkhoff, J; Bakhtin, B; Fedosov, F; Golovin, D; Litvak, M; Malakhov, A; Mokrousov, M; Nuzhdin, I; Sanin, A; Tretyakov, V; Vostrukhin, A; Timoshenko, G; Shvetsov, V; Granja, C; Slavicek, T; Pospisil, S

2016-08-01

The recent availability of large volume cerium bromide crystals raises the possibility of substantially improving gamma-ray spectrometer limiting flux sensitivities over current systems based on the lanthanum tri-halides, e.g., lanthanum bromide and lanthanum chloride, especially for remote sensing, low-level counting applications or any type of measurement characterized by poor signal to noise ratios. The Russian Space Research Institute has developed and manufactured a highly sensitive gamma-ray spectrometer for remote sensing observations of the planet Mercury from the Mercury Polar Orbiter (MPO), which forms part of ESA's BepiColombo mission. The Flight Model (FM) gamma-ray spectrometer is based on a 3-in. single crystal of LaBr3(Ce(3+)) produced in a separate crystal development programme specifically for this mission. During the spectrometers development, manufacturing, and qualification phases, large crystals of CeBr3 became available in a subsequent phase of the same crystal development programme. Consequently, the Flight Spare Model (FSM) gamma-ray spectrometer was retrofitted with a 3-in. CeBr3 crystal and qualified for space. Except for the crystals, the two systems are essentially identical. In this paper, we report on a comparative assessment of the two systems, in terms of their respective spectral properties, as well as their suitability for use in planetary mission with respect to radiation tolerance and their propensity for activation. We also contrast their performance with a Ge detector representative of that flown on MESSENGER and show that: (a) both LaBr3(Ce(3+)) and CeBr3 provide superior detection systems over HPGe in the context of minimally resourced spacecraft and (b) CeBr3 is a more attractive system than LaBr3(Ce(3+)) in terms of sensitivities at lower gamma fluxes. Based on the tests, the FM has now been replaced by the FSM on the BepiColombo spacecraft. Thus, CeBr3 now forms the central gamma-ray detection element on the MPO spacecraft.

A comparative study of LaBr{sub 3}(Ce{sup 3+}) and CeBr{sub 3} based gamma-ray spectrometers for planetary remote sensing applications

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

Kozyrev, A., E-mail: kozyrev@mx.iki.rssi.ru; Mitrofanov, I.; Bakhtin, B.

The recent availability of large volume cerium bromide crystals raises the possibility of substantially improving gamma-ray spectrometer limiting flux sensitivities over current systems based on the lanthanum tri-halides, e.g., lanthanum bromide and lanthanum chloride, especially for remote sensing, low-level counting applications or any type of measurement characterized by poor signal to noise ratios. The Russian Space Research Institute has developed and manufactured a highly sensitive gamma-ray spectrometer for remote sensing observations of the planet Mercury from the Mercury Polar Orbiter (MPO), which forms part of ESA’s BepiColombo mission. The Flight Model (FM) gamma-ray spectrometer is based on a 3-in. singlemore » crystal of LaBr{sub 3}(Ce{sup 3+}) produced in a separate crystal development programme specifically for this mission. During the spectrometers development, manufacturing, and qualification phases, large crystals of CeBr{sub 3} became available in a subsequent phase of the same crystal development programme. Consequently, the Flight Spare Model (FSM) gamma-ray spectrometer was retrofitted with a 3-in. CeBr{sub 3} crystal and qualified for space. Except for the crystals, the two systems are essentially identical. In this paper, we report on a comparative assessment of the two systems, in terms of their respective spectral properties, as well as their suitability for use in planetary mission with respect to radiation tolerance and their propensity for activation. We also contrast their performance with a Ge detector representative of that flown on MESSENGER and show that: (a) both LaBr{sub 3}(Ce{sup 3+}) and CeBr{sub 3} provide superior detection systems over HPGe in the context of minimally resourced spacecraft and (b) CeBr{sub 3} is a more attractive system than LaBr{sub 3}(Ce{sup 3+}) in terms of sensitivities at lower gamma fluxes. Based on the tests, the FM has now been replaced by the FSM on the BepiColombo spacecraft. Thus, CeBr{sub 3} now forms the central gamma-ray detection element on the MPO spacecraft.« less

Role of the oxytocin system in amygdala subregions in the regulation of social interest in male and female rats.

PubMed

Dumais, Kelly M; Alonso, Andrea G; Bredewold, Remco; Veenema, Alexa H

2016-08-25

We previously found that oxytocin (OT) receptor (OTR) binding density in the medial amygdala (MeA) correlated positively with social interest (i.e., the motivation to investigate a conspecific) in male rats, while OTR binding density in the central amygdala (CeA) correlated negatively with social interest in female rats. Here, we determined the causal involvement of OTR in the MeA and CeA in the sex-specific regulation of social interest in adult rats by injecting an OTR antagonist (5ng/0.5μl/side) or OT (100pg/0.5μl/side) before the social interest test (4-min same-sex juvenile exposure). OTR blockade in the CeA decreased social interest in males but not females, while all other treatments had no behavioral effect. To further explore the sex-specific involvement of the OT system in the CeA in social interest, we used in vivo microdialysis to determine possible sex differences in endogenous OT release in the CeA during social interest. Interestingly, males and females showed similar levels of extracellular OT release at baseline and during social interest, suggesting that factors other than local OT release mediate the sex-specific role of CeA-OTR in social interest. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between CeA-OT release and social investigation time in females. This was further reflected by reduced CeA-OT release during social interest in females that expressed low compared to high social interest. We discuss the possibility that this reduction in OT release may be a consequence, rather than a cause, of exposure to a social stimulus. Overall, our findings show for the first time that extracellular OT release in the CeA is similar between males and females and that OTR in the CeA plays a causal role in the regulation of social interest toward juvenile conspecifics in males. Copyright © 2016 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fine tuning the heavy fermion ground state: A new handle on cerium cobalt indium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, Long D.

A Two Fluid Description of the Kondo Lattice CeCoIn5 has been extended to include additional entropy terms that were not considered in the original work by S. Nakatsuji et al. [1]. The use of a Matlab computer code was successful at iteratively solving for f, the fraction of itinerant interacting heavy quasiparticles, and showed that it converges to a temperature dependent function invariant under successive iterations. The linear specific heat coefficient, gamma, was extracted from transport consideration in conjunction with f(T) and the Kadowacki-Woods ratio to be 204mJ/mole-K2, in good agreement from heat capacity measurements of 290mJ/mole-K2 for CeCoIn 5 [32]. Antiferromagnetism has been induced in CeCoIn5 as well as its two isostructural, isovalent sister compounds CeRhIn5 and CeIrIn 5. Cadmium-doping the heavy-fermion superconductor CeCoIn5 at the percent level acts as an electronic tuning agent, sensitively shifting the balance between superconductivity and antiferromagnetism and opening new ambient-pressure phase space in the study of heavy-fermion ground states. At nominal concentrations of x>0.070, CeCo(In1-xCd x)5 displays a two phase region of antiferromagnetism coexisting with superconductivity up to x<0.15, above which no trace of superconductivity persists in specific heat. Similar results was seen in CeIr(In1-xCd x)5 where a quantum critical point (QCP) was observed, separating superconductivity from antiferromagnetism at a nominal critical concentration of x≈0.0475, while CeRh(In1-xCdx)5 goes through an incommensurate to commensurate antiferromagnetic transition nominally at x≈0.10. Amazingly, pressure completely recovers Tc in CeCo(In1-x Cdx)5 measured at nominal concentrations of x=0.10, and 0.15. Phase diagrams were constructed from specific heat and confirmed with resistivity and magnetization. An introduction to strongly correlated physics, relevant to the 115 family, will be worked out followed by a description of general techniques of synthesis and physical properties measurements central to this dissertation and in the study of material science in general.

Effect of Ga3+ and Gd3+ ions substitution on the structural and optical properties of Ce3+ -doped yttrium aluminium garnet phosphor nanopowders.

PubMed

Wako, A H; Dejene, F B; Swart, H C

2016-11-01

The structural and optical properties of commercially obtained Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3 + phosphor were investigated by replacing Al 3 + with Ga 3 + and Y 3 + with Gd 3 + in the Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3 + structure to form Y 3 (Al,Ga) 5 O 12 :Ce 3 + and (Y,Gd) 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3 + . X-Ray diffraction (XRD) results showed slight 2-theta peak shifts to lower angles when Ga 3 + was used and to higher angles when Gd 3 + was used, with respect to peaks from Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3 + and JCPDS card no. 73-1370. This could be attributed to induced crystal-field effects due to the different ionic sizes of Ga 3 + and Gd 3 + compared with Al 3 + and Y 3 + . The photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed broad excitation from 350 to 550 nm with a maximum at 472 nm, and broad emission bands from 500 to 650 nm, centred at 578 nm for Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3 + arising from the 5d → 4f transition of Ce 3 + . PL revealed a blue shift for Ga 3 + substitution and a red shift for Gd 3 + substitution. UV-Vis showed two absorption peaks at 357 and 457 nm for Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3 + , with peaks shifting to 432 nm for Ga 3 + and 460 nm for Gd 3 + substitutions. Changes in the trap levels or in the depth and number of traps due to Ce 3 + were analysed using thermoluminescence (TL) spectroscopy. This revealed the existence of shallow and deep traps. It was observed that Ga 3 + substitution contributes to the shallowest traps at 74 °C and fewer deep traps at 163 °C, followed by Gd 3 + with shallow traps at 87 °C and deep traps at 146 °C. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Environment Analysis in the CE-3 Landing Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mu, L.; Liu, J.; Zeng, X.; Gao, X.; Yan, W.; Zou, X.; Li, C.

2014-12-01

To understand the environment and select detecting objects for the Yutu Rover, NAOC used the DEM and DOM data obtained by CE-2, geological data released by USGS, and high resolution image captured by CE-3 and LRO-NAC to analyze the topographical characteristic, geologic age, Geomorphological feathers and new dust distribution in two scale levels. The first level is 45km×75km, and another one is 4km×4km. The center of the study region is the CE-3 landing site (19.51°W, 44.12°N). The following is the initial conclusions: (1) CE-3 landed on a relatively flat region in the Mare Imbrium with an elevation of -2615m. The geological age of the landing site belongs to young Eratoshenian. 10km to the north of the landing site is the older Mare Imbrium stratum, and the location of the landing site is just on the intersection area of these two stratums. (2) The landing site lies on the edge of a lunar mountain with a decline tendency from west to east, and the topographic slope and roughness of the landing region is low, which is the typical characteristic of lunar mare. There is a big crater with diameter of 430 meters in the west of the landing site, and lots of stones in different colors on the rim of this crater, shown in the Figure2. (3) By comparing the images captured by LRO-NAC before and after the landing, much lunar dust was blown away by the engine plume during the landing of CE-3. The change scope is about 60m with from east-west and 135m length from south-north. The direction of landing is from south-north, so the length is larger than the width, shown in the figure 3. (4) In the initial stage, the Yutu Rover was suggested to move in south direction and late in north direction, which would get more scientific data and result.

Effect of Standardized Boesenbergia pandurata Extract and Its Active Compound Panduratin A on Skin Hydration and Barrier Function in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes.

PubMed

Woo, Seon Wook; Rhim, Dong-Bin; Kim, Changhee; Hwang, Jae-Kwan

2015-03-01

The skin plays a key role in protecting the body from the environment and from water loss. Cornified envelope (CE) and natural moisturizing factor (NMF) are considered as the primary regulators of skin hydration and barrier function. The CE prevents loss of water from the body and is formed by cross-linking of several proteins. Among these proteins, filaggrin is an important protein because NMF is produced by the degradation of filaggrin. Proteases, including matriptase and prostasin, stimulate the generation of filaggrin from profilaggrin and caspase-14 plays a role in the degradation of filaggrin. This study elucidated the effects of an ethanol extract of Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schltr., known as fingerroot, and its active compound panduratin A on CE formation and filaggrin processing in HaCaT, human epidermal keratinocytes. B. pandurata extract (BPE) and panduratin A significantly stimulated not only CE formation but also the expression of CE proteins, such as loricrin, involucrin, and transglutaminase, which were associated with PPARα expression. The mRNA and protein levels of filaggrin and filaggrin-related enzymes, such as matriptase, prostasin, and caspase-14 were also up-regulated by BPE and panduratin A treatment. These results suggest that BPE and panduratin A are potential nutraceuticals which can enhance skin hydration and barrier function based on their CE formation and filaggrin processing.

Residency factors that influence pediatric in-training examination score improvement.

PubMed

Chase, Lindsay H; Highbaugh-Battle, Angela P; Buchter, Susie

2012-10-01

The goal of this study was to determine which measurable factors of resident training experience contribute to improvement of in-training examination (ITE) and certifying examination (CE) scores. This is a descriptive retrospective study analyzing data from July 2003 through June 2006 at a large academic pediatric training program. Pediatric categorical residents beginning residency in July 2003 were included. Regression analyses were used to determine if the number of admissions performed, core lectures attended, acute care topics heard, grand rounds attended, continuity clinic patients encountered, or procedures performed correlated with improvement of ITE scores. These factors were then analyzed in relation to CE scores. Seventeen residents were included in this study. The number of general pediatric admissions was the only factor found to correlate with an increase in ITE score (P = .04). Scores for the ITE at pediatric levels 1 and 3 were predictive of CE scores. No other factors measured were found to influence CE scores. Although all experiences of pediatric residents likely contribute to professional competence, some experiences may have more effect on ITE and CE scores. In this study, only general pediatric admissions correlated significantly with an improvement in ITE scores from year 1 to year 3. Further study is needed to identify which elements of the residency experience contribute most to CE success. This would be helpful in optimizing residency program structure and curriculum within the limitations of duty hour regulations.

In-situ caustic generation from sewage: the impact of caustic strength and sewage composition.

PubMed

Pikaar, Ilje; Rozendal, René A; Rabaey, Korneel; Yuan, Zhiguo

2013-10-01

Periodic caustic dosage is a commonly used method by the water industry to elevate pH levels and deactivate sewer biofilms responsible for hydrogen sulfide generation. Caustic (NaOH) can be generated in-situ from sewage using a divided electrochemical cell, which avoids the need for transport, handling and storage of concentrated caustic solutions. In this study, we investigated the impact of caustic strength in the cathode compartment and the impact of sodium concentration in sewage on the Coulombic efficiency (CE) for caustic generation. The CE was found to be independent of the caustic strength produced in the range of up to ~3 wt%. Results showed that a caustic solution of ~3 wt% could be produced directly from sewage at a CE of up to 75 ± 0.5%. The sodium concentration in sewage had a significant impact on the CE for caustic generation as well as on the energy requirements of the system, with a higher sodium concentration leading to a higher CE and lower energy consumption. The proton, calcium, magnesium and ammonium concentrations in sewage affected the CE for caustic generation, especially at low sodium concentrations. Economical assessment based on the experimental results indicated that sulfide control in sewers using electrochemically-generated caustic from sewage is an economically attractive strategy. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of Cost-Effectiveness Threshold for Health Care Interventions in Malaysia.

PubMed

Lim, Yen Wei; Shafie, Asrul Akmal; Chua, Gin Nie; Ahmad Hassali, Mohammed Azmi

2017-09-01

One major challenge in prioritizing health care using cost-effectiveness (CE) information is when alternatives are more expensive but more effective than existing technology. In such a situation, an external criterion in the form of a CE threshold that reflects the willingness to pay (WTP) per quality-adjusted life-year is necessary. To determine a CE threshold for health care interventions in Malaysia. A cross-sectional, contingent valuation study was conducted using a stratified multistage cluster random sampling technique in four states in Malaysia. One thousand thirteen respondents were interviewed in person for their socioeconomic background, quality of life, and WTP for a hypothetical scenario. The CE thresholds established using the nonparametric Turnbull method ranged from MYR12,810 to MYR22,840 (~US $4,000-US $7,000), whereas those estimated with the parametric interval regression model were between MYR19,929 and MYR28,470 (~US $6,200-US $8,900). Key factors that affected the CE thresholds were education level, estimated monthly household income, and the description of health state scenarios. These findings suggest that there is no single WTP value for a quality-adjusted life-year. The CE threshold estimated for Malaysia was found to be lower than the threshold value recommended by the World Health Organization. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Compatibility Study for Plastic, Elastomeric, and Metallic Fueling Infrastructure Materials Exposed to Aggressive Formulations of Ethanol-blended Gasoline

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

Kass, Michael D; Pawel, Steven J; Theiss, Timothy J

In 2008 Oak Ridge National Laboratory began a series of experiments to evaluate the compatibility of fueling infrastructure materials with intermediate levels of ethanol-blended gasoline. Initially, the focus was elastomers, metals, and sealants, and the test fuels were Fuel C, CE10a, CE17a and CE25a. The results of these studies were published in 2010. Follow-on studies were performed with an emphasis on plastic (thermoplastic and thermoset) materials used in underground storage and dispenser systems. These materials were exposed to test fuels of Fuel C and CE25a. Upon completion of this effort, it was felt that additional compatibility data with higher ethanolmore » blends was needed and another round of experimentation was performed on elastomers, metals, and plastics with CE50a and CE85a test fuels. Compatibility of polymers typically relates to the solubility of the solid polymer with a solvent. It can also mean susceptibility to chemical attack, but the polymers and test fuels evaluated in this study are not considered to be chemically reactive with each other. Solubility in polymers is typically assessed by measuring the volume swell of the polymer exposed to the solvent of interest. Elastomers are a class of polymers that are predominantly used as seals, and most o-ring and seal manufacturers provide compatibility tables of their products with various solvents including ethanol, toluene, and isooctane, which are components of aggressive oxygenated gasoline as described by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1681. These tables include a ranking based on the level of volume swell in the elastomer associated with exposure to a particular solvent. Swell is usually accompanied by a decrease in hardness (softening) that also affects performance. For seal applications, shrinkage of the elastomer upon drying is also a critical parameter since a contraction of volume can conceivably enable leakage to occur. Shrinkage is also indicative of the removal of one or more components of the elastomers (by the solvent). This extraction of additives can negatively change the properties of the elastomer, leading to reduced performance and durability. For a seal application, some level of volume swell is acceptable, since the expansion will serve to maintain a seal. However, the acceptable level of swell is dependent on the particular application of the elastomer product. It is known that excessive swell can lead to unacceptable extrusion of the elastomer beyond the sealed interface, where it becomes susceptible to damage. Also, since high swell is indicative of high solubility, there is a heightened potential for fluid to seep through the seal and into the environment. Plastics, on the other hand, are used primarily in structural applications, such as solid components, including piping and fluid containment. Volume change, especially in a rigid system, will create internal stresses that may negatively affect performance. In order to better understand and predict the compatibility for a given polymer type and fuel composition, an analysis based on Hansen solubility theory was performed for each plastic and elastomer material. From this study, the solubility distance was calculated for each polymer material and test fuel combination. Using the calculated solubility distance, the ethanol concentration associated with peak swell and overall extent of swell can be predicted for each polymer. The bulk of the material discussion centers on the plastic materials, and their compatibility with Fuel C, CE25a, CE50a, and CE85a. The next section of this paper focuses on the elastomer compatibility with the higher ethanol concentrations with comparison to results obtained previously for the lower ethanol levels. The elastomers were identical to those used in the earlier study. Hansen solubility theory is also applied to the elastomers to provide added interpretation of the results. The final section summarizes the performance of the metal coupons.« less

Intergenerational responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The intergenerational impact of engineered nanomaterials in plants is a key knowledge gap in the literature. A soil microcosm study was performed to assess the effects of multi-generational exposure of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs). Seeds from plants that were exposed to 0, 125, and 500 mg CeO2-NPs/kg soil (Ce-0, Ce-125 or Ce-500, respectively) in first generation (S1) were cultivated in factorial combinations of Ce-0, Ce-125 or Ce-500 to produce second generation (S2) plants. The factorial combinations for first/second generation treatments in Ce-125 were S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-0, S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-125, S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-0 and S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-125, and in Ce-500 were S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-0, S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-500, S1-Ce-500/S2-Ce-0 and S1-Ce-500/S2-Ce-500. Agronomic, elemental, and isotopic data were collected in second generation plants. Results showed that plants treated during the first generation only with either Ce-125 or Ce-500 (e.g. S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-0 or S1-Ce-500/S2-Ce-0) had reduced accumulation of Ce (61 or 50%), Fe (49 or 58%) and Mn (34 or 41%) in roots, and δ15N (11 or 8%) in grains compared to the plants not treated in both generations (i.e. S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-0). In addition, plants treated in both generations with Ce-125 (i.e. S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-125) produced grains that had lower Mn, Ca, K, Mg and P relative to plants treated in the second generation only (i.e. S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-125). The findings demonstrated that first generation exposure of

Imidacloprid-susceptible Nilaparvata lugens individuals exceeded resistant individuals in a mixture population with density pressure.

PubMed

Yu, Na; Tian, Jiahua; Zhang, Yixi; Li, Zhong; Liu, Zewen

2018-01-01

Fitness costs associated with insecticide resistance in pest insects have mainly been studied under optimal laboratory conditions. However, resistant insects face more stressors than just insecticides in the field, and how the resistant population reacts to these stressors is of practical importance for the control of pest insects such as the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of population density on the competitiveness of resistant and susceptible individuals. Two isogenic N. lugens populations, a highly imidacloprid-resistant population (HZ-R) with a resistance ratio (RR) of 227.10 and a relatively susceptible population (HZ-S) with an RR of 2.99, were created from a field-resistant population (HZ; RR 62.51). The high resistance levels of HZ-R and HZ were mainly attributable to the overexpression of multiple cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes such as CYP6ER1, CYP6AY1, CYP6CW1 and CYP4CE1 compared with HZ-S, this being supported by piperonyl butoxide synergism. HZ-R was observed to be more resistant to thiacloprid and etofenprox compared with HZ and HZ-S. Most interestingly, in high population density treatments, HZ-S individuals were much more competitive than HZ-R individuals. Imidacloprid-resistant individuals of N. lugens are less competitive than their susceptible counterparts under density pressure. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparison of Enzymatic Assay for HBA1C Measurement (Abbott Architect) With Capillary Electrophoresis (Sebia Minicap Flex Piercing Analyser).

