Development of a lithium fluoride zinc sulfide based neutron multiplicity counter

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

Cowles, Christian; Behling, Spencer; Baldez, Phoenix

Here, the feasibility of a full-scale lithium fluoride zinc sulfide (LiF/ZnS) based neutron multiplicity counter has been demonstrated. The counter was constructed of modular neutron detecting stacks that each contain five sheets of LiF/ZnS interleaved between six sheets of wavelength shifting plastic with a photomultiplier tube on each end. Twelve such detector stacks were placed around a sample chamber in a square arrangement with lithiated high-density polyethylene blocks in the corners to reflect high-energy neutrons and capture low-energy neutrons. The final system design was optimized via modeling and small-scale test. Measuring neutrons from a 252Cf source, the counter achieved amore » 36% neutron detection efficiency (ϵϵ) and an View the MathML source11.7μs neutron die-away time (ττ) for a doubles figure-of-merit (ϵ 2/τ) of 109. This is the highest doubles figure-of-merit measured to-date for a 3He-free neutron multiplicity counter.« less

Development of a lithium fluoride zinc sulfide based neutron multiplicity counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cowles, Christian; Behling, Spencer; Baldez, Phoenix; Folsom, Micah; Kouzes, Richard; Kukharev, Vladislav; Lintereur, Azaree; Robinson, Sean; Siciliano, Edward; Stave, Sean; Valdez, Patrick

2018-04-01

The feasibility of a full-scale lithium fluoride zinc sulfide (LiF/ZnS) based neutron multiplicity counter has been demonstrated. The counter was constructed of modular neutron detecting stacks that each contain five sheets of LiF/ZnS interleaved between six sheets of wavelength shifting plastic with a photomultiplier tube on each end. Twelve such detector stacks were placed around a sample chamber in a square arrangement with lithiated high-density polyethylene blocks in the corners to reflect high-energy neutrons and capture low-energy neutrons. The final system design was optimized via modeling and small-scale test. Measuring neutrons from a 252Cf source, the counter achieved a 36% neutron detection efficiency (ɛ) and an 11 . 7 μs neutron die-away time (τ) for a doubles figure-of-merit (ɛ2 / τ) of 109. This is the highest doubles figure-of-merit measured to-date for a 3He-free neutron multiplicity counter.

Development of a lithium fluoride zinc sulfide based neutron multiplicity counter

DOE PAGES

Cowles, Christian; Behling, Spencer; Baldez, Phoenix; ...

2018-01-12

Here, the feasibility of a full-scale lithium fluoride zinc sulfide (LiF/ZnS) based neutron multiplicity counter has been demonstrated. The counter was constructed of modular neutron detecting stacks that each contain five sheets of LiF/ZnS interleaved between six sheets of wavelength shifting plastic with a photomultiplier tube on each end. Twelve such detector stacks were placed around a sample chamber in a square arrangement with lithiated high-density polyethylene blocks in the corners to reflect high-energy neutrons and capture low-energy neutrons. The final system design was optimized via modeling and small-scale test. Measuring neutrons from a 252Cf source, the counter achieved amore » 36% neutron detection efficiency (ϵϵ) and an View the MathML source11.7μs neutron die-away time (ττ) for a doubles figure-of-merit (ϵ 2/τ) of 109. This is the highest doubles figure-of-merit measured to-date for a 3He-free neutron multiplicity counter.« less

Multiple priming of lexically ambiguous and unambiguous targets in the cerebral hemispheres: the coarse coding hypothesis revisited

PubMed Central

Kandhadai, Padmapriya; Federmeier, Kara D.

2009-01-01

The coarse coding hypothesis (Jung-Beeman 2005) postulates that the cerebral hemispheres differ in their breadth of semantic activation, with the left hemisphere (LH) activating a narrow, focused semantic field and the right (RH) weakly activating a broader semantic field. In support of coarse coding, studies (e.g., Faust and Lavidor 2003) investigating priming for multiple senses of a lexically ambiguous word have reported a RH benefit. However, studies of mediated priming (Livesay and Burgess 2003; Richards and Chiarello 1995) have failed to find a RH advantage for processing distantly-linked, unambiguous words. To address this debate, the present study made use of a multiple priming paradigm (Balota and Paul, 1996) in which two primes either converged onto the single meaning of an unambiguous, lexically-associated target (LION-STRIPES-TIGER) or diverged onto different meanings of an ambiguous target (KIDNEY-PIANO-ORGAN). In two experiments, participants either made lexical decisions to targets (Experiment 1) or made a semantic relatedness judgment between primes and targets (Experiment 2). In both tasks, for both ambiguous and unambiguous triplets we found equivalent priming strengths and patterns across the two visual fields, counter to the predictions of the coarse coding hypothesis. Priming patterns further suggested that both hemispheres made use of lexical level representations in the lexical decision task and semantic representations in the semantic judgment task. PMID:17459344

Training Post-9/11 Police Officers with a Counter-Terrorism Reality-Based Training Model: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Biddle, Christopher J.

2013-01-01

The purpose of this qualitative holistic multiple-case study was to identify the optimal theoretical approach for a Counter-Terrorism Reality-Based Training (CTRBT) model to train post-9/11 police officers to perform effectively in their counter-terrorism assignments. Post-9/11 police officers assigned to counter-terrorism duties are not trained…

Evidence of locally enhanced target heating due to instabilities of counter-streaming fast electron beams

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

Koester, Petra; Cecchetti, Carlo A.; Booth, Nicola

2015-02-15

The high-current fast electron beams generated in high-intensity laser-solid interactions require the onset of a balancing return current in order to propagate in the target material. Such a system of counter-streaming electron currents is unstable to a variety of instabilities such as the current-filamentation instability and the two-stream instability. An experimental study aimed at investigating the role of instabilities in a system of symmetrical counter-propagating fast electron beams is presented here for the first time. The fast electron beams are generated by double-sided laser-irradiation of a layered target foil at laser intensities above 10{sup 19 }W/cm{sup 2}. High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy ofmore » the emission from the central Ti layer shows that locally enhanced energy deposition is indeed achieved in the case of counter-propagating fast electron beams.« less

Air Proportional Counter

DOEpatents

Simpson, Jr, J A

1950-12-05

A multiple wire counter utilizing air at atmospheric pressure as the ionizing medium and having a window of a nylon sheet of less than 0.5 mil thickness coated with graphite. The window is permeable to alpha particles so that the counter is well adapted to surveying sources of alpha radiation.

Spatial fragment distribution from a therapeutic pencil-like carbon beam in water.

PubMed

Matsufuji, Naruhiro; Komori, Masataka; Sasaki, Hitomi; Akiu, Kengo; Ogawa, Masako; Fukumura, Akifumi; Urakabe, Eriko; Inaniwa, Taku; Nishio, Teiji; Kohno, Toshiyuki; Kanai, Tatsuaki

2005-07-21

The latest heavy ion therapy tends to require information about the spatial distribution of the quality of radiation in a patient's body in order to make the best use of any potential advantage of swift heavy ions for the therapeutic treatment of a tumour. The deflection of incident particles is described well by Molière's multiple-scattering theory of primary particles; however, the deflection of projectile fragments is not yet thoroughly understood. This paper reports on our investigation of the spatial distribution of fragments produced from a therapeutic carbon beam through nuclear reactions in thick water. A DeltaE-E counter telescope system, composed of a plastic scintillator, a gas-flow proportional counter and a BGO scintillator, was rotated around a water target in order to measure the spatial distribution of the radiation quality. The results revealed that the observed deflection of fragment particles exceeded the multiple scattering effect estimated by Molière's theory. However, the difference can be sufficiently accounted for by considering one term involved in the multiple-scattering formula; this term corresponds to a lateral 'kick' at the point of production of the fragment. This kick is successfully explained as a transfer of the intra-nucleus Fermi momentum of a projectile to the fragment; the extent of the kick obeys the expectation derived from the Goldhaber model.

ALTERNATIVES TO HELIUM-3 FOR NEUTRON MULTIPLICITY DETECTORS

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

Ely, James H.; Siciliano, Edward R.; Swinhoe, Martyn T.

Collaboration between the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is underway to evaluate neutron detection technologies that might replace the high-pressure helium (3He) tubes currently used in neutron multiplicity counter for safeguards applications. The current stockpile of 3He is diminishing and alternatives are needed for a variety of neutron detection applications including multiplicity counters. The first phase of this investigation uses a series of Monte Carlo calculations to simulate the performance of an existing neutron multiplicity counter configuration by replacing the 3He tubes in a model for that counter with candidate alternative technologies. Thesemore » alternative technologies are initially placed in approximately the same configuration as the 3He tubes to establish a reference level of performance against the 3He-based system. After these reference-level results are established, the configurations of the alternative models will be further modified for performance optimization. The 3He model for these simulations is the one used by LANL to develop and benchmark the Epithermal Neutron Multiplicity Counter (ENMC) detector, as documented by H.O. Menlove, et al. in the 2004 LANL report LA-14088. The alternative technologies being evaluated are the boron-tri-fluoride-filled proportional tubes, boron-lined tubes, and lithium coated materials previously tested as possible replacements in portal monitor screening applications, as documented by R.T. Kouzes, et al. in the 2010 PNNL report PNNL-72544 and NIM A 623 (2010) 1035–1045. The models and methods used for these comparative calculations will be described and preliminary results shown« less

Counter-balanced, multiple cable construction crane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikulas, Martin M., Jr.; Yang, Li-Farn

1991-11-01

The invention is a counter-balanced, multiple cable construction crane. The apparatus for hoisting payloads comprises a crane having a lifting means, the lifting means comprising an end effector means and three suspension means or cables. One end of each cable attaches to a different winding means located on the lifting means, and the other end of each cable attaches to a different point on the end effector, such that the three cables have a theoretical point of convergence with this point corresponding to the center of mass of the payload. Three controls command rotation of the winding means to a predetermined position. Accordingly, the crane provides precise and autonomous positioning of the payload without human guidance. The crane further comprises a counter-balancing means. Two controls position the counter-balancing means to offset the overturning moment which arises during the lifting of heavy payloads.

Counter-balanced, multiple cable construction crane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikulas, Martin M., Jr.; Yang, Li-Farn

1993-10-01

The invention is a counter-balanced, multiple cable construction crane. The apparatus for hoisting payloads comprises a crane having a lifting means, the lifting means comprising an end effector means and three suspension means or cables. One end of each cable attaches to a different winding means located on the lifting means, and the other end of each cable attaches to a different point on the end effector, such that the three cables have a theoretical point of convergence with this point corresponding to the center of mass of the payload. Three controls command rotation of the winding means to a predetermined position. Accordingly, the crane provides precise and autonomous positioning of the payload without human guidance. The crane further comprises a counter-balancing means. Two controls position the counter-balancing means to offset the overturning moment which arises during the lifting of heavy payloads.

Counter-balanced, multiple cable construction crane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mikulas, Martin M., Jr. (Inventor); Yang, Li-Farn (Inventor)

1993-01-01

The invention is a counter-balanced, multiple cable construction crane. The apparatus for hoisting payloads comprises a crane having a lifting means, the lifting means comprising an end effector means and three suspension means or cables. One end of each cable attaches to a different winding means located on the lifting means, and the other end of each cable attaches to a different point on the end effector, such that the three cables have a theoretical point of convergence with this point corresponding to the center of mass of the payload. Three controls command rotation of the winding means to a predetermined position. Accordingly, the crane provides precise and autonomous positioning of the payload without human guidance. The crane further comprises a counter-balancing means. Two controls position the counter-balancing means to offset the overturning moment which arises during the lifting of heavy payloads.

Counter design influences the privacy of patients in health care.

PubMed

Mobach, Mark P

2009-03-01

A re-furnishing of counter areas in primary health care was used to assess patient privacy and its influences on the nature of conversations in a controlled experiment. Patients in two community-based pharmacies in the Netherlands were assigned to enclosed counters and a queue at distance, or to counters that exposed patients mutually and a closer queue. Patients assigned to counters with reduced sight were more satisfied with the privacy than patients at visually exposed counters. However, in comparison with visually exposed pharmacy counters, conversations of patients at enclosed counters could still be overheard and did not have different conversations to other patients. Architectural design of health-care institutions has potential to positively influence perceived patient privacy in areas in where multiple patient-staff communications routinely occur and where patient privacy is an important issue, but enclosed counters with a queue at distance do not prevent incidental disclosure of individually identifiable health information.

Multiple Input Sliding Mode Control for Autonomous Diving and Steering of Underwater Vehicles

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

States Navy B.S., University of Minnesota Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL...VARIABLES C REAL UCO,UC,VCO,VC REAL TARGET,PSID,DAWAY,ALPHA REAL XD,XD1,XD2,XPOS,XCURRXCTE,YD,YD1,YD2,YPOS,YCU RR,YCTE REAL XDOT,YDOT INTEGER IWAY, INAV C...INVERT THE MASS MATRIX USING IMSL LIBRARY SUBROUTINE CALL LINRG(3,MM,3,MMINV,3) C C INITIALIZE THE COUNTERS C ISCREEN=l INAV =0 IWAY=l IOUT=1 C C OPEN

Facilitated Protein Association via Engineered Target Search Pathways Visualized by Paramagnetic NMR Spectroscopy.

PubMed

An, So Young; Kim, Eun-Hee; Suh, Jeong-Yong

2018-06-05

Proteins assemble to form functional complexes via the progressive evolution of nonspecific complexes formed by transient encounters. This target search process generally involves multiple routes that lead the initial encounters to the final complex. In this study, we have employed NMR paramagnetic relaxation enhancement to visualize the encounter complexes between histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein and the N-terminal domain of enzyme I and demonstrate that protein association can be significantly enhanced by engineering on-pathways. Specifically, mutations in surface charges away from the binding interface can elicit new on-pathway encounter complexes, increasing their binding affinity by an order of magnitude. The structure of these encounter complexes indicates that such on-pathways extend the built-in target search process of the native protein complex. Furthermore, blocking on-pathways by countering mutations reverts their binding affinity. Our study thus illustrates that protein interactions can be engineered by rewiring the target search process. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Proportional counter radiation camera

DOEpatents

Borkowski, C.J.; Kopp, M.K.

1974-01-15

A gas-filled proportional counter camera that images photon emitting sources is described. A two-dimensional, positionsensitive proportional multiwire counter is provided as the detector. The counter consists of a high- voltage anode screen sandwiched between orthogonally disposed planar arrays of multiple parallel strung, resistively coupled cathode wires. Two terminals from each of the cathode arrays are connected to separate timing circuitry to obtain separate X and Y coordinate signal values from pulse shape measurements to define the position of an event within the counter arrays which may be recorded by various means for data display. The counter is further provided with a linear drift field which effectively enlarges the active gas volume of the counter and constrains the recoil electrons produced from ionizing radiation entering the counter to drift perpendicularly toward the planar detection arrays. A collimator is interposed between a subject to be imaged and the counter to transmit only the radiation from the subject which has a perpendicular trajectory with respect to the planar cathode arrays of the detector. (Official Gazette)

Key Ingredients-Target Groups, Methods and Messages, and Evaluation-of Local-Level, Public Interventions to Counter Stigma and Discrimination: A Lived Experience Informed Selective Narrative Literature Review.

PubMed

Ashton, Laura J; Gordon, Sarah E; Reeves, Racheal A

2018-04-01

A proliferation of recent literature provides substantial direction as to the key ingredients-target groups, messages and methods, and evaluation-of local-level, public interventions to counter stigma and discrimination. This paper provides a selective narrative review of that literature from the perspective or standpoint of anti-stigma experts with lived experience of mental distress, the key findings of which have been synthesised and presented in diagrammatic overviews (infographics). These are intended to guide providers in planning, delivering and evaluating lived experience-directed local-level, public interventions to counter stigma and discrimination in accord with current best practice.

Advanced Standoff Interdiction Weapon and Sensor System. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1972-06-15

interdiction system to counter enemy infiltration along the water - ways and roads of Southeast Asia. The sensors were selected to give the helicopter a...was con- ceived as an interdiction system to counter enemy infiltration along the water - ways ard roads of Southeast Asia. The sensors were selected...controller enabled him to fly the helicopter to intercept the moving target. Mount camera film was exposed while the target was being fracked by the

He Did What?: The role of diagnosticity in revising implicit evaluations

PubMed Central

Cone, Jeremy; Ferguson, Melissa J.

2015-01-01

Research suggests that implicit evaluations are relatively insensitive to single instances of new, countervailing information that contradicts prior learning. In six experiments, however, we identify the critical role of the perceived diagnosticity of that new information: counter-attitudinal information that is deemed highly diagnostic of the target's true nature leads to a complete reversal of the previous implicit evaluation. Experiments 1a and 1b establish this effect by showing that newly-formed implicit evaluations are reversed minutes later with exposure to a single piece of highly diagnostic information. Experiment 2 demonstrates a valence asymmetry in participants’ likelihood of exhibiting rapid reversals of newly formed positive versus negative implicit evaluations. Experiment 3 provides evidence that a target must be personally responsible for the counter-attitudinal behavior and not merely incidentally associated with a negative act. Experiment 4 shows that participants exhibit revision only when they judge the target's counter-attitudinal behavior as offensive and thus diagnostic of his character. Experiment 5 demonstrates the behavioral implications of newly-revised implicit evaluations. These studies show that newly-formed implicit evaluations can be completely overturned through deliberative considerations about a single piece of counter-attitudinal information. PMID:25365037

A New Concept for Counter-Checking of Assumed CPM Pairs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knapp, Wilfried; Nanson, John

2017-01-01

The inflation of “newly discovered” CPM pairs makes it necessary to develop an approach for a solid concept for counter-checking assumed CPM pairs with the target to identify false positives. Such a concept is presented in this report.

Estimating the mass variance in neutron multiplicity counting-A comparison of approaches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubi, C.; Croft, S.; Favalli, A.; Ocherashvili, A.; Pedersen, B.

2017-12-01

In the standard practice of neutron multiplicity counting , the first three sampled factorial moments of the event triggered neutron count distribution are used to quantify the three main neutron source terms: the spontaneous fissile material effective mass, the relative (α , n) production and the induced fission source responsible for multiplication. This study compares three methods to quantify the statistical uncertainty of the estimated mass: the bootstrap method, propagation of variance through moments, and statistical analysis of cycle data method. Each of the three methods was implemented on a set of four different NMC measurements, held at the JRC-laboratory in Ispra, Italy, sampling four different Pu samples in a standard Plutonium Scrap Multiplicity Counter (PSMC) well counter.

Estimating the mass variance in neutron multiplicity counting $-$ A comparison of approaches

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

Dubi, C.; Croft, S.; Favalli, A.

In the standard practice of neutron multiplicity counting, the first three sampled factorial moments of the event triggered neutron count distribution are used to quantify the three main neutron source terms: the spontaneous fissile material effective mass, the relative (α,n) production and the induced fission source responsible for multiplication. This study compares three methods to quantify the statistical uncertainty of the estimated mass: the bootstrap method, propagation of variance through moments, and statistical analysis of cycle data method. Each of the three methods was implemented on a set of four different NMC measurements, held at the JRC-laboratory in Ispra, Italy,more » sampling four different Pu samples in a standard Plutonium Scrap Multiplicity Counter (PSMC) well counter.« less

Estimating the mass variance in neutron multiplicity counting $-$ A comparison of approaches

DOE PAGES

Dubi, C.; Croft, S.; Favalli, A.; ...

2017-09-14

In the standard practice of neutron multiplicity counting, the first three sampled factorial moments of the event triggered neutron count distribution are used to quantify the three main neutron source terms: the spontaneous fissile material effective mass, the relative (α,n) production and the induced fission source responsible for multiplication. This study compares three methods to quantify the statistical uncertainty of the estimated mass: the bootstrap method, propagation of variance through moments, and statistical analysis of cycle data method. Each of the three methods was implemented on a set of four different NMC measurements, held at the JRC-laboratory in Ispra, Italy,more » sampling four different Pu samples in a standard Plutonium Scrap Multiplicity Counter (PSMC) well counter.« less

Current test results for the Athena radar responsive tag

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ormesher, Richard C.; Martinez, Ana; Plummer, Kenneth W.; Erlandson, David; Delaware, Sheri; Clark, David R.

2006-05-01

Sandia National Laboratories has teamed with General Atomics and Sierra Monolithics to develop the Athena tag for the Army's Radar Tag Engagement (RaTE) program. The radar-responsive Athena tag can be used for Blue Force tracking and Combat Identification (CID) as well as data collection, identification, and geolocation applications. The Athena tag is small (~4.5" x 2.4" x 4.2"), battery-powered, and has an integral antenna. Once remotely activated by a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) or Moving Target Indicator (MTI) radar, the tag transponds modulated pulses to the radar at a low transmit power. The Athena tag can operate Ku-band and X-band airborne SAR and MTI radars. This paper presents results from current tag development testing activities. Topics covered include recent field tests results from the AN/APY-8 Lynx, F16/APG-66, and F15E/APG-63 V(1) radars and other Fire Control radars. Results show that the Athena tag successfully works with multiple radar platforms, in multiple radar modes, and for multiple applications. Radar-responsive tags such as Athena have numerous applications in military and government arenas. Military applications include battlefield situational awareness, combat identification, targeting, personnel recovery, and unattended ground sensors. Government applications exist in nonproliferation, counter-drug, search-and-rescue, and land-mapping activities.

Proteomics of buccal squamous cell carcinoma: the involvement of multiple pathways in tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Chen, Jia; He, Qing-Yu; Yuen, Anthony Po-Wing; Chiu, Jeng-Fu

2004-08-01

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the buccal mucosa is an aggressive oral cancer. It mainly occurs in Central and Southeast Asia, and is closely related to the practice of tobacco smoking and betel squid chewing. The high recurrence and low survival rates of buccal SCC require our continued efforts to understand the pathogenesis of the disease for designing better therapeutic strategies. We used proteomic technology to analyze buccal SCC tissues aiming at identifying tumor-associated proteins for the utilization as biomarkers or molecular targets. With the exception of alpha B-crystallin being substantially reduced, a number of proteins were found to be significantly over-expressed in cancer tissues. These increased proteins included glycolytic enzymes, heat-shock proteins, tumor antigens, cytoskeleton proteins, enzymes involved in detoxification and anti-oxidation systems, and proteins involved in mitochondrial and intracellular signaling pathways. These extensive protein variations indicate that multiple cellular pathways were involved in the process of tumorigenesis, and suggest that multiple protein molecules should be simultaneously targeted as an effective strategy to counter the disease. At least, SCC antigen, G protein, glutathione S-transferase, manganese superoxide dismutase, annexins, voltage-dependent anion channel, cyclophilin A, stratifin and galectin 7 are candidates for targeted proteins. The present findings also demonstrated that rich protein information can be produced by means of proteomic analysis for a better understanding of the oncogenesis and pathogenesis in a global way, which in turn is a basis for the rational designs of diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Development of a lithium fluoride zinc sulfide based neutron multiplicity counter

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

Cowles, Christian; Behling, Spencer; Baldez, Phoenix

Past 3He shortages led to investigations into replacement options for neutron detectors in systems that previously used 3He-based technologies. The goal of this research was to investigate the feasibility of a full-scale lithium fluoride with silver activated zinc sulfide (LiF/ZnS) based neutron multiplicity counter. The LiF/ZnS based neutron multiplicity counter (LiNMC) was developed based on an iterative process between modeling and experimental measurements. Each active region of the LiNMC contains five sheets of LiF/ZnS sandwiched between six sheets of wavelength shifting plastic to form neutron detection stacks. The wavelength shifted scintillation light was collected by photomultiplier tubes located on eachmore » end of the stacks. Twelve such detector stacks were placed around a sample chamber in a square arrangement with lithiated high density polyethylene blocks in the corners to reflect high energy neutrons and capture low energy neutrons. Preliminary calibration with a 252Cf neutron source showed that the LiNMC was able to achieve 36% neutron detection efficiency (ε) and an 11.7 μs neutron die-away time (τ) for a doubles Figure-of-merit (ε2/ τ) of 109. This is the highest doubles Figure-of-merit performance measured to-date for a 3He-free neutron multiplicity counter system. By the end of this project, the LiNMC’s basic components were integrated into a single laboratory scale system capable of proof-of-concept measurements.« less

Counter Narco-Terrorism Program Building Force Capacity of Guatemalan Kaibiles Assisted by the United States Special Operations Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

ultimately the United States. Due to its geographical , and multiple international borders, including access to both Atlantic and Pacific littorals...therefore achieving freedom of movement causing further instability throughout the region. Because of that reason , United States has the Counter-Narco

Strategies for an effective youth counter-marketing program: recommendations from commercial marketing experts.

PubMed

McKenna, J; Gutierrez, K; McCall, K

2000-05-01

Intensive and sustained efforts to "counter-market" tobacco among teenagers are necessary to negate the "friendly familiarity" created by tobacco advertising and to communicate the true health and social costs of tobacco use. Counter-marketing campaigns should: highlight a tobacco-free lifestyle as the majority lifestyle of diverse and interesting individuals; explain the dangers of tobacco in a personal, emotional way; offer youth empowerment and control; use multiple voices, strategies, and executions; offer constructive alternatives to tobacco use; and portray smoking as unacceptable and undesirable for everyone. Counter-marketing activities should work in concert with other interventions to alter social norms regarding tobacco.

Suggestions for Improving the Recruitment of Al-Qaeda Sources: Lessons Derived from Counter-Ideological Programs and the Targeting of Type B Terrorists

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

ideological commitment, their part-time or full-time commitment to jihad, and if they have high or low Social Intensity Syndrome. The conclusion of...emotional aggression; Social Intensity Syndrome; terrorism; counter-terrorism; counter-ideological. 16. PRICE CODE 17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF... Social Intensity Syndrome. The conclusion of this thesis is that the FBI should concentrate recruitments on the more pragmatic Type B terrorists

The response of a scintillation counter below an emulsion chamber to heavy nucleus interactions in the chamber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burnett, T. H.; Dake, S.; Derrickson, J. H.; Fountain, W. F.; Fuki, M.; Gregory, J. C.; Hayashi, T.; Hayashi, T.; Holynski, R.; Iwai, J.;

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

Woodroffe, J. R.; Brito, T. V.; Jordanova, V. K.

In the standard practice of neutron multiplicity counting , the first three sampled factorial moments of the event triggered neutron count distribution were used to quantify the three main neutron source terms: the spontaneous fissile material effective mass, the relative (α,n) production and the induced fission source responsible for multiplication. Our study compares three methods to quantify the statistical uncertainty of the estimated mass: the bootstrap method, propagation of variance through moments, and statistical analysis of cycle data method. Each of the three methods was implemented on a set of four different NMC measurements, held at the JRC-laboratory in Ispra,more » Italy, sampling four different Pu samples in a standard Plutonium Scrap Multiplicity Counter (PSMC) well counter.« less

Inertial fusion energy target injection, tracking, and beam pointing

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

Petzoldt, Ronald Wayne

1995-03-07

Several cryogenic targets must be injected each second into a reaction chamber. Required target speed is about 100 m/s. Required accuracy of the driver beams on target is a few hundred micrometers. Fuel strength is calculated to allow acceleration in excess of 10,000 m/s 2 if the fuel temperature is less than 17 K. A 0.1 μm thick dual membrane will allow nearly 2,000 m/s 2 acceleration. Acceleration is gradually increased and decreased over a few membrane oscillation periods (a few ms), to avoid added stress from vibrations which could otherwise cause a factor of two decrease in allowed acceleration.more » Movable shielding allows multiple targets to be in flight toward the reaction chamber at once while minimizing neutron heating of subsequent targets. The use of multiple injectors is recommended for redundancy which increases availability and allows a higher pulse rate. Gas gun, rail gun, induction accelerator, and electrostatic accelerator target injection devices are studied, and compared. A gas gun is the preferred device for indirect-drive targets due to its simplicity and proven reliability. With the gas gun, the amount of gas required for each target (about 10 to 100 mg) is acceptable. A revolver loading mechanism is recommended with a cam operated poppet valve to control the gas flow. Cutting vents near the muzzle of the gas gun barrel is recommended to improve accuracy and aid gas pumping. If a railgun is used, we recommend an externally applied magnetic field to reduce required current by an order of magnitude. Optical target tracking is recommended. Up/down counters are suggested to predict target arrival time. Target steering is shown to be feasible and would avoid the need to actively point the beams. Calculations show that induced tumble from electrostatically steering the target is not excessive.« less

Quantifying the movement of multiple insects using an optical insect counter

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

An optical insect counter (OIC) was designed and tested. The new system integrated a line-scan camera and a vertical light sheet along with data collection and image processing software to count numbers of flying insects crossing a vertical plane defined by the light sheet. The system also allows ...

Wide-area littoral discreet observation: success at the tactical edge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toth, Susan; Hughes, William; Ladas, Andrew

2012-06-01

In June 2011, the United States Army Research Laboratory (ARL) participated in Empire Challenge 2011 (EC-11). EC-11 was United States Joint Forces Command's (USJFCOM) annual live, joint and coalition intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) interoperability demonstration under the sponsorship of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USD/I). EC-11 consisted of a series of ISR interoperability events, using a combination of modeling & simulation, laboratory and live-fly events. Wide-area Littoral Discreet Observation (WALDO) was ARL's maritime/littoral capability. WALDO met a USD(I) directive that EC-11 have a maritime component and WALDO was the primary player in the maritime scenario conducted at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The WALDO effort demonstrated the utility of a networked layered sensor array deployed in a maritime littoral environment, focusing on maritime surveillance targeting counter-drug, counter-piracy and suspect activity in a littoral or riverine environment. In addition to an embedded analytical capability, the sensor array and control infrastructure consisted of the Oriole acoustic sensor, iScout unattended ground sensor (UGS), OmniSense UGS, the Compact Radar and the Universal Distributed Management System (UDMS), which included the Proxy Skyraider, an optionally manned aircraft mounting both wide and narrow FOV EO/IR imaging sensors. The capability seeded a littoral area with riverine and unattended sensors in order to demonstrate the utility of a Wide Area Sensor (WAS) capability in a littoral environment focused on maritime surveillance activities. The sensors provided a cue for WAS placement/orbit. A narrow field of view sensor would be used to focus on more discreet activities within the WAS footprint. Additionally, the capability experimented with novel WAS orbits to determine if there are more optimal orbits for WAS collection in a littoral environment. The demonstration objectives for WALDO at EC-11 were: * Demonstrate a networked, layered, multi-modal sensor array deployed in a maritime littoral environment, focusing on maritime surveillance targeting counter-drug, counter-piracy and suspect activity * Assess the utility of a Wide Area Surveillance (WAS) sensor in a littoral environment focused on maritime surveillance activities * Demonstrate the effectiveness of using UGS sensors to cue WAS sensor tasking * Employ a narrow field of view full motion video (FMV) sensor package that is collocated with the WAS to conduct more discrete observation of potential items of interest when queued by near-real-time data from UGS or observers * Couple the ARL Oriole sensor with other modality UGS networks in a ground layer ISR capability, and incorporate data collected from aerial sensors with a GEOINT base layer to form a fused product * Swarm multiple aerial or naval platforms to prosecute single or multiple targets * Track fast moving surface vessels in littoral areas * Disseminate time sensitive, high value data to the users at the tactical edge In short we sought to answer the following question: how do you layer, control and display disparate sensors and sensor modalities in such a way as to facilitate appropriate sensor cross-cue, data integration, and analyst control to effectively monitor activity in a littoral (or novel) environment?

Flight evaluation of advanced third-generation midwave infrared sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Chyau N.; Donn, Matthew

1998-08-01

In FY-97 the Counter Drug Optical Upgrade (CDOU) demonstration program was initiated by the Program Executive Office for Counter Drug to increase the detection and classification ranges of P-3 counter drug aircraft by using advanced staring infrared sensors. The demonstration hardware is a `pin-for-pin' replacement of the AAS-36 Infrared Detection Set (IRDS) located under the nose radome of a P-3 aircraft. The hardware consists of a 3rd generation mid-wave infrared (MWIR) sensor integrated into a three axis-stabilized turret. The sensor, when installed on the P- 3, has a hemispheric field of regard and analysis has shown it will be capable of detecting and classifying Suspected Drug Trafficking Aircraft and Vessels at ranges several factors over the current IRDS. This paper will discuss the CDOU system and it's lab, ground, and flight evaluation results. Test targets included target templates, range targets, dedicated target boats, and targets of opportunity at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and at operational test sites. The objectives of these tests were to: (1) Validate the integration concept of the CDOU package into the P-3 aircraft. (2) Validate the end-to-end functionality of the system, including sensor/turret controls and recording of imagery during flight. (3) Evaluate the system sensitivity and resolution on a set of verified resolution targets templates. (4) Validate the ability of the 3rd generation MWIR sensor to detect and classify targets at a significantly increased range.

Formation and interaction of multiple coherent phase space structures in plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kakad, Amar; Kakad, Bharati; Omura, Yoshiharu

2017-06-01

The head-on collision of multiple counter-propagating coherent phase space structures associated with the ion acoustic solitary waves (IASWs) in plasmas composed of hot electrons and cold ions is studied here by using one-dimensional Particle-in-Cell simulation. The chains of counter-propagating IASWs are generated in the plasma by injecting the Gaussian perturbations in the equilibrium electron and ion densities. The head-on collisions of the counter-propagating electron and ion phase space structures associated with IASWs are allowed by considering the periodic boundary condition in the simulation. Our simulation shows that the phase space structures are less significantly affected by their collision with each other. They emerge out from each other by retaining their characteristics, so that they follow soliton type behavior. We also find that the electrons trapped within these IASW potentials are accelerated, while the ions are decelerated during the course of their collisions.

Data-optimized source modeling with the Backwards Liouville Test–Kinetic method

DOE PAGES

Woodroffe, J. R.; Brito, T. V.; Jordanova, V. K.; ...

2017-09-14

In the standard practice of neutron multiplicity counting , the first three sampled factorial moments of the event triggered neutron count distribution were used to quantify the three main neutron source terms: the spontaneous fissile material effective mass, the relative (α,n) production and the induced fission source responsible for multiplication. Our study compares three methods to quantify the statistical uncertainty of the estimated mass: the bootstrap method, propagation of variance through moments, and statistical analysis of cycle data method. Each of the three methods was implemented on a set of four different NMC measurements, held at the JRC-laboratory in Ispra,more » Italy, sampling four different Pu samples in a standard Plutonium Scrap Multiplicity Counter (PSMC) well counter.« less

Development and dosimetry of a small animal lung irradiation platform

PubMed Central

McGurk, Ross; Hadley, Caroline; Jackson, Isabel L.; Vujaskovic, Zeljko

2015-01-01

Advances in large scale screening of medical counter measures for radiation-induced normal tissue toxicity are currently hampered by animal irradiation paradigms that are both inefficient and highly variable among institutions. Here, we introduce a novel high-throughput small animal irradiation platform for use in orthovoltage small animal irradiators. We used radiochromic film and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor detectors to examine several parameters, including 2D field uniformity, dose rate consistency, and shielding transmission. We posit that this setup will improve efficiency of drug screens by allowing for simultaneous, targeted irradiation of multiple animals, improving efficiency within a single institution. Additionally, we suggest that measurement of the described parameters in all centers conducting counter measure studies will improve the translatability of findings among institutions. We also investigated the use of tissue equivalent phantoms in performing dosimetry measurements for small animal irradiation experiments. Though these phantoms are commonly used in dosimetry, we recorded a significant difference in both the entrance and target tissue dose rates between euthanized rats and mice with implanted detectors and the corresponding phantom measurement. This suggests that measurements using these phantoms may not provide accurate dosimetry for in vivo experiments. Based on these measurements, we propose that this small animal irradiation platform can increase the capacity of animal studies by allowing for more efficient animal irradiation. We also suggest that researchers fully characterize the parameters of whatever radiation setup is in use in order to facilitate better comparison among institutions. PMID:23091878

Viral genome methylation as an epigenetic defense against geminiviruses.

PubMed

Raja, Priya; Sanville, Bradley C; Buchmann, R Cody; Bisaro, David M

2008-09-01

Geminiviruses encapsidate single-stranded DNA genomes that replicate in plant cell nuclei through double-stranded DNA intermediates that associate with cellular histone proteins to form minichromosomes. Like most plant viruses, geminiviruses are targeted by RNA silencing and encode suppressor proteins such as AL2 and L2 to counter this defense. These related proteins can suppress silencing by multiple mechanisms, one of which involves interacting with and inhibiting adenosine kinase (ADK), a cellular enzyme associated with the methyl cycle that generates S-adenosyl-methionine, an essential methyltransferase cofactor. Thus, we hypothesized that the viral genome is targeted by small-RNA-directed methylation. Here, we show that Arabidopsis plants with mutations in genes encoding cytosine or histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methyltransferases, RNA-directed methylation pathway components, or ADK are hypersensitive to geminivirus infection. We also demonstrate that viral DNA and associated histone H3 are methylated in infected plants and that cytosine methylation levels are significantly reduced in viral DNA isolated from methylation-deficient mutants. Finally, we demonstrate that Beet curly top virus L2- mutant DNA present in tissues that have recovered from infection is hypermethylated and that host recovery requires AGO4, a component of the RNA-directed methylation pathway. We propose that plants use chromatin methylation as a defense against DNA viruses, which geminiviruses counter by inhibiting global methylation. In addition, our results establish that geminiviruses can be useful models for genome methylation in plants and suggest that there are redundant pathways leading to cytosine methylation.

Multianode cylindrical proportional counter for high count rates

DOEpatents

Hanson, J.A.; Kopp, M.K.

1980-05-23

A cylindrical, multiple-anode proportional counter is provided for counting of low-energy photons (< 60 keV) at count rates of greater than 10/sup 5/ counts/sec. A gas-filled proportional counter cylinder forming an outer cathode is provided with a central coaxially disposed inner cathode and a plurality of anode wires disposed in a cylindrical array in coaxial alignment with and between the inner and outer cathodes to form a virtual cylindrical anode coaxial with the inner and outer cathodes. The virtual cylindrical anode configuration improves the electron drift velocity by providing a more uniform field strength throughout the counter gas volume, thus decreasing the electron collection time following the detection of an ionizing event. This avoids pulse pile-up and coincidence losses at these high count rates. Conventional RC position encoding detection circuitry may be employed to extract the spatial information from the counter anodes.

Multianode cylindrical proportional counter for high count rates

DOEpatents

Hanson, James A.; Kopp, Manfred K.

1981-01-01

A cylindrical, multiple-anode proportional counter is provided for counting of low-energy photons (<60 keV) at count rates of greater than 10.sup.5 counts/sec. A gas-filled proportional counter cylinder forming an outer cathode is provided with a central coaxially disposed inner cathode and a plurality of anode wires disposed in a cylindrical array in coaxial alignment with and between the inner and outer cathodes to form a virtual cylindrical anode coaxial with the inner and outer cathodes. The virtual cylindrical anode configuration improves the electron drift velocity by providing a more uniform field strength throughout the counter gas volume, thus decreasing the electron collection time following the detection of an ionizing event. This avoids pulse pile-up and coincidence losses at these high count rates. Conventional RC position encoding detection circuitry may be employed to extract the spatial information from the counter anodes.

Digital controller for a Baum folding machine. [providing automatic counting and machine shutoff

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bryant, W. H. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

A digital controller for controlling the operation of a folding machine enables automatic folding of a desired number of sheets responsive to entry of that number into a selector. The controller includes three decade counter stages for corresponding rows of units, tens and hundreds push buttons. Each stage including a decimal-to-BCD encoder, a buffer register, and a digital or binary counter. The BCD representation of the selected count for each digit is loaded into the respective decade down counters. Pulses generated by a sensor and associated circuitry are used to decrease the count in the decade counters. When the content of the decade counter reaches either 0 or 1, a solenoid control valve is actuated which interrupts operation of the machine. A repeat switch, when actuated, prevents clearing of the buffer registers so that multiple groups of the same number of sheets can be folded without reentering the number into the selector.

Dscam1-mediated self-avoidance counters netrin-dependent targeting of dendrites in Drosophila.

PubMed

Matthews, Benjamin J; Grueber, Wesley B

2011-09-13

Dendrites and axons show precise targeting and spacing patterns for proper reception and transmission of information in the nervous system. Self-avoidance promotes complete territory coverage and nonoverlapping spacing between processes from the same cell [1, 2]. Neurons that lack Drosophila Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule 1 (Dscam1) show aberrant overlap, fasciculation, and accumulation of dendrites and axons, demonstrating a role in self-recognition and repulsion leading to self-avoidance [3-11]. Fasciculation and accumulation of processes suggested that Dscam1 might promote process spacing by counterbalancing developmental signals that otherwise promote self-association [9, 12]. Here we show that Dscam1 functions to counter Drosophila sensory neuron dendritic targeting signals provided by secreted Netrin-B and Frazzled, a netrin receptor. Loss of Dscam1 function resulted in aberrant dendrite accumulation at a Netrin-B-expressing target, whereas concomitant loss of Frazzled prevented accumulation and caused severe deficits in dendritic territory coverage. Netrin misexpression was sufficient to induce ectopic dendritic targeting in a Frazzled-dependent manner, whereas Dscam1 was required to prevent ectopic accumulation, consistent with separable roles for these receptors. Our results suggest that Dscam1-mediated self-avoidance counters extrinsic signals that are required for normal dendritic patterning, but whose action would otherwise favor neurite accumulation. Counterbalancing roles for Dscam1 may be deployed in diverse contexts during neural circuit formation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dscam1-mediated self-avoidance counters Netrin-dependent targeting of dendrites in Drosophila

PubMed Central

Matthews, Benjamin J.; Grueber, Wesley B.

2011-01-01

SUMMARY Dendrites and axons show precise targeting and spacing patterns for proper reception and transmission of information in the nervous system. Self-avoidance promotes complete territory coverage and non-overlapping spacing between processes from the same cell [1, 2]. Neurons that lack Drosophila Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule 1 (Dscam1) show aberrant overlap, fasciculation, and accumulation of dendrites and axons, demonstrating a role in self-recognition and repulsion leading to self-avoidance [3–11]. Fasciculation and accumulation of processes suggested that Dscam1 might promote process spacing by counterbalancing developmental signals that otherwise promote self-association [9, 12]. Here we show that Dscam1 functions to counter sensory neuron dendritic targeting signals provided by secreted Netrin-B and Frazzled, a netrin receptor. Loss of Dscam1 function resulted in aberrant dendrite accumulation at a Netrin-B expressing target, whereas concomitant loss of Frazzled prevented accumulation and caused severe deficits in dendritic territory coverage. Netrin misexpression was sufficient to induce ectopic dendritic targeting in a Frazzled-dependent manner, whereas Dscam1 was required to prevent ectopic accumulation, consistent with separable roles for these receptors. Our results suggest that Dscam1-mediated self-avoidance counter extrinsic signals that are required for normal dendritic patterning, but whose action would otherwise favor neurite accumulation. Counterbalancing roles for Dscam1 may be deployed in diverse contexts during neural circuit formation. PMID:21871804

Dual-Chamber/Dual-Anode Proportional Counter Incorporating an Intervening Thin-Foil Solid Neutron Converter

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

Boatner, Lynn A; Neal, John S; Blackston, Matthew A

2012-01-01

A dual-chamber/dual-anode gas proportional counter utilizing thin solid 6LiF or 10B neutron converters coated on a 2-micon-thick Mylar film that is positioned between the two counter chambers and anodes has been designed, fabricated, and tested using a variety of fill gases including naturally abundant helium. In this device, neutron conversion products emitted from both sides of the coated converter foil are detected rather than having half of the products absorbed in the wall of a conventional tube type counter where the solid neutron converter is deposited on the tube wall. Geant4-based radiation transport calculations were used to determine the optimummore » neutron converter coating thickness for both isotopes. Solution methods for applying these optimized-thickness coatings on a Mylar film were developed that were carried out at room temperature without any specialized equipment and that can be adapted to standard coating methods such as silk screen or ink jet printing. The performance characteristics of the dual-chamber/dual-anode neutron detector were determined for both types of isotopically enriched converters. The experimental performance of the 6LiF converter-based detector was described well by modeling results from Geant4. Additional modeling studies of multiple-foil/multiple-chamber/anode configurations addressed the basic issue of the relatively longer absorption range of neutrons versus the shorter range of the conversion products for 6LiF and 10B. Combined with the experimental results, these simulations indicate that a high-performance neutron detector can be realized in a single device through the application of these multiple-foil/solid converter, multiple-chamber detector concepts.« less

Identification of Salmonella Typhimurium-specific DNA aptamers developed using whole-cell SELEX and FACS analysis.

PubMed

Moon, Jihea; Kim, Giyoung; Lee, Sangdae; Park, Saetbyeol

2013-11-01

Conventional methods for detection of infective organisms, such as Salmonella, are complicated and require multiple steps, and the need for rapid detection has increased. Biosensors show great potential for rapid detection of pathogens. In turn, aptamers have great potential for biosensor assay development, given their small size, ease of synthesis and labeling, lack of immunogenicity, a lower cost of production than antibodies, and high target specificity. In this study, ssDNA aptamers specific to Salmonella Typhimurium were obtained by a whole bacterium-based systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) procedure and applied to probing S. Typhimurium. After 10 rounds of selection with S. Typhimurium as the target and Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as counter targets, the highly enriched oligonucleic acid pool was sorted using flow cytometry. In total, 12 aptamer candidates from different families were sequenced and grouped. Fluorescent analysis demonstrated that aptamer C4 had particularly high binding affinity and selectivity; this aptamer was then further characterized. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impact of a counter-rotating planetary rotation system on thin-film thickness and uniformity

DOE PAGES

Oliver, J. B.

2017-06-12

Planetary rotation systems incorporating forward- and counter-rotating planets are used as a means of increasing coating-system capacity for large oblong substrates. Comparisons of planetary motion for the two types of rotating systems are presented based on point tracking for multiple revolutions, as well as comparisons of quantitative thickness and uniformity. Counter-rotation system geometry is shown to result in differences in thin-film thickness relative to standard planetary rotation for precision optical coatings. As a result, this systematic error in thin-film thickness will reduce deposition yields for sensitive coating designs.

Impact of a counter-rotating planetary rotation system on thin-film thickness and uniformity.

PubMed

Oliver, J B

2017-06-20

Planetary rotation systems incorporating forward- and counter-rotating planets are used as a means of increasing coating-system capacity for large oblong substrates. Comparisons of planetary motion for the two types of rotating systems are presented based on point tracking for multiple revolutions as well as comparisons of quantitative thickness and uniformity. Counter-rotation system geometry is shown to result in differences in thin-film thickness relative to standard planetary rotation for precision optical coatings. This systematic error in thin-film thickness will reduce deposition yields for sensitive coating designs.

Impact of a counter-rotating planetary rotation system on thin-film thickness and uniformity

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

Oliver, J. B.

Planetary rotation systems incorporating forward- and counter-rotating planets are used as a means of increasing coating-system capacity for large oblong substrates. Comparisons of planetary motion for the two types of rotating systems are presented based on point tracking for multiple revolutions, as well as comparisons of quantitative thickness and uniformity. Counter-rotation system geometry is shown to result in differences in thin-film thickness relative to standard planetary rotation for precision optical coatings. As a result, this systematic error in thin-film thickness will reduce deposition yields for sensitive coating designs.

Fast concurrent array-based stacks, queues and deques using fetch-and-increment-bounded, fetch-and-decrement-bounded and store-on-twin synchronization primitives

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

Chen, Dong; Gara, Alana; Heidelberger, Philip

Implementation primitives for concurrent array-based stacks, queues, double-ended queues (deques) and wrapped deques are provided. In one aspect, each element of the stack, queue, deque or wrapped deque data structure has its own ticket lock, allowing multiple threads to concurrently use multiple elements of the data structure and thus achieving high performance. In another aspect, new synchronization primitives FetchAndIncrementBounded (Counter, Bound) and FetchAndDecrementBounded (Counter, Bound) are implemented. These primitives can be implemented in hardware and thus promise a very fast throughput for queues, stacks and double-ended queues.

Strategies for Countering Terrorist Safe Havens

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-20

within safe havens, tactical containment, pseudo operations, and surrogate security forces. The thesis draws from four historical case studies to...leadership targeting within safe havens, tactical containment, pseudo operations, and surrogate security forces. The thesis draws from four historical case ...surrogate forces and pseudo operations—provide viable potential options for USSOF to counter the complex problem of safe havens. Overall, the case

An infrastructure for accurate characterization of single-event transients in digital circuits.

PubMed

Savulimedu Veeravalli, Varadan; Polzer, Thomas; Schmid, Ulrich; Steininger, Andreas; Hofbauer, Michael; Schweiger, Kurt; Dietrich, Horst; Schneider-Hornstein, Kerstin; Zimmermann, Horst; Voss, Kay-Obbe; Merk, Bruno; Hajek, Michael

2013-11-01

We present the architecture and a detailed pre-fabrication analysis of a digital measurement ASIC facilitating long-term irradiation experiments of basic asynchronous circuits, which also demonstrates the suitability of the general approach for obtaining accurate radiation failure models developed in our FATAL project. Our ASIC design combines radiation targets like Muller C-elements and elastic pipelines as well as standard combinational gates and flip-flops with an elaborate on-chip measurement infrastructure. Major architectural challenges result from the fact that the latter must operate reliably under the same radiation conditions the target circuits are exposed to, without wasting precious die area for a rad-hard design. A measurement architecture based on multiple non-rad-hard counters is used, which we show to be resilient against double faults, as well as many triple and even higher-multiplicity faults. The design evaluation is done by means of comprehensive fault injection experiments, which are based on detailed Spice models of the target circuits in conjunction with a standard double-exponential current injection model for single-event transients (SET). To be as accurate as possible, the parameters of this current model have been aligned with results obtained from 3D device simulation models, which have in turn been validated and calibrated using micro-beam radiation experiments at the GSI in Darmstadt, Germany. For the latter, target circuits instrumented with high-speed sense amplifiers have been used for analog SET recording. Together with a probabilistic analysis of the sustainable particle flow rates, based on a detailed area analysis and experimental cross-section data, we can conclude that the proposed architecture will indeed sustain significant target hit rates, without exceeding the resilience bound of the measurement infrastructure.

An infrastructure for accurate characterization of single-event transients in digital circuits☆

PubMed Central

Savulimedu Veeravalli, Varadan; Polzer, Thomas; Schmid, Ulrich; Steininger, Andreas; Hofbauer, Michael; Schweiger, Kurt; Dietrich, Horst; Schneider-Hornstein, Kerstin; Zimmermann, Horst; Voss, Kay-Obbe; Merk, Bruno; Hajek, Michael

2013-01-01

We present the architecture and a detailed pre-fabrication analysis of a digital measurement ASIC facilitating long-term irradiation experiments of basic asynchronous circuits, which also demonstrates the suitability of the general approach for obtaining accurate radiation failure models developed in our FATAL project. Our ASIC design combines radiation targets like Muller C-elements and elastic pipelines as well as standard combinational gates and flip-flops with an elaborate on-chip measurement infrastructure. Major architectural challenges result from the fact that the latter must operate reliably under the same radiation conditions the target circuits are exposed to, without wasting precious die area for a rad-hard design. A measurement architecture based on multiple non-rad-hard counters is used, which we show to be resilient against double faults, as well as many triple and even higher-multiplicity faults. The design evaluation is done by means of comprehensive fault injection experiments, which are based on detailed Spice models of the target circuits in conjunction with a standard double-exponential current injection model for single-event transients (SET). To be as accurate as possible, the parameters of this current model have been aligned with results obtained from 3D device simulation models, which have in turn been validated and calibrated using micro-beam radiation experiments at the GSI in Darmstadt, Germany. For the latter, target circuits instrumented with high-speed sense amplifiers have been used for analog SET recording. Together with a probabilistic analysis of the sustainable particle flow rates, based on a detailed area analysis and experimental cross-section data, we can conclude that the proposed architecture will indeed sustain significant target hit rates, without exceeding the resilience bound of the measurement infrastructure. PMID:24748694

Compressor surge counter

DOEpatents

Castleberry, Kimberly N.

1983-01-01

A surge counter for a rotating compressor is provided which detects surging by monitoring the vibration signal from an accelerometer mounted on the shaft bearing of the compressor. The circuit detects a rapid increase in the amplitude envelope of the vibration signal, e.g., 4 dB or greater in less than one second, which is associated with a surge onset and increments a counter. The circuit is rendered non-responsive for a period of about 5 seconds following the detection which corresponds to the duration of the surge condition. This prevents multiple registration of counts during the surge period due to rapid swings in vibration amplitude during the period.

Comparison of the energy response of an ionization spectrometer for pions and protons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, W. V.; Verma, S. D.

1971-01-01

An ionization spectrometer consisting of a sandwich of iron absorbers and plastic scintillation counters was used to measure the energy of pions and protons in the interval 10 to 1000 GeV. For the limited energy interval of 10 to 40 GeV, pions and protons were identified by an air cerenkov counter. Interactions in carbon were studied in a multiplate cloud chamber placed between the cerenkov counter and the spectrometer. Knowledge of these interactions were used in conjunction with a Monte Carlo simulation of the cascade process to study differences in the response of the spectrometer to pions and protons.

Evaluation of a High Pressure Proportional Counter for the Detection of Radioactive Noble Gases

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-01-01

Multiplication Curves Compared to Reconstructed Literature Curves .. .. ............ .81 6.4 Resolution .... . .. ......................... .... 90 v Figure...with 57 ~/57 energy resolution to 12% fwhm for Co photopeaks (-122 keV),sing argon fill gas at fifty atmospheres. Subsequent effects 0f a contami- nant...internal gas proportional counters for measuring low-level environmental radionuclides, resolutions to 27% fwhm and intrinsic efficiencies to 3 75

A nCounter CNV Assay to Detect HER2 Amplification: A Correlation Study with Immunohistochemistry and In Situ Hybridization in Advanced Gastric Cancer.

PubMed

Ahn, Soomin; Hong, Mineui; Van Vrancken, Michael; Lyou, You Jeong; Kim, Seung Tae; Park, Se Hoon; Kang, Won Ki; Park, Young Suk; Jung, Sin-Ho; Woo, Minah; Lee, Jeeyun; Kim, Kyoung-Mee

2016-08-01

Screening amplified genes for targeted therapy with high-throughput technology is very important. The NanoString nCounter system allows multiplexed digital quantification of target molecules through the use of color-coded barcodes with the great advantage that formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue can be utilized. We tested nCounter custom copy number variation (CNV) panels in 220 gastric cancer samples and evaluated the utility of this method as a screening tool for the detection of CNV using HER2. For the validation of results, we compared the nCounter results with immunohistochemistry (IHC), and we further performed in situ hybridization (ISH) in discrepant cases. The average HER2 gene copy numbers (CNs) by nCounter were 17.25, 2.0 and 2.61 for the HER2 IHC positive (3+), equivocal (2+), and negative cases, respectively. Out of the 16 IHC 3+ cases, 13 (81.3 %) were reported as HER2 CN gain (≥4). Gastric cancers with homogeneous HER2 overexpression or high tumor purity showed HER2 CN ≥10. Among the 192 cases with HER2 IHC negative and without HER2 gene amplification, 29 showed a HER2 CN ≥4 with the nCounter assay. The nCounter assay had a concordance rate of 83.4 % (kappa value, 0.35), a sensitivity of 66.7 %, a specificity of 85.2 %, a negative predictive value of 96 %, and a positive predictive value of 32.6 % compared with HER2 IHC/ISH results. Fresh frozen (FF) samples revealed a higher concordance rate (91.5 %, kappa value, 0.59) than FFPE samples (78.5 %, kappa value 0.27) and showed a high specificity (97.2 %). The nCounter CNV assay is a reliable and practical method to detect high CN variations. Given the intra-tumoral HER2 heterogeneity and normal cell contamination, additional IHC and/or FISH is necessary and needs caution in interpretation, especially in FFPE tissue samples.

Onco-Regulon: an integrated database and software suite for site specific targeting of transcription factors of cancer genes

PubMed Central

Tomar, Navneet; Mishra, Akhilesh; Mrinal, Nirotpal; Jayaram, B.

2016-01-01

Transcription factors (TFs) bind at multiple sites in the genome and regulate expression of many genes. Regulating TF binding in a gene specific manner remains a formidable challenge in drug discovery because the same binding motif may be present at multiple locations in the genome. Here, we present Onco-Regulon (http://www.scfbio-iitd.res.in/software/onco/NavSite/index.htm), an integrated database of regulatory motifs of cancer genes clubbed with Unique Sequence-Predictor (USP) a software suite that identifies unique sequences for each of these regulatory DNA motifs at the specified position in the genome. USP works by extending a given DNA motif, in 5′→3′, 3′ →5′ or both directions by adding one nucleotide at each step, and calculates the frequency of each extended motif in the genome by Frequency Counter programme. This step is iterated till the frequency of the extended motif becomes unity in the genome. Thus, for each given motif, we get three possible unique sequences. Closest Sequence Finder program predicts off-target drug binding in the genome. Inclusion of DNA-Protein structural information further makes Onco-Regulon a highly informative repository for gene specific drug development. We believe that Onco-Regulon will help researchers to design drugs which will bind to an exclusive site in the genome with no off-target effects, theoretically. Database URL: http://www.scfbio-iitd.res.in/software/onco/NavSite/index.htm PMID:27515825

Direct Simulation of Extinction in a Slab of Spherical Particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mackowski, D.W.; Mishchenko, Michael I.

2013-01-01

The exact multiple sphere superposition method is used to calculate the coherent and incoherent contributions to the ensemble-averaged electric field amplitude and Poynting vector in systems of randomly positioned nonabsorbing spherical particles. The target systems consist of cylindrical volumes, with radius several times larger than length, containing spheres with positional configurations generated by a Monte Carlo sampling method. Spatially dependent values for coherent electric field amplitude, coherent energy flux, and diffuse energy flux, are calculated by averaging of exact local field and flux values over multiple configurations and over spatially independent directions for fixed target geometry, sphere properties, and sphere volume fraction. Our results reveal exponential attenuation of the coherent field and the coherent energy flux inside the particulate layer and thereby further corroborate the general methodology of the microphysical radiative transfer theory. An effective medium model based on plane wave transmission and reflection by a plane layer is used to model the dependence of the coherent electric field on particle packing density. The effective attenuation coefficient of the random medium, computed from the direct simulations, is found to agree closely with effective medium theories and with measurements. In addition, the simulation results reveal the presence of a counter-propagating component to the coherent field, which arises due to the internal reflection of the main coherent field component by the target boundary. The characteristics of the diffuse flux are compared to, and found to be consistent with, a model based on the diffusion approximation of the radiative transfer theory.

A bipolar population counter using wave pipelining to achieve 2.5 x normal clock frequency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Derek C.; De Micheli, Giovanni; Flynn, Michael J.; Huston, Robert E.

1992-01-01

Wave pipelining is a technique for pipelining digital systems that can increase clock frequency in practical circuits without increasing the number of storage elements. In wave pipelining, multiple coherent waves of data are sent through a block of combinational logic by applying new inputs faster than the delay through the logic. The throughput of a 63-b CML population counter was increased from 97 to 250 MHz using wave pipelining. The internal circuit is flowthrough combinational logic. Novel CAD methods have balanced all input-to-output paths to about the same delay. This allows multiple data waves to propagate in sequence when the circuit is clocked faster than its propagation delay.

Producing 'internal suspect bodies': divisive effects of UK counter-terrorism measures on Muslim communities in Leeds and Bradford.

PubMed

Abbas, Madeline-Sophie

2018-04-06

Research on UK government counter-terrorism measures has claimed that Muslims are treated as a 'suspect community'. However, there is limited research exploring the divisive effects that membership of a 'suspect community' has on relations within Muslim communities. Drawing from interviews with British Muslims living in Leeds or Bradford, I address this gap by explicating how co-option of Muslim community members to counter extremism fractures relations within Muslim communities. I reveal how community members internalize fears of state targeting which precipitates internal disciplinary measures. I contribute the category of 'internal suspect body' which is materialized through two intersecting conditions within preventative counter-terrorism: the suspected extremist for Muslims to look out for and suspected informer who might report fellow Muslims. I argue that the suspect community operates through a network of relations by which terrors of counter-terrorism are reproduced within Muslim communities with divisive effects. © London School of Economics and Political Science 2018.

Over-the-counter Acne Treatments

PubMed Central

Graber, Emmy M.

2012-01-01

Acne is a common dermatological disorder that most frequently affects adolescents; however, individuals may be affected at all ages. Many people who suffer from acne seek treatment from both prescription and over-the-counter acne medications. Due to convenience, lower cost, and difficulty getting an appointment with a dermatologist, the use of over-the-counter acne treatments is on the rise. As the plethora of over-the-counter acne treatment options can be overwhelming, it is important that dermatologists are well-versed on this subject to provide appropriate information about treatment regimens and potential drug interactions and that their patients see them as well-informed. This article reviews the efficacy of various over-the-counter acne treatments based on the current literature. A thorough literature review revealed there are many types of over-the-counter acne treatments and each are designed to target at least one of the pathogenic pathways that are reported to be involved in the development of acne lesions. Many of the key over-the-counter ingredients are incorporated in different formulations to broaden the spectrum and consumer appeal of available products. Unfortunately, many over-the-counter products are not well-supported by clinical studies, with a conspicuous absence of double-blind or investigator-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies. Most studies that do exist on over-the-counter acne products are often funded by the manufacturer. Use of over-the-counter acne treatments is a mainstay in our society and it is important that dermatologists are knowledgeable about the different options, including potential benefits and limitations. Overall, over-the-counter acne therapies can be classified into the following five major groups: cleansers, leave-on products, mechanical treatments, essential oils, and vitamins. PMID:22808307

Israeli Kindergarten Children's Gender Constancy for Others' Counter-Stereotypic Toy Play and Appearance: The Role of Sibling Gender and Relative Age

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karniol, Rachel

2009-01-01

To test divergent theoretical predictions as to the impact of having a younger or older, same-sex sibling or opposite-sex sibling on other gender constancy, Israeli kindergarten children in two-child families responded to a gender constancy task in which a male and female picture target engaged in counter-stereotypic toy play and adopted…

Ethical obligation for restricting the number of embryos transferred to women: combating the multiple-birth epidemic from in vitro fertilization.

PubMed

Van Voorhis, Bradley J; Ryan, Ginny L

2010-07-01

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an increasingly effective and popular means of achieving pregnancy for infertile women, but contributes to a growing incidence of risky twin pregnancies. Despite studies demonstrating cost-effective means to achieve IVF pregnancy while strictly limiting the number of embryos transferred, multiple-embryo transfer remains the most common practice in the United States, and twin pregnancies continue to increase. IVF providers resist restricting these practices, arguing that this is counter to principles of procreative liberty, patient and professional autonomy, and free-market economics. We counter that physicians have a professional fiduciary responsibility to weigh issues of nonmaleficence to patients and just use of health care resources with patient desires. With oversight from professional organizations, providers should follow strict but medically appropriate restrictions on embryo transfer practices and work toward safer means of optimizing IVF outcomes than multiple-embryo transfer. Thieme Medical Publishers.

Structure of Yeast OSBP-Related Protein Osh1 Reveals Key Determinants for Lipid Transport and Protein Targeting at the Nucleus-Vacuole Junction.

PubMed

Manik, Mohammad Kawsar; Yang, Huiseon; Tong, Junsen; Im, Young Jun

2017-04-04

Yeast Osh1 belongs to the oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP) family of proteins and contains multiple targeting modules optimized for lipid transport at the nucleus-vacuole junction (NVJ). The key determinants for NVJ targeting and the role of Osh1 at NVJs have remained elusive because of unknown lipid specificities. In this study, we determined the structures of the ankyrin repeat domain (ANK), and OSBP-related domain (ORD) of Osh1, in complex with Nvj1 and ergosterol, respectively. The Osh1 ANK forms a unique bi-lobed structure that recognizes a cytosolic helical segment of Nvj1. We discovered that Osh1 ORD binds ergosterol and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate PI(4)P in a competitive manner, suggesting counter-transport function of the two lipids. Ergosterol is bound to the hydrophobic pocket in a head-down orientation, and the structure of the PI(4)P-binding site in Osh1 is well conserved. Our results suggest that Osh1 performs non-vesicular transport of ergosterol and PI(4)P at the NVJ. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Targeting TMPRSS2-ERG in Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

small molecule microarrays ( SMM ) with lysates overexpressing ERG (months 1-12) 3a. Request compounds from compound management that scored from...preliminary SMM screen using 293T lysates overexpressing ERG (months 1-2 – completed November 2013) 3b. Reprint slides with compounds from 3a for...counter SMM assays (months 3-4 – completed December 2013) 3c. Perform counter SMM assay with 293T lysates expressing unrelated protein (months 5-10

Targeting TMPRSS2-ERG in Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

microarrays ( SMM ) with lysates overexpressing ERG (months 1-12) 3a. Request compounds from compound management that scored from preliminary SMM ...screen using 293T lysates overexpressing ERG (months 1-2 – completed November 2013) 3b. Reprint slides with compounds from 3a for counter SMM ...assays (months 3-4 – completed December 2013) 3c. Perform counter SMM assay with 293T lysates expressing unrelated protein (months 5-10 – completed

A multiple ion counter total evaporation (MICTE) method for precise analysis of plutonium by thermal ionization mass spectrometry

DOE PAGES

Inglis, Jeremy D.; Maassen, Joel; Kara, Azim; ...

2017-04-28

This study presents a total evaporation method for the analysis of sub-picogram quantities of Pu, utilizing an array of multiple ion counters. Data from three standards are presented to assess the utility of the technique. An external precision of 1.5% RSD (2σ) was achieved on aliquots approaching 100 fg for the minor 240Pu isotope. Accurate analysis of <1 femtogram of 240Pu, is achievable, with an external reproducibility of better than 10% RSD (2σ). Finally, this new technique represents a significant advance in the total evaporation method and will allow routine measurement of femtogram sized Pu samples by thermal ionization massmore » spectrometry.« less

A multiple ion counter total evaporation (MICTE) method for precise analysis of plutonium by thermal ionization mass spectrometry

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

Inglis, Jeremy D.; Maassen, Joel; Kara, Azim

This study presents a total evaporation method for the analysis of sub-picogram quantities of Pu, utilizing an array of multiple ion counters. Data from three standards are presented to assess the utility of the technique. An external precision of 1.5% RSD (2σ) was achieved on aliquots approaching 100 fg for the minor 240Pu isotope. Accurate analysis of <1 femtogram of 240Pu, is achievable, with an external reproducibility of better than 10% RSD (2σ). Finally, this new technique represents a significant advance in the total evaporation method and will allow routine measurement of femtogram sized Pu samples by thermal ionization massmore » spectrometry.« less

Inadequate Evidence for Multiple Intelligences, Mozart Effect, and Emotional Intelligence Theories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waterhouse, Lynn

2006-01-01

I (Waterhouse, 2006) argued that, because multiple intelligences, the Mozart effect, and emotional intelligence theories have inadequate empirical support and are not consistent with cognitive neuroscience findings, these theories should not be applied in education. Proponents countered that their theories had sufficient empirical support, were…

A compact gas-filled avalanche counter for DANCE

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

Wu, C. Y.; Chyzh, A.; Kwan, E.

2012-08-04

A compact gas-filled avalanche counter for the detection of fission fragments was developed for a highly segmented 4π γ-ray calorimeter, namely the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments located at the Lujan Center of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. It has been used successfully for experiments with 235U, 238Pu, 239Pu, and 241Pu isotopes to provide a unique signature to differentiate the fission from the competing neutron-capture reaction channel. We also used it to study the spontaneous fission in 252Cf. The design and performance of this avalanche counter for targets with extreme α-decay rate up to ~2.4×108/s are described.

1 Hz fast-heating fusion driver HAMA pumped by a 10 J green diode-pumped solid-state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mori, Y.; Sekine, T.; Komeda, O.; Nakayama, S.; Ishii, K.; Hanayama, R.; Fujita, K.; Okihara, S.; Satoh, N.; Kurita, T.; Kawashima, T.; Kan, H.; Nakamura, N.; Kondo, T.; Fujine, M.; Azuma, H.; Hioki, T.; Kakeno, M.; Motohiro, T.; Nishimura, Y.; Sunahara, A.; Sentoku, Y.; Kitagawa, Y.

2013-07-01

A Ti : sapphire laser HAMA pumped by a diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) is developed to enable a high-repetitive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiment to be conducted. To demonstrate a counter-irradiation fast-heating fusion scheme, a 3.8 J, 0.4 ns amplified chirped pulse is divided into four beams: two counter-irradiate a target with intensities of 6 × 1013 W cm-2, and the remaining two are pulse-compressed to 110 fs for heating the imploded target with intensities of 2 × 1017 W cm-2. HAMA contributed to the first demonstration by showing that a 10 J class DPSSL is adaptable to ICF experiments and succeeded in DD neutron generation in the repetition mode. Based on HAMA, we can design and develop an integrated repetitive ICF experiment machine by including target injection and tracking.

A point-of-sale communications campaign to provide consumers safety information on drug-dietary supplement interactions: a pilot study.

PubMed

Perlman, Adam I; Lebow, David G; Raphael, Karen; Ali, Ather; Simmons, Leigh Ann

2013-01-01

Concurrent use of dietary supplements with over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals has become increasingly common, and with this trend, so has the incidence of adverse drug-supplement interactions. In the current market, consumers have no way to distinguish between safe and potentially harmful supplements. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that messages designed to increase consumers' awareness of potential health risks of concurrent use of dietary supplements with over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals would promote further consideration and action, as evidenced by (a) seeking additional information from an authoritative source or qualified health care professional and (b) changing dietary supplement usage patterns. To test this hypothesis, an innovative consumer information delivery system, referred to as the Buyer Information Network (BuyIN), was utilized. BuyIN uses currently available, Web-enabled point-of-sale (POS) technology to provide up-to-date, evidence-based, health- and safety-related messages to consumers at the retail checkout counter. Results showed that more than one-fourth (27.1%) of consumers (n = 199) who purchased targeted items reported they were aware of the messages. Of this subgroup of aware consumers, 11.2% reported that they sought additional information from a physician or pharmacist, 11.5% reported that they visited the website listed on the coupon, and 10.5% indicated that they changed their dietary supplement usage patterns as a result of the messages. Future research should include a large-scale study of a fully implemented and capable system at multiple test sites around the country, including investigating the utility of BuyIN in different retail settings.

A Point-of-Sale Communications Campaign to Provide Consumers Safety Information on Drug-Dietary Supplement Interactions:A Pilot Study

PubMed Central

Perlman, Adam I.; Lebow, David G.; Raphael, Karen; Ali, Ather; Simmons, Leigh Ann

2013-01-01

Concurrent use of dietary supplements with over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals has become increasingly common, and with this trend, so has the incidence of adverse drug–supplement interactions. In the current market, consumers have no way to distinguish between safe and potentially harmful supplements. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that messages designed to increase consumers' awareness of potential health risks of concurrent use of dietary supplements with over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals would promote further consideration and action, as evidenced by (a) seeking additional information from an authoritative source or qualified health care professional and (b) changing dietary supplement usage patterns. To test this hypothesis, an innovative consumer information delivery system, referred to as the Buyer Information Network (BuyIN), was utilized. BuyIN uses currently available, Web-enabled point-of-sale (POS) technology to provide up-to-date, evidence-based, health- and safety-related messages to consumers at the retail checkout counter. Results showed that more than one-fourth (27.1%) of consumers (n = 199) who purchased targeted items reported they were aware of the messages. Of this subgroup of aware consumers, 11.2% reported that they sought additional information from a physician or pharmacist, 11.5% reported that they visited the website listed on the coupon, and 10.5% indicated that they changed their dietary supplement usage patterns as a result of the messages. Future research should include a large-scale study of a fully implemented and capable system at multiple test sites around the country, including investigating the utility of BuyIN in different retail settings. PMID:23356591

22 CFR 121.3 - Aircraft.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... lasers, launching rockets, firing missiles, dropping bombs, or strafing); (4) Are strategic airlift..., active missile counter measures, target designation, surveillance, or sensor capabilities; or (7) Are...

Prophage-mediated defense against viral attack and viral counter-defense

PubMed Central

Dedrick, Rebekah M.; Jacobs-Sera, Deborah; Guerrero Bustamante, Carlos A.; Garlena, Rebecca A.; Mavrich, Travis N.; Pope, Welkin H.; Reyes, Juan C Cervantes; Russell, Daniel A.; Adair, Tamarah; Alvey, Richard; Bonilla, J. Alfred; Bricker, Jerald S.; Brown, Bryony R.; Byrnes, Deanna; Cresawn, Steven G.; Davis, William B.; Dickson, Leon A.; Edgington, Nicholas P.; Findley, Ann M.; Golebiewska, Urszula; Grose, Julianne H.; Hayes, Cory F.; Hughes, Lee E.; Hutchison, Keith W.; Isern, Sharon; Johnson, Allison A.; Kenna, Margaret A.; Klyczek, Karen K.; Mageeney, Catherine M.; Michael, Scott F.; Molloy, Sally D.; Montgomery, Matthew T.; Neitzel, James; Page, Shallee T.; Pizzorno, Marie C.; Poxleitner, Marianne K.; Rinehart, Claire A.; Robinson, Courtney J.; Rubin, Michael R.; Teyim, Joseph N.; Vazquez, Edwin; Ware, Vassie C.; Washington, Jacqueline; Hatfull, Graham F.

2017-01-01

Temperate phages are common and prophages are abundant residents of sequenced bacterial genomes. Mycobacteriophages are viruses infecting mycobacterial hosts including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis, encompass substantial genetic diversity, and are commonly temperate. Characterization of ten Cluster N temperate mycobacteriophages reveals at least five distinct prophage-expressed viral defense systems that interfere with infection of lytic and temperate phages that are either closely-related (homotypic defense) or unrelated (heterotypic defense). Target specificity is unpredictable, ranging from a single target phage to one-third of those tested. The defense systems include a single-subunit restriction system, a heterotypic exclusion system, and a predicted (p)ppGpp synthetase, which blocks lytic phage growth, promotes bacterial survival, and enables efficient lysogeny. The predicted (p)ppGpp synthetase coded by the Phrann prophage defends against phage Tweety infection, but Tweety codes for a tetrapeptide repeat protein, gp54, that acts as a highly effective counter-defense system. Prophage-mediated viral defense offers an efficient mechanism for bacterial success in host-virus dynamics, and counter-defense promotes phage co-evolution. PMID:28067906

Preparative separation of six rhynchophylla alkaloids from Uncaria macrophylla wall by pH-zone refining counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Zhang, Qinghai; Lin, Changhu; Duan, Wenjuan; Wang, Xiao; Luo, Aiqin

2013-12-12

pH-Zone refining counter-current chromatography was successfully applied to the preparative isolation and purification of six alkaloids from the ethanol extracts of Uncaria macrophylla Wall. Because of the low content of alkaloids (about 0.2%, w/w) in U. macrophylla Wall, the target compounds were enriched by pH-zone refining counter-current chromatography using a two-phase solvent system composed of petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-isopropanol-water (2:6:3:9, v/v), adding 10 mM triethylamine in organic stationary phase and 5 mM hydrochloric acid in aqueous mobile phase. Then pH-zone refining counter-current chromatography using the other two-phase solvent system was used for final purification. Six target compounds were finally isolated and purified by following two-phase solvent system composed of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)-acetonitrile-water (4:0.5:5, v/v), adding triethylamine (TEA) (10 mM) to the organic phase and HCl (5 mM) to aqueous mobile phase. The separation of 2.8 g enriched total alkaloids yielded 36 mg hirsutine, 48 mg hirsuteine, 82 mg uncarine C, 73 mg uncarine E, 163 mg rhynchophylline, and 149 mg corynoxeine, all with purities above 96% as verified by HPLC Their structures were identified by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and 1H-NMR spectroscopy.

7 CFR 1412.53 - Counter-cyclical payment provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... the target price of the covered commodity or peanuts, respectively, as determined in accordance with... market price received by producers during the 12-month marketing year for the covered commodity or... the purposes of paragraphs (a) and (g) of this section, the target prices are as follows: (1) For the...

Unattended Multiplicity Shift Register

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

Newell, Matt; Jones, David C.

2017-01-16

The Unattended Multiplicity Shift Register (UMSR) is a specialized pulse counter used primarily to count neutron events originating in neutron detection instruments. While the counter can be used to count any TTL input pulses, its unique ability to record time correlated events and the multiplicity distributions of these events makes it an ideal instrument for counting neutron events in the nuclear fields of material safeguards, waste assay and process monitoring and control. The UMSR combines the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) simple and robust shift register design with a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) processor and Ethernet communications. The UMSR is fully compatiblemore » with existing International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) neutron data acquisition instruments such as the Advance Multiplicity Shift Register (AMSR) and JSR-15. The UMSR has three input channels: a multiplicity shift register input and two auxiliary inputs. The UMSR provides 0V to 2kV of programmable High Voltage (HV) bias and both a 12V and a 5V detector power supply output. A serial over USB communication line to the UMSR allows the use of existing versions of INCC or MIC software while the Ethernet port is compatible with the new IAEA RAINSTORM communication protocol.« less

The vigorous immune microenvironment of microsatellite instable colon cancer is balanced by multiple counter-inhibitory checkpoints

PubMed Central

Llosa, Nicolas J.; Cruise, Michael; Tam, Ada; Wick, Elizabeth C.; Hechenbleikner, Elizabeth M.; Taube, Janis M.; Blosser, Lee; Fan, Hongni; Wang, Hao; Luber, Brandon; Zhang, Ming; Papadopoulos, Nickolas; Kinzler, Kenneth W.; Vogelstein, Bert; Sears, Cynthia L.; Anders, Robert A.; Pardoll, Drew M.; Housseau, Franck

2014-01-01

We examined the immune microenvironment of primary colorectal cancer (CRC) using immunohistochemistry, laser capture microdissection/qRT-PCR, flow cytometry and functional analysis of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. A subset of CRC displayed high infiltration with activated CD8+ CTL as well as activated Th1 cells characterized by IFN-γ production and the Th1 transcription factor Tbet. Parallel analysis of tumor genotypes revealed that virtually all of the tumors with this active Th1/CTL microenvironment had defects in mismatch repair, as evidenced by microsatellite instability (MSI). Counterbalancing this active Th1/CTL microenvironment, MSI tumors selectively demonstrated highly up-regulated expression of multiple immune checkpoints, including five – PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, LAG-3 and IDO – currently being targeted clinically with inhibitors. These findings link tumor genotype with the immune microenvironment, and explain why MSI tumors are not naturally eliminated despite a hostile Th1/CTL microenvironment. They further suggest that blockade of specific checkpoints may be selectively efficacious in the MSI subset of CRC. PMID:25358689

Methane multiplication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laakso, Thomas A.

2018-01-01

A combination of two anoxygenic pathways of photosynthesis could have helped to warm early Earth, according to geochemical models. These metabolisms, and attendant biogeochemical feedbacks, could have worked to counter the faint young Sun.

Avoiding hypoglycaemia: a new target of care for elderly diabetic patients.

PubMed

Wong, C W

2015-10-01

Optimising glycaemic control to prevent diabetes-associated complications has received much attention. The associated risk of iatrogenic hypoglycaemia, however, is inevitable and can have a significant impact on health. The prevalence of iatrogenic hypoglycaemia tends to increase with advancing age. Elderly people are intrinsically prone to hypoglycaemia. Ageing attenuates the glucose counter-regulatory and symptomatic response to hypoglycaemia, particularly in the presence of a longer duration of diabetes. Multiple co-morbidities and polypharmacy correlated with advancing age also increase the hypoglycaemic risk. In addition to the acute adverse effects of hypoglycaemia, such as fall with injury, cardiovascular events and mortality, a hypoglycaemic episode can have long-term consequences. Repeated episodes may have a significant psychological impact and are also a risk factor for dementia. Because of the heterogeneous health status of the elderly, not all will benefit from optimal glycaemic control. Setting an individual glycaemic target and formulating a management plan that takes account of the patient's circumstances combined with balancing the benefit and risk of diabetes intervention to avoid hypoglycaemia is a more practical approach to the management of elderly diabetic patients.

Kinematic and stellar population properties of the counter-rotating components in the S0 galaxy NGC 1366

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morelli, L.; Pizzella, A.; Coccato, L.; Corsini, E. M.; Dalla Bontà, E.; Buson, L. M.; Ivanov, V. D.; Pagotto, I.; Pompei, E.; Rocco, M.

2017-04-01

Context. Many disk galaxies host two extended stellar components that rotate in opposite directions. The analysis of the stellar populations of the counter-rotating components provides constraints on the environmental and internal processes that drive their formation. Aims: The S0 NGC 1366 in the Fornax cluster is known to host a stellar component that is kinematically decoupled from the main body of the galaxy. Here we successfully separated the two counter-rotating stellar components to independently measure the kinematics and properties of their stellar populations. Methods: We performed a spectroscopic decomposition of the spectrum obtained along the galaxy major axis and separated the relative contribution of the two counter-rotating stellar components and of the ionized-gas component. We measured the line-strength indices of the two counter-rotating stellar components and modeled each of them with single stellar population models that account for the α/Fe overabundance. Results: We found that the counter-rotating stellar component is younger, has nearly the same metallicity, and is less α/Fe enhanced than the corotating component. Unlike most of the counter-rotating galaxies, the ionized gas detected in NGC 1366 is neither associated with the counter-rotating stellar component nor with the main galaxy body. On the contrary, it has a disordered distribution and a disturbed kinematics with multiple velocity components observed along the minor axis of the galaxy. Conclusions: The different properties of the counter-rotating stellar components and the kinematic peculiarities of the ionized gas suggest that NGC 1366 is at an intermediate stage of the acquisition process, building the counter-rotating components with some gas clouds still falling onto the galaxy. Based on observations made with ESO Telescopes at the La Silla-Paranal Observatory under programmes 075.B-0794 and 077.B-0767.

An improved PRoPHET routing protocol in delay tolerant network.

PubMed

Han, Seung Deok; Chung, Yun Won

2015-01-01

In delay tolerant network (DTN), an end-to-end path is not guaranteed and packets are delivered from a source node to a destination node via store-carry-forward based routing. In DTN, a source node or an intermediate node stores packets in buffer and carries them while it moves around. These packets are forwarded to other nodes based on predefined criteria and finally are delivered to a destination node via multiple hops. In this paper, we improve the dissemination speed of PRoPHET (probability routing protocol using history of encounters and transitivity) protocol by employing epidemic protocol for disseminating message m, if forwarding counter and hop counter values are smaller than or equal to the threshold values. The performance of the proposed protocol was analyzed from the aspect of delivery probability, average delay, and overhead ratio. Numerical results show that the proposed protocol can improve the delivery probability, average delay, and overhead ratio of PRoPHET protocol by appropriately selecting the threshold forwarding counter and threshold hop counter values.

An easy-to-use calculating machine to simulate steady state and non-steady-state preparative separations by multiple dual mode counter-current chromatography with semi-continuous loading of feed mixtures.

PubMed

Kostanyan, Artak E; Shishilov, Oleg N

2018-06-01

Multiple dual mode counter-current chromatography (MDM CCC) separation processes with semi-continuous large sample loading consist of a succession of two counter-current steps: with "x" phase (first step) and "y" phase (second step) flow periods. A feed mixture dissolved in the "x" phase is continuously loaded into a CCC machine at the beginning of the first step of each cycle over a constant time with the volumetric rate equal to the flow rate of the pure "x" phase. An easy-to-use calculating machine is developed to simulate the chromatograms and the amounts of solutes eluted with the phases at each cycle for steady-state (the duration of the flow periods of the phases is kept constant for all the cycles) and non-steady-state (with variable duration of alternating phase elution steps) separations. Using the calculating machine, the separation of mixtures containing up to five components can be simulated and designed. Examples of the application of the calculating machine for the simulation of MDM CCC processes are discussed. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

50% REDUCTION IN GLOBAL GHG EMISSION BY 2050 AND ITS IMPLICATION

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujimori, Shinichiro; Masui, Toshihiko; Matsuoka, Yuzuru

To prevent the global temperature increase by two degrees, global greenhouse gas emission in 2050 should be cut by half relative to its 1990 level. This study shows following three things by using multi regions and sectors recursive dynamic type computable general equilibrium model. One is the feasibility of that global emission target. The others are the counter measures and the impact on the macro economy, if that target were feasible. In addition, the scenarios with and without international emission trading are implemented and the effect of the trading is analyzed. As a result, that target can be achieved. The marginal abatement cost is 750/tCO2-eq in 2050. Energy efficiency improvement, renewable energy and carbon capture and storage technologies are the main players as counter measures. If the emission trading is available freely, GDP loss is 4.5% globally in 2050. Otherwise, the loss is increased to 6.1%. The emission trading mechanism is also one of the important measures.

Synaptic Vesicle-Recycling Machinery Components as Potential Therapeutic Targets

PubMed Central

Li, Ying C.

2017-01-01

Presynaptic nerve terminals are highly specialized vesicle-trafficking machines. Neurotransmitter release from these terminals is sustained by constant local recycling of synaptic vesicles independent from the neuronal cell body. This independence places significant constraints on maintenance of synaptic protein complexes and scaffolds. Key events during the synaptic vesicle cycle—such as exocytosis and endocytosis—require formation and disassembly of protein complexes. This extremely dynamic environment poses unique challenges for proteostasis at synaptic terminals. Therefore, it is not surprising that subtle alterations in synaptic vesicle cycle-associated proteins directly or indirectly contribute to pathophysiology seen in several neurologic and psychiatric diseases. In contrast to the increasing number of examples in which presynaptic dysfunction causes neurologic symptoms or cognitive deficits associated with multiple brain disorders, synaptic vesicle-recycling machinery remains an underexplored drug target. In addition, irrespective of the involvement of presynaptic function in the disease process, presynaptic machinery may also prove to be a viable therapeutic target because subtle alterations in the neurotransmitter release may counter disease mechanisms, correct, or compensate for synaptic communication deficits without the need to interfere with postsynaptic receptor signaling. In this article, we will overview critical properties of presynaptic release machinery to help elucidate novel presynaptic avenues for the development of therapeutic strategies against neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. PMID:28265000

The background in a balloon-borne fluorescence-gated proportional counter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramsey, B. D.; Bower, C. R.; Dietz, K. L.; Weisskopf, M. C.

1990-01-01

The results of an analysis of the background in a fluorescence-gated proportional counter operating over the energy range 3-150 keV are presented. It is found that the dominant background component is that produced by high energy qamma-rays that penetrate the shields and undergo multiple scattering in the detector body, resulting in photoelectric absorption in the detector gas. A careful choice of materials and thickness can move the peak of this emission outside of the detector sensitive range, thereby dramatically reducing the residual background.

An Analysis of Mathematical Models to Improve Counter-Drug Smuggling Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

users. The target input file for the optimization algorithm has one segment of one target path on each row. Thus, if a target travels along a path...organization TOS time on station TSP Travelling Salesperson Problem USCG United States Coast Guard USN United States Navy UCONN University...of Connecticut UNCLOS United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea xv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This research is motivated by the ongoing efforts of the

Emerging Trends Could Exacerbate Health Inequities In The United States.

PubMed

Arcaya, Mariana C; Figueroa, José F

2017-06-01

Health inequities among people of different races and ethnicities, geographical locations, and social classes are not a new phenomenon, although the size of the inequities has changed since researchers first began documenting them. While interventions to improve the health of targeted disadvantaged groups may help combat disparities, broader trends that disproportionately benefit privileged groups or harm vulnerable populations can eclipse the progress made through isolated interventions. These trends threaten equity in health and health care in the United States either through direct effects on health or through impacts on the distribution of resources, risks, and power. We highlight trends in four domains: health care technologies, health reform policies, widening socioeconomic inequality, and environmental hazards. We suggest ways of countering the effects of these trends to promote health equity, focusing on strategies that promise co-benefits across multiple sectors. Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

Potential of Plant Essential Oils and Their Components in Animal Agriculture - in vitro Studies on Antibacterial Mode of Action.

PubMed

O'Bryan, Corliss A; Pendleton, Sean J; Crandall, Philip G; Ricke, Steven C

2015-01-01

The antimicrobial activity of essential oils and their components has been recognized for several years. Essential oils are produced as secondary metabolites by many plants and can be distilled from all different portions of plants. The recent emergence of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics has spurred research into the use of essential oils as alternatives. Recent research has demonstrated that many of these essential oils have beneficial effects for livestock, including reduction of foodborne pathogens in these animals. Numerous studies have been made into the mode of action of essential oils, and the resulting elucidation of bacterial cell targets has contributed to new perspectives on countering antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity of these bacteria. In this review, an overview of the current knowledge about the antibacterial mode of action of essential oils and their constituents is provided.

Potential of Plant Essential Oils and Their Components in Animal Agriculture – in vitro Studies on Antibacterial Mode of Action

PubMed Central

O’Bryan, Corliss A.; Pendleton, Sean J.; Crandall, Philip G.; Ricke, Steven C.

2015-01-01

The antimicrobial activity of essential oils and their components has been recognized for several years. Essential oils are produced as secondary metabolites by many plants and can be distilled from all different portions of plants. The recent emergence of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics has spurred research into the use of essential oils as alternatives. Recent research has demonstrated that many of these essential oils have beneficial effects for livestock, including reduction of foodborne pathogens in these animals. Numerous studies have been made into the mode of action of essential oils, and the resulting elucidation of bacterial cell targets has contributed to new perspectives on countering antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity of these bacteria. In this review, an overview of the current knowledge about the antibacterial mode of action of essential oils and their constituents is provided. PMID:26664964

Studies of nonlinear interactions between counter-propagating Alfv'en waves in the LAPD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auerbach, D. W.; Perez, J. C.; Carter, T. A.; Boldyrev, S.

2007-11-01

From a weak turbulence point of view, nonlinear interactions between shear Alfv'en waves are fundamental to the energy cascade in low-frequency magnetic turbulence. We report here on an experimental study of counter-propagating Alfv'en wave interactions in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) at UCLA. Colliding, orthogonally polarized kinetic Alfv'en waves are generated by two antennae, separated by 5m along the guide magnetic field. Magnetic field and langmuir probes record plasma behavior between the antennae. When each antenna is operated separately, linearly polarized Alfv'en waves propagate in opposite directions along the guide field. When two antennae simultaneously excite counter propagating waves, we observe multiple side bands in the frequency domain, whose amplitude scales quadratically with wave amplitude. In the spatial domain we observe non-linear superposition in the 2D structure of the waves and spectral broadening in the perpendicular wave-number spectrum. This indicates the presence of nonlinear interaction of the counter propagating Alfv'en waves, and opens the possiblity to investigate Alfv'enic plasma turbulence in controlled and reproducible laboratory experiments.

Manhunting: Counter-Network Organization for Irregular Warfare

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

received his B.A. in International Relations from the University of Kansas in 1985 and M.S. in Computer Applications Management from Lesley University...collection management , and targeting.b. Operational level processes begin with intelligence on the adversary capabilities with granular focus to mitigate... managers work with analysts, targeting experts, decision makers, planners, and operations personnel, guiding multidisciplinary intelligence collection to

Navy Shipboard Lasers for Surface, Air, and Missile Defense: Background and Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-14

absorption and turbulence , suitable for use to evaluate notional maritime beam director subsystems, and shall include studies in adaptive optics for...is good enough in terms of atmospheric transmission to permit the laser to disable targets of interest at tactically useful ranges, and that...Countering Targets ........................................................ 7 Types of Lasers Being Developed for Potential Shipboard Use

Targeting Therapy Resistance: When Glutamine Catabolism Becomes Essential.

PubMed

Lukey, Michael J; Katt, William P; Cerione, Richard A

2018-05-14

Identifying contexts in which cancer cells become addicted to specific nutrients is critical for developing targeted metabolic therapies. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Momcilovic et al. report that suppressed glycolysis following mTOR inhibition is countered by adaptive glutamine catabolism in lung squamous cell carcinoma, sensitizing tumors to glutaminase inhibition. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Experimental validation of a coupled neutron-photon inverse radiation transport solver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mattingly, John; Mitchell, Dean J.; Harding, Lee T.

2011-10-01

Sandia National Laboratories has developed an inverse radiation transport solver that applies nonlinear regression to coupled neutron-photon deterministic transport models. The inverse solver uses nonlinear regression to fit a radiation transport model to gamma spectrometry and neutron multiplicity counting measurements. The subject of this paper is the experimental validation of that solver. This paper describes a series of experiments conducted with a 4.5 kg sphere of α-phase, weapons-grade plutonium. The source was measured bare and reflected by high-density polyethylene (HDPE) spherical shells with total thicknesses between 1.27 and 15.24 cm. Neutron and photon emissions from the source were measured using three instruments: a gross neutron counter, a portable neutron multiplicity counter, and a high-resolution gamma spectrometer. These measurements were used as input to the inverse radiation transport solver to evaluate the solver's ability to correctly infer the configuration of the source from its measured radiation signatures.

Multi-targeted priming for genome-wide gene expression assays.

PubMed

Adomas, Aleksandra B; Lopez-Giraldez, Francesc; Clark, Travis A; Wang, Zheng; Townsend, Jeffrey P

2010-08-17

Complementary approaches to assaying global gene expression are needed to assess gene expression in regions that are poorly assayed by current methodologies. A key component of nearly all gene expression assays is the reverse transcription of transcribed sequences that has traditionally been performed by priming the poly-A tails on many of the transcribed genes in eukaryotes with oligo-dT, or by priming RNA indiscriminately with random hexamers. We designed an algorithm to find common sequence motifs that were present within most protein-coding genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and of Neurospora crassa, but that were not present within their ribosomal RNA or transfer RNA genes. We then experimentally tested whether degenerately priming these motifs with multi-targeted primers improved the accuracy and completeness of transcriptomic assays. We discovered two multi-targeted primers that would prime a preponderance of genes in the genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Neurospora crassa while avoiding priming ribosomal RNA or transfer RNA. Examining the response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to nitrogen deficiency and profiling Neurospora crassa early sexual development, we demonstrated that using multi-targeted primers in reverse transcription led to superior performance of microarray profiling and next-generation RNA tag sequencing. Priming with multi-targeted primers in addition to oligo-dT resulted in higher sensitivity, a larger number of well-measured genes and greater power to detect differences in gene expression. Our results provide the most complete and detailed expression profiles of the yeast nitrogen starvation response and N. crassa early sexual development to date. Furthermore, our multi-targeting priming methodology for genome-wide gene expression assays provides selective targeting of multiple sequences and counter-selection against undesirable sequences, facilitating a more complete and precise assay of the transcribed sequences within the genome.

A high-throughput AO/PI-based cell concentration and viability detection method using the Celigo image cytometry.

PubMed

Chan, Leo Li-Ying; Smith, Tim; Kumph, Kendra A; Kuksin, Dmitry; Kessel, Sarah; Déry, Olivier; Cribbes, Scott; Lai, Ning; Qiu, Jean

2016-10-01

To ensure cell-based assays are performed properly, both cell concentration and viability have to be determined so that the data can be normalized to generate meaningful and comparable results. Cell-based assays performed in immuno-oncology, toxicology, or bioprocessing research often require measuring of multiple samples and conditions, thus the current automated cell counter that uses single disposable counting slides is not practical for high-throughput screening assays. In the recent years, a plate-based image cytometry system has been developed for high-throughput biomolecular screening assays. In this work, we demonstrate a high-throughput AO/PI-based cell concentration and viability method using the Celigo image cytometer. First, we validate the method by comparing directly to Cellometer automated cell counter. Next, cell concentration dynamic range, viability dynamic range, and consistency are determined. The high-throughput AO/PI method described here allows for 96-well to 384-well plate samples to be analyzed in less than 7 min, which greatly reduces the time required for the single sample-based automated cell counter. In addition, this method can improve the efficiency for high-throughput screening assays, where multiple cell counts and viability measurements are needed prior to performing assays such as flow cytometry, ELISA, or simply plating cells for cell culture.

Controlling electron quantum paths for generation of circularly polarized high-order harmonics by H2+ subject to tailored (ω , 2 ω ) counter-rotating laser fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heslar, John; Telnov, Dmitry A.; Chu, Shih-I.

2018-04-01

Recently, studies of high-order harmonics (HHG) from atoms driven by bichromatic counter-rotating circularly polarized laser fields as a source of coherent circularly polarized extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and soft-x-ray beams in a tabletop-scale setup have received considerable attention. Here, we demonstrate the ability to control the electron recollisions giving three returns per one cycle of the fundamental frequency ω by using tailored bichromatic (ω , 2 ω ) counter-rotating circularly polarized laser fields with a molecular target. The full control of the electronic pathway is first analyzed by a classical trajectory analysis and then extended to a detailed quantum study of H2+ molecules in bichromatic (ω , 2 ω ) counter-rotating circularly polarized laser fields. The radiation spectrum contains doublets of left- and right-circularly polarized harmonics in the XUV ranges. We study in detail the below-, near-, and above-threshold harmonic regions and describe how excited-state resonances alter the ellipticity and phase of the generated harmonic peaks.

A threshold gas Cerenkov detector for the spin asymmetries of the nucleon experiment

DOE PAGES

Armstrong, Whitney R.; Choi, Seonho; Kaczanowicz, Ed; ...

2015-09-26

In this study, we report on the design, construction, commissioning, and performance of a threshold gas Cerenkov counter in an open configuration, which operates in a high luminosity environment and produces a high photo-electron yield. Part of a unique open geometry detector package known as the Big Electron Telescope Array, this Cerenkov counter served to identify scattered electrons and reject produced pions in an inclusive scattering experiment known as the Spin Asymmetries of the Nucleon Experiment E07-003 at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) also known as Jefferson Lab. The experiment consisted of a measurement of double spin asymmetriesmore » A || and A ⊥ of a polarized electron beam impinging on a polarized ammonia target. The Cerenkov counter's performance is characterised by a yield of about 20 photoelectrons per electron or positron track. Thanks to this large number of photoelectrons per track, the Cerenkov counter had enough resolution to identify electron-positron pairs from the conversion of photons resulting mainly from π 0 decays.« less

Introduction to acoustic emission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Possa, G.

1983-01-01

Typical acoustic emission signal characteristics are described and techniques which localize the signal source by processing the acoustic delay data from multiple sensors are discussed. The instrumentation, which includes sensors, amplifiers, pulse counters, a minicomputer and output devices is examined. Applications are reviewed.

Time correlated measurements using plastic scintillators with neutron-photon pulse shape discrimination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richardson, Norman E., IV

Since the beginning of the nuclear age, there has been a strong demand for the development of efficient technologies for the detection of ionizing radiation. According to the United States' Department of Energy, the accurate assessment of fissile materials is essential in achieving the nonproliferation goals of enhancing safety and security of nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear energy facilities. Nuclear materials can be characterized by the measurement of prompt and delayed neutrons and gamma rays emitted in spontaneous or induced fission reactions and neutrons emitted in fission reactions are the distinctive signatures of nuclear materials. Today, the most widely used neutron detection technologies rely on thermal neutron capture reactions using a moderating material to cause the neutron to lose its energy prior to the detection event. This is necessary because as the fission event occurs, neutrons are emitted carrying high amounts of energy, typically on the order of mega electron volts (MeV). These energetic particles are classified as "fast" neutrons. For detecting the thermal neutrons, the Helium-3 (3He) gas-filled counters are arguably the most widely used technology of neutron detection. 3He counters have been the scientific standard for the nuclear engineering community for several decades, and have earned their place as a reliable technique for the detection of neutrons. However, 3He gas-filled counters have several disadvantages. First, gas-filled counters are not rigid and are sensitive to vibrations. Secondly, gas-filled counters are prone to the count rate limitations due to the physical processes of charge multiplication and transport in the gas medium in the electric field. Lastly, 3He gas-filled counters suffer from a supply shortage of the 3He isotope. As it is stated in [3], this shortage is created by the new demand for Helium-3 due to the deployment of neutron detectors at the borders after the 9/11 attack to help secure the nation against smuggled nuclear and radiological material. Moreover, the production of 3He isotope as a byproduct of security programs was drastically decreased. This isotope shortage coupled with the disadvantages of relying on a detector that requires neutron moderation before the detection of fission neutrons, poses a significant challenge in supporting the existing detection systems and the development of future technologies. To address this problem, a reliable and accurate alternative technology to detect neutrons emitted in fissions must be developed. One such alternative technology that shows promise in this application is the use of scintillators based on solid state materials (plastics) which are sensitive to fast neutrons. However, plastic scintillators are also sensitive to photons. Hence, it is necessary to separate the neutron signals from the photon signals, using the pulse shape discrimination (PSD) analysis. The PSD is based on the comparison of the pulse shapes of digitized signal waveforms. This approach allows for the measurement of fast neutrons without the necessity of their moderation. Because the fission spectrum neutrons are mainly fast, methods employing fast neutron detection are applicable for the assay of fissile materials. In addition, the average time of scintillation of the plastic medium is much shorter than those of the gaseous counters, thus allowing scintillation detectors to be used in high count rate environments. Furthermore, the temporal information of the fast neutron detection using multiple sensors enables the time correlation analysis of the fission neutron multiplicity. The study of time correlation measurements of fast neutrons using the array of plastic scintillators is the basis of this work. The array of four plastic scintillator detectors equipped with the digital data acquisition and analysis system was developed. The digital PSD analysis of detector signals "on-the-fly" was implemented for the array. The time coincidence measurement technique using the list mode was employed for two detectors operating on the single time scale. This was necessary as no fission source was available to be used as a fast neutron multiplicity source. The detection technology was tested using isotopic photon sources and a plutonium-beryllium neutron source. It was shown that the system can be effectively used for fast-neutron multiplicity measurements, through a "proof-of-concept" model, enabling a shorter width of the time coincidence window compared to the 3He counters. This result opens prospects to reduce the false coincidence rates in the neutron multiplicity measurements, thus increasing the sensitivity of nuclear material detection.

The interference effects of non-rotated versus counter-rotated trials in visuomotor adaptation.

PubMed

Hinder, Mark R; Walk, Laura; Woolley, Daniel G; Riek, Stephan; Carson, Richard G

2007-07-01

An isometric torque-production task was used to investigate interference and retention in adaptation to multiple visuomotor environments. Subjects produced isometric flexion-extension and pronation-supination elbow torques to move a cursor to acquire targets as quickly as possible. Adaptation to a 30 degrees counter-clockwise (CCW) rotation (task A), was followed by a period of rest (control), trials with no rotation (task B0), or trials with a 60 degrees clockwise (CW) rotation (task B60). For all groups, retention of task A was assessed 5 h later. With initial training, all groups reduced the angular deviation of cursor paths early in the movements, indicating feedforward adaptation. For the control group, performance at commencement of the retest was significantly better than that at the beginning of the initial learning. For the B0 group, performance in the retest of task A was not dissimilar to that at the start of the initial learning, while for the B60 group retest performance in task A was markedly worse than initially observed. Our results indicate that close juxtaposition of two visuomotor environments precludes improved retest performance in the initial environment. Data for the B60 group, specifically larger angular errors upon retest compared with initial exposures, are consistent with the presence of anterograde interference. Furthermore, full interference occurred even when the visuomotor environment encountered in the second task was not rotated (B0). This latter novel result differs from those obtained for force field learning, where interference does not occur when task B does not impose perturbing forces, i.e., when B consists of a null field (Brashers-Krug et al., Nature 382:252-255, 1996). The results are consistent with recent proposals suggesting different interference mechanisms for visuomotor (kinematic) compared to force field (dynamic) adaptations, and have implications for the use of washout trials when studying interference between multiple visuomotor environments.

Disseminating Policy and Environmental Change Interventions: Insights from Obesity Prevention and Tobacco Control

PubMed Central

Leeman, Jennifer; Myers, Allison E.; Ribisl, Kurt M.; Ammerman, Alice S.

2015-01-01

Purpose Evidence-based interventions are increasingly called for as a way to improve health behaviors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor diet. Numerous organizations are disseminating interventions that target individual-level behavioral change. Fewer are disseminating interventions that target the policy and environmental changes required to support healthier behaviors. This paper aims to describe the distinct features of policy and environmental change and the lessons learned by two Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded dissemination projects, the Center for Training and Research Translation (Center TRT) and Counter Tobacco. Methods Both Center TRT and Counter Tobacco have conducted formative research with their target audiences to customize dissemination to address practitioner-reported needs and preferences. The Centers’ have developed the following approach to disseminating policy and environmental change interventions: (1) Identify the best available evidence rather than waiting for the best possible evidence, (2) disseminate menus of broad intervention strategies, (3) provide implementation guidance, (4) incorporate stories from the field, (5) build practitioners’ capacity, and, (6) integrate dissemination into practitioners’ existing professional and social networks. In 2012, over 26,000 unique visitors accessed the Center TRT website and downloaded over 12,400 documents. The Counter Tobacco website has had 10,907 unique visitors since its launch in August 2011, and the number of visitors is increasing rapidly. Conclusions Both Centers have had success reaching their intended audiences. Research is now needed to assess the extent of practitioners’ use of disseminated recommendations, guidance, and tools in practice and the impact of the resulting interventions. PMID:25037977

The PANDA DIRC detectors at FAIR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarz, C.; Ali, A.; Belias, A.; Dzhygadlo, R.; Gerhardt, A.; Götzen, K.; Kalicy, G.; Krebs, M.; Lehmann, D.; Nerling, F.; Patsyuk, M.; Peters, K.; Schepers, G.; Schmitt, L.; Schwiening, J.; Traxler, M.; Zühlsdorf, M.; Böhm, M.; Britting, A.; Eyrich, W.; Lehmann, A.; Pfaffinger, M.; Uhlig, F.; Düren, M.; Etzelmüller, E.; Föhl, K.; Hayrapetyan, A.; Kreutzfeld, K.; Kröck, B.; Merle, O.; Rieke, J.; Schmidt, M.; Wasem, T.; Achenbach, P.; Cardinali, M.; Hoek, M.; Lauth, W.; Schlimme, S.; Sfienti, C.; Thiel, M.; Allison, L.; Hyde, C.

2017-07-01

The PANDA detector at the international accelerator Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research in Europe (FAIR) addresses fundamental questions of hadron physics. An excellent hadronic particle identification (PID) will be accomplished by two DIRC (Detection of Internally Reflected Cherenkov light) counters in the target spectrometer. The design for the barrel region covering polar angles between 22o to 140o is based on the successful BABAR DIRC with several key improvements, such as fast photon timing and a compact imaging region. The novel Endcap Disc DIRC will cover the smaller forward angles between 5o (10o) to 22o in the vertical (horizontal) direction. Both DIRC counters will use lifetime-enhanced microchannel plate PMTs for photon detection in combination with fast readout electronics. Geant4 simulations and tests with several prototypes at various beam facilities have been used to evaluate the designs and validate the expected PID performance of both PANDA DIRC counters.

Designed modulation of sex steroid signaling inhibits telomerase activity and proliferation of human prostate cancer cells

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

Verma, Vikas; Sharma, Vikas; Singh, Vishal

The predominant estrogen-receptor (ER)-β signaling in normal prostate is countered by increased ER-α signaling in prostate cancer (CaP), which in association with androgen-receptor (AR) signaling results in pathogenesis of the disease. However CaP treatments mostly target AR signaling which is initially effective but eventually leads to androgen resistance, hence simultaneous targeting of ERs has been proposed. A novel series of molecules were designed with multiple sex-steroid receptor modulating capabilities by coalescing the pharmacophores of known anti-CaP molecules that act via modulation of ER(α/β) and/or AR, viz. 3,3′diindolylmethane (DIM), mifepristone, toremifene, tamoxifen and raloxifene. N,N-diethyl-4-((2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)methyl) aniline (DIMA) was identified as themore » most promising structure of this new series. DIMA increased annexin-V labelling, cell-cycle arrest and caspase-3 activity, and decreased expression of AR and prostate specific antigen in LNCaP cells, in vitro. Concurrently, DIMA increased ER-β, p21 and p27 protein levels in LNCaP cells and exhibited ∼ 5 times more selective binding for ER-β than ER-α, in comparison to raloxifene. DIMA exhibited a dose-dependent ER-β agonism and ER-α antagonism in classical gene reporter assay and decreased hTERT (catalytic subunit of telomerase) transcript levels in LNCaP at 3.0 μM (P < 0.05). DIMA also dose-dependently decreased telomerase enzyme activity in prostate cancer cells. It is thus concluded that DIMA acts as a multi-steroid receptor modulator and effectively inhibits proliferation of prostate cancer cells through ER-β mediated telomerase inhibition, by countering actions of ER-α and AR. Its unique molecular design can serve as a lead structure for generation of potent agents against endocrine malignancies like the CaP.« less

Precision Targeting: Filling the Gap

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-20

using drones were often sensitive and controversial, they were used relentlessly in many key provinces (like Kandahar and Helmand) and because they...War. Westport, CT: Praeger Security International, 2006. Curry , Peter. “Small Wars are Local: Debunking Current Assumptions about Countering Small

Multiple U.S. Agencies Provided Billions of Dollars to Train and Equip Foreign Police Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-27

Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations Committee on Oversight and Government Reform House of Representatives Subject: Multiple U.S. Agencies...its emphasis on training and equipping foreign police as a means of supporting a wide range of U.S. foreign- policy goals, including countering...reported on these issues in 1992.1 In response to your request, this report provides estimates of the funding the U.S. government provided for

Evidence for Spiral Magnetic Structures at the Magnetopause: A Case for Multiple Reconnections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vaisberg, O. L.; Smirnov, V. N.; Avanov, L. A.; Moore, T. E.

2003-01-01

We analyze plasma structures within the low latitude boundary layer (LLBL) observed by the lnterball Tail spacecraft under southward interplanetary magnetic field. Ion velocity distributions observed in the LLBL under these conditions fall into three categories: (a) D-shaped distributions, (b) ion velocity distributions consisting of two counterstreaming magnetosheath-type, and (c) distributions with three components where one of them has nearly zero velocity parallel to magnetic field (VlI), while the other two are counter-streaming components. D-shaped ion velocity distributions (a) correspond to magnetosheath plasma injections into reconnected flux tubes, as influenced by spacecraft location relative to the reconnection site. Simultaneous counter-streaming injections (b) suggest multiple reconnections. Three-component ion velocity distributions (c) and theii evolution with decreasing number density in the LLBL are consistent v behavior expected on long spiral flux tube islands at the magnetopaus as has been proposed and found to occur in magnetopause simulatior We interpret these distributions as a natural consequence of the formation of spiral magnetic flux tubes consisting of a mixture of alternating segments originating from the magnetosheath and magnetospheric plasmas. We suggest that multiple reconnections pla! an important role in the formation of the LLBL.

Image counter-forensics based on feature injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iuliani, M.; Rossetto, S.; Bianchi, T.; De Rosa, Alessia; Piva, A.; Barni, M.

2014-02-01

Starting from the concept that many image forensic tools are based on the detection of some features revealing a particular aspect of the history of an image, in this work we model the counter-forensic attack as the injection of a specific fake feature pointing to the same history of an authentic reference image. We propose a general attack strategy that does not rely on a specific detector structure. Given a source image x and a target image y, the adversary processes x in the pixel domain producing an attacked image ~x, perceptually similar to x, whose feature f(~x) is as close as possible to f(y) computed on y. Our proposed counter-forensic attack consists in the constrained minimization of the feature distance Φ(z) =│ f(z) - f(y)│ through iterative methods based on gradient descent. To solve the intrinsic limit due to the numerical estimation of the gradient on large images, we propose the application of a feature decomposition process, that allows the problem to be reduced into many subproblems on the blocks the image is partitioned into. The proposed strategy has been tested by attacking three different features and its performance has been compared to state-of-the-art counter-forensic methods.

The Role of Special Operations Forces in Counter-Narcotic Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-06-01

and Colombia . The thesis describes the present structure of US Army Special Operations Forces and their capabilites. It recommends missions for each...target countries of Colombia , Peru and Bolivia. The area known as the Andean Ridge will be the specific target area for this thesis. In examining...organization, recognized that pre- conditions exist in Colombia for their initial success. They must retain support of the local population to maintain control

Analysis of Nondeterministic Search Patterns for Minimization of UAV Counter-Targeting

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

Defense System NPS Naval Postgraduate School PDF Probability Distribution Function SLS Sea Level Standard UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAS Unmanned Aerial... intelli - gence regarding a target’s position is obtained, or when contact on a known target is lost. The shape of the AOU is often circular or elliptical...exceed this artificial boundary, ensuring that the searcher will never violate the actual area boundary. This constraint still enables the searcher to

Declawing the Dragon: Why the U.S. Must Counter Chinese Cyber-Warriors

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-12

underground civilian organizations, from The Green Army to the likely state-sponsored Red Hacker Alliance (RHA), have participated in corporate and...for situational awareness… or the Sailor relying on Naval Tactical Data Systems (NTDS) for over-the-horizon targeting, Bridge to Bridge ( B2B ) for...of China, the Red Hacker Alliance , and the Chinese Red Guest Network Security Technology Alliance would seek out targets of opportunity to attack

CRISPR/Cas9-coupled recombineering for metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum.

PubMed

Cho, Jae Sung; Choi, Kyeong Rok; Prabowo, Cindy Pricilia Surya; Shin, Jae Ho; Yang, Dongsoo; Jang, Jaedong; Lee, Sang Yup

2017-07-01

Genome engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum, an important industrial microorganism for amino acids production, currently relies on random mutagenesis and inefficient double crossover events. Here we report a rapid genome engineering strategy to scarlessly knock out one or more genes in C. glutamicum in sequential and iterative manner. Recombinase RecT is used to incorporate synthetic single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides into the genome and CRISPR/Cas9 to counter-select negative mutants. We completed the system by engineering the respective plasmids harboring CRISPR/Cas9 and RecT for efficient curing such that multiple gene targets can be done iteratively and final strains will be free of plasmids. To demonstrate the system, seven different mutants were constructed within two weeks to study the combinatorial deletion effects of three different genes on the production of γ-aminobutyric acid, an industrially relevant chemical of much interest. This genome engineering strategy will expedite metabolic engineering of C. glutamicum. Copyright © 2017 International Metabolic Engineering Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The menthol marketing mix: targeted promotions for focus communities in the United States.

PubMed

Cruz, Tess Boley; Wright, La Tanisha; Crawford, George

2010-12-01

This study analyzes tobacco industry menthol marketing strategies aimed at urban predominantly Black populations. Data are drawn from an interview with a former Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company trade marketing manager, tobacco industry documents on Kool promotions in urban areas, and public health literature on tobacco marketing. Tobacco companies recognize the growth potential for the menthol segment in these urban communities. They have higher levels of price discounts and signage, exert tight controls over the retail environment, and use hip-hop lifestyle to associate menthol products with urban nightlife, music, fame, and cultural edginess among younger smokers. Tobacco companies regard the urban Black menthol segment as one of the few markets in which they can grow sales despite declines elsewhere in the United States. Consequently, this population is surrounded by intense and integrated levels of marketing. We need strong monitoring, regulation, and enforcement efforts that will counter the industry's use of menthol at multiple levels in urban environments.

Molecular mechanisms of CRISPR-mediated microbial immunity.

PubMed

Gasiunas, Giedrius; Sinkunas, Tomas; Siksnys, Virginijus

2014-02-01

Bacteriophages (phages) infect bacteria in order to replicate and burst out of the host, killing the cell, when reproduction is completed. Thus, from a bacterial perspective, phages pose a persistent lethal threat to bacterial populations. Not surprisingly, bacteria evolved multiple defense barriers to interfere with nearly every step of phage life cycles. Phages respond to this selection pressure by counter-evolving their genomes to evade bacterial resistance. The antagonistic interaction between bacteria and rapidly diversifying viruses promotes the evolution and dissemination of bacteriophage-resistance mechanisms in bacteria. Recently, an adaptive microbial immune system, named clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and which provides acquired immunity against viruses and plasmids, has been identified. Unlike the restriction–modification anti-phage barrier that subjects to cleavage any foreign DNA lacking a protective methyl-tag in the target site, the CRISPR–Cas systems are invader-specific, adaptive, and heritable. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms of interference/immunity provided by different CRISPR–Cas systems.

APDS: Autonomous Pathogen Detection System

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

Langlois, R G; Brown, S; Burris, L

An early warning system to counter bioterrorism, the Autonomous Pathogen Detection System (APDS) continuously monitors the environment for the presence of biological pathogens (e.g., anthrax) and once detected, it sounds an alarm much like a smoke detector warns of a fire. Long before September 11, 2001, this system was being developed to protect domestic venues and events including performing arts centers, mass transit systems, major sporting and entertainment events, and other high profile situations in which the public is at risk of becoming a target of bioterrorist attacks. Customizing off-the-shelf components and developing new components, a multidisciplinary team developed APDS,more » a stand-alone system for rapid, continuous monitoring of multiple airborne biological threat agents in the environment. The completely automated APDS samples the air, prepares fluid samples in-line, and performs two orthogonal tests: immunoassay and nucleic acid detection. When compared to competing technologies, APDS is unprecedented in terms of flexibility and system performance.« less

Shared performance monitor in a multiprocessor system

DOEpatents

Chiu, George; Gara, Alan G.; Salapura, Valentina

2012-07-24

A performance monitoring unit (PMU) and method for monitoring performance of events occurring in a multiprocessor system. The multiprocessor system comprises a plurality of processor devices units, each processor device for generating signals representing occurrences of events in the processor device, and, a single shared counter resource for performance monitoring. The performance monitor unit is shared by all processor cores in the multiprocessor system. The PMU comprises: a plurality of performance counters each for counting signals representing occurrences of events from one or more the plurality of processor units in the multiprocessor system; and, a plurality of input devices for receiving the event signals from one or more processor devices of the plurality of processor units, the plurality of input devices programmable to select event signals for receipt by one or more of the plurality of performance counters for counting, wherein the PMU is shared between multiple processing units, or within a group of processors in the multiprocessing system. The PMU is further programmed to monitor event signals issued from non-processor devices.

UGV Interoperability Profile (IOP) - Overarching Profile JAUS Profiling Rules, Version 0

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-21

negative values indicate pivot counter clockwise. - Multi- axle steering vehicles are not supported. Acceleration Limit A SetAcceleration limit...obtained from a Global Positioning Sensor (GPS), but may also be a combination of multiple sensor modalities that lead to a global pose referenced

Obesity: Current and potential pharmacotherapeutics and targets.

PubMed

Narayanaswami, Vidya; Dwoskin, Linda P

2017-02-01

Obesity is a global epidemic that contributes to a number of health complications including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders. Pharmacotherapeutic strategies to treat obesity are urgently needed. Research over the past two decades has increased substantially our knowledge of central and peripheral mechanisms underlying homeostatic energy balance. Homeostatic mechanisms involve multiple components including neuronal circuits, some originating in hypothalamus and brain stem, as well as peripherally-derived satiety, hunger and adiposity signals that modulate neural activity and regulate eating behavior. Dysregulation of one or more of these homeostatic components results in obesity. Coincident with obesity, reward mechanisms that regulate hedonic aspects of food intake override the homeostatic regulation of eating. In addition to functional interactions between homeostatic and reward systems in the regulation of food intake, homeostatic signals have the ability to alter vulnerability to drug abuse. Regarding the treatment of obesity, pharmacological monotherapies primarily focus on a single protein target. FDA-approved monotherapy options include phentermine (Adipex-P®), orlistat (Xenical®), lorcaserin (Belviq®) and liraglutide (Saxenda®). However, monotherapies have limited efficacy, in part due to the recruitment of alternate and counter-regulatory pathways. Consequently, a multi-target approach may provide greater benefit. Recently, two combination products have been approved by the FDA to treat obesity, including phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia®) and naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave®). The current review provides an overview of homeostatic and reward mechanisms that regulate energy balance, potential therapeutic targets for obesity and current treatment options, including some candidate therapeutics in clinical development. Finally, challenges in anti-obesity drug development are discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Obesity: Current and Potential Pharmacotherapeutics and Targets

PubMed Central

Narayanaswami, Vidya; Dwoskin, Linda P.