PubMed

Tesija Kuna, Andrea; Dukic, Kristina; Nikolac Gabaj, Nora; Miler, Marijana; Vukasovic, Ines; Langer, Sanja; Simundic, Ana-Maria; Vrkic, Nada

2018-03-08

To compare the analytical performances of the enzymatic method (EM) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurement. Imprecision, carryover, stability, linearity, method comparison, and interferences were evaluated for HbA1c via EM (Abbott Laboratories, Inc) and CE (Sebia). Both methods have shown overall within-laboratory imprecision of less than 3% for International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) units (<2% National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program [NGSP] units). Carryover effects were within acceptable criteria. The linearity of both methods has proven to be excellent (R2 = 0.999). Significant proportional and constant difference were found for EM, compared with CE, but were not clinically relevant (<5 mmol/mol; NGSP <0.5%). At the clinically relevant HbA1c concentration, stability observed with both methods was acceptable (bias, <3%). Triglyceride levels of 8.11 mmol per L or greater showed to interfere with EM and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) of 10.6% or greater with CE. The enzymatic method proved to be comparable to the CE method in analytical performances; however, certain interferences can influence the measurements of each method.

Kondo lattice and antiferromagnetic behavior in quaternary CeTAl 4Si 2 (T = Rh, Ir) single crystals

DOE PAGES

Maurya, Arvind; Kulkarni, Ruta; Thamizhavel, Arumugam; ...

2016-02-26

Here, we have explored in detail the anisotropic magnetic properties of CeRhAl 4Si 2 and CeIrAl 4Si 2, which undergo two antiferromagnetic transitions, at T N1 = 12.6 and 15.5 K, followed by a second transition at T N2 = 9.4 and 13.8 K, respectively, with the [001]-axis as the relatively easy axis of magnetization. The electrical resistivity at ambient and applied pressure provides evidence of Kondo interaction in both compounds, further supported by a reduced value of the entropy associated with the magnetic ordering. The Sommerfeld coefficient γ is inferred to be 195.6 and 49.4 mJ/(mol K 2) formore » CeRhAl 4Si 2 and CeIrAl 4Si 2, respectively, classifying these materials as moderate heavy-fermion compounds. The crystal electric field energy levels are derived from the peak seen in the Schottky heat capacity. Furthermore, we have also performed electronic structure calculations by using the local spin density approximation + U [LSDA+U] approach, which provide physical insights on the observed magnetic behavior of these two compounds.« less

Effect of Annealing Time of YAG:Ce3+ Phosphor on White Light Chromaticity Values

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abd, Husnen R.; Hassan, Z.; Ahmed, Naser M.; Almessiere, Munirah Abdullah; Omar, A. F.; Alsultany, Forat H.; Sabah, Fayroz A.; Osman, Ummu Shuhada

2018-02-01

Yttrium and aluminium nitrate phosphors doped with cerium nitrate and mixed with urea (fuel) are prepared by using microwave-induced combustion synthesis according to the formula Y(3-0.06)Al5O12:0.06Ce3+ (YAG:Ce3+) to produce white light emitting diodes by conversion from blue indium gallium nitride-light emitting diode chips. The sintering time with fixed temperature (1050°C) for phosphor powder was optimized and found to be 5 h. The crystallinity, structure, chemical composition, luminescent properties with varying currents densities and chromaticity were characterized by x-ray diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, photoluminescence emission, electroluminescence and standard CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram, respectively. The energy levels of Ce3+ in YAG were discussed based on its absorption and excitation spectra. The results show that the obtained YAG:Ce3+ phosphor sintered for 5 h has good crystallinity with pure phase, low agglomerate with spherical shaped particles and strong yellow emission, offering cool-white LED with tuneable correlated color temperature and a good color rendering index compared to those prepared by sintering for 2 h and as-prepared phosphor powders.

Characterization of Two Ton NaI Scintillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maier, Alleta; Coherent Collaboration

2017-09-01

The COHERENT collaboration is dedicated to measuring Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CE νNS), an interaction predicted by the standard model that ultimately serves as a background floor for dark matter detection. In the pursuit of observing the N2 scaling predicted, COHERENT is deploying two tons of NaI[Tl] detector to observe CE νNS recoils of sodium nuclei. Before the two tons of this NaI[Tl] scintillator are deployed, however, all crystals and PMTs must be characterized to understand the individual properties vital to precision in the measurement of CE νNS. This detector is also expected to allow COHERENT to observe charged current and CE νNS interactions with 127I. A standard operating procedure is developed to characterize each detector based on seven properties relevant to precision in the measurement of CE νNS: energy scale, energy resolution, low-energy light yield non-linearity, decay time energy dependence, position variance, time variance, and background levels. Crystals will be tested and characterized for these properties in the context of a ton-scale NaI[Tl] detector. Preliminary development of the SOP has allowed for greater understanding of optimization methods needed for characterization for the ton scale detector. TUNL, NSF, Duke University.

Simultaneous determination of low-molecular-weight organic acids and chlorinated acid herbicides in environmental water by a portable CE system with contactless conductivity detection.

PubMed

Xu, Yan; Wang, Weilong; Li, Sam Fong Yau

2007-05-01

This report describes a method to simultaneously determine 11 low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids and 16 chlorinated acid herbicides within a single run by a portable CE system with contactless conductivity detection (CCD) in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-coated capillary. Under the optimized condition, the LODs of CE-CCD ranged from 0.056 to 0.270 ppm, which were better than for indirect UV (IUV) detection of the 11 LMW organic acids or UV detection of the 16 chlorinated acid herbicides. Combined with an on-line field-amplified sample stacking (FASS) procedure, sensitivity enhancement of 632- to 1078-fold was achieved, with satisfactory reproducibility (RSDs of migration times less than 2.2%, and RSDs of peak areas less than 5.1%). The FASS-CE-CCD method was successfully applied to determine the two groups of acidic pollutants in two kinds of environmental water samples. The portable CE-CCD system shows advantages such as simplicity, cost effectiveness, and miniaturization. Therefore, the method presented in this report has great potential for onsite analysis of various pollutants at the trace level.

Correlation of cerium anomalies with indicators of paleoenvironment

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

MacLeod, K.G.; Irving, A.J.

1996-09-01

Among 21 whole-rock samples of the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Formation from Colorado, the abundance of cerium relative to other rate earth elements (Ce anomaly), the weight percent organic carbon (%C{sub org}), and the intensity of bioturbation all covary. This covariation is provocative because %C{sub org} and intensity of bioturbation track changes in the concentration of oxygen in the local water column at the time of deposition (Savrda and Bottjer 1989). Ce anomalies in apatite-rich fractions of the Maastrichtian Zumaya-Algorta Formation from France and Spain and the Miocene Monterey Formation from California show changes that also may coincide with changes inmore » ancient oxygen levels. Results for the Niobrara samples are the closest correspondence demonstrated between paleo-redox conditions and Ce anomalies, but the authors cannot yet determine whether the correspondence reflects a cause-and-effect relationship. Variation in Ce anomalies is influenced by a number of factors, including terrigenous input, depositional environment, and diagenetic conditions. Potential interplay of these factors prevents a unique interpretation of the whole-rock data; dissecting whole-rock Ce anomalies through analysis of isolated sedimentary components, though, is a promising avenue of research.« less

Demonstration of spatial-light-modulation-based four-wave mixing in cold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juo, Jz-Yuan; Lin, Jia-Kang; Cheng, Chin-Yao; Liu, Zi-Yu; Yu, Ite A.; Chen, Yong-Fan

2018-05-01

Long-distance quantum optical communications usually require efficient wave-mixing processes to convert the wavelengths of single photons. Many quantum applications based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) have been proposed and demonstrated at the single-photon level, such as quantum memories, all-optical transistors, and cross-phase modulations. However, EIT-based four-wave mixing (FWM) in a resonant double-Λ configuration has a maximum conversion efficiency (CE) of 25% because of absorptive loss due to spontaneous emission. An improved scheme using spatially modulated intensities of two control fields has been theoretically proposed to overcome this conversion limit. In this study, we first demonstrate wavelength conversion from 780 to 795 nm with a 43% CE by using this scheme at an optical density (OD) of 19 in cold 87Rb atoms. According to the theoretical model, the CE in the proposed scheme can further increase to 96% at an OD of 240 under ideal conditions, thereby attaining an identical CE to that of the previous nonresonant double-Λ scheme at half the OD. This spatial-light-modulation-based FWM scheme can achieve a near-unity CE, thus providing an easy method of implementing an efficient quantum wavelength converter for all-optical quantum information processing.

Photoluminescence and scintillation properties of Ce-doped Sr2(Gd1-xLux)8(SiO4)6O2 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6) crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Igashira, Takuya; Kawano, Naoki; Okada, Go; Kawaguchi, Noriaki; Yanagida, Takayuki

2018-05-01

Apatite crystals with chemical compositions of 0.5% Ce-doped Sr2(Gd1-xLux)8(SiO4)6O2 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6) were synthesized by the Floating Zone method, and then we evaluated their photoluminescence (PL) and scintillation properties. All the Ce-doped samples exhibited PL and scintillation with an intense broad emission in 400-550 nm in which the origin was attributed to the 5d-4f transition of Ce3+, and the emission peak became broader with increasing the concentration of Lu3+. Both PL and scintillation decay time profiles were best-approximated by a sum of two exponential decay functions, and the origin of slower component was attributed to the 5d-4f transition of Ce3+. In the X-ray induced afterglow measurements, the Ce-doped Sr2(Gd0.4Lu0.6)8(SiO4)6O2 sample exhibited the lowest afterglow level. Furthermore, the Ce-doped Sr2(Gd0.5Lu0.5)8(SiO4)6O2 and Sr2(Gd0.4Lu0.6)8(SiO4)6O2 samples showed a clear full energy deposited peak under 5.5 MeV 241Am α-ray irradiation, and the estimated absolute scintillation light yields were around 290 and 1300 ph/5.5 MeV-α, respectively.

What part of working memory is not working in ADHD? Short-term memory, the central executive and effects of reinforcement.

PubMed

Dovis, Sebastiaan; Van der Oord, Saskia; Wiers, Reinout W; Prins, Pier J M

2013-08-01

Deficits in Working Memory (WM) are related to symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In children with ADHD visuospatial WM is most impaired. WM is composed of Short-Term Memory (STM) and a Central Executive (CE). Therefore, deficits in either or both STM and the CE may account for WM impairments in children with ADHD. WM-component studies investigating this find deficits in both STM and the CE. However, recent studies show that not only cognitive deficits, but also motivational deficits give rise to the aberrant WM performance of children with ADHD. To date, the influence of these motivational deficits on the components of WM has not been investigated. This study examined the effects of a standard (feedback-only) and a high level of reinforcement (feedback + 10 euros) on the visuospatial WM-, visuospatial STM-, and the CE performance of 86 children with ADHD and 62 typically-developing controls. With standard reinforcement the STM, CE, and WM performance of children with ADHD was worse than that of controls. High reinforcement improved STM and WM performance more in children with ADHD than in controls, but was unable to normalize their performance. High reinforcement did not appear to improve the CE-related performance of children with ADHD and controls. Motivational deficits have a detrimental effect on both the visuospatial WM performance and the STM performance of children with ADHD. Aside from motivational deficits, both the visuospatial STM and the CE of children with ADHD are impaired, and give rise to their deficits in visuospatial WM.

Crystal structure and anisotropic magnetic properties of new ferromagnetic Kondo lattice compound Ce(Cu,Al,Si)2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maurya, A.; Thamizhavel, A.; Dhar, S. K.; Provino, A.; Pani, M.; Costa, G. A.

2017-03-01

Single crystals of the new compound CeCu0.18Al0.24Si1.58 have been grown by high-temperature solution growth method using a eutectic Al-Si mixture as flux. This compound is derived from the binary CeSi2 (tetragonal α-ThSi2-type, Pearson symbol tI12, space group I41/amd) obtained by partial substitution of Si by Cu and Al atoms but showing full occupation of the Si crystal site (8e). While CeSi2 is a well-known valence-fluctuating paramagnetic compound, the CeCu0.18Al0.24Si1.58 phase orders ferromagnetically at TC=9.3 K. At low temperatures the easy-axis of magnetization is along the a-axis, which re-orients itself along the c-axis above 30 K. The presence of hysteresis in the magnetization curve, negative temperature coefficient of resistivity at high temperatures, reduced jump in the heat capacity and a relatively lower entropy released up to the ordering temperature, and enhanced Sommerfeld coefficient (≈100 mJ/mol K2) show that CeCu0.18Al0.24Si1.58 is a Kondo lattice ferromagnetic, moderate heavy fermion compound. Analysis of the high temperature heat capacity data in the paramagnetic region lets us infer that the crystal electric field split doublet levels are located at 178 and 357 K, respectively, and Kondo temperature (8.4 K) is of the order of TC in CeCu0.18Al0.24Si1.58.

Vegetation and landscape dynamics under natural and anthropogenic forcing on the Azores Islands: A 700-year pollen record from the São Miguel Island

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rull, Valentí; Lara, Arantza; Rubio-Inglés, María Jesús; Giralt, Santiago; Gonçalves, Vítor; Raposeiro, Pedro; Hernández, Armand; Sánchez-López, Guiomar; Vázquez-Loureiro, David; Bao, Roberto; Masqué, Pere; Sáez, Alberto

2017-03-01

The Azores archipelago has provided significant clues to the ecological, biogeographic and evolutionary knowledge of oceanic islands. Palaeoecological records are comparatively scarce, but they can provide relevant information on these subjects. We report the palynological reconstruction of the vegetation and landscape dynamics of the São Miguel Island before and after human settlement using the sediments of Lake Azul. The landscape was dominated by dense laurisilvas of Juniperus brevifolia and Morella faya from ca. 1280 CE to the official European establishment (1449 CE). After this date, the original forests were replaced by a complex of Erica azorica/Myrsine africana forests/shrublands and grassy meadows, which remained until ca. 1800 CE. Extractive forestry, cereal cultivation (rye, maize, wheat) and animal husbandry progressed until another extensive deforestation (ca. 1774 CE), followed by the large-scale introduction (1845 CE) of the exotic forest species Cryptomeria japonica and Pinus pinaster, which shaped the present-day landscape. Fire was a significant driver in these vegetation changes. The lake levels experienced a progressive rise during the time interval studied, reaching a maximum by ca. 1778-1852 CE, followed by a hydrological decline likely due to a combination of climatic and anthropogenic drivers. Our pollen record suggests that São Miguel were already settled by humans by ca. 1287 CE, approximately one century and a half prior to the official historically documented occupation of the archipelago. The results of this study are compared with the few palynological records available from other Azores islands (Pico and Flores).

Effects of nanostructuring on luminescence properties of SrS:Ce,Sm phosphor: An experimental and phenomenological study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yazdanmehr, Mohsen; Sadeghi, Hossein; Tehrani, Masoud Kavosh; Hashemifar, Seyed Javad; Mahdavi, Mohammad

2018-01-01

In this work, we employ various experimental techniques to illustrate the effects of nanostructuring on improvement of the luminescence properties of the polycrystalline SrS co-activated by cerium and samarium dopants (SrS : Ce , Sm). The nano and microstructure SrS : Ce , Sm powders were synthesized by the co-precipitation and solid state diffusion methods, respectively, followed by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process to densify powders into pellet shape. It is observed that the photo-luminescence (PL), radio-luminescence (RL), and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) emission intensity of the nanostructure samples are significantly improved with respect to the microstructure samples. Moreover, by using an accurate photomultiplier tube, we measured the CW-OSL decay curves of the samples to demonstrate much higher and faster sensitivity of the nanostructure SrS : Ce , Sm for in-flight and online OSL radiation dosimetry. The obtained absorption and emission spectra are used for phenomenology of the electronic band structure of the SrS : Ce , Sm micro and nano-phosphors inside the band gap. The proposed phenomenological electronic structures are then used to clarify the role of Ce3+ and Sm3+ localized energy levels in the luminescence properties of the nano and microstructure samples. It is argued that electronic transitions from the 2T2g state of Ce3+ and the 4G5/2 state of Sm3+ have strong contribution to the PL and RL emission spectra, while in the OSL mechanism, the Sm3+ 4G5/2 state is mainly responsible for electrons trapping.

Estimate of the Coulomb correlation energy in CeAg2Ge2 from inverse photoemission and high resolution photoemission spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banik, Soma; Arya, A.; Bendounan, Azzedine; Maniraj, M.; Thamizhavel, A.; Vobornik, I.; Dhar, S. K.; Deb, S. K.

2014-08-01

The occupied and the unoccupied electronic structure of CeAg2Ge2 single crystal has been studied using high resolution photoemission and inverse photoemission spectroscopy, respectively. High resolution photoemission reveals the clear signature of Ce 4f states in the occupied electronic structure which was not observed clearly in our earlier studies. The Coulomb correlation energy in this system has been determined experimentally from the position of the 4f states above and below the Fermi level. Theoretically, the correlation energy has been determined by using the first principles density functional calculations within the generalized gradient approximations taking into account the strong intra-atomic (on-site) interaction Hubbard Ueff term. The calculated valence band shows minor changes in the spectral shape with increasing Ueff due to the fact that the density of Ce 4f state is narrow in the occupied part and is hybridized with the Ce 5d, Ag 4d and Ge 4p states. On the other hand, substantial changes are observed in the spectral shape of the calculated conduction band with increasing Ueff since the density of Ce 4f state is very large in the unoccupied part, compared to other states. The estimated value of correlation energy for CeAg2Ge2 from the experiment and the theory is ≈ 4.2 eV. The resonant photoemission data are analyzed in the framework of the single-impurity Anderson model which further confirms the presence of the Coulomb correlation energy and small hybridization in this system.

Thermal infrared and optical photometry of Asteroidal Comet C/2002 CE10

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sekiguchi, Tomohiko; Miyasaka, Seidai; Dermawan, Budi; Mueller, Thomas; Takato, Naruhisa; Watanabe, Junichi; Boehnhardt, Hermann

2018-04-01

C/2002 CE10 is an object in a retrograde elliptical orbit with Tisserand parameter - 0.853 indicating a likely origin in the Oort Cloud. It appears to be a rather inactive comet since no coma and only a very weak tail was detected during the past perihelion passage. We present multi-color optical photometry, lightcurve and thermal mid-IR observations of the asteroidal comet. With the photometric analysis in BVRI, the surface color is found to be redder than asteroids, corresponding to cometary nuclei and TNOs/Centaurs. The time-resolved differential photometry supports a rotation period of 8.19 ± 0.05 h. The effective diameter and the geometric albedo are 17.9 ± 0.9 km and 0.03 ± 0.01, respectively, indicating a very dark reflectance of the surface. The dark and redder surface color of C/2002 CE10 may be attribute to devolatilized material by surface aging suffered from the irradiation by cosmic rays or from impact by dust particles in the Oort Cloud. Alternatively, C/2002 CE10 was formed of very dark refractory material originally like a rocky planetesimal. In both cases, this object lacks ices (on the surface at least). The dynamical and known physical characteristics of C/2002 CE10 are best compatible with those of the Damocloids population in the Solar System, that appear to be exhaust cometary nucleus in Halley-type orbits. The study of physical properties of rocky Oort cloud objects may give us a key for the formation of the Oort cloud and the solar system.

Tapered-Tip Capillary Electrophoresis Nano-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Ultrasensitive Proteomics: the Mouse Cortex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Sam B.; Zamarbide, Marta; Manzini, M. Chiara; Nemes, Peter

2017-04-01

Ultrasensitive characterization of the proteome raises the potential to understand how differential gene expression orchestrates cell heterogeneity in the brain. Here, we report a microanalytical capillary electrophoresis nano-flow electrospray ionization (CE-nanoESI) interface for mass spectrometry to enable the measurement of limited amounts of proteins in the mouse cortex. Our design integrates a custom-built CE system to a tapered-tip metal emitter in a co-axial sheath-flow configuration. This interface can be constructed in <15 min using readily available components, facilitating broad adaptation. Tapered-tip CE-nanoESI generates stable electrospray by reproducibly anchoring the Taylor cone, minimizes sample dilution in the ion source, and ensures efficient ion generation by sustaining the cone-jet spraying regime. Parallel reaction monitoring provided a 260-zmol lower limit of detection for angiotensin II (156,000 copies). CE was able to resolve a complex mixture of peptides in 330,000 theoretical plates and identify 15 amol ( 1 pg) of BSA or cytochrome c. Over 30 min of separation, 1 ng protein digest from the mouse cortex yielded 217 nonredundant proteins encompassing a 3-log-order concentration range using a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Identified proteins included many products from genes that are traditionally used to mark oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia. Finally, key proteins involved in neurodegenerative disorders were detected (e.g., parkinsonism and spastic paraplegia). CE-nanoESI-HRMS delivers sufficient sensitivity to detect proteins in limited amounts of tissues and cell populations to help understand how gene expression differences maintain cell heterogeneity in the brain.

A cell stabilization factor for transport of experimental cell cultures to and from the International Space Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fattaey, Heideh K.; Consigli, Richard A.; Grenz, Ladonna; Johnson, Terry C.

2000-01-01

The requirement for long term storage of cell cultures previous to arrival on the International Space Station (ISS), as well as culture maintenance after the conduct of experiment in microgravity, necessitates inhibition of cell proliferation and metabolism pending return to earth-based laboratories. Transport of cells in a nonstabilized condition can lead to a loss of cell viability and/or a source of selection pressures for survival that can alter the overall cell population. We have isolated in our laboratory a reversible inhibitor of cell proliferation, a cell regulatory sialoglycopeptide (CeReS-18), that has the capability of stabilizing cells isolated from a wide phylogenetic range by arresting them in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. We show here that CeReS-18 is unusually stable and can be stored at ambient temperatures for weeks without a measurable loss in its biological activity. In addition we demonstrate that CeReS-18 is a superior cell-stabilizing agent as compared to other methods deployed for cell stabilization purposes, such as, decrease in the incubation temperature and serum down shifts. We also discovered that hybridoma cultures stabilized in their proliferative cycle by CeReS-18 produced 150%-300% more antibody per cell than that measured in the proliferating control cultures. The reversible inhibitory activity of CeReS-18, together with its unusual stability, as well as its wide target range lend themselves to use of this inhibitor as a cell stabilizing agent for cell transport to and storage on the ISS. .