2016-01-01

Obesity is a global epidemic that contributes to a number of health complications including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders. Pharmacotherapeutic strategies to treat obesity are urgently needed. Research over the past two decades has increased substantially our knowledge of central and peripheral mechanisms underlying homeostatic energy balance. Homeostatic mechanisms involve multiple components including neuronal circuits, some originating in hypothalamus and brain stem, as well as peripherally-derived satiety, hunger and adiposity signals that modulate neural activity and regulate eating behavior. Dysregulation of one or more of these homeostatic components results in obesity. Coincident with obesity, reward mechanisms that regulate hedonic aspects of food intake override the homeostatic regulation of eating. In addition to functional interactions between homeostatic and reward systems in the regulation of food intake, homeostatic signals have the ability to alter vulnerability to drug abuse. Regarding the treatment of obesity, pharmacological monotherapies primarily focus on a single protein target. FDA-approved monotherapy options include phentermine (Adipex-P®), orlistat (Xenical®), lorcaserin (Belviq®) and liraglutide (Saxenda®). However, monotherapies have limited efficacy, in part due to the recruitment of alternate and counter-regulatory pathways. Consequently, a multi-target approach may provide greater benefit. Recently, two combination products have been approved by the FDA to treat obesity, including phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia®) and naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave®). The current review provides an overview of homeostatic and reward mechanisms that regulate energy balance, potential therapeutic targets for obesity and current treatment options, including some candidate therapeutics in clinical development. Finally, challenges in anti-obesity drug development are discussed. PMID:27773782

Killing Range

PubMed Central

Asal, Victor; Rethemeyer, R. Karl; Horgan, John

2015-01-01

This paper presents an analysis of the Provisional Irish Republican Army's (PIRA) brigade level behavior during the Northern Ireland Conflict (1970-1998) and identifies the organizational factors that impact a brigade's lethality as measured via terrorist attacks. Key independent variables include levels of technical expertise, cadre age, counter-terrorism policies experienced, brigade size, and IED components and delivery methods. We find that technical expertise within a brigade allows for careful IED usage, which significantly minimizes civilian casualties (a specific strategic goal of PIRA) while increasing the ability to kill more high value targets with IEDs. Lethal counter-terrorism events also significantly affect a brigade's likelihood of killing both civilians and high-value targets but in different ways. Killing PIRA members significantly decreases IED fatalities but also significantly decreases the possibility of zero civilian IED-related deaths in a given year. Killing innocent Catholics in a Brigade's county significantly increases total and civilian IED fatalities. Together the results suggest the necessity to analyze dynamic situational variables that impact terrorist group behavior at the sub-unit level. PMID:25838603

Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Safinamide.

PubMed

Müller, Thomas; Foley, Paul

2017-03-01

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) reflect disruptions of a number of brain neurotransmitter systems of varying type and degree. Pharmacological agents with multiple neurochemical mechanisms of action are therefore promising candidates for countering these problems and providing comprehensive symptomatic relief for patients. The pharmacological profile of safinamide includes reversible monoamine oxidase B inhibition, blockage of voltage-dependent Na + channels, modulation of Ca 2+ channels, and inhibition of glutamate release. Safinamide is administered once daily at oral doses of 50-100 mg; it is well-tolerated and safe. Clinical trials have found that it ameliorates motor symptoms when added to established levodopa or single dopamine receptor agonist therapy. The future role of safinamide in PD may be that it enables a reduction in the dosage of dopamine replacement therapies, thereby reducing the adverse effects associated with these treatments. The clinical convenience (once-daily administration), safety, and tolerability of safinamide are better than those of dopamine receptor agonists. The introduction of safinamide reflects a change of approach to drug development for anti-parkinsonian agents in that its broad spectrum of action corresponds to the multiple heterogeneous alterations of brain neurochemistry in PD, rather than being targeted at a single receptor type or neurochemical process. Safinamide is a promising new instrument for the effective symptomatic therapy of PD.

Balanced regulation of the CCN family of matricellular proteins: a novel approach to the prevention and treatment of fibrosis and cancer.

PubMed

Riser, Bruce L; Barnes, Jeffrey L; Varani, James

2015-12-01

The CCN family of matricellular signaling proteins is emerging as a unique common link across multiple diseases and organs related to injury and repair. They are now being shown to play a central role in regulating the pathways to the initiation and resolution of normal wound healing and fibrosis in response to multiple forms of injury. Similarly, it is also emerging that they play a key role in regulating the establishment, growth, metastases and tissue regeneration in many forms of cancer via the interaction of cancer cells with the tumor stroma. Evidence has been recently provided that these proteins do not act independently but are co-regulated working in a yin/yang manner to alter the outcome of both normal physiological processes as well as pathology. The purpose of this review is to twofold. First, it will summarize work to date supporting CCN2 as a therapeutic target in the formation and progression of renal, skin, and other organ fibrosis, as well as cancer stroma formation. Second, it will highlight recent evidence for CCN3 as a counter-regulator and a potential therapeutic agent in these diseases with an exciting, novel potential to both treat and then restore tissue homeostasis in those afflicted by these devastating disorders.

Suicidal and homicidal behaviors related to dextromethorphan abuse in a middle-aged woman.

PubMed

Modi, Dhruv; Bhalavat, Ravikumar; Patterson, James C

2013-01-01

Over-the-counter medications available without prescriptions are generally viewed safe for public consumption. However, when used in excess, these medications can lead to adverse consequences. There are multiple over-the-counter medications that have potential for abuse, and dextromethorphan is one such drug. We describe a case of a middle-aged woman who presented to the psychiatric emergency service after recent use of excessive amounts of dextromethorphan. The patient had developed severe psychotic symptoms and had attempted to kill both herself and her relative. This case highlights the importance of careful reviewing of both prescribed and nonprescribed medications that are being used by patients, especially in the emergency care setting.

High resolution multiple excitation spot optical microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dilipkumar, Shilpa; Mondal, Partha Pratim

2011-06-01

We propose fundamental improvements in three-dimensional (3D) resolution of multiple excitation spot optical microscopy. The excitation point spread function (PSF) is generated by two interfering counter-propagating depth-of-focus beams along the optical axis. Detection PSF is obtained by coherently interfering the emitted fluorescent light (collected by both the objectives) at the detector. System PSF shows upto 14-fold reduction in focal volume as compared to confocal, and almost 2-fold improvement in lateral resolution. Proposed PSF has the ability to simultaneously excite multiple 3D-spots of sub-femtoliter volume. Potential applications are in fluorescence microscopy and nanobioimaging.

Interleukin-35: Expanding Its Job Profile

PubMed Central

Sawant, Deepali V.; Hamilton, Kristia

2015-01-01

Counter-regulation afforded by specialized regulatory cell populations and immunosuppressive cytokines is critical for balancing immune outcome. The inhibitory potential of the established suppressive cytokines, IL-10 and TGFβ, has been well elucidated in diverse inflammatory scenarios in conjunction with their key roles in Treg development and function. Despite the early predictions for an immunomodulatory role for the Ebi3/p35 heterodimer in placental trophoblasts, IL-35 biology remained elusive until 2007 when it was established as a Treg-restricted inhibitory cytokine. Since then, Treg-derived IL-35 has been shown to exhibit its suppressive activities in a range of autoimmune diseases and cancer models. Recent studies are beginning to explore other cellular sources of IL-35, such as Bregs and CD8+ Tregs. Despite these new cellular sources and targets, the mode of IL-35 suppression remains restricted to inhibition of proliferation and induction of an IL-35-producing induced regulatory T cell population referred to as iTr35. In this review, we explore the early beginnings, status quo, and future prospects of IL-35 biology. The unparalleled opportunity of targeting multiple immunosuppressive populations (Tregs, Bregs, CD8+ Tregs) through IL-35 is highly exciting and offers tremendous promise from a translational standpoint, particularly for cancer immunotherapies. PMID:25919641

ECCM Scheme against Interrupted Sampling Repeater Jammer Based on Parameter-Adjusted Waveform Design

PubMed Central

Wei, Zhenhua; Peng, Bo; Shen, Rui

2018-01-01

Interrupted sampling repeater jamming (ISRJ) is an effective way of deceiving coherent radar sensors, especially for linear frequency modulated (LFM) radar. In this paper, for a simplified scenario with a single jammer, we propose a dynamic electronic counter-counter measure (ECCM) scheme based on jammer parameter estimation and transmitted signal design. Firstly, the LFM waveform is transmitted to estimate the main jamming parameters by investigating the discontinuousness of the ISRJ’s time-frequency (TF) characteristics. Then, a parameter-adjusted intra-pulse frequency coded signal, whose ISRJ signal after matched filtering only forms a single false target, is designed adaptively according to the estimated parameters, i.e., sampling interval, sampling duration and repeater times. Ultimately, for typical jamming scenes with different jamming signal ratio (JSR) and duty cycle, we propose two particular ISRJ suppression approaches. Simulation results validate the effective performance of the proposed scheme for countering the ISRJ, and the trade-off relationship between the two approaches is demonstrated. PMID:29642508

Separation of three phenolic high-molecular-weight compounds from the crude extract of Terminalia Chebula Retz. by ultrasound-assisted extraction and high-speed counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Zou, Deng-lang; Chen, Tao; Li, Hong-mei; Chen, Chen; Zhao, Jing-yang; Li, Yu-lin

2016-04-01

This study presents an efficient strategy for separation of three phenolic compounds with high molecular weight from the crude extract of Terminalia chebula Retz. by ultrasound-assisted extraction and high-speed counter-current chromatography. The ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions were optimized by response surface methodology and the results showed the target compounds could be well enriched under the optimized extraction conditions. Then the crude extract was directly separated by high-speed counter-current chromatography without any pretreatment using n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:7:0.5:3, v/v/v/v) as the solvent system. In 180 min, 13 mg of A, 18 mg of B, and 9 mg of C were obtained from 200 mg of crude sample. Their structures were identified as Chebulagic acid (A, 954 Da), Chebulinic acid (B, 956 Da), and Ellagic acid (C) by (1) H NMR spectroscopy. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A new look at the Lake Superior biomass size spectrum

EPA Science Inventory

We synthesized data from multiple sampling programs and years to describe the Lake Superior pelagic biomass size structure for two time periods separated by 5 years. The data consisted of water analyzed on a Coulter counter for algae, in situ measurements with a laser optical pl...

(En)Countering Language Ideologies: Language Policing in the Ideospace of Facebook

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phyak, Prem

2015-01-01

This paper takes language policing as an ideospace, a space where multiple language ideologies are constructed and contested. Drawing on critical language policy and linguistic anthropology, it unravels how participants in a Nepalese Facebook group construct and reproduce language ideologies that both challenge and impose homogeneity and…

A Study of Child Variance, Volume 1: Conceptual Models; Conceptual Project in Emotional Disturbance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rhodes, William C.; Tracy, Michael L.

Presented are 11 papers discussing the following six models of emotional disturbance in children: biophysical, behavioral, psychodynamic, sociological, and ecological, models, and counter theory. Emotional disturbance is defined as a distinctive human state having multiple manifestations and involving disability, deviance, and alienation. All the…

10 CFR 26.27 - Written policy and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... available include, but are not limited to, posting the policy in multiple work areas, providing individuals... stress, fatigue, or illness, and the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications that could..., sale, or possession of illegal drugs; (ii) Consumed alcohol to excess before the mandatory pre-work...

10 CFR 26.27 - Written policy and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... available include, but are not limited to, posting the policy in multiple work areas, providing individuals... stress, fatigue, or illness, and the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications that could..., sale, or possession of illegal drugs; (ii) Consumed alcohol to excess before the mandatory pre-work...

10 CFR 26.27 - Written policy and procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... available include, but are not limited to, posting the policy in multiple work areas, providing individuals... stress, fatigue, or illness, and the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications that could..., sale, or possession of illegal drugs; (ii) Consumed alcohol to excess before the mandatory pre-work...

Estimates of the initial vortex separation distance, bo, of commercial aircraft from pulsed lidar data

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-01-07

An aircraft in flight generates multiple wake vortices, the largest of which are a result of : the lift on the wings. These vortices rapidly roll up into a counter-rotating vortex pair : behind the aircraft. The initial separation between the centroi...

Joint Targeting and Air Support in Counterinsurgency: How to Move to Mission Command

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-01

pdf. 39. Rhodesia fought a COIN against communist guerillas in 1964–79. Under crushing sanctions and with little manpower, the Rhodesians developed a...Rhodesian Forces Anti Terrorist Operations Counter Insurgency Manuals (Salisbury, Rhodesia : Rhodesian Security Forces, 1975), 212. 41. Darling and

Evolutionary game theory and multiple chemical sensitivity.

PubMed

Newlin, D B

1999-01-01

Newlin's [Newlin D.B. Evolutionary game theory of tolerance and sensitization in substance abuse. Paper presented to the Research Society on Alcoholism, Hilton Head, SC, 1998] evolutionary game theory of addictive behavior specifies how evolutionarily stable strategies for survival and reproduction may lead to addiction. The game theory of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) assumes that: (1) the MCS patient responds to low-level toxicants as stressors or as direct threats to their survival and reproductive fitness, (2) this activates the cortico-mesolimbic dopamine system, (3) this system is a survival motivation center--not a 'reward center', (4) the subject emits a counter-response that is in the same direction as the naive response to the chemicals, (5) previously neutral stimuli associated with chemicals also trigger conditioned responses that mimic those to the chemicals, (6) these counter-responses further activate the dopaminergic survival motivation system, and (7) this produces a positive feedback loop that leads to strong neural sensitization in these structures and in behavior controlled by this system, despite a small initial response. Psychologically, the MCS patient with a sensitized cortico-mesolimbic dopamine system is behaving as though his/her survival is directly threatened by these chemicals. Non-MCS subjects have counter-responses opposite in direction to those of the chemicals and show tolerance. An autoshaping/sign-tracking model of this game is discussed. This evolutionary game makes several specific, testable predictions about differences between MCS subjects, non-MCS controls, and substance abusers in laboratory experiments, and between sensitized and nonsensitized animals.

Epidemics of panic during a bioterrorist attack--a mathematical model.

PubMed

Radosavljevic, Vladan; Radunovic, Desanka; Belojevic, Goran

2009-09-01

A bioterrorist attacks usually cause epidemics of panic in a targeted population. We have presented epidemiologic aspect of this phenomenon as a three-component model--host, information on an attack and social network. We have proposed a mathematical model of panic and counter-measures as the function of time in a population exposed to a bioterrorist attack. The model comprises ordinary differential equations and graphically presented combinations of the equations parameters. Clinically, we have presented a model through a sequence of psychic conditions and disorders initiated by an act of bioterrorism. This model might be helpful for an attacked community to timely and properly apply counter-measures and to minimize human mental suffering during a bioterrorist attack.

Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations with steric effects - non-convexity and multiple stationary solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavish, Nir

2018-04-01

We study the existence and stability of stationary solutions of Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations with steric effects (PNP-steric equations) with two counter-charged species. We show that within a range of parameters, steric effects give rise to multiple solutions of the corresponding stationary equation that are smooth. The PNP-steric equation, however, is found to be ill-posed at the parameter regime where multiple solutions arise. Following these findings, we introduce a novel PNP-Cahn-Hilliard model, show that it is well-posed and that it admits multiple stationary solutions that are smooth and stable. The various branches of stationary solutions and their stability are mapped utilizing bifurcation analysis and numerical continuation methods.

Quantitative NDA measurements of advanced reprocessing product materials containing uranium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goddard, Braden

The ability of inspection agencies and facility operators to measure powders containing several actinides is increasingly necessary as new reprocessing techniques and fuel forms are being developed. These powders are difficult to measure with nondestructive assay (NDA) techniques because neutrons emitted from induced and spontaneous fission of different nuclides are very similar. A neutron multiplicity technique based on first principle methods was developed to measure these powders by exploiting isotope-specific nuclear properties, such as the energy-dependent fission cross sections and the neutron induced fission neutron multiplicity. This technique was tested through extensive simulations using the Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended (MCNPX) code and by one measurement campaign using the Active Well Coincidence Counter (AWCC) and two measurement campaigns using the Epithermal Neutron Multiplicity Counter (ENMC) with various (alpha,n) sources and actinide materials. Four potential applications of this first principle technique have been identified: (1) quantitative measurement of uranium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium materials; (2) quantitative measurement of mixed oxide (MOX) materials; (3) quantitative measurement of uranium materials; and (4) weapons verification in arms control agreements. This technique still has several challenges which need to be overcome, the largest of these being the challenge of having high-precision active and passive measurements to produce results with acceptably small uncertainties.

Off-axis targets maximize bearing Fisher Information in broadband active sonar.

PubMed

Kloepper, Laura N; Buck, John R; Liu, Yang; Nachtigall, Paul E

2018-01-01

Broadband active sonar systems estimate range from time delay and velocity from Doppler shift. Relatively little attention has been paid to how the received echo spectrum encodes information about the bearing of an object. This letter derives the bearing Fisher Information encoded in the frequency dependent transmitter beampattern. This leads to a counter-intuitive result: directing the sonar beam so that a target of interest is slightly off-axis maximizes the bearing information about the target. Beam aim data from a dolphin biosonar experiment agree closely with the angle predicted to maximize bearing information.

"If you know you exist, it's just marketing poison": meanings of tobacco industry targeting in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

PubMed

Smith, Elizabeth A; Thomson, Katherine; Offen, Naphtali; Malone, Ruth E

2008-06-01

In the public health literature, it is generally assumed that the perception of "targeting" as positive or negative by the targeted audience depends on the product or message being promoted. Smoking prevalence rates are high among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, but little is known about how they perceive tobacco industry targeting. We conducted focus groups with LGBT individuals in 4 US cities to explore their perceptions. Our findings indicated that focus group participants often responded positively to tobacco company targeting. Targeting connoted community visibility, legitimacy, and economic viability. Participants did not view tobacco as a gay health issue. Targeting is a key aspect of corporate-community interaction. A better understanding of targeting may aid public health efforts to counter corporate disease promotion.

MADS-box out of the black box

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The compelling elegance of using genome-wide scans to detect the signature of selection is difficult to resist, but is countered by the low demonstrated efficacy of pinpointing the actual genes and traits that are the targets of selection in non-model species. While the difficulty of going from a s...

Countering Terrorist Recruitment Through Agile, Targeted Public Diplomacy

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

environment—particularly if it involves the establishment of a “virtual” task force. Francis Bacon wrote, "Things alter for the worse spontaneously, if they...women in Islam, the translation may address the point more comprehensively than it may first appear. 32 Francis Bacon , The Essays, (Minneola, New

Terrorist-Insurgent Thinking and Joint Special Operational Planning Doctrine and Procedures

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

b. Often organized planners, with some military training/experience c. Usually the brains behind operations or targeting and having the most detailed... Storytelling and Terrorism: Towards a Compre- hensive ‘Counter-Narrative Strategy,’ ” Strategic Insights IV:3 (March 2005), 1-16. Center for Army Lessons

Thin Films of Antimony-Tin Oxide as Counter-Electrodes for Proton Working Electrochromic Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-01-01

diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electrochromic behavior is studied by means of cyclic voltamperometry coupled with ex situ optical... analysis , we noted that the Sn/Sb atomic ratio was relatively well preserved between target and grown films. Structural characterizations: Figure 1 shows the

Accelerator Science: Collider vs. Fixed Target

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

Lincoln, Don

Particle physics experiments employ high energy particle accelerators to make their measurements. However there are many kinds of particle accelerators with many interesting techniques. One important dichotomy is whether one takes a particle beam and have it hit a stationary target of atoms, or whether one takes two counter rotating beams of particles and smashes them together head on. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln explains the pros and cons of these two powerful methods of exploring the rules of the universe.

The Evaluation of Small Arms Effectiveness Criteria, Volume I

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-05-01

UNCLASSIFIED AD NUMBER ADB004382 NEW LIMITATION CHANGE TO Approved for public release, distribution unlimited FROM Distribution authorized to U.S...aimedSand pointed fire E-14 E-4 Frequency distribution of sizes of M16 and BAR bursts of automatic fire E-16 SE-5 Percent of times each range bracket...defense range F-10 F-4 Weapon-signature simuilator F-15 1 F-5 Target components in armored target box F-17 F-6 Portable round counter for the M16 rifle

Accelerator Science: Collider vs. Fixed Target

ScienceCinema

Lincoln, Don

2018-01-16

Particle physics experiments employ high energy particle accelerators to make their measurements. However there are many kinds of particle accelerators with many interesting techniques. One important dichotomy is whether one takes a particle beam and have it hit a stationary target of atoms, or whether one takes two counter rotating beams of particles and smashes them together head on. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln explains the pros and cons of these two powerful methods of exploring the rules of the universe.

78 FR 26332 - 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-06

... Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This... type of mission. 2. The AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) is an integrated, threat... multiple Optical Sensor Converter (OSC) units, a Computer Processor (CP) and a Control Indicator (CI). The...

High speed multiwire photon camera

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lacy, Jeffrey L. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

An improved multiwire proportional counter camera having particular utility in the field of clinical nuclear medicine imaging. The detector utilizes direct coupled, low impedance, high speed delay lines, the segments of which are capacitor-inductor networks. A pile-up rejection test is provided to reject confused events otherwise caused by multiple ionization events occuring during the readout window.

High speed multiwire photon camera

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lacy, Jeffrey L. (Inventor)

1989-01-01

An improved multiwire proportional counter camera having particular utility in the field of clinical nuclear medicine imaging. The detector utilizes direct coupled, low impedance, high speed delay lines, the segments of which are capacitor-inductor networks. A pile-up rejection test is provided to reject confused events otherwise caused by multiple ionization events occurring during the readout window.

Safeguards Technology Development Program 1st Quarter FY 2018 Report

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

Prasad, Manoj K.

LLNL will evaluate the performance of a stilbene-based scintillation detector array for IAEA neutron multiplicity counting (NMC) applications. This effort will combine newly developed modeling methodologies and recently acquired high-efficiency stilbene detector units to quantitatively compare the prototype system performance with the conventional He-3 counters and liquid scintillator alternatives.

Steady state preparative multiple dual mode counter-current chromatography: Productivity and selectivity. Theory and experimental verification.

PubMed

Kostanyan, Artak E; Erastov, Andrey A

2015-08-07

In the steady state (SS) multiple dual mode (MDM) counter-current chromatography (CCC), at the beginning of the first step of every cycle the sample dissolved in one of the phases is continuously fed into a CCC device over a constant time, not exceeding the run time of the first step. After a certain number of cycles, the steady state regime is achieved, where concentrations vary over time during each cycle, however, the concentration profiles of solutes eluted with both phases remain constant in all subsequent cycles. The objective of this work was to develop analytical expressions to describe the SS MDM CCC separation processes, which can be helpful to simulate and design these processes and select a suitable compromise between the productivity and the selectivity in the preparative and production CCC separations. Experiments carried out using model mixtures of compounds from the GUESSmix with solvent system hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water demonstrated a reasonable agreement between the predictions of the theory and the experimental results. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Real-time multi-mode neutron multiplicity counter

DOEpatents

Rowland, Mark S; Alvarez, Raymond A

2013-02-26

Embodiments are directed to a digital data acquisition method that collects data regarding nuclear fission at high rates and performs real-time preprocessing of large volumes of data into directly useable forms for use in a system that performs non-destructive assaying of nuclear material and assemblies for mass and multiplication of special nuclear material (SNM). Pulses from a multi-detector array are fed in parallel to individual inputs that are tied to individual bits in a digital word. Data is collected by loading a word at the individual bit level in parallel, to reduce the latency associated with current shift-register systems. The word is read at regular intervals, all bits simultaneously, with no manipulation. The word is passed to a number of storage locations for subsequent processing, thereby removing the front-end problem of pulse pileup. The word is used simultaneously in several internal processing schemes that assemble the data in a number of more directly useable forms. The detector includes a multi-mode counter that executes a number of different count algorithms in parallel to determine different attributes of the count data.

The importance of scattering, surface potential, and vanguard counter-potential in terahertz emission from gallium arsenide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cortie, D. L.; Lewis, R. A.

2012-06-01

It is well established that under excitation by short (<1 ps), above-band-gap optical pulses, semiconductor surfaces may emit terahertz-frequency electromagnetic radiation via photocarrier diffusion (the dominant mechanism in InAs) or photocarrier drift (dominant in GaAs). Our three-dimensional ensemble Monte Carlo simulations allow multiple physical parameters to vary over wide ranges and provide unique direct insight into the factors controlling terahertz emission. We find for GaAs (in contrast to InAs), scattering and the surface potential are key factors. We further delineate in GaAs (as in InAs) the role of a vanguard counter-potential. The effects of varying dielectric constant, band-gap, and effective mass are similar in both emitter types.

Purification of optical imaging ligand-Cybesin by high-speed counter-current chromatography

PubMed Central

Ma, Zhiyong; Ma, Ying; Sun, Xilin; Ye, Yunpeng; Shen, Baozhong; Chen, Xiaoyuan; Ito, Yoichiro

2010-01-01

Fluorescent Cybesin (Cypate-Bombesin Peptide Analogue Conjugate) was synthesized from Indocyanine Green (ICG) and the bombesin receptor ligand as a contrast agent for detecting pancreas tumors. However, the LC–MS analysis indicated that the target compound was only a minor component in the reaction mixture. Since preparative HPLC can hardly separate such a small amount of the target compound directly from the original crude reaction mixture without a considerable adsorptive loss onto the solid support, high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was used for purification since the method uses no solid support and promises high sample recovery. A suitable two-phase solvent system composed of hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/methyl t.-butyl ether/acetonitrile/water) at a volume ratio of 1:1:1:4:4:7 was selected based on the partition coefficient of Cybesin (K ≈ 0.9) determined by LC–MS. The separation was performed in two steps using the same solvent system with lower aqueous mobile phase. From 400 mg of the crude reaction mixture the first separation yielded 7.7 mg of fractions containing the target compound at 12.8% purity, and in the second run 1 mg of Cybesin was obtained at purity of 94.0% with a sample recovery rate of over 95% based on the LC–MS Analysis. PMID:20933483

Cognitive framing in action.

PubMed

Huhn, John M; Potts, Cory Adam; Rosenbaum, David A

2016-06-01

Cognitive framing effects have been widely reported in higher-level decision-making and have been ascribed to rules of thumb for quick thinking. No such demonstrations have been reported for physical action, as far as we know, but they would be expected if cognition for physical action is fundamentally similar to cognition for higher-level decision-making. To test for such effects, we asked participants to reach for a horizontally-oriented pipe to move it from one height to another while turning the pipe 180° to bring one end (the "business end") to a target on the left or right. From a physical perspective, participants could have always rotated the pipe in the same angular direction no matter which end was the business end; a given participant could have always turned the pipe clockwise or counter-clockwise. Instead, our participants turned the business end counter-clockwise for left targets and clockwise for right targets. Thus, the way the identical physical task was framed altered the way it was performed. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that cognition for physical action is fundamentally similar to cognition for higher-level decision-making. A tantalizing possibility is that higher-level decision heuristics have roots in the control of physical action, a hypothesis that accords with embodied views of cognition. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tobacco Industry Marketing to Low Socio-economic Status Women in the US

PubMed Central

Brown-Johnson, Cati G.; England, Lucinda J.; Glantz, Stanton A.; Ling, Pamela M.

2014-01-01

Objectives Describe tobacco companies’ marketing strategies targeting low socioeconomic-status (SES) females in the US. Methods Analysis of previously secret tobacco industry documents. Results Tobacco companies focused marketing on low SES women starting in the late 1970s, including military wives, low-income inner-city minority women, “discount-susceptible” older female smokers, and less-educated young white women. Strategies included distributing discount coupons with food stamps to reach the very poor, discount offers at point-of-sale and via direct mail to keep cigarette prices low, developing new brands for low SES females, and promoting luxury images to low SES African American women. More recently, companies integrated promotional strategies targeting low-income women into marketing plans for established brands. Conclusions Tobacco companies used numerous marketing strategies to reach low SES females in the US for at least four decades. Strategies to counteract marketing to low SES women could include: 1) counter-acting price discounts and direct mail coupons that reduce the price of tobacco products, 2) instituting restrictions on point-of-sale advertising and retail display, and 3) creating counter-advertising that builds resistance to psychosocial targeting of low SES women. To achieve health equity, tobacco control efforts are needed to counteract the influence of tobacco industry marketing to low-income women. PMID:24449249

mazF, a novel counter-selectable marker for unmarked chromosomal manipulation in Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiao-Zhou; Yan, Xin; Cui, Zhong-Li; Hong, Qing; Li, Shun-Peng

2006-05-19

Here, we present a novel method for the directed genetic manipulation of the Bacillus subtilis chromosome free of any selection marker. Our new approach employed the Escherichia coli toxin gene mazF as a counter-selectable marker. The mazF gene was placed under the control of an isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible expression system and associated with a spectomycin-resistance gene to form the MazF cassette, which was flanked by two directly-repeated (DR) sequences. A double-crossover event between the linearized delivery vector and the chromosome integrated the MazF cassette into a target locus and yielded an IPTG-sensitive strain with spectomycin-resistance, in which the wild-type chromosome copy had been replaced by the modified copy at the targeted locus. Another single-crossover event between the two DR sequences led to the excision of the MazF cassette and generated a strain with IPTG resistance, thereby realizing the desired alteration to the chromosome without introducing any unwanted selection markers. We used this method repeatedly and successfully to inactivate a specific gene, to introduce a gene of interest and to realize the in-frame deletion of a target gene in the same strain. As there is no prerequisite strain for this method, it will be a powerful and universal tool.

Concerted manipulation of laser plasma dynamics with two laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braenzel, J.; Andreev, A. A.; Ehrentraut, L.; Sommer, D.; Schnürer, M.

2017-05-01

In this article we present experimental results from a counter-propagating two laser pulse experiment at high intensity and using ultrathin gold and plastic foil targets. We applied one laser pulse as a pre-pulse with an intensity of up to 1x1018 W/cm2. By this method we manipulated the pre-plasma of the foil target with which the stronger laser pulse with an intensity of 6x1019W/cm2 interacts. This alters significantly subsequent processes from the laser plasma interaction which we show the ion acceleration and high harmonic generation. On the one hand, the maximum kinetic ion energy and the maximum charge state for gold ions decline due to the pre-heating of the target in the time range of few ps, on the other hand the number of accelerated ions is increased. For the same parameter range we detected a significant raise of the high harmonic emission. Moreover, we present first experimental observations, that when the second laser pulse is applied as a counter-propagating post-pulse the energy distribution of accelerated carbon ions is charge selective altered. Our findings indicate that using this method a parametric optimization can be achieved, which promises new insights about the concurrent processes of the laser plasma dynamics.

Impact of US and Canadian precursor regulation on methamphetamine purity in the United States.

PubMed

Cunningham, James K; Liu, Lon-Mu; Callaghan, Russell

2009-03-01

Reducing drug purity is a major, but largely unstudied, goal of drug suppression. This study examines whether US methamphetamine purity was impacted by the suppression policy of US and Canadian precursor chemical regulation. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA)-intervention time-series analysis. Continental United States and Hawaii (1985-May 2005). Interventions US federal regulations targeting precursors, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, in forms used by large-scale producers were implemented in November 1989, August 1995 and October 1997. US regulations targeting precursors in forms used by small-scale producers (e.g. over-the-counter medications) were implemented in October 1996 and October 2001. Canada implemented federal precursor regulations in January 2003 and July 2003 and an essential chemical (e.g. acetone) regulation in January 2004. Monthly median methamphetamine purity series. US regulations targeting large-scale producers were associated with purity declines of 16-67 points; those targeting small-scale producers had little or no impact. Canada's precursor regulations were associated with purity increases of 13-15 points, while its essential chemical regulation was associated with a 13-point decrease. Hawaii's purity was consistently high, and appeared to vary little with the 1990s/2000s regulations. US precursor regulations targeting large-scale producers were associated with substantial decreases in continental US methamphetamine purity, while regulations targeting over-the-counter medications had little or no impact. Canada's essential chemical regulation was also associated with a decrease in continental US purity. However, Canada's precursor regulations were associated with purity increases: these regulations may have impacted primarily producers of lower-quality methamphetamine, leaving higher-purity methamphetamine on the market by default. Hawaii's well-known preference for 'ice' (high-purity methamphetamine) may have helped to constrain purity there to a high, attenuated range, possibly limiting its sensitivity to precursor regulation.

The role of the pharmacist in the selection and use of over-the-counter proton-pump inhibitors.

PubMed

Boardman, Helen F; Heeley, Gordon

2015-10-01

Heartburn and other symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux occur in ~30% of survey respondents in multiple countries worldwide. Heartburn and acid regurgitation are common complaints in the pharmacy, where patients frequently seek relief through medication and advice. The growing number of proton-pump inhibitors available in the over-the-counter setting provides an efficacious choice to patients experiencing frequent heartburn. Pharmacists can assist patients in their treatment decisions whilst inquiring about alarm symptoms that should prompt a physician referral. Aim of the review Provide pharmacists with a review of current clinical research and expert guidelines on use of over-the-counter proton-pump inhibitors. This narrative review was conducted to identify publications relevant to the following themes: overview of available treatments for frequent episodes of heartburn/acid regurgitation; treatment algorithms providing guidance on when to use over-the-counter proton-pump inhibitors; and the role of the pharmacist in the use of over-the-counter proton-pump inhibitors. Frequent symptoms of acid reflux, such as heartburn and acid regurgitation, can interfere substantially with daily life activities. Proton-pump inhibitors are the most efficacious treatment for frequent reflux symptoms and are recommended as an appropriate initial treatment in uncomplicated cases. Proton-pump inhibitors have varying pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics across the class; 20 mg esomeprazole has higher bioavailability and exposure than over-the-counter omeprazole, for example. However, differences in clinical efficacy for symptom relief have not been demonstrated. The safety and tolerability of proton-pump inhibitors have been well established in clinical trial and post-marketing settings, and use of a short regimen is associated with a very low likelihood of missing a more serious condition. Pharmacists can assist patients with accurate self-diagnosis by asking short, simple questions to characterize the nature, severity, and frequency of symptoms. Additionally, pharmacists can inquire about alarm symptoms that should prompt referral to a physician. Pharmacists should inform those patients for whom over-the-counter proton-pump inhibitors are appropriate on their proper use. Over-the-counter proton-pump inhibitors have a valuable role in the treatment of frequent heartburn. Pharmacists have the opportunity to guide patients through selection of the best treatment option for their symptoms.

Effect of four over-the-counter tooth-whitening products on enamel microhardness.

PubMed

Majeed, A; Grobler, S R; Moola, M H; Oberholzer, T G

2011-10-01

This in vitro study evaluated the effect of four over-the-counter tooth-whitening products on enamel microhardness. Fifty enamel blocks were prepared from extracted human molar teeth. The enamel surfaces were polished up to 1200 grit fineness and the specimens randomly divided into five groups. Enamel blocks were exposed to: Rapid White (n=10); Absolute White (n=10); Speed White (n=10) and White Glo (n=10) whitening products, according to the manufacturers' instructions. As control, ten enamel blocks were kept in artificial saliva at 37 degrees C without any treatment. Microhardness values were obtained before exposure (baseline) and after 1, 7 and 14-day treatment periods using a digital hardness tester with a Vickers diamond indenter. Data were analysed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Sum Test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test (p<0.05). Both Rapid White and Absolute White reduced enamel microhardness. Speed White increased the microhardness of enamel, while White Glo and artificial saliva had no effect on hardness. Over-the-counter tooth-whitening products might decrease enamel microhardness depending on the type of product.

Evidence Combination From an Evolutionary Game Theory Perspective.

PubMed

Deng, Xinyang; Han, Deqiang; Dezert, Jean; Deng, Yong; Shyr, Yu

2016-09-01

Dempster-Shafer evidence theory is a primary methodology for multisource information fusion because it is good at dealing with uncertain information. This theory provides a Dempster's rule of combination to synthesize multiple evidences from various information sources. However, in some cases, counter-intuitive results may be obtained based on that combination rule. Numerous new or improved methods have been proposed to suppress these counter-intuitive results based on perspectives, such as minimizing the information loss or deviation. Inspired by evolutionary game theory, this paper considers a biological and evolutionary perspective to study the combination of evidences. An evolutionary combination rule (ECR) is proposed to help find the most biologically supported proposition in a multievidence system. Within the proposed ECR, we develop a Jaccard matrix game to formalize the interaction between propositions in evidences, and utilize the replicator dynamics to mimick the evolution of propositions. Experimental results show that the proposed ECR can effectively suppress the counter-intuitive behaviors appeared in typical paradoxes of evidence theory, compared with many existing methods. Properties of the ECR, such as solution's stability and convergence, have been mathematically proved as well.

Fire Hose Instability in the Multiple Magnetic Reconnection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrova, A.; Retino, A.; Divin, A. V.; Le Contel, O.; Matteini, L.; Breuillard, H.; Deca, J.; Catapano, F.; Cozzani, G.; Nakamura, R.; Panov, E. V.; Voros, Z.

2017-12-01

We present observations of multiple reconnection in the Earth's magnetotail. In particular, we observe an ion temperature anisotropy characterized by large temperature along the magnetic field, between the two active X-lines. The anisotropy is associated with right-hand polarized waves at frequencies lower than the ion cyclotron frequency and propagating obliquely to the background magnetic field. We show that the observed anisotropy and the wave properties are consistent with linear kinetic theory of fire hose instability. The observations are in agreement with the particle-in-cell simulations of multiple reconnection. The results suggest that the fire hose instability can develop during multiple reconnection as a consequence of the ion parallel anisotropy that is produced by counter-streaming ions trapped between the X-lines.

Multiple excitation nano-spot generation and confocal detection for far-field microscopy.

PubMed

Mondal, Partha Pratim

2010-03-01

An imaging technique is developed for the controlled generation of multiple excitation nano-spots for far-field microscopy. The system point spread function (PSF) is obtained by interfering two counter-propagating extended depth-of-focus PSF (DoF-PSF), resulting in highly localized multiple excitation spots along the optical axis. The technique permits (1) simultaneous excitation of multiple planes in the specimen; (2) control of the number of spots by confocal detection; and (3) overcoming the point-by-point based excitation. Fluorescence detection from the excitation spots can be efficiently achieved by Z-scanning the detector/pinhole assembly. The technique complements most of the bioimaging techniques and may find potential application in high resolution fluorescence microscopy and nanoscale imaging.

Multiple excitation nano-spot generation and confocal detection for far-field microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mondal, Partha Pratim

2010-03-01

An imaging technique is developed for the controlled generation of multiple excitation nano-spots for far-field microscopy. The system point spread function (PSF) is obtained by interfering two counter-propagating extended depth-of-focus PSF (DoF-PSF), resulting in highly localized multiple excitation spots along the optical axis. The technique permits (1) simultaneous excitation of multiple planes in the specimen; (2) control of the number of spots by confocal detection; and (3) overcoming the point-by-point based excitation. Fluorescence detection from the excitation spots can be efficiently achieved by Z-scanning the detector/pinhole assembly. The technique complements most of the bioimaging techniques and may find potential application in high resolution fluorescence microscopy and nanoscale imaging.

Sheeppox virus SPPV14 encodes a Bcl-2-like cell death inhibitor that counters a distinct set of mammalian proapoptotic proteins.

PubMed

Okamoto, Toru; Campbell, Stephanie; Mehta, Ninad; Thibault, John; Colman, Peter M; Barry, Michele; Huang, David C S; Kvansakul, Marc

2012-11-01

Many viruses express inhibitors of programmed cell death (apoptosis), thereby countering host defenses that would otherwise rapidly clear infected cells. To counter this, viruses such as adenoviruses and herpesviruses express recognizable homologs of the mammalian prosurvival protein Bcl-2. In contrast, the majority of poxviruses lack viral Bcl-2 (vBcl-2) homologs that are readily identified by sequence similarities. One such virus, myxoma virus, which is the causative agent of myxomatosis, expresses a virulence factor that is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis. In spite of the scant sequence similarity to Bcl-2, myxoma virus M11L adopts an almost identical 3-dimensional fold. We used M11L as bait in a sequence similarity search for other Bcl-2-like proteins and identified six putative vBcl-2 proteins from poxviruses. Some are potent inhibitors of apoptosis, in particular sheeppox virus SPPV14, which inhibited cell death induced by multiple agents. Importantly, SPPV14 compensated for the loss of antiapoptotic F1L in vaccinia virus and acts to directly counter the cell death mediators Bax and Bak. SPPV14 also engages a unique subset of the death-promoting BH3-only ligands, including Bim, Puma, Bmf, and Hrk. This suggests that SPPV14 may have been selected for specific biological roles as a virulence factor for sheeppox virus.

PROTON HEATING IN SOLAR WIND COMPRESSIBLE TURBULENCE WITH COLLISIONS BETWEEN COUNTER-PROPAGATING WAVES

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

He, Jiansen; Tu, Chuanyi; Wang, Linghua

Magnetohydronamic turbulence is believed to play a crucial role in heating laboratory, space, and astrophysical plasmas. However, the precise connection between the turbulent fluctuations and the particle kinetics has not yet been established. Here we present clear evidence of plasma turbulence heating based on diagnosed wave features and proton velocity distributions from solar wind measurements by the Wind spacecraft. For the first time, we can report the simultaneous observation of counter-propagating magnetohydrodynamic waves in the solar wind turbulence. As opposed to the traditional paradigm with counter-propagating Alfvén waves (AWs), anti-sunward AWs are encountered by sunward slow magnetosonic waves (SMWs) inmore » this new type of solar wind compressible turbulence. The counter-propagating AWs and SWs correspond, respectively, to the dominant and sub-dominant populations of the imbalanced Elsässer variables. Nonlinear interactions between the AWs and SMWs are inferred from the non-orthogonality between the possible oscillation direction of one wave and the possible propagation direction of the other. The associated protons are revealed to exhibit bi-directional asymmetric beams in their velocity distributions: sunward beams appear in short, narrow patterns and anti-sunward in broad extended tails. It is suggested that multiple types of wave–particle interactions, i.e., cyclotron and Landau resonances with AWs and SMWs at kinetic scales, are taking place to jointly heat the protons perpendicular and in parallel.« less

Coping with Stress: A Group Counseling Approach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newman, Betsy

A group approach to dealing with stress is the basis for a series of workshops outlined in this paper. The stress management program materials, especially suitable for those in the helping professions, identifies the nature and causes of stress, and uses group supports to target and work to change counter-productive stress-related behaviors. The…

The Body Politic: Childhood Obesity as a Symbol of an Unbalanced Economy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kroner, Crystal

2011-01-01

As society's novices, children are becoming more susceptible to advertisers who target them as a profitable demographic. This creates an alarming trend of obesity and exacts a considerable financial, physical and ethical toll on the community. To view obesity as concurrent with malnourishment seems counter-intuitive, this study uses Butler's…

Armed Deterrence: Countering Soft Target Attacks

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-06

Perspectives on Terrorism 9, no. 4 (August 2015): 14-30. 6 Ibid., 19. 7 Ibid., 16. 8 Ibid. 9 Ibid., 14. 10 Ibid., 27. 11 Meg Wagner and Rich...Wagner, Meg and Rich Schapiro. “Mastermind of Paris terror attack planned strikes on schools, mocked Europe’s open borders: report,” New York Daily

Radar, target and ranging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1984-09-01

This Test Operations Procedure (TOP) provides conventional test methods employing conventional test instrumentation for testing conventional radars. Single tests and subtests designed to test radar components, transmitters, receivers, antennas, etc., and system performance are conducted with single item instruments such as meters, generators, attenuators, counters, oscillators, plotters, etc., and with adequate land areas for conducting field tests.

Device for detection and identification of carbon- and nitrogen-containing materials

DOEpatents

Karev, Alexander Ivanovich; Raevsky, Valery Georgievich; Dzhilavyan, Leonid Zavenovich; Laptev, Valery Dmitrievich; Pakhomov, Nikolay Ivanovich; Shvedunov, Vasily Ivanovich; Rykalin, Vladimir Ivanovich; Brothers, Louis Joseph; Wilhide, Larry K

2014-03-25

A device for detection and identification of carbon- and nitrogen-containing materials is described. In particular, the device performs the detection and identification of carbon- and nitrogen-containing materials by photo-nuclear detection. The device may comprise a race-track microtron, a breaking target, and a water-filled Cherenkov radiation counter.

Preparative isolation and purification of senkyunolide-I, senkyunolide-H and ferulic acid from Rhizoma Chuanxiong using counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Wei, Yun; Hu, Jia; Li, Hao; Liu, Jiangang

2011-12-01

Three active compounds, senkyunolide-I, senkyunolide-H and ferulic acid (FA), were successfully isolated and purified from the extracts of Rhizoma Chuanxiong by counter-current chromatography (CCC). Based on the principle of the partition coefficient values (k) for target compounds and the separation factor (α) between target compounds, the two-phase solvent system that contains n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water at an optimized volume ratio of 3:7:4:6 v/v was selected for the CCC separation, and the lower phase was employed as the mobile phase in the head-to-tail elution mode. In a single run, 400 mg of the crude extract yielded pure senkyunolide-I (6.4 mg), senkyunolide-H (1.7 mg) and FA (4.4 mg) with the purities of 98, 93 and 99%, respectively. The CCC fractions were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the structures of the three active compounds were identified by MS and (1)H NMR. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Modelling a man-portable air-defence (MANPAD) system with a conical scan two-colour infrared (IR) seeker

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jackman, James; Richardson, Mark; Butters, Brian; Walmsley, Roy

2011-11-01

The use of flares of flares against 1st and 2nd generation man-portable air-defence (MANPAD) systems proved to be very effective. This naturally led to the development of counter-countermeasures (CCM) that could be incorporated into the MANPADs infrared (IR) seeker. One possible CCM is two-colour where the seeker detects in two separate IR bands. It is designed to exploit the different spectral characteristics of the target and flare. In this paper we describe the modelling process of a two-colour conical scan (conscan) IR seeker using CounterSim, a missile engagement and countermeasure simulation software tool developed by Chemring Countermeasures Ltd. It starts by explaining the signal processing needed to be able to reject the flare and track the target. The MANPAD model is then used in an engagement with a fast jet model and a transport aircraft model. Flares are first deployed reactively then released throughout an engagement to investigate the effect of flare release time and the viability of pre-emptive countermeasures.

Counter Selection Substrate Library Strategy for Developing Specific Protease Substrates and Probes

PubMed Central

Poreba, Marcin; Solberg, Rigmor; Rut, Wioletta; Lunde, Ngoc Nguyen; Kasperkiewicz, Paulina; Snipas, Scott J.; Mihelic, Marko; Turk, Dusan; Turk, Boris; Salvesen, Guy S.; Drag, Marcin

2018-01-01

SUMMARY Legumain (AEP) is a lysosomal cysteine protease that is a lysosomal cysteine protease that was first characterized in leguminous seeds and later discovered in higher eukaryotes. AEP up-regulation is linked to a number of diseases including inflammation, arteriosclerosis and tumorigenesis. Thus legumain is an excellent molecular target for the development of new chemical markers. We deployed a hybrid combinatorial substrate library (HyCoSuL) approach to obtain P1-Asp fluorogenic substrates and biotin-labeled inhibitors that targeted legumain. Since this approach led to probes that were also recognized by caspases, we introduced a Counter Selection Substrate Library (CoSeSuL) approach that biases the peptidic scaffold against caspases, thus delivering highly selective legumain probes. The selectivity of these tools was validated using M38L and HEK293 cells. We also propose that the CoSeSuL methodology can be considered as a general principle in the design of selective probes for other protease families where selectivity is difficult to achieve by conventional sequence-based profiling. PMID:27478158

High-frequency use of over-the-counter analgesics among adolescents: reflections of an emerging difficult life, a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Skarstein, Siv; Rosvold, Elin O; Helseth, Sølvi; Kvarme, Lisbeth G; Holager, Tanja; Småstuen, Milada C; Lagerløv, Per

2014-03-01

To examine characteristics of 15- to 16-year-old adolescents who used over-the-counter analgesics daily to weekly (high-frequency users) as compared to those who used less or no analgesics (low-frequency users). Further to analyse the differences in pain experience, lifestyle, self-esteem, school attendance and educational ambition. An anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. The questionnaire covered the use of over-the-counter analgesics, pain experience, sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, self-esteem, school absence and future educational plans. The study took place in the 10th grade in six junior high schools in a medium-sized town in Norway. The local sales data for analgesics and antipyretics were close to the national average. We invited 626 adolescents to participate. Of the 367 adolescents (59%) who responded, 51% were girls. Associations between the frequency of use of over-the-counter analgesic and the mentioned variables were analysed using multiple logistic regression. In total, 26% (42 boys and 48 girls) used over-the-counter analgesics daily to weekly. These high-frequency users experienced more widespread pain, slept less, had more paid spare-time work, drank more caffeinated drinks, participated more often in binge drinking, had lower self-esteem, less ambitious educational plans and more frequent school absence than did the low-frequency users. These associations remained significant when controlling for gender, cultural background and self-evaluated economic status. Adolescent, who are high-frequency users of over-the-counter analgesics, suffer more pain and have identifiable characteristics indicative of complex problems. Their ability to handle stress appears to be discordant with the kind of situations to which they are exposed. The wear and tear associated with allostatic mechanisms counteracting stress may heighten their pain experience. © 2013 Nordic College of Caring Science. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Nuclear threats from small states

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

Kahan, J.H.

1994-06-13

What are the policy implications regarding proliferation and counter proliferation of nuclear weapons among Third World states. How does deterrence operate outside the parameters of superpower confrontation as defined by the cold war elaborate system of constraints enforced by concepts like mutual assured destruction, and counter-value and counter-force targeting. How can US policymakers devise contingencies for dealing with nuclear threats posed by countries like North Korea, Libya, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. These are some of the unsettling but nevertheless important questions addressed by the author in this monograph. In his analysis, Mr. Jerome Kahan examines the likelihood that one ormore » more of these countries will use nuclear weapons before the year 2000. He also offers a framework that policymakers and planners might use in assessing US interests in preempting the use of nuclear weapons or in retaliating for their use. Ironically, with the end of the cold war, it is imperative that defense strategists, policymakers, and military professionals think about the `unthinkable`. In the interest of fostering debate on this important subject, the Strategic Studies Institute commends this insightful monograph.« less

Novel host restriction factors implicated in HIV-1 replication.

PubMed

Ghimire, Dibya; Rai, Madhu; Gaur, Ritu

2018-04-01

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is known to interact with multiple host cellular proteins during its replication in the target cell. While many of these host cellular proteins facilitate viral replication, a number of them are reported to inhibit HIV-1 replication at various stages of its life cycle. These host cellular proteins, which are known as restriction factors, constitute an integral part of the host's first line of defence against the viral pathogen. Since the discovery of apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme 3G (APOBEC3G) as an HIV-1 restriction factor, several human proteins have been identified that exhibit anti-HIV-1 restriction. While each restriction factor employs a distinct mechanism of inhibition, the HIV-1 virus has equally evolved complex counter strategies to neutralize their inhibitory effect. APOBEC3G, tetherin, sterile alpha motif and histidine-aspartate domain 1 (SAMHD1), and trim-5α are some of the best known HIV-1 restriction factors that have been studied in great detail. Recently, six novel restriction factors were discovered that exhibit significant antiviral activity: endoplasmic reticulum α1,2-mannosidase I (ERManI), translocator protein (TSPO), guanylate-binding protein 5 (GBP5), serine incorporator (SERINC3/5) and zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP). The focus of this review is to discuss the antiviral mechanism of action of these six restriction factors and provide insights into the probable counter-evasion strategies employed by the HIV-1 virus. The recent discovery of new restriction factors substantiates the complex host-pathogen interactions occurring during HIV-1 pathogenesis and makes it imperative that further investigations are conducted to elucidate the molecular basis of HIV-1 replication.

Mandatory labeling requirements and over-the-counter cough and cold medication use in early childhood.

PubMed

DeGroot, Julie; Anderson, Laura N; Chen, Yang; Birken, Catherine S; Parkin, Patricia C; Carsley, Sarah; Khovratovich, Marina; Mamdani, Muhammad; Maguire, Jonathon L

2016-03-16

Due to rare but severe adverse events, Health Canada in October 2009 required manufacturers to relabel over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medication (CCM) to state that the products should not be used in children <6 years of age. The main objective of this study was to determine whether this labeling standard decreased OTC CCM use among young children with a recent cough, cold or flu. An interrupted time series study was conducted using data from the TARGet Kids! practice-based research network. A total of 3,515 healthy children 1-5 years of age were recruited from 2008-2011; of these, 1,072 had a cough, cold or flu in the previous month. Parents completed a standardized survey instrument. For the primary analysis, use of OTC CCMs prior to and after October 1, 2009 was compared using time series analyses. For the secondary analysis, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of recent OTC CCM use. OTC CCM use was reported in 222 of 1,072 (20.7%) children with a cough, cold or flu within the previous month. OTC CCM use declined from 22.2% to 17.8% following the October 2009 Health Canada labeling standard (p = 0.014). Maternal age <35 years (OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.05-2.13) and having older siblings (OR 1.65; 95% CI: 1.16-2.35) were independently associated with OTC CCM use. Labeling legislation against OTC CCM use for children <6 years resulted in a small decrease in OTC CCM use. Stronger measures may be needed to curtail OTC CCM use, particularly for younger parents and those with multiple children.

In vitro electrocardiographic and cardiac ion channel effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, the main catechin of green tea.

PubMed

Kang, Jiesheng; Cheng, Hsien; Ji, Junzhi; Incardona, Josephine; Rampe, David

2010-08-01

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major catechin found in green tea. EGCG is also available for consumption in the form of concentrated over-the-counter nutritional supplements. This compound is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of a number of diseases including multiple sclerosis, and a variety of cancers. To date, few data exist regarding the effects of EGCG on the electrophysiology of the heart. Therefore, we examined the effects of EGCG on the electrocardiogram recorded from Langendorff-perfused guinea pig hearts and on cardiac ion channels using patch-clamp electrophysiology. EGCG had no significant effects on the electrocardiogram at concentrations of 3 and 10 microM. At 30 microM, EGCG prolonged PR and QRS intervals, slightly shortened the QT interval, and altered the shape of the ST-T-wave segment. The ST segment merged with the upstroke of the T wave, and we noted a prolongation in the time from the peak of the T wave until the end. Patch-clamp studies identified the KvLQT1/minK K(+) channel as a target for EGCG (IC(50) = 30.1 microM). In addition, EGCG inhibited the cloned human cardiac Na(+) channel Na(v)1.5 in a voltage-dependent fashion. The L-type Ca(2+) channel was inhibited by 20.8% at 30 microM, whereas the human ether-a-go-go-related gene and Kv4.3 cardiac K(+) channels were less sensitive to inhibition by EGCG. ECGC has a number of electrophysiological effects in the heart, and these effects may have clinical significance when multigram doses of this compound are used in human clinical trials or through self-ingestion of large amounts of over-the-counter products enriched in EGCG.

Targeted Curing of All Lysogenic Bacteriophage from Streptococcus pyogenes Using a Novel Counter-selection Technique

PubMed Central

Euler, Chad W.; Juncosa, Barbara; Ryan, Patricia A.; Deutsch, Douglas R.; McShan, W. Michael; Fischetti, Vincent A.

2016-01-01

Streptococcus pyogenes is a human commensal and a bacterial pathogen responsible for a wide variety of human diseases differing in symptoms, severity, and tissue tropism. The completed genome sequences of >37 strains of S. pyogenes, representing diverse disease-causing serotypes, have been published. The greatest genetic variation among these strains is attributed to numerous integrated prophage and prophage-like elements, encoding several virulence factors. A comparison of isogenic strains, differing in prophage content, would reveal the effects of these elements on streptococcal pathogenesis. However, curing strains of prophage is often difficult and sometimes unattainable. We have applied a novel counter-selection approach to identify rare S. pyogenes mutants spontaneously cured of select prophage. To accomplish this, we first inserted a two-gene cassette containing a gene for kanamycin resistance (KanR) and the rpsL wild-type gene, responsible for dominant streptomycin sensitivity (SmS), into a targeted prophage on the chromosome of a streptomycin resistant (SmR) mutant of S. pyogenes strain SF370. We then applied antibiotic counter-selection for the re-establishment of the KanS/SmR phenotype to select for isolates cured of targeted prophage. This methodology allowed for the precise selection of spontaneous phage loss and restoration of the natural phage attB attachment sites for all four prophage-like elements in this S. pyogenes chromosome. Overall, 15 mutants were constructed that encompassed every permutation of phage knockout as well as a mutant strain, named CEM1ΔΦ, completely cured of all bacteriophage elements (a ~10% loss of the genome); the only reported S. pyogenes strain free of prophage-like elements. We compared CEM1ΔΦ to the WT strain by analyzing differences in secreted DNase activity, as well as lytic and lysogenic potential. These mutant strains should allow for the direct examination of bacteriophage relationships within S. pyogenes and further elucidate how the presence of prophage may affect overall streptococcal survival, pathogenicity, and evolution. PMID:26756207

Education and Countering Violent Extremism: Western Logics from South to North?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Novelli, Mario

2017-01-01

This paper explores the way education and conflict have become entangled during the post-9/11 "war on terror" response to "radical Islam" at home and abroad. The paper charts the complex ways that education has been deployed to serve Western military and security objectives in multiple locations in the global south and how…

A Feminist Case Study of Five Women Preschool Practitioners' Engagement in the Collaborative Inquiry Process

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Black, Felicia V.

2013-01-01

The purpose of this feminist case study was two-fold: (1) to describe the ways that Collaborative Inquiry (CI) can be proposed as a counter-discourse of professional development that acknowledges the multiple forms of personal and professional knowledge among five women preschool practitioners, and (2) to explore alternative constructs of the…

21 CFR 330.12 - Status of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs previously reviewed under the Drug Efficacy Study (DESI).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... in the Federal Register of November 19, 1972 (37 FR 25249). (xii) Certain OTC Multiple-Vitamin Preparations for Oral Use containing excessive amounts of vitamin D and/or vitamin A (DESI 97), for which... the products into conformity with current medical knowledge and experience. (d) Manufacturers and...

21 CFR 330.12 - Status of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs previously reviewed under the Drug Efficacy Study (DESI).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... in the Federal Register of November 19, 1972 (37 FR 25249). (xii) Certain OTC Multiple-Vitamin Preparations for Oral Use containing excessive amounts of vitamin D and/or vitamin A (DESI 97), for which... the products into conformity with current medical knowledge and experience. (d) Manufacturers and...

21 CFR 330.12 - Status of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs previously reviewed under the Drug Efficacy Study (DESI).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... in the Federal Register of November 19, 1972 (37 FR 25249). (xii) Certain OTC Multiple-Vitamin Preparations for Oral Use containing excessive amounts of vitamin D and/or vitamin A (DESI 97), for which... the products into conformity with current medical knowledge and experience. (d) Manufacturers and...

Reclaiming Power in the Writers' Workshop: Defending Curricula, Countering Narratives, and Changing Identities in Prekindergarten Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kissel, Brian T.; Miller, Erin T.

2015-01-01

In this article, we examine how young writers and their teachers transformed the language arts curriculum by asserting their power within a familiar framework--the writer's workshop. We present three narratives in which multiple pre-kindergarten agents (students, teachers, and administrators) used their power within the Writer's Workshop to a)…

Neutron counter based on beryllium activation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bienkowska, B.; Prokopowicz, R.; Scholz, M.; Kaczmarczyk, J.; Igielski, A.; Karpinski, L.; Paducha, M.; Pytel, K.

2014-08-01

The fusion reaction occurring in DD plasma is followed by emission of 2.45 MeV neutrons, which carry out information about fusion reaction rate and plasma parameters and properties as well. Neutron activation of beryllium has been chosen for detection of DD fusion neutrons. The cross-section for reaction 9Be(n, α)6He has a useful threshold near 1 MeV, which means that undesirable multiple-scattered neutrons do not undergo that reaction and therefore are not recorded. The product of the reaction, 6He, decays with half-life T1/2 = 0.807 s emitting β- particles which are easy to detect. Large area gas sealed proportional detector has been chosen as a counter of β-particles leaving activated beryllium plate. The plate with optimized dimensions adjoins the proportional counter entrance window. Such set-up is also equipped with appropriate electronic components and forms beryllium neutron activation counter. The neutron flux density on beryllium plate can be determined from the number of counts. The proper calibration procedure needs to be performed, therefore, to establish such relation. The measurements with the use of known β-source have been done. In order to determine the detector response function such experiment have been modeled by means of MCNP5-the Monte Carlo transport code. It allowed proper application of the results of transport calculations of β- particles emitted from radioactive 6He and reaching proportional detector active volume. In order to test the counter system and measuring procedure a number of experiments have been performed on PF devices. The experimental conditions have been simulated by means of MCNP5. The correctness of simulation outcome have been proved by measurements with known radioactive neutron source. The results of the DD fusion neutron measurements have been compared with other neutron diagnostics.

“If You Know You Exist, It’s Just Marketing Poison”: Meanings of Tobacco Industry Targeting in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community

PubMed Central

Smith, Elizabeth A.; Thomson, Katherine; Offen, Naphtali; Malone, Ruth E.

2008-01-01

In the public health literature, it is generally assumed that the perception of “targeting” as positive or negative by the targeted audience depends on the product or message being promoted. Smoking prevalence rates are high among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, but little is known about how they perceive tobacco industry targeting. We conducted focus groups with LGBT individuals in 4 US cities to explore their perceptions. Our findings indicated that focus group participants often responded positively to tobacco company targeting. Targeting connoted community visibility, legitimacy, and economic viability. Participants did not view tobacco as a gay health issue. Targeting is a key aspect of corporate–community interaction. A better understanding of targeting may aid public health efforts to counter corporate disease promotion. PMID:18445800

The Impact of Gate Width Setting and Gate Utilization Factors on Plutonium Assay in Passive Correlated Neutron Counting

DOE PAGES

Henzlova, Daniela; Menlove, Howard Olsen; Croft, Stephen; ...

2015-06-15

In the field of nuclear safeguards, passive neutron multiplicity counting (PNMC) is a method typically employed in non-destructive assay (NDA) of special nuclear material (SNM) for nonproliferation, verification and accountability purposes. PNMC is generally performed using a well-type thermal neutron counter and relies on the detection of correlated pairs or higher order multiplets of neutrons emitted by an assayed item. To assay SNM, a set of parameters for a given well-counter is required to link the measured multiplicity rates to the assayed item properties. Detection efficiency, die-away time, gate utilization factors (tightly connected to die-away time) as well as optimummore » gate width setting are among the key parameters. These parameters along with the underlying model assumptions directly affect the accuracy of the SNM assay. In this paper we examine the role of gate utilization factors and the single exponential die-away time assumption and their impact on the measurements for a range of plutonium materials. In addition, we examine the importance of item-optimized coincidence gate width setting as opposed to using a universal gate width value. Finally, the traditional PNMC based on multiplicity shift register electronics is extended to Feynman-type analysis and application of this approach to Pu mass assay is demonstrated.« less

Background in X-ray astronomy proportional counters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bower, C. R.; Dietz, K. L.; Ramsey, B. D.; Weisskopf, M. C.

1991-01-01

The authors report the results of an investigation into the nature of background events in proportional counters sensitive to X-ray photons having energy of less than 150 keV. Even with the use of thick shields composed of high-atomic-number material, a significant flux background in the detector's energy region can result from multiple Compton scattering in the mass surrounding the active region of the detector. The importance of the selection of detector components in the reduction of the background by more than an order of magnitude is emphasized. Experimental results are shown to agree qualitatively with Monte Carlo simulations. It is concluded that escape gating is a powerful means of determining the nature of background in flight detectors: the single/pair ratios reveal whether the detected events are charged particles or photons.

Complex Contagion of Campaign Donations.

PubMed

Traag, Vincent A

2016-01-01

Money is central in US politics, and most campaign contributions stem from a tiny, wealthy elite. Like other political acts, campaign donations are known to be socially contagious. We study how campaign donations diffuse through a network of more than 50,000 elites and examine how connectivity among previous donors reinforces contagion. We find that the diffusion of donations is driven by independent reinforcement contagion: people are more likely to donate when exposed to donors from different social groups than when they are exposed to equally many donors from the same group. Counter-intuitively, being exposed to one side may increase donations to the other side. Although the effect is weak, simultaneous cross-cutting exposure makes donation somewhat less likely. Finally, the independence of donors in the beginning of a campaign predicts the amount of money that is raised throughout a campaign. We theorize that people infer population-wide estimates from their local observations, with elites assessing the viability of candidates, possibly opposing candidates in response to local support. Our findings suggest that theories of complex contagions need refinement and that political campaigns should target multiple communities.

Complex Contagion of Campaign Donations

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Money is central in US politics, and most campaign contributions stem from a tiny, wealthy elite. Like other political acts, campaign donations are known to be socially contagious. We study how campaign donations diffuse through a network of more than 50000 elites and examine how connectivity among previous donors reinforces contagion. We find that the diffusion of donations is driven by independent reinforcement contagion: people are more likely to donate when exposed to donors from different social groups than when they are exposed to equally many donors from the same group. Counter-intuitively, being exposed to one side may increase donations to the other side. Although the effect is weak, simultaneous cross-cutting exposure makes donation somewhat less likely. Finally, the independence of donors in the beginning of a campaign predicts the amount of money that is raised throughout a campaign. We theorize that people infer population-wide estimates from their local observations, with elites assessing the viability of candidates, possibly opposing candidates in response to local support. Our findings suggest that theories of complex contagions need refinement and that political campaigns should target multiple communities. PMID:27077742

The maternal womb: a novel target for cancer prevention in the era of the obesity pandemic?

PubMed Central

Simmen, Frank A.; Simmen, Rosalia C.M.

2011-01-01

The dramatic rise in worldwide prevalence of obesity has necessitated the search for more efficacious anti-obesity strategies to counter the increased cancer risks in overweight and obese individuals. The mechanistic pathways linking obesity status with adult chronic diseases such as cancer remain incompletely understood. A growing body of evidence suggests that novel approaches and interventional agents to disrupt the feed-forward cycle of maternal to offspring obesity transfer that is initiated in utero, will be important for stemming both the obesity pandemic and the associated increase in cancer incidence. The convergence of multiple research areas including those encompassing the insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) systems, epigenetics, and stem cell biology is providing insights into the potential for cancer prevention in adult offspring previously exposed to the intrauterine environment of overweight/obese mothers. Here, we review the current state of this nascent research field, with a focus on three major cancers namely breast, colorectal and liver, and suggest some possible future directions to optimize its impact for the health of future generations. PMID:21701386

Evaluation of the counter-regulatory responses to hypoglycaemia in patients with type 1 diabetes during opiate receptor blockade with naltrexone.

PubMed

Naik, Sarita; Belfort-DeAguiar, Renata; Sejling, Anne-Sophie; Szepietowska, Barbara; Sherwin, Robert S

2017-05-01

Hypoglycaemia is the major limiting factor in achieving optimal glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), especially intensively treated patients with impaired glucose counter-regulation during hypoglycaemia. Naloxone, an opiate receptor blocker, has been reported to enhance the acute counter-regulatory response to hypoglycaemia when administered intravenously in humans. The current study was undertaken to investigate the oral formulation of the long-acting opiate antagonist, naltrexone, and determine if it could have a similar effect, and thus might be useful therapeutically in treatment of T1DM patients with a high risk of hypoglycaemia. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, cross-over study in which 9 intensively treated subjects with T1DM underwent a 2-step euglycaemic-hypoglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp on 2 separate occasions. At 12 hours and at 1 hour before the clamp study, participants received 100 mg of naltrexone or placebo orally. Counter-regulatory hormonal responses were assessed at baseline and during each step of the hyperinsulinaemic-clamp. Glucose and insulin levels did not differ significantly between the naltrexone and placebo visits; nor did the glucose infusion rates required to keep glucose levels at target. During hypoglycaemia, naltrexone, in comparison with the placebo group, induced an increase in epinephrine levels ( P  = .05). However, no statistically significant differences in glucagon, cortisol and growth hormone responses were observed. In contrast to the intravenous opiate receptor blocker naloxone, overnight administration of the oral long-acting opiate receptor blocker, naltrexone, at a clinically used dose, had a limited effect on the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycaemia in intensively treated subjects with T1DM. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

CURE Scholar Spotlight - Dr. Brady

Cancer.gov

Donita C. Brady, a Research Associate Senior at the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Duke University, is investigating the role that copper plays in cell growth and tumor biology. Inspired by her mentor Christopher Counter, a cancer biologist, and Dennis Thiele, a copper biologist, at Duke University, Brady has a unique interest in the way copper interacts with protein pathways, such as the BRAF (a human gene that directs cell growth)-MEK-ERK pathway, which is a major target for targeted cancer therapies because the BRAF gene is mutated 60% of the time in melanoma.

Digital-Difference Processing For Collision Avoidance.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shores, Paul; Lichtenberg, Chris; Kobayashi, Herbert S.; Cunningham, Allen R.

1988-01-01

Digital system for automotive crash avoidance measures and displays difference in frequency between two sinusoidal input signals of slightly different frequencies. Designed for use with Doppler radars. Characterized as digital mixer coupled to frequency counter measuring difference frequency in mixer output. Technique determines target path mathematically. Used for tracking cars, missiles, bullets, baseballs, and other fast-moving objects.

Does Attending a Low-Achieving School Affect High-Performing Student Outcomes?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parsons, Eric

2016-01-01

Background: Ability tracking in K-12 education has been the subject of much research over the past decades, with proponents arguing that it allows for better instructional targeting and opponents countering that it has the potential to increase inequality. Despite the large volume of research on the topic, however, there is little consensus on the…

Bringing the News Back Home: Strategies of Acculturation and Foreignisation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bassnett, Susan

2005-01-01

This paper considers the long-standing debate in the field of translation concerning whether texts should be fully acculturated into the target system or should retain traces of their foreign origin. The author suggests that these debates become redundant, if not counter-productive in the field of news translation, where the demands of the target…

Use of multiple tobacco products in a national sample of persons enrolled in addiction treatment.

PubMed

Guydish, Joseph; Tajima, Barbara; Pramod, Sowmya; Le, Thao; Gubner, Noah R; Campbell, Barbara; Roman, Paul

2016-09-01

To explore use of tobacco products in relationship to marketing exposure among persons in addiction treatment. A random sample of treatment programs was drawn from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network (CTN). Participants in each program completed surveys concerning use of tobacco products (N=1113). Exposure to tobacco marketing and counter-marketing, advertising receptivity, and perceived health risks of smoking were tested for their association with use of multiple tobacco products. Prevalence of combustible cigarette use was 77.9%. Weekly or greater use of other products was: e-cigarettes (17.7%), little filtered cigars (8.6%), smokeless tobacco (5.2%), and standard cigars (4.6%) with 24.4% using multiple tobacco products. Compared to single product users, multiple product users smoked more cigarettes per day (OR=1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05, p<0.001), were more likely to have tried to quit (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.02-1.96, p=0.041), reported greater daily exposure to advertising for products other than combustible cigarettes (OR=1.93, CI 1.35-2.75, p<0.001), and greater daily exposure to tobacco counter-marketing (OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.09-2.63, p=0.019). Heavier smokers and those trying to quit may be more likely to use e-cigarettes, little filtered cigars, or smokeless tobacco and have greater susceptibility to their advertising. This highlights the importance of regulating advertising related to smoking cessation as their effectiveness for this purpose has not been demonstrated. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use of Multiple Tobacco Products in a National Sample of Persons Enrolled in Addiction Treatment

PubMed Central

Guydish, Joseph; Tajima, Barbara; Pramod, Sowmya; Le, Thao; Gubner, Noah R.; Campbell, Barbara; Roman, Paul

2016-01-01

Objective To explore use of tobacco products in relationship to marketing exposure among persons in addiction treatment. Method A random sample of treatment programs was drawn from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network (CTN). Participants in each program completed surveys concerning use of tobacco products (N = 1,113). Exposure to tobacco marketing and counter-marketing, advertising receptivity, and perceived health risks of smoking were tested for their association with use of multiple tobacco products. Results Prevalence of combustible cigarette use was 77.9%. Weekly or greater use of other products was: e-cigarettes (17.7%), little filtered cigars (8.6%), smokeless tobacco (5.2%), and standard cigars (4.6%) with 24.4% using multiple tobacco products. Compared to single product users, multiple product users smoked more cigarettes per day (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 – 1.05, p < 0.001), were more likely to have tried to quit (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.02 – 1.96, p = 0.041), reported greater daily exposure to advertising for products other than combustible cigarettes (OR = 1.93, CI 1.35 – 2.75, p < 0.001), and greater daily exposure to tobacco counter-marketing (OR =1.70, 95% CI: 1.09 – 2.63, p = 0.019). Conclusion Heavier smokers and those trying to quit may be more likely to use e-cigarettes, little filtered cigars, or smokeless tobacco and have greater susceptibility to their advertising. This highlights the importance of regulating advertising related to smoking cessation as their effectiveness for this purpose has not been demonstrated. PMID:27449271

Preparative isolation and purification of harpagoside and angroside C from the root of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsley by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Tian, Jinfeng; Ye, Xiaoli; Shang, Yuanhong; Deng, Yafei; He, Kai; Li, Xuegang

2012-10-01

In this study, the bioactive component harpagoside and angroside C in the root of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsley was simultaneously separated by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). A two-phase solvent system containing chloroform/n-butanol/methanol/water (4:1:3:2, v/v/v/v) was selected following consideration of the partition coefficient of the target compound. The crude extract (200 mg) was loaded onto a 280-mL HSCCC column and yielded 22 mg harpagoside and 31 mg angroside C with the purity of higher than 98 and 98.5%, respectively. It is feasible to isolate active compounds harpagoside and angroside C from S. ningpoensis using HSCCC. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY RESEARCH AT CARNEGIE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 1962-1963. Progress Report

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

None

1963-06-01

Progress is reported on: nuclear reaction studies of cross sections of iron and stone meteoritic elements for 130- to 400-Mev protons, simulated cosmic- ray irradiations of thick iron and stone targets with 100-Mev to 3-Bev protons, and induced alpha-activity in short half-life ranges; nuclear geochemistry and cosmochemistry studies of nuclide dating of sediments, pseudo-diffusion in ocean and Maria sediments, cosmogenic radionuclides in iron and stone meteorites, cosmogenic radionuclides in Bondoc Achondrite and Bogou iron, half life of Mn/sup 53/, cosmogenic radioactivity in fragments of Sputnik N, Be/sup 10/ occurrence in tektites, and conversion of sealed anticoincidence shield counters to flow,more » counters; and the search for natural radioactivity in Ca/sup 48/. (B.O.G.)« less

Specialized proresolving mediator targets for RvE1 and RvD1 in peripheral blood and mechanisms of resolution

PubMed Central

Fredman, Gabrielle; Serhan, Charles N.

2011-01-01

Inflammation when unchecked is associated with many prevalent disorders such as the classic inflammatory diseases arthritis and periodontal disease, as well as the more recent additions that include diabetes and cardiovascular maladies. Hence mechanisms to curtail the inflammatory response and promote catabasis are of immense interest. In recent years, evidence has prompted a paradigm shift whereby the resolution of acute inflammation is a biochemically active process regulated in part by endogenous PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid)-derived autacoids. Among these are a novel genus of SPMs (specialized proresolving mediators) that comprise novel families of mediators including lipoxins, resolvins, protectins and maresins. SPMs have distinct structures and act via specific G-protein seven transmembrane receptors that signal intracellular events on selective cellular targets activating proresolving programmes while countering pro-inflammatory signals. An appreciation of these endogenous pathways and mediators that control timely resolution opened a new terrain for therapeutic approaches targeted at stimulating resolution of local inflammation. In the present review, we provide an overview of the biosynthesis and actions of resolvin E1, underscoring its protective role in vascular systems and regulating platelet responses. We also give an overview of newly described resolution circuitry whereby resolvins govern miRNAs (microRNAs), and transcription factors that counter-regulate pro-inflammatory chemokines, cytokines and lipid mediators. PMID:21711247

Genome engineering using a synthetic gene circuit in Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed

Jeong, Da-Eun; Park, Seung-Hwan; Pan, Jae-Gu; Kim, Eui-Joong; Choi, Soo-Keun

2015-03-31

Genome engineering without leaving foreign DNA behind requires an efficient counter-selectable marker system. Here, we developed a genome engineering method in Bacillus subtilis using a synthetic gene circuit as a counter-selectable marker system. The system contained two repressible promoters (B. subtilis xylA (Pxyl) and spac (Pspac)) and two repressor genes (lacI and xylR). Pxyl-lacI was integrated into the B. subtilis genome with a target gene containing a desired mutation. The xylR and Pspac-chloramphenicol resistant genes (cat) were located on a helper plasmid. In the presence of xylose, repression of XylR by xylose induced LacI expression, the LacIs repressed the Pspac promoter and the cells become chloramphenicol sensitive. Thus, to survive in the presence of chloramphenicol, the cell must delete Pxyl-lacI by recombination between the wild-type and mutated target genes. The recombination leads to mutation of the target gene. The remaining helper plasmid was removed easily under the chloramphenicol absent condition. In this study, we showed base insertion, deletion and point mutation of the B. subtilis genome without leaving any foreign DNA behind. Additionally, we successfully deleted a 2-kb gene (amyE) and a 38-kb operon (ppsABCDE). This method will be useful to construct designer Bacillus strains for various industrial applications. © The Author(s) 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Multidimensional Self-Concept Structure for Preadolescents with Mild Intellectual Disabilities: A Hybrid Multigroup?MIMC Approach to Factorial Invariance and Latent Mean Differences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marsh, Herbert W.; Tracey, Danielle K.; Craven, Rhonda G.

2006-01-01

Confirmatory factor analysis of responses by 211 preadolescents (M age = 10.25 years,SD = 1.48) with mild intellectual disabilities (MIDs) to the individually administered Self Description Questionnaire I-Individual Administration (SDQI-IA) counters widely cited claims that these children cannot differentiate multiple self-concept factors. Results…

Using Video Prompting to Teach Cooking Skills to Secondary Students with Moderate Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Graves, Tara B.; Collins, Belva C.; Schuster, John W.; Kleinert, Harold

2005-01-01

Three secondary students with moderate disabilities acquired cooking skills through a constant time delay procedure used with video prompting. A multiple probe design was used to evaluate effectiveness of the procedure to teach preparation of a food item (a) on a stove, (b) in a microwave, and (c) on a counter top. The procedure was effective for…

Building a Concrete Foundation: A Mixed-Method Study of Teaching Styles and the Use of Concrete, Representational, and Abstract Mathematics Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thigpen, L. Christine

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore teaching styles and how frequently teachers with a variety of teaching styles incorporate multiple representations, such as manipulatives, drawings, counters, etc., in the middle school mathematics classroom. Through this explanatory mixed methods study it was possible to collect the quantitative data in…

Spectral CT data acquisition with Medipix3.1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, M. F.; Nik, S. J.; Procz, S.; Pichotka, M.; Bell, S. T.; Bateman, C. J.; Doesburg, R. M. N.; De Ruiter, N.; Chernoglazov, A. I.; Panta, R. K.; Butler, A. P. H.; Butler, P. H.

2013-10-01

This paper describes the acquisition of spectral CT images using the Medipix3.1 in spectroscopic mode, in which the chip combines 2 × 2 pixel clusters to increase the number of energy thresholds and counters from 2 to 8. During preliminary measurements, it was observed that the temperature, DAC and equalisation stability of the Medipix3.1 outperformed the Medipix3.0, while maintaining similar imaging quality. In this paper, the Medipix3.1 chips were assembled in a quad (2 × 2) layout, with the four ASICs bump-bonded to a silicon semiconductor doped as an np-junction diode. To demonstrate the biological imaging quality that is possible with the Medipix3.1, an image of a mouse injected with gold nano-particle contrast agent was obtained. CT acquisition in spectroscopic mode was enabled and examined by imaging a customised phantom containing multiple contrast agents and biological materials. These acquisitions showed a limitation of imaging performance depending on the counter used. Despite this, identification of multiple materials in the phantom was demonstrated using an in-house material decomposition algorithm. Furthermore, gold nano-particles were separated from biological tissues and bones within the mouse by means of image rendering.

Multiple dual mode counter-current chromatography with variable duration of alternating phase elution steps.

PubMed

Kostanyan, Artak E; Erastov, Andrey A; Shishilov, Oleg N

2014-06-20

The multiple dual mode (MDM) counter-current chromatography separation processes consist of a succession of two isocratic counter-current steps and are characterized by the shuttle (forward and back) transport of the sample in chromatographic columns. In this paper, the improved MDM method based on variable duration of alternating phase elution steps has been developed and validated. The MDM separation processes with variable duration of phase elution steps are analyzed. Basing on the cell model, analytical solutions are developed for impulse and non-impulse sample loading at the beginning of the column. Using the analytical solutions, a calculation program is presented to facilitate the simulation of MDM with variable duration of phase elution steps, which can be used to select optimal process conditions for the separation of a given feed mixture. Two options of the MDM separation are analyzed: 1 - with one-step solute elution: the separation is conducted so, that the sample is transferred forward and back with upper and lower phases inside the column until the desired separation of the components is reached, and then each individual component elutes entirely within one step; 2 - with multi-step solute elution, when the fractions of individual components are collected in over several steps. It is demonstrated that proper selection of the duration of individual cycles (phase flow times) can greatly increase the separation efficiency of CCC columns. Experiments were carried out using model mixtures of compounds from the GUESSmix with solvent systems hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water. The experimental results are compared to the predictions of the theory. A good agreement between theory and experiment has been demonstrated. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The role of alternative Polyadenylation in regulation of rhythmic gene expression.

PubMed

Ptitsyna, Natalia; Boughorbel, Sabri; El Anbari, Mohammed; Ptitsyn, Andrey

2017-08-04

Alternative transcription is common in eukaryotic cells and plays important role in regulation of cellular processes. Alternative polyadenylation results from ambiguous PolyA signals in 3' untranslated region (UTR) of a gene. Such alternative transcripts share the same coding part, but differ by a stretch of UTR that may contain important functional sites. The methodoogy of this study is based on mathematical modeling, analytical solution, and subsequent validation by datamining in multiple independent experimental data from previously published studies. In this study we propose a mathematical model that describes the population dynamics of alternatively polyadenylated transcripts in conjunction with rhythmic expression such as transcription oscillation driven by circadian or metabolic oscillators. Analysis of the model shows that alternative transcripts with different turnover rates acquire a phase shift if the transcript decay rate is different. Difference in decay rate is one of the consequences of alternative polyadenylation. Phase shift can reach values equal to half the period of oscillation, which makes alternative transcripts oscillate in abundance in counter-phase to each other. Since counter-phased transcripts share the coding part, the rate of translation becomes constant. We have analyzed a few data sets collected in circadian timeline for the occurrence of transcript behavior that fits the mathematical model. Alternative transcripts with different turnover rate create the effect of rectifier. This "molecular diode" moderates or completely eliminates oscillation of individual transcripts and stabilizes overall protein production rate. In our observation this phenomenon is very common in different tissues in plants, mice, and humans. The occurrence of counter-phased alternative transcripts is also tissue-specific and affects functions of multiple biological pathways. Accounting for this mechanism is important for understanding the natural and engineering the synthetic cellular circuits.

Variations in AmLi source spectra and their estimation utilizing the 5 Ring Multiplicity Counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weinmann-Smith, R.; Beddingfield, D. H.; Enqvist, A.; Swinhoe, M. T.

2017-06-01

Active-mode assay systems are widely used for the safeguards of uranium items to verify compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Systems such as the Active-Well Coincidence Counter (AWCC) and the Uranium Neutron Coincidence Collar (UNCL) use americium-lithium (AmLi) neutron sources to induce fissions which are measured to determine the sample mass. These systems have historically relied on calibrations derived from well-defined standards. Recently, restricted access to standards or more difficult measurements have resulted in a reliance on modeling and simulation for the calibration of systems, which introduces potential simulation biases. The AmLi source energy spectra commonly used in the safeguards community do not accurately represent measurement results and the spectrum uncertainty can represent a large contribution to the total modeling uncertainty in active-mode systems. The 5-Ring Multiplicity Counter (5RMC) has been used to measure 17 AmLi sources. The measurements showed a significant spectral variation between different sources. Utilization of a spectrum that is specific to an individual source or a series of sources will give improved results over historical general spectra when modeling AmLi sources. Candidate AmLi neutron spectra were calculated in MCNP and SOURCES4C for a range of physical AmLi characteristics. The measurement and simulation data were used to fit reliable and accurate AmLi spectra for use in the simulation of active-mode systems. Spectra were created for average Gammatron C, Gammatron N, and MRC series sources, and for individual sources. The systematic uncertainty introduced by physical aspects of the AmLi source were characterized through simulations. The accuracy of spectra from the literature was compared.

R.J. Reynolds' targeting of African Americans: 1988-2000.

PubMed

Balbach, Edith D; Gasior, Rebecca J; Barbeau, Elizabeth M

2003-05-01

The purpose of this study was to describe RJ Reynolds (RJR) Tobacco Company's strategy for targeting African Americans, as revealed in tobacco industry documents and magazine advertisements. The authors searched industry documents to determine RJR's strategies and analyzed magazine advertising during 2 periods: the time of the launch of the company's Uptown cigarette (1989-1990) and a decade later (1999-2000). RJR's efforts to target the African American market segment existed before and after Uptown, and the company's strategy was largely implemented via other RJR brands. Advertisements featured mentholated cigarettes, fantasy/escape, expensive objects, and nightlife. To help all populations become tobacco-free, tobacco control practitioners must understand and counter tobacco industry strategies.

Preferences for condom placement in stores among young Dutch men and women: relationships with embarrassment and motives for having sex.

PubMed

Gebhardt, Winifred A; van der Doef, Margot P; Billingy, Nicole; Carstens, Malou; Steenhuis, Ingrid

2012-07-01

Condom purchasing is an important preparation for condom use. The present study examined if products surrounding condoms in the store play a role in preferences for where to buy condoms among young people. Sixty-nine men and 111 women (<30 years) completed an online questionnaire on their preferences for condom placement, associated embarrassment with these placements, and motives for having sex. Fifty percent of men and 70% of women indicated the counter as least preferred placement. Two-fifths of men and women preferred the sensual context, including among sex toys and lubricants; however, the remainder of participants, particularly women, preferred other less sexual contexts. Both the counter and sensual placement were strongly associated with embarrassment, and this, in turn, was predictive of placement preference. Finally, the motive for having sex to experience intimacy was negatively related to counter preference, and the motive for having sex to experience pleasure was negatively related to the neutral placement and the female personal care placement preferences. The findings suggest that using multiple and alternative placements for condoms in stores may encourage condom purchasing behaviour among young people.

Evidence Combination From an Evolutionary Game Theory Perspective

PubMed Central

Deng, Xinyang; Han, Deqiang; Dezert, Jean; Deng, Yong; Shyr, Yu

2017-01-01

Dempster-Shafer evidence theory is a primary methodology for multi-source information fusion because it is good at dealing with uncertain information. This theory provides a Dempster’s rule of combination to synthesize multiple evidences from various information sources. However, in some cases, counter-intuitive results may be obtained based on that combination rule. Numerous new or improved methods have been proposed to suppress these counter-intuitive results based on perspectives, such as minimizing the information loss or deviation. Inspired by evolutionary game theory, this paper considers a biological and evolutionary perspective to study the combination of evidences. An evolutionary combination rule (ECR) is proposed to help find the most biologically supported proposition in a multi-evidence system. Within the proposed ECR, we develop a Jaccard matrix game (JMG) to formalize the interaction between propositions in evidences, and utilize the replicator dynamics to mimick the evolution of propositions. Experimental results show that the proposed ECR can effectively suppress the counter-intuitive behaviors appeared in typical paradoxes of evidence theory, compared with many existing methods. Properties of the ECR, such as solution’s stability and convergence, have been mathematically proved as well. PMID:26285231

Characterizations of double pulsing in neutron multiplicity and coincidence counting systems

DOE PAGES

Koehler, Katrina E.; Henzl, Vladimir; Croft, Stephen; ...

2016-06-29

Passive neutron coincidence/multiplicity counters are subject to non-ideal behavior, such as double pulsing and dead time. It has been shown in the past that double-pulsing exhibits a distinct signature in a Rossi-alpha distribution, which is not readily noticed using traditional Multiplicity Shift Register analysis. But, it has been assumed that the use of a pre-delay in shift register analysis removes any effects of double pulsing. Here, we use high-fidelity simulations accompanied by experimental measurements to study the effects of double pulsing on multiplicity rates. By exploiting the information from the double pulsing signature peak observable in the Rossi-alpha distribution, themore » double pulsing fraction can be determined. Algebraic correction factors for the multiplicity rates in terms of the double pulsing fraction have been developed. We also discuss the role of these corrections across a range of scenarios.« less

The GlueX Start Counter and Beam Asymmetry$$\\Sigma$$ in Single $$\\pi^{0}$$ Photoproduction

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

Pooser, Eric

The GlueX experiment aims to study meson photoproduction while utilizing the coherent bremsstrahlung technique to produce a 9 GeV linearly polarized photon beam incident on a liquid H 2 target. A Start Counter detector was fabricated to properly identify the accelerator electron beam buckets and to provide accurate timing information. The Start Counter detector was designed to operate at photon intensities of up to 10 8 γ/s in the coherent peak and provides a timing resolution ~300 ps so as to provide successful identification of the electron beam buckets to within 99% accuracy. Furthermore, the Start Counter detector provides excellent solid angle coverage, ~ 90% of 4π hermeticity, and a high degree of segmentation for background rejection. It consists of a cylindrical array of 30 scintillators with pointed ends that bend towards the beam at the downstream end. Magnetic field insensitive silicon photomultiplier detectors were selected as the readout system. An initial measurement of the beam asymmetry Sigma in the exclusive reaction γmore » $$\\vec{p}$$→ π 0p, where π 0 → γ has been carried out utilizing the GlueX spectrometer during the Spring 2015 commissioning run. The tagged photon energies ranged from 2.5≤ Eγ ≤ 3.0 GeV in the coherent peak. These measurements were then compared to the world data set and show remarkable agreement with only two hours of physics production running.« less

Assessing Counter-Terrorism field training with multiple behavioral measures.

PubMed

Spiker, V Alan; Johnston, Joan H

2013-09-01

Development of behavioral pattern recognition and analysis skills is an essential element of Counter-Terrorism training, particularly in the field. Three classes of behavioral measures were collected in an assessment of skill acquisition during a US Joint Forces Command-sponsored course consisting of Combat Tracking and Combat Profiling segments. Measures included situational judgment tests, structured behavioral observation checklists, and qualitative assessments of the emergence of specific knowledge-skills-attitudes over the course of the training. The paper describes statistical evidence across the three types of measures that indicate that behavioral pattern recognition and analysis skills were successfully acquired by most students (a mix of Army and civilian law enforcement personnel) during the field training exercises. Implications for broader training of these critical skills are also discussed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

A Community Prevention Intervention to Reduce Youth from Inhaling and Ingesting Harmful Legal Products

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Knowlton; Courser, Matthew; Holder, Harold; Miller, Brenda; Ogilvie, Kristen; Moore, Roland; Collins, David; Saltz, Bob; Ogilvie, Diane; Saylor, Brian

2007-01-01

Youth use of harmful legal products, including inhaling or ingesting everyday household products, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter drugs, constitutes a growing health problem for American society. As such, a single targeted approach to preventing such a drug problem in a community is unlikely to be sufficient to reduce use and abuse at the…

Modelling a man-portable air-defence (MANPAD) system with a rosette scan two-colour infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) seeker

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Devinder; Smith, Leon; Richardson, Mark A.; Ayling, Richard; Barlow, Nick

2014-10-01

The Ultraviolet (UV) band of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum has the potential to be used as the host medium for the operation of guided weapons. Unlike in the Infrared (IR), a target propelled by an air breathing jet engine produces no detectable radiation in the UV band, and is opaque to the background UV produced by the Sun. Successful engineering of spectral airborne IR countermeasures (CM) against existing two colour IR seekers has encouraged missile counter-countermeasure (CCM) designers to utilise the silhouette signature of an aircraft in the UV as a means of distinguishing between a true target and a flare CM. In this paper we describe the modelling process of a dual band IR and UV rosette scan seeker using CounterSim, a missile engagement and countermeasure simulation software package developed by Chemring Countermeasures Ltd. Results are shown from various simulated engagements of the dual band MANPAD with a C-130 Hercules modelled by Chemring Countermeasures. These results have been used to estimate the aircrafts' vulnerability to this MANPAD threat. A discussion on possible future optical countermeasures against dual band IR-UV seekers is given in conclusion to the simulation results.

Designing a tobacco counter-marketing campaign for African American youth

PubMed Central

Johnson, Doris M; Wine, Lauren A; Zack, Sharon; Zimmer, Eric; Wang, Judy H; Weitzel-O'Neill, Patricia A; Claflin, Vickie; Tercyak, Kenneth P

2008-01-01

The objectives of this qualitative study were to: a) identify common marketing themes and tactics used by the tobacco industry to entice African Americans (AA's) and youth to initiate and maintain smoking behavior, especially smoking mentholated brands of cigarettes, and b) determine AA youths' knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and beliefs about smoking and the tobacco industry. Together, these activities could aid in the development of effective tobacco counter-marketing campaigns for AA youth. Using publicly available tobacco industry documents, computerized searches using standardized keywords were run and results were cataloged and analyzed thematically. Subsequently, 5 focus groups were conducted with n = 28 AA middle school-aged youth. Results suggest that the tobacco industry consistently recruited new AA smokers through a variety of means, including social and behavioral marketing studies and targeted media and promotional campaigns in predominantly AA, urban, and low income areas. AA youth interviewed in this study were largely unaware of these tactics, and reacted negatively against the industry upon learning of them. Youth tended to externalize control over tobacco, especially within the AA community. In designing a counter-marketing campaign for this population, partnering knowledge of tobacco industry practices with youth needs and community resources will likely increase their effectiveness. PMID:18822164

Recent developments and comprehensive evaluations of a GPU-based Monte Carlo package for proton therapy

PubMed Central

Qin, Nan; Botas, Pablo; Giantsoudi, Drosoula; Schuemann, Jan; Tian, Zhen; Jiang, Steve B.; Paganetti, Harald; Jia, Xun

2016-01-01

Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is commonly considered as the most accurate dose calculation method for proton therapy. Aiming at achieving fast MC dose calculations for clinical applications, we have previously developed a GPU-based MC tool, gPMC. In this paper, we report our recent updates on gPMC in terms of its accuracy, portability, and functionality, as well as comprehensive tests on this tool. The new version, gPMC v2.0, was developed under the OpenCL environment to enable portability across different computational platforms. Physics models of nuclear interactions were refined to improve calculation accuracy. Scoring functions of gPMC were expanded to enable tallying particle fluence, dose deposited by different particle types, and dose-averaged linear energy transfer (LETd). A multiple counter approach was employed to improve efficiency by reducing frequency of memory writing conflict at scoring. For dose calculation, accuracy improvements over gPMC v1.0 were observed in both water phantom cases and a patient case. For a prostate cancer case planned using high-energy proton beams, dose discrepancies in beam entrance and target region seen in gPMC v1.0 with respect to the gold standard tool for proton Monte Carlo simulations (TOPAS) results were substantially reduced and gamma test passing rate (1%/1mm) was improved from 82.7% to 93.1%. Average relative difference in LETd between gPMC and TOPAS was 1.7%. Average relative differences in dose deposited by primary, secondary, and other heavier particles were within 2.3%, 0.4%, and 0.2%. Depending on source proton energy and phantom complexity, it took 8 to 17 seconds on an AMD Radeon R9 290x GPU to simulate 107 source protons, achieving less than 1% average statistical uncertainty. As beam size was reduced from 10×10 cm2 to 1×1 cm2, time on scoring was only increased by 4.8% with eight counters, in contrast to a 40% increase using only one counter. With the OpenCL environment, the portability of gPMC v2.0 was enhanced. It was successfully executed on different CPUs and GPUs and its performance on different devices varied depending on processing power and hardware structure. PMID:27694712

[Use and potential risks of over-the-counter analgesics].

PubMed

Freytag, A; Quinzler, R; Freitag, M; Bickel, H; Fuchs, A; Hansen, H; Hoefels, S; König, H-H; Mergenthal, K; Riedel-Heller, S G; Schön, G; Weyerer, S; Wegscheider, K; Scherer, M; van den Bussche, H; Haefeli, W E; Gensichen, J

2014-04-01

We investigated the use of prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter, OTC) analgesics and the associated risks in elderly patients with multiple morbidities. Pain medication use was evaluated from the baseline data (2008/2009) of the MultiCare cohort enrolling elderly patients with multiple morbidities who were treated by primary care physicians (trial registration: ISRCTN89818205). We considered opioids (N02A), other analgesics, and antipyretics (N02B) as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; M01A). OTC use, duplicate prescription, dosages, and interactions were examined for acetylsalicylic acid, diclofenac, (dex)ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen. Of 3,189 patients with multiple morbidities aged 65-85 years, 1,170 patients reported to have taken at least one prescription or non-prescription analgesic within the last 3 months (36.7 %). Of these, 289 patients (24.7 % of 1,170) took at least one OTC analgesic. Duplicate prescription was observed in 86 cases; 15 of these cases took the analgesics regularly. In two cases, the maximum daily dose of diclofenac was exceeded due to duplicate prescription. In 235 cases, patients concurrently took a drug with a potentially clinically relevant interaction. In 43 cases (18.3 % of 235) an OTC analgesic, usually ibuprofen, was involved. About one third of the elderly patients took analgesics regularly or as needed. Despite the relatively high use of OTC analgesics, the proportions of duplicate prescription, medication overdoses, and adverse interactions due to OTC products was low.

Carbon pools - checking the deep end, before diving in (The ME Experience)

Treesearch

K. M. Laustsen

2006-01-01

Maine’s initial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) estimates of the Land Use Change and Forestry (LUCF) sub-accounts predicted that this account supplied 15 percent of the net emissions in 2000. The magnitude and direction of this estimate ran counter to internal assumptions and the recently published analysis on multiple and positive forest inventory changes for the period of 1995...

In muscle lengthening surgery multiple aponeurotomy does not improve intended acute effects and may counter-indicate: an assessment by finite element modelling.

PubMed

Yucesoy, Can A; Seref-Ferlengez, Zeynep; Huijing, Peter A

2013-01-01

The goal was to assess the effects of multiple aponeurotomy on mechanics of muscle with extramuscular myofascial connections. Using finite element modelling, effects of combinations of the intervention carried out at a proximal (P), an intermediate (I) and a distal (D) location were studied: (1) Case P, (2) Case P-I, (3) Case P-D and (4) Case P-I-D. Compared to Case P, the effects of multiple interventions on muscle geometry and sarcomere lengths were sizable for the distal population of muscle fibres: e.g. at high muscle length (1) summed gap lengths between the cut ends of aponeurosis increased by 16, 25 and 27% for Cases P-I, P-D and P-I-D, respectively, (2) characteristic substantial sarcomere shortening became more pronounced (mean shortening was 26, 29, 30 and 31% for Cases P, P-I, P-D and P-I-D, respectively) and (3) fibre stresses decreased (mean stress equalled 0.49, 0.39, 0.38 and 0.33 for Cases P, P-I, P-D and P-I-D, respectively). In contrast, no appreciable effects were shown for the proximal population. The overall change in sarcomere length heterogeneity was limited. Consequently, the effects of multiple aponeurotomy on muscle length-force characteristics were marginal: (1) a limited reduction in active muscle force (maximal 'muscle weakening effect' remained between 5 and 11%) and (2) an even less pronounced change in slack to optimum length range of force exertion (maximal 'muscle lengthening effect' distally was 0.2% for Case P-I-D) were shown. The intended effects of the intervention were dominated by the one intervention carried out closer to the tendon suggesting that aponeurotomies done additionally to that may counter-indicated.

Time-correlated neutron analysis of a multiplying HEU source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, E. C.; Kalter, J. M.; Lavelle, C. M.; Watson, S. M.; Kinlaw, M. T.; Chichester, D. L.; Noonan, W. A.

2015-06-01

The ability to quickly identify and characterize special nuclear material remains a national security challenge. In counter-proliferation applications, identifying the neutron multiplication of a sample can be a good indication of the level of threat. Currently neutron multiplicity measurements are performed with moderated 3He proportional counters. These systems rely on the detection of thermalized neutrons, a process which obscures both energy and time information from the source. Fast neutron detectors, such as liquid scintillators, have the ability to detect events on nanosecond time scales, providing more information on the temporal structure of the arriving signal, and provide an alternative method for extracting information from the source. To explore this possibility, a series of measurements were performed on the Idaho National Laboratory's MARVEL assembly, a configurable HEU source. The source assembly was measured in a variety of different HEU configurations and with different reflectors, covering a range of neutron multiplications from 2 to 8. The data was collected with liquid scintillator detectors and digitized for offline analysis. A gap based approach for identifying the bursts of detected neutrons associated with the same fission chain was used. Using this approach, we are able to study various statistical properties of individual fission chains. One of these properties is the distribution of neutron arrival times within a given burst. We have observed two interesting empirical trends. First, this distribution exhibits a weak, but definite, dependence on source multiplication. Second, there are distinctive differences in the distribution depending on the presence and type of reflector. Both of these phenomena might prove to be useful when assessing an unknown source. The physical origins of these phenomena can be illuminated with help of MCNPX-PoliMi simulations.

A Perfect Platform: Combining Contingency Management with Medications for Drug Abuse

PubMed Central

Carroll, Kathleen M.; Rounsaville, Bruce J.

2008-01-01

Contingency management (CM) procedures, which provide concrete reinforcers or rewards contingent on verification of discrete targeted behaviors, such as drug-free urines, have been demonstrated to be effective in a number of clinical trials. However, to date there have been only a few that have capitalized on the unique strengths and capabilities of CM as an ideal platform to improve response to or address weaknesses of many pharmacotherapies used in the treatment of drug abuse. In this review, we describe the multiple potential uses of CM as a platform for pharmacotherapy, including reducing illicit drug use in the context of agonist therapies; fostering medication compliance with antagonists, aversive agents and HIV medications; fostering a period of abstinence prior to initiation of agents used to treat comorbid psychiatric conditions or in the context of vaccines to foster adequate periods of abstinence while titer levels are building; and to enhance the effectiveness of anticraving agents through additive or synergistic effects. Although its multiple strengths render it an almost perfect platform, CM does have some weaknesses that have limited its use to date, including cost, the short-term nature of its effects, and need for training. Future treatment development of CM as a medication platform needs to counter these issues by focusing on CM applications with large potential benefit, developing simple or automated methods for CM delivery and placing greater emphasis on the process of transitioning away from formal CM treatment. PMID:17613963

Foxo transcription factors blunt cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting calcineurin signaling.

PubMed

Ni, Yan G; Berenji, Kambeez; Wang, Na; Oh, Misook; Sachan, Nita; Dey, Asim; Cheng, Jun; Lu, Guangrong; Morris, David J; Castrillon, Diego H; Gerard, Robert D; Rothermel, Beverly A; Hill, Joseph A

2006-09-12

Cellular hypertrophy requires coordinated regulation of progrowth and antigrowth mechanisms. In cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes, Foxo transcription factors trigger an atrophy-related gene program that counters hypertrophic growth. However, downstream molecular events are not yet well defined. Here, we report that expression of either Foxo1 or Foxo3 in cardiomyocytes attenuates calcineurin phosphatase activity and inhibits agonist-induced hypertrophic growth. Consistent with these results, Foxo proteins decrease calcineurin phosphatase activity and repress both basal and hypertrophic agonist-induced expression of MCIP1.4, a direct downstream target of the calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Furthermore, hearts from Foxo3-null mice exhibit increased MCIP1.4 abundance and a hypertrophic phenotype with normal systolic function at baseline. Together, these results suggest that Foxo proteins repress cardiac growth at least in part through inhibition of the calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Given that hypertrophic growth of the heart occurs in multiple contexts, our findings also suggest that certain hypertrophic signals are capable of overriding the antigrowth program induced by Foxo. Consistent with this, multiple hypertrophic agonists triggered inactivation of Foxo proteins in cardiomyocytes through a mechanism requiring the PI3K/Akt pathway. In addition, both Foxo1 and Foxo3 are phosphorylated and consequently inactivated in hearts undergoing hypertrophic growth induced by hemodynamic stress. This study suggests that inhibition of the calcineurin/NFAT signaling cascade by Foxo and release of this repressive action by the PI3K/Akt pathway are important mechanisms whereby Foxo factors govern cell growth in the heart.

Sequencing: Targeting Insurgents and Drugs in Colombia

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

process . In Colombia, proponents for a purely counter-insurgency strategy state Colombia’s violence existed decades before the drug industry...8 Both the AUC and the ELN will only be mentioned briefly as the demobilization process with the paramilitaries and the...that extracted revenues at every phase of the illicit drug process —from the transportation of precursor chemical to the transportation of the final

International Police Cooperation on Countering Transnational Terrorism

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

First Response Network FTF Fusion Task Force GNI Gross National Income HENU Heads of EUROPOL National Units Group ICPC International Criminal...Destruction xi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, I would like to submit my sincerest gratitude to my advisors, Michael E. Freeman, Ph.D., and David C...target country). 3 The first known international police cooperation initiative was launched in 1851 under the name Police Union of German States

Neutron counter based on beryllium activation

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

Bienkowska, B.; Prokopowicz, R.; Kaczmarczyk, J.

2014-08-21

The fusion reaction occurring in DD plasma is followed by emission of 2.45 MeV neutrons, which carry out information about fusion reaction rate and plasma parameters and properties as well. Neutron activation of beryllium has been chosen for detection of DD fusion neutrons. The cross-section for reaction {sup 9}Be(n, α){sup 6}He has a useful threshold near 1 MeV, which means that undesirable multiple-scattered neutrons do not undergo that reaction and therefore are not recorded. The product of the reaction, {sup 6}He, decays with half-life T{sub 1/2} = 0.807 s emitting β{sup −} particles which are easy to detect. Large areamore » gas sealed proportional detector has been chosen as a counter of β–particles leaving activated beryllium plate. The plate with optimized dimensions adjoins the proportional counter entrance window. Such set-up is also equipped with appropriate electronic components and forms beryllium neutron activation counter. The neutron flux density on beryllium plate can be determined from the number of counts. The proper calibration procedure needs to be performed, therefore, to establish such relation. The measurements with the use of known β–source have been done. In order to determine the detector response function such experiment have been modeled by means of MCNP5–the Monte Carlo transport code. It allowed proper application of the results of transport calculations of β{sup −} particles emitted from radioactive {sup 6}He and reaching proportional detector active volume. In order to test the counter system and measuring procedure a number of experiments have been performed on PF devices. The experimental conditions have been simulated by means of MCNP5. The correctness of simulation outcome have been proved by measurements with known radioactive neutron source. The results of the DD fusion neutron measurements have been compared with other neutron diagnostics.« less

Integration of gender-transformative interventions into health professional education reform for the 21st century: implications of an expert review.

PubMed

Newman, Constance; Ng, Crystal; Pacqué-Margolis, Sara; Frymus, Diana

2016-04-12

Gender discrimination and inequality in health professional education (HPE) affect students and faculty and hinder production of the robust health workforces needed to meet health and development goals, yet HPE reformers pay scant attention to these gender barriers. Gender equality must be a core value and professional practice competency for all actors in HPE and health employment systems. Peer-review and non-peer-review literature previously identified in a review of the literature identified interventions to counter gender discrimination and inequality in HPE and tertiary education systems in North America and the Caribbean; West, East, and Southern Africa; Asia; the Middle East and North Africa; Europe; Australia; and South America. An assessment considered 51 interventions addressing sexual harassment (18), caregiver discrimination (27), and gender equality (6). Reviewers with expertise in gender and health system strengthening rated and ranked interventions according to six gender-transformative criteria. Thirteen interventions were considered to have transformational potential to address gender-related obstacles to entry, retention, career progression, and graduation in HPE, when implemented in core sets of interventions. The review identified one set with potential to counter sexual harassment in HPE and two sets to counter caregiver discrimination. Gender centers and equal employment opportunity units are structural interventions that can address multiple forms of gender discrimination and inequality. The paper's broad aim is to encourage HPE leaders to make gender-transformative reforms in the current way of doing business and commit to themselves to countering gender discrimination and inequality. Interventions to counter gender discrimination should be seen as integral parts of institutional and instructional reforms and essential investments to scale up quality HPE and recruit and retain health workers in the systems that educate and employ them. Implementation challenges spanning financial, informational, and cultural barriers need consideration. The application of core sets of interventions and a strong learning agenda should be part of ongoing HPE reform efforts.

K-targeted strategy for isolation of phenolic alkaloids of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn by counter-current chromatography using lysine as a pH regulator.

PubMed

Wang, Yanyan; Zhang, Lihong; Zhou, Hui; Guo, Xiuyun; Wu, Shihua

2017-03-24

Counter-current chromatography (CCC) is an efficient liquid-liquid partition chromatography technique without support matrix. Despite there are many significant advancements in the CCC separation of natural products especially for non-ionic neutral compounds, CCC isolation of ionic compounds including alkaloids is still a challenging process guide by classical partition coefficients (K) or distribution ratio (K C ) because their partition coefficient could not be equal to distribution ratio in common ionic conditions. Here, taking the extract of embryo of the seed of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn as sample, we introduced a modified K-targeted strategy for isolation of phenolic alkaloids by use of lysine as a pH regulator. The results indicated that if the mass of basic regulators such as aqueous ammonia and lysine added into the solvent system were high enough to inhibit the ionization of the targeted alkaloids, the distribution ratio of targets with ionic and non-ionic molecular forms got stable and might not been changed as the concentration of the pH regulator. In this case, the distribution ratio of target was almost equal to the partition coefficient. Thus, the targets could be isolated by K-targeted CCC separation through adding a certain amount pH regulators into the solvent system. Further experiments also showed that the sample concentration was an important factor on the distribution ratio of targets. Meanwhile, CCC experiments indicated that lysine was more suitable than aqueous ammonia for the separation of phenolic alkaloids because the chemical property of lysine-target complex in the CCC fractions was more stable. Therefore, the preparative CCC separation was performed using 20mM lysine as a pH regulator with more than 800mg injection mass. After simple back-extraction with dichloromethane, the lysine in the CCC fraction was removed completely and pure isoliensinine and neferine were obtained. In summary, the whole results indicated that the modified K-targeted CCC strategy using lysine as the pH regulator was efficient for isolation of phenolic alkaloids from crude plant extracts. It not only provided a practical strategy for the isolation of neferine and its analogues, but also introduced a powerful method to resolve the peak skewing (leading or tailing) in CCC separation of ionic compounds. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Factors associated with intention to engage in self-protective behavior: The case of over-the-counter acetaminophen products.

PubMed

Sawant, R V; Goyal, R K; Rajan, S S; Patel, H K; Essien, E J; Sansgiry, S S

2016-01-01

Inappropriate use of acetaminophen products is a concern due to the severe liver damage associated with intentional or accidental overdose of these products. In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued more severe organ-specific warnings for the acetaminophen Drug Facts label to improve protective behavior among patients. However, it is not clear how patients react to such interventions by the FDA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing patients' intention to engage in protective behavior while using acetaminophen products after reading the Drug Facts label. The study specifically looked at the relationship between four Protection Motivation Theory-based risk cognition factors and the intention to engage in protective behavior. An experimental, cross-sectional, field study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires at four community pharmacies in Houston, TX. Two hundred surveys were collected from adults visiting the selected pharmacy stores. Participants were exposed to a simulated label (i.e. Drug Facts label) containing organ-specific warnings for over-the-counter (OTC) acetaminophen products. Risk cognition measures (i.e. measures of perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, response efficacy, and self-efficacy) and measures of intention to engage in protective behavior (always reading warnings, using products with more caution, and consulting a pharmacist/physician) were recorded. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses, controlling for demographic and behavioral characteristics of the participants, were performed. Bivariate analyses indicated that an increase in perceived severity, perceived vulnerability and response efficacy were associated with a higher intention to engage in protective behavior. Findings from the multiple regression indicated that increase in perceived severity of liver damage, belonging to a non-healthcare occupation, no history of acetaminophen use and no history of alcohol consumption were associated with a higher intention to engage in protective behavior. Higher risk cognition of liver damage associated with inappropriate use of OTC acetaminophen products leads to greater intention to engage in protective behavior while using such products. Developing interventions targeted towards improving reading and adhering to the Drug Facts label could improve risk cognition, and thus improve patients' intention to engage in protective behavior. Regular acetaminophen users, heavy alcohol consumers and healthcare professionals might need other interventions apart from the Drug Facts label to improve their likelihood to engage in protective behavior. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Variations in AmLi source spectra and their estimation utilizing the 5 Ring Multiplicity Counter

DOE PAGES

Weinmann-Smith, Robert; Beddingfield, David H.; Enqvist, Andreas; ...

2017-02-28

Active-mode assay systems are widely used for the safeguards of uranium items to verify compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Systems such as the Active-Well Coincidence Counter (AWCC) and the Uranium Neutron Coincidence Collar (UNCL) use americium-lithium (AmLi) neutron sources to induce fissions which are measured to determine the sample mass. These systems have historically relied on calibrations derived from well-defined standards. Recently, restricted access to standards or more difficult measurements have resulted in a reliance on modeling and simulation for the calibration of systems, which introduces potential simulation biases. Furthermore, the AmLi source energy spectra commonly used in the safeguardsmore » community do not accurately represent measurement results and the spectrum uncertainty can represent a large contribution to the total modeling uncertainty in active-mode systems.« less

The adaptive safety analysis and monitoring system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tu, Haiying; Allanach, Jeffrey; Singh, Satnam; Pattipati, Krishna R.; Willett, Peter

2004-09-01

The Adaptive Safety Analysis and Monitoring (ASAM) system is a hybrid model-based software tool for assisting intelligence analysts to identify terrorist threats, to predict possible evolution of the terrorist activities, and to suggest strategies for countering terrorism. The ASAM system provides a distributed processing structure for gathering, sharing, understanding, and using information to assess and predict terrorist network states. In combination with counter-terrorist network models, it can also suggest feasible actions to inhibit potential terrorist threats. In this paper, we will introduce the architecture of the ASAM system, and discuss the hybrid modeling approach embedded in it, viz., Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to detect and provide soft evidence on the states of terrorist network nodes based on partial and imperfect observations, and Bayesian networks (BNs) to integrate soft evidence from multiple HMMs. The functionality of the ASAM system is illustrated by way of application to the Indian Airlines Hijacking, as modeled from open sources.

Cryogenic readout for multiple VUV4 Multi-Pixel Photon Counters in liquid xenon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arneodo, F.; Benabderrahmane, M. L.; Bruno, G.; Conicella, V.; Di Giovanni, A.; Fawwaz, O.; Messina, M.; Candela, A.; Franchi, G.

2018-06-01

We present the performances and characterization of an array made of S13370-3050CN (VUV4 generation) Multi-Pixel Photon Counters manufactured by Hamamatsu and equipped with a low power consumption preamplifier operating at liquid xenon temperature (∼ 175 K). The electronics is designed for the readout of a matrix of maximum dimension of 8 × 8 individual photosensors and it is based on a single operational amplifier. The detector prototype presented in this paper utilizes the Analog Devices AD8011 current feedback operational amplifier, but other models can be used depending on the application. A biasing correction circuit has been implemented for the gain equalization of photosensors operating at different voltages. The results show single photon detection capability making this device a promising choice for future generation of large scale dark matter detectors based on liquid xenon, such as DARWIN.

Active Interrogation of Depleted Uranium Using a Single Pulse, High-Intensity Photon and Mixed Photon-Neutron Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clemett, Ceri D.; Martin, Philip N.; Hill, Cassie; Threadgold, James R.; Maddock, Robert C.; Campbell, Ben; O'Malley, John; Woolf, Richard S.; Phlips, Bernard F.; Hutcheson, Anthony L.; Wulf, Eric A.; Zier, Jacob C.; Jackson, Stuart L.; Commisso, Robert J.; Schumer, Joseph W.

2015-04-01

Active interrogation is a method used to enhance the likelihood of detection of shielded special nuclear material (SNM); an external source of radiation is used to interrogate a target and to stimulate fission within any SNM present. Radiation produced by the fission process can be detected and used to infer the presence of the SNM. The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) have carried out a joint experimental study into the use of single pulse, high-intensity sources of bremsstrahlung x-rays and D(γb, n)H photoneutrons in an active interrogation system. The source was operated in both x-ray-only and mixed x-ray/photoneutron modes, and was used to irradiate a depleted uranium (DU) target which was enclosed by up to 150 g·cm - 2 of steel shielding. Resulting radiation signatures were measured by a suite of over 80 detectors and the data used to characterise detectable fission signatures as a function of the areal mass of the shielding. This paper describes the work carried out and discusses data collected with 3He proportional counters, NaI(Tl) scintillators and Eljen EJ-309 liquid scintillators. Results with the x-ray-only source demonstrate detection ( > 3\\sigmab) of the DU target through a minimum of 113 g·cm - 2 of steel, dropping to 85 g·cm- 2 when using a mixed x-ray/photoneutron source. The 3He proportional counters demonstrate detection ( > 3\\sigmab) of the DU target through the maximum 149. 7 g·cm - 2 steel shielding deployed for both photon and mixed x-ray/photoneutron sources.

Drug Resistance Missense Mutations in Cancer Are Subject to Evolutionary Constraints

PubMed Central

Friedman, Ran

2013-01-01

Several tumour types are sensitive to deactivation of just one or very few genes that are constantly active in the cancer cells, a phenomenon that is termed ‘oncogene addiction’. Drugs that target the products of those oncogenes can yield a temporary relief, and even complete remission. Unfortunately, many patients receiving oncogene-targeted therapies relapse on treatment. This often happens due to somatic mutations in the oncogene (‘resistance mutations’). ‘Compound mutations’, which in the context of cancer drug resistance are defined as two or more mutations of the drug target in the same clone may lead to enhanced resistance against the most selective inhibitors. Here, it is shown that the vast majority of the resistance mutations occurring in cancer patients treated with tyrosin kinase inhibitors aimed at three different proteins follow an evolutionary pathway. Using bioinformatic analysis tools, it is found that the drug-resistance mutations in the tyrosine kinase domains of Abl1, ALK and exons 20 and 21 of EGFR favour transformations to residues that can be identified in similar positions in evolutionary related proteins. The results demonstrate that evolutionary pressure shapes the mutational landscape in the case of drug-resistance somatic mutations. The constraints on the mutational landscape suggest that it may be possible to counter single drug-resistance point mutations. The observation of relatively many resistance mutations in Abl1, but not in the other genes, is explained by the fact that mutations in Abl1 tend to be biochemically conservative, whereas mutations in EGFR and ALK tend to be radical. Analysis of Abl1 compound mutations suggests that such mutations are more prevalent than hitherto reported and may be more difficult to counter. This supports the notion that such mutations may provide an escape route for targeted cancer drug resistance. PMID:24376513

Real-time multiplicity counter

DOEpatents

Rowland, Mark S [Alamo, CA; Alvarez, Raymond A [Berkeley, CA

2010-07-13

A neutron multi-detector array feeds pulses in parallel to individual inputs that are tied to individual bits in a digital word. Data is collected by loading a word at the individual bit level in parallel. The word is read at regular intervals, all bits simultaneously, to minimize latency. The electronics then pass the word to a number of storage locations for subsequent processing, thereby removing the front-end problem of pulse pileup.

Propeller/fan-pitch feathering apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schilling, Jan C. (Inventor); Adamson, Arthur P. (Inventor); Bathori, Julius (Inventor); Walker, Neil (Inventor)

1990-01-01

A pitch feathering system for a gas turbine driven aircraft propeller having multiple variable pitch blades utilizes a counter-weight linked to the blades. The weight is constrained to move, when effecting a pitch change, only in a radial plane and about an axis which rotates about the propeller axis. The system includes a linkage allowing the weight to move through a larger angle than the associated pitch change of the blade.

Space and power efficient hybrid counters array

DOEpatents

Gara, Alan G [Mount Kisco, NY; Salapura, Valentina [Chappaqua, NY

2009-05-12

A hybrid counter array device for counting events. The hybrid counter array includes a first counter portion comprising N counter devices, each counter device for receiving signals representing occurrences of events from an event source and providing a first count value corresponding to a lower order bits of the hybrid counter array. The hybrid counter array includes a second counter portion comprising a memory array device having N addressable memory locations in correspondence with the N counter devices, each addressable memory location for storing a second count value representing higher order bits of the hybrid counter array. A control device monitors each of the N counter devices of the first counter portion and initiates updating a value of a corresponding second count value stored at the corresponding addressable memory location in the second counter portion. Thus, a combination of the first and second count values provide an instantaneous measure of number of events received.

Space and power efficient hybrid counters array

DOEpatents

Gara, Alan G.; Salapura, Valentina

2010-03-30

A hybrid counter array device for counting events. The hybrid counter array includes a first counter portion comprising N counter devices, each counter device for receiving signals representing occurrences of events from an event source and providing a first count value corresponding to a lower order bits of the hybrid counter array. The hybrid counter array includes a second counter portion comprising a memory array device having N addressable memory locations in correspondence with the N counter devices, each addressable memory location for storing a second count value representing higher order bits of the hybrid counter array. A control device monitors each of the N counter devices of the first counter portion and initiates updating a value of a corresponding second count value stored at the corresponding addressable memory location in the second counter portion. Thus, a combination of the first and second count values provide an instantaneous measure of number of events received.

Factors influencing consumer purchasing patterns of generic versus brand name over-the-counter drugs.