Origin of heavy rare earth mineralization in South China

PubMed Central

Xu, Cheng; Kynický, Jindřich; Smith, Martin P.; Kopriva, Antonin; Brtnický, Martin; Urubek, Tomas; Yang, Yueheng; Zhao, Zheng; He, Chen; Song, Wenlei

2017-01-01

Heavy rare earth elements (HREE) are dominantly mined from the weathering crusts of granites in South China. Although weathering processes occur globally, no economic HREE resources of this type have yet been found outside China. Here, we report the occurrence of unidentified REE minerals in the granites from South Chinese deposits. They contain high levels of both HREE and light REE, but are strongly depleted in Ce, implying high oxidation state. These REE minerals show higher initial Nd isotope than primary REE-rich minerals (ɛNd(t)=0.9±0.8 versus −11.5±0.5). The mineralized weathering crusts inherited REE signature of the granites, but show more Ce depletion and more overall concentration of the REE. We propose, therefore, that highly oxidized, REE-rich fluids, derived from external, isotopically depleted sources, metasomatized the granites, which resulted in Ce depletion as Ce4+ and enrichment of the remaining REE, especially the HREE, contributing to formation of a globally important REE resource. PMID:28220784

Experimental and modeling studies of sorption of ceria nanoparticle on microbial biofilms.

PubMed

Jing, Hengye; Mezgebe, Bineyam; Aly Hassan, Ashraf; Sahle-Demessie, Endalkachew; Sorial, George A; Bennett-Stamper, Christina

2014-06-01

This study focuses on the interaction of ceria nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) with Pseudomonas fluorescens and Mycobacterium smegmatis biofilms. Confocal laser microscopy and transmission electron microscopy determined the distribution of NPs in the complex structures of biofilm at molecular levels. Visual data showed that most of the adsorption takes place on the bacterial cell walls and spores. The interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with biofilms reached equilibrium after the initial high adsorption rate regardless of biofilm heterogeneity and different nanoparticle concentrations in the bulk liquid. Physical processes may dominate this sorption phenomenon. Pseudo first order sorption kinetics was used to estimate adsorption and desorption rate of CeO2-NPs onto biofilms. When biofilms got exposed to CeO2-NPs, a self-protecting mechanism was observed. Cells moved away from the bulk solution in the biofilm matrix, and portions of biofilm outer layer were detached, hence releasing some CeO2-NPs back to the bulk phase. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Electrophoretic separation techniques and their hyphenation to mass spectrometry in biological inorganic chemistry.

PubMed

Holtkamp, Hannah; Grabmann, Gerlinde; Hartinger, Christian G

2016-04-01

Electrophoretic methods have been widely applied in research on the roles of metal complexes in biological systems. In particular, CE, often hyphenated to a sensitive MS detector, has provided valuable information on the modes of action of metal-based pharmaceuticals, and more recently new methods have been added to the electrophoretic toolbox. The range of applications continues to expand as a result of enhanced CE-to-MS interfacing, with sensitivity often at picomolar level, and evolved separation modes allowing for innovative sample analysis. This article is a followup to previous reviews about CE methods in metallodrug research (Electrophoresis, 2003, 24, 2023-2037; Electrophoresis, 2007, 28, 3436-3446; Electrophoresis, 2012, 33, 622-634), also providing a comprehensive overview of metal species studied by electrophoretic methods hyphenated to MS. It highlights the latest CE developments, takes a sneak peek into gel electrophoresis, traces biomolecule labeling, and focuses on the importance of early-stage drug development. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Brain natriuretic peptide predicts functional outcome in ischemic stroke

PubMed Central

Rost, Natalia S; Biffi, Alessandro; Cloonan, Lisa; Chorba, John; Kelly, Peter; Greer, David; Ellinor, Patrick; Furie, Karen L

2011-01-01

Background Elevated serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been associated with cardioembolic (CE) stroke and increased post-stroke mortality. We sought to determine whether BNP levels were associated with functional outcome after ischemic stroke. Methods We measured BNP in consecutive patients aged ≥18 years admitted to our Stroke Unit between 2002–2005. BNP quintiles were used for analysis. Stroke subtypes were assigned using TOAST criteria. Outcomes were measured as 6-month modified Rankin Scale score (“good outcome” = 0–2 vs. “poor”) as well as mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess association between the quintiles of BNP and outcomes. Predictive performance of BNP as compared to clinical model alone was assessed by comparing ROC curves. Results Of 569 ischemic stroke patients, 46% were female; mean age was 67.9 ± 15 years. In age- and gender-adjusted analysis, elevated BNP was associated with lower ejection fraction (p<0.0001) and left atrial dilatation (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, elevated BNP decreased the odds of good functional outcome (OR 0.64, 95%CI 0.41–0.98) and increased the odds of death (OR 1.75, 95%CI 1.36–2.24) in these patients. Addition of BNP to multivariate models increased their predictive performance for functional outcome (p=0.013) and mortality (p<0.03) after CE stroke. Conclusions Serum BNP levels are strongly associated with CE stroke and functional outcome at 6 months after ischemic stroke. Inclusion of BNP improved prediction of mortality in patients with CE stroke. PMID:22116811

Heart rate and perceived exertion during self-selected intensities for exergaming compared to traditional exercise in college-age participants.

PubMed

Kraft, Justin A; Russell, William D; Bowman, Tracy A; Selsor, Clifford W; Foster, Grant D

2011-06-01

Exergames may be useful for promoting physical activity in younger populations. Heart rate (HRs) responses and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at self-selected intensities were compared in college-age participants during 2 modes of exergame activity vs. traditional exercise. Thirty-seven participants (men: 20, women: 17) completed 3 30-minute self-selected intensity trials: (a) video game interactive bicycle ergometer (GB) (CatEye GB300), (b) interactive video dance game (Dance Dance Revolution [DDR]), and (c) traditional cycle ergometer (CE) while watching television. Mean HR, peak HR (PkHR), and minutes above target HR (THR) were significantly higher for GB (144 ± 22 b · min(-1) [57% HR reserve (HRR)], 161 ± 23 b · min(-1), and 22.5 ± 11.1 minutes) than for DDR (119 ± 16 b · min(-1) [37% HRR], 138 ± 20 b · min(-1), and 11.2 ± 11.9 minutes) or for CE (126 ± 20 b · min(-1) [42% HRR], 144 ± 24 b · min(-1), and 14.2 ± 12.6 minutes). The RPE was significantly higher for GB (4.2 ± 1.5) and CE (3.8 ± 1.2) than for DDR (2.7 ± 1.3). Recovery HR (RecHR) (15 minutes postexercise) was significantly higher for GB (91 ± 14 b · min(-1)) than for DDR (80 ± 11 b · min(-1)) and neared significance vs. CE (84 ± 14 b · min(-1), p = 0.059). No difference in PkHR, RecHR, or minutes above THR was observed between DDR and CE. Session RPE was significantly higher for GB (4.6 ± 1.7) and CE (4.1 ± 1.6) than for DDR (2.8 ± 1.5). All modes elicited extended proportions of time above THR; GB: 75%, DDR: 37%, and CE: 47%. Results support that exergames are capable of eliciting physiological responses necessary for fitness improvements. Practitioners might consider exergames as periodic activity options for clients needing motivation to be regularly active.

Early-Ming Era tsunami destruction along the Northern Coast of Aceh, Indonesia: New evidence from Archeology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sieh, K.; Daly, P.; McKinnon, E. E.; Tai, Y. S.; Feener, R. M.; Ishmail, N.

2017-12-01

Our colleagues and we have reconstructed partial earthquake and tsunami histories along the coast of Aceh, Sumatra. Chlieh et al (2006) documented and modeled deformation of offshore islands associated with the 2004 rupture. Meltzner et al (2010) found coral evidence of uplifts in 1394±2 and 1450±3 CE. Sieh et al. (2015) documented associated tsunami that destroyed a structure built in 1366±3 CE, 40 km east of Banda Aceh at Lamreh. Since 2015, our landscape archaeology survey of 43 coastal villages over a 40-km reach of the coast has revealed 995 archaeological sites ranging from 10th century to present and containing over 5,000 carved gravestones and 50,000 ceramic sherds. The distribution of ceramic material suggests 7 discrete areas of cultural activity before the 1394 tsunami. Six of these appear to be villages that used imported ceramics and have been populated since the 10th century. However, detailed analysis indicates a clear reduction in activity between 1360 and 1450 CE. This suggests that one or both of the 1394 and 1450 tsunami disrupted the villages. The distribution of post-1500 CE ceramic material shows a gradual repopulation of pre-tsunami sites and a significant expansion of activity starting at the end of the 16th Century, for all areas except Lamreh. Only at on the elevated Lambaro highlands, above modern Lamreh, does material conclusively date between the 1394 and 1450 CE tsunamis. This historic trading site of "Lambri" contains large quantities of ceramics ranging from the early 11th century until the early 16th century, including precisely dated early-Ming (1403-1425 CE) material, some of which is distinctive imperial trade ceramics. We suspect that after the 1394 tsunami destroyed the other coastal settlements, the relatively safe highlands of Lambri were the only areas of the coast utilized for at least 50 years. After about 1450 CE, however, these highlands were abandoned, while the low-lying coastal communities began once again to flourish. For more details, please visit our poster.

The Little Ice Age and its Spatial Variability across the Balkans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulkarni, C.; Peteet, D. M.; Boger, R. A.

2015-12-01

Using biological proxies (pollen, spores, and charcoal), geochemical signals through X-ray fluorescence, and AMS 14C based chronology, we present a correlation between two new high resolution Little Ice Age (LIA) records from the Central Balkans that are part of one of the least studied regions of Europe. The sediments extracted from a western sinkhole and central Serbian oxbow lake are analyzed at 8-10-cm intervals to capture the nature and magnitude of the LIA at a resolution of 20 years. During the 15th-19th CE, indigenous tree (e.g. Quercus, Acer, Pinus) and herbaceous (e.g. Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Artemisia) pollen from these records demonstrate fluctuations in woodland-grassland dynamics. While tree populations from Central Serbia remain comparatively stable (40-60%), the trees of western Serbia vacillate drastically between 15% and 50%. Similarly, central Serbian grasses show variations of ~18-36% whereas the western Serbian grass populations exhibit abrupt oscillations between high (55%) and low (19%) percentages. As a proxy for surface erosion and clastic input into the lakes, the 1-cm resolution potassium and titanium counts are in strong agreement with varying herbaceous taxa. These variations in ecological signals across the cores can account for local factors including altitude, terrain exposure, soils etc., however, the dynamic human component of the landscape is evident through crop pollen (e.g. Cerealia, Juglans) and microscopic charcoal highlighting the dominant role of people in ecological changes. Although the two sites show certain differences in charcoal concentration, extremely high charcoal indicates accelerated land clearance between the 15th and 17th CE. Until the beginning of 18th CE, the cultivars (e.g. Secale, Triticum) occur with very low percentages and then peak to suggest improved agriculture in the region. In the post-LIA era, the 20th CE exhibits increased arboreal percentages and declining grasslands in both the two Central Balkan records.

Native American depopulation, reforestation, and fire regimes in the Southwest United States, 1492-1900 CE.

PubMed

Liebmann, Matthew J; Farella, Joshua; Roos, Christopher I; Stack, Adam; Martini, Sarah; Swetnam, Thomas W

2016-02-09

Native American populations declined between 1492 and 1900 CE, instigated by the European colonization of the Americas. However, the magnitude, tempo, and ecological effects of this depopulation remain the source of enduring debates. Recently, scholars have linked indigenous demographic decline, Neotropical reforestation, and shifting fire regimes to global changes in climate, atmosphere, and the Early Anthropocene hypothesis. In light of these studies, we assess these processes in conifer-dominated forests of the Southwest United States. We compare light detection and ranging data, archaeology, dendrochronology, and historical records from the Jemez Province of New Mexico to quantify population losses, establish dates of depopulation events, and determine the extent and timing of forest regrowth and fire regimes between 1492 and 1900. We present a new formula for the estimation of Pueblo population based on architectural remains and apply this formula to 18 archaeological sites in the Jemez Province. A dendrochronological study of remnant wood establishes dates of terminal occupation at these sites. By combining our results with historical records, we report a model of pre- and post-Columbian population dynamics in the Jemez Province. Our results indicate that the indigenous population of the Jemez Province declined by 87% following European colonization but that this reduction occurred nearly a century after initial contact. Depopulation also triggered an increase in the frequency of extensive surface fires between 1640 and 1900. Ultimately, this study illustrates the quality of integrated archaeological and paleoecological data needed to assess the links between Native American population decline and ecological change after European contact.

Native American depopulation, reforestation, and fire regimes in the Southwest United States, 1492–1900 CE

PubMed Central

Liebmann, Matthew J.; Farella, Joshua; Roos, Christopher I.; Stack, Adam; Martini, Sarah

2016-01-01

Native American populations declined between 1492 and 1900 CE, instigated by the European colonization of the Americas. However, the magnitude, tempo, and ecological effects of this depopulation remain the source of enduring debates. Recently, scholars have linked indigenous demographic decline, Neotropical reforestation, and shifting fire regimes to global changes in climate, atmosphere, and the Early Anthropocene hypothesis. In light of these studies, we assess these processes in conifer-dominated forests of the Southwest United States. We compare light detection and ranging data, archaeology, dendrochronology, and historical records from the Jemez Province of New Mexico to quantify population losses, establish dates of depopulation events, and determine the extent and timing of forest regrowth and fire regimes between 1492 and 1900. We present a new formula for the estimation of Pueblo population based on architectural remains and apply this formula to 18 archaeological sites in the Jemez Province. A dendrochronological study of remnant wood establishes dates of terminal occupation at these sites. By combining our results with historical records, we report a model of pre- and post-Columbian population dynamics in the Jemez Province. Our results indicate that the indigenous population of the Jemez Province declined by 87% following European colonization but that this reduction occurred nearly a century after initial contact. Depopulation also triggered an increase in the frequency of extensive surface fires between 1640 and 1900. Ultimately, this study illustrates the quality of integrated archaeological and paleoecological data needed to assess the links between Native American population decline and ecological change after European contact. PMID:26811459

Intergenerational responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to cerium oxide nanoparticles exposure

DOE PAGES

Rico, Cyren M.; Johnson, Mark G.; Marcus, Matthew A.; ...

2017-02-06

The intergenerational impact of engineered nanomaterials in plants is a major knowledge gap in the literature. A soil microcosm study was performed to assess the effects of multi-generational exposure of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 -NPs). Seeds from plants that were exposed to 0, 125, and 500 mg CeO 2-NPs kg -1 soil (Ce-0, Ce-125 or Ce-500, respectively) in first generation (S1) were cultivated in factorial combinations of Ce-0, Ce-125 or Ce-500 to produce second generation (S2) plants. The factorial combinations for first/second generation treatments in Ce-125 were S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-0, S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-125, S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-0 and S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-125, and inmore » Ce-500 were S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-0, S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-500, S1-Ce-500/S2-Ce-0 and S1-Ce-500/S2-Ce-500. Agronomic, elemental, isotopic, and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) data were collected on second generation plants. Results showed that plants treated during the first generation only with either Ce-125 or Ce-500 (e.g. S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-0 or S1-Ce-500/S2-Ce-0) had reduced accumulation of Ce (61 or 50%), Fe (49 or 58%) and Mn (34 or 41%) in roots, and δ 15 N (11 or 8%) in grains compared to the plants not treated in both generations (i.e. S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-0). Plants treated in both generations with Ce-125 (i.e. S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-125) produced grains that had lower Mn, Ca, K, Mg and P relative to plants treated in the second generation only (i.e. S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-125). In addition, synchrotron XRF elemental chemistry maps of soil/plant thin-sections revealed limited transformation of CeO 2-NPs with no evidence of plant uptake or accumulation. The findings demonstrated that first generation exposure of wheat to CeO 2-NPs affects the physiology and nutrient profile of the second generation plants. However, the lack of concentration-dependent responses indicate that complex physiological processes are involved which alter uptake and metabolism of CeO 2-NPs in wheat.« less

Intergenerational responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to cerium oxide nanoparticles exposure

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

Rico, Cyren M.; Johnson, Mark G.; Marcus, Matthew A.

The intergenerational impact of engineered nanomaterials in plants is a major knowledge gap in the literature. A soil microcosm study was performed to assess the effects of multi-generational exposure of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 -NPs). Seeds from plants that were exposed to 0, 125, and 500 mg CeO 2-NPs kg -1 soil (Ce-0, Ce-125 or Ce-500, respectively) in first generation (S1) were cultivated in factorial combinations of Ce-0, Ce-125 or Ce-500 to produce second generation (S2) plants. The factorial combinations for first/second generation treatments in Ce-125 were S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-0, S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-125, S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-0 and S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-125, and inmore » Ce-500 were S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-0, S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-500, S1-Ce-500/S2-Ce-0 and S1-Ce-500/S2-Ce-500. Agronomic, elemental, isotopic, and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) data were collected on second generation plants. Results showed that plants treated during the first generation only with either Ce-125 or Ce-500 (e.g. S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-0 or S1-Ce-500/S2-Ce-0) had reduced accumulation of Ce (61 or 50%), Fe (49 or 58%) and Mn (34 or 41%) in roots, and δ 15 N (11 or 8%) in grains compared to the plants not treated in both generations (i.e. S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-0). Plants treated in both generations with Ce-125 (i.e. S1-Ce-125/S2-Ce-125) produced grains that had lower Mn, Ca, K, Mg and P relative to plants treated in the second generation only (i.e. S1-Ce-0/S2-Ce-125). In addition, synchrotron XRF elemental chemistry maps of soil/plant thin-sections revealed limited transformation of CeO 2-NPs with no evidence of plant uptake or accumulation. The findings demonstrated that first generation exposure of wheat to CeO 2-NPs affects the physiology and nutrient profile of the second generation plants. However, the lack of concentration-dependent responses indicate that complex physiological processes are involved which alter uptake and metabolism of CeO 2-NPs in wheat.« less

What is the most cost-effective population-based cancer screening program for Chinese women?

PubMed

Woo, Pauline P S; Kim, Jane J; Leung, Gabriel M

2007-02-20

To develop a policy-relevant generalized cost-effectiveness (CE) model of population-based cancer screening for Chinese women. Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted and associated screening and treatment costs under population-based screening using cervical cytology (cervical cancer), mammography (breast cancer), and fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, FOBT plus sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy (colorectal cancer) were estimated, from which average and incremental CE ratios were generated. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was undertaken to assess stochasticity, parameter uncertainty, and model assumptions. Cervical, breast, and colorectal cancers were together responsible for 13,556 DALYs (in a 1:4:3 ratio, respectively) in Hong Kong's 3.4 million female population annually. All status quo strategies were dominated, thus confirming the suboptimal efficiency of opportunistic screening. Current patterns of screening averted 471 DALYs every year, which could potentially be more than doubled to 1,161 DALYs under the same screening and treatment budgetary threshold of US $50 million with 100% Pap coverage every 4 years and 30% coverage of colonoscopy every 10 years. With higher budgetary caps, biennial mammographic screening starting at age 50 years can be introduced. Our findings have informed how best to achieve allocative efficiency in deploying scarce cancer care dollars but must be coupled with better integrated care planning, improved intersectoral coordination, increased resources, and stronger political will to realize the potential health and economic gains as demonstrated.

Single cell transcriptome analysis of MCF-7 reveals consistently and inconsistently expressed gene groups each associated with distinct cellular localization and functions

PubMed Central

Chen, Tzu-Han; Shiau, Hsin-Chieh

2018-01-01

Single cell transcriptome (SCT) analysis provides superior resolution to illustrate tumor cell heterogeneity for clinical implications. We characterized four SCTs of MCF-7 using 143 housekeeping genes (HKGs) as control, of which lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) expression is silenced. These SCT libraries mapped to 11,423, 11,486, 10,380, and 11,306 RefSeq genes (UCSC), respectively. High consistency in HKG expression levels across all four SCTs, along with transcriptional silencing of LDHB, was observed, suggesting a high sensitivity and reproducibility of the SCT analysis. Cross-library comparison on expression levels by scatter plotting revealed a linear correlation and an 83–94% overlap in transcript isoforms and expressed genes were also observed. To gain insight of transcriptional diversity among the SCTs, expressed genes were split into consistently expressed (CE) (expressed in all SCTs) and inconsistently expressed (IE) (expressed in some but not all SCTs) genes for further characterization, along with the 142 expressed HKGs as a reference. Distinct transcriptional strengths were found among these groups, with averages of 1,612.0, 88.0 and 1.2 FPKM for HKGs, CE and IE, respectively. Comparison between CE and IE groups further indicated that expressions of CE genes vary more significantly than that of IE genes. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that proteins encoded by CE genes are mainly involved in fundamental intracellular activities, while proteins encoded by IE genes are mainly for extracellular activities, especially acting as receptors or ion channels. The diversified gene expressions, especially for those encoded by IE genes, may contribute to cancer drug resistance. PMID:29920548

Fast passage dynamic nuclear polarization on rotating solids.