PubMed

Kohli, Erol; Buller, Allison

2013-02-01

US consumers spend more than $20 billion/year on over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Although generic and brand name OTC drugs share the same active ingredients and undergo the same rigorous Food and Drug Administration approval process, brand name formulations continue to lead the OTC drug market with a higher market share. There is a limited amount of publicly available information regarding consumer perceptions and awareness about generic and brand name OTC drugs. The main objective of this research was to understand what factors influence US consumers to purchase generic versus brand name OTC drugs. The researchers used a 20-question, self-administered, multiple-choice survey to collect data on the factors influencing consumers' preferences for generic versus brand name OTC drugs. Results revealed that the single most influential factor for participants when purchasing OTC drugs was lower cost. Although economic factors play an important role in influencing consumers to choose generic formulations, a variety of other factors including advertisements, duration of the OTC effectiveness, severity of sickness, preferable form of OTC medication, safety of the OTC, relief of multiple symptoms, and preferred company will persuade others to pay more for brand name drugs. Ultimately, increased awareness and use of generic OTC drugs may result in substantial cost savings for consumers.

Developmental aspects of the interaction between narcissism, self-esteem and object relations.

PubMed

Dare, C; Holder, A

1981-01-01

This paper reviews the history, within psycho-analysis, of narcissism and shows that it cannot be understood as a unitary concept. This is reflected in much of the extensive literature on the topic. The definition of narcissism solely in terms of the libidinal drive cathexis of the self representation is rejected. Instead, narcissism is defined as the sum of the positively-coloured feeling states attached to the self-representation. By pursuing a developmental investigation of narcissistic and opposing phenomena, the multiple sources which contribute to or detract from the overall level of self-esteem are demonstrated. Such an investigation clarifies the close relationship between the concepts of self-esteem, well-being and narcissism, and differentiating definitions are put forward. The term 'counter-narcissistic' is introduced to denote the negative contributions to self-esteem which detract from the narcissistic input. The interplay between the contributions to the overall quality of self-esteem, deriving on the one hand from somatic and instinctual drive sources, and on the other from object relationships, exemplifies the multiple origins of its qualities at any one time. This interplay is pursued through the sequential developmental phases from infancy to the oedipal level in order to show the complex epigenesis of narcissism, counter-narcissism and self-esteem.

Development of a 6LiF/ZnS-based Neutron Multiplicity Counter

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

Stave, Sean C.; Behling, Richard S.; Bernacki, Bruce E.

2016-10-06

Abstract–Neutron multiplicity counters are used in safeguards to provide rapid assay of samples which contain an unknown amount of plutonium in a potentially unknown configuration. A project at PNNL is using regular and nickel-quenched 6LiF/ZnS neutron-scintillator sheets and wavelength shifting plastic for light pipes in place of 3He. A combination of laboratory and modeling work predicts a LiF/ZnS-based system to be able to match or exceed the performance of the best 3He-based systems available. Also, the Ni-quenched material is expected to allow for improved neutron/gamma-ray discrimination at twice the event rate relative to the non-Ni-quenched LiF/ZnS. A new system basedmore » on the LiF/ZnS material is under construction and components are being used to optimize the detection efficiency and neutron/gamma-ray discrimination properties. Components of the new system are partially constructed and undergoing performance testing utilizing high-speed digitizers with field programmable gate arrays to perform the neutron/gamma-ray discrimination. The expected performance of the full-scale system is expected to be nearly the same as for 3He-based systems and is due for completion in 2016.« less

Measurement of the photoneutron flux density distribution from cylindrical targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golovkov, V. M.; Basina, T. N.; Yakovlev, M. R.

1989-09-01

Measurements are performed of the density of photoneutron fluxes from cylindrical targets of2H2O (diameter 64 and height 86 mm), Be (outer diameter 70, inner diameter 40, height 100mm), and238U (diameter 44.5 mm, height 50 mm) under the action of braking radiation from electrons with energies of 4 to 8 MeV in order to determine the effect of target form and orientation relative to the detector upon the recorded photoneutron level. The fluxes were measured by an “all-wave” neutron detector based on an SNM-11 counter in a paraffin retarder at an angle of 90‡ to the axis of the braking radiation beam for various target orientations relative to the detector. Measurement results are compared to calculations. Photoneutron fluxes from heavy water and beryllium targets of the indicated dimensions were also measured for angles of 90, 135, and 167‡. An isotropic nature was noted in the photoneutron fluxes from both targets.

Consumer habits and interests regarding non-prescription medications in Hungary.

PubMed

Major, Csilla; Vincze, Zoltán

2010-06-01

Patients increasingly use over-the-counter medicines for self-treatment but such products can be misused and/or abused. The primary aim of the present study is to survey the relationship between pharmacists and self-medication, to give an overview of their opinions on advertisements of non-prescription drugs and to evaluate the knowledge of and familiarity with medicines held by individuals purchasing them for self-treatment. A marketing research study of non-prescription drugs in multiple pharmacies between March and July 2008 was conducted. A total of 2000 questionnaires were handed out, of which 1486 were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0 software. The majority of participants (72.5%) visited a community pharmacy at least once per month. Half of the respondents reported taking medications regularly. Forty per cent of those surveyed consult a qualified professional about their decision before buying non-prescription medications. Forty-four per cent of respondents reported asking pharmacists about the effects of non-prescription medications. This survey revealed that the general public has a high level of awareness concerning the abuse potential of over-the-counter medicines. Health care professionals should seek to understand and respect patients' choices to assure optimal care. Pharmacists could be more proactive in the management of inappropriate over-the-counter drug use.

Strategic variation in mobbing as a front line of defense against brood parasitism.

PubMed

Welbergen, Justin A; Davies, Nicholas B

2009-02-10

Coevolutionary arms races, where adaptations in one party select for counter-adaptations in another and vice versa, are fundamental to interactions between organisms and their predators, pathogens, and parasites [1]. Avian brood parasites and their hosts have emerged as model systems for studying such reciprocal coevolutionary processes [2, 3]. For example, hosts have evolved changes in egg appearance and rejection of foreign eggs in response to brood parasitism from cuckoos, and cuckoos have evolved host-egg mimicry as a counter-response [4-6]. However, the host's front line of defense is protecting the nest from being parasitized in the first place [7-10], yet little is known about the effectiveness of nest defense as an antiparasite adaptation, and its coevolutionary significance remains poorly understood [10]. Here we show first that mobbing of common cuckoos Cuculus canorus by reed warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus is an effective defense against parasitism. Second, mobbing of cuckoos is a phenotypically plastic trait that is modified strategically according to local parasitism risk. This supports the view that hosts use a "defense in-depth strategy," with successive flexible lines of defense that coevolve with corresponding offensive lines of the parasite. This highlights the need for more holistic research into the coevolutionary consequences when multiple adaptations and counter-adaptations evolve in concert [11].

Multiple Faces of FGF-23

PubMed Central

Han, Xiaobin; Quarles, L. Darryl

2016-01-01

Purpose of the review This review examines therole of FGF-23 in mineral metabolism, innate immunity and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Recent findings FGF-23, produced by osteocytes in bone, activates FGFR/α-Klotho complexes in the kidney. The resulting bone-kidney axis coordinates renal phosphate reabsorption with bone mineralization, and creates a counter-regulatory feedback loop to prevent vitamin D toxicity. FGF-23 acts to counter-regulate the effects of Vitamin D on innate immunity and cardiovascular responses. FGF-23 is ectopically expressed along with α-Klotho in activated macrophages, creating a pro-inflammatory paracrine signaling pathway that counters the anti-inflammatory actions of vitamin D. FGF-23 also inhibits ACE2 expression and increases sodium reabsorption in the kidney, leading to hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Finally, FGF-23 is purported to cause adverse cardiac and impair neutrophil responses through activation of FGFRs in the absence of α-Klotho. While secreted forms of α-Klotho have FGF-23- independent effects, the possibility of α-Klotho-independent effects of FGF-23 is controversial and requires additional experimental validation. Summary FGF-23 participates in a bone-kidney axis regulating mineral homeostasis, proinflammatory paracrine macrophage signaling pathways, and in a bone-cardio-renal axis regulating hemodynamics that counteract the effects of Vitamin D. PMID:27219044

Ligand-modulated interactions between charged monolayer-protected Au144 (SR)60 gold nanoparticles in physiological saline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villarreal, Oscar; Chen, Liao; Whetten, Robert; Yacaman, Miguel

2015-03-01

We studied the interactions of functionalized Au144 nanoparticles (NPs) in a near-physiological environment through all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. The AuNPs were coated with a homogeneous selection of 60 thiolates: 11-mercapto-1-undecanesulfonate, 5-mercapto-1-pentanesulfonate, 5-mercapto-1-pentane-amine, 4-mercapto-benzoate or 4-mercapto-benzamide. These ligands were selected to elucidate how the aggregation behavior depends on the ligands' sign of charge, length, and flexibility. Simulating the dynamics of a pair of identical AuNPs in a cell of saline of 150 mM NaCl in addition to 120 Na+/Cl- counter-ions, we computed the aggregation affinities from the potential of mean force as a function of the pair separation. We found that NPs coated with negatively charged, short ligands have the strongest affinities mediated by multiple Na+ counter-ions residing on a plane in-between the pair and forming ``salt bridges'' to both NPs. Positively charged NPs have weaker affinities, as Cl counter-ions form fewer and weaker salt bridges. The longer ligands' large fluctuations disfavor the forming of salt bridges, enable hydrophobic contact between the exposed hydrocarbon chains and interact at greater separations due to the fact that the screening effect is rather incomplete. Supported by the CONACYT, NIH, NSF and TACC.

Transparent metal selenide alloy counter electrodes for high-efficiency bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells.

PubMed

Duan, Yanyan; Tang, Qunwei; Liu, Juan; He, Benlin; Yu, Liangmin

2014-12-22

The exploration of cost-effective and transparent counter electrodes (CEs) is a persistent objective in the development of bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Transparent counter electrodes based on binary-alloy metal selenides (M-Se; M=Co, Ni, Cu, Fe, Ru) are now obtained by a mild, solution-based method and employed in efficient bifacial DSSCs. Owing to superior charge-transfer ability for the I(-) /I3 (-) redox couple, electrocatalytic activity toward I3 (-) reduction, and optical transparency, the bifacial DSSCs with CEs consisting of a metal selenide alloy yield front and rear efficiencies of 8.30 % and 4.63 % for Co0.85 Se, 7.85 % and 4.37 % for Ni0.85 Se, 6.43 % and 4.24 % for Cu0.50 Se, 7.64 % and 5.05 % for FeSe, and 9.22 % and 5.90 % for Ru0.33 Se in comparison with 6.18 % and 3.56 % for a cell with an electrode based on pristine platinum, respectively. Moreover, fast activity onset, high multiple start/stop capability, and relatively good stability demonstrate that these new electrodes should find applications in solar panels. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

One health security: an important component of the global health security agenda.

PubMed

Gronvall, Gigi; Boddie, Crystal; Knutsson, Rickard; Colby, Michelle

2014-01-01

The objectives of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) will require not only a "One Health" approach to counter natural disease threats against humans, animals, and the environment, but also a security focus to counter deliberate threats to human, animal, and agricultural health and to nations' economies. We have termed this merged approach "One Health Security." It will require the integration of professionals with expertise in security, law enforcement, and intelligence to join the veterinary, agricultural, environmental, and human health experts essential to One Health and the GHSA. Working across such different professions, which occasionally have conflicting aims and different professional cultures, poses multiple challenges, but a multidisciplinary and multisectoral approach is necessary to prevent disease threats; detect them as early as possible (when responses are likely to be most effective); and, in the case of deliberate threats, find who may be responsible. This article describes 2 project areas that exemplify One Health Security that were presented at a workshop in January 2014: the US government and private industry efforts to reduce vulnerabilities to foreign animal diseases, especially foot-and-mouth disease; and AniBioThreat, an EU project to counter deliberate threats to agriculture by raising awareness and implementing prevention and response policies and practices.

Multiple faces of fibroblast growth factor-23.

PubMed

Han, Xiaobin; Quarles, L Darryl

2016-07-01

This review examines the role of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) in mineral metabolism, innate immunity and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. FGF-23, produced by osteocytes in bone, activates FGFR/α-Klotho (α-Kl) complexes in the kidney. The resulting bone-kidney axis coordinates renal phosphate reabsorption with bone mineralization, and creates a counter-regulatory feedback loop to prevent vitamin D toxicity. FGF-23 acts to counter-regulate the effects of vitamin D on innate immunity and cardiovascular responses. FGF-23 is ectopically expressed along with α-Kl in activated macrophages, creating a proinflammatory paracrine signaling pathway that counters the antiinflammatory actions of vitamin D. FGF-23 also inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression and increases sodium reabsorption in the kidney, leading to hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Finally, FGF-23 is purported to cause adverse cardiac and impair neutrophil responses through activation of FGFRs in the absence of α-Kl. Although secreted forms of α-Kl have FGF-23 independent effects, the possibility of α-Kl independent effects of FGF-23 is controversial and requires additional experimental validation. FGF-23 participates in a bone-kidney axis regulating mineral homeostasis, proinflammatory paracrine macrophage signaling pathways, and in a bone-cardio-renal axis regulating hemodynamics that counteract the effects of vitamin D.

Hyperspectral imaging spectro radiometer improves radiometric accuracy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prel, Florent; Moreau, Louis; Bouchard, Robert; Bullis, Ritchie D.; Roy, Claude; Vallières, Christian; Levesque, Luc

2013-06-01

Reliable and accurate infrared characterization is necessary to measure the specific spectral signatures of aircrafts and associated infrared counter-measures protections (i.e. flares). Infrared characterization is essential to improve counter measures efficiency, improve friend-foe identification and reduce the risk of friendly fire. Typical infrared characterization measurement setups include a variety of panchromatic cameras and spectroradiometers. Each instrument brings essential information; cameras measure the spatial distribution of targets and spectroradiometers provide the spectral distribution of the emitted energy. However, the combination of separate instruments brings out possible radiometric errors and uncertainties that can be reduced with Hyperspectral imagers. These instruments combine both spectral and spatial information into the same data. These instruments measure both the spectral and spatial distribution of the energy at the same time ensuring the temporal and spatial cohesion of collected information. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the main contributors of radiometric uncertainties and shows how a hyperspectral imager can reduce these uncertainties.

A MEASUREMENT OF THE SPIN CORRELATION COEFFICIENT Cnn IN p-p SCATTERING AT 382 Mev, FOR 90 CENTRE OF MASS SCATTERING ANGLE

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

Ashmore, A.; Diddens, A.N.; Huxtable, G.B.

1958-08-01

BS>The experimental plan is described including a diagram of the apparaths. The measurement of C /sub nn/ was made in runs of 64 and 74 hours duration using a beam of about 1.4 x 10/sup 9/ protons sec/sup -1/ intercepting the target. The most important contribution was from p-p scattering events causing the operation of three counters which were set up on one side and only the first of three counters set up on the other side, with the assymetry in such measurements defined by the formula e=RR +LL--LR-RL/RR +LL +LR+RL;for a scattering angle of 90 deg in the centermore » of mass it should be found that RR = LL and LR = RL. The value of ssymmetry was e = +0.192 plus or minus 0.035. (J.R.D.)« less

ISFET pH Sensitivity: Counter-Ions Play a Key Role.

PubMed

Parizi, Kokab B; Xu, Xiaoqing; Pal, Ashish; Hu, Xiaolin; Wong, H S Philip

2017-02-02

The Field Effect sensors are broadly used for detecting various target analytes in chemical and biological solutions. We report the conditions under which the pH sensitivity of an Ion Sensitive Field Effect transistor (ISFET) sensor can be significantly enhanced. Our theory and simulations show that by using pH buffer solutions containing counter-ions that are beyond a specific size, the sensor shows significantly higher sensitivity which can exceed the Nernst limit. We validate the theory by measuring the pH response of an extended gate ISFET pH sensor. The consistency and reproducibility of the measurement results have been recorded in hysteresis free and stable operations. Different conditions have been tested to confirm the accuracy and validity of our experiment results such as using different solutions, various oxide dielectrics as the sensing layer and off-the-shelf versus IC fabricated transistors as the basis of the ISFET sensor.

Countering tobacco industry sponsorship of Hispanic/Latino organizations through policy adoption: a case study.

PubMed

Portugal, Cecilia; Cruz, Tess Boley; Espinoza, Lilia; Romero, Marisol; Baezconde-Garbanati, Lourdes

2004-07-01

Restricted by Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) provisions, the tobacco industry employs corporate sponsorship of communities of color (e.g., sponsoring community cultural events and/or chambers of commerce) to secure their stronghold. The Hispanic/Latino Tobacco Education Network (H/LaTEN) initiated efforts to counter these marketing forms within the Hispanic community. In 1998, 38 California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCCs) were contacted to assess the tobacco industry's marketing tactics and penetration. CHCCs reported receiving tobacco funding in the past, making them susceptible to future protobacco industry influence. Subsequently, an intervention was implemented to inoculate the CHCCs against industry influence by encouraging an antitobacco corporate sponsorship policy adoption. Six CHCCs representing approximately 400 businesses in the community adopted this policy. Targeting susceptible organizations including and beyond the Hispanic community and advocating for an antitobacco corporate sponsorship policy adoption are strategies that can be used in tandem with MSA enforcement to effectively build resistance.

ISFET pH Sensitivity: Counter-Ions Play a Key Role

PubMed Central

Parizi, Kokab B.; Xu, Xiaoqing; Pal, Ashish; Hu, Xiaolin; Wong, H. S. Philip

2017-01-01

The Field Effect sensors are broadly used for detecting various target analytes in chemical and biological solutions. We report the conditions under which the pH sensitivity of an Ion Sensitive Field Effect transistor (ISFET) sensor can be significantly enhanced. Our theory and simulations show that by using pH buffer solutions containing counter-ions that are beyond a specific size, the sensor shows significantly higher sensitivity which can exceed the Nernst limit. We validate the theory by measuring the pH response of an extended gate ISFET pH sensor. The consistency and reproducibility of the measurement results have been recorded in hysteresis free and stable operations. Different conditions have been tested to confirm the accuracy and validity of our experiment results such as using different solutions, various oxide dielectrics as the sensing layer and off-the-shelf versus IC fabricated transistors as the basis of the ISFET sensor. PMID:28150700

Application of thin-film breakdown counters for characterization of neutron field of the VESUVIO instrument at the ISIS spallation source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smirnov, A. N.; Pietropaolo, A.; Prokofiev, A. V.; Rodionova, E. E.; Frost, C. D.; Ansell, S.; Schooneveld, E. M.; Gorini, G.

2012-09-01

The high-energy neutron field of the VESUVIO instrument at the ISIS facility has been characterized using the technique of thin-film breakdown counters (TFBC). The technique utilizes neutron-induced fission reactions of natU and 209Bi with detection of fission fragments by TFBCs. Experimentally determined count rates of the fragments are ≈50% higher than those calculated using spectral neutron flux simulated with the MCNPX code. This work is a part of the project to develop ChipIr, a new dedicated facility for the accelerated testing of electronic components and systems for neutron-induced single event effects in the new Target Station 2 at ISIS. The TFBC technique has shown to be applicable for on-line monitoring of the neutron flux in the neutron energy range 1-800 MeV at the position of the device under test (DUT).

An interesting two-phase solvent system and its use in preparative isolation of aconitines from aconite roots by counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Han, Quan-Bin; Tang, Wai-Lun; Dong, Cai-Xia; Xu, Hong-Xi; Jiang, Zhi-Hong

2013-04-01

Two-phase solvent system plays crucial role in successful separation of organic compounds using counter-current chromatography (CCC). An interesting two-phase solvent system, composed of chloroform/ethyl acetate/methanol/water, is reported here, in which both phases contain sufficient organic solvents to balance their dissolving capacities. Adjusting the solvent system to get satisfactory partition coefficients (K values) for target compounds becomes relatively simple. This solvent system succeeded in sample preparation of aconitine (8.07 mg, 93.69%), hypaconitine (7.74 mg, 93.17%), mesaconitine (1.95 mg, 94.52%) from raw aconite roots (102.24 mg, crude extract), benzoylmesaconine (34.79 mg, 98.67%) from processed aconite roots (400.01 mg, crude extract), and yunaconitine (253.59 mg, 98.65%) from a crude extract of Aconitum forrestii (326.69 mg, crude extract). © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Determination of performance characteristics of scientific applications on IBM Blue Gene/Q

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

Evangelinos, C.; Walkup, R. E.; Sachdeva, V.

The IBM Blue Gene®/Q platform presents scientists and engineers with a rich set of hardware features such as 16 cores per chip sharing a Level 2 cache, a wide SIMD (single-instruction, multiple-data) unit, a five-dimensional torus network, and hardware support for collective operations. Especially important is the feature related to cores that have four “hardware threads,” which makes it possible to hide latencies and obtain a high fraction of the peak issue rate from each core. All of these hardware resources present unique performance-tuning opportunities on Blue Gene/Q. We provide an overview of several important applications and solvers and studymore » them on Blue Gene/Q using performance counters and Message Passing Interface profiles. We also discuss how Blue Gene/Q tools help us understand the interaction of the application with the hardware and software layers and provide guidance for optimization. Furthermore, on the basis of our analysis, we discuss code improvement strategies targeting Blue Gene/Q. Information about how these algorithms map to the Blue Gene® architecture is expected to have an impact on future system design as we move to the exascale era.« less

Littoral Combat Ship Open Ocean Anti-Submarine Warfare

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

maintain stealth and its defense in order to properly conduct an attack on a surface vessel (Sternhell and Thorndike 2014, 102). This statement...its target, the surface combatants can counter by increasing their speed (Sternhell and Thorndike 2014). While the maximum speed of the current...120316_PS.pdf Sternhell, Charles M, and Alan M Thorndike . 2014. “Antisubmarine Warfare in World War II.” CNA Analysis & Solutions. Accessed April 14, 2014

Counter-Radicalization: Best Practices in the United States and Lessons Learned from Abroad

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

LEADERSHIP FROM THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE Historically, Sigmund Freud is well known for his theoretical conceptualization regarding the role of the leader...in directing negative influence onto out-group targets that appear to have unrelated or contradictory values and beliefs. Freud further argued that...bound together (Newman, 2006, pp. 749–772). Displacement of aggression and intergroup dynamics, as emphasized by Freud , explains how groups can

Counter-Revolutionary Warfare: Strategy Considerations

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-05-01

many years after that. By 1951, European production had reached or exceeded its prewar output and European markets for American goods wete expanding...goals of the US involvement in nation building are to nurture an open political system, a free market economy, and independence. If we do not build...the markets needed to benefit the American economy. Neither does government investment n the target nation’s economy more productive. Nation building

Countering Enemy Special Purpose Forces. An Evolving Mission for United States Special Operations Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-05-01

proper planning and preparation, our LOCs become lucrative high pay -off targets for our adversaries. Similar to United States doctrine, enemy SPF will...guerillas, saboteurs, terrorists, and special operations forces. This term will be used to differentiate between friendly SOF and enemy SOF. The author...Wellington’s proficient use of irregulars against the French Army during the Peninsular Campaign; and the Russian partisans that significantly

Development of Principles for Multimodal Displays in Army Human-Robot Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

Research Laboratory ATTN: RDRL- HRM -D Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5425 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT...the practical limitations of various cognitive resource channels for HRI tasks. 2.1.2 Purpose Now that MRT and the common workload manipulations...with more mission targets. • Workload conditions were not counter-balanced for practice effects. 7 Increasing task difficulty generally

Illicit Networks: Targeting the Nexus Between Terrorists, Proliferators, and Narcotraffickers

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. government . IRB Protocol number: N/A 12a. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY...national and international security. These illicit networks exist within the shadows of legitimate trade and governance . They exploit an abundant...Current U.S. government efforts to counter these activities are similarly “stovepiped,” The term “cylinders of excellence” has been used to describe

Allied Command Structures in the New NATO

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-01-01

demonstrated in the Bosnia operation. • The growing need for advanced systems to counter ballistic missile proliferation targeted primarily at the...the impression that the United States w~s unsupportive towards ESDI. In reality, there was growing recognition in U.S. circles that ESDI was an...NATO. Following the June 1996 NATO ministerials, NATO support for the WEU gained substance and continues to grow . The WEU and NATO meet quarterly in

U.S. Military Engagement with Mexico: Uneasy Past and Challenging Future

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

Fellows Editorial Advisory Board Alvaro de Souza Pinheiro Major General, Brazilian Army, Ret. JSOU Associate Fellow James F. Powers, Jr. Colonel, U.S...Against Criminal Urban Guerrillas, September 2009, Alvaro de Souza Pinheiro Pakistan’s Security Paradox: Countering and Fomenting Insurgencies...terrorist attacks on U.S. targets.3 Included in these developments—and of some importance to U.S. special operations planning —is Mexico’s major

Stochastic Game Approach to Guidance Design

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-09-09

maneuverable aircraft, which can employ also electronic counter measures, is formulated as an imper- fect information zero-sum pursuit-evasion game played...on Differential Game Applications [36]. However, some other examples which included " electronic jinking", indicated that in an ECM environment a mixed...radius, b) missile/target maneuver ratio, c) nonlinear maneuver similarity parameter (aE T2 max d) normalized end- game duration, e ) ini’tial end- game

Correcting X-ray spectra obtained from the AXAF VETA-I mirror calibration for pileup, continuum, background and deadtime

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chartas, G.; Flanagan, K.; Hughes, J. P.; Kellogg, E. M.; Nguyen, D.; Zombek, M.; Joy, M.; Kolodziejezak, J.

1993-01-01

The VETA-I mirror was calibrated with the use of a collimated soft X-ray source produced by electron bombardment of various anode materials. The FWHM, effective area and encircled energy were measured with the use of proportional counters that were scanned with a set of circular apertures. The pulsers from the proportional counters were sent through a multichannel analyzer that produced a pulse height spectrum. In order to characterize the properties of the mirror at different discrete photon energies one desires to extract from the pulse height distribution only those photons that originated from the characteristic line emission of the X-ray target source. We have developed a code that fits a modeled spectrum to the observed X-ray data, extracts the counts that originated from the line emission, and estimates the error in these counts. The function that is fitted to the X-ray spectra includes a Prescott function for the resolution of the detector a second Prescott function for a pileup peak and a X-ray continuum function. The continuum component is determined by calculating the absorption of the target Bremsstrahlung through various filters, correcting for the reflectivity of the mirror and convolving with the detector response.

Correcting x ray spectra obtained from the AXAF VETA-I mirror calibration for pileup, continuum, background and deadtime

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chartas, G.; Flanagan, Kathy; Hughes, John P.; Kellogg, Edwin M.; Nguyen, D.; Zombeck, M.; Joy, M.; Kolodziejezak, J.

1992-01-01

The VETA-I mirror was calibrated with the use of a collimated soft X-ray source produced by electron bombardment of various anode materials. The FWHM, effective area and encircled energy were measured with the use of proportional counters that were scanned with a set of circular apertures. The pulsers from the proportional counters were sent through a multichannel analyzer that produced a pulse height spectrum. In order to characterize the properties of the mirror at different discrete photon energies one desires to extract from the pulse height distribution only those photons that originated from the characteristic line emission of the X-ray target source. We have developed a code that fits a modeled spectrum to the observed X-ray data, extracts the counts that originated from the line emission, and estimates the error in these counts. The function that is fitted to the X-ray spectra includes a Prescott function for the resolution of the detector a second Prescott function for a pileup peak and a X-ray continuum function. The continuum component is determined by calculating the absorption of the target Bremsstrahlung through various filters correcting for the reflectivity of the mirror and convolving with the detector response.

Isolation of Flavonoids From Wild Aquilaria sinensis Leaves by an Improved Preparative High-Speed Counter-Current Chromatography Apparatus.

PubMed

Yang, Mao-Xun; Liang, Yao-Guang; Chen, He-Ru; Huang, Yong-Fang; Gong, Hai-Guang; Zhang, Tian-You; Ito, Yoichiro

2018-01-01

Four flavonoids including apigenin-7,4'-dimethylether, genkwanin, quercetin, and kaempferol were isolated in a preparative or semi-preparative scale from the leaves of wild Aquilaria sinensis using an improved preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography apparatus. The separations were performed with a two-phase solvent system composed of hexane-ethyl acetate, methanol-water at suitable volume ratios. The obtained fractions were analyzed by HPLC, and the identification of each target compound was carried out by ESI-MS and NMR. The yields of the above four target flavonoids were 4.7, 10.0, 11.0 and 4.4%, respectively. All these four flavonoids exhibited nitrite scavenging activities with the clearance rate of 12.40 ± 0.20%, 5.84 ± 0.03%, 28.10 ± 0.17% and 5.19 ± 0.11%, respectively. Quercetin was originally isolated from the Thymelaeaceae family, while kaempferol was isolated from the Aquilaria genus for the first time. In cytotoxicity test these two flavonoids exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against HepG2 cells with the IC50 values of 12.54 ± 1.37 and 38.63 ± 4.05 μM, respectively. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Distributed performance counters

DOEpatents

Davis, Kristan D; Evans, Kahn C; Gara, Alan; Satterfield, David L

2013-11-26

A plurality of first performance counter modules is coupled to a plurality of processing cores. The plurality of first performance counter modules is operable to collect performance data associated with the plurality of processing cores respectively. A plurality of second performance counter modules are coupled to a plurality of L2 cache units, and the plurality of second performance counter modules are operable to collect performance data associated with the plurality of L2 cache units respectively. A central performance counter module may be operable to coordinate counter data from the plurality of first performance counter modules and the plurality of second performance modules, the a central performance counter module, the plurality of first performance counter modules, and the plurality of second performance counter modules connected by a daisy chain connection.

Optical images of visible and invisible percepts in the primary visual cortex of primates

PubMed Central

Macknik, Stephen L.; Haglund, Michael M.

1999-01-01

We optically imaged a visual masking illusion in primary visual cortex (area V-1) of rhesus monkeys to ask whether activity in the early visual system more closely reflects the physical stimulus or the generated percept. Visual illusions can be a powerful way to address this question because they have the benefit of dissociating the stimulus from perception. We used an illusion in which a flickering target (a bar oriented in visual space) is rendered invisible by two counter-phase flickering bars, called masks, which flank and abut the target. The target and masks, when shown separately, each generated correlated activity on the surface of the cortex. During the illusory condition, however, optical signals generated in the cortex by the target disappeared although the image of the masks persisted. The optical image thus was correlated with perception but not with the physical stimulus. PMID:10611363

R.J. Reynolds’ Targeting of African Americans: 1988–2000

PubMed Central

Balbach, Edith D.; Gasior, Rebecca J.; Barbeau, Elizabeth M.

2003-01-01

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to describe RJ Reynolds (RJR) Tobacco Company’s strategy for targeting African Americans, as revealed in tobacco industry documents and magazine advertisements. Methods. The authors searched industry documents to determine RJR’s strategies and analyzed magazine advertising during 2 periods: the time of the launch of the company’s Uptown cigarette (1989–1990) and a decade later (1999–2000). Results. RJR’s efforts to target the African American market segment existed before and after Uptown, and the company’s strategy was largely implemented via other RJR brands. Advertisements featured mentholated cigarettes, fantasy/escape, expensive objects, and nightlife. Conclusions. To help all populations become tobacco-free, tobacco control practitioners must understand and counter tobacco industry strategies. PMID:12721151

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Confined Turbulent Multiple Transverse Jets (Briefing Charts)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-29

14.3. The momentum and scalar mixing is investigated through the solution of the Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations. The mean scalar...demonstrated symmetry , only a one-half section of the geometry is considered. All numerical simulations capture salient flow structures such as the counter...distribution unlimited Symmetry Plane Walls Diluents’ Inlet Vy = 100 m/s Previous Numerical Work at AFRL: Air-to-Air Experimental Configuration

Mexico’s Drug War and Its Unintended Regional Consequences

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

multiple approaches are designed to solve the problem.9 Analysis of the current strategic environment, relying on the environmental assessment model...current environmental assessment, this paper will provide a brief description of a more desired environment and also a problem statement that depicts...the 1980s the U.S. focused its counter drug efforts in Peru and Bolivia, then the world’s leaders in coca leaf supply. In the meantime, Colombian

Force Enhancement Packages for Countering Nuclear Threats in the 2022-2027 Time Frame: Final Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

survey, and area characterization methods . • Apply proper radioisotope identification techniques. A-10 c. A one-week CNT operations exercise at Fort...focus on experiments to seek better iv methods , holding active teaching until later. The team expects that better methods would involve collection... methods likely will involve collection by multiple ISR sensors and on-the-ground investigators, with only limited use of radiation detectors. The

Multiplicity distributions of shower particles and target fragments in 84 Kr 36-emulsion interactions at 1 GeV per nucleon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, M. K.; Soma, A. K.; Pathak, Ramji; Singh, V.

2014-03-01

This article focuses on multiplicity distributions of shower particles and target fragments for interaction of 84 Kr 36 with NIKFI BR-2 nuclear emulsion target at kinetic energy of 1 GeV per nucleon. Experimental multiplicity distributions of shower particles, grey particles, black particles and heavily ionization particles are well described by multi-component Erlang distribution of multi-source thermal model. We have observed a linear correlation in multiplicities for the above mentioned particles or fragments. Further experimental studies have shown a saturation phenomenon in shower particle multiplicity with the increase of target fragment multiplicity.

Preliminary calibration of the ACP safeguards neutron counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, T. H.; Kim, H. D.; Yoon, J. S.; Lee, S. Y.; Swinhoe, M.; Menlove, H. O.

2007-10-01

The Advanced Spent Fuel Conditioning Process (ACP), a kind of pyroprocess, has been developed at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). Since there is no IAEA safeguards criteria for this process, KAERI has developed a neutron coincidence counter to make it possible to perform a material control and accounting (MC&A) for its ACP materials for the purpose of a transparency in the peaceful uses of nuclear materials at KAERI. The test results of the ACP Safeguards Neutron Counter (ASNC) show a satisfactory performance for the Doubles count measurement with a low measurement error for its cylindrical sample cavity. The neutron detection efficiency is about 21% with an error of ±1.32% along the axial direction of the cavity. Using two 252Cf neutron sources, we obtained various parameters for the Singles and Doubles rates for the ASNC. The Singles, Doubles, and Triples rates for a 252Cf point source were obtained by using the MCNPX code and the results for the ft8 cap multiplicity tally option with the values of ɛ, fd, and ft measured with a strong source most closely match the measurement results to within a 1% error. A preliminary calibration curve for the ASNC was generated by using the point model equation relationship between 244Cm and 252Cf and the calibration coefficient for the non-multiplying sample is 2.78×10 5 (Doubles counts/s/g 244Cm). The preliminary calibration curves for the ACP samples were also obtained by using an MCNPX simulation. A neutron multiplication influence on an increase of the Doubles rate for a metal ingot and UO2 powder is clearly observed. These calibration curves will be modified and complemented, when hot calibration samples become available. To verify the validity of this calibration curve, a measurement of spent fuel standards for a known 244Cm mass will be performed in the near future.

Detecting very low allele fraction variants using targeted DNA sequencing and a novel molecular barcode-aware variant caller.

PubMed

Xu, Chang; Nezami Ranjbar, Mohammad R; Wu, Zhong; DiCarlo, John; Wang, Yexun

2017-01-03

Detection of DNA mutations at very low allele fractions with high accuracy will significantly improve the effectiveness of precision medicine for cancer patients. To achieve this goal through next generation sequencing, researchers need a detection method that 1) captures rare mutation-containing DNA fragments efficiently in the mix of abundant wild-type DNA; 2) sequences the DNA library extensively to deep coverage; and 3) distinguishes low level true variants from amplification and sequencing errors with high accuracy. Targeted enrichment using PCR primers provides researchers with a convenient way to achieve deep sequencing for a small, yet most relevant region using benchtop sequencers. Molecular barcoding (or indexing) provides a unique solution for reducing sequencing artifacts analytically. Although different molecular barcoding schemes have been reported in recent literature, most variant calling has been done on limited targets, using simple custom scripts. The analytical performance of barcode-aware variant calling can be significantly improved by incorporating advanced statistical models. We present here a highly efficient, simple and scalable enrichment protocol that integrates molecular barcodes in multiplex PCR amplification. In addition, we developed smCounter, an open source, generic, barcode-aware variant caller based on a Bayesian probabilistic model. smCounter was optimized and benchmarked on two independent read sets with SNVs and indels at 5 and 1% allele fractions. Variants were called with very good sensitivity and specificity within coding regions. We demonstrated that we can accurately detect somatic mutations with allele fractions as low as 1% in coding regions using our enrichment protocol and variant caller.

Preparative isolation and purification of indigo and indirubin from Folium isatidis by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Lü, Hai-tao; Liu, Jing; Deng, Rui; Song, Ji-ying

2012-01-01

Indigo and indirubin are the main active ingredients found in traditional Chinese herbal medicine Folium isatidis. An effective method for the isolation and purification of indigo and indirubin from Folium isatidis is needed. Compared with the conventional column chromatographic techniques, high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) is a suitable alternative for the enrichment and purification of these target compounds, and eliminates the complications resulting from a solid support matrix. To develop a reliable HSCCC method for isolation and identification of indigo and indirubin in a one-step separation from Folium isatidis. The optimum extracting conditions of indigo and indirubin from Folium isatidis were investigated by orthogonal test L(16) (4(5)). The target compounds were isolated and purified with a solvent system of n-hexane:ethyl acetate:ethanol:water (1:1:1:1, v/v) and the lower phase was used as the mobile phase in the head-to-tail elution mode. The purities of target compounds were tested by HPLC and their structures were identified by UV, IR, electrospray ion source (ESI)-MS, (1) H-NMR and (13) C-NMR analyses. From 165 mg of the crude extract, 5.65 mg of indigo and 1.00 mg of indirubin were obtained by HPLC analysis with purities of 98.4% and 99.0% respectively, and their mean recoveries were 91.0% and 90.7%, respectively. The HSCCC method is effective for the preparative separation and purification of indigo and indirubin in a one-step separation from Folium isatidis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Development of a real-time radon monitoring system for simultaneous measurements in multiple sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, S.; Yamasoto, K.; Iida, T.

1999-12-01

A real-time radon monitoring system that can simultaneously measure radon concentrations in multiple sites was developed and tested. The system consists of maximum of four radon detectors, optical fiber cables and a data acquisition personal computer. The radon detector uses a plastic scintillation counter that collects radon daughters in the chamber electrostatically. The applied voltage on the photocathode for the photomultiplier tube (PMT) acts as an electrode for radon daughters. The thickness of the plastic scintillator was thin, 50 /spl mu/m, so as to minimize the background counts due to the environmental gamma rays or beta particles. The energy discriminated signals from the radon detectors are fed to the data acquisition personal computer via optical fiber cables. The system made it possible to measure the radon concentrations in multiple sites simultaneously.

Forward-backward multiplicity correlations of target fragments in nucleus-emulsion collisions at a few hundred MeV/u

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Dong-Hai; Chen, Yan-Ling; Wang, Guo-Rong; Li, Wang-Dong; Wang, Qing; Yao, Ji-Jie; Zhou, Jian-Guo; Li, Rong; Li, Jun-Sheng; Li, Hui-Ling

2015-01-01

The forward-backward multiplicity and correlations of a target evaporated fragment (black track particle) and target recoiled proton (grey track particle) emitted from 150 A MeV 4He, 290 A MeV 12C, 400 A MeV 12C, 400 A MeV 20Ne and 500 A MeV 56Fe induced different types of nuclear emulsion target interactions are investigated. It is found that the forward and backward averaged multiplicity of a grey, black and heavily ionized track particle increases with the increase of the target size. The averaged multiplicity of a forward black track particle, backward black track particle, and backward grey track particle do not depend on the projectile size and energy, but the averaged multiplicity of a forward grey track particle increases with an increase of projectile size and energy. The backward grey track particle multiplicity distribution follows an exponential decay law and the decay constant decreases with an increase of target size. The backward-forward multiplicity correlations follow linear law which is independent of the projectile size and energy, and the saturation effect is observed in some heavy target data sets.

A novel 9 × 9 map-based solvent selection strategy for targeted counter-current chromatography isolation of natural products.

PubMed

Liang, Junling; Meng, Jie; Wu, Dingfang; Guo, Mengzhe; Wu, Shihua

2015-06-26

Counter-current chromatography (CCC) is an efficient liquid-liquid chromatography technique for separation and purification of complex mixtures like natural products extracts and synthetic chemicals. However, CCC is still a challenging process requiring some special technical knowledge especially in the selection of appropriated solvent systems. In this work, we introduced a new 9 × 9 map-based solvent selection strategy for CCC isolation of targets, which permit more than 60 hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (HEMWat) solvent systems as the start candidates for the selection of solvent systems. Among these solvent systems, there are clear linear correlations between partition coefficient (K) and the system numbers. Thus, an appropriate CCC solvent system (i.e., sweet spot for K = 1) may be hit by measurement of k values of the target only in two random solvent systems. Besides this, surprisingly, we found that through two sweet spots, we could get a line ("Sweet line") where there are infinite sweet solvent systems being suitable for CCC separation. In these sweet solvent systems, the target has the same partition coefficient (K) but different solubilities. Thus, the better sweet solvent system with higher sample solubility can be obtained for high capacity CCC preparation. Furthermore, we found that there is a zone ("Sweet zone") where all solvent systems have their own sweet partition coefficients values for the target in range of 0.4 < K< 2.5 or extended range of 0.25 < K < 16. All results were validated by using 14 pure GUESSmix mimic natural products as standards and further confirmed by isolation of several targets including honokiol and magnolol from the extracts of Magnolia officinalis Rehd. Et Wils and tanshinone IIA from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. In practice, it is much easier to get a suitable solvent system only by making a simple screening two to four HEMWat two-phase solvent systems to obtain the sweet line or sweet zone without special knowledge or comprehensive standards as references. This is an important advancement for solvent system selection and also will be very useful for isolation of current natural products including Traditional Chinese Medicines. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Network Algorithms for Detection of Radiation Sources

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

Rao, Nageswara S; Brooks, Richard R; Wu, Qishi

In support of national defense, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office s (DNDO) Intelligent Radiation Sensor Systems (IRSS) program supported the development of networks of radiation counters for detecting, localizing and identifying low-level, hazardous radiation sources. Industry teams developed the first generation of such networks with tens of counters, and demonstrated several of their capabilities in indoor and outdoor characterization tests. Subsequently, these test measurements have been used in algorithm replays using various sub-networks of counters. Test measurements combined with algorithm outputs are used to extract Key Measurements and Benchmark (KMB) datasets. We present two selective analyses of these datasets: (a) amore » notional border monitoring scenario that highlights the benefits of a network of counters compared to individual detectors, and (b) new insights into the Sequential Probability Ratio Test (SPRT) detection method, which lead to its adaptations for improved detection. Using KMB datasets from an outdoor test, we construct a notional border monitoring scenario, wherein twelve 2 *2 NaI detectors are deployed on the periphery of 21*21meter square region. A Cs-137 (175 uCi) source is moved across this region, starting several meters from outside and finally moving away. The measurements from individual counters and the network were processed using replays of a particle filter algorithm developed under IRSS program. The algorithm outputs from KMB datasets clearly illustrate the benefits of combining measurements from all networked counters: the source was detected before it entered the region, during its trajectory inside, and until it moved several meters away. When individual counters are used for detection, the source was detected for much shorter durations, and sometimes was missed in the interior region. The application of SPRT for detecting radiation sources requires choosing the detection threshold, which in turn requires a source strength estimate, typically specified as a multiplier of the background radiation level. A judicious selection of this source multiplier is essential to achieve optimal detection probability at a specified false alarm rate. Typically, this threshold is chosen from the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) by varying the source multiplier estimate. ROC is expected to have a monotonically increasing profile between the detection probability and false alarm rate. We derived ROCs for multiple indoor tests using KMB datasets, which revealed an unexpected loop shape: as the multiplier increases, detection probability and false alarm rate both increase until a limit, and then both contract. Consequently, two detection probabilities correspond to the same false alarm rate, and the higher is achieved at a lower multiplier, which is the desired operating point. Using the Chebyshev s inequality we analytically confirm this shape. Then, we present two improved network-SPRT methods by (a) using the threshold off-set as a weighting factor for the binary decisions from individual detectors in a weighted majority voting fusion rule, and (b) applying a composite SPRT derived using measurements from all counters.« less

Air Base Attacks and Defensive Counters: Historical Lessons and Future Challenges

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-01

I. Reid, Murray Scot Tanner, and Barry Wilson, A Question of Balance: Political Context and Military Aspects of the China–Taiwan Dispute, Santa...this case, Ramstein AB, Germany) placed fighter shelters on loops in woods . Although the shelters are clearly visible from directly overhead in...this image, placing them in woods would have made target acquisition and attack more difficult for Warsaw Pact fighters. That is because, in the 1970s

Sollims Sampler Targeting Peace & Stability Operations Lessons & Best Practices. Volume 1, Issue 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-07-01

training, human trafficking, and civil strife, all of which have damaging spillover effects for the entire world. Second, genocide and mass atrocities...deployed to a conflict or post-conflict area. [ Read More ... ] • The military can be part of a whole-of-government response to threats of genocide and...mass atrocities. Although most militaries do not train specifically for counter- genocide operations, they often have the skills and capabilities to

Integrating a Motion Base into a CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment: Phase 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-07-01

this, a CAVE system must perform well in the following motion-related areas: visual gaze stability, simulator sickness, realism (or face validity...and performance validity. Visual Gaze Stability Visual gaze stability, the ability to maintain eye fixation on a particular target, depends upon human...reflexes such as the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and the optokinetic nystagmus (OKN). VOR is a reflex that counter-rotates the eye relative to the

Targeting: Social Network Analysis in Counter IED Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

members caused havoc amongst both French and Algerian citizens by placing bombs in public buildings, police stations, cafes, cinemas , and dance halls in...lifted the city’s curfew, schools were reopened and people were no longer afraid to fill shopping malls or go to the cinemas . The actions taken by...was able to carry out the 2009 JW Marriot and Ritz-Carlton hotel bombings in Jakarta before being killed by Malaysian forces in 2009

Ice Particle Charge Transfer Studies.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-30

sufficient time for the rime feathers to grow . The rimed target was then exposed to the salt droplet cloud produced by a small Unicorn nebuliser. This...limited in extent, and it was possible only to grow crystals of 100 pm diameter; whereas, in nature, crystals have time to grow several hundred microns...updraft which countered ti~e terminal fall velocity of the growing crystals. The droplet supply was main- tained and the crystals grew to about 150-200

Multi-Robot, Multi-Target Particle Swarm Optimization Search in Noisy Wireless Environments

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

Kurt Derr; Milos Manic

Multiple small robots (swarms) can work together using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to perform tasks that are difficult or impossible for a single robot to accomplish. The problem considered in this paper is exploration of an unknown environment with the goal of finding a target(s) at an unknown location(s) using multiple small mobile robots. This work demonstrates the use of a distributed PSO algorithm with a novel adaptive RSS weighting factor to guide robots for locating target(s) in high risk environments. The approach was developed and analyzed on multiple robot single and multiple target search. The approach was further enhancedmore » by the multi-robot-multi-target search in noisy environments. The experimental results demonstrated how the availability of radio frequency signal can significantly affect robot search time to reach a target.« less

The ABC of Biofilm Drug Tolerance: the MerR-Like Regulator BrlR Is an Activator of ABC Transport Systems, with PA1874-77 Contributing to the Tolerance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms to Tobramycin.

PubMed

Poudyal, Bandita; Sauer, Karin

2018-02-01

A hallmark of biofilms is their tolerance to killing by antimicrobial agents. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa , biofilm drug tolerance requires the c-di-GMP-responsive MerR transcriptional regulator BrlR. However, the mechanism by which BrlR mediates biofilm drug tolerance has not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that BrlR activates the expression of at least 7 ABC transport systems, including the PA1874-PA1875-PA1876-PA1877 (PA1874-77) operon, with chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA binding assays confirming BrlR binding to the promoter region of PA1874-77. Insertional inactivation of the 7 ABC transport systems rendered P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms susceptible to tobramycin or norfloxacin. Susceptibility was linked to drug accumulation, with BrlR contributing to norfloxacin accumulation in a manner dependent on multidrug efflux pumps and the PA1874-77 ABC transport system. Inactivation of the respective ABC transport system, furthermore, eliminated the recalcitrance of biofilms to killing by tobramycin but not norfloxacin, indicating that drug accumulation is not linked to biofilm drug tolerance. Our findings indicate for the first time that BrlR, a MerR-type transcriptional activator, activates genes encoding several ABC transport systems, in addition to multiple multidrug efflux pump genes. Moreover, our data confirm a BrlR target contributing to drug tolerance, likely countering the prevailing dogma that biofilm tolerance arises from a multiplicity of factors. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

Foxo Transcription Factors Blunt Cardiac Hypertrophy by Inhibiting Calcineurin Signaling

PubMed Central

Ni, Yan G.; Berenji, Kambeez; Wang, Na; Oh, Misook; Sachan, Nita; Dey, Asim; Cheng, Jun; Lu, Guangrong; Morris, David J.; Castrillon, Diego H.; Gerard, Robert D.; Rothermel, Beverly A.; Hill, Joseph A.

2014-01-01

Background Cellular hypertrophy requires coordinated regulation of progrowth and antigrowth mechanisms. In cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes, Foxo transcription factors trigger an atrophy-related gene program that counters hypertrophic growth. However, downstream molecular events are not yet well defined. Methods and Results Here, we report that expression of either Foxo1 or Foxo3 in cardiomyocytes attenuates calcineurin phosphatase activity and inhibits agonist-induced hypertrophic growth. Consistent with these results, Foxo proteins decrease calcineurin phosphatase activity and repress both basal and hypertrophic agonist-induced expression of MCIP1.4, a direct downstream target of the calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Furthermore, hearts from Foxo3-null mice exhibit increased MCIP1.4 abundance and a hypertrophic phenotype with normal systolic function at baseline. Together, these results suggest that Foxo proteins repress cardiac growth at least in part through inhibition of the calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Given that hypertrophic growth of the heart occurs in multiple contexts, our findings also suggest that certain hypertrophic signals are capable of overriding the antigrowth program induced by Foxo. Consistent with this, multiple hypertrophic agonists triggered inactivation of Foxo proteins in cardiomyocytes through a mechanism requiring the PI3K/Akt pathway. In addition, both Foxo1 and Foxo3 are phosphorylated and consequently inactivated in hearts undergoing hypertrophic growth induced by hemodynamic stress. Conclusions This study suggests that inhibition of the calcineurin/NFAT signaling cascade by Foxo and release of this repressive action by the PI3K/Akt pathway are important mechanisms whereby Foxo factors govern cell growth in the heart. PMID:16952979

The Effects of Multiple Chronic Conditions on Adult Patient Readmissions and Hospital Finances: A Management Case Study

PubMed Central

Mihailoff, Michael; Deb, Shreyasi; Lee, James A.; Lynn, Joanne

2017-01-01

Medicare and other payers have launched initiatives to reduce hospital utilization, especially targeting readmissions within 30 days of discharge. Hospital managers have traditionally contended that hospitals would prosper better by ignoring the penalties for high readmission rates and keeping the beds more full. We aimed to test the financial effects of admissions and readmissions by persons with and without specified chronic conditions in one regional hospital. This is a management case study with a descriptive brief report. This study was conducted at Winchester Memorial Hospital, a general hospital in a largely rural area of Virginia, 2010-2015. The total margin per admission varied by diagnosis, with the average patient diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, pneumonia, or chronic renal disease having negative margins. The largest per-patient losses were in diagnostic categories coinciding with the highest readmission rates. The margin declined into substantial losses with an increasing number of chronic conditions, which also corresponded with higher readmission rates. Patients with 5 or more clinical conditions had highest risk of readmission within 30 days (24.8%) and had an average total loss of $865 per admission in 2015. The adverse financial effects worsened between 2010 and 2015. This hospital might improve its finances by investing in strategies to reduce chronic illness hospitalizations, especially those with multiple chronic conditions and high risk of readmission. These findings counter the common claim that the hospital would do better to fill beds rather than to work on efficient utilization. Other hospitals could replicate these analyses to understand their situations. PMID:28863719

Military Role in Countering Terrorist Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-04-01

chemical and biological mobile point detection. “The M21 Remote Sensing Chemical Agent Alarm (RSCAAL) is an automatic scanning, passive infrared sensor...The M21 detects nerve and blister agent clouds based on changes in the background infrared spectra caused by the presence of the agent vapor.”15...required if greater than 3 years since last vaccine. VEE Yes Multiple vaccines required. VHF No Botulism Yes SEB No Ricin No Mycotoxin s No Source

Countering Others’ Insurgencies: Understanding U.S. Small-Footprint Interventions in Local Context

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

gover - nance play crucial roles in explaining the multiplicity of counterinsur- gency strategies the state has adopted over the past decade. Later in...because of its weak economy, level of development, political capacity, and quality of gover - nance.10 In Table 2.2 of Chapter Two, Pakistan is identified...concluded (see Figure 5.2) and checkpoints also provided a safe environment for the revitalization of the cosmetic, agriculture, and tourism industries

Inference of vessel intent and behaviour for maritime security operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van den Broek, Bert; Smith, Arthur; den Breejen, Eric; van de Voorde, Imelda

2014-10-01

Coastguard and Navy assets are increasingly involved in Maritime Security Operations (MSO) for countering piracy, weapons and drugs smuggling, terrorism and illegal trafficking. Persistent tracking of vessels in interrupted time series over long distances and the modelling of intent and behaviour from multiple data sources are key enablers for Situation Assessment in MSO. Results of situation assessment are presented for AIS/VTS observations in the Dutch North Sea and for simulated scenarios in the Gulf of Oman.

Preparative isolation and purification of antioxidative diarylheptanoid derivatives from Alnus japonica by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Lim, Soon Sung; Lee, Min Young; Ahn, Hong Ryul; Choi, Soon Jung; Lee, Jae-Yong; Jung, Sang Hoon

2011-12-01

This study employed the online HPLC-2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS)(+) bioassay to rapidly determine the antioxidant compounds occurring in the crude extract of Alnus japonica. The negative peaks of the ABTS(+) radical scavenging detection system, which indicated the presence of antioxidant activity, were monitored by measuring the decrease in absorbance at 734 nm. The ABTS(+)-based antioxidant activity profile showed that three negative peaks exhibited antioxidant activity. High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was used for preparative scale separation of the three active peaks from the extract. The purity of the isolated compounds was analyzed by HPLC and their structures were identified by (1)H- and (13)C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR), heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC), and heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC). Two solvent systems composed of n-hexane/ethylacetate/methanol/water (4:6:4:6, v/v) and of ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:0.1:1, v/v) were performed in high-speed counter-current chromatography. Consequently, a total of 527 mg of hirsutanonol 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 80.04 mg of 3-deoxohirsutenonol 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and 91.0 mg of hirsutenone were obtained with purity of 94.7, 90.5, and 98.6%, respectively. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Separation and purification of five alkaloids from Aconitum duclouxii by counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Wang, Yarong; Cai, Shining; Chen, Yang; Deng, Liang; Zhou, Xumei; Liu, Jia; Xu, Xin; Xia, Qiang; Lin, Mao; Zhang, Jili; Huang, Weili; Wang, Wenjun; Xiang, Canhui; Cui, Guozhen; Du, Lianfeng; He, Huan; Qi, Baohui

2015-07-01

C19 -diterpenoid alkaloids are the main components of Aconitum duclouxii Levl. The process of separation and purification of these compounds in previous studies was tedious and time consuming, requiring multiple chromatographic steps, thus resulted in low recovery and high cost. In the present work, five C19 -diterpenoid alkaloids, namely, benzoylaconine (1), N-deethylaconitine (2), aconitine (3), deoxyaconitine (4), and ducloudine A (5), were efficiently prepared from A. duclouxii Levl (Aconitum L.) by ethyl acetate extraction followed with counter-current chromatography. In the process of separation, the critical conditions of counter-current chromatography were optimized. The two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water/NH3 ·H2 O (25%) (1:1:1:1:0.1, v/v) was selected and 148.2 mg of 1, 24.1 mg of 2, 250.6 mg of 3, 73.9 mg of 4, and 31.4 mg of 5 were obtained from 1 g total Aconitum alkaloids extract, respectively, in a single run within 4 h. Their purities were found to be 98.4, 97.2, 98.2, 96.8, and 96.6%, respectively, by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography analysis. The presented separation and purification method was simple, fast, and efficient, and the obtained highly pure alkaloids are suitable for biochemical and toxicological investigation. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

“Drinking Won’t Get You Thinking”: A Content Analysis of Adolescent-Created Print Alcohol Counter-Advertisements

PubMed Central

Banerjee, Smita C.; Greene, Kathryn; Hecht, Michael L.; Magsamen-Conrad, Kate; Elek, Elvira

2013-01-01

Involvement in creating anti-alcohol advertisements generates enthusiasm among adolescents, however, little is known about the messages adolescents develop for these activities. In this paper, we present a content analysis of 72 print alcohol counter-advertisements created by high school (age 14–17 years old) and college (18–25 years old) students. The posters were content analyzed for poster message content, persuasion strategies, and production components, and we compared high school and college student posters. All of the posters used a slogan to highlight the main point/message of the ad and counter-arguments/consequences to support the slogans. The most frequently depicted consequences were negative consequences of alcohol use followed by negative-positive consequence comparison. Persuasion strategies were sparingly used in advertisements and included having fun/one of the gang, humor/unexpected, glamour/sex appeal, and endorsement. Finally, posters displayed a number of production techniques including depicting people, clear setting, multiple colors, different font sizes, and object placement. College and high school student constructed posters were similar on many features (for instance, posters displayed similar frequency of utilization of slogans, negative consequences and positive-negative consequence comparisons), but were different on the use of positive consequences of not using alcohol and before-after comparisons. Implications for teaching media literacy and involving adolescents and youth in developing alcohol prevention messages are discussed. PMID:23980705

Distributed multiport memory architecture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kohl, W. H. (Inventor)

1983-01-01

A multiport memory architecture is diclosed for each of a plurality of task centers connected to a command and data bus. Each task center, includes a memory and a plurality of devices which request direct memory access as needed. The memory includes an internal data bus and an internal address bus to which the devices are connected, and direct timing and control logic comprised of a 10-state ring counter for allocating memory devices by enabling AND gates connected to the request signal lines of the devices. The outputs of AND gates connected to the same device are combined by OR gates to form an acknowledgement signal that enables the devices to address the memory during the next clock period. The length of the ring counter may be effectively lengthened to any multiple of ten to allow for more direct memory access intervals in one repetitive sequence. One device is a network bus adapter which serially shifts onto the command and data bus, a data word (8 bits plus control and parity bits) during the next ten direct memory access intervals after it has been granted access. The NBA is therefore allocated only one access in every ten intervals, which is a predetermined interval for all centers. The ring counters of all centers are periodically synchronized by DMA SYNC signal to assure that all NBAs be able to function in synchronism for data transfer from one center to another.

An N-Terminal ER Export Signal Facilitates the Plasma Membrane Targeting of HCN1 Channels in Photoreceptors.

PubMed

Pan, Yuan; Laird, Joseph G; Yamaguchi, David M; Baker, Sheila A

2015-06-01

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 1 (HCN1) channels are widely expressed in the retina. In photoreceptors, the hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) carried by HCN1 is important for shaping the light response. It has been shown in multiple systems that trafficking HCN1 channels to specific compartments is key to their function. The localization of HCN1 in photoreceptors is concentrated in the plasma membrane of the inner segment (IS). The mechanisms controlling this localization are not understood. We previously identified a di-arginine endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention motif that negatively regulates the surface targeting of HCN1. In this study, we sought to identify a forward trafficking signal that could counter the function of the ER retention signal. We studied trafficking of HCN1 and several mutants by imaging their subcellular localization in transgenic X. laevis photoreceptors. Velocity sedimentation was used to assay the assembly state of HCN1 channels. We found the HCN1 N-terminus can redirect a membrane reporter from outer segments (OS) to the plasma membrane of the IS. The sequence necessary for this behavior was mapped to a 20 amino acid region containing a leucine-based ER export motif. The ER export signal is necessary for forward trafficking but not channel oligomerization. Moreover, this ER export signal alone counteracted the di-arginine ER retention signal. We identified an ER export signal in HCN1 that functions with the ER retention signal to maintain equilibrium of HCN1 between the endomembrane system and the plasma membrane.

An N-Terminal ER Export Signal Facilitates the Plasma Membrane Targeting of HCN1 Channels in Photoreceptors

PubMed Central

Pan, Yuan; Laird, Joseph G.; Yamaguchi, David M.; Baker, Sheila A.