PubMed

Mentink-Vigier, Frederic; Akbey, Umit; Hovav, Yonatan; Vega, Shimon; Oschkinat, Hartmut; Feintuch, Akiva

2012-11-01

Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) has proven to be a very powerful way to improve the signal to noise ratio of NMR experiments on solids. The experiments have in general been interpreted considering the Solid-Effect (SE) and Cross-Effect (CE) DNP mechanisms while ignoring the influence of sample spinning. In this paper, we show experimental data of MAS-DNP enhancements of (1)H and (13)C in proline and SH3 protein in glass forming water/glycerol solvent containing TOTAPOL. We also introduce a theoretical model that aims at explaining how the nuclear polarization is built in MAS-DNP experiments. By using Liouville space based simulations to include relaxation on two simple spin models, {electron-nucleus} and {electron-electron-nucleus}, we explain how the basic MAS-SE-DNP and MAS-CE-DNP processes work. The importance of fast energy passages and short level anti-crossing is emphasized and the differences between static DNP and MAS-DNP is explained. During a single rotor cycle the enhancement in the {electron-electron-nucleus} system arises from MAS-CE-DNP involving at least three kinds of two-level fast passages: an electron-electron dipolar anti-crossing, a single quantum electron MW encounter and an anti-crossing at the CE condition inducing nuclear polarization in- or decrements. Numerical, powder-averaged, simulations were performed in order to check the influence of the experimental parameters on the enhancement efficiencies. In particular we show that the spinning frequency dependence of the theoretical MAS-CE-DNP enhancement compares favorably with the experimental (1)H and (13)C MAS-DNP enhancements of proline and SH3. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rimonabant Precipitates Anxiety in Rats Withdrawn from Palatable Food: Role of the Central Amygdala

PubMed Central

Blasio, Angelo; Iemolo, Attilio; Sabino, Valentina; Petrosino, Stefania; Steardo, Luca; Rice, Kenner C; Orlando, Pierangelo; Iannotti, Fabio Arturo; Di Marzo, Vincenzo; Zorrilla, Eric P; Cottone, Pietro

2013-01-01

The anti-obesity medication rimonabant, an antagonist of cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptor, was withdrawn from the market because of adverse psychiatric side effects, including a negative affective state. We investigated whether rimonabant precipitates a negative emotional state in rats withdrawn from palatable food cycling. The effects of systemic administration of rimonabant on anxiety-like behavior, food intake, body weight, and adrenocortical activation were assessed in female rats during withdrawal from chronic palatable diet cycling. The levels of the endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and the CB1 receptor mRNA and the protein in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) were also investigated. Finally, the effects of microinfusion of rimonabant in the CeA on anxiety-like behavior, and food intake were assessed. Systemic administration of rimonabant precipitated anxiety-like behavior and anorexia of the regular chow diet in rats withdrawn from palatable diet cycling, independently from the degree of adrenocortical activation. These behavioral observations were accompanied by increased 2-AG, CB1 receptor mRNA, and protein levels selectively in the CeA. Finally, rimonabant, microinfused directly into the CeA, precipitated anxiety-like behavior and anorexia. Our data show that (i) the 2-AG-CB1 receptor system within the CeA is recruited during abstinence from palatable diet cycling as a compensatory mechanism to dampen anxiety, and (ii) rimonabant precipitates a negative emotional state by blocking the beneficial heightened 2-AG-CB1 receptor signaling in this brain area. These findings help elucidate the link between compulsive eating and anxiety, and it will be valuable to develop better pharmacological treatments for eating disorders and obesity. PMID:23793355

The public mock oral: a useful tool for examinees and the audience in preparation for the American Board of Surgery Certifying Examination.

PubMed

Aboulian, Armen; Schwartz, Samuel; Kaji, Amy H; de Virgilio, Christian

2010-01-01

The objective of the study was to investigate the value of an educational program instituted in our general surgery residency training in preparation for the American Board of Surgery (ABS) Certifying Examination (CE). From 2006 to 2009, a series of public mock oral examinations were administered by the program director to PGY residents 4 through 6 on a variety of surgery topics in front of all residents, faculty, and medical students. Anonymous surveys (5-point Likert scale) were collected from both the examinees and the audience to determine the perceived utility of the mock oral. Performance on the ABS CE for residents who partook in the program was compared with the five previous years. The study was undertaken at Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, a level I trauma center in Los Angeles County. Overall 201 surveys were collected, 170 from the audience and 31 from examinees. The surveys demonstrated a high and equal level of satisfaction for both examinees (4.8) and the audience (4.6, p = 0.12). First-time pass rates on the ABS CE increased from 88% (38/43) before the public mock oral to 100% (19/19) after the mock oral (p = 0.3). The mock oral examination, which is conducted in a conference format in front of an audience of faculty and trainees, is a valuable educational tool as it helps both the examinee and the audience in preparation for the ABS CE. In addition, it has an educational value for those who are not preparing for the CE as it is perceived to expand surgical knowledge. Copyright 2010 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Extended late Holocene relative sea-level histories for North Carolina, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kemp, Andrew C.; Kegel, Jessica J.; Culver, Stephen J.; Barber, Donald C.; Mallinson, David J.; Leorri, Eduardo; Bernhardt, Christopher E.; Cahill, Niamh; Riggs, Stanley R.; Woodson, Anna L.; Mulligan, Ryan P.; Horton, Benjamin P.

2017-01-01

We produced ∼3000-year long relative sea-level (RSL) histories for two sites in North Carolina (USA) using foraminifera preserved in new and existing cores of dated salt-marsh sediment. At Cedar Island, RSL rose by ∼2.4 m during the past ∼3000 years compared to ∼3.3 m at Roanoke Island. This spatial difference arises primarily from differential GIA that caused late Holocene RSL rise to be 0.1–0.2 mm/yr faster at Roanoke Island than at Cedar Island. However, a non-linear difference in RSL between the two study regions (particularly from ∼0 CE to ∼1250 CE) indicates that additional local- to regional-scale processes drove centennial-scale RSL change in North Carolina. Therefore, the Cedar Island and Roanoke Island records should be considered as independent of one another. Between-site differences on sub-millennial timescales cannot be adequately explained by non-stationary tides, sediment compaction, or local sediment dynamics. We propose that a period of accelerating RSL rise from ∼600 CE to 1100 CE that is present at Roanoke Island (and other sites north of Cape Hatteras at least as far as Connecticut), but absent at Cedar Island (and other sites south of Cape Hatteras at least as far as northeastern Florida) is a local-to regional-scale effect of dynamic ocean and/or atmospheric circulation.

Extended late Holocene relative sea-level histories for North Carolina, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kemp, Andrew C.; Kegel, Jessica J.; Culver, Stephen J.; Barber, Donald C.; Mallinson, David J.; Leorri, Eduardo; Bernhardt, Christopher E.; Cahill, Niamh; Riggs, Stanley R.; Woodson, Anna L.; Mulligan, Ryan P.; Horton, Benjamin P.

2017-03-01

We produced ∼3000-year long relative sea-level (RSL) histories for two sites in North Carolina (USA) using foraminifera preserved in new and existing cores of dated salt-marsh sediment. At Cedar Island, RSL rose by ∼2.4 m during the past ∼3000 years compared to ∼3.3 m at Roanoke Island. This spatial difference arises primarily from differential GIA that caused late Holocene RSL rise to be 0.1-0.2 mm/yr faster at Roanoke Island than at Cedar Island. However, a non-linear difference in RSL between the two study regions (particularly from ∼0 CE to ∼1250 CE) indicates that additional local- to regional-scale processes drove centennial-scale RSL change in North Carolina. Therefore, the Cedar Island and Roanoke Island records should be considered as independent of one another. Between-site differences on sub-millennial timescales cannot be adequately explained by non-stationary tides, sediment compaction, or local sediment dynamics. We propose that a period of accelerating RSL rise from ∼600 CE to 1100 CE that is present at Roanoke Island (and other sites north of Cape Hatteras at least as far as Connecticut), but absent at Cedar Island (and other sites south of Cape Hatteras at least as far as northeastern Florida) is a local-to regional-scale effect of dynamic ocean and/or atmospheric circulation.

Effect of Al/Ga substitution on the structural and luminescence properties of Y3(Al1-xGax)5O12: Ce3+ phosphors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Sheng; Tan, Jin; Bai, Xin; Yang, Shanjie; You, Lei; Du, Zhengkang

2018-01-01

As candidates for display and lighting materials, a series of gallium-substituted cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Y3(GaxAl1-x)5O12: Ce3+) phosphors were synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction. The phases, morphology, luminescence spectra and thermal stability of the phosphors were investigated. The volatilization of Ga2O3 induces the constituents out of stoichiometric ratio and different impurities in the system. The excitation and emission spectra occur red shift (339 nm - 351 nm) and blue shift (465 nm - 437 nm), and blue shift (541 nm - 517 nm), respectively. The spectra have no further blue shift and the luminescence intensity decrease with x over 0.4. Combining crystal structure with PL spectrum, the distortion of dodecahedron and crystal field splitting of 5d level of Ce3+ are influenced by Ga3+ in octahedral coordination polyhedron rather than tetrahedron. The crystalline perfection and Ga3+ occupying the tetrahedron induce less garnet phase formation, more impurities and the 5d level located in the conductive bands, thus accounting for the x = 0.4 turning points of the PL and PLE intensity. Based on the thermal quenching and CIE, the Y3(GaxAl1-x)5O12: Ce3+0.06 phosphors have great potential for use on the w-LED.

Cystic echinococcosis amongst small ruminants and humans in central Ethiopia.

PubMed

Assefa, Habtamu; Mulate, Belay; Nazir, Shahid; Alemayehu, Alula

2015-08-21

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in small ruminants and humans in Addis Ababa, central Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study involving systematic random sampling was conducted to estimate the prevalence of CE in 512 small ruminants (262 sheep and 250 goats) slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise between October 2011 and March 2012. Hydatid cysts were identified macroscopically during postmortem examination and their fertility and viability were determined. CE was observed in 21 (8.02%) sheep and 17 (6.80%) goats. In sheep 13 (4.96%) of the lungs, 10 (3.81%) livers and 1 (0.381%) heart were found to be infected with hydatid cysts. Involvement of lung and liver in goats was found to be 10 (4.0%) and 8 (3.2%) respectively, with no cysts recorded in the heart. Of the total of 77 and 47 cysts encountered in sheep and goats, 33 (42.85%) and 15 (31.91%) respectively were fertile. Viability of protoscoleces from fertile cysts in sheep (29 [87.87%]) was higher than in goats (6 [40.0%]). For humans, retrospective analysis covering five years of case reports at two major hospitals in Addis Ababa between January 2008 and December 2012 showed that of the total of 25 840 patients admitted for ultrasound examination, 27 CE cases were registered, a prevalence of 0.1% and mean annual incidence rate of approximately 0.18 cases per 100 000 population. Liver was the major organ affected in humans (81.5% in affected patients) followed by spleen (11.1%) and kidney (7.4%). Logistic regression analysis showed that prevalence of CE varied significantly in relation to host age in the small ruminants (OR = 3.93, P < 0.05) as well as in humans (95% CI, R = 4.8). This epidemiological study confirms the importance of CE in small ruminants and humans in central Ethiopia, emphasising the need for integrated approaches to controlling this neglected preventable disease.

Ancient and recent Middle Eastern maternal genetic contribution to North Africa as viewed by mtDNA diversity in Tunisian Arab populations.

PubMed

Elkamel, Sarra; Boussetta, Sami; Khodjet-El-Khil, Houssein; Benammar Elgaaied, Amel; Cherni, Lotfi

2018-05-01

Through previous mitochondrial DNA studies, the Middle Eastern maternal genetic contribution to Tunisian populations appears limited. In fact, most of the studied communities were cosmopolitan, or of Berber or Andalusian origin. To provide genetic evidence for the actual contribution of Middle Eastern mtDNA lineages to Tunisia, we focused on two Arab speaking populations from Kairouan and Wesletia known to belong to an Arab genealogical lineage. A total of 114 samples were sequenced for the mtDNA HVS-I and HVS-II regions. Using these data, we evaluated the distribution of Middle Eastern haplogroups in the study populations, constructed interpolation maps, and established phylogenetic networks allowing estimation of the coalescence time for three specific Middle Eastern subclades (R0a, J1b, and T1). Both studied populations displayed North African genetic structure and Middle Eastern lineages with a frequency of 12% and 28.12% in Kairouan and Wesletia, respectively. TMRCA estimates for haplogroups T1a, R0a, and J1b in Tunisian Arabian samples were around 15 000 YBP, 9000 to 5000 YBP, and 960 to 600 YBP, respectively. The Middle Eastern maternal genetic contribution to Tunisian populations, as to other North African populations, occurred mostly in deep prehistory. They were brought in different migration waves during the Upper Paleolithic, probably with the expansion of Iberomaurusian culture, and during Epipaleolithic and Early Neolithic periods, which are concomitant with the Capsian civilization. Middle Eastern lineages also came to Tunisia during the recent Islamic expansion of the 7th CE and the subsequent massive Bedouin migration during the 11th CE. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prevalence of acute repetitive seizures (ARS) in the United Kingdom.

PubMed

Martinez, Carlos; Sullivan, Tim; Hauser, W Allen

2009-12-01

"Acute repetitive seizures" (ARS) is a term to describe a condition manifest by multiple seizures occurring over a relatively brief period of time -generally 24 hours- in patients with epilepsy. There is limited information regarding the epidemiology of ARS in the general population. We performed a historical cohort study using data from the United Kingdom General Practice Research Database (GPRD) to identify all incident and prevalent cases of active epilepsy in 2005. From among this group, we identified individuals at risk for ARS. This included those with "catastrophic epilepsy syndromes of childhood" (CE), and those with a history of seizure clustering in the context of other epilepsy syndromes. We identified 21,010 people with active epilepsy in the GPRD in 2005; prevalence 7.2/1000; age adjusted to the European Standard Population, 6.7; incidence 50/100,000 per year, age-adjusted 48/100,000. We identified 665 people at risk for ARS. The prevalence of CE in the general population was 1.2/10,000 and that of cluster seizures was 1.1/10,000. We estimated the crude prevalence of ARS in the general population to be 2.3/10,000; age adjusted 2.5 (CI, 2.3-2.7. The prevalence of ARS was highest in those 0-4 years of age (5.9/10,000) and fell with advancing age to 0.5/10,000 in those age 70 and older). This is the first population-based study to provide information on the prevalence of ARS. ARS affects about 3% of the population with epilepsy and 0.02% of the general population. More studies are needed to further evaluate this serious epilepsy phenomenon.

Ca2 Al2 SiO7 :Ce3+ phosphors for mechanoluminescence dosimetry.

PubMed

Tiwari, Geetanjali; Brahme, Nameeta; Sharma, Ravi; Bisen, D P; Sao, Sanjay Kumar; Sahu, Ishwar Prasad

2016-12-01

A series of Ce 3+ ion single-doped Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 phosphors was synthesized by a combustion-assisted method at an initiating temperature of 600 °C. The samples were annealed at 1100 °C for 3 h and their X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed a tetragonal structure. The phase structure, particle size, surface morphology and elemental analysis were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy techniques. Thermoluminescence (TL) intensity increased with increase in ultraviolet (UV) light exposure time up to 15 min. With further increase in the UV irradiation time the TL intensity decreases. The increase in TL intensity indicates that trap concentration increased with UV exposure time. A broad peak at 121 °C suggested the existence of a trapping level. The peak of mechanoluminescence (ML) intensity versus time curve increased linearly with increasing impact velocity of the moving piston. Mechanoluminescence intensity increased with increase in UV irradiation time up to 15 min. Under UV-irradiation excitation, the TL and ML emission spectra of Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 :Ce 3+ phosphor showed the characteristic emission of Ce 3+ peaking at 400 nm (UV-violet) and originating from the Ce 3+ transitions of 5d-4f ( 2 F 5/2 and 2 F 7/2 ). The photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra for Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 :Ce 3+ were similar to the ML/TL emission spectra. The mechanism of ML excitation and the suitability of the Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 :Ce 3+ phosphor for radiation dosimetry are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Optimization of sintering conditions for cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cranston, Robert Wesley McEachern

YAG:Ce phosphors have become widely used as blue/yellow light converters in camera projectors, white light emitting diodes (WLEDs) and general lighting applications. Many studies have been published on the production, characterization, and analysis of this optical ceramic but few have been done on determining optimal synthesis conditions. In this work, YAG:Ce phosphors were synthesized through solid state mixing and sintering. The synthesized powders and the highest quality commercially available powders were pressed and sintered to high densities and their photoluminescence (PL) intensity measured. The optimization process involved the sintering temperature, sintering time, annealing temperature and the level of Ce concentration. In addition to the PL intensity, samples were also characterized using particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PL data was compared with data produced from a YAG:Ce phosphor sample provided by Christie Digital. The peak intensities of the samples were converted to a relative percentage of this industry product. The highest value for the intensity of the commercial powder was measured for a Ce concentration of 0.3 mole% with a sintering temperature of 1540°C and a sintering dwell time of 7 hours. The optimal processing parameters for the in-house synthesized powder were slightly different from those of commercial powders. The optimal Ce concentration was 0.4 mole% Ce, sintering temperature was 1560°C and sintering dwell time was 10 hours. These optimal conditions produced a relative intensity of 94.20% and 95.28% for the in-house and commercial powders respectively. Polishing of these samples resulted in an increase of 5% in the PL intensity.

Lung lavage therapy to lessen the biological effects of inhaled sup 144 Ce in dogs

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

Muggenburg, B.A.; Boecker, B.B.; Hahn, F.F.

1990-11-01

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of removal of an internally deposited radionuclide on long-term biological effects, lung lavage was used to treat dogs that had inhaled 144Ce in a relatively insoluble form, in fused aluminosilicate particles. Either 10 lung lavages were performed between Days 2 and 56 after exposure or 20 lung lavages were performed between Days 2 and 84 after exposure. Approximately one-half of the 144Ce was removed by the lavages, resulting in a corresponding reduction in the total absorbed beta dose to lung. The mean survival time of the treated dogs was 1270 days compared to 370 daysmore » for untreated dogs whose initial pulmonary burdens of 144Ce were similar. Treated dogs died late from cancers of the lung or liver, whereas the untreated dogs died at much earlier times from radiation pneumonitis. Dogs treated with lung lavage but not exposed to 144Ce had a mean survival of 4770 days. We concluded that removal of 144Ce from the lung by lavage resulted in increased survival time and in a change in the biological effects from inhaled 144Ce from early-occurring inflammatory disease to late-occurring effects, principally cancer. In addition, the biological effects occurring in the treated dogs could be better predicted from the total absorbed beta dose in the lung and the dose rate after treatment rather than from the original dose rate to the lung. Therefore, we concluded that prompt treatment to remove radioactive materials could be of significant benefit to persons accidentally exposed to high levels of airborne, relatively insoluble, radioactive particles.« less

Chronic ethanol exposure decreases CB1 receptor function at GABAergic synapses in the rat central amygdala

PubMed Central

Varodayan, Florence P.; Soni, Neeraj; Bajo, Michal; Luu, George; Madamba, Samuel G.; Schweitzer, Paul; Parsons, Loren H.; Roberto, Marisa

2015-01-01

The endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs) influence the acute response to ethanol and the development of tolerance, dependence and relapse. Chronic alcohol exposure alters eCB levels and type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) expression and function in brain regions associated with addiction. CB1 inhibits GABA release, and GABAergic dysregulation in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is critical in the transition to alcohol dependence. We investigated possible disruptions in CB1 signaling of rat CeA GABAergic transmission following intermittent ethanol exposure. In the CeA of alcohol-naïve rats, CB1 agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) decreased the frequency of spontaneous and miniature GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (s/mIPSCs). This effect was prevented by CB1 antagonism, but not type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2) antagonism. After 2–3 weeks of intermittent ethanol exposure, these WIN inhibitory effects were attenuated, suggesting ethanol-induced impairments in CB1 function. The CB1 antagonist AM251 revealed a tonic eCB/CB1 control of GABAergic transmission in the alcohol-naïve CeA that was occluded by calcium chelation in the postsynaptic cell. Chronic ethanol exposure abolished this tonic CB1 influence on mIPSC, but not sIPSC, frequency. Finally, acute ethanol increased CeA GABA release in both naïve and ethanol exposed rats. Although CB1 activation prevented this effect, the AM251- and ethanol-induced GABA release were additive, ruling out a direct participation of CB1 signaling in the ethanol effect. Collectively, these observations demonstrate an important CB1 influence on CeA GABAergic transmission and indicate that the CeA is particularly sensitive to alcohol-induced disruptions of CB1 signaling. PMID:25940135

Hydrogen separation through tailored dual phase membranes with nominal composition BaCe0.8Eu0.2O3-δ:Ce0.8Y0.2O2-δ at intermediate temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanova, Mariya E.; Escolástico, Sonia; Balaguer, Maria; Palisaitis, Justinas; Sohn, Yoo Jung; Meulenberg, Wilhelm A.; Guillon, Olivier; Mayer, Joachim; Serra, Jose M.

2016-11-01

Hydrogen permeation membranes are a key element in improving the energy conversion efficiency and decreasing the greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation. The scientific community faces the challenge of identifying and optimizing stable and effective ceramic materials for H2 separation membranes at elevated temperature (400-800 °C) for industrial separations and intensified catalytic reactors. As such, composite materials with nominal composition BaCe0.8Eu0.2O3-δ:Ce0.8Y0.2O2-δ revealed unprecedented H2 permeation levels of 0.4 to 0.61 mL·min-1·cm-2 at 700 °C measured on 500 μm-thick-specimen. A detailed structural and phase study revealed single phase perovskite and fluorite starting materials synthesized via the conventional ceramic route. Strong tendency of Eu to migrate from the perovskite to the fluorite phase was observed at sintering temperature, leading to significant Eu depletion of the proton conducing BaCe0.8Eu0.2O3-δ phase. Composite microstructure was examined prior and after a variety of functional tests, including electrical conductivity, H2-permeation and stability in CO2 containing atmospheres at elevated temperatures, revealing stable material without morphological and structural changes, with segregation-free interfaces and no further diffusive effects between the constituting phases. In this context, dual phase material based on BaCe0.8Eu0.2O3-δ:Ce0.8Y0.2O2-δ represents a very promising candidate for H2 separating membrane in energy- and environmentally-related applications.

Dealing with time-varying recruitment and length in Hill-type muscle models.

PubMed

Hamouda, Ahmed; Kenney, Laurence; Howard, David

2016-10-03

Hill-type muscle models are often used in muscle simulation studies and also in the design and virtual prototyping of functional electrical stimulation systems. These models have to behave in a sufficiently realistic manner when recruitment level and contractile element (CE) length change continuously. For this reason, most previous models have used instantaneous CE length in the muscle׳s force vs. length (F-L) relationship, but thereby neglect the instability problem on the descending limb (i.e. region of negative slope) of the F-L relationship. Ideally CE length at initial recruitment should be used but this requires a multiple-motor-unit muscle model to properly account for different motor-units having different initial lengths when recruited. None of the multiple-motor-unit models reported in the literature have used initial CE length in the muscle׳s F-L relationship, thereby also neglecting the descending limb instability problem. To address the problem of muscle modelling for continuously varying recruitment and length, and hence different values of initial CE length for different motor-units, a new multiple-motor-unit muscle model is presented which considers the muscle to comprise 1000 individual Hill-type virtual motor-units, which determine the total isometric force. Other parts of the model (F-V relationship and passive elements) are not dependent on the initial CE length and, therefore, they are implemented for the muscle as a whole rather than for the individual motor-units. The results demonstrate the potential errors introduced by using a single-motor-unit model and also the instantaneous CE length in the F-L relationship, both of which are common in FES control studies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Auditory Brainstem Responses for Click and CE-chirp Stimuli in Individuals with and without Occupational Noise Exposure

PubMed Central

Pushpalatha, Zeena Venkatacheluvaiah; Konadath, Sreeraj

2016-01-01

Introduction: Encoding of CE-chirp and click stimuli in auditory system was studied using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) among individuals with and without noise exposure. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of two groups. Group 1 (experimental group) consisted of 20 (40 ears) individuals exposed to occupational noise with hearing thresholds within 25 dB HL. They were further divided into three subgroups based on duration of noise exposure (0–5 years of exposure-T1, 5–10 years of exposure-T2, and >10 years of exposure-T3). Group 2 (control group) consisted of 20 individuals (40 ears). Absolute latency and amplitude of waves I, III, and V were compared between the two groups for both click and CE-chirp stimuli. T1, T2, and T3 groups were compared for the same parameters to see the effect of noise exposure duration on CE-chirp and click ABR. Result: In Click ABR, while both the parameters for wave III were significantly poorer for the experimental group, wave V showed a significant decline in terms of amplitude only. There was no significant difference obtained for any of the parameters for wave I. In CE-Chirp ABR, the latencies for all three waves were significantly prolonged in the experimental group. However, there was a significant decrease in terms of amplitude in only wave V for the same group. Discussion: Compared to click evoked ABR, CE-Chirp ABR was found to be more sensitive in comparison of latency parameters in individuals with occupational noise exposure. Monitoring of early pathological changes at the brainstem level can be studied effectively by using CE-Chirp stimulus in comparison to click stimulus. Conclusion: This study indicates that ABR's obtained with CE-chirp stimuli serves as an effective tool to identify the early pathological changes due to occupational noise exposure when compared to click evoked ABR. PMID:27762255

High resolution phoswich gamma-ray imager utilizing monolithic MPPC arrays with submillimeter pixelized crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kato, T.; Kataoka, J.; Nakamori, T.; Kishimoto, A.; Yamamoto, S.; Sato, K.; Ishikawa, Y.; Yamamura, K.; Kawabata, N.; Ikeda, H.; Kamada, K.

2013-05-01

We report the development of a high spatial resolution tweezers-type coincidence gamma-ray camera for medical imaging. This application consists of large-area monolithic Multi-Pixel Photon Counters (MPPCs) and submillimeter pixelized scintillator matrices. The MPPC array has 4 × 4 channels with a three-side buttable, very compact package. For typical operational gain of 7.5 × 105 at + 20 °C, gain fluctuation over the entire MPPC device is only ± 5.6%, and dark count rates (as measured at the 1 p.e. level) amount to <= 400 kcps per channel. We selected Ce-doped (Lu,Y)2(SiO4)O (Ce:LYSO) and a brand-new scintillator, Ce-doped Gd3Al2Ga3O12 (Ce:GAGG) due to their high light yield and density. To improve the spatial resolution, these scintillators were fabricated into 15 × 15 matrices of 0.5 × 0.5 mm2 pixels. The Ce:LYSO and Ce:GAGG scintillator matrices were assembled into phosphor sandwich (phoswich) detectors, and then coupled to the MPPC array along with an acrylic light guide measuring 1 mm thick, and with summing operational amplifiers that compile the signals into four position-encoded analog outputs being used for signal readout. Spatial resolution of 1.1 mm was achieved with the coincidence imaging system using a 22Na point source. These results suggest that the gamma-ray imagers offer excellent potential for applications in high spatial medical imaging.

Genome-wide analysis of ABA-responsive elements ABRE and CE3 reveals divergent patterns in Arabidopsis and rice

PubMed Central

Gómez-Porras, Judith L; Riaño-Pachón, Diego Mauricio; Dreyer, Ingo; Mayer, Jorge E; Mueller-Roeber, Bernd

2007-01-01

Background In plants, complex regulatory mechanisms are at the core of physiological and developmental processes. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is involved in the regulation of various such processes, including stomatal closure, seed and bud dormancy, and physiological responses to cold, drought and salinity stress. The underlying tissue or plant-wide control circuits often include combinatorial gene regulatory mechanisms and networks that we are only beginning to unravel with the help of new molecular tools. The increasing availability of genomic sequences and gene expression data enables us to dissect ABA regulatory mechanisms at the individual gene expression level. In this paper we used an in-silico-based approach directed towards genome-wide prediction and identification of specific features of ABA-responsive elements. In particular we analysed the genome-wide occurrence and positional arrangements of two well-described ABA-responsive cis-regulatory elements (CREs), ABRE and CE3, in thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa). Results Our results show that Arabidopsis and rice use the ABA-responsive elements ABRE and CE3 distinctively. Earlier reports for various monocots have identified CE3 as a coupling element (CE) associated with ABRE. Surprisingly, we found that while ABRE is equally abundant in both species, CE3 is practically absent in Arabidopsis. ABRE-ABRE pairs are common in both genomes, suggesting that these can form functional ABA-responsive complexes (ABRCs) in Arabidopsis and rice. Furthermore, we detected distinct combinations, orientation patterns and DNA strand preferences of ABRE and CE3 motifs in rice gene promoters. Conclusion Our computational analyses revealed distinct recruitment patterns of ABA-responsive CREs in upstream sequences of Arabidopsis and rice. The apparent absence of CE3s in Arabidopsis suggests that another CE pairs with ABRE to establish a functional ABRC capable of interacting with transcription factors. Further studies will be needed to test whether the observed differences are extrapolatable to monocots and dicots in general, and to understand how they contribute to the fine-tuning of the hormonal response. The outcome of our investigation can now be used to direct future experimentation designed to further dissect the ABA-dependent regulatory networks. PMID:17672917

Genome-wide analysis of ABA-responsive elements ABRE and CE3 reveals divergent patterns in Arabidopsis and rice.

PubMed

Gómez-Porras, Judith L; Riaño-Pachón, Diego Mauricio; Dreyer, Ingo; Mayer, Jorge E; Mueller-Roeber, Bernd

2007-08-01

In plants, complex regulatory mechanisms are at the core of physiological and developmental processes. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is involved in the regulation of various such processes, including stomatal closure, seed and bud dormancy, and physiological responses to cold, drought and salinity stress. The underlying tissue or plant-wide control circuits often include combinatorial gene regulatory mechanisms and networks that we are only beginning to unravel with the help of new molecular tools. The increasing availability of genomic sequences and gene expression data enables us to dissect ABA regulatory mechanisms at the individual gene expression level. In this paper we used an in-silico-based approach directed towards genome-wide prediction and identification of specific features of ABA-responsive elements. In particular we analysed the genome-wide occurrence and positional arrangements of two well-described ABA-responsive cis-regulatory elements (CREs), ABRE and CE3, in thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa). Our results show that Arabidopsis and rice use the ABA-responsive elements ABRE and CE3 distinctively. Earlier reports for various monocots have identified CE3 as a coupling element (CE) associated with ABRE. Surprisingly, we found that while ABRE is equally abundant in both species, CE3 is practically absent in Arabidopsis. ABRE-ABRE pairs are common in both genomes, suggesting that these can form functional ABA-responsive complexes (ABRCs) in Arabidopsis and rice. Furthermore, we detected distinct combinations, orientation patterns and DNA strand preferences of ABRE and CE3 motifs in rice gene promoters. Our computational analyses revealed distinct recruitment patterns of ABA-responsive CREs in upstream sequences of Arabidopsis and rice. The apparent absence of CE3s in Arabidopsis suggests that another CE pairs with ABRE to establish a functional ABRC capable of interacting with transcription factors. Further studies will be needed to test whether the observed differences are extrapolatable to monocots and dicots in general, and to understand how they contribute to the fine-tuning of the hormonal response. The outcome of our investigation can now be used to direct future experimentation designed to further dissect the ABA-dependent regulatory networks.

RFe{sub 2}Mg{sub x}Al{sub 8−x} (R=La–Nd and Sm; x≈0.8): Flux synthesis, structure, magnetic and electrical properties

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

Ma, Xiaowei; Chai, Ping; Chen, Banghao

2015-09-15

Single crystals of Mg-substituted CeFe{sub 2}Al{sub 8} type intermetallics RFe{sub 2}Mg{sub x}Al{sub 8–x} (R=La–Nd and Sm; x≤1) were grown by reacting iron and rare earth metals in 1:1 Mg/Al mixed flux. The structure features mono-capped and bi-capped trigonal prismatic FeAl{sub 6} units. Electronic structure calculations indicate that magnesium substitution reduces the valence electron count, shifting the Fermi level away from a pseudo-gap. This changes the electronic nature of the cerium analog; the previously reported ternary CeFe{sub 2}Al{sub 8} shows strong hybridization between the cerium states and the conduction electrons, resulting in no magnetic moment on Ce atoms. On the othermore » hand, magnetic susceptibility measurements on CeFe{sub 2}Mg{sub x}Al{sub 8–x} indicates a localized moment on cerium. The newly synthesized Pr, Nd and Sm analogs exhibit antiferromagnetic ordering at 2.8 K, 7.8 K and 12 K respectively. Solid state {sup 27}Al NMR of LaFe{sub 2}Mg{sub x}Al{sub 8–x} exhibits a broad Knight shift at ~1200 ppm, consistent with the metallic behavior shown by electrical resistivity data. - Graphical abstract: Mg substitution into CeFe{sub 2}Al{sub 8} modifies cerium valence due to changing valence electron count. - Highlights: • RFe{sub 2}Mg{sub x}Al{sub 8−x} (R=La–Nd, Sm) grow as large crystals from reactions in Mg/Al flux. • Products are magnesium-substituted variants of CeFe{sub 2}Al{sub 8}, with CaCo{sub 2}Al{sub 8} structure. • Ce magnetic moment in CeFe{sub 2}Mg{sub x}Al{sub 8−x} varies from that in CeFe{sub 2}Al{sub 8} due to VEC change. • Antiferromagnetic ordering observed for Pr, Nd, Sm analogs of RFe{sub 2}Mg{sub x}Al{sub 8−x}.« less

Assessment of Egyptian pharmacists' attitude, behaviors, and preferences related to continuing education.

PubMed

Mohamed Ibrahim, Osama H

2012-04-01

Contemporary pharmaceutical care requires sustained pharmacist competency through maintenance and improvement of knowledge, skills, and performance. Existing continuing education (CE) models reflect a wide spectrum of international approaches to life-long learning. The objective of this study was to determine CE preferences of pharmacists in Egypt before implementing a plan for compulsory annual CE activities and events for licensure renewal. A questionnaire containing questions about continuing education needs and preferences of Egyptian pharmacists was distributed to 400 pharmacies in Cairo. The sample was drawn randomly from the address list in yellow pages. The survey was conducted by personal interview. The questionnaire was designed and validated. Questions were divided into specific domains of interest including pharmacist demographics; access to internet resources; frequency and characteristics of past CE activities; preferences for delivery and content; motivation to participation; and plans for future CE activities. All data analyses were conducted using SPSS for Windows version 18.0. All statistical tests were 2-tailed and based on a significance level of p value ≤ 0.05. Results During the six months of questionnaire distribution, 400 pharmacists (one from each randomly selected pharmacies) were asked to complete the questionnaire. The response rate was 359 out of 400 pharmacists (89.75%). Twenty three percent of respondents had held their highest pharmacy degree to practice for less than 5 years and 19% had obtained their initial degree more than 15 years ago. More than half of the respondents were female (53.3%). Topics related to therapeutics were of highest interest to 85.3%, closely followed by clinical skills topics. Pharmacists working in community pharmacies had attended less CE events (15 vs. 28%, p = 0.034 within the past 2 years) when compared to their hospital-based counterparts. Conversely, hospital pharmacists generally reported less satisfaction with current CE (21 vs. 33%, p = 0.021). Respondents of the survey expressed enthusiasm towards CE activity, but cited common barriers to participation, as well, such as employer-and technology-based obstacles. These results confirm that features of a successful CE program must be flexible to meet preferences and perceived needs of Egyptian pharmacists.

Low cycle fatigue behavior of polycrystalline NiAl at 300 and 1000 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lerch, Bradley A.; Noebe, Ronald D.

1993-01-01

The low cycle fatigue behavior of polycrystalline NiAl was determined at 300 and 1000 K - temperatures below and above the brittle- to-ductile transition temperature (BDTT). Fully reversed, plastic strain-controlled fatigue tests were conducted on two differently fabricated alloy samples: hot isostatically pressed (HIP'ed) prealloyed powder and hot extruded castings. HIP'ed powder (HP) samples were tested only at 1000 K, whereas the more ductile cast-and-extruded (C+E) NiAl samples were tested at both 1000 and 300 K. Plastic strain ranges of 0.06 to 0.2 percent were used. The C+E NiAl cyclically hardened until fracture, reaching stress levels approximately 60 percent greater than the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy. Compared on a strain basis, NiAl had a much longer fatigue life than other B2 ordered compounds in which fracture initiated at processing-related defects. These defects controlled fatigue life at 300 K, with fracture occurring rapidly once a critical stress level was reached. At 1000 K, above the BDTT, both the C+E and HP samples cyclically softened during most of the fatigue tests in air and were insensitive to processing defects. The processing method did not have a major effect on fatigue life; the lives of the HP samples were about a factor of three shorter than the C+E NiAl, but this was attributed to the lower stress response of the C+E material. The C+E NiAl underwent dynamic grain growth, whereas the HP material maintained a constant grain size during testing. In both materials, fatigue life was controlled by intergranular cavitation and creep processes, which led to fatigue crack growth that was primarily intergranular in nature. Final fracture by overload was transgranular in nature. Also, HP samples tested in vacuum had a life three times longer than their counterparts tested in air and, in contrast to those tested in air, hardened continuously over half of the sample life, thereby indicating an environmentally assisted fatigue damage mechanism. The C+E samples were tested only in air. At 1000 K, NiAl exhibited a superior fatigue life when compared to most superalloys on a plastic strain basis, but was inferior to most superalloys on a stress basis.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for the detection of crossing renal vessels in children with symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction: comparison with operative findings.

PubMed

Calder, Alistair D; Hiorns, Melanie P; Abhyankar, Aruna; Mushtaq, Imran; Olsen, Oystein E

2007-04-01

Crossing renal vessels (CRV) are associated with ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, particularly when presentation is beyond the neonatal period. Their presence may influence surgical management. To evaluate the accuracy of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) in the identification of CRV in children requiring surgical treatment of symptomatic UPJ obstruction, against a gold standard of laparoscopic or open surgical findings. We reviewed CE-MRA studies (3-D T2-weighted turbo spin-echo and multiphase 3-D spoiled gradient echo following intravenous gadolinium administration) of 14 children, age range 6-15 years, performed prior to surgery for suspected CRV-related UPJ obstruction. Consensus reviews of the CE-MRA studies were compared with surgical findings. CE-MRA demonstrated CRV at the level of the obstruction in nine and no crossing vessels in five children. These were all verified intraoperatively (chi2=14.0; P<0.001). In eight of the nine patients with CRV there was no evidence of intrinsic obstruction at surgery. In the remaining patient there was fibrosis of the upper ureter. CE-MRA is an accurate means of identifying CRV in children older than 6 years with symptomatic UPJ obstruction.

Mesenchymal stromal cells derived from cervical cancer produce high amounts of adenosine to suppress cytotoxic T lymphocyte functions.

PubMed

de Lourdes Mora-García, María; García-Rocha, Rosario; Morales-Ramírez, Omar; Montesinos, Juan José; Weiss-Steider, Benny; Hernández-Montes, Jorge; Ávila-Ibarra, Luis Roberto; Don-López, Christian Azucena; Velasco-Velázquez, Marco Antonio; Gutiérrez-Serrano, Vianey; Monroy-García, Alberto

2016-10-26

In recent years, immunomodulatory mechanisms of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) from bone marrow and other "classic" sources have been described. However, the phenotypic and functional properties of tumor MSCs are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the immunosuppressive capacity of cervical cancer-derived MSCs (CeCa-MSCs) on effector T lymphocytes through the purinergic pathway. We determined the expression and functional activity of the membrane-associated ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 on CeCa-MSCs and normal cervical tissue-derived MSCs (NCx-MSCs). We also analyzed their immunosuppressive capacity to decrease proliferation, activation and effector cytotoxic T (CD8+) lymphocyte function through the generation of adenosine (Ado). We detected that CeCa-MSCs express higher levels of CD39 and CD73 ectonucleotidases in cell membranes compared to NCx-MSCs, and that this feature was associated with the ability to strongly suppress the proliferation, activation and effector functions of cytotoxic T-cells through the generation of large amounts of Ado from the hydrolysis of ATP, ADP and AMP nucleotides. This study suggests that CeCa-MSCs play an important role in the suppression of the anti-tumor immune response in CeCa through the purinergic pathway.

Chemical characterization of Centaurium erythrea L. and its effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in experimental diabetes.

PubMed

Stefkov, Gjoshe; Miova, Biljana; Dinevska-Kjovkarovska, Suzana; Stanoeva, Jasmina Petreska; Stefova, Marina; Petrusevska, Gordana; Kulevanova, Svetlana

2014-02-27

Centaurium erythrea L. fam. Gentianaceae (CE) has been traditionally used for centuries in folk medicine of Balkans as a bitter medicinal herb for digestive complications and for treating febrile conditions and diabetes. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the chemical composition and underlying biochemical mechanism of action of the antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic activities of the dry extract of Centaurium erythrea L., wildly growing and traditionally used medicinal plant in the Republic of Macedonia. An ultrasonic methanol maceration of the aerial parts of the dried plant was performed and the extract was freeze-dried. HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(n) was carried out on 150 mm × 4.6mm, 5 μm RP-18 Eclipse XDB column, at 40 °C. Mobile phase: water with 1% formic acid (A) and methanol (B) with linear gradient starting with 10% B was used to reach 15% at 5 min, 40% B at 25 min, 55% of B at 50 min and 100% at 60 min, with flow rate of 0.4 mL min(-1). Normal and streptozotocin (STZ) hyperglycemic Wistar rats were used for assessment of the antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic activity by measurement of the key carbohydrate-related enzymes and substrates, as well as lipid state of the organism. HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(n) analyses revealed presence of four different secoiridoids, seven flavonoid glycosides and seven xanthones in the freeze-dried extract of CE representing 53%, 25% and 22% of all compounds, respectively. The short-term (12 days) treatment of the STZ-diabetic rats with CE-extracts resulted in a 74% reduction of the produced hyperglycemia, which is only 6% less than the reduction caused by glibeclamide (GLB, positive control). The CE-extract had a significant impact on the hepatic carbohydrate metabolism enhancing the direct synthesis of glycogen, normalizing phosphorylase a activity and reducing the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase, which further causes reduction in production of blood glucose level. The long-term (45 days) treatment showed that the HbA1c in CE-treated group of animals was even lower than in the GLB-treated groups. The antilipidemic assessment of the CE-extract revealed decrease of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL level in the blood of the normal and STZ-hyperglycemic rats. The obtained results indicate that treatment with CE extract in STZ-diabetic rats regulates the elevated level of blood glucose and carbohydrate-related disturbances slightly better than the effect of glibenclamide. There was also regulation of the serum lipid status in diabetic rats. Identified groups of bitter compounds in the extract (flavonoides, iridoids and xanthones) probably have influence on the expressed antihyperglycaemic effect. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

The Influence of Arc-Flash and Fire-Resistant Clothing on Thermoregulation during Exercise in the Heat.

PubMed

Poirier, Martin P; Meade, Robert D; McGinn, Ryan; Friesen, Brian J; Hardcastle, Stephen G; Flouris, Andreas D; Kenny, Glen P

2015-01-01

We evaluated the effect of arc-flash and fire-resistant (AFR) clothing ensembles (CE) on whole-body heat dissipation during work in the heat. On 10 occasions, 7 males performed four 15-min cycling bouts at a fixed rate of metabolic heat production (400 W) in the heat (35°C), each separated by 15-min of recovery. Whole-body heat loss and metabolic heat production were measured by direct and indirect calorimetry, respectively. Body heat storage was calculated as the temporal summation of heat production and heat loss. Responses were compared in a semi-nude state and while wearing two CE styles: (1) single-piece (coveralls) and (2) two-piece (workpant + long-sleeve shirt). For group 1, there was one non-AFR single-piece CE (CE1STD) and three single-piece CE with AFR properties (CE2AFR, CE3AFR, CE4AFR). For group 2, there was one non-AFR two-piece CE (CE5STD) and four two-piece CE with AFR properties (CE6AFR, CE7AFR, CE8AFR, CE9AFR). The workpants for CE6AFR were not AFR-rated, while a cotton undershirt was also worn for conditions CE8AFR and CE9AFR and for all single-piece CE. Heat storage for all conditions (CE1STD: 328 ± 55, CE2AFR: 335 ± 87, CE3AFR: 309 ± 95, CE4AFR: 403 ± 104, CE5STD: 253 ± 78, CE6AFR: 268 ± 89, CE7AFR: 302 ± 70, CE8AFR: 360 ± 36, CE9AFR: 381 ± 99 kJ) was greater than the semi-nude state (160 ± 124 kJ) (all p ≤ 0.05). No differences were measured between single-piece uniforms (p = 0.273). Among the two-piece uniforms, heat storage was greater for CE8AFR and CE9AFR relative to CE5STD and CE6AFR (all p ≤ 0.05), but not CE7AFR (both p > 0.05). Differences between clothing styles were measured such that greater heat storage was observed in both CE1STD and CE2-4AFR relative to CE5STD. Further, heat storage was greater in CE2AFR and CE4AFR relative to CE6AFR, while it was greater in CE4AFR compared to CE7AFR. Body heat storage during work in the heat was not influenced by the use of AFR fabrics in the single- or two-piece uniforms albeit less heat was stored in the two-piece uniforms when no undershirt was worn. However, heat storage was comparable between clothing styles when an undershirt was worn with the two-piece uniform.

Radiation imaging with a new scintillator and a CMOS camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurosawa, S.; Shoji, Y.; Pejchal, J.; Yokota, Y.; Yoshikawa, A.

2014-07-01

A new imaging system consisting of a high-sensitivity complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, a microscope and a new scintillator, Ce-doped Gd3(Al,Ga)5O12 (Ce:GAGG) grown by the Czochralski process, has been developed. The noise, the dark current and the sensitivity of the CMOS camera (ORCA-Flash4.0, Hamamatsu) was revised and compared to a conventional CMOS, whose sensitivity is at the same level as that of a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. Without the scintillator, this system had a good position resolution of 2.1 ± 0.4 μm and we succeeded in obtaining the alpha-ray images using 1-mm thick Ce:GAGG crystal. This system can be applied for example to high energy X-ray beam profile monitor, etc.

Effect of lipid emulsions on the plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransfer in guinea pigs.