2015-01-01

Purpose. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 1 (HCN1) channels are widely expressed in the retina. In photoreceptors, the hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) carried by HCN1 is important for shaping the light response. It has been shown in multiple systems that trafficking HCN1 channels to specific compartments is key to their function. The localization of HCN1 in photoreceptors is concentrated in the plasma membrane of the inner segment (IS). The mechanisms controlling this localization are not understood. We previously identified a di-arginine endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention motif that negatively regulates the surface targeting of HCN1. In this study, we sought to identify a forward trafficking signal that could counter the function of the ER retention signal. Methods. We studied trafficking of HCN1 and several mutants by imaging their subcellular localization in transgenic X. laevis photoreceptors. Velocity sedimentation was used to assay the assembly state of HCN1 channels. Results. We found the HCN1 N-terminus can redirect a membrane reporter from outer segments (OS) to the plasma membrane of the IS. The sequence necessary for this behavior was mapped to a 20 amino acid region containing a leucine-based ER export motif. The ER export signal is necessary for forward trafficking but not channel oligomerization. Moreover, this ER export signal alone counteracted the di-arginine ER retention signal. Conclusions. We identified an ER export signal in HCN1 that functions with the ER retention signal to maintain equilibrium of HCN1 between the endomembrane system and the plasma membrane. PMID:26030105

Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Testing: Evaluation of VIS SWIR MWIR and LWIR passive imagers.

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

Birch, Gabriel Carlisle; Woo, Bryana Lynn

This report contains analysis of unmanned aerial systems as imaged by visible, short-wave infrared, mid-wave infrared, and long-wave infrared passive devices. Testing was conducted at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) during the week of August 15, 2016. Target images in all spectral bands are shown and contrast versus background is reported. Calculations are performed to determine estimated pixels-on-target for detection and assessment levels, and the number of pixels needed to cover a hemisphere for detection or assessment at defined distances. Background clutter challenges are qualitatively discussed for different spectral bands, and low contrast scenarios are highlighted for long-wave infraredmore » imagers.« less

Nonlinear Breit–Wheeler pair creation with bremsstrahlung γ rays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blackburn, T. G.; Marklund, M.

2018-05-01

Electron–positron pairs are produced through the Breit–Wheeler process when energetic photons traverse electromagnetic fields of sufficient strength. Here we consider a possible experimental geometry for observation of pair creation in the highly nonlinear regime, in which bremsstrahlung of an ultrarelativistic electron beam in a high-Z target is used to produce γ rays that collide with a counter-propagating laser pulse. We show how the target thickness may be chosen to optimize the yield of Breit–Wheeler positrons, and verify our analytical predictions with simulations of the cascade in the material and in the laser pulse. The electron beam energy and laser intensity required are well within the capability of today’s high-intensity laser facilities.

Astrophysical Observations with the HEROES Balloon-borne Payload

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Colleen; Gaskin, J.; Christe, S.; Shih, A. Y.; Swartz, D. A.; Tennant, A. F.; Ramsey, B.

2014-01-01

The High Energy Replicated Optics to Explore the Sun (HEROES) payload flew on a balloon from Ft. Sumner, NM, September 21-22, 2013. HEROES is sensitive from about 20-75 keV and comprises 8 optics modules, each consisting of 13-14 nickel replicated optics shells and 8 Xenon-filled position-sensitive proportional counter detectors. HEROES is unique in that it is the first hard X-ray telescope that will observe the Sun and astrophysical targets in the same balloon flight. Our astrophysics targets include the Crab nebula and pulsar and the black hole binary GRS 1915+105. In this presentation, I will describe the HEROES mission, the data analysis pipeline and calibrations, and preliminary astrophysics results.

Learning from truth: youth participation in field marketing techniques to counter tobacco advertising.

PubMed

Eisenberg, Merrill; Ringwalt, Chris; Driscoll, David; Vallee, Manuel; Gullette, Gregory

2004-01-01

In 2000, the American Legacy Foundation (Legacy) launched truth, a national, multi-medium tobacco control social marketing campaign targeting youth age 12-17. This paper provides a brief description of one aspect of that campaign, the truth tour, and compares and contrasts the truth tour with commercial field marketing approaches used by the tobacco industry. The methods used for the tour's process evaluation are also described, and two important lessons learned about using field marketing techniques and using youth to implement field marketing techniques in social marketing campaigns are discussed. Social marketing campaigns that target youth may want to launch field marketing activities. The truth tour experience can inform the development of those efforts.

Incorporating multiple secondary targets into learning trials for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

PubMed

Nottingham, Casey L; Vladescu, Jason C; Kodak, Tiffany; Kisamore, April N

2017-07-01

The current study examined the outcome of presenting multiple secondary targets in learning trials for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. We compared conditions in which (a) a secondary target was presented in the antecedent and consequence of trials, (b) two secondary targets were presented in the consequence of trials, (c) one secondary target was presented in the consequence of each trial, and (d) no additional targets were presented trials. The participants acquired the majority of secondary targets. Presenting one or multiple secondary targets per trial, regardless of the location of these secondary targets, increased the efficiency of instruction in comparison to a condition with no secondary target. © 2017 Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Changing Conspiracy Beliefs through Rationality and Ridiculing.

PubMed

Orosz, Gábor; Krekó, Péter; Paskuj, Benedek; Tóth-Király, István; Bőthe, Beáta; Roland-Lévy, Christine

2016-01-01

Conspiracy theory (CT) beliefs can be harmful. How is it possible to reduce them effectively? Three reduction strategies were tested in an online experiment using general and well-known CT beliefs on a comprehensive randomly assigned Hungarian sample ( N = 813): exposing rational counter CT arguments, ridiculing those who hold CT beliefs, and empathizing with the targets of CT beliefs. Several relevant individual differences were measured. Rational and ridiculing arguments were effective in reducing CT, whereas empathizing with the targets of CTs had no effect. Individual differences played no role in CT reduction, but the perceived intelligence and competence of the individual who conveyed the CT belief-reduction information contributed to the success of the CT belief reduction. Rational arguments targeting the link between the object of belief and its characteristics appear to be an effective tool in fighting conspiracy theory beliefs.

Progress on a Multichannel, Dual-Mixer Stability Analyzer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kirk, Albert; Cole, Steven; Stevens, Gary; Tucker, Blake; Greenhall, Charles

2005-01-01

Several documents describe aspects of the continuing development of a multichannel, dual-mixer system for simultaneous characterization of the instabilities of multiple precise, low-noise oscillators. One of the oscillators would be deemed to be a reference oscillator, its frequency would be offset by an amount (100 Hz) much greater than the desired data rate, and each of the other oscillators would be compared with the frequency-offset signal by operation of a combination of hardware and software. A high-rate time-tag counter would collect zero-crossing times of the approximately equal 100-Hz beat notes. The system would effect a combination of interpolation and averaging to process the time tags into low-rate phase residuals at the desired grid times. Circuitry that has been developed since the cited prior article includes an eight-channel timer board to replace an obsolete commercial time-tag counter, plus a custom offset generator, cleanup loop, distribution amplifier, zero-crossing detector, and frequency divider.

Fuzzy Counter Propagation Neural Network Control for a Class of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems

PubMed Central

Sakhre, Vandana; Jain, Sanjeev; Sapkal, Vilas S.; Agarwal, Dev P.

2015-01-01

Fuzzy Counter Propagation Neural Network (FCPN) controller design is developed, for a class of nonlinear dynamical systems. In this process, the weight connecting between the instar and outstar, that is, input-hidden and hidden-output layer, respectively, is adjusted by using Fuzzy Competitive Learning (FCL). FCL paradigm adopts the principle of learning, which is used to calculate Best Matched Node (BMN) which is proposed. This strategy offers a robust control of nonlinear dynamical systems. FCPN is compared with the existing network like Dynamic Network (DN) and Back Propagation Network (BPN) on the basis of Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Square Error (MSE), Best Fit Rate (BFR), and so forth. It envisages that the proposed FCPN gives better results than DN and BPN. The effectiveness of the proposed FCPN algorithms is demonstrated through simulations of four nonlinear dynamical systems and multiple input and single output (MISO) and a single input and single output (SISO) gas furnace Box-Jenkins time series data. PMID:26366169

ORGANIC-HIGH IONIC STRENGTH AQUEOUS SOLVENT SYSTEMS FOR SPIRAL COUNTER-CURRENT CHROMATOGRAPHY: GRAPHIC OPTIMIZATION OF PARTITION COEFFICIENT

PubMed Central

Zeng, Yun; Liu, Gang; Ma, Ying; Chen, Xiaoyuan; Ito, Yoichiro

2012-01-01

A new series of organic-high ionic strength aqueous two-phase solvents systems was designed for separation of highly polar compounds by spiral high-speed counter-current chromatography. A total of 21 solvent systems composed of 1-butanol-ethanol-saturated ammonium sulfate-water at various volume ratios are arranged according to an increasing order of polarity. Selection of the two-phase solvent system for a single compound or a multiple sample mixture can be achieved by two steps of partition coefficient measurements using a graphic method. The capability of the method is demonstrated by optimization of partition coefficient for seven highly polar samples including tartrazine (K=0.77), tryptophan (K=1.00), methyl green (K= 0.93), tyrosine (0.81), metanephrine (K=0.89), tyramine (K=0.98), and normetanephrine (K=0.96). Three sulfonic acid components in D&C Green No. 8 were successfully separated by HSCCC using the graphic selection of the two-phase solvent system. PMID:23467197

Fuzzy Counter Propagation Neural Network Control for a Class of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems.

PubMed

Sakhre, Vandana; Jain, Sanjeev; Sapkal, Vilas S; Agarwal, Dev P

2015-01-01

Fuzzy Counter Propagation Neural Network (FCPN) controller design is developed, for a class of nonlinear dynamical systems. In this process, the weight connecting between the instar and outstar, that is, input-hidden and hidden-output layer, respectively, is adjusted by using Fuzzy Competitive Learning (FCL). FCL paradigm adopts the principle of learning, which is used to calculate Best Matched Node (BMN) which is proposed. This strategy offers a robust control of nonlinear dynamical systems. FCPN is compared with the existing network like Dynamic Network (DN) and Back Propagation Network (BPN) on the basis of Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Square Error (MSE), Best Fit Rate (BFR), and so forth. It envisages that the proposed FCPN gives better results than DN and BPN. The effectiveness of the proposed FCPN algorithms is demonstrated through simulations of four nonlinear dynamical systems and multiple input and single output (MISO) and a single input and single output (SISO) gas furnace Box-Jenkins time series data.

A physics investigation of deadtime losses in neutron counting at low rates with Cf252

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

Evans, Louise G; Croft, Stephen

2009-01-01

{sup 252}Cf spontaneous fission sources are used for the characterization of neutron counters and the determination of calibration parameters; including both neutron coincidence counting (NCC) and neutron multiplicity deadtime (DT) parameters. Even at low event rates, temporally-correlated neutron counting using {sup 252}Cf suffers a deadtime effect. Meaning that in contrast to counting a random neutron source (e.g. AmLi to a close approximation), DT losses do not vanish in the low rate limit. This is because neutrons are emitted from spontaneous fission events in time-correlated 'bursts', and are detected over a short period commensurate with their lifetime in the detector (characterizedmore » by the system die-away time, {tau}). Thus, even when detected neutron events from different spontaneous fissions are unlikely to overlap in time, neutron events within the detected 'burst' are subject to intrinsic DT losses. Intrinsic DT losses for dilute Pu will be lower since the multiplicity distribution is softer, but real items also experience self-multiplication which can increase the 'size' of the bursts. Traditional NCC DT correction methods do not include the intrinsic (within burst) losses. We have proposed new forms of the traditional NCC Singles and Doubles DT correction factors. In this work, we apply Monte Carlo neutron pulse train analysis to investigate the functional form of the deadtime correction factors for an updating deadtime. Modeling is based on a high efficiency {sup 3}He neutron counter with short die-away time, representing an ideal {sup 3}He based detection system. The physics of dead time losses at low rates is explored and presented. It is observed that new forms are applicable and offer more accurate correction than the traditional forms.« less

Preparative separation of bioactive compounds from essential oil of Flaveria bidentis (L.) Kuntze using steam distillation extraction and one step high-speed counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Wei, Yun; Du, Jilin; Lu, Yuanyuan

2012-10-01

In order to utilize and control the invasive weed, bioactive compounds from essential oil of Flaveria bidentis (L.) Kuntze were studied. Steam distillation extraction and one step high-speed counter-current chromatography were applied to separate and purify the caryophyllene oxide, 7,11-dimethyl-3-methylene-1,6,10-dodecatriene, and caryophyllene from essential oil of Flaveria bidentis (L.) Kuntze. The two-phase solvent system containing n-hexane/acetonitrile/ethanol (5:4:3, v/v/v) was selected for the one step separation mode according to the partition coefficient values (K) of the target compounds and the separation factor (α). The purity of each isolated fraction after a single high-speed counter-current chromatography run was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. A 3.2 mg of caryophyllene oxide at a purity of 92.6%, 10.4 mg of 7,11-dimethyl-3-methylene-1,6,10-dodecatriene at a purity of 99.1% and 5.7 mg of caryophyllene at a purity of 98.8% were obtained from 200 mg essential oil of Flaveria bidentis (L.) Kuntze. The chemical structures of these components were identified by GC-MS, (1) H-NMR, and (13) C-NMR. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Examining perceptual and conceptual set biases in multiple-target visual search.

PubMed

Biggs, Adam T; Adamo, Stephen H; Dowd, Emma Wu; Mitroff, Stephen R

2015-04-01

Visual search is a common practice conducted countless times every day, and one important aspect of visual search is that multiple targets can appear in a single search array. For example, an X-ray image of airport luggage could contain both a water bottle and a gun. Searchers are more likely to miss additional targets after locating a first target in multiple-target searches, which presents a potential problem: If airport security officers were to find a water bottle, would they then be more likely to miss a gun? One hypothetical cause of multiple-target search errors is that searchers become biased to detect additional targets that are similar to a found target, and therefore become less likely to find additional targets that are dissimilar to the first target. This particular hypothesis has received theoretical, but little empirical, support. In the present study, we tested the bounds of this idea by utilizing "big data" obtained from the mobile application Airport Scanner. Multiple-target search errors were substantially reduced when the two targets were identical, suggesting that the first-found target did indeed create biases during subsequent search. Further analyses delineated the nature of the biases, revealing both a perceptual set bias (i.e., a bias to find additional targets with features similar to those of the first-found target) and a conceptual set bias (i.e., a bias to find additional targets with a conceptual relationship to the first-found target). These biases are discussed in terms of the implications for visual-search theories and applications for professional visual searchers.

Countering Strategic Preclusion: The Requirement for Truly Global Reach in the 21st Century

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

Website, http://www.618tacc. amc.af.mil/shared/ media /document/AFD-110602-022.pdf (accessed 24 May 2012). The inter-theater airlift support to Operation...Crisis,” Pacific Air Forces Official Website, http://www.pacaf. af.mil/shared/ media /document/AFD-110330-077.pdf [accessed 24 May 2012...Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which lists as one of its key functions providing targeting and BDA support to military operations. These are

Counter Electrical Generation and Distribution: An Assessment for Global Strike in 2035

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-15

magnetic field . Satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) or high earth orbit (HEO) orbits would be disabled from effects of the ionizing electrons on...of delivery.34 High power microwaves may also offer an ability to “dial down” the electro- magnetic fields being used to fine tune the effects on the...target system and reduce collateral damage. At high levels of electro- magnetic fields , permanent and catastrophic damage to circuitry, power lines

CHICO2, a two-dimensional pixelated parallel-plate avalanche counter

DOE PAGES

Wu, C. Y.; Cline, D.; Hayes, A.; ...

2016-01-27

CHICO 2 (Compact Heavy Ion COunter), is a large solid-angle, charged-particle detector array developed to provide both θ and Φ angle resolutions matching those of GRETINA (Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array). CHICO 2 was successfully tested at the Argonne National Laboratory where it was fielded as an auxiliary detector with GRETINA for γ-ray spectroscopic studies of nuclei using a 252Cf spontaneous fission source, stable beams, and radioactive beams from CARIBU. In field tests of the 72,76Ge beams on a 0.5 mg/cm 2208Pb target at the sub-barrier energy, CHICO 2 provided charged-particle angle resolutions (FWHM) of 1.55° in θ andmore » 2.47° in Φ. This achieves the design goal for both coordinates assuming a beam-spot size (>3 mm) and the target thickness (>0.5 mg/cm 2). The combined angular resolution of GRETINA/CHICO 2 resulted in a Doppler-shift corrected energy resolution of 0.60% for 1 MeV coincident de-excitation γ-rays. This is nearly a factor of two improvements in resolution and sensitivity compared to Gammasphere/CHICO. Kinematically-coincident detection of scattered ions by CHICO 2 still maintains the mass resolution (ΔM/M) of ~5% that enhanced isolation of scattered weak beams of interest from scattered contaminant beams.« less

Men with disabilities - A cross sectional survey of health promotion, social inclusion and participation at community Men's Sheds.

PubMed

Wilson, Nathan J; Cordier, Reinie; Parsons, Richard; Vaz, Sharmila; Buchanan, Angus

2016-01-01

The intersections between chronicity, disability and social inequality are well understood. Novel ways to counter the social determinants of health and disability are needed. Men's Sheds are a community space where men can participate in a range of shared activities and potentially experience a health and social benefits. This cross-sectional survey was conducted to inform future research by determining who attended Men's Sheds and the range of health, social, community, and educational activities undertaken there. This paper explores the membership of people with disabilities (PWD) at Men's Sheds and the factors that predict their membership. An online survey link was sent to all known Men's Sheds internationally in 2012. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential (univariate and multivariate) statistics. 32.2% of international sheds and 29% of Australian sheds specifically targeted the inclusion of PWD. 80% of these sheds have significantly more members with disabilities than sheds who do no target PWD. Factors associated with greater membership of PWD included the provision of transport, social outings and promoting occupational skills. PWD are being encouraged to join and are joining Men's Sheds. This is significant as the value of participation and inclusion toward better health and wellbeing is well known. Men's Sheds offer a community space where the social determinants of chronicity and disability can potentially be countered. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Matrix multiplication operations with data pre-conditioning in a high performance computing architecture

DOEpatents

Eichenberger, Alexandre E; Gschwind, Michael K; Gunnels, John A

2013-11-05

Mechanisms for performing matrix multiplication operations with data pre-conditioning in a high performance computing architecture are provided. A vector load operation is performed to load a first vector operand of the matrix multiplication operation to a first target vector register. A load and splat operation is performed to load an element of a second vector operand and replicating the element to each of a plurality of elements of a second target vector register. A multiply add operation is performed on elements of the first target vector register and elements of the second target vector register to generate a partial product of the matrix multiplication operation. The partial product of the matrix multiplication operation is accumulated with other partial products of the matrix multiplication operation.

Counter-responses as organizers in adolescent analysis and therapy.

PubMed

Richmond, M Barrie

2004-01-01

The author introduces Counter-response as a phenomological term to replace theory-burdened terms like counter-transference, counter-identification, and counter-resistance. He discusses the analyst's use of self (drawing on the comparison with Winnicott's use of the object) in processing the expectable destabilizing counter-reactions that occur in working therapeutically with disturbed adolescents and their parents. Further; he discusses the counter-reaction to the patient's narrative, acting-out, and how re-enactments can serve as an organizer for understanding the patient's inner life when the analyst formulates his/her counter-response. Emphasis is placed on the therapist forming his or her own narrative with the adolescent that takes into account the evoked counter-reaction. For this purpose, the author recommends the use of a combined counter-response and metaphor-orienting perspective to acknowledge and work with the denial, illusions, reversal of perspective, and catastrophic anxieties experienced with these adolescents. The counter-response perspective permits the emergence of the disturbed adolescent's novel narrative; however, since these experiences can be destabilizing or disruptive, the author also recommends the use of a personal metaphor to anticipate the reluctance to examining, processing, and formulating the analyst's dysphoric counter-reaction. With the use of the counter-response, the analyst's therapeutic ideal is to achieve a more optimal balance between using accepted narrative theories and exploring novel enactment experiences. His swimming metaphor stratagem is designed to keep the analyst in these difficult encounters.

Ultrahigh pressure extraction of lignan compounds from Dysosma versipellis and purification by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Zhu, Qing; Liu, Feng; Xu, Meixia; Lin, Xiaojing; Wang, Xiao

2012-09-15

Ultrahigh pressure extraction (UPE) was employed to extract podophyllotoxin and 4'-demethylpodophyllotoxin from Dysosma versipellis. The effects of extraction parameters including extraction solvents, pressure, time and solid/liquid ratio were investigated using a High Hydrostatic Pressure Processor. The optimal condition for UPE of the target compounds was 80% methanol, 200 MPa of pressure, 1 min of extraction time and 1:12 (g/mL) of solid/liquid ratio. Podophyllotoxin and 4'-demethylpodophyllotoxin in the crude extract were purified by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with a two-phase solvent system composed of petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (10:10:8:12, v/v), and the fractions were analyzed by HPLC, ESI-MS and (1)H NMR. As a result, 73.7 mg podophyllotoxin and 16.5mg 4'-demethylpodophyllotoxin with purities over 96% were obtained from 260 mg crude sample in one-step separation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interpersonal communication outcomes of a media literacy alcohol prevention curriculum.

PubMed

Banerjee, Smita C; Greene, Kathryn; Magsamen-Conrad, Kate; Elek, Elvira; Hecht, Michael L

2015-12-01

Media literacy intervention efficacy literature has focused on media-relevant (e.g., knowledge and realism) and behavior-relevant outcomes (e.g., attitudes and behaviors), without much attention paid to interpersonal communication outcomes. This project examined interpersonal communication after participation in two versions (analysis plus analysis and analysis plus planning) of the Youth Message Development (YMD) intervention, a brief media literacy curriculum targeted at preventing high school student alcohol use. Participants attended a 75-mins media literacy YMD workshop and completed a delayed posttest questionnaire 3 to 4 months later. Overall, 68 % participants replied affirmatively to interpersonal communication about the YMD intervention. Communication about the workshop moderated the effects of the type of workshop (analysis plus analysis or analysis plus planning) on self-efficacy to counter-argue (but not critical thinking). Interpersonal communication moderated the effects of the YMD intervention on self-efficacy to counter-argue, thereby signaling the importance of including interpersonal communication behaviors in intervention evaluation.

Aspergillus fumigatus Copper Export Machinery and Reactive Oxygen Intermediate Defense Counter Host Copper-Mediated Oxidative Antimicrobial Offense.

PubMed

Wiemann, Philipp; Perevitsky, Adi; Lim, Fang Yun; Shadkchan, Yana; Knox, Benjamin P; Landero Figueora, Julio A; Choera, Tsokyi; Niu, Mengyao; Steinberger, Andrew J; Wüthrich, Marcel; Idol, Rachel A; Klein, Bruce S; Dinauer, Mary C; Huttenlocher, Anna; Osherov, Nir; Keller, Nancy P

2017-05-02

The Fenton-chemistry-generating properties of copper ions are considered a potent phagolysosome defense against pathogenic microbes, yet our understanding of underlying host/microbe dynamics remains unclear. We address this issue in invasive aspergillosis and demonstrate that host and fungal responses inextricably connect copper and reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) mechanisms. Loss of the copper-binding transcription factor AceA yields an Aspergillus fumigatus strain displaying increased sensitivity to copper and ROI in vitro, increased intracellular copper concentrations, decreased survival in challenge with murine alveolar macrophages (AMΦs), and reduced virulence in a non-neutropenic murine model. ΔaceA survival is remediated by dampening of host ROI (chemically or genetically) or enhancement of copper-exporting activity (CrpA) in A. fumigatus. Our study exposes a complex host/microbe multifactorial interplay that highlights the importance of host immune status and reveals key targetable A. fumigatus counter-defenses. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Over-the-counter but out of reach: a pharmacy-based survey of OTC syringe sales in Tijuana, Mexico.

PubMed

Pollini, Robin A; Gallardo, Manuel; Ruiz, Serena; Case, Patricia; Zaller, Nickolas; Lozada, Remedios

2014-05-01

Sterile syringe access is critical to HIV prevention efforts targeting injection drug users (IDUs) but some pharmacies do not sell syringes over-the-counter (OTC) even where such sales are legal. We conducted a pharmacy survey in Tijuana, Mexico (where OTC sales are legal) to characterize attitudes toward syringe sales and to explore support for expanding pharmacy-based HIV prevention efforts. Of 203 respondents, 28% supported OTC syringe sales to IDUs and 74% said their pharmacy required a prescription for at least some syringe sales. Support for OTC syringe sales was independently associated with selling OTC syringes, understanding the role of sterile syringes in HIV prevention, and recognizing pharmacies as an important health resource for IDUs. Most respondents supported an expanded role for pharmacies in HIV prevention, exclusive of OTC syringe sales. Our study provides information for developing interventions to promote OTC syringe sales and expanding pharmacy-based distribution of HIV-related information and resources.

Modular high speed counter employing edge-triggered code

DOEpatents

Vanstraelen, Guy F.

1993-06-29

A high speed modular counter (100) utilizing a novel counting method in which the first bit changes with the frequency of the driving clock, and changes in the higher order bits are initiated one clock pulse after a "0" to "1" transition of the next lower order bit. This allows all carries to be known one clock period in advance of a bit change. The present counter is modular and utilizes two types of standard counter cells. A first counter cell determines the zero bit. The second counter cell determines any other higher order bit. Additional second counter cells are added to the counter to accommodate any count length without affecting speed.

Modular high speed counter employing edge-triggered code

DOEpatents

Vanstraelen, G.F.

1993-06-29

A high speed modular counter (100) utilizing a novel counting method in which the first bit changes with the frequency of the driving clock, and changes in the higher order bits are initiated one clock pulse after a 0'' to 1'' transition of the next lower order bit. This allows all carries to be known one clock period in advance of a bit change. The present counter is modular and utilizes two types of standard counter cells. A first counter cell determines the zero bit. The second counter cell determines any other higher order bit. Additional second counter cells are added to the counter to accommodate any count length without affecting speed.

Fissile material detector

DOEpatents

Ivanov, Alexander I.; Lushchikov, Vladislav I.; Shabalin, Eugeny P.; Maznyy, Nikita G.; Khvastunov, Michael M.; Rowland, Mark

2002-01-01

A detector for fissile materials which provides for integrity monitoring of fissile materials and can be used for nondestructive assay to confirm the presence of a stable content of fissile material in items. The detector has a sample cavity large enough to enable assay of large items of arbitrary configuration, utilizes neutron sources fabricated in spatially extended shapes mounted on the endcaps of the sample cavity, incorporates a thermal neutron filter insert with reflector properties, and the electronics module includes a neutron multiplicity coincidence counter.

The soft X-ray excess in Einstein quasar spectra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Masnou, J. L.; Wilkes, B. J.; Elvis, M.; Mcdowell, J. C.; Arnaud, K. A.

1992-01-01

An SNR-limited subsample of 14 quasars from the Wilkes and Elvis (1987) sample is presently investigated for low-energy excess above a high-energy power law in the X-ray spectra obtained by the Einstein Imaging Proportional Counter. A significant excess that is 1-6 times as strong as the high-energy component at 0.2 keV is noted in eight of the 14 objects. In the case of 3C273, multiple observations show the excess to be variable.

Over-the-Counter Medicines - Multiple Languages

MedlinePlus

... this page, please enable JavaScript. Amharic (Amarɨñña / አማርኛ ) Arabic (العربية) Burmese (myanma bhasa) Dari (دری) Farsi (فارسی) Karen (S’gaw Karen) Kinyarwanda (Rwanda) Levantine (Arabic dialect) (الـلَّـهْـجَـةُ الـشَّـامِـيَّـة) Pashto (Pax̌tō / پښتو ) Somali (Af- ...

Liquid Scintillation Counting - Packard Triple-Label Calibration

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

Torretto, P. A.

2017-03-23

The Radiological Measurements Laboratory (RML) maintains and operates nine Packard Liquid Scintillation Counters (LSCs). These counters were obtained through various sources and were generally purchased as 2500, 2700 or 3100 series counters. In 2004/2005 the software and firmware on the counters were upgraded. The counters are now designated as 3100 series counters running the Quantasmart software package. Thus, a single procedure can be used to calibrate and operate the Packard LSCs.

The response of a bonner sphere spectrometer to charged hadrons.

PubMed

Agosteo, S; Dimovasili, E; Fassò, A; Silari, M

2004-01-01

Bonner sphere spectrometers (BSSs) are employed in neutron spectrometry and dosimetry since many years. Recent developments have seen the addition to a conventional BSS of one or more detectors (moderator plus thermal neutron counter) specifically designed to improve the overall response of the spectrometer to neutrons above 10 MeV. These additional detectors employ a shell of material with a high mass number (such as lead) within the polyethylene moderator, in order to slow down high-energy neutrons via (n,xn) reactions. A BSS can be used to measure neutron spectra both outside accelerator shielding and from an unshielded target. Measurements were recently performed at CERN of the neutron yield and spectral fluence at various angles from unshielded, semi-thick copper, silver and lead targets, bombarded by a mixed proton/pion beam with 40 GeV per c momentum. These experiments have provided evidence that under certain circumstances, the use of lead-enriched moderators may present a problem: these detectors were found to have a significant response to the charged hadron component accompanying the neutrons emitted from the target. Conventional polyethylene moderators show a similar behaviour but less pronounced. These secondary hadrons interact with the moderator and generate neutrons, which are in turn detected by the counter. To investigate this effect and determine a correction factor to be applied to the unfolding procedure, a series of Monte Carlo simulations were performed with the FLUKA code. These simulations aimed at determining the response of the BSS to charged hadrons under the specific experimental situation. Following these results, a complete response matrix of the extended BSS to charged pions and protons was calculated with FLUKA. An experimental verification was carried out with a 120 GeV per c hadron beam at the CERF facility at CERN.

Avalanche multiplication and impact ionization in amorphous selenium photoconductive target

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Wug-Dong; Tanioka, Kenkichi

2014-03-01

The avalanche multiplication factor and the hole ionization coefficient in the amorphous selenium (a-Se) high-gain avalanche rushing amorphous photoconductor (HARP) target depend on the electric field. The phenomenon of avalanche multiplication and impact ionization in the 0.4-µm-thick a-Se HARP target is investigated. The hot carrier energy in the 0.4-µm-thick a-Se HARP target increases linearly as the target voltage increases. The energy relaxation length of hot carriers in the a-Se photoconductor of the 0.4-µm-thick HARP target saturates as the electric field increases. The average energy Eav of a hot carrier and the energy relaxation length λE in the a-Se photoconductor of the 0.4-µm-thick HARP target at 1 × 108 V/m were 0.25 eV and 2.5 nm, respectively. In addition, the hole ionization coefficient β and the avalanche multiplication factor M are derived as a function of the electric field, the average energy of a hot carrier, and the impact ionization energy. The experimental hole ionization coefficient β and the avalanche multiplication factor M in the 0.4-µm-thick a-Se HARP target agree with the theoretical results.

Identifying Drug-Target Interactions with Decision Templates.

PubMed

Yan, Xiao-Ying; Zhang, Shao-Wu

2018-01-01

During the development process of new drugs, identification of the drug-target interactions wins primary concerns. However, the chemical or biological experiments bear the limitation in coverage as well as the huge cost of both time and money. Based on drug similarity and target similarity, chemogenomic methods can be able to predict potential drug-target interactions (DTIs) on a large scale and have no luxurious need about target structures or ligand entries. In order to reflect the cases that the drugs having variant structures interact with common targets and the targets having dissimilar sequences interact with same drugs. In addition, though several other similarity metrics have been developed to predict DTIs, the combination of multiple similarity metrics (especially heterogeneous similarities) is too naïve to sufficiently explore the multiple similarities. In this paper, based on Gene Ontology and pathway annotation, we introduce two novel target similarity metrics to address above issues. More importantly, we propose a more effective strategy via decision template to integrate multiple classifiers designed with multiple similarity metrics. In the scenarios that predict existing targets for new drugs and predict approved drugs for new protein targets, the results on the DTI benchmark datasets show that our target similarity metrics are able to enhance the predictive accuracies in two scenarios. And the elaborate fusion strategy of multiple classifiers has better predictive power than the naïve combination of multiple similarity metrics. Compared with other two state-of-the-art approaches on the four popular benchmark datasets of binary drug-target interactions, our method achieves the best results in terms of AUC and AUPR for predicting available targets for new drugs (S2), and predicting approved drugs for new protein targets (S3).These results demonstrate that our method can effectively predict the drug-target interactions. The software package can freely available at https://github.com/NwpuSY/DT_all.git for academic users. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

A unique role of endogenous visual-spatial attention in rapid processing of multiple targets

PubMed Central

Guzman, Emmanuel; Grabowecky, Marcia; Palafox, German; Suzuki, Satoru

2012-01-01

Visual spatial attention can be exogenously captured by a salient stimulus or can be endogenously allocated by voluntary effort. Whether these two attention modes serve distinctive functions is debated, but for processing of single targets the literature suggests superiority of exogenous attention (it is faster acting and serves more functions). We report that endogenous attention uniquely contributes to processing of multiple targets. For speeded visual discrimination, response times are faster for multiple redundant targets than for single targets due to probability summation and/or signal integration. This redundancy gain was unaffected when attention was exogenously diverted from the targets, but was completely eliminated when attention was endogenously diverted. This was not due to weaker manipulation of exogenous attention because our exogenous and endogenous cues similarly affected overall response times. Thus, whereas exogenous attention is superior for processing single targets, endogenous attention plays a unique role in allocating resources crucial for rapid concurrent processing of multiple targets. PMID:21517209

Construction of monoenergetic neutron calibration fields using 45Sc(p, n)45Ti reaction at JAEA.

PubMed

Tanimura, Y; Saegusa, J; Shikaze, Y; Tsutsumi, M; Shimizu, S; Yoshizawa, M

2007-01-01

The 8 and 27 keV monoenergetic neutron calibration fields have been developed by using (45)Sc(p, n)(45)Ti reaction. Protons from a 4-MV Pelletron accelerator are used to bombard a thin scandium target evaporated onto a platinum disc. The proton energies are finely adjusted to the resonance to generate the 8 and 27 keV neutrons by applying a high voltage to the target assemblies. The neutron energies were measured using the time-of-flight method with a lithium glass scintillation detector. The neutron fluences at a calibration point located at 50 cm from the target were evaluated using Bonner spheres. A long counter was placed at 2.2 m from the target and at 60 degrees to the direction of the proton beam in order to monitor the fluence at the calibration point. Fluence and dose equivalent rates at the calibration point are sufficient to calibrate many types of the neutron survey metres.

Of Caucasians, Asians, and Giraffes: The Influence of Categorization and Target Valence on Social Projection.

PubMed

Machunsky, Maya; Walther, Eva

2015-09-01

Past research has indicated that social projection is moderated by categorization, with more projection onto ingroups than onto outgroups. However, a few studies have reported elevated levels of projection even onto outgroups. In line with recent evidence, we hypothesized that positive target valence is the key feature of conditions that elicit projection onto outgroups. The present research extends previous findings by testing whether the effect of valence occurs independent of categorization, with increased levels of projection onto positive ingroup and non-ingroup targets alike. We designed two experiments in which target valence was manipulated by means of evaluative conditioning. Category membership was varied by using faces of Caucasians, Asians, and giraffes. The results supported our valence hypothesis. Counter-intuitively, we also found higher levels of projection onto giraffes than onto humans. These findings suggest that current cognition-based models of projection are not sufficient to account for the whole range of projection phenomena. © 2015 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.

An Attractive Reelin Gradient Establishes Synaptic Lamination in the Vertebrate Visual System.

PubMed

Di Donato, Vincenzo; De Santis, Flavia; Albadri, Shahad; Auer, Thomas Oliver; Duroure, Karine; Charpentier, Marine; Concordet, Jean-Paul; Gebhardt, Christoph; Del Bene, Filippo

2018-03-07

A conserved organizational and functional principle of neural networks is the segregation of axon-dendritic synaptic connections into laminae. Here we report that targeting of synaptic laminae by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) arbors in the vertebrate visual system is regulated by a signaling system relying on target-derived Reelin and VLDLR/Dab1a on the projecting neurons. Furthermore, we find that Reelin is distributed as a gradient on the target tissue and stabilized by heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Through genetic manipulations, we show that this Reelin gradient is important for laminar targeting and that it is attractive for RGC axons. Finally, we suggest a comprehensive model of synaptic lamina formation in which attractive Reelin counter-balances repulsive Slit1, thereby guiding RGC axons toward single synaptic laminae. We establish a mechanism that may represent a general principle for neural network assembly in vertebrate species and across different brain areas. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Concepts for fast acquisition in optical communications systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilkerson, Brandon L.; Giggenbach, Dirk; Epple, Bernhard

2006-09-01

As free-space laser communications systems proliferate due to improved technology and transmission techniques, optical communication networks comprised of ground stations, aircraft, high altitude platforms, and satellites become an attainable goal. An important consideration for optical networks is the ability of optical communication terminals (OCT) to quickly locate one another and align their laser beams to initiate the acquisition sequence. This paper investigates promising low-cost technologies and novel approaches that will facilitate the targeting and acquisition tasks between counter terminals. Specifically, two critical technology areas are investigated: position determination (which includes location and attitude determination) and inter-terminal communications. A feasibility study identified multiple-antenna global navigation satellite system (GNSS) systems and GNSS-aided inertial systems as possible position determination solutions. Personal satellite communication systems (e.g. Iridium or Inmarsat), third generation cellular technology (IMT-2000/UMTS), and a relatively new air traffic surveillance technology called Autonomous Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) were identified as possible inter-terminal communication solutions. A GNSS-aided inertial system and an ADS-B system were integrated into an OCT to demonstrate their utility in a typical optical communication scenario. Testing showed that these technologies have high potential in future OCTs, although improvements can be made to both to increase tracking accuracy.

Sensor Compromise Detection in Multiple-Target Tracking Systems

PubMed Central

Doucette, Emily A.; Curtis, Jess W.

2018-01-01

Tracking multiple targets using a single estimator is a problem that is commonly approached within a trusted framework. There are many weaknesses that an adversary can exploit if it gains control over the sensors. Because the number of targets that the estimator has to track is not known with anticipation, an adversary could cause a loss of information or a degradation in the tracking precision. Other concerns include the introduction of false targets, which would result in a waste of computational and material resources, depending on the application. In this work, we study the problem of detecting compromised or faulty sensors in a multiple-target tracker, starting with the single-sensor case and then considering the multiple-sensor scenario. We propose an algorithm to detect a variety of attacks in the multiple-sensor case, via the application of finite set statistics (FISST), one-class classifiers and hypothesis testing using nonparametric techniques. PMID:29466314

Multiple shell fusion targets

DOEpatents

Lindl, J.D.; Bangerter, R.O.

1975-10-31

Multiple shell fusion targets for use with electron beam and ion beam implosion systems are described. The multiple shell targets are of the low-power type and use a separate relatively low Z, low density ablator at large radius for the outer shell, which reduces the focusing and power requirements of the implosion system while maintaining reasonable aspect ratios. The targets use a high Z, high density pusher shell placed at a much smaller radius in order to obtain an aspect ratio small enough to protect against fluid instability. Velocity multiplication between these shells further lowers the power requirements. Careful tuning of the power profile and intershell density results in a low entropy implosion which allows breakeven at low powers. For example, with ion beams as a power source, breakeven at 10-20 Terrawatts with 10 MeV alpha particles for imploding a multiple shell target can be accomplished.

Sign-And-Magnitude Up/Down Counter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cole, Steven W.

1991-01-01

Magnitude-and-sign counter includes conventional up/down counter for magnitude part and special additional circuitry for sign part. Negative numbers indicated more directly. Counter implemented by programming erasable programmable logic device (EPLD) or programmable logic array (PLA). Used in place of conventional up/down counter to provide sign and magnitude values directly to other circuits.

Low latency counter event indication

DOEpatents

Gara, Alan G [Mount Kisco, NY; Salapura, Valentina [Chappaqua, NY

2008-09-16

A hybrid counter array device for counting events with interrupt indication includes a first counter portion comprising N counter devices, each for counting signals representing event occurrences and providing a first count value representing lower order bits. An overflow bit device associated with each respective counter device is additionally set in response to an overflow condition. The hybrid counter array includes a second counter portion comprising a memory array device having N addressable memory locations in correspondence with the N counter devices, each addressable memory location for storing a second count value representing higher order bits. An operatively coupled control device monitors each associated overflow bit device and initiates incrementing a second count value stored at a corresponding memory location in response to a respective overflow bit being set. The incremented second count value is compared to an interrupt threshold value stored in a threshold register, and, when the second counter value is equal to the interrupt threshold value, a corresponding "interrupt arm" bit is set to enable a fast interrupt indication. On a subsequent roll-over of the lower bits of that counter, the interrupt will be fired.

Low latency counter event indication

DOEpatents

Gara, Alan G.; Salapura, Valentina

2010-08-24

A hybrid counter array device for counting events with interrupt indication includes a first counter portion comprising N counter devices, each for counting signals representing event occurrences and providing a first count value representing lower order bits. An overflow bit device associated with each respective counter device is additionally set in response to an overflow condition. The hybrid counter array includes a second counter portion comprising a memory array device having N addressable memory locations in correspondence with the N counter devices, each addressable memory location for storing a second count value representing higher order bits. An operatively coupled control device monitors each associated overflow bit device and initiates incrementing a second count value stored at a corresponding memory location in response to a respective overflow bit being set. The incremented second count value is compared to an interrupt threshold value stored in a threshold register, and, when the second counter value is equal to the interrupt threshold value, a corresponding "interrupt arm" bit is set to enable a fast interrupt indication. On a subsequent roll-over of the lower bits of that counter, the interrupt will be fired.

Time delay in atomic photoionization with circularly polarized light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, I. A.; Kheifets, A. S.

2013-03-01

We study time delay in atomic photoionization by circularly polarized light. By considering the Li atom in an excited 2p state, we demonstrate a strong time-delay asymmetry between the photoemission of the target electrons that are co- and counter-rotating with the electromagnetic field in the polarization plane. In addition, we observe the time-delay sensitivity to the polar angle of the photoelectron emission in the polarization plane. This modulation depends on the shape and duration of the electromagnetic pulse.

Two Sides of the Same COIN: A Comparative Analysis of American and British Counterinsurgency Approaches at the Turn of the Twentieth Century

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-10

hearts and minds.16 Additionally, he claimed the cooperation between the civilian, military, and police authorities through the Briggs Plan developed...Company, 1967), 76-77. 16Ibid., 176. 17For additional information on the Briggs plan see John J. McCuen, The Art of Counter- Revolutionary War (St...the British campaign in Malaya began as an enemy-focused operation targeting the insurgent forces under the Briggs Plan and then Sir Gerald Templar

Winning the Hearts and Minds: Improving U.S. Counter-Radicalization Efforts Through a Study of the United Kingdoms Prevent Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

recommended as part of the U.S. counterterrorism communications strategy. In the article, “The Impact of UK Anti-Terror Laws on Freedom of Expression” by... communications strategy by providing a starting point upon which to build. The research conducted will advance an approach that will impact the enemy militarily...in its impact for protecting the United States from those citizens who see it specifically targeting the U.S. Muslim community . d. Building a

A New Approach to Ballistic Missile Defense for Countering Antiaccess/Area-Denial Threats from Precision-Guided Weapons

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-01

performance esti- mates. Four notional developments of the PAA surrogate were mod- eled , with burnout velocities of 5 km/second and 6 km/second (40...his weapon on the intended target. Interceptor Models The notional baseline surface-launch interceptor was modeled with 3.5 km/second burnout ...agility. The AWL upper-tier interceptor was modeled, based on employment from an F-35A.11 In general the upper-tier interceptor has a burnout

Investigation of Plasma Facing Components in Plasma Focus Operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roshan, M. V.; Babazadeh, A. R.; Kiai, S. M. Sadat; Habibi, H.; Mamarzadeh, M.

2007-09-01

Both aspects of the plasma-wall interactions, counter effect of plasma and materials, have been considered in our experiments. The AEOI plasma focus, Dena, has Filippov-type electrodes. The experimental results verify that neutron production increases using tungsten as an anode insert material, compared to the copper one. The experiments show decrement of the hardness of Aluminum targets outward the sides, from 135 to 78 in Vickers scale. The sputtering yield is about 0.0065 for deuteron energy of 50 keV.

Alzheimer's Therapeutics Targeting Amyloid Beta 1–42 Oligomers I: Abeta 42 Oligomer Binding to Specific Neuronal Receptors Is Displaced by Drug Candidates That Improve Cognitive Deficits

PubMed Central

Izzo, Nicholas J.; Staniszewski, Agnes; To, Lillian; Fa, Mauro; Teich, Andrew F.; Saeed, Faisal; Wostein, Harrison; Walko, Thomas; Vaswani, Anisha; Wardius, Meghan; Syed, Zanobia; Ravenscroft, Jessica; Mozzoni, Kelsie; Silky, Colleen; Rehak, Courtney; Yurko, Raymond; Finn, Patricia; Look, Gary; Rishton, Gilbert; Safferstein, Hank; Miller, Miles; Johanson, Conrad; Stopa, Edward; Windisch, Manfred; Hutter-Paier, Birgit; Shamloo, Mehrdad; Arancio, Ottavio; LeVine, Harry; Catalano, Susan M.

2014-01-01

Synaptic dysfunction and loss caused by age-dependent accumulation of synaptotoxic beta amyloid (Abeta) 1–42 oligomers is proposed to underlie cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Alterations in membrane trafficking induced by Abeta oligomers mediates reduction in neuronal surface receptor expression that is the basis for inhibition of electrophysiological measures of synaptic plasticity and thus learning and memory. We have utilized phenotypic screens in mature, in vitro cultures of rat brain cells to identify small molecules which block or prevent the binding and effects of Abeta oligomers. Synthetic Abeta oligomers bind saturably to a single site on neuronal synapses and induce deficits in membrane trafficking in neuronal cultures with an EC50 that corresponds to its binding affinity. The therapeutic lead compounds we have found are pharmacological antagonists of Abeta oligomers, reducing the binding of Abeta oligomers to neurons in vitro, preventing spine loss in neurons and preventing and treating oligomer-induced deficits in membrane trafficking. These molecules are highly brain penetrant and prevent and restore cognitive deficits in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Counter-screening these compounds against a broad panel of potential CNS targets revealed they are highly potent and specific ligands of the sigma-2/PGRMC1 receptor. Brain concentrations of the compounds corresponding to greater than 80% receptor occupancy at the sigma-2/PGRMC1 receptor restore cognitive function in transgenic hAPP Swe/Ldn mice. These studies demonstrate that synthetic and human-derived Abeta oligomers act as pharmacologically-behaved ligands at neuronal receptors - i.e. they exhibit saturable binding to a target, they exert a functional effect related to their binding and their displacement by small molecule antagonists blocks their functional effect. The first-in-class small molecule receptor antagonists described here restore memory to normal in multiple AD models and sustain improvement long-term, representing a novel mechanism of action for disease-modifying Alzheimer's therapeutics. PMID:25390368

Alzheimer's therapeutics targeting amyloid beta 1-42 oligomers I: Abeta 42 oligomer binding to specific neuronal receptors is displaced by drug candidates that improve cognitive deficits.

PubMed

Izzo, Nicholas J; Staniszewski, Agnes; To, Lillian; Fa, Mauro; Teich, Andrew F; Saeed, Faisal; Wostein, Harrison; Walko, Thomas; Vaswani, Anisha; Wardius, Meghan; Syed, Zanobia; Ravenscroft, Jessica; Mozzoni, Kelsie; Silky, Colleen; Rehak, Courtney; Yurko, Raymond; Finn, Patricia; Look, Gary; Rishton, Gilbert; Safferstein, Hank; Miller, Miles; Johanson, Conrad; Stopa, Edward; Windisch, Manfred; Hutter-Paier, Birgit; Shamloo, Mehrdad; Arancio, Ottavio; LeVine, Harry; Catalano, Susan M

2014-01-01

Synaptic dysfunction and loss caused by age-dependent accumulation of synaptotoxic beta amyloid (Abeta) 1-42 oligomers is proposed to underlie cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Alterations in membrane trafficking induced by Abeta oligomers mediates reduction in neuronal surface receptor expression that is the basis for inhibition of electrophysiological measures of synaptic plasticity and thus learning and memory. We have utilized phenotypic screens in mature, in vitro cultures of rat brain cells to identify small molecules which block or prevent the binding and effects of Abeta oligomers. Synthetic Abeta oligomers bind saturably to a single site on neuronal synapses and induce deficits in membrane trafficking in neuronal cultures with an EC50 that corresponds to its binding affinity. The therapeutic lead compounds we have found are pharmacological antagonists of Abeta oligomers, reducing the binding of Abeta oligomers to neurons in vitro, preventing spine loss in neurons and preventing and treating oligomer-induced deficits in membrane trafficking. These molecules are highly brain penetrant and prevent and restore cognitive deficits in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Counter-screening these compounds against a broad panel of potential CNS targets revealed they are highly potent and specific ligands of the sigma-2/PGRMC1 receptor. Brain concentrations of the compounds corresponding to greater than 80% receptor occupancy at the sigma-2/PGRMC1 receptor restore cognitive function in transgenic hAPP Swe/Ldn mice. These studies demonstrate that synthetic and human-derived Abeta oligomers act as pharmacologically-behaved ligands at neuronal receptors--i.e. they exhibit saturable binding to a target, they exert a functional effect related to their binding and their displacement by small molecule antagonists blocks their functional effect. The first-in-class small molecule receptor antagonists described here restore memory to normal in multiple AD models and sustain improvement long-term, representing a novel mechanism of action for disease-modifying Alzheimer's therapeutics.

Optimization of T-cell Reactivity by Exploiting TCR Chain Centricity for the Purpose of Safe and Effective Antitumor TCR Gene Therapy.

PubMed

Ochi, Toshiki; Nakatsugawa, Munehide; Chamoto, Kenji; Tanaka, Shinya; Yamashita, Yuki; Guo, Tingxi; Fujiwara, Hiroshi; Yasukawa, Masaki; Butler, Marcus O; Hirano, Naoto

2015-09-01

Adoptive transfer of T cells redirected by a high-affinity antitumor T-cell receptor (TCR) is a promising treatment modality for cancer patients. Safety and efficacy depend on the selection of a TCR that induces minimal toxicity and elicits sufficient antitumor reactivity. Many, if not all, TCRs possess cross-reactivity to unrelated MHC molecules in addition to reactivity to target self-MHC/peptide complexes. Some TCRs display chain centricity, in which recognition of MHC/peptide complexes is dominated by one of the TCR hemi-chains. In this study, we comprehensively studied how TCR chain centricity affects reactivity to target self-MHC/peptide complexes and alloreactivity using the TCR, clone TAK1, which is specific for human leukocyte antigen-A*24:02/Wilms tumor 1(235-243) (A24/WT1(235)) and cross-reactive with B*57:01 (B57). The TAK1β, but not the TAK1α, hemi-chain possessed chain centricity. When paired with multiple clonotypic TCRα counter-chains encoding TRAV12-2, 20, 36, or 38-2, the de novo TAK1β-containing TCRs showed enhanced, weakened, or absent reactivity to A24/WT1(235) and/or to B57. T cells reconstituted with these TCRα genes along with TAK1β possessed a very broad range (>3 log orders) of functional and structural avidities. These results suggest that TCR chain centricity can be exploited to enhance desired antitumor TCR reactivity and eliminate unwanted TCR cross-reactivity. TCR reactivity to target MHC/peptide complexes and cross-reactivity to unrelated MHC molecules are not inextricably linked and are separable at the TCR sequence level. However, it is still mandatory to carefully monitor for possible harmful toxicities caused by adoptive transfer of T cells redirected by thymically unselected TCRs. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

Hybrid foraging search: Searching for multiple instances of multiple types of target.

PubMed

Wolfe, Jeremy M; Aizenman, Avigael M; Boettcher, Sage E P; Cain, Matthew S

2016-02-01

This paper introduces the "hybrid foraging" paradigm. In typical visual search tasks, observers search for one instance of one target among distractors. In hybrid search, observers search through visual displays for one instance of any of several types of target held in memory. In foraging search, observers collect multiple instances of a single target type from visual displays. Combining these paradigms, in hybrid foraging tasks observers search visual displays for multiple instances of any of several types of target (as might be the case in searching the kitchen for dinner ingredients or an X-ray for different pathologies). In the present experiment, observers held 8-64 target objects in memory. They viewed displays of 60-105 randomly moving photographs of objects and used the computer mouse to collect multiple targets before choosing to move to the next display. Rather than selecting at random among available targets, observers tended to collect items in runs of one target type. Reaction time (RT) data indicate searching again for the same item is more efficient than searching for any other targets, held in memory. Observers were trying to maximize collection rate. As a result, and consistent with optimal foraging theory, they tended to leave 25-33% of targets uncollected when moving to the next screen/patch. The pattern of RTs shows that while observers were collecting a target item, they had already begun searching memory and the visual display for additional targets, making the hybrid foraging task a useful way to investigate the interaction of visual and memory search. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hybrid foraging search: Searching for multiple instances of multiple types of target

PubMed Central

Wolfe, Jeremy M.; Aizenman, Avigael M.; Boettcher, Sage E.P.; Cain, Matthew S.

2016-01-01

This paper introduces the “hybrid foraging” paradigm. In typical visual search tasks, observers search for one instance of one target among distractors. In hybrid search, observers search through visual displays for one instance of any of several types of target held in memory. In foraging search, observers collect multiple instances of a single target type from visual displays. Combining these paradigms, in hybrid foraging tasks observers search visual displays for multiple instances of any of several types of target (as might be the case in searching the kitchen for dinner ingredients or an X-ray for different pathologies). In the present experiment, observers held 8–64 targets objects in memory. They viewed displays of 60–105 randomly moving photographs of objects and used the computer mouse to collect multiple targets before choosing to move to the next display. Rather than selecting at random among available targets, observers tended to collect items in runs of one target type. Reaction time (RT) data indicate searching again for the same item is more efficient than searching for any other targets, held in memory. Observers were trying to maximize collection rate. As a result, and consistent with optimal foraging theory, they tended to leave 25–33% of targets uncollected when moving to the next screen/patch. The pattern of RTs shows that while observers were collecting a target item, they had already begun searching memory and the visual display for additional targets, making the hybrid foraging task a useful way to investigate the interaction of visual and memory search. PMID:26731644

GAMMA PROPORTIONAL COUNTER CONTAINING HIGH Z GAS AND LOW Z MODERATOR

DOEpatents

Fox, R.

1963-07-23

A gamma radiation counter employing a gas proportional counter is described. The radiation counter comprises a cylindrical gas proportional counter which contains a high atomic number gas and is surrounded by a low atomic number gamma radiation moderator material. At least one slit is provided in the moderator to allow accident gamma radiation to enter the moderator in the most favorable manner for moderation, and also to allow low energy gamma radiation to enter the counter without the necessity of passing through the moderator. This radiation counter is capable of detecting and measuring gamma radiation in the energy range of 0.5-5 Mev. (AEC)

Channeling effect in polycrystalline deuterium-saturated CVD diamond target bombarded by deuterium ion beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagulya, A. V.; Dalkarov, O. D.; Negodaev, M. A.; Rusetskii, A. S.; Chubenko, A. P.; Ralchenko, V. G.; Bolshakov, A. P.

2015-07-01

At the ion accelerator HELIS at LPI, the neutron yield is investigated in DD reactions within a strongly textured polycrystalline deuterium-saturated CVD diamond under irradiation by a deuterium ion beam with the energy of less than 30 keV. The measurements of the neutron flux in the beam direction are performed using a multichannel detector based on 3He counters, in dependence on the target angle, β, with respect to the beam axis. A significant anisotropy in the neutron yield is observed. At β = 0° the yield is higher by a factor of 3 as compared to that at β = ±45°. The possible reasons for the anisotropy, including ion channeling, are discussed.

Development of Remote Sampling ESI Mass Spectrometry for the Rapid and Automatic Analysis of Multiple Samples

PubMed Central

Yamada, Yuki; Ninomiya, Satoshi; Hiraoka, Kenzo; Chen, Lee Chuin

2016-01-01

We report on combining a self-aspirated sampling probe and an ESI source using a single metal capillary which is electrically grounded and safe for use by the operator. To generate an electrospray, a negative H.V. is applied to the counter electrode of the ESI emitter to operate in positive ion mode. The sampling/ESI capillary is enclosed within another concentric capillary similar to the arrangement for a standard pneumatically assisted ESI source. The suction of the liquid sample is due to the Venturi effect created by the high-velocity gas flow near the ESI tip. In addition to serving as the mechanism for suction, the high-velocity gas flow also assists in the nebulization of charged droplets, thus producing a stable ion signal. Even though the potential of the ion source counter electrode is more negative than the mass spectrometer in the positive ion mode, the electric field effect is not significant if the ion source and the mass spectrometer are separated by a sufficient distance. Ion transmission is achieved by the viscous flow of the carrier gas. Using the present arrangement, the user can hold the ion source in a bare hand and the ion signal appears almost immediately when the sampling capillary is brought into contact with the liquid sample. The automated analysis of multiple samples can also be achieved by using motorized sample stage and an automated ion source holder. PMID:28616373

Certification of Plutonium Standards for KAMS Neutron Multiplicity Counter

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

Salaymeh, S.R.

2002-05-31

As part of the implementation of the PEIS record of decision in January of 1997, DOE will pursue two technologies to disposition fifty metric tons of its stockpile of plutonium. As a result of this and in order to expedite the closure of Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site in Colorado, DOE decided to use existing facilities at the Savannah River Site (SRS) for storing all material containing plutonium at KAMS. A neutron multiplicity counter was designed and built to carry out receipt verification measurement at the facility. Since the material covers a wide range and different levels of impurities, itmore » is essential that we obtain a set of working standards. An agreement was drafted to select the first drums to be these standards. A plan was developed for the certification of these standards using Rocky Flat's existing nondestructive assay equipment. This paper will discuss the types of materials to be shipped to SRS, number of standards to certify for each type of material, and the certification plan. It will also discuss the activities necessary to determine the nuclear content of these working standards to be used at SRS facilities in support of shipment and receipt of the Pu containing materials. Definition of instrument qualifications, measurement control processes, measurement methodologies, and calculations necessary to report the gram quantities and their uncertainties for plutonium, americium-241, uranium-235 (if present) and neptunium-237 (if present) will also be presented.« less

Development of Remote Sampling ESI Mass Spectrometry for the Rapid and Automatic Analysis of Multiple Samples.

PubMed

Yamada, Yuki; Ninomiya, Satoshi; Hiraoka, Kenzo; Chen, Lee Chuin

2016-01-01

We report on combining a self-aspirated sampling probe and an ESI source using a single metal capillary which is electrically grounded and safe for use by the operator. To generate an electrospray, a negative H.V. is applied to the counter electrode of the ESI emitter to operate in positive ion mode. The sampling/ESI capillary is enclosed within another concentric capillary similar to the arrangement for a standard pneumatically assisted ESI source. The suction of the liquid sample is due to the Venturi effect created by the high-velocity gas flow near the ESI tip. In addition to serving as the mechanism for suction, the high-velocity gas flow also assists in the nebulization of charged droplets, thus producing a stable ion signal. Even though the potential of the ion source counter electrode is more negative than the mass spectrometer in the positive ion mode, the electric field effect is not significant if the ion source and the mass spectrometer are separated by a sufficient distance. Ion transmission is achieved by the viscous flow of the carrier gas. Using the present arrangement, the user can hold the ion source in a bare hand and the ion signal appears almost immediately when the sampling capillary is brought into contact with the liquid sample. The automated analysis of multiple samples can also be achieved by using motorized sample stage and an automated ion source holder.

A household survey on the extent of home medication storage. A cross-sectional study from rural Crete, Greece.