PubMed

Drevon, C A; Norum, K R

1975-01-01

Addition of triglyceride/phospholipid emulsion to adult guinea pig plasma more than doubled the cholesteryl ester (CE) production. Plasma from newborn guinea pigs was stimulated to a lower degree. The increase in CE production was dependant on the type and amount of phospholipids in the lipid emulsions. Egg phospholipids stimulated the cholesterol esterification while partially hydrogenated soy phospholipids (with high content of saturated fatty acids) inhibited the reaction. The stimulation of CE formation was probably due to transfer of phosphatidyl choline (PC) from the emulsion to the high density lipoproteins since the stimulation was: (a) dependant on a preincubation time, (b) less pronounced in newborn animals with high plasma PC levels, and (c) detected in plasma fractions from which the lipid emulsion had been removed.

The zero-bias anomaly of point contacts with ferromagnetic Ni and with the heavy-fermion antiferromagnet CeAl2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gloos, Kurt; Huupponen, Jouko

2010-01-01

We have investigated spear-anvil type point-contacts between ferromagnetic nickel as well as the heavy-fermion antiferromagnet CeAl2 and various simple metals (Cu, Ta, Nb). Contacts with small resistance usually showed electron-phonon scattering, Andreev reflection in case of superconducting counter-electrodes, as well as anomalies due to magnetic ordering. With increasing contact resistance (decreasing contact size) a zero-bias anomaly appeared in both Ni and CeAl2 contacts. It is conventionally attributed to resonant scattering at two-level systems or at magnetic impurities (Kondo effect). At contacts of ~ 1 nm diameter it suppressed completely all other spectral features. We discuss whether those mechanisms are relevant here and what alternatives there might be.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles alter the salt stress tolerance of Brassica napus L. by modifying the formation of root apoplastic barriers.

PubMed

Rossi, Lorenzo; Zhang, Weilan; Ma, Xingmao

2017-10-01

Rapidly growing global population adds significant strains on the fresh water resources. Consequently, saline water is increasingly tapped for crop irrigation. Meanwhile, rapid advancement of nanotechnology is introducing more and more engineered nanoparticles into the environment and in agricultural soils. While some negative effects of ENPs on plant health at very high concentrations have been reported, more beneficial effects of ENPs at relatively low concentrations are increasingly noticed, opening doors for potential applications of nanotechnology in agriculture. In particular, we found that cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) improved plant photosynthesis in salt stressed plants. Due to the close connections between salt stress tolerance and the root anatomical structures, we postulated that CeO 2 NPs could modify plant root anatomy and improve plant salt stress tolerance. This study aimed at testing the hypothesis with Brassica napus in the presence of CeO 2 NPs (0, 500 mg kg -1 dry sand) and/or NaCl (0, 50 mM) in a growth chamber. Free hand sections of fresh roots were taken every seven days for three weeks and the suberin lamellae development was examined under a fluorescence microscope. The results confirmed the hypothesis that CeO 2 NPs modified the formation of the apoplastic barriers in Brassica roots. In salt stressed plants, CeO 2 NPs shortened the root apoplastic barriers which allowed more Na + transport to shoots and less accumulation of Na + in plant roots. The altered Na + fluxes and transport led to better physiological performance of Brassica and may lead to new applications of nanotechnology in agriculture. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of gastric and small bowel transit times in coeliac disease with the small bowel PillCam®: a single centre study in a non gluten-free diet adult Italian population with coeliac disease.

PubMed

Urgesi, R; Cianci, R; Bizzotto, A; Costamagna, G; Riccioni, M E

2013-05-01

The mechanisms underlying bowel disturbances in coeliac disease are still relatively unclear. Past reports suggested that small bowel motor abnormalities may be involved in this pathological condition; there are no studies addressing small bowel transit in coeliac disease before and after a gluten-free diet. The objective of this study was to determine whether capsule endoscopy (CE) could serve as a test for measurement of gastric and small bowel transit times in a group of symptomatic or asymptomatic coeliac patients at the time of diagnosis with respect to a control group. Thirty coeliac untreated patients and 30 age-, sex- and BMI-matched healthy controls underwent CE assessment of whole gut transit times. All subjects completed the study per protocol and experienced natural passage of the pill. No statistical significant differences between gastric emptying and small bowel transit times both in coeliac and control group were found (p = 0.1842 and p = 0.7134; C.I. 95%, respectively). No correlation was found in coeliac patients and control group between transit times and age, sex and BMI. By using the Pearson's correlation test, significant correlation emerged between gastric emptying time and small bowel transit times in coeliac disease (r = 0.1706). CE reveals unrecognized gender differences and may be a novel outpatient technique for gut transit times' assessment without exposure to radiation and for the evaluation of upper gut dysfunction in healthy patients suffering from constipation without evidence of intestinal malabsorption. Nevertheless, CE does not seem to be the most suitable method for studying gut transit times in untreated coeliac patients; this might be ascribed to the fact that CE consists of inert (non-digestible, non-absorbable) substances.

Addressing the Health Concerns of VA Women with Sexual Trauma

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

high school boys Role Co-I NIDA R34DA038770-01A1 (Zlotnick) 4/01/2015-3/31/2018 2.04 calendar Computer-Based Intervention for Battered...School Boys 1U01CE002531-01 (Orchowski: PI) 9/1/14 – 8/31/18 4.56 CM National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Preventing sexual...aggression among high school boys Role: PI Community-Level Primary Prevention of Dating and Sexual Violence in Middle Schools 1U01CE002651-01

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 142

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, T. D.; Symochko, D.; Fadil, M.; Tuli, J. K.

2011-08-01

The 2000 Nuclear Data Sheets for A=142 by J. K. Tuli, with literature cutoff date of February 4, 2000, has been revised. The evaluated experimental data are presented for 16 known nuclides of mass 142 (Ba, Ce, Cs, Dy, Eu, Gd, Ho, I, La, Nd, Pm, Pr, Sm, Tb, Te, Xe). Comparing to the previous evaluation (2000Tu01) significant changes were done to the level schemes of Gd, Cs, Ce and Nd. For all nuclides, the more recent Q values have been added.

Nuclear Data Sheets for A-142

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

Johnson, T.D.; Johnson,T.D.; Symochko,D.

The 2000 Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 142 by J. K. Tuli, with literature cutoff date of February 4, 2000, has been revised. The evaluated experimental data are presented for 16 known nuclides of mass 142 (Ba, Ce, Cs, Dy, Eu, Gd, Ho, I, La, Nd, Pm, Pr, Sm, Tb, Te, Xe). Comparing to the previous evaluation (2000Tu01) significant changes were done to the level schemes of Gd, Cs, Ce and Nd. For all nuclides, the more recent Q values have been added.

Persistent luminescence in powdered and ceramic polycrystalline Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dosovitskiy, G.; Fedorov, A.; Mechinsky, V.; Borisevich, A.; Dosovitskiy, A.; Tret'jak, E.; Korjik, M.

2017-02-01

This paper studies powders of Gd3Ga3Al2O12:Ce, a promising scintillator composition, as a possible object for express pre-characterization of scintillation kinetics and level of persistent luminescence. Garnet phase powders with uniform microstructure, consisting of 1-2 μm grains, were obtained by co-precipitation approach. It was shown, that both scintillation decay time and presence of persistent luminescence are influenced by both powder thermal treatment temperature and strong Ga deficit.

Electronic structure and magneto-optical effects in CeSb

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

Liechtenstein, A.I.; Antropov, V.P.; Harmon, B.N.

1994-04-15

The electronic structure and magneto-optical spectra of CeSb have been calculated using the self-consistent local-density approximation with explicit on-site Coulomb parameters for the correlated [ital f] state of cerium. The essential electronic structure of cerium antimonide consists of one occupied [ital f] band, predominantly with orbital [ital m]=[minus]3 character and spin [sigma]=1 located 2 eV below the Fermi level and interacting with broad Sb [ital p] bands crossing [ital E][sub [ital F

Analytic Validation of RNA In Situ Hybridization (RISH) for AR and AR-V7 Expression in Human Prostate Cancer

PubMed Central

Guedes, Liana B.; Morais, Carlos L.; Almutairi, Fawaz; Haffner, Michael C.; Zheng, Qizhi; Isaacs, John T.; Antonarakis, Emmanuel S.; Lu, Changxue; Tsai, Harrison; Luo, Jun; De Marzo, Angelo M.; Lotan, Tamara L.

2016-01-01

Purpose RNA expression of androgen receptor splice variants may be a biomarker of resistance to novel androgen deprivation therapies in castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). We analytically validated an RNA in situ hybridization (RISH) assay for total AR and AR-V7 for use in formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) prostate tumors. Experimental Design We used prostate cell lines and xenografts to validate chromogenic RISH to detect RNA containing AR exon 1 (AR-E1, surrogate for total AR RNA species) and cryptic exon 3 (AR-CE3, surrogate for AR-V7 expression). RISH signals were quantified in FFPE primary tumors and CRPC specimens, comparing to known AR and AR-V7 status by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Results The quantified RISH results correlated significantly with total AR and AR-V7 levels by RT-PCR in cell lines, xenografts and autopsy metastases. Both AR-E1 and AR-CE3 RISH signals were localized in nuclear punctae in addition to the expected cytoplasmic speckles. Compared to admixed benign glands, AR-E1 expression was significantly higher in primary tumor cells with a median fold increase of 3.0 and 1.4 in two independent cohorts (p<0.0001 and p=0.04, respectively). While AR-CE3 expression was detectable in primary prostatic tumors, levels were substantially higher in a subset of CRPC metastases and cell lines, and were correlated with AR-E1 expression. Conclusions RISH for AR-E1 and AR-CE3 is an analytically valid method to examine total AR and AR-V7 RNA levels in FFPE tissues. Future clinical validation studies are required to determine whether AR RISH is a prognostic or predictive biomarker in specific clinical contexts. PMID:27166397

Effect of desipramine and citalopram treatment on forced swimming test-induced changes in cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) immunoreactivity in mice.

PubMed

Chung, Sung; Kim, Hee Jeong; Kim, Hyun Ju; Choi, Sun Hye; Kim, Jin Wook; Kim, Jeong Min; Shin, Kyung Ho

2014-05-01

Recent study demonstrates antidepressant-like effect of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) in the forced swimming test (FST), but less is known about whether antidepressant treatments alter levels of CART immunoreactivity (CART-IR) in the FST. To explore this possibility, we assessed the treatment effects of desipramine and citalopram, which inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin into the presynaptic terminals, respectively, on changes in levels of CART-IR before and after the test swim in mouse brain. Levels of CART-IR in the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh), dorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dBNST), and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were significantly increased before the test swim by desipramine and citalopram treatments. This increase in CART-IR in the AcbSh, dBNST, and PVN before the test swim remained elevated by desipramine treatment after the test swim, but this increase in these brain areas returned to near control levels after test swim by citalopram treatment. Citalopram, but not desipramine, treatment increased levels of CART-IR in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and the locus ceruleus (LC) before the test swim, and this increase was returned to control levels after the test swim in the CeA, but not in the LC. These results suggest common and distinct regulation of CART by desipramine and citalopram treatments in the FST and raise the possibility that CART in the AcbSh, dBNST, and CeA may be involved in antidepressant-like effect in the FST.

[Noise-induced hearing loss in children and youth: causes and prevention].

PubMed

Sułkowski, Wiesław J

2009-01-01

The populations at risk of adverse effects of noise include, in addition to adults, also children and juveniles, the two groups considered to be particularly vulnerable to noise-induced hearing loss and numerous other adverse systemic effects of exposure to noise. Major sources of noise exposure in children's and youth's environments include incubators at neonate intensive care wards, toys (such as e.g. rattles, squeeze toys, percussion cap toys, pistols), fireworks, pop and rock music concerts, aerobic courses and personal portable music players. This paper reports dB-A noise levels associated with those noise sources, and also combined dB-A levels of noise from external and internal sources prevailing at schools. The suggested preventive steps specified in the CE-HAPE (Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe) and PINCHE (Policy Interpretation Network on Children's Health and Environment) include legislative measures to limit the intensity and time of exposure to noise and classes/education actions for youths and parents.

Advantages of T2 Weighted Three Dimensional and T1 Weighted Three Dimensional Contrast Medium Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Urography in Examination of the Child Population.

PubMed

Sehic, Adnan; Julardzija, Fuad; Vegar-Zubovic, Sandra; Sefic-Pasic, Irmina

2017-03-01

The aim of this study is to prove the advantages of combined use of T2 weighted three dimensional (T2 W 3D) and T1 weighted three dimensional contrast medium enhanced (T1 W 3D CE) magnetic resonance (MR) urography in displaying urinary tract in child population. Total of 120 patients were included in the study, 71 (59%) male patients and 49 (41%) female patients. The study was conducted on the Radiology clinic, University of Sarajevo Clinical Center, during the period from February to November 2016. Patients were examined on the 1.5T and 3T MRI, with standard protocol which includes T2 W 3D and T1 W 3D contrast medium enhanced MR urography. In the post procesing quantitative measurement of signal intensity and evaluation of the display quality in the area of renal pelvis, middle of ureter and the mouth of the ureter were done. Measurement was concluded on Syngo software B13. Analyzing the acquired data and statistically processing them we got results which have shown higher signal intensity of measured structures on T1 W 3D contrast medium enhanced MR urography on the level p<0.01 and p<0.05 compared to T2 W 3D MR urography in patients that had normal dynamics of contrast medium secretion. However, in kidneys with decreased function, T2 W 3D MR urography provided higher signal intensity and better display compared to T1 W 3D contrast medium enhanced MR urography on the level p<0.05 and p<0.01. T2 W3D MR urography is useful in imaging nonfunctional kidney as well as in patients prone to allergic reactions, where as T1 W3D CE MR urography is at an advantage over T2 W 3D MR urography in imaging the kidney functionality, kidney dynamics measurement, it provides higher MRI signal intensity required for clear 3D reconstructions.

An online survey of chiropractors' opinions of continuing education

PubMed Central

Stuber, Kent J; Grod, Jaroslaw P; Smith, Dean L; Powers, Paul

2005-01-01

Background Continuing Education (CE) for chiropractors is mandatory for licensure in most North American jurisdictions. Numerous chiropractic colleges have begun collaborating with universities to offer master's degree programs. Distance education master's degree programs may be desirable to allow full-time practicing doctors to further their post-graduate education. The present survey sought to answer three questions. First, what is the level of satisfaction of chiropractors with their continuing education? Second, what is the level of interest of chiropractors in online master's degree programs? Lastly, what is the response rate of chiropractors to an online survey? Methods An online survey consisting of 22 multiple choice questions was e-mailed to 1000 chiropractors randomly selected from the mailing list of an online chiropractic newsletter. Upon completion of the questionnaire, participants' answers were saved on a secure site. Data analysis included evaluation of the demographic characteristics of the respondents, their opinions of and patterns of taking CE including online education, preferred learning formats, and their interest in proposed online master's degree programs. A survey response rate was determined. Results Nearly 86% of respondents felt their previously completed CE courses were either somewhat or extremely satisfactory. Over ninety percent of respondents who had completed online or distance CE coursesfound them to be somewhat or extremelysatisfactory. Almost half the respondents indicated that they most preferred online distance learning, while 34.08% most preferred face-to-face interaction. Fifty-three percent of respondents indicated an interest in starting a master's degree program; however 70.46% of respondents were interested in an online master's degree program that would offer CE credit. A response rate of 35.8% was obtained. Conclusion Satisfaction among chiropractors with CE programs is high. The notion of completing a part-time online master's degree (or online combined with face-to-face interaction) appears to be popular among respondents, with a M.Sc. in Chiropractic Sciences being the most popular of those mentioned. Online surveys are a viable method of obtaining opinion in a cost and time efficient manner; there are some sources of bias involved in this type of research, and numerous steps need to be taken to obtain a suitable response rate. PMID:16242035

Generating genius: how an Alzheimer’s drug became considered a ‘cognitive enhancer’ for healthy individuals

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, has been widely cited in media and bioethics literature on cognitive enhancement (CE) as having the potential to improve the cognitive ability of healthy individuals. In both literatures, this claim has been repeatedly supported by the results of a small study published by Yesavage et al. in 2002 on non-demented pilots (30–70 years old). The factors contributing to this specific interpretation of this study’s results are unclear. Methods We examined print media and interdisciplinary bioethics coverage of this small study, aiming to provide insight into how evidence from research may be shaped within different discourses, potentially influencing important policy, ethics, and clinical decisions. Systematic qualitative content analysis was used to examine how this study was reported in 27 media and 22 bioethics articles. Articles were analyzed for content related to: (1) headlines and titles; (2) colloquialisms; and, (3) accuracy of reporting of the characteristics and results of the study. Results In media and bioethics articles referencing this small study, strong claims were made about donepezil as a CE drug. The majority of headlines, titles, and colloquialisms used enhancement language and the majority of these suggest that donepezil could be used to enhance intellectual ability. Further, both literatures moved between reporting the results of the primary study and magnifying the perceived connection between these results and the CE debate that was alluded to in the primary study. Specific descriptions of the results overwhelmingly reported an improvement in performance on a flight simulator, while more general statements claimed donepezil enhanced cognitive performance. Further, a high level of reporting accuracy was found regarding study characteristics of the original study, but variable levels of accuracy surrounded the presentation of complex characteristics (i.e., methods) or contentious properties of the CE debate (i.e., initial health status of the study subjects). Conclusions Hyped claims of CE effects cannot be completely accounted for by sheer inaccuracy in reporting. A complex interaction between the primary and secondary literature, and expectations and social pressures related to CE appears to drive enthusiastic reports. PMID:24885270

Generating genius: how an Alzheimer's drug became considered a 'cognitive enhancer' for healthy individuals.

PubMed

Wade, Lucie; Forlini, Cynthia; Racine, Eric

2014-05-12

Donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, has been widely cited in media and bioethics literature on cognitive enhancement (CE) as having the potential to improve the cognitive ability of healthy individuals. In both literatures, this claim has been repeatedly supported by the results of a small study published by Yesavage et al. in 2002 on non-demented pilots (30-70 years old). The factors contributing to this specific interpretation of this study's results are unclear. We examined print media and interdisciplinary bioethics coverage of this small study, aiming to provide insight into how evidence from research may be shaped within different discourses, potentially influencing important policy, ethics, and clinical decisions. Systematic qualitative content analysis was used to examine how this study was reported in 27 media and 22 bioethics articles. Articles were analyzed for content related to: (1) headlines and titles; (2) colloquialisms; and, (3) accuracy of reporting of the characteristics and results of the study. In media and bioethics articles referencing this small study, strong claims were made about donepezil as a CE drug. The majority of headlines, titles, and colloquialisms used enhancement language and the majority of these suggest that donepezil could be used to enhance intellectual ability. Further, both literatures moved between reporting the results of the primary study and magnifying the perceived connection between these results and the CE debate that was alluded to in the primary study. Specific descriptions of the results overwhelmingly reported an improvement in performance on a flight simulator, while more general statements claimed donepezil enhanced cognitive performance. Further, a high level of reporting accuracy was found regarding study characteristics of the original study, but variable levels of accuracy surrounded the presentation of complex characteristics (i.e., methods) or contentious properties of the CE debate (i.e., initial health status of the study subjects). Hyped claims of CE effects cannot be completely accounted for by sheer inaccuracy in reporting. A complex interaction between the primary and secondary literature, and expectations and social pressures related to CE appears to drive enthusiastic reports.

An enhanced cerium(IV)-rhodamine 6G chemiluminescence system using guest-host interactions in a lab-on-a-chip platform for estimating the total phenolic content in food samples.

PubMed

Al Haddabi, Buthaina; Al Lawati, Haider A J; Suliman, FakhrEldin O

2016-04-01

Two chemiluminescence-microfluidic (CL-MF) systems, e.g., Ce(IV)-rhodamine B (RB) and Ce(IV)-rhodamine 6G (R6G), for the determination of the total phenolic content in teas and some sweeteners were evaluated. The results indicated that the Ce(IV)-R6G system was more sensitive in comparison to the Ce(IV)-RB CL system. Therefore, a simple (CL-MF) method based on the CL of Ce(IV)-R6G was developed, and the sensitivity, selectivity and stability of this system were evaluated. Selected phenolic compounds (PCs), such as quercetin (QRC), catechin (CAT), rutin (RUT), gallic acid (GA), caffeic acid (CA) and syringic acid (SA), produced analytically useful chemiluminescence signals with low detection limits ranging from 0.35 nmol L(-1) for QRC to 11.31 nmol L(-1) for SA. The mixing sequence and the chip design were crucial, as the sensitivity and reproducibility could be substantially affected by these two factors. In addition, the anionic surfactant (i.e., sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)) can significantly enhance the CL signal intensity by as much as 300% for the QRC solution. Spectroscopic studies indicated that the enhancement was due to a strong guest-host interaction between the cationic R6G molecules and the anionic amphiphilic environment. Other parameters that could affect the CL intensities of the PCs were carefully optimized. Finally, the method was successfully applied to tea and sweetener samples. Six different tea samples exhibited total phenolic/antioxidant levels from 7.32 to 13.5 g per 100g of sample with respect to GA. Four different sweetener samples were also analyzed and exhibited total phenolic/antioxidant levels from 500.9 to 3422.9 mg kg(-1) with respect to GA. The method was selective, rapid and sensitive when used to estimate the total phenolic/antioxidant level, and the results were in good agreement with those reported for honey and tea samples. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Large-area hexagonal silicon detectors for the CMS High Granularity Calorimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pree, E.

2018-02-01

During the so-called Phase-2 Upgrade, the CMS experiment at CERN will undergo significant improvements to cope with the 10-fold luminosity increase of the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) era. Especially the forward calorimetry will suffer from very high radiation levels and intensified pileup in the detectors. For this reason, the CMS collaboration is designing a High Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL) to replace the existing endcap calorimeters. It features unprecedented transverse and longitudinal segmentation for both electromagnetic (CE-E) and hadronic (CE-H) compartments. The CE-E and a large fraction of CE-H will consist of a sandwich structure with silicon as active detector material. This paper presents an overview of the ongoing sensor development for the HGCAL and highlights important design features and measurement techniques. The design and layout of an 8-inch silicon sensor prototype is shown. The hexagonal sensors consist of 235 pads, each with an area of about 1 cm2. Furthermore, Synopsys TCAD simulations regarding the high voltage stability of the sensors for different geometric parameters are performed. Finally, two different IV characterisation methods are compared on the same sensor.