PubMed

Tsiligianni, Ioanna G; Delgatty, Candida; Alegakis, Athanasios; Lionis, Christos

2012-03-01

Patients often have multiple chronic diseases, use multiple prescriptions and over the counter medications resulting in polypharmacy. Many of them store these medications for future use in their homes, rather than take them as directed by their physician, resulting in a waste of health care resources, and potentially dangerous misuse. This study aimed to investigate the magnitude of medication home hoarding, the exchange of medication with family/friends, families' beliefs about the medication use, source of medication, pharmaceutical class, cost of stored medicine and conditions of storage. A structured questionnaire was administered within the homes in two rural areas in Crete. Forty families participated in the study including 85 individual household members (36 men, and 49 women with an average age of 56.5 ± 24.3 mean ± SD). There were a total of 557 medications recorded, with 324 different medications representing a total value of €8954. The mean quantity of medication boxes stored in each home was 8.5 ± 5.8. Cardiovascular medications accounted for 56% of medications for current use; whereas analgesics (24%), and antibiotics (17%), were the most medications being stored for future use. Exchange of medicine was very common (95%). Beliefs that 'more expensive medication is more effective', and that 'over the counter medications are safe because they were easily available' were expressed. Medications are being stored in large quantities in these rural areas, with a large percentage of them being wasted or misused.

Photonic Switching Devices Using Light Bullets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goorjian, Peter M. (Inventor)

1999-01-01

A unique ultra-fast, all-optical switching device or switch is made with readily available, relatively inexpensive, highly nonlinear optical materials. which includes highly nonlinear optical glasses, semiconductor crystals and/or multiple quantum well semiconductor materials. At the specified wavelengths. these optical materials have a sufficiently negative group velocity dispersion and high nonlinear index of refraction to support stable light bullets. The light bullets counter-propagate through, and interact within the waveguide to selectively change each others' directions of propagation into predetermined channels. In one embodiment, the switch utilizes a rectangularly planar slab waveguide. and further includes two central channels and a plurality of lateral channels for guiding the light bullets into and out of the waveguide. An advantage of the present all-optical switching device lies in its practical use of light bullets, thus preventing the degeneration of the pulses due to dispersion and diffraction at the front and back of the pulses. Another advantage of the switching device is the relative insensitivity of the collision process to the time difference in which the counter-propagating pulses enter the waveguide. since. contrary to conventional co-propagating spatial solitons, the relative phase of the colliding pulses does not affect the interaction of these pulses. Yet another feature of the present all-optical switching device is the selection of the light pulse parameters which enables the generation of light bullets in nonlinear optical materials. including highly nonlinear optical glasses and semiconductor materials such as semiconductor crystals and/or multiple quantum well semiconductor materials.

Chemical abundances of cosmic rays greater than 4.5 GV measured with a large area proportional counter-scintillation counter stack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lheureux, J.; Fan, C. Y.; Mainardi, R.; Gloeckler, G.

1974-01-01

A 6500 sq cm-ster cosmic-ray detector consisting of 12 gas counter trays sandwiched between two large-area circular scintillation counters was flown from Palestine, Texas in November 1972 to study the composition of primary particles greater than 1.5 GeV/nucleon in the charge range from 3 to 30. For each analyzed event, the particle trajectory was recorded, using four 20-wire proportional counter trays. Also recorded were the energy loss in each of the solid counters and the dE/dx losses in each of the 12 gas counters. The large dynamic range of the detector is established by operating six of the gas counters in the ionization mode. A description of the instrument and some preliminary results are given.

Chemical abundances of cosmic rays greater than 4.5 GV measured with a large area proportional counter-scintillation counter stack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lheureux, J.; Fan, C. Y.; Gloeckler, G.; Mainardi, R.

1973-01-01

A 6500 sq cm-ster cosmic ray detector consisting of twelve gas counter trays sandwiched between two large area circular scintillation counters was flown from Palestine, Texas in November of 1972 to study the composition of primary particles 1.5 GeV/nucleon in the charge range 3 to 30. For each analyzed event, a recording was made of (1) the particle trajectory using four 20 wire proportional counter trays, (2) the energy loss in each of the solid counters, and (3) the dE/dx losses in each of the twelve gas counters. The large dynamic range of the detector is established by operating six of the gas counters in the ionization mode. A description of the instrument and some preliminary results are given.

Evaluation of a low-cost optical particle counter (Alphasense OPC-N2) for ambient air monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crilley, Leigh R.; Shaw, Marvin; Pound, Ryan; Kramer, Louisa J.; Price, Robin; Young, Stuart; Lewis, Alastair C.; Pope, Francis D.

2018-02-01

A fast-growing area of research is the development of low-cost sensors for measuring air pollutants. The affordability and size of low-cost particle sensors makes them an attractive option for use in experiments requiring a number of instruments such as high-density spatial mapping. However, for these low-cost sensors to be useful for these types of studies their accuracy and precision need to be quantified. We evaluated the Alphasense OPC-N2, a promising low-cost miniature optical particle counter, for monitoring ambient airborne particles at typical urban background sites in the UK. The precision of the OPC-N2 was assessed by co-locating 14 instruments at a site to investigate the variation in measured concentrations. Comparison to two different reference optical particle counters as well as a TEOM-FDMS enabled the accuracy of the OPC-N2 to be evaluated. Comparison of the OPC-N2 to the reference optical instruments shows some limitations for measuring mass concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. The OPC-N2 demonstrated a significant positive artefact in measured particle mass during times of high ambient RH (> 85 %) and a calibration factor was developed based upon κ-Köhler theory, using average bulk particle aerosol hygroscopicity. Application of this RH correction factor resulted in the OPC-N2 measurements being within 33 % of the TEOM-FDMS, comparable to the agreement between a reference optical particle counter and the TEOM-FDMS (20 %). Inter-unit precision for the 14 OPC-N2 sensors of 22 ± 13 % for PM10 mass concentrations was observed. Overall, the OPC-N2 was found to accurately measure ambient airborne particle mass concentration provided they are (i) correctly calibrated and (ii) corrected for ambient RH. The level of precision demonstrated between multiple OPC-N2s suggests that they would be suitable devices for applications where the spatial variability in particle concentration was to be determined.

The utility of multiple synthesized views in the recognition of unfamiliar faces.

PubMed

Jones, Scott P; Dwyer, Dominic M; Lewis, Michael B

2017-05-01

The ability to recognize an unfamiliar individual on the basis of prior exposure to a photograph is notoriously poor and prone to errors, but recognition accuracy is improved when multiple photographs are available. In applied situations, when only limited real images are available (e.g., from a mugshot or CCTV image), the generation of new images might provide a technological prosthesis for otherwise fallible human recognition. We report two experiments examining the effects of providing computer-generated additional views of a target face. In Experiment 1, provision of computer-generated views supported better target face recognition than exposure to the target image alone and equivalent performance to that for exposure of multiple photograph views. Experiment 2 replicated the advantage of providing generated views, but also indicated an advantage for multiple viewings of the single target photograph. These results strengthen the claim that identifying a target face can be improved by providing multiple synthesized views based on a single target image. In addition, our results suggest that the degree of advantage provided by synthesized views may be affected by the quality of synthesized material.

Multithreading in vector processors

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

Evangelinos, Constantinos; Kim, Changhoan; Nair, Ravi

In one embodiment, a system includes a processor having a vector processing mode and a multithreading mode. The processor is configured to operate on one thread per cycle in the multithreading mode. The processor includes a program counter register having a plurality of program counters, and the program counter register is vectorized. Each program counter in the program counter register represents a distinct corresponding thread of a plurality of threads. The processor is configured to execute the plurality of threads by activating the plurality of program counters in a round robin cycle.

Compensating for intersegmental dynamics across the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints during feedforward and feedback control.

PubMed

Maeda, Rodrigo S; Cluff, Tyler; Gribble, Paul L; Pruszynski, J Andrew

2017-10-01

Moving the arm is complicated by mechanical interactions that arise between limb segments. Such intersegmental dynamics cause torques applied at one joint to produce movement at multiple joints, and in turn, the only way to create single joint movement is by applying torques at multiple joints. We investigated whether the nervous system accounts for intersegmental limb dynamics across the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints during self-initiated planar reaching and when countering external mechanical perturbations. Our first experiment tested whether the timing and amplitude of shoulder muscle activity account for interaction torques produced during single-joint elbow movements from different elbow initial orientations and over a range of movement speeds. We found that shoulder muscle activity reliably preceded movement onset and elbow agonist activity, and was scaled to compensate for the magnitude of interaction torques arising because of forearm rotation. Our second experiment tested whether elbow muscles compensate for interaction torques introduced by single-joint wrist movements. We found that elbow muscle activity preceded movement onset and wrist agonist muscle activity, and thus the nervous system predicted interaction torques arising because of hand rotation. Our third and fourth experiments tested whether shoulder muscles compensate for interaction torques introduced by different hand orientations during self-initiated elbow movements and to counter mechanical perturbations that caused pure elbow motion. We found that the nervous system predicted the amplitude and direction of interaction torques, appropriately scaling the amplitude of shoulder muscle activity during self-initiated elbow movements and rapid feedback control. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the nervous system robustly accounts for intersegmental dynamics and that the process is similar across the proximal to distal musculature of the arm as well as between feedforward (i.e., self-initiated) and feedback (i.e., reflexive) control. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Intersegmental dynamics complicate the mapping between applied joint torques and the resulting joint motions. We provide evidence that the nervous system robustly predicts these intersegmental limb dynamics across the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints during reaching and when countering external perturbations. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

The vector of the tobacco epidemic: tobacco industry practices in low and middle-income countries.

PubMed

Lee, Sungkyu; Ling, Pamela M; Glantz, Stanton A

2012-03-01

To understand transnational tobacco companies' (TTCs) practices in low and middle-income countries which serve to block tobacco-control policies and promote tobacco use. Systematic review of published research on tobacco industry activities to promote tobacco use and oppose tobacco-control policies in low and middle-income countries. TTCs' strategies used in low and middle-income countries followed four main themes-economic activity; marketing/promotion; political activity; and deceptive/manipulative activity. Economic activity, including foreign investment and smuggling, was used to enter new markets. Political activities included lobbying, offering voluntary self-regulatory codes, and mounting corporate social responsibility campaigns. Deceptive activities included manipulation of science and use of third-party allies to oppose smoke-free policies, delay other tobacco-control policies, and maintain support of policymakers and the public for a pro-tobacco industry policy environment. TTCs used tactics for marketing, advertising, and promoting their brands that were tailored to specific market environments. These activities included direct and indirect tactis, targeting particular populations, and introducing new tobacco products designed to limit marketing restrictions and taxes, maintain the social acceptability of tobacco use, and counter tobacco-control efforts. TTCs have used similar strategies in high-income countries as these being described in low and middle-income countries. As required by FCTC Article 5.3, to counter tobacco industry pressures and to implement effective tobacco-control policies, governments and health professionals in low and middle-income countries should fully understand TTCs practices and counter them.

Restoration of Tumor Immune Surveillance via Targeting of IL-13Receptor-α2

PubMed Central

Fichtner-Feigl, Stefan; Terabe, Masaki; Kitani, Atsushi; Young, Cheryl A.; Fuss, Ivan; Geissler, Edward K.; Schlitt, Hans-Jürgen; Berzofsky, Jay A.; Strober, Warren

2009-01-01

In previous studies we described a “counter-immunosurveillance” mechanism initiated by tumor-activated, IL-13-producing NKT cells that signal Gr-1+ cells to produce TGF-β1, a cytokine that suppresses the activity of tumor-inhibiting cytolytic CD8+ T cells. Here we show that in two tumor models (the CT-26 metastatic colon cancer and the 15-12RM fibrosarcoma regressor models) this counter-surveillance mechanism requires the expression of a novel IL-13 receptor, IL-13Rα2, on Gr-1intermediate cells, since down-regulation of IL-13Rα2 expression or the AP-1 signal generated by the receptor via in vivo administration of specific siRNA or decoy oligonucleotides leads to loss of TGF-β1 production. Furthermore, acting on prior studies showing that IL-13Rα2 expression is induced (in part) by TNF-α, we show that receptor expression and TGF-β1 production is inhibited by administration of a TNF-α neutralizing substance, TNF-αR-Fc (etanercept). Taking advantage of this latter fact, we then demonstrate in the CT-26 model that counter-immunosurveillance could be inhibited, anti-CT-26-specific CD8+ cytolytic activity restored, and CT-26 metastatic tumor nodules greatly decreased by administration of TNF-αR-Fc. Corroborative data was obtained using the 15-12RM fibrosarcoma model. These studies point to the prevention of metastatic cancer with an available agent with already known clinically acceptable adverse effects and toxicity. PMID:18451175

Hardware support for software controlled fast multiplexing of performance counters

DOEpatents

Salapura, Valentina; Wisniewski, Robert W

2013-10-01

Performance counters may be operable to collect one or more counts of one or more selected activities, and registers may be operable to store a set of performance counter configurations. A state machine may be operable to automatically select a register from the registers for reconfiguring the one or more performance counters in response to receiving a first signal. The state machine may be further operable to reconfigure the one or more performance counters based on a configuration specified in the selected register. The state machine yet further may be operable to copy data in selected one or more of the performance counters to a memory location, or to copy data from the memory location to the counters, in response to receiving a second signal. The state machine may be operable to store or restore the counter values and state machine configuration in response to a context switch event.

Hardware support for software controlled fast multiplexing of performance counters

DOEpatents

Salapura, Valentina; Wisniewski, Robert W.

2013-01-01

Performance counters may be operable to collect one or more counts of one or more selected activities, and registers may be operable to store a set of performance counter configurations. A state machine may be operable to automatically select a register from the registers for reconfiguring the one or more performance counters in response to receiving a first signal. The state machine may be further operable to reconfigure the one or more performance counters based on a configuration specified in the selected register. The state machine yet further may be operable to copy data in selected one or more of the performance counters to a memory location, or to copy data from the memory location to the counters, in response to receiving a second signal. The state machine may be operable to store or restore the counter values and state machine configuration in response to a context switch event.

"Just Advil": Harm reduction and identity construction in the consumption of over-the-counter medication for chronic pain.

PubMed

Eaves, Emery R

2015-12-01

Direct-to-consumer marketing has sparked ongoing debate concerning whether ads empower consumers to be agents of their own care or shift greater control to the pharmaceutical industry. Ads for over-the-counter (OTC) medications in particular portend to offer simple, harmless solutions for meeting the demands of social life. Rather than join the longstanding debate between consumer agency and social control in pharmaceutical advertising, I approach self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics using Harm Reduction as a framework. From this perspective, consumption of OTC analgesics by chronic pain sufferers is a means of seeking some level of relief while also avoiding the stigma associated with prescription pain medication. Qualitative methods are used to analyze data from two sources: (1) semi-structured qualitative interviews with 95 participants in a trial examining the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) from 2006 to 2011 in Tucson, AZ and Portland, OR; and (2) print, online, and television advertisements for three major brands of OTC pain medication. Participants described their use of OTC medications as minimal, responsible, and justified by the severity of their pain. OTC medication advertising, while ostensibly ambiguous and targeting all forms of pain, effectively lends support to the consumption of these medications as part of the self-projects of chronic pain sufferers, allowing them to reconcile conflicting demands for pain relief while being stoic and maintaining a positive moral identity. Describing OTC medication as "just over-the-counter" or "not real pain medication," sufferers engage in ideological harm reduction, distinguishing themselves from "those people who like taking pain medication" while still seeking relief. Justifying one's use of OTC medication as minimal and "normal," regardless of intake, avoids association with the addictive potential of prescription pain medications and aligns the identity of the chronic pain sufferer with a culturally sanctioned identity as stoic bearer of pain. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of an Open Rotor Cycle Model in NPSS Using a Multi-Design Point Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hendricks, Eric S.

2011-01-01

NASA's Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project and Subsonic Fixed Wing Project are focused on developing concepts and technologies which may enable dramatic reductions to the environmental impact of future generation subsonic aircraft (Refs. 1 and 2). The open rotor concept (also referred to as the Unducted Fan or advanced turboprop) may allow the achievement of this objective by reducing engine emissions and fuel consumption. To evaluate its potential impact, an open rotor cycle modeling capability is needed. This paper presents the initial development of an open rotor cycle model in the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) computer program which can then be used to evaluate the potential benefit of this engine. The development of this open rotor model necessitated addressing two modeling needs within NPSS. First, a method for evaluating the performance of counter-rotating propellers was needed. Therefore, a new counter-rotating propeller NPSS component was created. This component uses propeller performance maps developed from historic counter-rotating propeller experiments to determine the thrust delivered and power required. Second, several methods for modeling a counter-rotating power turbine within NPSS were explored. These techniques used several combinations of turbine components within NPSS to provide the necessary power to the propellers. Ultimately, a single turbine component with a conventional turbine map was selected. Using these modeling enhancements, an open rotor cycle model was developed in NPSS using a multi-design point approach. The multi-design point (MDP) approach improves the engine cycle analysis process by making it easier to properly size the engine to meet a variety of thrust targets throughout the flight envelope. A number of design points are considered including an aerodynamic design point, sea-level static, takeoff and top of climb. The development of this MDP model was also enabled by the selection of a simple power management scheme which schedules propeller blade angles with the freestream Mach number. Finally, sample open rotor performance results and areas for further model improvements are presented.

Limited effectiveness of over-the-counter plant preparations used for the treatment of urinary tract infections as inhibitors of the urease activity from Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

PubMed

Deutch, C E

2017-05-01

Urease is a key virulence factor for the Gram-positive urinary tract pathogen Staphylococcus saprophyticus and a potential target for antimicrobial therapy. The enzyme from S. saprophyticus is unusual in that it does not contain cysteine at the active site. The aims of this study were to test 14 over-the-counter plant preparations as inhibitors of this urease and to determine whether they can prevent the increase in pH that normally occurs in bacterial cultures containing urea. Urease activity was measured colorimetrically by the formation of ammonium ions. The green tea and Uva-Ursi preparations reduced urease activity in a soluble extract of S. saprophyticus by more than 75%. Two herbal mixtures were weakly inhibitory and reduced activity by about 25%, but the other products had little or no effect. The green tea and Uva-Ursi extracts also inhibited urease activity in whole cells by more than 75%. One of the herbal products (WishGarden UTI) showed some inhibition of urease activity but the other (UTI Clear) did not. The green tea and Uva-Ursi preparations prevented the increase in pH that normally occurs when S. saprophyticus is grown in an artificial urine medium, but this was due primarily to bacterial death. The WishGarden UTI preparation could partially delay the pH increase while allowing some cells to remain viable. These results indicate that only a few of the commercially available over-the-counter plant preparations commonly used for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) can inhibit the urease activity from S. saprophyticus. While over-the-counter plant preparations may be considered an alternative to traditional antibiotics for the treatment of UTIs, they should be used with caution and a product should be matched to the properties of the virulence factors of the bacterial pathogen involved. © 2017 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Cardiac arrest: resuscitation and reperfusion.

PubMed

Patil, Kaustubha D; Halperin, Henry R; Becker, Lance B

2015-06-05

The modern treatment of cardiac arrest is an increasingly complex medical procedure with a rapidly changing array of therapeutic approaches designed to restore life to victims of sudden death. The 2 primary goals of providing artificial circulation and defibrillation to halt ventricular fibrillation remain of paramount importance for saving lives. They have undergone significant improvements in technology and dissemination into the community subsequent to their establishment 60 years ago. The evolution of artificial circulation includes efforts to optimize manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation, external mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices designed to augment circulation, and may soon advance further into the rapid deployment of specially designed internal emergency cardiopulmonary bypass devices. The development of defibrillation technologies has progressed from bulky internal defibrillators paddles applied directly to the heart, to manually controlled external defibrillators, to automatic external defibrillators that can now be obtained over-the-counter for widespread use in the community or home. But the modern treatment of cardiac arrest now involves more than merely providing circulation and defibrillation. As suggested by a 3-phase model of treatment, newer approaches targeting patients who have had a more prolonged cardiac arrest include treatment of the metabolic phase of cardiac arrest with therapeutic hypothermia, agents to treat or prevent reperfusion injury, new strategies specifically focused on pulseless electric activity, which is the presenting rhythm in at least one third of cardiac arrests, and aggressive post resuscitation care. There are discoveries at the cellular and molecular level about ischemia and reperfusion pathobiology that may be translated into future new therapies. On the near horizon is the combination of advanced cardiopulmonary bypass plus a cocktail of multiple agents targeted at restoration of normal metabolism and prevention of reperfusion injury, as this holds the promise of restoring life to many patients for whom our current therapies fail. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Three distinct suppressors of RNA silencing encoded by a 20-kb viral RNA genome

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Rui; Folimonov, Alexey; Shintaku, Michael; Li, Wan-Xiang; Falk, Bryce W.; Dawson, William O.; Ding, Shou-Wei

2004-11-01

Viral infection in both plant and invertebrate hosts requires a virus-encoded function to block the RNA silencing antiviral defense. Here, we report the identification and characterization of three distinct suppressors of RNA silencing encoded by the 20-kb plus-strand RNA genome of citrus tristeza virus (CTV). When introduced by genetic crosses into plants carrying a silencing transgene, both p20 and p23, but not coat protein (CP), restored expression of the transgene. Although none of the CTV proteins prevented DNA methylation of the transgene, export of the silencing signal (capable of mediating intercellular silencing spread) was detected only from the F1 plants expressing p23 and not from the CP- or p20-expressing F1 plants, demonstrating suppression of intercellular silencing by CP and p20 but not by p23. Thus, intracellular and intercellular silencing are each targeted by a CTV protein, whereas the third, p20, inhibits silencing at both levels. Notably, CP suppresses intercellular silencing without interfering with intracellular silencing. The novel property of CP suggests a mechanism distinct to p20 and all of the other viral suppressors known to interfere with intercellular silencing and that this class of viral suppressors may not be consistently identified by Agrobacterium coinfiltration because it also induces RNA silencing against the infiltrated suppressor transgene. Our analyses reveal a sophisticated viral counter-defense strategy that targets the silencing antiviral pathway at multiple steps and may be essential for protecting CTV with such a large RNA genome from antiviral silencing in the perennial tree host. RNA interference | citrus tristeza virus | virus synergy | antiviral immunity

Invertebrate Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase Gene: Genetic Architecture, Biochemistry, Physiological Function, and Potential Applications.

PubMed

Tang, Bin; Wang, Su; Wang, Shi-Gui; Wang, Hui-Juan; Zhang, Jia-Yong; Cui, Shuai-Ying

2018-01-01

The non-reducing disaccharide trehalose is widely distributed among various organisms. It plays a crucial role as an instant source of energy, being the major blood sugar in insects. In addition, it helps countering abiotic stresses. Trehalose synthesis in insects and other invertebrates is thought to occur via the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) pathways. In many insects, the TPP gene has not been identified, whereas multiple TPS genes that encode proteins harboring TPS/OtsA and TPP/OtsB conserved domains have been found and cloned in the same species. The function of the TPS gene in insects and other invertebrates has not been reviewed in depth, and the available information is quite fragmented. The present review discusses the current understanding of the trehalose synthesis pathway, TPS genetic architecture, biochemistry, physiological function, and potential sensitivity to insecticides. We note the variability in the number of TPS genes in different invertebrate species, consider whether trehalose synthesis may rely only on the TPS gene, and discuss the results of in vitro TPS overexpression experiment. Tissue expression profile and developmental characteristics of the TPS gene indicate that it is important in energy production, growth and development, metamorphosis, stress recovery, chitin synthesis, insect flight, and other biological processes. We highlight the molecular and biochemical properties of insect TPS that make it a suitable target of potential pest control inhibitors. The application of trehalose synthesis inhibitors is a promising direction in insect pest control because vertebrates do not synthesize trehalose; therefore, TPS inhibitors would be relatively safe for humans and higher animals, making them ideal insecticidal agents without off-target effects.

Invertebrate Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase Gene: Genetic Architecture, Biochemistry, Physiological Function, and Potential Applications

PubMed Central

Tang, Bin; Wang, Su; Wang, Shi-Gui; Wang, Hui-Juan; Zhang, Jia-Yong; Cui, Shuai-Ying

2018-01-01

The non-reducing disaccharide trehalose is widely distributed among various organisms. It plays a crucial role as an instant source of energy, being the major blood sugar in insects. In addition, it helps countering abiotic stresses. Trehalose synthesis in insects and other invertebrates is thought to occur via the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) pathways. In many insects, the TPP gene has not been identified, whereas multiple TPS genes that encode proteins harboring TPS/OtsA and TPP/OtsB conserved domains have been found and cloned in the same species. The function of the TPS gene in insects and other invertebrates has not been reviewed in depth, and the available information is quite fragmented. The present review discusses the current understanding of the trehalose synthesis pathway, TPS genetic architecture, biochemistry, physiological function, and potential sensitivity to insecticides. We note the variability in the number of TPS genes in different invertebrate species, consider whether trehalose synthesis may rely only on the TPS gene, and discuss the results of in vitro TPS overexpression experiment. Tissue expression profile and developmental characteristics of the TPS gene indicate that it is important in energy production, growth and development, metamorphosis, stress recovery, chitin synthesis, insect flight, and other biological processes. We highlight the molecular and biochemical properties of insect TPS that make it a suitable target of potential pest control inhibitors. The application of trehalose synthesis inhibitors is a promising direction in insect pest control because vertebrates do not synthesize trehalose; therefore, TPS inhibitors would be relatively safe for humans and higher animals, making them ideal insecticidal agents without off-target effects. PMID:29445344

Macrophage defense mechanisms against intracellular bacteria

PubMed Central

Weiss, Günter; Schaible, Ulrich E

2015-01-01

Macrophages and neutrophils play a decisive role in host responses to intracellular bacteria including the agent of tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium tuberculosis as they represent the forefront of innate immune defense against bacterial invaders. At the same time, these phagocytes are also primary targets of intracellular bacteria to be abused as host cells. Their efficacy to contain and eliminate intracellular M. tuberculosis decides whether a patient initially becomes infected or not. However, when the infection becomes chronic or even latent (as in the case of TB) despite development of specific immune activation, phagocytes have also important effector functions. Macrophages have evolved a myriad of defense strategies to combat infection with intracellular bacteria such as M. tuberculosis. These include induction of toxic anti-microbial effectors such as nitric oxide and reactive oxygen intermediates, the stimulation of microbe intoxication mechanisms via acidification or metal accumulation in the phagolysosome, the restriction of the microbe's access to essential nutrients such as iron, fatty acids, or amino acids, the production of anti-microbial peptides and cytokines, along with induction of autophagy and efferocytosis to eliminate the pathogen. On the other hand, M. tuberculosis, as a prime example of a well-adapted facultative intracellular bacterium, has learned during evolution to counter-balance the host's immune defense strategies to secure survival or multiplication within this otherwise hostile environment. This review provides an overview of innate immune defense of macrophages directed against intracellular bacteria with a focus on M. tuberculosis. Gaining more insights and knowledge into this complex network of host-pathogen interaction will identify novel target sites of intervention to successfully clear infection at a time of rapidly emerging multi-resistance of M. tuberculosis against conventional antibiotics. PMID:25703560

DENEDDYLASE1 Protein Counters Automodification of Neddylating Enzymes to Maintain NEDD8 Protein Homeostasis in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Mergner, Julia; Kuster, Bernhard; Schwechheimer, Claus

2017-03-03

In eukaryotes, the conjugation of the ubiquitin-like protein NEDD8 onto protein targets is an important post-translational modification. The best understood neddylation targets are the cullins, scaffold subunits of E3 ubiquitin ligases, where neddylation as well as deneddylation, facilitated by the protease activity of the CSN ( C OP9 s ig n alosome), are required to control ubiquitin ligase assembly, function, and ultimately substrate degradation. Little is known about the role of other deneddylating enzymes besides CSN and the role of neddylation and deneddylation of their substrates. We previously characterized Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with defects in the conserved NEDD8-specific protease DEN1 ( DENEDDYLASE 1). These mutants display only subtle growth phenotypes despite the strong accumulation of a broad range of neddylated proteins. Specifically, we identified AXR1 (AUXIN-RESISTANT1), a subunit of the heterodimeric NAE (E1 NEDD8-ACTIVATING ENZYME), as highly neddylated in den1 mutants. Here, we examined the mechanism and consequences of AXR1 neddylation in more detail. We find that AXR1 as well as other neddylation enzymes are autoneddylated at multiple lysines. NAE autoneddylation can be linked to reduced NCE (E2 NEDD8-CONJUGATING ENZYME) NEDD8 thioester levels, either by critically reducing the pool of free NEDD8 or by reducing NAE activity. In planta , increasing NEDD8 gene dosage is sufficient to suppress den1 mutant phenotypes. We therefore suggest that DEN1 serves to recover diverted NEDD8 moieties from autoneddylated NAE subunits, and possibly also other neddylated proteins, to maintain NEDD8 pathway activity toward other NEDD8-dependent processes such as cullin E3 ligase regulation. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

The influence of different modified graphene on property of DSSCs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Kai; Shen, Yue; Zhang, Zongkun; Cao, Meng; Gu, Feng; Wang, Linjun

2016-01-01

Two kinds of modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO) power with different hydrophilic property were synthesized in NH3/hydrazine hydrate (N-rGO) and KOH/hydrazine hydrate (K-rGO) reduction systems, respectively, and be used as counter electrode materials. The as-prepared rGO counter electrodes were confirmed as substitution for Pt counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The efficiency (η) of DSSCs based on N-rGO counter electrodes achieved 4.72% while that of K-rGO counter electrode was just 3.38%. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the hydrophilic K-rGO counter electrode has a low charge transfer resistance (Rct) and the hydrophobic N-rGO counter electrode has a low series resistance (Rs).

THE FAULT DIVERTER-A PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR HIGH-POWER ELECTRON TUBES

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

Smith, B.H.

1957-08-01

Fault diverters, or crowbars, have proven to be very effective protection against transient-induced power arcs within accelerator oscillator tubes. This device short circuits the oscillator-plate power supply in the event of an over-current, thus removing the power flow from the fault within a few microseconds. Ignitrons, thyratrons, and triggered spark gaps are used for this purpose. The power supply is protected from the short circuit either by a current-limiting device or a high-speed contactor which removes the system from the power lines within a few milliseconds. The fault diverters, and associated circuitry, used on several of the accelerators in Berkeleymore » and Livermore are described. (auth) l73O Studies of pi -meson and K-meson interactions were continued with counters, emulsions, and the 10-inch liquid hydrogen bubble chanmber. Six emulsion exposures were made for external groups to a pi -meson beam, three to Kmeson beams, two to a neutral-particle beanm, and three to the internal proton beam. An H-D reaction, catalyzed by mu mesons, was observed in the 10-inch liquid hydrogen bubble chamber. Absorption cross-section measurements for antiprotons were continued, using counters. Nineteen target bombardments were made for the chemistry group. A technique of producing two or more secondary-particle beam pulses per acceleration cycle, using different targets, has been successfully tried and used. (For preceding period see UCRL- 36l4.1 (auth)« less

Tailored HIV-1 vectors for genetic modification of primary human dendritic cells and monocytes.

PubMed

Durand, Stéphanie; Nguyen, Xuan-Nhi; Turpin, Jocelyn; Cordeil, Stephanie; Nazaret, Nicolas; Croze, Séverine; Mahieux, Renaud; Lachuer, Joël; Legras-Lachuer, Catherine; Cimarelli, Andrea

2013-01-01

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) play a key role in the regulation of the immune system and are the target of numerous gene therapy applications. The genetic modification of MDDCs is possible with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-derived lentiviral vectors (LVs) but requires high viral doses to bypass their natural resistance to viral infection, and this in turn affects their physiological properties. To date, a single viral protein is able to counter this restrictive phenotype, Vpx, a protein derived from members of the HIV-2/simian immunodeficiency virus SM lineage that counters at least two restriction factors present in myeloid cells. By tagging Vpx with a short heterologous membrane-targeting domain, we have obtained HIV-1 LVs incorporating high levels of this protein (HIV-1-Src-Vpx). These vectors efficiently transduce differentiated MDDCs and monocytes either as previously purified populations or as populations within unsorted peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, these vectors can be efficiently pseudotyped with receptor-specific envelopes, further restricting their cellular tropism almost uniquely to MDDCs. Compared to conventional HIV-1 LVs, these novel vectors allow for an efficient genetic modification of MDDCs and, more importantly, do not cause their maturation or affect their survival, which are unwanted side effects of the transduction process. This study describes HIV-1-Src-Vpx LVs as a novel potent tool for the genetic modification of differentiated MDDCs and of circulating monocyte precursors with strong potential for a wide range of gene therapy applications.

High-Throughput Sequencing and Copy Number Variation Detection Using Formalin Fixed Embedded Tissue in Metastatic Gastric Cancer

PubMed Central

Hong, Min Eui; Do, In-Gu; Kang, So Young; Ha, Sang Yun; Kim, Seung Tae; Park, Se Hoon; Kang, Won Ki; Choi, Min-Gew; Lee, Jun Ho; Sohn, Tae Sung; Bae, Jae Moon; Kim, Sung; Kim, Duk-Hwan; Kim, Kyoung-Mee

2014-01-01

In the era of targeted therapy, mutation profiling of cancer is a crucial aspect of making therapeutic decisions. To characterize cancer at a molecular level, the use of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue is important. We tested the Ion AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel v2 and nCounter Copy Number Variation Assay in 89 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastric cancer samples to determine whether they are applicable in archival clinical samples for personalized targeted therapies. We validated the results with Sanger sequencing, real-time quantitative PCR, fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Frequently detected somatic mutations included TP53 (28.17%), APC (10.1%), PIK3CA (5.6%), KRAS (4.5%), SMO (3.4%), STK11 (3.4%), CDKN2A (3.4%) and SMAD4 (3.4%). Amplifications of HER2, CCNE1, MYC, KRAS and EGFR genes were observed in 8 (8.9%), 4 (4.5%), 2 (2.2%), 1 (1.1%) and 1 (1.1%) cases, respectively. In the cases with amplification, fluorescence in situ hybridization for HER2 verified gene amplification and immunohistochemistry for HER2, EGFR and CCNE1 verified the overexpression of proteins in tumor cells. In conclusion, we successfully performed semiconductor-based sequencing and nCounter copy number variation analyses in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastric cancer samples. High-throughput screening in archival clinical samples enables faster, more accurate and cost-effective detection of hotspot mutations or amplification in genes. PMID:25372287

Their pain gives us pleasure: How intergroup dynamics shape empathic failures and counter-empathic responses

PubMed Central

Cikara, M.; Bruneau, E.; Van Bavel, J. J.; Saxe, R.

2014-01-01

Despite its early origins and adaptive functions, empathy is not inevitable; people routinely fail to empathize with others, especially members of different social or cultural groups. In five experiments, we systematically explore how social identity, functional relations between groups, competitive threat, and perceived entitativity contribute to intergroup empathy bias: the tendency not only to empathize less with out-group relative to in-group members, but also feel pleasure in response to their pain (and pain in response to their pleasure). When teams are set in direct competition, affective responses to competition-irrelevant events are characterized not only by less empathy toward out-group relative to in-group members, but also by increased counter-empathic responses: Schadenfreude and Glückschmerz (Experiment 1). Comparing responses to in-group and out-group targets against responses to unaffiliated targets in this competitive context suggests that intergroup empathy bias may be better characterized by out-group antipathy rather than extraordinary in-group empathy (Experiment 2). We find also that intergroup empathy bias is robust to changes in relative group standing—feedback indicating that the out-group has fallen behind (Experiment 3a) or is no longer a competitive threat (Experiment 3b) does not reduce the bias. However, reducing perceived in-group and out-group entitativity can significantly attenuate intergroup empathy bias (Experiment 4). This research establishes the boundary conditions of intergroup empathy bias and provides initial support for a more integrative framework of group-based empathy. PMID:25082998

Nanopatterned conductive polymer films as a Pt, TCO-free counter electrode for low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells.

PubMed

Kwon, Jeong; Ganapathy, Veerappan; Kim, Young Hun; Song, Kyung-Deok; Park, Hong-Gyu; Jun, Yongseok; Yoo, Pil J; Park, Jong Hyeok

2013-09-07

A low-cost nanopatterned highly conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) thin film was fabricated on a flexible plastic substrate via a chemical polymerization method combined with a nanoimprinting technique and used as a platinum (Pt), TCO-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The catalytic properties of the nanopatterned PEDOT as the counter electrode in DSSCs were studied using cyclic voltammetry, J-V measurements, impedance spectroscopy, and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. The nanopatterned PEDOT counter electrodes exhibit better functionality as a counter electrode for tri-iodide reduction when compared to non-patterned PEDOT-based counter electrodes. The Pt and TCO-free DSSCs with a nanopatterned PEDOT-based counter electrode exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 7.1% under one sunlight illumination (100 mW cm(-2)), which is comparable to that of conventional DSSCs with standard platinum Pt/FTO paired counter electrodes. The ability to modulate catalytic functionality with changes in nanoscale morphology represents a promising route for developing new counter electrodes of Pt and TCO-free DSSCs.

Forward-backward emission of target evaporated fragments in high energy nucleus-nucleus collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhi; Ma, Tian-Li; Zhang, Dong-Hai

2015-10-01

The multiplicity distribution, multiplicity moment, scaled variance, entropy and reduced entropy of target evaporated fragments emitted in forward and backward hemispheres in 12 A GeV 4He, 3.7 A GeV 16O, 60 A GeV 16O, 1.7 A GeV 84Kr and 10.7 A GeV 197Au -induced emulsion heavy target (AgBr) interactions are investigated. It is found that the multiplicity distribution of target evaporated fragments emitted in both forward and backward hemispheres can be fitted by a Gaussian distribution. The multiplicity moments of target evaporated particles emitted in the forward and backward hemispheres increase with the order of the moment q, and the second-order multiplicity moment is energy independent over the entire energy range for all the interactions in the forward and backward hemisphere. The scaled variance, a direct measure of multiplicity fluctuations, is close to one for all the interactions, which indicate a correlation among the produced particles. The entropy of target evaporated fragments emitted in both forward and backward hemispheres are the same within experimental errors. Supported by National Science Foundation of China (11075100), Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province (2011011001-2) and the Shanxi Provincial Foundation for Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, (2011-058)

Study of the effect of collisionality and cooling on the interactions of counter-streaming plasma flows as a function of wire material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collins, Gilbert; Valenzuela, Julio; Aybar, Nicholas; Conti, Fabio; Beg, Farhat

2017-10-01

We report on the effects wire material on collisionality and radiative cooling on the interactions of counter-streaming plasma jets produced by conical wire arrays on the 200 kA GenASIS driver. In these interactions, mean free path (λmfp) scales with jet velocity (vjet4),atomic mass (A2), and ionization (Z*-4), while cooling scales with atomic mass. By changing the material of the jets one can create slowly cooling, weakly collisional regimes using C, Al, or Cu, or strongly cooled, effectively collisionless plasmas using Mo or W. The former produced smooth shocks soon after the jets collide (near the peak current of 150 ns) that grew in size over time. Interactions of the latter produced multiple structures of a different shape, at a later time ( 300 ns) that dissipated rapidly compared to the lower Z materials. We will report on the scaleability of these different materials to astrophysical phenomena. This work was partially supported by the Department of Energy Grant Number DE-SC0014493.

2014 Center for Army Leadership Annual Survey of Army Leadership (CASAL): Military Leader Findings

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-22

allowed to learn from honest mistakes. Counter- productive Leadership The presence of counter- productive or negative leadership behaviors in the Army...more counter- productive than productive behaviors. This low rate is the same observed in 2013. CASAL results continue to show that counter- productive ...leadership behaviors are strongly associated with lower levels of cohesion, discipline and trust. Leaders who demonstrate counter- productive

Redundant operation of counter modules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nagano, S. (Inventor)

1980-01-01

A technique for the redundant operation of counter modules is described. Redundant operation is maintained by detecting the zero state of each counter and clearing the other to that state, thus periodically resynchronizing the counters, and obtaining an output from both counters through AC coupled diode-OR gates. Redundant operation of counter flip flops is maintained in a similar manner, and synchronous operation of redundant squarewave clock generators of the feedback type is effected by connecting together the feedback inputs of the squarewave generators through a coupling resistor, and obtaining an output from both generators through AC coupled diode-OR gates.

Incorporating Multiple Secondary Targets into Learning Trials for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nottingham, Casey L.; Vladescu, Jason C.; Kodak, Tiffany; Kisamore, April N.

2017-01-01

The current study examined the outcome of presenting multiple secondary targets in learning trials for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. We compared conditions in which (a) a secondary target was presented in the antecedent and consequence of trials, (b) two secondary targets were presented in the consequence of trials, (c) one secondary…

Geographical Inequality in Tobacco Control in China: Multilevel Evidence From 98 058 Participants.

PubMed

Astell-Burt, Thomas; Zhang, Mei; Feng, Xiaoqi; Wang, Limin; Li, Yichong; Page, Andrew; Zhou, Maigeng; Wang, Linhong

2018-05-03

We investigated the spatial patterning and correlates of tobacco smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, smoking in public places, workplace smoking prohibition, pro- and counter-tobacco advertisements in mainland China. Choropleth maps and multilevel models were used to assess geographical variation and correlates of the aforementioned outcome variables for 98 058 participants across 31 provinces of China in 2010. Current tobacco smoking prevalence was higher in the central provinces for men and in the north eastern provinces and Tibet for women. Secondhand smoke was higher for both genders in Qinghai and Hunan provinces. Workplace tobacco restrictions was higher in the north and east, whereas smoking in public places was more common in the west, central, and far northeast. Protobacco advertising was observed in public places more often by men (18.5%) than women (13.1%). Men (35.5%) were also more likely to sight counter-tobacco advertising in public places than women (30.1%). Awareness of workplace tobacco restrictions was more common in affluent urban areas. Lower awareness of workplace tobacco restrictions was in less affluent urban and rural areas. Sightings of tobacco smoking in public places was highest in restaurants (80.4% for men, 75.0% for women) and also commonly reported in less affluent urban and rural areas. Exposure to secondhand smoke was lower among women (but not men) where workplace tobacco restrictions was more common and higher regardless of gender in areas where smoking in public places was more commonly observed. Geographical and gender-sensitive targeting of tobacco prevention and control initiatives are warranted. This study demonstrates spatial patterning of China's 300 million smokers across the country that are different for men and women. Many of the factors that influence tobacco use, such as pro- and counter-advertising, also vary geographically. Workplace smoking restrictions are more commonly reported among individuals with higher educational attainment, but this not does appear to translate into reduced exposure to secondhand smoke. There is a need to intervene in other contexts, especially in restaurants and on public transport. Geographically targeted and gender-sensitive policy is required to advance effective tobacco control and prevention of noncommunicable diseases across all of China.

Counter-terrorism threat prediction architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehman, Lynn A.; Krause, Lee S.

2004-09-01

This paper will evaluate the feasibility of constructing a system to support intelligence analysts engaged in counter-terrorism. It will discuss the use of emerging techniques to evaluate a large-scale threat data repository (or Infosphere) and comparing analyst developed models to identify and discover potential threat-related activity with a uncertainty metric used to evaluate the threat. This system will also employ the use of psychological (or intent) modeling to incorporate combatant (i.e. terrorist) beliefs and intent. The paper will explore the feasibility of constructing a hetero-hierarchical (a hierarchy of more than one kind or type characterized by loose connection/feedback among elements of the hierarchy) agent based framework or "family of agents" to support "evidence retrieval" defined as combing, or searching the threat data repository and returning information with an uncertainty metric. The counter-terrorism threat prediction architecture will be guided by a series of models, constructed to represent threat operational objectives, potential targets, or terrorist objectives. The approach would compare model representations against information retrieved by the agent family to isolate or identify patterns that match within reasonable measures of proximity. The central areas of discussion will be the construction of an agent framework to search the available threat related information repository, evaluation of results against models that will represent the cultural foundations, mindset, sociology and emotional drive of typical threat combatants (i.e. the mind and objectives of a terrorist), and the development of evaluation techniques to compare result sets with the models representing threat behavior and threat targets. The applicability of concepts surrounding Modeling Field Theory (MFT) will be discussed as the basis of this research into development of proximity measures between the models and result sets and to provide feedback in support of model adaptation (learning). The increasingly complex demands facing analysts evaluating activity threatening to the security of the United States make the family of agent-based data collection (fusion) a promising area. This paper will discuss a system to support the collection and evaluation of potential threat activity as well as an approach fro presentation of the information.

Terminal-oriented computer-communication networks.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwartz, M.; Boorstyn, R. R.; Pickholtz, R. L.

1972-01-01

Four examples of currently operating computer-communication networks are described in this tutorial paper. They include the TYMNET network, the GE Information Services network, the NASDAQ over-the-counter stock-quotation system, and the Computer Sciences Infonet. These networks all use programmable concentrators for combining a multiplicity of terminals. Included in the discussion for each network is a description of the overall network structure, the handling and transmission of messages, communication requirements, routing and reliability consideration where applicable, operating data and design specifications where available, and unique design features in the area of computer communications.

Singlet vs. triplet interelectronic repulsion in confined atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarsa, A.; Buendía, E.; Gálvez, F. J.; Katriel, J.

2018-06-01

Hund's multiplicity rule invariably holds for the ground configurations of few-electron atoms as well as those of multi-electron quantum dots. However, the ordering of the corresponding interelectronic repulsions exhibits a reversal in the former but not in the latter system, upon varying the system parameters. Here, we investigate the transition between these two types of behaviour by studying few-electron atoms confined in spherical cavities. "Counter-intuitive" ordering of the interelectronic repulsions is confirmed when the nuclear charge is low enough and the cavity radius is large enough.

Generation-based memory synchronization in a multiprocessor system with weakly consistent memory accesses

DOEpatents

Ohmacht, Martin

2017-08-15

In a multiprocessor system, a central memory synchronization module coordinates memory synchronization requests responsive to memory access requests in flight, a generation counter, and a reclaim pointer. The central module communicates via point-to-point communication. The module includes a global OR reduce tree for each memory access requesting device, for detecting memory access requests in flight. An interface unit is implemented associated with each processor requesting synchronization. The interface unit includes multiple generation completion detectors. The generation count and reclaim pointer do not pass one another.

Generation-based memory synchronization in a multiprocessor system with weakly consistent memory accesses

DOEpatents

Ohmacht, Martin

2014-09-09

In a multiprocessor system, a central memory synchronization module coordinates memory synchronization requests responsive to memory access requests in flight, a generation counter, and a reclaim pointer. The central module communicates via point-to-point communication. The module includes a global OR reduce tree for each memory access requesting device, for detecting memory access requests in flight. An interface unit is implemented associated with each processor requesting synchronization. The interface unit includes multiple generation completion detectors. The generation count and reclaim pointer do not pass one another.

Multiple-Targeted Graphene-based Nanocarrier for Intracellular Imaging of mRNAs

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

Wang, Ying; Li, Zhaohui; Liu, Misha

Simultaneous detection and imaging of multiple intracellular messenger RNA (mRNAs) hold great significant for early cancer diagnostics and preventive medicine development. Herein, we propose a multiple-targeted graphene oxide (GO) nanocarrier that can simultaneously detect and image different type mRNAs in living cells. First of all, in vitro detection of multiple targets have been realized successfully based on the multiple-targeted GO nanocarrier with linear relationship ranging from 3 nM to 200 nM, as well as sensitive detection limit of 1.84 nM for manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) mRNA and 2.45 nM for β-actin mRNA. Additionally, this nanosensing platform composed of fluorescent labeledmore » single strand DNA probes and GO nanocarrier can identify Mn-SOD mRNA and endogenous mRNA of β-actin in living cancer cells, showing rapid response, high specificity, nuclease stability, and good biocompatibility during the cell imaging. Thirdly, changes of the expression levels of mRNA in living cells before or after the drug treatment can be monitored successfully. By using multiple ssDNA as probes and GO nanocarrier as the cellular delivery cargo, the proposed simultaneous multiple-targeted sensing platform will be of great potential as a powerful tool for intracellular trafficking process from basic research to clinical diagnosis.« less

Integrative FourD omics approach profiles the target network of the carbon storage regulatory system

PubMed Central

Sowa, Steven W.; Gelderman, Grant; Leistra, Abigail N.; Buvanendiran, Aishwarya; Lipp, Sarah; Pitaktong, Areen; Vakulskas, Christopher A.; Romeo, Tony; Baldea, Michael

2017-01-01

Abstract Multi-target regulators represent a largely untapped area for metabolic engineering and anti-bacterial development. These regulators are complex to characterize because they often act at multiple levels, affecting proteins, transcripts and metabolites. Therefore, single omics experiments cannot profile their underlying targets and mechanisms. In this work, we used an Integrative FourD omics approach (INFO) that consists of collecting and analyzing systems data throughout multiple time points, using multiple genetic backgrounds, and multiple omics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics and high throughput sequencing crosslinking immunoprecipitation) to evaluate simultaneous changes in gene expression after imposing an environmental stress that accentuates the regulatory features of a network. Using this approach, we profiled the targets and potential regulatory mechanisms of a global regulatory system, the well-studied carbon storage regulatory (Csr) system of Escherichia coli, which is widespread among bacteria. Using 126 sets of proteomics and transcriptomics data, we identified 136 potential direct CsrA targets, including 50 novel ones, categorized their behaviors into distinct regulatory patterns, and performed in vivo fluorescence-based follow up experiments. The results of this work validate 17 novel mRNAs as authentic direct CsrA targets and demonstrate a generalizable strategy to integrate multiple lines of omics data to identify a core pool of regulator targets. PMID:28126921

Image-based tracking and sensor resource management for UAVs in an urban environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samant, Ashwin; Chang, K. C.

2010-04-01

Coordination and deployment of multiple unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) requires a lot of human resources in order to carry out a successful mission. The complexity of such a surveillance mission is significantly increased in the case of an urban environment where targets can easily escape from the UAV's field of view (FOV) due to intervening building and line-of-sight obstruction. In the proposed methodology, we focus on the control and coordination of multiple UAVs having gimbaled video sensor onboard for tracking multiple targets in an urban environment. We developed optimal path planning algorithms with emphasis on dynamic target prioritizations and persistent target updates. The command center is responsible for target prioritization and autonomous control of multiple UAVs, enabling a single operator to monitor and control a team of UAVs from a remote location. The results are obtained using extensive 3D simulations in Google Earth using Tangent plus Lyapunov vector field guidance for target tracking.

Multi-target drugs to address multiple checkpoints in complex inflammatory pathologies: evolutionary cues for novel "first-in-class" anti-inflammatory drug candidates: a reviewer's perspective.

PubMed

Mathew, Geetha; Unnikrishnan, M K

2015-10-01

Inflammation is a complex, metabolically expensive process involving multiple signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms which have evolved over evolutionary timescale. Addressing multiple targets of inflammation holistically, in moderation, is probably a more evolutionarily viable strategy, as compared to current therapy which addresses drug targets in isolation. Polypharmacology, addressing multiple targets, is commonly used in complex ailments, suggesting the superior safety and efficacy profile of multi-target (MT) drugs. Phenotypic drug discovery, which generated successful MT and first-in-class drugs in the past, is now re-emerging. A multi-pronged approach, which modulates the evolutionarily conserved, robust and pervasive cellular mechanisms of tissue repair, with AMPK at the helm, regulating the complex metabolic/immune/redox pathways underlying inflammation, is perhaps a more viable strategy than addressing single targets in isolation. Molecules that modulate multiple molecular mechanisms of inflammation in moderation (modulating TH cells toward the anti-inflammatory phenotype, activating AMPK, stimulating Nrf2 and inhibiting NFκB) might serve as a model for a novel Darwinian "first-in-class" therapeutic category that holistically addresses immune, redox and metabolic processes associated with inflammatory repair. Such a multimodal biological activity is supported by the fact that several non-calorific pleiotropic natural products with anti-inflammatory action have been incorporated into diet (chiefly guided by the adaptive development of olfacto-gustatory preferences over evolutionary timescales) rendering such molecules, endowed with evolutionarily privileged molecular scaffolds, naturally oriented toward multiple targets.

Hybrid value foraging: How the value of targets shapes human foraging behavior.

PubMed

Wolfe, Jeremy M; Cain, Matthew S; Alaoui-Soce, Abla

2018-04-01

In hybrid foraging, observers search visual displays for multiple instances of multiple target types. In previous hybrid foraging experiments, although there were multiple types of target, all instances of all targets had the same value. Under such conditions, behavior was well described by the marginal value theorem (MVT). Foragers left the current "patch" for the next patch when the instantaneous rate of collection dropped below their average rate of collection. An observer's specific target selections were shaped by previous target selections. Observers were biased toward picking another instance of the same target. In the present work, observers forage for instances of four target types whose value and prevalence can vary. If value is kept constant and prevalence manipulated, participants consistently show a preference for the most common targets. Patch-leaving behavior follows MVT. When value is manipulated, observers favor more valuable targets, though individual foraging strategies become more diverse, with some observers favoring the most valuable target types very strongly, sometimes moving to the next patch without collecting any of the less valuable targets.

The Control of Single-color and Multiple-color Visual Search by Attentional Templates in Working Memory and in Long-term Memory.

PubMed

Grubert, Anna; Carlisle, Nancy B; Eimer, Martin

2016-12-01

The question whether target selection in visual search can be effectively controlled by simultaneous attentional templates for multiple features is still under dispute. We investigated whether multiple-color attentional guidance is possible when target colors remain constant and can thus be represented in long-term memory but not when they change frequently and have to be held in working memory. Participants searched for one, two, or three possible target colors that were specified by cue displays at the start of each trial. In constant-color blocks, the same colors remained task-relevant throughout. In variable-color blocks, target colors changed between trials. The contralateral delay activity (CDA) to cue displays increased in amplitude as a function of color memory load in variable-color blocks, which indicates that cued target colors were held in working memory. In constant-color blocks, the CDA was much smaller, suggesting that color representations were primarily stored in long-term memory. N2pc components to targets were measured as a marker of attentional target selection. Target N2pcs were attenuated and delayed during multiple-color search, demonstrating less efficient attentional deployment to color-defined target objects relative to single-color search. Importantly, these costs were the same in constant-color and variable-color blocks. These results demonstrate that attentional guidance by multiple-feature as compared with single-feature templates is less efficient both when target features remain constant and can be represented in long-term memory and when they change across trials and therefore have to be maintained in working memory.

Forward-Backward Emission of Target Evaporated Fragments at High Energy Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhi; Ma, Tian-Li; Zhang, Dong-Hai

The multiplicity distribution, multiplicity moments, scaled variance and entropy of target evaporated fragment emitted in forward and backward hemispheres in relativistic heavy ions induced emulsion heavy targets (AgBr) interactions are investigated. It is found that the multiplicity distribution can be fitted by the Gaussian distribution, and the fitting parameters are different between two hemispheres for all the interactions. The multiplicity moment increases with the order of the moment q, and second-order multiplicity moment is energy independent over the entire energy for all the interactions. The scaled variance is close to one for all the interactions. The entropy in forward hemisphere is greater than that in backward hemisphere for all the interactions.

A Fast Multiple Sampling Method for Low-Noise CMOS Image Sensors With Column-Parallel 12-bit SAR ADCs.

PubMed

Kim, Min-Kyu; Hong, Seong-Kwan; Kwon, Oh-Kyong

2015-12-26

This paper presents a fast multiple sampling method for low-noise CMOS image sensor (CIS) applications with column-parallel successive approximation register analog-to-digital converters (SAR ADCs). The 12-bit SAR ADC using the proposed multiple sampling method decreases the A/D conversion time by repeatedly converting a pixel output to 4-bit after the first 12-bit A/D conversion, reducing noise of the CIS by one over the square root of the number of samplings. The area of the 12-bit SAR ADC is reduced by using a 10-bit capacitor digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with four scaled reference voltages. In addition, a simple up/down counter-based digital processing logic is proposed to perform complex calculations for multiple sampling and digital correlated double sampling. To verify the proposed multiple sampling method, a 256 × 128 pixel array CIS with 12-bit SAR ADCs was fabricated using 0.18 μm CMOS process. The measurement results shows that the proposed multiple sampling method reduces each A/D conversion time from 1.2 μs to 0.45 μs and random noise from 848.3 μV to 270.4 μV, achieving a dynamic range of 68.1 dB and an SNR of 39.2 dB.

Focusing of light energy inside a scattering medium by controlling the time-gated multiple light scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeong, Seungwon; Lee, Ye-Ryoung; Choi, Wonjun; Kang, Sungsam; Hong, Jin Hee; Park, Jin-Sung; Lim, Yong-Sik; Park, Hong-Gyu; Choi, Wonshik

2018-05-01

The efficient delivery of light energy is a prerequisite for the non-invasive imaging and stimulating of target objects embedded deep within a scattering medium. However, the injected waves experience random diffusion by multiple light scattering, and only a small fraction reaches the target object. Here, we present a method to counteract wave diffusion and to focus multiple-scattered waves at the deeply embedded target. To realize this, we experimentally inject light into the reflection eigenchannels of a specific flight time to preferably enhance the intensity of those multiple-scattered waves that have interacted with the target object. For targets that are too deep to be visible by optical imaging, we demonstrate a more than tenfold enhancement in light energy delivery in comparison with ordinary wave diffusion cases. This work will lay a foundation to enhance the working depth of imaging, sensing and light stimulation.

Low-Cost Flexible Nano-Sulfide/Carbon Composite Counter Electrode for Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cell

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Cu2S nanocrystal particles were in situ deposited on graphite paper to prepare nano-sulfide/carbon composite counter electrode for CdS/CdSe quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSC). By optimization of deposition time, photovoltaic conversion efficiency up to 3.08% was obtained. In the meantime, this composite counter electrode was superior to the commonly used Pt, Au and carbon counter electrodes. Electrochemical impedance spectra further confirmed that low charge transfer resistance at counter electrode/electrolyte interface was responsible for this, implied the potential application of this composite counter electrode in high-efficiency QDSC. PMID:20672135

A Bacterial Pathogen Targets a Host Rab-Family GTPase Defense Pathway with a GAP.

PubMed

Spanò, Stefania; Gao, Xiang; Hannemann, Sebastian; Lara-Tejero, María; Galán, Jorge E

2016-02-10

Cell-autonomous defense mechanisms are potent strategies that protect individual cells against intracellular pathogens. The Rab-family GTPase Rab32 was previously shown to restrict the intracellular human pathogen Salmonella Typhi, but its potential broader role in antimicrobial defense remains unknown. We show that Rab32 represents a general cell-autonomous, antimicrobial defense that is counteracted by two Salmonella effectors. Mice lacking Rab-32 or its nucleotide exchange factor BLOC-3 are permissive to S. Typhi infection and exhibit increased susceptibility to S. Typhimurium. S. Typhimurium counters this defense pathway by delivering two type III secretion effectors, SopD2, a Rab32 GAP, and GtgE, a specific Rab32 protease. An S. Typhimurium mutant strain lacking these two effectors exhibits markedly reduced virulence, which is fully restored in BLOC-3-deficient mice. These results demonstrate that a cell-autonomous, Rab32-dependent host defense pathway plays a central role in the defense against vacuolar pathogens and describe a mechanism evolved by a bacterial pathogen to counter it. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Isolation of two new prenylated flavonoids from Sinopodophyllum emodi fruit by silica gel column and high-speed counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Sun, Yanjun; Sun, Yinshi; Chen, Hui; Hao, Zhiyou; Wang, Junmin; Guan, Yanbin; Zhang, Yanli; Feng, Weisheng; Zheng, Xiaoke

2014-10-15

Two new prenylated flavonoids, sinoflavonoids A-B, were isolated from the dried fruits of Sinopodophyllum emodi by silica gel column chromatography (SGCC) and high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). The 95% ethanol extract was partitioned with petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol in water, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction was pre-separated by SGCC with a petroleum ether-acetone gradient. The eluates containing target compounds were further separated by HSCCC with n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (4:6:4:4, v/v). Finally, 17.3mg of sinoflavonoid A and 25.9mg of sinoflavonoid B were obtained from 100mg of the pretreated concentrate. The purities of sinoflavonoid A and sinoflavonoid B were 98.47% and 99.38%, respectively, as determined by HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidences (HR-ESI-MS, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, HSQC, HMBC). The separation procedures proved to be efficient, especially for trace prenylated flavonoids. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

First demonstration of laser engagement of 1-Hz-injected flying pellets and neutron generation.