Ce3+-doped LaF3 nanoparticles: Wet-chemical synthesis and photo-physical characteristics "optical properties of LaF3:Ce nanomaterials"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tabatabaee, F.; Sabbagh Alvani, A. A.; Sameie, H.; Moosakhani, S.; Salimi, R.; Taherian, M.

2014-01-01

The most effective process parameters were determined to synthesize spherical LaF3 nanoparticles with controllable size based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) via co-precipitation technique. Thermogravimetricdifferential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to characterize the resulting powders. Detailed investigations revealed that the optimal LaF3 host nano-material was obtained when NH4F was used as a fluoride source in the presence of EDTA at pH = 5. Furthermore, photoluminescence spectra showed an intense double emission peak at 289 and 302 nm for cerium-doped LaF3 nanocrystals excited at 253 nm, which was assigned to the well-known 5d→4f (2F5/2 and 2F7/2) transitions of Ce3+ levels due to luminescence center mechanism. The experimental results indicate that the synthesized LaF3:0.05Ce powders with a band gap of 5.3 eV are promising phosphors for high density scintillators.

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

Maurya, Arvind; Kulkarni, Ruta; Thamizhavel, Arumugam

Here, we have explored in detail the anisotropic magnetic properties of CeRhAl 4Si 2 and CeIrAl 4Si 2, which undergo two antiferromagnetic transitions, at T N1 = 12.6 and 15.5 K, followed by a second transition at T N2 = 9.4 and 13.8 K, respectively, with the [001]-axis as the relatively easy axis of magnetization. The electrical resistivity at ambient and applied pressure provides evidence of Kondo interaction in both compounds, further supported by a reduced value of the entropy associated with the magnetic ordering. The Sommerfeld coefficient γ is inferred to be 195.6 and 49.4 mJ/(mol K 2) formore » CeRhAl 4Si 2 and CeIrAl 4Si 2, respectively, classifying these materials as moderate heavy-fermion compounds. The crystal electric field energy levels are derived from the peak seen in the Schottky heat capacity. Furthermore, we have also performed electronic structure calculations by using the local spin density approximation + U [LSDA+U] approach, which provide physical insights on the observed magnetic behavior of these two compounds.« less

Water quality and algal community dynamics of three deepwater lakes in Minnesota utilizing CE-QUAL-W2 models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Smith, Erik A.; Kiesling, Richard L.; Galloway, Joel M.; Ziegeweid, Jeffrey R.

2014-01-01

Water quality, habitat, and fish in Minnesota lakes will potentially be facing substantial levels of stress in the coming decades primarily because of two stressors: (1) land-use change (urban and agricultural) and (2) climate change. Several regional and statewide lake modeling studies have identified the potential linkages between land-use and climate change on reductions in the volume of suitable lake habitat for coldwater fish populations. In recent years, water-resource scientists have been making the case for focused assessments and monitoring of sentinel systems to address how these stress agents change lakes over the long term. Currently in Minnesota, a large-scale effort called “Sustaining Lakes in a Changing Environment” is underway that includes a focus on monitoring basic watershed, water quality, habitat, and fish indicators of 24 Minnesota sentinel lakes across a gradient of ecoregions, depths, and nutrient levels. As part of this effort, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, developed predictive water quality models to assess water quality and habitat dynamics of three select deepwater lakes in Minnesota. The three lakes (Lake Carlos in Douglas County, Elk Lake in Clearwater County, and Trout Lake in Cook County) were assessed under recent (2010–11) meteorological conditions. The three selected lakes contain deep, coldwater habitats that remain viable during the summer months for coldwater fish species. Hydrodynamics and water-quality characteristics for each of the three lakes were simulated using the CE-QUAL-W2 model, which is a carbon-based, laterally averaged, two-dimensional water-quality model. The CE-QUAL-W2 models address the interaction between nutrient cycling, primary production, and trophic dynamics to predict responses in the distribution of temperature and oxygen in lakes. The CE-QUAL-W2 models for all three lakes successfully predicted water temperature, on the basis of the two metrics of absolute mean error and root mean square error, using measured inputs of water temperature and nutrients. One of the main calibration tools for CE-QUAL-W2 model development was the vertical profile temperature data, available for all three lakes. For all three lakes, the absolute mean error and root mean square error were less than 1.0 degree Celsius and 1.2 degrees Celsius, respectively, for the different depth ranges used for vertical profile comparisons. In Lake Carlos, simulated water temperatures compared better to measured water temperatures in the epilimnion than in the hypolimnion. The reverse was true for the other two lakes, Elk Lake and Trout Lake, where the simulated results were slightly better for the hypolimnion than the epilimnion. The model also was used to approximate the location of the thermocline throughout the simulation periods, approximately April to November, in all three lake models. Deviations between the simulated and measured water temperatures in the vertical lake profile commonly were because of an offset in the timing of thermocline shifts rather than the simulated results missing thermocline shifts altogether.

Biomechanical testing of circumferential instrumentation after cervical multilevel corpectomy.

PubMed

Hartmann, Sebastian; Thomé, Claudius; Keiler, Alexander; Fritsch, Helga; Hegewald, Aldemar Andres; Schmölz, Werner

2015-12-01

Biomechanical investigation. This study describes ex vivo evaluation of the range of motion (ROM) to characterize the stability and need for additional dorsal fixation after cervical single-level, two-level or multilevel corpectomy (CE) to elucidate biomechanical differences between anterior-only and supplemental dorsal instrumentation. Twelve human cervical cadaveric spines were loaded in a spine tester with pure moments of 1.5 Nm in lateral bending (LB), flexion/extension (FE), and axial rotation (AR), followed by two cyclic loading periods for three-level corpectomies. After each cyclic loading session, flexibility tests were performed for anterior-only instrumentation (group_1, six specimens) and circumferential instrumentation (group_2, six specimens). The flexibility tests for all circumferential instrumentations showed a significant decrease in ROM in comparison with the intact state and anterior-only instrumentations. In comparison with the intact state, supplemental dorsal instrumentation after three-level CE reduced the ROM to 12% (±10%), 9% (±12%), and 22% (±18%) in LB, FE, and AR, respectively. The anterior-only construct outperformed the intact state only in FE, with a significant ROM reduction to 57% (±35 %), 60% (±27%), and 62% (±35%) for one-, two- and three-level CE, respectively. The supplemental dorsal instrumentation provided significantly more stability than the anterior-only instrumentation regardless of the number of levels resected and the direction of motion. After cyclic loading, the absolute differences in stability between the two instrumentations remained significant while both instrumentations showed a comparable increase of ROM after cyclic loading. The large difference in the absolute ROM of anterior-only compared to circumferential instrumentations supports a dorsal support in case of three-level approaches.

Glide path preparation in S-shaped canals with rotary pathfinding nickel-titanium instruments.

PubMed

Ajuz, Natasha C C; Armada, Luciana; Gonçalves, Lucio S; Debelian, Gilberto; Siqueira, José F

2013-04-01

This study compared the incidence of deviation along S-shaped (double-curved) canals after glide path preparation with 2 nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary pathfinding instruments and hand K-files. S-shaped canals from 60 training blocks were filled with ink, and preinstrumentation images were obtained by using a stereomicroscope. Glide path preparation was performed by an endodontist who used hand stainless steel K-files (up to size 20), rotary NiTi PathFile instruments (up to size 19), or rotary NiTi Scout RaCe instruments (up to size 20). Postinstrumentation images were taken by using exactly the same conditions as for the preinstrumentation images, and both pictures were superimposed. Differences along the S-shaped canal for the mesial and distal aspects were measured to evaluate the occurrence of deviation. Intragroup analysis showed that all instruments promoted some deviation in virtually all levels. Overall, regardless of the group, deviations were observed in the mesial wall at the canal terminus and at levels 4, 5, 6 and 7 mm and in the distal wall at levels 1, 2, and 3 mm. These levels corresponded to the inner walls of each curvature. Both rotary NiTi instruments performed significantly better than hand K-files at all levels (P < .05), except for PathFiles at the 0-mm level. ScoutRaCe instruments showed significantly better results than PathFiles at levels 0, 2, 3, 5, and 6 mm (P < .05). Findings suggest that rotary NiTi instruments are suitable for adequate glide path preparation because they promoted less deviation from the original canal anatomy when compared with hand-operated instruments. Of the 2 rotary pathfinding instruments, Scout RaCe showed an overall significantly better performance. Copyright © 2013 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Perceived safety and controllability of events: Markers of risk for marijuana use in young adults?

PubMed

Sartor, Carolyn E; Ecker, Anthony H; Kraus, Shane W; Leeman, Robert F; Dukes, Kristin N; Foster, Dawn W

2017-03-01

Drawing on constructs from the trauma literature, the current study evaluated perceptions of safety and controllability of events as potential markers of risk for marijuana use. In addition, we characterized these perceptions in relation to individual level substance abuse risk factors (marijuana expectancies, impulsivity, depression, and anxiety), gender, and race. Data were collected via web survey from college students at two northeastern universities (n=228, 82.0% female). Controllability of events (CE) was rated significantly higher by Blacks than Whites. Safety/vulnerability (SV) and CE were associated with impulsivity, depression, and anxiety. CE was also associated with marijuana expectancies. Logistic regression analyses revealed a modest but significant association between SV and lifetime use even after adjusting for race, gender, age, and individual level substance abuse risk factors (odds ratio=1.10, 95% confidence intervals:1.02-1.18). No association between SV and past 3month frequency of use or between CE and either marijuana outcome was found. Findings support a link between perceptions of safety and ever using marijuana. They further demonstrate overlap of both perceived safety and controllability of events with substance use related risk factors, and suggest that they differ by race. Additional studies that assess substance use more broadly and query trauma history, using larger, more diverse samples, are needed to more fully grasp the relevance of these constructs to substance use, including their potential as targets for substance abuse prevention efforts. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sintering of BaCe(sub 0.85)Y(sub 0.15)O(sub 3-delta) with/without SrTiO3 Dopant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dynys, F.; Sayir, A.; Heimann, P. J.

2004-01-01

The perovskite composition, BaCe(sub 0.85)Y(sub 0.15)O(sub 3-delta), displays excellent protonic conduction at high temperatures making it a desirable candidate for hydrogen separation membranes. This paper reports on the sintering behavior of BaCe(sub 0.85)Y(sub 0.15)O(sub 3-delta) powders doped with SrTiO3. Two methods were used to synthesize BaCe(sub 0.85)Y(sub 0.15)O(sub 3-delta) powders: (1) solid state reaction and (2) wet chemical co-precipitation. Co-precipitated powder crystallized into the perovskite phase at 1000 C for 4 hrs. Complete reaction and crystallization of the perovskite phase by solid state was achieved by calcining at 1200 C for 24 hrs. Solid state synthesis produced a coarser powder with an average particle size of 1.3 microns and surface area of 0.74 sq m/g. Co-precipitation produced a finer powder with a average particle size of 65 nm and surface area of 14.9 sq m/g. Powders were doped with 1, 2, 5, and 10 mole % SrTiO3. Samples were sintered at 1450 C, 1550 C and 1650 C. SrTiO3 enhances sintering, optimal dopant level is different for powders synthesized by solid state and co-precipitation. Both powders exhibit similar grain growth behavior. Dopant levels of 5 and 10 mole % SrTiO3 significantly enhances the grain size.

Optimizing the performance of microbial fuel cells fed a combination of different synthetic organic fractions in municipal solid waste.

PubMed

Pendyala, Brahmaiah; Chaganti, Subba Rao; Lalman, Jerald A; Heath, Daniel D

2016-03-01

The objective of this study was to establish the impact of different steam exploded organic fractions in municipal solid waste (MSW) on electricity production using microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In particular, the influence of individual steam exploded liquefied waste components (food waste (FW), paper-cardboard waste (PCW) and garden waste (GW)) and their blends on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, columbic efficiency (CE) and microbial diversity was examined using a mixture design. Maximum power densities from 0.56 to 0.83 W m(-2) were observed for MFCs fed with different feedstocks. The maximum COD removed and minimum CE were observed for a GW feed. However, a reverse trend (minimum COD removed and maximum CE) was observed for the FW feed. A maximum COD removal (78%) accompanied with a maximum CE (24%) was observed for a combined feed of FW, PCW plus GW in a 1:1:1 ratio. Lactate, the major byproduct detected, was unutilized by the anodic biofilm community. The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) could serve as a potential feedstock for electricity generation in MFCs; however, elevated protein levels will lead to reduced COD removal. The microbial communities in cultures fed FW and PCW was highly diversified; however, the communities in cultures fed FW or a feed mixture containing high FW levels were similar and dominated by Bacteroidetes and β-proteobacteria. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ownership of consumer electronics is associated with measures of adiposity during health transition in Vanuatu.

PubMed

Sun, Cheng; Pomer, Alysa; Dancause, Kelsey N; Chan, Chim W; Olszowy, Kathryn M; Silverman, Harold; Lee, Gwang; Tarivonda, Len; Taleo, George; Regenvanu, Ralph; Kaneko, Akira; Weitz, Charles A; Garruto, Ralph M; Lum, J Koji

2017-03-01

The Republic of Vanuatu, like many developing nations, is undergoing a rapid health transition. Our previous study identified several behavioral risk factors for the rising prevalence of obesity. Unexpectedly, daily time spent using television and radio was revealed as a protective factor for obesity in 2007. In this study, we sought to explore associations between ownership of consumer electronics (CE) and measures of adiposity in Vanuatu in 2011. We surveyed 873 adults from five islands varying in level of economic development. Height, weight, and waist circumferences; triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfolds; and percent body fat by bioelectrical impedance were measured. Ownership of eight types of CE, diet through 24-h dietary recall and leisure-time activity patterns were assessed using a questionnaire. Participants from more developed islands owned more types of CE, and revealed higher measures of adiposity on average as well as higher prevalence of obesity/central obesity. When controlling for demographic factors, and dietary and activity patterns, increased measures of adiposity and risk for obesity/central obesity were associated with ownership of cellphones, music players, televisions, video players, microwaves, and/or refrigerators. Positive correlations between CE ownership and measures of adiposity were mainly observed among men on the two most developed islands. The results of this study indicate a possible role of CE use in the rising prevalence of obesity and the shift to a sedentary lifestyle in Vanuatu and many other modernizing regions, where prevention efforts including education on healthy use of CE are imperative. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Expression of specific ionotropic glutamate and GABA-A receptor subunits is decreased in central amygdala of alcoholics.

PubMed

Jin, Zhe; Bhandage, Amol K; Bazov, Igor; Kononenko, Olga; Bakalkin, Georgy; Korpi, Esa R; Birnir, Bryndis

2014-01-01

The central amygdala (CeA) has a role for mediating fear and anxiety responses. It is also involved in emotional imbalance caused by alcohol abuse and dependence and in regulating relapse to alcohol abuse. Growing evidences suggest that excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) transmissions in the CeA are affected by chronic alcohol exposure. Human post-mortem CeA samples from male alcoholics (n = 9) and matched controls (n = 9) were assayed for the expression level of ionotropic glutamate and GABA-A receptors subunit mRNAs using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR). Our data revealed that out of the 16 ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits, mRNAs encoding two AMPA [2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl)propanoic acid] receptor subunits GluA1 and GluA4; one kainate receptor subunit GluK2; one NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor subunit GluN2D and one delta receptor subunit GluD2 were significantly decreased in the CeA of alcoholics. In contrast, of the 19 GABA-A receptor subunits, only the mRNA encoding the α2 subunit was significantly down-regulated in the CeA of the alcoholics as compared with control subjects. Our findings imply that the down-regulation of specific ionotropic glutamate and GABA-A receptor subunits in the CeA of alcoholics may represent one of the molecular substrates underlying the new balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in alcohol dependence.

Expression of specific ionotropic glutamate and GABA-A receptor subunits is decreased in central amygdala of alcoholics

PubMed Central

Jin, Zhe; Bhandage, Amol K.; Bazov, Igor; Kononenko, Olga; Bakalkin, Georgy; Korpi, Esa R.; Birnir, Bryndis

2014-01-01

The central amygdala (CeA) has a role for mediating fear and anxiety responses. It is also involved in emotional imbalance caused by alcohol abuse and dependence and in regulating relapse to alcohol abuse. Growing evidences suggest that excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) transmissions in the CeA are affected by chronic alcohol exposure. Human post-mortem CeA samples from male alcoholics (n = 9) and matched controls (n = 9) were assayed for the expression level of ionotropic glutamate and GABA-A receptors subunit mRNAs using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR). Our data revealed that out of the 16 ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits, mRNAs encoding two AMPA [2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl)propanoic acid] receptor subunits GluA1 and GluA4; one kainate receptor subunit GluK2; one NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor subunit GluN2D and one delta receptor subunit GluD2 were significantly decreased in the CeA of alcoholics. In contrast, of the 19 GABA-A receptor subunits, only the mRNA encoding the α2 subunit was significantly down-regulated in the CeA of the alcoholics as compared with control subjects. Our findings imply that the down-regulation of specific ionotropic glutamate and GABA-A receptor subunits in the CeA of alcoholics may represent one of the molecular substrates underlying the new balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in alcohol dependence. PMID:25278838

Emission intensity of the λ = 1.54 μm line in ZnO films grown by magnetron sputtering, diffusion doped with Ce, Yb, Er

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

Mezdrogina, M. M., E-mail: margeret.m@mail.ioffe.ru; Eremenko, M. V.; Smirnov, A. N.

2015-08-15

The effect of the Er{sup 3+}-ion excitation type on the photoluminescence spectra of crystalline ZnO(ZnO〈Ce, Yb, Er〉) films is determined in the cases of resonant (λ = 532 nm, Er{sup 3+}-ion transition from {sup 4}S{sub 3/2}, {sup 2}H{sub 11/2} levels to {sup 4}I{sub 15/2}) and non-resonant (λ = 325 nm, in the region near the ZnO band-edge emission) excitation. It is shown that resonant excitation gives rise to lines with various emission intensities, characteristic of the Er{sup 3+}-ion intracenter 4f transition with λ = 1535 nm when doping crystalline ZnO films with three rare-earth ions (REIs, Ce, Yb, Er) ormore » with two impurities (Ce, Er) or (Er, Yb), independently of the measurement temperature (T = 83 and 300 K). The doping of crystalline ZnO films with rare-earth impurities (Ce, Yb, Er) leads to the efficient transfer of energy to REIs, a consequence of which is the intense emission of an Er{sup 3+} ion in the IR spectral region at λ{sub max} = 1535 nm. The kick-out diffusion mechanism is used upon the sequential introduction of impurities into semiconductor matrices and during the postgrowth annealing of the ZnO films under study. The crystalline ZnO films doped with Ce, Yb, Er also exhibit intense emission in the visible spectral region at room temperature, which makes them promising materials for optoelectronics.« less

Effect of apolipoprotein A-I deficiency on lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activation in mouse plasma.

PubMed

Parks, J S; Li, H; Gebre, A K; Smith, T L; Maeda, N

1995-02-01

Plasma cholesteryl ester (CE) synthesis by lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is activated by apolipoprotein (apo)A-I. We studied the effect of plasma apoA-I concentration on LCAT activation, using normal, heterozygous or homozygous apoA-I-deficient mice made by gene targeting. Plasma esterified cholesterol concentrations of mice fed chow diets were ordered (mean +/- SEM): 105 +/- 7 (normal) > 70 +/- 5 (heterozygotes) > 26 +/- 2 (homozygotes) mg/dl. Plasma free cholesterol concentrations were similar among the three genotypes. Endogenous LCAT activity, measured as the decrease in plasma free cholesterol after a 1 h incubation at 37 degrees C, was ordered: 44 +/- 3 (normal) > 21 +/- 2 (heterozygotes) > 5 +/- 1 (homozygotes) nmol CE formed/h per ml plasma. Using a recombinant exogenous substrate consisting of egg yolk phospholipid, [14C]cholesterol, and apoA-I, CE formation of normals and heterozygotes was similar (27.4 +/- 0.6 and 28.8 +/- 1.3 nmol/h per ml plasma, respectively), but was significantly less for homozygotes (19.2 +/- 1.7 nmol/h per ml plasma). However, using a small unilamellar vesicle substrate particle containing phospholipid and [14C]cholesterol, CE formation was ordered: 1.6 +/- 0.1 (normal) = 1.6 +/- 0.1 (heterozygotes) > 0.6 +/- 0.1 (homozygotes) nmol/h per ml plasma; addition of apoA-I to the plasma of homozygous animals restored CE formation to normal levels (1.6 +/- 0.1). CE fatty acid analysis demonstrated that plasma from homozygous mice contained significantly more saturated and monounsaturated and fewer polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to normal and heterozygous mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Parent-child agreement in the health related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a longitudinal study].

PubMed

Rajmil, L; Estrada, M D; Herdman, M; Serra-Sutton, V; Tebé, C; Izaguirre, J; Alda, J A; Alonso, J; Riley, A W; Forrest, C B; Starfield, B

2009-06-01

To assess parent-child agreement on changes over a short-term period of time in the HRQOL of children treated for ADHD over a short period of time, and to compare child and parent ratings of children with ADHD with general population norms. Prospective study in children 6-12 years old with ADHD. Children and parents completed the Spanish versions of the Child Health and Illness Profile-Child Edition (CHIP-CE) before and after 8 weeks of treatment. CHIP-PE scores at both visits were compared using paired t tests and effect sizes (ES), intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), and scatter plots. Child and parent ratings were compared with CHIP-CE scores for a general population sample. Thirty-one children and parents were included in the analysis. The highest change between the first and the follow-up visit was on the Risk Avoidance domain both children and parents (effect size [ES]=0.24 and 0.40, respectively). The ICC ranged from 0.44 (Satisfaction) to 0.01 (Risk avoidance). Child self-ratings were close to general population values. All domains of the parent version presented standardized means below the reference values at the baseline visit and closer to the general population norm after treatment. This study found poor parent-child agreement and suggests that both ratings should be collected in future studies on the impact of ADHD and treatment effectiveness.

Rare earth elements in Japan Sea sediments and diagenetic behavior of Ce/Ce∗: results from ODP Leg 127

USGS Publications Warehouse

Murray, R.; Buchholtz ten Brink, Marilyn R.; Brumsack, Hans-Juergen; Gerlach, David C.; Russ III, G. Price

1991-01-01

Ce/Ce* profiles at all three sites increase monotonically with depth, and record progressive diagenetic LREE fractionation. The observed Ce/Ce* record does not respond to changes in oxygenation state of the overlying water, and Ce/Ce* correlated slightly better with depth than with age. The downhole increase in Ce/Ce* at Site 794 and Site 797 is a passive response to diagenetic transfer of LREE (except Ce) from sediment to interstitial water. At Site 795, the overall lack of correlation between Ce/Ce* and L(ln/Ybnsuggests that other processes are occurring which mask the diagenetic behavior of all LREEs. First-order calculations of the Ce budget in Japan Sea waters and sediment indicate that ~20% of the excess Ce adsorbed by settling particles is recycled within the water column, and that an additional ~38% is recycled at or near the seafloor (data from Masuzawa and Koyama, 1989). Thus, because the remaining excess Ce is only ~10% of the total Ce, there is not a large source of Ce to the deeply buried sediment, further suggesting that the downhole increase in Ce/Ce* is a passive response to diagenetic behavior of the other LREEs. The REE chemistry of Japan Sea sediment therefore predicts successive downhole addition of LREEs to deeply-buried interstitial waters.

Electronic structure study of Ce1-xAxO2 (A = Zr & Hf) nanoparticles: NEXAFS and EXAFS investigations.

PubMed

Sharma, Aditya; Varshney, Mayora; Shin, Hyun-Joon; Park, Yong Jun; Kim, Min-Gyu; Ha, Tae-Kyun; Chae, Keun Hwa; Gautam, Sanjeev

2014-10-07

Single phase nanoparticles (NPs) of CeO2, Ce0.5Zr0.5O2, Ce0.5Hf0.5O2 and Ce0.5Hf0.25Zr0.25O2 were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method at constant pH and temperature. The X-ray diffraction results revealed that the additive atoms did not segregate to form secondary phases but led to grain size variation in the NPs. The 10 Dq values in the near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra at the O K-edge did not vary in the same way as the average grain size was changed for the doped CeO2 NPs. The deconvolution of Ce M5-edge and detailed analysis of O K pre-edge peak have shown the higher Ce(+3)/(Ce(+3) + Ce(+4)) ratio in the Zr- and Hf-doped samples. The local atomic structure around the Ce, Zr and Hf atoms was investigated using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy at Ce K-edge, Zr K-edge and Hf L3-edge, respectively, and the EXAFS data were fitted with the theoretical calculations. The 4f occupancy, Ce(+3)/(Ce(+3) + Ce(+4)) ratio of Ce ions, coordination number of Ce and Ce-Ce/Ce-O bond distances were sensitive to the additive atoms but not explicitly changed according to the grain size variation in the NPs.

Health and cost impact of air pollution from biomass burning over the United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eslami, E.; Sadeghi, B.; Choi, Y.

2017-12-01

Effective assessment of health and cost effects of air pollution associated with wildfire events is critical for supporting sustainable management and policy analysis to reduce environmental damages. Since biomass burning events result in higher ozone, PM2.5, and NOx concentration values in urban regions due to long-range transport, preliminary results indicated that wildfire events cause a considerable increase in incident estimates and costs. This study aims to evaluate the health and cost impact of biomass burning events over the continental United States using combined air quality and health impact modeling. To meet this goal, a comprehensive air quality modeling scenarios containing biomass burning emissions were conducted using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system from 2011 to 2014 with a spatial resolution of 12 km. The modeling period includes fire seasons between April and October over the course of four years. By using modeled pollutants concentrations, the USEPA's GIS-based computer program Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program-Community Edition (BenMAP-CE) provides an inclusive figure of health and cost impact caused by changing gaseous and particulate air pollution due to fire events. The basis of BenMAP-CE is the use of a damage-function approach to estimate the health impact of an applied change in air quality by comparing a biomass burning scenario (the one that includes wildfire events) with a baseline scenario (without biomass emissions). This approach considers several factors containing population, exposure to the pollutants, adverse health effects of a particular pollutant, and economic costs. Hence, this study made it capable of showing how biomass burning across U.S. influences people's health in different months, seasons, and regions. Besides, the cost impact of the wildfire events during study periods has also been estimated at both national and regional levels. The results of this study demonstrate the BenMAP-CE can be successfully utilized as a proper tool to obtain health and cost impact of biomass burning events.

Intra-cystic concentrations of albendazole-sulphoxide in human cystic echinococcosis: a systematic review and analysis of individual patient data.

PubMed

Lötsch, Felix; Naderer, Judith; Skuhala, Tomislava; Groger, Mirjam; Auer, Herbert; Kaczirek, Klaus; Waneck, Fredrik; Ramharter, Michael

2016-08-01

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a widespread zoonosis caused by the species complex Echinococcus granulosus. Albendazole (ABZ)-the first-line anthelminthic drug for medical treatment of CE-is metabolized in vivo to the active derivative ABZ-sulphoxide (ABZ-SO). Target-site ABZ-SO concentrations in the hydatid cyst mediate the anthelminthic effect in CE. Primary outcome of this systematic review of individual patient data was the intra-cystic ABZ-SO concentration stratified by cyst size, location, calcification status and use of praziquantel. Studies reporting intra-cystic ABZ-SO concentrations in humans were identified by a systematic search. A pooled analysis of individual patient data was performed to assess intra-cystic concentrations. Pharmacokinetic data of 121 individual cysts were analysed. There was no correlation between plasma and intra-cystic ABZ-SO concentrations (rho = -0.03, p = 0.76). Intra-cystic drug concentrations were also not associated with sex and treatment duration. Use of praziquantel in combination with ABZ was associated with higher plasma (median 540 vs. 240 μg/L; p = 0.04) but not intra-cystic ABZ-SO concentrations (median 220 vs. 199 μg/L; p = 0.36). Relative drug concentrations in hepatic cysts were higher than in other cysts (0.8 vs. 0.4; p = 0.05). Intra-cystic concentrations were higher in calcified than non-calcified cysts (median 897 vs. 245 μg/L; p = 0.03). There was a trend towards higher intra-cystic concentrations in smaller sized cysts (β = -17.2 μg/L/cm; 95th CI, -35.9 to 1.6; p = 0.07). This study demonstrates that mean intra-cystic drug concentrations are similar to plasma concentrations on a population level. However, in individual patients plasma concentrations are not directly predictive for intra-cystic concentrations. The use of booster drugs was not associated with higher intra-cystic ABZ-SO concentrations in this analysis.

A flux-free method for synthesis of Ce{sup 3+}-doped YAG phosphor for white LEDs

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

Qiang, Yaochun; Yu, Yuxi, E-mail: yu_heart@xmu.edu.cn; Chen, Guolong

2016-02-15

Highlights: • A series of CeF{sub 3}-doped YAG phosphors were successfully synthesized. • CeF{sub 3} not only can be used as the Ce{sup 3+} source but also can play the role of a flux. • The QY of YAG:CeF{sub 3} phosphor is 91% but the QY of YAG:Ce{sub 2}O{sub 3} phosphor is just 80%. • YAG:CeF{sub 3} phosphor exhibits excellent thermal stability. • Using CeF{sub 3} as the Ce{sup 3+} source is a promising flux-free method to prepare YAG:Ce{sup 3+}. - Abstract: A series of CeF{sub 3}-doped Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} (YAG:CeF{sub 3}) phosphor, CeO{sub 2}-doped Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12}more » (YAG:Ce{sub 2}O{sub 3}) phosphor and 5 wt% BaF{sub 2} added YAG:Ce{sub 2}O{sub 3} (YAG:Ce{sub 2}O{sub 3} + BaF{sub 2}) phosphor were successfully synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. The microstructure, morphology, luminescence spectra, luminescence quantum yield (QY) and thermal quenching of the phosphors were investigated. The QY of YAG:CeF{sub 3} phosphor is 91% but the QY of YAG:Ce{sub 2}O{sub 3} phosphor is just 80%. At 150 °C, the luminescence intensity of YAG:CeF{sub 3} phosphor, YAG:Ce{sub 2}O{sub 3} phosphor and YAG:Ce{sub 2}O{sub 3} + BaF{sub 2} phosphor was 85%, 86% and 89% of that measured at 25 °C, respectively. The comprehensive performance of the white LED lamp employing YAG:CeF{sub 3} phosphor is even better than that of the white LED lamp employing YAG:Ce{sub 2}O{sub 3} + BaF{sub 2} phosphor. The experimental results show that it is a promising flux-free method to synthesize Ce{sup 3+}-doped YAG phosphor by employing CeF{sub 3} as the Ce{sup 3+} source.« less

Solid frustrated-Lewis-pair catalysts constructed by regulations on surface defects of porous nanorods of CeO2

PubMed Central

Zhang, Sai; Huang, Zheng-Qing; Ma, Yuanyuan; Gao, Wei; Li, Jing; Cao, Fangxian; Li, Lin; Chang, Chun-Ran; Qu, Yongquan

2017-01-01

Identification on catalytic sites of heterogeneous catalysts at atomic level is important to understand catalytic mechanism. Surface engineering on defects of metal oxides can construct new active sites and regulate catalytic activity and selectivity. Here we outline the strategy by controlling surface defects of nanoceria to create the solid frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) metal oxide for efficient hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes. Porous nanorods of ceria (PN-CeO2) with a high concentration of surface defects construct new Lewis acidic sites by two adjacent surface Ce3+. The neighbouring surface lattice oxygen as Lewis base and constructed Lewis acid create solid FLP site due to the rigid lattice of ceria, which can easily dissociate H–H bond with low activation energy of 0.17 eV. PMID:28516952

Posterior Orbitofrontal and Anterior Cingulate Pathways to the Amygdala Target Inhibitory and Excitatory Systems with Opposite Functions.

PubMed

Zikopoulos, Basilis; Höistad, Malin; John, Yohan; Barbas, Helen

2017-05-17

The bidirectional dialogue of the primate posterior orbitofrontal cortex (pOFC) with the amygdala is essential in cognitive-emotional functions. The pOFC also sends a uniquely one-way excitatory pathway to the amygdalar inhibitory intercalated masses (IM), which inhibit the medial part of the central amygdalar nucleus (CeM). Inhibition of IM has the opposite effect, allowing amygdalar activation of autonomic structures and emotional arousal. Using multiple labeling approaches to identify pathways and their postsynaptic sites in the amygdala in rhesus monkeys, we found that the anterior cingulate cortex innervated mostly the basolateral and CeM amygdalar nuclei, poised to activate CeM for autonomic arousal. By contrast, a pathway from pOFC to IM exceeded all other pathways to the amygdala by density and size and proportion of large and efficient terminals. Moreover, whereas pOFC terminals in IM innervated each of the three distinct classes of inhibitory neurons, most targeted neurons expressing dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein (DARPP-32+), known to be modulated by dopamine. The predominant pOFC innervation of DARPP-32+ neurons suggests activation of IM and inhibition of CeM, resulting in modulated autonomic function. By contrast, inhibition of DARPP-32 neurons in IM by high dopamine levels disinhibits CeM and triggers autonomic arousal. The findings provide a mechanism to help explain how a strong pOFC pathway, which is poised to moderate activity of CeM, through IM, can be undermined by the high level of dopamine during stress, resulting in collapse of potent inhibitory mechanisms in the amygdala and heightened autonomic drive, as seen in chronic anxiety disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The dialogue between prefrontal cortex and amygdala allows thoughts and emotions to influence actions. The posterior orbitofrontal cortex sends a powerful pathway that targets a special class of amygdalar intercalated mass (IM) inhibitory neurons, whose wiring may help modulate autonomic function. By contrast, the anterior cingulate cortex innervates other amygdalar parts, activating circuits to help avoid danger. Most IM neurons in primates label for the protein DARPP-32, known to be activated or inhibited based on the level of dopamine. Stress markedly increases dopamine release and inhibits IM neurons, compromises prefrontal control of the amygdala, and sets off a general alarm system as seen in affective disorders, such as chronic anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Copyright © 2017 the authors 0270-6474/17/375051-14$15.00/0.

Lifetime measurements in A˜100 nuclei using LaBr3(Ce) arrays.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruce, A. M.

2018-05-01

The region of the nuclear chart around neutron-rich A˜100 nuclei is one where prolate and oblate nuclear shapes are predicted to be in close competition. An indirect measurement of the shape of the nucleus can be obtained from measuring level lifetimes which relate, via transition rates, to β2 deformation. In order to make measurements of level lifetimes in the sub nanosecond range an array of 36 LaBr3(Ce) detectors has been constructed for use at the FAIR facility in Darmstadt, Germany. This presentation will give an overview of the array and examples of its use in commissioning experiments at the RIKEN Nishina Center in Japan and the Argonne National Laboratory in the USA.

Ada Compiler Validation Summary Report: Certificate Number: 910626S1. 11179 U.S. Navy Ada/M, Version 4.0 (OPTIMIZE) VAX 11/785 = AN/AYK-14 (Bare Board).

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-07-30

AN/AYK-14 (Bare Board)(Target), 910626S1 .1 1179 6 AUTHOR(S) National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, MD USA 7 PERFORMING...Capability (ACVC). Tlis Validation Summary Report ( VSR ) gives an account of the testing of this Ada implementation. For any technical terms used in this...EE3203A EE3204A CE3207A CE3208A CE3301A EE3301B CE3302A CE3304A CE3%05A CE3401A CE3402A EE3402B CE3402C. .D (2) CE3403A. .C (3) CE3403E. - 7 (2) CE3404B

Effect of Ce-substitution on structural, morphological, magnetic and DC electrical resistivity of Co-ferrite materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mammo, Tulu Wegayehu; Murali, N.; Sileshi, Yonatan Mulushoa; Arunamani, T.

2018-02-01

Partially substituted spinel structured CoFe2-xCexO4 (x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, and 0.09) samples have been synthesized using the sol-gel autocombustion route. Stoichiometric amounts of metal nitrates and citric acid were mixed in double distilled water to get homogeneously mixed solutions which were then heated to burn and result in samples for the next two-step annealing procedures. Structural and phase characterization using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) has been carried out; and a pure spinel structured samples with lattice parameters increasing with the increase of Ce concentration levels have been obtained. The lattice parameters were calculated to be in the range of 8.42774-8.4744 Å. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) microstructure characterizations revealed clear grain structures of the so synthesized samples with grain sizes decreasing with Ce. Fourier transform Infrared (FT-IR) characterization measured in the wave number ranges of 400-4000 cm-1 showed the cation vibrations and stretching at characteristic frequency of 668-418 cm-1. The DC resistivity measurements confirmed a decrease in the resistivity of the samples with the increase of Ce concentration and with the increase of temperature in all of the samples synthesized. Room temperature vibrating sample magnetometer measurement revealed the magnetic properties of the samples with decreasing magnetic parameters as Ce concentration increases.

Synthesis, structure, and photoluminescence properties of novel KBaSc2 (PO4 )3 :Ce(3+) /Eu(2+) /Tb(3+) phosphors for white-light-emitting diodes.

PubMed

Jiao, Mengmeng; Lü, Wei; Shao, Baiqi; Zhao, Lingfei; You, Hongpeng

2015-08-24

A series of novel KBaSc2 (PO4 )3 :Ce(3+) /Eu(2+) /Tb(3+) phosphors are prepared using a solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction analysis and Rietveld structure refinement are used to check the phase purity and crystal structure of the prepared samples. Ce(3+) - and Eu(2+) -doped phosphors both have broad excitation and emission bands, owing to the spin- and orbital-allowed electron transition between the 4f and 5d energy levels. By co-doping the KBaSc2 (PO4 )3 :Eu(2+) and KBaSc2 (PO4 )3 :Ce(3+) phosphors with Tb(3+) ions, tunable colors from blue to green can be obtained. The critical distance between the Eu(2+) and Tb(3+) ions is calculated by a concentration quenching method and the energy-transfer mechanism for Eu(2+) →Tb(3+) is studied by utilizing the Inokuti-Hirayama model. In addition, the quantum efficiencies of the prepared samples are measured. The results indicate that KBaSc2 (PO4 )3 :Eu(2+) ,Tb(3+) and KBaSc2 (PO4 )3 :Ce(3+) ,Tb(3+) phosphors might have potential applications in UV-excited white-light-emitting diodes. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Saturation of a Ce:Y 3Al 5O 12 scintillator response to ultra-short pulses of extreme ultraviolet soft X-ray and X-ray laser radiation

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

Krzywinski, J.; Andrejczuk, A.; Bionta, R. M.

Investigations of radioluminescence saturation in monocrystalline cerium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Ce:YAG) exposed to intense extreme ultraviolet (XUV), soft X-ray and X-ray radiation delivered from three free-electron lasers are described in this article. The measurements were performed with wavelengths of 98, 25.6, 13.5 and 0.15 nm. We have found that saturation of the photon yield occurs at an excitation level of 2.0 x 10 20 eV/cm 3 resulting in an emission of 1.5 x 10 18 visible photons per cubic centimeter. This number is much smaller than the concentration of Ce3+ in the scintillator that was equal to 2 xmore » 10 20 cm –3. Because the internal radiance efficiency η does not depend strongly on the irradiating photon energy, i.e., η ≈0.035 ± 0.015 in the range 10 to 100 000 eV, the results presented here could be used to predict saturation effects in scintillator slabs placed in imaging systems of bright XUV, X-ray and particle beams. In conclusion, the saturation of the Ce 3+ emission is explained by mutual quenching of excitons created at high densities, preceding the stage of energy transfer to the Ce 3+ ions.« less

Rapid Changes in Connexin-43 in Response to Genotoxic Stress Stabilize Cell–Cell Communication in Corneal Endothelium

PubMed Central

Roh, Danny S.

2011-01-01

Purpose. To determine how corneal endothelial (CE) cells respond to acute genotoxic stress through changes in connexin-43 (Cx43) and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC). Methods. Cultured bovine CE cells were exposed to mitomycin C or other DNA-damaging agents. Changes in the levels, stability, binding partners, and trafficking of Cx43 were assessed by Western blot analysis and immunostaining. Live-cell imaging of a Cx43–green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein was used to evaluate internalization of cell surface Cx43. Dye transfer and fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assessed GJIC. Results. After genotoxic stress, Cx43 accumulated in large gap junction plaques, had reduced zonula occludens-1 binding, and displayed increased stability. Live-cell imaging of Cx43–GFP plaques in stressed CE cells revealed reduced gap junction internalization and degradation compared to control cells. Mitomycin C enhanced transport of Cx43 from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface and formation of gap junction plaques. Mitomycin C treatment also protected GJIC from disruption after cytokine treatment. Discussion. These results show a novel CE cell response to genotoxic stress mediated by marked and rapid changes in Cx43 and GJIC. This stabilization of cell–cell communication may be an important early adaptation to acute stressors encountered by CE. PMID:21666237

Saturation of a Ce:Y 3Al 5O 12 scintillator response to ultra-short pulses of extreme ultraviolet soft X-ray and X-ray laser radiation

DOE PAGES

Krzywinski, J.; Andrejczuk, A.; Bionta, R. M.; ...

2017-02-01

Investigations of radioluminescence saturation in monocrystalline cerium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Ce:YAG) exposed to intense extreme ultraviolet (XUV), soft X-ray and X-ray radiation delivered from three free-electron lasers are described in this article. The measurements were performed with wavelengths of 98, 25.6, 13.5 and 0.15 nm. We have found that saturation of the photon yield occurs at an excitation level of 2.0 x 10 20 eV/cm 3 resulting in an emission of 1.5 x 10 18 visible photons per cubic centimeter. This number is much smaller than the concentration of Ce3+ in the scintillator that was equal to 2 xmore » 10 20 cm –3. Because the internal radiance efficiency η does not depend strongly on the irradiating photon energy, i.e., η ≈0.035 ± 0.015 in the range 10 to 100 000 eV, the results presented here could be used to predict saturation effects in scintillator slabs placed in imaging systems of bright XUV, X-ray and particle beams. In conclusion, the saturation of the Ce 3+ emission is explained by mutual quenching of excitons created at high densities, preceding the stage of energy transfer to the Ce 3+ ions.« less

Understanding Bright 13 keV Kr K-shell X-ray Sources at the NIF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

May, M. J.; Colvin, J. D.; Kemp, G. E.; Fournier, K. B.; Scott, H.; Patel, M.; Barrios, Widmann; Widmann, K.

2015-11-01

High x-ray conversion efficiency (CE) K-shell Kr sources are being investigated for High Energy Density experiments. These sources are 4.1 mm in diameter 4.4 mm tall hollow epoxy tubes having a 40 μm thick wall holding either 1.2 or 1.5 atm of Kr gas. The CE of K-shell Kr is dependent upon the peak electron temperature in the radiating plasma. In the NIF experiments, the available energy heats the source to Te = 6-7 keV, well below the temperature of Te ~25 keV needed to optimize the Kr CE. The CE is a steep function of the peak electron temperature. A spatially averaged electron temperature can be estimated from measured He(α) and Ly(α) line ratios. Some disagreement has been observed in the simulated and measured line ratios for some of these K-shell sources. Disagreements have been observed between the simulated and measured line ratios for some of these K-shell sources. To help understand this issue, Kr gas pipes have been shot with 3 ω light at ?750 kJ at ~210, ~140 TW and ~120 TW power levels with 3.7, 5.2 and 6.7 ns pulses, respectively. The power and pulse length scaling of the measured CE and K-shell line ratios and their comparison to simulations will be discussed. This work was performed under the auspic

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

Murguia-Berthier, Ariadna; Ramirez-Ruiz, Enrico; Antoni, Andrea

During a common envelope (CE) episode in a binary system, the engulfed companion spirals to tighter orbital separations under the influence of drag from the surrounding envelope material. As this object sweeps through material with a steep radial gradient of density, net angular momentum is introduced into the flow, potentially leading to the formation of an accretion disk. The presence of a disk would have dramatic consequences for the outcome of the interaction because accretion might be accompanied by strong, polar outflows with enough energy to unbind the entire envelope. Without a detailed understanding of the necessary conditions for diskmore » formation during CE, therefore, it is difficult to accurately predict the population of merging compact binaries. This paper examines the conditions for disk formation around objects embedded within CEs using the “wind tunnel” formalism developed by MacLeod et al. We find that the formation of disks is highly dependent on the compressibility of the envelope material. Disks form only in the most compressible of stellar envelope gas, found in envelopes’ outer layers in zones of partial ionization. These zones are largest in low-mass stellar envelopes, but comprise small portions of the envelope mass and radius in all cases. We conclude that disk formation and associated accretion feedback in CE is rare, and if it occurs, transitory. The implication for LIGO black hole binary assembly is that by avoiding strong accretion feedback, CE interactions should still result in the substantial orbital tightening needed to produce merging binaries.« less