PubMed

Komeda, Osamu; Nishimura, Yasuhiko; Mori, Yoshitaka; Hanayama, Ryohei; Ishii, Katsuhiro; Nakayama, Suisei; Kitagawa, Yoneyoshi; Sekine, Takashi; Sato, Nakahiro; Kurita, Takashi; Kawashima, Toshiyuki; Kan, Hirofumi; Nakamura, Naoki; Kondo, Takuya; Fujine, Manabu; Azuma, Hirozumi; Motohiro, Tomoyoshi; Hioki, Tatsumi; Kakeno, Mitsutaka; Sunahara, Atsushi; Sentoku, Yasuhiko; Miura, Eisuke

2013-01-01

Pellet injection and repetitive laser illumination are key technologies for realizing inertial fusion energy. Numerous studies have been conducted on target suppliers, injectors, and tracking systems for flying pellet engagement. Here we for the first time demonstrate the pellet injection, counter laser beams' engagement and neutron generation. Deuterated polystyrene (CD) bead pellets, after free-falling for a distance of 18 cm at 1 Hz, are successfully engaged by two counter laser beams from a diode-pumped, ultra-intense laser HAMA. The laser energy, pulse duration, wavelength, and the intensity are 0.63 J per beam, 104 fs, and 811 nm, 4.7 × 10(18) W/cm(2), respectively. The irradiated pellets produce D(d,n)(3)He-reacted neutrons with a maximum yield of 9.5 × 10(4)/4π sr/shot. Moreover, the laser is found out to bore a straight channel with 10 μm-diameter through the 1-mm-diameter beads. The results indicate potentially useful technologies and findings for the next step in realizing inertial fusion energy.

First demonstration of laser engagement of 1-Hz-injected flying pellets and neutron generation

PubMed Central

Komeda, Osamu; Nishimura, Yasuhiko; Mori, Yoshitaka; Hanayama, Ryohei; Ishii, Katsuhiro; Nakayama, Suisei; Kitagawa, Yoneyoshi; Sekine, Takashi; Sato, Nakahiro; Kurita, Takashi; Kawashima, Toshiyuki; Kan, Hirofumi; Nakamura, Naoki; Kondo, Takuya; Fujine, Manabu; Azuma, Hirozumi; Motohiro, Tomoyoshi; Hioki, Tatsumi; Kakeno, Mitsutaka; Sunahara, Atsushi; Sentoku, Yasuhiko; Miura, Eisuke

2013-01-01

Pellet injection and repetitive laser illumination are key technologies for realizing inertial fusion energy. Numerous studies have been conducted on target suppliers, injectors, and tracking systems for flying pellet engagement. Here we for the first time demonstrate the pellet injection, counter laser beams' engagement and neutron generation. Deuterated polystyrene (CD) bead pellets, after free-falling for a distance of 18 cm at 1 Hz, are successfully engaged by two counter laser beams from a diode-pumped, ultra-intense laser HAMA. The laser energy, pulse duration, wavelength, and the intensity are 0.63 J per beam, 104 fs, and 811 nm, 4.7 × 1018 W/cm2, respectively. The irradiated pellets produce D(d,n)3He-reacted neutrons with a maximum yield of 9.5 × 104/4π sr/shot. Moreover, the laser is found out to bore a straight channel with 10 μm-diameter through the 1-mm-diameter beads. The results indicate potentially useful technologies and findings for the next step in realizing inertial fusion energy. PMID:24008696

Sagnac interferometry with coherent vortex superposition states in exciton-polariton condensates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moxley, Frederick Ira; Dowling, Jonathan P.; Dai, Weizhong; Byrnes, Tim

2016-05-01

We investigate prospects of using counter-rotating vortex superposition states in nonequilibrium exciton-polariton Bose-Einstein condensates for the purposes of Sagnac interferometry. We first investigate the stability of vortex-antivortex superposition states, and show that they survive at steady state in a variety of configurations. Counter-rotating vortex superpositions are of potential interest to gyroscope and seismometer applications for detecting rotations. Methods of improving the sensitivity are investigated by targeting high momentum states via metastable condensation, and the application of periodic lattices. The sensitivity of the polariton gyroscope is compared to its optical and atomic counterparts. Due to the large interferometer areas in optical systems and small de Broglie wavelengths for atomic BECs, the sensitivity per detected photon is found to be considerably less for the polariton gyroscope than with competing methods. However, polariton gyroscopes have an advantage over atomic BECs in a high signal-to-noise ratio, and have other practical advantages such as room-temperature operation, area independence, and robust design. We estimate that the final sensitivities including signal-to-noise aspects are competitive with existing methods.

Implicit learning of sequential bias in a guessing task: failure to demonstrate effects of dopamine administration and paranormal belief.

PubMed

Palmer, John; Mohr, Christine; Krummenacher, Peter; Brugger, Peter

2007-06-01

Previous research suggests that implicit sequence learning (ISL) is superior for believers in the paranormal and individuals with increased cerebral dopamine. Thirty-five healthy participants performed feedback-guided anticipations of four arrow directions. A 100-trial random sequence preceded two 100-trial biased sequences in which visual targets (arrows) on trial t tended to be displaced 90 degrees clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW) from those on t - 1. ISL was defined as a positive change during the course of the biased run in the difference between pro-bias and counter-bias responses. It was hypothesized that this difference would be greater for believers in the paranormal than for skeptics, for those who received dopamine than for those who received placebo, and for believers who received dopamine than for the other groups. None of the hypotheses were supported by the data. It is suggested that a simple binary guessing task with a focus on prediction accuracy during early trials should be considered for future explorations.

Digital control of magnetic bearings in a cryogenic cooler

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feeley, J.; Law, A.; Lind, F.

1990-01-01

This paper describes the design of a digital control system for control of magnetic bearings used in a spaceborne cryogenic cooler. The cooler was developed by Philips Laboratories for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Six magnetic bearing assemblies are used to levitate the piston, displacer, and counter-balance of the cooler. The piston and displacer are driven by linear motors in accordance with Stirling cycle thermodynamic principles to produce the desired cooling effect. The counter-balance is driven by a third linear motor to cancel motion induced forces that would otherwise be transmitted to the spacecraft. An analog control system is currently used for bearing control. The purpose of this project is to investigate the possibilities for improved performance using digital control. Areas for potential improvement include transient and steady state control characteristics, robustness, reliability, adaptability, alternate control modes, size, weight, and cost. The present control system is targeted for the Intel 80196 microcontroller family. The eventual introduction of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology to this problem may produce a unique and elegant solution both here and in related industrial problems.

Multiple-target tracking implementation in the ebCMOS camera system: the LUSIPHER prototype

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doan, Quang Tuyen; Barbier, Remi; Dominjon, Agnes; Cajgfinger, Thomas; Guerin, Cyrille

2012-06-01

The domain of the low light imaging systems progresses very fast, thanks to detection and electronic multiplication technology evolution, such as the emCCD (electron multiplying CCD) or the ebCMOS (electron bombarded CMOS). We present an ebCMOS camera system that is able to track every 2 ms more than 2000 targets with a mean number of photons per target lower than two. The point light sources (targets) are spots generated by a microlens array (Shack-Hartmann) used in adaptive optics. The Multiple-Target-Tracking designed and implemented on a rugged workstation is described. The results and the performances of the system on the identification and tracking are presented and discussed.

Labeled RFS-Based Track-Before-Detect for Multiple Maneuvering Targets in the Infrared Focal Plane Array.

PubMed

Li, Miao; Li, Jun; Zhou, Yiyu

2015-12-08

The problem of jointly detecting and tracking multiple targets from the raw observations of an infrared focal plane array is a challenging task, especially for the case with uncertain target dynamics. In this paper a multi-model labeled multi-Bernoulli (MM-LMB) track-before-detect method is proposed within the labeled random finite sets (RFS) framework. The proposed track-before-detect method consists of two parts-MM-LMB filter and MM-LMB smoother. For the MM-LMB filter, original LMB filter is applied to track-before-detect based on target and measurement models, and is integrated with the interacting multiple models (IMM) approach to accommodate the uncertainty of target dynamics. For the MM-LMB smoother, taking advantage of the track labels and posterior model transition probability, the single-model single-target smoother is extended to a multi-model multi-target smoother. A Sequential Monte Carlo approach is also presented to implement the proposed method. Simulation results show the proposed method can effectively achieve tracking continuity for multiple maneuvering targets. In addition, compared with the forward filtering alone, our method is more robust due to its combination of forward filtering and backward smoothing.

Labeled RFS-Based Track-Before-Detect for Multiple Maneuvering Targets in the Infrared Focal Plane Array

PubMed Central

Li, Miao; Li, Jun; Zhou, Yiyu

2015-01-01

The problem of jointly detecting and tracking multiple targets from the raw observations of an infrared focal plane array is a challenging task, especially for the case with uncertain target dynamics. In this paper a multi-model labeled multi-Bernoulli (MM-LMB) track-before-detect method is proposed within the labeled random finite sets (RFS) framework. The proposed track-before-detect method consists of two parts—MM-LMB filter and MM-LMB smoother. For the MM-LMB filter, original LMB filter is applied to track-before-detect based on target and measurement models, and is integrated with the interacting multiple models (IMM) approach to accommodate the uncertainty of target dynamics. For the MM-LMB smoother, taking advantage of the track labels and posterior model transition probability, the single-model single-target smoother is extended to a multi-model multi-target smoother. A Sequential Monte Carlo approach is also presented to implement the proposed method. Simulation results show the proposed method can effectively achieve tracking continuity for multiple maneuvering targets. In addition, compared with the forward filtering alone, our method is more robust due to its combination of forward filtering and backward smoothing. PMID:26670234

Particle Identification in Nuclear Emulsion by Measuring Multiple Coulomb Scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Than Tint, Khin; Nakazawa, Kazuma; Yoshida, Junya; Kyaw Soe, Myint; Mishina, Akihiro; Kinbara, Shinji; Itoh, Hiroki; Endo, Yoko; Kobayashi, Hidetaka; E07 Collaboration

2014-09-01

We are developing particle identification techniques for single charged particles such as Xi, proton, K and π by measuring multiple Coulomb scattering in nuclear emulsion. Nuclear emulsion is the best three dimensional detector for double strangeness (S = -2) nuclear system. We expect to accumulate about 10000 Xi-minus stop events which produce double lambda hypernucleus in J-PARC E07 emulsion counter hybrid experiment. The purpose of this particle identification (PID) in nuclear emulsion is to purify Xi-minus stop events which gives information about production probability of double hypernucleus and branching ratio of decay mode. Amount of scattering parameterized as angular distribution and second difference is inversely proportional to the momentum of particle. We produced several thousands of various charged particle tracks in nuclear emulsion stack via Geant4 simulation. In this talk, PID with some measuring methods for multiple scattering will be discussed by comparing with simulation data and real Xi-minus stop events in KEK-E373 experiment.

Key design elements of a data utility for national biosurveillance: event-driven architecture, caching, and Web service model.

PubMed

Tsui, Fu-Chiang; Espino, Jeremy U; Weng, Yan; Choudary, Arvinder; Su, Hoah-Der; Wagner, Michael M

2005-01-01

The National Retail Data Monitor (NRDM) has monitored over-the-counter (OTC) medication sales in the United States since December 2002. The NRDM collects data from over 18,600 retail stores and processes over 0.6 million sales records per day. This paper describes key architectural features that we have found necessary for a data utility component in a national biosurveillance system. These elements include event-driven architecture to provide analyses of data in near real time, multiple levels of caching to improve query response time, high availability through the use of clustered servers, scalable data storage through the use of storage area networks and a web-service function for interoperation with affiliated systems. The methods and architectural principles are relevant to the design of any production data utility for public health surveillance-systems that collect data from multiple sources in near real time for use by analytic programs and user interfaces that have substantial requirements for time-series data aggregated in multiple dimensions.

A Study of Multiplicities in Hadronic Interactions (in Spanish)

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

Estrada Tristan, Nora Patricia; /San Luis Potosi U.

Using data from the SELEX (Fermilab E781) experiment obtained with a minimum-bias trigger, we study multiplicity and angular distributions of secondary particles produced in interactions in the experimental targets. We observe interactions of {Sigma}{sup -}, proton, {pi}{sup -}, and {pi}{sup +}, at beam momenta between 250 GeV/c and 650 GeV/c, in copper, polyethylene, graphite, and beryllium targets. We show that the multiplicity and angular distributions for meson and baryon beams at the same momentum are identical. We also show that the mean multiplicity increases with beam momentum, and presents only small variations with the target material.

Effect of counter-pulsation control of a pulsatile left ventricular assist device on working load variations of the native heart.

PubMed

Choi, Seong Wook; Nam, Kyoung Won; Lim, Ki Moo; Shim, Eun Bo; Won, Yong Soon; Woo, Heung Myong; Kwak, Ho Hyun; Noh, Mi Ryoung; Kim, In Young; Park, Sung Min

2014-04-03

When using a pulsatile left ventricular assist device (LVAD), it is important to reduce the cardiac load variations of the native heart because severe cardiac load variations can induce ventricular arrhythmia. In this study, we investigated the effect of counter-pulsation control of the LVAD on the reduction of cardiac load variation. A ventricular electrocardiogram-based counter-pulsation control algorithm for a LVAD was implemented, and the effects of counter-pulsation control of the LVAD on the reduction of the working load variations of the left ventricle were determined in three animal experiments. Deviations of the working load of the left ventricle were reduced by 51.3%, 67.9%, and 71.5% in each case, and the beat-to-beat variation rates in the working load were reduced by 84.8%, 82.7%, and 88.2% in each ease after counter-pulsation control. There were 3 to 12 premature ventricle contractions (PVCs) before counter-pulsation control, but no PVCs were observed during counter-pulsation control. Counter-pulsation control of the pulsatile LVAD can reduce severe cardiac load variations, but the average working load is not markedly affected by application of counter-pulsation control because it is also influenced by temporary cardiac outflow variations. We believe that counter-pulsation control of the LVAD can improve the long-term safety of heart failure patients equipped with LVADs.

Randomness fault detection system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, B. Don (Inventor); Aucoin, B. Michael (Inventor); Benner, Carl L. (Inventor)

1996-01-01

A method and apparatus are provided for detecting a fault on a power line carrying a line parameter such as a load current. The apparatus monitors and analyzes the load current to obtain an energy value. The energy value is compared to a threshold value stored in a buffer. If the energy value is greater than the threshold value a counter is incremented. If the energy value is greater than a high value threshold or less than a low value threshold then a second counter is incremented. If the difference between two subsequent energy values is greater than a constant then a third counter is incremented. A fault signal is issued if the counter is greater than a counter limit value and either the second counter is greater than a second limit value or the third counter is greater than a third limit value.

Imaging B Cells in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis Using 64Cu-Rituximab PET.

PubMed

James, Michelle L; Hoehne, Aileen; Mayer, Aaron T; Lechtenberg, Kendra; Moreno, Monica; Gowrishankar, Gayatri; Ilovich, Ohad; Natarajan, Arutselvan; Johnson, Emily M; Nguyen, Joujou; Quach, Lisa; Han, May; Buckwalter, Marion; Chandra, Sudeep; Gambhir, Sanjiv S

2017-11-01

B lymphocytes are a key pathologic feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) and are becoming an important therapeutic target for this condition. Currently, there is no approved technique to noninvasively visualize B cells in the central nervous system (CNS) to monitor MS disease progression and response to therapies. Here, we evaluated 64 Cu-rituximab, a radiolabeled antibody specifically targeting the human B cell marker CD20, for its ability to image B cells in a mouse model of MS using PET. Methods: To model CNS infiltration by B cells, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in transgenic mice that express human CD20 on B cells. EAE mice were given subcutaneous injections of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein fragment 1-125 emulsified in complete Freund adjuvant. Control mice received complete Freund adjuvant alone. PET imaging of EAE and control mice was performed 1, 4, and 19 h after 64 Cu-rituximab administration. Mice were perfused and sacrificed after the final PET scan, and radioactivity in dissected tissues was measured with a γ-counter. CNS tissues from these mice were immunostained to quantify B cells or were further analyzed via digital autoradiography. Results: Lumbar spinal cord PET signal was significantly higher in EAE mice than in controls at all evaluated time points (e.g., 1 h after injection: 5.44 ± 0.37 vs. 3.33 ± 0.20 percentage injected dose [%ID]/g, P < 0.05). 64 Cu-rituximab PET signal in brain regions ranged between 1.74 ± 0.11 and 2.93 ± 0.15 %ID/g for EAE mice, compared with 1.25 ± 0.08 and 2.24 ± 0.11 %ID/g for controls ( P < 0.05 for all regions except striatum and thalamus at 1 h after injection). Similarly, ex vivo biodistribution results revealed notably higher 64 Cu-rituximab uptake in the brain and spinal cord of huCD20tg EAE, and B220 immunostaining verified that increased 64 Cu-rituximab uptake in CNS tissues corresponded with elevated B cells. Conclusion: B cells can be detected in the CNS of EAE mice using 64 Cu-rituximab PET. Results from these studies warrant further investigation of 64 Cu-rituximab in EAE models and consideration of use in MS patients to evaluate its potential for detecting and monitoring B cells in the progression and treatment of this disease. These results represent an initial step toward generating a platform to evaluate B cell-targeted therapeutics en route to the clinic. © 2017 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.

A Convenient Cas9-based Conditional Knockout Strategy for Simultaneously Targeting Multiple Genes in Mouse.

PubMed

Chen, Jiang; Du, Yinan; He, Xueyan; Huang, Xingxu; Shi, Yun S

2017-03-31

The most powerful way to probe protein function is to characterize the consequence of its deletion. Compared to conventional gene knockout (KO), conditional knockout (cKO) provides an advanced gene targeting strategy with which gene deletion can be performed in a spatially and temporally restricted manner. However, for most species that are amphiploid, the widely used Cre-flox conditional KO (cKO) system would need targeting loci in both alleles to be loxP flanked, which in practice, requires time and labor consuming breeding. This is considerably significant when one is dealing with multiple genes. CRISPR/Cas9 genome modulation system is advantaged in its capability in targeting multiple sites simultaneously. Here we propose a strategy that could achieve conditional KO of multiple genes in mouse with Cre recombinase dependent Cas9 expression. By transgenic construction of loxP-stop-loxP (LSL) controlled Cas9 (LSL-Cas9) together with sgRNAs targeting EGFP, we showed that the fluorescence molecule could be eliminated in a Cre-dependent manner. We further verified the efficacy of this novel strategy to target multiple sites by deleting c-Maf and MafB simultaneously in macrophages specifically. Compared to the traditional Cre-flox cKO strategy, this sgRNAs-LSL-Cas9 cKO system is simpler and faster, and would make conditional manipulation of multiple genes feasible.

Direct current sputtering of boron from boron/coron mixtures

DOEpatents

Timberlake, John R.; Manos, Dennis; Nartowitz, Ed

1994-01-01

A method for coating a substrate with boron by sputtering includes lowering the electrical resistance of a boron-containing rod to allow electrical conduction in the rod; placing the boron-containing rod inside a vacuum chamber containing substrate material to be coated; applying an electrical potential between the boron target material and the vacuum chamber; countering a current avalanche that commences when the conduction heating rate exceeds the cooling rate, and until a steady equilibrium heating current is reached; and, coating the substrate material with boron by sputtering from the boron-containing rod.

Meta-expert system for cargo container screening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alberts, David S.

1994-02-01

This paper reports upon improvements and extensions of rule-based expert systems and related technologies in the context of their application to the cargo container screening problem. These innovations have been incorporated into a system built for and deployed by U.S. Customs with funding provided by the DCI's Counter Narcotics Committee. Given the serious nature of the drug smuggling threat and the low probability of intercept, the ability to target the extremely limited inspectional resources available to U.S. Customs is a prerequisite for success in fighting the `Drug War.'

50 kW laser weapon demonstrator of Rheinmetall Waffe munition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludewigt, K.; Riesbeck, Th.; Graf, A.; Jung, M.

2013-10-01

We will present the setup of a 50 kW Laser Weapon Demonstrator (LWD) and results achieved with this system. The LWD is a ground based Air Defence system consisting of a Skyguard sensor unit for target acquisition and two laser equipped weapon turrets. The weapon turrets used are standard air defence turrets of Rheinmetall Air Defence which were equipped with several 10 kW Laser Weapon Modules (LWM). Each LWM consists of one 10 kW fiber laser and a beam forming unit (BFU). Commercial of the shelf fiber laser were modified for our defence applications. The BFU providing diffraction limited beam focusing, target imaging and fine tracking of the target was developed. The LWD was tested in a firing campaign at Rheinmetall test ground in Switzerland. All laser beams of both weapon turrets were superimposed on stationary and dynamic targets. Test results of the LWD for the scenarios Air Defence and C-RAMM (counter rockets, artillery, mortar and missiles) will be presented. An outlook for the next development stage towards a 100 kW class laser weapon on RWM will be given.

MW 08-multi-beam air and surface surveillance radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1989-09-01

Signal of the Netherlands has developed and is marketing the MW 08, a 3-D radar to be used for short to medium range surveillance, target acquisition, and tracking. MW 08 is a fully automated detecting and tracking radar. It is designed to counter threats from aircraft and low flying antiship missiles. It can also deal with the high level missile threat. MW 08 operates in the 5 cm band using one antenna for both transmitting and receiving. The antenna is an array, consisting of 8 stripline antennas. The received radar energy is processed by 8 receiver channels. These channels come together in the beam forming network, in which 8 virtual beams are formed. From this beam pattern, 6 beams are used for the elevation coverage of 0-70 degrees. MW 08's output signals of the beam former are further handled by FFT and plot processors for target speed information, clutter rejection, and jamming suppression. A general purpose computer handles target track initiation, and tracking. Tracking data are transferred to the command and control systems with 3-D target information for fastest possible lockon.

Counter-rotating vortex pairs in the wake of a vertical axis wind turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rolin, Vincent; Porté-Agel, Fernando

2017-04-01

Despite the rising popularity of vertical axis wind turbines, or VAWTs, the wakes behind these machines is much less well understood than those behind horizontal axis wind turbines, or HAWTs. A thorough understanding of wakes is important as they can cause turbines in wind farms to produce less power than anticipated and increase the fatigue loading on turbines due to vibrations. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the wake behind a vertical axis wind turbine in atmospheric flow stereo-PIV is implemented in a boundary-layer wind tunnel to produce snapshots of the 3-component velocity field in the wake at various downstream positions. The boundaries of the wake are readily observed due to the high velocity gradients and turbulence present here. Two pairs of counter-rotating vortices similar to those in the wake of yawed HAWTs are also observed. An examination of the momentum fluxes behind the turbine demonstrates that the mean flow induced by these vortices entrains a large quantity of momentum from the unperturbed boundary layer flow above the wake. This effect proves to play an even more significant role than turbulence in reintroducing momentum into the wake. In order to comprehend why the VAWT produces these vortices we modify the double-multiple stream-tube model typically used to predict VAWT performance to incorporate crosswind forces. The similarity between VAWT and yawed HAWT wakes is found not to be coincidental as both cases feature rotors which exert a lateral thrust on the incoming wind which leads to the creation of counter-rotating vortex pairs.

Memory for found targets interferes with subsequent performance in multiple-target visual search.

PubMed

Cain, Matthew S; Mitroff, Stephen R

2013-10-01

Multiple-target visual searches--when more than 1 target can appear in a given search display--are commonplace in radiology, airport security screening, and the military. Whereas 1 target is often found accurately, additional targets are more likely to be missed in multiple-target searches. To better understand this decrement in 2nd-target detection, here we examined 2 potential forms of interference that can arise from finding a 1st target: interference from the perceptual salience of the 1st target (a now highly relevant distractor in a known location) and interference from a newly created memory representation for the 1st target. Here, we found that removing found targets from the display or making them salient and easily segregated color singletons improved subsequent search accuracy. However, replacing found targets with random distractor items did not improve subsequent search accuracy. Removing and highlighting found targets likely reduced both a target's visual salience and its memory load, whereas replacing a target removed its visual salience but not its representation in memory. Collectively, the current experiments suggest that the working memory load of a found target has a larger effect on subsequent search accuracy than does its perceptual salience. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved.

Fuzzy Neural Network-Based Interacting Multiple Model for Multi-Node Target Tracking Algorithm

PubMed Central

Sun, Baoliang; Jiang, Chunlan; Li, Ming

2016-01-01

An interacting multiple model for multi-node target tracking algorithm was proposed based on a fuzzy neural network (FNN) to solve the multi-node target tracking problem of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Measured error variance was adaptively adjusted during the multiple model interacting output stage using the difference between the theoretical and estimated values of the measured error covariance matrix. The FNN fusion system was established during multi-node fusion to integrate with the target state estimated data from different nodes and consequently obtain network target state estimation. The feasibility of the algorithm was verified based on a network of nine detection nodes. Experimental results indicated that the proposed algorithm could trace the maneuvering target effectively under sensor failure and unknown system measurement errors. The proposed algorithm exhibited great practicability in the multi-node target tracking of WSNs. PMID:27809271

FLEXIBLE GEIGER COUNTER

DOEpatents

Richter, H.G.; Gillespie, A.S. Jr.

1963-11-12

A flexible Geiger counter constructed from materials composed of vinyl chloride polymerized with plasticizers or co-polymers is presented. The counter can be made either by attaching short segments of corrugated plastic sleeving together, or by starting with a length of vacuum cleaner hose composed of the above materials. The anode is maintained substantially axial Within the sleeving or hose during tube flexing by means of polystyrene spacer disks or an easily assembled polyethylene flexible cage assembly. The cathode is a wire spiraled on the outside of the counter. The sleeving or hose is fitted with glass end-pieces or any other good insulator to maintain the anode wire taut and to admit a counting gas mixture into the counter. Having the cathode wire on the outside of the counter substantially eliminates the objectional sheath effect of prior counters and permits counting rates up to 300,000 counts per minute. (AEC)

21 CFR 862.2320 - Beta or gamma counter for clinical use.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Beta or gamma counter for clinical use. 862.2320... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY DEVICES Clinical Laboratory Instruments § 862.2320 Beta or gamma counter for clinical use. (a) Identification. A beta or gamma counter for...

78 FR 19718 - Modifications To Labeling of Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-02

...] Modifications To Labeling of Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use AGENCY: Food...-counter nicotine replacement therapy products, related to concomitant use with other nicotine-containing... over-the- counter nicotine replacement therapy products for their approved intended use as aids to...

21 CFR 864.5200 - Automated cell counter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Automated cell counter. 864.5200 Section 864.5200....5200 Automated cell counter. (a) Identification. An automated cell counter is a fully-automated or semi-automated device used to count red blood cells, white blood cells, or blood platelets using a sample of the...

21 CFR 892.1130 - Nuclear whole body counter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Nuclear whole body counter. 892.1130 Section 892...) MEDICAL DEVICES RADIOLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 892.1130 Nuclear whole body counter. (a) Identification. A nuclear whole body counter is a device intended to measure the amount of radionuclides in the...

21 CFR 892.1130 - Nuclear whole body counter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Nuclear whole body counter. 892.1130 Section 892...) MEDICAL DEVICES RADIOLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 892.1130 Nuclear whole body counter. (a) Identification. A nuclear whole body counter is a device intended to measure the amount of radionuclides in the...

The Role of Storm Time Electrodynamics in Suppressing the Equatorial Plasma Bubble Development in the Recovery Phase of a Geomagnetic Storm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sripathi, S.; Banola, S.; Emperumal, K.; Suneel Kumar, B.; Radicella, Sandro M.

2018-03-01

We investigate the role of storm time electrodynamics in suppressing the equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) development using multi-instruments over India during a moderate geomagnetic storm that occurred on 2 October 2013 where Dst minimum reached -80 nT. This storm produced unique signatures in the equatorial ionosphere such that equatorial electrojet strength showed signatures of an abrupt increase of its strength to 150 nT and occurrence of episodes of counter electrojet events. During the main phase of the storm, the interplanetary magnetic field Bz is well correlated with the variations in the equatorial electrojet/counter electrojet suggesting the role of undershielding/overshielding electric fields of magnetospheric origin. Further, observations showed the presence of strong F3 layers at multiple times at multiple stations due to undershielding electric field. Interestingly, we observed simultaneous presence of F3 layers and suppression of EPBs in the dusk sector during the recovery phase. While strong EPBs were observed before and after the day of the geomagnetic storm, suppression of the EPBs on the storm day during "spread F season" is intriguing. Our further analysis using low-latitude station, Hyderabad, during the time of prereversal enhancement suggests that intense Esb layers were observed on the storm day but were absent/weak on quiet days. Based on these results, we suggest that the altitude/latitude variation of disturbance dynamo electric fields/disturbance winds may be responsible for simultaneous detection of F3 layers, occurrence of low-latitude Es layers, and suppression of EPBs during the storm day along the sunset terminator.

Instability of counter-rotating stellar disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hohlfeld, R. G.; Lovelace, R. V. E.

2015-09-01

We use an N-body simulation, constructed using GADGET-2, to investigate an accretion flow onto an astrophysical disk that is in the opposite sense to the disk's rotation. In order to separate dynamics intrinsic to the counter-rotating flow from the impact of the flow onto the disk, we consider an initial condition in which the counter-rotating flow is in an annular region immediately exterior the main portion of the astrophysical disk. Such counter-rotating flows are seen in systems such as NGC 4826 (known as the "Evil Eye Galaxy"). Interaction between the rotating and counter-rotating components is due to two-stream instability in the boundary region. A multi-armed spiral density wave is excited in the astrophysical disk and a density distribution with high azimuthal mode number is excited in the counter-rotating flow. Density fluctuations in the counter-rotating flow aggregate into larger clumps and some of the material in the counter-rotating flow is scattered to large radii. Accretion flow processes such as this are increasingly seen to be of importance in the evolution of multi-component galactic disks.

Facile synthesis of nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide as an efficient counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Liguo; Wang, Ping; Yang, Yulin; Luo, Ruidong; Li, Jinqi; Gu, Xiaohu; Zhan, Zhaoshun; Dong, Yongli; Song, Weina; Fan, Ruiqing

2018-04-01

A nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-RGO) nanosheet was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electrode microscopy. After being deposited as counter electrode film for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), it is found that the synthesized N-RGO nanosheet has smaller charge-transfer resistance and better electrocatalytic activity towards reduction of triiodide than the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheet. Consequently, the DSSCs based on the N-RGO counter electrode achieve an energy conversion efficiency of 4.26%, which is higher than that of the RGO counter electrode (2.85%) prepared under the same conditions, and comparable to the value (5.21%) obtained with the Pt counter electrode as a reference. This N-RGO counter electrode offers the advantages of not only saving the cost of Pt itself but also simplifying the process of counter electrode preparation. Therefore, an inexpensive N-RGO nanosheet is a promising counter electrode material to replace noble metal Pt. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Less haste, less waste: on recycling and its limits in strand displacement systems

PubMed Central

Condon, Anne; Hu, Alan J.; Maňuch, Ján; Thachuk, Chris

2012-01-01

We study the potential for molecule recycling in chemical reaction systems and their DNA strand displacement realizations. Recycling happens when a product of one reaction is a reactant in a later reaction. Recycling has the benefits of reducing consumption, or waste, of molecules and of avoiding fuel depletion. We present a binary counter that recycles molecules efficiently while incurring just a moderate slowdown compared with alternative counters that do not recycle strands. This counter is an n-bit binary reflecting Gray code counter that advances through 2n states. In the strand displacement realization of this counter, the waste—total number of nucleotides of the DNA strands consumed—is polynomial in n, the number of bits of the counter, while the waste of alternative counters grows exponentially in n. We also show that our n-bit counter fails to work correctly when many (Θ(n)) copies of the species that represent the bits of the counter are present initially. The proof applies more generally to show that in chemical reaction systems where all but one reactant of each reaction are catalysts, computations longer than a polynomial function of the size of the system are not possible when there are polynomially many copies of the system present. PMID:22649584

High-efficiency and low-background multi-segmented proportional gas counter for β-decay spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukai, M.; Hirayama, Y.; Watanabe, Y. X.; Schury, P.; Jung, H. S.; Ahmed, M.; Haba, H.; Ishiyama, H.; Jeong, S. C.; Kakiguchi, Y.; Kimura, S.; Moon, J. Y.; Oyaizu, M.; Ozawa, A.; Park, J. H.; Ueno, H.; Wada, M.; Miyatake, H.

2018-03-01

A multi-segmented proportional gas counter (MSPGC) with high detection efficiency and low-background event rate has been developed for β-decay spectroscopy. The MSPGC consists of two cylindrically aligned layers of 16 counters (32 counters in total). Each counter has a long active length and small trapezoidal cross-section, and the total solid angle of the 32 counters is 80% of 4 π. β-rays are distinguished from the background events including cosmic-rays by analyzing the hit patterns of independent counters. The deduced intrinsic detection efficiency of each counter was almost 100%. The measured background event rate was 0.11 counts per second using the combination of veto counters for cosmic-rays and lead block shields for background γ-rays. The MSPGC was applied to measure the β-decay half-lives of 198Ir and 199mPt. The evaluated half-lives of T1/2 = 9 . 8(7) s and 12.4(7) s for 198Ir and 199mPt, respectively, were in agreement with previously reported values. The estimated absolute detection efficiency of the MSPGC from GEANT4 simulations was consistent with the evaluated efficiency from the analysis of the β- γ spectroscopy of 199Pt, saturating at approximately 60% for Qβ > 4 MeV.

Integrative FourD omics approach profiles the target network of the carbon storage regulatory system.

PubMed

Sowa, Steven W; Gelderman, Grant; Leistra, Abigail N; Buvanendiran, Aishwarya; Lipp, Sarah; Pitaktong, Areen; Vakulskas, Christopher A; Romeo, Tony; Baldea, Michael; Contreras, Lydia M

2017-02-28

Multi-target regulators represent a largely untapped area for metabolic engineering and anti-bacterial development. These regulators are complex to characterize because they often act at multiple levels, affecting proteins, transcripts and metabolites. Therefore, single omics experiments cannot profile their underlying targets and mechanisms. In this work, we used an Integrative FourD omics approach (INFO) that consists of collecting and analyzing systems data throughout multiple time points, using multiple genetic backgrounds, and multiple omics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics and high throughput sequencing crosslinking immunoprecipitation) to evaluate simultaneous changes in gene expression after imposing an environmental stress that accentuates the regulatory features of a network. Using this approach, we profiled the targets and potential regulatory mechanisms of a global regulatory system, the well-studied carbon storage regulatory (Csr) system of Escherichia coli, which is widespread among bacteria. Using 126 sets of proteomics and transcriptomics data, we identified 136 potential direct CsrA targets, including 50 novel ones, categorized their behaviors into distinct regulatory patterns, and performed in vivo fluorescence-based follow up experiments. The results of this work validate 17 novel mRNAs as authentic direct CsrA targets and demonstrate a generalizable strategy to integrate multiple lines of omics data to identify a core pool of regulator targets. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Understanding the dynamics of terrorism events with multiple-discipline datasets and machine learning approach

PubMed Central

Ding, Fangyu; Ge, Quansheng; Fu, Jingying; Hao, Mengmeng

2017-01-01

Terror events can cause profound consequences for the whole society. Finding out the regularity of terrorist attacks has important meaning for the global counter-terrorism strategy. In the present study, we demonstrate a novel method using relatively popular and robust machine learning methods to simulate the risk of terrorist attacks at a global scale based on multiple resources, long time series and globally distributed datasets. Historical data from 1970 to 2015 was adopted to train and evaluate machine learning models. The model performed fairly well in predicting the places where terror events might occur in 2015, with a success rate of 96.6%. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the model with optimized tuning parameter values successfully predicted 2,037 terrorism event locations where a terrorist attack had never happened before. PMID:28591138

Understanding the dynamics of terrorism events with multiple-discipline datasets and machine learning approach.

PubMed

Ding, Fangyu; Ge, Quansheng; Jiang, Dong; Fu, Jingying; Hao, Mengmeng

2017-01-01

Terror events can cause profound consequences for the whole society. Finding out the regularity of terrorist attacks has important meaning for the global counter-terrorism strategy. In the present study, we demonstrate a novel method using relatively popular and robust machine learning methods to simulate the risk of terrorist attacks at a global scale based on multiple resources, long time series and globally distributed datasets. Historical data from 1970 to 2015 was adopted to train and evaluate machine learning models. The model performed fairly well in predicting the places where terror events might occur in 2015, with a success rate of 96.6%. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the model with optimized tuning parameter values successfully predicted 2,037 terrorism event locations where a terrorist attack had never happened before.

Development of a high-sensitivity BGO well counter for small animal PET studies.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Seiichi; Watabe, Hiroshi; Kanai, Yasukazu; Watabe, Tadashi; Imaizumi, Masao; Shimosegawa, Eku; Hatazawa, Jun

2012-01-01

In quantitative measurements of small animal PET studies, blood sampling is limited due to the small amounts of blood such animals can provide. In addition, injection doses are quite limited. In this situation, a high-sensitivity well counter would be useful for reducing the amount of the blood sample needed from small animals. Bismuth germinate (BGO) has a high stopping power for high-energy gamma rays compared to NaI(Tl), which is commonly used for conventional well counters. We have developed a BGO well counter and have tested it for blood-sampling measurements in small animals. The BGO well counter uses a square BGO block (59 × 59 × 50 mm) with a square open space (27 × 27 × 34 mm) in the center of the block. The BGO block was optically coupled to a 59-mm square-shaped photomultiplier tube (PMT). Signals from the PMT were digitally processed for the integration and energy window setting. The results showed that the energy spectrum of the BGO well counter measured with a Na-22 point source provided counts that were about 6 times higher for a 1022-keV (511 keV × 2) gamma peak than the spectrum of a 2-in. NaI(Tl) well counter. The relative sensitivity of the developed BGO well counter was 3.4 times higher than that of a NaI(Tl) well counter. The time activity curve of arterial blood was obtained successfully with the BGO well counter for a F-18-FDG study on rat. The BGO well counter will contribute to reducing the amount of sampled blood and to improving the throughput of quantitative measurements in small animal PET studies.

Over-the-counter medications containing diphenhydramine and doxylamine used by older adults to improve sleep.

PubMed

Abraham, Olufunmilola; Schleiden, Loren; Albert, Steven M

2017-08-01

Background The unintentional misuse of over-the-counter sleep aids among older adults is an important public health problem and a focus of Healthy People 2020. Accordingly, the 2015 Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults recommends that individuals 65 years or older avoid use of diphenhydramine and doxylamine; however, many over-the-counter sleep products contain these active ingredients. Objective To identify the proportion of older adults using an over-the-counter medication containing diphenhydramine or doxylamine, and compare their characteristics with older adults using an over-the-counter medication that does not contain these ingredients. Setting Study participants were recruited from the Community Registry of the Pittsburgh Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center. Method The study sample was taken from a larger survey of 1025 participants on sleep health and over-the-counter sleep medication use conducted from February to April 2015. A subset of 169 participants aged 65 and older reporting taking at least one over-the-counter product to improve sleep within the past 30 days (16.5%) were selected for our analysis on associations between participant characteristics and potentially inappropriate use of over-the-counter sleep medications. Main outcome measure The proportion and characteristics of older adults taking at least one over-the-counter medication containing diphenhydramine or doxylamine. Results Of the 223 over-the-counter sleep medications listed by participants, 115 (52%) contained diphenhydramine or doxylamine. Using the Beers Criteria, we found that more than half of participants (59%) had used a potentially inappropriate over-the-counter medication containing diphenhydramine or doxylamine to improve sleep within the past 30 days. Participants taking at least one diphenhydramine or doxylamine containing medication were less likely to be aware of any safety risks in taking over-the-counter sleep medications than participants not taking these products (38 vs 49%, p = 0.016). Conclusion A majority of older adults in a limited sample from the United States taking an over-the-counter medication to improve sleep are taking a product containing diphenhydramine or doxylamine, both of which are classified as potentially inappropriate for older adults. Awareness of the safety risks of over-the-counter medications and addressing conditions that impact sleep quality could be facilitated through consultation with pharmacists and other healthcare providers.

Multiple targets detection method in detection of UWB through-wall radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Xiuwei; Yang, Chuanfa; Zhao, Xingwen; Tian, Xianzhong

2017-11-01

In this paper, the problems and difficulties encountered in the detection of multiple moving targets by UWB radar are analyzed. The experimental environment and the penetrating radar system are established. An adaptive threshold method based on local area is proposed to effectively filter out clutter interference The objective of the moving target is analyzed, and the false target is further filtered out by extracting the target feature. Based on the correlation between the targets, the target matching algorithm is proposed to improve the detection accuracy. Finally, the effectiveness of the above method is verified by practical experiment.

The vector of the tobacco epidemic: tobacco industry practices in low and middle-income countries

PubMed Central

Lee, Sungkyu; Ling, Pamela M.; Glantz, Stanton A.

2012-01-01

Purpose To understand transnational tobacco companiesr’ (TTCs) practices in low and middle-income countries which serve to block tobacco-control policies and promote tobacco use. Methods Systematic review of published research on tobacco industry activities to promote tobacco use and oppose tobacco-control policies in low and middle-income countries. Results TTCs’ strategies used in low and middle-income countries followed four main themes—economic activity; marketing/promotion; political activity; and deceptive/manipulative activity. Economic activity, including foreign investment and smuggling, was used to enter new markets. Political activities included lobbying, offering voluntary self-regulatory codes, and mounting corporate social responsibility campaigns. Deceptive activities included manipulation of science and use of third-party allies to oppose smoke-free policies, delay other tobacco-control policies, and maintain support of policymakers and the public for a pro-tobacco industry policy environment. TTCs used tactics for marketing, advertising, and promoting their brands that were tailored to specific market environments. These activities included direct and indirect tactis, targeting particular populations, and introducing new tobacco products designed to limit marketing restrictions and taxes, maintain the social acceptability of tobacco use, and counter tobacco-control efforts. Conclusions TTCs have used similar strategies in high-income countries as these being described in low and middle-income countries. As required by FCTC Article 5.3, to counter tobacco industry pressures and to implement effective tobacco-control policies, governments and health professionals in low and middle-income countries should fully understand TTCs practices and counter them. PMID:22370696

Health care service utilization and associated factors among heroin users in northern Taiwan.

PubMed

Chen, Yi-Chih; Chen, Chih-Ken; Lin, Shih-Ku; Chiang, Shu-Chuan; Su, Lien-Wen; Wang, Liang-Jen

2013-11-01

Due to the needs of medical care, the probability of using health care service from heroin users is high. This cross-sectional study investigated the frequency and correlates of health service utilization among heroin users. From June to September 2006, 124 heroin users (110 males and 14 females, mean age: 34.2 ± 8.3 years) who entered two psychiatric hospitals (N = 83) and a detention center (N = 41) in northern Taiwan received a face-to-face interview. Therefore, socio-demographic characteristics, patterns of drug use, psychiatric comorbidities, blood-borne infectious diseases and health service utilization were recorded. The behaviors of health service utilization were classified into the frequency of out-patient department visit and hospitalization, as well as the purchase of over-the-counter drugs. During 12 months prior to interview, 79.8% of the participants attended health care service at least once. The rate of having any event in out-patients service visit, hospitalization, and over-the-counter drugs were 66.1%, 29.8% and 25.8% respectively. The frequency of health service utilization was associated with numerous factors. Among these factors, patients who were recruited from hospital and having a mood disorder were conjoint predictors of out-patient department visit, hospitalization and purchase of over-the-counter drugs. According to the results of this study, social education and routine screening for mood disorders can help heroin users to obtain adequate health care service. The findings of this study are useful references for targeting the heroin users for whom a successful intervention represents the greatest cost benefit. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of compound multiplicity in 84Kr36 with various light and heavy targets at 1 GeV per nucleon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chouhan, N. S.; Singh, M. K.; Singh, V.; Pathak, R.

2013-12-01

Interactions of 84Kr36 having kinetic energy around 1 GeV per nucleon with NIKFI BR-2 nuclear emulsion detector's target reveal some of the important features of compound multiplicity. Present article shows that width of compound multiplicity distributions and value of mean compound multiplicity have linear relationship with mass number of the projectile colliding system.

[Preparation and preliminary evaluation of KGDS-targeted ultrasound contrast agent].

PubMed

Gao, Feng; Ding, Yanfei; Sheng, Xiaoxi; Wang, Wei; Liang, Qi; Luo, Zhuoqiong; Zhou, Ping; Li, Hui

2009-12-01

To prepare a thrombus-targeted ultrasonic contrast agent and to investigate its targeted ability to fresh blood clots. We first synthesized FITC-KGDS-Palm compound, and then prepared thrombus-targeted microbubbles using "ultrasound & high speed shearing method". Fluorescence labeling thrombus-specific peptides and KGDS, directed at the activated glycoprotein(GP)IIb/IIIa receptor of platelets were attached to the surface of lipid microbubbles. The concentration and size of TUCA were measured by Malvern Zeta Sizer Nano-ZS590 and Coulter counter. Immunofluorescence was applied to confirm the conjugation. The conjunct ratio was assessed by flow cytometer (FCM). The KGDS-TUCA was straw yellow turbid liquor, and the concentration was 1.5 x 10(9)/mL, and the average size was 1.5 microm. The targeted microbubbles conjugated with the thrombus-specific peptides showed bright green rings by fluorescence microscope. FCM demonstrated that the wavelength of shell of KGDS-TUCA changed greatly, and the conjunct ratio was 90.04%. In vitro study showed KGDS-TUCA remained stable for 48 h at 4 degree C and target-attached to blood clots and showed good stability. The ultrasound & high speed shearing method to prepare TUCA is easy and in favor of purification. KGDS-TUCA has high specific biological activity. The conjunct ratio and stability of KGDS-TUCA are excellent.

Emerging Roles of Strigolactones in Plant Responses to Stress and Development

PubMed Central

Pandey, Amita; Sharma, Manisha; Pandey, Girdhar K.

2016-01-01

Our environment constantly undergoes changes either natural or manmade affecting growth and development of all the organisms including plants. Plants are sessile in nature and therefore to counter environmental changes such as light, temperature, nutrient and water availability, pathogen, and many others; plants have evolved intricate signaling mechanisms, composed of multiple components including several plant hormones. Research conducted in the last decade has placed Strigolactones (SLs) in the growing list of plant hormones involved in coping with environmental changes. SLs are carotenoid derivatives functioning as both endogenous and exogenous signaling molecules in response to various environmental cues. Initially, SLs were discovered as compounds that are harmful to plants due to their role as stimulants in seed germination of parasitic plants, a more beneficial role in plant growth and development was uncovered much later. SLs are required for maintaining plant architecture by regulating shoot and root growth in response to various external stimuli including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, light, nutrients, and temperature. Moreover, a role for SLs has also been recognized during various abiotic and biotic stress conditions making them suitable target for generating genetically engineered crop plants with improved yield. This review discusses the biosynthesis of SLs and their regulatory and physiological roles in various stress conditions. Understanding of detailed signaling mechanisms of SLs will be an important factor for designing genetically modified crops for overcoming the problem of crop loss under stressful conditions. PMID:27092155

Fiber-optic hydrophone array for acoustic surveillance in the littoral

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, David; Nash, Phillip

2005-05-01

We describe a fibre-optic hydrophone array system architecture that can be tailored to meet the underwater acoustic surveillance requirements of the military, counter terrorist and customs authorities in protecting ports and harbours, offshore production facilities or coastal approaches. Physically the fibre-optic hydrophone array is in the form of a lightweight cable, enabling rapid deployment from a small vessel. Based upon an optical architecture of time and wavelength multiplexed interferometric hydrophones, the array is comprised of a series of hydrophone sub-arrays. Using multiple sub-arrays, extended perimeters many tens of kilometres in length can be monitored. Interrogated via a long (~50km) optical fibre data link, the acoustic date is processed using the latest open architecture sonar processing platform, ensuring that acoustic targets below, on and above the surface are detected, tracked and classified. Results obtained from an at sea trial of a 96-channel hydrophone array are given, showing the passive detection and tracking of a diver, small surface craft and big ocean going ships beyond the horizon. Furthermore, we describe how the OptaMarine fibre-optic hydrophone array fits into an integrated multi-layered approach to port and harbour security consisting of active sonar for diver detection and hull imaging, as well as thermal imaging and CCTV for surface monitoring. Finally, we briefly describe a complimentary land perimeter intruder detection system consisting of an array of fibre optic accelerometers.

Qualitative differences in the guidance of attention during single-color and multiple-color visual search: behavioral and electrophysiological evidence.

PubMed

Grubert, Anna; Eimer, Martin

2013-10-01

To find out whether attentional target selection can be effectively guided by top-down task sets for multiple colors, we measured behavioral and ERP markers of attentional target selection in an experiment where participants had to identify color-defined target digits that were accompanied by a single gray distractor object in the opposite visual field. In the One Color task, target color was constant. In the Two Color task, targets could have one of two equally likely colors. Color-guided target selection was less efficient during multiple-color relative to single-color search, and this was reflected by slower response times and delayed N2pc components. Nontarget-color items that were presented in half of all trials captured attention and gained access to working memory when participants searched for two colors, but were excluded from attentional processing in the One Color task. Results demonstrate qualitative differences in the guidance of attentional target selection between single-color and multiple-color visual search. They suggest that top-down attentional control can be applied much more effectively when it is based on a single feature-specific attentional template. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved.

Quantum partial search for uneven distribution of multiple target items

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Kun; Korepin, Vladimir

2018-06-01

Quantum partial search algorithm is an approximate search. It aims to find a target block (which has the target items). It runs a little faster than full Grover search. In this paper, we consider quantum partial search algorithm for multiple target items unevenly distributed in a database (target blocks have different number of target items). The algorithm we describe can locate one of the target blocks. Efficiency of the algorithm is measured by number of queries to the oracle. We optimize the algorithm in order to improve efficiency. By perturbation method, we find that the algorithm runs the fastest when target items are evenly distributed in database.

SU-F-T-604: Dosimetric Evaluation of Intracranial Stereotactic Radiotherapy Plans On a LINAC

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

Sheth, N; Tabibian, A; Rose, J

2016-06-15

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetry of cranial stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) plans of varying techniques on linac that meets appropriate TG-142 tolerances using 1 cm leaf width multileaf collimator (MLC). Methods: Seventeen spherical targets were generated in the center of a head phantom with diameters ranging 8 mm to 40 mm. SRT plans used 100° non-coplanar arcs and 5 couch angles with 35° spacing. The field size was target plus 1 mm margin. Four plans were created for each target: symmetrical jaws blocking for 5 arcs with 0° collimator (J1C), symmetrical jaws blocking with 5 clockwise arcs with 0° collimator andmore » 5 counter-clockwise arcs with 45° collimator (J2C), MLC blocking for 5 dynamic conformal arcs with 0° collimator (M1C), and MLC blocking for 5 clockwise dynamic conformal arcs with 0° collimators and 5 counter-clockwise dynamic conformal arcs with 45° collimator (M2C).Conformity was evaluated using a ratio of Rx to target volume (PITV). Heterogeneity was determined using a ratio of maximum dose to Rx dose. Falloff was scored using CGIg: difference of effective radii of spheres equal to half and full Rx volumes. Results: All plans met RTOG SRS criteria for conformity and heterogeneity. The mean PITV was 1.52±0.07, 1.49±0.08, 1.39±0.05, and 1.37±0.04 for J1C, J2C, M1C, and M2C plans respectively. The mean CGIg was 75.35±15.79, 74.19±16.66, 77.14±15.12, and 76.28±15.78 for J1C, J2C, M1C, and M2C plans respectively. The mean MDPD was 1.25±0.00 for all techniques. Conclusion: Clinically acceptable SRT plans for spherical targets were created on a linac with 1 cm MLC. Adding two collimator angles and MLC to arcs each improved conformity. The MLC improved the dose falloff while two collimator angles degraded it. This technique can expand the availability of SRT to patients especially to those who cannot travel to a facility with a dedicated stereotactic radiosurgery machine.« less

Reliability of Metrics Associated with a Counter-Movement Jump Performed on a Force Plate

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lombard, Wayne; Reid, Sorrel; Pearson, Keagan; Lambert, Michael

2017-01-01

The counter-movement jump is a consequence of maximal force, rate of force developed, and neuromuscular coordination. Thus, the counter-movement jump has been used to monitor various training adaptations. However, the smallest detectable difference of counter-movement jump metrics has yet to be established. The objective of the present study was…

Counter-transference and counter-experience in the treatment of violence prone youth.

PubMed

King, C H

1976-01-01

The constant confrontation inherent in therapeutic intervention with violence prone children, some of whome have committed homicide, is explored. Problems unique to work with these youths are discussed in terms of counter-transference issues for clinicians and counter-experience of teachers and child care workers. Suggestions for training and supervision are offered.

Operations-Focused Optimized Theater Weather Sensing Strategies Using Preemptive Binary Integer Programming

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

8217 Clear old problem data Do While Trim(Sheets("Campaign").Range("AF" & CStr (LOOP_COUNTER))) <> "" LOOP_COUNTER = LOOP_COUNTER + 1 Loop Do While...Trim(Sheets("Campaign").Range("A" & CStr (LOOP_COUNTER))) <> "" ’ Loop through all problem instances Sheets("Campaign").Range("R1:AF1").Rows...total number of locations M = Sheets("Campaign").Range("F" & CStr (LOOP_COUNTER)) ’ Record total number of sensor types N

Dynamic pulse difference circuit

DOEpatents

Erickson, Gerald L.

1978-01-01

A digital electronic circuit of especial use for subtracting background activity pulses in gamma spectrometry comprises an up-down counter connected to count up with signal-channel pulses and to count down with background-channel pulses. A detector responsive to the count position of the up-down counter provides a signal when the up-down counter has completed one scaling sequence cycle of counts in the up direction. In an alternate embodiment, a detector responsive to the count position of the up-down counter provides a signal upon overflow of the counter.

Real-time garbage collection for list processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shuler, R. L., Jr. (Inventor)

1986-01-01

In a list processing system, small reference counters are maintained in conjunction with memory cells for the purpose of identifying memory cells that become available for re-use. The counters are updated as references to the cells are created and destroyed, and when a counter of a cell is decremented to logical zero the cell is immediately returned to a list of free cells. In those cases where a counter must be incremented beyond the maximum value that can be represented in a small counter, the cell is restructured so that the additional reference count can be represented. The restructuring involves allocating an additional cell, distributing counter, tag, and pointer information among the two cells, and linking both cells appropriately into the existing list structure.

Microtubule-Targeting Therapy for Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-01

that were done to achieve the above specific goals. 1. Biological effects of ribozyme -carrying adenoviruses that target stathmin mRNA in human...prostate cancer cells: A ribozyme is a small RNA molecule that acts stoichiometrically to cleave multiple target RNA molecules [1]. This unique ability...of a ribozyme to degrade multiple target RNA molecules is a more efficient approach for down regulating genes that are expressed at very high levels

Matrix multiplication operations using pair-wise load and splat operations

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

Eichenberger, Alexandre E.; Gschwind, Michael K.; Gunnels, John A.

Mechanisms for performing a matrix multiplication operation are provided. A vector load operation is performed to load a first vector operand of the matrix multiplication operation to a first target vector register. A pair-wise load and splat operation is performed to load a pair of scalar values of a second vector operand and replicate the pair of scalar values within a second target vector register. An operation is performed on elements of the first target vector register and elements of the second target vector register to generate a partial product of the matrix multiplication operation. The partial product is accumulatedmore » with other partial products and a resulting accumulated partial product is stored. This operation may be repeated for a second pair of scalar values of the second vector operand.« less

Modelling an advanced ManPAD with dual band detectors and a rosette scanning seeker head

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Birchenall, Richard P.; Richardson, Mark A.; Butters, Brian; Walmsley, Roy

2012-01-01

Man Portable Air Defence Systems (ManPADs) have been a favoured anti aircraft weapon since their appearance on the military proliferation scene in the mid 1960s. Since this introduction there has been a 'cat and mouse' game of Missile Countermeasures (CMs) and the aircraft protection counter counter measures (CCMs) as missile designers attempt to defeat the aircraft platform protection equipment. Magnesium Teflon Viton (MTV) flares protected the target aircraft until the missile engineers discovered the art of flare rejection using techniques including track memory and track angle bias. These early CCMs relied upon CCM triggering techniques such as the rise rate method which would just sense a sudden increase in target energy and assume that a flare CM had been released by the target aircraft. This was not as reliable as was first thought as aspect changes (bringing another engine into the field of view) or glint from the sun could inadvertently trigger a CCM when not needed. The introduction of dual band detectors in the 1980s saw a major advance in CCM capability allowing comparisons between two distinct IR bands to be made thus allowing the recognition of an MTV flare to occur with minimal false alarms. The development of the rosette scan seeker in the 1980s complemented this advancement allowing the scene in the missile field of view (FOV) to be scanned by a much smaller (1/25) instantaneous FOV (IFOV) with the spectral comparisons being made at each scan point. This took the ManPAD from a basic IR energy detector to a pseudo imaging system capable of analysing individual elements of its overall FOV allowing more complex and robust CCM to be developed. This paper continues the work published in [1,2] and describes the method used to model an advanced ManPAD with a rosette scanning seeker head and robust CCMs similar to the Raytheon Stinger RMP.

An efficient and target-oriented sample enrichment method for preparative separation of minor alkaloids by pH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Feng, Rui-Hong; Hou, Jin-Jun; Zhang, Yi-Bei; Pan, Hui-Qin; Yang, Wenzhi; Qi, Peng; Yao, Shuai; Cai, Lu-Ying; Yang, Min; Jiang, Bao-Hong; Liu, Xuan; Wu, Wan-Ying; Guo, De-An

2015-08-28

An efficient and target-oriented sample enrichment method was established to increase the content of the minor alkaloids in crude extract by using the corresponding two-phase solvent system applied in pH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography. The enrichment and separation of seven minor indole alkaloids from Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil(UR) were selected as an example to show the advantage of this method. An optimized two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (3:7:1:9, v/v) was used in this study, where triethylamine (TEA) as the retainer and hydrochloric acid (HCl) as the eluter were added at the equimolar of 10mM. Crude alkaloids of UR dissolved in the corresponding upper phase (containing 10mM TEA) were extracted twice with lower phase (containing 10mM TEA) and lower phase (containing 10mM HCl), respectively, the second lower phase extract was subjected to pH-zone-refining CCC separation after alkalization and desalination. Finally, from 10g of crude alkaloids, 4g of refined alkaloids was obtained and the total content of seven target indole alkaloids was increased from 4.64% to 15.78%. Seven indole alkaloids, including 54mg isocorynoxeine, 21mg corynoxeine, 46mg isorhynchophylline, 35mg rhynchophylline, 65mg hirsutine, 51mg hirsuteine and 27mg geissoschizine methylether were all simultaneously separated from 2.5g of refined alkaloids, with the purity of 86.4%, 97.5%, 90.3%, 92.1%, 98.5%, 92.3%, and 92.8%, respectively. The total content and purities of the seven minor indole alkaloids were tested by HPLC and their chemical structures were elucidated by ESI-HRMS and (1)H NMR. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

21 CFR 310.540 - Drug products containing active ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach acidifiers. 310.540 Section 310.540 Food and Drugs FOOD... ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach acidifiers. (a) Betaine hydrochloride, glutamic...-counter (OTC) drug products for use as stomach acidifiers. Because of the lack of adequate data to...

21 CFR 310.540 - Drug products containing active ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach acidifiers. 310.540 Section 310.540 Food and Drugs FOOD... ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach acidifiers. (a) Betaine hydrochloride, glutamic...-counter (OTC) drug products for use as stomach acidifiers. Because of the lack of adequate data to...

21 CFR 310.540 - Drug products containing active ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach acidifiers. 310.540 Section 310.540 Food and Drugs FOOD... ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach acidifiers. (a) Betaine hydrochloride, glutamic...-counter (OTC) drug products for use as stomach acidifiers. Because of the lack of adequate data to...

21 CFR 310.540 - Drug products containing active ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach acidifiers. 310.540 Section 310.540 Food and Drugs FOOD... ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for use as stomach acidifiers. (a) Betaine hydrochloride, glutamic...-counter (OTC) drug products for use as stomach acidifiers. Because of the lack of adequate data to...

INVESTIGATION OF THE SUN'S X-RAYS. III. ELECTRONIC APPARATUS (in Russian)

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

Vasil'ev, B.N.; Shurigin, A.I.; Tindo, I.P.

1963-01-01

The electronic portion of an apparatus constructed for the investigation of soft x rays being emitted by the sun is described. The apparatus is used in geophysical rockets and in cosmic space ships and earth satellites. In the geophysical rockets two separate detection channels are employed, one for the working counters and the other for the control counters. The working counter is always directed towards the sun while the control counter is turned 15 deg away from the sun. In the second Sputnik six identical counters were used and arranged so that their line of sight was oriented along threemore » mutually perpendicular axes. In the third Sputnik the working and contour counters were distributed in a system which was self-orienting with respect to the sun. In addition, two stationary counters were enrployed; their direction with respect to the sun changed during the course of the flight. The electronic apparatus consists of the following basic components: a circuit that forms the amplitude and shape of the counter pulses, the triggering device, the separating cascade circuit, and the coding set-up. Each of these circuits is described in detail; block diagrams are shown. (TTT)« less